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TL;DR: All Wallabies home games and fixtures against New Zealand are available to live stream for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are no easy games in the Rugby Championship. Every match is a huge test, as some of the best teams in the world come together to battle it out for Southern Hemisphere supremacy. That's great news for fans seeking top-quality competition.

The bad news is that this competition is difficult to follow for free. It's difficult, but there's always a way.

If you want to watch the 2025 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Rugby Championship?

The Rugby Championship is an international rugby union competition contested annually by Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Each team plays six matches comprised of three home and three away fixtures.

South Africa are the defending champions. New Zealand have won the most titles (20).

When is the 2025 Rugby Championship?

The 2025 Rugby Championship takes place from Aug. 16 to Oct. 4. The full schedule is as follows:

• South Africa vs. Australia — Aug. 16

• Argentina vs. New Zealand — Aug. 16

• South Africa vs. Australia — Aug. 23

• Argentina vs. New Zealand — Aug. 23

• Australia vs. Argentina — Sept. 6

• New Zealand vs. South Africa — Sept. 6

• Australia vs. Argentina — Sept. 13

• New Zealand vs. South Africa — Sept. 13

• New Zealand vs. Australia — Sept. 27

• South Africa vs. Argentina — Sept. 27

• Australia vs. New Zealand — Oct. 4

• Argentina vs. South Africa — Oct. 4

Fans can live stream select fixtures from the 2025 Rugby Championship without spending anything.

How to watch the 2025 Rugby Championship for free

All Wallabies home games and fixtures against New Zealand are available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone from around the world can access this site with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025 Rugby Championship 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 2025 Rugby Championship 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 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 of the 2025 Rugby Championship without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch top fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport for free, 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 one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Rugby Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Through September 7, the Weather Hi-Def Radar Storm Watch Plus app is $27.99 for lifetime access with code TAKE30 — packed with live radar, alerts, and detailed weather maps.

Opens in a new window Credit: Weather Hi-Def Weather Hi-Def Radar Storm Watch Plus: Lifetime Subscription $27.99
$199.99 Save $172 use code TAKE30 Get Deal

If your idea of “checking the weather” involves peeking out the window, it might be time to level up. Whether you’re camping, running, or just trying to beat rush hour before the hail hits — this app’s got your back.

Weather Hi-Def Radar Storm Watch Plus gives you lifetime access to radar you can actually use. Use promo code TAKE30 through September 7 to get it for $27.99 (MSRP $199.99).

See real-time and future radar on a zoomable map with zero fluff. The app goes beyond basic forecasts with storm tracks, lightning alerts, air quality data, wildfire overlays, and road condition layers. No matter where you are, it’s all on demand.

You can tap and hold any location to check current conditions, save spots for fast access, and get push notifications for lightning or precipitation within 10 miles. Tracking a hurricane, getting tornado alerts, preparing for winter storms, snow depth, marine warnings — it’s all layered in.

For hikers, skiers, travelers, and anyone who needs more than just a high/low temperature prediction, this is your weather toolkit. And with widgets and full-screen radar views, you’ll know what’s coming without digging through menus.

Pay once, stay informed forever, rain or shine.

New users can get a lifetime subscription to the Weather Hi-Def Radar app on sale for $27.99 with coupon code TAKE30 until September 7.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: This near-mint 2020 MacBook Pro has premium specs and a clean look. Get it for just $439.97 (MSRP $1,799) through September 7.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (i5 2GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $439.97
$1,799 Save $1,359.03 Get Deal

Get a refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (i5 2GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for just $439.97.

• Runs on a 10th-Gen Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz, ideal for multitasking, heavy tabs, and creative apps

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• Features a 13.3-inch Retina display with 2560×1600 resolution, 500 nits of brightness, and True Tone — so it always looks good, even outside

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• Up to 10 hours on a single battery charge

• Four Thunderbolt 3 ports let you connect displays, charge fast, transfer files, or plug into accessories using USB-C

• Ships as a grade “A” refurbished unit, which means near-mint condition, minimal or no visible wear, and a third-party 30-day warranty.

• Preloaded with macOS and eligible for upgrade to macOS Sequoia 15

This refurbished Apple MacBook Pro is priced at just $439.97 and ready to take on your toughest tasks — grab it while supplies last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Imagiyo’s AI image generator for $49. This includes 500 images per month, no watermark, and commercial use rights.

Opens in a new window Credit: Imagiyo Imagiyo AI Image Generator: Lifetime Subscription (Standard Plan) $49
$495 Save $446 Get Deal

Tired of chasing “free” AI tools that slap watermarks on everything or limit your output after five clicks? Imagiyo skips the gimmicks and gives you exactly what you need — a clean, powerful image generator that actually lets you use what you make. No subscriptions, no credit systems, no monthly nonsense. Just your words turned into visuals.

For a limited time, lifetime access to Imagiyo is available for a one-time payment of $49.

Built on advanced AI models like Stable Diffusion and FLUX Schnell, Imagiyo lets you generate 500 high-quality images every month, two at a time, in multiple sizes. It’s browser-based, works on both desktop and mobile, and takes seconds to go from text prompt to final download. The UI is designed to be clean and easy to use so you can focus on your masterpiece.

Want to create commercial assets? Go for it. You can use your generated images commercially, unless your content violates copyright. And if you’re experimenting with more sensitive or NSFW content, Imagiyo allows that, too, as long as you have your settings on “private”.

Every image you create is downloadable, watermark-free, and stored for future access. You can use tools like PromptHero to find inspiration for prompts, or just start typing and see what happens — there’s no wrong way to explore.

No ads, no bloat, no limits on access. Just 500 new image credits every month for life. You get updates included, access to multiple generation engines, and nothing to install. It’s ideal for artists, marketers, designers, writers, and anyone who thinks in pictures.

This lifetime license to Imagiyo is for new users only, available for $49 — and once you buy, you’ll need to redeem your code within 30 days. After that, it’s yours forever.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Before buying a new car for tech perks, upgrade your current dash with this 10-inch wireless touchscreen display that supports CarPlay, Android Auto, GPS, Bluetooth, and more — for only $119.99 with free shipping.

Opens in a new window Credit: Wireless Car Display 10-inch Touchscreen Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Wireless Car Display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Support $119.99
$199.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal

If your current car doesn’t support CarPlay or Android Auto, don’t stress — there’s no need to trade it in just to stream Spotify or get real-time navigation.

This 10-inch Touchscreen Wireless Car Display brings modern dashboard tech to just about any vehicle, and it does it in style. For $119.99 (reg. $199.99), you’re getting a portable, full-featured upgrade that’s sleek, functional, and refreshingly easy to install.

Running on Android 12, this screen lets you download your favorite apps, stream maps through Google or Waze, and tap into real-time traffic insights, all without fumbling with your phone. And yes, it supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can read messages, make hands-free calls, or queue up a podcast directly from the touchscreen.

More than just flashy features, it’s also packed with smart functionality. When you shift into reverse, the screen automatically switches to your backup camera view (not included), complete with parking guidelines for safer maneuvering. Built-in Bluetooth makes it simple to connect your phone, and the integrated speaker means you don’t need to rely on your car’s stereo if you don’t want to.

Whether you’re heading out on a road trip, carpooling to school, or just trying to make your commute less chaotic, this display adds convenience and connectivity in all the right places. And as a bonus, FM transmission means you can even broadcast audio from the screen to your car’s radio, giving you the best of both worlds.

It’s an ideal gift for someone with an older car for yourself, if you’re not quite ready to commit to the expense of a new vehicle.

Big tech, small investment.

Get the 10-inch Touchscreen Wireless Car Display for $119.99 (reg. $199.99) plus free shipping for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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!

SEE ALSO: The 10 best TV shows of 2025 (so far), and where to stream them

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.

Mashable's entertainment team has scoured the streaming services to highlight the most buzzed-about releases of this week and ranked them from worst to best — or least worth your time to most watchable. Whether you're in the mood for Carrie Bradshaw's dramatics, clown-centered carnage, kooky crime comedies, splashy horror, Seth Rogen shenanigans, or the return of the Addams Family, we've got something just for you.

14. And Just Like That..., Series Finale: Part 1

And just like that, it's come to an end. Again. Sex and the City spinoff And Just Like That… will air its very last episode next Thursday, Aug. 14, after showrunner Michael Patrick King announced Season 3 would be its last. The first of a two-part finale, this week's episode will be a farewell to Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her well-dressed New York friends and lovers. It's been a wild ride, through the series' engagement with modern dating, vaginal suppositories, new tech, and making a mess of Diwali — and all the wild cameos they could muster. Though it's tested us at times, the spinoff has shown how much Sex and the City fans will do for real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Mario Cantone, Sarita Choudhury, Evan Handler, David Eigenberg, Nicole Ari Parker, John Corbett, Sebastiano Pigazzi, Dolly Wells, Mehcad Brooks, Jonathan Cake, and Logan Marshall-Green

How to watch: The first part of the two-part series finale for And Just Like That... premieres on HBO Max on Aug. 7.

13. Clown in a Cornfield

Based on Adam Cesare's novel of the same name, Clown in a Cornfield delivers exactly what you'd expect from the title. In the rural Midwestern setting of Kettle Springs, Missouri, the landscape is rich in cornfields, all the better to hide the creeping clown-faced killer who stalks local teens. His name is Frendo. There was a time when he was a symbol of local pride, the mascot of the Baypen Corn Syrup factory. But as new kid in town Quinn Maybrook (Katie Douglas) soon learns, Frendo is back. And he's out for blood.

Splashy in violence and rich in subgenre tropes, Clown in a Cornfield offers few surprises. But slasher fans have been giddy over this one since its SXSW premiere. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Katie Douglas, Aaron Abrams, Carson MacCormac, Kevin Durand, and Will Sasso

How to watch: Clown in a Cornfield debuts on Shudder on Aug. 8.

12. The Pickup

From The Blackening director Tim Story comes a heist comedy whose cast alone should have you adding it to your queue.

Two eras of Saturday Night Live icons collide. Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson star as armored truck guards who have one hell of a shift ahead of them. A old-timer on this job, Russell (Murphy) is keen to finish on time to get home to his wife (Eva Longoria) to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Travis (Davidson) is newer to this line of work, and far more prone to panic. To be fair, it's doubly stressful when not only are they held up by a clever thief, but that thief also happens to be Travis' hook-up from the night before (Keke Palmer). And that's before we get to her blackmail plan, which involves an even bigger scheme! — K.P.

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria, Andrew Dice Clay, Marshawn Lynch, and Keke Palmer

How to watch: The Pickup debuts on Prime Video on Aug. 6.

11. Freaky Tales

Want a flick that has a vintage midnight movies vibe? Then you'll thrill over Freaky Tales. Co-written and co-directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (Half Nelson), this collection of vignettes set in 1987 Oakland features big stars and some gnarly twists.

One story focuses on some young punks who are looking to kick Nazis out of their scene. Meanwhile, a budding rap duo gets a chance to shine. A pro-baller goes vigilante when a home invasion leaves his loved ones dead, and a newly minted father (Pedro Pascal in daddy mode again!) seeks revenge on the crew that killed his wife. Weird, wild, and a bit wonky, Freaky Tales delivers on its name. — K.P.

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Normani, Dominique Thorne, and Jack Champion

How to watch: Freaky Tales debuts on HBO Max on Aug. 8.

10. Taurasi

As women's basketball and the WNBA continue to surge in popularity thanks to young stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, there's no better time to catch up on the history of the sport and learn about the players who paved the way. Enter Taurasi, Prime Video's docuseries about one of the GOATs of the sport: Diana Taurasi.

A player who's gamely alternated between playing the hero and embracing the heel role (she's the queen of trash-talking for a reason), Taurasi is an undeniably fascinating — even polarizing — figure. Her story is equally fascinating, with Taurasi examining her journey from UConn star to WNBA legend, along with her time playing overseas in Russia. At only three parts, there's a sense that there could be even more to the story, but it's still a delight to hear Taurasi's frank input on her own life. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Taurasi is now streaming on Prime Video.

9. Outlander: Blood of my Blood

Outlander fans know all about the time-traveling love story of Claire (Caitríona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) — but what about their parents' love stories?

Prequel Outlander: Blood of My Blood weaves the romances of the two couples together and delivers origin stories for key Outlander players. Claire's parents, Julia Moriston (Hermione Corfield) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine), cross paths during the horrors of World War I, while Jamie's parents, Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy), meet in the Scottish Highlands in the 18th century. Before Outlander airs its eighth and final season, Blood of My Blood is sure to tide over Outlander fans' cravings for sweeping romance.* — B.E.

Starring: Hermione Corfield, Jeremy Irvine, Harriet Slater, Jamie Roy, Tony Curran, Séamus McLean Ross, Sam Retford, Rory Alexander, and Conor MacNeill

How to watch: Outlander: Blood of My Blood premieres Aug. 8 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Starz, with new episodes streaming Fridays on the Starz app and Starz streaming and on-demand platforms.

8. Jurassic World Rebirth

Set five years after Jurassic World: Dominion, the seventh installment in the Jurassic Park film series follows a smirking mercenary (Scarlett Johansson) and a paleontologist wearing "slutty little glasses" (Jonathan Bailey) onto a tropical island, where dinosaur blood might prove a medical miracle. If they can get it and survive!

Marking the return of Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp (Presence, Kimi, Death Becomes Her) to the series, Jurassic World Rebirth took a big swing to get this franchise back on track. But the results were a mixed bag. In my review for the film's theatrical release, I wrote, "Jurassic World Rebirth is a rocky ride. Some bits are absolutely exhilarating, while others feel like a chore. But unlike the humans in this franchise, the humans of our world just cannot tire of these incredible beasts, happy to shell out ticket money to get as close as we might to their enormous majesty. And this film, including its hilariously calamitous opening with its requisite kill, will deliver, feeding both all our yearning for excitement and our need for escapism." — K.P.

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo

How to watch: Jurassic World Rebirth is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

6. & 7. Now You See Me & Now You See Me 2

With the upcoming sequel Now You See Me, Now You Don't coming to theaters this fall, now's a good time to revisit the first two films in the Four Horsemen trilogy.

2013's Now You See Me established the world of four magicians who use their incredible illusions to pull off a dazzling bank heist. (Danny Ocean could never!) Three years later, the crew reconvened for exciting adventure that pitted them against a tech genius. How will these schemes lead to Now You See Me, Now You Don't? There's only one way to find out. And that's a movie marathon, baby! — K.P.

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Mélanie Laurent, Isla Fisher, Common, Dave Franco, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman

How to watch: Now You See Me and Now You See Me 2 are now streaming on Netflix.

5. The Monkey

Osgood Perkins, the twisted mind behind Longlegs, delivers a darkly hilarious adaptation of a gnarly Stephen King short story. Remember those creepy robotic monkey toys that played an instrument at the turn of a crank? Well, this one beats its drum as a harbinger of doom. Specifically, that tinny tum-tum-tum means someone is going to die in a very violent and even comically gruesome way.

Twin brothers Bill and Hal first learned of the monkey's heinous skills when they were both boys. Now grown and estranged (and both played by Theo James), they're at odds over what to do with the monkey as it resurfaces for fresh blood. A tale of parenthood, paranoia, and how to laugh in the face of death, The Monkey is one of the wackiest and most gruesome movies this year. Brace yourself! —K.P.

Starring: Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, Christian Convery, Colin O'Brien, Rohan Campbell, and Sarah Levy

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

4. Sister Midnight

Writer/director Karan Kandhari's wild debut Sister Midnight is a must-see for the weirdos (hi). Radhika Apte gives a tremendous, unhinged performance as small-town bride Uma, whose arranged marriage to Gopal (Ashok Pathak) reaches levels of weird you could only dream of. Set in Mumbai, Sister Midnight is "a film as strange, hilarious, and unpredictable as its protagonist," as I wrote in my review. The twists are uncanny, the long-simmering thirsts bestial, and the score, by Interpol's Paul Banks, is everything. — S.C.

Starring: Radhika Apte, Ashok Pathak, Chhaya Kadam, and Smita Tambe

How to watch: Sister Midnight is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

3. Platonic, Season 2

Who says bad influences are just for kids? Platonic, created by Francesca Delbanco and Nicholas Stoller, explores the underrepresented realm of forty-something fuck-ups, and it's gloriously fun in its second season.

Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen reunite as college besties Sylvia and Will. She's a mother of three, chronically organized, and starting her own business as a party planner. He's her first big client — a loud, brash beer brewer poised to marry his perky boss, a massively powerful CEO. Everything seems to be coming up roses, but these two always find the thorns.

SEE ALSO: 'Platonic' - Everything you need to know

Mid-life crises were never so achingly hilarious as Platonic Season 2 explores what might happen when work, marriage, and friendship aren't as you might dream. While there's plenty of laughs in this one, "Road Trip" is the ep that had us screaming. —K.P.

Starring: Rose Byrne, Seth Rogen, Luke Macfarlane, Tre Hale, Andrew Lopez, and Carla Gallo

How to watch: Platonic Season 2 debuts on Aug. 6 on Apple TV+.

2. Sorry, Baby

See the directorial debut that had critics cheering out of Sundance 2025. Internet comedian Eva Victor has always had a challenging sense of humor. With Sorry, Baby, which she directs, writes, and stars in, she tones down the zaniness while maintaining an edge that runs alongside a deep empathy for her heartbroken heroine, who's coping with the trauma of sexual assault.

The event itself is off camera, but looms large over the life of grad student Agnes, even as years pass and she becomes a professor. While her peers seem to move on, she feels stuck. But could the support of friends and even the occasional sandwich-offering stranger help her heal?

In my rave review out of Sundance, I declared, "Bittersweet, brilliant, and heartwarmingly funny, Sorry, Baby is a movie that is sure to find an audience beyond Sundance. And not just because A24 is a master of marketing offbeat cinema, but because Victor has a voice that is strong, strange, and demands to be heard." — K.P.

Starring: Eva Victor, Naomi Ackie, Lucas Hedges, John Carroll Lynch, Louis Cancelmi, and Kelly McCormack

How to watch: Sorry, Baby is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

1. Wednesday, Season 2, Part 1

Do you hear that? The kooky, spooky sound of rhythmic snapping? That can only mean one thing: Wednesday Season 2 has landed on Netflix, bringing Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) and the whole Addams Family with her. This season, Wednesday returns to Nevermore Academy and receives a terrible vision. Her roommate Enid (Emma Myers) is going to die — and it's all Wednesday's fault. With the clock ticking and a new rash of murders plaguing the nearby town of Jericho, will Wednesday be able to save her bestie and solve a new case?

Season 2 of Wednesday fine-tunes the formula from the fun, if wonky, Season 1, ditching its love triangle (thank goodness) and upping the horror factor. The result is a macabre blast. As I wrote in my review of the show's first four episodes, "Watching [Wednesday's] detective exploits continues to be pure gothic fun, and that's something worth snapping about." — B.E.

Starring: Jenna Ortega, Isaac Ordonez, Victor Dorobantu, Luis Guzmán, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joanna Lumley, Fred Armisen, Emma Myers, Hunter Doohan, Joy Sunday, Moosa Mostafa, Georgie Farmer, Noah B. Taylor, Evie Templeton, Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, Christopher Lloyd, Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo, Jamie McShane, and Thandiwe Newton

How to watch: Wednesday Season 2, Part 1 is now streaming on Netflix, with Part 2 premiering Sept. 3.

(*) denotes a blurb comes from a previous list.

It's not really a surprise that Tim Burton's Wednesday takes spooky aesthetic cues from The Addams Family — Charles Addams' New Yorker cartoons, the '60s sitcom, and the '90s movies — but it's a delight to see some deeply specific references hidden in the second season to the 1991's The Addams Family.

A monochromatic beacon of comedy in the early '90s, Barry Sonnenfeld's The Addams Family and its superb sequel The Addams Family Values were on repeat in our house. Suffice to say, I've watched the film on VHS enough times to spot a niche reference when I see it.

SEE ALSO: 10 burning questions we have for 'Wednesday' Season 2, Part 2

Wednesday Season 2 includes a handful of references to the film through production design, blink-and-you'll-miss-it scenes, and one gloriously chaotic casting choice. Here's what I could spot:

Wednesday's octopus bed Jenna Ortega's Wednesday has the same bed as Christina Ricci's Wednesday and I love it. Credit: Jonathan Hession / Netflix

In The Addams Family, Wednesday (Christina Ricci, who plays science teacher Marilyn Thornhill in Wednesday) is obsessed with the Bermuda Triangle. She studies it. Extending this marine mystery mania to her bedroom decor, Wednesday's bed is adorned with a large octopus. In Wednesday Season 2, episode 1, when our stormy protagonist (Jenna Ortega) is about to leave for Nevermore Academy from the Addams mansion, you can see her bed also has an octopus on it. Reader, I need this bed.

Pugsley's traffic shenanigans Pugsley's stop sign stash in "The Addams Family." Credit: Barry Sonnenfeld Orion/Paramount USA Scene Still Comedy La famille Addams

In Wednesday Season 2, episode 1, Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez) is bullied by his sister Wednesday to use his electricity powers to zap a stop sign on their way to Nevermore Academy. It causes a major pileup. To me, it's possibly a reference to the stop signs pilfered by Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) in The Addams Family, which cause a traffic accident we hear but don't see onscreen.

Thing lends a hand — as a golf tee Thing: Always handy. Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

If you don't remember the iconic Raul Julia as Gomez Addams, consider this your homework. In The Addams Family, whenever Julia's Gomez needs a a bit of R&R, he hits golf balls from his roof right into his neighbour's windows. Thing, ever courteous, acts as a tee in these scenes. In Wednesday Season 2, we see Thing re-enacting this moment in episode 2, during a montage of Thing being treated like a servant by Morticia and Gomez (Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán). This time, Gomez hits Thing instead of the golf ball, sending the poor dude flying into a tree.

Morticia and Gomez's dance Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán in "Wednesday." Credit: Jonathan Hession / Netflix

The perpetually lusty heads of the Addams Family love a tango, with Morticia (the iconic Anjelica Huston) and Gomez quite literally setting the floor ablaze in The Addams Family Values. In Wednesday Season 2, episode 3, Zeta-Jones and Guzmán cut a rug of their own, with choreography that pays tribute to their predecessors.

The camp episode Camp Outcast > Camp Chippewa Credit: Helen Sloan / Netflix

Wednesday Season 2, episode 3, sees the Nevermore students off to Camp Jericho aka Camp Outcast in what seems to be a nod to The Addams Family Values. In the sequel film, Wednesday and Pugsley are shipped off to Camp Chippewa, sheer torture for them both (and not the good kind). But in Wednesday, the camp is made for Outcasts, with dagger throwing, a pitch black watchtower, and coffin-shaped s'mores.

Honorable mention: It's Christopher Lloyd! An icon: Christopher Lloyd's Fester Addams. Credit: Snap / Shutterstock

Watching Addams icon and Movie Wednesday Christina Ricci join the cast for Wednesday was a delight for The Addams Family fans. In Season 2, we get another Addams casting treat: the great Christopher Lloyd, whose melodramatic performance as Uncle Fester in the '90s movies is all-time. Lloyd plays a Futurama-style floating head in a jar, Nevermore science professor Dr. Orloff, who meets Wednesday in episode 2. Poor Orloff is the perpetual target of student pranks at Nevermore — have some respect!

Did you spy any more references to the Addams Family movies? Or perhaps the '60s sitcom? Let us know in the comments.

Wednesday Season 2, Part 1 is now streaming on Netflix. Part 2 lands on Sept. 3.

Like the beating of the hideous heart in Edgar Allan Poe's story, Netflix's Wednesday continues to tick with references to the 19th century American writer.

The first season of Tim Burton's spooky series was haunted with many a nod to Poe, from the Gothic setting of Nevermore Academy (named for Poe's most famous poem, 1845's The Raven) to the highly dangerous Poe Cup in which teams were story-themed, and the secret Nightshade Society, a possible hat-tip to the 1935 story Morella.

SEE ALSO: 'Wednesday' Season 2, Part 1 review: Does more macabre means more fun?

In Season 2, the references aren't as plentiful, but they're still there — Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) even calls a plot twist "worthy of Poe" at one point. We've rounded them all up below. And if you're not content with the long intervals of horrible sanity between the release of Part 1 and 2 of Wednesday Season 2, try a rewatch of The Fall of the House of Usher.

The Poe portrait

In Wednesday Season 2, episode 1, when teen siren Bianca Barclay (Joy Sunday) is called to the office of chipper new principal Barry Dort (Steve Buscemi), he directly points to a portrait of Poe on the wall, "our most famous alumni." The thing is, Dort also kind of looks like the author with that hairdo...

The ravens

While Poe's The Raven was mentioned a colossal amount of times in Season 1, there's a fair few actual ravens in Season 2. In episode 1, the Founder's Pyre constructed by the students is shaped like a stately raven. And in the main storyline, ravens aren't gently rapping at chamber doors like in Poe's story, instead taking a leaf out of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds.

Featured Video For You 'Talk to Me' directors Michael and Danny Philippou choose their ultimate horror movie squad The clockwork heart

The ticking heart at the centre of the ghost story told by teen gorgon Ajax (Georgie Farmer) in episode 1, feels inspired by Poe's 1843 short story "The Tell-Tale Heart."

"The Tale of the Skull Tree," the episode's stunning, characteristically Tim Burton animation, follows a "brilliant boy with a fragile heart" who invents a mechanical ticker for himself. However, it changes him into a cold and ambitious man, one who attends Nevermore Academy and meets his untimely death there. "Legend has it," Ajax explains, "that his body is buried at the foot of the Skull Tree in an unmarked grave. But if you put your ear to the skull's hollow left eye, you can still hear his clockwork heart." The story shares attributes with Poe's protagonist, who is plagued by the beating heart of a man he murdered and buried under the floorboards.

The Tell-Tale Café

In the Nevermore quad, there's a food truck called The Tell-Tale Café, a reference again to "The Tell-Tale Heart." You can see in episode 2 it's selling themed offerings named for Poe stories like "Murders in the Rue Macchiato."

A stack of Poe books

In episode 2, Wednesday must solve a nasty little puzzle in the clocktower, in which she must figure out which book is missing from the stacks around her. They're works by literary legends including H. G. Wells, Marcel Proust, Ann M. Martin, and yes, Poe.

Did you spy any more Poe references? Let us know in the comments.

Wednesday Season 2, Part 1 is now streaming on Netflix. Part 2 lands on Sept. 3.

Eminem documentary Stans leaves you in no doubt, that if you're not a fan around here, you can GTFO.

While the Shady Films-produced movie does include cultural commentators, famous friends, and music journalists, the doc quite literally centers devoted fans as the primary lens through which to examine Marshall Mathers' life and cultural impact — those who've treasured every album, demo, and mixtape, travelled the world to cheer at concerts, and even had Eminem's face tattooed 22 times on their body.

In the documentary, these fans are deemed proud stans (though they differentiate themselves by not being "too much like Stan"). Stan is a cultural term around fan culture that's evolved from being somewhat derogatory to gently celebratory, but one that was ultimately born from Eminem's 2000 hit "Stan," in which the artist takes on the perspective of an obsessive fan who murders his girlfriend. "You're just like me," the famous refrain goes.

SEE ALSO: Social media feeds toxic fandoms. Is there a solution?

It's an interesting, unapologetically reverent tactic taken by director Steven Leckart and producers Paul Rosenberg and Tony DiSanto: almost completely tracking an artist's life and career through the deep knowledge and analysis of fans. It's an ode to the connection between artistic empathy and mental health, a compelling exploration of fandom itself and parasocial relationships, and — specifically thanks to Eminem's final line — a middle finger to anyone who has anything negative to say about it.

Stans, ultimately, safeguards itself from criticism. Because if it's not for you, it's not for you.

Stans puts fans to the front, keeping the line in mind.

The true heart of Stans, beyond its famous subject, is the collection of Eminem fans interviewed throughout the film. Each proudly takes a seat in front of the camera, introducing themself (of course) with "My name is..." and sharing their stories of discovering and following Eminem's work. One example is Zolt Shady, a dedicated fan since 2001, whose presence is one of the highlights of the entire documentary, showing us around various Detroit sites from Eminem's life like a tour guide. These fans share his wins, mourn with him, and simply want him to succeed. Each fan is treated with genuine respect, volunteering their time in the hope that their idol will potentially see their explanation for why they're fans at all. Importantly, the idea of actually meeting Eminem is not the point here; they just want him to know.

SEE ALSO: Meet the stans who DM their faves about their day

Stans quite literally provides a definition of parasocial relationships here, with each fan speaking about Eminem as friend. The artist himself admits a certain discomfort with the fact that fans visit sites like that of his now-demolished childhood home, saying, "It's cool that people care, but it's weird because it's me." However, Eminem does self-reflect on his own idols like LL Cool J, who also appears in the documentary, and defines parasocial relationships himself: "You're like their best friend, and you don't even know it."

Despite the titular song being entirely about the topic, Stans pulls back on the very real impact of specifically toxic fandoms, when parasocial relationships go scarily wrong — something Tegan and Sara documentary Fanatical managed with finesse. Any analysis of harmful celebrity worship and harassment is kept relatively contained to a look at the song "Stan" itself, a few comments from Eminem and his famous friends, some thoughts from a fan about what the character Stan would be like in the age of social media, and a montage of some pretty alarming fan letters demanding access and communication.

Instead, the film remains focused on what non-toxic fandom can look like, how people connect with an artist's work and even survive by it, finding solace in shared experience and their unapologetic "standom."

Stans is a wild ride through Eminem's career with zero criticism.

While taking a different approach, Stans is still a chronological music documentary, moving through Eminem's turbulent childhood in Detroit, Michigan, to his early mixtapes and being "discovered" by Dr Dre and Interscope Records' Jimmy Iovine, through his supercharged path to fame, including the Oscar–winning, box office-topping film 8 Mile (based loosely on Eminem's own life). As well as assessing Eminem's impact on hip-hop and the music industry, the film highlights some of the more rapscallion antics of Eminem's career in Stans, featuring many a bare butt cheek. It feels like you're moving through an energetic YouTube session — remember when Eminem did/said that? Fans do.

The film mainly tracks Eminem's discography through fan commentary, with each connecting their own experience to releases including his seminal, controversial second album The Marshall Mathers LP, towering seller The Eminem Show, to his post-hiatus releases Relapse and Recovery. Eminem and his collaborators speak to some of the writing and production of his work, and the toll that being so forthcoming with your own experiences can take. As Eminem says, "I was an open book, and sometimes you want to be able to close that book."

However, the film for the most part has fans reflecting on how each album has impacted them personally. It's an intriguing strategy, handing the critical analysis to those who have pored over each lyric with an emotional magnifying glass, and it leads the film to some really touching reflections about loneliness and the power of creative connection.

Through Eminem's own words and the analysis of the fans, Stans unpacks the onstage persona Slim Shady and how "uncancellable" the artist is behind such a character. However, what Stans refuses to do is adequately examine Eminem's more controversial statements and homophobic and misogynistic lyrics, whether delivered as Slim Shady or himself. "Anybody with half a brain is going to be able to tell when I'm joking and when I'm not," Eminem says. The documentary also doesn't engage any music journalists or cultural commentators with anything critical to say; it's the Eminem documentary, produced by Eminem, and foregrounding Eminem and his fans. The only music journalist in the entire documentary is Anthony Bozza, Rolling Stone journalist and author of the book, Whatever You Say I Am: The Life and Times of Eminem, and the film pointedly takes pains to patronise past Eminem coverage from the New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd.

Instead, the main talking heads beyond the fans are Eminem's close collaborators and admirers — Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, Ed Sheeran, Carson Daly, Adam Sandler — all of whom provide insight into Eminem's impact. But it's the artist himself who gives the most raw opinions of himself in his darkest days.

Stans makes room to explore fame, mental health, and addiction.

Unfortunately, one of the most consistent turns in music documentaries often sees the artist struggling with fame and the pressure of celebrity, which can often lead to problems with mental health and substance abuse. It's a sadly common tale that seems to come with the territory.

Stans treats its subject, Eminem, with respect throughout this section of the documentary — namely because the artist himself leads the conversation. Through interviews down the camera, bolstered by commentary from his concerned fans, Eminem speaks to his own experience with addiction, which saw the artist almost lose his life after the shocking loss of his best friend and D12 member, MC Proof, who was shot and killed in a club on Detroit's Eight Mile in 2006.

One of the most raw moments of the documentary sees Eminem speaking frankly about his experience with addiction, revisiting painful memories with regret and determination. The film pairs this with commentary from Dr. Dre about the impact Eminem's own lyrics about mental health have had on rappers after him, pushing a trend of being open and vulnerable in hip-hop to promote authenticity.

It's this reverence for Eminem's authentic expression and persistence through struggle that remains at the core of both his collaborators' comments and the reflections from fans. Though an overtly reverent documentary, Stans is a compelling, respectful exploration of one of the world's most successful and famous artists mainly through the experiences and opinions of his fans.

And if you don't like it, according to Eminem, you can "s*** a fat d***." For real.

Stans has a limited theatrical run exclusively in AMC Theatres Aug. 7-10.

UPDATE: Aug. 5, 2025, 9:22 a.m. Stans was reviewed out of its global premiere at SXSW London on June 5, 2025. This article has been updated with the latest theatrical release information.

Independent testing has found several popular EVs fell short of their claimed driving ranges when placed in real-world conditions, including the Tesla Model Y, Model 3, and Kia EV6. In the most egregious discrepancy, one vehicle demonstrated an enormous 23 percent reduction in range.

SEE ALSO: Tesla grants Elon Musk $29 billion pay package, fights to give him $55.8 billion

The Australian Automobile Association's (AAA) Real-World Testing Program has published the results of its range and energy consumption tests on five EVs, the program's first evaluation of entirely electric vehicles since its launch. Unfortunately, all five EVs underperformed in real-world conditions when compared to their mandated lab results, including three popular models available in the U.S.: the 2024 Tesla Model 3, 2024 Tesla Model Y, and 2022 Kia EV6. 

The Tesla Model 3 had some of the worst results when it came to range, managing only 441km (274mi) compared to their lab result of 513km (318.8mi) — a 14 percent drop. The Model Y didn't live up to its 533km (331.2mi) lab range either, suffering an eight percent reduction to top out at 490km (304.5mi). The Kia EV6 also underperformed by eight percent, travelling 484km (300.7mi) in AAA's tests as opposed to the 528km (328.1mi) expected.

The AAA further tested the 2023 BYD Atto 3 and 2024 Smart #3, finding the latter performed the closest to the range it advertised out of all the EVs tested. Specifically, the Smart #3's real-world range of 432km (268.4mi) was five percent lower than its purported 455km (282.7mi) lab result. In contrast, the Atto 3 displayed the widest discrepancy of the five cars tested, with its real-world range of 369km (229.3 mi) landing 23 percent lower than its lab range of 480km (298.3mi). Though neither vehicle is currently available in the U.S., the Atto 3 is the fifth best-selling EV in Australia.

Credit: Australian Automobile Association

Fortunately, it wasn't all bad news when it came to the five EVs' energy consumption. The Tesla Model Y actually performed slightly better than its lab results, consuming one percent less energy at 167Wh/km rather than 169Wh/km. Sadly, the other four vehicles failed to impress, each one exceeding the energy use from their lab tests. The Kia EV6 consumed one percent more energy compared to its lab results, the Tesla Model 3 used six percent more, and the Smart #3 used four percent more. Shockingly, the Atto 3's energy consumption was a whopping 21 percent higher than expected, a poor result when considered in conjunction with its 23 percent lower range.

Mashable has reached out to Tesla, Kia, BYD, and Smart for comment.

AAA states that its program tested the cars on a 93km (57.8mi) circuit in Geelong, Victoria, between March and May, in both damp and dry conditions and temperatures ranging from 17 to 25C (62 to 77F).

"[The Real-World Testing Program] uses strict testing protocols based on European regulations to ensure results are repeatable and to minimise the influence of human factors such as driving style and changing traffic flows," AAA stated.

Funded by the Australian government, AAA's Real-World Testing Program was first proposed in the wake of the 2015 Dieselgate emissions cheating scandal. It was subsequently launched in 2023, with the intention to test 200 vehicles over four years and evaluate them against their claims. Of the 114 internal combustion engine and hybrid vehicles since tested, one in five has surpassed noxious emissions limits and 75 percent has exceeded fuel consumption when compared to lab tests.

TL;DR: Always have a scanner on hand with a lifetime subscription to this handy app, SwiftScan VIP, now £31.43 with code TAKE30.

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SwiftScan organises all your scans into folders, and their OCR technology makes searching a breeze if you need to access them later. 

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If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Recently.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

NEWLY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A treat.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SNACK

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Impressive.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

GRAND

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Not a man.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

WOMAN

Final Hurdle hint

Attempted.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

TRIED

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

Wondering what you're seeing when you look up at the moon tonight? Wonder no more, we've got all the information you need about the current lunar cycle.

What's the lunar cycle, you ask? This is a series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

So, what's happening with the moon tonight, Aug. 7?

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Thursday, Aug. 7, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, the moon will be 96% lit up tonight.

There's lots to see tonight, with your unaided eye alone, enjoy a glimpse of the Copernicus Crater, the Mare Fecunditatis, and the Oceanus Procellarum. With binoculars, you'll also be able to see the Mare Humorum, the Archimedes Crater, and the Clavius Crater.

With a telescope, look towards the left (right if you're in the Southern Hemisphere) to see the Reiner Gama and right (vice versa again) for the Rima Ariadaeus and Apollo 16.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on August 9. The last full moon was on July 10.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Collecting all your favourite snacks and drinks, surrounding yourself with comfortable cushions and blankets, and then spending hours in front of a screen can be a truly therapeutic experience. Unfortunately, there is one big problem with this hobby: There is a limited amount of content out there to keep you entertained.

We're a greedy bunch, and regular streamers can easily get to a point where it feels like there's nothing left to watch. What are you supposed to do then? Don't panic, because there is a simple solution to this frustrating issue.

If you've reached this point of streaming shortage, you should consider investing in a VPN. It will likely unlock a lot of shows and movies on services to which you're already subscribed.

What is a VPN?

VPNs are security tools that provide protection for your information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address (digital location). All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because all of your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.

SEE ALSO: 30 best movies on Netflix to stream right now

The act of hiding your real IP address is what can trick leading streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country.

Do you need a VPN?

VPNs are used to provide protection for your sensitive information, which is obviously super important. This isn't the only reason VPNs are so popular though, because these tools can be also be used to watch content that is normally blocked in your location.

By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another country, you can watch all your favourite content from that location. For example, you could watch all the extra films and shows on American Netflix that are not usually accessible outside of the U.S. There is so much content out there that can be accessed with the help of a VPN.

Everyone is in need of something that can bypass geo-restrictions to access all of this blocked entertainment, and that something is a VPN. These services are keys to the online world, granting you access to more of the shows and films you love.

How to unblock U.S. Netflix

If you think accessing American Netflix is going to be difficult with a VPN, think again. It's actually a really simple process that absolutely everyone can understand:

1. Sign up 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 U.S.

4. Visit Netflix to watch movies and shows from the U.S. content library

If you're worried that this whole thing sounds a bit illegal, then maybe we can reassure you. It's currently legal to watch Netflix while using a VPN, although we should point out that Netflix states in its terms of service that it may restrict your account without compensation or notice if you are engaged in "improper" use. We're not entirely sure what that means, but consider yourself warned.

We should make it very clear that you still need to be subscribed to Netflix for this trick to work. A VPN is not going to grant access to the streaming site for free. A VPN provides access to more libraries from around the world, once you're subscribed.

Should you use free VPNs?

There are plenty of free versions and free trials of VPNs, so why would you ever consider paying for a service? As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs.

There is always a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. These plans will be just fine if you're just an occasional user, but if you're going to be streaming or downloading anything, this isn't going to work. Free trials are different as come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you generally need to pay up. That being said, services like ProtonVPN offer an impressive set of features for free. However, you might have trouble streaming Netflix with this free version.

What is the best VPN for Netflix?

There are a lot of VPN services out there that can effectively unblock American Netflix, but which is the best? There are plenty of strong options for you to consider, but we wouldn't want you wasting your time checking everything out. To save you time, we've handpicked your best options. Each service has a different set of features that will suit some users better than others, and it's all about finding something that works for you.

ExpressVPN is at the top of this list because it combines essential features with impressive results, but it isn’t the only option available to you. We have lined up all the best VPNs for unblocking Netflix, with something for everyone on this list. We've highlighted the best deals on the likes of Surfshark, PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and NordVPN.

These are the best VPNs for Netflix in 2025.

VPNs are seriously useful security tools that can protect your identity and data, bypass online restrictions to access extra content, and much more. If this is all very new to you, you've probably got a lot of questions. Don't worry, because we can help.

We've done all the hard work for you and thoroughly researched these services to provide the information that matters to you. Here's everything you need to know about VPNs.

What is a VPN?

VPNs (or Virtual Private Networks) provide important protection for your data and identity when you're online. They offer this online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address (digital location). This means that all of your activity is untraceable and secure.

Basically, you can think about VPNs as encrypted tunnels through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.

Do you need a VPN?

Any sort of activity on an unsecured WiFi network leaves your private information and browsing habits exposed to the world, unless you're using a VPN. There's no need to panic, because whether you're sending important emails, doing some online shopping, or paying essential bills, VPNs make sure that everything remains private and anonymous.

SEE ALSO: The best VPNs for your iPhone

First and foremost, VPNs are designed to provide online security, but there is another reason that millions of people use these services: streaming more content from around the world. By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another location, you can trick your favourite streaming services into thinking that you are based in a different country. This means that you can watch all of the shows and films from global libraries, like all the extra content on U.S. Netflix. This is the quickest and easiest way of boosting your content options, without the need to rely on a dodgy stream.

What should you consider before subscribing to a VPN?

There are plenty of things that you should consider when it comes to VPNs, but we don't have all day. Instead of listing off every feature offered by the best VPNs, we have highlighted a selection of the most important things to think about.

Before you make any sort of decision, you should look out for connection speed, server network, number of logins, and more important features:

• Bandwidth — There are some VPNs out there that place monthly caps on network bandwidth, meaning you can only download a certain amount of data. You should avoid these services, unless you're on a free trial. If you're paying for a VPN, you should be able to download and upload as much as you want.

• Connection speed — Using a VPN is going to produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept a significant drop that is going to result in buffering. Be sure to select a VPN that doesn't negatively impact your connection speed to the point that you can't watch a film or download a file without frustration.

• Encryption — There are different levels of encryption, and whilst it's important to take note of the grade provided by your VPN, the best options will all offer powerful protection for your data. You are likely to come across terms like "military-grade" and "enterprise-grade," which just means that you can rely on it to do its job.

• Number of connections — Some VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account. Others limit you to just a single device. You should look out for a service that offers multiple simultaneous connections, so you can stay protected on all your devices at the same time.

• Server network — The very best VPNs provide access to literally thousands of geographically diverse servers. It's useful if a VPN has a lot of servers in key locations, because you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming, shopping, or browsing anonymously. It's not a straightforward case of more is better, but it's always good to have options.

• Privacy policy — It's worth paying special attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of the VPN you are planning on using. These practices should be laid out in a privacy policy, and if they aren't clear, it's best to avoid. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up. If privacy is the objective, it's absolutely essential that your VPN is not going to store these details. If it does, the whole thing is kind of pointless.

There are other things to consider, like price and subscription plans, but these features are a good place to start.

Should you use free VPNs?

There are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs, plus free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. So why would you ever pay for a VPN?

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs. There tends to always be a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. If you're just an occasional user, these plans will work fine. But if you're going to be streaming or downloading, this isn't going to work. Free trials are a little bit different: they come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

What we're saying is that the best option for streaming securely and accessing the online world without restrictions is with a paid subscription to a VPN. To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you need to pay up. The best VPNs are generally the most expensive, but there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you're willing to commit to a lengthy contract.

What is the best VPN?

There are a lot of VPN providers out there all offering different sets of features, with different pricing structures. We recommend taking some time to carefully access your options, and decide on what you really need from a VPN. Once you have established your priorities, you can check out this definitive list of the best VPNs this month.

We have tracked down everything on offer and lined up a selection of the very best VPNs for streaming, shopping, and everything else. We have tried to find something for everyone and every budget, and you can find popular services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost VPN in this list. All you need to do is weigh up these options against your own set of priorities, and then pick a favourite from the bunch.

These are the best VPNs in 2025.

AI assistants from companies like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are getting super-smart super fast. New models, agentic features, and new tools now drop on a weekly basis, making AI chatbots more capable and more helpful. ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok are some of the biggest and most famous, and easily the three that get the most attention.

But at this point in time, is one of them actually better than the others? If you were to pay for one, or at least use one on a regular basis, is there one in particular you should commit to? Are you a ChatGPT person or a Grok person? I’ve used all three of these AI tools extensively. Here’s a look at their features and which one is truly the best.

The basics: How do their features compare?

ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok all have slightly different features, price points, and advantages.

ChatGPT

The free version of ChatGPT is very capable. You’ll get access to GPT-4.1 mini, which is pretty smart, and you’ll get limited access to OpenAI’s flagship multimodal model, GPT-4o, along with the GPT-o4-mini reasoning model. You’ll also be able to use the deep research feature (which conducts extensive research) on a limited basis, enter voice mode, upload files for analysis, and create custom GPTs. Free users can also generate images, with limits.

Upgrade to the Plus plan ($20 per month), and you’ll get higher usage limits on file uploads and models like GPT-4o, plus access to more advanced reasoning models like o3. Additionally, you’ll be able to create “Projects,” (essentially a way to organize chats) and receive limited access to the Sora video generator and the new ChatGPT agent feature. 

Last but not least is the $200-per-month Pro plan, which gets you unlimited access to all of OpenAI’s models, extended Sora access, and sooner access to new features.

Editor's note: OpenAI's GPT-5 model is expected to launch in August. We expect this model to make ChatGPT an even more desirable option.

Gemini

Gemini’s free version is also very capable. Without paying, you’ll get access to Gemini 2.5 Flash and limited access to the more advanced 2.5 Pro. You’ll also get image generation with Google’s Imagen 4 model, Deep Research, and features like Gemini Live (voice mode) and Gems (custom GPTs). Lastly, you’ll get access to Whisk, Google’s image animator, and NotebookLM. 

Upgrade to Google AI Pro, and you’ll get higher limits for basically every feature, including the 2.5 Pro model. You’ll also get access to Deep Search in AI Mode and limited access to Veo 3 via Flow, Google’s AI video editing tool. This tier also adds Gemini access in services like Docs and Gmail.

The highest-end plan is Google AI Ultra, which raises usage limits once again, plus full access to the impressive Veo 3 video generation model. More importantly, it gives users access to Project Mariner, Google’s version of an AI agent that can browse the web.

Grok

The free version of Grok includes access to the Grok 3 model, as well as X’s Aurora Image generation model. Free users can also use the Grok AI chatbot to help with research, writing, and other tasks. Free users may also get access to Grok's anime-style avatars through the Grok iOS and Android apps.

If you upgrade to the “SuperGrok” plan for $30 per month, you’ll get access to the newer Grok 4 model, plus a voice mode with the ability for Grok to "see" through your phone’s camera. Super Grok users also get access to the new image and video generation tool, Grok Imagine. Grok

Then there’s the SuperGrok Heavy plan, which costs $300 per month. This plan will get you access to the Grok 4 Heavy model (X’s most advanced so far), increased access to the Grok 4 model, access to new features as they roll out, and a larger context memory, which means that Grok will be able to process more information in a single chat.

Web searches

As we've said before, the Google Search era is over, and the AI search era is dawning. So, which AI chatbot is best at searching the web to find the info you need?

For this test, I used the three chatbots to help me with a review I’m working on, with the following prompt: “What are the full specifications of the AKG N9 Hybrid headphones?” I’m leaving the prompt somewhat open-ended by not specifying what kinds of specifications I want. Things like connectivity, audio, dimensions and weight, and more are all fair game. But, considering I’m asking for the full specifications, I’d expect a decently well-rounded response.

ChatGPT’s response with GPT-4o was indeed very comprehensive. It split specifications into sections, detailing the audio specs, connectivity, battery life (including with different use-cases), and in-the-box extras. All information was correct.

Gemini 2.5 Pro was also quite comprehensive, but its response was a bit less glanceable, and it missed some key specifications. The chatbot separated specs by type, but within those sections, it wrote paragraphs of information. And, it forgot to mention that the headphones support the LDAC high-res audio codec.

Grok 4’s response was a little more in line with ChatGPT. It delivered a comprehensive list of specifications, separated by type, and didn’t really miss anything major. It also went slightly further than ChatGPT, noting the price of the headphones and where they’re available. Grok doesn’t get extra points for this, since pricing wasn’t part of the prompt, but it was still appreciated.

ChatGPT and Grok both delivered detailed specs that were easy to see at a glance. I was pleasantly surprised to see correct specs listed, too. Gemini’s response was fine, but harder to read at a glance, and it missed a few things compared to the others.

Winner(s): ChatGPT and Grok

Instructional help Credit: alexsl / Getty Images

AI assistants are also helpful for getting deeper, more tailored instructional help. For this test, I asked each AI model to give me step-by-step instructions on replacing the ice maker in my freezer — something I did recently, so I have a good understanding of the process. The exact prompt read the following: “Explain step-by-step how to replace the ice maker in my Kenmore Elite 10645433800.”

ChatGPT’s response was mostly accurate. In one step, it directed me to unscrew two screws that aren’t there on my model, and it forgot to mention to remove a plastic cover that hides the wiring harness — something that, if forgotten, could cause that cover to snap. Apart from that, its instructions were relatively clear, and it mentioned the most important safety components, like unplugging the fridge.

Gemini’s response was similar to ChatGPT’s, and it actually made the same mistakes. It was a little less clear when it came to the exact position of things like a plastic locking tab, mentioning that it’s “on the left” of the ice maker, but not that it’s on the bottom-left. It’s a small part, and is easy to miss.

Grok’s response, again, was similar in quality, but it didn’t make the same mistakes as the other two. Instead, Grok made different mistakes: the instructions mentioned to tape a cover that wasn’t there, and it didn’t note a screw that needed to be removed on the bottom of the ice maker to remove it. 

All three tools got the general gist right in their initial approach, but each made mistakes in the instructions that, if followed exactly, could have damaged the ice maker or stalled the process. However, someone following these instructions in real time would be able to seek clarification on confusing or inaccurate steps by saying things like  “I don’t see the top screws” or even pointing your camera at the ice maker, which might cause the assistant to change its instructions for your setup. Overall, this one’s a tie.

Winner(s): Tie

Image generation I generated this image using ChatGPT. Credit: OpenAI

We’ve already covered the best AI image generators in a separate article. For this test, we gave each AI service four prompts, rating how closely the prompt was followed and the quality of the image. Here are the prompts that we used:

• Create a sketch of a futuristic Tokyo skyline at sunset, with flying cars, glowing advertisements in Japanese, and Mount Fuji in the background.

• Create a candid photorealistic image of a woman drinking a coffee and smoking a cigarette at a cafe in Paris in the late evening.

• Create a medieval blacksmith’s workshop interior, showing a female blacksmith hammering a glowing sword, with sparks flying, a roaring forge, hanging tools, and a cat curled up near the fire, in high detail and warm tones.

• Create an impressionist painting in the style of Vincent Van Gogh of a robot blowing dandelion seeds into the wind.

ChatGPT GPT-4o created the best images, following the prompts closely and generating images that looked great overall. Gemini’s Imagen 4 model came in second — its images were pretty darn good, but it didn’t quite follow the prompts as closely.

Grok came in last — it failed to follow the prompts closely (creating a photorealistic image of Tokyo instead of a sketch), and it struggled with things like fingers and the placement of objects. Grok’s images kind of look like what we would expect from a last-generation ChatGPT or Gemini image generator. Unfortunately, the new Grok image generator still lags behind other AI tools.

Winner(s): ChatGPT

Deep research

For this prompt, I asked each model to be a fact-checker for the finished AKG N9 Hybrid headphones review from the web search test, but I changed one minor detail to be factually incorrect. In my original review, I correctly note that the ANC button on the headphones cycles through ANC and “Ambient Aware” but not “Off.” I changed the prompt text to say that it cycles through ANC, Ambient Aware, and Off modes by default. It’s a very small detail, and to be clear, the button can be customized to include the “Off” mode. The prompt I used was the following: “Fact-check the review below. Only check factual information, do not focus on my subjective opinions.” I then pasted my full review.

ChatGPT delivered a relatively thorough report, which went through each factual claim in my review one by one. However, it did not pick up on the error that I planted, specifically noting that by default the button cycles between ANC on, Ambient Aware, and Off modes. Despite not catching the error, the report was well-formatted and included sources for its claims.

Gemini was much more of a mixed bag. While it was able to pick up on the specifications included in my review and fact-check most of them, it had trouble with the mention of another pair of headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones. Gemini seemed to think that these headphones were unreleased, and even stated that “The presentation of a direct, hands-on comparison to a product that is not yet commercially available is a fabrication.”

That’s despite the fact that it was able to determine that the WH-1000XM6 headphones had a “confirmed release date” of May 15, two and a half months before its research. (Gemini consistently struggles with basic questions like, "What day is it?") Gemini also did not pick up on my planted lie. As a whole, Gemini 2.5 Pro’s Deep Research mode was correct about most of the specifications related to the headphones, but completely false in other areas, like comparing them to the new Sony headphones.

I’ve used AI services for fact-checking before, and this is unfortunately not the first time I’ve had this experience with Gemini.

Grok was closer to ChatGPT in accuracy, but still didn’t catch the correction I planted. Outside of that issue, it verified each of the claims in my review.

When it comes to deep research, Gemini is lagging, but both ChatGPT and Grok performed well, though not perfectly.

Winner(s): ChatGPT and Grok

Voice

All three of the major AI assistants have voice modes that can be used in their associated apps and on the web. All three have been refined and developed to sound relatively natural. This test was much more subjective than the others – my goal was just to find out which sounded the most natural.

ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode was the most impressive. It sounded more natural than the other two, largely due to human-like inflections, like using the word "um" and pausing mid-sentence, even though it doesn't necessarily need to do that for the purpose of thinking like humans do. The ChatGPT app also makes it easy to turn on and off the camera while in Advanced Voice Mode, which is handy if you're asking for help with a task.

Gemini was a little more robotic than ChatGPT, but still impressively natural compared to AI voice assistants from just a few years ago. Gemini wasn't quite as conversational, but it was still easy to activate and deactivate the camera in Advanced Voice Mode.

Grok was also more robotic than ChatGPT, but I do like the real-time text transcription, which is something you don’t get in ChatGPT or Gemini. Grok also has its new AI companions, but beyond using them for a brief minute, I stuck to using the normal voice mode. The AI companions just seemed a little creepy.

Generally, all three have the same tools when it comes to voice modes, but ChatGPT is clearly more natural sounding than the others, and a bit more conversational.

Winner: ChatGPT

Shopping Credit: Google

Shopping can also be a helpful use case for AI assistants. Google and OpenAI have been adding a lot more shopping features to Gemini and ChatGPT over the past few months. Mashable has tested some of Google's new tricks, like the virtual try-on and outfit inspiration tools. But for this test, I simply asked each assistant to find the best price for the new Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

ChatGPT pulled up a few links to online retailers, including one that offered the headphones for $50 below retail price, and one that it said offered them at a $50 discount, but actually did not. I liked the product cards that it was able to pull up, and the additional advice that it offered, including that it might be worth waiting for a larger sale. 

You can find some cool AI tools in Google Shopping, but Gemini itself wasn't as impressive. Gemini largely focused on offering advice for how to find lower prices myself, including looking for refurbished models or waiting for sales events. It did mention that Sony, Best Buy, Moon Audio, and Amazon all offered the headphones at retail price, but didn't include any links to these retailers.

Grok was somewhere in the middle. It did look for lower prices from a variety of retailers, but largely found deals from overseas. To be clear, I didn't mention anything about location in the prompt, but all three assistants have access to my location information and should know that I'm a US buyer.

As a whole, ChatGPT was the clear winner in this category.

Winner(s): ChatGPT

Conclusion: ChatGPT is the AI chatbot to beat

There's a clear winner in this AI assistant battle, and it's ChatGPT.

ChatGPT either outright won or tied for first in every single category of our test. That's not necessarily surprising given the fact that ChatGPT has been around longer than the others, and it doesn’t mean you should avoid the others. Personally, I've come to really like Anthropic's Claude 4. But if you only subscribe to only one AI assistant, I think ChatGPT should be your go-to.

In second place was Grok, which is the newest of the three. Last was Google’s Gemini, which offered false information and weak research, and ironically wasn't as good at web searches as the other two. (However, when it comes to video generation, Google Veo 3 remains unmatched.) It's worth repeating that none of the three AI assistants were completely accurate all of the time. None of them picked up on false information in deep research, and all three of them were a little off when it came to instructions for replacing my ice maker. 

The takeaway? Even though ChatGPT is still king of the AI hill, you still need to do your own research. And until AI companies solve the hallucination problem, you should expect your new chatbot to be confidently wrong with some frequency.

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

Following in Eddie Murphy's footsteps is one thing; working with him is next-level. Pete Davidson can attest to this, having gone from being Saturday Night Live alumni to co-stars in the new action-comedy The Pickup, from The Blackening director Tim Story.

The Pickup stars Murphy and Davidson as a pair of armored truck guards who get blackmailed by a sleek thief, played by Keke Palmer, to conspire on a complicated heist. Action and comedy collide as this odd couple of co-workers is thrown way out of their comfort zone, with hilarious results.

Both Davidson and Palmer were honored to work with Murphy on the new film, as they told Mashable Editor-in-Chief Alesha Williams Boyd in a virtual interview.

Working with Murphy "was a dream come true," Palmer said. "I mean, he's somebody that I've looked up to since I was a kid. I've always been a big fan of his work. My whole family is a fan of his work. He's an icon... Just watching him work was like a master class. And I'm very observant, so I'm just watching everything and soaking in as much as I could.”

For his part, Davidson was quick to share how working with Murphy was a great way to impress his own family. He went on to compare his co-star ("the GOAT") to one of his uncles, adding, "I think he really likes me."

In a separate interview, Murphy confirmed this connection, saying, "Me and Pete have so much in common... Pete and I are opposites on paper. He's tall. He's 6'3" and I'm 5'10". He's white and I'm Black. But we're both stand-up comics that became actors. We're both Saturday Night Live alumni. We both lost our dads when we were, like, eight years old. So we have all that in common."

Murphy also noted that Davidson's role in The Pickup would have been the kind of role he'd have been right for not long ago, comparing the part to his famous Beverly Hills Cop persona, Axel Foley.

"I'm the voice of reason [in The Pickup]. In most of the action-comedies that I've done," Murphy explains, "I'd have been the Pete character, the young wild guy bouncing off the walls. But in this movie — if this were 48 Hours, I'd be playing Nick Nolte's character. So now I have to be funny from this perspective. And that was cool."

It was cool for Davidson, too, who said, "Everybody loves and wants to be in Eddie's world. There's a very select few that get to do that, and I'm honored to be able to."

As for Murphy, he notes, "I'd love to do another movie with Pete." So could a The Pickup 2 be a possibility? We'll see.

The Pickup debuts on Prime Video on Aug. 6.

Mashable staff contributed to this report.

Wednesday Season 2, Part 1 is even more of an Addams Family affair than Season 1, looping in extended family members like Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen) and Grandmama Hester Frump (Joanna Lumley). But the show keeps bringing up one key relative we haven't met yet. No, I'm not talking about Cousin Itt (but where is he?). I'm talking about Ophelia Frump.

SEE ALSO: 10 burning questions we have for 'Wednesday' Season 2, Part 2

Ophelia is Morticia's younger sister. She's appeared in several other Addams Family films and TV shows, including The Addams Family series (played by Carolyn Jones), The Addams Family film (played by Allegra Kent), Addams Family Values (played by Laura Esterman), and The New Addams Family (played by Lisa Calder). She's frequently portrayed as cheerful, but given what we know of her in Wednesday, that certainly won't be the case if she ever shows up in the series.

Who is Ophelia in Wednesday Season 2, and why is she so important? Catherine Zeta-Jones in "Wednesday." Credit: Jonathan Hession / Netflix

In Wednesday, Ophelia's story is a tragic one that has stuck with Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Like both Morticia and Wednesday (Jenna Ortega), Ophelia is a psychic. Also like Wednesday, Ophelia pushed her psychic abilities too far while attending Nevermore, to the point that visions gave her black tears. This led Hester to send Ophelia away to Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital. Morticia begged her mother not to have Ophelia committed, as her condition would only get worse, but to no avail.

SEE ALSO: 'Wednesday' Season 2 keeps the Edgar Allan Poe references alive. Here's all of them.

This dark splotch in the Frump family history is one of the reasons why Morticia and Hester don't get along. It's also why Morticia is so worried about Wednesday using Goody's book of spells and testing her psychic abilities without a guide. She doesn't want to see her daughter befall a similar fate, and she's determined to be a better mother to her than Hester was to Ophelia.

However, Ophelia's commitment at Willow Hill isn't the end of her twisted tale. Uncle Fester reveals to Wednesday that Morticia asked him to infiltrate Willow Hill once in order to check on her dear sister. However, when he arrived, he learned that Ophelia had vanished. By the time of Wednesday Season 2, she's been missing for 20 years.

Or has she?

Have we already met Ophelia in Wednesday Season 2? Fred Armisen and Jenna Ortega in "Wednesday." Credit: Helen Sloan / Netflix

In episode 4 of Wednesday Season 2, Wednesday and Fester discover a sinister experimental program at Willow Hill. Called LOIS (Long-term Outcast Integration Study), the program looks to extract Outcast abilities and give them to Normies. It's already been successful at least once, as program head Judi (Heather Matarazzo) obtained avian powers through LOIS.

None of the LOIS test subjects are in Willow Hill voluntarily. In fact, Willow Hill faked all their deaths so no one would know to come looking for them. You know what else they could have faked? Ophelia's disappearance.

That's right: I think Ophelia was thrown into LOIS due to her psychic abilities, and that's where she's been trapped for the past 20 years.

When Wednesday and Fester discover the LOIS subjects, they find one woman (Frances O'Connor) curled up in the corner of her cell, disappointed by the fact that Wednesday and Fester aren't here to put her out of her misery. The show separates her physically from other Outcast characters, and she's not given any visible Outcast powers. It also separates her from the others once they're freed from their cells, as she's the only one who doesn't chase after Judi in a fit of bloodthirsty rage. Instead, she sticks by Wednesday's side in the chaos that follows.

From all these differences from the rest of the pack, it's clear that Wednesday wants this one woman to stand out in particular. And why else would the show draw so much attention to her if she's not the long-lost Ophelia? Her presence at Willow Hill lines up with everything Morticia has told us about her, right down to her mysterious disappearance.

Plus, wouldn't it be poetic that Wednesday, a psychic suffering from the same black-teared visions as Ophelia, be the one to free her aunt from Willow Hill?

Wednesday Season 2, Part 1 is now streaming on Netflix, with Part 2 premiering Sept. 3.

Best anal sex toy deals as of Aug. 6: Best deal overall Snug Plug 1 $34.99 (save $15) Get Deal Best runner-up deal Anii $33.15 (save $5.85) Get Deal Best lube deal SUTIL Luxe 4oz + Rich 8oz Water-Based Lube $60 (save $15) Get Deal

Now that it’s officially Anal August (literally, where has the time gone?), I can share all my favorite anal sex toy deals with you! Of course, we just had National Orgasm Day on July 31, so there may be some lingering deals out there, but I’ve tried to prioritize the best deals right now. 

Whether you’re curious about butt stuff or are just looking to add a new fave to your nightstand, here are the best sex toy deals you can find as of Aug. 6: 

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When it comes to anal play, you need to shop at a place that actually knows what the hell they’re doing, and this is it.

B-Vibe is a trusted name in the anal toy space, and right now they’re hosting a huge sale where you can get 20% off award-winning prostate plugs, up to 30% off best-selling vibes, and up to 60% off anal bundles and sets. There’s also a buy four for three deal where you can get one of four items (the cheapest one, obvs) free.

What to buy: If you’re new to anal play, I wouldn’t recommend splurging on a fancy vibrating set of plugs. I would, however, suggest starting with a small silicone butt plug like the Snug Plug 1. (The “1” signifies its size, BTW.) At 3.4 inches, it’s ideal for beginners. Just remember to use plenty of lube and to warm up first.

Right now, you can get it for just $34.99 (originally $49.99) and it comes in mint, black, fuchsia, and violet.

Best runner-up deal Opens in a new window Credit: biird Anii $33.15 at biird
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If you’ve read anything I’ve written in the past three years, then you know I’m absolutely in love with biird. I’m obsessed with their packaging, their toys, and everything their female-founded company stands for. The only reason I’m putting this as a runner-up deal is because they’re not an anal-specific retailer, and I wanted the best deal overall to be with a retailer dedicated to anal play.

That said, biird almost never has sales (it is very, very seldom), and they’re currently offering up to 30% off select toys, including best sellers like the Namii (my personal fave).

What to buy: If you’re an experienced anal player who’s looking for a cute new glass toy, I recommend the Anii. This medium-sized glass plug is gorgeous, and it comes with its own storage case (all that for less than $40 is a steal). Glass is also super easy to clean, and feels ahhmazing in practice.

Right now, you can get it for $33.15 (originally $39).

Other noteworthy deals

• Babeland: Now through Aug. 29, get 15% off anal toys

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• MysteryVibe: Get 30% off all products through August 20

• pjur: Right now, you can get 30% off all pjur anal products

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Opens in a new window Credit: Windows Microsoft Windows 11 Pro AU$23
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What’s new in Windows 11 Pro?

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro was created with modern professionals in mind, but you don’t have to be tackling work to appreciate the new features. It offers a seamless interface that’s easy to navigate, snap layouts, improved voice typing, and a more powerful search experience everyone can benefit from.

We should all be taking our cybersecurity more seriously, and Windows 11 Pro offers advanced security measures like a biometric login, encrypted authentication, and advanced antivirus defenses to beef up your protection.

Need to get work done? Windows 11 Pro includes Microsoft Teams, and also offers some unique professional features. Azure AD lets you manage logins and permissions for employees, while Hyper-V makes it possible to create and run virtual machines to test things. You’ll also get Windows Sandbox, a way to test files safely without risking your computer.

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