Blogroll

How to watch England vs. Ireland online for free

Mashable - 4 hours 21 min ago

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

The Six Nations has started with some huge performances and surprising results. Just what fans have come to expect from this competition.

England started their campaign strongly against Wales but suffered a shock defeat to Scotland in the second round of fixtures. Ireland lost to France in the opening game but came back to secure an all-important win over Italy last weekend. Now these sides face each other in a crucial battle at Twickenham Stadium. A defeat here and dreams of winning the Six Nations will die.

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

When is England vs. Ireland?

England vs. Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations starts at 2:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 21. This fixture takes place at Twickenham Stadium.

How to watch England vs. Ireland for free

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

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

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

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

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

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

  4. Visit ITVX

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

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

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

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

What is the best VPN for the 2026 Six Nations?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch New Zealand vs. Pakistan in the 2026 T20 World Cup online for free

Mashable - 4 hours 21 min ago

TL;DR: Live stream New Zealand vs. Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 T20 World Cup is moving onto its next stage. We've all greatly enjoyed the group stage over the last couple of weeks, but it's time for the intensity to ramp up. We're now at the Super 8 stage, with only eight teams left to battle it out for a place in the semi finals.

New Zealand vs. Pakistan is the first game from this stage of the competition. Both sides finished second in their respective groups. Pakistan lost out to India. New Zealand were beaten by South Africa. Does that matter now? Absolutely not. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, and New Zealand are all in the same group, with only the top two teams moving on.

If you want to watch New Zealand vs. Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is New Zealand vs. Pakistan?

New Zealand vs. Pakistan in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 21. This game takes place at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium.

How to watch New Zealand vs. Pakistan for free

New Zealand vs. Pakistan in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream New Zealand vs. Pakistan in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup 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 a location with access

  4. Visit ICC.TV

  5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup 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 T20 Cricket World Cup (plus the Winter Olympics) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, 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 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2026 Six Nations online for free

Mashable - 4 hours 21 min ago

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

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

We've already been treated to some huge performances from the 2026 edition of this competition. France overcame Ireland in the opener and followed that up with a strong victory over Wales. Italy shocked Scotland in front of a passionate Stadio Olimpico but fell to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. England confidently dispatched Wales in the opening round but suffered a shock defeat to Scotland in the second round of games.

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

What is the Six Nations?

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

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

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

When is the 2026 Six Nations?

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

  • France vs. Ireland — 8:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 5 (ITV)

  • Italy vs. Scotland — 2:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 7 (BBC)

  • England vs. Wales — 4:40 p.m. GMT on Feb. 7 (ITV)

  • Ireland vs. Italy — 2:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 14 (ITV)

  • Scotland vs. England — 4:40 p.m. GMT on Feb. 14 (ITV)

  • Wales vs. France — 3:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 15 (BBC)

  • England vs. Ireland — 2:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 21 (ITV)

  • Wales vs. Scotland — 4:40 p.m. GMT on Feb. 21 (BBC)

  • France vs. Italy — 3:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 22 (ITV)

  • Ireland vs. Wales — 8:10 p.m. GMT on March 6 (ITV)

  • Scotland vs. France — 2:10 p.m. GMT on March 7 (BBC)

  • Italy vs. England — 4:40 p.m. GMT on March 7 (ITV)

  • Ireland vs. Scotland — 2:10 p.m. GMT on March 14 (ITV)

  • Wales vs. Italy — 4:40 p.m. GMT on March 14 (BBC)

  • France vs. England — 8:10 p.m. GMT on March 14 (ITV)

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

How to watch the 2026 Six Nations for free

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

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

Unblock BBC iPlayer and ITVX by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer or ITVX

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

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

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

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

What is the best VPN for the Six Nations?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream the 2026 Six Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

It was tough, but we found the best movies on HBO Max

Mashable - 4 hours 21 min ago

HBO Max has become a streaming service we can't live without.

The library boasts thousands of hours of endless movie magic, from hallowed Hollywood favorites in the Turner Classic Movies collection to nerdy essentials like The Lord of the Rings, not to mention arthouse favorites like Chantal Akerman, Wong Kar-wai, Robert Altman, and Akira Kurosawa... and Barbie.

Picking the best (and distinguishing them from our personal favorites) was no easy task, but we somehow managed.

In no particular order, here are the best movies on HBO Max.

1. The Town 

Looking for some heist action? Then look no further than Ben Affleck's The Town. Affleck directs and stars in this enthralling tale of a crew of bank robbers. One of them, Doug (Affleck), begins a relationship with Claire (Rebecca Hall), a hostage the robbers took in a previous job. While she doesn't know his true identity, their romantic involvement causes rifts within the crew, especially as the FBI closes in on them.

Boasting several brutal robbery set pieces — including a very Boston robbery of Fenway Park — The Town is further proof of Affleck's action directing prowess. Add in an excellent ensemble including the likes of Jeremy Renner and Jon Hamm, and it's clear The Town is well worth a visit. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: The Town is now streaming on HBO Max.

2. Barbie Credit: Warner Bros / Moviestore / Shutterstock

Sweet, smart, and surprisingly subversive for a billion-dollar blockbuster, Barbie is a blast. Movies about toys are not supposed to be this thoughtful or this good, but apparently no one told that to director Greta Gerwig, who wrote Barbie with her long-term partner, Noah Baumbach. The comedy stars Margot Robbie as Barbie, the stereotypical beautiful blonde in a Barbieland populated by every imaginable kind of Barbie, a handful of Kens (led by a delightful Ryan Gosling), and one lone Allan (Michael Cera). She starts having very un-Barbie-like thoughts about, like, death, so she journeys to the real world, where she discovers things are not as idyllic as they were back in female-led Barbieland. 

In addition to being 2023's top-grossing film, Barbie earned eight Oscar nods and one win. However, many believed it didn't get the nominations it deserved for either Robbie as lead actress or Gerwig as director, who perhaps made their hard work look effortless. Some viewers also complained that it was too revolutionary in its feminism, while others found it too moderate, echoing the monologue from America Ferrara's character that undoubtedly got the actress an Oscar nomination. Yet despite its small number of detractors, Barbie remains a crowd-pleasing winner, brimming with intelligence, optimism, and so much pink paint. — Kimber Myers, Freelance Contributor

How to watch: Barbie is now streaming on HBO Max.

3. In the Mood for Love

In the Mood for Love is a favorite among many cinephiles (including this one!) for a reason — it's one of the most sublime examples of how to tell an emotional story through the language of cinema. But you don't need to be a film scholar or know anything at all about filmmaking or foreign movies to enjoy this romance, which relies on the power of showing over telling. 

It's a simple story about two neighbors who soon discover a secret about their respective spouses. Set in 1960s Hong Kong, Tony Leung's Chow Mo-Wan and Maggie Cheung's Su Li-Zhen hardly speak more than a few words to each other, but through their encounters in the hallway of their apartment building and the staircase of a local noodle shop, something begins to blossom — a longing, a sadness, a desire to be seen. The incredible thing about In the Mood for Love is how filmmaker Wong Kar-wai captures these universal emotions and tells a relatable story about love and yearning through visuals, sound, and performances using minimal exposition. Bursting with a radiant red and golden color scheme, stunning '60s womens' fashion, and a soundtrack of multinational music, In the Mood for Love is more of an experience than a traditional romance, and one that grows more beautiful with each rewatch. — O.W.

How to watch: In the Mood for Love is now streaming on HBO Max.

4. I Saw the TV Glow Credit: A24

I Saw the TV Glow is a movie that will resonate with anyone who's experienced a lifelong struggle of feeling like an outsider, or has struggled to come to terms with their identity. But Jane Schoenbrun's surrealist horror drama has also become an especially powerful film for trans audiences in particular with the gender allegory at its center. 

It tells the story of two lonely teens, Owen (Justice Smith) and Maddy (Jack Haven), who bond over their obsession with a '90s late-night TV show called The Pink Opaque. While it's not explicitly about gender identity, I Saw the TV Glow hauntingly captures the feeling of growing up with a painful discordance between who you know you truly are and the life and body you've been born into, and how burying ourselves in fiction can feel like the only escape. With notes of surrealism reminiscent of David Lynch and Charlie Kaufman, I Saw the TV Glow is a film more interested in giving you an emotional experience than explaining things for you. It's a hard and incredibly heart-breaking watch, but well worth it. — O.W.

How to watch: I Saw the TV Glow is streaming on HBO Max.

5. Paris, Texas

Paris, Texas opens on a man named Travis (Harry Dean Stanton) wandering through the Texas desert wearing a red ball cap and an old dusty suit, carrying nothing but a jug of water. Travis doesn't speak much, but in time we learn bits and pieces of the happy life he once had with a young son and a wife who's gone missing, and of the future he's dreaming of. Wim Wenders' film is a difficult one to categorize, but probably best described as a road movie about dreamers and wanderers. We spend lots of time in cars and dingy motels with Travis and his brother, Walt (Dean Stockwell), as they drive from Texas back to Los Angeles, and later, as Travis searches for his wife. It's a slow, meditative film about loneliness and uncertainty, brimming with sun-soaked landscape shots and images lit by neon signs. Once you tune into its wavelength, Paris, Texas is a film that will smack you right in the heart. — O.W.

How to watch: Paris, Texas is now streaming on HBO Max.

6. Logan

Director James Mangold cringes at the idea of defining Logan as a superhero movie, which is a shame, because it's one of the best superhero movies of all time. Playing like a baroque Western, this 2017 drama stars Hugh Jackman as the eponymous X-Man. However, the story begins with Logan years after his mutant fellows have horrendously died. Logan is old, tired, and driven to the brink of madness by the demands of caring for Professor X (Patrick Stewart), who is on a dangerous cognitive decline. And then a young girl with retractable claws and a real chip on her shoulder crashes into their lives. 

A film that's action-packed, drama-rich, darkly funny, and deeply touching, Logan pulls no punches and has a hard R-rating. So maybe tuck in the kiddos before hitting play on this hard-hitting superhero offering. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: Logan is now streaming on HBO Max.

7. Sinners  Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

One of the best movie of 2025, Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan as the Smokestack Twins — gangsters looking to open their own juke joint in their hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 1932. To make their grand opening one the town will never forget, they call on friends and family to cook, perform, and work security. But their revels draw the attention of a vicious vampire, and all hell breaks loose before dawn.

Writer/director Ryan Coogler wowed critics and audiences with this rich, scary, and poignant genre-bender. In my review of the film, I declared, "Sinners is more than a hell of a thrilling vampire movie. Like Black Panther, it expands beyond the expectations of its genre to become a magnificent film, emanating with spirit, power, and purpose. Smoothly blending vampire horror into a unique tale of regret, resilience, and redemption, Coogler and Jordan have made a cinematic marvel that is terrifying, satisfying, and unforgettable."*K.P. 

How to watch: Sinners is now streaming on HBO Max.

8. Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles

You may have never heard of the 1975 Belgian-French film Jeanne Dielman until recently, when the magazine Sight and Sound named it the greatest film of all time. "But wait, don't film people consider Citizen Kane the best movie ever?" you may be thinking. For 40 years, that Orson Welles classic dominated the list, soon followed by Hitchcock's Vertigo. Not anymore. The boys got bumped down for Chantal Akerman's radically feminist, avant-garde marvel to reign, and deservingly so. 

So what makes Jeanne Dielman so incredible? On paper it admittedly doesn't sound like much, but the act of watching it is almost hypnotic. Throughout the movie we slowly see a lonely widow and mother (Delphine Seyrig) meticulously do housework, like peel potatoes, grocery shop, and make the bed. Jeanne also earns money through sex work, hosting men at her home before her son returns from school. Throughout the monotony of it all, a palpable dread grows until Akerman's character study culminates in one of the most shocking endings of all time. If a film could somehow be tedious and enthralling at the same time, Jeanne Dielman is it. — O.W.

How to watch: Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles is now streaming on HBO Max.

9. Blood Simple Credit: © Circle Films / Courtesy Everett Collection

The Coen brothers' very first film is a must-see for fans of the versatile filmmakers, or just anyone who loves Fargo. Blood Simple is a lean crime thriller that's oozing with style, taut with suspense, and features an early taste of the duo's signature dark humor. It has all the makings of a slick neo-noir with a simple story involving a secret affair, a murder plot, and a private eye.

SEE ALSO: Every single Coen brothers movie, ranked from 'Blood Simple' to 'Drive-Away Dolls'

Frances McDormand, in her feature film debut, plays Abby, a Texas housewife who begins an affair with a bartender named Ray (John Getz). But Abby's husband, Marty (Dan Hedaya), is Ray's boss, and when he starts to suspect her of infidelity, he hires a private detective (an incredible M. Emmet Walsh) to snoop around and spy on the new couple. The neon and blood-drenched visuals paired with an eerie electronic score from beloved composer Carter Burwell and killer performances all around make Blood Simple one of the all-time best first films. Fun fact: This is also the film where McDormand met now-husband Joel Coen. — O.W.

How to watch: Blood Simple is now streaming on HBO Max.

10. The Player Credit: Spelling International / Kobal / Shutterstock

The Player opens with an eight-minute tracking shot across a Hollywood movie studio as executives and assistants panic over a Variety headline, hear a terrible pitch about a sequel, and chat about the decline in quality filmmaking. "The pictures these days are all cut, cut, cut," one character laments as he praises classic film tracking shots… during a literal tracking shot. 

Robert Altman's 1992 film isn't just a meta film about Hollywood, it's one of the best, funniest, and smartest satires about the movie business. Tim Robbins plays the vice president of a major studio who's been getting threatening postcards from a scorned screenwriter he never called back. Paranoia builds as his life starts to mirror the plot of a classic crime thriller — there's a murder, a mysterious girl, and probing detectives — all while he greets celebs at elite restaurants at his day job. It's all hilarious and perfectly meta, poking fun at the state of Hollywood and modern blockbusters in commentary that remains relatable even today. Come for the sharp sardonic humor, stay for the 65 cameos of celebrities playing themselves, which are some of the film's best punchlines. — O.W.

How to watch: The Player is now streaming on HBO Max.

11. A Woman Under the Influence

In A Woman Under the Influence, Gena Rowlands gives what many have rightfully deemed one of the greatest performances in film. She plays Mabel Longhetti, a mother and housewife who's known to exhibit some rather erratic behavior. Mabel is often giddy and bursting with childish excitement one moment, then erupts into angry outbursts or desperately clings to affection the next. Perhaps she struggles with bipolar or borderline personality disorder. Or maybe her troubled marriage to Nick (Peter Falk) and the housewife box she's been confined to are ushering her into a full-on nervous breakdown. That's essentially what the John Cassavetes film is — a harrowing portrait of a woman, and a marriage, falling apart at the seams. 

A Woman Under the Influence is a prime example of what makes Cassavetes' filmmaking so riveting, and it's a great introduction for anyone interested in exploring the filmmaker who's known for laying the foundation for American independent cinema. But still, this is Rowlands' film. She captivates every moment she's on screen with a performance that feels so real, off-the-cuff, and lived in that you may mistake it for improvisation. It isn't, and it proves why Rowlands was one of the best of her generation. — O.W.

How to watch: A Woman Under the Influence is now streaming on HBO Max.

12. All the Beauty and the Bloodshed Credit: HBO

The worlds of art and activism collide in this Oscar–nominated documentary from Laura Poitras (Citizenfour). All the Beauty and the Bloodshed is about the life and work of Nan Goldin, the acclaimed photographer most known for her raw, intimate photos of gay, trans, and underground artist communities in 1980s New York City during the HIV/AIDS crisis. Told with the help of her photographs, the documentary weaves Goldin's personal story as a young artist with her present-day activism around the opioid epidemic.

The doc shows that in recent years Goldin has been involved in fighting against the Sacklers, the billionaire pharma family behind Oxycontin who've played a major role in opioid overdoses. The Sacklers are also major donors in the art world, and All the Beauty and the Bloodshed follows Goldin and other activists as they stage protests everywhere from The Met to the Louvre. It's a captivating story whether you're familiar with Goldin's work or not. — O.W.

How to watch: All the Beauty and the Bloodshed is streaming on HBO Max.

13. The Dark Knight

It's daunting to pick just one Batman movie from the literal dozens available on HBO Max, but in the end the top spot could only go to 2008's The Dark Knight, written and directed by Christopher Nolan (Mask of the Phantasm, we will avenge you — someday).

The Dark Knight is more than the obvious peak of Nolan's Batman trilogy and the final, mesmerizing performance that won Heath Ledger an Oscar. Over a decade later, the film's exploration of nuance within the poles of good and evil remains as prescient as ever. We're drawn to the chaos and fury of Ledger's Joker, yes, but we are just as compelled by Bruce's struggle (Christian Bale) and Harvey's (Aaron Eckhart) fall from grace. You don't get a line like "You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain" without seriously contemplating its meaning. — Proma Khosla, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: The Dark Knight is now streaming on HBO Max.

14. Singin' in the Rain

Easily one of the greatest movie musicals ever made, Singin' in the Rain tells the story of Hollywood's shift from silent films to talking pictures. Caught in this transition is leading man Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly), whose leading lady Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) has the most grating voice imaginable. With the help of his best friend Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor) and aspiring actor Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds), he plans to make a movie musical. What follows are some of the best musical numbers in history, with show-stopping choreography accompanying catchy tunes. The title number is an absolute joy, as are "Good Morning" and the comedic masterpiece "Make 'Em Laugh." But it's the 13-minute "Broadway Melody" sequence in all its Technicolor glory that solidifies Singin' in the Rain as one of the all-time greats. — B.E.

How to watch: Singin' in the Rain is now streaming on HBO Max.

15. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Credit: Pierre Vinet / New Line / Saul Zaentz / Wing Nut / Kobal / Shutterstock

Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy remains the gold standard for fantasy adaptations: It's epic in scope and full of memorable characters and performances. Most impressively, the trilogy is consistently great. Choosing the best movie from the three is tricky, but I've got to give the edge to The Two Towers. The battle of Helm's Deep is still the best fantasy battle put to film, and the introduction of Rohan, the Ents, and Gollum (Andy Serkis) deepens the already well-established world of Middle Earth. Gollum in particular elevates the movie to a whole new level, with Serkis and the visual effects team nailing one of the most iconic characters of the books. HBO Max has the entire trilogy in its library, as well as the extended editions if you want even more Middle Earth goodness. — B.E.

How to watch: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is now streaming on HBO Max.

16. Police Story

There's nothing like watching Jackie Chan in action, and Police Story features some of the all-time greatest stunts from the martial arts icon. The first film in the still-ongoing franchise stars Chan as Kevin, a Hong Kong police sergeant trying to take down a criminal gang and protect the key witness of the case (Brigitte Lin). Needing to protect a random woman while fighting bad guys poses some problems for Kevin's personal life when his girlfriend (a young Maggie Cheung) gets the wrong idea and becomes jealous.

But the plot matters less than the action and fight choreography in Police Story. From the jaw-dropping opening sequence of cars plunging through a hillside village to one of Chan's most iconic scenes hanging off a speeding bus — plus plenty of parkour-infused fight and chase scenes — Police Story will never leave you bored. — O.W.

How to watch: Police Story is streaming on HBO Max.

17. Rashomon Credit: Daiei / Kobal / Shutterstock

Akira Kurosawa is rightly considered one of Japan's greatest filmmakers, and Rashomon is his best-known film in the United States. When it premiered in 1950, its unique storytelling device in which the same events are told from the perspective of four different witnesses (one of whom is actually dead) was such a revelation in filmic structure that the movie became eponymous with the concept — hence, the Rashomon Effect. Through this effect, the relatively simple tale of a priest, a bandit, a samurai, a woodcutter, and a woman becomes a complex analysis of truth and perspective that earns its place as a keystone of 20th century filmmaking. — Alexis Nedd, Senior Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Rashomon is now streaming on HBO Max.

18. Grey Gardens Credit: Archive photos / Getty Images

In their famed 1976 film Grey Gardens, brothers and documentary team Albert and David Maysles pay a visit to a dilapidated mansion in the Hamptons. There, they profile the intriguing and tragic lives of a reclusive mother and daughter, both named Edith Beale, in a strange and winding character study unlike any other.

Relatives of First Lady Jackie Kennedy, the life stories of "Little Edie" and "Big Edie" are sensationalized in the documentary, and many argue that the film takes an inherently exploitative view of its subjects and their apparent mental health conditions. But as far as fascinating footage goes, Grey Gardens is a must-watch — capturing a unique family at the heart of a broader dialogue about the decline of political royalty and '60s-era Americana. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Grey Gardens is now streaming on HBO Max.

19. Spirited Away

If you want to get into the beautiful, captivating films of Studio Ghibli, the vast majority of which are on HBO Max, Spirited Away is a great place to start. It's the story of Chihiro, a young girl trapped in a spirit world who must work to free her parents from a witch's curse — and it's also a perfect movie. Everything about it, from the visuals to the characters to the score, grabs you tightly and immerses you in director Hayao Miyazaki's imaginative world of spirit bathhouses, soot sprites, dragons, and more. There's beauty in Spirited Away's most elaborate sequences, but also in its quiet moments too, like a train ride or a meal shared between friends. These are the moments when you'll find yourself crying without fully knowing why. All you'll know for sure is that Spirited Away is amazing, and you never want it to end. — B.E.

How to watch: Spirited Away is now streaming on HBO Max.

20. Dune: Part 2 Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

With 2021's Dune, director Denis Villeneuve proved he could do justice to Frank Herbert's sci-fi masterwork. Three years later, he topped himself with Dune: Part Two, which will go down in history as one of the greatest sci-fi films and sequels ever made.

Dune: Part Two continues the story of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), who finds himself among the planet Arrakis's indigenous Fremen. There he becomes entangled in the impossible position of hoping to avenge the Harkonnens' attack on his house, while also trying to avoid a future in which he unleashes holy war upon the universe. As Dune: Part Two moves closer and closer to that violent inevitability, Villeneuve and co-writer Jon Spaihts don't shy away from the darkness of Paul's story. They build his relationship with Chani (an extraordinary Zendaya) into an immaculate tragedy. More sandworms and Austin Butler's gleefully evil Feyd-Rautha only add to Dune: Part Two's excellence — now bring on Dune Messiah! — B.E.

How to watch: Dune: Part Two is now streaming on HBO Max.

UPDATE: Feb. 20, 2026, 5:30 p.m. EST This feature was first published on April 16, 2021. It has been updated to reflect the latest streaming options.

* denotes that this blurb appeared in a previous Mashable list.

Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Sri Lanka vs. England in the 2026 T20 World Cup online for free

Mashable - 4 hours 51 min ago

TL;DR: Live stream Sri Lanka vs. England in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 T20 World Cup has moved onto the Super 8 stage. England and Sri Lanka both qualified for this stage after coming second in their respective groups. England lost out to the West Indies. Sri Lanka came second behind Zimbabwe. In fact, every team in Group B of the Super 8 stage placed second in their group. How does that work? That's a question for the ICC.

All that matters now are the next batch of fixtures. Only the top two teams from each group will move into the semi finals, so every game at this point is absolutely vital. We're expecting a close contest when Sri Lanka meet England at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

If you want to watch Sri Lanka vs. England in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Sri Lanka vs. England?

Sri Lanka vs. England in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 4:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 22. This game takes place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

How to watch Sri Lanka vs. England for free

Sri Lanka vs. England in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Sri Lanka vs. England in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup 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 a location with access

  4. Visit ICC.TV

  5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup 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 T20 Cricket World Cup (plus the Winter Olympics) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, 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 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for February 21, 2026

Mashable - 9 hours 21 min ago

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

Tender.

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

JUICY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Nose-related.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 21, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

NASAL

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Shine.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 21 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 21, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SHEEN

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Wrong.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

AMISS

Final Hurdle hint

Distant.

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

ALOOF

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on February 21

Mashable - 9 hours 21 min ago

We're well and truly into the new lunar cycle, and by day four we can expect to see more even more on the Moon's surface. We're over 10% illuminated now, so keep scrolling to find out what you can see on the Moon tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Saturday, Feb. 21, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 16% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

Even if you don't have any visual aids, you should be able to make out a few surface features on the Moon tonight. Standouts include the Mares Crisium and Fecunditatis. If you add a telescope or binoculars, you'll also be able to see the Endymion Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on March 3. The last Full Moon was on Feb. 1.

What are Moon phases?

NASA tells us that the Moon completes a full orbit around Earth in roughly 29.5 days. During this cycle, it passes through eight distinct phases. Although we consistently see the same side of the Moon, the portion illuminated by the Sun shifts as it travels along its orbit. The changing angle of sunlight reflecting off the Moon’s surface is what makes it appear full, partially lit, or nearly dark at different times. The eight phases include:

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. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the T20 World Cup 2026 online for free

Mashable - 9 hours 21 min ago

TL;DR: Live stream the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The best international T20 teams are in India and Sri Lanka to compete for the T20 World Cup. This competition always delivers incredible drama and huge performances from the best players in the world, and this edition in no different.

You can expect the likes of India, South Africa, and England to be fighting it out in the latter stages. Those teams are the pre-tournament favorites, but this electric form of the game is always unpredictable. Australia were dumped out in the group stage, but the likes of Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Pakistan have qualified for the Super 8 stage. We can't wait to watch the top teams come together over the next couple of weeks.

If you want to watch the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the T20 World Cup?

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup is a Twenty20 International cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council. The event is generally held every two years. India are the defending champions.

In 2026, 20 teams will compete in 55 matches across five venues. The 20 qualifying teams are divided into four groups of five. In the group stage, each team will play four matches in a round-robin format, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the Super 8 stage. At this point, teams will be placed into two groups of four, and will play three matches. The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage.

When is the 2026 T20 World Cup?

The 2026 T20 World Cup is the 10th edition of the competition. This year's event takes place from Feb. 7 to March 8.

How to watch the 2026 T20 World Cup for free

The 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Access free T20 Cricket World Cup 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 ICC.TV

  5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup 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 T20 Cricket World Cup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, 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 ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch NRL live streams online for free

Mashable - 9 hours 21 min ago

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

There are few other sports that can compete with rugby league when it comes to physicality and skill. It's clever handling and outrageous trickery combined with absolute brutality, and that's why we all love it.

And if you're looking for all of that and more on a weekly basis, you should check out the NRL. It's an electric competition featuring some of the best players and teams in the world. We're definitely not knocking what you get in the Northern Hemisphere, but there's something special about the National Rugby League. It feels like something wild happens every week.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

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

What is the NRL?

The National Rugby League (NRL) is a professional rugby league competition in Australasia, including clubs from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, and New Zealand.

Each team plays 24 matches in the regular season, with the first-placed team at the end awarded the minor premiership. This is followed by a finals series contested between the eight highest-placed teams from the regular season, culminating in the NRL Grand Final.

The defending champions are the Brisbane Broncos.

When is the 2026 NRL?

The 2026 NRL season is the 119th edition of professional rugby league in Australia and the 29th season run by the National Rugby League. This season runs from Feb. 28 to Sept. 5.

How to watch the 2026 NRL for free

Select fixtures from the 2026 NRL season are available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the NRL from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 NRL from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit 9Now

  5. Live stream the 2026 NRL for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 NRL without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select NRL fixtures before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream the 2026 NRL for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to unblock Pornhub for free

Mashable - 9 hours 21 min ago

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Access to Pornhub is in turmoil. Early in 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws. In response, Pornhub banned visitors from those states from accessing their website. The same situation then took place in France, and although Pornhub is complying with the UK's age verification law, users are now required to provide personal information to access the site.

The situation is constantly changing, but you can stay one step ahead with a quick and easy hack. If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure server in another location. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access adult sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a 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 that supports access to Pornhub

  4. Visit Pornhub

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 unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to your favorite site, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, 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 streaming speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% 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).

Unblock Pornhub for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best sex and dating apps for hooking up

Mashable - 9 hours 21 min ago

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

You can get pretty much anything with a tap and swipe of your smartphone: Movies, songs, takeaway, the entire range of products at Amazon. So why shouldn't you get a date in the same way? Yes, this is the age of on-demand apps and instant gratification. It's nothing new for the romantically inclined. Apps and websites have dominated the dating world for the best part of 20 years. But things are always changing within online dating.

According to the sex-perts at Lovehoney — everyone’s favourite progressively-minded sex toy brand — we're living in horny-but-wholesome times. Lovehoney has named 2026 "The Year of Pleasure."

That doesn’t mean one-night stands and flippant flings. According to research, one-night stands are on the decline. Would-be daters are now looking for "purposeful pleasure" and "meaningful connections". All of which means, hookups with actual substance. We're still hooking up, but we're getting more selective. That’s why using the right dating app is so important. Every dating app has something slightly different to offer, and you need the tools to find someone you actually want to share your time (and more) with. Getting a date might be as easy as tapping your phone, but it has to be the right date. To help you get started, we’ve looked at the top apps and taken advice from sex and relationship experts.

What to know before you swipe

Before you start downloading apps, it’s good know just how to approach online dating. Our advice is to be 100 percent up-front about who and what you’re looking for. And maybe give a pass to the mainstream dating apps that are more about romance and happily ever afters (that means you, eharmony). The best hookup apps make chatting quick and easy (messaging, video calls, all that good stuff), and even the free ones should have features like profile verification to help keep you safe. But most importantly, it's best to stick to apps which are purpose-built for hookups, casual fun, and satisfying your kink (whatever that might be). It can be freeing, not to mention productive, to be open about specific desires. The ways in which we understand sex and relationships are changing all the time — just looking at fast-growing "heteroflexible" sexuality — and hookup apps allow you to explore curiosities with no judgement or social anxiety.

SEE ALSO: The best sexting apps for discreet NSFW chats

It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for, whether it's the chance to explore a new sexual frontier, a friends-with-benefits situation on the reg, or an old school one-night stand (the one-night stand might be going out of fashion, but it’s still hella fun as long as it’s safe and on your terms). Whatever you're after, we’ve got your back with this guide on the best hookups apps, which is based on Mashable’s own real-world testing, expert input, and general experience. We’ve broken down each of the best hookup apps, with an option for every type of dater and every dating desire.

These are the best hookup apps for 2026.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch France vs. Italy online for free

Mashable - 11 hours 11 min ago

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

The 2026 Six Nations is really started to take shape.

Italy, Ireland, England, and Scotland have all won one game after two rounds, and Wales are still seeking a first victory. That leaves France at the top of the standings after beating Ireland and Wales in impressive fashion. France look like the team to beat this season. Next uup they face Italy at the Stade de France.

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

When is France vs. Italy?

France vs. Italy in the 2026 Six Nations starts at 3:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 22. This fixture takes place at the Stade de France.

How to watch France vs. Italy for free

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

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

Live stream France vs. Italy from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit ITVX

  5. Live stream France vs. Italy for free from anywhere in the world

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

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

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

What is the best VPN for the 2026 Six Nations?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream France vs. Italy in the 2026 Six Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 21, 2026

Mashable - 11 hours 21 min ago

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a car connoisseur.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 21, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Record

  • Green: Marks in school

  • Blue: NYT puzzle feedback

  • Purple: Auto makers

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Experience

  • Green: Attendance status

  • Blue: Commentary about your Connections results

  • Purple: Car brands plus two letters

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #986 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Experience: BACKGROUND, HISTORY, LIFE, PAST

  • Attendance status: ABSENT, EXCUSED, LATE, PRESENT

  • Commentary about your Connections results: GREAT, PERFECT, PHEW, SOLID

  • Car brands plus two letters: AUDITS, DODGERS, INFINITIVE, MINION

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 21, 2026

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for February 21, 2026

Mashable - 11 hours 21 min ago

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love a cold ale.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 21, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 21, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: The beer necessities

The words are related to a popular drink.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe an alcoholic drink.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Home Brew.

NYT Strands word list for February 21
  • Water

  • Malt

  • Flavor

  • Hops

  • Home Brew

  • Yeast

  • Wheat

  • Sugar

  • Barley

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 21, 2026

Mashable - 11 hours 21 min ago

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're hyperaware.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 21, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 21, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Alert.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter A appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

AWAKE

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

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

I just survived another winter storm on battery power—here's how I did it

How-To Geek - 15 hours 21 min ago

I love in a rural area where losing power also means losing access to water, and being snowed in means being cut off from help. When combined with the need to stay warm, these challenges make winter storms particularly scary—but at my house, we face them with confidence using batteries as our only source of emergency power. Let me tell you how.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The MS Office and Windows 11 Pro bundle is just $45 for a couple of days

Mashable - 15 hours 21 min ago

TL;DR: Score lifetime licenses to Office 2021 Pro and Windows 11 Pro for $44.97 (reg. $418.99) — but only through Feb. 22.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $44.97
$418.99 Save $374.02   Get Deal

Are you still using Windows 10? If you’ve been meaning to upgrade your PC setup, this is one of those “don’t overthink it” moments.

You can grab the Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows + Windows 11 Pro bundle for just $44.97 — a steep drop from the MSRP of $418.99. The catch? The deal wraps after Feb. 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

On the Office side, you’re getting the full Professional lineup: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. Whether you’re building reports, running data in Excel, drafting proposals, or creating presentations, this is the classic Microsoft toolkit — and it’s yours for life.

Pair that with Windows 11 Pro, and your PC can feel modern again. The interface is cleaner, multitasking is easier with snap layouts and desktops, and security gets a serious upgrade with BitLocker encryption and advanced protections.

It’s also built for professionals, with tools like Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox for advanced workflows. Copilot, Windows’ AI-powered assistant, is built in too. This can help you summarize pages, generate ideas, or tweak settings quickly.

Instead of paying monthly for productivity tools and operating system upgrades, this bundle locks in both with a one-time payment.

If your current setup is feeling dated, this combo checks a lot of boxes in one move. Get the Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows + Windows 11 Pro bundle for just $44.97 (reg. $418.99) through Feb. 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

OpenAI may sell $300 smart speaker with camera — in 2027

Mashable - Fri, 02/20/2026 - 23:10

It's no secret that OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is losing money at a rapid clip. Some estimates suggest the company will run out of cash sometime in 2027 — and even a possible $100 billion investment round won't keep the lights on for long.

What might help? A new product — specifically, one designed by Sir Jony Ive, the Apple veteran brought on board last May at a cost of $6.5 billion — assuming it can launch while the company still has cash in the bank. Despite multiple setbacks, OpenAI has said Ive's first product will be announced this year, even as they're staying tight-lipped about what it actually is.

Now The Information says it has the details on that first launch: An AI-powered smart speaker with a facial recognition camera built in. Reportedly, it will cost between $200 and $300. But — and given the situation, this is a huge but — we won't get to see it until Feb. 2027 at the earliest.

The camera will "allow people to buy things by identifying them with a facial recognition feature similar to Apple’s Face ID," members of the company's 200-employee strong AI device group told the site. Whether facial recognition will facilitate the sign-in process or be used to actually purchase products (blink once for coffee maker, blink twice for frother?), is not yet clear.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI is retiring GPT-4o, and the AI relationships community is heartbroken

A smart speaker may not be the most inspiring product an AI company could dream up, but others are supposedly on the way. AI glasses are next, according to the report, but "likely won't be ready for mass production until 2028." An AI-powered smart lamp is also in the works. There's no word on another rumored OpenAI product — smart earbuds.

Will the smart speaker generate enough enthusiasm (and pre-orders) to keep the company afloat? To answer that, you have to wonder whether people really want a speaker with a camera that can scan their face in their living room. Apple might be more likely to get away with the creepiness factor of that — after all, the iPhone maker constantly emphasizes its privacy features, and its business model doesn't include selling ads.

But OpenAI does sell ads — and consumers are already wary of how many ads the Amazon Echo smart home device gives them. Besides, the market for AI devices is likely to be a lot more crowded in 2027, with Apple said to be working on a smart pin.

So what's the value proposition of a smart speaker? "The device will be able to observe users through video and nudge them toward actions it believes will help them achieve their goals," one of the Information's sources inside the company said. "You could imagine the device observing its user staying up late the night before a big meeting and suggesting that they go to bed, for example."

If a creepy speaker being the boss of your bedtime works for you, then OpenAI may just have a pathway to profitability. Otherwise, CEO Sam Altman may be increasingly desperate to keep the company funded. Perhaps his smart speaker with camera could also look for loose change in your couch cushions.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Alfa Romeo’s luxury sedan is cheaper to maintain than its rivals

How-To Geek - Fri, 02/20/2026 - 23:00

Luxury sedans are often synonymous with high ownership costs, especially when it comes to maintenance and repairs. But one Italian-built four-door upends that stereotype in 2025 by delivering premium refinement and surprisingly sensible upkeep compared with many rivals. While its competitors can come with hefty service bills and expensive parts, this luxury sedan’s maintenance profile keeps long-term costs more manageable, a rare combination in a segment known for costly ownership.

Categories: IT General, Technology

180Hz and DisplayHDR 600: The minimum specs your next gaming monitor actually needs

How-To Geek - Fri, 02/20/2026 - 22:45

The monitor you choose for your gaming PC is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your setup. It’s your window into the virtual world, and it directly affects how much you can get out of your PC’s rendering power.

Categories: IT General, Technology
Syndicate content

eXTReMe Tracker