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A first-round match at Wimbledon is not usually treated like the main event. Serena Williams’ return is one of the exceptions.

Williams, 44, is set to play 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint on Tuesday, June 30, in her first Wimbledon singles match since 2022, and tennis fans are abuzz with anticipation.

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Williams has not played a singles match since the 2022 U.S. Open, where she "evolved away" from professional tennis after a third-round loss to Ajla Tomljanovic. In the years since, she has had a second child, expanded her business life, and moved into the kind of post-tennis chapter most fans assumed was permanent.

SEE ALSO: Serena Williams dances in Kendrick Lamar's halftime show. Yes, there's an alleged Drake connection.

The comeback did not come out of nowhere. Williams has been inching back onto the court since 2025. But the singles decision, according to Williams, was not automatic. At her pre-tournament press conference, she said Wimbledon had held a wild card for her and that she was still unsure until the final days before the draw.

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Part of the hesitation, Williams said, came from what returning to professional tennis required off the court. To compete again, she had to re-enter tennis’ anti-doping testing pool and make herself available under the sport’s whereabouts rules, which require players to provide a daily one-hour testing window and keep officials updated on where they can be found.

Williams told reporters that the process has been "grueling," especially as someone balancing tennis with children, travel, and running multiple businesses. She said she understands why testing is necessary, but argued that parts of the system feel unreasonable for players whose lives do not fit neatly into one location or one schedule.

Ultimately, though, "I thought I should really take this opportunity,” Williams said. “Who knows if I’ll ever make it here again? This could be it.”

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Williams has won seven Wimbledon singles titles and 23 Grand Slam singles titles overall. This time, though, Williams has said her expectations are different. She has talked less about chasing history and more about enjoying the chance to compete again.

Tennis players have spoken about the comeback as a major moment for the sport. Novak Djokovic called it "inspirational" and "epic," while Aryna Sabalenka said Williams' return is bringing more eyes to tennis. Online, fans have followed her practice sessions, press conference quotes, wild-card news, and even prediction-market movement around whether she would actually take the court.

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But the reaction has not been entirely celebratory.

Williams’ wild card has also reopened a debate about access and fairness at Grand Slam tournaments. Wild cards are discretionary entries, meaning tournaments can award them to players who do not qualify strictly through ranking. In Williams’ case, Wimbledon left its final women’s singles wild-card spot open before giving it to her.

That decision has frustrated some fans, who argue that a player active on tour could have used that spot, and Williams should remain retired.

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On the other hand, Williams' draw is also bringing eyes to her opponent, Maya Joint. Joint was born after Williams had already won several Grand Slam titles, and she has spoken about Williams with nothing but respect.

“It’s an honor,” Joint told the WTA. “I always dreamed about playing Serena Williams, and if you’d told me 10 years ago that I’d be playing her first round at Wimbledon, that’s just crazy.”

Nevertheless, a win over Williams at Wimbledon would be career-cementing for her.

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The result could become a Serena comeback moment, a Maya Joint breakout, or simply an early look at what this version of Williams can still bring to the court. Either way, it has already become bigger than a normal first-round match, and us at Mashable will be tuning in.

Right now, half the planet is still glued to their TVs watching the World Cup, screaming at their TVs for ninety minutes at a time (they should take a break for one of these soccer movies instead). Netflix, on the other hand, keeps doing what Netflix does, which is to crank out content. Whether you're now scrolling past Office Romance or waiting for Enola Holmes 3 to arrive (July 1), your hungry scrolling thumb is just waiting to press play on a good movie this week, and that's where we come in.

Are you curious about why someone would ditch all the popular mainstream apps in favor of less familiar options? Is there something to gain by making this transition? Well, currently, my app repertoire primarily consists of open source apps, and here's why I made the switch!

Performance cars haven't disappeared, but affordable ones are becoming much harder to find. Today's fast sedans are quicker, smarter, and packed with technology, yet most of those gains have pushed prices firmly into luxury-car territory.

I run Pi-hole on my network to help block unwanted ads and trackers. Pi-hole logs all of the DNS requests made by devices on my home network. There are hundreds of thousands of queries to thousands of domains, so I let Claude take a look at the log to see what it could find.

TL;DR: Live stream Germany vs. Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage is now well underway. Next on the schedule is Germany vs. Paraguay — one of three big knockout fixtures taking place on June 29.

Germany looked good in their opening group game, dismantling Curacao 7-1. But the Germans — four-time World Cup winners — looked shaky against Ivory Coast then lost to Ecuador 2-1.

They'll be looking for a decisive win to prove the tough times are over (don't forget, they failed to get to this point at the last two World Cups). Paraguay are certainly beatable, but nothing is certain at this level and Paraguay looked solid in the group stage.

If you want to watch Germany vs. Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Germany vs. Paraguay?

Germany vs. Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 4.30 p.m. ET on June 29. This fixture takes place at Boston Stadium.

How to watch Germany vs. Paraguay for free

Germany vs. Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, 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 the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Germany vs. Paraguay for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend 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

5. Watch Germany vs. Paraguay for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN 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 access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Germany vs. Paraguay (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money-back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, 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

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. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.

Live stream Germany vs. Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

Bringing back an iconic nameplate is always a risky move, especially when expectations have been building for years. Enthusiasts wanted a lightweight, affordable sports coupe that captured the spirit of its predecessors, making the latest revival one of the most closely watched launches in recent memory.

Netflix is closing out June with two new original movies: Little Brother and Voicemails for Isabelle. As of publication, Little Brother and Voicemails for Isabelle are currently the first and second movies in the top 10, respectively. By this time next week, a third original movie, Enola Holmes 3, might have the No. 1 spot.

A well-known leaker in the gaming hardware space claimed this week that it costs Sony nearly $1,000 to make its upcoming PlayStation 6 console. If true, the console's eventual retail price could be significantly higher.

According to KeplerL2, a leaker known for accurate gaming hardware leaks, Sony's costs to manufacture its upcoming PlayStation 6 console recently went up by $200. Kepler2 reported earlier this year that, due to rising costs, the PlayStation 6's bill of materials was at $760. So, the leaker now says that ever-increasing costs have pushed the manufacturing cost of the PlayStation 6 to a whopping $960.

The AI boom continues to cause massive supply issues for computer chips, storage, and memory worldwide. That's led to a wave of price increases in the gaming world, with all of the big console makers raising prices. Most recently, Microsoft announced that it will raise prices on the current generation of Xbox consoles by as much as $150 starting in August.

SEE ALSO: Valve's Steam Machine officially has a price, and it's a doozy

Supply chain experts interviewed by Mashable say that the memory shortage known as RAMageddon could get worse before it gets better. That's bad news for gamers looking forward to the next generation of consoles, like the highly anticipated PlayStation 6. For instance, the soon-to-be-released Steam Machine console recently arrived with a whopping $1,049 price tag.

How much the Sony PlayStation 6 could cost

What does this report mean for gamers? Basically, it's highly unlikely that Sony would sell the PlayStation 6 for below cost. In fact, gaming news outlet Kotaku points to a recent Sony Q&A posted on its corporate website where the company says they're not looking to sell the console for less than it costs Sony.

“As for pricing, it is not realistic for us to absorb all the component cost increases, and we have already implemented some price increases outside of Japan," Sony said in reply to a question about pricing for its next generation video game consoles. “As a principle, we do not intend to sell hardware at significant losses.”

This means that consumers are likely looking at a $1,000 PlayStation 6 — and that's without Sony making any profit.

AI companies have only ramped up the supply and demand issues. Earlier this year, hard drive manufacturer Western Digital shared that it expects shortages to continue as the company has already sold out its storage supply for 2026 and AI companies are already buying up supply well into 2028.

Sony is reportedly still targeting a release date for the PlayStation 6 for the 2027 holiday season. However, there have been previous reports that suggested that the ongoing memory shortages could potentially push that launch date beyond next year.

Are gamers willing to buy the latest gaming console at exorbitant prices, or will it make more sense to wait out the supply issues and launch at a lower price? That's a calculation that Sony has to make.

The Windows PC industry just caught a big break. After months of holding out, Apple has raised prices for its computers (and to address soaring memory and storage costs. Systems that seemed like bargains compared to ever-pricier Windows PCs, including the MacBook Neo, are now merely competitive.

With the prices of SSDs currently very much through the roof, it's a good time to try to make the best of yours instead of letting it rot. And yet, I'm sure that many of us have an SSD just silently rotting in a drawer somewhere, be it an older drive or a backup that gets plugged in once a year.

Save 20%: As of June 29, grab the Owala FreeSip (24 ounces) for just $23.99 at Amazon. Typically, this bottle costs $6 more at $29.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Owala Owala FreeSip $23.66 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $6.33   Get Deal

We've made it no secret that we're fans of the Owala FreeSip.

At least half of Mashable's shopping team owns the water bottle, and for good reason. The FreeSip spout truly gives the best of both worlds experience, with a straw opening for sipping and a larger spout for swigging. Best of all, as of June 29, the 24 ounce version of the Owala FreeSip is back down to its Prime Day price of $23.99 in select colors, saving you 20% on the $29.99 list price.

Beyond having two different ways to use it, the Owala has a lot of smart design choices. There's the lockable cap that keeps the straw component covered when not in use, and the part of that lock that doubles as a handle for easy carrying on the go. There's the insulation that can easily keep water cold all day long, and the dishwasher-safe lid and straw. The main pain point with this water bottle is the base, which may not fit into every cupholder.

That said, at the time of writing you can also grab some colorways of the FreeSip Sway on sale, which has a cupholder-friendly base.

Comcast is once again shaking up streaming video and cable TV. The company is spinning off NBCUniversal and the U.K.'s Sky as separate companies, letting Comcast itself focus on technologies that include Xfinity, its Xfinity Mobile wireless service, and its fiber optic network.

Best 4th of July mattress and bedding deals at a glance: Best mattress deal Bear Original Hybrid Mattress (queen) $834.60 (save $449.40) Get Deal Best bedding deal Brooklinen Classic Percale Hardcore Sheet Bundle (queen) $352.87 (save $154.13) Get Deal

Summer is a tough time to get sleep. The sun rises earlier, sets later, and it's hot. All of that on top of a schedule filled with trips, summer camps, and backyard gatherings is a recipe for a season of bad sleep. If you're not interested in sacrificing sleep this summer, the 4th of July is one of the best times to make bedroom upgrades.

Much like Memorial Day, mattresses and bedding essentials like sheets and pillows tend to see exceptional discounts around the 4th of July holiday. That's great news for keeping high-quality sleep a priority over the summer. Here are some of our favorite 4th of July mattress and bedding deals if you're in need of a refresh.

Best mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bear Bear Original Hyrbid Mattress (queen) $834.60 at Bear
$1,284 Save $449.40   Get Deal Why we like it

By now you've probably heard that a hybrid mattress offers the comfort of an all-foam bed with the support of a coil mattress. The only problem is that hybrid mattresses tend to be expensive. That's not the case today thanks to the Bear 4th of July sale. The new Bear Original Hybrid is on sale for only $834.60 in a queen size, down from the normal price of $1,284.

Bear mentions that this mattress is ideal for those who like a medium-firm bed that can help regulate hot summer temps. It can also be nice for those who deal with joint pain, or side sleepers who struggle with pressure points while sleeping.

Bear has a 120-night sleep trial, so you can try out the bed at home for four months while still being eligible for a return if you don't love it.

More mattress deals

• Avocado: Save up to 15% on organic mattresses

• Brooklyn Bedding: Take to 30% off sitewide

• DreamCloud: Save up to 60% on mattresses and 66% on bundles

• Eight Sleep: Take up to $500 off Pods and accessories

• Tuft & Needle: Save 25% on all bundles

• Purple: Take up to $800 a mattress and base

• Saatva: Take up to $650 off mattresses or ip to $750 off bundles

• Zinus: Take up to 60% off plus an additional 20%

Best bedding deal Opens in a new window Credit: Brooklinen Brooklinen Classic Percale Hardcore Sheet Bundle (queen) $352.87 at Brooklinen
$507 Save $154.13   Get Deal Why we like it

Brooklinen has become one of the most trusted brands for those who want comfortable but durable sheets. The brand's 4th of July sale takes 30% off sheet bundles like the Classic Percale Hardcore Sheet Bundle. Percale is the perfect material for summer since it's made of a breathable and natural cotton fiber. The bundle includes the classic percale core sheet set (fitted sheet, flat sheet, two pillowcases), the percale duvet cover, and two extra pillowcases. Plus, it comes in a great range of colorway and print options.

More bedding deals

• Baloo: Save $30 on weighted throw blanket + cotton duvet cover bundle

• Coyuchi: Take up to 40% off

• Cozy Earth: Take 20% off bedding bundles

• Ettitude: Take up to 25% off sitewide and up to 70% off final sale

• Naturepedic: Take 20% off organic bedding + get a free muslin blanket

• Silk & Snow: Take 20% off all sheets

From the moment I heard about the reMarkable E-ink writing tablet, I wanted one, but I was put off by its relatively locked-down experience. Fortunately, I've come across an alternative that's more open, and I'm quite confident I like it even more.

Americans took out auto loans at some of the highest interest rates in two decades between 2022 and 2024, as the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate to a level not seen since 2001.

UPDATE: Jun. 29, 2026, 12:39 p.m. EDT This article has been updaded to add a statement from T-Mobile.

If you've been quietly riding out an old T-Mobile plan for the last decade or so, that ride is about to end.

T-Mobile is automatically migrating thousands of customers on legacy plans to its current lineup of plans, the company confirmed to CNET, with affected subscribers beginning to receive notification via text or the T-Life app today. The switch will take effect within the next few billing cycles and applies to both individual customers and some small businesses. (Disclosure: CNET and Mashable are both owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)

SEE ALSO: AT&T commits to ending DEI programs while seeking government approval

T-Mobile didn't specify which plans are being retired, but per CNET, a company representative said some stretch back 10 to 15 years, including Simple Choice, T-Mobile One, and grandfathered Sprint plans from the carrier's 2020 merger.

Customers will be moved to comparable options within T-Mobile's current lineup, including Essentials, Experience More, and Experience Beyond. For some, that means a price increase, though T-Mobile chief marketing officer Allan Samson told CNET the new rate will still typically be lower than what a new customer would pay for the same plan today.

A T-Mobile spokesperson gave Mashable the following statement:

We’re retiring our oldest plans, some of which were built nearly 15 years ago – in the 3G and 4G eras, and well before our 5G network was fully deployed. Customers will transition to modern plans that provide access to America’s best wireless technology, enhanced features and a 5-year price guarantee for peace of mind. Some customers will see no change to their monthly bill, while some will see a modest adjustment. Every customer moved to a new plan will keep their current benefits while gaining improvements in network and service experiences.

What makes this move notable isn't the migration itself. As CNET notes, AT&T added fees to legacy plans in May, and T-Mobile hiked prices in March 2025. Rather, it's the fact that the company will perform the switch automatically, requiring no action from the customer and no option to stay put. If you end up on a plan you don't want, your only choices are to switch to a different T-Mobile plan or switch to a new carrier.

Internally, T-Mobile framed the move as a systems cleanup, with CNET reporting the change eliminates over 1,100 legacy billing codes.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is giving away the Apple iPhone 17 for free — how to claim this free promo

Do you think Docker is only for developers? I’ve heard that saying, but it couldn’t be more wrong. I’m not a developer, and I use Docker to run dozens of services and apps in my homelab.

Modern SSDs are amazing, and I'm not about to pretend I want to go back to shuffling super slow disks or wrestling with ribbon cables inside a beige PC case. (Although, in all fairness, I do miss those beige PCs a lot.)

It's been six long years, but Starbucks is finally bringing back the beloved S'mores Frappuccino for a limited-time summer run.

The blended drink makes its temporary return to menus nationwide on July 1. But if you're a Starbucks Rewards member (I'm currently at Gold status myself), you can get early access starting tomorrow, June 30. All you have to do is order this caffeinated concoction through the Starbucks app.

In addition to bringing back the S'mores Frappuccino (which features marshmallow-infused whipped cream, milk chocolate sauce, and a graham cracker topping), Starbucks is introducing two brand-new drinks: S'mores Cold Brew topped with a marshmallow-flavored cold foam, chocolate drizzle, and graham cracker sprinkles, and an Iced S'mores Chai.

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Customers on Reddit are obviously thrilled (one user commented, "MY FAVOURITE (drink) CHILD IS BACK FROM THE WAR", while another gave it a "10/10," calling it "amazing, worth the hype"). That said, the Starbucks staffers are panicking.

Over on Instagram, baristas are pointing out that this surprise drop wasn't in their summer training. And since most stores only have two blenders, a sudden rush of complex Frappuccinos is going to be pretty tough to manage. On the r/starbucks subreddit, employees echo that sentiment, noting that while the special marshmallow whip is tasty, it's also "labor-intensive" and raising concerns about how they're supposed to keep up their drive-thru times with all the new recipes.

The Starbucks S'mores Frappuccino in all its glory. Credit: Starbucks

Mashable covered the original rollout of the S'mores frapp back in 2015. Starbucks says it's been on "hiatus" for the past six years, until now.

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The Starbucks menu includes 170,000 possible drink combinations, creating challenges for its baristas. When you factor in sizes, pumps, and other personalization options, outside estimates have put the total Starbucks drink combinations at more than 300 billion. Now, with the S'mores Frappuccino and two related beverages joining the menu, there are even more.

So, just remember to be patient and tip your barista if you're ordering a complicated blended drink (making all that marshmallow whip is no joke).

The s'mores lineup is only available for a short window this summer.