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Mexico vs. South Korea: The World Cups friendliest rivalry
If the FIFA World Cup were a romantic comedy, Mexico and South Korea would be in the strangers-to-lovers arc.
Before their teams even met on the pitch, fans from both countries had already hit it off. In the streets of Guadalajara, supporters have broken into impromptu performances of "Gangnam Style," greeted one another with chants of "BTS," posed for photos together, and shared not only bottles of tequila but also videos of their celebrations across social media.
Which makes Thursday night's Group A matchup a little awkward. After all, every good romance needs conflict.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Mexico and South Korea enter the June 18 match with plenty at stake, but unlike most World Cup rivalries, this one comes with an unusual amount of affection. Eight years after South Korea's famous upset over Germany helped send Mexico to the knockout stage, fans from both countries have rekindled a friendship that has become one of the tournament's most unexpected storylines.
The relationship even has a slogan: "Coreano, hermano, ya eres Mexicano," which translates to "Korean brother, you're Mexican now."
And if the videos flooding TikTok, Instagram Reels, and X are any indication, plenty of fans seem to mean it.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. View this post on InstagramA post shared by David velazquez /El CHECHÉ (@elcheche_tj)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Part of that affection can be traced back to the 2018 World Cup, when South Korea stunned Germany in the group stage. The result helped Mexico advance to the knockout rounds, turning Korean players into unlikely heroes among Mexican supporters. Mexican fans famously gathered outside the South Korean embassy in Mexico City to celebrate and even crowdfunded beer for Korean fans. Eight years later, the amity hasn't disappeared. If anything, social media has only strengthened it.
The relationship now extends well beyond football. Mexico has become one of the largest markets for Korean pop culture outside Asia, with K-pop acts regularly selling out arenas across the country. According to Spotify data, Mexico ranked fifth globally for K-pop listening in 2025. So when South Korean supporters arrived for the World Cup, many found themselves welcomed by fans who were already familiar with their music, food, and culture.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.That welcome wasn't just online. Earlier this month, hundreds of Mexican supporters greeted South Korea's national team when it arrived at its hotel in Guadalajara, a scene that quickly went viral on social media.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by FOX Soccer (@foxsoccer)
The affection has become so pronounced that some supporters have half-jokingly suggested the ideal result would be a draw, a way for both teams and both fanbases to walk away happy.
Of course, goodwill only goes so far once the whistle blows. For 90 minutes, at least, Mexico and South Korea will have to set aside their status as the World Cup's friendliest rivalry and do what every tournament demands: Try to beat each other.
As one fan told NPR ahead of the match, "Whoever wins, that's my team."
Most World Cup rivalries don't work that way.
Xbox studio apocalypse: Every studio closure rumored and confirmed
Xbox's studio portfolio may look very different, very soon.
Earlier this week, reports suggested Microsoft's games division was in the process of closing or spinning off several of its subsidiary studios. Though no studio closures have been officially confirmed yet, some employees have posted on social media that they are looking for work.
Here is everything we know right now.
SEE ALSO: Xbox executives depart while Compulsion Games shuts down Every Xbox studio rumored to be closed or spun offPer Bloomberg, the focus is on three studios: Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory.
Compulsion is best known for South of Midnight, an action-adventure game based on southern U.S. folklore that won many accolades in 2025. PCMag called it "beautiful, unique, and tear-jerking," and it won a Peabody Award last year.
Compulsion was said to be closing and then to be negotiating with Microsoft for its future, according to Kotaku. Some Compulsion employees have said they are looking for work, but the studio hasn't officially shuttered or been spun off yet.
Double Fine is the most venerable of the three, having been around for more than 25 years. The San Francisco-based studio is best known for creative games with a focus on sharp comedy writing, like Brutal Legend, Psychonauts, and Costume Quest.
Double Fine's fate is murky at the moment; the only thing we've heard from the company is a single sweating face emoji posted to its social accounts earlier this week.
The third studio rumored to be closed or spun off is Ninja Theory, which has been around in some capacity for more than 25 years. Prior to becoming an Xbox subsidiary, Ninja Theory was best known for highly cinematic action games that made early use of performance capture technology — such as Heavenly Sword and Enslaved Odyssey to the West, both of which featured performances by Andy Serkis.
More recently, Ninja Theory has been focused on the Hellblade series. The third game in that series, Senua, was announced earlier in June.
Other unnamed studios are also said to be at risk. Insider Gaming's Mike Straw reported that Arkane, developers of the Dishonored series and the upcoming Marvel Blade game, is fearing for its future right now; we don't know anything beyond that.
Xbox's problems go back many years, but the current round of anxiety started when former executive Phil Spencer left, leading Microsoft to hire AI executive Asha Sharma to take over the Xbox business.
Sharma has tried to win the hearts and minds of fans by teasing the next Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, but Xbox's reputation is not in the best place right now.
Between possible studio closures, game cancelations, and a movement to boycott Xbox due to Microsoft's relationship with the Israeli military, many gamers have already decided they are done with the brand entirely.
House of the Dragon: Everything you need to know in 2 minutes
The Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon is finally flying back for a third season and you need to get caught up on all things Targaryen. Mashable's Belen Edwards is here to catch us all up to speed, and in just under 2 minutes!
We'll re-introduce you to Rhaenyra Targaryen's Team Black and Alicent Hightower's Team Green and take you all the way up to the moments before Season 3's much anticipated return. Give this a quick viewing before the show aires on June 21st as there is much to catch up on.
How to watch Canada vs. Qatar online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Canada vs. Qatar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on ITVX. 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 is stacked full of amazing matchups. Is Canada vs. Qatar on that list? Probably not for the neutrals at least. But for fans of Canada and Qatar? This is an all-important clash that could be crucial when the group stage comes to an end.
If you want to watch Canada vs. Qatar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Canada vs. Qatar?Canada vs. Qatar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 6 p.m. ET on June 18. This fixture takes place at BC Place Vancouver.
How to watch Canada vs. Qatar for freeCanada vs. Qatar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup 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 tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Canada vs. Qatar for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit ITVX
Watch Canada vs. Qatar for free from anywhere in the world
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 Canada vs. Qatar (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. Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate.
What is the best VPN for ITVX?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, 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 Canada vs. Qatar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.
The $15 home network upgrade that solves 6 problems your router can't
A network switch is deeply practical, but you'll most likely only buy one when your router runs out of Ethernet ports. While that's the primary reason most people buy one, it’s far from the only benefit of keeping a switch on your network.
The Italian SUV that makes German luxury feel generic
Luxury SUVs have become incredibly good at almost everything, but that's also made a lot of them feel the same. Big screens, plush cabins, and effortless speed are easy to find, while genuine personality is much harder.
Noise-cancelling and open earbuds are down to record-low prices ahead of Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day is just days away, but deals on the best earbuds are already Prime Day-worthy.
The four-day sale's June 23 start feels more of a formality when the AirPods Pro 3 drop to a new record low price not once, but twice ahead of the sale's start (at the time of writing, there's limited stock available at Walmart for just $169, shaving $80 off the $249 list price).
SEE ALSO: Amazon announces dates for a 4-day Prime Day sale in late June: Everything you need to knowOther notable buds, like the Sony XM6 earbuds, second-gen Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, and Nothing earbuds, are all on sale. Though many of these early deals are available to anyone, Prime member or not, some savings (like on the Nothing buds) are Prime exclusive.
Find all 16 of the best deals we rounded up ahead of Prime Day below.
Best noise-cancelling earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $169 at Walmart$249 Save $80 Get Deal Why we like it
Note: While I was writing this story, this deal sold out at Walmart. I'm keeping it as a top pick for now in case it comes back in stock, but my alternative pick for the best noise-cancelling earbuds deal is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen).
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 dropped down to a record low price of $179 ahead of Prime Day, but now the price has dropped even lower before the sale's official start. According to the price tracker camelcamelcamel, the Pro 3 buds got down to $169 at Amazon, but at the time of writing, they're sold out. You can still find them at this record-low price and in stock at Walmart (making this the only non-Amazon deal to make our list), but the stock is low, so if you want to pick them up before Prime Day, you won't want to wait too long.
Read our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.
More noise-cancelling earbuds dealsCMF Buds Pro 2 — $37.05 $49 (save $11.95)
soundcore by Anker Space A40 — $54.99 $79.99 (save $25)
Nothing Ear (a) — $56 $79 (save $23)
Beats Studio Buds + — $99.95 $169.95 (save $70)
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE — $109.99 $149.99 (save $40)
Nothing Ear (3) — $128.25 $179 (save $50.75)
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — $199.95 $249.99 (save $50.04)
Technics EAH-AZ100 — $232.99 $299.99 (save $67)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) — $249 $299 (save $50)
Sony WF-1000XM6 — $298 $329.99 (save $31.90)
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 — $449 $499 (save $50)
$229.99 Save $31.99 Get Deal Why we like it
The Sony LinkBuds Clip give the ultra-popular Bose Ultra Open earbuds a run for their money. In my head-to-head testing of the two pairs of earbuds, I found that while the Bose buds generally lean louder, the Sony earbuds have a more detailed sound profile, making for an overall superior listening experience. They also have a longer battery life, delivering nine hours per charge, where the Bose earbuds deliver seven. With both earbuds on sale, there's only a dollar price discrepancy between the two, but if you don't anticipate using these earbuds in many noisy situations, the Sony earbuds are likely the way to go.
Read our full review of the Sony LinkBuds Clip.
More open earbuds dealsEarFun Clip 2 — $63.99 $99.99 (save $36)
Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro — $149.99 $179.99 (save $30)
Bose Ultra Open — $199 $299 (save $100)
A developer's comment leaked Slate's price—it crushes Ford's EV pickup by $5,000
Website source code has leaked plenty of secrets before launch day, from game console specs buried in retailer listings to phone release dates hidden in app metadata. Now, a line of code on the website for Slate Auto, the Jeff Bezos-backed startup that raised $650 million in funding to get its truck into production, may have done the same thing.
This Android feature has saved me from countless headaches, but it's not enabled by default
We all know that familiar feeling of panic and distrust when we unlock our phone and accidentally swipe away a notification we didn’t read. It’s easy to mistake it as the sixth Instagram Reel in a row from the friends group chat. But what if it isn’t? What if you missed an important work update, an email from your boss, or someone reaching out to you on LinkedIn?
Everything to know about Amazon Prime Day: Dates, competition, and the best early deals to shop already
Prime Day is nearly upon us. The massive members-only sale is Amazon's biggest savings event of the season and your best chance for some summer inflation relief.
Prime Day typically triggers some of the best, most add-to-cart-worthy deals on smart home devices, Kindles, Apple gadgets, robot vacuums, headphones, and other popular tech outside of Black Friday. And this year, it's happening a little earlier an usual. (What's the deal with that? Keep reading.)
Mashable's shopping reporters and editors have been covering Prime Day since 2018. Here's what we think you should know about this year's sale ahead of time. Plus, check out our dedicated guide to the top early Prime Day deals you can shop already.
When is Prime Day 2026?Amazon's twelfth annual Prime Day sale runs from June 23 to 26. For the second year in a row, the flagship summer savings event will last four days, up from its original two.
What's different about Prime Day this year? Prime Day 2026 got bumped up to June. Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable / Adobe StockAs mentioned, Prime Day 2026 is happening early. Historically, the sale has almost always fallen in mid-July, not late June.
Speaking to Reuters this month, Jamil Ghani, worldwide VP of Amazon Prime, said the FIFA World Cup and the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence were factors in the company's decision to move up Prime Day. Both events are also happening in July. (The World Cup runs through July 19, while the U.S. Semiquincentennial is on July 4.)
SEE ALSO: Why did Amazon Prime Day shift to June? Here's what the company has said (and not said).Amazon hasn't said as much, but its reasoning there seems to be to position Prime Day as a "stock up for the party" opportunity. Among other products, shoppers will be able to save on groceries and other household essentials for celebrations around July's festivities. Amazon has been going especially hard in the grocery space in recent years.
Speaking of: For the first time ever, Amazon is giving away a free year's worth of groceries (via $10,000 in gift cards) ahead of Prime Day this year. You'll be automatically entered to win if you spend at least $15 on groceries, beauty products, personal care items, and/or pet supplies on Amazon now through June 22, the day before Prime Day begins.
What are the best early Prime Day deals?Amazon is heavily discounting its own devices and services in the lead-up to Prime Day. Early birds can save up to 65% on its Echo smart speakers and displays, Kindle e-readers (plus Kindle bundles), Fire TVs and streaming sticks, Blink home security gadgets, and eero mesh WiFi systems.
The best early Prime Day deals at a glance: Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 (save $35 with Prime) Get Deal Kindle Essentials Bundle $106.97 (save $55 with Prime) Get Deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $17.99 (save $22 with Prime) Get Deal Blink Outdoor 2K+ $34.99 (save $65 with Prime) Get Deal Amazon eero 6+ mesh wifi system (3-pack) $194.99 (save $105 with Prime) Get Deal Kindle Unlimited (3 months) $0 (save $35.97 with Prime) Get Deal Audible (3 months) $0 (save $26.97 with Prime) Get Deal Amazon Music Unlimited (4 months) $0 (save $47.96 with Prime) Get Deal "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" Free ticket with Prime for Young Adults (includes early screening on July 29) Get Deal Little Caesars large pizza $5 (redeemable five times through July 26 with Prime) Get DealIf you're trying to get a head start on your summer reading list, Prime members can already snag two free Kindle books via Amazon First Reads, plus three free months of both Kindle Unlimited and Audible (worth $36 and $27, respectively). Kindle Unlimited unlocks a huge library of free e-books and digital magazines, while Audible is Amazon's podcast and audiobook service.
If you prefer to read the old-fashioned way, print books of all genres are up to 65% off before Prime Day (starting at $7).
SEE ALSO: Amazon Editors just dropped the 20 best books of 2026 (so far) — find out what made the listPrime members who haven't tried Amazon Music Unlimited yet get a free four-month trial worth $48. Non-members get three months free. If you're already a Music Unlimited member on an Individual Plan, you can convert your subscription to a Family Plan for free for two months. You'll be able to stream music on up to six devices at a time instead of just one.
Need something new to watch? Certain movies and TV shows on Prime Video are up to 50% off for Prime members ahead of Prime Day. (That includes both purchases and rentals.) Plus, Prime for Young Adults members (geared toward ages 18 to 24) can score a free ticket to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day while supplies last. An exclusive early screening option is up for grabs.
Finally, Prime members can get large pepperoni or cheese pizzas from Little Caesars for just $5 apiece this month. You can redeem the offer up to five times from now through the end of Prime Day on June 26.
What will be the best deals on Prime Day? Lots of popular devices drop to record-low prices every Prime Day. Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable composite; Sony, Amazon, DJI, SamsungAmazon plans on dropping new Prime Day deals "as often as every five minutes during select periods" during the sale, according to a company blog post. A handful of these offers will get a "Today’s Big Deals" label, which identifies limited-time discounts "featuring exclusive products and trending new releases from brands members love, many at more than 50% off," Amazon said. These deals will go live three times a day throughout Prime Day at 3 a.m. ET, 11 a.m. ET, and 4 p.m. ET — set an alarm.
Amazon hasn't revealed the exact deals it's saving for Prime Day proper, Today's Big Deals or otherwise. But it has shared a list of the general discounts shoppers can expect across different categories, including some featured brands and marquee products. In order from most to least savings, the highlights include:
Up to 50% off select coolers and drinkware from Hydro Flask, Stanley, and Yeti
Up to 50% off select home gym and workout equipment from NordicTrack and Peloton
Up to 45% off select headphones and earbuds from Beats, Bose, and JLab
Up to 40% off select portable speakers from JBL, Marshall, and Sony
Up to 40% off select big-screen TVs from Hisense, LG, and Samsung
Up to 40% off select vacuums and carpet cleaners from Bissell, Dyson, and iRobot, including the Bissell Little Green Machine in an exclusive colorway
Up to 40% off select small kitchen appliances from Cuisinart and Ninja
Up to 40% off select air purifiers and fans from Dyson, Levoit, and Shark, including the Dyson Cool Air Multiplier Bladeless Tower Fan
Up to 40% off select coffee and espresso machines from Breville, Keurig, and KitchenAid, including the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
Up to 40% off trending "productivity companions" from Skylight, Hatch, and Oura, including the Oura Ring 4
Up to 35% off select laptops, cellphones, and tablets from HP, Lenovo, and Samsung
Up to 35% off select college tech and accessories from Acer, Canon, and Octobuddy
Up to 30% off select games and tech accessories from Logitech, Nintendo, and Xbox
Up to 30% off select toys and games from Lego and Tamagotchi
Other major retailers have always run their own competing sales alongside Prime Day. That will still be the case this year despite the timing change.
Best Buy is having a weeklong Tech Fest sale from June 22 to 28. (It's almost twice as long as Prime Day.) It will probably be Amazon's toughest competition when it comes to deals on big-ticket tech: Look for discounts of up to 50% on laptops, TVs, gaming gear, headphones, and small appliances, including fleeting Deals of the Day. The sale isn't locked to paid Plus and Total members of the My Best Buy program, but they'll be eligible for some extra discounts and rewards.
Walmart will host a concurrent Summer Deals event from June 22 to 28, offering "thousands of offers across top brands, popular categories, and early back-to-school essentials," to quote a company press release. Those deals will be available both in stores and online. Members of its Walmart+ program get exclusive early access to a batch of "Hot Deal Drops" on the first day of the sale, which will only be available while supplies last. (Otherwise, the sale is open to everyone.) For a limited time, shoppers who haven't signed up yet can save 50% on an annual Walmart+ membership.
SEE ALSO: 40+ Best Buy deals that match or beat Amazon's early Prime Day dealsTarget is giving Amazon a run for its money with a Target Circle Deal Days sale from June 23 to 26, the exact same days as Prime Day. Members of its free-to-join Target Circle loyalty program will be able to save up to 45% on "thousands of items across apparel, beauty, home, toys, and essentials" in stores and online, according to a press release. It also plans to offer rotating Deals of the Day.
Target might be trying the hardest to lure shoppers away from Amazon. If you show up in person at select Target stores on the first day of Circle Deal Days, you'll get a free hot or iced coffee or a free cookie, so long as you're a Circle member. Those who join the program between now and June 22 will get 15% off their next purchase.
How many times a year is Prime Day?Amazon's main Prime Day sale only happens once a year, but the company usually hosts two other Prime events a few months before and after it. One is the Big Spring Sale, which runs late March, and the other is Prime Big Deal Days in October, just before Black Friday.
Can anyone shop Prime Day deals?Prime Day deals are exclusive to Prime members — but that includes paid and trial members, so it's possible to participate for free.
How to sign up for Amazon PrimeVisit Amazon.com/amazonprime to purchase a membership or start your free 30-day trial. If you go the latter route, be sure to cancel your plan before your trial period ends to avoid getting charged. Prime memberships currently cost $14.99 a month or $139 per year.
If you're 18 to 24 years old, you can score a free six-month Prime trial via the Prime for Young Adults program. (Age or student status verification is required.) You'll get 10% cash back on your Prime Day purchases to boot.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Prime $14.99/month or $139/year; free for your first 30 days Learn MoreHow Sean Evans turned Hot Ones into one of entertainments most important interview shows
There was a time when appearing on Hot Ones felt like a novelty. Now, it's practically a rite of passage.
Over the last decade, Sean Evans and the team behind the hit YouTube interview series have transformed a simple idea — celebrities eating increasingly spicy wings while answering increasingly personal questions — into one of the most influential talk-show formats in entertainment. Long before Hollywood fully embraced creator-led programming, Hot Ones proved that a YouTube series could land A-list guests and command audiences on the same scale as many traditional television shows.
SEE ALSO: 19 best 'Hot Ones' episodes to binge-watchAlong the way, Hot Ones has become a must-stop destination on the modern press tour, and the show's influence is now so widespread that YouTube is once again submitting it for Emmy consideration. Today, Evans is not only the face of Hot Ones but also part of the ownership group that acquired First We Feast from BuzzFeed in 2024, giving the team control over one of YouTube's most successful franchises.
But behind the viral clips and ghost pepper-induced meltdowns is something more enduring: a creator-built show that has survived platform shifts, changing audience habits, and an increasingly crowded interview landscape.
Mashable spoke with Evans about how Hot Ones evolved from a scrappy internet experiment into a mainstream entertainment fixture, why consistency matters more than virality, what creators can learn from the show's longevity, and how much behind-the-scenes chaos is required to make sure a new episode arrives every Thursday.
Credit: Zooey Liao / Mashable / First We Feast There was a time when landing a major movie star on a YouTube show felt like a novelty. Now, creator-led interview shows are everywhere, and Hot Ones feels like a staple of the entertainment ecosystem. Was there a specific moment when you realized the relationship between Hollywood and internet shows had fundamentally changed?Sean Evans: When I first started, there were so few interview shows on the internet and almost no celebrity interview shows on the internet. Now there are a ton. Even podcasts back then weren't as guest-fueled as they are now, and now there are so many different kinds of celebrity talk shows and chat formats. That's been incredible to see.
There used to be a time when people would do the late-night couch, and then it would be this big event that they'd done this internet show, Hot Ones. Now the whole ecosystem is basically internet shows like Hot Ones. That's been kind of amazing to witness. As for paradigm-shifting moments, I look back on different tentpole episodes. Our first big episode was Key & Peele. Kevin Hart was a huge moment because that was a capital-A lister relatively early in the evolution of the show. Once we booked him, it shook a couple of other apples from the tree that maybe seemed unattainable.
The Charlize Theron episode was important because she was an A-list actress who was down to eat the wings of death. Then that opens up a whole new category of potential guests. Along the way, we've hit these different tentpole moments that have reshaped the show's trajectory. But overall, it's been kind of a snowball rolling down a hill, getting bigger and bigger. Or a wave getting bigger, and I'm just grabbing my surfboard and trying to hold on.
I know you said last year that Hot Ones deserves to be compared to traditional talk shows, and I totally agree. Do you feel like the industry has caught up to that idea, or are creator-led shows still fighting for legitimacy?I kind of get it both ways. Ultimately, the crusade that I'm on isn't really about Hot Ones. It's that a kid today with broadcasting aspirations probably doesn't dream about hosting The Tonight Show. Their dream is probably more like Kai Cenat or IShowSpeed, or building out their own YouTube channel, or ranking high on a podcast chart. The longer these shows deny that reality, the more absurd and arbitrary it becomes.
My goal has always been to make good episodes for our fans. When you think about the cultural penetration of a show like Hot Ones, the caliber of its guests, and the ratings — eyeballs to eyeballs — then yes, we are worthy of comparison and competition with these shows that have traditionally dominated these categories. But it's hard for me to bellyache about anything. My life is so charming, and I get to do this incredible job. I'm not going to cry about not getting a statue. Everything has been better than anything I ever could have dreamed for myself.
If I die on a hill, it's this: if you look at people who started as creators and are now directors turning million-dollar budgets into hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office, the future is going to be new formats that are born on the internet. The next wave of great auteurs will start on the internet. These arbitrary lines in the sand are eventually going to blow away because they're denying what audiences are actually watching.
The cool thing about Hot Ones is that you've spent more than a decade building an audience that comes back week after week. What's the difference between creating a viral hit and creating something sustainable?I think we have a format that's very of-the-internet. But when I think about the ways I've been inspired, it's mostly by the classics. I grew up obsessed with Letterman, Conan, Howard Stern, and Jimmy Kimmel. My creative partner Chris Schonberger remembers Channel 4 in Britain — Alexa Chung and those cheeky celebrity chat shows.
We combined those influences into something that feels internet-native, even though it's celebrities eating scorching hot chicken wings. I think it's the combination of something novel and something familiar. We also straddle this unique position where we have one foot in the mainstream and one foot in the internet underground.
And then I think the watch experience is consistently good. Sure, there are duds, but there are more classics than duds. Hot Ones is like a diner burger. You have to eat that burger once a week, and you'll come back the next week, and the week after that. We don't tinker with the recipe every time burger sales dip. We don't reinvent the menu because some food trend pops up. We're pretty classic in our approach, and I think that's given us longevity.
So consistency is the secret sauce?Yeah. It's the same people making the same thing the same way over and over again because people like the taste of the burger. We're not going to outsmart ourselves.
Everybody knows the gimmick: the wings, the hot sauce. But there's a reason people keep coming back. What's something viewers underestimate about what goes into making a great Hot Ones episode?Hot Ones is kind of like a duck swimming. Above the water, it's graceful and frictionless. Underneath, the feet are going crazy. I basically live a lifestyle where I grab a carry-on, go to the airport, check into a hotel, do the shoot, go back to the airport, and then do it again in another city. Sometimes we have a season worked out, and a guest cancels 36 hours before we're supposed to shoot. Now we have to find another booking, or there won't be an episode on Thursday. Earlier this year, I literally flew to Italy to shoot with somebody, got there, found out they had to cancel, and then flew back home. No episode. Just flew to Italy for no reason.
The audience shouldn't feel that anxiety. We want to make escapism television. We want you to enjoy a stress-free 24 minutes. But there is a lot of stress that goes into creating that stress-free experience.
Did you at least get to enjoy Italy?I had a good pasta dinner. I was like, "I'm at least going to do that while I'm here." Otherwise, it was a sad trip.
I know you've said you can basically film Hot Ones anywhere. What's the most unconventional place you've ever turned into a Hot Ones set?The Charlize Theron episode stands out. She was doing a junket at the Beverly Hills Hotel, so we rented a suite, took the bed out, and hung the black curtains from the ceiling. I remember walking in and seeing sandbags and lights all over the floor and sheets hanging from the ceiling. It looked like a second grader's project. And I'm thinking, "We're about to shoot with an Oscar winner in here."
But that's the Hot Ones experience. You pop it up, put the wings out, do the best you can with the time you have, handle the chaos, then pack it all up and do it again. It's basically a circus roadshow.
Is it fair to say part of the show's success comes from your willingness to go wherever the guest is?When we can, absolutely. We're halfway through a season right now and already trying to line up dates for the next one. We're constantly trying to match guest availability with release schedules and make sure everything lines up. It's like a Rubik's Cube we're always solving. I think that's part of why we've punched above our weight class in terms of guests over the years. We want to make it the most comfortable, least comfortable interview show possible. We'll do what we have to do to get the episode. We'll hunt it down wherever it is. With the right opportunity, we'll absolutely jump on a plane. I probably do the L.A. to New York flight 50 times a year.
Do you have favorite moments that stand out — not necessarily the biggest or most viral moments, but the ones that mean the most to you?There are hundreds. I love the show. It's my baby. If somebody is new to Hot Ones, I always recommend Conan O'Brien, Gordon Ramsay, and Paul Rudd. Those are kind of exalted in the lore of the show. I love the Viola Davis episode. I love the Trick Daddy episode. Charlize Theron was important to our evolution.
This year, for awards consideration, we submitted the Kate McKinnon episode, and that one means a lot to me too. There are just so many that I could talk about endlessly.
I have to ask about BTS. I'm a fan, and I know they roll deep with a lot of staff. What did it take behind the scenes to pull that episode off?I always know we're shooting with a big guest when there's a security sweep beforehand. We'd never done an episode that big before. Seven guests are at the table, with only one member who speaks English. There were so many potential complications. But it went remarkably smoothly. I remember going into the green room, and they were super warm and excited to see me. They just had amazing vibes.
Even when there's a language barrier, there's a common understanding when you're eating scorching hot wings together. Jimin was like, "Come on wing, let's go wing!" and then I'm doing it too. You become bros through the experience. We had spent so much time thinking through every possible complication, and then it ended up being one of the smoothest shoots we've ever had.
SEE ALSO: Milk, tears, and Digimon: BTS' 'Hot Ones' episode was pure chaos Fans loved that episode.They're great fans, by the way. That's another rewarding thing about doing something like that — capturing a group in that moment where they're re-emerging and coming back out. They didn't do a ton of press, so I'm very grateful that they and their team thought Hot Ones was something the fans would love.
What have you learned about making people comfortable enough to reveal something genuine on camera?I've always been somebody who could sit at any lunch table in the cafeteria. I like hearing stories. I'm more interested in other people's stories than my own. And I think being a Midwesterner helps. There's a "don't rock the boat, make everybody feel comfortable" instinct. On the show, we try to reflect respect back to the guest. We do a thoughtful, career-spanning interview. That helps build trust. And then you're eating scorching hot wings. Your brain is flashing survival, survival, survival. You're not thinking about the PR talking points you walked in with. All of those things accelerate chemistry and rapport.
Plus, people have a really long leash on Hot Ones. You can cough, curse, blow your nose into a napkin. Where else can you do that? That permission structure makes people more willing to let loose.
Fans are really invested in your friendship with Keke Palmer. She's also a phenomenal host and interviewer. You've had her on Hot Ones, and you've been on her podcast. What do you appreciate about her as an interviewer?One thing we share is that we're both kind of throwbacks from another time. I talked about my influences earlier, and I think she's very much the same way. When people see us together, there's kind of this throwback late-night-show energy. But it's brought into a new era in a way that younger audiences seem to understand and really enjoy.
Waymo recalls over 3,800 robotaxis after some drove into freeway construction zones
Waymo is once again recalling all its robotaxis over a potentially critical safety issue. The Alphabet brand has warned that at least 13 of its 3,871 cars have driven into freeway construction zones in the past several weeks, prompting a recent halt to service on those roads.
Stop using your old router if it does any of these things
Routers are among those pieces of tech that hardly ever go up in flames and completely stop working. At least, it's never happened to me before, although I've dealt with my share of various router issues.
How to watch Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on ITVX. 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 has started with a number of really interesting matchups from the first round of group-stage games, and they keep coming in the second round. Every team is tied on a single point in Group B, so Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina takes on greater significance.
If you want to watch Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina?Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on June 18. This fixture takes place at the Los Angeles Stadium.
How to watch Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina for freeSwitzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup 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 tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit ITVX
Watch Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina for free from anywhere in the world
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 Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (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. Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate.
What is the best VPN for ITVX?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, 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 Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.
Prime Day is almost here: We found 50+ early deals already live on Apple, Sony, and Lego favorites
Whether you use sales to stock up on household essentials like dish soap or as a time to splurge on big items like a new 65-inch TV, the time is nigh because Prime Day 2026 is coming. If you're eager to start saving, we found all of the best early Prime Day deals, including a classic $99 AirPods deal.
Prime Day usually takes place in July, but this year, Amazon decided to shake things up and run the sale in June. So, if you haven't already heard the news (or seen the many TV commercials), Amazon Prime Day 2026 runs from June 23 to 26. The timing may have changed, but we're still expecting the same great savings on products from Apple, Sony, Dyson, Bose, Ninja, and Samsung.
Mashable shopping experts will be closely monitoring the latest discounts and collecting all of the best Prime Day deals into this shopping guide, so keep checking back for new deals. We're also tracking prices at competing sales from Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and beyond, and we'll make sure we're always pointing you to the lowest possible price.
Deals marked with a ✅ are Mashable editor favorites. Deals marked with a strikethrough are no longer available.
Best early Prime Day Apple deal Apple AirPods 4 ✅ $99 at Amazon$129 Save $30 Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy
Leading up to Prime Day, we're obviously hunting for the best Apple deals. A major AirPods deal just dropped, and it's a famous one. That's right — $99 AirPods are back at Amazon, where you can save $30 on the newest AirPods 4 earbuds.
Fair warning: We have seen these AirPods drop even lower in price (though, not since 2025), but we think a further price drop is unlikely given the wave of price increases we've seen in the tech world lately.
Apple Watch dealsApple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) — $219 $249 (save $30)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) — $299 $399 (save $100)
Apple AirPods 4 — $99 $129 (save $30) ✅
Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $179.99 $249 (save $69.01)
Apple AirPods Max 2 — $499 $549 (save $50)
Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, 128GB, WiFi) — $299.99 $349 (save $49.01) ✅
Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro, 128GB, WiFi) — $474 $499 (save $25)
$179.99 Save $85.99 Get Deal
When the main event starts on June 23, we expect some of the best Prime Day deals of 2026 to include our favorite flagship headphones, such as the Sony 1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. But leading up to it, those big brands still have lots of savings to give. Right now, the best deal on headphones is on the Sony WH-CH720N, an affordable pair of over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. Normally $179.99, the WH-CH720N just dropped under $100 ahead of Prime Day. Snag them now for as low as $94 and save $85.99.
More headphone dealsSony WH-CH520 — $38 $69.99 (save $31.99)
Soundcore Space Q45 — $139.99 $149.99 (save $10)
Logitech G735 — $142.53 $259.99 (save $117.46)
Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $219.99 $299.99 (save $80)
Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278 $399.99 (save $121.99)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra — $329 $429 (save $100)
Sony WH-1000XM6 — $398 $459.99 (save $61.99)
Apple AirPods Max 2 — $499.99 $549 (save $49.01)
Soundcore V20i Open-Ear Headphones — $26.99 $49.99 (save $23)
Sony WF-C510 — $48 $69.99 (save $21.99)
Technics AZ100 Earbuds — $232.99 $299.99 (save $67) ✅
$79.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal
Echo prices dropped in the week leading up to Prime Day. The latest Echo devices, the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio, both hit new, all-time low prices. But the biggest discount is on the Amazon Echo Spot, the smart alarm clock. This tiny speaker sits compactly on nightstands but provides everything you need to start your morning, including a weather report and tunes to get you out of bed.
Ahead of Prime Day, get the Amazon Echo Spot for just $44.99. That saves you $35 off its $79.99 price tag for a 44% discount.
More Echo dealsAmazon Echo Glow — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10)
Amazon Echo Dot — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15) ✅
Amazon Echo Dot Kids — $34.99 $59.99 (save $25) ✅
Amazon Echo Show 5 — $59.99 $89.99 (save $30)
Amazon Echo Dot Max — $64.99 $99.99 (save $35)
Amazon Echo Show 8 — $124.99 $179.99 (save $55)
Amazon Echo Show 11 — $149.99 $219.99 (save $70)
Amazon Echo Studio — $174.99 $219.99 (save $45)
Amazon Echo Show 21 — $319.99 $399.99 (save $80)
$161.97 Save $55 Get Deal
We're eagerly waiting for the best Prime Day Kindle deals. And having covered Prime Day for a long time, we know that Amazon always offers Kindle bundle deals in the weeks before a big sale. So, while we wait for our favorite Amazon e-readers to go on sale, this is your chance to score a discounted bundle, which comes with a Kindle, a cover, and a power adapter.
Kindle deals to watch:Amazon Kindle — $109.99
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite — $159.99
$479 Save $100 Get Deal
Whether you're hosting summer movie nights or dinner parties, if you want to upgrade your home's audio, early Prime Day deals are coming in clutch. The advanced Sonos Era 300 is equipped with Dolby Atmos and powered by six drivers for surround sound. Right now, grab it for just $379, saving you $100 off its $479 price tag.
More speaker dealsJBL Go 3 — $29.95 $39.95 (save $10)
JBL Go 4 — $39.95 $49.95 (save $10)
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 — $51.44 $99.99 (save $48.55) ✅
Ultimate Ears Miniroll Ultra — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)
Sony ULT Field 1 — $88 $139.99 ($51.99)
Sonos Roam 2 — $134 $179 (save $45)
Sonos Beam Gen 2 — $369 $499 (save $130)
Sonos Move 2 — $399 $499 (save $100) ✅
$299 Save $80 Get Deal
Ready for summer adventures? If you're gearing up to pack the car and head into nature, don't forget to invest in a portable power station to keep your campsite powered. Plus, it can serve as an at-home power backup in an emergency.
Prime Day and Black Friday are the best times of year to buy these popular devices, and you can often find savings of 50% or more on Mashable-tested brands like Anker, Jackery, and Bluetti. If you're looking to buy your first-ever power station, an affordable new model from Bluetti is on sale ahead of Prime Day.
More portable power station dealsJackery Explorer 1000 — $429 $799 (save $350) ✅
Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 — $499.99 $799 (save $299.01) ✅
Bluetti Elite 200 V2 — $799 $1,070 (save $271)
Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station — $799.99 $1,499 (save $699.01)
Anker Solix F3800 Plus — $2,199.99 $2,699.99 (save $500)
$1,697.99 Save $400 Get Deal
Getting ready for the World Cup? If you want to watch every heart-racing moment in 4K and your TV isn't up to par, then look for Prime Day deals on award-winning OLED and Micro RGB TVs. Case in point: the Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K Smart TV, on sale now. Normally $1,697.99, it's down to $1,397.99, saving you $300. That also means it's just $100 away from its lowest price ever. It's an exceptionally crisp TV with deep contrast and built-in AI.
More TV dealsGoogle TV Streamer — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)
Roku 65-inch QLED 4K Smart TV — $399.99 $449.99 (save $50)
TCL 75-inch T7 QLED 4K Google TV — $739.99 $899.99 (save $150)
Hisense 65-inch U7 ULED 4K Google TV — $947.99 $1,499.99 (save $552)
$799.99 Save $300 Get Deal
Mashable in-house vacuum expert Leah Stodart named the Eufy C28 Robot Vacuum and Mop the best affordable vacuum-and-mop combo. Despite its budget price, Stodart says it's the most heavy-duty robot mop you'll find, and delivers spotless cleans. Ahead of Prime Day, get the Eufy C28 for just $499.99. That's the vacuum's lowest price ever, and provides $300 in savings.
More robot vacuum dealsiRobot Roomba 105 Robot Vacuum — $248.98 $449.99 (save $201)
Dreame X50 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop — $899.99 $1,049.99 (save $150) ✅
Roborock Saros 10R Robot Vacuum and Mop — $999.99 $1,599.99 (save $600) ✅
Shark HV343AMZ Rocket Corded Stick Vacuum — $119.99 $179.99 (save $60)
Shark IZ363HT Cordless Vacuum — $219.99 $349.99 (save $130)
Bissell PowerClean FurGuard Cordless Vacuum — $179.99 $299.99 (save $120)
Bissell Little Green Mini — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20) ✅
Shark StainStriker — $109.98 $139.99 (save $30.01)
Bissell Little Green Max Pet — $117.78 $159.99 (save $42.21)
$89.95 Save $30 Get Deal
Here's a summer hack to keep your house cool: Don't turn on the oven. That doesn't mean only eating cold salads all summer. What you really need is an air fryer. My air fryer has saved me countless times in the summer, letting me cook dinner without breaking a sweat. Ahead of Prime Day, grab the Cuisinart 2.6-Quart Air Fryer for just $59.95 and save $30.
More home dealsLevoit 36-inch Tower Fan — $54.95 $74.99 (save $20.04)
Dreo 36-inch Tower Fan — $69.96 $79.99 (save $10.03)
Lasko 42-inch Tower Fan — $75.64 $88.99 (save $13.35)
Ninja Blast Max Portable Blender — $69.95 $99.99 (save $30.04)
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker — $64.99 $109.99 (save $45)
Instant Pot 6-Quart Vortex Plus Air Fryer — $69.99 $149.99 (save $80)
Ninja Pod and Grounds Single Serve Coffee Maker — $99.98 $129.99 (save $30.01)
$59.99 Save $26.50 Get Deal
While novelty Lego sets are fun, there's something special about a set that gives you full creative control. The Lego Classic Large Brick Box has 790 pieces to build the neighborhood of your dreams. Just in time for summer break when kiddos need some entertainment, this box set is on sale for 44% off. Grab it now for under $30 ahead of Prime Day.
More Lego dealsLego Botanicals Happy Plants — $18.39 $22.99 (save $4.60)
Lego Botanicals Mini Orchid — $23.95 $29.99 (save $6.04)
Lego Botanicals Plum Blossom — $23.99 $29.99 (save $60)
Lego Creator 3-in-1 Colorful Hummingbird — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)
Lego Botanicals Bonsai Tree — $39.98 $49.99 (save $10.01)
Lego Botanicals Tiny Plants — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)
Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant — $41.99 $59.99 (save $18)
Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon — $67.99 $84.99 (save $17)
Lego Art Mona Lisa — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)
Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle — $136.99 $169.99 (save $33)
New York Knicks Parade: Live updates from the championship celebration that swept the internet
The New York Knicks are NBA champions, and New York City is about to celebrate something generations of fans have waited their entire lives to see.
More than 1 million fans, according to early estimates from the NYPD, are expected to flood Lower Manhattan today for the Knicks' championship parade, marking the franchise's first title since 1973 and its first-ever ticker-tape parade through the city's historic Canyon of Heroes. Mashable will be in the middle of the action, tracking the biggest moments from the crowd and documenting the celebrity sightings, emotional fans, Mitchell Robinson's tricked-out custom truck, and whatever chaotic moments the internet inevitably latches onto from Battery Park to City Hall.
Will celebrity superfans Timothée Chalamet and Spike Lee end up riding with the team? Will Mikal Bridges' dog Sonny make an appearance? Will Alicia Keys perform "Empire State of Mind" for the city that spent the past week treating it like the official soundtrack of the NBA Finals? Will actor, director, and Knicks fan Ben Stiller be capturing footage for his upcoming HBO documentary on the Knicks with A24? And can Fat Joe really pull off a parade float reportedly packed with New York hip-hop royalty? We can't wait to find out.
Follow along as New York throws the biggest block party it's seen in decades.
I switched from Kindle to Kobo, but Amazon nailed one thing Kobo completely missed
I used a Kindle Paperwhite for over six years, but I never liked Amazon’s proprietary services and restrictions. Recently, I acquired a Kobo eReader—and I’m very happy with it—but there’s one thing the Kindle weirdly does better.
Prime Day shopping hacks: How to score the best deals
Prime Day is no longer a single-day sales event at Amazon; it's a full-blown online shopping extravaganza. In 2026, Prime Day is not only four days long, but has also shifted to an earlier summer time slot. The official sale runs from June 23 through 26, but of course, deals have been popping up for weeks in the lead-up to the event.
BTW, Amazon isn't the only one with a sale at the end of June, either. The hype of Prime Day has inspired competing sales from other major retailers, including Walmart's Summer Deals event, Target Circle Deal Days, and Best Buy's Tech Fest. Needless to say, shopping this season can be pretty overwhelming.
SEE ALSO: 50+ Prime Day deals to shop nowWith an overall hunger for savings amidst inflation-concerned customers, deal shopping is of more interest than ever. And lucky for you, Mashable's shopping team knows a thing or two about finding the best deals. We've got you covered with all the shopping hacks and tips you should know for securing the best deals on Prime Day 2026 and beyond. You'll be shopping like a well-oiled machine in no time.
1. Plan your shopping wiselyIt should go without saying, but going into any shopping event without some sort of game plan is risky as hell. It's also a quick ticket to buyer's remorse.
Unlike Black Friday, when it's common to have a list of gifts you're looking for, Prime Day can be a tempting day to splurge on stuff you don't actually need. With a bunch of sparkly discounts at your fingertips, it's easy to get click-happy. Setting a budget for yourself can go a long way in preventing overspending. TL;DR: Just because something is on sale doesn't mean you have to buy it. We recommend building out a list of things you actually want or need in the days leading up to the sale and abiding by it (and your budget) religiously.
2. Organize your wishlistDo yourself a favor and get your wishlist in order before you jump into Prime Day shopping. It's our favorite Black Friday hack, but the same tip applies to Amazon's shopping holiday.
Every product page on the retail giant's website has an "add to list" button. Do this with all of the things (tech, everyday household supplies, books, kitchen gear, etc.) on your shopping list this season to organize everything, view it all at a glance, and even rank items based on priority. You'll be able to see which products have gone on sale and seamlessly scoop them up before they're gone.
3. Download the Amazon app (and any competitors you want to shop)Shopping from your phone? It'd be smart to download the Amazon mobile app if you haven't already. Beyond just making it easier to shop on the go, the app gives you access to exclusive app-only perks like wishlist alerts, personalized suggestions, and more. You'll even be able to see deals on recent items you've searched.
I also recommend downloading the apps of any competitors you want to shop — Walmart, Target, Best Buy — so you can compare prices in real time, no matter where you are.
4. Use Alexa for Shopping as your personal shopping expertAmazon has put a lot of effort into its Alexa for Shopping feature, so don't be afraid to utilize it. Available on the app, website, and Echo Show devices, Alexa for Shopping combines two of Amazon's secret weapons, Rufus and Alexa+, to create a personalized AI assistant for your shopping needs. You can ask Alexa for Shopping questions directly in the main search bar, create personalized shopping guides for big purchases, get insight on products and categories in search results, generate product comparisons if you're having a tough time deciding, and even view up to a full year of price history for specific items. You can also automate deal-finding, cart-building, and routine purchases if you desire.
If you have a newer Echo smart speaker, you can also turn on the exclusive advanced deal alerts feature (you'll find it under More > Settings > Notifications > Amazon Shopping) for deal recommendations and shopping recommendations. If you already made a wishlist, you'll get a pop-up alert or a yellow ring light on your Echo speaker whenever Alexa finds out about an upcoming deal on one of the items on your list. Alexa will even let you know if an item on your wishlist is going on sale up to 24 hours before the sale goes live, so you can plan accordingly.
5. Compare prices and check CamelCamelCamel like it's your jobSo technically, it actually is our job to find the best deals, but we'll let you in on a little secret. When shopping for deals at Amazon, we always reference CamelCamelCamel to see the historical data on the sale prices for a particular item. At a glance, it allows you to see just how good that deal is (or isn't). Even if you're shopping elsewhere, you can get an idea of a product's price history before purchasing. The creator of CamelCamelCamel also released a Walmart price tracking tool.
As I mentioned above, Alexa for Shopping also offers a full year of price history for specific items if you ask. If a deal seems too good to be true, that's usually because it is.
6. Bookmark Mashable's Prime Day hubMashable's Prime Day page is the hub for pretty much every deal you need to know about, with links to all of our coverage, like a massive master list of the best Prime Day 2026 deals, plus spotlights on standout deals, competitor sales at Walmart, Best Buy, and Target, as well as by categories like TVs, robot vacuums, streaming services, or headphones. This will save you from wasting time trying to skim websites on your own and getting overwhelmed. Literally, our job is to make your life easier.
We'll be updating all of these lists regularly before, during, and after the Prime Day shenanigans, so check back for all the latest and greatest deals that drop.
7. Sign up for Mashable Deals emailsIf you don't want to be glued to your screen, but still want to stay in the loop and score the best deals, we've got you covered. In the days leading up to and surrounding Prime Day, our regular newsletters will be filled with discounts you may want to hop on. Head over to our newsletters page and tick the box for the Mashable Deals emails. You'll be sent a quick rundown of deals we think you'll care about, like the best MacBook or Kindle deals to shop, which streaming services are on sale, or which robot vacuum is worth your money this Prime Day.
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!Stop buying AirPods—my favorite earbuds cost less than $25
Apple AirPods have become so ubiquitous, people use them with their Android phones and Windows PCs. There's no denying that the buds are good, but there is increasingly little reason to spend that much money if all you need are a decent pair of buds.
Your DNS is configured in four places, and they're all wrong
Here's a fun fact that nobody tells you when you set up your home network: your laptop, your phone, your router, and even your web browser can all be using completely different DNS servers at the same time, and none of them are talking to each other about it. You might think you've got one tidy address book for the whole house, but you actually have four, and they disagree.
