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Daily Show brutally roasts Trumps meeting with Xi Jinping

Mashable - 9 hours 24 min ago

Donald Trump is in China visiting Xi Jinping at the moment, providing the late night hosts with a swathe of roastable material.

In the Daily Show clip above, Jordan Klepper gleefully compares the Chinese president talking about the Thucydides Trap (a story about a fear of a rising power resulting in war) with Trump talking about Chinese restaurants in the U.S. outnumbering fast food chains.

"That's my president," says Klepper. "Putting his understanding of geopolitics into fast food terms. He gives a summit speech like a third grader who got assigned China for his geography project."

SEE ALSO: Stephen Colbert breaks down Trump's awkward visit to China

Klepper goes on to talk about the closed door meeting where Xi reportedly warned Trump against a mishandling of the situation with Taiwan, resulting in the U.S. president appearing to avoid the question at a resulting press conference.

"What happened in the meeting that made him really not want to talk about Taiwan?" asks Klepper. "He's out there like, 'Don't you guys want to talk about anything else? Jeffrey Epstein? I got a lot of redactions. I got time, let's chat!"

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Categories: IT General, Technology

The Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Starter Kit is now only $20 — save almost $5 at Amazon

Mashable - 9 hours 28 min ago

TL;DR: Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Starter Kit on sale for $19.99, down from its typical $24.01 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Play Booster Box $19.99 at Amazon
$24.01 Save $4.02 Get Deal

If you’ve wanted to get into the Magic: The Gathering trading card game through its Final Fantasy crossover without paying massive booster box prices, Amazon is offering an easy entry point for under $20.

As of May 15, the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Starter Kit is listed at Amazon for $19.99, down from its usual $24.01 price. That works out to 17% off, with the listing shipped by Amazon and sold by The Card Kid.

Walmart has the same MTG Final Fantasy Starter Kit listed for $23.11, marked down from $29.99. TCGplayer’s listing shows an even lower price of around $16.90

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Inside, you get two ready-to-play 60-card decks themed around Cloud, Planet’s Champion, and Sephiroth, Planet’s Heir, giving newer players an easy way to learn Magic without having to build their own deck first. It also comes with two deck boxes, two reference cards, a play guide booklet, four double-sided tokens, and two Magic: The Gathering Arena code cards so both decks can be unlocked online.

Like the rest of the hit expansion, each deck includes Final Fantasy-themed art, rare cards, and one shiny Traditional Foil Mythic Rare Legendary Creature. Inspired by the entire Final Fantasy gaming series, bringing spells, summons, characters, and familiar locations into Magic’s tabletop format.

If you’re a Pokémon TCG fan, the newly-announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is now $100 off at Amazon — buy for under $550

Mashable - 9 hours 37 min ago

SAVE $100: As of May 15, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (47mm, LTE) is on sale for $549.99 at Amazon. This is $100 off its list price of $649.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) $549.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $100   Get Deal

There's a wide range of smartwatches out there, from models that cover the basics of health and fitness tracking to more premium picks for fitness fanatics. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra falls in the latter category, and if you've had your eye on it, Amazon has it on sale for $549.99.

This is a full $100 off its list price of $649.99, which is a very solid deal. It's also not too far away from its lowest-ever price of $529.99.

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If the changing seasons has you itching to spend more time in the sun, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is a smartwatch that's built to handle those outdoor adventures. It features a durable titanium design that can withstand the toughest of excursions, whether you're running, biking, or swimming.

Features include a Running Coach, Advanced Sleep Coaching, and an Energy Score, which summarizes your wellness for the day based on information from yesterday. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is stacked with stats to keep you informed during the day. It can even keep you updated on your blood pressure, which is helpful for those hoping to keep a close eye on their health.

If this offer on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has caught your attention, now is the time to buy at Amazon.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

The Jackery Explorer 300 power station is perfect for camping — save $60 this weekend

Mashable - 9 hours 41 min ago

SAVE $60: As of May 15, the Jackery Explorer 300 is on sale for $199 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 300 $199 at Amazon
$259 Save $60   Get Deal

Camping season is well and truly upon us, and if you're looking at giving your essential kit an upgrade, why not check out this deal on the Jackery Explorer 300? Camping doesn't have to be totally off the grid if you don't want it to be, and if you prefer to stay connected with your devices fully charged, this is the product for you.

This portable power station has a 293Wh lithium-ion battery designed to provide 300W output. And it only weighs 7.1 pounds, so it's easy to carry with you to the campsite. It also has a carry handle on top, making it even easier to transport. It includes two AC outlets, a 60W PD USB-C port (input/output), a USB-A, fast charge 3.0 port, and a DC car port, so you can charge up to six devices at once, including your phone, laptop, or even small cooking appliances.

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It can be recharged a few ways, either through a wall outlet, a car outlet, or compatible solar panels (sold separately). It also supports fast recharging, reaching around 80% in about two hours when using both AC and USB-C inputs together.

As of May 15, it's on sale for $60 off. Right now, you can purchase it for $199 (normally priced at $259). Find this deal at Amazon right now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Seth Meyers unpacks Trumps China visit with an entourage of tech CEOs

Mashable - 9 hours 45 min ago

Donald Trump's China visit to meet with leader Xi Jinping is the talk of the late night shows, including Late Night with Seth Meyers.

The host used his "A Closer Look" segment to unpack the trip, including the U.S. president's high praise for the Chinese leader, as well as his entourage of tech CEOs including Tesla's Elon Musk, Apple's Tim Cook, and Nvidia's Jensen Huang.

"I just hope Elon Musk comports himself well," said Meyers. "This trip is a high stakes summit between two geopolitical rivals during a time of major global conflict. We need statesmen, people who can project dignity and poise. Elon, all you need to do is attend the state banquet and be normal."

Cut to footage of Musk making faces while at the official dinner (he was reportedly taking a photo with Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun).

"What are you doing, dude? Whistling for your imaginary friend to come save you from Tim Cook?" said Meyers. "You look like an eight-year-old who's ruining the family Christmas card. 'Elon, please, we're sending this to all of our friends.' 'Oh, joke's on you, I don't have any friends, except for Daniel, that is. Come, Daniel!'"

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Categories: IT General, Technology

The new Fire TV Stick HD has dropped to its lowest-ever price at Amazon — buy now for under $25

Mashable - 9 hours 49 min ago

SAVE $13: As of May 15, the Fire TV Stick HD is on sale for $21.99 at Amazon. That's a 37% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick HD $21.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $13.00   Get Deal

The Fire TV Stick HD is back on sale at Amazon, and this time it's down to its lowest-ever price. This model is the newest release of the HD stick, launched this year. As of May 15, it's down to $21.99. That's a $13 saving on its usual price of $34.99.

This version of the Fire TV Stick is a streaming device with Full HD support and WiFi 6 connectivity, designed to give you simple access to streaming apps, live TV, gaming, and more. You'll get streaming options from all the big services, including Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, and whatever else you regularly use.

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It connects directly to your TV’s HDMI port and is now powered through the TV using the included USB-C cable, a big upgrade from the previous version which needed a wall outlet to run. It also comes with an Alexa Voice Remote that can power and control the volume for your TV.

The built-in Alexa can be used to control your smart home. Just tell it to check your cameras or adjust lights, or ask it to check the weather forecast before you head out.

This Fire Stick deal is available at Amazon now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Best-ever price: The DJI Mini 3 drone is over $100 off for a limited time at Amazon

Mashable - 9 hours 59 min ago

SAVE $170: As of May 15, the DJI Mini 3 drone is on sale for $379 at Amazon. That's a 31% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 3 $378.98 at Amazon
$549 Save $170.02   Get Deal

Existing stock of DJI drones is unaffected by the recent ban on foreign-made drones, which is great news for anyone still eyeing up something from the popular brand. And the best news? Right now the DJI Mini 3 is on sale for its best-ever price. As of May 15, it's dropped to $379 at Amazon, saving you $170.

The DJI Mini 3 is a seriously lightweight drone, coming in under 249 grams. This means it doesn't require FAA registration or Remote ID for recreational flying. It records 4K HDR video and uses Dual Native ISO Fusion to give you incredible content. The drone also supports True Vertical Shooting for vertical video.

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It features a three-axis mechanical gimbal for stabilized filming, Level 5 wind resistance up to 38kph, and brushless motors that support takeoff at altitudes up to 4,000 meters. It can even cope with video transmission from a distance of up to 10 kilometers. And thanks to its battery life you'll get 38 minutes of fly time, extended to 51 minutes when you add on the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus (sold separately).

Don't miss out on this new low price on the DJI Mini 3.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stephen Colbert breaks down Trumps awkward visit to China

Mashable - 10 hours 21 min ago

Donald Trump is currently in China to visit leader Xi Jinping, and the trip has already led to a number of moments worthy of a second look.

In the Late Show clip above, Stephen Colbert offers commentary on everything from the awkward initial handshake between presidents to the crowd of children jumping up and down and cheering as Trump walks by.

"Look at that, those kids are so happy...that they got the day off from the iPhone factory," says Colbert. "That joke is based on a true story that I read on my iPhone."

Colbert then moves on to footage of Trump praising Xi as a "great leader" and declaring, "I only say the truth."

"Congratulations!" says Colbert. "'I only say the truth' was Donald Trump's one billionth lie!"

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Categories: IT General, Technology

Score a rare Dyson deal this weekend — save $100 on the Dyson V11

Mashable - 10 hours 35 min ago

SAVE $100: As of May 15, the Dyson V11 is on sale for $449.99 at Amazon. That's a 18% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V11 $449.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $99.01   Get Deal

If you're looking for a new vacuum, the Dyson V11 has dropped in price again. This time you can save $100.

As of May 15, this cordless stick vacuum (that can transform into a handheld) is down to $449.99 at Amazon.

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As you'd expect from Dyson, this vacuum is a powerful model designed to keep your whole home clean. It has up to 60 minutes of runtime and three different cleaning modes: Auto, Eco, and Boost. Auto mode balances power and battery life for everyday use, Eco mode is designed for when you need a longer runtime, and Boost mode gives you stronger suction for more intensive cleaning.

It even has an LCD screen that displays the selected power mode as well as maintenance alerts and the remaining battery life.

The vacuum includes a Motorbar cleaner head for cleaning different floor types and detangling long hair and pet hair. It can also convert into a handheld vacuum for cleaning awkward areas like stairs or even your car upholstery. It comes with a range of attachments, including a mini soft dusting brush, crevice tool, and Hair Screw Tool.

Head to Amazon to grab this Dyson deal.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Review: The Nothing Headphone (a) are the best headphones from the brand yet

Mashable - 10 hours 40 min ago

If you're in line to get the Nothing Headphone (1), do not stay in line.

Why? The brand's newer mid-tier option, the Nothing Headphone (a), is $100 cheaper and better than the flagship model.

Sure, there are some concessions made in the Headphone (a) in terms of design and sound quality. The differences, however, amount to a pair of headphones stripped down to the best parts of their more expensive counterparts, and with a much more attractive price point, which makes any flaws easier to overlook.

After spending about a month and a half with the headphones, I have some thoughts on what Nothing got so right this time around — let's get into it.

Nothing Headphone (a): Price and specs

The Nothing Headphone (a) is $199, making it significantly more affordable than the $299 Nothing Headphone (1).

A design that stands out. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

At that price point, here's what the headphones come equipped with:

  • Drivers: 40 mm RF drivers

  • Equalizer: eight-band equalizer

  • Spatial audio: Yes, including concert and cinema mode

  • Noise cancellation: Adaptive and manually adjustable ANC

  • Battery life: 75 hours with ANC, 135 hours without ANC

  • Quick charge: eight hours of playback after five-minute charge

  • Microphones: four mics, with two hybrid ANC mics

  • IP rating: IP52 dust- and water-resistance

  • Bluetooth connection: Bluetooth 5.4

  • Codecs: AAC, SBC, LDAC

  • Colors: White, black, pink, and yellow

The Headphone (a) outperforms the Headphone (1)

I'll get more in-depth with each aspect of the Headphone (a) below, but in the interest of good journalism, let's not bury the lede: These headphones are much better than their predecessor.

Out of the gate, they look rather similar. Sure, anyone could probably guess that the Headphone (a) is the cheaper pair due to the presence of more plastic in the design. But if you want that quintessentially Nothing retro-look, you'll get it with either pair. Plus, I found the (a) to be more comfortable due to their lighter weight (and they clamped my head less).

The Nothing Headphone (1) next to the Nothing Headphone (a). Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The design between the two headphones is exactly the same where it matters most: on-ear controls. The controls were by far my favorite part of the Headphone (1) — Nothing recognized that it struck gold, and copy/pasted the format to the Headphone (a).

The on-ear controls are identical between the two headphones. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Already, the (a) headphones seem the more attractive option. So the Headphone (1) must blow them away in terms of ANC and sound performance, right? Well, not exactly. According to Nothing, the Headphone (a) can block out up to 40 decibels of sound, while the Headphone (1) blocks up to 42 decibels. In practice, that meant a near-negligible difference. Both headphones also feature manually adjustable ANC — while I could tell the difference between the levels on both, neither blew me away. In a noisy cafe, I maybe got 75 percent of the blockage I'd get with headphones like the Bose QuietComforts.

SEE ALSO: Nothing’s new, eye-grabbing headphones are impressive, but not in the ways you expect

There's a slightly more obvious discrepancy in the sound, as the Headphone (1) was made in collaboration with the hi-fi audio brand KEF. While adjusting the EQ is necessary for getting the best sound on the Headphone (1), once you do, the sound on the more expensive headphones is less bass-heavy, overall giving a more balanced and robust profile. Plus, you get access to a personal sound profile test to find your best equalizer settings — it's simple, genuinely works, and unavailable on the Headphone (a).

Besides the few features you'll find on the more expensive headphones, the two do have the exact same app experience, which is a huge pro, considering its excellent, easy-to-navigate design.

The app experience of the Headphone (a)... Credit: Screenshot / Nothing Versus the Headphone (1). Credit: Screenshot / Nothing The battery life made me do a double-take

Battery life on ANC has steadily been trending upwards over the years (exempting the measly 20 hours on the Apple AirPods Max 2). While it's now standard practice to expect at least 30 hours from flagship models, other headphones like the Dyson OnTrac and Marshall Monitor III have reached highs of 55 hours of battery with ANC and 70 hours of battery with ANC, respectively.

Somehow, the Nothing Headphone (a) blows even those out of the water, offering 75 hours of battery life with ANC and 135 hours without. If you're someone who constantly forgets to put your headphones on the charger, the battery life alone may be the reason to pick these headphones up.

A standout design with perfect on-ear controls

I already mentioned this above, but I am convinced that Nothing came up with the perfect on-ear controls. They consist of four buttons: a roller for volume and playback, a paddle for changing through tracks, an action button, and a dedicated Bluetooth button on the inside of the ear cup.

The interior Bluetooth button...chef's kiss. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Maybe it's odd to be passionate about on-ear controls, but personally, I'm a fan of anything that lets me enjoy the benefit of my devices (streaming music! listening to a good podcast!) without the major cons (going to switch a song and somehow finding myself on TikTok for 45 minutes of my one precious life).

SEE ALSO: The Brick taught me how to be bored again — and cut my screentime in half

All this to say, Nothing struck the balance between simplicity and specificity — each button has a clear, useful purpose, most have some customizability, and they all literally feel different, so it's easy to learn the controls. Also, more brands need dedicated Bluetooth buttons. Enough of trying to connect a device and accidentally switching your headphones off a few times.

Just a word of warning on the comfort front

To me, the Platonic ideal of comfort in headphones is the Bose QuietComfort line. I'm talking lightweight headphones, plush ear padding, and a headband that never squeezes.

SEE ALSO: We tested every pair of Bose headphones and earbuds. We found 5 we love, and 1 to buy on sale.

While I wouldn't say Nothing's headphones are uncomfortable, they do have more of a noticeable squeeze while wearing (and I wouldn't consider my noggin particularly large). I imagine this tight fit is to help boost noise cancellation, but the return isn't worth it. I notice these headphones more, even in the first few hours of wear, than comfier headphones, and by hour three, I may need a short break here or there. The padding feels less plush and more like firm memory foam.

That's not to say it's across the board bad — for some folks, this is their Platonic ideal! But if you fall into the softer is better camp, I would be honest with yourself on your wear preferences before adding these to the cart. At the very least, they are far more comfortable than the Headphone (1), which I can barely stand to wear for an hour.

The sound is on par with the price point

Out of the box, these headphones fall into the bass-heavy trap that many others do. What I mean is that if you actually prefer to hear some balance in your music — you know, like the real presence of vocals and guitars, where the bass serves as nice punctuation rather than one long line of !!!!!!!!!!!! the entire song, adjusting the equalizer is worth it. If you want even more bass, you can turn on bass enhancement in the app — though at that point, I recommend checking out the Sony ULT headphones instead.

Thankfully, these headphones come equipped with an eight-band equalizer. Prefer not to mess around with audio settings? You can check out the catalog of community-curated EQ profiles on the Nothing X companion app.

The Nothing X app offers two different screens for playing with equalizer settings in addition to the community-sourced equalizers. Credit: Screenshot / Nothing Credit: Screenshot / Nothing

Once my settings were properly adjusted, these headphones sounded great. BTS's "Hooligan" and "2.0" had me mentally attempting the choreo. "Run Your Mouth" by The Marías reached certified-slapper status with the guitar and bass riffs in balance. "A Day In the Life" by the Beatles sounded the tiniest bit flat and muddy at points, but the discordant strings sounded appropriately chaotic and overwhelming. Overall, the headphones didn't make any songs shine extra bright, but they still left the music I listened to plenty enjoyable. Not an audiophile's dream, but not a casual listener's nightmare either.

There is also spatial audio, and though it isn't split into "head-tracking " and "fixed" modes like the Headphone (1) (and most other premium headphones, for that matter), the cinema and concert modes found on these headphones do offer some variation in the listening experience. I'm not the biggest fan of spatial audio, and I found that while these weren't the worst I tried, I mostly found that the sound profile became more hollow-sounding, leading me to prefer the non-spatialized experience.

Besides that, the main con to be aware of is that these headphones do suffer from some mild sound leakage at louder volumes, especially for higher-pitched tones. If you're sitting across from someone in a relatively quiet space, don't be surprised if they tell you they know exactly what you're listening to (don't ask me how I found that out).

The ANC is less noteworthy

With so many budget headphones coming out with great active noise cancellation, middling ANC becomes ironically more of a sore thumb feature, and while I hesitate to say the ANC on these headphones detracts from the overall experience of using them, I certainly wouldn't recommend them if you're frequently in noisy environments and looking for some serious noise cancelling.

*Abby Lee Miller voice* Noise cancellation...you were good, I wanted you to be great. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Let's start with what I like about the Headphone (a) ANC: it's adjustable, with noticeably different levels of blockage. There's also no obvious hissing sound to assist in making your environment quieter.

SEE ALSO: The 11 best noise-cancelling headphones we use, love, and recommend

These headphones could probably use that hiss boost, though. My local cafe during an early afternoon rush became the grounds on which this ANC's flaws were clearly on display. Even with both the highest and adaptive ANC modes toggled on, a fair amount of chatter and music from the cafe's speakers leaked through. Sure, I couldn't really make out any words of conversations without straining to hear, and playing my own music helped some. But I never really had that moment of taking off my headphones and being surprised by how loud the room actually was, which has happened with every other pair of ANC headphones I've tested.

Is the Nothing Headphone (a) worth it?

They may not be by far the best or most well-rounded headphones for their price bracket, but they are the most unique option. Yes, it's mostly due to their design, but let's not pretend that aesthetics don't factor into an over-ear headphone purchase decision (see: the top of the pro column for the AirPods Max).

Still, Nothing backs up the great look of these headphones with a solid performance, rounding out decent sound and ANC with plenty of ease built into the user experience, topped up with truly unbeatable battery life. At the very least, the Headphone (a) is the clear choice over the Headphone (1).

Nothing Headphone (a) $199 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon
Categories: IT General, Technology

Look out! The DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo just flew to its lowest-ever price — save $160 at Amazon

Mashable - 10 hours 41 min ago

SAVE $160: As of May 14, shop the DJI Air 3S Fly More drone combo for just $1,439. That saves you $160 off its $1,599 price tag.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Air 3S Fly More Drone Combo $1,439 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $160   Get Deal

Even though we're on our phones all the time, we should all be taking more photos. Now that summer is on the horizon and warm weather adventures await, you don't want to forget all the incredible memories and views. If you want something a little more advanced than a digital camera, then it's time to upgrade to a drone camera.

As of May 14, get the DJI Air 3S Fly More drone combo for just $1,439. According to camelcamelcamel and Amazon's price tracking, this marks the device's lowest price ever. That saves you $160 off its list price of $1,599 for 10% in savings.

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The DJI Air 3S lets you capture the shot from way up high. It shoots in 4K and 60 fps, soaring into the sky to capture all your adventures. It even creates panoramic shots, stitching together images to record landscapes in full. The combo includes medium and wide camera lenses, plus, it's all controlled with an RC 2 screen remote.

Get the DJI Air 3S Fly More drone combo for $1,439 at Amazon — its lowest price ever.

Categories: IT General, Technology

White Castle is giving away free sliders on National Slider Day — how to claim yours

Mashable - 10 hours 41 min ago

Do you have big Friday plans? You should know that May 15 is officially National Slider Day, and White Castle is celebrating this special occasion by giving away free food with absolutely no strings attached. That's a real rarity nowadays.

Most "free food deals" require you to jump through hoops or spend at least $10 to qualify, but White Castle is offering a genuine opportunity to secure a tasty snack without spending a dime.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile has dropped the Apple iPhone 17 for free — how to claim yours now

And the redemption process is refreshingly simple: Customers can simply use a digital coupon available on White Castle’s website and social media channels or enter the code SLIDERDAY on the White Castle app to qualify.

We know you're looking for the catch, but there isn't one.

This generous offer is valid for one individual Cheese Slider or Original Slider per person. You can't walk in and demand the world for free, but lunch is sorted.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Czechia vs. Denmark online for free

Mashable - 10 hours 41 min ago

TL;DR: Watch Czechia vs. Denmark in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships begins with some interesting matchups, including the defending champions going up against Denmark. The pressure will be on Czechia to defend their crown against a long list of teams with hopes of winning this competition.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Czechia vs. Denmark?

Czechia vs. Denmark in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 2:20 p.m. ET on May 15. This fixture takes place at the BCF Arena in Fribourg.

How to watch Czechia vs. Denmark for free

Czechia vs. Denmark in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

  4. Connect to IIHF.TV

  5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships 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 they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Finland vs. Germany plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around 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 Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, 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 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 Czechia vs. Denmark in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch USA vs. Switzerland online for free

Mashable - 10 hours 41 min ago

TL;DR: Watch USA vs. Switzerland in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships starts with a number of exciting matchups, including USA vs. Switzerland. This competition doesn't carry the same weight as the Winter Olympics, but try telling that to hosts Switzerland. They'll be doing everything they can to upset the odds and secure an opening-round victory over favorites USA.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is USA vs. Switzerland?

USA vs. Switzerland in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 2:20 p.m. ET on May 15. This fixture takes place at the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich.

How to watch USA vs. Switzerland for free

USA vs. Switzerland in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

  4. Connect to IIHF.TV

  5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships 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 they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Finland vs. Germany plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around 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 Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, 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 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 USA vs. Switzerland in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Replace your OpenAI subscription with lifetime access to Gemini, Claude, and even GPT for $80

Mashable - 10 hours 41 min ago

TL;DR: 1min.AI gives you lifetime access to models like ChatGPT and Gemini, and it’s only $79.97 for life.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $79.97
$540 Save $460.03   Get Deal

Paying for multiple software subscriptions every month gets expensive fast, which is why more people are starting to look for ways to replace them with a single upfront purchase like 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan. 1min.AI is a new platform that pulls together a wide range of AI tools under one plan, so you’re not paying separately for writing, image editing, document handling, and media tools, and it’s only $79.97 for lifetime access (reg. $540).

It may finally be time to cancel all your other AI subscriptions. 1min.AI gives you access to major models like GPT, Claude, Gemini, Llama, and others, and you can choose the one that fits the task instead of being locked into just one system.

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Use models like Claude or GPT to generate full articles, rewrite drafts, expand or shorten content, run keyword research, and clean up grammar. There are also tools for social posts and brand voice creation, which help if you’re producing content regularly.

Image tools go further than basic content generation. You can remove or replace backgrounds, upscale images, edit specific elements, and even turn rough sketches into finished visuals. For documents, you can upload PDFs, summarize them, translate text, or ask direct questions about the content.

Audio and video tools are included, too. That covers text-to-speech, transcription, voice changes, and generating short videos from text or images. It handles a lot of common tasks without adding another paid service.

Like other platforms, 1min runs on a credit system. Unlike other platforms, you get a significant amount of credits with options to get more for free. Your account automatically gives you 4,000,000 credits per month, which is enough to generate over one million words, research nearly 6,000 keywords, generate over 1,000 images, and do so much more. Unused credits roll over, so you aren’t punished for having a light workload.

Instead of paying for each individual AI model, get 1min.AI on sale for $79.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Only 3 days left to lock in a Microsoft Office lifetime license for just $30

Mashable - 10 hours 41 min ago

TL;DR: Tackle things more efficiently with this lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows, on sale now for $29.97 (reg. $219.99) for only three more days through May 18.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $29.93
$219.99 Save $190.06   Get Deal

Summer is right around the corner, which means productivity is about to be at an all-time low. If you’re looking for something that can help you get more done during these trying times, it’s time to reintroduce yourself to Microsoft Office.

Right now, a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows can be yours for just $29.97 — but you’ll need to act fast. This deal only runs for three more days and ends on May 18 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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It’s not every day that you’re able to save hundreds on something you use every day, but this deal on Microsoft Office gives you that chance. This lifetime license lets you enjoy these apps for life, no monthly fees required, and right now you can even save $190 in the process.

This Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows license lets you own eight helpful apps outright, allowing you to download them right to your PC. You don’t need to rely on cloud connectivity and you can work offline as needed.

Wondering which apps you get? You’ll own the classics, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and newer additions to the bunch, too — OneNote, Teams, Access, and Publisher.

If the year of this edition gives you pause, don’t worry. The apps have all been redesigned. There’s also a ribbon-based user interface that makes it easy to access features, tools, and customizations. Just make sure your device is running Windows 10 or 11 before purchase.

Own helpful apps with the lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows, now just $29.97 until May 18.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How Rivals Season 2 delivered one of the best TV scenes of the year

Mashable - 10 hours 41 min ago

Rivals is back, in all its steamy, bonkbusting glory, and it just pulled off one of the classics of comedy: the seemingly one-take farce.

The late Dame Jilly Cooper's beloved and saucy '80s Rutshire Chronicles novels made for one of the very best British TV shows of 2024, adapted by Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Laura Wade. In Season 2, the shoulder-padded, aristocratic residents of the Cotswolds are still finding themselves in various entanglements, including a scene that makes a Pink Panther-worthy marvel out of closed doors and near misses.

Though the scene was filmed in a single take, there's a few visible cuts from editor Vicky Tooms for dramatic effect. However, it presents as one chaotic evening in real time.

One-shot takes are becoming more ambitious on TV, with the likes of Adolescence's Philip Barantini, The Haunting of Hill House's Mike Flanagan, and The Bear's Christopher Storer setting that bar sky-high with one-take marvels within kitchens and funeral parlours and even across suburbs. But using a version of the format for a comical farce in the middle of a raunchy '80s comedy? Brilliant.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today.

In Rivals Season 2, episode 2, TV presenter Sarah Stratton (Emily Atack) and her Tory MP husband Paul (Rufus Jones) are throwing a dinner party for political reasons, inviting the bigwigs of the Corinium TV station, where Sarah works. Paul is losing local election campaign coverage to his political rival, the dashing Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell). So, he springs a fully hosted event on Sarah, who frankly prefers microwaving entire dinners and has enough on her plate, thank you very much.

SEE ALSO: The 15 best British TV shows of 2025 and where to stream them

Alas, it's on. An '80s dinner party with all the trimmings, secretly cooked in the kitchen by chef Taggie O'Hara (Bella Maclean). It's a meticulously choreographed, precisely timed affair of bitchy comments overheard, trysts revealed, withheld farts unleashed, and forbidden lovers thrust into close quarters. The 10-minute scene, directed by Elliot Hegarty and shot by director of photography John Lynch and series camera operator Justin Hawkins, is a whirlwind of characters popping in and out of the pantry, cupboards, a stairwell, and the kitchen vestibule.

A few details you'll need to know:

  • Paul and their guests from Corinium can't know Taggie, not Sarah, cooked the meal — in fact, Taggie can't be seen at all. Why? Taggie is aligned with Corinium's rival TV production company Venturer, which is headed by her father Declan (Aidan Turner), businessman Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer), and Rupert Campbell-Black, the man Taggie is in love with but cannot have.

  • Taggie has to make Paul's favourite beef daube from The White Elephant in Painswick and ruins it with too much salt. Rupert has a fix but he'll have to deliver it undetected and hide the evidence.

  • Sarah is pregnant, with extramarital affairs complicating the possibilities of paternity — it could be her husband Paul's child, or it could belong to Corinium managing director Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), or Rupert, or perhaps TV presenter James Vereker (Oliver Chris), all of whom are in attendance at the dinner party.

Featured Video For You Taskmasters (Little) Alex Horne and Greg Davies reveal which iconic tasks they would never do

"It was done in one take. We blocked out a couple of weeks to film it, but we did it in a day and a half — not showing off," Atack told a Rivals screening audience in London.

"Shout out to Justin [Hawkins] and John Lynch and everyone involved in that scene. It literally took a village to do that. And even though it was my character's dinner party scene, I was held up by absolutely every single amazing cast member. It was a really surreal moment in my life. I've never done a scene like that, ever...Adrenaline's so high, everyone's just feeding off each other's energies.

"You cannot put a foot wrong, though — then it all crumbles down."

Hawkins and Lynch essentially stay on Atack or Maclean for the entire scene, as Sarah welcomes and gets rid of characters from her kitchen, tends her guests' drink needs, and delivers trays of Taggie-made trout mousse to her guests. Meanwhile, Taggie spends the scene covering up both her botched beef daube and her unexpected Rupert-shaped guest, finding herself constantly in steamily close quarters with him.

Various characters including Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson), Lady Monica Baddingham (Claire Rushbrook), and Charles Fairburn (Gary Lamont) pop into the kitchen to grab more champers, or, like James Vereker and Tony Baddingham, covertly freak out about paternity.

It's a triumph of production, with a notably superb performance from Atack, and it's one of the best scenes of TV I've seen all year.

Rivals is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Obsession review: Has the most unnerving movie of the year arrived?

Mashable - 10 hours 41 min ago

Are you ready to get rattled? YouTuber turned feature filmmaker Curry Barker will get under your skin with Obsession, a gnarly horror movie that tackles the male loneliness epidemic with some rom-com awareness. 

SEE ALSO: The best horror movies of 2025, and where to watch them

After getting buzz following its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, this indie offering got acquired by Focus Features, distributors of Nosferatu, for a whopping $14 million. Now Hollywood is watching to see if Barker's bold movie will be worth this big investment. But be warned, horror fans: Obsession is hard to stomach. 

Obsession centers on a dangerous incel who thinks he's a nice guy.  Inde Navarrette stars as Nikki and Michael Johnston as Bear in "Obsession." Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

Written and directed by Barker, Obsession begins where most romantic comedies usually climax — — with the male lead confessing his deep love for the female lead. 

However, Bear (Michael Johnston) is not a rom-com hero. He's not funny, charming, dashing, or even all that interesting. When he's not working at a music store with his few friends, he's moping around the house he's inherited from his grandmother and never really made his own. Surrounded by frilly old baubles, he can't even keep his cat alive, as she kills herself by somehow getting into the late grandmother's meds. 

Moreover, he's not confessing his feelings to his crush but practicing his monologue to some waitress, because any woman's opinion of his love declaration will do, right? Simply put, Bear is a loser with no idea how to talk to women. Even though he has nothing going for him, he thinks he has a shot with Nikki (Inde Navarrette), a snarky, spirited aspiring writer whom he's been obsessing over for years. However, rather than even trying to ask her out, this creepy coward turns to a novelty toy for help. The box promises snapping the "One Wish Willow" will give him whatever he wants. But asking for Nikki to love him "more than anyone else" will have consequences. 

SEE ALSO: I'm a straight guy who never dated. Here's what I've learned.

Immediately, the cool, smirking girl we met at bar trivia a scene before is a frenzy of emotions. She smiles and mopes and screams, only to occasionally look deeply confused and then horrified. But whatever this Nikki is, she is fixated on Bear. Imagine — it's not what he had in mind. 

Obsession plays with gendered tropes. 

The "nice guy" is a cultural concept that plays into the misogynistic idea that women only want "bad boys," leaving good men to be left lonely. The truth is that the term "nice guy" can be a flimsy façade for men who feel entitled to the women they desire, even if they have nothing to offer. (Cue Siobhan Thompson's epic monologue from Dimension 20: Fantasy High!) 

These kinds of men are not nice, as they only give their female crushes something because they expect sex or love in return. They can't conceive of a woman as a person who has her own desires. And this is the horror at the center of Obsession

Bear might see himself as the romantic hero of his story, but from flubbing the heartfelt monologue (which is all about what Nikki's done for him) out the gate, he is set up as an anti-hero. He uses the "One Wish Willow" like Rohypnol, slipping it into action at the end of a night out that wasn't ending with the girl he wants in his arms. What didn't occur to him in his reckless wishing is that by demanding such a major change in Nikki's personality, he would change Nikki into someone he doesn't recognize. 

Nikki becomes the "crazy girlfriend," often alienated and maligned in hushed tones. No sooner has Nikki started dating Bear than their circle of friends begins to gossip about her, accusing her of deception and leaving her out of hangouts. Barker's script pushes the concept of the crazy girlfriend to harrowing extremes. Beyond her ferociously mercurial moods, Nikki also lurks in shadows, hisses strange things at night, and moves with bizarre physicality as if she's made of nightmares. And yet as freaked out as he is, none of this stops Bear from having sex with her. The camera frames this like a rape scene, with a wide shot that has him thrusting away, his face unseen, while hers is blank, staring off and unengaged. 

Obsession taps into the horror of dehumanizing women, but also relishes in gendered violence.  Inde Navarrette stars as Nikki in "Obsession." Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

Props to Navarrette, who makes this cursed rape victim into a riveting terror. One moment she's sulking so intensely it's almost funny, pulling her frown past Florence Pugh levels. The next, she's intensely unfurling a twisted fairy tale that leaves her audience — onscreen and off — in a disturbed silence. Then, she's dancing while covered in blood, or screaming so hard your throat may ache in sympathy. 

Cinematographer Taylor Clemons frequently keeps Navarrette's face out of frame, either cropped out or covered by hair or shadow. This seems to reflect how Bear can't bear to look at her, because she is familiar yet strange. Yet this barrier to her performance is transcended by Navarrette's precise physicality. 

Once she's been wished upon, Nikki's style shifts away from edgy dark clothes to tight, skin-revealing cocktail dresses. Yet her body's tension never allows her clothing to be simply alluring. The glint in her eye seems like the edge of a knife, sharp and ready to slice. When the real Nikki briefly breaks through, Navarrette's performance becomes heartbreaking. The full horror of what Bear has done to her becomes clear as the real Nikki sprawls for escape. 

However, Barker undercuts the message of anti-misogyny through third-act violence. While several characters will be gravely harmed in Obsession, it's the women whose bodies are most brutally attacked. One female character is not only bludgeoned horrifically, but a close-up lingers on the pulpy remains of what used to be her face. Later, her corpse will be on display, totally naked, with no apparent reason beyond grisly spectacle. 

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It's such cheap and sleazy gags that make Obsession feel frustratingly juvenile. Sure, on one hand, several characters lecture Bear about the responsibility he has to his girlfriend, especially if he's the cause of her current circumstances. On the other hand, the styling of Nikki in fashion and gore urges the audience to stare at her body, pushing Bear's perspective of her as a thing to be attained and gawked over. Then, some randomly jokey bits — like an inexplicable argument with a shop clerk and the film's final jaunty song over the credits — awkwardly attempt to wedge in humor. To what end? Of course, horror and comedy can go together beautifully, as we've seen in Get Out or, more recently, Weapons. But here, these clumsy attempts at levity just seem crass. 

Obsession explores an incel's twisted idea of romance through scenes of brutal violence and gross-out gags involving blood, vomit, piss, and a cat corpse. Barker and his cast go hard into the darkness, creating scenes that are visually disturbing and emotionally harrowing. For all that, I can imagine this becoming one of those movies horror fans dare each other to watch. However, even as the audience may come to understand that Bear is not the hero of this story but the villain, Obsession's cinematography favors his perspective, turning the female characters into fleshy, dehumanizing spectacles until the end. 

This makes the finale of Obsession unnerving — not so much for what it shows, but for the empathy it ultimately lacks. 

Obsession opens in theater on May 15. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

Nothing’s retro-inspired headphones are impressive, but not in the ways you expect

Mashable - 10 hours 41 min ago

Rarely does a headphone release generate massive buzz off its design alone. The Nothing Headphone (1) did just that.

Combining old-school aesthetics with modern functionality, these wireless cans currently have the undivided attention of audiophiles and hypebeasts with an affinity for stylishly crafted audio products. Well, I strongly recommend tempering expectations.

The Headphone (1) reward you with strong active noise cancellation, battery life, and sound. Nothing’s see-through design isn’t for everyone, and those who find it intriguing will either be happy or disappointed when unboxed. These headphones are also rough around the edges in certain ways.

Come see what I’m talking about.

The author wearing the Nothing Headphone (1). Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable Nothing Headphone (1) wireless headphones specs and setup

The Headphone (1) have an impressive spec sheet. See for yourself.

  • Speaker Driver Unit: 40mm

  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 40,000 Hz

  • Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation

  • 4-mic AI-backed environmental noise cancellation

  • KEF acoustic engineering

  • Bluetooth 5.3 with Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, and USB-C lossless playback

  • IP52 dust and water resistance

  • 35 hours of battery with ANC on / 80 hours with ANC off

  • 5-minute quick charging equals 5 hours of listening time (ANC off)

  • Colors: Black and white

Pairing is both simple and unique. These headphones have something I’ve never seen before — a Bluetooth button discreetly hidden inside the bottom right of the right earcup. Powering on the headphones will enable pairing mode to connect to iOS/macOS or Android devices; the latter takes advantage of one-tap Google Fast Pair. 

The Nothing app (iOS/Android) grants access to a variety of personalized features, and it supports firmware updates.

SEE ALSO: Our first impression of the Nothing Headphone (1): Their price tag makes sense

Nothing developed a singular control scheme for seamless operation. All controls are placed on the right earcup. There’s an action button on the front to assign advanced functions (e.g., digital assistance, EQ preset, mic mute). The real attraction is the roller that adjusts volume by scrolling left or right. It even serves as a multifunctional button to activate listening modes and playback. Below the roller is a paddle for call management and fast forward/rewind. Everything works exceptionally well.

A meticulous, yet polarizing design

This design isn’t for everyone. On top of that, the headphones don’t look as cool as they do in press images. That doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate Nothing’s artful ingenuity.

The retro look might not be everyone's cup of tea. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Details are everything, and the Headphone (1) don’t run short of them. The clean white box on the inside has an embossed imprint of the headphones that exudes minimalist art vibes. The oval cassette tape housings evoke Sony Walkman memories, while the rectangular earcups are a nice callback to vintage home audio headphones. Small touches like the angular arms and dot imprints showcase the brand’s chic craftsmanship. IP54 certification protects the headphones from dust, sweat, and water splashing.

Unfortunately, the Headphone (1) are clunky and heavy (11.6 ounces). They clank together when the earcups are swiveled, which chips the metallic paint job over time.

SEE ALSO: Dyson’s first stand-alone headphones look like a vacuum, but sound incredible Great sound and even greater noise cancellation

The Headphone (1) aren’t going to win any audiophile awards. Nonetheless, KEF tuned the soundstage to produce a satisfying mix of lows, mids, and highs. 

Sound was mostly pleasant right out of the box. Playing with the EQ improved it. There was the option to create a sound profile by manually adjusting frequencies or select from four presets: Balanced (default), More Bass, More Treble, and Voice. More Treble offered the most stable sound. 

You'll want to adjust the EQ. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The electric guitar riff and striking drums on Green Day’s “Walking Contradiction” were impactful and put me in headbanger mode. Run the Jewels’ “ooh la la” had tremendous reverberation, highlighted by monstrous bass that extended and decayed smoothly with each sporadic snare strike. Mids and highs were decent. Ballads like Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” delivered bright and crisp vocals that were accentuated when the singer exercised her pitch range in the outro.

Android devices provided the best listening experience via LDAC. The audio codec streams music at a high bitrate and maintains the nuance from original recordings. Spotify songs sounded compressed on my MacBook Pro, but they received a hi-res boost on my OnePlus 11 and Nothing Phone (3) smartphones. The same went for all other content. Enabling the low lag mode reduces latency when watching videos. 

It’s also fantastic that the headphones support lossless playback through USB-C connection. I noticed a huge difference in clarity on Apple Music tracks when plugged into my MacBook Pro. Nothing’s spatial audio mode won’t wow you like Apple’s or Bose’s 3D audio format, but it’s acceptable if you want theater-like acoustics. 

Nothing’s real-time adaptive ANC performed better than I anticipated. The technology suppressed various sounds across the frequency spectrum. Common distractions like chatty pedestrians and household appliances went unnoticed. High-pitched sounds (e.g., crying babies, sirens, whistles) were minimized. I used Transparency mode religiously at home, specifically when cooking. The mics picked up vocals clearly and made it easy to communicate with the missus from across the room. This feature was most useful outdoors; I could hear people walking behind me and cars coming from a block away.

ANC playtime is reasonable (35 hours), though you can get more than double the battery life when turning it off (up to 80 hours). Fast charging maximizes usage: a five-minute charge generates five hours of listening time (ANC off).

Unpolished areas and other concerns

The Headphone (1) demonstrated many flaws. Connectivity was wonky in multipoint mode (audio stuttered when several feet away from my primary device). The short 3.5mm and USB-C cables weren’t practical for desktop/laptop use. Wear detection barely worked, and when it did, there was always a three-second delay. 

Another issue that must be addressed is that the headphones aren’t foldable. This makes them less convenient to carry and exposes certain parts to damage.

Nothing Headphone (1) vs. Nothing Headphone (a) The Headphone (1), left, and Headphone (a), left, bear a striking resemblance. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The Headphone (1) are no longer the only option if you're looking for over-ear headphones from Nothing. They're also no longer the only option if you especially appreciate their design. In March 2026, Nothing released the Headphone (a), which are $100 cheaper at $199. There are less sophisticated audio features, with Mashable's Bethany Allard pointing to no KEF-powered sound and fewer spatial audio features as the most major drawbacks. The cheaper headphones also have less powerful ANC, a plastic chassis, and a carrying pouch (as opposed to the Headphone (1) carrying case).

The newer headphones come with a better battery life of 75 hours with ANC on and 135 hours with no ANC. The on-ear controls remain largely the same between the two headphones, except for the placement of the Bluetooth button in the upper interior part of the right ear cup on the Headphone (a).

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing Headphone (a) $199 at Amazon
  Get Deal Are the Nothing Headphone (1) worth it?

If you’re a brand enthusiast or a fan of retro-looking headphones who wants adequate ANC and sound at an attainable price, then the Nothing Headphone (1) will suffice. Everyone else will want to consider other premium options, or the Nothing Headphone (a).

KEF’s soundstage brings depth and richness to most tracks. Playing with the EQ gets you better results, and lossless playback boosts audio performance. I’m shocked by how effective ANC is on these headphones. The technology neutralizes unwanted noise at a high level and raises ambient awareness when in transparency mode. The extra-long playtimes also come in handy when traveling. 

My controversial take is that the Headphone (1) look better as a concept than an actual release. Their appearance is nostalgically appealing, and some elements are attractive, but they don’t have the same charm in person as they do in advertisements. Factor in their shortcomings and we’re talking about a questionable investment.

Nothing Headphone (1) $239 at Amazon
$299 Save $60   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Nothing
Categories: IT General, Technology

Best Fathers Day gifts: Surprise Dad with something memorable

Mashable - 10 hours 41 min ago

Many of us wouldn't be where we are without our father figures — not just regular dads but also uncles, stepdads, granddads, or anyone else who has stepped up to take on the all-important father role. And though they probably insist that you don't have to get them anything, Father's Day (June 21, 2026) is the perfect opportunity to show some love and appreciation for your dad.

From practical gadgets that make his life easier to sentimental keepsakes that tug on his heartstrings, you’re sure to find the best Father’s Day gift for your dad below.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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