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TL;DR: Live stream First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. Lions for free on RugbyPass TV. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 British and Irish Lions secured a victory over the Wallabies at the weekend, but the work doesn't stop there. They've already beat the Western Force, Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies, and the AUNZ Invitational XV on this tour, and next they face a First Nations & Pasifika XV. This is an opportunity for players who didn't make the Test lineup to make their voices heard.

If you want to watch First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. Lions for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. Lions?

First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. Lions starts at 11 a.m. BST on July 22. This fixture takes place at the Marvel Stadium.

How to watch First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. Lions for free

First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. Lions is available to live stream for free on RugbyPass TV.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the U.S., but anyone from around the world can gain access with a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to live stream First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. Lions from anywhere in the world.

Live stream First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. Lions for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit RugbyPass TV

5. Stream First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. Lions for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. Lions without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites 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 RugbyPass TV?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms like RugbyPass TV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

• 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. Lions for free with ExpressVPN.

FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on July 22. Romance Book Blast, hosted by Indie Authors, is offering romance books in a wide variety of subgenres.

Stuff Your Kindle Day is back once again, and this time it's for all the romantics out there. Romance Book Blast, hosted by Indie Authors, is offering romance books in a wide variety of subgenres for free. And the books that you download are yours to keep forever.

It's not every day that you get the opportunity to give your library a serious boost without spending anything. It's not that rare, either. It was only last week that we were shouting about the free science fiction and dystopia book giveaway, and now this. What a time to be a bookworm.

SEE ALSO: The best Kindles in 2025

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Romance Book Blast takes place on July 22. Recent Stuff Your Kindle Days have taken place over a few days, but this is a 24-hour event. That means you need to get organized and act fast. These free books aren't going to stick around for long.

Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The best thing about Stuff Your Kindle Day is that anyone can participate. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these books for free. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them straight from your phone.

Which e-books are free?

Finding all of these free romance books is straightforward thanks to the helpful hub page on Indie Author Central. Everything organized by subgenre, with something for everyone:

• Dark Romance and Romantic Suspense

• Erotica and Erotic Romance

• Fantasy Romance

• Historical Romance

• Paranormal Romance

• Romantic Comedy

• Science Fiction

• Small Town Romance

• Sports Romance

• Steamy Romance

• Sweet and Clean

• Young and New Adult

All of the listed titles could be yours for absolutely nothing or at a heavily discounted rate. Some titles may not be available for free in all marketplaces, so make sure to double-check the price before purchasing.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time, so don't hold back.

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These popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. Prices start at $109.99, but if you want to save even more, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited absolutely free during Stuff Your Kindle Day.

Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month and allows you to borrow up to 20 months at a time. For a limited time, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, saving you $35.97.

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites like xHamster with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Your access to porn sites like xHamster is restricted in many locations around the world. There are obvious and legitimate reasons for these restrictions, but there is also something to be said for retaining your right to online freedom.

When the time is right, you should be able to bypass content restrictions to access sites like xHamster without hassle. If you're looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like xHamster for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock xHamster for free

VPNs are tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions to secure access to porn sites like xHamster from anywhere in the world. It sounds complicated, but the process is actually really simple.

Unblock xHamster by following these steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to xHamster

4. Unblock xHamster

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The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're traveling to a location without access to your favorite sites.

If you want to retain permanent access to free porn sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like xHamster, 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

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee).

Unblock xHamster for free with ExpressVPN.

Can you see the moon tonight? Do you know what you can see on its surface? Don't worry, we've got you. Keep reading to find out everything about where we are in the lunar cycle.

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

So, what's happening tonight, July 22, and where are we in the lunar cycle? Keep reading to find out.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, July 22, the moon phase is Waning Crescent, and it is almost completely hidden to us on Earth. The moon will only be 7% visible to us tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

For day 27 of the lunar cycle, unfortunately, there's nothing to be seen on the moon with your naked eye. To see anything, you'll need binoculars or a telescope. With binoculars and a telescope, you'll be able to enjoy a glimpse of the Grimaldi Basin. This is an impact basin with an outer wall as long as the Grand Canyon, NASA says.

When is the next full moon?

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

What are moon phases?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wide.

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

BROAD

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A relative pronoun.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 22, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

WHOSE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A purple fruit.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 22, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

GRAPE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To excite.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for July 22 Hurdle Word 4 answer

PIQUE

Final Hurdle hint

To obey.

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

ABIDE

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

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 Tour de France for free on SBS on Demand, RTBF Auvio, France TV, RaiPlay, RTVE, or ITVX. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a number of prestigious cycling events, but nothing comes close to the Tour de France. It's the pinnacle of the sport, attracting the best of the best to do battle over the highs and lows of France. This year's event promises to be absolutely electric, but the big question is whether anyone can get close to Tadej Pogacar.

The 2025 Tour de France has been incredibly entertaining, with a number of dramatic moments and tactical racing keeping everyone on their toes. The defending champion is looking imperious.

If you're interested in watching the 2025 Tour de France for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the Tour de France?

The Tour de France is an annual men's multi-stage bicycle race held in France (and occasionally passing through nearby countries). This famous race forms part of the Grand Tours (alongside the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España).

The defending champion is Tadej Pogacar.

When is the 2025 Tour de France?

The 2025 Tour de France is the 112th edition of the event. This year's Tour de France takes place from July 5-27.

How to watch the 2025 Tour de France for free

The 2025 Tour de France is available to live stream for free on the following platforms:

• Australia — SBS on Demand

• Belgium — RTBF Auvio

• France — France TV

• Italy — RaiPlay

• Spain — RTVE

• UK — ITVX

These services are geo-restricted, but anyone from around the world can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another country, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the 2025 Tour de France from any location.

Live stream the 2025 Tour de France 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 (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that is offering free coverage of the 2025 Tour de France

4. Connect to your favorite streaming platform from the list above

5. Stream the 2025 Tour de France from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for unblocking streaming sites are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials and money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2025 Tour de France without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you time to follow the 2025 Tour de France before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for sport?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for accessing free live streams from around the world, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as platforms like Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and routers

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Tour de France for free with ExpressVPN.

We have a lot going on these days, and a lot of it causes anxiety and stress. A bright spot for most of us is sitting down to stream our favorite shows and movies. Sometimes the perfect weekend is simply booting up Disney+ and tuning into the classics while relaxing. Sure, you can do this on a TV, but those have size restrictions for most of us. Projectors, on the other hand, can give us a massive screen. We’re talking watching every Lord of the Rings movie on a 120-inch display. While projectors used to be something fancy we only saw in the classroom or the boardroom, we’ve come a long way with projector technology, and now they can replace your home's TV without costing a fortune.

The LG CineBeam Q is a perfect example, coming in at under $1,000. While it does have some drawbacks, I’m thrilled with the CineBeam Q and haven’t used my normal wall-mounted TV since I started testing this projector. I might not go back. 

What’s to love about the LG CineBeam Q 4K projector

Right off the bat, the LG CineBeam Q gives a beautiful display. I’ve powered this thing on hundreds of times, and I still say, “Oh that’s pretty,” every single time, and this checks out when we consider the specs. The LG CineBeam Q is a 4K UHD laser projector with a native resolution of 3840 x 2160. Of course, you can do whatever you’d like, but LG recommends opting for a screen size somewhere between 50 and 120 inches with the CineBeam Q.

Does it get any better than a summer movie night? Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

During the month I tested the LG projector, I used it on an Elite Screens Yard Master Plus, which I mostly used indoors, despite the name, but carried outside if the Seattle weather allowed. Since not everyone has a projector screen, I also used the classic substitute of a white sheet. While the Elite Screens offered a noticeably better viewing experience, a backyard movie night would work just fine with the CineBeam Q and a white sheet or inside on a white-ish wall. 

While I absolutely love the portability and overall user-friendliness of the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector, the display quality of the LG CineBeam Q is noticeably better in a side-by-side comparison. And that’s to be expected since the Nebula maxes out at 1080p and 300 lumens while the LG boasts a 4K display at 500 lumens.

For those interested, here are some noteworthy details of the LG CineBeam Q 4K projector:

Specs:

• Size: 3.1 in. W x 5.3 in. H x 5.3 in. D

• Weight: 3.3 pounds

• Rated brightness: 500 ANSI lumens

• Native resolution: UHD 4K 3840 x 2160

• Inputs and interface: HDMI, UBS-C (charging and display)

• Warranty: 1 year

A side-table worthy design

We have tons of home appliances and tech that focus on function and forget about looks. Air purifiers tend to stick out, and that set of adjustable dumbbells is not great decor, but the LG design team really made an effort with the CineBeam Q, and it pays off. It’s a great-looking projector, and I wouldn’t hesitate to use it as bookshelf decor or keep it safely on a side table when not in use. It looks modern and high-end with silver housing and an accented pink gold around the projector’s lens. 

Props to the LG design team on this one. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable Mostly hands-off focus and screen alignment

Like all good projectors, the CineBeam Q has automatic focus and keystoning. For those unfamiliar with projector jargon, keystoning removes distortion that can occur to provide a perfect rectangular display, instead of one in a wonky shape. If your projector isn’t sitting directly in front of the display area, it would show up in a distorted shape. Keystoning adjusts this to always project in a perfect rectangle. The automatic focus and keystoning on the LG produces a great result, eventually. The process is quick but can take a few attempts, and the remote lacks a button to command the projector to redo it.

An easy-to-store entertainment solution

Given that it weighs only 3.3 pounds, the LG CineBeam Q is great for homes that don’t want or have space for a traditional TV. Maybe you live in an apartment and move often or you only watch TV once a new season of The White Lotus drops. For whatever reason, the LG CineBeam Q makes for a great alternative viewing method if you’re not interested in owning a TV. The sleek and modern design makes the projector quite nice to store on a bookshelf, or its compact size will easily slide into a closet.

Portable in all ways except one

In addition to its compact size, the projector's built-in stand can rotate to the top, serving as a convenient carrying handle. This makes for a super portable projector that would be perfect for outdoor movie nights, camping trips, or even packing along for the holiday season at the in-laws'. However, there’s a glaring flaw in this portability — the LG CineBeam Q does not have a built-in battery and must connect to external power. In more disappointing news, the included adapter is chunky and subtracts from the portability points I so wanted to give the LG CineBeam Q. The good news is that you can charge via USB-C, so I immediately ditched the included adapter and shifted to my laptop and phone charger, the Anker 737 GaNPrime charger.

That's a satisfying handle. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

I love an outdoor movie night, so despite the need for power, I still took the CineBeam Q on field trips to the yard. I powered it up thanks to an Anker Solix C1000 portable power station. If you don’t have that option, you’ll have to go with running an extension cord across the yard. That also means it’s probably not worth packing along on a camping trip unless your site has hookups. 

A speaker worth ignoring

In testing, I found the built-in speaker on the LG CineBeam Q to be the projector’s greatest downfall. The sound is tinny and outdated, like something you would expect from a projector made for a classroom in the 1990s. Instead, I used a Bluetooth speaker and recommend others do the same. I used my current favorite, the Fender x Teufel Rockster Cross, but go with whatever you have. Another issue in this LG speaker mess is the lack of a 3.5mm audio jack on the projector, which feels like a move Apple would pull on us. That means you won’t be able to connect your home’s sound system to the projector and will be forced to use a Bluetooth connection. Since most people own a speaker capable of Bluetooth, this doesn’t feel like a deal breaker but it seems like an oversight in the otherwise thoughtful design.

SEE ALSO: The Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar is the closest I've gotten to movie theater sound at home An old-school remote doesn’t match the modern vibes

Since it’s essentially functioning as your TV, you’ll want a remote control to use with the projector. LG’s included CineBeam remote has all the usual buttons you’d want, although I’d love an auto-focus addition, as sometimes when moving the projector to center on your screen, it can become quite autofocus-happy and constantly readjust, throwing off your attempts at a perfect fit. The real annoyance here is that this remote operates with a standard IR (infrared) signal and needs to be physically pointed at the receiver on the back of the projector in order to work. Most modern remotes these days operate via Bluetooth, so you don’t have to hold the remote at arm’s length in the air and, in my case, dodge around the Bluetooth speaker sitting behind it, or get up when the projector was sitting on a shelf behind me. While this is a small gripe, it came up more often than expected.

USB-C charging is a major plus with this model. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable Perfect for movie nights

If you’re one to watch every Oscar-nominated film during regular movie nights, the CineBeam Q 4K could be awesome. With the rising cost of movie theatre tickets and concessions, watching via a 4K projector at home could save you big bucks in the long run. Plus, there’s something special about watching big-screen movies on an actual big screen, but at home. 

The one thing to keep in mind here is the max 500 ANSI lumens on the CineBeam Q, which make it ideal for watching in dimly lit or dark rooms. If you want to spend the afternoon binge-watching Cheers, you probably want a 4K projector with higher lumens, like up in the thousands. The 500 lumens on a portable projector that weighs close to nothing is still impressive, but you’ll want to make sure that works with your viewing desires.

Is the LG CineBeam Q worth it?

Given that the number one priority of a projector is image quality, the LG CineBeam Q is impressive. The contrast, sharpness, and colors from this 4K resolution have me tempted to not go back to a traditional TV. For a compact projector that weighs about three pounds, the display quality is absurdly good. The design of the projector itself is also really nice, and I don’t mind that it hangs out in my living room. 

LG considers the CineBeam Q to be a portable projector, and that’s mostly true in terms of weight and dimensions, but it needs an external power source. That’s no problem if you’ll be taking it from room to room in your house, but it poses a logistical question if you’re going for an outdoor movie night. But again, the picture is just so damn nice that I didn't mind solving the power issue.

The LG CineBeam Q is well worth the price if you’re considering a 4K projector since most options cost far more. Keep in mind the 500 lumens mean this model is best for dimly lit or dark rooms, and it won’t impress as much if you’re watching mid-day reruns in a bright living room.

LG CineBeam Q 4K projector $746.99 at Amazon
$959.94 Save $212.95 Shop Now

Raspberry Pis are everywhere. And they are often used as everyday computers as well. This laptop is powered by a Raspberry Pi—and it's cooler than you think.

OpenAI provided new insight this week into just how much people use its signature AI chatbot on a daily basis.

If you guessed that people entered 1 billion prompts into ChatGPT every day, you still wouldn't be close. You'd have to double that figure, and then add a half billion more, to arrive at the true sum.

That's according to an Axios scoop, which revealed that 2.5 billion prompts are made every day in ChatGPT, OpenAI's signature chatbot.

On Monday, Axios published a report detailing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's plans this week in Washington, D.C., where he'll be lobbying for the AI industry. OpenAI gave Axios some eye-opening numbers about ChatGPT's daily usage statistics in advance of that trip. In addition to 2.5 billion daily prompts (a number that can't be independently verified), the company also claims at least 330 million of those prompts come from U.S. users.

How many people use ChatGPT?

So, how many people use ChatGPT daily? In terms of total users, the company has reported since April that it has 500 million active weekly users, per Forbes.

And according to popular web analytics company SEMRush, ChatGPT is now the fifth-most-visited website in the world, with about 4.6 billion visits in May 2025. In addition, analytics company Backlinko reports that ChatGPT gained 100 million users in its first three months, and it now "accounts for 62.5% of the market share for AI tools" with about 10 million paid subscribers.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI announces ChatGPT agent for web browsing

Axios also reported that a majority of ChatGPT users rely on the free version of the AI chatbot, which shouldn't come as a surprise.

Since its explosive debut, ChatGPT has become a hugely influential tool, and many users now rely on it instead of Google to answer questions and find information online. While AI chatbots like ChatGPT have dedicated true believers, outlets like The Economist also report that "AI is killing the web." On top of that, an article in The Wall Street Journal recently referred to an "AI Armageddon," reporting that "Chatbots are replacing Google’s traditional search, devastating traffic for some publishers."

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

Is Google Gemini free? Yes and no. While there are paid plans for Google AI, aka Gemini, you can access many of its most popular features for free.

As one of the world’s largest tech companies, Google has an advantage over its AI rivals: the company has the money to float the tech while it figures out how to monetize it. On top of that, Google has unparalleled access to a critical AI resource — data.

"The data is their biggest immediate powerhouse," AI researcher and consultant Jack Teitel told Mashable by email. "Competitors like Anthropic and OpenAI have good talent, and can raise lots of capital, and they have the advantage of being earlier to market, making it easier to capture a 'piece of the pie.' However, between YouTube and Google, Google has access to an unmatched repository of data that they are most definitely using to train models."

The end result of these advantages? Google Gemini offers a ton of advanced AI features that are completely free, and while that may change as Google tries to find a way to turn its investment in AI into actual revenue, for now, you can access a range of awesome AI features without paying a cent for the Google AI Pro ($19.99 a month) or Google AI Ultra ($249.99 a month) subscription plans.

That said, it can be confusing to know which Gemini features are free and which ones you have to pay for. Some features, like the groundbreaking Google Veo 3 AI video generator, currently aren’t available for free users. Between the web, the Gemini app, and Android OS 16, here are all the things you can do for free using Google Gemini.

Create images

Gemini can generate images from text prompts with a free account, unlike many other AI services. Just describe what you want to see, and Gemini will create it for you using the Imagen 4 model, Google’s latest-and-greatest image generation model. Now, when we compared the best AI image generators, Gemini didn't make the cut, but it's getting better all the time.

A Gemini image based on the prompt, "Create a sketch of a futuristic Tokyo skyline at sunset, with flying cars, glowing advertisements in Japanese, and Mount Fuji in the background." (AI-generated image) Credit: Gemini

The image generation works pretty well for a free tool. The AI handles different art styles too — specify if you want something photorealistic, cartoon-style, or even painted in the style of a famous artist. Just note that content limitations mean it won’t create images of real people or inappropriate content. The quality isn't quite as good as some AI image generators — I've found OpenAI's GPT-4o to be the best so far — but it's still very capable for most uses.

The main limitation of the free version is that you're capped at a lower rate limit, though Google doesn’t disclose the details of those limits. Basically, you’re more likely to be told you need to wait before creating more images than if you have a paid account. 

Deep Research

Deep Research is one of Gemini's most impressive features, letting you get comprehensive reports on complex topics without having to do all the legwork yourself. You give Gemini a research question, and it'll spend several minutes systematically searching the web, analyzing sources, and compiling everything into a detailed, well-organized report. It’s like having a researcher who can dig through lots of sources in only a few minutes.

Because of how Deep Research works, it’s likely to be more accurate than typical AI searches — though as with anything AI, you’ll want to double-check important information and be on the lookout for hallucinations in the results. 

Deep Research is available to free users, though with limitations. Free users can try Deep Research a few times a month, according to Google, while Gemini Advanced subscribers get significantly more access. Free users also get the basic version powered by Gemini 2.0 Flash, while paid subscribers can access a more powerful version using Gemini 2.5 Pro that produces even more detailed and insightful reports.

Create Gems

Gems are one of Gemini's coolest features — they're custom AI assistants that you can create for specific tasks. They’re basically Google’s version of ChatGPT’s custom GPTs. Gems are free to create and use, without limitations. Google recently rolled them out to all users, putting them ahead of competitors like OpenAI, which charges $20 per month for custom GPTs.

You can start with Google's pre-made Gems, which are worth browsing, or create your own from scratch. Creating a custom Gem is straightforward. Just hit the “Explore Gems” button in the left-hand sidebar, then create a “New Gem.” You’ll give it instructions, upload related files you want it to reference, and then you can use it. Once created, your Gems appear in the sidebar, and you can chat with them just like regular Gemini.

The only limitation is that you can only create and edit Gems on the web, though you can use them on mobile once they're set up. They also don't work with Gemini Live yet, but for most tasks, they're incredibly useful for automating repetitive prompts.

Voice chat with Gemini Credit: Google

Gemini Live turns your phone into a conversational AI companion that you can actually talk to, and it’s also free with the Gemini app on iOS and Android. That includes being able to share live images and video feeds. As of this writing, Google says Gemini Live is "Available to mobile users in 45+ languages and over 150 countries."

Like other AI voice chats, Gemini has been getting a whole lot more natural-feeling. You can interrupt it mid-sentence to ask follow-up questions or change topics, just like you would in a real conversation. Google says people have conversations that are five times longer with Gemini Live compared to text chats, which shows how engaging voice interaction can be.

The free version gives you access to all the core features, including the ability to share your camera or screen during conversations. You can point your phone at something and talk through what you're seeing, whether you need help fixing something, want outfit advice, or need step-by-step guidance. 

The feature is rolling out integration with Google's other apps too, so you can discuss plans and have Gemini automatically create calendar events, or ask about restaurants and get real-time info from Google Maps. That makes it even more useful.

Use NotebookLM

NotebookLM is Google's AI research assistant that uses sources and documents you specify to help you pull up relevant information on a particular topic. Upload PDFs, web articles, or files from Google Drive, and it becomes an instant expert on that material, ready to answer questions with citations back to the original sources.

A standout feature is Audio Overviews, which takes your uploaded documents and turns them into engaging podcast-style conversations between two AI hosts. The hosts actually discuss your material, make connections between ideas, and even banter back and forth. You can download these audio summaries and listen while commuting or working out.

NotebookLM is available for free, though it does have usage limits — you can create up to 100 notebooks, add 50 sources per notebook, and generate 3 Audio Overviews per day. For most people, that's plenty. Upgrading will basically expand on those limits, though even the paid plans still have limits.

Android AI

Android devices come packed with AI features that work behind the scenes, many of which you might not even realize are powered by artificial intelligence. Circle to Search is one of the most useful — just long-press your home button and circle anything on your screen to instantly search for it with Google. It’s particularly helpful for finding items you might want to buy. 

The Circle to Search feature is free for Android users. Credit: Mashable composite: Google / Getty Images

There are other features on Android too, beyond access to Gemini itself. Google Photos has become an AI hub, with new tools added on a regular basis. Magic Eraser lets you remove unwanted objects and people from photos with a simple tap, while Photo Unblur sharpens those frustratingly blurry shots you can't retake. Magic Editor goes even further, using generative AI to help you move objects around in photos or change backgrounds entirely. These features were previously locked behind paid subscriptions but are now available to everyone.

Other AI features work more in the background. Live Caption lets you automatically add subtitles to videos or audio playing on your device, while Smart Reply suggests responses in messaging apps. On Pixel phones, you’ll get perks like Call Screen (where AI answers spam calls for you), Hold for Me (AI waits on hold during customer service calls), and Now Playing (which identifies songs playing around you without you having to ask). Many of these features work offline and don't require any setup — they're just there when you need them.

Gemini Developer API

Does the Google Gemini API have a free pricing tier? Surprisingly, yes. If you have a Google Developer account, you can create a free Google Gemini API key using Google AI Studio (again, if you have access). The Gemini API free tier gives you limited access to the Gemini 2.5 Pro, Gemini 2.5 Flash, and other models. We should note that when you use the free tier, Google says your inputs and outputs can be "used to improve our products."

Even more free Gemini features

Google has integrated free AI tools into all kinds of other services and apps. Here’s are some of the more popular ones:

• Smart Compose in Gmail: Finishes your sentences as you type emails, learning your writing style over time.

• Smart Reply suggestions: Offers quick response options in Gmail and other messaging apps.

• Auto-generated captions: YouTube automatically creates captions for videos, and Google Meet transcribes meetings in real-time.

• Auto-organize in Photos: Automatically creates albums, identifies faces, and groups similar photos without you lifting a finger.

• Translation integration: Instant translation built into Chrome, Google Lens, and other apps.

• Spam filtering: Increasingly sophisticated AI blocks unwanted emails, calls, and messages across Google services.

• Virtually try on clothes: The new Google Shopping "Try on" feature lets you upload a photo of yourself and see how clothes will look on your body.

So what’s not free? A screenshot of an example Veo 3 video created by Google. (AI-generated image) Credit: Google

Google does, of course, charge for some of its more advanced AI features. Here’s a quick list of AI features that you’ll have to pay for with Google.

• Access more advanced models: Paid Gemini subscribers can access Gemini 2.5 Pro with higher usage limits.

• Video creation: Access the Veo 3 video model, along with the Flow video editing tool and Whisk image to video tool.

• Do more with NotebookLM: Get higher usage limits with 20 daily Audio Overviews.

• Project Mariner: Use an AI agent to streamline tasks (in beta, only available in Google AI Ultra)

For most casual users, the free tier offers plenty, but power users, professionals, and developers who need unfettered access to the Google Gemini API will likely find the paid features worth the investment.

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

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