Blogroll

How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup online for free

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 15:06

TL;DR: All 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup are available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer/ITVX. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The world is watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

16 cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada are welcoming the best international sides from around the world as they compete for arguably the biggest prize in sport. Huge names like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi are shining brightly, but there's still so much more to come from the knockout rounds.

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

What is the FIFA World Cup?

The World Cup is an international football competition between senior men's national teams. The 2026 World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams, split into 12 groups of four teams. The top two teams in each group and the eight best third-placed teams will progress to the knockout rounds.

The defending champions are Argentina. They won their third title at the 2022 World Cup after defeating France in an epic final.

When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup is the 23rd edition of this famous competition. This year's tournament takes place from June 11 to July 19.

How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free

A number of streaming platforms are offering free coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

These streaming services are geo-restricted, 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 another location, meaning you can livestream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free by following these simple steps:

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

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer or ITVX (recommended)

  5. Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this tournament before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for the FIFA World Cup?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The lovely Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower has hit a new record-low price at Amazon — save over $10

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 15:00

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 2, the Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower (10372) has dropped to a new low price of $55.95 at Amazon. That's $14.04 off its full price of $69.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower Building (10372) $55.95 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $14.04   Get Deal

If you're looking for a sweet Lego set to piece together this summer, look no further than the Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower (10372).

This build is a delightfully colorful display for your home, and if you're hoping to grab it, we have good news: Amazon has it on sale right now. Even better, it's sitting at a new all-time low price. As of July 2, Amazon has slashed the price of this set down to $55.95, which is $14.04 off its original full price. Who knows how long it'll stay at this price.

SEE ALSO: Lego's Olivia Rodrigo collab just dropped: Where to buy, preorder details, price

The 660-piece Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower creates a pretty purple hibiscus flower display that features five large flowers, four buds that are opening, and two young flower nodes

Of course, the real highlight here is that this floral display will last you forever. No need to worry about watering or maintenance, which is a big win if caring for flowers and plants isn't really your strong suit. It's also worth noting that it's recommended for adults ages 18 and up. However, if you know someone younger who's interested, just help them out with the assembly.

This Lego deal is one you definitely don't want to miss. Act fast to grab the Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower at a new low price at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Robotic Exoskeleton Put a Spring in My Step

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 14:36

The Dephy Sidekick is a powered ankle exoskeleton that brings wearable robotics beyond smartwatches and fitness trackers. Designed to reduce calf strain and provide extra assistance while walking, the consumer-focused device promises a smoother, less demanding stride. We put the $4,500 wearable to the test to see how it performs in everyday use.

Categories: IT General, Technology

T-Mobile is giving away the new Motorola Razr for free — how to claim

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 14:35

TL;DR: The new Motorola Razr is available for free with T-Mobile. Claim this offer by activating a new line on an Experience More plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Motorola Razr Free when you activate a new line on an Experience More plan. Shop Now

I'm old, but I can still remember the feeling of slamming shut your foldable Motorola Razr back in the '00s. It was the ultimate power move, and I'm so glad it's back.

Flip phones have completed their journey from retro nostalgia to absolute must-haves, and mobile carriers like T-Mobile are making it easier than ever to join the revolution.

The brand-new Motorola Razr launched with a fairly heavy $769.99 price tag, but not at T-Mobile. For a limited time, T-Mobile is giving away the Motorola Razr for free. And the best part? Unlike most high-profile phone deals like this, you don't need to hand over an eligible trade-in device to qualify.

To claim this limited-time offer, you simply need to activate a new line on T-Mobile's Experience More plan. It really is that easy.

T-Mobile is obviously not a charity. They are still picking up the full $769.99 tab for your new flip phone, but they are doing so via 24 consecutive monthly bill credits. Each month, your statement will display a standard finance charge for the phone, immediately followed by an equal promotional credit that balances that charge down to nothing.

What's happening here is you are entering a two-year commitment with the network. If you decide to cancel your service, move to a competing carrier, or try to upgrade to next year's model before those 24 months are completed, the remaining unpaid balance on the phone's retail value will become due immediately.

You will also need to pay tax on the full retail value of the device upfront, plus the industry-standard $35 connection charge. That's a small price to pay for a $770 premium foldable.

And it really is premium. You get a massive 3.6-inch Extreme AMOLED cover screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,700 nits. Motorola also upgraded the camera suite, packing a massive 50-megapixel main sensor alongside a highly capable 50-megapixel ultrawide lens.

It's all powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7450X processor, with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of built-in storage, and a robust 4,800mAh battery that easily stretches past 36 hours of regular use.

Score the new Motorola Razr for free with T-Mobile.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2026 Nations Championship online for free

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 14:01

TL;DR: All fixtures of the 2026 Nations Championship are available to watch for free on ITVX. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

This is shaping up to be a special year for sport.

The schedule has been ridiculously busy this year. We've hardly had time to breathe between the Winter Olympics, T20 World Cup, and World Cup, and now the world of rugby has dropped a totally new competition to grab its share of the spotlight.

The Nations Championship is changing the game. This fresh tournament promises to deliver six rounds of elite matchups between top international sides followed by a blockbuster Finals Weekend. It feels like the Rugby World Cup without the filler.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the Nations Championship?

The 2026 Nations Championship is an international rugby union competition featuring 12 men's teams. The teams are divided into two pools of six (Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere). Over two international windows, each team plays all the teams in the opposite pool once. Every team plays three games at home and three away.

After six rounds, a finals series will be contested over three days with each team matched against the same ranked team in the other pool to decide final placements.

When is the 2026 Nations Championship?

The 2026 Nations Championship is the first edition of this competition. This year's tournament runs from the first round of fixtures on July 4 to the final on Nov. 29. The first round of fixtures is as follows:

  • New Zealand vs. France — 8:10 a.m. BST on July 4

  • Japan vs. Italy — 9:40 a.m. BST on July 4

  • Australia vs. Ireland — 11:10 a.m. BST on July 4

  • Fiji vs. Wales — 2:10 p.m. BST on July 4

  • South Africa vs. England — 4:40 p.m. BST on July 4

  • Argentina vs. Scotland — 8:10 p.m. BST on July 4

How to watch the 2026 Nations Championship for free

The 2026 Nations Championship is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, 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 the UK, meaning you can livestream the 2026 Nations Championship for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream the 2026 Nations Championship for free by following these simple steps:

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

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

  4. Visit ITVX

  5. Watch the 2026 Nations Championship for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Nations Championship without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream multiple weekends before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee (after FIFA World Cup)

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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream the 2026 Nations Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new Netflix shows to watch in July

How-To Geek - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 14:00

The start of July means it's time for Netflix to unveil its latest lineup of new shows. Per usual, it's a mix of returning shows and brand-new programs. Kicking things off is a new iteration of Netflix's Worst Ever franchise, and this version will make you look at your neighbor differently. Then, the streamer launches an adaptation of beloved children's novels.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The JBL Charge 6 is now 20% off — score one of our favorite Bluetooth speakers for $159.95 at Amazon

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 14:00

SAVE $40: As of July 2, the JBL Charge 6 is on sale for $159.95 at Amazon. That’s $40 off a rugged speaker with up to 28 hours of battery life.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Charge 6 $159.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $40   Get Deal

The JBL Charge 6 is getting a solid price cut right now, dropping to $159.95 at Amazon from its usual $199.95. That’s $40 off, or a 20% discount, on a rugged portable speaker that packs a long battery life, a built-in power bank, and enough volume to handle outdoor hangs without breaking a sweat.

The JBL Charge 6 stood out in our roundup of the best portable Bluetooth speakers, where it was named the best option for most people. We also liked its ability to double as a power bank for charging devices on the go, along with its punchy, room-filling sound that stays clear even at higher volumes.

SEE ALSO: The 9 best waterproof Bluetooth speakers, tested poolside

Add in its waterproof, dust-proof build and long battery life, and it’s easy to see why it’s our go-to pick for everyday listening. The JBL Charge 6 also tops our roundup of the best JBL speakers, where we put it through tests for sound quality, portability, waterproofing, and everyday fun factor. It came out as our best overall JBL pick because of its bold, lively audio, all-day battery life, and rugged build that’s ready for everything from backyard hangs to beach trips.

We also liked its versatility, with customizable EQ, real-time sound tuning, and support for pairing multiple JBL speakers for a larger setup when you need it. As you can probably tell, we never really tire of recommending the Charge 6 — and for good reason.

Pick up the JBL Charge 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker on Amazon while this deal lasts.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Xs Live Studio aims to make livestreams easier for creators

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 13:36

Elon Musk's X is having another go at building out its creator tools, with a refreshed "command centre" rolling out for livestreamers, aiming to rival competitors like Twitch and YouTube.

Announced by X head of product Nikita Bier on Wednesday, Live Studio should make it easier for creators to manage their livestreams and control settings like making chat subscriber-only.

In the post, a video mocks up a livestreamed launch from Musk-owned SpaceX, managed through Live Studio.

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

Live Studio will replace X's existing Media Studio Producer. It's part of the site's Creator Studio, where folks who pay for $3 per month for X's Premium subscription can manage their content and view analytics in one spot. From Live Studio, creators can go live, create private test streams, schedule streams, broadcast with external software and gear using Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP), and monitor live audience data.

SEE ALSO: Want to post over 50 times a day on X? You'll have to pay.

X has a guide to using Live Studio on its website, which has more detail and FAQs, including how creators can manage chat settings before and during a livestream. This means streamers can limit chat to subscribers if they want to or leave them it to everyone.

It's not available everywhere though, only for X users in select U.S. states (Virginia, Oregon, California), as well as cities including Sydney, Seoul, Mumbai, Singapore, Paris, São Paulo, Frankfurt, Dublin, and Tokyo.

And X really wants creators to use the tool, with Bier tweeting that the company will "be rewarding creators who livestream by allocating $1 million in the upcoming cycle" though did not detail how this budget would be distributed, just "more details to follow."

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

If X isn't your platform of choice — I can't put my finger on why — there are others like Twitch, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok where you can go live.

And if you're not sure where to even start, check out Mashable's In My Bag series for the gear you'll need, this year's VidCon hub for inspiration, and meet the Mashable 101, the creators shaping digital culture right now.

Featured Video For You The best creator advice we heard at VidCon 2026
Categories: IT General, Technology

All the states Pornhub is blocked in now

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 13:31

The explicit tube site Pornhub is now blocked in 25 U.S. states.

This is due to age-verification laws. These laws vary state by state, but typically require visitors of a site with over a third of explicit content to submit a government ID or other form of age authentication. Louisiana was the first state to enact such a bill a couple of years ago, and now others have followed suit. In June, the Supreme Court deemed Texas's age-verification law constitutional, setting a precedent for such bills that come before and after.

The best VPNs for Pornhub: Best for Porn ExpressVPN 30-day money-back guarantee Shop Now Best for security Proton VPN 30-day money-back guarantee Shop Now Best for beginners TunnelBear 30-day money-back guarantee Shop Now

According to one preliminary study, age verification won't work to keep minors off porn sites. This is because of software like VPNs that allow someone to appear to be in a different location, and because of non-compliant websites. (The Florida attorney general is suing foreign-based porn sites for not instituting age verification.) Yet, these laws keep getting passed — and are encroaching on non-explicit websites as well, experts told Mashable.

While Pornhub is not blocked in Louisiana, it is blocked in these states:

  • Alabama

  • Arizona

  • Arkansas

  • Florida

  • Georgia

  • Idah

  • Indiana

  • Iowa

  • Kansas

  • Kentucky

  • Mississippi

  • Missouri

  • Montana

  • Nebraska

  • North Carolina

  • North Dakota

  • Oklahoma

  • South Carolina

  • South Dakota

  • Tennessee

  • Texas

  • Utah

  • Virginia

  • West Virginia

  • Wyoming

Pornhub isn't blocked in Ohio despite the state's age-verification law, due to a clause stating that establishing age verification methods doesn't apply to a provider of an interactive computer service (Aylo considers itself one).

In Louisiana, where users must submit ID to view Pornhub, the site has seen traffic decline by around 80 percent, Aylo (Pornhub's parent company) told Mashable.

"These people did not stop looking for porn. They just migrated to darker corners of the internet that don't ask users to verify age, that don't follow the law, that don't take user safety seriously, and that often don't even moderate content. In practice, the laws have just made the internet more dangerous for adults and children," Aylo stated when asked for comment by Mashable back in January.

In a statement to Mashable, Aylo continued:

First, to be clear, Aylo has publicly supported age verification of users for years, but we believe that any law to this effect must preserve user safety and privacy, and must effectively protect children from accessing content intended for adults.

Unfortunately, the way many jurisdictions worldwide have chosen to implement age verification is ineffective, haphazard, and dangerous. Any regulations that require hundreds of thousands of adult sites to collect significant amounts of highly sensitive personal information is putting user safety in jeopardy. Moreover, as experience has demonstrated, unless properly enforced, users will simply access non-compliant sites or find other methods of evading these laws.

Industry experts say that, in addition to not working for their intended purpose, age verification laws also raise concerns about privacy protection and safety since websites now have to host (even more of) people's personal information. It will be harder to be anonymous online, which experts warn is dangerous to free speech. Adult industry experts Mashable spoke to in an explainer on age-verification laws advocated for device-level filters, as did Aylo in its statement.

SEE ALSO: YouTube will begin using AI for age verification next week

Some in the adult industry worry about what Trump's second presidential term will bring due to the conservative policy outline Project 2025 and its measures to ban porn. One of Project 2025's authors, Russell Vought, was caught on a secret recording stating that age-verification laws are the "back door" to a broader porn ban.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Setting up a local LLM is the easy part—here's what you need to do with it next

How-To Geek - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 13:30

Running your own LLM is surprisingly easy. Using software such as Ollama or LM Studio, you can install and run local AI models that work completely offline. The size and speed of the models will depend on your hardware, but you can run small models even on modest hardware; the real challenge is deciding what to do with your local LLM once you have it up and running.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Iowa

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 13:25

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

The world of porn continues to be rocked by new laws that require visitors to upload ID before accessing sites. After a number of states introduced these restrictions, Pornhub hit back by banning visitors from these locations. It's an ongoing battle that shows no signs of slowing down.

Age-verification laws for adult content have now been passed in Iowa. Pornhub has not yet been banned in Iowa, but access is still restricted. Fortunately, users can bypass these restrictions in just a few simple steps.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Iowa

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

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

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

  4. Visit Pornhub

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

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

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

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

  • Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $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).

Unblock Pornhub for free in Iowa with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 32-inch curved Samsung G55C gaming monitor is $130 off at Amazon — buy now for $190

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 13:12

TL;DR: The Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G55C curved gaming monitor is on sale for $189.99 at Amazon, down from its $319.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 Curved Gaming Monitor $189.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $140 Get Deal

Amazon has taken another swing at Samsung monitors to offer you more budget-friendly prices to upgrade your gaming rig. This time, a 32-inch Odyssey model has been knocked under the $200 mark. 

As of July 2, the 32-inch curved Samsung Odyssey G55C gaming monitor is now available for only $189.99 after a 41% price cut off its $319.99 list price. The lowest price we’ve had for this monitor yet (confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel), this saves you $130 off the QHD display — which is a very nice affordable upgrade from an older 1080p panel without moving into OLED price brackets.

As for what else you’re getting from this monitor, the Samsung Odyssey G55C’s 1,000R curved screen has been built to pull more of your peripheral vision into the game. By using the said QHD screen, with 2,560 x 1,440 resolution, you’ll be given much sharper image detail than Full HD while still being less demanding than a full 4K gaming monitor. 

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Plus, you’re getting a 165Hz refresh rate, a 1ms MPRT response time, AMD Radeon FreeSync support, and HDR10. Altogether, whether you’re a multiplayer gamer who loves Fortnite or immersive single-player titles like Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced — any game you play will feel smoother and all the more eye-poppingly stunning at the same time. 

What’s more, if you’re a hybrid or remote worker, this Samsung monitor also comes with an Eye Saver Mode and glare-free screen features, which should help if this is going to double as your main work desk display between sessions.

If you’re willing to pay a bit more to venture into an OLED monitor, Samsung’s Odyssey G6 monitor is on sale at $200 off. The non-curved 1440p Samsung Odyssey G5 monitor is now only $149.99.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Meta smart glasses now require a subscription for unlimited access to all features

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 13:10

Imagine buying Meta's smart glasses for a fixed price, but then having to pay a monthly price for unlimited access to all of their features? Well, you don't have to imagine anymore.

In a help article on its website (via The Verge), Meta quietly announced the Meta One subscription as a requirement to unlock "expanded access to features like Conversation focus," and to provide access to premium support for the glasses.

In the article, Meta insists that the subscription isn't required to use the glasses or access any of its features. But the key is in the free monthly usage limit; for Conversation focus, the limit is 3 hours per month, whereas Meta One Premium subscribers get 15 hours of access. Additionally, unused hours don't roll over to the next billing cycle, so saving some hours one month won't get you more hours next month.

This pertains to all of Meta's AI glasses, including those branded by Meta itself, or the ones co-branded with Oakley and Ray-Ban.

Conversation focus is an AI-enabled feature that amplifies voices of people you're facing, making communication easier in noisy places.

While Meta's limits on the feature (3 hours for free, 15 hours for subscribers) sound like AI rate limiting, a Meta spokesperson told Wired that it is not, as the Conversation focus feature runs entirely on the glasses themselves.

It's easy to find an analog to what Meta has done here. Apple's AirPods Pro, for example, have a feature called Conversation Boost, which amplifies the voice of the person talking in front of you. The feature is available for free.

SEE ALSO: Meta is pushing for social media exclusions in new child safety regulation

While Meta has bundled the feature unlock with premium support, it's still quite obvious which way the company is heading. A Meta spokesperson told Wired that the company will "start testing new optional subscription plans that offer more premium features and advanced capabilities for those who want to unlock more from our apps and AI glasses.”

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 5 ESP32 projects still work when your internet dies

How-To Geek - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 13:00

The internet is an amazing thing. You can build incredible internet-connected projects using cloud services, but there's always a risk that if your internet connection goes down, your project will stop working. There are plenty of useful ESP32 projects that don't depend on cloud servers and can communicate locally or directly with other devices, so they'll keep working even when you can't get online.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch McNally vs. Rybakina online for free

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 12:50

TL;DR: Live stream McNally vs. Rybakina in Wimbledon 2026 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Some of the big stars are in action at Wimbledon today, including No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina. She plays U.S. hopeful Caty McNally in the second round.

Rybakina, who won Wimbledon in 2022, has been in good form this season, winning the Australian Open for the first time. But she was also among the big names eliminated from the French Open by a lower-ranked opponent. Will the same thing happen again when she faces the unseeded McNally? Or will Rybakina score the expected win and challenge for a second Wimbledon title?

If you want to watch McNally vs. Rybakina in Wimbledon 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to watch McNally vs. Rybakina for free

McNally vs. Rybakina in Wimbledon 2026 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

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

Live stream Wimbledon 2026 for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

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

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees and free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to live stream Wimbledon 2026 before recovering your investment. It's a sneaky trick, but it works.

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

What is the best VPN for Wimbledon?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

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

  • Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of Wimbledon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Royer vs. Zverev online for free

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 12:49

TL;DR: Live stream Royer vs. Zverev in Wimbledon 2026 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Germany might have been eliminated from the World Cup but the country's No. 1 tennis player, Alexander Zverev, is eyeing a second Grand Slam trophy this year as he takes to the court at Wimbledon.

Zverev just won the French Open — his first-ever Grand Slam title. And with Alcaraz out of action right now and Sinner looking shaky for a second straight tournament, Zverev will feel confident about going all the way. But first he must get past unseeded French opponent Valentin Royer in the second round. Can Royer cause an early upset or will Zverev continue his momentum?

If you want to watch Royer vs. Zverev in Wimbledon 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to watch Royer vs. Zverev for free

Royer vs. Zverev in Wimbledon 2026 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

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

Live stream Wimbledon 2026 for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

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

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees and free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to live stream Wimbledon 2026 before recovering your investment. It's a sneaky trick, but it works.

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

What is the best VPN for Wimbledon?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

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

  • Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of Wimbledon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Windows 11's predictive text is the hidden typing tool I never knew I needed

How-To Geek - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 12:30

Using text suggestions when writing on a physical keyboard? Is that even a thing? That was my exact thought until I started using it myself. What started as a curious experiment ended up being a daily convenience.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Trump has made more than $1 billion from crypto in a year. How?

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 12:27

Donald Trump made over $1 billion from cryptocurrency in 2026, with his business dealings laid out in a 927-page mandatory report released by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics. But what exactly are Trump's crypto ventures and how does regulation play out here? In an article published by The Conversation, Marta Khomyn senior lecturer, finance and data analytics, Adelaide University, explains everything we need to know.

US President Donald Trump once called cryptocurrency a "scam". It's now a major moneymaker for him: his just-released annual financial disclosure shows he made more than US$1 billion from cryptocurrency last year.

This news has raised the ire of Trump's critics. Juliana Stratton, the Illinois lieutenant governor and a Democratic Senate candidate, accused Trump of using his public office “to make billions while American families struggle to afford their basic needs. His infinite greed is disgusting.”

The White House denied Trump or his family has engaged in conflicts of interest. Deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said “all actions by President Trump and his administration are taken in the best interest of the American people”.

But how exactly has Trump earned so much money from cryptocurrency?

Donald Trump uses the office of the president to make billions while American families struggle to afford their basic needs. His infinite greed is disgusting.

[image or embed]

— Juliana Stratton (@julianastratton.bsky.social) 1 July 2026 at 00:15 How does cryptocurrency work?

A cryptocurrency is simply digital money. It differs from traditional money in two ways.

First, traditional currencies are issued by central banks of each country, while cryptocurrencies are issued according to rules written in computer code.

The computer code behind crypto may be controlled by a company. Or the code may be predefined ahead of time (for example, in a “white paper” that sets up the algorithm behind crypto) and controlled by no one at all.

Second, transactions in traditional money happen via the banking system, while transactions in cryptocurrency happen on blockchains, which are databases that store information on who owns what.

Bitcoin is the oldest and best-known cryptocurrency, with a decentralised structure and no single entity controlling its issuance or making profits off it.

Aside from Bitcoin, there are tens of thousands of privately issued coins, which run on public blockchains such as Ethereum or Solana. But private coins, unlike Bitcoin, are issued by private companies to make money.

Transactions on a blockchain can involve transferring many different versions of private crypto assets – anything that can be written into a piece of code, regardless of whether that digital asset has any value at all.

What are the Trump’s crypto businesses?

Trump and his family are involved in three kinds of digital assets: the $TRUMP memecoin, a governance token called WLFI, and a stablecoin called USD1.

Memecoins are coins with no real business behind them. They derive their value from investor attention – a digital equivalent of buying a kid’s scribble because it's your kid, not because the scribble has value in the outside world.

Stablecoins, by contrast, are a digital equivalent of a fiat currency like USD. For example, each unit of USD1 is designed to be worth exactly US$1. To maintain this value, stablecoins are typically backed by short-term government bonds and cash.

Governance tokens are yet another type of coin, which give holders voting rights over a crypto project, but no ownership over the project itself, and no claim on its profits.

The $TRUMP memecoin launched three days before Trump's inauguration in January 2025. About 80% of its supply is held by Trump-affiliated companies, which also collect a fee every time the coin changes hands.

WLFI and USD1 are issued by World Liberty Financial, cofounded in 2024 by the Trump family and business partners. A Trump business entity owns about 60% of the company and is entitled to 75% of net proceeds from token sales.

Trump's annual financial disclosure shows World Liberty brought him more than $500 million last year, while the memecoin business brought in more than $600 million. Forbes now estimates Trump’s net worth at $6 billion, up from $2.3 billion in 2024.

How do you make a billion dollars from tokens?

Let's start with the stablecoin, USD1.

As a stablecoin issuer, you take in dollars, hand out coins, and use the dollars to buy US Treasury bonds. Then, you earn interest on Treasury bonds. The more coins you issue, the greater the amount of money you earn interest on. So the main trick is to convince someone to use your stablecoin and hand in the dollars to you, preferably in large amounts.

For USD1, that someone handing in the dollars was Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange, which had pleaded guilty to US money-laundering violations in 2023. Binance reportedly wrote the computer code underpinning USD1 and promoted it on its platform.

Then, in May 2025, MGX – an Abu Dhabi state fund chaired by the United Arab Emirates' national security adviser, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan – invested $2 billion in Binance and paid in USD1. This instantly created $2 billion of interest-earning reserves for the Trump venture, worth an estimated $80 million a year.

Binance today holds 87% of all USD1.

The Securities and Exchange Commission dropped its lawsuit against Binance days after the exchange listed USD1, and in October 2025 Trump pardoned Binance's founder, Changpeng Zhao. A Wall Street Journal investigation later revealed Sheikh Tahnoon had also secretly bought a 49% stake in World Liberty itself for about $500 million, four days before Trump's inauguration.

The $TRUMP memecoin required even less effort.

With memecoin, you simply let speculators buy a digital asset that is effectively pure hype packaged as a currency. You make money on every trade. And because anyone, anywhere can buy the coin anonymously, legal experts warn that it operates as a channel for untraceable gifts to Trump and his family.

Some buyers openly spent $148 million in memecoin for seats at a dinner with Trump.

Like most memecoins, $TRUMP collapsed after the initial hype: it now trades at about 98% below its peak.

A Reuters investigation of Trump and his family's four main crypto ventures – World Liberty, the memecoin business, American Bitcoin and AI Financial Corp – found the family has gained about $2.3 billion since Trump retook office, almost exactly matching the amount lost by more than a million investors.

Without precedent

Some of the crypto regulations issued under Trump are good policy.

For example, the GENIUS Act clarifies the rules of the game for all – something the crypto industry had sought for years.

But all the useful crypto regulation is at risk of being undermined by stories of special favours and institutionalised corruption in Trump's crypto ventures.

It’s also likely to undermine the US reputation for the rule of law, as Trump’s crypto dealings are without precedent in US history: anyone seeking presidential favour can simply buy the president's coin.

Author: Marta Khomyn, senior lecturer, finance and data analytics, Adelaide University.

The original article was published July 2 on The Conversation.

Disclosure statement: Marta Khomyn does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

RAMageddon is only going to get worse — score the Lexar 1TB portable SSD for $152.99 at Amazon

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 12:05

SAVE $17: As of July 2, the Lexar ES3 1TB Portable SSD is on sale for $152.99 at Amazon. That's a 10% discount and $17 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lexar Lexar ES3 1TB External SSD $152.99 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $17   Get Deal

Amazon just knocked the Lexar ES3 1TB Portable SSD down to $152.99 from its usual $169.99 price, saving you $17 for a limited time. A 10% discount might not sound huge at first glance, but it lands at a useful moment. Reports are warning that AI-driven demand is putting pressure on memory and storage-related components, with prices expected to climb further in the coming months.

The Lexar ES3 is built for quick file transfers, with enough speed to move large photos, videos, game files, and other bulky folders without making you sit around waiting. It works with a wide range of devices, including newer iPhones, laptops, game consoles, and cameras, so you can use it across multiple setups instead of buying separate storage for each.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day is over: We found 10+ deals still live on microSD, portable SSDs, and hard drives to beat RAMageddon

It's also designed with portability in mind. The drive is light and slim enough to slip into a pocket or bag without taking up much space, and it comes with a USB-C cable so you can plug it in and get started right away. For anyone storing more personal files, it also includes built-in file protection features for an extra layer of security.

Grab the Lexar ES3 1TB Portable SSD on Amazon before your next "storage full" jump scare.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Marshall Monitor III headphones have never been cheaper at Amazon — act fast to save $150

Mashable - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 12:03

SAVE $150: As of July 2, Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. headphones are on sale for $229.99 at Amazon. That marks a return to their lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Marshall Monitor III Headphones $229.99 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $150   Get Deal

The Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. headphones are a pair our reviewer said "are some of the best I've tried." If they've been on your radar, now is a great time to grab them as Amazon has slashed their price down from $379.99 to $229.99.

This saves you $150 on these awesome headphones, but that's not all. That's the lowest-ever price at Amazon. It's not just the black model on sale at this price, either. You can also save on the cream colorway.

SEE ALSO: Get ready to fight for your life: Starbucks is dropping a new Pink Drink Bearista Cup

Mashable's Bethany Allard found a lot to love with the Marshall Monitor III headphones, highlighting that they offer "The best on-ear controls I've ever tried." Allard adds that they're "Incredibly customizable, from ANC to spatial audio." Sound quality and balance stood out as well, with Allard noting, "As someone who prefers a more mid-heavy mix, the Monitor III headphones felt like the audio match I've been looking for."

On top of that, the Marshall Monitor III headphones have a truly stellar battery life that lasts up to 70 hours with active noise cancellation enabled or up to 100 hours without it.

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Categories: IT General, Technology
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