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SAVE OVER $400: As of Aug. 5, the Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 robot vacuum and mop is down to $879.99 at Amazon. Compared to its full price of $1,299.99, that's $420 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop $879.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $420   Get Deal

If you're searching for a reliable robot vacuum to have at home — particularly after news of the FCC deciding to ban all new robot vacuums made outside the U.S. — Amazon is a great place to look.

As of Aug. 5, the retailer has dropped a stellar discount on the Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 robot vacuum and mop that we think is worth a look while it's still available. Normally priced at $1,299.99, Amazon has knocked this combo cleaner down to $879.99, saving you $420 overall. It's also pretty close to its lowest recorded price of $849.99, which is a great bonus.

SEE ALSO: Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 from Amazon and get a free $100 gift card

From cleaning up crumbs to mopping up spills, the Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 is packed with plenty of power to help keep your house tidy. The 25,000 Pa suction, with a dual anti-tangle system, lifts any dirt, debris, or loose hair that's caught in your carpets and rugs. Plus, its 3.14-inch height means it can easily maneuver under lower furniture to get tucked-away spots, and Reactive AI obstacle recognition helps it avoid any objects while it cleans.

It also features an upgraded mopping system that, according to the store page, provides 8N of downward pressure to scrub dry stains from your hard floors. And for reaching corners, it has a FlexiArm Arc Side Brush to help out.

If you're hoping to have extra cleaning help ahead of fall, don't miss out on this great deal on the Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 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.

SAVE OVER $100: As of Aug. 5, the ASUS ROG 27-inch OLED gaming monitor is on sale for $679 at Amazon. That's $120 off its full price of $799.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS ROG 27-Inch OLED Gaming Monitor $679 at Amazon
$799 Save $120   Get Deal

Buying a new gaming monitor doesn't have to clean out your wallet. Amidst tech price increases, Amazon has been dropping some excellent discounts for PC gamers looking for something new or an upgrade. As of Aug. 5, the ASUS ROG 27-inch OLED gaming monitor is one we've spotted at the retailer, now priced at $679.

Overall, that's a $120 price cut from its original list price of $799. It's not far from its lowest price point at the retailer, either. Price tracker camelcamelcamel shows that as $657.40, so its current deal price is still mighty close. If you've had your eye on it, this is a great time to make your move.

SEE ALSO: Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 from Amazon and get a free $100 gift card

With its 1440P resolution OLED display, this ASUS ROG gaming monitor boasts a crisp, vibrant picture quality that's sure to make games, videos, and more really pop on screen. It also features a 480Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, ensuring everything runs smoothly and looks sharp without motion blur.

This monitor even comes with ROG OLED Anti-Flicker Technology, which reduces the flicker during refresh rate fluctuations. This helps you feel more comfortable when you're gaming for longer periods.

This offer may not be live for long since it's a "limited time deal." So act fast to save on the ASUS ROG 27-inch OLED gaming monitor 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.

SAVE OVER $500: As of Aug. 5, the Hisense 65-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED ULED 4K TV has hit its lowest-ever price of $598.99 at Amazon. That's $501 off its list price of $1,099.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-Inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED ULED 4K UHD HDR Gaming AI TV $598.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $501   Get Deal

A new TV is a big investment, but thankfully, great deals pop up quite frequently to help make your purchase feel a bit less daunting. Today is one of those days, because we've spotted an excellent offer worth checking out at Amazon. As of Aug. 5, the retailer has knocked the Hisense 65-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED ULED 4K TV down to its lowest-ever price of $598.99.

Compared to this model's full price of $1,099.99, that's a $501 discount. That's nearly half off (46%, to be exact). Since it's never been this cheap before, this is the perfect time to swoop in and add it to your shopping cart.

SEE ALSO: Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 from Amazon and get a free $100 gift card

Whether you're streaming or gaming, the Hisense U6 Pro boasts 4K resolution, Hi-QLED technology, and Mini-LED backlighting to enhance color, contrast, and detail in everything that pops up on its 65-inch display. It also has a native 144Hz refresh rate, which helps keep the picture smooth and sharp. This is especially helpful while playing games or watching live sports.

Plus, it even has a built-in subwoofer that gives bass in sounds you hear a nice boost, and it's a Fire TV. With the latter, jumping into your favorite streaming apps is quick and easy.

Considering the Hisense 65-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED ULED 4K TV has hit its lowest price point at Amazon, this is an excellent time to grab it while the deal is still available.

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

Most people know Canonical for Ubuntu, but the company has quietly built an entire ecosystem of open-source tools around it. As someone who runs a small homelab, I went down the rabbit hole of Canonical's project catalog, and found three tools stood out: Multipass, MAAS, and MicroCloud. They solve very different problems at very different scales, so let's start with the one you can actually use today.

TL;DR: Watch One Piece for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Anime fans are often forced into one of two camps: Those who pay a lot of cash to subscribe to a number of streaming platforms and those who rely on dodgy streams from dark corners of the online world. It doesn't need to be this way. There are legitimate streaming platforms out there with enormous banks of anime content, just waiting for you to binge.

BBC iPlayer might not be the first name you think of when it comes to anime, but this popular service hosts literally thousands of episodes from the One Piece anime series. It's also a great place to access free Pokémon content. Who knew?

If you're interested in watching One Piece for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to watch One Piece for free

Over 1,000 episodes from the One Piece anime series are available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but you can access this free service from abroad with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to watch One Piece from anywhere in the world.

Stream One Piece 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 the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream One Piece for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

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 One Piece without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you time to binge everything on offer before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for accessing free streams on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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 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).

Watch One Piece for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

A rogue piece of a SpaceX rocket is reported to have crash landed on the moon.

Announced Tuesday by NASA, the space agency and Elon Musk-owned space company have been tracking a stray upper stage from a Falcon 9 rocket launched last year to deploy Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost 1 lunar lander. Reported by the BBC to likely have crashed on the lunar surface at 07:35 a.m. BST, the rocket section is estimated by the news outlet to weigh about 4,000 kilograms (8,000 pounds).

According to NASA, "solar activity and gravitational forces" caused the upper stage of the rocket, which takes over from the boosters in space, to divert course to the moon. The agency predicted SpaceX's object would crash near the Einstein and Bell craters on the moon's surface, the resulting crater to be 60 feet wide and 12 feet deep. That's one large divot.

However, NASA stipulated "the impact poses no danger to Earth."

SEE ALSO: Astronomers think some asteroids have been comets all along. Here's why.

The object was identified by astronomers using public data, NASA says, with confirmation of an impending moon impact later made by NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), located at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. CNEOS tracks orbiting asteroids and comets and evaluates their odds of impacting Earth.

You can't watch the impact from Earth, but NASA says its Meteoroid Environments Office will be using telescopes at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, to take images of the event (so stay tuned for moon crash pics).

If you're worried, NASA described the event of an upper stage crashing on the moon as "a technically accepted and safe method and, in some cases, can be the only practical option for missions in low lunar orbit." The agency says its scientists will collect data from the event and described it as providing "valuable insight" into object tracking in space and the moon's geology, especially ejecta plumes — the trajectory of dust, rocks, and material dislodged by a force.

As the agency pointed out, though human made objects are rare, the moon is regularly hit by meteoroids. Why? It's like a shitty party: no atmosphere.

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Every fandom has its lore. ENHYPEN has an entire universe.

What began as the vampire imagery woven through the K-pop group's 2020 debut has evolved into DARK MOON, a supernatural franchise spanning Webtoon, anime, music, and its own devoted online fandom. But ENHYPEN's commitment to storytelling doesn't stop there. As the group prepares to release THE SIN : BLISS on Aug. 21 — the latest chapter in its SIN universe, which unfolds through cinematic narration, interconnected teasers, and an overarching narrative — the line between music and world-building continues to blur.

At this year's San Diego Comic-Con, where superheroes, vampires, and sprawling fictional universes have long found a home, ENHYPEN's storytelling found a natural stage. Towering above the convention floor, a glowing crimson moon beckoned visitors to the DARK MOON booth, where fans and attendees learned about the story, posed for photos alongside life-size character illustrations, and gathered for a chance to see ENHYPEN in the flesh.

It was part promotional stop, part portal into a fictional world that has grown alongside the group for nearly five years.

Launched as a Webtoon in 2022, DARK MOON follows seven vampire boys inspired by ENHYPEN: Heli, Jaan, Jino, Solon, Jakah, Shion, and Noa. (Heli was originally based on former member Heeseung.) At the mysterious Decelis Academy, they protect a transfer student named Sooha while navigating love, brotherhood, and questions of identity, themes that have anchored ENHYPEN's own music.

The story didn't stay on the page for long. It has since extended into sequel webtoons, an anime adaptation, soundtrack albums, and immersive fan experiences, cementing DARK MOON as one of K-pop's most ambitious multimedia storytelling projects.

Meet ENHYPEN's animated alter egos. Credit: Courtesy of BELIFT LAB

Backstage at San Diego's House of Blues on Friday night, just hours after appearing at Comic-Con, ENHYPEN is preparing for DARK MOON BLOOD NIGHT, a special performance celebrating the franchise. Outside, hundreds of fans wait for the doors to open, many having spent the day exploring the DARK MOON booth on the convention floor before changing into vampire-inspired outfits and cosplay for the evening's concert. Inside, members Jungwon, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-ki are relaxed, laughing with one another as they prepare to take the stage.

It wasn't always this easy to embrace the fangs. "When we first debuted, the only vampire reference we really had was Twilight," Jay tells Mashable. "At first, it was quite weird. We were like, 'How could we do this?' There were a lot of challenges and a lot of big ideas. But now it has become really iconic for us."

Jay isn't wrong. Pop culture has a habit of falling back in love with vampires every generation.

Long before ENHYPEN built its own mythology, there were Anne Rice's brooding immortals, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries. Then came Twilight, whose sun-sparkling Cullens transformed vampires into one of the defining internet fandoms of the late 2000s, inspiring fan fiction, Tumblr debates, and the Team Edward-versus-Team Jacob discourse that somehow still resurfaces online whenever Robert Pattinson decides to troll the internet.

JAKE, JAY, SUNGHOON, NI-KI, JUNGWON, SUNOO, Ashley Greene, Peter Facinelli, Catherine Hardwicke Credit: Courtesy of BELIFT LAB

That lineage made ENHYPEN's Comic-Con appearance feel particularly fitting. The group's panel, "Bite Me: Calling All Vampires," brought the members together with Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke and stars Peter Facinelli and Ashley Greene for a conversation about one of pop culture's most enduring monsters and why every generation seems to find a new way to fall in love with vampires.

"I believe we're the first K-pop group to ever come to Comic-Con," Jake says. "It feels very unique because it's like two different worlds of entertainment coming together. We're very happy about that."

World-building has become part of K-pop's creative DNA. Agencies don't just build groups; they build eras, concepts, and fictional universes for fans to unravel across music videos, comeback trailers, social media, and performances. Fans, in turn, freeze-frame every teaser, decode cryptic clues, and spend weeks stitching together elaborate theories from seemingly insignificant details. Few of those story worlds, however, have expanded as far beyond the music as DARK MOON, which now spans the Webtoon DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR, its sequel DARK MOON: TWO MOONS, the anime adaptation now streaming on Crunchyroll in North America, and companion releases like the MEMORABILIA soundtrack album.

For the members, one of the most surreal moments came when they first saw animated versions of themselves.

"I remember during one of our earliest meetings with the DARK MOON team, they explained how each character represented us," Jake recalls. "When we finally watched it, we were saying, 'Oh, that one really looks like someone. That one acts like someone.' We could really see the resemblance."

That likeness is hard to ignore backstage. Framed illustrations of the DARK MOON characters line the interview space like family portraits, each member sitting just a few feet from his fictional counterpart. At one point, Sunoo wanders over to Shion's portrait, studying it for a moment.

"He's very cute," he says.

Ni-ki laughs that his own character still resembles his "debut-era" self. Jay, meanwhile, can't resist teasing Sunoo, insisting that Shion is "more Sunoo than Sunoo" — or, as he puts it, maybe even "cuter" than the real thing.

"No, no, no," Sunoo fires back, laughing.

The expansion into animation also introduced ENHYPEN to an entirely new audience when the anime, titled Dark Moon: The Blood Altar Animation with Enhypen, premiered earlier this year. "We weren't that familiar with animation," Jake admits. "Then we realized there was this huge fanbase. Later, we heard that a lot of people actually became ENHYPEN fans through DARK MOON. That was really surprising for us, and exactly what we were hoping for."

That kind of crossover is intentional. "At HYBE NEB, we believe that a strong shared thematic vision is what connects all of our content and allows fans to experience a cohesive universe, regardless of where they first encounter our IP," Taeho Park, president of HYBE Next Entertainment Business, tells Mashable. "Our priority is ensuring that fans can connect with the same core themes and emotions, no matter how they enter the universe."

The storytelling doesn't end with DARK MOON. ENHYPEN's latest musical era has embraced increasingly immersive world-building, and THE SIN : BLISS doubles down with narrated tracks, in-universe websites, and a series of in-universe advertisements imagining what everyday life might look like in a society built for vampires. Think coffin-inspired mattresses, centuries-old banking, and real estate with guaranteed sunlight protection.

The group is also continuing a device introduced on THE SIN : VANISH, enlisting familiar voices to narrate the story. For THE SIN : BLISS, the Korean narration is delivered in part by MBC News Desk anchor Kim Soo-ji, whose recognizable voice lends the fictional broadcasts the authority of a real news report.

"We thought it was a great idea because it makes the album almost like it's from a third-person point of view," Jake says of introducing outside narrators. "If we did the narration ourselves, it would feel like us telling our own story. Now it's somebody else looking at us and what's happening to us."

Ni-ki promotes DORMANT, a fictional coffin-inspired mattress brand designed for the vampire world of THE SIN : BLISS. Credit: Courtesy of BELIFT LAB

Jay says bringing in professionals to narrate the album was "one of the best decisions" the group has made creatively, making the story feel more immersive.

Even when recording songs directly connected to DARK MOON — including fan favorites "One In A Billion," "CRIMINAL LOVE," and "Fatal Trouble" — Sunghoon says the group never treats them as separate from ENHYPEN's broader artistic identity.

"I actually like those tracks a lot because they fit the message DARK MOON represents," he says. "When we record music, I don't think I take different approaches, whether it is for DARK MOON or for ENHYPEN. We always try to give our best."

As the stories have grown more ambitious, so has the role fans play in interpreting them. K-pop fans have long dissected music videos for hidden clues, but Ni-ki sees DARK MOON as an opportunity to join that conversation rather than replace it.

"Before this, K-pop fans were already interpreting music videos," he says. "We thought, 'Why should the fans do all the work?' We would provide our own version of interpretation."

ENHYPEN turned the House of Blues into a home for vampires during DARK MOON BLOOD NIGHT. Credit: Courtesy of BELIFT LAB

Rather than closing off those conversations, ENHYPEN sees the official narrative as another layer for fans to remix.

"Based on the version we offered, the fans reinterpret it in their own way," Ni-ki continues. "It's a nice cycle."

Before this, K-pop fans were already interpreting music videos... We thought, 'Why should the fans do all the work?' We would provide our own version of interpretation. - ENHYPEN member Ni-ki

Jungwon says social media has only accelerated that process. "There are so many different surfaces where fans find not just DARK MOON but ENHYPEN as a team," he says. "It enables fans to become more immersed in what we do."

That collaborative approach is something HYBE increasingly sees as central to DARK MOON itself.

"We believe that fans are also an important part of completing DARK MOON's storytelling experience," Park says. "We want fans to do more than simply consume our story content... Looking ahead, we want to put even greater emphasis on active fan participation and the role of the community in enriching the overall storytelling experience."

The members witness creativity every day through theories, edits, artwork, and discussions that fans post online. And, yes, they're quick to admit they also save fan art when they come across it online.

"In many cases, the conclusion is open-ended," Sunghoon says. "It's open to interpretation. It depends on the person. It's more fun like that."

As for where DARK MOON could go next, the members have no shortage of ideas. Sunoo dreams of a live-action adaptation — though he'd happily leave the acting to someone else. Jake imagines a sprawling video game for the Nintendo Switch or PlayStation, the kind of fantasy RPG where players can spend dozens of hours exploring its world. Ni-ki wants to see the story stretched across an epic series of high-fantasy novels. Sunghoon pictures a DARK MOON takeover of Seoul's Lotte World theme park, complete with attractions inspired by the vampire universe. Jay, meanwhile, is already thinking on an even grander scale.

"A musical," he says without hesitation. After a beat, another idea arrives. "Or something at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Technology is really amazing these days."

The members laugh as they imagine those possibilities. But they're not exactly far-fetched. Five years ago, DARK MOON was just an idea taking shape alongside ENHYPEN's debut. Today, it's a living story that keeps finding new ways to exist across countless corners of the internet. If its journey has proven anything, it's that the next chapter could be almost anywhere.

Got an Android phone? Your location may be being broadcast on more apps than you realize.

App developers could be inadvertently sharing user location data with advertisers, according to findings from an Electronic Frontier Foundation investigation.

SEE ALSO: Parental controls arrive on all Android devices

The issue arises from certain Software Development Kits (SDKs) that advertisers provide to developers to enable them to monetize their apps. The problem? A number of these SDKs collect location data by default, so if you've given an app permission to access your location, it may well be sharing this data with advertisers without you realizing.

"Even if users were to grant these apps permission to obtain their location data, they would likely not expect their location data to be shared with third parties," reads the EFFs report. "Many users don’t know that granting location permissions to an app grants the same permissions to third-party SDKs embedded in the app, or that an app they're using contains code from outside companies."

How to stop sharing your location on Android

The good news is you can stop sharing your location with any app at any time, via the Settings page.

Just tap Location, then App location permissions. You can then go through your apps one by one and select Don't Allow or Not Allowed.

Alternatively, if you want to stop sharing location data across all apps, you can head to the main menu and toggle Use Location to off (the only issue there is that it will include apps where you might need to give location permissions, such as maps and weather).

For years, freezing panes was one of my first moves whenever I opened a large spreadsheet. It kept headers visible, stopped me from losing my place, and made scrolling through thousands of rows much easier. But over time, I realized I was using one feature to solve several different problems—and modern Excel already has better tools for many of them.

We're approaching the end of another lunar cycle as we get closer to the New Moon. The lunar cycle is a roughly 29.5-day journey that sees the Moon transition through eight distinct phases, from New Moon to Full Moon and back again. Keep reading to find out where we are in the cycle as of Aug. 5.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Wednesday, Aug. 5, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waning Gibbous phase, with 59% of its surface visible.

As the moon hits day 22 of the lunar cycle, visibility is decreasing significantly. But there's still more than a 50% chance of spotting some lunar features. For example, with just your naked eye, tonight you can spot the Aristarchus Plateau, Kepler Crater, and the Tycho Crater. If you have a pair of binoculars, these will help you see the Gassendi and Clavius Craters and the Apennine Mountains. Those with access to a telescope will also be able to see the Apollo 12 landing spot and the Rima Ariadaeus.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon's appearance changes throughout the month as it orbits Earth, completing one full lunar cycle approximately every 29.5 days, according to NASA. During that journey, the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon are constantly shifting, altering how much of the Moon's illuminated surface is visible from our perspective. That's why we see the familiar sequence of phases, from a slim crescent to a half Moon, then a Full Moon, before the pattern begins again.

The eight phases are:

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. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last 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.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026:

AcrossStimulate, as the appetite

• The answer is Whet.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

"___ did the time go?"

• The answer is Where.

"Hmm, strange ..."

• The answer is Weird.

Walked through water

• The answer is Waded.

Neat and orderly

• The answer is Tidy.

DownCrop on the South Dakota state quarter

• The answer is Wheat.

"Saturday Night Live" alum Gardner

• The answer is Heidi.

Made a mistake

• The answer is Erred.

Child's bear

• The answer is Teddy.

Repeated letters in a U.R.L. address

• The answer is WWW.

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

House of the Dragon Season 3 is here, and you know what that means: It's time to take a climb into the very tangled branches of the Targaryen family tree.

Over the first two seasons of House of the Dragon, some of these branches have been pruned. (RIP to the many Targs who've perished in this bloody show.) However, Season 2 also added its fair share of new offshoots, further complicating the knotted web between Houses Targaryen, Velaryon, and Hightower. Season 3 has complicated it even further, with new deaths and the face reveal of one Daeron Targaryen. If you're looking for a refresher on that web as you watch Season 3, we've got you covered.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' review: Season 3 atones for the sins of Season 2

Below, you'll find the Targaryen family tree as it stands as of House of the Dragon Season 3, episode 7, as well as a rundown of the characters and how they connect.

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable Which Targaryens have died since Season 2?

There were two key deaths in the Targaryen family in Season 2: one on the Greens' side and one on the Blacks'.

Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen's (Emma D'Arcy) camp lost Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best), also known as the Queen Who Never Was. Meanwhile, King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Queen Helaena (Phia Saban) lost their young son Jaehaerys when gold cloak Blood (Sam C. Wilson) and rat catcher Cheese (Mark Stobbart) assassinated him on Prince Daemon's (Matt Smith) orders.

There are still plenty of Targaryens left standing, though. Here's who to watch out for in Season 3.

Featured Video For You 'House of the Dragon': Everything you need to know in 2 minutes The Targaryen family tree: Rhaenyra, Daemon, and their children Matt Smith, Phoebe Campbell, Emma D'Arcy, Harry Collett, and Bethany Antonia in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Composite: Mashable / Images: HBO

Rhaenyra heads up the Team Black branch of the Targaryen family tree, with her husband/uncle Daemon by her side. (It was touch and go for a minute in Season 2, but after a life-changing study abroad trip to Harrenhal, complete with witches and visions, Daemon is finally ready to accept Rhaenyra as his queen.)

Their two young sons, Aegon and Viserys, are on their way to Pentos for protection after a brief pit stop in the Vale. However, Rhaenyra and Daemon's children from their prior marriages are still in Westeros and locked in on Rhaenyra's fight for the throne.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' cut a fan favorite book character. But is that a bad thing?

Rhaenyra's son Jacaerys (Harry Collett) and Daemon's daughter Baela (Bethany Antonia) are both dragonriders. Daemon's other daughter, Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell), doesn't have a dragon, which is why she was sent off as Aegon and Viserys' guardian. However, when they went to Pentos, she remained behind in the Vale, hoping to tame its wild dragon Sheepstealer. As of Season 3, she's successfully claimed Sheepstealer, but at a cost: He went rogue during the Battle of the Gullet, and his interference helped lead to Jace's tragic death. Rhaenyra wanted Sheepstealer's rider's head, and only Daemon and Lady Jeyne Arryn (Amanda Collin) knew the truth of her identity, until Baela and Addam of Hull / Addam Velaryon (Clinton Liberty) tracked Sheepstealer down to the Vale. After a brutal dragon fight, Sheepstealer's fate hangs in the balance, and Rhaena has been dragged back to King's Landing.

The Targaryen family tree: Alicent Hightower and her children Tom Glynn-Carney, Olivia Cooke, Phia Saban, and Ewan Mitchell in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Composite: Mashable / Images: HBO

Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) remains the matriarch of Team Green, although she's growing increasingly regretful about her role in the war for succession. (So regretful, in fact, that she's offered to surrender the Iron Throne to Rhaenyra and take steps to ensure her rule.) She had four children with the late King Viserys (Paddy Considine).

The eldest, Aegon, was crowned King of Westeros over Rhaenyra, before she took back the Iron Throne in Season 3, episode 2. His younger brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) attempted to kill him in a dragon dogfight at the Battle of Rook's Rest, and once Aegon recovered from his worst injuries, he fled King's Landing with the help of Larys Strong (Matthew Needham). Aemond became Prince Regent, and Alicent has been trying her best to get herself, her daughter Helaena, and granddaughter Jaehaera out of harm's way — they've been captured and imprisoned in King's Landing. Aemond, separated from his dragon Vhagar, is currently determined to set up his new seat of power in Harrenhal with Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin).

Alicent's youngest son Daeron (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) makes his official House of the Dragon debut in Season 3, episode 4, although he's been hiding in plain sight since the Season 3 premiere. He's a ward of House Hightower and squire to Lord Ormund Hightower (James Norton), who's engineering his own plot — involving a fake Daeron — to place him on the throne.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' pulls a Daeron Targaryen switcheroo that isn't in 'Fire and Blood' The Hightower family tree: Otto, Gwayne, and Ormund James Norton, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans, and Freddie Fox in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Composite: Mashable / Images: HBO

In addition to Alicent, the rest of House Hightower continues to be a major player in House of the Dragon. Her father, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), former hand of the King, was the first Green loyalist to be executed under Rhaenyra's reign. Elsewhere, Alicent's brother Gwayne (Freddie Fox) has been traipsing around the Seven Kingdoms with Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), a nightmare we wouldn't wish on even our worst enemies.

House of the Dragon Season 3 also introduces a new member of the Hightower family: Lord Ormund, head of House Hightower. His late father Hobert (Steffan Rhodri) was Otto's oldest brother, making Ormund Alicent and Gwayne's cousin.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon's Ormund Hightower cooks up a villainous plan that isn't in the book The Velaryon family tree: Corlys and his sons Alyn and Addam Steve Toussaint, Abubakar Salim, and Clinton Liberty in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Composite: Mashable / Images: HBO

Rhaenyra's Hand is Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), also known as the Sea Snake due to his naval prowess. Over the course of House of the Dragon, he's lost his wife Rhaenys, as well as their children Laena (Nanna Blondell) and Laenor (John Macmillan).

However, Season 2 revealed that Laena and Laenor weren't Corlys' only descendants. He also has two bastard sons, Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) and Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty). Their mother Marilda, unseen in the show, was a shipwright. House of the Dragon primarily refers to Marilda in the past tense, implying she is dead, hence why she's greyed out in our family tree. However, by this point in Fire and Blood, she is still alive. Corlys, however, is currently a prisoner of Ormund Hightower in Tumbleton.

While Corlys didn't truly acknowledge Alyn and Addam prior to Season 2, the pair are now a much more prominent part of his life — and the show. Alyn is a notable sailor in Corlys' fleet, and Addam became a dragonrider. Thanks to his Valyrian blood, he now rides Seasmoke, Laenor's old dragon.

The dragonseeds: Addam, Ulf the White, and Hugh Hammer Kieran Bew, Tom Bennett, and Clinton Liberty in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Composite: Mashable / Images: HBO

Addam isn't the only new dragonrider to join Rhaenyra's ranks in Season 2. Smallfolk Ulf the White (Tom Bennett) and Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew) also claimed dragons. Ulf rides Silverwing, the dragon of Rhaenyra's grandmother Alysanne, while Hugh rides Vermithor, the dragon of Rhaenyra's grandfather Jaehaerys. The pair, like Addam, are bastards of Valyrian blood, earning them the nickname of "dragonseeds." While they haven't been legitimized as Targaryens, they will certainly have a large role to play in the battles to come.

House of the Dragon Season 3 premieres June 21 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max, with a new episode every Sunday.

UPDATE: Aug. 5, 2026, 10:42 a.m. GMT This article has been updated to reflect the events of the first seven episodes of Season 3.

UPDATE: Jul. 12, 2026, 10:00 p.m. EDT This article has been updated to reflect the events of the first four episodes of Season 3.

UPDATE: Jun. 26, 2026, 4:02 p.m. EDT A previous version of the family tree did not show Rhaenys, Hobert, or Marilda as deceased the way they are in the show. It has since been updated.

TL;DR: Wizards of the Coast revealed the first wave of commanders from Magic: The Gathering's Mystery Booster: Commander Edition at Gen Con, displaying rule-breaking mechanics, deep MTG lore, and cards built around multiplayer chaos ahead of the set's release.

Magic: The Gathering has never shied away from weird card design, but Wizards of the Coast's newest Commander product might be pushing that further than ever. Wizards first announced Mystery Booster: Commander Edition at MagicCon Amsterdam earlier this summer, revealing it would feature more than 50 exclusive legendary creatures with hundreds of reprints.

What Wizards didn't do at the time was show any of the new "wild cards," leaving Commander players speculating for months about what this set would actually include.

That changed over the weekend, when the first wave of reveals came out of an invite-only Gen Con event hosted by Gavin Verhey — and the photos that spread online made it clear this set isn't just reprints. The new legends are genuinely wild deckbuilding puzzles.

The reprints alone make for a wild draft, but the real story is the new legendary creatures. Wizards used them to dig into niche archetypes, forgotten mechanics, weird deckbuilding rules, and multiplayer-focused effects — the stuff that just doesn't fit into a normal set.

Most recent premier sets keep the command zone stocked with legends that reliably ramp and draw cards within strict color identities. This set completely flips that, ignoring the usual rules for what a commander is supposed to do.

What's inside the set?

Beyond the new legendary creatures, Mystery Booster: Commander Edition is built specifically for Commander Draft, and each box comes packed with a mix of new and old cards. Here's a full breakdown of what's inside the booster:

• 20 total Magic cards per booster

• 3 white, 3 blue, 3 black, 3 red, and 3 green common or uncommon cards

• 1 reprint wildcard of any rarity

• 1 rare or mythic rare reprinted commander

• 1 non-foil or traditional foil new-to-Magic commander

• 1 additional non-foil or traditional foil card

• A Future Sight frame common/uncommon card

• A Future Sight frame rare/mythic rare card

• A traditional foil acorn stamp card (rare pull, under 1%)

• 1 playtest card

SEE ALSO: Stop trading blind: The 5 most valuable MTG cards from every current Standard set

In total, the set draws from more than 2,000 cards across Magic's entire history, so opening a box is a mixed bag of old favorites and cards you've probably never even seen printed before.

60 brand-new commanders

Gavin Verhey designed 60 all-new legendary creatures for this set, and several use a new mechanic called Rulebreaker, letting you bend Commander's usual deckbuilding rules. One standout: Tsagan, Raider Warlord, which started out digitally in MTG Arena's Alchemy: Aetherdrift, is now making its first tabletop appearance — and unlike most Alchemy cards, it's fully legal in Commander, Legacy, and Vintage.

Credit: Wizards of the Coast Credit: Wizards of the Coast More surprises: Future Sight, Alchemy, and playtest cards

Remember Future Sight's alternate frame from 2007? It's back for 134 different reprints in this set, some appearing in non-foil or foil for the first time ever.

There are also 10 traditional foil cards carrying the acorn stamp, all originally built for MTG Arena's Alchemy format using digital-only mechanics — not legal in Constructed formats, but fair game for Mystery Booster: Commander Edition Draft or Sealed.

Credit: Wizards of the Coast Credit: Wizards of the Coast

The box also includes 121 playtest cards, styled after Wizards' actual internal testing mockups, with one in every booster. They're not tournament-legal either, but they're a fun addition to casual Commander Draft.

Where and when to buy

Wizards will be hosting a range of Mystery Booster: Commander Edition events at MagicCon, including MagicCon: Atlanta on Nov. 13-15, where you can register to play. You can also get it through Festival in a Box, once it becomes available via MagicSecretLair, though Wizards hasn't confirmed an exact date yet.

Cards and sealed products for the set have also started showing up on TCGplayer, though listings currently show as sold out — still worth bookmarking in case restocks come through.

TL;DR: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Aug. 5-8. Stuff Your E-Reader, hosted by Indie Author Collective, is offering free books in a variety of subgenres.

We're not in the habit of complaining about free giveaways, but if there is one thing that bothers us about Stuff Your Kindle Days, it's that they sometimes come and go in the blink of an eye. We need time to prepare. We need to properly assess our options and lovingly handpick the books that speak to us. 24-hour events rob us of this opportunity.

Fortunately, the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is a much more relaxed affair.

Stuff Your E-Reader, hosted by Indie Author Collective, is offering free books across a variety of subgenres until Aug.8. Everything that you download is yours to keep forever, so you really can stock up ahead of the colder winter months on the horizon.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is giving away the 2026 Motorola Razr for free — how to qualify

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?

Stuff Your E-Reader takes place from Aug. 5-8. This four-day giveaway provides participants with the chance to really dig into everything on offer.

Which books are free?

Stuff Your E-Reader is an all-genre book blast, so there really is something for everyone. There's a helpful hub page with everything neatly organized. You can filter by price (free or $0.99), platform (Kindle or Kobo), representation, and genre. There are 30+ genres to pick from, including fantasy, thriller, romance, gothic, and erotica.

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

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep forever, 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.

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + Kindle Unlimited (3 Months) $109.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Why we like it

These popular e-readers let 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. Plus, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free with your purchase for a limited time.

The best wireless earbuds range anywhere from $10 to $1,000, especially if you're going for professional-grade studio earphones. And if you care about active noise cancellation, you can easily spend $300 — that's the price of peace and quiet. You can also get hyperspecialized models like sleep earbuds, bone-conduction earbuds for working out, and open earbuds for transparency.

SEE ALSO: I replaced my $249 AirPods Pro with $19 wired EarPods

In 2026, our top picks for earbuds are the Sony WF-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen), and Panasonic Technics AZ100s, which provide outstanding sound quality and ANC. But keep in mind that these models will run you $299 to $329. While we stand by the value of everything on this list, we know that spending over $300 on a pair of earbuds is a lot to stomach. That's why we've also included more budget-friendly wireless earbuds under $100 that still deliver excellent performance.

Ready to start shopping now? Here are our favorite wireless and noise-cancelling earbuds as of August 2026.

Types of earbuds

There are two overarching types of earbuds: wireless and wired. While those descriptors are self-explanatory, let's get into the specifics of both.

Wireless

Wireless earbuds connect to devices via Bluetooth for cordless usage. These earbuds range from $20 budget models to high-end models with active noise cancellation. While they don't require a wire to connect to a device, some wireless earbuds still have a wire that might go around the back of the neck to connect the buds.

While earbuds traditionally don't provide the passive noise cancellation of over-the-ear headphones, wireless models often feature ANC, which electronically blocks out background noise. With wireless headphones, you need to consider the battery life. Most models should have an eight-hour or more battery life before they need to be recharged.

Wired

Wired earbuds are the original model: two buds connected by a wire to your audio source. While they once felt high tech, they're pretty basic now. Wired earbuds with active noise cancellation are basically non-existent, and you won't find any on our list.

The biggest positive to wired headphones is that they don't need to be charged. They're a great backup option to keep in your bag in case your usual wireless headphones or earbuds run out of charge.

New additions to this guide

After extensive testing, Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard rounded up the best sleep earbuds. You can read her full guide, but as of February 2026, we've added the Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Special to this guide, which Allard says are the best sleep earbuds for most people. Also in February 2026, we added the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds as our top pick for the best overall earbud, and removed the previous generation, the WF-1000XM5, as the best Sony earbud.

Up next for consideration are more open earbuds, budget earbuds, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro.

What are the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds?

If you're just looking for a pair of everyday wireless earbuds, all but one of the models in this guide will check that box. (We formerly included the Marshall Mode earbuds for folks who preferred a wired option, but have since removed them from our guide as the version we tested is difficult to find in stock these days.)

If you're looking for the highest quality wireless earbuds, you can't go wrong with the Sony WF-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Apple AirPods Pro 3, and Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds, our most recent recommendation in 2026. Both of these wireless earbuds feature elite noise-cancellation, stellar sound, long battery life, and a comfortable fit for extended wear.

Still, this guide includes several other earbuds we stand behind. Apple users may prefer the AirPods Pro, while shoppers on a budget may prefer buds from Marshall or Anker Soundcore. If you need help picking the perfect pair, read on.

How to choose the best headphones

We won't beat around the bush: There's no definitive "best" product here. Sure, elite audio brands put out high-quality products across the board, but even within each of those brands, you'll find different tiers of products. Some will deliver better value, and some will deliver better hardware and active noise cancellation.

All this to say, the best pair of earbuds or headphones largely comes down to personal preference and how you plan to use them. Some listeners swear by over-ear headphones, while others prefer the minimalism of earbuds — one is not necessarily better than the other. Athletes who like to use headphones at the gym will appreciate waterproof materials and the best open earbuds, while frequent fliers will prefer devices with long battery life, comfort, and portability. Finally, music lovers and audiophiles will want to invest in premium features like a custom equalizer, spatial audio, or best-in-class active noise cancellation.

To help you pick your pair, we tested all of the headphones in this guide (and a lot that didn't make the cut). Here, you'll find the top headphones of 2026 for noise cancellation, music, price, and wired connections.

What about wired headphones?

We focused primarily on the best wireless headphones for this guide. While wired headphones have their fans, wireless headphones are just more convenient for most of us. If we had to pick, we'd recommend the Marshall Mode earbuds as our top wired pick. Some of us are also fans of Apple's EarPods.

Other headphones we've tested

Most recently, we tested the Marshall Monitor III, JBL Tour One M3 headphones and the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC, and though they had their merits, fell short of winning the best of the best spot on this guide.

We've also tested the Sonos Ace headphones and Dyson OnTrac headphones. And while we loved them both for sound quality and noise cancellation, they fare in the way of AirPods Max — left out of our recommendations for their high price points.

In the testing pipeline

For our future updates, we're testing out more budget noise-cancelling earbuds and headphones.

Recent updates to this guide

• March 2025: We've designated the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds as the most comfortable ANC earbuds and crowned the Sony XM6 earbuds as the new best noise cancelling earbuds.

• December 2025: We replaced the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds, which are no longer available, with the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 sports earbuds.

• December 2025: We removed the Marshall Mode wired earbuds, as they're frequently out of stock.

• December 2025: We added the Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Canceling Headphones as the best headphones under $100.

• December 2025: We added the Sony XM5 headphones, originally released in 2022, as our new honorable mention pick.

• August 2026: We replaced the Sennheiser Momentum 4 with the Nothing Headphone (a) as our best battery life pick.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 US Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the French Open or Wimbledon, but you could feel the absence of Carlos Alcaraz. We missed his all-action style, his passion, and his rivalry with top seed Jannik Sinner. Fans will be desperately hoping he's back to defend his US Open title, and the good news is that he's officially on the entry list.

Barring any late injuries, we should finally get to see the Alcaraz vs. Sinner rivalry renewed at Flushing Meadows. Of course, that's not the only story. Sabalenka will be looking to defend her title against a host of talented players, including Americans like Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula. Questions will also be asked of Zverev and Djokovic as they look to bridge the gap to the game's biggest stars.

If you want to watch the 2026 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the US Open?

The US Open Tennis Championships (or US Open) is a hardcourt tennis tournament held annually in Queens, New York. It is the fourth and final of the four Grand Slams, held after the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon.

The defending singles champions are Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka.

When is the 2026 US Open?

The 2026 US Open is the 146th edition of the tournament. This year's event takes place from Aug. 23 to Sept. 13.

How to watch the 2026 US Open for free

The 2026 US Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 US Open by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2026 US Open 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 leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the US Open without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the entire tournament before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for the US Open?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Australia

• 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 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 — 80% 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 a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 US Open for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Vuelta a España for free on SBS on Demand. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The huge news from the world of cycling is that Tadej Pogačar is set to compete in this year's Vuelta a España.

That's certainly bad news for anyone looking to battle it out for top spot in the general classification. It might also be bad news for fans hoping for competitive racing, such is the dominance that Pogačar is displaying right now. Can anyone compete with the Tour de France winner? It'll take something special to stop Pogačar from claiming the only Grand Tour he's yet to win.

If you want to watch the 2026 Vuelta a España for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Vuelta a España?

The Vuelta a España is an annual multi-stage bicycle race primarily held in Spain. The Vuelta is the third and final grand tour of the 2026 men's road cycling season, following the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France.

The defending general classification champion is Jonas Vingegaard.

When is the 2026 Vuelta a España?

The 2026 Vuelta a España is the 81st edition of the three-week cycling race. This year's event will start on Aug. 22 in Monaco and end on Sept. 13 in Granada.

How to watch the 2026 Vuelta a España for free

The 2026 Vuelta a España is available to live stream for free on SBS on Demand. You can watch all 21 stages live and free, plus stream stage replays, mini stages, and highlights.

SBS on Demand is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access it for free with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can live stream on SBS on Demand from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Vuelta a España 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 Australia

4. Connect to SBS on Demand

5. Watch the 2026 Vuelta a España 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. However, leading VPNs tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By using these offers, you can watch the 2026 Vuelta a España without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to watch every stage of the Vuelta a España before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for SBS on Demand?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for streaming live sport on SBS on Demand, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Australia

• 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 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 — 80% 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 a money-back guarantee).

Watch the 2026 Vuelta a España for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: EcoVacs is launching the W2S Pro Omni, a window-cleaning robot with edge detection, a portable multi-purpose charging dock, and 12-tier suction protection to keep it safely attached to glass. It launches Aug. 10, priced at $599.99.

Robot vacuums have solved floor cleaning, but there's always a stubborn gap left behind: floor-to-ceiling windows, big glass panels, and sliding doors that don't get cleaned as often as they should. EcoVacs is calling this the "last dirty inch" problem, and it's tackling it with the launch of the W2S Pro Omni, a dedicated window-cleaning robot. This new model launches on Aug. 10 for $599.99.

Credit: Ecovacs Credit: Ecovacs

The core feature here is what Ecovacs calls TruEdge 2.0 — high-density felt bristles set in an eight-tooth radial layout, designed to reach into corners and edges rather than just wiping down the flat middle of a window and calling it done. That's paired with a dual-side 6-jet spray system to help loosen stuck-on dirt and stains.

One of the more practical upgrades is the all-in-one multi-purpose dock. It doubles as a control panel, a charger (rated for 110 minutes of runtime), and portable storage, so instead of needing an outlet near whatever window you're cleaning, the power source essentially travels with the robot.

Credit: Ecovacs

Safety is a big focus, too. EcoVacs packed in a bunch of protection features — strong suction, pressure sensors, and edge detection — all working together to keep the robot securely stuck to the glass. Even if the battery gets low mid-clean, EcoVacs says it's designed to stay attached to the window for 30 minutes rather than risk falling off.

Windows, meet your match — the W2S Pro Omni arrives Aug. 10.