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Plezy is a third-party Plex client for Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile platforms with a sleek design and a few unique features. If you're annoyed with the official Plex apps, you should give Plezy a spin—especially after the most recent update.

SAVE $100: As of Feb. 6, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are on sale for $199 at Amazon. That's $100 or 33% off their list price and the best price on record in most colors.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Ultra Open earbuds $199 at Amazon
$299 Save $100   Get Deal

If you're curious about open-ear earbuds, but don't want to sacrifice sound quality, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are the best option. And now that they're $100 off, they're an incredible value.

As of Feb. 6, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are down to just $199 at Amazon in every color. That's 33% off their list price of $299 and their best price ever in most color options.

The Ultra Open buds curl around the edges of your ears like earring cuffs instead of going directly into your ear canal. This "open" design helps to keep you in touch with your surroundings while you listen to music, audiobooks, podcasts, etc., which makes them a particularly good pick for runners, cyclists, or commuters who need to stay aware and alert. Most open earbuds can sound muddied because of this design, but Mashable contributor RJ Andersen said that's not the case with the Bose earbuds.

"The sound was well-balanced, and even with my ear completely uncovered, I didn’t notice any issues with the audio sounding distant or muddy. Instead, the Ultra Open Earbuds sounded clear, natural, and pretty lush," Andersen noted in her review.

You'll get over seven hours of listening time and an extra 2.5 charges from the case — not the best, but decent. If you're not into AirPods-style earbuds and want to try something a little different, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are real treat (especially when they're $100 cheaper than usual).

2026 is flying by, with January already behind us. If you haven't yet managed to fulfill your New Year's resolution to do more with Home Assistant, there are still plenty of projects to get your teeth into.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on Peacock or NBCOlympics.com. Alternatively, you can watch on a number of free streaming platforms including 9Now, CBC Gem, and BBC iPlayer.

We feel truly blessed by all the sport on the calendar this year. We're genuinely overrun with huge events, including the Winter Olympics. You could make the argument that this is the biggest event of 2026, but some people would point to the 2026 World Cup taking place this summer. Frankly, we don't care. We're just going to enjoy everything on offer.

The Winter Olympics doesn't actually begin with the opening ceremony. Curling, luge, snowboarding, skiing, and ice hockey started from Feb. 4, but the opening ceremony is still where things officially get going. Expect a stunning show from the San Siro Olympic Stadium plus extra events from other Olympic territories. The likes of Mariah Carey, Laura Pausini, Sabrina Impacciatore, and Andrea Bocelli will perform.

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If you want to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony?

The opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from 2 p.m. ET on Feb. 6. The opening ceremony is expected to run for around three hours.

How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony for free

The 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony is available to live stream for free on a number of services:

• Australia — 9Now

• Austria — ORF

• Canada — CBC Gem

• France — France TV

• Germany — ARD

• Ireland — RTÉ Player

• Italy — RAI

• Spain — RTVE

• UK — BBC iPlayer

These free live streams are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can access free live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony for free from anywhere in the world

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 without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the opening ceremony plus the rest of the 2026 Winter Olympics before recovering your investment.

TL;DR: Live stream the third season of Love Island: All Stars for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We should all be seeking as little drama as possible in our private lives. There's a lot of joy to be found in a peaceful existence. That being said, there's also a great deal of joy to be found in watching other people's messy lives play out. And that's exactly what Love Island provides.

The hit show delivers weeks of flirting, breakups, and passionate debate between fame-hungry singles. It's exactly what we all need to get through these bleak winter months. And the only thing better than Love Island is Love Island: All Stars. Someone came up with the great idea to invite some of the best Love Island contestants back for a second (or third) chance at finding love.

They're looking for love, OK? They're not heading back for a quick paycheck. How dare you even suggest that.

If you're interested in watching Love Island: All Stars for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Love Island: All Stars in 2026?

The third season of Love Island: All Stars starts on Jan. 15. This latest season is expected to run for six weeks.

How to watch Love Island: All Stars for free in 2026

The third season of Love Island: All Stars is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone from around the world can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to watch Love Island: All Stars from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Love Island: All Stars 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 ITVX

5. Stream Love Island: All Stars 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 Love Island: All Stars without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you time to watch a large chunk of the season 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 ITVX?

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

Live stream Love Island: All Stars for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $1,500: Amazon and Best Buy have the 98-inch TCL QM6K Mini LED TV on sale for just $1,499.99 as of Feb. 6. That's 50% off its $2,999 MSRP, which is its biggest discount ever. Delivery times vary by retailer.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 98-inch QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV (98QM6K) $1,499.99 at Amazon
$2,999.99 Save $1,500.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 98-inch QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV (98QM6K) $1,499.99 at Best Buy
$2,999.99 Save $1,500.00   Get Deal

February is one of the best times to buy a new TV because retailers love tying promos to the Big Game. Big-screen QLEDs are especially easy to find on sale right now because they're primo for watching sports, according to Mashable's Leah Stodart. "The vibrant lighting supplied by a QLED panel is ideal for following small details like a ball or tiny score box," she writes.

If you're looking to upgrade your TV to a nice QLED model before the Seahawks take on the Patriots this Sunday, and you've got a large wall to fill, allow me to present the best "go big or go home" deal I could scrounge up. As of Feb. 6, the 98-inch TCL QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV is on sale for just $1,499.99 at Amazon and Best Buy — that's half off its usual retail price of $2,999.99 and a new all-time low. (Ignore Amazon's deflated list price of $2,299.99. The TCL website says it's a $3,000 value.)

According to data on camelcamelcamel, an Amazon price-tracking site, this exact TV has never been on sale for less than $1,599.99 prior to today.

Here's the 55-inch TCL QM6K up on my colleague's wall. The LED light strip illuminating its edges is not included. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Amazon was listing a delivery range of Feb. 12 to 16 for me at the time of writing, so if you need the 98-inch TCL QM6K sooner, go through Best Buy. It was offering free delivery as soon as Feb. 7 (tomorrow) the last time I checked — though if I needed someone to help me install it, I'd have to wait until Feb. 11 at the earliest. Enter your zip code on the Best Buy website to see what delivery times look like at your local stores.

Stodart is fresh off reviewing the 55-inch version of the QM6K, which she rated a 4.5/5 and deemed a Mashable Choice Award winner for its nice brightness, deep blacks, detailed shadows, and exceptional value.

"The TCL QM6K is an excellent budget mini LED TV for casual home theater purposes," Stodart said. "It's palpably brighter than a regular LED TV in broad daylight. In dark rooms, the deep black levels handle dark scenes way better than you'd expect for the price." Yes, it even makes Games of Thrones' "The Long Night" episode watchable. Read Stodart's full review here.

Valentine’s Day is officially next weekend, which means we are in the final stretch of gifting panic. Right on cue, Dr. Squatch and Trojan have teamed up again to bring back their viral collaboration.

SEE ALSO: 30+ unique Valentine's Day gifts for men: Smart, cute, and practical ideas he'll be psyched about

Yes, the name is ridiculous — it’s called "Bricc'd Up," a pun I definitely don't need to explain to you. But people legitimately go crazy for this stuff; I’ve even seen bars from last year’s drop being resold on eBay. If you can look past the aggressive "Alpha" marketing, this is a solid buy (I keep Dr. Squatch in my own shower rotation).

I usually swear by the brand's heavy grit bars for exfoliation, but this specific limited-edition block is a "Zero Grit" formula designed for a much smoother lather using silk peptides and horny goat weed. It's also comically huge: The Magnum Bricc weighs nearly 14 ounces, which is roughly three times the size of a standard bar.

But the real reason we're talking about this is the deal. We love a freebie, and right now, you can score the massive Magnum Bricc (plus the free box of Trojan Magnum XL condoms) for just $15. Or, if you want to stock up, the 3-Pack Bundle of standard bars is down to $24. Honestly, for a gift that’s funny, genuinely useful, and saves you an awkward trip to the drugstore later, that's money well spent.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dr. Squatch Magnum Bricc + FREE Condoms $15 at Dr. Squatch
$21.50 Save $6.50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dr. Squatch Bricc'd Up 3-Pack + FREE Condoms $24 at Dr. Squatch
$30.50 Save $6.50   Get Deal

I discovered Linux in high school and fell in love with the OS in college. I dreamed of getting a job writing about free software and making others aware of the amazing things they can do with their computer. But despite this dream coming true, I’m no longer the open source purist I once was. Now I prefer not really having to think of software at all.

Bitcoin and the rest of the crypto market took a shellacking on Thursday, with prices dropping to their lowest levels since before the boom that occurred after Donald Trump's election. The hit that Bitcoin and the biggest altcoins took was the worst since the crypto crash of 2022.

As of Friday, however, Bitcoin has started to bounce back. As of the publication of this piece, Bitcoin is trading above $68,000.

Bitcoin dropped as low as $60,000 yesterday as institutional investors sold their holdings. But, Bitcoin was able to hold on to that $60k range, which was a key level according to some crypto analysts.

Ethereum, the second-most-popular cryptocurrency, plunged to $1,700 over the past 24 hours. It currently sits around $1,950 but has yet to make a recovery back into the $2,000 range.

Altcoins like Dogecoin and Solana also fell to lows that had not been experienced in years. Dogecoin fell to $0.08, which it last saw in September 2024. Solana dropped into the $70 range, a price point last seen in January 2024. 

The crypto market as a whole has been trending upward as of Friday morning; however, prices have yet to return to their pre-crash levels, and it's too soon to say if the latest trend will hold through the weekend.

SAVE $500.01: As of Feb. 6, get the Oupes Guardian 6000 power station for $1,698.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,199. That's a discount of 23% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Oupes Guardian 6000 $1,698.99 at Amazon
$2,199 Save $500.01   Get Deal

These days, there are tons of reasons to buy a power station. You might be going on a camping trip and want to have electricity. Or you might lose power in a storm and need to save precious food items. Whatever your reason for buying, getting one for a discount is always the best situation, and you can get a great one on offer at Amazon right now.

As of Feb. 6, get the Oupes Guardian 6000 power station for $1,698.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,199. That's $500.01 off and a discount of 23%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The 5 best portable power stations to stay charged up at home and on the go

You can handle just about any emergency thanks to this power station's massive 4608 Wh LiFePO4 battery with 6000W of output, boosted to 7200W as well as its 120V/240V dual voltage, expandable to 41kWh. That means you've got electricity to power everything from your fridge to your phone a few times over to keep you going until the lights are back.

It has five AC outlets and a total of 11 output ports period, with space for everything you need and want to handle. When the battery's drained, it can go from zero juice to a complete charge in just 90 minutes as well, so you won't be left standing around waiting to get back on track.

Now's the time to grab yours before the weather changes and it starts getting nasty again. Dive in before the price goes up.

Buying a car always reminds me how strange the whole process is. I’ve done it several times now, and every trip to the dealership still manages to surprise me. Not because of the cars themselves, but because of how much effort goes into nudging buyers toward features they didn’t walk in asking for. Some of it is subtle, some of it is straight-up upsell, and a lot of it hides behind words like premium, smart, or advanced. By the time you’re sitting at the salesperson’s desk signing paperwork, it’s easy to lose track of what you actually wanted versus what sounded good in the moment.

De-Googling makes sense. We're all handing every bit of our personal data to huge companies, and the most common one is typically Google—and it wouldn't be weird of you to think that's weird or creepy.

Heated Rivalry fans have a new reason to keep refreshing their browsers.

Searching "Heated Rivalry" on Google now unlocks a delightful little Easter egg, one that lovingly calls fans out for being extremely normal about their favorite hockey rivals. The feature sparks a digital back-and-forth between Shane and Ilya, appearing under their text-message aliases, Jane and Lily. It offers just enough content to tide devotees over until the next season.

SEE ALSO: A new 'Heated Rivalry' book is on the way — preorder 'Unrivaled' by Rachel Reid now

Naturally, Ilya isn't letting Shane or the fans off easy. Underneath the search bar and above the results, you'll see this cheeky text exchange between the two scrolling from the right, reading:

Lily: "Still obsessed with us?"

Jane: "I'm not obsessed with anything!"

Lily: "How many times have you looked us up?"

And that's only part of their conversation. It's part love letter to the fandom, part online humiliation ritual.

Hockey fever is officially spilling off the ice and into the search bar, and Google is leaning into it.

Google reports that search interest in ice hockey is surging, especially during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Searches for "olympic hockey schedule" are trending alongside figure skating's perennial popularity, while curiosity around hockey rosters, goalie warm-ups, and even the basics of the sport has climbed to multi-year highs. Interest in "hockey players" is at a 10-year peak, and questions about representation — like "are there any gay hockey players" — are reaching all-time highs, signaling a fandom that's both deeply invested and increasingly hockey-curious.

And then there's my personal favorite stat: search interest in "boy aquarium" is also at an all-time high. The tongue-in-cheek term refers to ice hockey rinks themselves, where fans gather behind the glass to watch and admire the male players skating past like handsome fish in a tank.

If I can't go to the cottage, then I'll take one ticket to the boy aquarium, please.

GET PEACOCK FOR FREE: You can score a free 30-day trial to Peacock Premium by signing up for a Walmart+ subscription. That gives you access to every moment of Sunday's Big Game — including the halftime show — on Feb. 8.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ subscription free 30-day trial (includes Peacock Premium), then $98/year Get Deal

Besides hefty price hikes, the most annoying trend in the streaming world is the removal of free trials. Fortunately, though, there are still ways to watch major events — like the Big Game on Sunday — without paying a cent. We've got you covered.

You can score a Peacock Premium subscription for free to watch the Seahawks take on the Patriots this weekend (and catch Bad Bunny's halftime show) by signing up for a Walmart+ subscription. Originally, a Walmart+ subscription gave you access to Paramount+, but as of Fall 2025, the retailer added Peacock to its perks as well. Now, members can select from either Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential every 90 days. The best part? When you sign up, you'll get a free 30-day trial. And yes, as noted on the Walmart+ sign-up page, trial members can access the streaming perks. TL;DR: you can easily watch the game on Sunday for free during your trial by selecting Peacock as your Video Streaming Benefit.

Credit: Walmart

A full Walmart+ membership will cost you $98 per year after a 30-day free trial, though you can cancel before you're charged. Since Peacock Premium typically costs $109.99 per year (or $10.99 per month), the $98 Walmart+ subscription is already a better deal. Plus, it comes with a ton of extra perks, like access to free shipping at Walmart.com with no order minimums, same-day delivery, fuel discounts, a Scan & Go checkout tool, and early access to deals during major shopping events. At the very least, if you choose to cancel before the month is up, you'll save $10.99.

One of the biggest advances in gadgets over the last decade has been water resistance. Nearly every phone now has a rating telling you that water is nothing to worry about. That’s not exactly true, though. “Waterproof” is a complicated concept when it comes to phones. Let’s demystify it.

Need a pick-me-up after Sunday's Big Game? Head to your local Starbucks: The coffee chain is giving out free drinks to its Starbucks Rewards members this Monday, Feb. 9.

Members of the loyalty program can score a free tall (12-ounce) iced or brewed coffee with the purchase of any other beverage, so bring a friend — or your very tired, possibly hungover self. Note that any customizations you make to the free drink might cost extra, per a press release.

Opens in a new window Credit: Starbucks Starbucks Rewards Join for free Learn More

Starbucks will be debuting special-edition green paper cups and launching a new 1971 Roast coffee blend the same day, according to the release. The cups will be available at participating U.S. Starbucks stores through February while supplies last.

This is the second year in a row that Starbucks has poured free coffee after the Big Game, marking what it's calling "Starbucks Monday."

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Last month, Starbucks announced that it was updating its Starbucks Rewards program with a new tiered membership structure — which isn't going over well with customers, judging by some Reddit threads. The changes won't go into effect until Tuesday, March 10.

How to sign up for Starbucks Rewards

If you're not a Starbucks Rewards member yet, you can join for free online or in the Starbucks app. Every purchase earns you "Stars" that you can redeem for free drinks, snacks, merch, and drink customizations. (Registering a gift card or preloading money on the app will earn you double the Stars per dollar.) Additionally, you'll get a free drink or food item on your birthday.

Some fine print: You have to be signed up for Starbucks Rewards before Monday in order to be eligible for your free tall coffee. You'll also need the Starbucks app on your phone. A coupon for the free coffee will appear in the "Offers" tab.

If you don't see the coupon, the company recommends ordering in-store and letting your barista know that you're a Starbucks Rewards member.

I had a lot of free time during summer breaks, and my favorite pastime was tinkering with my tech. I'd tinker with software, PCs, and phones mostly. When I found myself getting bored with Windows (which had been my only daily driver forever), I decided to give Linux Mint an honest try.

Another Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode, another prophecy.

Episode 4 sees Dunk (Peter Claffey) coming face-to-face once again with the mysterious drunk man who swore at him in the tavern back in episode 1 — a man that we now know is actually Daeron Targaryen (Henry Ashton), brother of Aegon/Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell).

So what does Daeron, who was wary of Dunk when he first saw him, say this time? And what could it mean?

SEE ALSO: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Targaryen family tree: How everyone connects What's the prophecy about Dunk and the dragon?

Asking Dunk for a private word, Daeron stands outside the tent with our favorite hedge knight and tells of a dream he had about him. We've transcribed their exchange below, in full:

Daeron Targaryen: I dreamed of you.

Dunk: You said that. Back at the inn.

Daeron: Did I? Well my dreams are not like yours. Mine come true. An impressive talent for an unimpressive man. Another one of life's little ironies. But I have seen you, ser. And a fire. And a dead dragon. A great beast with wings so large they could cover this meadow. It had fallen on top of you. But you were alive, and the dragon was dead.

Dunk: Did I kill it?

Daeron: That I could not say.

Intriguing. But what exactly does it mean?

What does the prophecy mean?

As we mentioned when Dunk received his first prophecy in episode 3, some characters are capable of predicting the future in the Game of Thrones universe. Targaryens, in particular, have a proven track record (hello Helaena). All of this means we shouldn't take the words of Daeron — a self-proclaimed seer — lightly. How we decipher them, though, is another matter.

First of all, it's worth noting that there are no dragons left in Westeros at the time of Dunk and Egg. The beast in Daeron's dream is, therefore, most likely a metaphor for a Targaryen. The obvious interpretation would be the upcoming trial of seven. Dunk being trapped below a slain dragon could be taken to mean that he'll defeat Prince Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett) on the field, but maybe get injured in the process?

On the other hand, that may be too obvious. Perhaps Daeron's prophecy reaches further into Dunk's future? If last week's prophecy is to be believed, and Egg is indeed to sit on the Iron Throne one day, then maybe Dunk will be forced to slay other dragons/Targaryens in order to keep his tiny squire safe?

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.

When you want to check or monitor your PC's hardware, you usually have to install a handful of different tools just to get all the information you need. But what if I told you there’s one app that does it all, from giving you a comprehensive view of your hardware’s health to creating detailed CSV logs of your video game benchmarks?

It's one thing to be told that if you switch to Linux you'll enjoy various benefits compared to Windows or macOS, but there are some positive things about the Linux experience you'll only pick up after using it for a while.