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EA College Football 27: Road to Glory review

Mashable - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 17:33

Sports games are so iterative that at times it's hard to see the forest for the trees. In this instance, we're three years into the return of college football to video games, with EA College Football 27 set for a July 9 release, and its two major game modes have received major changes. Well, one mode got a major change, and the other is somehow even more annoying to play than last year's version.

Dynasty continues to build on the momentum of the last two years, layering in enough new wrinkles to feel like a genuine step forward. Road to Glory, meanwhile, feels like EA looked at last year's foundation, shrugged, and decided "good enough." The result is a mode that's simultaneously more bloated with ideas and somehow more tedious to actually play.

Starting our Road to Glory Loving the new menu screen. Credit: EA

Let's start with the good news — the gameplay is still great. College Football has always felt smoother and looser than Madden, which, by comparison, feels stiff, over-polished, and weirdly lifeless. The core experience of just playing a down hasn't lost a step.

That said, in terms of iterative development, Road to Glory drew the short straw against Dynasty this year.

College Football 26's big pitch for Road to Glory was high school football. Build your reputation, get recruiters interested, boost your star rating before you even set foot on campus. Good idea, especially since skipping high school entirely in College Football 25 was one of the most common complaints.

The execution was bad. Instead of playing six to 12 real high school games and earning your reputation the way the old NCAA Football series let you, you get four games built around random, preset "moments," short bursts of gameplay where you're told to do something specific, like "audible a hot route and gain 15-plus yards." How well you pull these off determines how much colleges want you. God forbid a coach wants you to scramble for 50+ yards, but you accidentally throw a first-play touchdown pass. You'll get the points for the TD, but you'll fail the moment.

It was the worst part of College Football 26, second only to Ultimate Team. At least you could turn it off and go back to picking a school the old-fashioned way.

I still don't get why EA thought this was good, especially since nothing about it has changed in CFB 27. "But Chance, it's called College Football, not High School Football." Sure, sorry for wanting an immersive career mode to actually be immersive.

The real changes this year are one extra game and a basic NIL system tied to scholarship offers. Instead of just grinding to get offered QB2 over QB3 on the depth chart, schools now sweeten offers with perks like better academics or more brand exposure. North Texas might offer you the starting job, but their exposure package (10,000 followers) doesn't compare to Florida's, which doubles that and includes better facilities and conditioning.

You can see the scholarshop bonus from schools that offer you. Credit: EA

One thing I do like is that schools you're interested in will actually contact you and tell you where you stand. I made Texas my top choice, and Steve Sarkisian flat-out told me they didn't need a quarterback and I'd struggle to even make the roster as a backup given my lowly three-star rating. But when I switched to Edge Rusher, one of three new positions along with Tight End and Free Safety, Sarkisian couldn't stop talking about landing a four-star pass rusher because the roster desperately needed one. It's a small touch, but it makes recruiting feel real instead of just filling up a meter.

Thanks coach. Credit: EA

So all in all, the High School Experience still kind of sucks. Just let me play some high school games and keep the new recruiting process, and I'll be a happy camper. NCAA 14 did it 13 years ago, I don't understand why EA won't do it now. You'll have'll a better time turning off High School Experience and starting in college based on star rating alone.

RTG's Gameplay Problems

The actual RTG experience once you've picked a school is death by a thousand cuts. You need the patience of a Tibetan monk not to throw a controller at your TV.

The UI is a pleasure to look at compared to last year, especially with the action shots next to the headlines, but the in-game experience is hell on Earth. I don't even play on Heisman difficulty — All-American alone is a gauntlet. I can only imagine the horrors waiting on Heisman.

Credit: EA

The same RTG complaints I've had since CFB 25 still exist. Horrific pass blocking, brain-dead running back AI, wide receivers who drop the ball at the slightest whiff of contact, and total dependence on the AI's playcalling mercy.

I know some Reddit warriors will tell me to use my pass-blocking adjustments. That shit doesn't matter. The AI linemen just don't block — they get stuck in an animation and slide around the field, a friendly reminder that your All-American left tackle is just polygons and code. I've ended games with 7-plus sacks and 40 pressures purely because the AI whiffed every assignment.

For another taste of the AI's mediocrity, running backs still can't find the open hole. They seek out contact or bolt for the sideline instead of hitting the lane when they're not busy colliding with their own teammates — a persistent AI plague. Running an HB screen is nearly impossible since the back hop-skips just far enough to still be standing directly behind an edge rusher, so the second you throw it, he's tackled instantly. Crossing routes and posts get murdered the same way, receivers tangling with defenders or linemen, leaving you as bait for the edge rushers to commit literal homicide.

Left: Look at where the RB starts compared to where he ends up. Credit: EA Sports Right: Rage-inducing behavior. Credit: EA Sports

None of this would matter as much if the AI didn't sit in zone defense the entire game. Beating zone means stacking underneath routes to move the linebackers, or punishing them when they play too deep. Meanwhile, your receivers play like they're scared of contact — and unlike the Derek Carrs of the world, I'm not trying to get mine decapitated. But speed and separation are everything in the passing game this year, which means your guys rarely separate, which means every throw turns into a jump-ball animation.

The problem with jump balls is that receivers drop them on contact regardless. Two hands on the ball doesn't matter — clip the smallest part of their body midair, and it's on the ground. Hell, even wide open, they'll drop anything that isn't a 100% accurate throw, which is a tall order when you're getting pressured on every snap because the O-line CANNOT BLOCK ANYTHING.

Then there's the small stuff still broken. The infinite injury-timeout bug turns clock management into a nightmare. The wear-and-tear system keeps triggering injuries all game, so if you've got the ball with two minutes left and want to run the clock, good luck. Go three-and-out, and maybe 15 real seconds pass because the AI keeps getting phantom stoppages it doesn't even have timeouts for. Pray you're not in a close game. And even up 50 points, you can't kneel it out if the opponent still has timeouts — normally, under 1:30, you can kneel and let the clock expire, but not here. Been broken since CFB 25. Still broken now.

Immersion, Interrupted

I mentioned earlier that immersion is huge for me in this game. It's part of why I get addicted to Football Manager and why I hated how FM26 stripped out so many little details that fed that immersion. Here, EA has at least tried to make RTG feel like being an actual college student.

Credit: EA

Most of the non-gameplay RTG experience is functionally unchanged. You've got a weekly agenda where you spend 6 or 8 energy points (6 in-season, 8 on bye weeks) across Academics, Leadership, Health, and Brand Exposure. The new addition is Fitness, replacing Training. Instead of boosting XP, Fitness gives passive stat buffs or nerfs based on how much energy you sink into it. Stay conditioned, and you get better composure, XP boosts, coach happiness, and less wear and tear. Slip into Sluggish or Out of Shape, and it's the opposite, plus it costs more energy to dig out. Small win: the old Academics penalty for investing in Brand is gone.

The real problem is there's not enough energy to go around, especially since you're constantly bombarded with scenarios, and NIL offers drain it before you can breathe. NIL offers you can decline. The scenarios, though, are always some version of "spend 3 energy to study," or "cheat off old test answers, or spend 1 energy studying yourself." Either way, it's spend energy or eat a GPA hit — four of these a week. So there are stretches where I'm out of energy, my Fitness craters to Sluggish, and it costs 3 energy just to nudge the meter — except all 3 of my remaining energy already went to an NIL deal promising 100 skill points in eight weeks. By this point, I'm not immersed. I'm just annoyed.

Speaking of skill points, CFB 27 ditched its old upgrade system for an NBA 2K-style progression model — including skill caps on ratings. Skill caps. On a single-player career mode. That barely makes sense for 2K, where MyCareer is woven into online multiplayer and caps exist for balance. I'm just playing the AI. Why do I need a cap at all? Now, starting RTG means allocating player potential like it's 2K. Which is a whole new can of worms, due to the potential of microtransaction creep.

Credit: EA

Previously, skill points were bought into six main rating categories, so one point in Accuracy would bump every related attribute at once. Now SP functions like tokens, upgrading attributes one at a time. Cap breakers and overall boosts come from your Legacy Score, driven by milestones like rivalry wins, bowl wins, and awards. Transferring schools docks your legacy — inconsistently. Going from North Texas to Florida dropped my score; Florida to Texas somehow raised it.

The simulation is still broken, same as always. Case in point: undefeated 10-0 Memphis ranked No. 3 nationally despite playing in the non-Power 4 American Conference — one spot above 10-2 Texas, and three ahead of 11-1 Tennessee. The Volunteers share a conference with Texas and already beat them this season, yet sit at No. 5 behind a Memphis team whose best win was unranked South Florida. I don't even mind an underdog story, but it's immersion-shattering, because the real-life CFP committee would never rank a non-Power 4 team this high. Ever.

These rankings don't make any sense. Credit: EA

For comparison, Army went 9-0 in the same conference as Memphis in 2024 and finished Week 12 ranked No. 24. In my RTG universe, Memphis kept its playoff spot after losing the conference title game 42-7 to a 10-2 North Texas squad. BYU, in real life, lost its playoff spot after a conference championship loss — and they're in the Big 12.

I'm still upset to this day about the unjust outrage towards James Madison and Tulane for winning their conferences and making the CFP last year. Imagine the reactions if North Texas and Memphis made the CFP from the same conference. It's immersion-breaking to the point of hilarity.

Closing Thoughts (For Now)

So, where does that leave Road to Glory in College Football 27? Pretty much exactly where it left off last year, just with a shinier coat of paint and a few new toys duct-taped on top of the same broken frame.

The gameplay foundation is still genuinely good — I want to be clear about that, because it's easy to lose sight of it after 2,000 words of me screaming about o-linemen who forgot how football works. When the game lets you actually play football, it's still smoother and more satisfying than anything Madden's put out in years. That's not nothing.

But RTG keeps finding new ways to get in its own way. The high school experience is still a glorified skill-check simulator wearing a letterman jacket, the NIL implementation is a half-measure dressed up as a full one, and the actual on-field AI — pass blocking, route running, zone coverage, the whole nine — feels like it hasn't been touched since 25, bugs and all. I shouldn't still be losing games because my left tackle decided to interpretive-dance his way out of a block, and I definitely shouldn't have to still deal with the wear-and-tear system manufacturing injury timeouts out of thin air.

It's a mode built on good ideas surrounded by bad execution, propped up by a gameplay engine that deserves better than what's being asked of it. EA clearly knows what players want — real high school games, honest recruiting, an AI that doesn't actively sabotage you — and just as clearly keeps choosing not to deliver it.

Next time, we'll dig into Dynasty.

Categories: IT General, Technology

iFixit made a toolkit for repairing your home appliances and building furniture

How-To Geek - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 17:32

You might associate iFixit with tools to repair your electronics, but now it's taking on a bigger challenge: helping you with all the mid-size DIY projects around your home. The company has released a Megalodon Driver Kit that sits between its precision gadget toolsets and the power tools reserved for heavy-duty jobs.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 Excel features I wish I'd learned years earlier

How-To Geek - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 17:15

You can spend years using Excel without realizing some of its biggest time-saving features are hiding in plain sight. Looking back, these are the six tools that would've saved me the most time, clicks, and frustration if I'd discovered them sooner.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon is packed with outdoor deals for summer from Coleman

Mashable - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 17:10
Best Coleman outdoor deals at a glance Best grill deal Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill $249.99 (save $175) Get Deal Best cooler deal Coleman Snap N Go Collapsible Hard Cooler (45 quart) $153.99 (save $66) Get Deal Best tent deal Coleman Skydome Camping Tent (4 person, evergreen) $96.02 (save $43.97) Get Deal

It's full-on summer fun these days. Heck, we're even watching World Cup matches in the backyard on the portable projector. However, we have limited weekends remaining in the summer 2026 season, so it's time to take full advantage of long days spent at the campground, campfires with friends, and floating the river.

By now, you've probably realized what elements of your outdoor gear are getting close to needing a replacement. Nothing lasts forever, and we tend to be especially tough on outdoor gear. We saw tons of great outdoor deals during Prime Day, but Amazon seems to understand we're still spending time outside, and the outdoor deals are still rolling in. I've scrolled the live deals and compiled my favorite Coleman outdoor sales that are worth shopping at Amazon.

Best grill deal Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill $249.99 at Amazon
$424.99 Save $175   Get Deal Why we like it

With wheels and collapsible legs, the Coleman RoadTrip Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill is a great model for weekends at the campground or using in the backyard. It has three adjustable burners, instant ignition, and 20,000 BTUs of power for cooking up the best outdoor meal. In total, you'll have 285 square inches of grilling space. The grill usually sells for $424.99, but Amazon has it discounted to $249.99, which is the lowest price we've seen within the past year.

More Coleman grill dealsBest cooler deal Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Coleman Snap N Go Collapsible Hard Cooler (45 quart) $153.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $66   Get Deal Why we like it

Coleman's latest summer essential is the Snap N Go Collapsible Hard Cooler. Fill it with up to 76 cans or 200 pounds of chilled goodness to take on a camping trip. Once the contents dwindle, fold it up and easily pack it away for the trip home. The Coleman cooler folds down into just one-third of its expanded size for great portability. Coleman mentions the 45-quart size can keep items cooled for up to 55 hours.

Amazon has the new cooler on sale for $153.99, marked down from the list price of $219.99, which works out to a 30% discount.

More cooler dealsBest tent deal Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Coleman Skydome Camping Tent (4 person, evergreen) $96.02 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $43.97   Get Deal Why we like it

Camping can often feel like an expensive activity, but shop today's outdoor deals at Amazon and you can snag the four-person Coleman Skydome Tent for only $96.02. The waterproof tent comes with its own rainfly and carrying bag. Coleman mentions this tent is designed to go up in just five minutes with the pre-attached poles. Plus, it can withstand winds of up 35 miles per hour.

More Coleman outdoor deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Whats actually new (and whats not)

Mashable - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 17:05

Leaked images of the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 are everywhere, and while the design looks nearly identical to the original, there's a lot happening under the hood. We're talking a potential jump to 5,000 nits of brightness, a bigger battery, a new Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite chip with 5G RedCap, and a tighter Samsung Health integration. Iyaz breaks down everything leaked so far.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Whip up frozen sweet treats with $70 off the Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker

Mashable - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 17:01

SAVE $70: As of July 7, get the Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker for $149.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $219.99. That's a discount of 32%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker $149.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $70   Get Deal

If you find yourself wanting to snack on ice cream but don't want to leave the house for it, there are options. You could pick up a pint from the supermarket, or you could make your own frozen desserts at home, courtesy of a machine like the Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker. With it, you can make your own flavors and treats all from the comfort of your own kitchen.

As of July 7, get the Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker for $149.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $219.99. That's $70 off and a discount of 32%.

SEE ALSO: Our favorite kitchen gadgets are on sale for Prime Day: Shop Ninja Slushi, Breville espresso machines, and more

This easy-to-use ice cream maker can help you put together a variety of frozen treats, with the end result being thick ice cream you can scoop like the handmade flavors at your favorite restaurant. Add your own mix-ins to each pint, with the ability to build your perfect treats with Oreo or fruit and everything in between.

If you're health-conscious and watching the amount of sugar or calories you're taking in, you can also use the machine to whip up high protein, keto, low sugar, or dairy-free desserts as well. With the three-step process, it's all about making your frozen desserts quickly and efficiently, so you have more time to enjoy them.

Tired of store-bought ice cream or just want to make your own treats? Grab this ice cream maker and start creating while it's on sale. You'll be glad you took the plunge, as homemade ice cream is often the best you'll taste.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop forwarding ports on your router—here are 2 safer alternatives

How-To Geek - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 17:01

Are you port forwarding tons of ports on your home network? Well, you shouldn't be. It's a risk just to have one port forwarded, let alone dozens. Instead, you should use Cloudflare Tunnels or Tailscale—here's why.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Pluto TV brought back something I didn't realize I missed from cable

How-To Geek - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 16:45

I spend most of my workday in front of a screen. I'm developing projects, reading, editing, writing, and making decisions for hours at a time. Since I work from home and my wife doesn't, the end of my workday usually means feeding and walking the dogs, making dinner, and getting things ready for the next morning.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Roborock Q7 M5 is back at its record-low price — buy it for under $150

Mashable - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 16:39

SAVE $80: As of July 7, the Roborock Q7 M5 robot vacuum and mop combo is on sale at Amazon for $149.98, down from $229.99. That's a 35% discount and one of the best prices we've seen on this LiDAR-equipped robot vacuum.

Opens in a new window Credit: roborock roborock Q7 M5 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo $149.98 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $80.01   Get Deal

Robot vacuums don't have to cost a fortune. Right now, the Roborock Q7 M5 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo is on sale for $149.98 at Amazon, down from $229.99. That's 35% off or $80 in savings, matching its record-low price and sitting just $7.50 above its Prime Day all-time low.

The Roborock Q7 M5 handles both vacuuming and mopping, so it can pick up dust, crumbs, and pet hair before wiping away the finer dirt left behind. Its strong suction is designed to pull debris from carpets and hard floors, while an anti-tangle brush system helps prevent long hair and pet fur from constantly wrapping around the rollers.

SEE ALSO: I found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness

Navigation is another highlight. Instead of wandering around, the Q7 M5 uses LiDAR mapping to quickly learn your home's layout and clean in a more efficient pattern. Through the Roborock app, you can schedule cleanings, adjust suction and water levels, create no-go zones, and tell the robot which rooms to prioritize.

The built-in water tank lets you choose between three mopping levels depending on your flooring, and the battery can run up to 150 minutes on a single charge — enough to cover larger homes before needing to recharge. It also runs fairly quietly, making it a good option if you work from home or have pets that spook easily.

If you're ready to spend less time vacuuming, grab the Roborock Q7 M5 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo at Amazon today.

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

SCOTUS allows Texas age-verification law for app stores (for now)

Mashable - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 16:39

On Monday, the Supreme Court allowed Texas to enforce a state law requiring app stores to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors who want to download apps or make purchases on their phones, the Associated Press and others reported.

The law is called the Texas App Store Accountability Act, or SB 2420, according to SCOTUSblog. SB 2420 requires app stores, primarily Apple's and Google's, to use a "commercially reasonable method" to verify the age of account users, though the law doesn't specify what those methods could be. If the account belongs to someone under 18, it must be linked to a parent or guardian's account to obtain permission to make downloads or purchases.

SEE ALSO: All the states Pornhub is blocked in now

Two groups have sued to block the law: the Computer and Communications Industry Association and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas. Both have claimed that the law violates the First Amendment right to free speech.

In Dec. 2025, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman temporarily blocked enforcement of the law, but last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit put those orders on hold, SCOTUSblog reported. This prompted the groups to file a petition with the Supreme Court.

On July 6, Justice Samuel Alito denied both petitions, allowing the law to stand for now.

"Every day the law is enforced, Applicants are denied their basic rights to organize, advocate, express ideas, and discover new perspectives through the most important medium for human communication," attorneys for Students Engaged in Advancing Texas wrote in their filing.

In their own filing, attorneys for the Computer and Communications Industry Association stated, "No State has ever required its citizens to prove their age before reading a newspaper, entering a bookstore, or even accessing the internet. Texas Senate Bill 2420...does exactly that — for every mobile app on every mobile phone."

On June 1, when the Court of Appeals issued its decision, Attorney General Ken Paxton, the defendant in both cases, stated, "Parents deserve to know what their children are downloading and to have the ability to stop them from accessing harmful or inappropriate content."

Last year, SCOTUS upheld Texas's age-verification law, requiring similar age checks to view explicit content.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This self-hosted Raspberry Pi audio book server syncs progress across every device I own

How-To Geek - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 16:30

I was tired of Amazon getting all of my audiobook listening history (and money), so I knew there had to be a better way. Taking an old Raspberry Pi I had lying around and installing Audiobookshelf on it was just the ticket to building the private audiobook server I had always wanted.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Combat power outages this summer with $200 off the Bluetti Apex 300 portable power station

Mashable - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 16:22

SAVE $200: As of July 7, the Bluetti Apex 300 portable power station is on sale for just $1,498.99 at Amazon, a discount of $200 or 12% from its list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Apex 300 portable power station $1,498.99 at Amazon
$1,699 Save $200.01   Get Deal

My 4th of July festivities were disrupted when a microburst moved through my area during a thunderstorm, knocking out the electricity for about eight hours. Do you know what I wish we had on hand? A portable power station. In a time when extreme weather is becoming more prevalent and our need for power sources is becoming more complex, portable power stations can be real life savers. And as of July 7, one of our favorites — the Bluetti Apex 300 — is on sale for $200 off.

Originally $2,399 and recently down to $1,699, the Bluetti Apex 300 is on sale at Amazon for just $1,498.99 today. That's another 12% or $200 price drop.

Named one of Time Magazine's best inventions of 2025, the Apex 300 offers 2,764.8Wh of power capacity with 3,840W total output, which is enough to power full-size refrigerators, AC units, and entire RVs. It has four regular AC outlets on board and two more robust outlets (NEMA TT-30R and NEMA 14-50R output ports), as well as a toggle to switch the voltage between 120V and 240V. It's supremely expandable, so you can add to it and build a system to run your entire household.

The Apex 300 weighs in at around 84 pounds, so as Mashable's reviewer writes, "It’s certainly not something you want to move around often, honing in that the Apex 300 is ideal for RV trips, van life, off-grid homes, or for whole-home backup."

In other words, it's probably overkill for quick camping trips. If you're in the market for a power station that can do a whole lot more than just charge your devices, however, the Apex 300 will certainly have you covered. And it's currently 200 bucks cheaper than usual.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This one Samsung Galaxy feature fixed my notification overload

How-To Geek - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 16:16

Android's notification system is one of its best features. However, we've all experienced those moments of notification overload, where you end up swiping everything away or start scrolling for what's important. And while there are tons of ways to supercharge or improve Android notifications, I've been using one Galaxy feature that calms the chaos and does all the work for me.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Haaland fever is real: Where to find official merch before Norways next World Cup game

Mashable - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 16:09
Erling Haaland merch you can still buy: Manchester City Home Men's Soccer Jersey $100 at Puma Shop Now Nike Phantom 6 Low Elite Erling Haaland $270 at Nike Shop Now Erling Haaland Academy Big Kids' Nike Soccer Top $35 at Nike Shop Now Nike Academy Erling Haaland Soccer Ball $39 at Nike Shop Now Norway Nike Poster $20 at Nike Shop Now

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is approaching the quarter-final stage, and ahead of Norway vs. England, fans are scrambling to grab an Erling Haaland jersey. But finding an official Norway jersey is proving almost as difficult as stopping the Manchester City striker himself.

Haaland’s popularity has exploded both on and off the pitch, and his national team jersey has sold out across many major retailers. While plenty of knockoffs have filled the internet, there are still a few ways to get your hands on official Haaland gear.

Manchester City jerseys Opens in a new window Credit: Puma Manchester City Home Men's Soccer Jersey $100 at Puma
  Get Deal Why we like it

If you specifically want the jersey experience, the Manchester City route is probably your best bet. While Haaland’s Norway jersey is tough to track down, his Manchester City shirt is still much easier to find, with Puma carrying the club’s official 25/26 home jersey.

The Manchester City home jersey features Puma’s dryCELL fabric, which helps pull moisture away from your skin to keep you feeling comfortable. It’s also made with at least 50% recycled materials, so it brings the club look with a slightly more sustainable design.

More Manchester City Home jerseysPhantom 6 Low Elite Erling Haaland Soccer Cleats Opens in a new window Credit: Nike Nike Phantom 6 Low Elite Erling Haaland $270 at Nike
  Get Deal Why we like it

These are Haaland’s signature boots, built around the way he plays: quick decisions, powerful finishing, and creating space in the box. Nike’s Phantom 6 Low Elite Erling Haaland Soccer Cleats feature Gripknit technology to help improve touch and control when striking the ball, while the Cyclone 360 traction plate is designed to help with quick cuts and bursts past defenders.

More Phantom 6 Erling Haaland Soccer CleatsErling Haaland Academy Big Kids' Soccer Top Opens in a new window Credit: Nike Erling Haaland Academy Big Kids' Nike Soccer Top $35 at Nike
  Get Deal Why we like it

The Erling Haaland Academy Big Kids' Soccer Top is a fun way for younger fans to rep the striker without needing a full jersey. It features a Haaland-inspired graphic, while Nike’s sweat-wicking technology and mesh panels help keep kids cool and comfortable during play. The top is also made from recycled polyester, repurposing plastic bottles into new materials and helping reduce waste compared to traditional polyester.

More Erling Haaland merch
Categories: IT General, Technology

The SUV that thinks like a minivan

How-To Geek - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 16:00

Honda has built its reputation on more than just reliable engines and fun-to-drive cars. Some of its smartest engineering has gone into making everyday vehicles feel far roomier and more practical than their size suggests.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These are the only 4 Windows File Explorer shortcuts worth memorizing

How-To Geek - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 15:45

I like to give Windows a lot of grief when it deserves it, but when it comes to File Explorer, even with some questionable changes to it, it's still a powerful application. Even though I'm mainly a macOS user these days, File Explorer is the better app compared to Apple's Finder if you ask me.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 weird Home Assistant automations I genuinely use every day

How-To Geek - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 15:30

Some smart home automations are simple but effective. When I walk into my home office, the lights will turn on, and when I leave, they turn off again. While I have plenty of functional automations like this, there are also some slightly weird ones that I use on a daily basis.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Argentina vs. Egypt online for free

Mashable - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 15:21

TL;DR: Live stream Argentina vs. Egypt in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to deliver electric matchups from the knockout rounds. England vs. Mexico has probably been the best game of the round, but we're hoping for something even more special from Argentina vs. Egypt.

The defending champions sneaked past Cape Verde in the last round, and they'll be banking on another captain's performance from Lionel Messi when they face Egypt. The Pharaohs haven't hit top form just yet, and needed penalties to beat Australia in the last round. They'll need to do something special to advance to the semi finals.

If you want to watch Argentina vs. Egypt in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Argentina vs. Egypt?

Argentina vs. Egypt in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on July 7. This fixture takes place at the Atlanta Stadium.

How to watch Argentina vs. Egypt for free

Argentina vs. Egypt in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX 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 ITVX to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Argentina vs. Egypt for free 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 the UK

  4. Visit ITVX

  5. Watch Argentina vs. Egypt 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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Argentina vs. Egypt (plus more World Cup fixtures) 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 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 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 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.

Live stream Argentina vs. Egypt in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup online for free

Mashable - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 15:19

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.

The best international sides from around the world are competing for arguably the biggest prize in sport. The knockout rounds are really heating up. We've already seen powerhouses like Germany and Brazil get dumped out of the competition, and it feels like there's so much more still to come from huge names like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Lionel Messi.

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

Apples iPhone 18 Pro Max might come with a massive battery

Mashable - Tue, 07/07/2026 - 15:06

Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a significantly larger battery than its predecessor.

We know this because a leaker called Digital Chat Station noticed the regulatory filings for the upcoming iPhones in China (via MacRumors).

Starting with the iPhone 18 Pro, it's apparently going to have a 4,056mAh battery in China and a 4,288mAh in the U.S. (the difference is there due to the SIM tray, which the iPhones still have in China; the SIM tray takes up some space that would otherwise be allocated to the battery). That's an increase compared to the iPhone 17 Pro which has a 3,988mAh and 4,252mAh battery, respectively, but it's hardly sensational.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 18 Pro leaks are about to get a lot more intense

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is a different story. The Chinese database filings reveal that it's going to have a 5,391mAh battery in China, and a 5,567mAh battery in the U.S., a decent leap from the 4,823/5,088mAh battery on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

There's one caveat to this: The leaker says that the battery capacities for the iPhone 18 Pro Max is "questionable and needs further verification."

If the report is accurate, iPhone 18 Pro Max buyers can expect a decent increase in battery life. The battery capacity is roughly 10 percent larger compared to last year's model, though that doesn't directly translate into battery life as it also depends on the chips powering the device, the display, and various optimizations to conserve battery life. The good news is that Apple is very good at these optimizations, so we wouldn't be surprised to see an even bigger leap in nominal battery life on the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will likely be unveiled in early September, alongside Apple's first foldable phone, which will probably be named the iPhone Ultra.

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Categories: IT General, Technology
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