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Your SSD has a hidden setting that extends its lifespan
Most SSD advice is centered around buying the fastest drive you can afford, even if that usually means the most expensive SSD (which isn't worth it, by the way). You'll also hear about keeping enough space and replacing the SSD when it starts acting up. But many SSDs also have access to a longevity trick: overprovisioning.
3 reasons most people stick with Windows, even though Linux is free
You've probably heard about the recent AI controversies surrounding Windows, and you may have even heard of Linux as an alternative. Linux is a fantastic choice, but it's not for everyone—in fact, it's not for most. If you're an avid Windows user or a Linux enthusiast, I have three crucial reasons most users remain on Windows, even though Linux is entirely free.
Android quietly unlocked better wireless audio—but only on some phonesners can use it
You don't have to settle for an audio quality downgrade on your phone just because you prefer the convenience of wireless earbuds. Google has quietly added support for LHDC v5 (Low Latency High-Definition Audio Codec) with the release of Android 17.
3 excellent Paramount+ documentaries to watch this holiday weekend (July 3-5)
As we say so long to June and get ready to celebrate a long weekend, July looks promising on Paramount+ with the season finale of Dutton Ranch on the table and a brand-new season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds at the end of the month! But for the time being, why not let a good documentary or two give you some food for thought?
FIFA World Cup schedule today: Games, kickoff times, livestream info for July 3
There was major 2026 World Cup drama yesterday — with a late goal by Portgual sending Croatia home after a hard-fought game.
The high-stakes drama continues on July 3, as the final Round of 32 matches determines the fates of three teams.
It all kicks off at 2 p.m. ET, with three games played across the afternoon and evening.
FIFA World Cup schedule today: July 3Australia vs. Egypt (Dallas Stadium) — kickoff at 2 p.m. ET
Argentina vs. Cape Verde (Miami Stadium) — kickoff at 6 p.m. ET
Colombia vs. Ghana (Kansas City Stadium) — kickoff at 9:30 p.m. ET
Neither Australia nor Egypt have a clean World Cup record going into this game, though Egypt's looks a little better on paper with a win and two draws. Australia has a win, a draw, and a loss heading into this matchup.
Live coverage will be on Fox and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.
Watch Argentina vs. Cape VerdeCape Verde is having a memorable World Cup run, but they will face quite the test in an Argentina team that is seemingly always a major World Cup contender. Both teams have a lot to lose, and one shot to move forward.
Live coverage will be on Fox and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.
Watch Colombia vs. GhanaColombia certainly has more momentum going into this game, with two wins and a draw versus Ghana's win, draw, and a loss. But both survived the group stage, and anything can happen in the knockout rounds.
Live coverage will be on FS1 and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.
Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One (3-Month Subscription) $39.98$59.97 Save $19.99 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock (Spanish Language) Starting at $10.99/month Get Deal More live streaming optionsLive TV cable replacement
Not interested in signing up for a standalone streaming service like Fox One or Peacock? You can sign up for a live TV cable replacement service, like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV.
These services carry over 100 live channels, but run off a WiFi connection. You'll get live access to Fox and FS1, plus a whole lot more. Here are some options to consider:
YouTube TV — 10-day trial, then $67.99/month for 3 months
Fubo Sports — 1-day trial, then $45.99/month for 1 month
Hulu + Live TV — 3-day trial, then $89.99/month
It's possible to watch the World Cup for free on international services like ITVX, BBC iPlayer, NOS, or RTÉ. Our global World Cup watch guide can walk you through the process.
You will need a VPN to live stream the World Cup on these free streaming services. We recommend ExpressVPN — a Mashable-tested service and an Official Tournament Supporter of the FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Europe — as our VPN of choice for sport. It offers servers in 105 countries, a user-friendly app available on all major devices, a speedy connection, and up to 10 simultaneous connections.
Opens in a new window Credit: ExpresVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN Get DealI read the leaked Halloween Documents—here’s what Microsoft feared most about Linux
It’s a tale of terror, paranoia, and skeletons in the closet. Back in the late 1990s, Microsoft was riding high, with the recent success of Windows 95 cementing its hold on the home and office desktop market. So high, in fact, that the US government was about to indict it for holding a monopoly over the industry.
July 4th fireworks livestreams: See the best Independence Day fireworks live
Happy 4th of July, America. This year's Independence Day celebrations are a little extra special as we celebrate the United States of America's 250th birthday.
Across the country, many people will spend the day at the beach or at a barbecue, capping the night off with a fireworks display. But, if you're spending the night indoors, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate with an array of July 4th fireworks livestreams.
Macy’s 4th of July FireworksPerhaps the most well-known of the Independence Day celebrations is the Macy's 4th of July fireworks. If you live in NYC, you can catch them live. Otherwise, you can tune into NBC or Peacock at 8 p.m. on July 4th to watch the show.
While the U.S. is celebrating its 250th, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks is also celebrating a milestone with its 50th anniversary this year.
PBS's America Made in Virginia: 250 Years TogetherWhile many of the livestream options on this list will require a paid subscription to a particular streaming platform, PBS is airing its 4th of July special on YouTube for absolutely free.
America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together will start at 8 p.m. on July 4th and culminate in a fireworks and pyrotechnics display from Colonial Williamsburg.
Disney Celebrates AmericaDisney is also getting in on the 250th anniversary of the United States celebrations with its own event.
Disney+, Hulu, and the ESPN app will stream a 24-hour broadcast called "Disney Celebrates America" that checks in on 4th of July celebrations around the country, which will ostensibly include at least a few fireworks displays. The grand finale, Star-Spangled Bash in Nashville, will also be hosted by ABC and deliver one of the country's largest fireworks and drone shows.
The broadcast kicks off at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 3rd, with the main event out of Nashville starting at 8 p.m. on July 4th.
Freedom 250 fireworks displayThere's been a lot of controversy surrounding President Donald Trump's own Freedom 250 group, set up to lead Trump's 250th anniversary celebrations. You've probably seen the memes about the lackluster attendance for Trump's Great American State Fair all week.
With that said, Freedom 250 is claiming they're about to have a record-breaking 40 minute long firework display on the 4th of July with more than 850,000 fireworks. And, according to the group, the MonumentCam atop the Washington Monument will be the premier free-to-watch livestream to watch it all.
The Great American Block Party 250Paramount+ and CBS are hosting their own 3-hour Independence Day special at 8 p.m. on July 4th.
Like Disney's, the show will check in on 4th of July celebrations and firework displays from around the country. The broadcast will also culminate in their own feed of Freedom 250's Washington, DC, fireworks display.
My SSD died after 10 years—here are the warning signs I ignored
I've had some pretty good luck with my SSDs. I own several now, and have owned a bunch more over the years, and for the most part, they've all lived long, happy (I guess) lives. But I know that an SSD can fail even at 100% health, so it's no wonder that one of mine died after hitting the 10-year-mark. I've also seen a couple die well before that, and one SSD that was pretty much brand new (or so I was told) nearly ruined an entire PC for me.
3 hilariously pointless Home Assistant projects to try this weekend (Jul 3-5)
When you're obsessed with your smart home, you want to show it off. While a light bulb that turns on when you walk into a room is useful, it doesn't really have much of a wow factor. Often, it's the utterly pointless projects that are the most fun to show off.
3 must-watch Netflix documentaries to stream this weekend (July 3-5)
If you’re a fan of documentaries and docuseries like I am, you might agree that June really spoiled us on Netflix. In fact, the first half of 2026 had been chockablock for docs (docablock?), with HBO Max, Paramount+, and Prime Video throwing out some award-worthy titles, too. And if you let any slip past last month, our roundup of June's best docs is right here to fix that.
DirectStorage was supposed to revolutionize gaming—but is it even working on your PC?
DirectStorage can do wonders for your games. But you'd be surprised by how many people don't use it, or aren't aware it exists, despite being a staple Windows feature.
This utility shows every USB device your PC has ever connected to—and when
Most Windows users think of USB history only when something goes wrong. A flash drive refuses to show up, an external hard disk keeps disconnecting, a phone charges but will not transfer files, or a strange device name appears in Device Manager with no clear explanation. Windows remembers far more about USB devices than many people realize, but it does not present that history in a friendly way. The information is scattered across system records, device entries, and old hardware associations that remain long after the device has been unplugged.
Your old PC already supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet (you just need one cheap upgrade)
Do you have an old computer that you want to use 10 Gigabit Ethernet on? You actually can probably take advantage of the faster networking standard without having to replace your system. Here's why your old PC probably supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
Your Android phone overheats in the car because of these 3 overlooked background processes
Summer is in full swing, which means it's time to give your phone a little extra attention to prevent it from overheating. Cars, in particular, heat up very quickly, and since many of us rely on our phones for everything from Android Auto to streaming music and navigation, all of that puts an extra strain on the device and can cause it to overheat.
3 beautiful ESP32 projects to make this weekend (Jul 3 - 5)
ESP32 projects are often useful, creative, and satisfying to make. Some of them can even add a touch of visual splendor to your home, whether that’s a piece of decor, an interactive toy, or a more immersive media consumption experience.
Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on July 3
Keen skywatchers will see a Waning Gibbous Moon again tonight as the lunar cycle continues and we further away the Full Moon and closer to the New Moon. This means that the Moon will continue to appear smaller and less illuminated each night.
What is today’s Moon phase?As of Friday, July 3, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in its Waning Gibbous phase, with 90% of its surface visible.
You don't need lots of fancy equipment to see features on the Moon's surface. In fact, you can see the Mares Imbrium and Serenitatis, as well as the Copernicus Crater without any visual aids at all. If you do however have binoculars, you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the Clavius Crater, Mare Frigoris, and the Grimaldi Basin. And if you have a telescope, you'll see all this plus the Apollo 14, 15, and 16 landing spots.
When is the next Full Moon?The next Full Moon will take place on July 29.
What are Moon phases?According to NASA, the Moon completes one orbit around Earth approximately every 29.5 days, moving through eight recognised phases along the way. Although the same side of the Moon always faces Earth, the amount of its surface illuminated by the Sun changes as it travels around our planet. As a result, the Moon appears to shift in shape throughout the month, progressing from slender crescents to quarter moons and eventually reaching the brightly lit Full Moon stage. This repeating pattern is known as the lunar cycle.
New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.
Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (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.
These 5 ancient Linux distros are still teaching modern users how systems actually work
There are lots of Linux distros to choose from. While some have fallen by the wayside, these distros were around from almost the beginning yet are still going strong.
3 character-driven Prime Video shows to watch this weekend (July 3 - July 5)
As you settle in for what is hopefully a long holiday weekend, do so with some high-quality character-driven shows that will make you laugh, keep you guessing, and fuel your adrenaline. With strong female leads nestled in high-stakes environments and stylized storytelling, each of these series explores themes of control and reinvention with a sharp focus on identity, ambition, and evolving power dynamics.
Gemini in Android Auto makes driving feel less safe
I'm not the biggest fan of Google services at the moment. So, when I discovered Gemini was going to be incorporated into my beloved Android Auto, it wasn't exactly my favorite thing. After an unexpected update prompted me to test it out a little bit, I figured out why I feel that way.
Taylor Swift wedding guest list: Everyone we expect to be there
Taylor Swift once joked that "anyone I’ve ever talked to" would be invited to her wedding.
Apparently, she was not kidding.
Swift and Travis Kelce’s reported Madison Square Garden wedding this weekend is expected to include around 1,000 guests, which means the guest list is less “intimate gathering” and more “award show with vows.” The couple has not publicly confirmed the full guest list, but reports, sightings, interviews, and a few very suspicious tuxedo fittings have started to sketch out who may be inside the Garden.
SEE ALSO: Is Taylor Swift getting married this weekend? Everything we know.So, who is reportedly going? Let’s check the seating chart.
Gigi Hadid Credit: XNY/Getty ImagesGigi Hadid is not just expected to be a guest. She is reportedly part of the bridal party. Hadid and Swift’s friendship dates back to 2014, and Hadid has publicly supported Swift’s relationship with Kelce, writing in 2023 that they were "over the moon" for her. Swift was seen arriving at Hadid’s New York City apartment on July 1, just days before the reported wedding. Nothing gets you wedding-ready like girl-time with your best friend!
Selena Gomez Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesSelena Gomez is another obvious Swift guest and another reported bridesmaid. The two have been best friends for over 17 years — Swift even has a song about Gomez called "Dorthea." Gomez has been filming Only Murders in the Building in London but is expected to fly back to New York for the festivities.
Abigail Anderson Berard Credit: Lester Cohen/WireImageAbigail Anderson Berard is not just another famous friend. She is Swift’s childhood best friend and the “Abigail” fans know from the song “Fifteen.” Elle reported that Anderson Berard was seen at Swift’s Watch Hill, Rhode Island, beach house during the weekend Swift was rumored to be having her bachelorette, and that she has long been expected to attend the wedding. Anderson Berard is expected to serve as Swift’s maid of honor.
Andy Reid View this post on InstagramChiefs coach Andy Reid is also a shoo-in for an invitation. Reid joked on a radio show that he "probably" had an invite and would go if he did not outgrow his tuxedo. He was also spotted picking up his tuxedo on June 25. That is a lot of tuxedo activity for a man not going to a wedding.
Zoë KravitzZoë Kravitz has been friends with Swift for years; she even co-wrote the song "Lavender Haze" on Midnights. People reported that a source close to Swift said Kravitz received an invitation, but her fiancé — Taylor Swift's ex-boyfriend and 1989 muse — Harry Styles, has a concert scheduled in London that night. Hopefully, he can make a late-night flight across the pond and get to MSG in time.
Ed Sheeran Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty ImagesEd Sheeran is also one of Swift's oldest friends and collaborators — and he's already been spotted in New York, about 60 miles from Aaron Dessner’s Hudson Valley recording studio. Swift herself teased his likely involvement during an October interview on the U.K.’s Hits Radio Breakfast Show, when she was asked whether Sheeran would sing at her wedding and replied that it would be hard to keep him from it. How I wish I could experience that private concert.
Sabrina Carpenter Credit: Johnny Nunez/Getty ImagesSabrina Carpenter has not publicly confirmed she is attending, but the clues are definitely there. Carpenter opened for Swift on several international Eras Tour dates, later became part of Swift’s current music universe with their Life of a Showgirl collaboration, and was spotted in New York on June 30 having dinner with friends in the West Village just days before the Big Day.
Suki WaterhouseSuki Waterhouse can be presumed to be in attendance because she literally said she is going. In a Variety interview published in May, Waterhouse said, “I’m gonna go to Taylor’s wedding,” and joked that she might get inspiration for her own wedding to actor Robert Pattinson.
She and Swift have been friendly for years: they were spotted out together in New York with Cara Delevingne and Dakota Johnson back in 2016, dancing together at the 2024 MTV Music Awards, and Waterhouse opened for Swift at Wembley Stadium during the Eras Tour.
Mariska Hargitay Credit: Dustin Satloff/Getty ImagesMariska Hargitay and Swift have been connected for years, especially through one very furry friend: Swift's cat, named Olivia after Hargitay's Law & Order SVU character. Fans have already started watching Hargitay’s Broadway schedule because her show, Every Brilliant Thing, was on break on July 3, the reported wedding date. Hopefully, she can make it, considering they looked like they had a pretty fun time together at the Knicks game.
Stevie Nicks and Tim McGrawStevie Nicks and Tim McGraw are reportedly expected to both attend and perform. Swift has written songs about both of the musical legends: "Clara Bow" and, fittingly, "Tim McGraw." I hope those songs made it to the top of the request list.
Jack Antonoff Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesJack Antonoff is one of the easiest names to imagine on Swift’s guest list. The producer and Bleachers frontman has worked with Swift for more than a decade, from early collaborations like “Sweeter Than Fiction” through major albums including 1989, Reputation, Lover, Midnights, Folklore, and beyond. He is also a close real-life friend: Swift attended Antonoff and Margaret Qualley’s wedding in New Jersey in Aug. 2023. So if Swift and Kelce are gathering their inner circle at MSG, Antonoff and Qualley would make sense as both friends and returned-wedding-energy guests.
Cara DelevingneCara Delevingne is another longtime Swift friend. Delevingne once even lived with Swift during a difficult breakup. In a 2024 conversation, Delevingne said Swift “looked after” her well but that she also took Swift on “a bit of a wild ride.” Isn't that what best friends are for?
The Haim sisters Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesEste, Danielle, and Alana Haim have been part of Swift’s inner circle for years and are expected to be wedding guests. Their current Swiftworld relevance is also very MSG-specific: Este, Alana, and Swift made headlines at Game 4 of the NBA Finals for their punny “Knicks” graphic t-shirts.
Graham Norton This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Graham Norton has the clearest paper trail of almost any non-family invitee. In Oct. 2025, Swift appeared on The Graham Norton Show to promote The Life of a Showgirl and told Norton she planned to invite him. That invite seemed not to be an empty promise. Norton was pictured arriving at JFK airport on July 2, ahead of the reported wedding weekend. Norton also joked on his Wanging On podcast in January that he had signed "so many NDAs," though he later clarified that was a "joke." Sure, Graham. Sure.
Patrick and Brittany MahomesPatrick and Brittany Mahomes are widely expected on Kelce’s side of the list. Patrick is Kelce’s quarterback, teammate, close friend, and one of the central figures in the Chiefs’ dynasty. Kelce served as a groomsman at Mahomes’ 2022 wedding, so it only makes sense for Mahomes to return the favor.
George and Claire Kittle This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.George Kittle, the San Francisco 49ers tight end and Kelce’s Tight End University co-founder, has also basically confirmed his own attendance. People reported that Kittle told ExtraTV at the Tight Ends & Friends concert that the couple had a strict no-gift rule, then joked that he might get Kelce an old coin anyway.
How about the New York Knicks’ starting lineup? This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.July 2 saw reports that the Knicks' starting lineup was going to return to the Garden halls — but this time as wedding guests. However, star player Josh Hart debunked the rumor. Maybe after another championship win?
Again, Swift and Kelce have not publicly confirmed the final guest list, so all of this still lives in the world of reports, sightings, public comments, and heavily analyzed celebrity logistics. But if even half these names make it inside the Garden, "anyone I’ve ever talked to" may not have been much of an exaggeration.


