Blogroll

5 ways a local LLM has become a key part of my smart home

How-To Geek - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 18:00

I use local LLMs for multiple purposes, including stripping personal information from documents before I upload them to Claude or ChatGPT and generating a daily RSS digest for my Kindle. Despite the slow performance of even the smaller LLMs on my hardware, I use them for a number of things in my smart home.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Owalas sale is live — buy a Sun-Day Tote and get an Owala water bottle for free

Mashable - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 18:00

TL;DR: Owala is giving shoppers a free water bottle with any Sun-Day Tote purchase from July 15-22.

Opens in a new window Credit: Owala Sun-Day Tote $89.99 at Owala
Comes with free Owala bottle. Get Deal

If your summer plans involve beach days, farmers' markets, road trips, or simply carrying way too much stuff around, Owala has a new reason to grab a tote.

The brand is launching a limited-time offer that bundles its new Sun-Day Tote with a free Owala bottle, giving shoppers a chance to score one of its popular hydration essentials at no extra cost.

Owala’s FreeSip bottles have gained a loyal following for their unique dual-drinking design, which lets users sip through a straw or drink from a wide-mouth opening.

Credit: Owala How to get Owala bottle for free

Getting the freebie is pretty simple: from July 15-22, shoppers who purchase any Sun-Day Tote will receive a free Owala bottle with their order. The offer is available exclusively through Owala’s website, so you’ll need to shop directly to claim the bonus.

Consider the Sun-Day Tote as the bag you grab when you’re not sure what the day has planned. Owala designed it as an all-purpose carry-all that can hold up to 40 pounds and has enough room for up to six beach towels, three bags of groceries, three outfits, or two yoga mats.

The tote is made with durable, water-friendly materials that make cleanup easier after sandy beach days or accidental spills. A removable splash-resistant pouch helps keep smaller essentials like your phone, wallet, and keys organized, while soft-touch handles and an adjustable shoulder strap make it easier to carry when the bag is packed.

Summer carry upgrade unlocked: Grab the Sun-Day Tote and claim your free Owala bottle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Odyssey review: Christopher Nolan turns an epic myth into a movie masterpiece

Mashable - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 18:00

Christopher Nolan is an exceptional genre-hopper.

The filmmaker has dabbled in everything from science fiction (Interstellar) to biographical dramas (Oppenheimer), superhero stories (The Dark Knight trilogy) to thrillers (Memento). At each step, he manages to make a genre undeniably his own, infusing it with his trademark sleekness and dedication to scale. Even his period pieces — The Prestige, Dunkirk, and Oppenheimer — feel cut from the same cloth as his more future-leaning works.

SEE ALSO: 'The Odyssey' trailer gives us our best look yet at Zendaya's Athena

But with The Odyssey, Nolan lands upon his greatest genre challenge yet: a fantasy epic that's arguably the most influential story of all time. Homer's Odyssey comes with the baggage of thousands of years of scholarship, myriad translations, and a legion of anyone who's ever had a Greek mythology phase having very strong opinions about how each of the poem's iconic moments should play out. And that's all before we get to the meat of The Odyssey itself, with its monsters and sorceresses and battles.

So, how does Nolan approach his first foray into epic fantasy? How does he fare when turning his lens to antiquity and one of its foundational myths?

The answer, in a word, is spectacularly. Nolan eschews the sleek modernity that's come to define his filmography. Instead, he gives himself up to a grimy, haunting take on The Odyssey that weaves myth and history into a devastating, unforgettable reckoning for Odysseus (Matt Damon) himself.

How does Christopher Nolan adapt The Odyssey? Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures

Nolan's signature non-linear storytelling fits perfectly with the structure of Homer's Odyssey, which sees multiple narrators take over the epic with their own recollections. The film focuses on two primary storylines, from which Nolan flashes back liberally.

In the first, Ithaca's Queen Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and her son Telemachus (Tom Holland) wait for King Odysseus' return, all while weathering a storm of unwanted suitors, including walking slimeball Antinous (Robert Pattinson). They've been hounding Penelope's halls for years, taking advantage of her hospitality in the name of Zeus' law, a tenet that reminds hosts to respect and provide for their guests, as any of them could be a god in disguise. Naturally, the suitors abuse this mandatory hospitality with their constant drinking, feasting, and harassing of the locals, leaving Penelope and Telemachus in an impossible situation. Do they continue to accept these indignities? Or do they push back and risk angering the gods?

SEE ALSO: 'The Odyssey' sails into rave reviews and online backlash

As Penelope and Telemachus wait out their eternal nightmare, they, along with Odysseus's loyal swineherd Eumaeus (John Leguizamo), recall the king who has been missing for almost 20 years. This is how we first meet Odysseus: not as a cunning warrior, but as a family man and an honorable mentor to Ithaca's youth. Later, when Telemachus visits King Menelaus (Jon Bernthal) in Sparta, he'll hear stories about his father's Trojan Horse scheme, and how he ended the Trojan War.

These are the bits and pieces we get of Odysseus, meted out bit by bit by Nolan and deft editing from Jennifer Lame. But what of the man himself? Who is the reality behind the myth?

By the time we meet the true Odysseus, not someone filtered through memory or oral storytelling, he's an aimless man. He's stranded on the island Ogygia with the nymph Calypso (Charlize Theron), with little memory of what came before. He's restless, though, and as Calypso prompts him to recount his journey, out spill the most iconic events of The Odyssey: cyclopes, sirens, and more.

The Odyssey's fantasy is both extremely Nolan and extremely grotesque. Matt Damon in "The Odyssey." Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures

The challenges Odysseus' faces on his journey have become familiar cultural touchstones, across thousands of years in art, film, TV, literature, video games, theatre, and more. Yet Nolan, in 2026, still manages to put his own twist on them.

In Inception, the dreams Nolan conjured up never shifted too far from our reality, instead warping familiar landscapes. The same goes for The Odyssey's understated fantasy elements, which blend into the film's rocky crags and vibrant shrubbery. (Seriously, this is Nolan's lushest film, brought to life by cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema.) Sirens are glimpsed from afar. The monster Scylla's true form appears in fragments. The Earth-feared gods appear only as natural phenomena — claps of thunder, raging storms — leaving viewers to wonder whether these are truly acts of providence or not. The exception here is Zendaya's goddess Athena, who counsels Odysseus, but even she isn't carrying out acts of divine intervention willy-nilly.

While this more grounded approach to fantasy is pure Nolan, what really sets his Odyssey apart, especially in his own filmography, is his willingness to lean in to the grotesque absurdity of the myth.

You heard me right: Nolan gets grotesque. Once, I would have found this unthinkable. For the most part, Nolan's films shine with a clean composure. Men in sharp suits. Glossy tech. Even the soldiers in Dunkirk aren't overly bloodied, and Interstellar's dust storms don't stick to the protagonists for long.

SEE ALSO: 'Moana' review: Disney transforms a cinematic masterpiece to kids' stuff

Yet The Odyssey revels in the muck and oddity of its mythic Bronze Age. The Trojan Horse wait leaves soldiers silently trapped in filthy water and their own waste. During a trip to Hades, shades rise from dark sands and drink sacrificial blood, delivering hard truths with dirtied faces. The Goya-inspired cyclops Polyphemus' (Bill Irwin) twisted face and disconcerting movements turn him into a creature not just to be feared, but to be fascinated by, even empathized with.

However, this willingness to get weird and gross elevates The Odyssey's fantastic elements. Look no further than Odysseus' crew's standout encounter with Circe (Samantha Morton), a sorceress who turns unwelcome visitors into animals. Circe wields no wand here. Instead, she transforms through sculpting, kneading, and molding men's flesh like clay. The sequence is visceral body horror, unlike anything Nolan has done before.

Does The Odyssey fix Christopher Nolan's woman problem? Mia Goth and Anne Hathaway in "The Odyssey." Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures

The meeting with Circe, while brief, also proves that Nolan has comes leaps and bounds when it comes to the role of women in his films, a weak point across his work. (Granted, he's drawing from source material that features several complicated women. He's also using a translation by Emily Wilson, who reckoned with women's role in The Odyssey.) Here, Nolan makes sure to emphasize the women of The Odyssey's complexities, as opposed to letting them linger on the sidelines or in dead wife montages. Most importantly, he lets them be angry.

Morton is extraordinary as Circe, simmering with magic and a rage that suggests deeper wounds, all without Nolan feeling the need to graphically spell out her trauma. Elsewhere, Lupita Nyong'o burns in her twin roles of Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra, two queens who have been grievously wronged, and Hathaway is magnificent as Penelope. Forced to remain polite to her suitors, Penelope simmers with a quiet fury, and her moment of catharsis, when it comes, is show-stopping.

The characters of Athena and Calypso are outliers here. The latter role is fairly underwritten, while the former's quiet presence doesn't truly coalesce until the end. But both Zendaya and Theron bring a deep gravity to these roles, worthy of each character's otherworldliness.

Matt Damon is tremendous, as is the rest of The Odyssey's cast. Matt Damon in "The Odyssey." Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures

Rounding out his already starry ensemble, Nolan has assembled the most "who's-who" of casts since the powers combined of Barbenheimer. None of his stars rest on their laurels or their A-list status. All deliver.

Holland's boyishness is the perfect fit for Telemachus' princely woes, and a nice foil for Pattinson's scummy turn as the craven Antinous. Himesh Patel is an astounding, grounding force as Odysseus' second-in-command Eurylochus, and Leguizamo gives a heartbreaking performance as the ever-loyal Eumaeus.

But The Odyssey, of course, belongs to Odysseus. And what an Odysseus Damon is. He plays all shades of Odysseus: the king, the myth, the broken man. Often, he shifts between these aspects in the blink of an eye, one change in posture carrying years' worth of history. At once mesmerizing and human, it's a performance worthy of such a legendary character.

Featured Video For You What It Was Like Shooting One of Oppenheimer’s Most Remarkable Moments

Notably, both Nolan and Damon refrain from lionizing Odysseus as an almighty hero. They brilliantly pick at his pride, his errors, his guilt over leaving his family and the steady loss of his crew mates. This remorse compounds over the course of the film, building to a shattering moral reckoning that turns The Odyssey on its head.

The Odyssey's magnificent conclusion would not work if Nolan didn't hold audiences close to the action every step of the way. Yes, the film is a glorious spectacle, boasting vast ocean vistas, armies of giants, and even the occasional sea monster. But Nolan doesn't just want The Odyssey to be epic. He wants it to be human, too. There's been so much pre-release discourse about Telemachus calling Odysseus "Dad," and the film's language not being archaic or formal enough. (Again, likely influenced by Wilson's straight-shooting translation.) But this familiar language is more symbolic of Nolan's broader mission. He has no desire to mystify an already deified text with overly formal language. Instead, he takes us right into the heart of The Odyssey, fantasy, muck, and all. The result is nothing short of masterful.

The Odyssey hits theaters July 17.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Dodge Charger's new twin-turbo had skeptics worried—until they heard it at Carlisle

How-To Geek - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 17:46

Crossovers and SUVs may dominate America's roads, and automakers may be pouring billions into hybrids and electric vehicles, but none of that matters much to Mopar enthusiasts.

Categories: IT General, Technology

National Hot Dog Day 2026 deals: Score free food from Circle K, Dog Haus, Shake Shack, and more

Mashable - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 17:33

Our stomachs are still recovering from National French Fry Day, but there is no rest for the free-food obsessed. No, it's time to dust off the crumbs and go again, this time for National Hot Dog Day.

Wednesday, July 15, is National Hot Dog Day. By all means, stay home and make yourself a stunning hot dog to celebrate the occasion. But you should know that a lot of leading retailers will offer free deals and limited-time promotions to mark this special date. We're keeping close tabs on everything on offer so that you can celebrate in style.

These are our favorite National Hot Dog Day deals in 2026.

Circle K

Get two roller grill hot dogs for $1 using the Circle K app on July 15.

Dog Haus

Rewards members can get a free Haus Dog in-store on July 15. From July 16-31, Dog Haus is offering a BOGO deal on hot dogs. 

Love’s Travel Stops

You can score a free hot dog on July 15, but deals are running through the week. On July 16, buy one hot dog to get another for $1. On July 17, get two hot dogs for just $3.

Philly Pretzel Factory

Score $1 pretzel dogs on July 15. You can also score one free pretzel dog by download the app.

Shake Shack

Until July 19, get a classic hotdog and classic fries or a classic lemonade for $7 using the code SUMMERDOG.

Sheetz

Get two free hot dogs with standard toppings when filling up with 10 gallons of fuel or more. Just scan your Sheetz mobile app at checkout (valid through July 22).

Wienerschnitzel

Get four Chili Dogs for $4 every wednesday in July.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This is the Windows feature I disable on every new PC

How-To Geek - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 17:30

Windows is the most popular operating system in the world, especially when it comes to PC gaming. While I mostly use macOS for work, I also have a gaming desktop running Windows 11 that I use both for gaming and for covering Windows-related topics.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Gunnar marks Tomb Raider 30th anniversary with Lara Croft-inspired blue light glasses

Mashable - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 17:30

Tomb Raider is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, marking three decades since Lara Croft first strapped on her thigh holsters and went searching for ancient artefacts around the world.

To mark the occasion, game developer Crystal Dynamics has partnered with glasses company Gunnar to create a pair of spectacles inspired by one of Lara's most iconic looks.

SEE ALSO: Best blue light glasses for combatting digital eye strain

Gunnar has unveiled its new Tomb Raider Croft glasses, the eyewear company's own version of Lara's signature accessory from her 1996 debut. These glasses aren't a 1:1 recreation of the pair in the game, with Gunnar having updated the design for a more modern aesthetic. However, they do take some clear cues from Tomb Raider's original design, such as its rounded shape and metal frames. It also includes details such as patterning around the rim, which wouldn't have been possible to render with '90s video game graphics.

Credit: Gunnar

The Tomb Raider Croft glasses are available with Gunnar's Amber, Amber Max, or Sun lenses, as well as their Amber Sun Shift transition lenses. Of these, the orange Amber Max lenses are by far the closest in appearance to Lara's original red aesthetic. The glasses come with a microfibre pouch, a cleaning cloth bearing the Croft coat of arms, and a case reminiscent of a utility pouch. You'll also get a fortunately less functional Dagger of Xian pin, the artefact at the centre of Tomb Raider II.

Credit: Gunnar

These glasses aren't just for looks though, as Gunnar specialises in spectacles that make staring at a screen for hours a bit more comfortable. As such, while all of the Tomb Raider Croft glasses' lens options offer 100 percent UV protection, they also block varying levels of blue light.

Blue light is a type of electromagnetic wave generated by the sun, light bulbs, and LED screens — including those found in computer monitors and mobile phones. Long hours at your desktop can suppress your body's melatonin, disrupting your circadian rhythm and making it harder to sleep.

Featured Video For You Dua Lipa's lifestyle is building an internet empire.

If you're unwilling to cut back your late night gaming, at least partially blocking blue light should help you maintain a healthier sleep cycle. Gunnar claims that its Amber Max lenses block the most blue light at 98 percent, recommending it for managing migraines and helping to improve sleep, while the Amber lenses block 65 percent and are more geared toward general computer use.

Both the Amber and Amber Max lenses also have "Gunnar Focus," which is simply an +0.2 diopter lens. This gentle power is intended to give your eyes a little extra help focusing, helping relax muscles and reduce eye strain. Gunnar states that this option is suitable for anyone with 20/20 vision, or who wears contact lenses.

Credit: Gunnar

Crystal Dynamics sells an official version of Lara's sunglasses as well, offering both her round red lens look and her black Angel of Darkness pair for $39.90 each. However, these appear to be more geared toward cosplay, as the product description offers no information regarding their effectiveness against UV light, much less blue light. No matter how dark a pair of glasses' lenses are, they still require UV-blocking treatment to be effective as sun glasses. As such, Gunnar's glasses offer a more functional, elevated option for Tomb Raider fans.

Gunnar's Tomb Raider Croft glasses start at $99 for Amber, Amber Max, or Sun lenses, or $135 for Amber Sun Shift transition lenses.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Preorder Bluetti’s newest, tinier solar generator for $200 off before its release date

Mashable - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 17:28

SAVE 22%: As of July 15, you can preorder the unreleased Bluetti Elite 100 V2 solar generator kit (which comes with a 200W solar panel) for $698.98, down from $899.

Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $698.98 at Amazon
$899 Save $200.02   Get Deal at Amazon

There's nothing quite as panic-inducing as a sudden summer storm knocking out your power (and possibly your trees), only to leave you sweating in the dark and praying that your phone battery holds out and the milk in your fridge doesn't rot. The only way to make sure this doesn't happen is to buy a generator.

SEE ALSO: Upgrade your home with the Bluetti FridgePower while it's on sale for almost $200 off

And, right now, you can get Bluetti's newest solar generator kit for just $698.98, down from $899, at Amazon. It hasn't even officially hit the market yet (it releases on July 20), so getting it for 22% off right off the bat is a pretty good deal.

It features a 1024Wh capacity and a 1800W output, which is enough to run 90 percent of your everyday essentials — think laptops, mini-fridges, drones, or a coffee maker when you're desperate. It also has a built-in 10ms UPS switchover, meaning if the power grid fails while you're working from home, it automatically takes over fast enough to keep your WiFi router and PC from crashing. Plus, it only takes 70 minutes to reach a full charge.

If you're completely off-grid or dealing with an extended blackout, you can plug in the included 200W solar panel to get it to an 80 percent charge in about four hours.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You'll soon find alternative app stores in the Play Store, but there’s a catch

How-To Geek - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 17:24

Epic Games' fight with Google is about to pay dividends for American Android users. Google has confirmed that third-party Android app stores in the U.S. will be available through the Play Store beginning July 22, 2026, and can offer Play Store apps.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Ninja Prestige Smart XL air fryer is on sale for the lowest price ever at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 17:18

SAVE $200: The Ninja Prestige Smart XL countertop oven is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon, down from the standard price of $399.99. That's a 50% discount and the lowest price we've spotted at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Prestige XL Countertop Oven and Air Fryer $199.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $200   Get Deal

Now that we're in the heat of summer, it's time to consider whether you really need to turn on the oven to make dinner. Instead of contemplating another deli sandwich or dishing out the money on delivery, consider the convenience of an air fryer. There's a versatile model on a great discount today.

As of July 15, the Ninja Prestige Smart XL countertop oven is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon, down from the standard price of $399.99. That's a 50% discount and the lowest price we've spotted at Amazon.

Instead of heating up the house with your oven, let the Ninja Prestige cook dinner without causing a temperature spike. The Ninja is capable of 10 cooking functions including air fry, roast, bake, broil, and reheat. It also has specific foods settings like pizza, toast, and bagel, so you can get the perfect crisp each time. Plus, it has smart surround convection heating for even baking.

SEE ALSO: National Ice Cream Day is coming soon — shop the best ice cream maker deals from Ninja, Cuisinart, and more

Not only is the Ninja countertop oven great for regular kitchens, it's a perfect solution for tiny homes, apartments with a mini kitchen, or a cabin in the woods. The Ninja comes with the air fryer itself, two sheet pans, two wire racks, one air fry basket, a crumb tray, and a recipe guide.

Ninja mentions the extra large size of this model allows you to cook a six-pound chicken with veggies at the same time. It can also handle a 12-pound turkey or 20 cookies. Ninja makes some of Mashable's favorite kitchen appliances, and the air fryer is no exception.

Since it's on sale for a record-low price, consider making the upgrade to the Ninja Prestige Smart XL countertop oven. It's perfect for cooking on hot summer days.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 ways I made my Amazon Fire Tablet feel more like a real Android tablet

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

Amazon Fire tablets aren’t the flashiest devices on the market, but they absolutely provide the most bang for your buck. With Android at the core, you’re not limited to Amazon’s services and proprietary home screen setup—you just have to know how to get around the limitations.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Popular Steam Deck model just became harder to repair

Mashable - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 17:08

The original LCD Steam Deck is a great value, if you can still find one. If you need to repair it, though, you might run into some trouble.

A Reddit post from earlier this week (via Tech PowerUp) showcased a customer support email from iFixIt, one of the most popular purveyors of repair parts for tech products. According to iFixIt, which partners with device manufacturers to source high-quality replacement parts, batteries for the Steam Deck LCD are out of stock, and "it is looking less likely that we will continue receiving OEM Steam Deck LCD batteries."

Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch.

SEE ALSO: Steam Deck OLED gets huge price increase amid RAM shortage

A further comment from an iFixIt representative said Valve is sunsetting parts for the original Steam Deck, which is unsurprising if you've been following the news lately.

Valve's popular gaming handheld has been hard to get for months now, thanks to RAMageddon, as Valve discontinued production on the LCD model and has only maintained limited production of the newer OLED model. Of course, the Steam Deck OLED also got a massive price increase as part of this whole deal.

As Tech PowerUp noted, there are third-party alternatives available on other e-commerce platforms like Amazon, so iFixIt may still be able to facilitate Steam Deck repairs before too long that way. Still, you'd rather have Valve provide the parts itself.

For gamers, it's the latest in a string of bad news related to affordability. Not only are major console makers all raising prices, but new handheld gaming consoles can cost as much as $1,500.

Categories: IT General, Technology

FIFA World Cup schedule today: Games, kickoff times, livestream info for July 15

Mashable - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 17:06

The 2026 World Cup final is almost here. One spot in the showpiece event has been decided, and now it's down to England and Argentina to battle it out. We're expecting something special from the Atlanta Stadium.

It all kicks off at 3 p.m. ET. Here's all the information you need to watch this semi-final fixture.

FIFA World Cup schedule today: July 15How to watch FIFA World Cup games todayWatch England vs. Argentina

England have struggled at times in this competition, but after coming through tricky contests with Mexico and Norway, they're building some solid momentum ahead of this semi-final clash. Argentina are the defending champions, but they've had some lucky breaks to reach this stage. They looked very shaky against Egypt and Switzerland in the last two rounds.

It's difficult to predict the winner from this matchup. It could well be decided by a big moment from the likes of Bellingham or Messi.

Live coverage will be on Fox and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.

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:

Watch the World Cup for free with a VPN

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 Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup online for free

Mashable - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 17:06

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

The world is watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The best international sides from around the world are competing for arguably the biggest prize in sport. The final is now fast approaching. Spain have already booked their spot in the showpiece event. England now face Argentina in the second semi-final matchup.

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.

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

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

  • 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).

Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Performance meets value: Why Ausom e-scooters stand out this summer

How-To Geek - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 17:02

The reality of personal transport can feel a little grim these days. Rising fuel costs, crowded cities, and tougher commutes are commonplace. The good news is that the diversity of solutions has grown as well, including electric scooters.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Need a new TV? The 2026 Hisense 50-inch E7 Mini LED TV is over $300 off.

Mashable - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 16:32

SAVE $301: As of July 15, the Hisense 50-inch E7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for only $397.99. That's 43% off its list price of $699 and its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 50-inch E7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV $397.99 at Amazon
$699 Save $301.01   Get Deal

Hisense is one of our favorite budget TV brands for its wallet-friendly models that don't skimp on quality. And the E7SF Mini LED is proof. While the 50-inch option is typically priced at a relatively low $699 on a normal day, its current sale price knocks it down below $400.

As of July 15, the Hisense 50-inch E7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV is down to a mere $397.99 at Amazon. That's a huge 43% or $301 discount from its $699 list price and its best price on record. That's some pretty impressive savings for a TV that's only been out since May.

The E7 is illuminated by Mini LED backlighting for deep contrast and features a native refresh rate of 144Hz, quantum-dot color, AI-driven processing, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio, Filmmaker mode, and Freesync Premium for gaming. It's a solid mid-range model that'll boost your viewing experience by bringing the depth of Mini LED picture quality to everyday entertainment.

It's powered by Fire TV with Alexa+, so you can seamlessly access all of your favorite apps, use your voice to navigate, and discover new content all in one spot. And if you're already a Fire TV user, your profile will already be personalized how you like it once you sign in.

If you're in need of a new TV, but don't want to break the bank, the Hisense E7 Mini LED should get the job done — and then some. Snag the 50-inch model while it's under $400.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I switched from Surface to a Mac because Microsoft stopped innovating

How-To Geek - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 16:30

Microsoft launched the Surface line to showcase what Windows PCs could do. These would be the rockstar systems that made vendors raise their game and take the fight to Apple. And for a while, that worked: at its height, there were clever systems like the detachable Surface Book and tilting Surface Laptop Studio that made Apple look stale.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Its never been cheaper to buy the 27-inch LG Ultragear OLED gaming monitor

Mashable - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 16:27

SAVE $400: The 27-inch OLED LG Ultragear gaming monitor is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon, down from the standard price of $899.99. That's a 44% discount that matches the best price we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG 27-inch OLED LG Ultragear gaming monitor $499.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $400   Get Deal

Summer is the perfect season to make home gaming upgrades. Even if you love the summer heat, gaming provides an occasional indoor reprieve. If you've been getting by with a less-than-ideal gaming setup, check out this gaming monitor deal.

As of July 15, the 27-inch OLED LG Ultragear gaming monitor is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon, down from the standard price of $899.99. That's a 44% discount that matches the best price we've seen at Amazon.

Once you go OLED, you won't go back. The 27-inch LG Ultragear is perfect for smooth gameplay, getting a 240Hz refresh rate and a 0.03 millisecond response time. Your days of dealing with lag and ghosting will be long gone with this fresh upgrade. Plus, it comes with VESA DisplayHDR True Back 400 certification.

SEE ALSO: Grab this OLED Samsung Odyssey G5 gaming monitor for $350 on Amazon — save over $150

LG equipped the monitor with an anti-glare screen that helps minimize bothersome reflections that could spell a distraction. The 27-inch display means it'll fit well on most desks without taking over the space.

The included stand can tilt and pivot to your desired position, and you can adjust the height. In addition, the monitor has a borderless design. Since not everyday can be filled with gaming, the monitor will also be great for work tasks or streaming a movie.

While it's sitting at the record-low price from Amazon, make the upgrade to the 27-inch OLED LG Ultragear gaming monitor. It's currently under $500 which is close to a 50% discount.

Categories: IT General, Technology

UK plans social media curfew for teens aged 16 and 17

Mashable - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 16:27

The UK government announced plans to establish a social media curfew for teens aged 16 and 17, the BBC reported. The news comes a month after the UK announced a ban on social media for children under 16, and days after the EU announced a similar ban for children under 13.

The curfew would restrict use of social media apps like Instagram and YouTube, and would be from the hours of midnight to 6:00 a.m. But there will apparently be a way to opt out of this.

Currently, the UK is under the Online Safety Act, an age assurance law that requires proof of age to see content deemed "restricted to adults," such as pornography, but also extends to non-explicit content like forums about addiction.

SEE ALSO: Porn censorship is going to destroy the entire internet

The law, which went into effect in July 2025, is often circumvented by software such as VPNs, which mask a person's real location. While the UK considered a VPN ban for children, the BBC reported that that's no longer on the table.

"We have decided not to limit VPNs today and that's the primary conclusion for now but it is something we will continue to review," the UK's online safety minister, Kanishka Narayan, said on BBC Breakfast, referring to research on VPNs that suggested there wasn't much evidence they were being used by children to get around age checks.

Narayan also discussed the potential curfew as well as limiting autoplay features, saying, "Britain is already going to be the most robust place in the world when it comes to regulating" tech companies.

Critics, meanwhile, told the BBC the plan wasn't comprehensive. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the suicide prevention organization, the Molly Rose Foundation, said in a BBC interview, "While we welcome these measures for older teens, this latest move is yet another piecemeal set of announcements, not the comprehensive plan for children's safety that's required."

A social media ban for minors under 16 was enacted in Australia in Dec. 2025, but a recent study suggests it doesn't prevent under-16s from logging onto these platforms.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Upgrade your living room with 30% off the Toshiba 65-inch Z670R Mini LED 4K TV

Mashable - Wed, 07/15/2026 - 16:14

SAVE $502: As of July 15, get the Toshiba 65-inch Z670R Mini LED 4K TV for $1,197.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,699.99. That's a discount of 30%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Toshiba 65-inch Z670R Mini LED 4K TV $1,197.99 at Amazon
$1,699.99 Save $502   Get Deal

If you're thinking about rearranging your living room or other entertainment spot in your home, a new TV is more than warranted. But they can be expensive, and it's understandable to want to shop around for a decent fit before taking the plunge. We've found a particularly great deal that can not only help you save some money, but add a quality viewing experience to your home, wherever you decide to put this new TV.

As of July 15, get the Toshiba 65-inch Z670R Mini LED 4K TV for $1,197.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,699.99. That's $502 off and a discount of 30%.

SEE ALSO: Save up to $999 on 2026 LG TVs, then unlock up to $200 in free DoorDash or Uber Eats credits

Though Toshiba generally offers a wide variety of budget TVs, this Z670R Mini LED line is more than worth checking out if you're looking for something offering high quality. It offers a great blend of features and performance at a great price, especially since you can get it for a significant price cut right now. It uses Mini LD tech with full-array local dimming, which gives you excellent color and contrast. That means it has tiny LEDs to give the TV more accurate control over brightness and, by extension, improved lighting.

As far as its other options go, it offers support for all the usual suspects, including Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HLG, and more. It also boasts a 144Hz refresh rate in addition to HDMI 2.1 with eARC and AMD FreeSync Premium with VRR and ALLM. That makes it an excellent candidate for gaming, if you don't plan to watch a lot of TV or movies.

Whatever your plans for use, it's a good time to pick this TV up right now, with a deep discount that makes it especially enticing.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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