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Samsung wants SmartThings API users to pay, and Home Assistant could suffer

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 23:00

You might soon have more trouble controlling SmartThings devices through unofficial tools like Home Assistant. Samsung has revealed that it will start charging for access to the SmartThings API (app programming interface) in October 2026.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Bumble in serious decline as it considers sale, reports say

Mashable - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 22:56

The dating app Bumble is considering a sale, according to a Reuters report Thursday. And fresh data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, shared with Mashable, may help explain why.

Bumble has experienced the largest decline in global downloads among top dating apps over the past year and a half, according to Sensor Tower.

What's going on at Bumble?

It's no secret that Bumble has been going through a tough time for the past few years. Its stock is down 96 percent from its IPO at the time of this writing, even with a boost given the news of a potential sale.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for 'Double Date Island,' Tinder's new TikTok dating show

Bumble began with the distinction that women began the conversation (in heterosexual matches). But the company decided to switch it up in 2024, allowing men to message first with the "Opening Moves" feature.

The app has since removed Opening Moves in Mexico and Australia, signaling that it wasn't a hit among users.

During Bumble's Q4 2025 earnings call, founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd announced that Bumble will test an AI-powered dating experience, even as the numbers showed the app's total revenue and paying users decreased year over year. The year-over-year dips in total revenue and paying users continued in Q1 2026.

Wolfe Herd also recently shared that Bumble is removing its swipe feature. While she wasn't forthcoming about what will replace it, her mention of the potential AI assistant and matchmaker seemed a strong indication to many Bumble users. Their reaction was less than positive.

How Bumble is exploring a sale

Sources close to the company told Reuters that Bumble is working with Morgan Stanley investment bankers on a potential sale process. It's not a done deal, however, and the app might stay independent.

Bumble didn't respond to Reuters' request for comment. Morgan Stanley and asset manager Blackstone, which reportedly owns 22 percent of Bumble, also declined. Mashable has also reached out to Bumble for comment.

The buzz on Bumble's numbers

Sensor Tower's senior insights analyst, Kara Lee, reported that in 2025 and the first half of 2026, global Bumble downloads fell by 23 percent and 15 percent year-over-year, respectively. Between Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble, Bumble has seen the greatest decline in global total downloads, Sensor Tower says.

Tinder's downloads decreased in the same time period, Lee wrote, but by four percent and two percent year-over-year, respectively. Downloads of Hinge, meanwhile, increased by 14 percent and 25 percent during this time, respectively.

This is consistent with the financial reports. Tinder and Hinge are both owned by Match Group, and according to their Q1 2026 earnings, Hinge's direct revenue and paying users are up year over year. For Tinder, those metrics were down in previous quarters, but now it's making something of a comeback, as its direct revenue was up two percent year over year.

Hinge is also beating its two main rivals in monthly active users (MAU), according to Lee. They're up 23 percent year over year in 2025 and 25 percent year over year in the first half of 2026.

Bumble's user base, however, has experienced consistent declines over the last five quarters, Lee reported. While its monthly active users increased by 4 percent year over year in the first quarter of 2025, they dropped by 14 percent year over year a year later.

Tinder's monthly active users have fallen slightly, but it averages a mobile user base that's 2.5 times larger than Bumble's.

So while Bumble isn't the only dating app struggling, it might be faring the worst right now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

50+ Prime Day outdoor deals: Last chance to grab rare Yeti cooler deals

Mashable - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 22:56
The best Prime Day outdoor deals at a glance: Best water filter deal LifeStraw Personal Water Filter $9.95 (save $5.54) Get Deal Best camping deal Coleman Sundome Tent $83.59 (save $34.40) Get Deal Best cooler deal Yeti Hopper M Series Portable Soft Cooler $245 (save $105) Get Deal Best portable power station deal Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 $799.99 (save $699.01) Get Deal Best solar lights deal Govee Outdoor Solar String Lights (33 feet) $69.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best outdoor projector deal Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector $509.99 (save $240) Get Deal Best outdoor speaker deal JBL Charge 6 $159.95 (save $40) Get Deal Best campsite deal Shibumi Park Vista sun canopy shade $192 (save $48) Get Deal Best fire pit deal Solo Stove Mesa XL $81.99 (save $18) Get Deal Best outdoor grill deal Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL Outdoor Grill and Smoker $399.98 (save $100.01) Get Deal

We've made it all the way to the end of Prime Day, which means this is the final (offical) day to save. Even if you're not a hardcore fan of spending time outdoors, you could likely benefit from some fresh outdoor gear, and Prime Day has you covered. If you don't require a new tent, a comfortable chair to take to the park or the fall soccer game could come in clutch. Amazon Prime Day is always an excellent time to snag fresh outdoor gear. Plus, Prime Day shifting to the end of June this year means you'll have even more time to enjoy the new gear before the weather turns cold.

SEE ALSO: Amazon just dropped some rare Prime Day camping deals on Yeti and Coleman gear

Before the sale even started, there were plenty of power stations and portable speakers on sale. And now that we're in the thick of it, even more outdoor deals on things like Yeti coolers (which rarely go on sale), Coleman tents, and LifeStraw water filters (one of our favorite classic Prime Day deals) have entered the mix.

The sale runs through June 26, and we're tracking all the best Prime Day outdoor deals below.

We will be regularly updating this guide with the best outdoor deals, so keep checking back. You can also visit our Prime Day 2026 hub for all the latest updates and price drops or our live blog for the most up-to-date deals, news, and stock alerts.

Best camping deal

Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Coleman Sundome Camping Tent, 4 Person $83.59 at Amazon
$117.99 Save $34.40   Get Deal Why we like it

There are certain classic Prime Day deals we can count on year after year, and big discounts on Coleman camping supplies is definitely one of them. Coleman is one of the best-known names in camping, and this spacious 4-person tent is easy to set up in a pinch. Plus, it's PFAS-free for added peace of mind.

More Prime Day deals on camping gearBest portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 $699.99 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $799.01   Get Deal Why we like it

After testing dozens of portable power stations, the Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 is the model I take on every camping trip. I like to slightly overestimate my power needs while camping (what if I decide to stay an extra night?), so I prefer the 2,048Wh offered by the C2000 Gen 2.

Anker made this as lightweight as possible, and despite landing in the 2k Wh category, it only weighs about 42 pounds. That'll be a manageable weight for camping trips where the campsite is near the car. It's also perfect for powering up the outdoor projector in the backyard for movie nights this summer. The Prime Day sale price of $699.99 is the lowest price we've seen this year at Amazon. It has since jumped up to $799.99, but we'll be keeping an eye out to see if the lower price returns.

More portable power station dealsBest outdoor projector deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector $509.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $240   Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector.

Some of the best summer nights are those spent outside, but if you'd like a bit of variety from staring at campfire flames, consider an outdoor projector. The Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser is one of my favorite projectors, and it's perfect for backyard movie nights. The onboard battery lasts for about 2.5 hours before you'll need to plug it into power. It can project on a screen up to 120 inches, and it's easy to bring outside. Instead of lugging out a beast of a projector, the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser weighs a bit over two pounds, and it's similar in size to a 12-ounce can of cola.

The Prime Day sale price of $509.99 matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon, but it's rare to see it dip this low, so grab it before the price increases.

More outdoor projector dealsBest outdoor speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Charge 6 $159.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $40   Get Deal Why we like it

What's an outdoor gathering without a playlist? Suitable for bringing to the beach, the weekend cabin rental, or a poolside party, the JBL Charge 6 is ready to play the tunes. Out of all the waterproof speakers, Mashable's favorite is the JBL Charge 6, thanks to its excellent sound and all-day battery life.

More speaker dealsBest Yeti deal Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Hopper M30 Portable Soft Cooler $245 at Amazon
$350 Save $105   Get Deal Why we like it

Any outdoorsy person knows Yeti products come with premium price tags and that those steep costs don't drop often. Yeti coolers, specifically, rarely go on sale, but during Prime Day and other major sale events, the brand discounts select colors of many of its popular options. One of our top picks this Prime Day is the Hopper M30 portable soft cooler, which dropped down to $227.50 on day two of Prime Day. Now that we're on day three, the price has jumped a smidge to $245. While it's not quite the same discount, it's still an excellent sale price that's worth jumping on before Prime Day ends in a handful of hours.

The M30 soft cooler features powerful magnets that create a leak-resistant shield, a high-density dryhide shell that withstands everything from punctures to UV rays, a hitchpoint grid for attaching dry gear cases, bottle openers, multitools, and more, and of course, coldcell insulation. It can hold up to 36 cans or 22 pounds of ice. If you don't need something quite as big, check out the Hopper Flip 12 (also on sale), which can hold a case of beer or 16 pounds of ice.

More Yeti dealsMore cooler dealsEven more outdoor deals to shop on Prime Day
Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon devices are heavily discounted on Prime Day — shop Fire TVs and Kindles on sale

Mashable - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 22:51
Best Prime Day Amazon Device Deals Best echo deal Amazon Echo Spot $39.99 (Save $40) Get Deal Best Amazon Fire TV Deals Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 LED 4K Smart TV $159.99 (Save $140) Get Deal Best Amazon Home Security Deal Blink Outdoor 2K+ 3-Camera System $74.99 (Save $145) Get Deal Best Amazon Smart Home Deal Amazon Eero Pro 6E Mesh WiFi System $329.99 (Save $120) Get Deal Best Kindle deal Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $144.99 (save $55) Get Deal Best Fire tablet deal Amazon Fire HD 8 $89.99 (Save $40) Get Deal

We're in the final few hours of Prime Day, Amazon's annual flagship sale, which runs through June 26, and plenty of Amazon devices are on sale. We always expect some of the best deals during Prime Day to be on Amazon's very own devices, and that's playing out no differently this year. Prices have been slashed on Amazon devices, with discounts of up to 65%.

Some of the biggest savings are on Amazon Fire TVs. Every size and a variety of brands are all on sale, saving you hundreds of dollars on 4K TVs. But there are also some big savings on home security and smart home devices, like the Amazon Echo lineup.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day 2026: Live updates on Apple, Samsung, DJI, Kindle, and more Amazon deals

Kindles were finally discounted with the sale's official start on June 23. Our favorite deal is on the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, which dropped to its lowest price ever.

Here are all the Prime Day deals on Amazon devices available now. Keep in mind that Prime Day sales end tonight. While Amazon is notorious for extending some deals beyond Prime Day, that almost never applies to Amazon devices, so consider this your last chance.

Best Prime Day Echo deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $35.00   Get Deal

Echo prices dropped in the week leading up to Prime Day. The latest Echo devices, the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio, both hit new, all-time low prices. But the biggest discount is on the Amazon Echo Spot, the smart alarm clock. This tiny speaker sits compactly on nightstands but provides everything you need to start your morning, including a weather report and tunes to get you out of bed.

During Prime Day, get the Amazon Echo Spot for just $39.99. That saves you $40 off its $79.99 price tag for a 50% discount. You can also bundle this deal with four months of free access to Amazon Music Unlimited while still sticking with the $39.99 sale price.

More Echo dealsBest Prime Day Amazon Fire TV deals Opens in a new window Credit: Toshiba Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 LED 4K Smart TV $159.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $140   Get Deal

There's nothing better than a smart TV that provides access to all your favorite streaming services, no extraneous streaming sticks or devices needed. During Prime Day, Fire TV sales are plentiful. The best deal is on the Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 LED 4K Smart TV, which is down to $159.99, saving you $140 off. We're keeping our fingers crossed it drops back down to its pre-Prime Day price of $138.98. Still, this 4K TV is great, coming equipped with Dolby Vision Atmos for clearer sound and picture for the best possible viewing experience.

TV deals move fast during big sales, so if this deal looks good to you, buy it quick before it sells out.

SEE ALSO: The best Prime Day streaming deals are live: 10+ subscriptions for less than $1 More Amazon Fire TV dealsRemote and soundbar dealsStreaming stick dealsBest Prime Day Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $144.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $55   Get Deal

It's officially the best time of year to buy a Kindle, and the prices on these e-readers reflect that. The Paperwhite Signature Edition is Mashable's top pick for the best upgraded Kindle, and for good reason. It has 32GB of storage — more than any other Kindle (minus the Scribe) — and auto-adjusting screen brightness, so it's ready for reading in any situation. Even at its full $200 list price, we think it's an e-reader worthy of heavy consideration. At $145, it easily offers the best value for serious readers. Keep in mind this deal ends tonight, so shop today if you're interested.

Check out our full review of the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition.

More Prime Day Kindle deals Kindle accessoriesBest Prime Day home security deal Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Outdoor 2K+ 3 camera system $74.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $145   Get Deal

Looking to boost your home's security? Blink's latest outdoor cameras are getting some serious markdowns during Prime Day, with a one-camera system on sale for as little as $34.99. We recommend grabbing a three-camera setup if you want to get the most bang for your buck. Usually, this bundle runs you $219.99, but Prime Day slashes 66% off the price, bringing it down to just $74.99.

More Amazon home security dealsBest Prime Day smart home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Eero Pro 6E Mesh WiFi System $329.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $120   Get Deal

If your WiFi isn't cutting it, it might be time to optimize with the Amazon Eero system. During Prime Day, the Eero Pro 6E Mesh WiFi system is down to $329.99, saving you $120 off its $449.99 price tag. It supports over 100 devices over 6,000+ square feet. Even if you're not the most technologically savvy, set-up will be a breeze thanks to the step-by-step guide in Eero's app.

More Prime Day smart home dealsBest Prime Day Fire tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 $89.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $40.00   Get Deal

What's most surprising about the deals on Amazon devices is how limited the Fire tablet deals are. Maybe Amazon is just being conservative, or maybe it's signaling that some changes are coming. Either way, the best deal on Fire tablets is on the Amazon Fire HD 8, a small, perfectly portable tablet that's under $100. Get it for just $89.99 during Prime Day, saving you $40.

More Prime Day Fire tablet deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Porsche beat every automaker at initial quality—here's the other surprising winners

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 22:45

Ford and Porsche may have very different pricing strategies, but they do have one thing in common. They both topped the most recent JD Power 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2026 IQS measured the number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) experienced in the first 90 days of ownership.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The fastest-growing jobs in the creator economy dont require going viral

Mashable - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 22:35

With the ever-growing state of the creator economy, the allure of being a content creator is more prevalent than ever. Some of the most accessible jobs in the field, however, aren't the ones that require going viral on your own.

Two different panels at VidCon 2026 focused about the jobs that exist behind the camera, from editors to talent agents. This kind of focus makes sense: the next generation of creators will think more like media companies than ever before, and a media company needs its staff to survive.

"We all know at this point that the number one job in the country right now that kids want to do is to be a content creator, but I feel like that's 1% of what's actually happening in the creator economy," said Adorian Deck, creator and the founder-CEO of Decked Media, a company which helps creators and brands build out their multi-platform strategy.

Making yourself valuable in the creator space

Among the jobs available in the creator economies are the usual suspects of entertainment: editors, talent managers, and producers. But that's only one piece of the pie. There are heads of creator development, post supervisors for content, accountants, finance managers, and chiefs of staff.

No matter the exact job description, panelists talked about the importance of being adaptable.

Editors Sara Currie, YB Chang Biste, and talent manager Gil Krueger (far right) talked about finding opportunity on the panel Behind the Camera: the Jobs Powering the Creators. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

YB Chang Biste, creator, former senior editor for the Try Guys, and now freelancer, said that being quick to adjust to different styles of creators helped her establish herself in her career.

"You could be the best editor in the world, but if you meet a YouTuber who has a very specific style of editing and style of humor that you might not be familiar with, you might not be the best editor in the world anymore," Chang Biste said.

SEE ALSO: The creator strategies still working in an AI-saturated internet

Sean Klitzner, who was the co-creator, showrunner, and creative director of Beast Games, talked about when he initially started working with Mr. Beast, he started out in a creative wall. Then, he noticed they needed production help. From there, he noticed the budget needed reworking, and shortly after became Mr. Beast's chief of staff.

"I just said yes to whatever they needed," he said, before distilling his experience to a simple piece of advice: "Go through the door that's open."

Finding jobs supporting creators

So how does a person go about actually breaking into the space? Partially, it relates back to going through that open door. However, it can also entail going down traditional job channels.

"This is gonna sound like super old man advice but LinkedIn is your friend," said Gil Kruger, who runs the creator talent management agency Best Regards Media. Chad Wild Clay, the creator behind Spy Ninjas, also echoed this, saying that his company regularly posts jobs on LinkedIn.

Networking, of course, was also pushed as an essential part of finding work. Chang Biste and former editor for Mr. Beast, Sara Currie, also pointed to the online network they're a part of: EditHers, a group which brings together women editors on YouTube. Groups like these can be vital for making connections, and seeing call outs for work you wouldn't otherwise.

Klitzner also pointed to behind-the-scenes jobs being a viable point of entry for anyone who eventually wants to be a creator in front of the camera:

"Go learn everything you have to do to get to that point," he said.

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The tech product dilemma: buy now or wait for lower prices?

Mashable - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 22:34

In 2026, as tech product prices rise, we're having deja vu all over again. A year ago, President Donald Trump's ever-changing tariffs had tech product prices skyrocketing. Consumers found themselves asking the question: Should I buy that laptop or smartphone, or should I wait?

Now, thanks to the AI boom, we're experiencing a shortage of computer memory known as RAMageddon, we're asking that question once again. Our recommendation: If you need it, buy it now. Why? Because there's no telling when prices will drop — or even if they will.

When we posed this question to consumer experts last year, they recommended buying products like laptops, smartphones, and gaming consoles sooner rather than later as price hikes were on the way. Lo and behold, that prediction turned out to be accurate.

And prices are still rising. Apple just announced price hikes across all of its products, except the iPhone, just this week. MacBook Pros will now be $300 to $500 more expensive than they were just days ago. Last month, Nintendo raised the price of its Switch 2 console by $50. And Apple's CEO has warned of steeper prices on the iPhone 18 when it launches in September.

In short, a future "deal" on these products will very likely resemble their present prices.

It is possible that prices go back down if the AI bubble bursts and data center expansions are put on hold. But just the current buildout is going to have knock-on effects for some time to come. Earlier this year, for example, Western Digital said that the AI industry has basically bought out its entire storage supply for 2026, with agreements already being put in place for 2027 and 2028.

Of course, your mileage may vary on the "buy it now" front. If you've decided your near-decade old PC is no longer cutting it for work, that's a must-have purchase. You don't want to end up spending hundreds of dollars more on a laptop that was $500 less just yesterday.

But if you just upgraded your smartphone or laptop last year, it might make more sense to skip a version or two, and wait to see what prices look like at the end of the decade — or on Black Friday, for that matter.

After all, the enormous price hikes could backfire for some tech companies, forcing them to bring prices back down to Earth — even if it eats into their profit margins.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 excellent new Netflix shows to watch this weekend (June 26-28)

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 22:30

If you look at the Netflix Top 10 for the U.S. at the moment, you're still likely to see a scathing documentary series about Michael Jackson, Tina Fey and her pals gallivanting around vacation locations, and more than a couple true-crime docs vying for your time. Not to mention the World Cup trying to coax you out to a crowded sports bar. But if you're looking for something new to watch on Netflix that isn't any of those things, you've come to the right place.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Starting a smart home? Please don’t use Google Home

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 22:28

So you’ve decided to take your first steps towards building a smart home. The biggest hurdle ahead of you is deciding which platform you should use, and this likely depends on a few factors, like which ecosystems you’re already familiar with and comfortable using.

Categories: IT General, Technology

GPT-5.6 is here with better security and coding—so why can't you use it yet?

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 22:28

OpenAI has unveiled GPT-5.6, a new set of large language models (LLMs) that promise large strides forward in biology, coding, and security. However, it's limiting initial access to a handful of customers — reportedly at the U.S. government's request.

Categories: IT General, Technology

18 Walmart deals that beat Amazon Prime Day: Lego sets, Ninja Slushi, Beats headphones, and Owala water bottles on sale

Mashable - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 21:48

We all know this week as the annual Amazon Prime Day event. We've seen excellent deals on some of our favorite products like Jackery portable power stations, Amazon Echo devices, and Apple Watches while shopping the Amazon sale. But other retails get in on the fun of Prime Day savings, too, and this year, Walmart brought out the big deals.

After scouring both Amazon and Walmart, the Mashable shopping team has located 18 deals from Walmart that beat out Amazon's sale prices. The lesson here is to shop around during a major sale to make sure you're getting the best deal possible. But since that takes some serious effort, we've done the heavy lifting for you. Here are 18 items to buy at Walmart during Prime Day and skip on shopping them at Amazon.

Ninja Slushi

What better way to spend the summer than sipping frozen drinks? The Ninja Slushi sunk to $199.99 at Amazon during the first day of this year's Prime Day event, but it's been sold out for days now. Instead of sitting there overheating and parched, get the 72-ounce Ninja Slushi for $179.99 at Walmart.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Slushi $179 at Walmart
$299 Save $120   Get Deal Sony PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller

For those who plan to spend the summer chilling inside with the PS5, grab the DualSense Wireless Controller from Walmart while it's on sale for $65.60. You'll have to go with the white color to score this discount, but that's a classic. The same controller is $74 at Amazon, which makes Walmart the clear winner here.

Opens in a new window Credit: PlayStation PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller (white) $65.60 at Walmart
$74.99 Save $9.39   Get Deal Beats Studio Pro Headphones

Read Mashable's full review of the Beats Studio Pro Headphones.

All-day comfort and 40 hours of battery life are just some basic highlights on the Beats Studio Pro headphones. Shop the matte white colorway at Walmart and you'll get them for only $132.05, down from the list price of $349.99 at Beats. The matte white colorway is sold out at Amazon and the other options are selling for a sale price of $149.95, making Walmart the easy choice.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Beats Studio Pro Headphones (matte white) $132.05 at Walmart
$349.99 Save $217.94   Get Deal Owala FreeSip (24 ounce)

Read Mashable's full review of the Owala FreeSip.

Keep hydrated through summer heat with Mashable's favorite water bottle. With a 24-ounce capacity, the Owala FreeSip is on sale at Walmart for $22.78 in several colors, like black, flamingo salmon, and gray whale. The same bottle is only available in Black for $22.78 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Owala Owala FreeSip (24 ounce) $22.78 at Walmart
$29.97 Save $7.19   Get Deal Apple iPad

Stock is running low at Amazon on the 2025 11-inch Apple iPad with 128GB of storage. Instead of battling with others at Amazon, snag it for the sale price of $299 at Walmart, down from the normal price of $349.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 11-inch Apple iPad (2025, 128GB) $299 at Walmart
$349 Save $50   Get Deal Lego Succulents

Lego deals are some of Prime Day's most popular. But this year, Walmart won the Lego battle by offering much better discounts. Snag the Lego Succulents set for yourself or to gift in the future for only $25, down from the normal price of $49.99. The set is also on sale at Amazon but for $39.99, so shopping at Walmart will score you an extra $14.99 savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Succulents $25 at Walmart
$49.99 Save $24.99   Get Deal Ray Ban Meta Warefarer (Gen 1)

Coming in at $22 cheaper than Amazon's sale price, snag the Ray Ban Meta Wayfarer glasses for only $224 at Walmart during Prime Day. The same pair is listed at Amazon for $246, so shop Walmart to get the best discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ray-Ban Meta Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer (Gen 1) $224 at Walmart
$299 Save $75   Get Deal Lego Ideas Red London Telephone Booth

If you're in the market for the Lego Ideas Red London Telephone Booth, Walmart has your back. Plus, it's on sale for $85, down from the standard price of $114.99. That's a savings of $29.99 and you'll have your own personal British telephone booth.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Ideas Red London Telephone Booth $85 at Walmart
$114.99 Save $29.99   Get Deal Apple AirPods Max 2

The $399 sale price on the Apple AirPods Max 2 has come and gone several times at Amazon during Prime Day. Instead of playing that game, grab them at Walmart for the same price. You'll have more color options, too.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max 2 $399 at Walmart
$549 Save $150   Get Deal Samsung 65-inch Crystal UHD 4K TV

Prime Day is always a great time to score a discount on an upgraded TV. Coming in at a massive $400 cheaper than Amazon, the 65-inch Samsung UHD 4K TV is on sale at Walmart for $298. That's down from the normal price of $469.99, so you're in for a savings of $171.99 when shopping at Walmart.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch Crystal UHD 4K TV $298 at Walmart
$469.99 Save $171.99   Get Deal More Walmart deals that beat Amazon Prime Day prices
Categories: IT General, Technology

What streaming platforms wants from creators like The Besties

Mashable - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 21:46

The Besties are coming to Amazon's Fire TV Stick this summer, as announced at the VidCon 2026 panel, What Happens When a Creator's Social Content is a Big Streamer's Pipeline?

But what can other creators learn from The Besties' success? In this panel moderated by NorthStar Media Group producer Ivana Kirkbride, Besties Mackenzie Turner and Lael Hansen were joined by Pocketwatch CEO Chris H. Williams, and Global Head of Partnerships at Amazon's Fire TV Channels Dan Green. Together, they laid out the secrets to the Besties' success and what other creators need to know if they want their content on ad-revenue streaming platforms like Amazon Fire TV.

"If it works on YouTube, it'll work anywhere."

Williams repeated this in the panel, stressing that horizontal long-form content translates well to streaming services like Hulu and Amazon Fire. "As a brand and as content," he explained, "It's proven it's meddle in this insanely competitive environment, and now I have nine years of data to prove it."

From there, he explained what Pocketwatch looks for, with Green confirming along the way.

What are streamers looking for from content creators? Presentation slide on What Happens When a Creator's Social Content is a Big Streamer's Pipeline? Credit: Kristy Puchko / Mashable

Williams broke it down into three things.

1. Watch time.

Green noted that Amazon will look at a creator's subscriber numbers. But streamer studios/distributors are more interested in how long subscribers are watching. Are they making it through a full video? Watching one after another? Engagement and watch time is a better indicator of carrying over an audience than subscriber number.

"A 15-second view is different than a 15-minute view, right?" Williams explained. "In terms of the engagement of the audience, the level of fandom, what's going to translate when we take it somewhere else."

Turner expanded on this, saying that The Besties fandom is more engaged in their long-form content twice a week, making their show a part of their routine.

Green noted that a regular cadence for posting is also a good sign to streamers about a creator's ability to keep an audience interested.

2. Where are they big?

Williams explained that Pocketwatch is focusing on domestic audiences, so being big in the U.S. or at least with English-speaking audiences is a factor for him.

3. What device are they being consumed on?

Streamers want to know if creator content will be watched on television. Green noted that 20-somethings who grew up watching content on their phones and tablets are now watching that same content on TV. Kirkbride asked if Amazon had internal data to back that up, and while he declined to expand on her question he confirmed they do.

4. Horizontal over Vertical; Long form over short form

"That's what people want to watch," Green said of the horizontal, long-form content like The Besties put out. "It fits more of a laid-back TV viewing experience versus on a mobile [experience]. Mobile is more sort of for short, quickly consuming something where you've got a few spare minutes."

Williams agreed, saying, "No one has cracked the code on how to distribute vertical video, yet you know everybody's been trying."

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Ford Mustang GT is an almost perfect sports car—but it has a fatal flaw

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 21:45

Modern performance cars have become astonishingly capable, delivering supercar levels of speed and handling for a fraction of the price. Yet, in the pursuit of outright performance, many have lost some of the engagement that made enthusiast cars so special in the first place.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Ever wonder what people actually buy on Prime Day? Heres what Mashable readers have purchased so far.

Mashable - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 21:37
A quick look at what Mashable readers bought during Prime Day Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $9.99 with code SELECT4K Get Deal Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle $499.00 at Amazon (Includes 'Mario Kart World,' 'Donkey Kong Bananza,' or 'Pokémon Pokopia') Get Deal Bluetti Elite 30 V2 Solar Generator $199.00 at Amazon Get Deal

Prime Day was overwhelming enough when it felt like every single item ever was on sale for a single day. But in 2026, when you have four whole days to stress over all of the money-saving opportunities, some serious guidance is necessary. You could narrow down the best Prime Day deals by seeking out products at record-low prices or strictly shopping products that are at least half off. Another smart way to decide what to spend your money on is to see what other people already spent their own money on.

SEE ALSO: The best free deals on Prime Day: Score Audible, Kindle Unlimited, and more without spending anything

Below, we're breaking down the top Prime Day items purchased by Mashable readers so far this year. If you're still looking to shop, just know that Prime Day officially runs through the end of June 26. (Many deals quietly stay live for the day or two afterward though.)

Here's what people have been adding to their cars:

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $9.99
$39.99 Save $30 save $30 with code SELECT4K Get Deal

Out of the laundry list of Amazon devices with heavy discounts for Amazon's own sale, the $9.99 Fire Stick really called to Mashable readers. The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is already the most budget-friendly Fire stick, but a promo code appearing in the listing dropped it to just 10 bucks.

Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle Nintendo Switch 2 Gaming Console (Choose Your Game Bundle) $499 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon

The chances of the Switch 2 itself seeing a direct discount are basically nonexistent. The next best thing is getting a free game thrown in with your Switch 2 purchase. With Amazon's Choose Your Game bundle, you can grab a Switch 2 and a copy of Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokémon Pokopia for the regular price of the console alone ($499). Mashable readers were psyched to avoid dropping an extra $79.99 on one of the year's most popular games.

New or current Switch 2 owners also used Prime Day to expand their console's storage for cheap. Mashable readers flocked to the 256GB Samsung P9 Express microSDXC card, which is 50 percent off.

Bluetti Elite 30 V2 Solar Generator Bluetti Elite 30 V2 $199 at Amazon
$285 Save $86   Get Deal at Amazon

Get in loser, we're touching grass this summer. That's the vibe we're getting from the popularity of the Bluetti Elite 30 V2, a compact little solar generator that'd be great for camping or a road trip. For less than $200, why not grab one as a backup for emergencies?

The color selection is certainly another big selling point: This compact generator comes in pink, blue, and purple on top of the expected black and white.

Pokémon Chaos Rising Booster Bundle Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Chaos Rising Booster Bundle $55.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $4   See It at Amazon

Mashable-reading TCG fans decided to skip the brawl over the Pokémon card restock at their local Target, scooping popular packs from Amazon instead. The Chaos Rising Booster Bundle dropped as low as $45.27 during Prime Day, fluctuating near the $50 mark throughout the sale. Amazon's price is slightly more expensive than market value, but a few dollars doesn't matter a whole lot when a Mega Greninja ex could be involved.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 AirPods Pro 3 $179 at Amazon
$249 Save $70   Get Deal at Amazon

There were two popular pairs of Apple headphones among Mashable readers this Prime Day: The AirPods Pro 3 on sale for $179.99 and the AirPods Max 2 on sale for $399.99. Both were record-low prices, and the AirPods Max 2 have since sold out in every color. As of June 26, you can still grab the AirPods Pro 3 at their Prime Day price — they're $40 cheaper than they were for Black Friday.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Linux felt like a waste of time—until these 3 features changed everything

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 21:31

I grew up on a Windows PC, so that’s how I learned to use a computer. I never thought of it as “the Windows way” of doing things—it was just the way you used a computer. So when I first switched to Linux, I tried to force my Windows habits onto it. That slowed me down and made some workflows feel frustratingly difficult.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your expensive SSD is slowly cooking itself: The $5 fix you need

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 21:06

NVMe SSDs are quickly becoming one of the most expensive components in a typical gaming PC. Yet despite their importance, many people ignore a crucial factor for performance and longevity: cooling.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Prime Day iPad deals are selling out fast after Apples price hikes. Here are 8 you can still shop.

Mashable - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 21:05
The best Prime Day iPad deals at a glance: Best iPad deal Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $299 at Amazon (save $150) Get Deal Best iPad deal you won't find on Amazon Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi + cellular, 128GB) $479 at Best Buy (save $270) Get Deal Best iPad mini deal Apple iPad mini (A17, WiFi, 256GB) $499.99 at Amazon (save $199.01) Get Deal Best iPad Pro deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $1,199.99 at Amazon (save $299.01) Get Deal Another solid last-gen deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) $1,249.99 at Amazon (save $249.01) Get Deal

iPads have everything you love in a MacBook, just in a more portable package, which makes them perfect for summer travel. They fit easily in a personal item or carry-on but still bring Apple's signature speedy performance.

Amazon has been heavily discounting iPads this week during its annual summer Prime Day sale. But as of today, June 26 — the final day of the sale — most models are sold out. (As a matter of fact, the M4 iPad Air is completely out of stock there in every configuration.) What gives?

Blame Apple itself. The tech giant made its tablets more expensive on June 25, sending savvy shoppers flocking to third-party retailers that still had lower prices available. You're going to need to hustle if you want to score any of the remaining deals, including your cheapest option, the entry-level iPad.

SEE ALSO: MacBooks and iPads just got more expensive. Lock in Prime Day Apple deals before it's too late.

If you don't want to comb through the listings yourself to see what's still available, just keep reading. We've rounded up a list of Amazon's best Prime Day iPad deals below. Note that they're no longer marked as on-sale following Apple's price changes, but they're up to $299 less expensive versus the Apple Store. (We checked.) To fill in Amazon's inventory gaps, we've also thrown in a couple of iPad deals that we found at Best Buy and Walmart, which are running their own anti-Prime Day sales this week.

We'll keep monitoring these iPad deals until the end of Prime Day in case their availability changes. Deals with a strikethrough were sold out at the time of writing, but could return later.

If you're thinking of buying any other Apple products, be sure check out our separate guide to the best last-minute Prime Day Apple deals, too.

Best Prime Day iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $299 at Amazon
$449 Save $150   Get Deal

At $299, or $150 off its new MSRP of $449, we're shocked that the standard iPad is still up for grabs on Amazon. This is our favorite Apple tablet for budget shoppers and kids: It's not especially fast, but it has a premium, lightweight design with an 11-inch Liquid Retina display, a great 12MP camera, and Touch ID. It should last you about six hours per charge.

If this one sells out on Amazon, check Walmart's Deals event for a price match. The big-box store was also selling an open-box model for just $247.

More Prime Day iPad dealsBest non-Prime Day iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi + cellular, 128GB) $479 at Best Buy
$749 Save $270   Get Deal

We think the iPad Air is the best tablet money can buy, period. Every configuration of the current M4 model is sold out on Amazon right now, but you can grab the last-gen M3 version for a steal at Best Buy. The 128GB base model with cellular connectivity is on sale there for only $479, or 36% off. (A similarly spec'd M4 model costs $899 as of this week, FYI.)

This is an incredible tablet that's as powerful as a laptop. So while you can do the basics — streaming, internet browsing, reading, and gaming — it can handle way more as needed. For creatives, that means graphic design, illustration, and photo and video editing. Compared to its M4 successor, the M3 iPad Air just has older WiFi tech, a little less RAM, and slightly slower (but still impressive) performance.

Read our full review of the M4 Apple iPad Air.

More Prime Day iPad Air dealsPrime Day iPad Mini dealsPrime Day iPad Pro deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The Besties are coming to Amazon Fire this summer

Mashable - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 21:03

The Besties have been crushing it on YouTube with 2.98 million subscribers. Their show, which features sleepover-style excitement and spooky stories suitable for kids, is now available on Hulu. And at Vidcon 2026, Mackenzie Turner and Lael Hansen announced a partnership with Amazon Fire that'll put them on that streaming platform by the end of summer.

In the panel The Convergence is Here: What Happens When a Creator's Social Content is a Big Streamer's Pipeline?, The Besties were joined by Pocketwatch CEO Chris H. Williams, Global Head of Partnerships at Amazon's Fire TV Channels Dan Green, and NorthStar Media Group producer Ivana Kirkbride, who moderated the session.

On the panel, they discussed how a creator like The Besties might move their libraries onto streaming services, with the help of companies like Pocketwatch. Then, in the middle of the panel, Green confirmed The Besties would make their Amazon Fire debut this summer, and Williams concurred, dropping the release date of Aug. 1.

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 award-winning movies to watch on Netflix this weekend (June 26-28)

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 21:00

Netflix has no shortage of acclaimed films, but with hundreds of movies competing for your attention, it's easy to overlook some of the streaming platform's best releases. While new additions arrive every week, some Netflix Originals continue to stand out even today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Slate's electric pickup comes at a price that should make Ford and Tesla nervous

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/26/2026 - 20:30

Slate has officially confirmed that its long-awaited electric pickup will start at just $24,950, making it one of the cheapest EVs on sale in America. In a market where electric trucks have become increasingly expensive and packed with unnecessary gimmicks, the newcomer is taking a radically different approach.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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