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It might be hard to imagine now, but not too long ago the idea of free software with source code that anyone can modify wasn't one with much enthusiasm behind it. How could that be safe? What about support? Could you trust mission-critical stuff to this software?

There are, tragically, seven months standing between audiences and Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. But if you can't wait that long to get your dose of Nolan, you're in luck: You can catch the first six minutes of the historical epic in theaters this month.

SEE ALSO: 'Euphoria' Season 3 gets first look in HBO Max's 2026 trailer

The prologue is showing ahead of the IMAX 70mm re-releases of two of this year's biggest awards contenders: Ryan Coogler's Sinners and Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another. These re-releases, which began Friday, will run for a week.

Only 10 theaters in the world — eight in the United States, one in Canada, and one in the United Kingdom — show films in IMAX 70mm, which, according to Variety, is Nolan's preferred format for the film. That makes sense, given that The Odyssey will be the first blockbuster shot only on IMAX film cameras.

However, you'll still have a chance to see The Odyssey's prologue even if you don't live near a theater with IMAX 70mm capabilities. Starting Dec. 19, The Odyssey's prologue will play in front of all IMAX screenings of James Cameron's Avatar: Fire and Ash, not just those in 70mm.

The non-IMAX Avatar: Fire and Ash screenings will be showing a full-length trailer for The Odyssey, but not the entire prologue.

What's in the prologue for The Odyssey?

If you can't make it to any of these screenings but still want to know what goes down in The Odyssey's prologue, we've got you covered. According to outlets like Variety and World of Reel, the prologue recreates the end of the Trojan war, when the Greek forces snuck into the city of Troy inside a massive wooden horse disguised as a peace offering. The architect of that scheme? None other than Odysseus (Matt Damon).

Nolan invites viewers into Odysseus and his soldiers' tense wait inside the Trojan Horse. Then, once they leave the horse, Nolan unleashes a full-scale battle, complete with Damon shooting his enemies with a bow and arrow.

The sequence is framed as a story passed from Sparta's King Menelaus (Jon Bernthal) to Odysseus' son Telemachus (Tom Holland). Other members of The Odyssey's star-studded cast include Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Mia Goth, although none show up in the prologue. But you know what does appear? An animatronic cyclops. From promises of Nolan battles to practical monster effects, July can't come soon enough.

The Odyssey hits theater July 18.

Do dating apps still work in 2025?

We get it, though. Dating as a man in 2025 is tough. It's not just the pressure to make or the fear of rejection if you do — it's the endless swiping through fake profiles, scammers, AI-generated thirst traps, bots posing as potential matches, relentless Instagram models trying to lure you into their OnlyFans scam, and matches with impossibly high expectations (yes, the "6-6-6 rule" is a real thing).

But despite the challenges, dating apps do work. A 2025 SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus survey found that nearly 39 percent of all U.S. adults have used a dating app at some point. The numbers are even higher for young people and the LGBTQ+ community.

SEE ALSO: The dating app glossary: The A to Z of terms you need to know

While the experience isn't always perfect, plenty of guys find success. According to an older, 2023 Pew Research survey, 53 percent of people who've used a dating app said they had a positive experience, with 14 percent rating it as "very positive." And there's more good news — 57 percent of guys reported positive experiences and results compared to 48 percent of women.

The best dating apps for guys who know what they want

This guide is your cheat sheet for the best dating apps for men in 2025. We've done the research and found the apps that are actually worth your time. Whether you're looking for something casual or something serious, we have a dating app to recommend.

Pro tip: Don't be afraid to experiment. Try out a few different apps and see what works for you. And most importantly, don't get discouraged! Sometimes, the occasional bad date or disappointing flirtation is just the price you pay to meet the match of a lifetime.

SAVE $220: As of December 13th, the Roborock Q10 S5+ robot vacuum is $329 at Amazon, down 40% from its list price of $549.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Q10 S5+ robot vacuum $549.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal

This weekend, Roborock is offering the Q10 S5+ robot vacuum at 40% off. This model is one of the lowest-cost vacuum-and-mop combo robot vacuums on the market. Roborock boasts 70 days of hands-free cleaning with its large dust bag situated neatly in its fairly small, self-emptying dock station. 

This dual mop and vacuum robot cleaner comes equipped with many features, including Smart Carpet Care, which detects carpet and automatically lifts mopping modules to protect your carpet.

"This Roborock robot vacuum is ideal for those who don't want to spend much more than $500, but who also don't want to settle for the most basic cleaning possible," says senior shopping reporter Leah Stoddart, in her roundup of the best robot vacuums for every budget and floor. "This 2025 entry-level model is the rare cheap robot vacuum and mop combo with legitimate pressurized scrubbing — a nice upgrade for hardwood floors or entryways with high foot (or paw) traffic."

Stoddart praised the model for its quiet presence, cost, high suction for its price, pet waste detection, sonic mopping, and LiDAR smart mapping. Some downsides to this model, according to Stoddart, include that its mopping pad soils quickly and that the physical robot isn't super petite. There are certainly many pluses compared to the minimal flaws of the product. If you're looking for a budget-friendly robot vacuum with higher-end features, this might be the model for you. 

Are you like me and type thousands of words per day on your keyboard? Is the keyboard that you’re using one of those cheap membrane-style ones? Here’s why you should stop using a membrane keyboard if you type all day and switch to mechanical.

Webcams in laptops aren’t great, and even external webcams struggle unless you pay for a high-end model. Before you look for an upgrade, think about the much better camera that’s already in your pocket. You can turn your Android phone into a high-definition webcam with shocking ease.

Enshittification is an inescapable fact of life. Apps and services that were once good fall foul of the constant need to maximize shareholder profits, which comes at the cost of user experience. Very few apps escape the march of enshittification, but there are some that have gotten significantly worse this year.

I love making my own 3D models and 3D printing them at home. The problem with making my own models is that I can go through several, or even dozens, of prototypes before getting to the final product.

Google has purged dozens of AI-generated videos from YouTube that involved characters from Disney properties, according to Variety.

SEE ALSO: Even 1,001 Disney deals may not save OpenAI

The move follows a cease-and-desist letter Disney sent to Google on Wednesday, the evening before Disney announced a $1 billion deal with OpenAI.

The letter, according to Variety, accused Google of infringing on Disney IP from Star Wars and the MCU to animated films like Frozen, Moana, Lilo & Stitch, and more. Several of the videos Disney flagged were created with Veo, Google's AI tool. Disney also cited a trend of creating AI "action figures" as infringement, including images of AI-generated figurines of Deadpool, Elsa, Homer Simpson, and Darth Vader in their letter.

As reported by Variety, links to videos cited in the cease-and-desist letter were still working on Thursday. However, by Friday, they redirect to a message that reads, "This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Disney."

In a Thursday statement to press, a Google spokesperson affirmed that they would cooperate with Disney on the issue, saying, "We have a longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship with Disney, and will continue to engage with them. More generally, we use public data from the open web to build our AI and have built additional innovative copyright controls like Google-extended and Content ID for YouTube, which give sites and copyright holders control over their content."

The cease-and-desist is not the only action Disney has taken against generative AI. In June, it filed a joint lawsuit with Universal against Midjourney, calling the AI image platform a "bottomless pit of plagiarism."

However, if you thought that suit was evidence of Disney taking a broad stand against AI slop, you'd be sorely mistaken. Disney's agreement with OpenAI indicates the opposite: The House of Mouse is embracing AI in a big way.

According to OpenAI's post announcing the deal, Disney is making a $1 billion equity investment in the company, becoming a "major customer" and gaining access to its tools.

The three-year licensing agreement will allow users to make Sora videos featuring Disney characters. OpenAI's announcement reveals that a selection of these "fan-inspired Sora short form videos [will be made] available to stream on Disney+."

That's right, soon you'll be able to enjoy AI slop platformed alongside work by human artists. But according to Disney CEO Bob Iger, the deal "does not in any way represent a threat to the creators at all."

It seems that Disney will permit AI slop of its characters, but only if the slop comes from OpenAI.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Car ownership and maintenance can be expensive, and there's nothing worse than firing up your vehicle and seeing the dreaded check engine light. I've been in that situation, and fortunately, this affordable little device told me what was wrong, saving me an expensive trip to the dealership.

Notifications are one of the most useful tools in Home Assistant. You can use notifications to alert you that motion has been detected at your front door, that your washing machine has finished running, or that the battery needs changing on one of your smart home devices. Notifications can do so much more than just send you messages, however.

If you're looking to start using YouTube Music or are a loyal user who wants to improve your music experience on the streaming platform, you may want to tweak a few essential settings that can transform your streaming.

Winter isn’t exactly prime time for roadster fun—you’ll spend more time bundling up than enjoying the breeze. But that’s also when smart buyers can score a deal, since prices drop when demand cools.

If you own a large collection of physical media, be it movies, TV shows, games, or music, you've probably made at least a few double purchases. Or, maybe you've missed out buying something rare because you assumed it was already in your collection. There’s an easy way to solve this problem: make a list of your stuff.

When's the last time you visited Google Earth? It's not exactly as popular as Google Maps when it comes to exploring our planet, and most people who do visit the site probably just spin the globe a few times and move on to something else. However, there are quite a few very cool features—such as Voyager.

TL;DR: Live stream Flamengo vs. Pyramids FC in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup for free on FIFA+. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're approaching the dramatic conclusion of the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup. Pyramids FC face off against Flamengo for a spot in the final. There the winner will battle it out with Paris Saint-Germain for the title. How is this any different to the Club World Cup? Don't ask too many questions.

If you want to watch Flamengo vs. Pyramids FC in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Flamengo vs. Pyramids FC?

Flamengo vs. Pyramids FC in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on Dec. 13. This fixture takes place at the Ahmed Ben Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan.

How to watch Flamengo vs. Pyramids FC for free

Flamengo vs. Pyramids FC in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup is available to live stream for free on FIFA+.

If this FIFA+ live stream is not available in your location, you can use a VPN to access for free. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can access free live streams on FIFA+ from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Flamengo vs. Pyramids FC for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit FIFA+

5. Stream Flamengo vs. Pyramids FC for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Flamengo vs. Pyramids FC in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time this game and the final before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites 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 FIFA+?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on FIFA+, 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Flamengo vs. Pyramids FC in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Occasionally rebooting your router and modem is pretty normal, and some routers even have a reboot schedule function that can take care of this for you. Though problematic network equipment should be replaced, adding a smart plug to your setup can save you effort and even automate the entire process.

There are certain movies that people consider to be Christmas classics that are wheeled out every year for nostalgic enjoyment. Chances are, Elf and Home Alone make that list for you. I'm not here to tell you those are bad movies by any means—certainly the adventures of Buddy and Kevin have their place. However, I am here to tell you to give another movie a try this festive season. One that is simultaneously funnier and darker and does a much better job at capturing the Christmas spirit.

TL;DR: Live stream the NBA for free with a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime. Live stream the NBA for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NBA is a unique sport. There's nothing else in which incredibly tall athletes can be made to look absolutely tiny by aliens who can dunk without leaving the ground. And almost all of these shockingly tall athletes display a skillset that mere mortals can't even fathom.

The NBA could make a legitimate argument that it hosts the very best athletes in the world. Sure, the NFL might disagree. And rugby definitely attracts some special specimens. But the NBA has a bunch of seven footers dunking on each other. That's tough to beat.

If you are interested in watching the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the NBA?

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America made up of 30 teams (29 from the United States and one from Canada). The defending champions are the Oklahoma City Thunder.

When is the NBA?

The 2025–26 NBA season is the 80th edition of the competition. The regular season runs from Oct. 21 to April 12. The play-in tournament is scheduled to be played on April 14-17, followed by the playoffs on the next day, and concluding with the NBA Finals from June 4 to June 21.

The in-season NBA Cup will take place from Oct. 31 to Dec. 16.

How to watch the NBA for free

The NBA is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime in the UK.

86 regular-season games, the Emirates Cup Championship, the play-in tournament, one third of first and second round games of the Playoffs, a Conference Finals series, and the NBA Finals are available to Prime members in the UK. The full schedule can be found here.

These free live streams are geo-restricted to the UK, 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 the UK, meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select NBA games before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites 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 Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing live streams on platforms like Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Watch the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

Ryobi makes hundreds of 18V tools in various options, but when you need a little more power or longevity, you'll want to reach for one of its bigger 40V tools. Sometimes it's hard to know what the right tool is for any given job, but if it's a bigger task, there's a good chance you'll benefit from going with a Ryobi 40V over smaller models. Here are a few of my favorites.