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For years, the Alexa voice assistant has been on phones, tablets, smart home devices, and everything in-between. Now, it's coming (back) to your web browser, designed as an alternative to generative AI chatbots like Google Gemini and ChatGPT.

SAVE 43%: As of Jan. 5, you can get the Renpho Smart Scale for $19.99, down from $34.99, at Amazon. That's a 43% discount or $15 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Renpho Renpho Smart Scale $19.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $15.00   Get Deal

Getting a better handle on your health doesn't necessarily mean hitting a specific number on the scale. If you’re trying to actually feel better this year, it’s worth looking at the full picture, including your sleep, hydration, and body composition.

SEE ALSO: 5 fitness apps to help with your 2026 New Year’s resolutions

As of Jan. 5, you can get the Renpho Smart Scale for $19.99, down from $34.99, at Amazon. That's a 43% discount or $15 in savings. This is a solid, entry-level price for a tool that gives you a much broader picture of your health than a traditional "dumb" scale ever could.

This scale uses four high-sensitivity electrodes to track 13 different body metrics, including BMI, bone mass, and muscle mass. That data then syncs directly to the Renpho Health app, which is compatible with Fitbit, Apple Health, and Samsung Health. The app is great for spotting long-term trends rather than obsessing over daily fluctuations. It also features a baby and pet weighing mode, so everyone in your household can use it.

Bonus: If you have an FSA or HSA account, this scale is also eligible for reimbursement, which is a nice way to use up those funds on something that'll help you stay on top of your wellness goals.

Controlling your smart home with a dashboard or smart buttons is great, but the real power of a smart home comes from automation. There's nothing more satisfying than having the actions you want to occur happen like magic without you having to do anything at all. When you're creating automations in Home Assistant, there's a key setting you should be aware of.

Anker's Soundcore has released the AeroFit 2 Pro, which are dual-form earbuds that can physically switch between an open-ear design and a noise-canceling, semi-in-ear fit. This is a genuinely clever piece of engineering that makes it great for anyone who wants the best of both worlds.

Before you say anything—Linux is great. I've been writing Linux advocacy pieces for more than a decade. Desktop Linux has come along by leaps and bounds, and has yet to reach its full potential. However, for those who have never used Linux in any of its flavors, there are still reasons to think twice before diving in.

Teens spend an average of 70 minutes on their smartphones during school hours, according to new research published Monday in JAMA.

The study found that students aren't using their devices for educational purposes, either. Instead, they're mostly scrolling social media, racking up roughly 30 minutes per day on apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. They also game on Roblox and Pokemon GO, as well as watch videos on Netflix and YouTube. By comparison, they spend an average of a minute-and-a-half on productivity- and education-related uses, like Google Docs, the tutoring app Khan Academy, and the homework help app Chegg.

"Phones can support learning, but that’s not how they were mostly used during the school day," Dr. Jason Nagata, the study's lead author, told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: Make 2026 the year your kid gets off their device

The data were collected from 640 teens ages 13 to 18 participating in a massive longitudinal research effort known as the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. The teens shared their school's start time with researchers, who then used a reasonable estimate for the end of the students' school day.

Instead of surveying the teens, who might not accurately remember their phone habits, the researchers relied on an app installed on each participant's phone to passively measure uses like social media and gaming apps, internet browsing, and video viewing. A previous smaller study that also measured smartphone activity estimated that students used their phones for an hour-and-a-half during school hours.

Nagata believes the hour-plus that teens spend on their phones at school "inevitably competes with attention to learning." He also noted that while some phone use may happen during breaks or lunch, that activity could interfere with face-to-face socializing, physical activity, and mental rest.

"Heavy phone use can displace those benefits and reduce opportunities for real-world connection," Nagata said.

Parents, educators, policymakers, and students themselves have long been concerned about the disruptive role of phones at school, which can exacerbate bullying, burn teachers out, and distract teens from academics.

Nagata said the study provided objective data demonstrating that smartphones remain a significant part of students' school-day experience.

Since the researchers collected data between 2022 and 2024, they acknowledge that the findings may not reflect more recent phone-free school policies that resulted from increasing political and public momentum for bans and solutions like Yondr pouches. The participants all used Android devices, so the findings may not apply to those with Apple smartphones.

SEE ALSO: Kids aren't learning to spell anymore

Importantly, the researchers identified risk factors and disparities associated with higher rates of school-time phone use. Students with problematic social media and phone use appeared to spend several more minutes each day on social media and their devices during school hours.

Black students spent 12 to 20 minutes more on their phones daily during school time compared to white participants. Low-income students generally used their phones more during the school day than high-income students.

The researchers didn't evaluate the reasons for these disparities but suggested they might stem from differences in school environments, which could include class size and school resources.

Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist who's conducted extensive academic research on screen time but was not involved in this study, found the results compelling.

"Some argue that students are using their phones during the school day mostly for educational purposes," said Twenge, author of 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World: How Parents Can Stop Smartphones, Social Media, and Gaming from Taking Over Their Children's Lives. "This study provides strong evidence that's not the case: Adolescents are instead using their phones for entertainment and social media."

In The Pitt, change is constant.

The Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center's nonstop stream of patients leaves its staff in eternal flux. Anything can roll through the doors and alter the course of an shift. Conditions can jump from stable to life-threatening faster than you can say "yinz." Because of this, Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch (Noah Wyle, fresh off an Emmy win) and his team have to be ready to switch up their care plans at a moment's notice. 

SEE ALSO: 2026 TV preview: All the TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them

That sense of oscillation is a huge reason why The Pitt’s ER-meets-24 formula is so intoxicating. Thankfully, the HBO series only doubles down on it in Season 2, forcing its characters to confront change not just where their patients are concerned, but also in the Emergency Department itself. New faces, new rules...all these additions risk destabilizing the Pitt’s already shaky equilibrium, creating another captivating high-wire act of TV.

There’s a new sheriff in town in The Pitt Season 2 Sepideh Moafi in "The Pitt." Credit: Warrick Page / HBO Max

A new season of The Pitt means a new shift. This time around, it’s the Fourth of July, meaning several months have passed since Season 1’s PittFest tragedy.

Since then, the unthinkable has happened: Dr. Robby has decided to take a vacation. A three-month sabbatical, no less! His plan to take a motorcycle trip has his coworkers worried — especially since he’s not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle in the season’s opening scene — but Robby is just focused on getting through one last shift before he departs.

SEE ALSO: 'The Pitt' Season 2's first scene is out, and I'm already concerned for Dr. Robby

His last day overlaps with the first of his replacement attending, Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi (Sepideh Moafi). Right off the bat, their dynamic crackles with barely-disguised annoyance. Robby bristles at Al-Hashimi's arrival, and instantly decides she's stepping on his toes. Al-Hashimi, meanwhile, takes offense at Robby’s prickly attitude — towards her, towards her relationship with the student doctors, and especially towards the changes she wants to implement in the ED.

The Pitt’s new characters may aggravate you at first — but that’s the point Gerran Howell, Amielynn Abellera, Noah Wyle, Sepideh Moafi, and Supriya Ganesh in "The Pitt." Credit: Warrick Page / HBO Max

And what changes Al-Hashimi has in store! On top of wanting to do away with the ED's nickname of "the Pitt" — the horror! — she's also hellbent on bolstering departmental efficiency. Tactics include the implementation of "patient passports" and the use of AI apps in patient charting. Everything she says sets a vein popping on Robby's forehead. How dare she try to shake up the system the ED's staff has used for years?

Given that audiences are more familiar with Robby, chances are they'll side with him at first. His own disgruntled reaction feels like a meta parallel to TV audiences' irritations at new characters shaking up the casts of their comfort shows. Like Robby, these audiences wonder, why disrupt a well-oiled machine with a new part?

Of course, it's these disruptions that make things interesting from season to season, and Al-Hashimi is an immediately interesting addition to The Pitt. Moafi's calm, pointed delivery makes Al-Hashimi a clear counterpoint to the controlled chaos of the ED, positioning her as an outside authority figure. Seeing which staff members embrace her versus which stand by Robby weaves an engrossing, yet subtle, web of tension throughout the season. 

Featured Video For You Gaten Matarazzo on 'Stranger Things' 'SNL' shoutout, Dustin and Steve's big fight, and why AI is 'lame'

But Al-Hashimi is more than just a thorn in Robby's side on his last day. Over the course of the first nine episodes sent to critics, The Pitt also shines a spotlight on her point of view, especially when it comes to her well-intentioned, if flawed, proposals. That much-needed depth turns Al-Hashimi from antagonistic force to a new cog in The Pitt’s medical machine.

The same is almost true of The Pitt's new student doctors, Joy Kwon (Irene Choi) and James Ogilvie (Lucas Iverson). At first, the former seems almost apathetic towards her work, while the latter is a textbook jerk genius with little social awareness. As the shift's hours tick by, The Pitt does its best to bring Kwon out of her shell and humble Ogilvie, but for the most part, they feel more like mentee accessories to Dr. Dennis Whitaker (Gerran Howell). That could change in the season's final episodes, though. After all, The Pitt's first season proved adept at altering our perceptions of its cast over the course of a day. Dr. Trinity Santos (Isa Briones) first struck me as a one-dimensional portrait of overconfident condescension, but I soon came to admire her quick wits and conviction in calling out Dr. Frank Langdon's (Patrick Ball) medication theft. Perhaps Kwon and Ogilvie are on a similar, Santos-esque path.

The Pitt remains timelier than ever Sepideh Moafi, Taylor Dearden, Katherine LaNasa, Gerran Howell, and Supriya Ganesh in "The Pitt." Credit: Warrick Page / HBO Max

In addition to all of its new characters — plus developments like Robby’s sabbatical or Langdon’s return — The Pitt continues its track record of providing unflinching looks at the modern medical landscape. You can still expect hyperrealistic medical procedures, with the Fourth of July setting adding extra specificity to the season's injuries. Grills? Firecrackers? Festive pub crawls? All end with new patients getting wheeled into the ED.

Plus, just as Season 1 tackled tough issues like abortion and gun violence, Season 2 treads new ground with its discussions of current hot-button issues. At the forefront, the incorporation of artificial intelligence into the ED, which turns The Pitt into a microcosm of the wider debate behind AI technology. Is it a useful tool? Or do its frequent errors outweighs the benefits? Will it streamline humans' work days, or reduce healthcare jobs for humans? These are the questions The Pitt ponders — and loudly — throughout the season.

Elsewhere, in a more quiet fashion, The Pitt examines the impacts of the Trump administration on healthcare. Donald Trump's name is never stated outright, but mentions of the White House cutting funding to research — such as a study about racial disparities in healthcare that Dr. Samira Mohan (Supriya Ganesh) was involved in — make it crystal clear who The Pitt is calling out.

The standout, though, when it comes to Season 2’s look into key social issues, is its portrayal of the procedure of gathering evidence for a sexual assault forensic exam, including a rape kit. Over the course of several episodes, charge nurse Dana Evans (Katherine LaNasa) walks sexual assault victim Ilana (Tina Ivlev) through the process, giving her support, resources, and space when the situation becomes too much. The examination room becomes a quiet bubble in the midst of the ED's pandemonium, one where The Pitt is able to offer the deliberate care such a storyline (and a survivor) deserves. LaNasa, fresh off an Emmy win, remains extraordinary here. Dana sheds the tough demeanor she exhibits around the ED and its more unruly patients, instead becoming the quiet, supportive figure Ilana needs.

This storyline, among the many other highlights from Season 2, remains proof of The Pitt’s staying power. As Dr. Robby and his staff weather change after change, the show itself remains empathetic, educational, and totally unforgettable.

The Pitt Season 2 premieres Jan. 8 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max.

If you have experienced sexual abuse, call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or access the 24-7 help online by visiting online.rainn.org.

Govee is known for stretching our perception of lamps and lighting. And the brand's CES 2026 showcase, with a vision of "lighting the future," is here to wow us once more.

With three new flagship products unveiled at CES 2026, as well as advancements across the brand's core technologies — LuminBlend+ color system, AI Lighting Bot 2.0, and the new DaySync adaptive lighting system — plus a new partnership with Samsung SmartThings, Govee is carrying us into a new era of immersive lighting. The enhanced LuminBlend+ color management system features a new 16-bit precision chip for smoother, more precise color transitions, and an industry-leading 1000K–10000K color-temperature range. The upgraded AI Lighting Bot 2.0 is more emotionally responsive and intuitive than ever, enabling real-time reactions to mood and context and learning behaviors over time. And finally, the brand's redesigned DaySync adaptive lighting system (rolling out in April 2026) simplifies matching indoor lighting to the time of day, automatically adjusting brightness, color, and temperature for a natural home lighting rhythm.

With its new partnership with Samsung SmartThings, Govee lighting products can be managed alongside other smart home devices in one place. It incorporates the brand seamlessly into your smart home ecosystem for even more effortless automation.

Govee CES 2026 product announcementsGovee Floor Lamp 3 Govee's flagship Floor Lamp is more powerful and precise than ever. Credit: Govee

The first of the three flagship products announced is the Govee Floor Lamp 3, what the brand calls its "most advanced floor lamp yet." It's supported by LuminBlend+ for ultra-precise color and a massive color-temperature range, as well as the upgraded AI Lighting Bot 2.0 and new DaySync system. These technologies come together to deliver a personalized, adaptive, and time-aware ambient experience. It still features the same sculptural design of the previous generations of floor lamps, which slips seamlessly into any corner of any room.

Govee Ceiling Light Ultra Personalize your living space with overhead lighting effects. Credit: Govee

Equipped with an industry-leading 616-pixel LED matrix and AI Lighting Bot 2.0, the Ceiling Light Ultra allows for DIY overhead lighting effects, patterns, and animations. From everyday comfort to visual clarity to creative expression, the enhanced DIY tools let you illuminate your space in any way you desire while maintaining "a natural, true-to-life appearance across objects and skin tones."

Govee Sky Ceiling Light Simulate daylight inside your home with the Govee Sky Ceiling Light. Credit: Govee

Finally, the Sky Ceiling Light is built to simulate daylight through custom-engineered LED and architectural gradient illumination. It's ideal for enclosed, dim, or windowless spaces that need a boost of atmosphere. The refined white-light performance recreates the soft, comfortable tones of skylight transitions with an edge-lighting halo effect.

CES attendees can experience the latest Govee products in person at CES 2026 from Jan. 6 to 9. While there's no official release date yet, you can head over to the Govee CES 2026 webpage for updates.

Motorola's next big mobile device might have serious specs to offer.

Prominent leaker Evan Blass (via TechRadar) posted what looks like official marketing materials for something called the Motorola Razr Fold. As far as anyone knows, this is a new book-style foldable from Motorola, which has previously only released clamshell-style Razr devices. Previous reporting indicated Motorola would announce the device at or around CES 2026, which is happening right now, so the announcement could come at any moment.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirTag rivals from Motorola, Xiaomi expected soon

Anyway, the most juicy part of the news here is what the marketing slide Blass shared says. It confirms that the phone is Motorola's first in this form factor, while claiming it will have “brilliant displays, intelligent AI, and an advanced, boundary-breaking camera system."

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No hard specs were given, but if any of that is actually true, this could be an interesting new point of competition for Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold lineup. Those are currently the best book-style foldables on the market, but there's always room for improvement, especially in the camera department. If Motorola can offer a real upgrade in that regard, the company could be onto something.

At any rate, we'll probably find out more this week. Stay tuned.

Stranger Things may be finished, but we're still not quite done with the residents of Hawkins.

Netflix just dropped a trailer for One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, a documentary focussing on the making of the final season featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage with the cast and crew.

Brace yourself for some serious emotion.

One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 is streaming on Netflix from Jan. 12.

Managing emails in Outlook can feel like an endless chore—your inbox fills up faster than you can clear it. But what many people don’t realize is that behind Outlook’s familiar interface lies several hidden features. Once you start using them, sorting, replying, and organizing emails become easier.

SAVE 18%: As of Jan. 5, you can get Amazon's 2024 Kindle (16GB RAM) in Matcha or Black for just $89.99, down from $109.99, at Amazon. That's an 18% discount or $20 in savings.

2024 Kindle (16GB RAM) $89.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $20   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy

If you’re starting the year with a resolution to finally read those thousands of books you’ve been "collecting" digitally, Amazon is making it a little cheaper to get started.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best e-readers to buy: Testing Kindles, Kobos, iPads, and more

As of today, the Amazon Kindle (2024 model) is on sale for $89.99, down from $109.99. This matches the post-Christmas price we’ve seen recently, and while it's about $10 shy of its absolute Black Friday record low of $79.99, it's still the best price you'll find for a brand-new unit right now.

This newest model, which comes in a very "main character" Matcha green, is the lightest and most compact e-reader Amazon makes. It finally caught up to the pricier models with a six-inch, 300 ppi glare-free display, faster page turns, and a front light that's 25% brighter (than previous versions) at its max setting.

You can get up to six weeks of reading on a single charge, which is plenty of time to get through a few New Year's resolutions. It also offers 16GB of storage, so you can carry thousands of books in a device that fits in your back pocket.

The holidays are a time of caring, giving, and huge amounts of stress. Pluto TV gets it. So they created their Holidays Are Brutal collection, a list of action-packed movies to help you work out some of that tension, including Charlie’s Angels, Rush Hour, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Gladiator, Blade 1-3, The Mummy, and The Mummy Returns. But that's not all.

To celebrate the holidays with some chaotic fun, Pluto TV offered fans a free and festive rage-room experience. Visitors were welcomed to pick up a bat, a crowbar, or a hammer and have at Christmas tree ornaments, pretty plates and glasses adorned with reindeer and Santa Claus imagery, and some movie-themed props like a potted Love Fern (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) and at a set of drums (Stepbrothers).

Mashable didn't just announce these rage-room festivities. We joined in, going wild like a Grinch come Christmas. And it was an absolute blast.

Enjoy the video, where Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko goes Harley Quinn, slinging a bat at all manner of yuletide trimmings, while Executive Producer Mark Stetson captures the mayhem — sometimes in slo-mo!

And here's wishing you a smashing good holiday season.

The Holidays are Brutal collection is now streaming on Pluto TV for free.

People love to use single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi for niche projects like retro game emulation, building a custom NAS, or home automation.

SAVE $120: The NordicTrack T Series 5 treadmill is on sale for $479 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $599. That's a 20% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: NordicTrack NordicTrack T Series 5 treadmill $479 at Amazon
$599 Save $120   Get Deal

Most of us are back to reality today. After time off of work for the holidays, we're experiencing a return to normal life today. If you pondered the thought of fitness goals for a 2026 resolution but haven't made any solid commitments because of holiday relaxing, this deal could be your best option.

As of Jan. 5, the NordicTrack T Series 5 treadmill is on sale for $479 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $599. That's a 20% discount that shaves a solid $120 off the normal price.

If you're not one to head to the gym, getting a treadmill for your home or apartment could be a great option. This also applies if you live in an area with weather that's not ideal for an outdoor walk in the winter. For decades, NordicTrack has been a leader in the treadmill industry and the T Series 5 is an ideal model.

In a world where things are becoming more and more complicated, the NordicTrack T Series 5 keeps it simple while offering everything we'd want in a treadmill. You'll get a stable device shelf for your phone or tablet, a cup holder for water or electrolytes, and full control of speed and incline.

SEE ALSO: Best fitness tech of 2025

Simple controls take care of the speed and include on this treadmill, and you'll also have access to setting speed and include shortcuts, making it simple to get on and decide on your workout. There's also a 5-inch LED display that'll give you all the stats.

You can synch up your fitness tracker to the NordicTrack to track stats like heart rate, distance, and calories burned. If you're concerned about space and the treadmill's footprint, you might be pleasantly surprised. The treadmill measures 30.5 inches wide, about 69 inches long, and approximately 49 inches in height. NordicTrack says this model comes is suitable for folks who weigh up to 300 pounds.

If you're hoping to increase daily step count in 2026, the NordicTrack T Series 5 gives you the opportunity to get those in at home. Tune into a show on your phone, set it on the device shelf, and get some miles in. Snagging today's deal means you can save $120 on the NordicTrack T Series 5 treadmill.

Most of us use the mouse only for clicking, scrolling, and dragging files, overlooking how much more Windows lets us do with it. With a few lesser-known tricks, your mouse can save you time, reduce clicks, and make navigating your PC feel smoother.

TCL's TV announcement at CES 2026 doesn't follow the RGB trend that was expected from the big TV brands. Still, the new flagship TCL X11L SQD-Mini LED TV could wind up being one of the brightest and most impressive TVs of the year.

This version of mini-LED isn't the same mini-LED setup that we've been seeing from the best TVs in recent years. First announced in China in Sept. 2025, TCL's SQD technology stands for Super Quantum Dot. Gizmochina explains that SQD utilizes a single-chip pure white light source instead of the true red, green, and blue light sources seen in the Micro RGB TVs debuted by Samsung and LG this CES season.

Credit: TCL SEE ALSO: What to look for when buying a TV, as told through this easy TV specs guide

But the goal is the same: to produce ultra-high peak brightness, typically only possible with QLED and mini-LED panels, and pristine black levels and contrast, typically only possible with OLED panels — simultaneously.

Mashable got the chance to preview the new flagship TCL TV ahead of CES 2026, and it's intensely bright. On top of that, a TCL representative told Mashable they believe this TV will be able to compete head-to-head with the new flagship Micro RGB TVs recently announced by Samsung and LG. The TCL X11L also features a unique speaker strip along the bottom bevel, with Bang & Olufsen audio.

The TCL X11L SQD-Mini LED TV: The specs

The X11L achieves what TCL calls "100 percent BT2020 color" through 20,000 discrete dimming zones (three times more than the premium TCL QM9K). Past the 10,000 peak nits of brightness, that should provide a ton of opportunity for precise tweaks to lighting during dark scenes that are often a problem area for non-OLED TVs.

The X11L SQD-Mini LED TV is TCL's new flagship TV. Credit: TCL The Bang & Olufsen speaker system. Credit: TCL

The X11L is also armed with TCL's enhanced Halo Control System and an anti-reflective layer to mitigate blooming in dark rooms and glare in bright rooms. That boosted glare reduction, in tandem with the "ZeroBorder" bezels and 0.8-inch cabinet, aligns the X11L quite closely with the design of an art TV.

• Enhanced Halo Control System with Minimized Micro OD, Shadowless Uniform Light Supports, Shadow Detail Optimization & New 26-bit Backlight Controller

• Up to 20,000 Discrete Dimming Zones

• Up to 10,000 Peak Nits Brightness (HDR rendering maximum)

• New TSR AI Processor

• Dolby Vision 2.0 Max (OTA)

• Audio by Bang & Olufsen

• Expandable Home Theater Audio System with Optional Wireless Subwoofer & Dolby FlexConnect 4.1.4 Capability

• Backlit Voice Remote & Hands-Free Voice Control

• Gemini for Google TV

• Sleep Sounds Mode

• HDMI 2.1 Ports

• Elegant Cabinet with SuperThin Depth — just 0.8 inches

• CSOT WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel with Wide Color Viewing Angle, Unique ZeroBorder, & Anti-Reflection Layer

• TCL Deep Color System with Super Quantum Dots, CSOT UltraColor Filter, & Advanced Color Purity Algorithm

Where to buy the TCL X11L SQD-Mini LED TV

Three sizes are available to pre-order now, though it's not clear whether smaller models will be available down the line:

• 75-inch TCL X11L: $6,999.99

• 75-inch TCL X11L: $7,999.99

• 98-inch TCL X11L: $9,999.99

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

Everyone wants bigger and longer-lasting batteries in their phones, and some companies are delivering on that with innovative silicon-carbon batteries. But not all phone manufacturers are on board with this, and there are some reasons why.

After almost a decade, Stranger Things has come to an end — and even though some fans aren't happy with how things left off, the finale still has plenty of people talking.

SEE ALSO: 'Stranger Things' fans are furious about the finale. Here's why.

One topic that's dominated social media is the ultimate fate of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). Towards the end of the finale the series protagonist appears to sacrifice herself by staying in the Upside-Down while the dimensional bridge to the Abyss is blown to smithereens, eliminating any possibility of the military breeding more children with her telepathic powers and continuing their cruel experiments.

Featured Video For You Gaten Matarazzo on 'Stranger Things' 'SNL' shoutout, Dustin and Steve's big fight, and why AI is 'lame'

But then, during a final D&D campaign in the very last scene, Mike (Finn Wolfhard) puts forward an alternative theory. What if the image they all saw of El standing in the doorway to the Upside-Down was really just a projection made by Eight/Kali (Linnea Berthelsen)? Could it be that the real El actually made a pact with her fellow Hawkins Lab survivor, managed to slip back into the real world while everyone was distracted, and is now living out her days in another part of the world under a new identity as Mike's story suggests?

The Duffer Brothers' show refuses to confirm what really happens — but some fans are speculating that the clues point to El being alive.

What's the clue on the bookshelf?

One of these clues is on the bookshelf in the Wheeler's basement at the very end of the episode, where the main gang go and return their D&D campaign binders once and for all. In the episode itself it's hard to read the titles of the books surrounding the binders — but in one of the behind-the-scenes images posted on Instagram by Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp, we can get a clearer look (swipe through to the final image).

View this post on Instagram

As fans have already pointed out on Reddit, one of the books is The Empty Copper Sea by John D. MacDonald — a 1978 novel about a detective investigating a possible faked death.

It seems highly unlikely this choice by the Stranger Things production team is a coincidence, so could it be another hint that Mike's theory about El is correct? Maybe. Although if you were being cynical, you could also argue that a grieving Mike may just have spent the past 18 months reading stories about fake deaths while he was working on his own theory about El.

Ultimately, the fate of Eleven is hidden in the minds of the Duffer Brothers, and they're not giving anything away. Still, we're choosing to believe.

Stranger Things' final season is available to stream now on Netflix.

TL;DR: Live stream Egypt vs. Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're approaching the latter stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with huge matchups on the schedule over the next couple of weeks. The most successful team in the history of the competition, Egypt, face off against Benin for a place in the quarter finals. Can Salah lead his side to a crucial victory?

If you want to watch Egypt vs. Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Egypt vs. Benin?

Egypt vs. Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 11 a.m. ET on Jan. 5. This fixture takes place at the Adrar Stadium.

How to watch Egypt vs. Benin for free

Egypt vs. Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.

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Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 4 to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Egypt vs. Benin 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 the UK

4. Visit Channel 4

5. Watch Egypt vs. Benin for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 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 access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Egypt vs. Benin (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Channel 4?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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Watch Egypt vs. Benin in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.