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This is going to be a review in progress. The reason is simple: the new Apple Watch Ultra 4, unveiled last week and launching properly tomorrow, touts numerous new features that won't be available until later this year (if you're in Europe, the timeline is unknown).

Apple provided me with a review unit of the new Ultra 4, and all I could do was focus on what was there. The highlights: longer battery life (huge!) and a new heart rate monitoring system, which Apple says is best in the business.

First, the specs:

• Case: Titanium

• Colors: Natural or Black

• Case size: 49mm

• Display resolution: 422x514 pixels, 1,245 square mm display area

• Display brightness: Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness, 1 nit minimum brightness

• Display type: Wide-angle OLED and LTPO3

• Chip: S11 with a 4-core Neural Engine, W3 wireless chip

• Storage: 64GB

• Connectivity: GPS, Cellular (5G and LTE), WiFi4, Bluetooth 5.3, satellite connectivity, second-gen Ultra Wideband chip

• Battery life: up to 50 hours of normal use, up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode

• Charging: Up to 80 percent charge in about 45 minutes

• Durability: Water resistance 100m, recreational scuba diving to 40m, dust resistance IP6X, tested to MIL-STD 810H standard

• Special features: Second-generation electrical heart sensor, always-on optical heart sensor

So what's new here? Apple Watch Ultra 4 repeats the colors from last year: Black Titanium (pictured) and Natural Titanium. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

If you take a closer look at those specs and compare them to the Ultra Watch 3, you'll see they're almost identical, with the only differences being the new chip, better battery life, and the second-gen heart-monitoring system. That's right: Even the colors are the same as last year and boil down to Natural Titanium or Black Titanium (my unit was of the Natural Titanium variety).

This is the rare gadget where I don't really mind the lack of visual updates. The Apple Watch Ultra has looked pretty much the same since the first version, but it looks rugged, powerful, and mighty, with a beautiful display that puts most other smartwatches to shame. I wouldn't mind a new case color just for variety's sake, but the design is (still) great.

It does, however, mean that I have little to report on display size, brightness, or basic functionality. It's all the same as last year's version.

The Siri Modular Watch Face has a special complication in the middle that always surfaces the most relevant widget. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

As for new watch faces, Apple's new watchOS 27 (which is what my unit is running) brings only one: Siri Modular. It's available for both the Series 12 and Ultra 4, but thanks to the Ultra 4's larger display, it has an additional bezel and a different (optional) Ultra font.

The new trick Siri Modular does is dynamically change the center complication to display whatever the top Smart Stack widget is at the moment. Turn the Watch's crown, and that widget will start rotating between the other widgets in your smart stack.

While the new Siri Modular face is a cool addition, I do regret that Apple didn't add additional new faces with the launch of the Watch Ultra 4. While its physical design remains the same, new watch faces are the easiest way to make the watch feel fresh.

I'm sticking with the Translucent Gray Ocean Band. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

One fresh thing is the wide range of bands on offer. Apple added numerous new versions across all of its band types, including Sport Band, Sport Loop, Nike Sport Band, and Hermes. Apple sent me a few to try out; by far my favorite was the new Translucent Gray Ocean Band, which is a perfect match for the Apple Watch Ultra 4's Natural Titanium color.

Battery life fit for athletes

The Apple Watch Ultra has always been advertised as a watch for athletes and adventurers, but the first couple of iterations just didn't have the battery life to match that claim. Now, with the Apple Watch Ultra 4, Apple says the battery will last up to 50 hours in normal use, up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode, and up to 18 hours in outdoor workout mode.

This should now be enough to finish an Ironman race, which is pretty much all you can ask of any sports watch. I haven't tried that and have no plans to, but I did take the Watch for an hour-long workout that included some calisthenics and bag work. The watch was fully charged that morning, and by evening it still had 81 percent battery remaining.

Overall, I had to charge the Watch roughly every third day, and could extend that by another day by using low power mode. This is a big deal for me as it means I don't have to worry about charging when I take the Watch on a weekend trip.

New heart rate monitoring system

The biggest hardware change on both the Watch Ultra 4 and Apple Watch Series 12 is the completely new Health Sensing System, which includes a new optical and electrical heart sensor. It can take heart rate measurements far more frequently throughout the day, thereby collecting more data, which is used to calculate metrics such as HRV (heart rate variability), a stress indicator. Apple pointed to a scientific study that singles out this new system as the best among wearables right now.

The new heart rate monitoring system takes measurements far more frequently than before. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

This new system also paved the way for Readiness, a feature that takes a bunch of data and essentially tells you how well you're doing and how ready you are to tackle a workout. Readiness takes a week of data to start showing up; I don't have a score yet, but will add it here as soon as I get that first reading.

Other health-related apps, such as Vitals and Heart Rate, now provide more precise, granular data thanks to the new heart rate monitoring system. One metric I find particularly useful is the ability to see at a glance how quickly your heart rate returns to normal after a hard workout.

The new heart rate monitoring sensors do fire more often, which can be a nuisance while you sleep or in a dark theater. Apple has thought of this, and the sensors will fire less often when the watch is in Theater or Sleep Focus mode.

In a dark room, the constant flickering of the heart rate sensors can be annoying, but fortunately there are ways to temporarily (and automatically) turn it off. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Step tracking has also been improved, with Apple calling it "the most accurate in any smartwatch." I've been getting slightly lower step counts than on the Apple Watch Series 11, but it's hard to say whether that's more accurate than before. I have, however, enjoyed the new Steps complication, which shows me the number of steps I've taken today in real-time.

The stuff that's not here yet

Now we come to the complicated part. The new Apple Watch Ultra 4, as well as Series 12, come with several AI features. These are part of the Audio Intelligence suite of features, enabled by the new S11 chip, which includes four new features: improved Shazam, Sound Recognition, Live Rewind, and Siri Recap.

Shazam, which comes in the form of the Music Recognition widget, is simply better at identifying the song playing nearby. I've tried it out on numerous songs, even some obscure YouTube remixes, and it recognized them all instantly.

Sound Recognition is primarily aimed at people with hearing impairments, as it can help them recognize important sounds such as sirens, doorbells, or a baby crying.

Music Recognition now works incredibly fast, and I couldn't find a song it couldn't recognize. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Those two are live now, but Live Rewind and Siri Recap are coming "later this year." Live Rewind gives you an AI-powered recap of the last 15 seconds of your life, so you can recall, for example, which menu items the restaurant waiter just listed for you. Siri Recap creates a "high-level summary" of your day.

Apple has pointed out that these don't store any audio data and are completely private to the user, but they still sound like potential privacy trouble to me. The features are opt-in to you, the user, but they listen to everyone around you, and these people may not always get a chance to opt in or out. Live Rewind does, however, play an audible sound, even if the Watch is on silent, and displays an animation, so that people nearby can see that it's being used.

We'll know more about these features when they go live. In Europe, where the privacy rules are pretty strict, it might take a while.

All of the health and fitness data collected by the Watch feeds into the Health app on the iPhone, which has undergone a big redesign. That, however, also isn't live yet; as I wrap up this text, it just became available in the iOS 27 developer beta. At first glance, I think the new Health app is a huge improvement, as it offers a clearer overview of various aspects of your health, including sleep quality, fitness level, heart health, and overall vital signs. I'll need more time (and a more finalized version) to assess how well it works, though.

Should you buy it? It's an amazing smartwatch, but not an essential upgrade from last year's model. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Whether you need the new Apple Watch Ultra 4 depends on how you use it. If it's just a cool watch on your wrist that you sometimes use for workouts, and you don't require very precise sports metrics, then the old Ultra 3 or even Ultra 2 will continue to serve you well.

If you're an athlete, especially an endurance athlete, who needs the best battery life and the best heart rate measurement system available, then the Apple Watch Ultra 4 is an essential upgrade, even if you have an older version.

SAVE OVER $20: As of Sept. 17, the Anker Solix C200 DC portable power station is on sale for $129.98 at Amazon. That's $20.01 off its full price of $149.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker SOLIX C200 DC Portable Power Station $129.98 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $20.01   Get Deal

If fall weather has you itching to grab your camping gear and go on an outdoor adventure, it's worth picking up a portable power station to bring along.

These devices can help keep you powered up on the go, and Amazon's a great place to find something on sale. Among the retailer's many discounted offerings at the moment is the Anker Solix C200 DC.

Usually priced at $149.99, this power station is over $20 off. The "limited time deal" tag on the store page is a strong indicator that it won't be on sale for long, so now is the time to make a move before the price goes back up.

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces dates for Prime Big Deal Days, its 48-hour 'October Prime Day' sale

The Anker power station is 39% smaller than similar power stations. There's even a strap you can get for it, though that's sold separately. And in terms of power, it boasts a 192Wh battery that delivers 200W of power and five charging ports: a USB-C (100W) port, a USB-C (140W) port, a USB-C (15W) port, and two USB-A (12W) ports.

It can also be recharged in three ways. With the 140W USB-C PD 3.1 port, it can fast recharge to 80% in 1.3 hours. Or it can be recharged via a car socket or solar panels, reaching 80% in 1.6 hours.

The clock is ticking to save on the Anker Solix C200 DC portable power station at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

SAVE OVER $600: As of Sept. 17, the Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV is down to its lowest-ever price of $847.99 at Amazon. That's $652 off its full price of $1,499.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-Inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD TV $847.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $652   Get Deal

Ahead of the Prime Big Deal Days sale event in October, Amazon has been dropping some excellent early deals for shoppers to check out. If a new TV has been on your mind, you're in luck.

We've already spotted solid savings on various screens, including the Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV.

As of Sept. 17, this Hisense TV is on sale for a huge 43% off at the retailer. That's knocked it down to $847.99. Compared to its usual list price of $1,499.99, that's $652 in savings. Not to mention, the price tracking website camelcamelcamel notes this as a return to its lowest-ever price on Amazon.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime in time for the next Prime Day

Boasting a 65-inch screen, 4K resolution, and Hi-QLED technology, this Hisense TV looks like a real treat for the eyes. With 4K resolution, you'll enjoy incredible detail in what you watch, further enhanced by Hi-QLED technology to deliver vibrant colors, brightness, and contrast on screen. The display even has an anti-glare layer that minimizes reflections and prevents light from blocking out what you're watching.

If you love to game or watch live sports, it also offers a native 165Hz refresh rate that keeps the action looking smooth without blur or lag. And on top of all that, it's a Google TV, so you can easily access your favorite apps to stream shows and movies direct from the home screen.

However, it's currently listed as a "limited time deal," so act fast to save on the Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV at Amazon before the discount disappears.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection is on sale for $48.99 at Walmart, down from its $89.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $48.99 at Walmart
$89.99 Save $41.00   Get Deal

The Pokémon TCG’s 30th Celebration expansion has only just landed, but the price cuts are already extending beyond the Elite Trainer Box deal (still under $85 at Amazon). Among the many products you can buy in the 30th Celebration expansion right now, its poster collection is now sporting arguably the best discount.

As of Sept. 17, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection is $48.99 at Walmart, down from its $89.99 list price — sold and shipped by third-party seller Cash Cards Unlimited. At a $41 saving, the 30th Celebration Poster Collection is now much closer to its $42.26 market price estimated by TCGplayer. However, you can save more by shopping with the dedicated trading card marketplace instead, with listings as low as $43.85 at the time of writing. 

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration ETB is way under market price on Amazon — buy for under $90 (if you get an invite)

You'll get three 30th Celebration Pokémon booster packs alongside foil Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres promo cards. There’s also a double-sided poster covered with artwork from more than 160 cards in the anniversary set.

If there are any particular valuable chase cards you’re after — like the $210+ SIR Mew ex, the $170+ SIR Gengar ex, or the $145+ SIR Mew ex — you can also buy single 30th Celebration Pokémon cards at TCGplayer. 

TL;DR: Pokémon and streetwear brand Stance have announced their second and final limited-edition sock drop of 2026, launching Sept. 24 as part of the franchise's ongoing 30th anniversary celebration.

Pokémon's year-long 30th anniversary blowout isn't slowing down anytime soon. Following major brand collabs, the franchise is teaming back up with streetwear staple Stance for its second and final sock collection of 2026.

If you missed out on their first drop earlier this year — which sold out almost too quickly — this new limited-edition release gives fans another shot at stocking up. Launching Sept. 24, the line features six distinct character designs centered around fan favorites like Pikachu, Meowth, Snorlax, and Arcanine. Plus, parents and younger Trainers can match, as Pikachu and Meowth pairs will also be available in kids' sizes.

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration ETB is way under market price on Amazon — buy for under $90 (if you get an invite)

For serious collectors looking to fill out their real-world Pokédex, Stance is also dropping a limited-edition Pokémon Trainer Box Set that packs two major exclusives you can't get as standalone pairs:

• Arcanine Blaze Crew — An exclusive, fiery colorway locked strictly inside the collector's box.

• UV-Reactive Poké Ball Crew — The real showstopper, woven with light-sensitive threads that reveal hidden Pokémon graphics only when exposed to direct sunlight.

With Pokémon merch consistently flying off shelves throughout 2026, expect this drop to vanish fast. The full collection goes live on Sept. 24 exclusively at Stance.

SAVE UP TO $92: Shop Sandisk to get a 1TB portable SSD for $159.99, down from the list price of $251.99. You can also find a 128GB USB-C flash drive for $21.99 instead of the list price of $56.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sandisk 128GB Sandisk USB-C Flash Drive $21.99 at Sandisk
$56.99 Save $35   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sandisk 1TB Sandisk Portable SSD $159.99 at Sandisk
$251.99 Save $92   Get Deal

There's no sign of the memory shortage improving soon. Ever-rising tech prices indicate the major brands don't see it letting up soon either. That means adding storage to your setup today could mean snagging the best prices we'll see for quite a while. If you've been thinking of closing your eyes and making the upgrade, there's some good news from Sandisk.

As of Sept. 17, a 1TB Sandisk portable SSD is on sale for $159.99, marked down from the normal price of $251.99. If you don't need that much storage, a 128GB Sandisk USB-C flash drive is on sale for $21.99, down from the standard price of $56.99. That works out to a major 61% discount.

It's hard enough to figure out memory within our own brains, but now that external memory is hard to come by, things are rough. However, Sandisk has a collection of World Cup SSDs and thumb drives on clearance since the event is over. As long as you don't mind the look, there are great savings in store.

SEE ALSO: Want free books? Get 3 months of Kindle Unlimited for free ahead of Prime Big Deal Days.

The 1TB portable SSD is perfect for creators or travelers who need more storage space while on the road. Sandisk designed this model with durability in mind while keeping it compact. Read speeds reach up to 800MB/s on the 1TB option, which can hold thousands of photos and hours of video.

Going smaller, the 128GB Sandisk USB-C flash drive comes in a fun whistle shape with a wearable lanyard. You'll be able to transfer both photos and videos onto the flash drive to free up precious space on your phone or laptop. Speeds reach up to 300MB/s with this option. Plus, Sandisk offers a five-year warranty.

Since we're not expecting memory prices to drop anytime soon, snagging these deals from SanDisk is a smart move. Even if you don't need immediate storage relief, they'll be useful to have on hand for the future.

TL;DR: McDonald’s has launched a SpongeBob x One Piece Happy Meal, available from Sept. 15. The toys feature SpongeBob as Gear 5 Luffy, Patrick as Zoro, and Squidward as Sanji.

If you thought the Burger King x Dragon Ball collab was the peak for anime fans, McDonald's just dropped the ultimate anime mash-up.

Combining Bikini Bottom’s finest with One Piece is truly tough to beat, and you know for sure that collectors are already buying up cases to hunt down rare pieces before secondary market scalpers clear everything out. That's the game you need to play with this kind of collab.

The 15-toy collection isn't just a surface-level collaboration that gets churned out to capture the interest of dedicated fans who'd buy absolutely anything. Instead, the character pairings are shockingly accurate to lore. You get SpongeBob pulling off Gear 5 Luffy, Patrick sporting Zoro's three-sword style, and even deep-cut references like Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen cosplaying as Brooke.

If you're trying to complete the full 15-piece set, here is every character combo hitting McDonald’s locations right now:

• SpongeBob: Dressed as Monkey D. Luffy

• SpongeBob (Variant): Dressed as Gear 5 Luffy

• Patrick: Dressed as Roronoa Zoro

• Sandy: Dressed as Nami

• Plankton: Dressed as Usopp

• Squidward: Dressed as Sanji

• Gary: Dressed as Chopper

• Pearl: Dressed as Robin

• Larry the Lobster: Dressed as Franky

• Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen: Dressed as Brooke

• Mr. Krabs: Dressed as Jinbe

• Mermaid Man: Dressed as Monkey D. Garp

• Barnacle Boy: Dressed as Koby

• Mrs. Puff: Dressed as Charlotte LinLin (Big Mom)

• The Flying Dutchman: Dressed as Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard)

Credit: McDonald's

To maximize your chances of securing specific figures without buying 15 meals in one afternoon, use the My McDonald’s App to place mobile orders. This is a sneaky hack, but many locations specify which toy number series is currently being distributed before you pay. We can't make promises here, but it shortens your odds.

SAVE $9.01: As of Sept. 17, the 512GB Apple MacBook Neo is on sale for $789.99 at Amazon, down from its list price of $799.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple MacBook Neo (512GB) $789.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $9.01   Get Deal

Ever since the ongoing RAMageddon memory shortage forced Apple to slap broad price hikes across its Mac and iPad lineups in late June, finding any discount on Apple hardware feels like a major victory.

The MacBook Neo was one of the victims of that repricing — the base tier jumped from $599 to $699, while the upgraded 512GB configuration with Touch ID spiked from $699 to $799.

Right now, Amazon has the 512GB MacBook Neo down to $789.99. While a $10 price drop on Amazon doesn't sound like an earth-shattering clearance event on paper, shaving anything from a Mac that literally just saw a $100 bump helps soften the blow. If you were eyeing that extra storage and Touch ID anyway, now's the time to jump in.

SEE ALSO: Lenovo's IFA Laptops: MacBook Neo Killer! Fanless ThinkBook! And Yes, Another Rollable Screen

Beyond the extra storage and Touch ID, this upgraded tier gets you all the standard features that make the Neo a surprisingly capable machine. It’s built with a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine — and features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display pushing up to 500 nits of brightness. You also get a notch-free 1080p FaceTime HD camera, dual side-firing speakers with Spatial Audio, and full support for Apple Intelligence and macOS features like iPhone Mirroring.

As for how it performs in the real world, Mashable gives the laptop high marks despite its budget compromises. Reviewer Haley Henschel notes that the Neo "doesn't have a ton of pizzazz or multitasking brawn, but it's great for what it is: a very cheap MacBook." In Mashable's benchmark testing, the A18 Pro chip delivered single-core speeds "on par with an M4 MacBook Air," making everyday tasks like browsing, emailing, and streaming feel lightning fast. Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth even managed to run light video edits in Final Cut Pro without issue.

The MacBook Neo completely outclasses similarly priced Windows laptops and Chromebooks. Its sturdy all-aluminum build, vibrant display, and solid 15-hour battery life make it "an amazing starter laptop" or a secondary machine for students and casual users who just need the basics done right.

If you need a reliable Mac that won't destroy your budget, grab this rare deal before it goes back to full price.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box is on sale for $29.97 at Amazon, down from its $34.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box $29.97 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $5.02 Get Deal

Learning Magic: The Gathering from scratch can be intimidating if you’ve never sampled the trading card game before, but the dedicated Avatar: The Last Airbender Beginner Box is now on offer to help you get started at a lower cost. This particular expansion is especially great if you’ve been inspired by the new Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender movie. 

As of Sept. 17, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box is $29.97 at Amazon, cutting $5.02 from its $34.99 list price. It ships from Amazon and is sold by a third-party seller, The Card Kid. That does bring it closer to TCGplayer’s estimated market price of $26.16, but listings at the dedicated trading card retailer are selling the box for less than on Amazon, now at $26.98.

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection (Series 1) gets a rare price drop at Amazon — save nearly $10

Rather than dropping two newcomers straight into a full match, the Beginner Box starts with a guided face-off between Aang and Zuko. Each player receives a 20-card tutorial deck, along with step-by-step instructions that introduce Magic's core mechanics as the game progresses.

There’s plenty left once the tutorial is finished, too. Eight additional 20-card half-decks can be paired into different 40-card combinations, covering themes including Firebending, Waterbending, Earthbending, Counters, Spells, and Big Creatures. Two playboards, two Spindown life counters, five double-sided tokens, learn-to-play guides, and a rules reference booklet round out the package.

For more Avatar: The Last Airbender cards to add to your new collection, you can buy any single Magic: The Gathering card from TCGplayer right now. 

TL;DR: Audio brand Tribit has officially launched the FlyBuds C3, a new pair of ultralight true wireless earbuds designed for workouts, daily commutes, and work calls.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tribit Tribit FlyBuds C3 $34.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $5   Shop Now

Tribit just added a new pair of super affordable earbuds to its lineup: the FlyBuds C3. They're built to be featherlight so you can wear them all day on your commute, at the gym, or during work calls. While they normally go for $39.99, you can actually snag them right now with a 13% discount on Amazon.

Even though they weigh just 4 grams each — making them light enough that you'll probably forget you're wearing them — they come packed with features you usually only see on pricier flagship models. Inside, 10mm speakers deliver clear, balanced sound with full support for both iPhone and Android devices. You get active noise cancellation that blocks out up to 45dB of background clutter, plus a quick Transparency Mode when you need to hear your surroundings.

SEE ALSO: New AirPods deal: Amazon just cut the preorder price for the new AirPods 5

They run on Bluetooth 6.0, which means you can connect them to two devices at once and seamlessly jump from your phone to your laptop without messing with settings. For workouts and daily wear, they feature an IP55 sweat- and water-resistant rating and antibacterial ear tips. Calls stay crisp thanks to a six-microphone setup powered by AI to block out background noise, and gamers get a 50ms low-latency mode to keep audio locked in with the action.

Battery life keeps pace with a full week of commutes, offering 8 hours of playback per charge (6 with noise cancellation on) and up to 35 total hours with the case. You can tweak the sound using the companion app's equalizer presets, adjust the bass levels, or customize the noise control modes on the fly.

Under $40 for noise cancellation and a full week of battery? Grab the FlyBuds C3 at Amazon.

TL;DR: Live stream the NFL for free on 7plus, TVNZ, or Channel 5. Access these free livestreams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We all know that football is America's favorite sport, but global interest has never been higher. With the NFL visiting other countries every season and increased overseas coverage, you'll now find NFL fans all around the world. That also means there are new places to live stream the weekly action. Which is great news for fans everywhere.

By following a few simple steps, you can live stream the NFL without spending anything. If you want to watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the NFL?

The NFL is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC), which are also split into divisions.

SEE ALSO: How to watch NBA live streams online for free

Each team plays 17 games in the regular season. Following that, seven teams advance from each conference to the playoffs, which culminate with the Super Bowl. This game is played in early February between the winners of the AFC and NFC championship games.

The Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl XL.

When is the NFL?

The NFL season begins annually with a three-week preseason in August, followed by an 18-week regular season running from September to January. Seven teams from each conference advance to the playoffs, culminating in the Super Bowl.

How to watch the NFL for free

The NFL is available to live stream for free on the following platforms:

• Australia — 7plus (select regular season games plus all playoffs and Super Bowl LXI)

• New Zealand — TVNZ (select regular season games plus all playoffs and Super Bowl LXI)

• UK — Channel 5 (select regular season games and playoffs)

These streaming services are geo-blocked, but anyone worldwide can access them for free with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free streaming services from around the world without hassle.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia, New Zealand, or the UK

4. Visit 7plus, TVNZ, or Channel 5

5. Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the NFL without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream select fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 always secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The latest social media ban for kids? All 27 countries in the European Union.

Announced Thursday after plans revealed in July, the proposed EU KIDS Act will "enhance the online safety of children," banning kids in the EU under 15 from setting up their own accounts on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.

Children under 15 will be allowed "mini" social media accounts set up by a parent or guardian (with parental controls always on), but will be limited to a maximum of one hour per day. Kids under 13, however, won't be allowed social media accounts at all. The European Commission, the EU's executive body, described these measures as intended to "delay" kids' use of these platforms.

SEE ALSO: Which countries have banned social media for kids?

The bill won't just cover social media, however, with video-sharing platforms, online gaming, AI chatbots or companions, and even app stores targeted by the law. If passed, all 27 member states of the EU will be included in the bill, from Austria to Sweden, with the EU stating, "The internet does not stop at borders. Countries are adopting their own age limits and rules, which would mean a patchwork of laws: a child protected in one country and not in the next."

Like Australia's precedent-setting social media ban and subsequent moves in other countries, the EU KIDS Act will also require tech companies to "show that their services are age-appropriate and safe by design," enforcing strict rules that will limit "addictive design features" like infinite scrolling and banning minors from livestreaming.

Online platforms with 45 million or more actively monthly users in the EU will need to submit a compliance plan to the Commission. Fines for companies who don't comply could be as much as six percent of worldwide annual revenue.

Importantly, age verification will be required for online platforms via the EU age verification app or third-party platforms. Online age verification laws have become a worldwide government trend alongside these online safety acts, while coming under criticism for efficiency and their impact on digital privacy and free speech.

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Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said in a press statement, "Today, our children are engaging with the most sophisticated technologies ever created. Technology that was never created with their wellbeing in mind. Our KIDS Act is reversing the burden of proof — it is for platforms to show they are safe by design. And we put parents back in the driving seat, giving them the tools to help their children navigate a safer online world.”

The EU KIDS Act will work within the framework of the EU's existing Digital Services Act and AI Act, the former of which has already done a number on big tech companies like Meta and Google. The proposed bill was informed by a panel of over 60 experts, who delivered a report in July 2026 detailing the need for greater protections for children online, not just on social media platforms but online gaming, messaging apps, and AI tools.

Children under 16 continue to find themselves at the centre of political conversations around social media, with countries including Australia, the UK, Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, and more aiming to reduce Big Tech companies' hold on young people's attention. For more, read Mashable's guide to the countries where social media is banned for kids.

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TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 1 is on sale for $70.84 at Amazon, following a 10% price drop from its $78.95 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 1 $70.84 at Amazon
$78.95 Save $8.11   Get Deal

Out of the three First Partner Illustration Collections that Pokémon has dropped, Series 1 is by far the most valuable (due to the highly sought Gen-1 starter SIRs). So — just like with the 30th Celebration expansion — we recommended checking out Amazon to get this surprise deal while stocks last. 

As of Sept. 17, the Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 1 is $70.84 on Amazon from third-party seller Collectors Expedition, representing a 10% discount. With $8.11 off its list price of $78.95, that’s the lowest price we’ve seen since March this year. Deals like this will likely become increasingly rare, given how obscure the Series 1 stock has become since its launch. 

Series 1 is particularly geared towards anyone whose favorite starter lineups come from Kanto, Sinnoh, or Alola. Inside is one special booster containing three randomly selected trading cards from a pool of nine illustration rare-style promos, each pack covering the first partner Pokémon from those three regions. 

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration ETB is way under market price on Amazon — buy for under $90 (if you get an invite)

To be clear, one box won't hand you all nine promos, so completing the set means opening multiple collections or trading for the starters you don't pull.

There is more than just the promo pack inside. Series 1 includes two standard Pokémon TCG booster packs — one Mega Evolution and one Phantasmal Flames — alongside a sticker sheet featuring first partner Pokémon.

TCGplayer offers an even lower price — with listings now as low as $66.99. Meanwhile, Walmart has gone even lower at $62.91, undercutting TCGplayer’s estimated market price of $64.37 for the box. 

That said, if it’s only the promo cards you’re trying to buy (like Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle), you can pick up any single Partner Illustration Collection card right now at TCGplayer. 

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $83.44 at Amazon — provided your invite request is accepted.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $83.44 at Amazon
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The Pokémon TCG’s 30th anniversary expansion finally arrived on Sept. 16, and you can now score the Elite Trainer Box for below market price. Amazon has knocked a few more dollars off its already competitive preorder price, although actually buying something still depends on getting through the retailer’s invite system. 

As of Sept. 17, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is $83.44 at Amazon. It’s shipped and sold directly by Amazon.

This is essentially a second price drop, since its current list price matches its previous sale price after being reduced from $200+ last week, and it is far lower than its current TCGplayer market price of $168.03.

There is still no guarantee you’ll actually get one, however. Because this is a high-demand item, Amazon requires potential buyers to submit an invitation request via its "request invite" button rather than checking out normally. If you are randomly selected, you’ll then get an email letting you know that you’re now able to buy Pokémon’s 30th Celebration ETB for a limited time (usually 24 hours). Amazon won’t be able to grant every request, but yours will be kept registered for the foreseeable future, so you could get an invitation after a potential restock, too. 

Inside the Elite Trainer Box are nine titular Pokémon 30th Celebration boosters, a full-art foil Nidorina promo, 16 foil Basic Energy cards, 65 sleeves, dice, a coin, dividers, a player’s guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code. 

If your priority is just getting one of these boxes right now rather than the cheapest deal possible, Pokémon’s 30th Celebration ETBs are readily available to buy right now for $167.94 at TCGplayer — much more expensive than Amazon, but still under market price. If there are any chase cards you’re after from this special anniversary expansion, including the $1,800 Mew ex, single Pokémon 30th Celebration cards are also available to preorder at TCGplayer. 

SAVE $400: As of Sept. 17, the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum and mop is down to its lowest-ever price of $1,399.99 at Amazon. That's $400 off for Prime members.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame Matrix10 Ultra Robot Vacuum $1,399.99 at Amazon
$1,799.99 Save $400   Get Deal

It's official: Amazon's October Prime Day event, Prime Big Deal Days, is returning this year on Oct. 6-7. If you're a Prime member who can't wait to shop the sale, the good news is you actually don't have to. The retailer already has some early deals live for members that are worth checking out, including a big price cut on the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum and mop.

As of Sept. 17, the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra has dropped from $1,799.99 to $1,399.99, saving you $400 in total and marking its lowest-ever price at the retailer. This is an exclusive Prime member price. If you're curious about becoming a member ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, check out our breakdown of how to sign up for more information.

SEE ALSO: We found 20 October Prime Day deals already live: Save on Fire tablets, Legos, Garmin, and members-only freebies

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra, released just last year, is a premium cleaner that offers both vacuuming and mopping capabilities. It's 30,000Pa Vormax suction, and the HyperStream detangling DuoBrush helps clear dust, hair, and debris from your surfaces, while its Multi-Mop Switching Dock can auto-select the right mop for each area of your home when scrubbing the floors. This helps prevent cross-contamination to get a deeper clean.

This robot vacuum can also avoid obstacles thanks to smart OmniSight tech and can even conquer steps up to 3.15 inches with its dual retractable legs. Mashable's Leah Stodart experienced the latter with a different model and wrote that its "use case felt quite limited," but it "could be helpful if your floors have any height changes, or if you need a robot vacuum to cross sliding door tracks."

If the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra sounds like the perfect fit to help keep your home clean this fall, don't miss out on this Prime exclusive deal at Amazon.

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SAVE $180: As of Sept 17, the Beats Studio Pro are on sale for $169.95 at Amazon. That's a 51% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro $169.95 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $180.04   Get Deal

Been thinking about upgrading your headphones? The Beats Studio Pro are back on sale at Amazon, with several colors included in the discount.

As of Sept. 17, they are down to $169.95, giving you 51% off the list price and a total saving of $180. Colors included in the deal are black, deep brown, sand gray, and navy.

SEE ALSO: The 13 best headphones of 2026: We tested the top contenders from Sony, Apple, Bose, and Beats

These headphones are ideal for both audio input and output, thanks to their voice-focused microphones that help reduce background noise. They also support lossless audio over USB-C and come with three sound profiles (Beats Signature, Entertainment, and Conversation), so you can tweak how your music sounds. You also get adaptive Active Noise Canceling and Transparency modes, making it easy to either tune out your surroundings or stay aware of what's happening around you.

Battery life is solid, with Beats saying you'll get up to 40 hours on a full charge. And if you're running low, a quick 10-minute Fast Fuel charge can give you up to four hours of playback.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don't miss out.

It's been two years since Rachael "Raygun" Gunn went viral at the 2024 Olympics for Breaking performance. Gunn described the reaction — which was a combination of jokes and hate at the time, online and off — as "pretty devastating", but in the Tonight Show interview above she describes the whole experience as "surreal".

Speaking to host Jimmy Fallon — who ran a skit about Raygun at the time — Gunn responds to various theories the internet had about her qualification and performance at the time, before speaking about her Netflix documentary Untold Raygun: Breaking Badly and sharing a spoon of Vegemite with a less than enthusiastic Fallon.

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SAVE $30: As of Sept. 17, the Apple Pencil Pro is on sale for $99 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil Pro $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30   Get Deal

The Apple Pencil Pro is a great way to get the most out of your iPad. It has a handful of useful features you won't find in other Apple Pencil editions, including squeeze controls, haptic feedback, and Find My support. And as of Sept. 17, it's on sale at Amazon for $30 off the list price. This brings the cost down to $99.

This Apple Pencil is designed to do a lot. You can use it for drawing, sketching, note-taking, or even as an easy way to mark up documents. It has plenty of tools, including tilt and pressure sensitivity and low latency. Squeeze and barrel roll gestures let you access these tools easily and even change brushes and adjust strokes. Haptic feedback also lets you feel shapes snap into place, giving you a real-life feel. Apple Pencil hover also lets you preview your mark before making it.

The Pro doesn't require cables or a complicated setup. It attaches magnetically to your iPad for wireless pairing and charging. And you can now use Find My to locate it if it goes missing.

Apple says this stylus is compatible with the iPad Pro 11-inch and 13-inch (M4 and M5), iPad Air 11-inch and 13-inch (M2, M3, and M4), and iPad mini (A17 Pro).

Get this deal on the Apple Pencil Pro at Amazon now.

SAVE $50: As of Sept. 17, the RayNeo Air 3s Pro glasses are on sale for $249 at Amazon. Claim the discount by clipping the on-page coupon.

Opens in a new window Credit: RayNeo RayNeo Air 3s Pro $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50   Get Deal

The RayNeo Air 3s Pro are smart glasses with a built-in display, letting you watch movies, play games, and browse content on a giant virtual screen without needing a TV or monitor. And right now, they're on sale at Amazon for less.

As of Sept. 17, Amazon has added a $50-off coupon to the listing. Just tick the orange coupon box below the price, and the discount will be applied at checkout. The price will magically drop from $299 to $249.

These smart AR glasses have 1,200-nit-to-eye brightness, HueView 2.0, a 5.5th-generation tandem Micro-OLED display, and 98% DCI-P3. That's a lot of stats to say that the display quality is seriously impressive.

They create a 201-inch virtual screen when viewed from 6m away, with six viewing modes for watching movies, gaming, and using apps. For longer viewing sessions, the glasses have TÜV SÜD Low Blue Light and Flicker-Free certifications, 3,840Hz high-frequency PWM dimming, and 20 levels of brightness control to keep your eyes comfortable.

If you're nearsighted or have astigmatism, these RayNeo glasses come with a prescription lens sample that you can take to a local optician to have compatible lenses made and fitted.

Get this deal on the RayNeo Air 3s Pro glasses at Amazon now.

SAVE $450: As of Sept. 17, the Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M2) is on sale for $799 at Amazon. That's a 36% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M2) $799 at Amazon
$1,249 Save $450   Get Deal

The end of summer marks the beginning of a new season. Nope, not fall. We're talking about sales season.

In the lead-up to Christmas, several retail events, including Prime Day and Black Friday, offer savings on everything from new tech to household essentials. And the next big event on the calendar is Amazon's Big Deal Days, scheduled for early October. But early deals have already started popping up, like this latest price drop on the Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M2).

SEE ALSO: Amazon just cut the preorder price on the new Apple Watch Ultra 4 — save over $10

Normally priced at $1,249, this Apple iPad is now $799. That's a savings of $450, plus the best-ever price for this device according to camelcamelcamel. This price is for the 1TB option, and all colorways are included in the discount.

This iPad Air has an 11-inch Liquid Retina display and the M2 chip, delivering smooth performance and great graphics quality. The display supports P3 wide color, True Tone, and ultralow reflectivity, so everything will be bright and colorful.

It has a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera, with Center Stage, making it ideal for work calls and FaceTime chats. It also has a 12MP Wide rear camera that can record in 4K, so you can snap high-quality photos and videos.

Get this iPad deal from Amazon now.