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TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné for free on SBS on Demand, RTBF Auvio, France TV, RaiPlay, or RTVE. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The focus of the cycling world is now firmly set on the 2025 Tour de France, with the top stars ramping up preparations for the second Grand Tour of the season. The best thing about this period of preparation is the Critérium du Dauphiné, with Tour de France favourites battling it out in southern France.
The likes of Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel will be feeling each other out before the main event, and you can follow all the action without spending anything.
If you're interested in watching the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
What is the Critérium du Dauphiné?The Critérium du Dauphiné is an annual cycling road race in the Dauphiné region of France. The race takes place over eight days during the first half of June, and acts as one of the most important events in the lead-up to the Tour de France.
The defending champion is Primož Roglič.
When is the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné?The 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné is the 77th edition of the event. This year's Critérium du Dauphiné takes place from June 8-15.
How to watch the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné for freeThe 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné is available to live stream for free on the following platforms:
Australia — SBS on Demand
Belgium — RTBF Auvio
France — France TV
Italy — RaiPlay
Spain — RTVE
These services are geo-restricted, but anyone can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another country, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné from any location.
Live stream the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné for free by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that is offering free coverage of the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné
Connect to your favorite streaming platform from the list above
Stream the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for unblocking streaming sites are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials and money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you time to follow the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for sport?ExpressVPN is the top choice for accessing free live streams from around the world, for a number of reasons:
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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 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).
Live stream the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné for free with ExpressVPN.
Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers have both weighed in on the Trump-Musk social media feud that erupted last week, and now it's John Oliver's turn.
Staring Sunday's episode of Last Week Tonight with a recap of the big events from past week, the host quickly landed on the war of words that played out between U.S. president Donald Trump and former DOGE captain Elon Musk on X and TruthSocial on Friday. Oliver ran through it all, from Musk's dissatisfaction with Trump's "big beautiful bill" and ending with Musk dropping the (now deleted) "really big bomb" that Trump is allegedly "in the Epstein files."
SEE ALSO: Musk-Trump feud brings Twitter back to life"OK, setting aside that Trump being in the Epstein files is not a bombshell, it is a commonly held assumption, they basically spent a full day fighting with big, real housewife energy," said Oliver. "At their core, these two men are Real Housewives: Both of them have hair that's expensive and wrong; both have sketchy business ventures I don't fully understand; they both spend far too much time online; and if either of them isn't the center of attention for a single second, they will die."
The fight between Musk and Trump took place not long after the former left his role running the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), peaking on Thursday when the world's richest man retweeted an X post calling for the president to be impeached.
Things seem to have quietened down a bit since then, with Musk appearing to delete his post about Trump and Epstein.
Apple's World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) kicks off its 2025 event today, and you can tune in for all the announcements live.
Focused on software, rather than all that shiny iPhone hardware, WWDC is expected to include some pretty big reveals, including Apple's latest iOS, which will reportedly skip its usual incremental naming convention to iOS 26 (we're currently on iOS 18.5) and possibly get a major rebrand.
SEE ALSO: Everything we expect from WWDC 2025: an iOS overhaul, Apple Intelligence, and macOSConsidering Apple debuted Apple Intelligence last year at WWDC, we're expecting less extreme focus on AI this year, though there could be some surprises in store. Check out Mashable's guide to everything you can look forward to at WWDC 2025 and tune in with the details below.
What time is WWDC 2025?Apple's WWDC event runs from June 9 to 13 at the company's Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California. The keynote address is set for Monday, June 9 at 10 a.m. PT. / 1 p.m. ET.
For other time zones, check out the list below:
Houston: 12 p.m.
Chicago: 12 p.m.
New York: 1 p.m.
Toronto: 1 p.m.
London: 6 p.m.
Honolulu: 7 a.m.
Dubai: 9 p.m.
Lagos: 6 p.m.
Paris: 7 p.m.
Mumbai: 10:30 p.m.
Sydney: 3 a.m. (Tuesday)
Apple's WWDC keynote will be streaming live from Apple Park on Monday, June 9 through several platforms:
You can also watch the event later on demand.
For live reporting and in-depth analysis of Apple's announcements, stay tuned for Mashable's coverage of WWDC 2025 on June 9.
Horror powerhouse Blumhouse, known for scaring the hell out of us with Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Sinister, and M3GAN, has cannonballed into gaming, giving fans a peek at its upcoming cozy horror game during the Summer Game Fest over the weekend.
Grave Seasons is a farming sim like Stardew Valley, Immortal Life, or Fields of Mistria that comes with a terrifying, murdery twist. While you're sowing your crops and building relationships in the town of Ashenridge, players need to identify the town resident who might be a) a serial killer and b) not quite human — all before another body turns up.
"It's a farming game with supernatural murder," Louise Blain, creative lead at Blumhouse Games, said during a fireside chat at SXSW London last week. "So you get to do all the things that you would do when you're farming, except the people in the town are disappearing horribly."
"Everything that you would do in a normal farming game is there, the economy, everything is there, they won't subvert that, but you don't know where that's going to change," she added. "You don't know where the ground is going to shift under your feet, because something unexpected has happened."
Grave Seasons is coming to PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox in 2026.
Apple TV+'s The Lost Bus sees Matthew McConaughey back behind the wheel, this time as a school bus driver who answers a call to rescue stranded children during the 2018 Camp Fire, the deadly fire in California's Butte County that resulted in 84 fatalities.
Based on Lizzie Johnson's book Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire, the movie is directed and co-written by Paul Greengrass (Captain Philips) and also stars America Ferrera (Barbie). From the trailer above, it looks like it's going to be a stressful watch.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, June 9, 2025:
AcrossFlower that sounds like a parental nicknameThe answer is Poppy.
The answer is Aware.
The answer is India
The answer is Limos.
The answer is Start.
The answer is Pails.
The answer is OwnIt.
The answer is Padma.
The answer is Prior.
The answer is Yeast.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
SAVE $15: As of June 9, the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is on sale for $19.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 43% on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick HD $19.99 at AmazonI'm a big fan of the Amazon Fire TV Stick. Anything that helps save you hundreds of dollars is a big plus in my book. With a Fire Stick, an older TV doesn't need to be replaced in favor of a smart TV, as you can simply upgrade it with this handy device. And as of June 9, you can get the HD Fire TV Stick for less than $20.
Right now, you'll find this handy device priced at just $19.99, saving you $15. But how does it work? It couldn't be easier, the handy streaming device plugs into your TV (or laptop) and lets you access platforms including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and even more. No need to upgrade to a fancy smart TV; all you need is an HDMI port.
SEE ALSO: Save $500 on a Hisense 75-inch U8 4K TV and get a free $200 Amazon creditAnd the best part is that you can take it anywhere. If you're heading on vacation, visiting a friend, or just moving it to a different device, the Fire TV Stick is fully portable and can connect to any device's HDMI port while on the go. The Fire TV Stick also comes with a remote with Alexa built in. Use this voice control to search for TV shows, search questions online, or even use it to talk to your other smart home devices.
With this particular Fire Stick, you'll be able to enjoy all your favorite shows in beautiful HD quality.
Find this great deal on Amazon.
The best tech deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of expertsApple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)
Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)
Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95)
Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.97 (List Price $1599.99)
Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)
Netflix has a vast library of movies to choose from, including comedies, action movies, true crime documentaries, and thrillers. But so much choice can be overwhelming. What if all you know is you want to see something good and new? Well, we've got you covered.
Mashable's Entertainment team has dedicatedly watched the best (and worst) Netflix has to offer. From this, we've curated the ten best Netflix original movies of 2025. Whether you want mind-bending sci-fi, wild action, a heart-warming crowd-pleaser, a twisted eat-the-rich thriller, or excellent animated adventures, you'll find something worth watching (and even rewatching) below.
Note: Some of Netflix's much-anticipated 2025 releases haven't yet been seen, like Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein and Rian Johnson's third Knives Out movie, Wake Up Dead Man. But fret not! We'll update this list as the year goes on.
10. Lost in StarlightLost in Starlight, Netflix's first Korean animated movie, presents romance with a sci-fi twist. Astronaut Nan-young (voiced by Kim Tae-ri) prepares to leave Earth for Mars, a journey that comes with extra emotional baggage because her mother died there on a similar scientific expedition. She crosses paths with Jay (voiced by Hong Kyung), a slacker with surprising musical talent, and the two kick off a whirlwind romance against a backdrop of Seoul in 2050. But when it comes time for Nan-young to blast off to space, will their love survive?
The central romance proves to be Lost in Starlight's greatest weakness, with the film often prioritizing Jay's band over Nan-young's life-threatening journey to Mars. Still, its exploration of Nan-young's trauma over the loss of her mother is heart-wrenching, and director Han Ji-won ensures that Lost in Starlight is a visual marvel. Vibrant colors and the clash between retro and future tech make Lost in Starlight a feast for the eyes; if you're looking to watch more international animation, this isn't a bad place to start. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
Starring: Kim Tae-ri, Hong Kyung, Kang Koo-han, Ahn Young-mi, Sharon Kwon, Yun A-yeong, David John Robbins, and Jang Mi
How to watch: Lost in Starlight is now streaming on Netflix.
9. Frozen Hot BoysIf you have a warm spot in your heart for underdog movies like The Mighty Ducks and Cool Runnings, you'll love Frozen Hot Boys. (Though, I should warn you, it's not a sequel to Hot Frosty!)
This Thai comedy centers on a band of teen boys in a juvenile detention center. Peer pressure is intense, but a wholesome form of bonding emerges when a young teacher urges her students to compete in an ice-carving competition in Japan. They won't let the melting heat of Thailand, the sneers of their headmistress, jealous bullies, or their total lack of ice-carving experience get in their way!
A tale of redemption, brotherhood, and hope, Frozen Hot Boys is sweet as it is funny. — K.P.
Starring: Natapohn Tameeruks, Chatchai Chinnasri, Nuttawat Thanataviepraserth, and Sadanont Durongkavarojana
How to watch: Frozen Hot Boys is now streaming on Netflix.
8. Back in ActionAptly titled, Back in Action not only refers to the plotline of this charming espionage comedy but also the return of its stars to the spotlight.
Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz co-star as a couple of spies who fake their deaths to flee their dangerous jobs once they learn they've got a baby on the way. Cut to 15 years later, when they're middle-aged with a cozy suburban life that's interrupted by an unexpected visit from some former colleagues. To keep their kids safe, they'll need to go on one more mission. And things get pretty zany — and yeah, corny too. But there's an undeniable pleasure in watching Diaz and Foxx bounce off each other's energy.
In my review for Mashable, I wrote, "Don't overthink it. Turn on Back in Action, and allow the star power and nostalgia for the heyday of '90s rom-coms, the peak of Cameron Diaz fame, and the fun of all that wash over you." — K.P.
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz. Andrew Scott, Jamie Demetriou, Kyle Chandler, and Glenn Close
How to watch: Back in Action is now streaming on Netflix.
7. DeliciousIf you loved Parasite or Knives Out, you'll appreciate the dark humor at play in Delicious, an eat-the-rich movie out of Germany.
Written and directed by Nele Mueller-Stöfen, Delicious follows a German family of four on their annual retreat to their luxurious French villa. Arriving in the midst of a protest, these tourists shrug off the political unrest, lounging about and leaving out their dirty dishes because their usual maid is away. Lucky, then, that they run into experienced maid Teodora (Carla Díaz) — not so lucky it's with their car.
Despite this rocky start, Teodora gets close to each family member, tapping into their deepest desires and fears. Pretty early on, you may figure out what she and her rebellious friends in service are up to. But that doesn't take away from this movie's biting climax. — K.P.
Starring: Valerie Pachner, Fahri Yardım, Carla Díaz, and Naila Schuberth
How to watch: Delicious is now streaming on Netflix.
6. Nonnas SEE ALSO: Vince Vaughn shows us the healing power of family recipes in 'Nonnas'Speaking of delicious, this comedy written by Liz Maccie and directed by her husband Stephen Chbosky will have you craving a home-cooked Italian meal.
Inspired by a true story of the restaurant Enoteca Maria, Nonnas stars Vince Vaughn as an average Joe who channels his grief over losing his mother and grandmother into a tantalizing new venture. He uses his inheritance to build a new restaurant in Staten Island, and hires Italian grandmothers (or nonnas) to become the chefs using their family recipes. Personalities clash, but ultimately these strong-willed women come together to create something stupendous.
It's a feel-good comedy full of love, joy, and laughs. — K.P.
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro, Linda Cardellini, and Susan Sarandon
How to watch: Nonnas is now streaming on Netflix.
5. Plankton: The MovieCan't get enough of SpongeBob SquarePants? Well, Netflix is dedicated to bringing fresh fun to the pineapple under the sea. Last year, the streaming service premiered Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, and this year brings the debut of Plankton: The Movie.
Mr. Krabs' pint-sized nemesis has long been dedicated to wicked schemes and Krabby Patty recipe heists. But it turns out that all that focusing on his wicked mission has left his robot wife Karen feeling unfulfilled! So, how does she get back at her spouse for his out-of-whack work-life balance? She boots him and aims to take over the world herself. As she runs amok, he must team up with SpongeBob to repair his marriage — and save Bikini Bottom from her wrath while they're at it.
This daffy animated comedy directed by Dave Needham is an absolute hoot for SpongeBob fans of all ages. Cue it up for a family movie night! — K.P.
Starring: Mr. Lawrence, Jill Talley, Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Clancy Brown, and Rodger Bumpass
How to watch: Plankton: The Movie is now streaming on Netflix.
4. The Witcher: Sirens of the DeepThe Witcher fans were gifted another animated film this year, helping ease the wait between seasons of the live-action Netflix series. Directed by The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf's Kang Hei Chul and animated by South Korea's Studio MIR, The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep sent us on a deep seaside quest into a looming war between humans and merpeople, based on The Witcher author Andrzej Sapkowski's short story "A Little Sacrifice."
Unexpectedly for The Witcher universe, Sirens of the Deep mirrors Disney's version of Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairy tale The Little Mermaid, but with incredibly violent and thrilling animated action. Sadly, the romance scenes are deeply awkward. However, in a treat for fans that makes it worthwhile, the film sees Doug Cockle, who voiced Geralt of Rivia in the games, returning to the role, alongside Joey Batey and Anya Chalotra, who played bard Jaskier and sorcerer Yennefer in the TV show. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
Starring: Doug Cockle, Joey Batey, Anya Chalotra, and Christina Wren
How to watch: The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep is now streaming on Netflix.
3. The QuiltersJenifer McShane's The Quilters is a hidden treasure on Netflix. This award-winning documentary short film takes viewers behind the walls of a maximum-security prison in Missouri, where incarcerated men are finding a road to redemption one quilt at a time.
In a small room, buzzing with the sound of sewing machines and the cutting of fabric, they gather to create incredible crafts for a good cause. Each quilt they make is donated to a foster kid in the surrounding counties. Each quilt is a chance for these people — many convicted of violent crimes — to discover their creative side and to give something back. Their story is marvelously heart-warming, and incredibly feels thorough even with a 33-minute runtime! — K.P.
How to watch: The Quilters is now streaming on Netflix.
2. USS Callister: Into InfinityOkay, technically Black Mirror's USS Callister: Into Infinity is a TV episode, not a movie. But since it's feature-length, and since it's way better than much of Netflix's other 2025 film fare so far, it more than deserves this spot.
SEE ALSO: 'Black Mirror's Jimmi Simpson on his favorite episodes, the big 'USS Callister: Into Infinity' reveal, and moreBlack Mirror's first official sequel episode, Into Infinity picks up in the wake of Season 4's USS Callister. Nanette Cole (Cristin Milioti) and the rest of the Callister crew are now fighting for their lives within the video game Infinity, and their in-game actions are drawing the suspicion of Infinity's real-world players. Nanette will have to reconnect with her outside self and Infinity head James Walton (Jimmi Simpson), sparking uneasy alliances and game-changing reveals about the nature of Infinity itself. The result isn't as strong as the original USS Callister, but watching Black Mirror channel both Star Wars and Fortnite is oodles of fun — not to mention a delightful palate cleanser after Black Mirror Season 7's bleaker offerings. — B.E.
Starring: Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson, Billy Magnussen, Milanka Brooks, Osy Ikhile, Paul G. Raymond, and Jesse Plemons
How to watch: USS Callister: Into Infinity is now streaming on Netflix.
1. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most FowlCheese-loving inventor Wallace (voiced by Ben Whitehead) and his trusty beagle Gromit make a triumphant return in Aardman and Netflix's Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, which received a 2025 Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. Vengeance Most Fowl sees Wallace and Gromit face off with a foe from their past, The Wrong Trousers villain Feathers McGraw. Now behind bars, this dastardly penguin's got a scheme to take down Wallace and Gromit once and for all — one that involves an army of evil smart gnomes and a zoo prison break.
SEE ALSO: 'Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl' review: A delightful romp with an anti-AI streakWhat follows is classic Wallace & Gromit. Incredible Claymation set pieces and Rube Goldberg-esque inventions abound, all held together by the sweet yet comedic interplay between the oblivious Wallace and the hyper-competent Gromit. But it's the film's stand against AI — represented here by smart gnome Norbot (voiced by Reece Shearsmith) — that lends it an especially fresh edge, one that emphasizes the loving craft that goes into every Wallace & Gromit film. As I wrote in my review, "When you're watching Vengeance Most Fowl, or any stop-motion animated movie, you're keenly aware that you're watching the culmination of years' worth of effort... That appreciation of effort and process is something no speedy Norbot or other AI could give you, and Vengeance Most Fowl rightfully wants you to know that." — B.E.
Starring: Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel, and Reece Shearsmith
How to watch: Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is now streaming on Netflix.
* denotes that this blurb appeared in a previous Mashable list.
Choosing the best laptop is a largely subjective decision that comes down to your primary use cases, your preferred operating system, and your budget. In other words, there's no such thing as a universally best laptop.
SEE ALSO: Laptop specs explained: A jargon-free guide to what's inside your computerThis is an annoying fact of life for both laptop shoppers and those of us doling out "best laptop" recommendations, since we can't make custom judgment calls for everyone in need of a new machine. (I would love to, but I've got a thing after this.) However, I can confidently point you in the right direction of some standouts that I and other members of the Mashable team have vetted and approved.
Best laptops to buy 2025As of June 2025, we think the new 15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M4) is the best MacBook for most people. It's a sleek-as-ever notebook featuring impressive performance, open-lid support for two external displays, a great 12MP Center Stage camera, and an extremely reasonable starting price of $1,199 (making it $100 cheaper than its M3 predecessor). What's more, Amazon can't stop putting it on sale. We saw it dip under $1,000 for the first time on June 3.
SEE ALSO: As tariffs come for tech, these are the best cheap laptops under $1,000The best Windows laptop we've tested is the 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, a sophisticated and snappy Copilot+ PC boasting an unrivaled battery life of nearly 23 hours. Note that Microsoft makes an Intel version that may appeal to users wary of Windows on ARM for app compatibility reasons, but it's a business-oriented model with a significant markup.
Read on for Mashable's in-depth guide to the best laptops of 2025. FYI: We've listed the pricing and specs of our testing units, which may not apply to each laptop's base model
A note about tariffsNow is an especially weird time to be shopping for a new laptop. President Donald Trump's tariffs on almost all imports upended the tech market, causing some computer manufacturers to increase their prices and others to temporarily pause U.S. sales. We're monitoring this situation closely and will update this story if any of our top picks are affected. (None have been impacted so far, but the Asus ZenBook A14, a new contender we have in hand for testing, is now $100 pricier because of tariffs.)
What's on deckI'm nearly done reviewing the Framework Laptop 13 (Intel Core Ultra Series 1), a cult-favorite repairable laptop with a Mashable Choice Award-winning predecessor. After that, we'll soon test the following laptops:
The Asus ZenBook A14, a featherlight Copilot+ PC with a durable "Ceraluminum" chassis, an OLED display, and a ridiculous rated battery life of up to 32 hours per charge. I briefly checked it out at CES 2025, and it took home our Best of CES laptop category award.
The Asus Vivobook S 15, a sub-$1,000 Copilot+ PC with a 3K OLED display, an RGB backlit keyboard, and a rated battery life of up to 19 hours.
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 9), a handsome mid-ranger with an OLED touchscreen and a rated battery life of up to 23.5 hours.
The Acer Predator Helios 16, a 16-inch RTX 4080 gaming laptop priced at $2,299.99.
The MSI Stealth A16 AI+, a 16-inch RTX 4070 gaming laptop that costs just under two grand.
I recently tried the Dell XPS 13 (9450), a 2024 Lunar Lake PC that's the last of its kind. (Dell phased out the XPS series earlier this year.) It's easily one of the prettiest and most stylish laptops I've ever gotten my hands on, largely thanks to its edge-to-edge design and the tandem OLED touchscreen display on my review unit: It's luscious, bright, and finished with an Anti-Reflect coating that makes it immune to annoying glares. At 13.4 inches, the XPS 13 is an ultraportable stunner.
The XPS 13 also lasted over over 13 hours in our battery life test. That's not an especially long runtime compared to other Windows laptops in our database, but it's well above the category's current median.
However, the XPS 13 over-prioritizes form over function in several ways that I found frustrating. Its zero-lattice keyboard is cramped, stiff, and topped off by an odd touch function row. Its fussy touchpad would click when I wanted to scroll and drag when I wanted to click. Most egregiously, the XPS 13 only has two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports — there's not even a headphone jack! (First, they came for our smartphones...)
The overall value prop for its internals just isn't there, either. My mid-range Intel Core Ultra 256V loaner with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage costs $1,849.99. (Most Windows laptops and MacBooks we've tested in that price range are stronger performers with at least 1TB of storage, and some have double the RAM.) Granted, the XPS 13 starts at $1,199.99 if you scrap its tandem OLED display, which is an optional add-on, but I think that's one of its biggest draws. I ultimately rated it a 3.8/5.
In January, I tested the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14, a 2-in-1 Lunar Lake laptop priced at $1,899.99 as tested (with an Intel Core Ultra 258V processor, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage). It's a beautiful machine with a colorful 3K OLED touchscreen display, a satisfying keyboard, a velvety touchpad, and a dark aluminum chassis that gives it a moody and elegant look. It also lasted an impressive 15 hours in our battery life test. That said, it has some baffling port placements and some very disappointing performance benchmark results.
In a Geekbench 6 multi-core test, my OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 scored slightly lower than the M2-powered MacBook Air from 2023 and significantly lower than its own predecessor. That would be last year's HP Spectre x360 14, which had a mid-range Core Ultra Series 1 processor as tested. I expected way more from a machine with Intel's freshest upper mid-range CPU.
Ultimately, I rated the OmniBook Flip 14 a 4.4/5 — very respectable, but just shy of being a Mashable Choice Award winner. It's a flashy premium hybrid for splurgers who want a future-proofed laptop that won't work very hard, but the zippier Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 feels like a better value for most people at $1,449.99 as tested.
If you're choosing between the two HP models, I'm also tempted to recommend the Spectre x360 14 over the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14. It offers more power and better top-firing speakers for a comparable price.
SAVE $100: As of June 9, Beats Solo 4 headphones are on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a saving of 50% on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $99.95 at AmazonIf a new pair of headphones has been on your wishlist for a while, why not check out the Beats Solo 4? Released just last year, these headphones bring some big upgrades to the Solo lineup, and as of June 9, they're half off at Amazon.
Right now, they are priced at just $99.95. And you won't get a better deal than this; in fact, they've never been priced lower. This deal is available across all colorways at Amazon except black/gold.
SEE ALSO: New version of Gemini beats other AIs at math, science, and reasoningAnd for under $100, you're getting a great product. The Beats Solo 4 boast a battery life of up to 50 hours and a super-quick 10-minute charge time. The Solo 4 also introduces new, personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking. This is a really great feature that creates a 3D surround sound and a more immersive listening experience by adjusting sound based on your head movements. So music, movies, and calls feel more lifelike and high quality.
And as with all Beats devices, the sound quality is stellar for all types of listening. Enjoy a punchy bass and balanced sound, whether you’re listening to music, podcasts, or watching TikTok.
Grab this great deal at Amazon.
The best tech deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of expertsApple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)
Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)
Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95)
Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.97 (List Price $1599.99)
Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)
SAVE $100: As of June 9, the Kindle Scribe is on sale for $349.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 22% on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe $349.99 at AmazonIf you've been eyeing up the Kindle Scribe for some time, you should probably know that it's $100 off for a limited time. Yep, the new Kindle with a groundbreaking redesign (meaning you can now write on your books and documents) is currently on sale at Amazon for its lowest-ever price.
As of June 9, the new price is $349.99. This is for the 64GB model in either color: metallic jade ot tungsten.
SEE ALSO: From the basic to the Paperwhite, these are Amazon's best KindlesThis Kindle Scribe deal also comes with the Premium Pen, so you can jot down notes and convert them to text as easily as writing in a notebook. This is a big upgrade on the basic pen, as this model comes with an eraser at the top so you can quickly remove mistakes just by flipping the pen. It is also battery-free and works through a special power source embedded in the Kindle Scribe, so you don't need to charge it.
As well as its note-taking abilities, the Scribe has a 10.2-inch, 300 ppi Paperwhite display, glare and ink-free. Like the OG Kindle model, it's perfect for sitting outside in the sun or in hard-to-read lighting. And if you're a hectic note taker, don't worry, you can summarize your notes, as well as change their length and tone with clever built-in AI notebook tools.
Head to Amazon without delay to get this great Kindle Scribe deal.
The best deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of expertsApple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)
Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)
Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95)
Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.97 (List Price $1599.99)
Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)
If Slack is acting a bit weird for you today, you're not alone.
The business chat app isn't completely down for us at Mashable, but some channels and messages simply aren't loading, even after a restart.
A quick glance over at Downdetector shows that a lot of problem are having issues with Slack this morning (Disclosure: Ziff Davis owns both Mashable and Downdetector.) Slack's own official Status page shows that some users have trouble loading Slack, and that messages aren't working all that well.
Looks like the incident reports are piling up. Credit: Downdetector"Some users may be experiencing issues loading content in Slack, particularly threads and the Activity view," the company wrote in an incident report. "We’re still actively investigating this issue, but we don’t have any new information to share at this time. Thanks for sticking with us as we continue to work towards a fix."
SEE ALSO: Slack security crack: Its AI feature can breach your private conversations, according to reportWe'll keep you posted with any updates about the issue. In the meantime, we'd like to remind you that this is a great excuse to tell your boss you simply can't work because Slack is down (it didn't work for me though, I still had to write this article).
TL;DR: Take care of your online security with a limited time lifetime subscription to FastestVPN Pro Plan, now just £25.87 for coverage on 15 devices.
Opens in a new window Credit: FastestVPN FastestVPN PRO: Lifetime Subscription (15 Devices) £25.87Ready to start taking your online security more seriously? FastestVPN is an easy and affordable way to protect you and your loved ones from these invisible threats, and you can currently score a Pro Plan lifetime subscription that safeguards up to 15 different devices for just £25.87. But act fast — this plan is only available for a limited time.
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Choose from more than 900 high-speed servers worldwide, allowing you to hide your real location. Once you’re up and running, you can take advantage of the reason FastestVPN got its name — 99% uptime and minimal downtime or interruptions in service. You’ll also enjoy their WireGuard protocol, which offers secure, unhindered speeds with 10GPBS fastest servers so you won’t have to deal with annoying buffering.
An internet kill switch makes sure your real IP address is never exposed, even if you lose your connection. There’s also a dedicated IP option that provides a static IP address to protect your online activities with just a click.
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This lifetime subscription to a FastestVPN Pro Plan provides permanent security for 15 different devices. And it’s only being offered for a limited time, so you should take advantage of this deal while it lasts. You’ll also secure a one-year subscription to a password manager to help you keep tabs on your important details.
Take advantage of this limited time offer on a lifetime subscription to FastestVPN Pro Plan for £25.87.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Intense
Green: Plays for Atlanta
Blue: Women of tennis
Purple: In a line
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Lively
Green: An Atlanta Athlete, Past or Present
Blue: Names of Women's Tennis Players
Purple: Can Be Preceded by "Line"
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #259 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayLively - ANIMATED, ENERGETIC, EXCITED, SPIRITED
An Atlanta Athlete, Past or Present - BRAVE, FALCON, HAWK, THRASHER
Names of Women's Tennis Players- COCO, IGA, MADISON, MIRRA
Can Be Preceded by "Line"- BACKER, MAN, SCORE, UP
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for June 9 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Found on a computer
Green: To ask for
Blue: Illegal groups
Purple: Hierarchy in a word competition
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Keyboard shortcut commands
Green: Secure in advance
Blue: Crime organizations
Purple: Spelling bee ranks minus a letter
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #729 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayKeyboard shortcut commands: PASTE, PRINT, QUIT, SAVE
Secure in advance: BOOK, ORDER, REQUEST, RESERVE
Crime organizations: CREW, FAMILY, RING, SYNDICATE
Spelling bee ranks minus a letter: GENUS, GOO, MAZING, SLID
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 9Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 9 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 9 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: What you see isn't what you getThe words are incognito-related.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words are ways to cover up one's appearance.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is False Front
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for June 9Mask
Camouflage
Facade
False Front
Cloak
Disguise
Cover
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for June 9 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for June 9, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A plank.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
BOARD.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 9Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintOrdinary.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerBASIC
Hurdle Word 2 hintAn orchard.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 9, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerGROVE
Hurdle Word 3 hintFrequently.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 8 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 8, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answerOFTEN
Hurdle Word 4 hintTells time.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for June 8 Hurdle Word 4 answerCLOCK
Final Hurdle hintSarcastically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerDRYLY
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
This year’s Xbox Games Showcase pulled back the curtain on Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, marking an unusual return for the subseries, which traditionally doesn’t revisit the same narrative arcs so directly (think Modern Warfare in 2007, followed by World at War in 2008).
SEE ALSO: All the biggest reveals from IGN Live 2025, so farSet in 2035, Black Ops 7 is a direct sequel to 2012’s Black Ops II, bringing back familiar faces like David Mason and Raul Menendez. The trailer leans hard into future-tech paranoia, exploring that classic sci-fi question: When does advanced technology stop being science and start looking like magic? In this case, the answer involves a terrorist wielding such next-gen tech that he basically turns into a cyberpunk Scarecrow.
No official release date yet, however, a full reveal will drop this summer.
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