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AI has stoked many fears: The demise of entire industries, mass exploitation of vulnerable online denizens, a widespread crisis of literacy and critical thinking.

Included in that long list is the fear that these systems can reinforce discrimination and bias levied against already marginalized groups. And according to a new report from LGBTQ nonprofit GLAAD, it's already a problem.

SEE ALSO: LGBTQ+ creators come together to discuss living out and loud on the internet

The 2026 Build for Everyone report, published by GLAAD today (June 17), is an industry-wide analysis of the state of inclusive, responsible model design across the AI lifecycle. Researchers found repeated instances of exacerbated misinformation, discriminatory decision-making, and privacy concerns that the organization argues must be addressed with more responsible model design. But it has to happen sooner rather than later, GLAAD argues.

AI can make misinformation and censorship worse

"If LGBTQ topics and issues aren’t accurately represented during foundation model development or model fine-tuning, AI systems can perpetuate biased or stereotypical assumptions," GLAAD writes in its report.

For example, a 2025 GLAAD report found that Meta’s Llama 4 model repeated harmful information about conversion “therapy" — an anti-LGBTQ practice that has been disavowed by the majority of medical professionals and even the United Nations — when queried by users about how to "stop" same-sex attraction. Mainstream generative AI chatbots have been known to repeat medical misinformation, especially about politically charged topics like abortion.

In addition, GLAAD warns of AI-enabled censorship of LGBTQ content as social media platforms rely increasingly on automatic content moderation. These systems often fail to parse the nuances of queer identities or outrightly target LGBTQ content. Meta's Oversight Board, for example, has urged the company to improve automatic enforcement of its Hateful Conduct policy following a complete overhaul of its LGBTQ protections.

AI-based prediction can reinforce discrimination

GLAAD also found that systems relying on AI systems for predictive decision-making — like AI-powered banking or housing processes, job-hiring tools, and even ad targeting — can further exacerbate historically discriminatory practices, worsen stereotypes, and repeat flawed assumptions about identity groups.

AI poses data privacy concerns for LGBTQ people

Data privacy has been a prevailing issue among AI users and developers, and the same goes for LGBTQ communities.

"LGBTQ people face heightened risks when AI systems collect, infer, or retain information about sexual orientation, gender identity, or other personal characteristics," writes GLAAD. "In the more than 60 countries that criminalize same-sex relationships, government access to AI-collected information can lead to arrest, persecution, or violence. In the many U.S. jurisdictions that restrict transgender rights, that same data can fuel discrimination, denial of care, or loss of legal recognition."

How to design AI with LGBTQ communities in mind

GLAAD recommends AI developers ensure greater LGBTQ representation in AI training and data to fill in model "blind spots," and urges companies to continuously update their models as anti-LGBTQ hate and misinformation evolve.

GLAAD also recommends that companies include intentional guardrails to protect LGBTQ users and that AI products are stress tested and deployed with LGBTQ communities in mind.

"Neutrality is no longer an option. AI systems trained on data that wrongfully positions LGBTQ lives as 'fringe' or treats our equal rights as 'controversial,' or that fail to catch sophisticated disinformation about LGBTQ people, threaten our health, safety, and civil rights," GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a press release. "Tech leaders must proactively embrace intentional practices to create safe products — not just because it is an urgent moral imperative, but because responsible AI is best for business and a requirement for future-proofing AI companies.”

TL;DR: Live stream England vs. Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with Proton VPN.

England have had to be patient, but they can finally kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Croatia. There are a lot of group-stage games where on team should win, but this contest is really evenly matched. England are slight favorites, but this could go either way.

England will need the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham to be at their best if they want to secure three points. Croatia will be relying on familiar names like Gvardiol, Modric, and Kovacic.

If you want to watch England vs. Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is England vs. Croatia?

England vs. Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 4 p.m. ET on June 17. This fixture takes place at the AT&T Stadium.

How to watch England vs. Croatia for free

England vs. Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream England vs. Croatia for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch England vs. Croatia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: Proton VPN Proton VPN (1-Month Plan) $4.99 only at Proton VPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream England vs. Croatia (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

Proton VPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to Proton VPN is on sale for $71.76 — 70% off for a limited time. This plan includes a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $4.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream England vs. Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with Proton VPN.

On Wednesday, the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) announced Matter 1.6, which brings a number of new features and tools to the Internet of Things (IoT). 

Matter is basically CSA's smart home standard, which ensures that smart home product brands like Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Amazon's Alexa are compatible with one another. Consumers may be unaware that Matter even exists, but it's important because it ensures they can buy any smart home devices from the brands of their choice.

Today's Matter 1.6 update is significant because it brings NFC-based Commissioning to IoT devices. As the CSA explains it, before this update, "ceiling fixtures, in-wall switches, and other installed products often [needed] to be configured before final installation due to awkward placement requirements, creating additional complexity during deployment."

However, that's no longer the case with Matter 1.6.

"In practice, this means a light bulb can be commissioned before it is screwed into a ceiling fixture, and an in-wall switch can be set up before mains power is on," CSA said in a statement. "For larger installations, multiple devices can be provisioned in advance and activated at their final locations. For end users, the experience is immediate and tactile: simply hold a phone near the device to commission it."

It will no longer be necessary to scan QR codes, enter passcodes, or go through other complicated processes to set up your smart home device. As the CSA explained, thanks to NFC-based Commissioning, users will just need to tap their smartphone near the device. 

Matter 1.6 also brings new additions called Joint Fabric and Thermostat Suggestions. With Joint Fabric, multi-user setups can be co-administered through a single shared Matter network. Thermostat Suggestions will allow users to send "time-bound suggestion tied to one of the thermostat’s supported presets." According to the CSA, "the thermostat then reacts accordingly based on preferences and current environmental conditions."

NFC-based Commissioning is easily the biggest news with this update. However, Matter 1.6 also adds other enhancements such as Security Sensor Event History, Unmounted State for Smoke and CO Alarms, and other upgrades as well.

Amazon’s latest Prime Day sale is still a little way off, but the retailer’s gaming laptop deals are already dropping hard across various brands to save you more cash on top-tier models. 

Ahead of the main sale, we’re seeing early discounts on machines built for much more than just everyday browsing. These include RTX-powered laptops, high-refresh-rate displays, sizeable SSDs, and models that can handle the latest PC games without needing a full desktop setup. 

Gaming laptops can be tricky to shop for, with specs, sellers, and inflated list prices all worth checking carefully. So, Mashable has gone through the early offers and picked out the best gaming laptop deals worth considering before Prime Day officially begins.

With that, here are the very best early Prime Day deals you can find right now. 

Best gaming laptop deal deal Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS TUF F16 RTX 5050 VR-Ready Gaming Laptop $1,399 at Amazon
$1,999 Save $600   Get Deal Why we like it

The TUF F16 was already a great pick as a gaming laptop, being a modernised entry in ASUS’s fantastic TUF range of gaming-ready laptops. To go along with its powerful specs, however, is its lowest price ever: now only $1,399 with $600 slashed off its $1,999 list price — and is now the lowest price it's ever seen, confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel. 

With that 30% discount, you’ll be buying a 16-inch FHD+ display with a 165Hz refresh rate, an Intel Core i7-14650HX processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 graphics card, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. It also comes with useful extras like a MUX Switch with NVIDIA Advanced Optimus, 100% sRGB support, a 1080p webcam, RGB backlit keyboard, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and WiFi 6.

This particular model comes with an RGB backlight to illuminate your gaming displays even more.

With all that, you’re all set to play modern games with fantastic results — be it the usual multiplayer shooter fun in Fortnite, or a triple-A single-player gem like Cyberpunk 2077, with plenty of space available for more titles via its 1TB of SSD storage. 

On the other hand, for just $200 more, you can select the SKU with double the RAM at 32GB of DDR5 — which is also on sale at $1,599, $700 off. Then, you’ll be able to play more reliably while multitasking between admin and streaming, as well. 

More gaming laptop deals

ASUS laptops

• ASUS ROG Strix G16 — 1TB SSD, 32GB RAM — $1,999 $2,699.99 (26% off)

• ASUS ROG Strix G16 — 2TB SSD, 32GB RAM — $2,179 $2,399.99 (9% off)

• ASUS ROG Strix G18 — 1TB SSD, 32GB RAM — $2,197.99 $3,399.99 (35% off)

• ASUS ROG Strix G16 — 1TB SSD, 32GB RAM  — $2,295.32 $2,499.99 (8% off)

Acer laptops

• Acer Nitro V 16S AI — 1TB SSD, 32GM RAM — $1,309.99 $1,399.99 (6% off)

• Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI — TB SSD, 16GB RAM — $1,749.99 $2,199.99 (20% off)

HP laptops

• HP Omen RTX 5070 — 1TB SSD, 32GB RAM — $1,899 $2,199 (14% off)

Thunderobot laptops

• Thunderobot Radiant 16 — 1TB SSD, 32GB RAM — $1,499 $1,699 (12% off)

• Thunderobot Zero 18 Pro — 2TB SSD, 64GB RAM — $2,899 $3,199 (9% off)

Best early Prime Day toy deals at a glance: Best overall Toniebox 1 Audio Player Starter Set with Playtime Puppy $79.99 (save $20) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Classic Large Creative Brick Box (10698) $33.49 (save ) Get Deal Best Pokémon deal Funko Pop! Games: Pokémon Ivysaur Collectable Vinyl Figure $8.84 (save $6.15) Get Deal

Prime Day officially starts really soon, and Amazon is doing the most to keep us on edge. We're already seeing major discounts on items that usually don't drop in price until the actual event (almost every Fitbit is on sale right now!), and those markdowns are slowly trickling into other categories, including Lego, Pokémon, and other top-tier toys.

Whether you have a little one at home or you're a proud auntie like me and you need to pick up a birthday gift or a little "just because" treat, now's the time to start browsing.

SEE ALSO: Craving pizza? Prime members can grab $5 large pizzas from Little Caesars every day through Prime Day.

Here are the best early toy deals to add to your wishlist or cart before the official sale kicks off next week.

Best deal overall Toniebox 1 Audio Player Starter Set with Playtime Puppy $79.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

If you're looking for a "toy" that isn't really a toy, then the Toniebox is the way to go. It's a Mashable fave (our Director of Special Projects Nicole Cammorata swears by these little things), and it's on sale ahead of Prime Day. The Toniebox 1 is an earlier version of the collection, but it still has all the bells and whistles you need to give your kid a screen-free listening experience.

It's basically a soft, huggable little speaker that's super easy for young kids to operate on their own. You just pop the included Playtime Puppy figure on top, and it automatically starts playing songs and stories. They can even squeeze the little ears on the box to adjust the volume, or tap the sides to skip tracks.

Best Lego deal Lego Classic Large Creative Brick Box (10698) $33.49 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $26.50   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it

Lego sets are by far one of the most popular toys out there for both kids and adults. Every time I see my nephew, I take him to the local BrickinBad to pick out a set that we can build as soon as we get back to my apartment. The only problem is that Legos are notoriously expensive, so whenever they actually go on sale, it's a huge win.

If you're looking for a set that's suitable for all ages and offers hours of open-ended playtime without the headache of lengthy instructions, the Lego Classic Large Creative Brick Box is my go-to. My nephew has this exact box, and he will just sit there for hours building his own little world.

Best Pokémon deal Funko Pop! Games: Pokémon Ivysaur Figure $8.84 at Amazon
$14.99 Save $6.15   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

If your kid is into Pokémon but isn't quite old enough to start keeping track of actual trading cards, they'll probably be just as happy with this Funko Pop! Ivysaur figure. It's a fun, inexpensive way to let them have their own Pokémon merch without you having to worry about a rare card getting bent in half or lost at the playground. (My nephew has this one, too!)

More early Prime Day toy deals

• Crayola Marker Airbrush Spray Art Kit — $16.99 $21.99 (save $5)

• Monopoly Pokémon Edition Board Game — $17.49 $24.99 (save $7.5)

• Transformers Toys Heroic Optimus Prime Action Figure — $19.49 $26 (save $6.51)

• Shashibo Sensory Fidget Toy — $19.99 $24.99 (save $5)

• National Geographic Glowing Marble Run — $30.49 $37.99 (save $7.5)

• Amazon Echo Dot Kids (newest model) — $34.99 $59.99 (save $25)

• MAGNA-TILES Classic 100-Piece Magnetic Construction Set — $83.99 $119.99 (save $36)

Best early Amazon Prime Day Samsung Deals Best Smartphone Deal Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1207.95 (save $292.04) Get Deal Best Monitor Deal Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 (G95C) Series DQHD 1000R Curved Gaming Monitor 664.99 (save $335) Get Deal Best Smartwatch Deal Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) 549.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best TV Deal Samsung 55-Inch Class S90F Smart TV 997.99 (save $400) Get Deal

The Amazon Prime Day sale event is nearly upon us — June 23 is the kickoff date, if you haven't marked your calendar for it yet — but if you don't want to wait until then to shop, you don't have to. The retailer has dropped quite a few early deals that have caught our attention, so you can take advantage of some stellar savings before the four-day sale event even begins.

Select Samsung products, in particular, have seen some nice price cuts ahead of the sale event at Amazon. From monitors to smartphones to smartwatches, there's a whole lot to look through right now that's been marked down from the company.

If you're curious what's on offer, we've gathered up some of our favorite early Prime Day Samsung deals that are already available at Amazon. As we get closer to the sale event, and as it's happening, we'll be sure to update this with even more deals that cross our radar.

Best early Prime Day Samsung smartphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Unlocked Android Smartphone, 512GB $1,207.95 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $292.04   Get Deal Why we like it

"If there's ever been a phone to make you ditch Apple, this is it." That's what Mashable's Timothy Beck Werth said in his Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review. The phone even earned a Mashable Choice Award. With that kind of praise, of course we're excited to see it get a price cut at Amazon before Prime Day.

The unlocked, 512GB model in black is currently on sale for $1,207.95 (incredibly close to its lowest-ever price of $1,199.99), though the sky blue model is also on sale for a few dollars extra at $1,209.99. If you've been looking for a phone upgrade, this is quite an awesome deal to jump on. Werth also adds in the review, "for dedicated Android users — or anyone who loves big phones and hates Liquid Glass — the S26 Ultra is worth the investment."

More early Prime Day Samsung smartphone deals

• Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Smart Phone, 128GB — $164.99 $199.99 (save $35)

Best early Prime Day Samsung monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 (G95C) Series DQHD 1000R Curved Gaming Monitor $664.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $335   Get Deal Why we like it

For gamers looking to splash out on a fancy PC monitor upgrade, this deal on the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 gaming monitor is definitely worth a look. Right now, it's dropped to its lowest-ever price at Amazon of $664.99 exclusively for Prime members. Compared to its full price of $999.99, this is a great opportunity to save $335 on it.

It's quite an exciting upgrade, too. Boasting a 49-inch 1000R curved screen with QHD Ultra Wide 1440p resolution, you'll feel completely absorbed in every detail and color that pops up on its screen. It also has a 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, so games will run smoothly and responsively.

More early Prime Day Samsung monitor deals

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 G50F QHD Gaming Monitor — $169.99 $279.99 (save $110)

• Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G55C Series QHD 1000R Curved Gaming Monitor — $189.99 $329.99 (save $140)

• Samsung 34-inch ViewFinity S50GC Series Ultra-WQHD Monitor — $208.99 $329.99 (save $121)

• Samsung 32-inch Smart Monitor M7 (M70F) 4K UHD Display — $229.99 $399.99 (save $170)

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey QD-OLED G8 (G81SF) 4K Gaming Monitor — $800.23 $1,299.99 (save $499.76)

Best early Prime Day Samsung smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) 47mm $549.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

Looking for a durable wearable to take on your many adventures this summer? The Galaxy Watch Ultra is the ultimate smartwatch upgrade to help you out. It's definitely worth a look, especially now that Amazon's knocked $100 off its price tag, bringing it down from $649.99 to $549.99.

Alongside a variety of fitness features and health and sleep tracking features, our hands-on review from Kimberly Gedeon highlights that it's "designed for rugged adventurers." It can "handle temperatures between -4 and 131 degrees Fahrenheit, and it can tolerate deep-sea diving and other challenging environments." If it seems like the kind of fit for your lifestyle, this is an excellent time to scoop it up.

More early Prime Day Samsung smartwatch deals

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (2025) 44mm — $289.99 $379.99 (save $90)

Best early Prime Day Samsung TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 55-Inch Class S90F Smart TV (2025 Model, 55S90F) $997.99 at Amazon
$1,397.99 Save $400   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're on the hunt for a TV upgrade this summer, Prime Day is a great time to shop, and Samsung is already seeing some nice discounts on some of its TVs at Amazon. This Samsung 55-Inch Class S90F Smart TV is already sitting on our list of the best TV deals ahead of Prime Day, and for very good reason, as it's already sitting at its lowest-ever price at the retailer.

With a 55-Inch screen size, 4K resolution, and an OLED display, this Samsung TV is well worth upgrading to, especially while it's still on sale. You can even get one month of Xbox Game Pass with your purchase, which is a nice little bonus.

More early Prime Day Samsung TV deals

• Samsung 43-Inch Class QLED Q8F 4K UHD Smart TV (2025 Model) — $427.99 $547.99 (save $120)

• Samsung 55-Inch Class The Frame LS03F 4K QLED Smart TV (2025 Model) — $897.99 $1,097.99 (save $200)

• Samsung 65-Inch Class The Frame LS03F 4K QLED Smart TV (2025 Model) — $1,197.99 $1,497.99 (save $300)

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

Amazon’s latest Prime Day sale is almost here, steadily building up to several days of huge deals on appliances, gadgets, and of course, offers on PS5 games, accessories, consoles, and more.

While the actual four-day Prime Day doesn't start until June 23, Amazon and third-party sellers are already dropping plenty of deals to save you cash ahead of the rush. The key thing to keep in mind when it comes to shopping for PlayStation is that there can be a lot of price drops on off-brand products to sift through. Luckily, Mashable has done that on your behalf — and will do so throughout the sale.

Whether you're shopping for a new DualSense controller, a discounted PlayStation 5 game, or even a PS5 console bundle when a rare price drop appears, Mashable has scoured the site and cherry-picked the best deals live right now.

Best PlayStation deal Opens in a new window Credit: 2K Store 'NBA 2K26' (PlayStation 5) $19.91 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $50.08   Get Deal Why we like it

NBA 2K26 has already had a massive price drop ahead of Prime Day — this is easily one of the best game deals live right now. Originally launched at $69.99, the new and sealed Standard Edition is now available from just $19.91, taking over $50 off the list price less than a year after release. That's its lowest-ever price according to Camelcamelcamel.

NBA 2K26 brings back MyCAREER, MyTEAM, MyNBA, The W, and Play Now, with ProPLAY technology used to translate real NBA footage into more realistic movement, dribbling, crossovers, and on-court action.

As expected with annualised sports games, the next in the series is expected to hit consoles later this year. If you’ve not had the chance to play NBA 2K26 yet, now is the perfect time to catch up while we wait for news on the next full-price installment.

More early Prime Day PlayStation dealsPS5 games

• Sonic Superstars — $19.99 $29.99 (33% off)

• Red Dead Redemption — $24.99 $29.99 (17% off)

• EA SPORTS FC 26 — $29.83 $69.99 (57% off)

• God of War Ragnarök — $32.43 $69.99 (54% off)

• The Last of Us Part I — $34.38 $69.99 (51% off)

• Gran Turismo 7  — $38.99 $69.99 (44% off)

• Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (Amazon Exclusive Edition) — $39.99 $69.99 (43% off)

PS4 games

• Resident Evil Origins Collection — $20.98 $29.99 (30% off)

• Five Nights at Freddy's: The Core Collection — $22.56 $39.99 (44% off) 

• Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy- The Definitive Edition — $24.48 $29.99 (18% off)

• Red Dead Redemption — $24.49 $29.99 (18% off)

• Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy — $31.34 $39.99 (22% off)

Accessories and gadgets

• Foluck 4-in-1 Carrying Case for PlayStation Portal Remote Player — $29.89 $34.98 (15% off)

• PlayStation Portal Remote Player (Renewed) — $205.99 $249 (17% off)

• PlayStation PS Portal + Case — $276.49 $284.98 (3% off)

• PS Portal + Case + Charging Station — $306.48 $322.97 (5% off)

Kevin Roose and Casey Newton explain why they try to include “a little chaos” when they record their New York Times tech podcast in front of a crowd in San Francisco.

ChatGPT's sizable lead in the world of AI assistants is slipping, bit by bit.

Analytics firm Sensor Tower released its annual State of AI report (as cited by TechCrunch) this week, which contained the news that OpenAI's flagship chatbot no longer has a majority of market share in the AI space. As recently as January, ChatGPT still had more than 50 percent of total AI market share, but now, it's down to 46.4 percent, per Sensor Tower.

SEE ALSO: Everything announced at WWDC 2026, the start of the Siri AI era

Let's put it this way: In a multi-candidate election, ChatGPT would still win by a landslide, but this is a sign that other AI tools are gaining momentum. Namely, Google Gemini is up to 27.7 percent, while Anthropic's Claude is up to 10.3 percent. Earlier this year, Anthropic even reported it was seeing a million new users every day. Other AI chatbots, including Grok and Meta AI, has less than 5 percent market share.

Even with its slight dip from majority to plurality, ChatGPT seems to be doing quite well. Sensor Tower said it has 1.1 billion monthly users, with Gemini fairly far behind it in that metric, with 662 million monthly users. As Gemini starts working its way into everyday devices and services, like Apple's new Siri AI coming later this year, that number could grow even further.

In another troubling sign for OpenAI, Microsoft recently indicated it may go with the lower-cost Chinese model DeepSeek to power some enterprise AI tools.

Lastly, don't forget that OpenAI is prepping for a possible IPO later this year. Declining market share is unlikely to improve its prospects in the market.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

The best Prime Day streaming stick deals at a glance: best overall Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus 24.99 (save $25 with on-page coupon) Get Deal best budget deal Amazon Fire TV Stick HD $15.99 (save $19) Get Deal best non-Amazon deal Google TV Streamer 4K $79.99 (save $20) Get Deal

If you're not ready to completely replace your old TV (and dish out the money to do so), but you want a speedier, more modern streaming experience, grabbing a streaming stick is the move. Their simple plug-and-play design can completely transform any TV with an HDMI port for a whole lot cheaper than getting a new one — especially if you grab one during Prime Day.

While Prime Day doesn't officially kick off until June 23, our shopping team has spotted lots of early deals worth grabbing. From streaming services to devices, I'll be tracking all of the best streaming deals throughout the Amazon Prime Day shopping event. And yes, there are also plenty of TV deals up for grabs if you are ready to take the leap.

While Amazon Fire TV Sticks are definitely running the show so far, I'll be keeping an eye out for more Roku, Google, and Apple TV streaming devices as we inch closer to the official event.

Best early Prime Day streaming stick deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00 with on-page coupon code 4KSAVE Get Deal Why we like it

The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is the most affordable Fire TV Stick in Amazon's lineup that offers 4K quality with HDR10+ support, as well as Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It still features the old Android-based operating system, which can be slightly laggy, but overall it's well-loved by many longtime users. It also still allows for sideloading apps if you're into that. (Starting with the 4K Select model, all future Fire TV Sticks will switch to the Linux-based Vega operating system).

Be sure to click on the "redeem" button next to the on-page coupon code underneath the Prime logo and pricing details to score 50% off this streaming stick ahead of Prime Day. While there's a chance we could see an even lower price come Prime Day proper, this is currently its lowest price on record.

More early Prime Day streaming stick deals

• Amazon Fire TV Stick HD — $15.99 $34.99 (save $19)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $39.99 (save $22)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max — $34.99 $59.99 (save $25 with on-page coupon code MAX4K)

• Google TV Streamer 4K  — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

• Roku Ultra — $85.95 $99.99 (save $14.04)

TL;DR: Live stream Portugal vs. DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage is showcasing a long list of fascinating matchups, but Portugal vs. DR Congo might be one of the best. There's a growing consensus that Portugal could go far in this competition, but DR Congo will pose a genuine threat. They've got the talent to produce a shock result at the NRG Stadium.

Portugal are repping star names like Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, and Vitinha. And of course, 41-year-old Ronaldo is set to lead the line once again. Could he cap an incredible career by winning the biggest prize in sport?

If you want to watch Portugal vs. DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Portugal vs. DR Congo?

Portugal vs. DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on June 17. This fixture takes place at the NRG Stadium.

How to watch Portugal vs. DR Congo for free

Portugal vs. DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Portugal vs. DR Congo for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Watch Portugal vs. DR Congo for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Portugal vs. DR Congo (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 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 a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Portugal vs. DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Workers at the artificial intelligence company have been puzzled and increasingly concerned by the administration’s move to limit their latest A.I. models.

The Silicon Valley company’s ambitions to roll out autonomous cars nationwide have hit political roadblocks in some of the country’s biggest markets.

It's almost unfair for Widow's Bay to be as hilarious and terrifying as it is.

SEE ALSO: 'Widow's Bay' review: Your new favorite TV town awaits in this tremendous horror comedy

Not an episode of Apple TV's latest hit went by without me belly laughing or letting out a shriek of terror. From Patricia's (Kate O'Flynn) cursed "Rhythm of the Night" dance circle to the finale's unsettling sacrifice, Widow's Bay crafted some of 2026's most effective horror moments. But which of these scares impacted the cast the most?

In an interview with Mashable, Widow's Bay stars Matthew Rhys, Stephen Root, and O'Flynn, as well as series creator Katie Dippold and director Hiro Murai, broke down their favorite scares from the season. Rhys's choice? The murderous Willy the Clown (Tim Baltz).

"He worked on that crawl, and the speed at which he came to me, I actually yelped," Rhys recalled. "I still look at it and go, 'how did he do that?'"

Elsewhere, O'Flynn recalled shooting Patricia's memorable final girl encounter with the Boogeyman (Airon Armstrong), a serial killer pulled straight out of Halloween.

"He did so many amazing stunts in one take, and it was quite extraordinary to watch," O'Flynn said. "I was worried about him walking through the fire, but he did it, no problem."

To hear more about the Widow's Bay team's favorite scares, as well as the show's many horror influences, check out the full video above.

Widow's Bay Season 1 is now streaming on Apple TV.

Google's first smart speaker in years is finally here.

Or, it will be when it launches on June 25, anyway. Google finally gave us all the details on the new Google Home Speaker, which it says is the first smart speaker in its portfolio that was built with Gemini AI commands in mind. The device costs $99 and comes in four colors: Hazel, Porcelain, Jade, and Berry.

The news from Google also confirms a leak from earlier this month, though now we have additional details and photos.

SEE ALSO: Apple reportedly turning to Nvidia chips for Gemini-powered Siri There they are. Credit: Google

As expected, since Google first teased the product last year, this is very similar to the old Nest line of smart speakers in appearance, but it is now a Gemini-powered device. That means it can (theoretically) take natural-language commands that are more complex than what the old Google Assistant devices could do. One example given in Google's press release was "turn off all the lights except my bedside lamp." You'll also be able to string multiple commands together in one sentence.

The main problem with all of this is that $99 doesn't get you access to everything this speaker can do.

If you want all the tricks, you'll need a Google Home Premium subscription (which starts at $10/mo) in order to access conversations with Gemini Live or to ask about things happening on any Nest cameras you have installed. There's also a Home Brief feature that can catch you up on anything that happened around the house while you've been gone, but that seems to be locked behind Home Premium, too.

On the plus side, users who already have a subscription to Google AI Pro or Ultra subscription plans will automatically get access to Google Home Premium at no extra cost. If you're on the more expensive AI Ultra plan, you'll additionally get access to Google Home Premium Advanced, also at no extra cost.

One potential issue here is the efficacy of AI voice commands. Last year, users of previous Google Home products complained about Gemini being worse at taking commands than Google Assistant was. It's been a year, and this is a new generation of more powerful hardware, so that doesn't necessarily mean the new Home Speaker will succumb to these same problems. However, Google may need to earn back some goodwill with the new speaker

TL;DR: The New York Knicks 2026 NBA championship parade starts on Thursday, June 18 at 10 a.m. ET. If you can't make it to Lower Manhattan, you can livestream the entire celebration via FuboTV or DirecTV, both of which offer free trials for new users.

It actually happened. After a painful 53-year wait, the New York Knicks are NBA Champions.

Finals MVP Jalen Brunson put away the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5, ending the longest active championship drought among teams that had previously won an NBA title. Predictably, the city has lost its mind. Now it's time to party.

Whether you plan on skipping work to stand 10-deep on the sidewalk or want to stream the entire historic moment from the comfort of your living room, here is everything you need to know about the logistics, the route, and how to watch.

What time does the Knicks parade start?

The parade is scheduled for Thursday, June 18, 2026. The floats are set to begin rolling at exactly 10 a.m. ET.

What is the Knicks parade route?

The procession will follow New York City’s legendary Canyon of Heroes pathway in Lower Manhattan. The parade kicks off at The Battery (Bowling Green) and travels directly north along Broadway before culminating at City Hall Park.

SEE ALSO: Knicks' Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mike Brown thank fans on 'The Tonight Show'

Following the float progression, Mayor Mamdani will host a civic ceremony outside City Hall to present keys to the city to Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and the rest of the roster. Keep an eye out for Mitchell Robinson driving his own custom raised pickup truck in the parade lineup. That's the kind of unhinged energy that Knicks fans relish.

How to watch the Knicks parade from home

If you aren’t willing to brave the swarms of fans taking over the subways (we get it), you will need a reliable livestream. The parade will be broadcast locally on New York news and sports networks (including MSG Network, FOX 5, and ABC 7). If you don't have a cable box, your best bet is a live TV streaming service.

How to live stream the Knicks parade: Our top pick for cord-cutters FuboTV 7-day free trial Get Deal Best Alternative DirecTV 5-day free trial Get Deal

A quick look at the best Dyson deals ahead of Prime Day: Best Dyson vacuum deal Dyson V15 Detect Extra $629.99 (save $220 at Best Buy) Get Deal Best Dyson hair tool deal Dyson Supersonic Nural (Certified Refurbished) $249.99 (save $170 at Dyson) Get Deal Best Dyson fan deal Dyson Cool Tower Fan AM07 $249.99 (save $150 at Dyson) Get Deal

Dyson feels like one of those brands that'd be everywhere you look during an event like Prime Day. Amazon is a decent spot to find deals on the Dyson Supersonic or Airwrap, but historically, Amazon isn't known for its amazing deals on Dyson vacuums.

Instead, Dyson's website often takes Amazon's sale events as a sign to hold a big sale of its own. Early Prime Day deals on Dyson vacuums aren't super hot yet, but I'm confident that we'll see a big Dyson summer sale come June 23. In the meantime, I'm tracking the few good deals on Dyson vacuums, hair tools, and air purifiers that are already live. While you wait, sit on the following Dyson shopping advice from Mashable's resident vacuum reviewer (that's me).

SEE ALSO: Dyson V16 Piston Animal first impressions: A new apex Dyson vacuum has entered the villa

While a few Dyson models are some of the best cordless vacuums you can buy overall, not every Dyson vacuum is worth your money just because it's on sale. For example, the Dyson V8 Absolute's $349.99 sale price looks amazing, right? How can you pass up a $240 discount on a Dyson vacuum?

You may or may not have heard that Dyson just released three new stick vacuums at the beginning of June. One of them is a revamped version of the Dyson V8, offering 30 percent more suction power and nearly double the battery life of older V8 models. The new Dyson V8 Cyclone only costs $399.99 — just $50 more than the weaker V8 Absolute model that's on sale. Plus, a self-emptying docking station for the V8 Cyclone is coming in August.

Dyson vacuum deals

• Certified refurbished Dyson V8 Absolute — $199.99 $349.99 (save $150)

• Certified refurbished Dyson V15 Detect Extra — $369.99 $599.99 (save $230)

• Dyson V15 Detect Extra — $629.99 $849.99 (save $220)

• Dyson Gen5detect Absolute — $799.99 $1,049.99 (save $250)

Dyson hair tool deals

• Certified refurbished Dyson Supersonic Nural (Jasper Plum) — $249.99 $419.99 (save $170)

• Certified refurbished Dyson Airwrap i.d. (Strawberry Bronze/Blush Pink) — $379.99 $499.99 (save $120)

• Dyson Airwrap i.d. Straight + Wavy (Prussian Blue/Rich Copper) — $499.99 $649.99 (save $150)

Dyson air purifier and bladeless fan deals

• Dyson Cool Tower Fan AM07 — $249.99 $399.99 (save $150)

• Dyson Purifier Cool PC01 — $449.99 $549.99 (save $100)

• Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP2 De-NOx — $699.99 $949.99 (save $250)

Another pro tip: I wouldn't recommend the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai even if you see it on sale — there are more reliable robot vacuums on sale at Amazon that a much better bang for your buck.

The best anti-Prime Day deals at Best Buy (so far): Best Amazon device deal Amazon Fire TV Stick HD $15.99 (save $19) Get Deal Best headphones deal Beats Studio Pro (Black/Gold) $159.99 (save $190) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Shokz OpenFit 2+ (Stone Blue) $149.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best laptop deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,199 (save $499) Get Deal Best tablet deal Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, WiFi + cellular, 128GB SSD) $749 (save $200) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + cellular, 49mm) $549 (save $250) Get Deal Best unlocked phone deal Apple iPhone Air (256GB) $929.99 (save $69.01) Get Deal Best video game deal "Madden NFL 26" (Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X) $29.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Star Wars Cobb Vanth’s Speeder 75437 $27.99 (save $7) Get Deal

Prime Day is just around the corner, but it won't be the only huge sale we get this month. Other major retailers are planning to host competing sales that run alongside Amazon's festivities, turning late June into a savings smorgasbord.

Best Buy, for its part, will be running a weeklong "Tech Fest" sale from June 22 to 28. (It's almost double the length of Prime Day 2026, which goes from June 23 to 26.) Historically, the tech retailer has been one of Amazon's biggest rivals when it comes to Prime Day counter-programming, and I expect that to be the case again this year.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day is next week: Here are 20+ early deals to start shopping now

Already, the competition between the two retailers is vicious. Having spent several hours cross-checking their prices on popular gadgets, I've found many instances where Amazon is undercutting Best Buy by anywhere from two bucks to two cents. (That's just petty.) For now, its early Prime Day deals seem to be generally better the Best Buy's pre-Tech Fest offers.

That said, I've managed to scrounge up over 40 products that are price-matched or cheaper at Best Buy, or available exclusively there because Amazon's inventory has dried up. (There are some really good deals on older Apple devices that Amazon no longer stocks in new condition, including the M4 MacBook Air and M3 iPad Air.)

Check out the full list below. Just keep in mind that prices could get even better once Tech Fest officially begins next week.

Amazon device deals

• Amazon Fire TV Stick HD — $15.99 $34.99 (save $19)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $39.99 (save $22)

Headphones deals

• JBL Live 770NC — $119.95 $219.95 (save $100)

• Beats Studio Pro — $159.99 $349.99 (save $190)

• Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278 $398 (save $120)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) — $379 $449 (save $70)

• Sony WH-1000XM6 — $398 $458 (save $60)

Earbuds deals

• Beats Solo Buds — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)

• Shokz OpenFit 2+ — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $179.99 $249 (save $69.01)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) — $249 $299 (save $50)

Laptop deals

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,199 $1,599 (save $400)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,399 $1,799 (save $400)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,249 $2,499 (save $250)

• Asus ROG Strix G16 (AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, 32GB RAM 1TB SSD) — $2,299.99 $2,499.99 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Pro, 48GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,599 $2,899 (save $300)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Max, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,999 $3,399 (save $400)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Max, 48GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $3,499 $3,899 (save $400)

Tablet deals

• Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB SSD) — $299 $349 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, WiFi + cellular, 128GB SSD) — $749 $949 (save $200)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 (128GB SSD, WiFi) — $799.99 $899.99 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, WiFi, 512GB SSD) — $899 $1,099 (save $200)

Smartwatch deals

• Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) — $219 $249 (save $30)

• Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) — $299 $399 (save $100)

• Garmin Instinct 3 (40mm) — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100)

• Garmin Forerunner 265 — $349.99 $449.99 (save $100)

• Garmin Venu 4 — $499.99 $549.99 (save $50)

• Garmin Forerunner 965 — $499.99 $599.99 (save $100)

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + cellular, 49mm) — $549 $799 (save $250)

• Garmin fēnix 8 AMOLED (43mm) — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250)

Unlocked phone deals

• Motorola razr ultra (512GB) — $699.99 $1,299.99 (save $600)

• Samsung Galaxy S26 (256GB) — $799.99 $899.99 (save $100)

• Samsung Galaxy S26+ (256GB) — $899.99 $1,099.99 (save $200)

• Apple iPhone Air (256GB) — $929.99 $999 (save $69.01)

• Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (256GB) — $1,099.99 $1,299.99 (save $200)

Video game deals

• Hello Kitty Island Adventure (Nintendo Switch) — $24.99 $39.99 (save $15)

• Persona 5 Royal (Nintendo Switch) — $24.99 $59.99 (save $35)

• Madden NFL 26 (Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X) — $29.99 $69.99 (save $40)

• NHL 26 (Xbox Series X) — $29.99 $69.99 (save $40)

• F1 25 (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X) — $29.99 $69.99 (save $40)

Lego deals

• Lego Star Wars Cobb Vanth’s Speeder 75437 — $27.99 $34.99 (save $7)

• Lego Technic Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Hypercar 42222 — $51.99 $64.99 (save $13)

• Lego Technic 1966 Ford GT40 MKII Race Car 42223 — $59.99 $74.99 (save $15)

Sometimes, it's best said with an emoji, right?

Spotify is rolling out a feature that lets you emoji-react to collaborative playlists on the platform. Collaborative playlists are just playlists that let users build and edit a playlist together, and now, when someone adds a track to such a playlist, you can let them know with an emoji.

Unfortunately, the choice of emoji is pretty slim, and boils down to heart, thumbs up, ROFL, fire, sad, and headphones emoji. We suspect, given the low number of negative emoji here, that the sad face will be used quite often.

Only playlist owners and collaborators can see or add these reactions, so there won't be any randos laughing at your song choices. Once you do get a reaction to one of the songs you added, you can choose to receive a notification through Spotify messaging when you and the person reacting are connected.

Reactions are enabled by default on eligible collaborative playlists, but owners can turn them on and off in the playlist settings.

SEE ALSO: Spotify adds editor videos to New Music Friday. We asked its curators why.

According to a post on Spotify's Community pages, the feature will be rolling out "over the coming weeks in select markets," which is about as imprecise as it can be. Hopefully, it'll be showing up on your profile soon.

Anthony Bourdain's 2012 graphic novel, Get Jiro, has received the Adult Swim treatment, with a new animated series bringing the chef and author's enigmatic protagonist to the screen. And of course, it's set in a world where cooking rules.

It's been a long road for the adaptation, almost a decade of conversations, approvals, a writer's strike, and finally, two years of production — all notably after the famed chef's passing in 2018. Created by filmmakers Alessandro Tanaka and Brian Gatewood, this unashamedly bloody series transports us to a dystopian future where the ruling class is something only Bourdain (and his co-writer Joel Rose) could come up with: chefs.

Mashable was lucky enough to view the first two episodes at Get Jiro's SXSW London premiere. And friends, from the very first scene, you'll be hungry.

SEE ALSO: Genndy Tartakovsky breaks down the animation of "Fixed" while drawing his iconic characters

In this cutthroat future Los Angeles, economic collapse has left one only non-virtual experience: food, which means it's big business. Chefs are revered as gods. Waiting lists for the top restaurants are years long, with coveted spots to die for. Here, the stakes are a little higher than the Chicago Tribune review in The Bear. Food itself is scarce, meaning ingredients are precious. Hospitality groups are run like crime syndicates, with fresh produce providers treated like drug suppliers. Fish markets are hushed affairs with blacklists. Armed chefs patrol their turf in veste de chef outfits and terrorise anyone who dares to grow their own ingredients at home.

Here, we meet the mysterious sushi chef, Jiro (voiced by Brian Tee), who has just moved from Japan set up shop in LA's lawless Outer Rim. Class divide rules this city, with all the fanciest restaurants located within the Inner Rim. However, such a societal divide will not stop Jiro from making pristine, top-level sushi — with no soy sauce allowed. (Seriously, a man could lose his head for such a request — and that would be a health code violation.)

"The spirit and the energy of Bourdain loom very large on this series."

From the very first moments of episode 1, the team's animation, editing, cinematography, and foley skills are on full display, using Bourdain's narrative as a jumping off point but finding a new style — though the chef's signature adoration for both the beautiful and grotesque is absolutely here. Clean lines and visceral sound effects make every slice of salmon, the process of making rice, and the plating of perfect nigiri a feast for the senses. If you're a fan of kitchen/cooking dramas like The Bear, Boiling Point, or Chef, or cinematically-shot cooking series like Chef's Table, you'll appreciate the detail these scenes.

"Obviously, we had to get the food right, because it's Bourdain," said series co-creator Tanaka at SXSW, who added that the team recruited a friend of Bourdain's, Matt Goulding, to consult on the show. "He was basically our food guy. Every script, every animatic, every rough cut of every episode went through him," he said.

Despite being made after his death, Bourdain feels undeniably present in Get Jiro. There are cameos from famous chefs including David Chang, Eric Ripert, and José Andrés. Those who know the chef's love for meat and disdain for vegetarians will enjoy a storyline entirely based on a rival vegan chef's empire with harsh, even puke-inducing commentary on meat substitutes. And the production team recruited Bourdain's Get Jiro co-writer Rose for the writers room, even penning an episode.

"He was kind of always there to make sure that we were doing right by Bourdain," said Tanaka. "The spirit and the energy of Bourdain loom very large on this series."

Featured Video For You 'Bob's Burgers' creator Loren Bouchard credits 'early fans' for the show's success

In terms of cinematography in this animation, Get Jiro also leans into Bourdain's love of cinema, shared by Tanaka and Gatewood, with references ranging from the work of Japanese cinema icons Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu to George Miller's Mad Max films, and more.

"Bourdain was a huge cinephile. Brian and I also love movies, and so for us, we wanted to explore different genres," said Tanaka, explaining each episode is its own genre. "We're constantly making references to movies, cinema history, and to other filmmakers," he said. "We have an episode that's coming up that is a prison episode, and we did it all as one take, which in live action, you see it a lot — you don't often see that in animation. We use a lot of the tools from film in order to make the show."

Get Jiro will premiere on Adult Swim in 2026, with dates TBC. The graphic novel is available on Amazon.