Feed aggregator

Hurdle hints and answers for June 20, 2026

Mashable - Sat, 06/20/2026 - 00:00

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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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 hint

Muncher.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

EATER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Gathering.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 20, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

EVENT

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To chuck.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 20 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 20, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

THROW

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To glorify.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

EXTOL

Final Hurdle hint

Water-related.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

HYDRA

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on June 20

Mashable - Sat, 06/20/2026 - 00:00

The Moon continues to get more illuminated each night as we work through the lunar cycle. Can you see anything tonight? Keep reading to find out what you might see.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Saturday, June 20, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. Tonight, 44% of the moon will be be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

With just your naked eye, tonight you'll be able to see the Mares Fecunditatis, Serenitatis and Crisium. With binoculars, you'll also catch a glimpse of the Endymion Crater, Posidonius Crater, and the Mare Nectaris.. If you have a telescope, this will help you see all this plus the Apollo 17 landing spot, the Descartes Highlands, and the Rupes Altai.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on June 29.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon completes one orbit around Earth in about 29.5 days, moving through eight recognised phases along the way. While the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the amount of its surface lit by the Sun changes as it travels around Earth. As a result, we see the Moon appear in different shapes over the course of a month, from slender crescents and half moons to a bright Full Moon. This repeating sequence of phases is known as the lunar cycle.

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 20, 2026

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 22:00

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're an athlete.

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 Pips hints, answers for June 20, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Partitions

  • Green: Cold sports

  • Blue: Reduce, reuse

  • Purple: A gust

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Dividing structures

  • Green: Participate in some winter Olympics

  • Blue: Common recyclables

  • Purple: What "Draft" might refer to

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 #1105 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Dividing structures: FENCE, GATE, HEDGE, WALL

  • Participate in some winter Olympics: CURL, LUGE, SKATE, SKI

  • Common recyclables: BOTTLE, BOX, CAN, NEWSPAPER

  • What "Draft" might refer to: BREEZE, ON TAP, RECRUIT, SKETCH

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 20, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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.

NYT Strands hints, answers for June 20, 2026

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 22:00

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a sports fan.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, 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 Mashable

By 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 preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 20, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Knicks knack

The words are related to basketball.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe baskeball champions.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Garden Party.

NYT Strands word list for June 20
  • Courtside

  • Garden Party

  • Chant

  • Bleachers

  • Marquee

  • Rafters

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.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 20, 2026

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 22:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a Hip Hop fan.

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 hints today: Clues, answers for June 20, 2026 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 Pips hints, answers for June 20, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A Canadian rapper.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

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...

DRAKE

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.

Reporting 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.

Microsoft Office for Mac is on sale for a one-time $40 for a limited time

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 18:00

TL;DR: Through June 28, Deal Days shoppers can get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac for just $39.97 (reg. $219).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $39.97
$219 Save $179.03   Get Deal

Subscriptions have their place, but productivity software doesn’t really need to be one of them — especially when it’s something as familiar and widely used as Microsoft Office. Somewhere along the way, there must have been a glitch in the matrix, because buying software turned into renting it forever.

Thankfully, Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac skips that model entirely. Its lifetime license is currently on sale for $39.97 (regularly $219) during this Deal Days sales event, running through June 28.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

There’s no need to explain why an Office license still matters. Most people have been using Microsoft Office long before cloud apps and browser-based alternatives became the norm. With this deal, you can install the full Office suite on a single device for lifetime use — at home or at work — without worrying about monthly renewals, annual price hikes, or surprise charges down the line.

This license includes all the core apps most people actually rely on: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote. That means drafting documents, crunching numbers, building presentations, managing email, and organizing notes using the full desktop versions of each app.

Unlike free alternatives or web-based tools, you get access to the complete feature sets, which makes a difference when you’re working on longer documents, detailed spreadsheets, or presentation-heavy projects.

Once you purchase, your license key and download links are delivered instantly, so there’s no waiting around to get started. Microsoft also includes lifetime customer support, which can be helpful if you ever need assistance with installation or troubleshooting.

Instead of committing to yet another recurring subscription, this one-time purchase lets you get software you’ll likely keep using for years.

Grab Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac for just $39.97 (reg. $219) through June 28.

Click here to view more of the Deal Days collection.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Infowars is returning with Tim Heidecker at the helm. Heres what it’ll look like.

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 13:14

After satirical paper The Onion bought right-wing conspiracy site Infowars, it faced legal obstacles — but now the people behind it say they're launching a new Infowars and sidestepping the courts.

The founder of Infowars, Alex Jones, declared bankruptcy in 2022 following defamation lawsuits from families of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, which Jones claimed was a hoax. He was ordered to pay them $1.3 billion in damages, and The Onion won an auction bid for Infowars in 2024 — but a judge swiftly blocked the sale.

SEE ALSO: Chat, are we cooked? A guide to internet slang in 2026.

Then, in April 2026, The Onion announced a new way to buy the outlet: a licensing deal that would allow The Onion to publish on Infowars' site and start paying the Sandy Hook families. But that has faced legal challenges too, MS NOW reported, and The Onion has decided not to wait for the courts to relaunch the website.

"Alex is holding Infowars.com hostage," CEO of The Onion, Ben Collins, told MS NOW. "He's trying to intentionally degrade the assets so these families can never sell them, and the courts have largely obliged. We're tired of waiting around."

The refreshed Infowars is now set to launch on July 2 with original programming, with comedian Tim Heidecker as creative director. Heidecker, who's known for Adult Swim shows such as Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! with his creative partner Eric Wareheim, will host a parody of Jones's old Infowars show. An "emergency" statement from Heidecker (doing a Jones impression) has already been published on YouTube.

Other shows coming to Infowars this summer, according to MS NOW, are The Jim Haggerty Show and a documentary-style film called Birth of a Nation, which has the same name as the racist 1915 film featuring the Ku Klux Klan.

In an April interview with TIME, Heidecker said there will be a "transition phase" of doing Onion-style parody, and he eventually wants to turn Infowars into a "destination for good comedy — a new streaming site, a new comedy platform." He also stated that the team hopes this will be profitable and "provide nice, healthy budgets for young creators to make interesting things for the world."

He reiterated this in a June interview with WIRED, stating that "there will be a sense of curation" of comedy coming out of Infowars, "the same way Adult Swim was a brand."

This is your last chance to get the Aiper Scuba X1 cordless pool robot for $550 off

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 11:58

SAVE 37%: As of June 19, you can get the Aiper Scuba X1 for $949.99, down from $1,499.99 at Amazon. That's a 37% discount or $550 savings.

Aiper Scuba X1 $949.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $550   Get Deal at Amazon

It's nearly Prime Day, and Amazon's sneaking in little discounts here and there to keep us interested. From robot vacuums to kitchen appliances to TVs and headphones, we're already seeing some impressive price cuts, but the outdoor and backyard gear is getting some of the most practical markdowns.

Right now, you can get the Aiper Scuba X1 cordless pool robot for $949.99 at Amazon, down from $1,499.99. That's a 37% discount or $550 savings. It's also the lowest price we've tracked for this model. But you'd better hurry: Amazon's got a clock running on this one, and it's almost over.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day is almost here: We found 50+ early deals already live on Apple, Sony, and Lego favorites

This little robot runs for 185 minutes on a single charge. Instead of drifting around aimlessly, it uses smart navigation to map out your pool and dodge obstacles on its own. When it's done, just pop it onto the included wireless charging dock.

As for the actual cleaning, its dual jets clear out everything from fine sand to stray pebbles, while the filtration system catches the tiny debris you can't even see. It also scrubs along the horizontal waterline to get rid of scum buildup. Essentially, it handles all the real manual labor so you don’t have to.

How the electronic World Cup ball is already impacting games

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 11:39

The official World Cup ball now has something in common with a phone, a smartwatch, and nearly every other piece of modern tech: it needs to be charged.

Adidas’ Trionda, the match ball being used at the 2026 World Cup, is more than just a four-panel soccer ball with a red, green, and blue design meant to nod to the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It is also a connected device. Inside the ball is a small motion sensor that tracks its movement hundreds of times per second and sends data to the VAR room in real time.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

That may sound like a strange detail for a sport still built around feet, grass, bodies, and instinct. But during Sweden’s win over Tunisia, the ball already proved its worth, as the internal sensor helped decide whether a record-setting goal should count.

SEE ALSO: World Cup tourists are obsessed with everyday America

In the 84th minute of Sweden’s win over Tunisia on Sunday, June 14, midfielder Mattias Svanberg came off the bench and scored with his first touch, just 12 seconds after entering the match. The goal would make him the fastest substitute ever to score at a World Cup, but it was initially ruled out for offside.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

The review came down to one hard-to-see detail: whether Sweden forward Alexander Isak had made a slight touch on the ball before it reached Svanberg. If he had not touched it, Svanberg would remain offside. If he had, the phase of play would reset, and the goal could count.

According to an ESPN VAR review of the incident, officials used Adidas’ connected ball tracking technology to determine that Isak had indeed made contact. The touch was so slight that it was difficult, if not impossible, to judge clearly with the naked eye...but the sensor registered it. VAR overturned the original offside decision. Svanberg’s record-setting goal stood.

View this post on Instagram

Connected ball technology is not new to the World Cup. Adidas first used a sensor-equipped match ball at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. For 2026, the technology has been updated, though, with a side-mounted 500Hz chip inside one of Trionda’s four panels, allowing the ball to send real-time, three-dimensional movement and touch data to VAR.

View this post on Instagram

In a World Cup increasingly shaped by technology, the smallest touch can now be enough to make history.

SpaceX stock price drops after Cursor purchase. How low could it go?

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 11:24

Following SpaceX's IPO on June 12 — the biggest in history, which made Elon Musk a trillionaire — the stock price dipped just days later when the company announced the acquisition of AI coding agent Cursor.

The initial price was $135, and reached over $170 the same day, Mashable reported. By Tuesday, June 16, it hit a high above $225, according to Forbes, but some of those gains were lost by Wednesday.

The $60 billion deal between SpaceX and Anysphere, the startup behind Cursor, was announced on Tuesday. The next day, the price fell five percent, CNBC reported, and dropped another 3.75 percent on Thursday.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk seemingly found the cheat code for capitalism. The SpaceX IPO proves it.

The markets are closed today, June 19, with SpaceX's current share price at $185 at the time of this writing. It's dropped slightly today, but it's still well above its IPO share price.

But how low will it go? Investor research firm Morningstar reported that SpaceX is wildly overvalued, with its fair value estimate at $62 a share, and a best-case scenario would price shares at $169. That would be lower than today's price, but still higher than its IPO.

Not everyone believes SpaceX is overvalued, though. Investment bank Oppenheimer and Co. raised its projection for SpaceX stock from $190 to $250 following the acquisition disclosure. Analyst Timothy Horan said that SpaceX "owns every layer of the AI stack, giving it cost and quality advantages," and that Cursor is a major component of that.

So it remains to be seen whether the stock will dip much lower — and unless it dips below $138, Musk remains a trillionaire.

Amazon hides its Prime Day sex toy deals — so I found the best alternatives

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 11:20
Best early Prime Day sex toy deals so far: Best licking toy deal Tracy's Dog OG Lick $29.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best suction toy deal Hello Nancy Lem $89 (save $70) Get Deal Best rabbit vibrator deal bellesa G-Stroking Rabbit $79 (save $40) Get Deal

Prime Day is just a few days away (yes, Amazon bumped the official sale up to June this year), and it's my pleasure, and journalistic duty, to give you the deets on where to find the best sex toy deals.

As I've noted in years past, buying sex toys on Amazon is a gamble. If you don't know what to look for, you could end up with something that does more harm than good (think porous jelly materials or chemical-laden vibrators). On top of that, Amazon isn't allowed to promote sex toys on Prime Day the way it does for TVs and air fryers, which means you have to dig to find the discounts.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 100+ sex toys. Here are the 15 most mind-blowing toys I've ever owned.

Luckily, you have me to do the research for you. To be transparent, there aren't a ton of early sex toy deals live on Amazon just yet, but I expect a lot more to drop when the official sale kicks off next week. Below, I've rounded up the best early discounts — including a few Amazon finds that are already marked down, the toys I'm betting will go on sale next week, and deals from outside brands running their own sales. Happy shopping!

Best Amazon Prime Day sex toy deal so far Tracy's Dog OG Lick $29.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $10.00   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

A lot of the toys I usually hype up on Prime Day aren't on sale yet (I've listed those below), but Tracy's Dog is almost always marked down. It is one of my favorite sex toy brands for people who crave intense clitoral stimulation but aren't willing to pay more than $50. This is one of the only times I feel confident saying you'll get more bang for your buck.

Right now, you can get Tracy's Dog OG Lick for $29.99 at Amazon (it's basically just a newer version of the OG Sucking Vibrator, which I have and love). It's only 13% off on the Tracy's Dog website, so this is a good deal.

The OG Lick includes a remote and has seven licking modes and 10 vibration patterns. It's also waterproof and super easy to use hands-free (I actually love using mine while I'm giving my partner head; it's fun for everyone involved). Note: This is a "licking" vibrator; if you want suction, I recommend buying the OG Sucking Vibrator (which isn't available on Amazon for some reason).

More early Prime Day deals hiding on Amazon The toys I'm betting will go on sale next week All the sex toy deals you can shop right now

The 5 best gaming deals Id buy before Prime Day — Asus gaming laptops and Samsung monitors on sale

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 10:47
Best early Prime Day gaming deals at a glance: Best gaming monitor deal 32-inch Samsung Odyssey G5 $189.99 (save $140) Get Deal Best gaming-worthy TV deal 65-inch TCL ClassQM6K QLED TV $527.99 (save $272) Get Deal Best gaming mouse deal Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse $30.99 (save $18.96) Get Deal Best gaming keyboard deal Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard $182.99 (save $47) Get Deal Best gaming speakers deal Klipsch Reference R-40PM Bookshelf Speakers $316.99 (save $232.01) Get Deal

We're just days away from one of the biggest shopping events of the year.

This year, Amazon decided to launch into Prime Day a bit early, and we're in for big savings between June 23 and 26. But I've been covering Prime Day deals for nearly five years now, and I can tell you with certainty those dates are merely suggestions. You can find plenty of great deals before the sale starts, and other linger on into the days after the sale.

SEE ALSO: Shop the best Nintendo Switch deals ahead of Prime Day 2026

Anyone who's looking for gaming upgrades is likely in for some treats from Amazon. Before the sale starts, I've spotted some excellent gaming deals that are already live. Since I'm not one to enjoy strong mid-day summer sun, you can find me inside gaming until it's time for a dinner in the backyard.

If you're shopping ahead of the sale, these are the top gaming deals to grab before Prime Day hits.

Best gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung 32-inch Samsung Odyssey G5 $189.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $140   Get Deal Why we like it

A gaming monitor has the power to change the whole gaming experience. Go curved, and you'll never go back to a dull flat screen. Lucky for us, the 32-inch Samsung Odyssey G5 has a 1000R curve, and it's on sale for a massive 42% off ahead of Prime Day, coming in at just under $190 instead of the list price of $329.99. It's also worth noting the 27-inch model is on sale for about $200 which makes the cheaper price on the 32-inch model a fantastic snag.

The Samsung Odyssey G5 come with game-worthy specs like a 165Hz refresh rate, AMD Radeon FreeSync, and a glare-free display.

Best gaming-worthy TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-inch ClassQM6K QLED TV $527.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $272   Get Deal Why we like it

We often think of gaming as an expensive hobby, but it doesn't have to be if gaming items are multi-functional. For example. the 65-inch TCL ClassQM6K QLED TV can serve as your gaming display as well as your TV. Pair this with the sale price of $527.99, and things are looking a lot more realistic, price wise.

The TCL has a native refresh rate of up to 144Hz for crisp and quick gaming. The refresh rate is also excellent if you'll be sitting down to enjoy watching World Cup games this summer. TCL has the list price for the 65-inch ClassQM6K QLED TV set at $799.99, but Amazon's early Prime Day sale takes 33% off.

More gaming deals

Older iPhones are vulnerable to a flaw Apple likely can’t fix

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 10:08

Researchers have discovered a vulnerability with older iPhones that Apple can't patch.

The team at Paradigm Shift, an independent European cybersecurity firm, published its findings on the flaw, which it calls usbliter8, on its blog on Thursday.

Researchers exploited flaws in the USB controller and the device's firmware to override the boot process (when the phone turns on) and gain control of the device before iOS loads, and even run unauthorized software.

SEE ALSO: Apple isn't done with the iPhone Air. What's in store for the Air 2?

The issue exists within SecureROM, the code that runs when an iPhone turns on, which is embedded in certain chips. Apple can't fix these flaws, as the code can't be extracted from the chips.

Paradigm Shift reported the vulnerability to Apple before publishing it.

The impacted chips are A12 and A13. Here are the impacted iPhone models with A12 and A13 chips, as reported by AppleInsider:

  • iPhone 11

  • iPhone 11 Pro

  • iPhone 11 Pro Max

  • Second-generation iPhone SE

  • iPhone XR

  • iPhone XS

  • iPhone XS Max

S4 and S5 chips, which power some iPad and Apple Watch models, are also affected. Here are the impacted models, according to AppleInsider:

  • Eighth and ninth generation iPad

  • Third-generation iPad Air

  • Fifth-generation iPad Mini

  • First and second generation 11-inch iPad Pro

  • Third and fourth generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro

  • First-generation Apple Watch SE

  • Apple Watch Series 4 and 5

Paradigm Shift notes that technical support for the A12X and A12Z chips is possible but hasn't been implemented; this also affects the 2018 and 2019 iPad Pro models, AppleInsider reported.

The exploit requires physical access to the iPhone. Paradigm Shift wrote that it opens up different paths that could allow attackers to compromise Apple's Secure Enclave Processor, which stores encrypted data and passcodes.

"As these vulnerabilities reside in immutable code, affected users should be aware that migrating to newer hardware remains the most effective mitigation," Paradigm Shift's blog post states. Meaning: The best way to avoid this vulnerability is to get a new device.

The iPhone prices hikes might happen any day now

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 09:52

A few days ago, Apple CEO Tim Cook warned that Apple product prices are going up, due to the raging memory chip shortage that's putting pressure on consumer electronics manufacturers.

"Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable," said Cook, which pretty much seals the deal for pricier iPhones and other Apple gadgets.

While Cook didn't share any other details, many folks (us included) assumed the price hikes would likely happen in the fall, when the company typically launches its new Apple Watches and iPhones. Now, it appears the changes might take the form of actual price increases for existing products, which isn't typical for Apple.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the price hikes are likely "fairly imminent."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

"No other reason to flag them now. I’d also note that Apple back to school sale is very imminent, and it could make sense to tie these together as a buffer. Either way this is happening soon. Not a fall thing."

We could imagine Cook, who's on his way out as CEO, flagging future price hikes to make life a bit easier for his successor, John Ternus. But if Gurman is right, it could mean that the best time to get a cheaper iPhone is... well, right now, before prices go up.

SEE ALSO: A Prime Day Apple deals primer: We're tracking prices on AirPods, iPads, and MacBooks

Gurman also referenced Apple's "Back to School" sale, which typically starts mid-June. Apple could increase the regular prices of its products while still offering discounted education pricing to make the transition less painful.

Amazons early Prime Day deals include great options for Fathers Day

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 09:44
Early Prime Day Father's Day gifts that are on sale: Best Bluetooth speaker deal Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $69.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal Best portable power station deal Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 $799.99 at Amazon (save $699.01) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker $66.99 (save $23) Get Deal Best water bottle deal Owala FreeSip (32 ounce) $27.97 at Amazon in select colorways (save $7.02) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Star Wars R2-D2 (75379) $79.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal Best fitness earbuds deal Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 (save $50.04) Get Deal Best robot lawn mower deal Ecovacs Goat O1000 robot lawn mower $699 at Amazon (save $300.99) Get Deal

The question of what to gift Dad for Father's Day is back again. Year after year, it never gets easier to find the perfect gift. Whether you're shopping for Dad, Grandpa, a stepdad, or the nice guy down the street, take note that Father's Day is June 21 this year.

We're firmly in last-minute gift territory a few days ahead of Sunday, but Amazon's same-day, next-day, and two-day shipping gives you enough time to snag something great for Dad. Ahead of Prime Day, Amazon has a major selection of sales that'll work great for Father's Day. Below are some of our favorites to shop this weekend.

Best Bluetooth speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $69.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

Sitting at a solid 30% discount, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 will make for a great Father's Day gift. In Mashable's guide to the best Bluetooth speakers, the UE Wonderboom 4 earns the top spot as the best option under $100. Thanks to this early Prime Day deal, it's on a significant discount. Mashable's review explains, "This speaker's small (and rugged enough) to take along for a hike, while traveling, and for tossing next to the pool." Since it's waterproof, it's also a great option for using as a shower speaker.

Best portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 $799.99 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $699.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Over the past few years, I've tested dozens of portable power stations, and the Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 is the one I use the most. I'd rather overestimate my power needs than run short, which is why I head out with 2048Wh of battery capacity with the C2000 Gen 2. It's still portable enough to take for a weekend of camping without being too heavy to carry around. I also love the dual high-powered USB-C ports that can reach 140W. It's also quick to recharge, taking under one hour to go from totally dead to full power. Since I tend to decide last-minute to go camping (I'm a fair-weathered camper), the quick charging is super useful if I haven't planned in advance.

Dad is sure to find uses for the Solix C2000 Gen 2, from camping to yard work or for keeping the house powered up during the next storm. Shop today at Amazon and you'll be saving 47%.

Best kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Cuisinart Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker $66.99 at Amazon
$89.95 Save $22.96   Get Deal Why we like it

Summer is all about cool treats. If your dad loves a bowl of ice cream for dessert every night, the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker is a perfect gift. On sale for only $66.99, dad will be able to make every flavor imageable without hassle thanks to the ease of the Cuisinart. It can make ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, sherbet, and even frozen drinks. And while it would technically be a gift for dad, you know that you'll benefit, too.

Best water bottle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Owala Owala FreeSip (32 ounces, select colorways) $27.97 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $7.02   Get Deal Why we like it

For the dad who's always forgetting to drink water, gift him Mashable's favorite water bottle. The Owala FreeSip allows for both tipping the water bottle up to take a big glug or sipping through the built-in straw. In Mashable's review of the Owala FreeSip, Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino said, "The FreeSip's insulation really is impeccable, offering 24 hours of cold. I've filled mine up with ice and water to come back a day later and still find the jingle of full ice cubes. Plus, the two-part locking lid can also double as a loop for easy carrying. Cleaning is also easy with the FreeSip."

The 32-ounce version of the FreeSip usually sells for $34.99, but Amazon has select colorways on sale for $27.97 or $27.99.

Best Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars R2-D2 (75379) $79.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20   Get Deal Why we like it

If the father figure in your life is a Star Wars fan and also enjoys building a Lego set, it's a win-win to snag the Lego Star Wars R2-D2. The build will look great on a bookshelf or on a desk, and the 25th anniversary edition features a Darth Malak minifigure.

Best fitness earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.04   Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 sports earbuds.

If the dad in your life likes to head to the gym, takes the dog on walks, or goes for runs, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are perfect. They're Mashable's favorite earbuds for working out and they happen to be on sale for 20% off ahead of Father's Day. The noise-cancelling earbuds get up to 45 hours of listening time with the included charging case. Of course, they're sweat and water-resistant, and they come in a few fun colorway options.

Best robot lawn mower deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ecovacs Ecovacs Goat O1000 RTK Robot Lawn Mower $699 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $300.99   Get Deal Why we like it

If dad is in charge of mowing the lawn but doesn't love the chore, he might love upgrading to a robot lawn mower. None of these come cheap, so perhaps this can be a group gift, but the Ecovacs Goat 0100 robot lawn mower is on sale for $699. It can cover yards up to 0.25 acres and it also comes with automated mapping, similar to what we're used to with robot vacuums. Its narrow body of 2.3 feet is great for passing through small areas and you can select the ideal mowing height between 1.2 and 3.1 inches.

Your homemade bread era starts now: This early Prime Day KitchenAid deal saves you over $100

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 09:16

SAVE $120: As of June 19, the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart stand mixer is down to $379.95 at Amazon. That's a 24% discount on its $499.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: KitchenAid KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer $379.95 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $120.04   Shop Now

The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart stand mixer is down to $379.95 at Amazon for Prime Day, marking a 24% discount and saving you $120.04 off its $499.99 list price.

Built for everyday baking and bigger batch cooking, it has a 5-quart capacity that can handle everything from cookie dough to shredded ingredients for meals with friends and family.

The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart stand mixer is built with a sturdy metal body designed to handle regular use in the kitchen. It also uses 59 touchpoints around the bowl, meaning the beater reaches multiple spots as it spins, helping ingredients mix evenly without leaving dry or unmixed patches.

It comes with a 5-quart stainless steel bowl that has a handle, making it easy to work with both small and large batches. You can make up to nine dozen cookies in one go, and the bowl is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

The tilt-head design makes it simple to add ingredients while you’re mixing, since you can lift and lock the head for better access to the bowl. It also has 10 speeds, so you can go from slow stirring to whipping cream or mixing heavier dough without needing multiple tools.

Snag the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart stand mixer at Amazon and officially upgrade your cookie game.

Seth Meyers wants more details on Trumps Iran deal. Something. Anything.

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 08:47

President Donald Trump and President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a "memorandum of understanding" this week, an agreement which will reportedly end the U.S.-Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, the 14-point document isn't the final deal, and the U.S. president opted for vaguery telling press at the G7 summit it was "a very strong deal. Nobody knows what it is, but it's very strong."

Seth Meyers unpacked this during Late Night on Thursday, during his "A Closer Look" segment.

"What do you mean, 'Nobody knows what it is,' why not? Is it written in Zodiac code? Is it a diplomatic agreement, or the list of herbs and spices?" said Meyers. "Also, it's an agreement. With agreements, the key is that everyone knows what it is, for the purposes of the agreeing. This is like if you said to your bride, 'I'm just gonna do my vows in my head.' Why won't you say them out loud?"

Meyers then moves to clarify the three goals of the agreement, which Trump lightly covered during his G7 press address as "ending the current conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and preventing Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon."

"Wait, so the three goals of the deal to end the war were: ending the war, reopening a strait that was already opened before we started the war, preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, which they had already agreed not to obtain under the deal you ripped up, which started the war that closed the strait, which you reopened by ending the war you started," said Meyers.

"I currently have a worse headache than the Knicks the morning after they won the title, and at least they won something."

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

The Mammotion Luba 3 AWD robot lawn mower hits all-time best price — save over $500 at Amazon

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 08:30

SAVE $509: As of June 19, the Mammotion Luba 3 AWD 3000H robot lawn mower is down to $2,499 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mammotion Mammotion Luba 3 AWD 3000H Robot Lawn Mower $2,499 at Amazon
$3,008 Save $509   Get Deal

The Mammotion Luba 3 AWD 3000H robot lawn mower is down to $2,499 at Amazon, a 17% discount that saves you $509 on its $3,008 list price. This is also its lowest price since launch. With Prime Day just around the corner, it’s a solid early drop on a premium piece of outdoor tech.

This is a hands-off style mower that’s designed to do most of the work for you. It uses smart navigation and cameras to move around your yard and avoid obstacles without needing supervision. It handles steep slopes and larger lawns, making it better suited for people with larger or more complex outdoor spaces.

The robot lawn mower adjusts cutting power based on grass thickness and can run for up to 175 minutes per charge.

Once it’s set up, you can divide your yard into different zones and let it follow the mowing schedule you choose. Overall, the Mammotion Luba 3 AWD 3000H is built for people who want lawn care to feel more automated and less like a weekend chore.

Grab the Mammotion Luba 3 AWD at Amazon and officially retire from lawn duty.

Waterpik water flossers are on sale at Amazon — save up to 43% this weekend

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 08:25
Best Waterpik water flosser deals at Amazon: Best countertop water flosser deal Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser $59.99 (save $40) Shop Now Best travel-friendly water flosser deal Waterpik Cordless Pearl Water Flosser $39.99 (save $30) Shop Now

Water flossers have become a pretty common part of everyday dental care, especially for people who don’t want to deal with traditional flossing. They use a steady stream of water to clean between teeth and along the gumline in a quick and easy manner. It’s a simple switch that makes daily dental care feel less like a chore.

If you're ready to invest, Amazon has got your back with a couple of deals on Waterpik models.

Best countertop water flosser deal Opens in a new window Credit: Waterpik Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser $59.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $40.00   Shop Now Why we like it

The Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser is down to $59.99 at Amazon, making it a strong pick if you want a countertop water flosser for a more thorough clean at home. It has 10 pressure settings, so you can go gentler or stronger depending on what feels comfortable, plus a massage mode for gum care. It holds enough water for a full flossing session and has a built-in timer to help you pace your routine. With seven different tips and a rotating nozzle, it’s easier to reach all areas of your mouth, including the back teeth.

Best travel-friendly water flosser deal Opens in a new window Credit: Waterpik Waterpik Cordless Pearl Water Flosser $39.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $30.00   Shop Now Why we like it

The Waterpik Cordless Pearl is down to $39.99 at Amazon, a 43% discount and back at its lowest price this year. Designed for travel and everyday use, it delivers cordless water flossing with a rechargeable battery and a compact build that’s easy to handle at home or on the go.

It includes four flossing tips for different dental needs, along with two pressure settings for more controlled cleaning. The 360-degree rotating tip and narrow ergonomic grip make it easier to reach back teeth. The device is also really quiet.

The Nothing Headphone (a) hits record-low price ahead of Prime Day — save almost $50 at Amazon

Mashable - Fri, 06/19/2026 - 08:10

SAVE OVER $40: As of June 19, Nothing Headphone (a) hits new low price of $151.05 for Prime members. This is $47.95 off their full price of $199.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing Headphone (a) $151.05 at Amazon
$199 Save $47.95   Get Deal

Early Prime Day deals are already dropping at Amazon ahead of the sale's start next week, and if you're a Prime member, there are some truly excellent exclusive deals to look through.

As of June 19, the Nothing Headphone (a) are among them, hitting a brand new low price at the retailer of $151.05. If they've been on your radar, now is the time to jump on this Prime-exclusive deal while it's still available.

Compared to their full price of $199, this deal means you save just over $40 on these headphones. It applies to every color at Amazon as well, so you can pick out your favorite between the white, pink, yellow, and black headphones.

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

If you're wondering whether or not the Nothing Headphone (a) are worth buying, it's worth mentioning that we're very big fans. Mashable's Bethany Allard reviewed them last month and said they're "the best pair of headphones from Nothing, and one of the best pairs of mid-range headphones available to get, thanks to their solid all-around performance and standout battery life."

Allard notes that these headphones have "decent sound and ANC with plenty of ease built into the user experience," but where they really shine is their battery life. With ANC enabled, the store page says they last up to 75 hours. Allard confirms this in her review, adding that "the battery life alone may be the reason to pick these headphones up."

If you've been waiting for a good time to scoop up the Nothing Headphone (a), this is an excellent opportunity. Don't miss out on this Prime-exclusive deal at Amazon.

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

Pages

Subscribe to Page Integrity, Inc. aggregator