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The 2026 Google Home Speaker is built around Gemini, and for the first time, talking to a smart speaker should actually feel natural. At around $100, the speaker isn’t super-expensive. Just know that the best features cost extra.
The Trump administration is pushing back against actions to address the environmental impact of data centers as it uses AI to beef up its war machine.
Late Monday (June 15) night, the Department of Justice intervened in a Mississippi federal court case, urging the court to dismiss the lawsuit in a memo from associate attorney general Stanley Woodward, Jr.
The lawsuit was brought forth by the NAACP. It argues that the presence of unpermitted gas-powered turbines operated by xAI and its subsidiary, MZX Tech, in Southaven, Mississippi disproportionately pollute Black neighborhoods and violate the Clean Air Act.
SEE ALSO: The NAACP is fighting back against AI data centersIn the notice, the Justice Department argued that the lawsuit is a national security threat because it "seeks to shut off the power supply for artificial-intelligence innovation that supports the Department of War’s military operations," the New York Times reported.
It's not the NAACP's first time suing over the widespread environmental concerns prompted by expansive data center investment. In January, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruled that xAI's Colossus methane gas turbines in Memphis, Tennessee could not skirt air regulation requirements. It was considered a victory for the NAACP, which filed a lawsuit over the turbines' potentially cancerous nitrogen oxide emissions.
SEE ALSO: Report: AI can perpetuate anti-LGBTQ hateBut those same turbines are also operating just across the border in Mississippi, powering xAI's Colossus 2 data center. Building on the previous win, the NAACP is now seeking an injunction and $124,000 per day per violation payout from xAI for its Mississippi operation.
The Justice Department's memo is a rare instance of the agency intervening to prevent environmental law from being enforced, advocates say. In addition to a call to halt the case, Woodward argued that individual citizens and groups should not have the power to sue over the enforcement of the Clean Air Act and asserted that the federal government should have "unchallenged authority" to stop them. The Act has historically provided a pathway for citizen suits on behalf of affected communities and environmental groups.
The World Cup has always created unlikely heroes. In 2026, it is also turning them into social media sensations.
The latest example is Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar José Évora Dias, better known as Vozinha, who entered Monday's match against Spain with roughly 50,000 Instagram followers and a 19-year career largely unknown to casual soccer fans. But after helping Cape Verde hold one of the tournament favorites to a 0-0 draw in the country’s first-ever World Cup match, his following has surged to 12 million.
His performance in the game gave the internet plenty to work with. The 40-year-old goalkeeper made seven saves against Spain, which took 27 shots but failed to score. Vozinha was named Man of the Match — and a digital darling.
Much of his early attention came from Brazilian streamer Casimiro “Cazé” Miguel and his platform CazéTV, a digital sports broadcaster that has the rights to all 104 World Cup games in Brazil. The channel, which has more than 31 million YouTube subscribers, is known for a more stream-like broadcast style built around fan participation.
During the match, Cazé noticed Vozinha's relatively small Instagram following and asked viewers to follow him. Vozinha went from about 50,000 followers before the match to more than 1 million shortly after the final whistle, and nearly 10 million less than 24 hours later — surpassing the likes of NBA superstar Victor Wembanyama and Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes.
His sudden fame has done more than boost his metrics. After the game, Vozinha went viral when he emotionally revealed that his mother couldn't attend due to visa issues and costs. Now his story has prompted the U.S. State Department to step in, saying it's working to help his family with visa services.
Vozinha may be the tournament's latest viral main character, but he is not the first. Before the tournament began, New Zealand defender Tim Payne became the subject of a similar campaign after Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini, also known as El Scarso, set out to find the World Cup's "least-known player." Payne had fewer than 5,000 Instagram followers at the time, but after Scarsini encouraged his audience to support him, Payne's following climbed to 6 million.
Australia's Kai Trewin also saw his profile rise after creator RubikayTV pushed a campaign to make him "the Cristiano Ronaldo of the World Cup," helping his follower count jump from around 3,000 to more than 100,000. And Curaçao backup goalkeeper Trevor Doornbusch gained tens of thousands of followers after a shoutout from soccer influencer FiagoBall.
The trend clearly reflects how this World Cup is being distributed and watched. FIFA named TikTok its first-ever preferred platform for World Cup video content this year and reached a deal with YouTube allowing broadcasters to stream the first 10 minutes of every match live. Those deals have made the tournament more accessible to audiences who are following games through clips, livestreams, creator commentary, and social feeds as much as traditional broadcasts.
In this developing environment, a player does not need to be a household name before kickoff to become one by the final whistle. A great performance, a well-timed shoutout, or an organized fan push can quickly turn lesser-known players into some of the tournament’s most visible figures online.
The latest trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day crackles with wild MCU meet-ups.
SEE ALSO: 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' trailer: Tom Holland yearns for Zendaya in action-packed first lookThe film sees Peter Parker (Tom Holland) suffering from strange new spider mutations, including organic webbing. To figure out how to control — or maybe completely reverse — these incidents, Peter goes to the MCU's supreme expert in all things mutation: Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), aka the Incredible Hulk.
That's not the only team-up to look forward to in Brand New Day, though. Later in the trailer, Peter brings MJ (Zendaya) to Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), aka the Punisher, for safekeeping.
Speaking of MJ, she and Ned (Jacob Batalon) still don't remember Peter following the magical memory wipe at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home. However, they're still very much part of Peter's life, as they're his neighbors. Based on a yarn wall in their apartment, Ned is very invested in finding out the true identity of Spider-Man... How long before he and MJ crack the case?
That's most of Spider-Man: Brand New Day's cast accounted for, but one face is conspicuously missing from the trailer: that of Sadie Sink. The Stranger Things star has been cast in an undisclosed role, although she's rumored to be playing X-Men mainstay Jean Grey.
If that's the case, then Sink may be hiding in plain sight in the trailer as the villainous figure who is controlling people's minds and wreaking havoc across New York. Apparently, only Peter is immune to this villain's effects. Will he stop them in time? More importantly, will he and MJ find their way back to one another? Based on a too-brief swinging scene in the trailer, the answer seems like a yes.
Broken wearables don't need to be cast off as e-waste. Repairability is here, although it's not yet as widespread as it should be.
Nintendo of North America says it's aware of what's been described as a small third-party data breach affecting some of its employees.
"Nintendo’s systems have not been compromised," the company told Mashable in a statement, acknowledging that a third-party service was affected by an "issue."
Earlier this week, a hacking group calling itself ShadowByte$ posted a threat on a "well-known cybercrime forum," according to CyberNews. The group alleged it stole 859MB of internal corporate data from a third-party service called TinyPulse, which collects employee feedback for companies.
The stolen data reportedly includes the results of employee satisfaction surveys, private messages, and the names of Nintendo employees. According to a LinkedIn profile, TinyPulse is part of WebMD Health Services.
The hacking group reportedly issued a $2 million ransomware demand to prevent the release of the data. Per Kotaku, after failing to get results with Nintendo, the extortion group reportedly tried its luck with TinyPulse as well. However, Nintendo downplayed the sensitivity of the data, telling Mashable the alleged TinyPulse breach is "limited to internal survey content comprising a small subset of our employees."
We are aware of an issue involving TinyPulse, a third-party service used for internal employee surveys at Nintendo of America. Nintendo’s systems have not been compromised, and no personal customer or financial data has been accessed. The data involved is limited to internal survey content comprising a small subset of our employees, and most of the information dates back several years.
We appreciate our employees’ willingness to share their perspectives, take all feedback seriously, and take action when needed. We are working with the service provider to address the issue.
In recent years, ransomware-as-a-service tools have made it easier for bad actors — even those without sophisticated coding or hacking skills — to obtain sensitive data from companies and individuals.
Mashable reached out to WebMD Health Services about the alleged TinyPulse data breach, and we'll update this story if we receive more information.
If you're familiar with portable power stations, you know Jackery is a leading name. The brand makes a huge lineup of off-grid power solutions that are excellent for all types of situations that take you off standard grid power. From small models that are great for camping to big power that'll keep your home online during a storm, Jackery makes a power solution.
SEE ALSO: The 5 best portable power station deals I'd buy before Prime DayAs of June 17, the family of Jackery solar generators has grown. The ultra-slim Jackery FridgeGuard is designed to keep food chilling for up to 15 hours in the event of a power outage. In addition to this new model, Jackery is also launching three new HomePower models. Which model will be best for you?
Read on to get the details on sizing, ports, and best uses below.
Jackery HomePower 1000 V2For an occasional power outage, the Jackery HomePower 1000 V2 offers 1,024Wh of capacity to keep your workstation online. It has three AC ports for powering your laptop and monitor. The 140W USB-C is also great if you have a high-powered laptop or a gaming laptop. Jackery says the HomePower 1000 V2 can recharge in as little as 50 minutes, which means you won't need a ton of warning about an impending storm to be fully prepared with a 100 percent charge.
Lightweight and compact, the Jackery HomePower 1000 V2 is designed to power your home office should grid power cut out. Credit: JackeryJackery also focused on portability with the new HomePower 1000 V2. It weighs just a bit over 23 pounds — an impressively low weight for a model with its capacity. The overall dimensions are also compact, making it easier to carry from the home office to the kitchen or bedroom after the workday is done.
Spec highlights:Capacity: 1,024Wh
Output: 1500W, 3000W surge
UPS: 10 milliseconds
Weight: 23.37 pounds
Dimensions: 12.34 inches x 7.91 inches x 9.19 inches
Between June 23 and June 26, snag the new Jackery HomePower 1000 V2 while it's on sale at Amazon for $499, which is a 41% discount compared to the standard list price of $849.
Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery HomePower 1000 V2 $499 at AmazonIf you're looking for more power than the 1,024Wh in the HomePower 1000 V2, look to the new HomePower 2000 Plus V2. This model comes with twice as much power, and the 2,048Wh can be expanded even further to 12,000Wh with Jackery's expansion batteries.
Use the Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus V2 to keep kitchen appliances available for use during a power outage. Credit: JackeryOf course, the larger capacity on the HomePower 2000 Plus V2 means it has more ports. Instead of three AC ports, the 2000 Plus V2 comes with four. There's also an onboard light, which makes moving the portable power station from room to room much easier when the lights are out.
Spec highlights:Capacity: 2,048Wh
Output: 2400W, 4800W surge
UPS: 10 milliseconds
Weight: 40.57 pounds
Dimensions: 14.37 inches x 10.04 inches x 10.73 inches
During Prime Day on June 23 through June 26, shop the Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus V2 at Amazon for $899, which is a major 50% discount compared to the list price of $1,799.
Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus V2 $899 at AmazonIf you're hoping for whole-home backup but don't feel like shelling out the money for a Powerwall, the new Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max can pair with a manual transfer switch to control your home's circuit. Plus, it won't require a contractor to install.
Keep the whole home online when the power cuts. Credit: JackeryYou'll be able to continue using high-power appliances like the washing machine and dryer when the power cuts out, thanks to the HomePower 3600 Pro Max system. Like the HomePower 2000 Plus V2, it's expandable with Jackery's extra batteries. Stack enough together, and you could end up with a massive 43,000Wh.
Spec highlights:Capacity: 3,584Wh
Output: 4000W, 8000W surge
UPS: 10 milliseconds
Weight: 70.55 pounds
Dimensions: 14.76 inches x 10.83 inches x 17.72 inches
For Prime Day starting on June 23, the Jackery HomePower 3660 Pro Max with a 6-circuit manual transfer switch and a 40A charging cable will be on sale for $2,149 at Amazon, marked down from the normal bundle price of $3,499 for a 43% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max Portable Power Station with MTS & 40A Charging Cable $2,149 at AmazonA power outage is never ideal. From worrying about remaining phone battery to questioning how to make coffee in the morning, power outages are inconvenient. But one of the most costly elements of a power outage is the potential for food to spoil. To deal with the issue, Jackery has a new portable power station on the market. The Jackery FridgeGuard is an ultra-slim power station that can sit on top of your fridge or tuck beside it, providing up to 15 hours of reliable cooling power.
A shockingly thin design. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable The Jackery FridgeGuard specsJackery put some serious thought into the design of the FridgeGuard. For starters, it's exceptionally thin, measuring about 2.6 inches. When I placed it on top of my fridge, I did not expect it to easily slide under the upper cabinets. But it did so with plenty of clearance. If you don't have room above your fridge, you can also set it on the floor beside the appliance. Just attach the two screw-on legs that come with the power station.
Connect two together for up to 30 hours of cooling time. Credit: JackeryIt's also pretty lightweight, measuring just 23 pounds. I didn't have an issue lifting it up to get it on top of my fridge, thanks to its lightweight design. Installation is also a cinch. Plug the Jackery FridgeGuard into the wall and plug your refrigerator into the Jackery. That's it.
SEE ALSO: Jackery just released 3 new HomePower portable power stationsOnce you set it up, it'll use grid power to always stay fully charged. When the power cuts out, the Jackery FridgeGuard kicks on within 10 milliseconds to take over powering your fridge. While I didn't have time to test it myself, Jackery says the FridgeGuard's 1,024Wh battery capacity is capable of keeping the fridge cooling for up to 15 hours.
Simply plug the FridgeGuard into the wall and the fridge into the Jackery, and you're set. Credit: Lauren Allain / MashableIt's expandable with one additional Jackery FridgeGuard for a total of 2,048Wh or about 30 hours of refrigerator backup power. From the Jackery app, you can monitor charge on the FridgeGuard, remaining power, power output, and check on the operation temp.
Capacity: 1,024Wh
Output: 800W, peak 1600W
UPS: 10 milliseconds
Dimensions: 23.6 inches x 12.8 inches x 2.63 inches
Weight: 23 pounds
Warranty: 5 years
Battery type: LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate)
For now, the Jackery FridgeGuard is exclusively sold at costco.com and in select Costco warehouses. At the time of launch, it's on sale for $559.99 after the introductory 20% discount. Should you order online through Costco, shipping and handling is free. However, you'll need to be a Costco member to snag this deal, which comes with a cost of $65 for an annual membership.
Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery FridgeGuard $559.99 at CostcoIf you're ready to start shopping for Amazon Prime Day deals, here's some good news: you don't have to wait for the sale to begin. You can begin tagging your keys, bags, and luggage before summer travel with some of the best early Prime Day Bluetooth trackers right now. In fact, several are already discounted ahead of the main event, with deeper cuts likely once the sale starts proper.
The four-day sale doesn't officially begin until June 23, but early prices are already live as of June 17. Whether you need something to attach to your keys or an affordable option that won't drain your bank account, there are plenty of trackers to choose from right now ahead of the big day.
Below, find some of our picks for the best early Prime Day Bluetooth trackers and be sure to add the ones you want to bring home to your cart before they sell out early.
Best early Prime Day Bluetooth tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Life360 Tile Pro (4-Pack) $69.99 at AmazonThe Tile Pro is one of the most solid Bluetooth trackers on the market, and one of the best contenders that could be considered to take the Apple AirTag crown. They can be used with both iOS and Android devices and feature an easy-to-use app that lets you track items with the press of a button. They use the Tile Network to recover your lost items, so you have lengthy range, and Tile Premium adds even more features like item reimbursement, in the event you can't recover an item protected by your Tile tracker.
Best early Prime Day Android Bluetooth tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 $19.40 at AmazonIf you're an Android phone user, this tracker is the perfect companion to your device. It can be hung from keychains or thrown in a bag so you can track down your most important items. It's simple to sync to your phone, and it's IP67-rated water- and dust-resistant, so you can feel confident it'll last no matter where you place it. It stays powered for up to 500 days and can last 40% longer on Power Saving Mode. It also includes multiple views to help you track down your items faster.
Best early Prime Day budget Bluetooth tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon UGREEN FineTrack Air Tracker Tags (4-Pack) $21.99 at AmazonThis affordable set of trackers is a surprisingly useful alternative to the big names out there. They're made for iOS users, and they're much cheaper than AirTags with a similar feature set you can rely on. They work by way of the Find My app as well, with smart tracking that works near or far. They feature both lost item alerts and lost mode, so when something is confirmed lost, other Apple devices can access it as well as your tracker to help you find all of your most important belongings. Plus, they're lightweight and easy to attach to a bag or drop into luggage for simple tracking.
We're less than a week away from Prime Day now which means Amazon is hard at work dropping deals. Like every Prime Day, Amazon launches countless early deals and some spell huge savings. If you're shopping for outdoor gear, a new Amazon Echo device, or noise-cancelling headphones, you're already in for giant savings.
While slim in number, we also have some decent deals on drones. Shop one of these models today before the sale and you can spend next week perfecting drone piloting instead of shopping for a model.
SEE ALSO: 40+ Best Buy deals that match or beat Amazon's early Prime Day dealsWe expect to see more drone deals drop as we get closer to Prime Day, so check back to keep an eye on the savings. But for those who want a model now, check out the best deals on offer.
Best DJI deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Neo $169 at AmazonPerfect for both beginner and experts, the DJI Neo mini drone gets you 4K UHD footage without costing a fortune. Since it's a DJI drone, you get the reassurance it comes packed with features like palm takeoff, propeller guards, and smart tracking. Plus, it weighs just 135 grams so it's easy to pack along.
Ahead of Prime Day, snag the DJI Neo for $169, marked down from the normal list price of $199 which save you a nice $30.
Best DJI bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Avata 2 Fly More Combo $1,019 at AmazonIf you're in the market for an immersive drone experience, consider today's sale price on the DJI Avanta 2 Fly More Combo. The bundle included the DJI Avanta 2 drone, the DJI Googles 3, three batteries, the DJI RC Motion 3 remote, a sling bag, and more.
The DJI Googles 3 includes Real View Picture in Picture, so you can view what the drone is capturing while still being aware of your surroundings through the goggles. Plus, the DJI RC Motion 3 has intuitive controls for performing every maneuver you desire.
Amazon Prime Day has become one of the biggest retail events of the year. The biannual sale sees discounts across all types of products, from tech to household essentials, so it's a great excuse for both practical upgrades and a little treat. And it's often a good time to shop for a new smartphone. If you're looking for an upgrade or just a budget-friendly handset with no long-term contract, there's already some early deals on unlocked smartphones.
Prime Day officially runs from June 23 to 26, but here are the unlocked smartphone deals we've been able to find now.
Best unlocked smartphone early Prime Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 $785 at AmazonThis unlocked smartphone combines AI-powered tools with fast performance to make everyday tasks easier. It also features a vibrant display, a wider front camera for group selfies. And right now it's over $100 off when you choose the sky blue color. The other options (cobalt violet, black, and white) are also reduced by a little less, but still $100 off the list price.
More unlocked smartphone early Prime Day dealsMotorola Moto G Play LTE — $109.99 $149.99 (save $40)
Samsung Galaxy A17 — $164.99 $199.99 (save $35)
TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER — $229.99 $284.99 (save $55)
Motorola razr FIFA World Cup 26™ Edition — $599.99 $699.99 (save $100)
Google Pixel 10 — $725 $799 (save $74)
OnePlus 15R — $749.99 $799.99 (save $50)
Samsung Galaxy S25+ — $779.99 $999.99 (save $220)
Prime Day is just around the corner, but anyone looking for a deal on Sony headphones doesn't have to wait for the sale to start saving. Several of our favorite Sony noise-cancelling headphones are already discounted ahead of the main event, with more expected once the deals go live.
The four-day sale doesn't officially begin until June 23, but you can get your hands on early discounts as of June 17. Whether you're looking for a pair of great over-the-ear, noise-cancelling favorites or a lightweight set of earbuds, you can catch them all on sale right now for some significant discounts.
There will be additional deals to snap up as we get closer to the event. But if you'd rather not wait, these early Prime Day deals here worth grabbing now. We'll keep this guide updated as the sale gets closer, but for the moment, the best early Prime Day Sony headphone deals are below.
Best early Prime Day Sony headphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise Canceling Headphones $398 at AmazonThis pair of cushy over-the-ear headphones isn't just comfortable. They also offer crisp audio, an adaptive microphone system, and real-time noise cancellation to give you the best audio possible. They're improved even over Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones, with additional microphones than before and even more ways to make your favorite songs, podcasts, and even calls sound great no matter where you roam. They come with a compact carrying case and fold into them for safekeeping and offer bombastic sound, bumping bass, and fantastic sound quality no matter what genre you're into.
Best early Prime Day Sony earbud deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sony WF-C510 Truly Wireless Earbuds $46.17 at AmazonThese lightweight earbuds are a strong alternative for the over-the-ear models that Sony offers, but they're still affordable thanks to this early Prime Day deal. They offer up to 11 hours of battery with multipoint connection, so you can listen to music on your phone or take calls from your computer and switch between the two — or however you plan to connect to your devices. They're IPX4 water resistant as well, so they're great for taking along to the gym or wearing wherever it is you decide to go. They also feature Ambient Sound Mode to help automatically filter out noise while keeping you aware of your surroundings.
Best early Prime Day budget Sony headphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones $36.95 at AmazonIf you want a pair of Sony headphones without paying the extra cash to secure a pair, this budget-priced option is a great alternative. They offer crisp, high-quality audio with a lengthy 50-hour battery life. You can make and take calls on them, and they're super lightweight and comfortable for long-term wear as well. Like many of Sony's headphones, they also offer multipoint connectivity.
More early Prime Day Sony headphone dealsSony WI-C100 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones — $28 $39.99 (save $87.04)
Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones — $92.95 $179.99 (save $87.04)
Sony ULT Wear Over-Ear Noise Canceling Headphones — $144.95 $249.99 (save $105.04)
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 internetThe 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 discriminationGLAAD 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 peopleData 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 mindGLAAD 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 freeEngland 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:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend Proton VPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit ITVX
Watch England vs. Croatia for free from anywhere in the world
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 AmazonThe 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 dealsASUS 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)
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 AmazonIf 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 AmazonLego 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 AmazonIf 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 dealsCrayola 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)
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"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 dealsSamsung Galaxy A17 5G Smart Phone, 128GB — $164.99 $199.99 (save $35)
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 dealsSamsung 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)
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 dealsSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 (2025) 44mm — $289.99 $379.99 (save $90)
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 dealsSamsung 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)
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