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No timeline for availability: Apples new Siri AI will be very late in the EU

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 14:34

Apple's new Siri AI will, once again, be a little late, especially in some regions.

The company originally announced that a new, smarter Siri would return in 2024. It took two years for those vague promises to take the form of Siri AI, which the company announced during the WWDC 2026 keynote.

Alas, Siri still won't be equally distributed at launch. According to Apple's SVP of engineering, Craig Federighi, Siri AI in beta is now available to developers, and it's coming to end users "this fall."

SEE ALSO: Apple gives Safari a makeover at WWDC 2026

But not for users in the European Union and China. In both cases, Siri AI will be available at an undefined time in the future, as Apple works through regulatory hurdles. This isn't a huge surprise, given that Apple Intelligence was initially unavailable in these regions, but it's still a disappointment to millions of Apple users.

Apple explained the issues in a blog post published on Monday.

"Unfortunately, due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple will not be able to ship Siri AI in the European Union with the release of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. Over the past several months, EU regulators did not accept any of Apple’s proposed solutions to bring Siri AI to the EU while safely supporting other virtual assistants," the company wrote.

SEE ALSO: Apple gives Safari a makeover at WWDC 2026

The issue, it seems, is not so much with Siri itself, but with other virtual assistants, which don't get the same playing ground as Siri. "Under EU regulators’ extreme interpretation of the DMA, Apple would have to give any virtual assistant direct access to users’ private data — and the ability to directly control other installed applications," wrote Apple.

Apple says it did figure out a solution. Called the Trusted System Agent, it's an "intermediary that would allow virtual assistants to safely access the same features and capabilities as Siri AI for devices in the EU." The plan was to gradually release Siri in the EU over an (ouch) 18-month period. But once again, according to Apple, "the European Commission did not agree to any of Apple’s proposals."

The bad news is that, according to Apple, "there is currently no timeline for Siri AI’s availability in the EU on iOS and iPadOS."

Not great, but we're hoping for a solution, and we bet Apple is, too.

For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.

How Elon Musk’s Friendship With the F.C.C. Smooths the Way for SpaceX’s I.P.O.

NYT Technology - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 14:31
Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has greenlighted regulatory requests for the company’s Starlink satellite internet service and lavished praise on its chief executive.

Siri Mode coming to the iPhone Camera app

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 14:28

Siri is coming to the iPhone Camera app, the company announced at WWDC.

Back in May, Mashable reported on Camera upgrade rumors, including an integration with Siri AI, and it was confirmed today. With Visual Intelligence, Siri Mode will be able to "see what you see" and be able to tell you more information about it. You can translate text and identify plants, or even get nutritional insights when you point your Camera at a plate of food (and also split the check that way, too).

Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Some Camera rumors didn't pan out, though — at least not on the first day of WWDC. These included that the Camera would soon have widgets and be customizable in iOS 27. Default controls (like Night Mode, Flash, and Live Photos) won't go away, but the leak hinted that advanced options would also be available.

For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.

Amid protest, Apple announces Ask to browse, other child safety tools

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 14:22

Apple unveiled a new suite of child safety tools and family experiences at this year's WWDC, spending significant time highlighting the new features as the tech industry grapples with age verification and online safety.

The company's new Child Accounts features, which are available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, include parental monitoring tools like Ask to Browse, a feature that requires minor users to get permission to surf the internet or go on specific websites.

SEE ALSO: Apple WWDC 2026 keynote event: Live updates on iOS 27 and Siri

Parents have already had the option to set up child accounts under Apple's Family Sharing experience, which includes age-appropriate content tools, screen time oversight, App Store controls, and communication limits.

Apple is also building upon the existing features with new ways to manage your children's time online, as advocates and experts increasingly warn about the long-term effects of social media and screen time. During the WWDC announcement, Apple acknowledged growing guidance to keep children under 13 offline.

Credit: Apple

With the parental control upgrades, parents can now more easily adjust communication limits and see recommended screen time controls for child users. Parents can fine tune device usage with new time-of-day app limits and screen time settings. Apple's existing content blurring feature, which censors nudity automatically, will expand to content depicting graphic violence or gore, as well.

Credit: Apple

Many of these features already exist on child-specific devices, such as the Bark phone.

While Apple took WWDC attendees on a tour of its new child safety features, a group of child safety advocates led by the nonprofits Heat Initiative and UltraViolet staged a demonstration in front of Apple's headquarters. The group unfurled a large banner with the words "Apple is powered by child sexual abuse. John Ternus, what will you do?" calling on the incoming CEO to address the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on Apple devices. The group staged a similar protest at last year's event ahead of the iPhone 17 launch, building on previous calls to introduce CSAM detection on Apple products.

"Today marks the fifth time since 2023 that advocates have come to Apple to demand they remove child sexual abuse images and videos from iCloud–unfortunately, in those three years Apple has continued to make money off of storing and sharing illegal videos and photos," said Sarah Gardner, CEO of Heat Initiative. "Apple no longer just hosts these images and videos on iCloud, it profits from apps in its App Store that can be used to deepfake, undress, and create AI child sexual abuse material of any child. Tim Cook took Apple from bad to worse, but John Ternus can pick a different way forward–it’s time for him to choose if he stands with children and survivors."

For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.

Apple gives Safari a makeover at WWDC 2026

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 14:02

Apple's longtime flagship web browser got a facelift at WWDC 2026.

At its annual software keynote in Cupertino, Apple took some time to showcase what's new in Safari. The first thing to note is that Safari can now use Apple Intelligence to sort your dozens of open tabs into distinct topics and even automatically add new tabs to those topics. It can also automatically monitor pages using a feature called Notify Me; tell Safari what you're looking for using natural language, and you'll get a notification later if something happens.

SEE ALSO: Apple unveils iOS 27 at WWDC 2026

Users can also use natural language to describe browser extensions, with one example being a way to save recipes on-screen. There's also a new security feature that will notify you of compromised account passwords and let you update them all at once using AI.

Apple didn't spend a ton of time talking about Safari, but these updates are sure to be useful to someone.

For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.

Apple announces macOS 27 Golden Gate at WWDC: New Siri AI tools, Liquid Glass tweaks

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 13:40

At WWDC 2026, Apple announced the official name for the next macOS operating system.

During the keynote address, Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, announced that macOS 27 will officially be called Golden Gate.

The tongue-in-cheek announcement poked fun at macOS's long history of California-themed names, with trippy visuals and a Volkswagen van.

Credit: Apple

Along with the official macOS name, Apple shared that today's WWDC announcements for macOS will revolve around three priorities across its operating system: Platform improvements, trust and safety, and a big leap forward for Apple Intelligence.

Ask Siri AI via Spotlight Credit: Apple

Apple also finally announced its new assistant, Siri AI, a revamped version of the old Siri, and it's deeply integrated in the new macOS 27 UX as well.

Siri AI appears on macOS 27 as a small chatbot window on the screen. Users can start typing questions in Spotlight, and the feature will automatically realize that this is a prompt to hand off to Siri AI. Users can right-click a file or even multiple files and the new context menu will include a prompt box to ask Siri questions based on the content of those files.

Siri AI will be able to help users write and proofread documents across platforms in apps like Mail, Messages, and more.

Ask Siri AI about files from the context menu Credit: Apple

Apple also announced a slew of small, yet significant improvements to macOS. For example, the company is adding a more uniform toolbar at the top of apps on macOS 27 to answer user complaints about Liquid Glass.

In addition, Apple will be introducing new child and teen safety tools to all of its operating systems. (Learn more at a new dedicated safety hub at apple.com/child-safety/.

This piece will be updated with more macOS 27 news as Apple announces it.

This is a developing story...

For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.

Apples new, smarter Siri AI is finally here

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 13:40

Apple's Siri used to be the bleeding edge of what smart assistants can do, back in 2011 when Apple originally integrated it into the iPhone. That was a long time ago, and things have changed.

Once ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude launched and showed the world what a truly smart chatbot can do, Siri felt very basic in comparison. Apple promised an overhaul back in 2024, and it still hadn't happened prior to today, despite constant promises that the company is working hard to improve its smart assistant.

Siri can actually chat with you now. Credit: Apple

Ahead of WWDC 2026, a bevy of reports and rumors gave us an outline of what we can expect from the new Siri, including a standalone app, a redesign, a Google Gemini-based AI brain (with options to invoke other third-party chatbots), all with a focus on privacy.

Now, during the opening WWDC 2026 keynote, Apple officially introduced the new Siri. So what has changed?

Well, Apple did team up with Google to build new versions of what it calls "Apple Foundation Models," which is the company's lingo for AIs that are good at different things, including speech recognition, image, and video generation.

The most important thing this new architecture "unlocks" is the new Siri. It's telling that Apple literally talked about privacy before it even started showing us any new Siri features, ensuring the users that their data is never stored by Apple.

Siri can tap into your conversation and other personal context on your iPhone to get you more relevant answers. Credit: Apple

Privacy is great, but what can the new Siri actually do? Mike Rockwell, VP of Siri engineering, revealed a new name for the AI-infused Siri: It's called Siri AI (slow clap).

Yes, it includes a dedicated Siri app, a more conversational Siri, with a brand new design. If you ask Siri something, it will pop out of the iPhone's Dynamic Island with an answer, and the answer might include a Reminder, or a song, or a map (with driving directions to a destination) web search result.

In Apple's ecosystem, Siri is everywhere, and the same goes for Siri AI. In one example Apple provided, the macOS version of Siri is asked for help on building a shed. It returns a nicely laid out selection of helpful advice, while drawing from personal context present on the computer.

Siri can pull data from your previous emails, and help you draft new ones. Credit: Apple

Siri AI will work on iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and watchOS, and even visionOS, and you'll also be able to start on one device, such as the iPhone, and finish the work on a different device, like a MacBook.

That's Siri, over there on the right, when you have a Vision Pro. Credit: Apple

The visual representation of Siri on visionOS is one cool highlight: Siri appears as a translucent ball, and you can ask her things just by looking at her avatar and uttering a question.

Dining with friends? Take a photo of the bill and your iPhone will help you split it. Credit: Apple

It looks nice, neat and tidy in Apple's examples, but it'll take some actual usage to know whether this new Siri is up to par with other smart assistants of today.

Siri AI will initially be available in English, but it will "quickly" expand to more languages, Apple said.

For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.

Apple unveils iOS 27 at WWDC 2026

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 13:38

Apple finally showed us what's up with iOS 27.

At WWDC 2026, Apple officially unveiled iOS 27 after months of rumors.

At the beginning of the opening keynote, Apple outlined three themes for the new updates to its operating systems:

  • Platform improvements

  • Trust and safety

  • A big leap forward for Apple Intelligence

SEE ALSO: iOS 27 Beta release: What time and where to download it

Parental controls seemed to be a major focus at WWDC. Apple is adding enhanced tools for parents to its software suite, including more screen time controls and app permission requests. And, in what might be exciting news for some, Apple confirmed that every iPhone from the iPhone 11 onward will support iOS 27. Previous rumors indicated the iPhone 11 family would be phased out of software support this year.

Apple also showed off a new customization slider for Liquid Glass, letting users slide between Ultra Clear on one end and Tinted Glass on the other. Other nuggets included menopause and perimenopause cycle tracking in the Health app, custom equalizer controls for AirPods, and a huge visual makeover for flyover mode in Apple Maps.

Credit: Apple

This story is developing...

For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.

Whats new with Liquid Glass? What was announced at WWDC 2026.

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 13:29

Apple just announced several Liquid Glass design updates at WWDC, and as Mashable predicted months ago, Liquid Glass isn't going anywhere soon.

For one, a new slider lets users adjust transparency from Ultra Clear at one end to Tinted Glass at the other. This expands on existing Liquid Glass settings of Clear and Tinted, but previously, users can only choose between those two. Now, you'll be able to slide between Ultra Clear and Tinted Glass and customize just how liquid you want Liquid Glass to look.

Toggie between Ultra Clear and Tinted Glass. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Given the mixed response to Liquid Glass, it makes sense that Apple is updating it so quickly. But it's not the only design update Apple has announced at WWDC. As you might know, Liquid Glass is also on other OS systems, including Mac. Now, Apple is also adding a more uniform toolbar at the top of Mac apps. The left-side navigation will reach the end of the window.

Credit: Screenshot: Apple

For more WWDC 2026 news, follow our live blog to see all of the latest announcements and surprises from the annual Apple event.

Amazon just knocked 35% off the Kindle Scribe Premium Pen

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 12:53

SAVE 35%: As of June 8, you can get the Amazon Kindle Scribe Premium Pen for just $51.99, down from $79.99, at Amazon. That's a 35% discount or $28 savings.

Amazon Kindle Scribe Premium Pen $51.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $28.00   Get Deal at Amazon

If you use a tablet for note-taking (specifically the Kindle Scribe), then you've probably misplaced the stylus a time or two or have had to replace it after losing it in a bag or between the couch cushions. This little game of lost and found can get expensive quick, so if you're looking for a stylus now, I just found a limited Prime deal worth looking into.

SEE ALSO: I tested every Kindle model, and you can't go wrong with any of Amazon's e-readers (but I have a favorite)

As of June 8, you can get the Kindle Scribe Premium Pen for $51.99, down from $79.99 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount or a $28 savings. It's also the lowest price recorded for this Kindle accessory, according to our trusty price-tracker CamelCamelCamel.

This stylus is designed exclusively for the Scribe and features an "eraser" on the top (you just flip the pen upside down to rub out your mistakes) and a physical shortcut button on the side. You can set that button to automatically toggle between standard pen strokes, a highlighter, or a pencil tool, depending on how you like to organize your journals and lists.

It's battery-free, so you never have to plug it in or pair it to the tablet before you start writing. It also has a flat edge with a built-in magnet that lets it snap right onto the side of the Kindle frame. Plus, the box includes five replacement tips and the tool you need to swap them out when the original nib starts to wear down.

Sony and Bose lead the best early headphones deals ahead of Prime Day

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 12:42
Best early Prime Day headphones deals Best headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM6 $459.99 (save $61.99) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) $249 (save $50) Get Deal Best open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $198 (save $31.99) Get Deal

Amazon's annual Prime Day sale is back for the 12th year running, but this year, it's a few weeks early.

The sale, which usually takes place in mid-July, is back from June 23 to June 26. Though it's still a few weeks away, Prime Day-worthy deals are already rolling out, with a strong showing from premium and budget headphones brands alike.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day is right around the corner: Here are 20+ early deals to start shopping now

Some early standouts at Amazon include the Bose QuietComfort Ultra line on sale (both earbuds and headphones), Sony's flagship earbuds and headphones, and two of our favorite open earbuds options. Soundcore also has a solid early selection, with the budget-friendly Space One headphones and dual-form open/ANC earbuds, the AeroFit 2 Pro, also on sale.

Below, you can find 16 of the best early headphones and earbuds deals. If nothing catches your eye just yet, check back — we'll be updating this list of deals leading up to, and through, Prime Day 2026.

Best headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM6 $398 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $61.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

In the face-off between the Sony XM5 vs XM6 headphones, most times I'd recommend the XM5s, especially if you don't care about folding ear cups. However, while both headphones are on sale at the moment, the XM6s are currently down at their lowest price ever, while the XM5s are sitting a good $35 away from their record low. If you're looking to buy sooner rather than later, the new headphones are the better bet — and you'll get the best blend of sound quality and noise cancelling available on the consumer market.

Read our full review on the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

More headphones deals Best earbuds deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds are some of the best I've tried, but even at their sale price, they're a hefty investment. While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds don't quite match up in sound quality, they still have some of the best noise cancellation available, and are the most comfortable earbuds I've ever tried. For roughly $50 less, they're the deal to beat leading up to Prime Day.

Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) earbuds.

More earbuds deals Best open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $198 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $31.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Bose was the near-undisputed champion of open earbuds with top notch sound — that is, until the Sony LinkBuds Clip came along. In my head-to-head testing of the earbuds, I found that while the Bose buds can get louder (an important feature in open earbuds), the clarity and detail of the sound in the Sony buds surpassed that of the Bose. Even though the $70 price discrepancy is smaller with both buds on sale, the sub-$200 price point on the Sony earbuds is hard to pass up.

Read our full review of the Sony LinkBuds Clip.

More open earbuds deals

Reddit ads pose as news stories to promote AI investment scams

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 12:30

Scammers are running sponsored ads on Reddit that impersonate major news outlets, including the BBC, the Financial Times, and The Guardian, to push fraudulent AI-powered investment schemes, according to new research from cybersecurity firm Bitdefender Labs.

The campaign, uncovered by Bitdefender researchers Andrea Olariu and Emanuel Puscasu, promotes fictitious AI platforms such as Wencoin STX, Warrior Coin AI, and Nevo Coin. The promoted posts redirect users to cloned news websites designed to closely mimic the appearance of legitimate publishers, where fabricated articles, invented testimonials, and fake profit screenshots are used to build false credibility.

This is hardly the first time this tactic has been deployed on Reddit, but there's an increased interest in AI investment opportunities as Anthropic, OpenAI, and SpaceX (which recently merged with xAI) prepare for IPOs.

SEE ALSO: These fake World Cup websites are here to scam you

Some ads appeared in video form, with Bitdefender describing them as a deepfake BBC news segment featuring a fabricated anchor delivering invented financial headlines. Others incorporated footage of political figures and references to international summits to lend the content an air of geopolitical legitimacy.

The scam pages used classic high-pressure tactics, including countdown timers, claims of limited registration spots, and conspiracy-laden narratives suggesting banks and governments were suppressing access to the platforms. Users who submitted their contact details were told a "personal advisor" would follow up within 24 hours.

Bitdefender warned that the campaign bears strong structural similarities to a Meta-based investment fraud network the firm documented in March 2026, with threat actors recycling the same social engineering methods across platforms.

Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.

Microsoft lets users disconnect Bing from Windows 11 search

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 12:24

Microsoft is about to let users turn off one of the most annoying features on Windows 11.

Currently, whenever a PC user wants to perform a local search for files on their computer, Windows 11 also pulls up Bing-powered web search results. In fact, many times, users have reported that the search function prioritizes web results over local results.

The best example of this issue came from a viral post on X last year when a user looking to pull up the terminal in Windows 11 was instead provided with a web search result for the 2018 Margot Robbie film Terminal.

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

However, according to a new report by our colleagues at PCMag, Microsoft is about to provide users with the option to turn web search off in local search. (Disclosure: PCMag and Mashable are both owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)

At a Windows Insiders Program meetup in San Francisco, right before Microsoft's big developer conference Build, the company provided a teaser showing that users will have the option to shut off web search in Windows 11's settings, under Privacy & Security > Search.

A toggle to turn off web searches will appear under the section called "Show suggested search results."

A photo from the Windows Insiders Program meetup showing the update. Credit: Michael Kan/PCMag

According to the report, Microsoft also seems poised to add an option where users can turn off Microsoft Store suggestions in Windows 11 search as well.

While Windows 11 users can technically turn off web results in search right now, it requires that they go into the Windows registry and manually make this change. This requires some technical know-how, as users will actually be going in and editing system files.

Soon, everyone will be able to turn off Bing web search on Windows 11 with the click of a toggle. Microsoft has not yet announced when this update will roll out.

The best dating apps for serious relationships

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 12:00

Gone are the days when people balk at you if you say you met your partner online. Dating apps have irrevocably changed the way we date — much as social media platforms have changed how we interact with each other. In fact, Mashable recently interviewed several married couples, all of whom met on dating apps, so it's absolutely possible to find your person.

According to 2023 findings from the Pew Research Center, one in ten partnered adults (married, living with a partner, or in a committed relationship) met their partner on a dating app or site. If you're a younger adult and/or LGBTQ, you're more likely to have met your significant other online: one in five adults under 30 and nearly one in four for LGBTQ adults.

SEE ALSO: My favorite dating app just got even cooler with a new feed redesign

The same study found that almost half (44 percent) of dating app users said a major reason for using them was to meet a long-term partner. So, if that's you, you're certainly not alone, despite what you might see people lament on TikTok. 

But with so many apps, from Bumble to eharmony, it can be challenging to determine which ones to invest in. And the discourse on dating app culture can be unrelenting. In 2025, singles told Mashable they'd rather meet a potential partner in person, but they're begrudgingly on the apps. Some, like Tinder, have seen their revenue decrease in recent years, while Hinge is growing. Even then, though, daters bemoan even the most popular of apps. A Kinsey scientist recently told Mashable where daters are going wrong: use dating apps as a tool, not to let them run the show — and stop self-optimizing, already.

Despite the frustration over The Apps™, it's undeniable that if you want to date from the comfort and safety of your home, they're the way to do it. If you're, say, introverted or have difficulty approaching someone in person, an app can still be useful.

What is the #1 best dating app?

Considering the variation in experiences on all the dating apps, it's difficult to quantify which ones are the "best." Some people find their spouses on Tinder, while others are disappointed that their matches are only looking for hookups. 

That being said, if you're looking for something serious, your best bet is likely an app with a large user base, options for you to indicate what you're looking for in your bio, and filters to weed out who you really want to partner with. There are also apps whose branding is geared towards finding one's ultimate match — like eharmony and Match, both decades-old sites with reputations for helping users find their spouse. Hinge, Bumble, and Coffee Meets Bagel also have a reputation for more "serious" connections.

Depending on the type of relationship you're seeking, you may also benefit from a more niche app. Take one app on our list, SilverSingles, for people over 50. Sure, there are older adults on apps like Tinder and Bumble as well, but you may have more luck finding someone age-appropriate if you're in a space meant just for you.

Which dating site is best for serious relationships?

Mashable has researched to pick out a few from the plethora of dating sites (and apps) out there. These options are available for both Android and Apple users, so the type of phone you have won't determine your options. In terms of monetary investment, you can use some of these for free (like Tinder and Bumble), while others are more pay-to-play. We've also included some "niche" options, like the aforementioned SilverSingles and Elite Singles, so you have more than the standard buffet of dating apps.

Here are the best dating apps for serious relationships:

Best Buy just emailed us its summer sale plans to take on Amazon Prime Day

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 11:57

TL;DR: Best Buy just emailed us the details for its upcoming Summer Tech Fest sale, which runs from June 22 to June 28. The week-long event will offer up to 50% off major tech alongside extra cash-back rewards for members.

Whenever Prime Day rolls around, competitor retailers scramble to build an even bigger and better "anti-Prime Day" sale of their own. Target just announced its Target Circle Deal Days, which conveniently start on June 23, and the Walmart Deals event kicks off on June 22. So, it's no surprise that Best Buy is jumping in with a sale of its own.

SEE ALSO: My Best Buy Plus memberships just got a permanent price drop down to $29.99

According to the details they shared with us, Best Buy’s week-long Summer Tech Fest is officially set for June 22 (a full day before Amazon's event) through June 28. The retailer's pitching this as one of its biggest shopping events of the summer, promising up to 50% off on laptops, TVs, gaming gear, headphones, and small appliances.

The best part? You don't need a paid membership just to shop the discounts. Unlike Amazon Prime Day, these deals are open to everyone online via BestBuy.com, through the Best Buy app, and in physical stores. There'll also be new rotating "Deal of the Day" flash offers dropping each morning of the sale.

Of course, members will get extra perks

With that said, if you do happen to have a paid My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total membership, the retailer is sweetening the pot with some extra incentives:

  • Exclusive discounts: Members will get access to exclusive offers (e.g., better price cuts).

  • A $25 reward bonus: If you drop $600 or more on a big upgrade during Tech Fest, you'll automatically earn an extra $25 in rewards.

  • Cash back: New for this year's event, members will also earn 1% back in rewards on all eligible purchases throughout the week.

With Best Buy, Target, and Walmart all launching sales on the exact same week, late June is going to be tough on your wallet. But if you know where to shop and plan ahead, you can score some pretty good deals and save a few bucks.

Amazon is teasing early deals on Echo devices, but you shouldnt buy one yet

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 11:15

TL;DR: Amazon is using its early Prime Day hub to showcase its new Alexa+ ecosystem, but all first-party Echo devices are currently listed at full retail price. Hold off on buying until June 23 or check out the live sales on Sonos and Bose gear instead.

It's only June 8, but Amazon is pushing its upcoming Prime Day sale hard (as it does every year, though it feels like the sale starts earlier and earlier each time). The company's using flashy blue banners to make it look like the event's already underway, but if you look at the actual price tags, you'll see all of the Echo devices are still listed at their original list price. (Some things on the site are on sale, just not these.)

SEE ALSO: Prime Day is right around the corner: Here are 20+ early deals to start shopping now

Instead of offering discounts, Amazon is using this early window to lure customers to the site and get some eyes on its new generative AI assistant, Alexa+. While access is included for free with Prime, non-subscribers will eventually have to cough up $19.99 a month for the standard plan.

To help you plan out your shopping cart ahead of time, here's a quick breakdown of what these full-price devices are going for right now versus how low we expect them to drop when the sale officially kicks off:

Smart displays to watch
  • Amazon Echo Show 11: The Amazon Echo Show 11 is Amazon's newest Echo Show model, so we're not expecting a huge discount on this one, but it was listed for $169.99 on May 1, so if you're looking for a new smart display, there's still hope. Right now, it's still listed at its full $219.99 retail price.

  • Amazon Echo Hub: Right now, the Amazon Echo Hub will run you $179.99. But, if you're patient, we expect it to drop $60 by the time the sale starts. It hit $119.99 during Amazon's October Prime Day sale last year, so $60 is our minimum discount expectation.

Smart speakers and bedside clocks
  • Amazon Echo Dot Max: The Amazon Echo Dot Max is still sitting at its full retail price of $99.99, but like the Amazon Echo Show 11, it had a substantial price drop on May 1. We expect to see this device get down to $74.99 during the sale to match that previous all-time low.

  • Amazon Echo Spot: The Amazon Echo Spot is full price at $79.99 right now, so we advise waiting. We've seen earlier iterations of this clock hit $44.99 during past savings events, which is a much fairer price for a bedside display.

  • Amazon Echo Pop Kids: The cartoon-themed editions of the Amazon Echo Pop Kids are holding firm at $49.99 right now. These models usually drop to half off during actual site-wide sales, so hold out for the $24.99 mark.

What you can buy on sale today

If you just can't wait until June 23 to buy a smart speaker, there are a few Alexa-enabled devices on sale right now, including:

The main takeaway here is to not let early promotional banners rush you into paying full retail price for an Echo speaker. Bookmark your favorites, build your cart, and wait for the real first-party price cuts to drop later this month.

Ride or Die trailer: Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham are BFFs (with an assassin twist)

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 11:00

What would you do if you find out your best friend of 20 years was an international assassin?

That's the dilemma at the heart of Ride or Die, an upcoming action comedy series starring and executive produced by Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham. The Oscar winner and Emmy winner join forces as longtime besties Debbie Claybourne (Spencer) and Judith Burton (Waddingham).

After two decades of friendship, Debbie thinks she knows everything there is to know about Judith. But as it turns out, Judith has been living a double life. She's actually an international assassin who takes down bad guys for money. Now, though, a mysterious figure from her past has resurfaced, putting her in more danger than usual. And since Debbie is Judith's ride or die, that means she's in the crosshairs too.

The first trailer for Ride or Die teases what follows in this (literally) explosive tale of friends on the run. Waddingham gets to go full action hero mode, shooting enemies and kicking butt in hand-to-hand combat. While Debbie is newer to this world of international intrigue, she gets in on the action too. She takes the wheel during a serious car chase, takes down a man using a fire extinguisher, and even jumps off a moving train. Is there nothing these BFFs won't do for one another?

Ride or Die also stars Ed Skrein, Calam Lynch, Savannah Steyn, Jamie Parker, Jacky Ido, Sylvia Hoeks, and Bill Nighy.

All eight episodes of Ride or Die premiere July 15 on Prime Video.

iOS 27 Beta release: What time and where to download it

Mashable - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 10:47

It's almost time to try out the next evolution of Apple's iOS.

Apple is all set to finally pull the veil off of iOS 27 on Monday, after months of anticipation. It's expected to include a brand new AI-powered enhancement for Siri, as well as plenty of other little quality-of-life improvements across the iPhone experience. The announcement will almost certainly happen during Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference keynote at 1 p.m. ET, and we have a live blog you can follow if you want to keep track of the latest news.

WWDC keynote day almost always heralds the release of the first new iOS beta. Here's when you can expect it to be available and how to get in on the action.

SEE ALSO: Apple WWDC 2026 keynote livestream: Watch live today Apple iOS 27 beta: Release time and how to download

If previous years are any indication (and they usually are with Apple, a company that likes to keep a routine), you can expect the first developer beta for iOS 27 to be available sometime Monday afternoon, following the WWDC keynote. There will probably be a second public beta available later this summer, and that distinction matters with regards to how to experience these betas.

For the beta that's likely to release on Monday, you'll need to register for developer betas. That probably sounds more daunting than it actually is; Apple doesn't charge any money for access to developer betas or anything like that. All you have to do is register on Apple's developer website with your Apple account and device. Once you're all registered and set to go, here is a quick set of instructions for how to get the beta on your iPhone:

  1. Restart your iPhone

  2. Open Settings

  3. Go to General, then Software Update

  4. Tap Beta Updates

If you correctly registered for developer betas and the beta itself is available, you'll see it there for download. Just remember that this is an unfinished beta intended nominally for developers, and thus installing it on your phone might carry some risk. It's best to create a backup ahead of time.

When can I get the iOS 27 public beta?

We don't know the exact date, but using last year as a guide, you should be able to download and try the iOS 27 public beta sometime in July.

For reference, the first public beta of iOS 26, which introduced Liquid Glass to the iPhone, was released on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

Have a Thorny Medical Question? Your Doctor May Be Using A.I. for That.

NYT Technology - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 09:38
OpenEvidence, a fast-growing start-up, is using artificial intelligence to help doctors find answers to clinical questions for diagnosis and treatment.

The Iran War is Forcing Energy-Importing Countries to Turn Inward

NYT Technology - Mon, 06/08/2026 - 09:26
The Iran war is pushing countries to prioritize domestic energy in order to protect themselves from volatile oil and natural gas markets.

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