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ChatGPT’s AI market share slips to a historic new low

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 11:25

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grab a streaming stick for as low as $16 ahead of Prime Day

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 11:22
The best Prime Day streaming stick deals at a glance: best overall Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus 24.99 (save $25 with on-page coupon) Get Deal best budget deal Amazon Fire TV Stick HD $15.99 (save $19) Get Deal best non-Amazon deal Google TV Streamer 4K $79.99 (save $20) Get Deal

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

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

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

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

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

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

More early Prime Day streaming stick deals

How to watch Portugal vs. DR Congo online for free

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 11:06

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

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

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

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

When is Portugal vs. DR Congo?

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

How to watch Portugal vs. DR Congo for free

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

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

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

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

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

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

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

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

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

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

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

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

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

Anthropic Employees Accuse Trump Administration of Targeting Them

NYT Technology - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 10:59
Workers at the artificial intelligence company have been puzzled and increasingly concerned by the administration’s move to limit their latest A.I. models.

Why Waymo’s Driverless Taxis Won’t Be on Your Streets Anytime Soon

NYT Technology - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 10:49
The Silicon Valley company’s ambitions to roll out autonomous cars nationwide have hit political roadblocks in some of the country’s biggest markets.

The Widows Bay cast breaks down their favorite scares from Season 1

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 10:48

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The new Google Home Speaker can run your house with Gemini for $99

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 09:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New York Knicks championship parade: Parade route, start time, livestream details

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 08:33

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

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

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

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

What time does the Knicks parade start?

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

What is the Knicks parade route?

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

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

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

How to watch the Knicks parade from home

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

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

A few Dyson deals are live ahead of Prime Day. As a pro vacuum reviewer, Im not hyped (yet).

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 08:01
A quick look at the best Dyson deals ahead of Prime Day: Best Dyson vacuum deal Dyson V15 Detect Extra $629.99 (save $220 at Best Buy) Get Deal Best Dyson hair tool deal Dyson Supersonic Nural (Certified Refurbished) $249.99 (save $170 at Dyson) Get Deal Best Dyson fan deal Dyson Cool Tower Fan AM07 $249.99 (save $150 at Dyson) Get Deal

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

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

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

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

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

Dyson vacuum dealsDyson hair tool dealsDyson air purifier and bladeless fan deals

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

40+ Best Buy deals that match or beat Amazons early Prime Day deals

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 07:53
The best anti-Prime Day deals at Best Buy (so far): Best Amazon device deal Amazon Fire TV Stick HD $15.99 (save $19) Get Deal Best headphones deal Beats Studio Pro (Black/Gold) $159.99 (save $190) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Shokz OpenFit 2+ (Stone Blue) $149.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best laptop deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,199 (save $499) Get Deal Best tablet deal Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, WiFi + cellular, 128GB SSD) $749 (save $200) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + cellular, 49mm) $549 (save $250) Get Deal Best unlocked phone deal Apple iPhone Air (256GB) $929.99 (save $69.01) Get Deal Best video game deal "Madden NFL 26" (Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X) $29.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Star Wars Cobb Vanth’s Speeder 75437 $27.99 (save $7) Get Deal

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amazon device dealsHeadphones dealsEarbuds dealsLaptop dealsTablet dealsSmartwatch dealsUnlocked phone dealsVideo game dealsLego deals

Tell your friends on Spotify what you really think about their music taste with an emoji

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 07:46

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Get Jiro brings Anthony Bourdains graphic novel to TV (and we saw the first 2 episodes)

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 07:30

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘Hard Fork’ Live Part 2: Dylan Field on Standing Out in the A.I. Era

NYT Technology - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 07:00
“I think if you have a creative voice in writing or design, you put yourself out there and you take a risk — this is a good time to do that,” said the Figma chief executive Dylan Field.

The Hisense 100-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED 4K TV has never been cheaper — save over $1,000 at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 06:57

SAVE OVER $1,000: As of June 17, the Hisense 100-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED 4K TV has returned to its lowest-ever price of $2,297.99 at Amazon. This is $1,202 off its full price of $3,499.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 100-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED ULED 4K UHD HDR TV $2,297.99 at Amazon
$3,499.99 Save $1,202   Get Deal

Amazon's big Prime Day sale event is one of the best times of year to shop for a new TV. If you've been thinking it's time for an upgrade, and you want to go all-out with a huge model, the good news is there are already some early deals popping up at Amazon worth checking out. The gigantic Hisense 100-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED 4K TV is among them, sitting at its lowest-ever price point.

As of June 17, this Hisense TV has plummeted to $2,297.99 from its original list price of $3,499.99 at Amazon. Overall, that saves you $1,202, which is a pretty fantastic discount, especially before Prime Day even begins. If you've been searching for a TV in this size range, now is your time to make a move on this model before its price goes back up.

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

It's not just this Hisense TV's 100-inch screen size that's worth shouting about. While that will help transform your living room into a mini movie theater, it also boasts 4K resolution, Hi-QLED technology, and mini-LED backlighting that help bring out all of the colors, contrast, and detail in what you're watching. Summer streaming will look stunning on this TV.

And speaking of streaming, since it's a Fire TV, you'll also be able to easily access all of your favorite apps right from its home screen. On top of that, it even has a native 144Hz refresh rate, so no matter if you're watching the World Cup matches or booting up your favorite games, the action will look smooth and sharp.

If it sounds like the TV for you, act fast to take advantage of this huge deal on the Hisense 100-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED 4K TV at Amazon before it's gone.

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

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for June 17, 2026

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 06:02

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, June 17, 2026:

AcrossWitty one-liners
  • The answer is Quips.

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

Common poster in a geography class
  • The answer is US map.

Country that's won the World Cup four times (but failed to qualify in 2018, 2022 and 2026)
  • The answer is Italy.

The one for Starbucks has a wavy-haired mermaid
  • The answer is Logo.

___ socks (1970s fad)
  • The answer is Toe

DownPatchwork blanket
  • The answer is Quilt.

"We feel the same!"
  • The answer is US too.

Word after spitting or mirror
  • The answer is Image.

___ Alto, Calif.
  • The answer is Palo.

Secret agent
  • The answer is Spy.

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 17, 2026

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 05:57

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will require baseball knowledge.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise 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 before the game ends.

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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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Arena of the mind maneuvers

  • Green: Football game locations

  • Blue: Athletic gear brands

  • Purple: Specific team-related

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Fantasy football moves

  • Green: NFL stadiums

  • Blue: Soccer cleat makers

  • Purple: Cincinnati Reds to win MVP

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #632 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
  • Fantasy football moves: ADD, DROP, SIT, START

  • NFL stadiums: ARROWHEAD, HIGHMARK, METLIFE, SOFI

  • Soccer cleat makers: ADIDAS, DIADORA, LOTTO, PUMA

  • Cincinnati Reds to win MVP: BENCH, LARKIN, MORGAN, VOTTO

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

The 15 most popular books of 2026, determined by Goodreads members

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 05:52

Bestseller lists are great and all, but a lot goes into them and just because people are buying books, it doesn't mean people are actually reading them. So how do you find the books that people are actually reading and not just talking about? Goodreads. The site reports over 45 million users a month and those dedicated readers log everything they read on the site, which provides some incredible data for what people are reading and loving.

Now that we're halfway through the year, Goodreads has released the most popular books of 2026. The Goodreads team determined this list by how many members added this book to their currently reading or want-to-read shelves as well as how books were rated (out of five stars) and the list only includes books with at least a 3.5-star average rating.

So without further ado, these are the most popular 2026 releases according to Goodreads users.

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Yesteryear' by Caro Claire Burke $19.50
$30 Save $10.50   Shop Now

It's no surprise to see Yesteryear on the list of the most popular books. A satire on tradwife culture in which an influencer wakes up to find herself in 1855, Yesteryear is a novel of the internet and people can't stop talking about it. With over 300K reviews on Goodreads, Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke has a 4.0-star rating.

Strangers by Belle Burden Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Strangers' by Belle Burden $18.74 at Amazon
$30 Save $11.26   Shop Now

Belle Burden's memoir, Strangers, is a personal, revealing story of the unraveling of her marriage. It's clearly touched many readers as it reckons with heartbreak and divorce and coming out the other side of a major betrayal. It has a 4.2-star rating on Goodreads from nearly 175K reviews.

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Dear Debbie' by Freida McFadden $19.08 at Amazon
$32.99 Save $13.91   Shop Now

The bestselling author of The Housemaid, Freida McFadden, is back with her next twisted thriller. Dear Debbie centers on Debbie Mullen, the author of the Dear Debbie advice column. As her life falls apart around her, she decides to take matters into her own hands with killer consequences. Dear Debbie has an impressive 4-star rating from 483K reviews.

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Our Perfect Storm' by Carley Fortune $20.98 at Amazon
$30 Save $9.02   Shop Now

Carly Fortune's bestselling book, Every Summer After is now a Prime Video series, but her latest book Our Perfect Storm was released May 5. In Fortune's latest, best friends Frankie and George make the most of Frankie's called off wedding, taking her honeymoon to Tofino to heal Frankie's heart. It's chance to repair their friendship too, even if it means confronting long hidden feelings. With 108K reviews on Goodreads, Our Perfect Storm has a 4.1-star rating.

My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'My Husband’s Wife' by Alice Feeney $19.87 at Amazon
$28.99 Save $9.12   Shop Now

The twists keep coming in Alice Feeney's My Husband's Wife. In the novel, Eden Fox returned to her home, Spyglass, to find a woman answering the door. A woman who Eden's husband claims is his wife. In one house, there's one husband, two women both claiming to be his wife, but someone is lying. With a 4-star rating from 329K reviews, it's safe to say it was a fan favorite.

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'The Calamity Club' by Kathryn Stockett $24.01 at Amazon
$35 Save $10.99   Shop Now

The author of The Help, Kathryn Stockett has finally returned with her next novel The Calamity Club, in which a group of unbreakable women in 1933 Oxford, Mississippi, come together to fight for freedom, despite the consequences. Even though it was just released in May 5, it already has nearly 42K reviews and a 4.6-star rating.

Into the Blue by Emma Brodie Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Into the Blue' by Emma Brodie $23.56 at Amazon
$30 Save $6.44   Shop Now

Emma Brodie's Into the Blue is a decades spanning romance beginning in small town Massachusetts to New York City. It tells the story of AJ Graces and Noah Drew who found each other by chance and now must confront what happened between them all those years ago. With over 42K reviews, it has a 4.1-star rating.

Kin by Tayari Jones Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Kin' by Tayari Jones $19.04 at Amazon
$32 Save $12.96   Shop Now

Amazon book editor's named Kin by Tayari Jones the best book of 2026 (so far), and Goodreads users agree, giving it a 4.2-star rating from over 45K reviews. The novel centers on Vernice and Annie, best friends and neighbors since childhood, the pair a bound to different futures as each navigate the complexities of being a woman in the south.

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Lady Tremaine' by Rachel Hochhauser $19.92 at Amazon
$29 Save $9.08   Shop Now

Rachel Hochhauser's Lady Tremaine reimagines the evil stepmother myth, as Lady Etheldreda Verity Isolde Tremaine Bramley uncovers a secret hidden in the depths of a royal family. The royal family that Lady Tremaine's stepdaughter is meant to marry into. This fairytale reimagining has earned a 4.2-star rating from over 47K on Goodreads.

The Midnight Train by Matt Haig Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'The Midnight Train' by Matt Haig $20.98 at Amazon
$30 Save $9.02   Shop Now

Author Matt Haig is expanding his Midnight World with his latest, The Midnight Train. In this time-traveling love story, the Midnight Train takes you back to relive the moments that mean the most, letting you go back and have the chance to relive it all.

Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Keeper of Lost Children' by Sadeqa Johnson $20.51 at Amazon
$30 Save $9.49   Shop Now

According to Goodreads users, the historical fiction release of the year is Sadeqa Johnson's Keeper of Lost Children. The novel centers on three perspecitives. Ethel Gathers, the proud wife of an American Officer, who discovers an orphanage of abandoned mixed-race children of German women and Black American GIs. Ozzie Phillips, a volunteer in the now desegregated army who meets a local woman, Jelka, while serving in Manheim, Germany. And finally, Sophia Clark, attending a prestigious all-white boarding school, who discovers a secret that threatens to upend her entire identity. Johnson's Keeper of Lost Children has 28K ratings with a 4.4-star rating.

A Parade of Horribles by Matt Dinniman Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'A Parade of Horribles' by Matt Dinniman $22.38 at Amazon
$32 Save $9.62   Shop Now

The eighth book in Matt Dinniman's Dungeon Crawler Carl series, A Parade of Horribles, made a splash this year with fans giving it a 4.7-star rating out of 51K reviews. With the Faction Wars underway, Carl and Donut find themself on the 10th floor of the dungeon, and the stakes have never been higher.

Famesick by Lena Dunham Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Famesick' by Lena Dunham $25.99 at Amazon
$32 Save $6.01   Shop Now

Lena Dunham was living the dream in the midst of her hit HBO series Girls. At least that's what it looked like from the outside. Because despite the awards shows and Met Gala appearances, Dunham felt that existing in her body was “like towing a wrecked car across town at midnight.” In Famesick, Dunham confronts if her ambitions were worth the cost of so much pain, in a book that's earned a 4.3-star rating on Goodreads from 50K reviews.

The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'The Burning Side' by Sarah Damoff $25.48 at Amazon
$29 Save $3.52   Shop Now

What starts with a fire, unfolds into a family saga of heartbreak and forgiveness in Sarah Damoff's The Burning Side. In the face of their house burning in the middle of the night, April and Leo retreat to April's childhood Dallas home with their two young children. But that's just the beginning as the aftermath of the fire, exposes the cracks already present in their marriage. The Burning Side, has a 4.3-star rating from 18K reviews on Goodreads.

The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'The Caretaker' by Marcus Kliewer $20.30 at Amazon
$29 Save $8.70   Shop Now

Macy Mullins is intrigued when she sees the Craigslist post: Caretaker urgently needed. Three days of work. Competitive pay. Serious applicants ONLY. But little does she know, this job on the wild Oregon Coast brings her face to face with grave danger and soon she will be the only thing standing between evil and humanity. That all takes place in Marcus Kliewer's The Caretaker, which has a 3.7-star rating from 25K reviews.

Stephen King posts his 2-line review of Obsession

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 05:51

Obsession has had a phenomenal run at the Box Office, managed to get the entire internet talking, and achieved 94 percent from both audiences and critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

But what does horror legend Stephen King make of it?

SEE ALSO: 5 horror movies Stephen King recommended in 2025

On Tuesday the author took to Threads to share his thoughts, posting a two-line review that suggested he liked it but maybe didn't love it — and nonetheless can't get it out of his head.

"I gave OBSESSION a B+ in my movie book, but I keep thinking about it," wrote King. "That weird mixture of humor and horror."

View on Threads

The buzzy horror movie from YouTuber turned feature filmmaker Curry Barker follows a man called Bear (Michael Johnston) who uses a "One Wish Willow" novelty toy to ask for his heart's desire: his friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette). But being careful what you wish for is just the tip of the discourse iceberg here.

Mashable's Kristy Puchko also had a mixed reaction to the movie, praising Navarrette's performance while questioning the film's perspective.

"Obsession explores an incel's twisted idea of romance through scenes of brutal violence and gross-out gags involving blood, vomit, piss, and a cat corpse," she wrote in her review. "Barker and his cast go hard into the darkness, creating scenes that are visually disturbing and emotionally harrowing. For all that, I can imagine this becoming one of those movies horror fans dare each other to watch. However, even as the audience may come to understand that Bear is not the hero of this story but the villain, Obsession's cinematography favors his perspective, turning the female characters into fleshy, dehumanizing spectacles until the end." 

Meanwhile, if you want some more Stephen King horror movie recommendations, here are some of the films he shouted out in 2025.

The DJI Mini 5 Pro has hit a new record-low price at Amazon — save $50 right now

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 05:35

SAVE $50: As of June 17, the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $1,049 at Amazon. That's $50 off the list price and the best-ever deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo $1,049 at Amazon
$1,099 Save $50   Get Deal

There's been a lot of talk about the restrictions on DJI products in the U.S., but buyers can actually still purchase and use drones that are already available through normal retailers. The new rules only impact future imports. Devices that are already in stock are not affected.

If a new DJI drone is on your Prime Day wish list, you're in luck. As of June 17, there's already a stunning deal on the DJI Mini 5 Pro. It's down to its best-ever price, dropping to a new low of $1,049 at Amazon.

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This model is an ultra-light, palm-sized foldable drone that easily fits into your pocket. But despite its small size, it still offers 42GB of internal storage. It features a 1-inch CMOS sensor that records 4K/60fps HDR video, alongside a 225° flexible gimbal that lets you take vertical shots and from multiple angles.

It's a great option to use for night filming thanks to its nightscape omnidirectional obstacle sensing with forward-facing LiDAR that helps detect obstacles. It also has an upgraded ActiveTrack 360° which keeps the subjects of your shot in frame.

Get this DJI drone deal from Amazon now.

Im trying to work but I just watched the Heartstopper Forever trailer

Mashable - Wed, 06/17/2026 - 05:34

Friends, I'm not ready.

Three years since Season 1 hit Netflix, followed by two sublime seasons, Heartstopper is coming to an end with a movie, dropping one hell of a moving trailer for Heartstopper Forever. Dammit Olivia Rodrigo and your perfect "Stupid Song" scoring this thing! I need to work!

High school is almost over but Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) aren't, with our protagonists preparing to go long distance as university looms. But they're not the only ones facing the future, with Tao (William Gao), Elle (Yasmin Finney), Isaac (Tobie Donovan), Tara (Corinna Brown), Darcy (Kizzy Edgell), Imogen (Rhea Norwood), and Tori (Jenny Walser) all figuring out their next chapters.

SEE ALSO: 'Heartstopper’s Joe Locke and Kit Connor talk teenage vulnerability

Heartstopper Forever will be based on the sixth volume of Alice Oseman’s graphic novels, which is set to be released on July 7. Directed by Still Alice's Wash Westmoreland with series director Euros Lyn executive producing, the film is unlikely to leave us without a few major cinematic "hi" moments.

Honestly, I'm not ready to say goodbye to the Paris Crew, but growing up is inevitable. Here's to Heartstopper and the joyous exploration of queer identity and figuring yourself out that it is. Happy Pride!

Heartstopper Forever is streaming on Netflix July 17.

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