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15+ streaming services you can get for 99 cents, plus more early Prime Day streaming deals

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 11:26
The best early Prime Day streaming deals at a glance: Best overall Paramount+ Premium $0.99/month for 2 months (save $26) Get Deal Best music streaming deal Amazon Music Unlimited free for 4 months (save $47.96) Get Deal Best premium Prime Video add-on deal Apple TV $5.99/month for 2 months (save $14) Get Deal Best audiobook streaming deal Audible Standard free for 3 months (save $26.97) Get Deal Best slept-on streaming deal AMC+ Premium (Prime Video add-on) $0.99/month for 2 months (save $20) Get Deal

Last year, Amazon surprised us by dropping a boatload of Prime Day streaming deals for the first time. In 2026, it's basically rinse and repeat. And that's not a bad thing.

Prime Day isn't just for deals on TVs and headphones anymore — it's also a great time to load up your digital libraries with streaming subscriptions, so long as you're a Prime member. (Not yet a member? Sign up here.) One of the biggest perks of having a Prime account is gaining access to Prime Video, Amazon's own streaming service. While Prime Video itself isn't on sale, tons of subscription add-ons are, including premium options like Apple TV, AMC+, and Paramount+.

We can almost guarantee that more streaming services will toss their hats in the ring to compete as we inch closer to the official Prime Day kickoff on June 23. Don't worry; we'll be keeping an eye out for you and updating this list with the latest and greatest streaming deals that drop. While we're not expecting Black Friday-level discounts, we are sure to get some diamonds in the rough.

Best early Prime Day streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium $0.99/month for 2 months (save $13/month) Get Deal Why we like it

Like clockwork, we can always count on Paramount+ to dish out one of the best streaming deals during major shopping events. The streamer has resurrected the exact same streaming deal from last Prime Day for 2026, only this time it's technically a better offer since Paramount+ raised its prices earlier this year. Typically $13.99 per month for a Premium subscription (that's the ad-free tier with Showtime), you'll get two months for just 99 cents a piece. That saves you $26 total.

The Paramount+ library is surprisingly robust. Premium subscribers can enjoy Paramount+ Originals like Landman and RuPaul Drag Race All Stars, Showtime series like Dexter Resurrection and Yellowjackets, CBS shows like Survivor and Big Brother live, UFC fights, and nostalgic shows from Nickelodeon and MTV. That's not even counting the massive movie lineup (including Paramount Pictures movies straight from the theater).

The discount is only valid through the end of Prime Day on June 26, so be sure to sign up before then. You can grab the deal directly through Paramount+ itself or as a subscription add-on via Prime Video or Roku.

Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium (Prime Video add-on) $0.99/month for 2 months (save $13/month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium (Roku add-on) $0.99/month for 2 months (save $13/month Get Deal Best Prime Day music streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Music Unlimited Amazon Music Unlimited free for 4 months (save $11.99/month) Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not committed to a music streamer, now's a good time to check out Amazon Music Unlimited without spending a cent. Through June 29, new subscribers can secure four free months. Typically $11.99 per month for Prime members, that's a total of $47.96 in savings. Amazon Music Unlimited unlocks a massive music catalog that you can listen to on-demand, ad-free, and in the highest quality possible. Beyond music itself, Unlimited subscriptions also include "the most ad-free podcasts" of any of the major music apps, as well as one free audiobook per month via Audible. Even if you do already subscribe to another music streaming service, it's worth it to take a pause from payments for four months and lock in this deal.

More early Prime Day streaming deals

6 early Prime Day deals under $50 worth shopping before the sale begins

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 11:18
Best early Prime Day deals under $50 Best Amazon device deal Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 (save $35) Get Deal Best headphones deal JLab JBuds Lux ANC $49.95 (save $30.03) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender $48.98 (save $21.01) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket (42221) $47.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Coleman Classic Series Insulated Portable Cooler (52 quarts) $37.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best beauty deal Renpho Eyeris 1 Smart Eye Massager $49.82 (save $10.17) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is set to kick off on June 23, running though June 26 this year. It'll be a great time to save on tech, home appliances, and back to school gear. But like all Amazon sales, you might not have to wait for the official start day to cash in on major savings. In fact, sometimes it's better to shop early and avoid potential shipping delays.

Amazon has already dropped prices on plenty of great items like noise-cancelling headphones, Apple Watches, and portable power stations. But if you're sticking to a budget this summer or you're shopping for an affordable gift, the early sale has a great selection of options that cost under $50.

We'll continue to update this list as we get closer to the official sale. For now, these are the best early Prime Day deals that cost under $50.

Best Amazon Echo deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $35.00   Get Deal Why we like it

When it comes to sorting out the best Amazon Echo device, the Echo Spot wins as the best model that serves as an alarm clock. While spending about $80 on a smart speaker combo alarm clock might feel steep, today's sale price of $44.99 brings it down to a much more comfortable level.

The Echo Spot is easy to set up straight out of the box and it has customizable faces and sounds. Plus, it's the perfect compact size for your nightstand.

Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: JLab JLab JBuds Lux ANC $49.95 at Amazon
$79.98 Save $30.03   Get Deal Why we like it

If the price alone doesn't convince you, consider the awards the JLab JBuds Lux ANC have won at Mashable. They're our top pick for best budget headphones this year, the best noise-cancelling budget pick for flying, and the top budget headphones option for students.

In addition to having decent ANC, they have great battery life, getting up to 70 hours of total playtime or about 40 hours with ANC turned on. We're also pretty smitten with the colorway options.

Best kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender $48.98 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $21.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Ninja makes a variety of exceptional kitchen appliances, but if you're short on counter space, the Ninja Fit compact personal blender might be the best option. Use it to whip up a daily smoothie, a weekend frozen margarita, or a dessert chocolate milkshake. The Ninja blender comes with the 700W motor base as well as two 16-ounce Ninja cups and lids that are perfect for taking your blend on-the-go.

Fitbit trackers and Garmin smartwatches are down to their lowest price ever ahead of Prime Day

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 10:53
Best early Prime Day fitness tracker deals Best fitness tracker deal Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 (Save $60) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Garmin Epix Pro (47mm) $499.99 (Save $500) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Deal Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm) $299 (Save $100) Get Deal Best Samsung Galaxy deal Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm) $289.99 (Save $90) Get Deal

Prime Day deals can be totally overwhelming with the sheer volume of products on sale, but the smartest way to shop is to go for what you really need. If you've been in the market for a new fitness tracker, just in time to hit your summer fitness goals, Prime Day is the best time to buy.

Right now there are a wealth of fitness trackers and smartwatches on sale. Find Fitbits, Garmin smartwatches, and Apple Watches all on sale for their lowest price ever ahead of Prime Day. That's some stellar savings a week before Prime Day has even kicked off.

Best early Prime Day fitness tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $60.00   Get Deal

Fitbits are one of the OG fitness trackers, helping people get on their feet and stay active. The Charge 6 displays your daily steps and heart rate. It automatically detects activity and can even link to compatible exercise machines to display your heart rate. And right now, the Fitbit Charge 6 is 38% off ahead of Prime Day.

Grab it for just $99.95 and save $60 off its $159.95 list price. This early Prime Day deal also brings the Charge 6 down to its lowest price ever.

More fitness tracker dealsBest early Prime Day smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Epix Pro (47mm) $499.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $500   Get Deal

Garmin smartwatches are a staple among runners who want elite GPS tracking alongside health monitoring. The Garmin Epix Pro is usually a big investment at $999.99, but ahead of Prime Day, it's been cut in half, down to just $499.99, saving you $500.

It has 1.3-inch always on AMOLED display with a built-in LED flashlight. It's for true endurance athletes, providing a hill score for big climbs and endurance scores as you train. For a complete picture of your health, it'll monitor your health 24/7, providing pulse ox and HRV status.

Grab it now ahead of Prime Day for its lowest price ever.

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macOS 27 beta seemingly confirms touchscreen MacBook is on its way

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 10:48

In 2007, Apple introduced a lot of folks to the idea of a cell phone with a touchscreen. Since then, a ton of laptops have shipped with touch support, but Apple has avoided doing the same with MacBooks. It seems like that trend will end soon.

Bloomberg's resident Apple guru Mark Gurman did some analysis of the latest batch of Apple software betas and found evidence of touchscreen support coming to at least one future MacBook model. Specifically, the developer beta for macOS 27 Golden Gate features things like support for pull-to-refresh (like how you refresh social media feeds on an iPhone), as well as a pill-shaped Siri interface that looks a lot like the iPhone's Dynamic Island feature.

SEE ALSO: Apple's iOS 27 will have three more unannounced features, report claims

These are small things, but they're part of a longer trend of evidence piling up for a touchscreen MacBook.

A recent leak out of China, for example, said it was definitely happening, while Gurman has also previously reported on the topic. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of specific info about this laptop, such as price, release date, or any other unique features it might have. But Gurman did call it a MacBook Pro in a previous report, so it might not be one of the cheaper models. (Remember: Apple is also rumored to be working on a high-end MacBook Ultra.)

Currently, the MacBook line includes the new MacBook Neo, the Air, and the Pro.

20+ trading card deals to shop before Prime Day — save on Pokémon TCG, Magic, One Piece, and more

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 10:39

Amazon’s Prime Day sale is fast approaching, with deals on popular trading cards like MTG and Pokémon already live.

Mashable regularly tracks the best deals from Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon, plus other collectable cards like One Piece and KPop Demon Hunters. And this sale season is no different — we’re expecting more deals to go live as we get closer to Prime Day’s official launch date of June 23.

These are the best early Prime Day trading card deals we’ve found.

Best trading card deal Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box $73.70 at Amazon
$91.99 Save $18.29 Get Deal Why we like it

After becoming one of our highlighted deals earlier this week, Amazon's dropping Magic: The Gathering’s 24-pack Avatar: The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box to only $73.70 (20% off its standard $91.86). It's still the very best trading card deal ahead of Amazon’s Prime Day sale today. 

Dropped to its lowest price ever on Amazon, confirmed via price tracker camelcamelcamel, this deal has been selling incredibly fast (68% claimed at the time of writing), but is still very much worth grabbing while you still can. 

Even going lower than the Avatar Jumpstart Box’s market price and listings on TCGplayer, this $18.16 saving means you’re only paying $3.07 per pack. With that, this is one of the most budget-friendly ways to enter into either this expansion or Magic: The Gathering altogether.

After all, the Jumpstart format makes Magic incredibly accessible and simple to start — having you ready to play just by opening two packs and shuffling them together. 

At the time of writing, any buyer can get delivery by Sunday, June 21, but Prime members can get theirs delivered as soon as tomorrow, June 17.

More early Prime Day trading card dealsMagic: The GatheringPokémon TCGOne PieceKPop Demon Hunters

Canopy introduces Sound Machine + Aroma, and its already helping me sleep better

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 10:34

Canopy is best known for its stylish small home gadgets, including its iconic humidifiers. On June 16, the brand announced a new product offering: The Sound Machine + Aroma. It's a 3-in-1 sleep device that combines sleep sounds, a night light, and aromatherapy diffusion.

The Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma retails for $69 and comes in white, moonstruck, cream, lavender, and jade.

Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma specs and settings

  • Sleep sounds: 15, including white noise, brown noise, ocean waves, and rain

  • Volume levels: 10

  • Battery life: 15 hours

  • Night light colors: Red, white

  • Aroma levels: 2

  • Timers: 30, 60, 90 minutes

Choose red or white light to wind down for bed or keep the monsters away. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma first impressions

I live in New York City, so you'd think my sleep is interrupted by loud noises all night, but I actually have the opposite problem. My street is incredibly quiet overnight, which means any time there is a noise — like my upstairs neighbors' creaking floorboards — I'm super aware of it. I can't sleep in dead quiet, so I've used different sound machines for years (my Echo Spot, and more recently the Babelio sound machine).

I've only used the Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma for four nights, but I can already tell it's going to earn a permanent spot on my nightstand. I prefer brown noise to white noise, and the Canopy's brown noise setting is perfect. Some of the programmed sounds are definitely geared toward babies, like shushing and lullabies, and I don't see myself ever using those. But there are enough white noise and nature soundscapes that I will use to justify the device's price.

I have a Vitruvi essential oil diffuser, which I love, but it's not the quietest while running. So I've been enjoying the absolutely silent aromatherapy from Canopy. I just squeeze a few drops of my lavender and peppermint oils, and the scents are diffused throughout the night.

The front of the device houses controls for power, light, aroma diffusion, timer, settings lock, sound selection, and volume. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable Open the back of the device to access the aromatherapy diffuser. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

I'm not a night light gal, but I do like to wind down the evening with soft, dim lighting. The red and white built-in lights are soothing and not at all too bright. You are able to adjust the brightness as well.

The 15-hour battery life means I get two nights' worth of use out of the Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma before having to recharge. I can also leave it on the charger overnight to avoid a lapse in my precious brown noise.

It's only been a few nights, but so far, I'm impressed. The Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma is stylish, portable, and packed with great sleep tools. I would absolutely spend my own money on this.

Opens in a new window Credit: Canopy Canopy Sound Machine + Aroma $69 at Canopy
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Kitchen deals live at Amazon ahead of Prime Day: Save on air fryers, ice cream makers, espresso machines

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 10:12
A quick look at the best Amazon kitchen deals ahead of Prime Day Best air fryer deal Oster Dual Air Fryer Oven (11-quart) $99.99 at Amazon (save $99.88) Get Deal Best ice cream maker deal Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker $129.99 at Amazon (save $90) Get Deal Best blender deal Ninja Kitchen System $129.99 at Amazon (save $90) Get Deal

Warm weather has a way of inspiring us in the kitchen. Whether we're trying to recreate a delicious dish from vacation or recreate the vibes of an outdoor happy hour at home, summer is a great time to upgrade your kitchen gadget lineup. And Prime Day is a great time to buy the kitchen gadget you've been eyeing on sale.

SEE ALSO: Why did Amazon Prime Day shift to June? Here's what the company has said (and not said).

Prime Day 2026 will officially run from June 23 to 26, but kitchen deals from Ninja, Instant Pot, Nespresso, and more are already popping up at Amazon. We've gathered the best early deals on air fryers, blenders, coffee makers and more below, many of which match record-low pricing that we haven't seen since Amazon's spring sale.

Best Amazon kitchen deal overall Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker $129.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $90   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

We're pro Ninja frozen treat makers here at Mashable, but we're also pro dupes when we can find them. At its record-low price of $129.99, Black+Decker's ice cream maker is a solid Ninja Creami dupe to consider. It operates very similarly: Once liquid base ingredients have been mixed and frozen for 24 hours, the ice cream maker whips them into the perfect fluffy texture — regular ice cream, yogurt ice cream, and sorbet are all options. Follow the recipes in the included book or customize your own unique flavors around dietary restrictions or fun mix-ins.

More kitchen deals at AmazonDeals on frozen drink and ice cream makersDeals on blendersDeals on air fryers and pizza ovensDeals on multi-cookersDeals on coffee makersDeals on cookwareDeals on cleaning products

Threads now has 500 million monthly users

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 10:04

When Elon Musk bought Twitter back in 2022, rebranded it to X, fired most of the staff, and significantly loosened moderation (leading to a reported increase in hate speech on the platform), it opened the door for new Twitter-like services, and Meta was one of the first to take it seriously with Threads.

The gamble appears to have paid off. On Tuesday, Meta announced that Threads now has 500 million monthly active users.

SEE ALSO: Threads is adding a Grok-like AI search feature

For context, X doesn't officially report the number of monthly active users it has, but estimates put it at around 560 million.

According to the company, one of the biggest growth drivers on Threads were Communities, which are groups of people engaging in conversations around certain topics. To celebrate the occasion, Meta said it's "graduating" Communities out of beta and launching several new features.

The new features include a Communities Hub, which resides in the app's main menu and makes it easier to find new communities, as well as switch between them. Communities have also gotten distinct icons, which makes them easier to recognize. Community Progress is a visual cue on how a certain topic is close to becoming a Community (topics need to reach a certain critical mass in popularity and engagement to become Communities).

This topic is close to becoming a Community. Credit: Meta

Also, more people who frequently contribute to communities are getting the community champion status. Finally, Meta is launching local Communities, starting with native language tags in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

Meta also launched another new feature, called Your Algo, allowing you to (privately) control which conversations you see in your feed. It's a complement to Dear Algo, which tells Threads what you want to see more or less of, but a little more granular, as you can choose whether you want this request to last one, three, or seven days (there's no permanent option, so you'll have to keep tuning this every now and then if you want it to stick).

Notably, Meta recently introduced similar algorithm controls in Instagram.

Your Algo is rolling out today in the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

The best Pokémon deals to grab before Prime Day — Chaos Rising booster bundles hit all-time low price

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 09:47

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

While the actual four-day Prime Day sale doesn’t kick off until June 23, Amazon is doing its usual thing and revealing plenty of deals early on to start ramping up the anticipation. Whether you're shopping for booster packs on the latest trading card game expansion or hit games on Nintendo Switch, Mashable has scoured the site and cherry-picked the best deals live right now. 

Here are the best early Prime Day deals you can find on all things Pokémon.

Best Pokémon deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle $44.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $15   Get Deal Why we like it

The Chaos Rising expansion has proved to be an exceptionally popular member of the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution set. The Chaos Rising Booster Bundle has just dropped to its lowest price yet ahead of Prime Day — now only $44.99 after a 25% price cut from its standard $59.99 list price. 

The Chaos Rising Booster Bundle usually falls to around $48-$49 at best Now, as confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest price we’ve seen yet. 

At $44.99, this six-pack Booster Bundle means you’ll only be paying $7.49 per booster. What’s more, this is even lower than TCGplayer’s own market price of $45.29 — undercutting its best listing price of $45.98. It even beats Walmart’s price of $46.95. 

Amazon’s $44.98 Chaos Rising Booster Bundle is being sold by third-party seller Collectors Expedition, but Amazon itself is handling the shipping. Although the option for returns isn’t available, this is still the best price we’ve seen on this six-pack chance to pull valuable single Chaos Rising chase cards, like SIR Mega Greninja ex, Mega Hyper Rare Mega Greninja ex, Cinccino ex, SIR Mega Dragalge ex, and SIR Mega Floette ex. 

More early Prime Day Pokémon dealsPokémon TCGClothingDVDsFunko Pop! figuresGiftsVideo games

How to watch France vs. Senegal online for free

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 09:12

TL;DR: Live stream France vs. Senegal 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 is going to be absolutely electric. Most of the drama will be reserved for the knockout rounds, but that doesn't mean we aren't getting huge games in the group stage.

Take France vs. Senegal, for example. It's one of the favorites to win the competition against a special Senegal team that some argue won AFCON earlier this year. Could Senegal turn back the clock and beat France in the group stage like they did in the opening match of the 2002 tournament? What a story that would be.

All eyes will be on the battle between Kylian Mbappe and Sadio Mane, but there really are too many stars to name in this blockbuster matchup.

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

When is France vs. Senegal?

France vs. Senegal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on June 16. This fixture takes place at the MetLife Stadium.

How to watch France vs. Senegal for free

France vs. Senegal 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 France vs. Senegal 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 France vs. Senegal 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 France vs. Senegal (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 France vs. Senegal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Microsoft unveils new Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12 with Snapdragon X2 chips

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 09:00

Microsoft has formally announced the new Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12 with Qualcomm's fresh Snapdragon X2 chips, as promised. They're available today starting at $1,599 and $1,499, respectively, with 16GB RAM and 256GB of storage.

In a blog post, Microsoft said its next-gen Copilot+ PCs for consumers offer up to 58 percent and 53 percent better graphics performance than their predecessors from 2024, which ran on the original Snapdragon X series chips. Aiming to entice creative professionals, both devices will ship with the graphic design app Affinity pre-installed and pinned to their Start menus.

Speaking to Mashable, Andrew Hill, Microsoft's corporate VP of Surface, said the company's biggest priority in developing its new devices was "making sure the fundamentals are great."

"We are spending a lot of time and energy across Surface and Windows right now on fundamentals, and we should make sure that you have a bunch of that collateral, for lack of a better word, for how those investments are laddering up for reliability, responsiveness, battery life, just across the board," Hill said. "So we spent a ton of energy on those pieces."

SEE ALSO: The 10 best Windows laptops for 2026

Shoppers who purchase a Snapdragon X2-powered Surface Laptop 8 directly through Microsoft now through June 30 will receive a free Surface Arc Mouse ($89.99), and those who buy a Surface Pro 12 this month will receive a free Surface Pro 13-inch Keyboard ($169.99). If you miss the boat, you'll have to buy those accessories separately.

The new Surface devices appear to cost roughly the same as their identically specced predecessors, which recently saw late-in-life price hikes due to the global RAM shortage. I'll update this story once I've cross-checked their live listings.

This is the second generation of Surface devices where Microsoft has earmarked Snapdragon models for consumers, despite lingering ARM compatibility issues. (The company announced Intel-powered counterparts for businesses last month.) According to Hill, this is because "We find with Qualcomm, the performance per watt and battery life is of high value."

Microsoft Surface Laptop 8: What's new (and what's not) The 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 8 comes in a fun new "Jade" finish. Credit: Microsoft

The clamshell-style Surface Laptop 8 comes in 13.8- and 15-inch sizes like usual, and the smaller one will be available in a new Jade finish. Other options include Microsoft's standard Dune, Black, and Platinum finishes. Sorry, no more Sapphire.

Contrary to what the rumor mill has been saying, these new Windows laptops won't have OLED displays. However, the 15-inch model's 120Hz LCD touchscreen has been bumped from a 2,496 x 1,664 resolution (201 pixels per inch) to a 3,270 x 2,180 resolution (262 ppi). It's "the sharpest ever [display] on a Surface Laptop," Microsoft said. For reference, it's even crisper than the Apple MacBook Pro's Liquid Retina display.

SEE ALSO: Thank the AI industry for tech price increases: See the full list

The new Surface Laptops' haptic trackpad has added support for Windows 11's new haptic signals feature, which adds subtle vibrations to certain on-screen actions. They also have a new 1080p webcam that's been certified by a camera benchmarking site called DXOMARK as "the #1 ranked laptop camera," Microsoft said.

Configuration options for both sizes are:

  • CPU: Snapdragon X2 Plus or X2 Elite processor

  • Memory: 16GB to 64GB of RAM

  • Storage: 256GB to 2TB for the 13.8-inch model; 512GB to 2TB storage for 15-inch model

Battery life will be the same or slightly worse in this generation. The 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 8 is rated for up to 20 hours of local video playback, while the 15-inch model is rated for up to 19 hours. Their predecessors notched ratings of up to 20 and 22 hours, respectively.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 review: 23 hours of battery life? MacBooks are in trouble

Both models still have a backlit keyboard, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and their usual ports. The 13.8-inch model has two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, a Surface Connect port, and a headphone jack; the 15-inch model adds a MicroSDXC Express card reader.

Both 2026 Surface Laptops have the same footprints as the 2024 versions, though the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 8 is the smallest bit heavier. It's now three pounds on the dot, up from 2.96 pounds.

Microsoft Surface Pro 12: What's new (and not) That keyboard is an extra purchase unless you buy the Surface Pro 12 sometime this month. Credit: Microsoft

The convertible Surface Pro 12 is available in Platinum, Black, and Dune finishes. No more Sapphire here, either.

You can still choose from LCD or OLED display options like in the previous generation, but you're no longer limited to certain amounts of RAM or storage based on the display type you pick. The 2024 Surface Pro 11 with an LCD display maxed out with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, while the OLED model went up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Now, your configuration options are the same either way:

  • CPU: Snapdragon X2 Plus or X2 Elite processor

  • Memory: 16GB to 64GB of RAM

  • Storage: 256GB to 1TB storage

There should also be a small gen-over-gen battery life boost. The Surface Pro 11 was rated for up to 14 hours of local video playback, but this new model should tap out around 15.5 hours.

Finally, the Surface Pro 12 has the exact same weighs and measurements as its predecessor. Plus, you still get WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, two USB-C ports, a Surface Connect port, and a Surface Pro Keyboard port.

The state of Microsoft Surface Microsoft revealed the Surface Ultra at Computex, and it launched later this year at a probably-crazy price. Credit: Microsoft

It's been a busy spring for Microsoft. In mid-April, the company raised prices on its 2024 Surface devices by up to $500, citing "recent increases in memory and component costs."

In mid-May, Microsoft unveiled new Surface for Business devices with Intel chips. (It teased the consumer-oriented Snapdragon X2 models as part of that announcement.) The 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 8 for Business has an optional integrated privacy screen, similar to the Privacy Display on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, but the two lines' designs are otherwise identical.

Their prices are not. The flagship Surface for Business devices will start at $1,949.99 when they arrive on July 14. A more portable Surface Laptop for Business 13-inch is now available starting at $1,499.99. A lesser variant with 8GB of RAM will debut later this year, starting at $1,299.99.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Surface Ultra is a portable AI supercomputer powered by Nvidia's RTX Spark chip

At Computex in early June, Microsoft debuted the all-new Surface Ultra laptop and Surface RTX Spark Dev Box desktop PC, both with Nvidia's new RTX Spark "superchip." They're set for release sometime later this year; stay tuned for pricing, which is probably going to be bonkers.

The new Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12 aren't cheap themselves, but they're the most affordable options in the Surface lineup for now. Microsoft has yet to announce updated Snapdragon X2 versions of the 13-inch Surface Laptop and 12-inch Surface Pro, which it launched last year as cheaper, more compact alternatives to its flagship devices. That said, they arrived nearly 11 months after the Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 12 dropped, so it's probably just a matter of time before their replacements arrive.

Riding High After I.P.O., SpaceX to Buy A.I. Start-Up for $60 Billion

NYT Technology - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 08:49
SpaceX exercised its option to acquire Cursor in an all-stock deal, bolstering Elon Musk’s ambitions in artificial intelligence.

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

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 08:16

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

Roblox launches accounts for kids and teens globally

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 08:00

The gaming platform Roblox rolled out Kids and Select accounts globally, the company said in a blog post Tuesday.

The account types, which Roblox previously launched in Australia, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, provide parents with a range of content protections depending on a user's age.

What are Roblox Kids and Select accounts?

Kids accounts are designed for five to eight-year-olds while Select accounts are for users ages nine to 15.

The platform's youngest users can only access games that Roblox has labeled as "minimal" or "mild" for their maturity, and they cannot chat by default.

SEE ALSO: Child safety organizations accuse Roblox of violating FTC rules

Select accounts can play games rated up to moderate, which may include some violence, crude humor, and fear, as well as "light realistic blood" and "unplayable" gambling content. The chat settings for these accounts vary based on the user's age and region.

Roblox automatically places users into a specific account type based on the age-check process. Users are then automatically moved into new accounts as they grow older. Once a teen turns 16, based on Roblox's understanding of their age, they're able to access a standard Roblox account. In January, Roblox began requiring users to verify their age to unlock chat features.

"With Roblox Kids and Roblox Select, we're creating age-based protections designed to support younger users at different stages, while giving parents tools to personalize the experience for their family," Matt Kaufman, chief safety officer at Roblox, said in the company's announcement.

In addition to its existing parental controls, Roblox is expanding game blocking and chat management features to parents of teens as old as 16. Parents will also be able to approve specific games not included in their child's default account settings.

Why is Roblox being investigated and sued?

The expected development comes as Roblox remains under intense legal pressure and scrutiny. Roblox faces more than 160 cases filed by plaintiffs who say they were sexually exploited as children as a result of the platform's inadequate child safety practices. Roblox, along with the messaging platform Discord, recently requested that those claims be moved out of court into closed-door arbitration, according to Bloomberg.

In April, Roblox paid $23 million to Alabama and West Virginia to settle investigations into the company's handling of child safety. West Virginia's investigation gathered evidence that young Roblox users had been exposed to sexual and violent content, grooming, and predators, according to Reuters.

Last month, child safety organizations accused Roblox of violating Federal Trade Commission regulations that prohibit false advertising, unfair conduct, and deceptive practices, and called for an investigation into Roblox. The company disputed those claims in a statement to Mashable.

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

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 07:34

Knicks fever took over The Tonight Show on Monday, with the NBA Champions joining Jimmy Fallon for a special episode.

Following a historic win that broke the internet, NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, six-time NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, and head coach Mike Brown joined Fallon to talk winning the New York Knicks' first NBA championship since 1973.

"It hasn't sunk in yet," said Brunson. "I don't know if it will for a while. But the opportunity presented itself, we went out there as a team, we found a way to do it, fighting back all those games, and it was worth it."

SEE ALSO: Social media reacts to Knicks' storybook NBA Finals win

The three delved into superstitions, pre-game playlists, curses, and uncurses via WWE. And they also thanked Knicks fans and acknowledged the power of their community.

"When we get the fans involved, and we give them something to cheer for, it's something special," said Towns.

Brown also gave insight into his now viral "Who Let the Dogs Out" chant, leading The Tonight Show audience into it and delightfully sending his players into a cringe spiral. "We've got to put that to bed," said Brunson.

You can watch the whole episode on Peacock or through clips on The Tonight Show's YouTube page.

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Jimmy Kimmel breaks down Trumps big violent birthday party UFC event

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 07:09

Jimmy Kimmel's monologue was very sports-focused on Monday, and after recapping the Knicks' NBA finals win he was forced to turn his attention to Donald Trump's White House UFC 250 event.

"We had a sporting event that didn't bring people together this weekend, Donald Trump's big, violent birthday party, the UFC fight at the White House," says Kimmel in the clip above. "Last night, Trump turned the White House into a Waffle House."

SEE ALSO: Jon Stewart roasts Trump's 'joyless' UFC White House event

The host then goes on to break down some key moments from the night, showing a photo of Donald Trump Jr. looking miserable ("This is the moment he realised his dad wasn't able to let him have his wedding at the White House, but was able to host a 4,000-person MMA fight") and the president appearing to nod off again.

"It was so exciting he almost stayed awake for the whole thing. Until it was time to take a little UFCiesta. So sweet, he's like an angel when he sleeps," says Kimmel. "Only Donald Trump could fall asleep at a party sponsored by Monster energy drink."

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The new Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 tablet doubles as a digital picture frame

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 07:01

Lenovo just announced the second-generation of the Lenovo Tab Plus tablet. Priced at $399.99, it's more expensive than its predecessor, though it now offers richer audio, an upgraded HDR display, a built-in kickstand, and new AI features.

The Tab Plus Gen 2 is an Android tablet and an alternative to Apple's popular iPads, which start at $349. The new tablet features a JBL 9-unit Pro speaker system, fine-tuned with Dolby Atmos audio. Lenovo says it's meant to deliver a rich, cinematic experience and can even operate as a standalone speaker with built-in Bluetooth. Alongside all the boosted audio comes an equally upgraded display. The 12.1-inch 2.5K LCD display supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 video with a max brightness of 800 nits.

On the back of the tablet is a built-in kickstand, which props up the tablet or serves as a grip for carrying the device. When in standby mode, the Tab Plus Gen 2 also functions as a digital picture frame.

With a built-in kickstand, you can watch your shows anywhere on the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2. Credit: Lenovo / Mashable

The tablet launches with Android 16 support, with two OS upgrades coming through Android 18. It starts at 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which are similar specs to Apple's base iPad. It has a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 octa-core processor. Lenovo says it will provide 15 hours of battery life and has intelligent features like AI live transcription, Lenovo Smart Reader, and AI Notes.

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 starts at $399.99 and will be available globally soon, though we still don't know the exact release date yet.

Regularly $899.99, the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop is $549.99 at Amazon

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 06:55

SAVE OVER $300: As of June 16, the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $549.99 at Amazon. This is $350 off its full price of $899.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo S5V Robot Vacuum and Mop $549.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $350   Get Deal

Early Prime Day deals have been popping up left and right at Amazon, and if you've been searching for a robot vacuum, the retailer isn't going to make you wait for the sale to start. We've already spotted some excellent deals on select models, including the Roborock Qrevo S5V which has dropped to $549.99.

Usually the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop is priced at $899.99, so this is your chance to save $350 on both the black and white models. If you've been looking for a combination cleaner to help keep your floors shiny and dirt-free this summer, it's a model well worth considering.

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

Whether you're dealing with pet hair, dirt, or crumbs that have gotten lost in the carpet, the Roborock Qrevo S5V boasts a 12,000Pa suction to help lift it out. It even features obstacle avoidance technology that can help it navigate around any items in its way, so it won't be slowed down while scooting from room to room.

There's no need to worry about stains on harder surfaces as the Roborock Qrevo S5V's mopping system scrubs up to 200 rotations per minute. It also features an extendable mop arm that can reach corners or tricky spots, and has a 10mm lift that helps keep low-pile carpets from getting wet.

This early deal on the Roborock Qrevo S5V is well worth jumping on at Amazon ahead of Prime Day. Act fast to save.

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Seth Meyers rips into Trumps UFC birthday party

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 06:48

Donald Trump threw himself and America a lavish $60 million birthday party on the White House lawn on Sunday, and Seth Meyers dug into the details on Late Night.

"Donald Trump threw himself a birthday party at the White House with big strong men fighting each other and motorcycles flying through the air, and then he gave himself the gift of a peace deal with Iran that accomplished nothing other than getting us back to where we were before the war began," said Meyers on Monday night. "But at least his name is still on the Kennedy Center. Right? Oh, it's not."

Trump's Freedom 250 event, which marked the president's 80th birthday and America's 250 years of independence, involved an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on the South Lawn, held in a 92-foot steel arena called "The Claw."

"So, The Claw was in place at the White House, as I'm sure the Founding Fathers would have loved, and to prepare for the fight, there was a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial, which had to be one of the weirdest things anyone's seen in our nation's capital," said Meyers. "Look at Lincoln in the background. It's like he saw what they were doing and said, 'Oh, I gotta sit down.'"

SEE ALSO: Jon Stewart roasts Trump's 'joyless' UFC White House event

The event didn't exactly earn public praise, as Meyers pointed out that a recent Reuters poll shows just 16 percent of Americans, including only a third ‌of Republicans, approve of UFC fights being held at the White House — and as CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten pointed out, that's lower than the 28 percent of Americans who believe in telepathy.

"Fewer Americans support UFC fights in the White House than believe in telepathy," said Meyers. "Oh, speaking of which, I'm getting a message, I'm telepathically communicating with the American people, and they're telling me...wait...yes, this sucks."

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Jon Stewart roasts Trumps joyless UFC White House event

Mashable - Tue, 06/16/2026 - 06:25

"Sunday night gave the president and his acolytes an opportunity to rebut the joyous communion of teamwork that embodied the New York Knickerbockers for a joyless, Vegas-style trudge through the People's House, now transformed into a gold-plated pummeling center."

That's Daily Show host Jon Stewart introducing Donald Trump's UFC Freedom 250 White House event that took place over the weekend, with the host cracking jokes before abruptly changing his tone upon realising that the event was broadcast by the Daily Show's parent network Paramount+.

"Once again the leaders of Paramount+ providing us all with incredible content at reasonable prices," says a suddenly robotic Stewart. "I...I am proud to stand with the Paramount family and whatever shows they decide to either cancel or put on."

Still, he makes his feelings very clear about UFC fighter Josh Hokit, who targeted former First Lady Michelle Obama with insults during a post-fight interview.

"What a f***ing asshole," says Stewart.

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