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For many years, Plex has been one of the go-to options for anyone looking to curate a server for all their downloaded media. Unfortunately, it's about to become much more expensive to guarantee lifetime access to its best features.

Plex announced in a blog post on Tuesday that its Lifetime Pass subscription (a one-time payment that locks you into its highest premium service tier for life) will increase from $249.99 to $749.99 on July 1. As Android Authority pointed out, this comes only about a year after Plex had previously more than doubled the price from $119.99 to $249.99. In a little over 12 months, the service has increased in price by 525 percent.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 officially gets a $50 price hike in the US

That's pretty staggering, but one tiny silver lining is that the change doesn't go into effect for several weeks, so you have some time to decide if you want to lock into a lifetime of Plex premium service for $250 or invest in an alternative. Plex is one of the most popular services for storing downloaded media like movies and TV shows, and the paid tier offers more flexibility for downloads, remote streaming for all users, and other bonuses that might make it worth $250, if not necessarily $750.

If that cost is too high for you, it might be worth looking into something like Jellyfin. I know my friends who care a lot about media server curation have some fondness for that one, and it definitely won't cost as much as a decent smartphone to set up.

Google I/O 2026 was all about improvements in AI. Gemini is getting smarter, faster and more customized. See what was presented at this year’s event, from a more intuitive Gemini Omni to the realization of Android XR with consumer products coming in the fall. We’ve got the highlights.

Google I/O 2026 just wrapped, and we're breaking down the absolute biggest announcements. Join our expert panel—featuring Andrew Lanxon (CNET), Andrew Gebhart (PCMag), and Timothy Beck Werth (Mashable)—as they analyze everything you need to know about the next generation of Google Gemini, the highly anticipated Android XR Glasses, and more.

OpenAI would be one of the most highly anticipated potential initial public offerings, in what is set to be a major year of I.P.O.s for Silicon Valley.

GET $100 OFF: The Yeedi S20 Infinity Ultra launched today, and you can get it for $100 off with this on-screen coupon.

Yeedi S20 Infinity Ultra $999.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal at Amazon

Usually, when a tech brand drops a brand-new flagship product, you have to wait months (or until Black Friday) to see any sort of meaningful price drop. But if you've been holding out for a top-of-the-line robot vacuum that can handle a household full of pets, you're in luck. Yeedi literally just launched its next-generation flagship today, and they're rolling it out with a $100 discount.

From now through June 10, you can grab the new Yeedi S20 Infinity Ultra robot vacuum-mop for a promotional launch price of $899.99, down from $999.99. The discount is available on Amazon (there's an on-screen coupon you have to click!) as well as the brand's newly debuted, official direct-to-consumer online store. As an added perk to celebrate the launch, early buyers will also score two free bottles of cleaning solution and two extra side brushes with their purchase.

SEE ALSO: I found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness

Anyone with a pet knows the fresh hell of waking up in the morning to a mystery mess that’s been baking on the kitchen floor overnight. By the time you find it, it’s hardened into concrete, which leaves you with one option: manually spraying it down, letting it soak (probably for hours), and eventually getting on your hands and knees to scrub it off.

The pre-soaking step is exactly what this machine is designed to automate: Yeedi says this robo-vac is the first to feature "FocusJet Pre-Treatment Technology — an industry-first intelligent stain pre-treatment system for robot mopping." Instead of just running a damp pad over a hardened spill and hoping for the best, it uses dual high-pressure atomizing nozzles to spray a diluted cleaning solution directly onto targeted stains. By pre-dissolving and loosening the stubborn gunk first, the wide 27 cm self-washing roller mop can clear the mess in a single pass without leaving a sticky streak behind.

On top of that, it delivers 22,000 Pa of suction power to pull debris out of carpets, includes automatic mop lifting to keep your rugs dry, and features a fast-charging system that gives you a 13 percent battery boost in just three minutes.

SAVE $110: As of May 20, get the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 for $339 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $449. That's a discount of 24%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Jackery Explorer 500 $339 at Amazon
$449 Save $110   Get Deal

Whether you find yourself in a power outage because of a storm or you're preparing to go off-grid, a portable power station is always a smart buy. These units can be charged and recharged to help keep you online and powered up when electricity is nowhere to be found, and they're particularly useful during the warmer months when storms come raging through and kill the power. We've found one that's well worth investing in as it's on sale right now.

As of May 20, get the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 for $339 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $449. That's $110 off and a discount of 24%.

SEE ALSO: Portable power stations explained

This power station has a 512Wh capacity with 500W rated power and 1000W surge power, all with 2 AC sine wave outlets to help you stay charged up and ready to go, no matter the situation. It can handle charging laptops, cameras, phones, small appliances, and more, so it's perfect for a camping trip, a night without electricity, or living off the grid.

It weighs just 14 lbs, and has a lightweight, streamlined design with a foldable handle. There's also an LED light on the unit itself, so you can see what you're doing even in the inky black darkness.

With a LiFePO4 battery that features 6000 charge cycles, this power station can reliably give you over 10 years of performance, with just 5% battery drain during half a year of storage. And it charges from 0 to 80% in under an hour, so there's less waiting around for it to be ready.

Now that it's on sale, it'd be a smart idea to grab one before the summer storms fully roll in and take over. It's never fun to be sitting in the dark, after all.

Just in time for summer gaming and streaming shows while we hide away from the heat, Samsung is dropping new gaming monitors, work-worthy monitors, and an updated portable monitor with stand. Some of these Samsung upgrades are industry firsts and will set the benchmark going forward. All new models have yet to be released for ordering, but here are all the details we know so far.

High-performance gaming monitors with better resolution

The Samsung Odyssey lineup of gaming monitors has long been considered some of the best. Naturally, Samsung has decided to outdo itself and we now have 5 and 6K monitors to replace the previous 4K. Both new models feature a DisplayPort 2.1 and have computability with both AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-Sync.

The Samsung Odyssey G8 is the world' first 6K gaming monitor. Credit: Samsung

The Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G8 (G80HS) marks the very first time we've seen a 6K gaming monitor. That means we'll be treated to better clarity and exceptional details. Samsung used a 224PPI and an IPS panel on this model that'll reach the wild 6K resolution with a refresh rate of 165Hz. Dual mode will give access to up to 330Hz at 3K resolution.

Going a bit smaller in size, the 27-inch Odyssey G8 (G80HF) comes with 5K resolution at up to 180Hz with 218PPI. Dual mode brings that to 360Hz.

Upgrades to OLED gaming monitors

For great contrast and ultra-quick performance, you might prefer to head into the OLED range of gaming monitors. Samsung has two new models to check out.

The larger of the two, the 32-inch Odyssey OLED G7 (G73SH) comes with 4K resolution at up to 165Hz which is great news for high-performance with smooth gameplay. A 0.03ms response time is also welcomed for competitive, fast-paced games.

The OLED G8 is ready for gaming at 240Hz with a focus on deep blacks. Credit: Samsung

The smaller 27-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) has a higher refresh rate, at a speedy 240Hz. Samsung also used their Glare Free technology on this model which might make it a more appealing option for those who game in bright rooms or during daylight hours. Samsung also mentioned the new Odyssey OLED G8 has VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification which is an ideal feature if you prioritize deep black and bright, vibrant colors.

Work stations made better

Of course, Samsung didn't forget about those of us who are looking for an upgrade to monitors designed for work.

The curved 40-inch ViewFinity S8 adds in a Thunderbolt 5. Credit: Samsung

The 40-inch Samsung ViewFinity S8 (S85TH) has a curved display with 144Hz and a Thunderbolt 5 for intensive tasks and 80Gbps data transfer. Going smaller, the 27-inch ViewFinity S8 (S80HF) has impressive 5K resolution and USB-C connectivity.

Improvements to a versatile, rolling display

For those who want ultimate versatility, the Samsung Movingstyle Essential is designed for portability. It has a 43-inch display with 4K UDH resolution that sits on a rolling stand with adjustable height. Plus, it can tilt, swivel, and pivot to your needs. It's ideal for home use that spans gaming, working, or viewing your favorite shows from whatever room you're currently in.

The 43-inch 4K display on the Movingstyle Essential is ready to move from room to room. Credit: Samsung

None of these new models have gone live for ordering, but we expect that to happen soon. Prices will start at $899.99. We'll keep this page updated once orders go live.

SAVE 20%: As of May 20, you can get the EcoVacs Deebot X11 Pro Omni robot vacuum-mop for $799, down from $999.99, at Amazon. That's a 20% discount or $200.99 savings.

EcoVacs Deebot X11 Pro Omni robot vacuum-mop $799 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $200.99   Get Deal at Amazon

OK, so I am in love with my new robot vacuum (I have the Dreame L60 Pro Ultra and it's currently $140 off). It has, not to be too dramatic, changed my life and made quick cleanups so much easier. But I completely get it if you're still on the fence about buying one — dropping hundreds of dollars on a gadget just to clean your floors is a hard pill to swallow.

If you are going to drop that kind of cash, you at least want to make sure you're getting a discount to help soften the blow. While I love my Dreame, the EcoVacs Deebot X11 Pro Omni is the model you should look at today, since it just hit its lowest price to date for Memorial Day.

SEE ALSO: I found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness

Right now, you can grab the EcoVacs Deebot X11 Pro Omni robot vacuum-mop for $799, down from $999.99 at Amazon. That’s a 20% discount or $200 in savings on an all-in-one system that completely automates your daily cleaning cycle.

This hybrid robo-vac delivers 19,500Pa suction power, has an active self-washing roller mop that automatically lifts 0.6 inches when it hits carpet so your rugs stay dry, and an Omni dock that empties the dustbin, washes the roller with hot water, and dries it with 145-degree air so it never starts smelling funky.

If you want to use the holiday weekend sales to permanently cross floor cleaning off your to-do list, this all-time low on the EcoVacs model is the smartest way to buy back your future free time.

SAVE $300: As of May 20, get the 34-inch Asus ROG Strix Ultrawide Gaming Monitor for $699 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $999. That's a discount of 30% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Asus ROG Strix 34-inch Ultrawide Gaming Monitor $699 at Amazon
$999 Save $300   Get Deal

Looking for a way to level up your desktop? A gaming monitor is a great way to do it, especially if you want to go bigger. A small screen will work with all your favorite games, but a bigger one can make you feel like you're raiding that dungeon in real life -- or something close to it. We found a fantastic deal on a gaming monitor at Amazon that you can shop right now.

As of May 20, get the 34-inch Asus ROG Strix Ultrawide Gaming Monitor for $699 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $999. That's $300 off and a discount of 30%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The 4 best premium gaming monitors instantly level up your desktop — for a price

This 34-inch monitor boasts a QD-OLED HDR screen with a 3440x1440 resolution and a 175Hz refresh rate. Its 0.03 ms response time is perfect for your twitchy action games and even cozy building games, so nothing gets past your purview when you set this big boy on your deskop. It's also G-Sync compatible, so you can cut down on lag and screen tearing.

Its Asus OLED Care Pro function has a Neo Proximity Sensor that can detect when you're away, so it can switch from your game to a black screen to reduce potential burn-in risks. It also has a special Asus DisplayWidget Center app to let you customize this function and more as well as your monitor's overall settings on-screen instead of using on-board physical controls.

If you've been clinging to a smaller, less splashy monitor for some time, it might be a good idea to go ahead and invest in this one -- it's large and in charge, and you'll love seeing all your media (not just games) on the big screen. Even better to get it at its lowest price yet, but it won't last, so you might want to get it sooner than later.

We visited Google for a closer look at upcoming smart glasses, including Project Aura. The devices are being developed alongside partners like Samsung and Xreal as Google expands its wearable ambitions.

SAVE 27%: As of May 20, you can get a 100-inch Samsung Class Neo QLED 4K Mini LED Smart TV (2025 Model) for $3,997.99, down from $5,497.99 at Amazon. That's a 27% discount or $1,500 savings.

100-inch Samsung Class Neo QLED 4K Mini LED Smart TV (2025 Model) $3,997.99 at Amazon
$5,497.99 Save $1,500   Get Deal at Amazon

Nobody needs a 100-inch television. It's an objectively ridiculous piece of technology that requires an entire empty wall just to exist. But if you're building a home theater or you just really, really want your living room to feel like a sports bar, you'll be happy to know that Amazon just dropped the price on one of Samsung's 2025 models.

SEE ALSO: National Streaming Day deals: Save on Apple TV, AMC+, Starz, Crunchyroll, and more

Right now, you can get the 100-inch Samsung Class Neo QLED 4K Mini LED Smart TV (2025 Model) for $3,997.99 at Amazon. It normally lists for $5,497.99, which means you're getting a 27% discount — or $1,500 in savings. It's also the lowest price we've tracked for this model.

Comical size aside, this TV has the specs to back up the price tag. It uses concentrated Mini LEDs for precise contrast, has built-in Dolby Atmos for spatial audio, and features a native 120Hz refresh rate that can handle VRR gaming at up to 144Hz without any screen tearing. It even uses AI upscaling backed by 20 neural networks to make sure older shows and movies still look sharp when stretched across a 100-inch display. (A Golden Girls marathon, which happens every Sunday evening on MeTV, on this thing could heal me.)

SAVE $1,400.99: Pre-order the new Anker Solix S2000 before its launch on June 2 to get the portable power station on sale for $599, down from the list price of $1,999.99. That's a 70% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix S2000 $599 at Anker
$1,999.99 Save $1,400.99   Pre-order Here

Portable power stations are useful in nearly every off-grid situation. For those who deal with power outages at home, they can be a huge asset for keeping the house running. Plenty of models are powerful enough to keep the refrigerator cooling while others are designed for smaller items like phones, earbuds, and tablets. If you've been thinking about making the investment, check out this excellent deal from Anker.

Pre-order the new Anker Solix S2000 before its launch on June 2 to get the portable power station on sale for $599, marked down from the list price of $1,999.99. That's a 70% discount that takes a major $1,400.99 off the price. To get this discount, you'll need to enter in your email on the Anker site. On June 2, you'll receive an email with the discount code that'll remain valid through June 8.

Keep the kitchen open during the next power outage. Credit: Anker Solix

Anker Solix makes some of the most innovative portable power stations, and the brand's lineup just expanded to include the Solix S2000. This model is focused on home backup should the power cut out. It has a 2,010Wh capacity that Anker says will keep the refrigerator running for up to 35 hours. The rear-facing AC outlets make plugging the refrigerator into the station simple and leaves the forward-facing ports open for your phone charger, a lamp, the coffee maker, and plenty more.

Like most Anker models, the brand aimed to make the S2000 as small as possible, and it measures about 12 inches in length and under 12 inches in heigh, which is impressively small given its battery capacity. Its weight of under 36 pounds is also impressive. It's rated for a continuous output of 1,500W with surge of 3,000W.

The 10 millisecond UPS will be useful when combined with a home office. Credit: Anke

If you're in the market for a portable power station to keep at the ready for the next power outage, the pre-launch sale price on the Anker Solix S2000 is hard to beat. Sign up before the station launches on June 2 to snag it for only $599. That's a heck of a deal for a 2,010Wh station and one worth jumping on without hesitation.

SAVE $61.99: As of May 20, the Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones are on sale at Amazon for just $398 instead of the full list price of $459.99. That's a savings of 13% and matches the lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones $398 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $61.99   Get Deal

Sony just dropped a new pair of headphones, dubbed the Collexion, to celebrate 10 years of its 1000X series. They're gorgeous, but they cost an outrageous $649.99. That really helps put the price of last year's excellent Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones into perspective. Still wildly impressive a year later, the XM6 headphones just dropped below $400 in Amazon's Memorial Day sale.

As of May 20, you can pick up the Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones in any color for $398 instead of the usual $459.99. That's $61.99 or 13% in savings and matches the best price ever for the flagship headphones.

The XM6's are our top choice for sound quality amongst all brands of over-ear headphones. Not to mention, "The ANC in the XM6 is as good as or better than any I've ever heard," writes Mashable Tech Editor Tim Beck Werth in his review. He notes that they mostly justify the $459.99 price tag, thanks to these factors plus a comfortable fit and new travel-friendly folding design. Now that they're even cheaper, they're a much better value.

Additional features include a 30-hour battery life, more microphones for improved call quality, support for LDAC high-res audio, user-friendly touch controls, and a redesigned ANC button. Compared to the just-announced Collexion headphones, you'll really only be missing out on a sleeker design, slightly enhanced audio, and a new carrying case. You'll also be saving $251.99.

Google's annual I/O showcase focused heavily on AI news, but the event also contained some exciting developments in the XR glasses front.

Namely, Xreal used the event as a way to show off Project Aura, an ambitious new pair of XR glasses that were originally announced in December. They offer a massive 70-degree field of view, the biggest of any Xreal glasses, and have plenty of nifty-sounding XR capabilities. Some media members, including Mashable alum Ray Wong writing for Gizmodo, got to try Project Aura out and gave us a decent idea of what to expect when the glasses launch later this year.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!

The first thing to know is that these are more advanced than the Meta Ray-Ban glasses that have been en vogue for a while now, in the sense that they offer a visual display inside the glasses, rather than relying entirely on audio cues from an AI voice assistant. Project Aura actually occupies an interesting middle ground between the Ray-Bans and something like Apple's Vision Pro headset, in the sense that it comes with a small computing puck that is attached to the glasses via a wire. According to Gizmodo's preview, you can wear the puck around your neck via an attached lanyard.

Previously, Xreal has focused on augmented reality glasses, which project a virtual display into the world around you. With Project Aura, Xreal is moving into new territory — the Android XR platform.

SEE ALSO: Google I/O: Every new feature coming to Chrome, including two AI detection tools

Like a Vision Pro, Project Aura makes use of hand tracking to interact with augmented reality elements in the display. Unfortunately, there's no eye tracking, which is definitely a compromise compared to a full headset. However, Gizmodo said the hand tracking worked well enough, and the 70-degree field of view was enough to fit at least three app windows next to each other, with Xreal claiming as many as five could fit in the field of view.

Other interesting nuggets included the ability to play video games like Demeo, a tabletop role-playing-like experience that's been available in VR for some time. Like other Xreal AR glasses, you can also connect the glasses to a laptop to make them act as an external monitor.

Overall, press previews sounded pretty positive about most aspects of Project Aura. If Xreal can figure out how to make a Vision Pro-like experience in a more convenient and less cumbersome form factor, that could be huge.

Just as long as it doesn't also cost $3,500.

Are you an Apple superfan? Enter Mashable’s Big Guessing Game to win prizes.

Sony's commemorating the 10-year anniversary of its popular 1000X headphone line with a swanky new $650 model called The Collexion. Is it worth $200 more than the WH-1000XM6? CNET's audio expert David Carnoy gives you the full skinny after testing The Collexion for a few days prior to its launch.

A ban on VPNs to access porn sites was supposed to go into effect in Utah weeks ago, but it's now on hold.

The statute, SB 73, expands on Utah's 2023 age-verification law (SB 287), which requires proof of age like a digital ID card, a third-party verification service, or a credit card, in order to view adult content or content the state deems "harmful to minors." Pornhub blocked itself from Utah when SB 287 went into effect.

SB 73 instructs that a porn site can't "facilitate or encourage the use of a virtual private network [VPN]." A VPN masks someone's real location. This law functionally requires porn sites to somehow block traffic from VPNs, which the digital civil liberties nonprofit, Electronic Frontier Foundation, called "a technical whack-a-mole that likely no company can win."

SEE ALSO: Age-verification is hurting sex educators and sex workers, studies suggest

Now, the enactment of this law has been delayed due to a legal challenge by Aylo, the parent company of Pornhub. Aylo filed the complaint against the Utah Division of Consumer Protection and the state's Department of Commerce on April 22, stating, "There is no feasible way for a private company like Aylo to reliably verify whether any particular individual is using a virtual private network (VPN), proxy server, or other locationmasking technology — and therefore no way to determine whether a user who appears to be located outside Utah is, in fact, located inside Utah."

The complaint alleges that complying with SB 73 could expose Aylo to liability risks under other jurisdictions' laws, such as consumer privacy protections. Aylo says it would have to implement age verification for all users everywhere, regardless of where they are, because, as stated above, there's no way to determine where a user is actually located. Aylo claims that the law exceeds Utah's authority under the U.S. Constitution, as all states are supposed to have "equal sovereignty," and that it violates the Constitution's Commerce Clause, which limits a state's authority to regulate interstate commerce. Finally, Aylo claims Utah is violating the Foreign Commerce Clause, which gives the federal government sole authority to regulate commerce with other countries.

Enforcement of SB 73 is now delayed until Sept. 3, AVN reported, but only Aylo properties (which include Pornhub, YouPorn, and RedTube).

"It's illegal for Utah to get in the way of what people in other states do on the internet, and the only way that their law can be implemented would do exactly that," campaigns and communications director for digital rights advocacy group Fight for the Future, Lia Holland, said in a public statement. "Utah says they're doing it for the kids. But passing a law that gets you sued and wastes resources isn’t how you protect kids. It’s time for some grown-up logic here."

Holland calls on Utah officials to meet with tech justice organizations to pass legislation that's "grounded in reality and the constitution to protect us all from bad actors online by giving us the tools to defend our privacy, our freedom of speech, and all the rights that big tech companies that love age verification and VPN bans have been stripping away."

While lawmakers say age-verification laws are meant to protect children, preliminary studies suggest they don't achieve that aim and might instead infringe on adults' First Amendment rights.

Free speech advocates call for device-level filters instead. Aylo recently made Pornhub available in the UK again due to the implementation of such filters on Apple devices, after blocking it due to the UK's age-verification law, the Online Safety Act.

SAVE $100: As of May 20, get the Dreame L50 Ultra for $849.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $949.99. That's a discount of 11%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dreame L50 Ultra robot vacuum and mop $849.99 at Amazon
$949.99 Save $100   Get Deal

Tired of spending all your time vacuuming and mopping your floors to keep them tidy? It's 2026. You can employ a robot vacuum to handle all of those chores for you. And if you're looking for one that you can rely on to get the job done while also saving a little cash, we've found an excellent pick for you that's up for grabs at Amazon.

As of May 20, get the Dreame L50 Ultra for $849.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $949.99. That's $100 off and a discount of 11%.

SEE ALSO: These are the top 4 robot vacuums for carpet after passing the cat hair test on my rugs

This powerful unit boasts a 19,500Pa Vormax suction system that's backed by a TurboForce motor, so it can cut through dirt and debris like butter. It uses a HyperStream brush system to help get through and suck up hair, dirt, crumbs, and whatever else you might find in your carpet, even if it's been ground in from footpaths. Plus, if you need edges and other hard-to-reach areas covered, it has a special set of extendable arms that can reach out and brush while vacuuming and mopping.

It comes with a special all-in-one docking station as well, so it can both empty dust and dirt on its own and refill and clean its own mop. No touching dirt or filthy water from the mop, so you truly can set it and forget it for now, and leave it for up to 100 days before you need to step in.

If you're ready for a robot vacuum and mop to step in and take over, it's time to leave it to this Dreame unit, which can do everything on its own. Grab it while it's discounted to sweeten the deal.

At its annual Google I/O developers conference on Tuesday, Google announced several new features that will work with Chrome. They include two tools that make it easier to identify AI-generated content and deepfakes right in the world's most popular web browser.

First up, Google is adding its SynthID verification to Chrome "over the coming weeks," according to a company blog post. Launched three years ago, SynthID is a digital AI watermarking and detection technology from Google DeepMind that works on images, videos, and audio files. OpenAI, Kakao, and ElevenLabs are implementing SynthID into their content as well, Google said.

Google is also bringing content credential verification from the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) to Chrome "in the coming months." Within their browser, users will be able to screen content for C2PA metadata, which denotes AI modification.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!

SEE ALSO: Everything announced at the Google I/O 2026 keynote: AI, more AI, and smart glasses

Later this summer, Google's new Gemini Spark personal AI agent will work within Chrome. Powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash, Google's fresh AI model, Spark runs 24/7 in the cloud — meaning it doesn't need a local device like a laptop or Mac Mini to keep working. Spark will be available in beta to Google AI Ultra subscribers next week, Google said.

Finally, users can now attach Chrome tabs alongside queries in Google's updated AI-powered Search box, which also runs on Gemini 3.5 Flash. It works with images, videos, and files as well. This one's actually available today wherever Search's AI Mode is available.

Are you an Apple superfan? Enter Mashable’s Big Guessing Game to win prizes.

TL;DR: Watch USA vs. Germany in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships continue with more exciting contests between top international sides. USA vs. Germany is next on the schedule. Germany have really struggled so far, so USA will be expected to win this one without too much hassle.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is USA vs. Germany?

USA vs. Germany in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 2:20 p.m. ET on May 20. This fixture takes place at the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich.

How to watch USA vs. Germany for free

USA vs. Germany in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Connect to IIHF.TV

5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream USA vs. Germany plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms 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 the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• 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

• 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 USA vs. Germany in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

WhatsApp is working on a new feature: Messages that disappear after you read them.

This is according to WABetaInfo, which found the feature in the latest WhatsApp for iOS beta, version 26.19.10.72.

According to the WhatsApp beta screenshot posted by the outlet, the feature will appear under the "Privacy - Default message timer" part of WhatsApp's settings. The user can choose to have the timer off, have the messages disappear after a fixed period of time (currently available options are 24 hours, 7 days, and 90 days), or "After reading."

According to the introductory text in WhatsApp, when "After reading" is selected, messages disappear "after they're read," while unread messages disappear after 24 hours. While that's a bit vague, the screenshots posted by WABetaInfo discover that this feature actually adds an additional timer, which kicks off after a message has been read. The options for this secondary timer are 5 minutes, 1 hour, or 12 hours.

The feature is not fool-proof, and WhatsApp adds a disclaimer that people "may find other ways to save messages." But it is the safest option yet if you want the messages to be read once, and only once, by the intended recipient.

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It's unclear when the feature will become available widely. WhatsApp has previously tested the feature on Android, and now it's expanded it to iOS devices as well, signalling it may happen soon.