IT General

Amazon's biggest shopping event of the year is upon us. Prime Day, which is now four days long, officially kicks off on Tuesday, July 8, and runs through Friday, July 11.

With new deals dropping as often as every five minutes at certain points during the event, shopping can get pretty overwhelming. We know all too well that it's easy to get caught up in the sales, indulge in some impulse purchasing, and experience a little buyer's remorse.

As with every major Amazon sale, there are already plenty of live deals to shop ahead of the official event kickoff, with lots more to come — and you just might run into some questions along the way. Whether you're dealing with a classic case of buyer's remorse or have questions about deals, damage to packages, or your Prime membership, you want to know that you can actually speak to customer service.

SEE ALSO: How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership

Since contacting Amazon can be tricky at times, here are all the ways you can get in touch with customer service for a smoother online shopping experience before, during, and after Prime Day:

Amazon customer service help page

This is probably the most common, and easiest, way to look for answers to common queries, such as those about Amazon’s return policies or information about international shipping. The page contains a whole library of questions that users can get answers to, including how to track packages, cancel orders, or start a return. Your most recent purchases will pop up at the top of the page for easy navigation.

To access Amazon’s Customer Service Help Page, go to the website landing page and click on "Customer Service" in the top left of the screen. 

Amazon customer service email

Sometimes customer queries need to be worked through on a case-by-case basis, and the answers on the official website need to be more specific to offer any help to shoppers. In these cases, users can email cs-reply@amazon.com and explain their issues. Remember that contacting Amazon’s customer service via email might not be the best solution if you have an urgent question regarding your purchases, since customers are unlikely to get a prompt response.

Amazon customer service phone number

Need a quicker reply? Call Amazon at 1-888-280-4331. When customers call this number, a bot picks up the phone and eventually connects them to Amazon staff, depending on the type of query that needs to be answered. It’s important to note that customers should have a cell phone number connected to their Amazon account. Customers must enter verification codes that will be messaged to their linked contact information before using this service. In other words, things can get a bit tricky if you're sharing an account with someone else.

Amazon online chat service

Real-time chatting with Amazon representatives is the most convenient way to get all your questions answered. To use the live chat feature, return to the Customer service help page and click on "Help with something else." When the list pops up underneath, choose "something else" once again. Another page opens with a list of more help options. Select "I need help with something else."

Now you've officially entered the chat. Type "Talk to associate" in the chat box. Amazon's messaging assistant might prompt you to give more info on your issue, which you can, but if you'd rather get to a real person ASAP, you can select, "I need more help" from the pre-written responses.

From there, you can choose if you’d prefer to talk via chat or call. If you're looking for immediate help with a Prime Day purchase — be it due to buyer's remorse, a damaged package, an address change, etc. — this is your best bet to get your needs met.

For simple questions, Amazon also launched a new AI chat feature last year called "Rufus," which can help customers solve some problems and make more informed purchase decisions.

Contact Amazon via social media

If your questions aren’t that urgent, you can contact Amazon Customer Service at @amazonhelp on X, @amazon on Instagram, and www.facebook.com/Amazon on Facebook.

It's officially summer as of Friday, June 20, which can only mean one thing: Amazon Prime Day is right around the corner. You may be wondering if you should pull the trigger on deals you've been eyeing once the official sale kicks off or wait until the next Prime event. We're here to lay out all the details to help you decide, including when to expect the next Prime Day.

When is the next Prime Day?

While it may seem like Amazon is holding Prime events every other month, Prime Day technically only happens once a year in the summer. However, Amazon has also been holding another major sale event the past three years in the fall (called Prime Big Deal days in 2024). For all intents and purposes, it's essentially Prime Day 2. Amazon has also held a week-long shopping event in the spring dubbed Amazon's Big Spring Sale for the past two years. The deals aren't quite at the level of Prime Day, but it is considered Amazon's first major savings event of the year.

In 2025, Prime Day proper kicks off on Tuesday, July 8 and runs through July 11. That's four full days of deal shopping, marking the longest Prime Day ever. While it's longer than usual by two days, the sale still comes at its usual time: Amazon historically holds the Prime Day event in mid-July with a Tuesday start date. Deals are already floating around ahead of the big event and will likely linger after the event concludes at 2:59 a.m. ET on Saturday, July 12 (aka 11:59 p.m. PT on Friday, July 11).

Once the sales dry up, you'll have to wait until the fall for another Prime-centric shopping event. The next Prime Day likely won't take place until October, 2025 (unless, of course, Amazon decides to throw us a curveball) and it won't actually be called Prime Day.

In 2022, 2023, and 2024, the October Prime Day-esque event was held the second week of October. If we assume Amazon will stick with a similar schedule as the past few years, the next Prime Day will probably fall on Oct. 7 and 8, 2025.

Are Prime Day deals worth it?

It's hard to get excited for a huge shopping event when you have recession on the brain. Everything from electronics to clothes to cleaning supplies has become more expensive this year due to President Donald Trump's tariffs and other general economic chaos.

If you're wondering whether or not Prime Day 2025 is actually worth shopping, inflation-weary shoppers can rest assured that Prime Day is notoriously full of great summer deals. Besides Black Friday, it's probably the best time of year to buy Amazon devices, Apple products, robot vacuums, everyday essentials, smartwatches, headphones, and more. If you're in the market for tech, it's certainly worth perusing. Mashable has a hub for Prime Day coverage that can give you more in-depth analysis on what products are worth grabbing and which ones are worth passing on.

The NZXT Capsule Elite USB microphone has no business being as good as it is for $90. The 24-bit depth and 192kHz sample rate really take center stage for making voiceovers sound like they came from a much more expensive microphone.

Shooting films on iPhone just keeps getting more high-profile, with Stormzy releasing a short film entirely made with the iPhone 16 Pro on Wednesday.

Big Man was directed by Aneil Karia (The Long Goodbye) and shot by director of photography Stuart Bentley (We Live in Time) using the iPhone's Cinematic Mode in 4K at 120 frames per second. The 20-minute film follows rap artist Tenzman (played by Stormzy), who's having an average time of it with his career. When he meets two kids running a fake sponsorship scam, they end up on a road trip to Brighton — and all the unexpected bonding that comes with it.

The film was produced by Stormzy's own #Merky Films, which launched on June 11, alongside Apple and Somesuch, the production company most recently behind Harris Dickinson's directorial debut Urchin.

Big Man is streaming on Apple’s YouTube channel or above.

Prime Day 2025 is coming, and if you want to shop all the best deals, you'll need an Amazon Prime account.

The annual summer shopping extravaganza known as Prime Day kicks off on Tuesday, July 8 and runs through Friday, July 11, marking the longest Prime Day ever. Deals will be dropping as often as every five minutes at certain points during the event, and most will be exclusive to Prime members. Sure, there will be plenty of deals available to shop regardless of your membership status, but Amazon typically reserves the best for its members — that's kind of the point of the event.

Not yet a Prime member? Want to revive your old Prime account? You can sign up for a free 30-day trial and unlock access to the sale. And nothing is stopping you from canceling before 30 days to avoid paying full price — just saying.

Regardless of whether or not you stick around, here's how you can sign up for Amazon Prime:

Total Time

• 5 minutes, email address or phone number

What You Need

• Internet access

Step 1: Go to the Amazon Prime sign-up page and click on Start your free 30-day trial.

Head to Amazon Prime's sign-up page.

Step 2: Input your email if you have an existing Amazon account or click on Create Your Amazon account.

A new sign-in page will open up on the website. Input your email or mobile number and password if you have an existing Amazon account or click on Create Your Amazon account. If you make a new account, you'll need to provide some basic information such as name, email, and password.

Step 3: If you're creating a new account, follow the steps to verify your email with a One-Time Password.

If you choose to create a new account, Amazon will send an OTP to your respective email address or mobile number for account verification. If you are using an existing account, skip to Step 5.

Step 4: Input the OTP and click on Verify.

Once the OTP verification page appears on the screen, input the code and click on Verify.

Step 5: Sign up for your free one-month trial or purchase a full subscription.

Now users have two options: sign up for a free one-month trial or purchase a full subscription, though many users might not qualify for a free trial if they have already availed it in the past with the same email or phone number. If you are purchasing a subscription, click on one of these four plans to become a prime member: Monthly Prime Membership — costs $14.99 per month Annual Membership — costs $139 per year or under $12 monthly Student Monthly Membership — costs $7.49 per month; students are eligible for exclusive offers including a 6-month free Prime trial. Prime for government assistance recipients — costs $6.99 per month (must verify eligibility)

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. 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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for June 19 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for June 19, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A trinket.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

CURIO.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle 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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 19

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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 Wordle.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 19 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 19 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Life is a highway

The words are travel-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are things needed for long car rides.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Road Trip

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for June 19

• Motel

• Playlist

• Scenery

• Road Trip

• Audibook

• Photos

• Games

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and 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 Strands.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. 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 today's 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?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

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: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for June 19 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: A student's worries

• Green: Found in Google Maps

• Blue: Found in a kid's room

• Purple: Needed for a competitive sport

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Components of one's grade

• Green: Map app options

• Blue: Classic Toys

• Purple: Fencing gear

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 #739 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Components of one's grade: ATTENDANCE, FINAL, HOMEWORK, PAPERS

• Map app options: DESTINATION, ROUTE, STARTING POINT, STOPS

• Classic Toys: BALL, BLOCKS, JACKS, TRAIN

• Fencing gear: FOILS, GLOVES, JACKETS, MASKS

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 19

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.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

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.

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: Handful of surprises

• Green: Gold terms

• Blue: Initial hockey squads

• Purple: Same second word

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Uno cards

• Green: Found around the green

• Blue: Original six NHL teams

• Purple: ___ shot

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 #269 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Uno cards - DRAW TWO, REVERSE, SKIP, WILD

• Found around the green - BALL MARKER, FLAGSTICK, HOLE, PUTTER

• Original six NHL teams - BRUINS, CANADIENS, MAPLE LEAFS, RED WINGS

• ____ shot - HOOK, JUMP, LONG, SLAP

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new 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.

Donald Trump's indecision over whether or not to join Israel's war against Iran has led to some infighting in his own camp, an example of which occurred on Wednesday, when Tucker Carlson sat down opposite Senator Ted Cruz for a TV interview on Carlson's own network.

"On the one side is Ted Cruz, who wants war with Iran. On the other is Tucker Carlson, who thinks Ted Cruz doesn't know shit about Iran," says Daily Show host Jordan Klepper in the clip above, before playing a clip of Carlson asking a struggling Cruz about the country's population.

"Oh, damn Ted Cruz! Are you a pair of $800 Ferragamo boat shoes? Because Tucker Carlson owned you, buddy," Klepper says. "Ted Cruz was like, 'I know the population, just give me a second to count, OK? Let's see, there's the Ayatollah, that's one, the Iron Sheik, that's two, er, is Aladdin one, I don't...know?"

Klepper follows that up with more clips of the two of them arguing, culminating in Cruz and Carlson yelling that the other one doesn't know anything about Iran.

"This is awesome! 'You don't know anything,' 'No, you don't know anything!' I don't care about who wins the fight, I just like watching the fight! It's like Alien vs. Predator, but somehow more gross."

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, June 19, 2025:

AcrossElectronics upgrade for the living room

• The answer is NewTV.

Sneeze sound

• The answer is Achoo.

Common merch offering

• The answer is Shirt.

Journalism is a noted one in 2025

• The answer is Horse.

The "L" of L.A.

• The answer is Los.

DownMathematician John for whom an equilibrium is named

• The answer is Nash.

Word shouted into a canyon

• The answer is Echo.

Spin round and round

• The answer is Whirl.

Midsection of the body

• The answer is Torso.

Decides (on) democratically

• The answer is Votes.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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.

Still a chance to join us for a dazzlingly different night out in London on Monday 30th June with Information is Beautiful founder, David McCandless.

Using the data, graphics and stories at the heart of IIB, David will take audiences on a data-driven tour of the universe, sharing the funniest, most insightful and revelatory stories he’s found hidden in the data and numbers surrounding, maybe drowning, us.

“His elegant & often playful infographics bring to life information too complex or abstract to grasp any way but visually”
The Guardian

» More details and tickets

SAVE OVER $800: As of June 19, the 65-inch Panasonic Z85 OLED 4K Smart TV is on sale for $998.05 at Amazon. This is 45% off its list price of $1,799.99, saving you over $800.

Opens in a new window Credit: Panasonic Panasonic Z85 Series 65-inch OLED 4K Ultra HD TV $998.05 at Amazon
$1,799.99 Save $801.94 Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is creeping up on us — if you haven't marked your calendars yet, this year's sale event runs from July 8 through July 11 — but thankfully you don't need to wait to jump on some great deals. Amazon has quite a few sprinkled around already. If you've been looking for a new TV, this deal on the 65-inch Panasonic Z85 OLED 4K Smart TV is well worth a look.

The 65-inch Panasonic Z85 OLED 4K Smart TV is listed for $1,799.99, but you can score it for $998.05 right now. This is a 45% discount from its list price, allowing you to save over $800. It's also incredibly close to its lowest-ever price of $997.99, so there's no better time to grab it.

SEE ALSO: Are you 18-24? Get 6 months of Amazon Prime for free ahead of Prime Day.

If you've been hoping to upgrade to a larger TV for your home, the 65-inch Panasonic Z85 OLED 4K Smart TV is a great option. At 65 inches, you'll have plenty of screen space to take in your favorite shows and movies. And with its 4K resolution and OLED display, images will look crisp and vibrant across your screen. Your ears are in for a treat as well thanks to Dolby Atmos sound, which helps create an even more immersive experience.

Why wait to upgrade your TV? Don't miss out on this excellent deal on the 65-inch Panasonic Z85 OLED 4K Smart TV at Amazon.

If you're not a Prime member but are hoping to join in on the sale event when it kicks off, it's worth having a look at our guide on how to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Day.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $99.00 (List Price $99.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

SAVE $300: As of June 19, the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 is on sale for $1,299 at Amazon. That's a 19% savings= on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 $1,299 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $300 Get Deal

Prime Day is just around the corner, so it's time to stock up on all kinds of deals and discounts. But in the meantime, why not check out this great deal on the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2? As of June 19, this powerhouse is down to $1,299, saving you $300 on list price.

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 V2 packs a serious punch. It weighs just 39.5 lbs, so you can take it on the go for road trips or camping vacations. It has also got a massive 2042Wh capacity and 2200W output across three AC ports, plus fast USB-C PD 100W charging.

SEE ALSO: Power up before Prime Day — save over $200 on the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2

And the charging is seriously fast: 66 minutes with AC Fast Charging, full charge in 102 minutes with Emergency Super Charging via the app, or silent overnight charging in five hours at just 30dB.

But the best part, this power station is made for harsh winter conditions. The device comes with a specialized low-temperature resistant bag, transforming it into a piece of kit capable of enduring extreme cold. This bag guarantees operation in temperatures down to -40°F.

You can find this great deal at Amazon. Why wait for Prime Day?

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $99.00 (List Price $99.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

SAVE $18: As of June 19, the Anker 3-in-1 charger is on sale for $71.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charger $71.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $18 Get Deal

It's official: Prime Day is just a few weeks away and it wont be long before amazing discounts start rolling in. But if you can't wait until then, Amazon's Daily Deals is still serving up great prices on a range of products. Like this latest deal on the Anker 3-in-1 charger. As of June 19, this handy Apple device charger is reduced to just $71.99, saving you 20% on list price.

This foldable device is a travel-sized charger that powers your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at the same time. It’s MagSafe-compatible and Qi2-certified, and can give you 15W fast wireless charging. You can charge an iPhone 15 Pro to 20% in only 15 minutes and an Apple Watch Series 9 to 30% in 22 minutes.

SEE ALSO: Why wait for Prime Day? The new Apple MacBook Air M4 has never been cheaper.

It helps keep your devices neat and tidy, and can fold up to the size of a baseball. Not to mention, it supports StandBy mode and landscape viewing, making it extra handy on a bedside table or desk.

It even comes with a 24-month warranty, so you can always have peace of mind.

Shop this deal at Amazon before Prime Day.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $99.00 (List Price $99.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

Director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland return to the zombie franchise they kicked off in 2002 with 28 Days Later to offer the franchise's third installment, 28 Years Later. However, the 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later, didn't touch on the characters of the first film at all. So, should audiences rewatch these movies before diving into the next chapter of this undead saga?

28 Days Later centered on Jim (Cillian Murphy), a lone man lost in a post-apocalyptic London laid low by the Rage Virus, which has turned humans into flesh-chomping infected. The sequel, 28 Weeks Later, which takes place months after the initial breakout, focuses on a family of four whose reunion sparks a new breakout in a safe zone overseen by the American military.

Now, 28 Years Later follows a father (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his 12-year-old son (Alfie Williams), who scour a devastated United Kingdom for resources to bring home to their safe haven of a village. So how do these movies connect?

SEE ALSO: Review: '28 Years Later' is a triumphant return, one of the scariest films of the year

We'll answer that, and tell you everything you might want to remember before sitting down for 28 Years Later. Fear not — no spoilers for 28 Years Later lie below!

Do I need to rewatch 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later to make sense of 28 Years Later? 

The short answer is no. This franchise works as an anthology, with each film focusing on a different family unit, be it Jim and his found family of survivors, the Harris family from the second movie, or Jamie, Spike, and Isla (Jodie Comer) in 28 Years Later. But there are some key details about the Rage Virus and the infected that are helpful to remember going in.

Plus, rewatching the prior films is a good way to get amped for 28 Years Later. How better to brace yourself for what Boyle and Garland have brewed for their intense return? 

To catch up on how to watch them, check out New to Streaming.

What do I need to remember about 28 Days Later to see 28 Years Later?

In 28 Days Later, the story followed London bike messenger Jim (Murphy), who comes out of a coma 28 days after the city has been ravaged by a Rage Virus that's turned mild-mannered citizens into rampaging infected.

This film, written by Garland and helmed by Boyle, introduced the Rage Virus, which takes only seconds to transform its victim into a new breed of zombie. Gone is George A. Romero's slow-walking undead. This infected person can run and isn't actually dead, so they can be killed by fairly conventional means — just avoid their infectious blood! Even a dead infected can be dangerous. Plus, they have no fear, throwing themselves full-bodied into any obstacle. So they are scary as hell as they run amok in metro or rural areas.

28 Days Later also introduced Jim's ad-hoc family of survivors, who learn through their rough time with a military squad that the UK has become a quarantine zone, with other nations surveilling to be sure it stays that way. Yet the film ends on a hopeful note, with Jim and his fellow survivors signaling a surveillance plane to show they're alive and uninfected.

The sequel's ending, however, is far from hopeful.

What do I need to remember about 28 Weeks Later to see 28 Years Later?

Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and written by Fresnadillo, Rowan Joffé, E.L. Lavigne, and Jesus Olmo, 28 Weeks Later offers flashier slaughter scenes and the inclusion of American military figures played by Jeremy Renner and Rose Byrne. But the focus is once again on a family, this one reunited in a safe zone on London's Isle of Dogs.

There, patriarch Don Harris (Robert Carlyle) is eager to reconnect with his children, Tammy (Imogen Poots) and Andy (Mackintosh Muggleton) — and also his wife, Alice (Catherine McCormack), the Typhoid Mary of the Rage Virus. 

Basically, Alice is infected, but not symptomatic in the way of the rampaging killers. A medic onsite (Byrne) suggests that her DNA could be the key to a cure for the Rage Virus. However, before that science can cook, Alice has a saliva-heavy make-out session with her husband, which sparks a new wave of infection in the safe zone, chasing the kids and their American friends to seek another safe zone.

At the film's end, it seems the Harris kids will be OK, swept by helicopter to a safe zone in France. But the film's final image shows the infected swarming up from the underground trains of Paris, revealing the virus has hit mainland Europe. The only possible bit of hope is that young Andy appears to have the same genetic quirk as his mom, having been bitten but not turned. So, could there be a chance at a cure in 28 Years Later?

You'll see.

28 Years Later opens only in theaters June 20.

Astronomers have added two more exoplanets to a growing study aimed at finding out whether rocky worlds near small, faint stars might have air.

Scientists leading a high-priority observing program with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have added two more rocky planets outside the solar system to their shortlist. These distant worlds — LHS 1140 b and LTT 1445 Ab — both orbit red dwarfs. These stars, also called M-dwarfs, are smaller and cooler than the sun, but far more common in space, making them intriguing places to look for potentially habitable conditions.

The new pair brings the number of targets in the project, first reported by Mashable, to four, though the researchers expect to eventually look at about a dozen exoplanets. 

The campaign will use Webb to look for signs of carbon dioxide, a heat-trapping gas, using a novel method for studying atmospheres, called the secondary eclipse technique. Meanwhile, the Hubble Space Telescope will focus on the stars themselves, studying their ultraviolet radiation output. Red dwarfs are ubiquitous in the Milky Way, but they’re also known for flaring and blasting out harmful ultraviolet light. That could strip a planet bare, leaving behind nothing but a dead rock.

"The answer for 'Are we special ... or not?' can start to be answered if we start uncovering atmospheres of these rocky exoplanets around M-dwarfs," said Néstor Espinoza, an astronomer heading the implementation team. 

SEE ALSO: Scientists haven't found a rocky exoplanet with air. But now they have a plan. A rocky world, LTT 1445 Ab, orbits a red dwarf star within a three-star system about 22 light-years away. Credit: ESO / M. Kornmesser illustration Exoplanets targeted for atmosphere study

LTT 1445 Ab is roughly the size of Earth and about 22 light-years away in the constellation Eridanus. The exoplanet orbits the star LTT 1445 A, which, in turn, orbits two other stars in a triple-star system. LHS 1140 b is a bit larger and heavier than Earth, located about 49 light-years away in the constellation Cetus. 

Both were discovered within the past eight years, but LHS 1140 b was the focus of a recent Webb study that suggested the planet could have an ocean half the size of the Atlantic and maybe even a thick, nitrogen-rich atmosphere like Earth. 

"We'll need more JWST observations to verify an atmosphere," said Ryan MacDonald, one of the study's coauthors, on X last year, "but LHS 1140b is looking like one of the most promising potentially habitable super-Earths." 

These two selected exoplanets join GJ 3929 b and LTT 1445 Ac, a sibling to LTT 1445 Ab within the same star system, in the Rocky Worlds program. The first observations could begin as early as the end of this week.

There's a key difference between the first four targets and Earth: These alien worlds are so close to their stars, their years are only a few Earth-days long. That may not be a problem, given that their host stars aren't as hot as the sun, but could atmospheres even survive the constant barrage of harsh radiation? Getting to the bottom of that fundamental question is why this program exists, Espinoza told Mashable. 

"If we end up finding that these M-dwarfs have atmospheres, then immediately the likelihood of maybe life can emerge in M-dwarfs is more likely there than here," he said, comparing them to our own solar system, "perhaps because you will have many more possibilities of generating different types of atmospheres."

An exoplanet, LHS 1140 b, may have a thick atmosphere, allowing an ocean to pool on its surface. Credit: B. Gougeon / Université de Montréal illustration

Scientists have found signs of atmospheres surrounding many of the 5,900 exoplanets discovered so far, but all of them have surrounded gas giant planets, like Jupiter, with air mostly made of hydrogen. The hunt for a more terrestrial world shielded by a protective atmosphere has so far eluded astronomers.

Jennifer Lotz, who directs Webb and Hubble's operations at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, decided last year to initiate the rocky exoplanet survey using the director's discretionary time, the same way revolutionary science campaigns like the Hubble deep field images came to fruition. 

Secondary eclipse technique explained

Webb usually observes exoplanets through transmission spectroscopy, a technique for studying what molecules are present in an atmosphere by analyzing how starlight filters through it. But that method has had its drawbacks. If the starlight were completely uniform, that would be one thing, but red dwarf stars can get sunspots, causing variability in the signals. This problem, called stellar contamination, has recently led Webb scientists to embrace another technique, known as secondary eclipse observations. 

With secondary eclipses, it's a game of hide-and-seek. Scientists measure the signals of the red dwarf and planet when they're next to each other in space from the telescope's vantage point. Then, when the planet travels behind the star, scientists collect the star's signal alone while the planet is blocked. By subtracting the star from the total, the researchers can then isolate the light coming from the planet. Teams will use a particular wavelength filter that can detect carbon dioxide, thought to be a likely atmospheric gas.

Scientists will also take thermal measurements to get an early sense of whether an atmosphere could be present. If the temperature is lower than expected, it's a strong indication that a thick atmosphere is distributing energy from the planet's dayside — the hemisphere facing the star — to the nightside. 

More targets are expected to be announced before October, when the next round of telescope proposals is due.

TL;DR: Live stream Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 6) in the 2025 NBA Finals for free on YouTube. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Gainbridge Fieldhouse is going to be electric for this huge Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals. It's win or bust for the Pacers as they look to force Game 7.

If you want to watch Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 6) in the 2025 NBA Finals for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 6)?

Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 6) starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on June 19. This game takes place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

How to watch Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 6) for free

Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 6) in the 2025 NBA Finals is available to live stream for free on YouTube.

This content is geo-restricted to India, but anyone can access this free live stream with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can live stream the 2025 NBA Finals from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 India

4. Visit YouTube

5. Watch Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 6) for free

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA Finals before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for YouTube?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like YouTube, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including India

• 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 6) for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream PSG vs. Botafogo in the 2025 Club World Cup for free on DAZN. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

PSG and Botafogo won their opening 2025 Club World Cup games, and now they meet in Pasadena for a chance to secure top spot before the final round of group games. The Champions League winners will be favorites in this fixture, but anything can happen in tournament football.

If you want to watch PSG vs. Botafogo in the 2025 Club World Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is PSG vs. Botafogo?

PSG vs. Botafogo in the 2025 Club World Cup kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on June 19. This fixture takes place at the Rose Bowl.

How to watch PSG vs. Botafogo for free

PSG vs. Botafogo in the 2025 Club World Cup is available to live stream for free on DAZN.

The Club World Cup is free to stream all around the world, but if you're having problems accessing this streaming platform on your network, you can consider using a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in another location. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so that you can secure access to free live streams from anywhere in the world.

Unblock free live streams of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup 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 a location with access to DAZN

4. Visit DAZN

5. Stream the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup 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 watch PSG vs. Botafogo in the 2025 Club World Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream the Club World Cup before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites 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 DAZN?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on DAZN, 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 free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream PSG vs. Botafogo in the 2025 Club World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Seattle Sounders vs. Atletico Madrid in the 2025 Club World Cup for free on DAZN. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Atletico Madrid will be desperate to get some points on the board after being comfortably beaten by PSG in their opening 2025 Club World Cup game. The same goes for Seattle Sounders after they narrowly lost to Botafogo. Which side will come out on top in Seattle?

If you want to watch Seattle Sounders vs. Atletico Madrid in the 2025 Club World Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Seattle Sounders vs. Atletico Madrid?

Seattle Sounders vs. Atletico Madrid in the 2025 Club World Cup kicks off at 6 p.m. ET on June 19. This fixture takes place at Lumen Field.

How to watch Seattle Sounders vs. Atletico Madrid for free

Seattle Sounders vs. Atletico Madrid in the 2025 Club World Cup is available to live stream for free on DAZN.

The Club World Cup is free to stream all around the world, but if you're having problems accessing this streaming platform on your network, you can consider using a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in another location. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so that you can secure access to free live streams from anywhere in the world.

Unblock free live streams of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup 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 a location with access to DAZN

4. Visit DAZN

5. Stream the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup 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 watch Seattle Sounders vs. Atletico Madrid in the 2025 Club World Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream the Club World Cup before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites 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 DAZN?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on DAZN, 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 free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Seattle Sounders vs. Atletico Madrid in the 2025 Club World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.