Tech
Xbox is preparing to bring ads to cloud gaming
Xbox appears to be laying the groundwork for ads in its cloud gaming service, according to a new report from Windows Central.
The outlet spotted reports from several users who were met with a pop-up while launching games on Xbox Cloud Gaming, warning of “1 hour of ad-supported play time per session.” That’s notable, because while Xbox Cloud Gaming is currently included with all tiers of Xbox Game Pass, none of those subscriptions offer an ad-supported option — at least not yet.
Microsoft confirmed to Windows Central that ads are indeed coming to Xbox Cloud Gaming for users who have purchased Xbox games digitally but do not subscribe to Game Pass, though stopped short of saying when it will happen. In other words, an ad-supported tier is on the way. The company also said the pop-ups seen by users were shown in error, but the broader plan appears very real.
This isn’t exactly a shock. Xbox has been openly exploring advertising as part of its cloud gaming strategy for some time. Console manufacturing costs continue to rise. PC components like DRAM and SSDs are getting more expensive thanks to the AI boom. Add in U.S. trade tariffs, and suddenly the traditional hardware-first model looks increasingly fragile.
Cloud gaming, meanwhile, is quietly gaining traction. A November 2025 report found that Xbox Cloud Gaming usage through Game Pass nearly doubled compared to 2024 as the service expanded into more countries. Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now are positioned as affordable alternatives to buying a $500 console or upgrading a PC every few years.
However, the major issue with cloud gaming is that idle compute is wasted money. Servers sitting unused still cost power, maintenance, and capital. As Windows Central notes, opening up Azure-backed cloud gaming to a free, ad-supported audience could help Microsoft keep utilization high and predictable.
It also provides a convenient justification for building even more data centers — something Microsoft is already eager to do.
Tech
Bad Bunnys halftime show sparked emotional reactions across the Americas. See the heartwarming videos now.
During Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show, millions of viewers experienced the performance together — cheering in living rooms, filming on their phones, and reacting in real time. But for those of Latin American descent, hearing their home countries named out loud during Benito's grand finale made the moment especially meaningful.
In his closing act, Bad Bunny transformed the stage into a celebration of the Americas. Dancers carried flags from countries across North, Central, and South America, while a massive screen behind him flashed messages like "The only thing more powerful than hate is love." He capped the roll call of nations with a declaration that "together, we are America," framing the finale as a moment of shared identity and joy.
For those watching at home, the emotion didn't end when the music stopped. Viewers immediately took to social media to document their reactions, sharing clips of their friends and families cheering, hugging, and erupting with pride when their countries were named — turning a televised performance into a collective celebration.
Together, these clips formed a digital mosaic of diaspora, stitched from small, intimate moments across phone screens and time zones. Each video captured the same feeling: that for a few minutes, home — wherever it was — didn't feel so far away.
Tech
Best last-minute deals on Valentines Day flowers so far — you have way more options than plain roses
The Bouqs Co.
1-800-Flowers
Urban Stems
Unless your recipient has explicitly expressed their disdain for receiving flowers (we all know at least one hater), you really can't go wrong with surprising someone with fresh blooms for Valentine's Day. Not when there are so many opportunities to pick out a truly unique bouquet that fits his or her tastes: Most of the best flower delivery services are offering great last-minute Valentine's Day deals on flower deliveries, saving you 25% to 50% on a gift for the upcoming romantic weekend.
1-800-Flowers is your go-to spot for a classic bouquet of roses on a budget, while The Bouqs Co. and Urban Stems have elevated takes on traditional arrangements that aren't like anything you'd walk past in the grocery store. A majority of bouquets on sale can be delivered by Saturday, Feb. 14 (check the earliest possible delivery date for each). Either way, you're bound to find some pretty stems that scream "them" — so while the timing itself is rushed, the flowers they receive don't have to feel like an afterthought.
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SAVE $30: As of Feb. 10, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is on sale for just $69.99 at Amazon. That's 30% off its list price of $99.99.
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Mashable's shopping team has spent quite a bit of time with Ultimate Ears Bluetooth speakers and we're big fans. We love the Hyperboom and Epicboom, but the itty bitty Wonderboom is one of our absolute favorites. If you're in the market for a portable Bluetooth speaker, we highly recommend this tiny powerhouse — especially when it's on sale.
As of Feb. 10, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is down to just $69.99 at Amazon. That's 30% off its list price of $99.99 and just 10 bucks shy of its best-ever price from Black Friday.
Our favorite sub-$100 Bluetooth speaker, the Wonderboom 4 fits in the palm of your hand but offers surprisingly balanced and powerful sound. As Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard noted in our roundup, "the sound profile is well-rounded and can get loud."
It can last up to 14 hours on a full charge, handles drops from up to five feet like a champ, and can be submerged in water for up to half an hour. We do wish it offered a companion app to customize the sound profile, but for a ultra-portable no-frills speaker, it's an excellent value.
Bad Bunnys halftime show sparked emotional reactions across the Americas. See the heartwarming videos now.
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