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Do you ever wish you had a way to message people long-distance without the need for cell networks or a Wi-Fi connection, or even satellites? You're going to want to hear about a tiny, cheap radio I bought and connected to my smartphone.

Hybrid vehicles were once viewed as complex alternatives to traditional gasoline cars, raising concerns about long-term durability and repair costs. But years of real-world ownership data are beginning to tell a different story. In fact, some of today’s most reliable vehicles are hybrids, and new research suggests they may actually experience fewer problems than their gas-only counterparts.

A $2.7 billion dollar class action lawsuit against Sony is currently underway in the UK.

The issue at hand? Lawyers for the plaintiff are arguing that Sony is taking advantage of its "monopoly position" by forcing gamers to buy digital games solely through its PlayStation Store. The suit also claims Sony forced gamers to pay 'unfair download fees'.

The case went to London's Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) this week on behalf of 12 million PlayStation users in the UK.

The class action against Sony addresses similar issues that companies like Apple have experienced in the U.S., UK, and EU. Big tech companies like Google, Sony, and Apple have been accused of forcing developers and users alike to distribute and purchase content through their official digital stores. This allows these companies to set content rules and, crucially, prices. This can also prevent third parties from entering the market to compete.

"Sony can and does set the retail prices ... without facing ​any retail competition for ​digital content," said lawyer Robert Palmer, who is representing the leading plaintiff Alex Neill in the lawsuit. "It ⁠allows [Sony] to obtain monopoly profits from digital distribution."

According to the lawsuit, Sony's monopoly over digital distribution for the PlayStation consoles has resulted in digital downloads costing more than physical hard copies of the games at times.

Sony's defense has been that allowing third parties to sell PlayStation content would bring on security and privacy risks for its users. The company also claims that the commission it makes from PlayStation Store sales covers the costs of its PlayStation consoles. Sony says PlayStation 5 prices, for example, result in low profit margins for the company. 

If the lawsuit is successful, any consumer who purchased a PlayStation game or in-game content in the PlayStation Store over the last 10 years, up until last month, could be eligible for compensation. The legal team believes that there could be more than 12 million eligible users, each of whom would receive more than $200 in compensation.

In the EU, regulations have forced Apple to allow iOS app distribution through third-party app stores. In the UK, Apple is currently undergoing a process to "improve fairness" in its stores, but have not yet had to go the route of allowing third-party app stores. 

CAT has previously ruled against Apple in a similar suit over the App Store's developer commissions, which Apple is currently looking to appeal.

In addition, last month, CAT paved the way for another such case against PC gaming platform Steam to proceed as well.

Whenever we get a new product, it's routine for some to take their sweet time peeling off all the stickers. And you should do this for a lot of stuff. But please, please, don't do it with your new NVMe SSD.

Google Fiber isn’t expanding as quickly as most of us would prefer, but it’s still coming to new cities and towns at a steady pace. Now, one more major city in the United States now has up to 8 Gigabit internet through Google Fiber: Las Vegas, Nevada.

When I began my smart home journey, it was via Samsung SmartThings. I’ve used this platform to control everything from smart switches and thermostats to motion sensors and thermometers. But my latest addition still managed to take me by surprise.

Best sleep week deals at a glance Best mattress deal Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Pro Hyrbid Mattress (queen) $999 (save $333 at Brooklyn Bedding) Get Deal Best sleep earbuds deal Soundcore Sleep A30 $199.99 (save $30 at Amazon) Get Deal Best sleep tracker deal CMF Nothing Watch 3 Pro $79 (save $20 at Amazon) Get Deal Best pillow deal Coop Home Goods Adjustable Latex Pillow (queen) $74.50 (save $74.50 at Amazon) Get Deal Best alarm clock deal Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock $144.99 (save $25 at Amazon) Get Deal

Over the weekend, we lost an hour of sleep. Now, when the morning alarm clock goes off at 7 a.m., our internal clocks think it's 6 a.m. An hour doesn't sound like a ton of time, but it sure felt like it when waking up for work this morning. If nothing else, it's shown us the importance of sleep.

Coincidentally, the National Sleep Foundation has March 8 to 14 dedicated to Sleep Awareness Week. It's a time to focus on why sleep matters, how it impacts our wellbeing and health, and what can be done to improve sleep quality. If you don't remember when you bought your current mattress or pillow, it's possible that it's time for some new sleep gear.

SEE ALSO: Sleep Week 2026: From Oura to Whoop, we tested the best sleep trackers of 2026

Nearly every sleep-centric brand is celebrating the week, so this is a great time to bundle spring cleaning with a bedroom refresh. Get some cooling sheets, a sunrise alarm clock, and sleep earbuds that are comfortable enough for side sleeping. Below, I've rounded up the best Sleep Week deals for helping you get restorative slumber.

Best mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Brooklyn Bedding Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Pro Hyrbid Mattress (queen) $999 at Brooklyn Bedding
$1,332 Save $333   Get Deal Why we like it

If you sleep hot, the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Pro Hybrid Mattress could be an actual dream come true. After testing the mattress for weeks, I can say I've never slept on a cooler mattress. During Sleep Week 2026, the queen-size CopperFlex Pro Hybrid Mattress is on sale for just $999.

Brooklyn Bedding used a cool-to-the-touch cover on the mattress and paired it with copper-infused memory foam for a truly cooling experience. Plus, it's great for pressure relief. The motion isolation on the bed is also great for couples.

More mattress deals

• Avocado — save up to 15% on organic mattresses and up to 50% off organic bedding

• Awara — save 50% on select mattresses

• Casper — save 20% on the Dream and Dream Max mattresses

• DreamCloud — save up to 60% on mattresses and 66% on bundles

• Essentia — save up to 22%

• Helix Sleep — save 25% sitewide

• Layla — save up to $200 on mattresses and up to 50% off sleep accessories

• Leesa — save 20% on mattresses

• Mattress Firm — save up to 62% on mattresses from Sealy, Beautyrest, and Serta

• Naturepedic — save 15% on organic mattresses and get free sheets with mattresses size twin and up

• Nectar — save up to 50% on mattresses and 66% on bundles

• Nest — save up to 50%

• Saatva — save 15% on purchases of $1,000+

• Purple — queen-size mattresses start at $999

• Silk & Snow — take up 15% off sitewide and $300 off mattresses

• Woolroom — save up to 30%

Best sleep earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Sleep A30 $199.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not getting restful sleep on account of noise, the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds aim to ease you into restful slumber. Designed to be comfortable enough for side sleepers, the earbuds come with plenty of white noise and snore masking tracks. Plus, the case has built-in lights, so you won't need to fumble around for it in the dark.

Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard tested out the Sleep A30 earbuds when they launched last August. Not only do they block sounds, they act as a sleep tracker, too. The metrics give you insight into overall time spent asleep, amount in deep versus light sleep, and sleep movements.

It's worth noting that the Sleep A30 earbuds are on sale for $30 off, which brings them down to $199.99. However, Anker just launched the new Sleep A30 Special earbuds, which are now Mashable's favorite sleep earbuds, making some improvements in performance compared to the original Sleep A30. The new Sleep A30 Special earbuds aren't on sale during Sleep Week 2026, but at full price, they come in at $199.99, or the same price as the original A30 earbuds while they're on sale. The new model might be preferred for some.

More sleep earbuds deals

• Soundcore Sleep A20 — $149.99 $179.99 (save $30)

• Ozlo Sleepbuds — $274.99 $349 (save $75)

Best sleep tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: CMF Nothing CMF Nothing Watch 3 Pro $79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20   Get Deal Why we like it

When I tested the CMF Nothing Watch 3 Pro, I had a hard time getting the watch to run out of battery. In the end, I changed a bunch of setting to get the battery to deplete quicker. And that's an awesome problem when using a smartwatch as a sleep tracker. Instead of having to take the watch off to charge at night, this watch can last for up to two weeks before it needs a recharge.

Sleep metrics on the CMF Nothing Watch 3 Pro are impressive. The watch's app will give you an overall sleep score each morning, details on sleep duration, sleep stages, and it can even track naps automatically. The CMF Nothing Watch 3 Pro usually sells for $99, but it's on sale for Sleep Week 2026 for $79.

More sleep dealsSunrise alarm clocks, sound machines, and essential oil diffusers

• Ambient Dreamie — $224.99 $249.99 (save $25 with code SLEEPWELL)

• Blueair Mini Restful Air Purifier and Sunrise Clock —  $139.99 $199.99 (save $60)

• Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine — $59.99 $69.99 (save $10)

• Hatch Restore 3 — $144.99 $169.99 (save $25)

• Loftie Alarm Clock and Loftie Lamp — save 20%

• Vitruvi — save up to 40% on diffusers and humidifiers sitewide

• Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Sound Machine — $25.99 $29.99 (save $4)

Pillows and bedding

• Blissy — buy three silk pillowcases, get one free, plus $114 value in free gifts

• Brooklinen — save 20% sitewide plus up to 50% on bundles

• Buffy — save 20% sitewide

• Ettitude — save up to 25% sitewide

• Kitsch — save 26% sitewide

• Mellow CloudAlign Pillow — $49 $100 (save $51)

• Pluto Pillow — save $40 on pillow and pillowcase bundles

• Purple Pillow — buy two, save 25%

• Rest Evercool Cooling Comforter and Cooling Sheets — save up to 30%

SAVE $600: As of March 11, get the Bluetti Elite 400 portable power station for $1,298.98, down from its usual price of $1,899. That's a discount of 32% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Bluetti Elite 400 portable power station $1,298.98 at Amazon
$1,899 Save $600.02   Get Deal

Springtime is just around the corner. That means warmer weather and the potential for some seriously damaging storms in certain areas. Where there are storms, there are power outages. Don't be caught unaware this year when your power goes out. Grab a portable power station to keep you afloat when the electricity is out, or at the very least to keep as a backup for other purposes. In fact, you can snag a great option right now for the lowest price we've seen.

As of March 11, get the Bluetti Elite 400 portable power station for $1,298.98, down from its usual price of $1,899. That's $600 off and a discount of 32%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The EcoFlow Delta 2 Max power station has dropped to its best-ever price at Amazon — save over $500

This absolute unit of a portable power station can go where you go, though it does weigh 80 pounds. It has an attached telescopic handle to make moving it around easier, so you can wheel it around to your closet or garage for safekeeping.

It boasts 3840Wh of power, with a 2600W output (3900W surge power), so it's got you covered if your power is out for a while. It can handle juicing up your phone and laptop, your fridge, even other small appliances all at once, so you don't have to worry about your food going bad or even missing a work meeting.

With nine ports, including four AC outlets, two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and a DC port, you can keep everything going at once if needed. And once you've depleted its charge, you can get it back up to full power in a little under 3 hours.

If you're ready to get prepared for any electric emergency, grab this power station while it's still discounted.

Most of us don't give much thought to file managers, but on Android, we used to—the built-in one simply didn't do enough. That has changed. Now, if you're still in the habit of seeking out an alternative, it may be time to consider the ways apps like Files By Google and Samsung My Files are simply better than most of what you find in the Play Store.

Do you plan to upgrade your tool collection this year, or would you like to be better prepared for upcoming DIY projects? Everyone has a preferred tool brand, and it's no secret that Makita is a fan-favorite among users. If you want to get your money's worth, here are five Makita tools that you'll absolutely love.

SAVE 44%: As of March 11, you can get the Sony ULT Wear headphones for $139.95 on Amazon, down from $249.99. That's a 44% discount or just over $110 in savings.

Sony ULT Wear $139.95 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $110.04   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy

If you want premium audio without the premium price tag, the Sony ULT Wear headphones are your best bet. When Mashable's Deputy Shopping Editor, Miller Kern, tested them, she wrote that they deliver "$400 sound on a $200 budget." Now that Amazon has dropped the price to $139.95, that value is even harder to ignore.

As of March 11, you can get the Sony ULT Wear headphones for $139.95 on Amazon, down from $249.99. That's a 44% discount or just over $110 in savings.

SEE ALSO: The 11 best headphones of 2026 — see the top contenders from Sony, Apple, Bose, and Beats

In her review, Kern noted that she preferred the richer, fuller sound of the ULT Wears to that of her $400 Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. They easily earned a 4.8/5 rating and a Mashable Choice Award for delivering incredible audio quality without the premium price tag.

"I did a sound test comparison with the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sony ULT Wear headphones because I know the XM5s have amazing sound quality," writes Kern. "Both headphones sounded crisp and clear, but the ULT Wear’s sound was fuller and felt more like surround sound. And even on the standard setting, the bass sounded richer on the ULTs."

They also feature active noise cancellation, 30 hours of battery life, and a dedicated "ULT" button to punch up the bass. If you want high-end audio but can't afford flagship prices, we recommend grabbing these before they're gone.

Wordle lovers might have a new obsession on their hands.

Josh Wardle — the creator of the popular games now owned by the New York Times — released a new word-game creation. It's called Parseword, and it's far more difficult than Wordle. It's a tricky, cryptic crossword puzzle.

It's...quite difficult, especially for a beginner. It's certainly a game for word nerds. I was an English major, and I write for a living, and my first attempt on Wednesday was a total, frustrating failure.

Frankly, it's confusing. Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Parseword.

Whereas Wordle is a simple game that is more about the process of elimination than wordplay, Parseword demands a firm grasp on the English language. You click around, using synonyms, pulling parts of words, or playing with definitions to match one word to another.

You can try out Parsword at its site, and there is a helpful tutorial to help folks get the lay of the land. Perhaps it'll become your new favorite game.

Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Parseword.

The New Yorker wrote about the new game from Wardle, who said his aims for this new creation are modest after the stunning success of Wordle.

"Releasing Parseword is happening more on my own terms, instead of happening to me," he told the magazine.

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

Many people avoid Power Query because they think it's too technical, but it's actually one of the safest and easiest ways to organize your data. It handles the dirty work with an intuitive interface, records your clicks as you go, and automates your workflow before your coffee gets cold. So, if you've never stepped outside basic Excel formulas, today's the day to start.

If you were planning on making any birthday wishes or wishing upon a star anytime soon, the trailer for upcoming horror film Obsession may make you reconsider.

SEE ALSO: 'The Hawk' teaser: Will Ferrell embraces his inner golf champion

From Focus Features and writer and director Curry Barker, Obsession introduces Bear (Michael Johnston), a hopeless romantic with a serious crush on his friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette). In order to ensure she reciprocates his feelings, he breaks the mysterious "One Wish Willow," wishing for Nikki to love him more than anything in the whole wide world. And boy oh boy, does he get what he wishes for... and then some.

Obsession's latest trailer shows that the "One Wish Willow" makes Nikki instantly smitten with Bear. But what starts as cuddly affection soon curdles into something darker. If Bear was obsessed with Nikki before, she's a hundred times more obsessed with him now. She becomes a horrifying shell of herself, going feral over her magically induced love for Bear. (And is that blood all over her in the trailer her own, or someone else's? Either way, we're worried!)

According to the trailer, the magic of the "One Wish Willow" will only dissipate after the wisher's death, so looks like Bear's stuck in the bed he's made for the rest of his life. Hey, maybe next time, just ask your crush out instead of wishing for her undying love and trapping you both in a horrible web of magic! Just a thought!

Obsession will screen at SXSW. It hits theaters May 15.

TL;DR: Unblock ITVX for free from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for unblocking free streaming sites is ExpressVPN.

ITVX is the home of massively popular British shows like Love Island, plus live sports, thrilling dramas, and so much more. The problem for interested streamers is that this service is only available in the UK. Haven't we heard this before? It's a common problem, with a simple solution.

If you want to unblock ITVX for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock ITVX for free

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but you can access this popular site from abroad with a VPN. These are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in the UK. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ITVX 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 the UK

4. Visit ITVX

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 unblocking streaming sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock free sites like ITVX without spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to ITVX before recovering your investment. This works great if you're on vacation.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like ITVX from anywhere in the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking streaming sites like ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Unblock ITVX for free with ExpressVPN.

When most people think of their LAN (Local Area Network) it's in the context of connecting your devices to the internet. However, your LAN doesn't actually have anything to do with the internet in particular.

SAVE $50: The new 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M4, WiFi, 128GB) is on sale for $749 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart as of mid-March. That's $50 off its usual MSRP of $799; it's never been cheaper.

Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) $749 at Amazon
$799 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy

Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart are celebrating the release of Apple's latest tablet with a decent launch day deal. As of March 11 — its first day on the market — the new 13-inch iPad Air with the M4 chip is $50 off at all three retailers. The base configuration with 128GB of storage is now just $749 (normally $799), which is its lowest price yet.

This is the first time the new 13-inch iPad Air has been on sale, but its 11-inch counterpart was marked down to $559 (or $40 off) during its preorder phase. Blessedly, that discount was still live at the time of writing. The two tablets are identical aside from their screen sizes and brightness. The 11-inch model's display is a hair dimmer.

The M4 iPad Air comes in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray. Credit: Apple

Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth got a chance to test the M4 iPad Air right after Apple announced it last week, and in its words, "it delivers iterative updates that improve an already stellar tablet." It's super thin, light, pretty, and probably way too powerful for the average user. Werth thinks "creators, artists, and college students" will take the fullest advantage of it. (Read his full review.)

Here's a quick overview of the M4 iPad Air's specs:

• Apple M4 chip with an 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU

• 12GB RAM

• Liquid Retina touchscreen display with True Tone, a 60Hz refresh rate, 500/600 nits of brightness, and an anti-reflective coating

• 12MP Wide rear camera and 12MP Center Stage camera

• Landscape stereo speakers

• Dual mics

• Apple N1 wireless networking chip (WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6)

• Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard support

• Apple Intelligence support

• Blue, purple, starlight, and space gray color options

If you need more storage and don't care about having the freshest, most future-proofed specs, consider opting for a last-gen M3 iPad Air instead: The 13-inch model with 512GB of disk space is on sale for $949 on Amazon. (It usually retails for $1,099, so you save a cool $150.) That's a match of its record-low price from last Black Friday.

SEE ALSO: M4 iPad Air review: A tablet that thinks it's an AI laptop

Compared to the newer M4 variant, the M3 iPad Air has older connectivity technology and 8GB of memory instead of 12GB. Their overall designs, displays, and camera systems are exactly the same, and both are plenty fast for running intensive apps. Per Mashable's Werth, the M4 model's upgrades make it just a little better for "[handling] as many AI features as possible."

Between 2025's Happy Gilmore 2 and the Owen Wilson-led Apple TV series Stick, golf comedies are having a moment. Now, Netflix and Will Ferrell are getting in on the game with the upcoming series The Hawk.

SEE ALSO: 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' trailer teases a single mother starting an OnlyFans

Creator Ferrell stars as Lonnie "The Hawk" Hawkins. He was the world's top golfer in 2004, but his career has since lost its magic. His son Lance (Jimmy Tatro) has since taken on the mantle of golf's golden boy, while his ex-wife Stacy (Molly Shannon) believes Lonnie's golfing days are done. But Lonnie's ready for the greatest comeback in golf history: He just needs one more major win to finish out his golf Grand Slam and cement his legacy as a legend.

To help him on his quest for glory, Hawk will need the help of Lance, Stacy, Lance's fiancée Natalie (Katelyn Tarver), and new caddy Sam (Fortune Feimster). His journey won't be without foes, as he'll have to face down rivals like fellow golfer Golden Fisk (Luke Wilson), PGA Tour board member Anton (Chris Parnell), and Stacy's new boyfriend Radford (David Hornsby).

Netflix's first teaser for The Hawk unveils Ferrell in all his golfing glory, but that's not all. The streamer has released two more teasers on Instagram. Watch all three to meet Lonnie for yourself.

The Hawk premieres this summer on Netflix.

SAVE $21: As of March 11, get the Renpho Smart Scale for $42.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $63.99. That's a discount of 33%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Renpho Smart Scale $42.99 at Amazon
$63.99 Save $21   Get Deal

Whether you're just starting out on your fitness journey or you want to get more technical with it, a smart scale can help you reach your goals. And the good news is that these days, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to get one. In fact, you can get a great one right now for less than $100 at Amazon.

As of March 11, get the Renpho Smart Scale for $42.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $63.99. That's $21 off and a discount of 33%.

SEE ALSO: Score the Amzmerit smart scale for its best-ever price on Amazon — save $50 with this handy coupon code

This affordable smart scale comes with a wide variety of features to help offer more information about your body. Right away when you step on, it gives you 7 key body metrics on its large display, including body weight, water percentage, muscle mass, BMI, bone mass, body fat, and metabolic age. All of these measurements can be tracked and synced with the accompanying app as well as your favorite companion software like Apple Health or MyFitnessPal.

There are up to 13 body metrics that the scale can offer, as well as multiple customizable profiles, pet and baby weighing modes, and a range of other options that make it the perfect fit not just for one person, but an entire household.

If you're ready for a leg up on your fitness journey, grab this smart scale while it's at an even lower price than usual.

If you're ready to cool down from a long week, Netflix has exactly what you're looking for. The streaming platform's collection of winter-related titles, from romance to sports, makes for a perfect winter of binge-watching some seasonal shows.