Blogroll
3 apps to turn your old smartphone into a dashcam
I used to spend a lot of time commuting, but these days I’m lucky enough to work remotely. My wife isn’t. She drives about 20 miles each way on busy highways, and like a lot of people, I worry about her every time she pulls out of the driveway. Late last year, I bought her a dashcam. It’s nothing fancy, just something recording in the background, but she really likes it and says it gives her peace of mind. That alone made it feel worth it to me.
This is the missing automation designer that Home Assistant needs
Home Assistant is arguably the best choice for anyone looking to start a smart home, but this is especially true for power users. If you want unhindered freedom to decide how your smart home functions and you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty, there’s no better choice.
Need more cargo space? This mid-size family SUV has you covered
If your current vehicle feels cramped when packing for trips, hauling gear, or managing daily family duties, one of 2026’s most spacious midsize SUVs may solve that problem. The 2026 Grand Highlander is engineered with cargo capacity and versatility in mind, offering more room behind the rear seats and a flexible interior layout that easily adapts to passengers, luggage, and everything in between. For families who need space without sacrificing comfort or refinement, it’s a standout option.
Winter storm snowfall videos: Social media reveals how hard the storm is hitting
A monster winter storm is currently barreling through roughly two-thirds of the United States, stretching across a massive swath of the country from Amarillo, Texas, to familiar winter hotspots like Boston, Massachusetts, and Buffalo, New York. Reports from outlets like CNN indicate that cities like Boston could see more than 36 inches of snow over the course of the weekend, while areas south of the snow line, including Charlotte and Atlanta, are expected to see less snow and more ice, a combination that makes road conditions especially dangerous.
The scale of the storm has also driven a surge of activity on social media in the days leading up to its arrival. Across the country, residents have been clearing store shelves in preparation for being snowed or iced in, posting photos of empty aisles and last-minute supply runs.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.At the same time, users online are fixated on the novelty of places like the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex seeing significant snowfall, a spectacle that tends to be fun for a few hours until the ice sets in and the state’s fragile power grid starts to strain.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Or you could be in Florida and not see any snow, with cities like Orlando currently predicted to reach a high of 86°F on Sunday.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Going all the way back up north, Minnesota, it's so cold that a user posted a video of pasta frozen in mid-air. As former Fox 9 meteorologist Jennifer McDermed writes on X, Minneapolis hit a low of -21°F on Friday, with wind chills around -45°F.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.This article will continue to be updated as more posts and news emerge throughout the storm.
The 6 greatest Netflix Originals nobody seems to remember
Netflix pioneered the idea of streaming services making their own original content, exclusive to each platform. In general, this has worked well, and shows like Stranger Things have become major tentpole hits.
Why the "Synology tax" is still worth paying in 2026
Synology has faced a lot of hate over the past year for various reasons—some of which are very founded. However, a longstanding gripe of the brand’s customers is how expensive its hardware is. Here’s why I think that it’s still worth paying the Synology tax in 2026.
I changed this hidden setting and instantly improved YouTube Music's audio quality
High fidelity is almost never the default setting in the digital streaming world today. Most platforms, including YouTube Music, prioritize keeping your playback smooth and saving your data over giving you pure audio quality. This trade-off is silently ruining your listening experience.
How to send text messages without Wi-Fi or cell service on a Google Pixel
Imagine yourself lost in the wilderness, miles from civilization, with no cell signal or Wi-Fi. Your phone is pretty much a useless brick. But what if you could still send a text? While it's not always possible to text without any connection, your Google Pixel has a few tricks up its sleeve for when you're truly off the grid.
4 reasons why Zigbee is more popular than Z-Wave in the smart home
Home Assistant is arguably the best choice for anyone looking to start a smart home, but this is especially true for power users. If you want unhindered freedom to decide how your smart home functions and you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty, there’s no better choice.
I stopped using the Linux start menu: This "fuzzy" launcher is so much faster
I used to treat my Linux app menu like a forgotten drawer. I rarely opened it, only to switch to my terminal a bit later. Then I found Ulauncher. It quietly replaced my start menu, app grid, and desktop shortcuts. Once I got used to it, I wondered why I ever clicked through menus in the first place.
Microsoft’s AI dream is a user’s nightmare: 3 ways an "Agentic OS" fails
With Microsoft's long-term vision aiming for Windows to become an agentic OS, you may think about switching away. I don't blame you because it sounds like a horrible idea, and one that I believe will end in disaster—I have three reasons why.
How to use the REDUCE function in Microsoft Excel
VBA used to be the only way to handle iterative, multistep logic in Microsoft Excel. Not anymore. REDUCE brings the power of functional programming directly into your cells, allowing you to condense complex, messy data into single, clean results.
The Notepad upgrade, cheaper YouTube TV, and Nova Launcher's new owner: News roundup
This was another busy week for tech news, including more updates (and bugs) for Windows 11, cheaper plans for YouTube TV, Amazon bricking smart home hardware, and more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.
Why this hot hatch is the only one worth your money today
Hot hatches are everywhere these days, from mild sport compacts to full-blown speed demons, but one still stands out from the crowd. Even after decades on the road, this car proves that you don’t have to sacrifice practicality for fun.
The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is down to a record-low price at Amazon — save $500 right now
SAVE $500: The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale at Amazon for $1,099, down from the normal price of $1,599. That's a 31% discount that matches the record low at Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo $1,099 at Amazon$1,599 Save $500 Get Deal
Despite the FCC ban on foreign drones, you can still get yourself a DJI drone. The fine print of the ban explains that any drone already in the country are excluded from the new legislation, which means they're fair game for ownership and operation. However, that means stock is dwindling, so if you're searching for a DJI drone, check out this deal.
As of Jan. 24, the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $1,099 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $1,599. That's a 31% discount that takes a hefty $500 off the price. It also matches the record low at Amazon.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The DJI Mini 5 Pro is a premium drone and the Fly More Combo makes it just that much more appealing. The bundle includes the DJI Mini 5 Pro drone itself, the DJI RC 2 camera-drone remote controller, a set of filters, three DJI Mini 5 Pro Intelligent Flight batteries, three propeller sets, a shoulder bag, and more. Boiled down, this is everything you'd want for an epic drone set-up.
In terms of performance, the DJI Mini 5 Pro is a stellar model. It has a one-inch CMOS camera with 4K HDR filming at 60fps. You can also go with 4K 120fps for slow-motion filming. DJI also made this model especially appealing for night flying thanks to the 360 degree Nightscape Omnidirectional Sensing and Nighttime return-to-home function. DJI's ActiveTrack 360° technology is a must-have feature if you'll be filming moving subjects like a cyclist, skier, or surfer.
While it's still in stock and on sale for a record-low price, snag the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo. The bundle is packed with advanced accessories while still being a perfect model for beginners.
5 Milwaukee M12 tools that are worth the hype (and the money)
It's no secret that Milwaukee is one of the most popular tool brands, and while many owners love the M18 line of powerful 18V tools, Milwaukee's M12 platform is equally excellent at a lower price point. If you're looking to get your money's worth with a new tool purchase, here are five M12 tools that live up to the hype.
How to use the ROWS function in Microsoft Excel
Many Excel users abandon the ROWS function because it feels like a technicality they can skip. However, to build a truly functional workbook, you need formulas that adapt to your data dimensions, and the ROWS function is ideal for this. Here are four ways I use it to make my Excel spreadsheet smarter.
People are freaking out about Fallout — but are they right?
People are freaking out about Fallout — and the reactions couldn’t be more divided. Some fans are calling it one of the best video game adaptations ever made. Others think it’s already betraying Fallout’s canon. So… are they right?
These 5 smartphone features got way better without anyone noticing
I don’t have to tell you that phones are really good now, and you can probably point to the areas where that’s obvious. Cameras, displays, processors, build materials, and so much more. However, phones have improved in sneaky ways, too.
How to make minimalist city maps in seconds using a free Python script
You’ve probably seen those social media adverts for minimalist maps of your city, but did you know you can create your own? While it might seem like a lot of work, this simple Python script takes minutes to set up and is easy to use on pretty much any computer.


