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When you get on Linux for the first time, it can be overwhelming just how much free software is available to you. After years of futzing around on Linux devices, I have some fairly uncommon software I've adopted for work and for play.

Google Maps has a long list of hidden (and sometimes, just underrated) features that help you navigate seamlessly. But I was not a big fan of using Google Maps for walking: that is, until I started using the right set of features that helped me navigate better.

Say what you want about it, but one thing’s for sure, people can’t get enough of Taylor Sheridan. The healthy lineup of Sheridan's shows set to stream this year on Paramount+ proves his popularity.

The market for PC components right now is very expensive. It's tempting to buy everything used and cheaper, but there are some components you just shouldn't buy used. Getting them secondhand, even at a good price, could put your system at risk and just outright waste your money.

The command line has a reputation problem on Windows. To the average user, it looks intimidating, feels outdated, and often feels like something meant for developers. In reality, a few well-chosen tools can make your experience faster and easier than clicking through menus, installing apps, and managing files.

I converted my home into a smart home over the course of a single year. Placing a bulk order for 50 light switches all at once, because they were on sale, will do that for you. I’ve learned a lot since then—some of which I wish I knew beforehand.

Following the release of version 0.97 earlier in January, Microsoft continues to refine PowerToys with another incremental but meaningful update. PowerToys version 0.98 focuses on improving usability across the board. There’s a redesigned Keyboard Manager, dockable Command Palette, and enhancements to CursorWrap.

Fuel economy remains one of the biggest priorities for SUV buyers, especially as gas prices and daily driving costs continue to fluctuate. Hybrid technology has become the go-to solution, offering significantly improved efficiency without sacrificing the practicality and versatility that make SUVs so popular. In 2026, automakers are pushing the limits even further, with some hybrid SUVs delivering fuel economy figures that rival traditional compact sedans.

Even though Ryobi has manufactured power tools since 1968, the company hit it big with its global launch of the 18V ONE+ platform in 1996, and it's still going strong today. Earlier this year, the company released a new limited-edition Blackout tool for its 30-year anniversary. Ryobi's black drill is super rare, which is why you might see it on Amazon for upwards of $169 from resellers.

Are you looking for some new Docker containers to manage your home network? I've used quite a few over the past several years, and these seven are the ones I can't live without.

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale cordless tool deals at a glance: Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Cordless Tool Deal Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set $158.18 (save $20.82) Get Deal Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Cordless Wrench Deal Dewalt Atomic 20V Max Cordless Impact Wrench $87.67 (save $31.33) Get Deal Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Cordless Screwdriver Deal Hoto Rechargeable Electric Screwdriver $39.99 (save $20) Get Deal

On your mark, get ready, shop! Amazon's Big Spring Sale is back for the third year in a row. That means from March 25 through March 31, you'll be able to access a variety of discounts across just about every category the store has to offer.

But you don't have to wait until then to start perusing Amazon's deals. You can dive in now, for example, if you're looking for cordless tools to help with completing projects around the house or even giving as gifts. There are plenty to choose from right now that you won't want to miss, especially since there's no need to wait until the Big Spring Sale proper.

Which early cordless tools are worth your time? If you're ready to start racking up the deals, keep reading to see our cordless tool picks you can shop ahead of the sale.

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale cordless tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set $158.18 at Amazon
$179 Save $20.82   Get Deal Why we like it

A cordless drill is one of the most important additions to any tool kit you're either building or planning to gift. It's perfect for just about any DIY project, whether you need to mount a TV, build a table, or hang up things around the home. This compact and lightweight drill's brushless motor has tons of applications and delivers up to 300 UWO and an impact driver with up to 1,400 in-lbs of torque. It also comes with a charger, battery packs, and a bag to keep everything in.

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale cordless wrench deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dewalt Atomic 20V Max Cordless Impact Wrench $87.67 at Amazon
$119 Save $31.33   Get Deal Why we like it

You can use an impact wrench for tons of different projects, whether you're working on assembling furniture or repairing a car in your driveway. It offers 1,700 in-lbs of torque and offers a variable speed trigger for better control and precision. It has 3 bright LEDS so you can see what you're doing in darker workspaces, and comes with a removable belt hook so you can keep it with you at all times, too.

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale cordless screwdriver deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Hoto Rechargeable Electric Screwdriver $39.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20   Get Deal Why we like it

This electric screwdriver can save you plenty of time and effort since it can handle the tougher jobs without you having to manually turn the electric drill. It has three torque settings, a rubber grip, and it weighs just under a pound. It comes with 12 different bits for you to swap out as well, so no matter what job you end up needing to tackle, you can easily handle it without having to resort to a manual screwdriver instead. That means getting the job done faster and more efficiently.

More cordless tool deals at Amazon

• Hoto Electric Screwdriver Kit — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Hoto Laser Measuring Tool — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Hoto Cordless Brushless Drill — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

• Kobalt Variable Speed Brushless Cordless Hammer Drill — $88.88 $95 (save $6.12)

Is the dislike button on replies coming back to Elon Musk's social media platform X? It seems like it, according to posts from X head of product Nikita Bier.

Last night on X, Bier hinted that the dislike button on replies may be making its return and even shared a screen recording of the feature on the platform. The feature would inform the platform's algorithm of what type of content a user doesn't want to see on their feed.

SEE ALSO: Is X down? Thousands of users report outage.

"they should have a dislike button on twitter too" posted one X user on Tuesday.

"Give me 60 seconds," Bier replied.

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

A few hours later, Bier posted about the spam problems on X, an issue Musk originally pledged to fix when acquiring the company in October 2022.

"The financial incentive to spam on X will decline enormously over the next 30 days and soon be negative," Bier said.

Like clockwork, a spammer sent a seemingly AI-generated reply to Bier's post. Bier responded with a screen recording showing how the dislike button will work on mobile.

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

The dislike button in Bier's video appears as a thumbs-down icon. The icon is visible on a reply between the "like" and bookmark buttons. Upon pressing the dislike button, a "Reply feedback" prompt pops up asking a user for more information.

"Tell us what is wrong with this reply," the prompt states. "Your feedback is private."

The user is then given five options to choose from: Not interested in this post, incorrect or misleading, AI-generated, spam, or report post.

X's dislike button does not have a public dislike counter. The purpose of the button appears strictly to inform the platform of the type of content you'd prefer not to see.

"Are you actually shipping the dislike button it looks great," replied one user to the screen capture.

"I’m afraid that there is only one path forward," responds Bier.

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

A dislike button on X does not currently exist, but it may seem familiar. Much like Community Notes and X Premium, Musk's social media platform is taking ownership of yet another feature that was built by the old Twitter prior to Musk's acquisition of the company.

In 2017, then-Twitter rolled out a system that allowed users to tell the platform if they didn't like a tweet. Then, in 2020, Twitter first started exploring the implementation of a proper dislike or downvote system on the platform.

A version of a dislike button was previously rolled out as a global test feature in February 2022. Instead of a thumbs-down button, though, this test version utilized a downvote arrow similar to what appears on Reddit. However, the feature test was eventually discontinued, and the feature faded away. 

In July 2024, an app researcher discovered code in X's iOS app that pointed towards a potential revival of the downvote system.

It appears that X is now flirting with the idea again. Unlike last time, the company's head of product is publicly talking about it, so it seems likely some version of the dislike button will roll out eventually.

A powerful, anonymous AI model quietly appeared on the developer platform OpenRouter last week and promptly sent the tech world into a speculative frenzy that it's a stealth test run from Chinese AI startup DeepSeek.

The model, called Hunter Alpha, surfaced on March 11 with no developer attribution attached. According to Reuters, when tested directly, the chatbot described itself as a Chinese AI model with a training data cutoff of May 2025 — the same cutoff as DeepSeek's own chatbot. When asked who built it, the system declined to answer. Neither DeepSeek nor OpenRouter has claimed it, and neither responded to Reuters' request for comment.

SEE ALSO: Siri bug reportedly delays Apple's smart home lineup

The company released its latest models this past December: DeepSeek-V3.2 and DeepSeek-V3.2-Speciale, both free to use. The company positioned V3.2 as an everyday AI assistant on par with OpenAI's GPT-5, while V3.2-Speciale was aimed at more advanced reasoning tasks, with DeepSeek claiming the model posted gold-medal results on the International Math Olympiad.

The main fuel for the speculation is the model's specs. Hunter Alpha is advertised on Open Router as a one-trillion-parameter model with a context window of up to one million tokens — a combination that, according to Reuters, lines up closely with what Chinese outlets have been reporting about DeepSeek's forthcoming V4 model, expected as early as April.

"Reasoning style is hard to disguise and tends to reflect how a model was trained," AI engineer Daniel Dewhurst told Reuters, pointing to the model's chain-of-thought patterns as the strongest signal pointing toward DeepSeek.

Not everyone is convinced. Independent benchmark tester Umur Ozkul told Reuters that his analysis suggests Hunter Alpha is unlikely to be DeepSeek V4, citing architectural differences from DeepSeek's existing systems.

Whatever it is, the model has already processed more than 160 billion tokens since appearing on the platform, so anonymous or not, people are using it.

TL;DR: Live stream Barcelona vs. Newcastle United in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League is back this week with a number of huge second-leg matchups, including Barcelona vs. Newcastle United. These sides are tied 1-1 after a competitive first-leg contest. Lamine Yamal equalized from the penalty spot with almost the last kick of the game at St James' Park, and now the attention turns to the Camp Nou.

Barcelona will be favorites to advance into the quarter finals, but Newcastle United have the talent to give any side problems. We're expecting an entertaining clash between two attacking sides. The winner will face either Spurs or Atletico Madrid in the next round.

If you want to watch Barcelona vs. Newcastle United in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Barcelona vs. Newcastle United?

Barcelona vs. Newcastle United in the Champions League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. GMT on March 18. This fixture takes place at the Camp Nou.

How to watch Barcelona vs. Newcastle United for free

Barcelona vs. Newcastle United is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Barcelona vs. Newcastle United for free 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 Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Barcelona vs. Newcastle United 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 Barcelona vs. Newcastle United without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• 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 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).

Watch Barcelona vs. Newcastle United in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

Is X down? That's the question thousands of social media users are asking on Wednesday morning, as an X outage causes problems with the app.

The platform DownDetector showed a spike of tens of thousands of user error reports beginning around 10:30 a.m. ET. As of this writing, the platform has received more than 33,000 error reports from X users. (Disclosure: DownDetector and Mashable are both owned by ZiffDavis.)

Mashable reporters were unable to access the X feed, search, and bookmark tools on the X mobile app, suggesting the outage is ongoing.

The search tool is not working. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable A NASA livestream is no longer working. Credit: Timothy Werth

Massive internet outages have been a recurring problem over the past year, with major cloud services such as Cloudflare, Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure experiencing outages recently.

SEE ALSO: Why does the internet keep crashing so often? First Google Cloud, then AWS, now Cloudflare.

Mashable reached out to X for comment, and we'll update this story if we receive a response.

This is a developing story...

Modern Mac computers have a heavily-customized ARM architecture called Apple Silicon, instead of a standard x86 PC platform, and the Asahi Linux project has spent countless hours on porting desktop Linux to that hardware. Now, the flagship Linux distribution based on Asahi’s work has just been updated with some helpful improvements.

So you’ve heard about this wonderful thing called Linux and how it’s an open-source alternative to macOS and Windows. But then someone asks you, “which distro do you want to use?” and everything becomes confusing again. What are they actually talking about, and what kinds of decisions are you going to have to make?

As much as we try to deny it, working out is apparently really, really good for overall health. That doesn't mean everyone should immediately sign up for a marathon, but it does mean that most of us would benefit from some movement, whether that's weight training, dog walking, or stepping onto the treadmill. However, if you want the most bang for your buck (results for your effort), you might want to consider a rowing machine. And as of today, there's a new kid on the block who's worthy of some attention.

Hydrow has been a leader in the rowing machine market for years now, making some of the most sophisticated and sleek-looking machines around. The brand's latest model, the Hydrow Arc Rower, is truly something to admire. Keep in mind it comes with a $2,295 price tag, but some people will find that well worth the money. Afterall, health is a pretty important part of life.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hydrow Hydrow Arc Rower $2,295 at Hyrdow
  Get Deal What's new with the Hydrow Arc Rower

The Hydrow Arc is now the newest model Hydrow makes, dethroning the Hydrow Wave Rower. The Arc comes with the largest screen (24 inches), powerful speakers, and AI features that don't make us wish AI would simply disappear. There's also fitness tracking that caters to monitoring rowing stats that'll be useful over time.

Hydrow uses electromagnetic resistance which is useful for offering a quiet workout experience. There's also the padded ergonomic seat and a comfortable handle for a slip-free workout. Here are some overview specs about the Hydrow Arc Rower:

• Dimensions: 25 inches W x 48 inches H x 86 inches L

• Weight: 147 pounds

• Weight capacity: up to 375 pounds

• Screen: 24-inch HD

A 24-inch display for taking yourself out on the water for workouts, but in the living room. Credit: Hydrow Advanced metrics for novice to Masters rowers

One of the biggest differences between the Hydrow Arc and the brand's previous models is the introduction of HydroMetrics. This encompasses three important aspects of rowing: precision, power, and endurance. After each workout, the Arc will pop out a HydroMetrics Index score which gives insight into how that workout went. It also gives tips on how to improve next time and highlights what went well during the workout.

While some people find the motion of rowing intuitive, everyone could use some guidance on nailing correct form. Not only does correct form impact power, it's so important for avoiding any injuries. HydroMetrics aims to help everyone with perfect form on each workout.

SEE ALSO: We tested the best headphones and earbuds for working out

In the brand's press release about the new Arc Rower, John Stellato, the president and CEO of Hydrow said, "The Hydrow Arc Rower introduces a smarter way to build strength. We call it Fluid Strength — full-body training, designed to meet members exactly where they are, with every movement challenging more than muscle. HydroMetrics allows us to analyze and distill a wealth of data to guide members to perform better, and delivers the feedback today’s consumer craves to measure progress and achieve results."

Personally, I've been rowing for almost 25 years and I always welcome a check on my form, so the HydroMetrics is an exciting feature to see. Not only will it be great for Masters, it's damn near essential for those new to rowing.

A gym membership, but in the comfort of your living room

All Hydrow models, including the Arc, really shine with the brand's fitness membership. This is an add-on that comes with a $44 price tag per month and gives users access to over 5,000 live and on-demand workouts. Since all Hydrows come with a screen, these workouts take you out on the water to waterways around the globe. On non-rowing days, the membership gives access to yoga, strength training, and mobility sessions. Plus, the Hydrow membership allows users to create multiple profiles per household.

Other Hydrow models worth attention

If you're not in the mood to drop $2,300 on the new Hydrow Arc Rower, the Hydrow Origin Rower is on sale at Amazon for $1,895, which is a 14% discount compared to the normal price of $2,195. You'll miss out on some of the new features found on the Arc Rower, but you'll still be in for a full-body workout at home.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hydrow Hydrow Origin Rower $1,895 at Amazon
$2,195 Save $300   Get Deal

Best early Amazon Big Spring Sale outdoor deals at a glance: Best outdoor speaker deal JBL Charge 6 $129.95 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal Best portable power station deal Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $489.99 at Amazon (save $309.01) Get Deal Best hydration deal Owala FreeSip (32 ounce, select colorways) $29.99 at Amazon (save $5) Get Deal Best camping deal Rumpl Original Puffy National Park Blanket (select colorways) $74.95 at Amazon (save $25) Get Deal Best cooler deal Ninja FrostVault Cooler (30 quart) $149.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best camping furniture deal Helinox Chair One $82.46 at Amazon (save $27.49) Get Deal Best backyard deal Solo Stove Bonfire $249.99 at Amazon (save $79.01) Get Deal

We're finally dethawing from winter. Later sunsets and warmer temps have us thinking about the weekends we'll spend at the campground later this spring and into summer. As part of the spring cleaning routine, it's worth taking a peek at your outdoor gear.

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is the perfect time to upgrade outdoor gear that deserves to retire. Amazon sales tend to bring significant discounts to some of our favorite outdoor items like Ninja coolers, portable power stations, Owala bottles, outdoor-worthy speakers, and plenty more.

While the Amazon sale if officially launching on March 25, we're already seeing nice deals across many outdoor categories. Grab a new tent, a better sleeping bag, some fun toys, and you'll be on your way to a fantastic camping season. Here are some of the best early Amazon Big Spring Sale outdoor deals to shop ahead of the event.

Best portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $489.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $309.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Anker Solix C100 Gen 2 portable power station.

If your campsite could use some extra power, consider the major upgrade to a portable power station. The Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 is well worth inviting along on your weekend in the outdoors. It'll keep phones and tablets charged up, as well as giving you the ability to hang fairy lights and even pack along the air fryer.

Anker went super lightweight with this model and it comes in at just under 25 pounds, making it easy to pack and carry around the campsite. There's also the quick recharging capability. Just 49 minutes of AC wall charging will get the Solix C1000 Gen 2 up to 100% charged.

Best outdoor speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Charge 6 (Squad) $129.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

Every camping adventure deserve some tunes. In Mashable's review of the best portable Bluetooth speakers, the JBL Charge 6 earns top marks as the best for most people. Its IP68-rated water- and dust-proof rating makes it espeically worthy of adventure and the battery can give it up to 28 hours of playtime. JBL also added a study handle strap for easier transportation. Plus, the speaker doubles as a portable charger, so you can keep your phone from going dead while also hosting a dance party.

Best cooler deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja FrostVault Cooler (30 quart) $149.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

Ninja makes some of our favorite kitchen appliances to use at home, but the brand is also a go-to for keeping food chilled at the campground. The 30-quart Ninja FrostVault Cooler can hold 26 cans while loaded up with 15 pounds of ice or 48 cans with no ice. The handles and lockable latch make this model espeically user-friendly. Ninja also added a dry-zone drawer to the design of the FrostVault which is the perfect place to store road-trip snacks with the assurance they won't end up getting squished or soggy.

More early Amazon Spring Sale outdoor deals to shop today

• LifeStraw Go Series Water Filter Bottle (1 liter) — $37.05 $49.95 (save $12.90)

• Helinox HeliDrop Ultralight, Portable Bean Bag Toss Game — $59.96 $79.95 (save $19.99)

• RTIC Ultra-Light Hard Cooler (22 quart) — $127.49 $149.95 (save $22.50)

SAVE ALMOST $50: As of March 18, Apple AirPods Pro 3 are on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $49.01   Get Deal

Amazon's Spring Sale isn't here just yet, but we're already seeing strong deals across a number of key categories. And yes, that includes Apple.

AirPods deals are always some of the most popular offers to drop during major shopping events, and the best Amazon Spring Sale deal on AirPods Pro 3 might already be live. As of March 18, Apple AirPods Pro 3 are on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price. This rare discount won't stick around for long.

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AirPods Pro 3 offer next-level noise cancellation, removing twice as much background noise as the previous generation of this model. The sound is reliably stellar thanks to a redesigned acoustic system that improves clarity, bass, and overall detail, creating more immersive sound for your favorite playlists and podcasts.

AirPods Pro 3 also have built-in heart rate monitoring that lets you track workouts and calories through your iPhone. Battery life has also been improved, delivering up to eight hours of juice with noise cancellation or up to 10 hours in transparency mode with the Hearing Aid feature. That's enough for even the most gruelling of commutes.

Get this great AirPods deal ahead of the Amazon Spring Sale.