Blogroll

Never underestimate the bandwidth of a USB drive full of files

How-To Geek - 1 hour 57 min ago

Physically carrying media between computers, known as "sneakernet," is one of the oldest "networking" protocols in that it lets me share files between machines. Despite the availability of cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox, I still use sneakernet in some situations.

Categories: IT General, Technology

PowerToys 0.99 makes it easier to drag windows and manage monitor settings

How-To Geek - 2 hours 17 min ago

Microsoft’s free productivity suite for Windows power users has never sat still for long. After introducing a dockable command palette last month, the company is back with PowerToys 0.99, and this time, it might be the most feature-packed release in recent months. This version brings two brand-new utilities along with refinements to the existing features. From better monitor management to smarter window controls, this version update is worth looking at.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Android Auto supports way more apps than you think—here are 4 surprises

How-To Geek - 2 hours 26 min ago

Android Auto is the same Android that's running on your phone, but with a very limited interface. That's the point, of course, but you'd be surprised by how many Android apps are actually supported by Android Auto. Here are four apps you might typically think of as phone apps, but work as full-fledged Android Auto apps as well.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Lexus sedan redefines reliability for stress-free luxury buyers

How-To Geek - 2 hours 41 min ago

Reliability has always been a big deal in the U.S. car market because for most people, a car isn’t a luxury—it’s how daily life actually happens. With long distances and limited public transport in many areas, drivers need something they can trust without constantly worrying about breakdowns or expensive surprises.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple Weather down: Apple confirms Weather app outage

Mashable - 3 hours 10 min ago

Updated on April 28 at 2:12 p.m. ET — Apple confirmed problems with its iOS Weather app on Tuesday afternoon. The Apple support page says the Weather app is experiencing an active outage, with a note that reads, "This service may be slow or unavailable."

iPhone users in the United States are experiencing problems accessing the Apple iOS Weather app on Tuesday afternoon.

For millions of iPhone users, checking the standard Apple Weather app is part of their daily routine, but the app is not loading for all users. On X and Reddit, confused and frustrated iPhone users are reporting issues with Weather, with some saying they can't recall the app ever going down previously.

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.

Multiple Mashable editors in the United States were unable to access the app; however, one of our editors was able to access it, though it took about 10 seconds to load. As of this writing, the Apple online support page shows an active outage with the Weather app.

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

DownDetector, the platform where users can report errors with popular websites and apps, does not have a page for the Weather app. However, DownDetector does show sudden spikes in both The Weather Channel app and Apple Support.

Internet outages have become a common occurrence over the past year, but major outages within the Apple ecosystem remain rare.

(Disclosure: DownDetector and Mashable are both owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)

This is a developing story...

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Hyundai SUV takes three-row EV luxury into new territory

How-To Geek - 3 hours 42 min ago

I recently attended the unveiling of Hyundai’s latest flagship three-row electric SUV trim level at a media event near the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Ellabell, Georgia. The newly revealed vehicle is the 2027 Hyundai IONIQ 9 AWD Performance Calligraphy Black Ink, and it made a striking first impression.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Canonical plans responsible AI for Ubuntu Linux, rejecting Microsoft's Copilot model

How-To Geek - 3 hours 44 min ago

Canonical has outlined plans to bring AI features to Ubuntu Linux over the next year, with major implications for how the distribution will evolve.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 reasons Google Fi is still the smartest MVNO for frequent travelers

How-To Geek - 3 hours 56 min ago

Google Fi is one of many alternatives to the “big carriers,” but it offers a few perks that set it apart from the others. If you happen to travel a lot, it’s an especially attractive option. Here’s why I like to keep Google Fi in my suitcase.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Untitled Nintendo Film: Do Nintendo and Illumination have a mystery movie coming in 2028?

Mashable - 4 hours 1 min ago

If you haven't been a big fan of Nintendo's recent foray into major motion pictures, then the company may have a chance to redeem itself.

Following the recent release of the poorly reviewed but extremely financially lucrative The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, it looks like Nintendo's partnership with the animation studio Illumination is set to continue in a couple of years.

Universal Pictures Spain uploaded a release schedule for the next few years to its website (courtesy of Kotaku) and, lo and behold, one of the upcoming movies is called "UNTITLED ILLUMINATION/NINTENDO EVENT FILM."

That's...probably not what it will actually be called, but with a tentative release date of April 12, 2028, they've got time to figure that part out.

Editor's note: Spoilers for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie are ahead.

SEE ALSO: 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' review: Death is coming for us all Well, would you look at that? Credit: Screenshot: Universal Pictures Spain

Naturally, the internet is slightly abuzz with speculation about what this movie could be. Given that it's only two years after the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, it's reasonable to assume this is something else, though we should leave some space open for the possibility that this is just another Chris Pratt vehicle. (The Pratt-lead Super Mario Bros. movie came out in 2023, followed by Super Mario Galaxy in 2026, and a third is expected in 2029.)

For Nintendo fans, the most likely candidate is some kind of Donkey Kong animated feature starring Seth Rogen, who voiced the tie-wearing ape in The Super Mario Bros. Movie but was conspicuously absent from Galaxy. I'm not bringing this idea up out of nowhere, as there is already a copyright for an untitled Donkey Kong movie swirling around out there. Given that we just got a big Donkey Kong game for Switch 2, this would make a ton of sense.

Another less likely (but still worth mentioning) candidate is Star Fox.

The beloved but somewhat dormant Nintendo space dogfighting franchise just got a shot in the arm with the inclusion of protagonist Fox McCloud as a major character in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, voiced by Glen Powell.

Some recent reporting suggests Nintendo is looking to revive Star Fox through a new game, so maybe a spin-off movie for Powell could happen in a couple of years. Still, Donkey Kong feels more likely at this point in time.

Finally, we have to consider the possibility that the "UNTITLED ILLUMINATION/NINTENDO EVENT FILM" is a mistake, a re-release, or something similarly anticlimactic.

One thing we can rule out is the upcoming live-action The Legend of Zelda movie, which just wrapped production. That's already set for a 2027 release, and obviously, as a live-action movie, it wouldn't be done by Illumination. In fact, it's not even a Universal release, as Sony is handling that one.

Hopefully, whatever this ends up being is better than the first two animated Mario movies.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Id tell anyone to buy the TCL QM6K mini-LED TV, so maybe you should while the 75-inch is almost 50% off

Mashable - 4 hours 11 min ago

SAVE $620: As of April 28, the 75-inch TCL QM6K Mini-LED QLED 4K TV is on sale for $679.99 at Best Buy, saving you $620 or around 48%.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $679.99 at Best Buy
$1,299.99 Save $620   Get Deal

My household switched to the TCL QM6K as our living room TV in the fall, and I've been recommending it to everyone since — at full price, too. But as of April 28, you can snag the best budget mini-LED TV for nearly 50% off at Best Buy: The 75-inch TCL QM6K is down to $679.99 from its usual $1,299.99, saving you $620.

$679.99 sounds like even more of a steal when you compare it to the 65-inch version, which is on sale for $649.99 — you'd be getting 10 more inches of diagonal screen for just $30 extra. For comparison, there's a $200 price difference between the 55-inch and 65-inch QM6K models right now.

SEE ALSO: Looksmaxxing my bedroom TV with the Hisense Déco: The chic, small, budget QLED TV that blends in with my decor

$679.99 matches its lowest price ever according to price tracker camelcamelcamel and beats the sale price at TCL's own website, where the 75-inch model is going for $899.99.

The TCL QM6K is lit by a panel of thousands of tiny LED bulbs that can brighten and dim independently of other zones of bulbs in the screen. This inch-by-inch precision provides deeper blacks and starker contrast than a regular LED TV or non-mini-LED QLED TV. Shadowy parts of dark scenes stay dark yet legible (not just gray) in dark rooms, while muting the annoying hazy glow that typically hovers around bright objects.

"The Long Night" is a famously dark and hard-to-see episode without the right TV. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

One of my most notable QM6K experiences has been rewatching Game of Thrones. I can actually see the intricacies of important interactions and facial expressions in night scenes lit by just a candle or a torch — groundbreaking. The third season of House of the Dragon will be my first HOTD experience with a nice TV, so you can imagine I'm counting down the days until June 21.

Alternatively, a mini-LED QLED TV is an excellent TV choice for watching sports, especially in the daytime. If you're a big FIFA person, the QM6K will be your best friend during the World Cup.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your NAS's USB ports are a marketing trick, not a storage solution

How-To Geek - 4 hours 27 min ago

USB ports on a NAS are there for a reason. You might occasionally need to plug in some stuff, like peripherals, or maybe even charge a device. Using it as a method for expanding storage, though? Please don't.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best deals on Canon cameras for content creators: Save up to $180

Mashable - 4 hours 28 min ago
The best Canon camera deals at a glance: Canon PowerShot V1 $848.95 (save $180.05) Get Deal Canon EOS R50 V $569 (save $150.99) Get Deal

So you want to graduate to a real camera. Sure, your iPhone's camera is beyond suitable for everyday snaps and videos, but there's something to be said about a physical camera that isn't also a handheld computer.

If you're looking for a capable camera separate from your phone, Canon is one of the top names in the business. And as of April 28, two entry-level models built for vloggers and content creators (the PowerShot V1 and EOS R50 V) are on sale for up to $180 off. Both options are solid picks for shooting videos and photos on the go, but they differ in what they excel in. Either way, you'll get a great deal if you shop now at Amazon.

Best for portability: Canon PowerShot V1 Opens in a new window Credit: Canon Canon PowerShot V1 $848.95 at Amazon
$1,029 Save $180.05   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for a compact point-and-shoot camera, the Canon PowerShot V1 is the way to go. On sale for only $848.95, it's just $49 shy of its lowest price ever. The PowerShot V1 is equipped with an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens that includes dual optical and digital stabilization for handheld recording. The built-in mic captures clear audio, while a built-in fan keeps it cool during continuous shooting at 4K60P. Whether you're capturing unboxing videos, makeup tutorials, or travel vlogs, it's a convenient companion that fits in your jacket pocket. Our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) tested this camera and called it a "solid choice for vloggers and videographers seeking a compact camera, thanks to its stabilized 4K recording, fun color profiles, and three-capsule microphone."

Best for versatility: Canon EOS R50 V Opens in a new window Credit: Canon Canon EOS R50 V $569 at Amazon
$719.99 Save $150.99   Get Deal Why we like it

For those who want more creative control, the Canon EOS R50 V is a reasonably priced mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. In other words, it's more versatile than the fixed-lens PowerShot V1, though it's not quite as convenient for portability. Our pals at PCMag dubbed it the best entry-level option for vlogging and awarded it an Editors' Choice badge of honor. "The reasonably priced EOS R50 V vlogging camera records crisp 4K30 video and sound, includes dual mounting points for widescreen and vertical video, and works with Canon's range of RF mirrorless lenses," PCMag's camera expert writes. As of April 28, it's down to just $569 instead of $719.99 at Amazon — its best price ever. Just keep in mind you'll have to buy lenses separately.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget the Lexus RX—this Japanese hybrid SUV matches its comfort for less

How-To Geek - 4 hours 41 min ago

It feels a bit like the clock got rolled back, because gas prices aren’t exactly doing anyone any favors right now. Sitting anywhere from around four to five dollars a gallon on average, and even higher in places like California, filling up isn’t exactly painless.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Tidy up your home for less with 20% off the EcoVacs Deebot X11 Pro Omni

Mashable - 4 hours 45 min ago

SAVE $200.99: As of April 28, get the EcoVacs Deebot X11 Pro Omni for $799 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $999.99. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon EcoVacs Deebot X11 Pro Omni $799 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $200.99   Get Deal

Feel like you spend all your time cleaning? In 2026, we're offloading some of those tasks to robots, especially since they're much more capable than they used to be. If you're ready to pick up a robot vacuum to pick up some of the slack, now's the time to do it, especially since we've found a great discount you'll want to jump on.

As of April 28, get the EcoVacs Deebot X11 Pro Omni for $799 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $999.99. That's $200.99 off and a discount of 20%.

SEE ALSO: The Mova Z60 Ultra Roller Complete Robot Vacuum and Mop is sitting at an all-time low price

This robot vacuum and mop is a feature-rich option that can handle just about anything you throw at it. It boasts 19,500a of blast suction to power through dirt and debris, whether it's ground into your carpet or simply continues accumulating in the form of crumbs by your table. Plus, thanks to its self-cleaning system it can scrub, wash, and clean in real-time and switch seamlessly between vacuuming and mopping.

It uses a triple lift system to automatically lift its brushes and switch over to mop-only mode when it detects liquids. That means you don't have to waste time manually swapping between mop and vacuum, so the bot can handle everything on its own. It also uses side brushes to cover all the areas that its roller can't.

If you're ready to have a cleaner home without having to stress about all the extra time you'll need to handle it, this is a robot vacuum and mop that can handle all of that for you. Jump in and claim yours while it's available for a significant discount.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why digital archivists chose a comic book format over everything else

How-To Geek - 4 hours 57 min ago

From the day I learned to read, I've been an avid comic book reader. Graphic novels, superhero stories, science fiction, cyberpunk, and fantasy all line my bookshelves (and e-reader).

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones are over half off at Amazon — save $110

Mashable - 5 hours 2 min ago

SAVE $110: The Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones are on sale at Amazon for $99.99, down from the standard price $209.99. That's a 52% discount that matches the record low at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skullcandy Skullcandy Crusher Evo Headphones $99.99 at Amazon
$209.99 Save $110.00   Get Deal

Your headphones are important. We use them for hours everyday while listening to podcasts, audiobooks, playlists, and tuning into our favorite YouTube channels. Having a pair that's uncomfortable when wearing for hours is not acceptable anymore. If you have a pair that isn't worthy of your listening hours, check out this deal at Amazon on a pair that focuses on comfort.

As of April 28, the Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones are on sale at Amazon for $99.99 in select colorways, marked down from the usual price $209.99. That's a 52% discount that takes a major $110 off the price. It matches the record low at Amazon.

Getting up to 40 hours of battery life before needing a recharge, the Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones could be great if your current headphones need replacing. At the low sale price of under $100, they could also make for a great backup pair to keep in your work bag or stashed in the glove box.

SEE ALSO: The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are $50 off at Amazon — buy now for under $300

Skullcandy designed the Crusher Evo headphones to fit with an over-the-ear design, rather than sitting on the ears. This makes them a comfortable option for longer wear like while traveling. More travel-worthy features come in the form of the foldable and collapsible cup design.

Mashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry reviewed the Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones back in 2020 and noted they're a solid option for those who don't want to spend big bucks on over-the-ear headphones but still want solid sound quality.

If you're in need of affordable and comfortable headphones that come with excellent battery life, consider today's sale price on the Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones. They're on sale for under $100 at Amazon for a limited time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I loved my Sony Discman, but the nostalgia for CDs is overrated

How-To Geek - 5 hours 12 min ago

Back in the day, I wanted a Sony Discman for a long time, and when I finally got one, I fell in love. The experience was far from perfect, however. Devices such as iPods and smartphones made it easy to forget just how bad using CDs could actually be.

Categories: IT General, Technology

An OpenAI phone with agents instead of apps joins the hardware rumor mill

Mashable - 5 hours 22 min ago

OpenAI is apparently not content with just running the most talked-about AI chatbot on the planet. The company now wants to be in your pocket, too.

Prominent Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo published findings this weekend revealing that OpenAI is developing a smartphone built around AI agents rather than traditional apps. According to Kuo, the device is being built in partnership with MediaTek and Qualcomm on the processor side, with Luxshare serving as the exclusive manufacturing partner.

Mass production isn't expected until 2028, with specs and suppliers likely locked in by late 2026 or early 2027.

SEE ALSO: Florida investigates OpenAI over deadly mass shooting

The core pitch, per Kuo, is a fundamental rethinking of the way our phones work.

Instead of juggling a pile of apps, users would simply tell their phone what they want to do, and the AI agent would accomplish that task. OpenAI is reportedly building an agentic AI operating system from the ground up around that premise.

Kuo notes that OpenAI has several advantages in this space, including an established consumer brand, years of accumulated user data, and frontier AI models. The phone would reportedly combine on-device AI for continuous context awareness with cloud AI handling heavier computational tasks.

This is a separate venture from OpenAI's previously announced hardware ambitions. The company has been working alongside former Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive on a small, screenless AI companion device.

SEE ALSO: Leak reveals what Sam Altman and Jony Ive are cooking up: 100 million AI 'companion' devices

As Mashable reported last October, that project has hit significant development headwinds, including software architecture challenges, infrastructure hurdles, and the thorny question of how to build an "always-on" AI personality that feels helpful rather than creepy.

One source close to the project told the Financial Times that OpenAI is already stretched thin just keeping ChatGPT running, which reportedly costs between $3 and $4 billion annually. A release that was once eyed for 2026 could slip to 2027.

Whether OpenAI can actually deliver on any of its hardware ambitions is the real question. Several "revolutionary" AI devices have already gone to the tech graveyard. The Rabbit R1 promised similar things. So did the Humane Pin, which was discontinued less than a year after launch. OpenAI is betting that it's not like the others.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Upgrade your gaming PC with the Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED for the lowest price weve seen

Mashable - 5 hours 23 min ago

SAVE $150: As of April 28, get the Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED Gaming Monitor for $649.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $799.99. That's a discount of 19% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED Gaming Monitor $649.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $150   Get Deal

Whether you're playing your favorite first-person shooters or enjoying a story-based game, an immersive gaming monitor is essential. The right one can help you feel like you're right in the middle of the action, and we've found a discount on one in particular that you'll love adding to your home setup.

As of April 28, get the Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED Gaming Monitor for $649.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $799.99. That's $150 off and a discount of 19%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The 4 best premium gaming monitors instantly level up your desktop — for a price

This 34.2-inch gaming monitor boasts a 3440 x 1440 display with an 0.03 response and a 240Hz refresh rate. With an extensive 1800R curve, it can put you right in the middle of the action, whether you're fighting off zombies or heading out on a picturesque role-playing adventure.

It features DCI-P3 99.3% color coverage and Delta E

If you're looking to add a new monitor to the way you enjoy games on PC, or you just want a great new specimen for daily work and internet use, this is a splurge well worth making. Just make sure you don't miss it while it's so heavily discounted.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Translate just got an AI coach for pronunciation practice on Android

How-To Geek - 5 hours 27 min ago

Google Translate may not be the company’s flashiest app, but it’s one of the most important. It launched 20 years ago on this day, and to celebrate, the Android app is getting a much-requested feature: pronunciation practice.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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