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This weekend, I decided to embark on an international getaway with three shows on Amazon Prime Video, and you’re coming with me. We’re headed around the world with a witty comedy and a dark sci-fi mystery-thriller, then it’s game-on back in the States, psychologically speaking.

Now that we’re a week into 2026, it’s time to take a look at some more homelab projects to try out this weekend. Instead of complex and complicated projects, I’m focusing more on getting organized and setting myself up for a successful year from the start, so here are three projects to work on over the next few days.

I want to learn something when I watch a documentary or docuseries, but I don't want it to feel like I'm cramming for an exam. Entertaining while enlightening are two traits I look for in a doc, and I think this weekend's Prime Video picks hit that nail right on the head.

Microsoft is now rolling out Visual Studio Code version 1.108, also known as the December 2025 update. It some great terminal improvements, more Git features, new capabilities for AI agents, and other changes.

Smart home technology has made it possible to add features to your home that once cost thousands of dollars. You can now recreate many of those features for very little cost, or even for free if you already own the right smart home tech.

Prime Video's hit Fallout TV series is now driving speculation about the future of the Fallout video game series.

As spotted by PC Gamer and other outlets, the home page for the Fallout show on Amazon's website features an intriguing Easter egg that has piqued the interest of fans of the games. It's done up in the style of the in-game maps in the last few Fallout games, with each icon hiding behind-the-scenes info about the second season of the show. If you scroll to the upper right corner of the map, there's a mysterious countdown timer that ends on Feb. 4, the day that the final episode of Season 2 airs. Of course, everyone is wondering what will happen when that timer expires.

SEE ALSO: 'Fallout' Season 2 review: Our introduction to New Vegas is a blast, and more relevant than ever

Occam's razor suggests it will either be a tease for the already confirmed Season 3 of the Amazon show or a behind-the-scenes featurette on the finale of Season 2.

However, it's been a decade since the last proper Fallout game came out, so fans of the games are speculating on Reddit and elsewhere that there could be a remaster of 2008's Fallout 3 and/or 2010's Fallout: New Vegas in the works, to be announced when the timer goes up.

SEE ALSO: 'Fallout' Season 2, episode 1 includes an iconic 'New Vegas' needle drop

While that may seem like wishful thinking by fans who have been dying to return to post-apocalyptic America in video game form, there is a tiny bit of hope here. Leaked documents suggested the existence of a Fallout 3 remaster a couple of years ago, and those same documents proved correct regarding an Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion remaster that was eventually released in 2025.

Additionally, Windows Central reported this week that remasters of Fallout 3 and New Vegas will eventually be released, but the Amazon countdown timer has no connection to these releases.

So, in short, fans may be half-right. Those two games could definitely come back in some form in the near-ish future, but this countdown timer may have nothing to do with that. It's only a few weeks until someone is proven right or wrong, in any case.

The typical reaction to many of Netflix's best documentaries and series that I've watched (and I watch a lot of them) is, "wait, what?!" That can be a good thing or a bad thing, but if you're in the mood for something shocking, illuminating, or just a train-wreck you can't turn away from, shake a stick, and you'll hit something with Netflix's selection of docs.

Unsurprisingly, AI is everywhere at CES 2026 and they usually come in the form of wearables.

However, AI PCs, computers built to handle all types of Large Language Models (LLMs) are also having a moment at CES.

One of those products making its debut at CES, the Tiiny AI Pocket Lab, has created a portable AI supercomputer that's not quite a wearable, but its so tiny that you can fit it in your pocket.

Tiiny AI Pocket Lab Credit: Mashable

Tiiny AI's AI supercomputer, called the Tiiny AI Pocket Lab or Tiiny for short, was first shown to media at the Pepcom event at CES this week. Mashable was able to get a hands-on and try out Tiiny's capabilities and also observe just how tiny it is.

SEE ALSO: CES 2026 live updates: See the latest news, surprises, and strange tech from LG, Samsung, Lego, and new startups

The first thing we noticed at the Tiiny AI booth was its Guinness World Records certificate naming the Tiiny AI Pocket Lab the official "world's smallest mini PC."

Tiiny AI booth at CES Credit: Mashable

At first glance, Tiiny AI could be confused for a portable power bank. It's rectangular in shape and looks a bit brick-like. It's so small that it fits in the palm of your hand. It's also extremely light.

Again, we're talking about a computer here. Tiiny AI has managed to pack in a whopping 80GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage into this miniature device in order for it to actually be able to handle intensive AI processing. 

Why would you need a high-performance PC for AI? Tiiny AI does all of its AI processing right on the device. Nothing leaves this mini supercomputer. If you're privacy-minded and don't want all of your data uploaded to the cloud or just don't want to pay for any more subscriptions, an AI computer is what you want. Tiiny AI wants to provide the most portable solution.

Tiiny AI has also built a corresponding desktop app to work with Tiiny so you don't have to be an AI developer or programmer to know how to run AI models on your device. Tiiny's app provides simple use for dozens of different models, including generative AI models that create images and video.

Tiiny AI is no bigger than a power bank Credit: Mashable

Testing out the Tiiny AI Pocket Lab's capabilities, it responded to prompts quite quickly and generated content just as fast, if not faster, than many popular cloud AI services. The Tiiny device I used had been running throughout the day and, surprisingly, it wasn't hot at all. It wasn't even that warm. This is interesting because a common feature for full-sized AI PCs is the ability to handle the high temperatures these computers can reach due to the intrusive AI processing. For a mini computer to be able to pull this off is pretty impressive. 

The Tiiny AI Pocket Lab will be launched on Kickstarter within the next few months and will retail for $1,399 – pricey for a mini-computer, but in the more affordable range when it comes to AI computers. 

I've spent years watching people move data in Microsoft Excel by cutting, inserting blank rows, pasting, and then deleting the old empty space. Most people don't realize there's a right-click-drag menu that handles all of that in one motion.

Microsoft Word is rolling out a small quality-of-life update that fundamentally changes how you add hyperlinks to your documents. This update, which is already available in Word for the web, lets you instantly turn selected text into a link simply by pasting the URL directly over it.

Luxury SUVs are typically known for comfort, refinement, and capability, but not for efficiency. Many non-hybrid luxury crossovers prioritize power and prestige over fuel economy, making impressive mileage a bonus rather than an expectation. Yet in 2025, one non-hybrid luxury SUV quietly outpaces nearly all of its rivals in real-world efficiency, proving that premium driving doesn’t have to come with premium fuel bills.

Dell's modern Alienware gaming laptops are powerful and cool-looking machines, but they have a reputation of being hefty and expensive. That may soon change. At CES 2026 Monday, the American tech company teased its forthcoming ultra-slim and entry-level gaming laptops set for release later this year.

Mashable saw prototypes of both devices in Dell's private showroom this week, so I can tell you that they exist. However, we couldn't photograph them and we can't disclose any design details beyond what Dell revealed in its announcement blog post.

Neither laptop's category is currently represented in the Alienware lineup. Existing models include the 16-inch Aurora 16 and 16X, two sleek mid-range options, and the 16- and 18-inch Area-51s, Dell's glitzy flagship machines. They start at $1,100 to $2,670, respectively; weigh 5.5 to 7.5 pounds; and measure at least 0.89 inches thick.

The new Alienware 16X Aurora (left) and 16 Area-51 will feature anti-glare OLED displays. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The 16X Aurora and 16 Area-51 are getting updated with anti-glare OLED displays for 2026. The 16X Aurora and both sizes of the Area-51 will have new Intel Core Ultra 200HX processors with Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 series graphics.

The new ultra-slim Alienware laptop will have a more understated look compared to other Alienware models, and it'll be available in 14- and 16-inch sizes, according to the blog post from Dell's PC gaming lead Matt McGowan. It will come in around 0.67 inches thick, making it as thin as last year's 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro.

Dell's new ultra-slim Alienware gaming laptop will come in 14- and 16-inch sizes. Credit: Dell

McGowan said the 16-inch version of the ultra-slim Alienware laptop will be "nearly 50% smaller in volume than our current 16-inch Area-51." Its portability comes at the cost of some power, but it "still delivers serious gaming capability with Nvidia discrete graphics and new highly efficient CPUs," he said. Dell provided one photo of it that appears to reveal an RGB keyboard and a microSD card slot. That's all we're working with right now.

In theory, this model sounds like a direct competitor to the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16, which are popular picks for gamers and creatives who prioritize mobility. Lightweight and aesthetically subtle, they're often likened to MacBook Pros themselves.

The new entry-level Alienware gaming laptop looks pretty thin, too. Credit: Dell

Dell has revealed even less about its mysterious entry-level Alienware gaming laptop. All we really know for sure is that it will be cheaper than any other model in the Alienware lineup. Per McGowarn's blog post, it "delivers strong gaming performance in a clean design at our most accessible price point yet." Given the price of Dell's existing gaming laptops, it'll probably start well under $1,000.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

We were supposed to be holidaying on the moon, driving hover cars, and passing our chores off to humanoid robot helpers by now. Though robotic helpers are closer than ever, the path forward is fraught with doubt, challenges, and serious privacy considerations.

SAVE $37.40: As of Jan. 8, get the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro for $61.60 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $99. That's a discount of 38%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro $61.60 at Amazon
$99 Save $37.40   Get Deal

When it comes to smartwatches, there are tons you can choose from. But have you ever considered adopting one from Nothing's product line? If not, and a smartwatch under $100 sounds like a good idea, we've got a great deal for you.

As of Jan. 8, get the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro for $61.60 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $99. That's $37.40 off and a discount of 38%.

SEE ALSO: My favorite smartwatch for working out is on a major discount ahead of 2026

This watch is an absolute gem, and according to Mashable's Lauren Allain's review, it "looks, feels, and functions like a smartwatch that costs hundreds more." Its long-lasting battery gives you two weeks of use per charge, it has a slew of health tracking and fitness features, and it gives you the same array of options you'd get in a much pricier smartwatch.

The health features include heart rate monitoring, a blood oxygen function, stress tracking, and much more. There's also a GPS functionality if you want to keep an eye on your runs (or your locations) and ways to text and keep in touch with everyone while on the go.

Best of all, this watch is available for less than $100 with all of these niceties intact. It's made even cheaper thanks to the Amazon deal, but even at its normal price it's a stunner that's a great idea for any type of user. If you want some new wrist candy, getting it at its next-to-lowest price yet is a no-brainer.

SAVE $100: The Marshall Monitor III headphones are on sale at Amazon for $279.99, down from the list price of $379.99. That's a 26% discount that matches the record-low at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Marshall Monitor III headphone $279.99 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $100   Get Deal

We're living at the cottage from now on. It's the safest and most comfortable place we've ever been. Plus, the burgers are great and there's that "stupid Canadian wolf bird" to lull us to sleep. Without a doubt, Heated Rivalry has been one of the most popular shows to drop in the last decade. While most of the official merch is sold out and we're still waiting to hear if Team Canada will grace us with Shane's Olympic fleece, there is one way to get a piece of the show in your own hands, and it's on sale today.

As of Jan. 8, the Marshall Monitor III headphones are on sale for $279.99 at Amazon, down from the list price of $379.99. That works out to a savings of $100 thanks to a 26% discount that matches. Today's sale price matches the record-low at Amazon.

Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie, sports the Marshall Monitor III headphones in several episodes of Heated Rivalry, and notably wears them as he slyly leaves the airport, heading to the cottage in the final episode of season one. And some of the specs are spot-on for Ilya's character.

SEE ALSO: All 6 of the books that inspired "Heated Rivalry" are over half off at Amazon

For one, these Marshall headphones get up to 100 hours of battery life, which seems very Ilya to not be willing to deal with constant recharging. If you opt to listen with the ANC, you'll be able to get about 70 hours of life. They're also lightweight and have a compact, foldable design which must have been nice while traveling to the away games and back home to Russia. The carrying case is also great to have included.

Of course, the Marshall Monitor III headphones come with the brand's iconic high-quality sound. They use Marshall's Dynamic Loudness feature which adjusts the treble, base, and mids at every volume.

Tune into the show's soundtrack or rewatch the whole season again (we don't judge) with Ilya's Marshall Monitor III headphones while they're on sale for $100 off at Amazon. And remember, we all deserve sunshine.

Apple's history is replete with hyper-successful hardware ventures. From the Apple II to the M-series processors, the company has amassed a trove of triumphant products. However, there is also a small, exclusive group of Apple hardware products that bombed. Let's check them out.

The KDE team announced today a collection of maintenance updates for KDE Gear, its set of open source apps including the popular video editor Kdenlive and mobile multi-tool KDE Connect. Many other apps are also getting minor updates, improving the KDE experience overall.

In today's fame economy, visibility comes with excavation. Right now, no one understands that more than the stars of Heated Rivalry.

When someone breaks out the way Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams have after Heated Rivalry, fans don't just follow their work — they scroll backward, digging through old usernames, forgotten uploads, and half-formed versions of the person they've just discovered. The internet, after all, never forgets. It just waits.

For Storrie, that excavation led straight to YouTube. A channel he launched a decade ago, when he was just 12 years old and growing up in Odessa, Texas, resurfaced online in the wake of Heated Rivalry's overnight phenomenon. Back then, the motivation was simple: he wanted to be an actor. The videos were earnest and unmistakably the product of a kid trying something out in public.

SEE ALSO: 'Heated Rivalry's Hudson Williams teases Season 2, explains 'c*ck sock' to Fallon

In a new interview with People, Storrie reflected on what it's been like to watch those childhood videos resurface and go viral. "It's weird to see them going viral," he said, explaining that he initially considered taking them down.

A fan even offered to help remove them through a contact at YouTube, and Storrie went through the process. But instead of relief, he felt something closer to resistance. "Honestly, it felt like the end of a sort of self-acceptance ritual," he said.

Rather than erasing them, Storrie chose to leave the videos up. "It felt cool to be like, 'Yep, that was me. And this is me now,'" he explained, framing the decision not as a branding move but as an act of acceptance.

That acceptance has come with time. In a Dec. 26 interview with Variety, Storrie spoke more candidly about his younger self. "I love that little guy. I love him. I used to not like him," he said.

SEE ALSO: 'Heated Rivalry' fans, we've got your next must-see MLM romance

Growing up as "this artist, sissy boy in West Texas that didn't want to play football," Storrie found refuge in imagination instead. "I wanted to play pretend and play dress up and disappear into weird worlds and entertain and try to connect with people that way, and that was just not the norm out there."

If he could offer that young YouTuber any advice now, it wouldn't be to shrink himself. Instead, it would be the opposite. Storrie said he’d tell him to be bigger, bolder, and more proactive in creating his own opportunities instead of waiting to be chosen. "Try putting yourself in your own things," he said.

While announcing the nominations for the 32nd Annual Actor Awards (formerly known as the SAG Awards) on YouTube, Storrie paid quiet homage to his younger self, introducing himself the same way he had more than a decade ago. The delivery was intentional, the smile playful.

As digital footprints are increasingly treated as liabilities, Storrie's response offers a gentler model: not hiding where you started, but standing by it.

SAVE $41.88: Through Jan. 21, new and select returning subscribers can still score three months of Audible Premium Plus for just 99 cents per month (a grand total of $2.97). Typically $14.95 per month, that's a total savings of over $40.

Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible Premium Plus $0.99/month for your first three months (save $13.96/month) Get Deal

If you've ever been the least bit curious about audiobooks, Audible's holiday offer — which is still live for the next couple of weeks — lets you explore that curiosity for less than 3 bucks.

Through Jan. 21, new and select returning subscribers can get three months of Audible Premium Plus for only 99 cents per month for a grand total of $2.97. A Premium Plus subscription usually costs $14.95 per month, so you'll be saving a total of $41.88. Of course, you'll want to be sure to cancel before your three-month promotional period is up to avoid further charges. I suggest setting a calendar alert once you sign up.

I always take advantage of this deal when I'm eligible — so, of course I snapped it up in December. While I am a huge fan of Libby (free with your library card), the wait times for new books can be a drag. Audible's Premium Plus membership allows you to "buy" whatever Premium title you want with zero waiting involved. That means you can easily enjoy 2026 releases, last year's Goodreads favorites, BookTok gems, and more on your own time.

While all Audible subscribers get access to the Plus catalog, which features thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, originals, and more, Premium Plus members also unlock access to the Premium selection. You'll get a credit each month to "buy" one of these Premium titles. So, with this three-month promotional offer, you'll essentially get to "buy" three different audiobooks, plus enjoy other Plus titles and Audible Originals. Occasionally, Audible will also run a 2-for-1 credit sale, where you can purchase two different audiobooks with a single credit.

Whichever way you slice it, three months of audiobooks for less than 3 bucks is a pretty damn good deal. Just be sure to sign up by Jan. 21 to lock it down.

VLC Media Player 3.0.23 'Vetinari' has been released, and despite the minor version number change, the latest update isn't just bug fixes. It has more improvements for the dark theme, which you might not have noticed from the last release.