IT General

Soundcore announces 2 earbuds that lean into AI for better call quality and smart feature performance

Mashable - 5 hours 48 min ago

Soundcore announced two new pairs of earbuds during its Anker Day event on May 21: the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max.

The earbuds are the first Soundcore products to feature the new THUS AI chip, designed to boost the performance of the earbuds' microphone for call quality, voice activation, and smart features like live translation and AI note-taking. Spoiler alert: the mic performance is no joke on these earbuds.

SEE ALSO: The 11 best wireless earbuds we've ever tested

Both the Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max are available as of May 21. I've spent a few days trying out both pairs of earbuds — below you'll find my first impressions, the specs, price, and everything else you need to know about Soundcore's latest audio release.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro: Specs and price

The Liberty 5 Pro is available for $169.99 and comes with the following feature set:

The Liberty 5 Pro come with a small on-case display. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable
  • Battery: 6.5 hours with ANC (28 hours with charging case), 12 hours without ANC (50 hours with charging case)

  • Active noise cancellation: Yes, adaptive and five levels of manually adjustable ANC

  • Microphones: 8 microphones, plus two bone conduction sensors

  • Connection: Bluetooth 6.1

  • Multipoint: Yes, up to three devices simultaneously

  • IP rating: IP55

  • Ear tips: Five sizes, from XXS to L

  • Ear fins: Three sizes

  • Colors: Blue, white, black, and pink

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro: First impressions

I haven't had the chance to test the full range of the Liberty 5 Pro features just yet, but as Soundcore emphasizes the "whisper clear" calls these buds are capable of, I made sure to get in some testing of the microphone, along with the usual suspects of the sound quality (rich and well-varied, from my initial listens) and active noise cancellation.

Mic quality is superb

Call quality may seem like a weird feature to brag about, but if you've used earbuds with a crappy microphone, you know how annoying it can be to have to disconnect your earbuds every time you need to take a call.

My first test for these earbuds was an informal one. While FaceTiming a friend and wearing these earbuds, another friend in the room with me leaned into the frame of my phone's camera to say hello. My friend on the other end of the call happened to be looking away — she had no clue the other person in the room with me had spoken at all. Meanwhile, she could hear me without any issue. Whisper clear indeed. I've also been able to hold full conversations with ease while other people are watching TV and chatting in the same room, while the person on the other side of the call has been none the wiser. All this to say, the early results are very promising.

So is it really just a matter of matching up a full set of microphones with an AI chip? Not exactly. Soundcore goes the extra mile, adding two bone conduction sensors to detect vibrations in your skull and ensure that only your voice is picked up, even in noisier environments.

The noise cancellation is no joke either

I nearly jumped out of my skin when someone approached me to say good morning while I was listening to music on these earbuds at about 40 percent volume. Apparently, they'd been trying to get my attention for a good 30 seconds. So that's another informal test, passed.

On a more technical note, these earbuds have eight microphones that work together with the THUS chip to provide the best possible noise cancellation. The result is impressive, especially considering their $169.99 price point. While I look forward to testing them out and about in the world more, as far as my home office (and simply existing in a house where seven other people live), these earbuds are more than getting the job done so far.

Comfortable and stable

The ear fin/ear tip combo on these earbuds reminds me a lot of the Bose QuietComfort earbuds series. Whenever I'm positively comparing the wear of earbuds to the QC series, that's a very, very good thing, considering the Bose buds are the most comfortable I've tested.

SEE ALSO: Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds 2 are one of the best noise-cancelling earbuds available, but not a must-upgrade

While I haven't yet put these through the extended hours of wear needed to see if they deserve the same accolades, I can say that so far, I've experienced no fatigue wearing them in one to two-hour bursts. At the same time, they feel plenty secure and provide a great seal for boosting passive ANC.

A unique charging case design No need for a companion app to adjust the earbuds' settings. Credit: Soundcore

The charging case for the Liberty 5 Pro features a 0.96-inch mini touchscreen, where you can access settings such as ANC adjustments, equalizer presets, spatial audio, and Bluetooth pairing. Essentially, it reduces the need for a companion app to adjust every feature that isn't playback or volume. Despite the small screen, this was a surprisingly convenient way to use the earbuds — especially when pairing them to new devices.

Though it doesn't feel fragile, I am curious to see how this case holds up once I throw it in a bag and take the earbuds on the go.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro $169.99 at Amazon, Soundcore, Best Buy
  Shop Now Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max: Specs and price

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max is available for $229.99, with the following feature set:

The Liberty 5 Pro Max comes with a larger display on the case and the ability to record meetings for AI note-taking. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable
  • Battery: 6.5 hours with ANC (28 hours with charging case), 12 hours without ANC (50 hours with charging case)

  • Active noise cancellation: Yes, adaptive and five levels of manually adjustable ANC

  • Microphones: 8 microphones, plus two bone conduction sensors

  • Connection: Bluetooth 6.1

  • Multipoint: Yes, up to three devices simultaneously

  • IP rating: IP55

  • Ear tips: Five sizes, from XXS to L

  • Ear fins: Three sizes

  • Colors: Titanium-gold and black

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max: First impressions

The Liberty 5 Pro Max earbuds have many of the same features as the 5 Pro, including the same tech for powering noise cancellation, sound quality, and the microphones. They also feature the same earbud shape. There is one notable difference, though, which we'll get into below:

The mic impresses on the Pro Max buds, too

The Pro Max earbuds use the same 10-sensor matrix (the microphones and bone conduction sensors) as the 5 Pro earbuds, so it's no surprise that, in combination with the AI chipset, these earbuds also sounded incredible on calls and did a reliable job at blocking out background noise.

Living in a house with seven other people means that if I'm not at my desk (and even then), there's at least a 50 percent chance that I'll take a call while someone else is having a conversation around me. For the times that's happened so far, not once did the people on the other side of the call hear the background noise from my end. My next tests will involve taking these earbuds out into the world (for even louder and more distracting environments).

A larger display on the earbuds case The entire top of the case acts as a display for customizing features on the earbuds. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The 5 Pro Max has an even bigger touchscreen on the charging case than the 5 Pro, which takes up the entire top of the case. The 1.78-inch AMOLED display allows you to access many of the same features as the smaller 5 Pro case, plus the AI note-taking feature, which uses the case to record the conversation.

AI note-taking feature isn't anything to scoff at either

As a journalist, I'm especially into any easy way to record interviews or conversations, and Soundcore seeks to do just that with its AI note-taker. Basically, it works as the case records the conversation, meeting, talk — whatever you're trying to get down. Then, it transfers the file to the companion app, and, at your request, can generate a transcript and summary with identified speakers.

During the recording, a tap of the flag button creates markers in the recording that become highlighted in the transcription. Before creating the transcription, you can also select the recording type (discussion, presentation, etc.), so the AI can choose the best format for the information.

So far, I could see this being an incredibly useful tool, but I'm also interested to see the limitations (it looks like a Pro version for more transcription minutes is available) and how it compares to Apple's built-in voice memo feature.

Noise cancellation and sound quality

In my testing so far, the noise cancellation and sound quality are basically indistinguishable from the 5 Pro earbuds, which is to say they both sound really good and do a great job of blocking out sound.

One hiccup I noticed while testing the adaptive ANC on the 5 Pro Max buds was a soft clicking sound in the left earbud — it was almost not detectable while audio was playing, but without music, it was definitely present. It could've just been a glitch that a software update will fix, so I'll be keeping my eye on it as I head further into my testing period.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max $229.99 at Amazon, Soundcore, Best Buy
  Shop Now Where to buy the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max

As of May 21, you can pick up the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro for $169.99 and the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max for $229.99 at the following retailers:

Where to buy the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max Amazon Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro $169.99 Shop Now Soundcore Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro $169.99 Shop Now Best Buy Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro $169.99 Shop Now Amazon Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max $229.99 Shop Now Soundcore Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max $229.99 Shop Now Best Buy Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max $229.99 Shop Now
Categories: IT General, Technology

Our favorite budget earbuds are down to under $20 for Memorial Day

Mashable - 6 hours 48 min ago

SAVE $20: As of May 21, the Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds are on sale for just $19.99 at Amazon. That's a savings of $20 or 50% and just two cents away from their best price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds $19.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal

Despite what big tech might have you believe, spending hundreds of dollars on a pair of earbuds isn't required — especially if you just want a pair for everyday listening. Case in point: some of our favorite budget earbuds just got the deal treatment for Memorial Day, knocking them down to a mere $20.

The Anker Soundcore P20i are the best cheap earbuds we've tried and as of May 21, they're on sale for only $19.99 at Amazon. That's half off their list price of $39.99 and just two cents away from their record-low price.

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After tweaking a few settings on the companion app, our reviewer was shocked by how well the P20i earbuds performed for the cost. With the Treble Boost equalizer preset turned on, the P20is are able to produce the kind of sound you'd expect from options three times the price. They also boast an impressive battery life of about 10 hours, plus an extra 30 with the charging case. For comparison purposes, the standard AirPods without noise-cancellation offer less than six hours.

Anker Soundcore also threw in some extra ingredients on these earbuds, like a "find device" feature and the ability to set up to three personalized touch controls on each bud.

Obviously, at a price this low, the brand had to cut some more advanced features. So don't expect noise cancellation or multipoint pairing. If those are dealbreakers, you'll have to spend a bit more. But if you just want some basic earbuds that sound great and offer some extra perks at a low price, you'd be hard pressed to find a better option.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Give your PC a second life with this $35 Microsoft bundle

Mashable - 6 hours 48 min ago

TL;DR: Make an old PC feel brand new again with the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro Bundle, on sale for just $34.97 (reg. $418.99) through May 31.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $34.97
$418.99 Save $384.02   Get Deal

Want to squeeze more life out of your current PC? It may not be as expensive as you think, thanks to the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro Bundle. This combo gives your Windows device a total refresh, and right now you can snag it all for just $34.97 until May 31.

Who has an extra few hundred dollars to spend on a laptop these days? Fortunately, there’s no need if you get this Microsoft bundle. It equips your PC with a fresh set of tools and an updated operating system, making it feel brand new to you for under $40.

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!

This bundle kicks off with Microsoft Office Professional 2021, which gives your computer permanent access to eight helpful apps. This suite includes classics you know and love, like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. It also features new favorites like OneNote, Teams, Access, and Publisher.

Once you have your new apps downloaded, it’s time to upgrade your OS. This bundle includes Windows 11 Pro, an operating system that was purposefully designed with the modern professional in mind.

This OS offers a more powerful search experience, improved voice typing, snap layouts, and a whole lot more features designed to improve your workflow. It also includes cybersecurity features like biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and advanced antivirus defenses.

Act fast to score major savings and get the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro Bundle for just $34.97 until May 31.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 hookup sites that have never been part of a data breach

Mashable - 6 hours 48 min ago

You probably know this all ready, but pretty much every major dating and hookup site has been the victim of a major data breach at one time or another. In fact, some of them have even undergone multiple data breaches. We're talking full names, addresses, billing information, and in some cases extremely personal information about sexual preferences. It's not ideal but it happens.

To be fair to these sites, they become targets because they're super successful in the online dating world. Think about it: If you're a hacker, you're going to target the biggest websites with the most users, because you'll get the biggest reward for your scam. Consequently, the big name dating sites now spend millions of dollars on cybersecurity, hoping to hold back future attacks.

But there are also hookup sites that fly under the radar — sites not yet big enough to get on the scammers' radar. If you're looking to experience the internet's hookup culture without exposure to the most popular sites, here are three solid adult dating sites that haven't experienced a data breach:

Friends with Benefits

Think of Friends with Benefits like a website version of Tinder or a slightly toned down version of AdultFriendFinder. Setting up an account is easy and requires very minimal personal information, so it's a great starting spot for people wary of sharing their data, but be warned: It's also vulnerable to bots and fake profiles. You'll spend as much time weeding out AI-generated profiles as you will messaging potential partners. 

If you live in or near a large metropolitan area, Friends with Benefits can work for you, because that's where their users are most concentrated, and as of this writing, they have yet to have a data breach. 

Guilty Affairs

We don't condone cheating on your partner or spouse, but it's a simple fact that a huge draw of online hookup sites is how much easier they make stepping outside of your relationship. Unfortunately, that also makes them a desirable target for hackers, who get not only your personal information but some excellent blackmail material ("You wouldn't want your wife to know…") — just think of the damage done to Ashley Madison users after more than 60 gigabytes of data were leaked.

If you're looking to explore some extra-marital fun but want to keep a low profile, Guilty Affairs is a good place to start. The interface is incredibly simple and easy to use, and doesn't require a ton of sensitive personal information before you can create an account and explore your options — there's nothing like their Roulette wheel of local singles to build excitement, for example.

SEE ALSO: All your Hinge questions, answered

Best of all, they're very transparent about their dedication to cybersecurity, with 256-bit encryption as standard and PCI DSS certification across all of their payment methods, so if you do decide to purchase tokens (called "Coins" on the site) to boost your profile or browse incognito, you can be assured of high levels of payment protection. 

Senior Sizzle

Okay, granted, if you're still on the younger side, a hookup site with a tagline of "intimate encounters over 50" might not sound that enticing, but there are a whole lot of single seniors out there looking to get frisky, and the site is well designed to help them find their "sizzle." 

From a security standpoint, the site touts an in-house security team as well as "industry standard" efforts like firewalls and data encryption to help keep your personal information safe. And at time of writing, they've been successful, with zero data breaches, which is no small feat given the site was first launched more than 20 years ago. 

How to protect yourself from data breaches

While it's a good idea to audit your website choices before you sign up, ensuring they have a history of good cybersecurity practices, it's also important to realize that you have a major role to play in protecting your own data. Here are a few best practices to follow to ensure your online safety:

  1. Limit your exposure. The less data you share with each dating website, and the less specific that data is, the better.

  2. Sign up using a personal or alternative email. Never use your work email, and consider creating a backup email specifically for online dating signups. 

  3. Don't divulge personal information to unverified people. The person you're talking to might be a cute, fun single, but they could also be a chat bot or scammer eager to learn everything they can about you for nefarious ends. Save the detailed conversations for in-person meet-ups.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Interview: Ladies First director knew Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike would thrive after just one Zoom call

How-To Geek - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 23:30

Thea Sharrock understands that she can't make everyone laugh in Ladies First, a new Netflix movie starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike. Sharrock's rationale makes perfect sense: Everyone's humor is different. That's why the timing and delivery of the jokes are of the utmost importance. If you're off by even a minute, the comedy doesn't work.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Waymo's robotaxis can't handle floods, forcing Atlanta shutdown

How-To Geek - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 23:14

Waymo's recent crop of safety issues have led it to halt service in another city. The Alphabet-owned company has temporarily shut down service in Atlanta after one of its robotaxis drove into a flooded intersection.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why car companies are charging you a monthly fee for features you already own

How-To Geek - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 22:30

Not long ago, buying a new car followed a somewhat predictable path. Do online research, pick a trim level, choose your options, go for a test drive, and sign the paperwork. Once you pull away from the dealership, everything on that window sticker is yours. Heated seats worked. Remote start worked. The features and packages you paid for were yours for as long as you owned the vehicle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new shows to watch this weekend across Netflix, Paramount+, and more (May 22-24)

How-To Geek - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 22:00

One of Prime Video's most popular shows is forgoing a new season in favor of a movie. Instead ofseason 5, Prime Video has opted to continue John Krasinski's run as Jack Ryan in a movie, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War. While many fans, including myself, would have preferred another season of television, having Jack Ryan in a movie is better than not having the character at all.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Mexico vs. Ghana online for free

Mashable - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 22:00

TL;DR: Live stream Mexico vs. Ghana in a 2026 International Friendly for free on Canal 5 Televisa. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching.

This is the last chance for competing sides to sharpen up ahead of the main event, so fans can look forward to a string of high-profile friendlies over the next couple of weeks. That includes Mexico vs. Ghana, a tough game to call involving the World Cup co-hosts and a team with aspirations of making it through to the knockout rounds.

If you want to watch Mexico vs. Ghana in a 2026 International Friendly for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Mexico vs. Ghana?

Mexico vs. Ghana kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on May 22. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc.

How to watch Mexico vs. Ghana for free

Mexico vs. Ghana is available to live stream for free on Canal 5 Televisa.

Canal 5 Televisa is geo-restricted to Mexico, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Mexico, meaning you can access free live streams on Canal 5 Televisa from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Mexico vs. Ghana 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 Mexico

  4. Visit Canal 5 Televisa

  5. Stream Mexico vs. Ghana for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 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 Mexico vs. Ghana without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select games before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Canal 5 Televisa?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Canal 5 Televisa, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Mexico

  • 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 eight 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).

Live stream Mexico vs. Ghana for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Reliable, fun, and affordable—The Japanese compact that ticks every box

How-To Geek - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 21:46

Affordable compact cars often force buyers to compromise somewhere, whether it’s reliability, driving enjoyment, interior quality, or efficiency. That’s what makes the Honda Civic such a standout in 2026. Few cars at this price point manage to balance all the things that matter quite as well, combining strong fuel economy, impressive reliability, sharp handling, and a surprisingly refined cabin in one affordable package.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Californias Gavin Newsom tries to save workers from AI with executive order

Mashable - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 21:13

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Thursday addressing the imminent "disruptions" of artificial intelligence on jobs.

The Democratic governor and widely-rumored 2028 presidential contender directed the state to explore a number of measures to prevent nightmare scenarios for workers affected by AI job loss.

The executive order focuses on policies for severance, employment insurance, universal basic income, and workforce training, among other potential responses to AI worker displacement.

SEE ALSO: Meta will track employee mouse movements and keystrokes for AI training, report says

"This moment demands that we reimagine the entire system — how we work, how we govern, how we prepare people for the future — and that work is starting right here in the Golden State," Newsom said in a statement.

Meta layoffs: AI job losses mount

The timing of Newsom's executive order is noteworthy. On Wednesday, California-based tech giant Meta laid off 8,000 employees, 10 percent of its workforce, and moved another several thousand to roles focused on AI.

Despite Meta's recent strong quarterly financial performance, the company's CEO Mark Zuckerberg discussed the layoffs as part of the company's aggressive transition to AI.

"Success isn’t a given. A.I. is the most consequential technology of our lifetimes," Zuckerberg wrote in a memo to staff, according to the New York Times. "The companies that lead the way will define the next generation."

Other major tech companies, including Cisco and Microsoft, are shedding jobs as they focus on AI.

The timeline for Newsom's AI executive order

Newsom's executive order established a short timeline for evaluating and identifying new solutions. Within 90 days, the state's Employment Development Department is supposed to launch a dashboard showing AI's impacts on California jobs, based on unemployment insurance data.

By mid-October, various state agencies should finish reviewing specific policies and practices, including how unionized workplaces are addressing the adoption of AI technology.

"Today is just the first step as we rewrite policy and direction, creating a future of work that works for all," Newsom said.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This open-source app turned my Android phone into a portable physics laboratory

How-To Geek - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 21:00

Your phone already uses its sensors more than you probably think. They count your steps, point maps in the right direction, adjust screen brightness, detect motion, and rotate the display when you turn the phone sideways. Phyphox is an open-source app that lets you use those sensors directly, so you can explore the world around you instead of only seeing the features they power.

Categories: IT General, Technology

If you're a Spotify superfan, you can now buy concert tickets without the queue

How-To Geek - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 20:40

Spotify is rolling out a new initiative on its platform that will make it simpler to get concert tickets in the U.S. The streaming platform has introduced Reserved, a way for Spotify Premium subscribers in the U.S. to get concert tickets without having to queue up in a race against others to get their hands on a ticket.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The hybrid sedan buyers keep choosing over SUVs

How-To Geek - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 20:30

The American car market moves fast, and even huge nameplates can disappear almost overnight. Sedans like the Ford Fusion used to be everywhere, but the SUV boom pushed a lot of longtime favorites completely out of the conversation.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Spotify's new Studio app uses AI to weave audio into your life—here's how it works

How-To Geek - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 20:18

Spotify has used its 2026 Investor Day to introduce new features, including a desktop app built around AI. The company's new Studio by Spotify Labs is effectively a NotebookLM for audio that integrates the streaming service into your daily routine.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 underrated Star Wars comics worth dusting off your Kindle for

How-To Geek - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 20:00

With a new Star Wars movie day approaching, The Mandalorian and Grogu is the perfect time to dive into the Galaxy Far, Far Away. Even with 11 movies, 7 live-action Disney+ shows, and numerous animated titles, there are plenty of adventures to be found off-screen. And across its 49-year history, the franchise's best stories have sometimes not been found on screen but in the pages of its comic book offerings.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Scam alert: An official Microsoft email is being used for phishing links

Mashable - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 19:53

If you've ever received an email from "msonlineservicesteam@microsoftonline.com," you'll know that this is an official email address used by Microsoft.

However, users should be aware that emails from this official Microsoft address may be scam messages.

Scammers have figured out how to weaponize this legitimate Microsoft email address in order to send fraudulent emails to targets. And it appears that bad actors are ramping up their use of this method, too.

Post by @zackwhittaker@mastodon.social View on Mastodon

Recently, multiple people on social media have shared that they received a scam email from a real Microsoft email address called msonlineservicesteam@microsoftonline.com. The emails look like most emails from Microsoft, utilizing the template that the company frequently uses. However, the subject line of these emails are often about Bitcoin or a promoting a third-party website. The subject line also usually includes a phone number or website link that are not associated with Microsoft.

The reason these emails look like actual emails from Microsoft is because, technically, they are.

Post by @spamhaus@infosec.exchange View on Mastodon

Normally, this Microsoft email is used by the company in order to send email notifications such as two-factor authentication codes or account notices. However, scammers have found that they can inject their fraudulent schemes into this legitimate email, bypassing any sort of scam or spam detection filters in users' email inbox.

As TechCrunch writes in its report, Microsoft doesn't appear to have addressed the issue or released any statement yet on the matter.

However, it appears that this issue has been around for quite some time now.

A January report from cybersecurity company Abnormal detailed how bad actors were abusing Microsoft's notification email system and tricking it into sending phishing emails.

"The attack begins with the bad actor spinning up a disposable Microsoft 365 tenant," reads Abnormal's report. "The core exploit lies in the Tenant Branding configuration within Microsoft Entra ID. The attacker navigates to Tenant Properties and modifies the 'Name' field to contain a fraudulent financial alert message."

With the name modified with the scammer's message, the bad actor then tricks Microsoft into sending a verification code email to the target's email address. The scammer does this by asking Microsoft to add the target's email address to the attacker's Microsoft account. When the email is sent to the target, Microsoft includes their name in the subject line. But, again, in this case, the scammer has input their message to the victim as the name.

Because this attack utilizes Microsoft's trusted email address and does not include any malicious hyperlinks or attachments, these scam emails are easily bypassing any sort of security measures.

As cybercriminals get craftier and more resourceful, internet users should remain vigilant and take a close look at emails they receive, even if the sender appears to check out.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung should build a foldable eReader that makes every Kindle feel obsolete

How-To Geek - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 19:45

What are book-style foldables good for? The answer is right there in the name! It's time Samsung, the company that mainstreamed this type of phone, used that expertise to go after the Kindle head-on.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Don't upgrade your GPU yet: AMD just saved older Radeon cards

How-To Geek - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 19:30

When Nvidia announced that it'd be letting older GPUs gain access to DLSS 4, all eyes were on AMD to do the same. Previously, both GPU makers locked their most precious AI-driven frame generation and upscaling tech behind a paywall of sorts: you had to own a GPU from the latest generation in order to try them out.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Home Depot’s Memorial Day Milwaukee deals are too good to pass up

How-To Geek - Thu, 05/21/2026 - 19:09

As spring draws to a close and summer weather arrives, now is the perfect time to start DIY house or car projects. If you need some new power tools or battery packs, you'll be happy to hear that Home Depot's huge buy-one-get-one deal is back, along with several Memorial Day deals you don't want to miss.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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