IT General
Pushing your router’s power button isn't a real reboot
Restarting the router is often the best and most straightforward way to solve a ton of network-related issues. In many cases, the router is working fine; it just needs a quick power cycle to get back on its feet. But there’s a catch.
My smart home was missing one thing—a Greenworks drill set
Buying smart home tech is different from other kinds of tech, because you're likely going to find yourself putting holes in the wall. While you can do this by hand, there's one tech purchase that makes all the difference.
Every Android user should check out this free, open-source app collection
Since I'm not a fan of Google Photos, I switched to the open-source Fossify Gallery app the moment I got my Pixel 10 Pro, which I'd discovered thanks to the excellent GitHub Store. A few months later, I'm still using the app, but in the meantime, I found out that the Fossify team develops a ton of free, open-source Android apps.
Your Wi-Fi limits gigabit internet. Optimize it anyway.
If you're paying for a gigabit internet plan, that essentially means that your connection to the ISP can theoretically reach around 1Gbps. However, it doesn't mean every device in your home will see that speed over Wi-Fi, and some may not even see it over Ethernet.
You're not using Excel's search properly—and it's costing you time
Can't find what you're looking for in an Excel worksheet? If you're manually scrolling or hammering Ctrl+F, you're wasting time. Excel has faster ways to pinpoint messy data—and once you start using them, you won't go back.
These 5 open-source apps do everything your paid subscriptions do, but better
Are you still paying for all of your online services? Well, it's time to kick some paid services to the curb and start self-hosting. Here are five self-hosted services that aren't just free, but they're actually better than their paid alternatives.
I stuck a 20-cent NFC tag to my front door and instantly replaced 5 Home Assistant devices
NFC tags are incredibly cheap yet useful tools in your smart home. Not only can they trigger automations in Home Assistant, they can also log which device scanned them. I have an NFC tag next to my front door, and it's removed the need for a surprising number of other smart home devices.
Linux power users have been doing this for years—Windows just caught up
I've always been a little bemused by operating system fanboys (because there is such a thing) making a fuss about a feature from one system being copied by another. Every time Android or iOS implements a feature the other did first, fans on either side are indignant.
Google I/O: Every new feature coming to Chrome, including two AI detection tools
At its annual Google I/O developers conference on Tuesday, Google announced several new features that will work with Chrome. They include two tools that make it easier to identify AI-generated content and deepfakes right in the world's most popular web browser.
First up, Google is adding its SynthID verification to Chrome "over the coming weeks," according to a company blog post. Launched three years ago, SynthID is a digital AI watermarking and detection technology from Google DeepMind that works on images, videos, and audio files. OpenAI, Kakao, and ElevenLabs are implementing SynthID into their content as well, Google said.
Google is also bringing content credential verification from the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) to Chrome "in the coming months." Within their browser, users will be able to screen content for C2PA metadata, which denotes AI modification.
Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!
SEE ALSO: Everything announced at the Google I/O 2026 keynote: AI, more AI, and smart glassesLater this summer, Google's new Gemini Spark personal AI agent will work within Chrome. Powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash, Google's fresh AI model, Spark runs 24/7 in the cloud — meaning it doesn't need a local device like a laptop or Mac Mini to keep working. Spark will be available in beta to Google AI Ultra subscribers next week, Google said.
Finally, users can now attach Chrome tabs alongside queries in Google's updated AI-powered Search box, which also runs on Gemini 3.5 Flash. It works with images, videos, and files as well. This one's actually available today wherever Search's AI Mode is available.
Are you an Apple superfan? Enter Mashable’s Big Guessing Game to win prizes.
How to watch USA vs. Germany online for free
TL;DR: Watch USA vs. Germany in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships continue with more exciting contests between top international sides. USA vs. Germany is next on the schedule. Germany have really struggled so far, so USA will be expected to win this one without too much hassle.
If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is USA vs. Germany?USA vs. Germany in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 2:20 p.m. ET on May 20. This fixture takes place at the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich.
How to watch USA vs. Germany for freeUSA vs. Germany in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.
IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access
Connect to IIHF.TV
Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream USA vs. Germany plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms 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 the Ice Hockey World Championships?ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
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
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).
Live stream USA vs. Germany in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.
How to watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships online for free
TL;DR: Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
We're still buzzing from the international hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but 2026 is not done yet. We know the focus of the ice hockey world is firmly fixed on the resolution of the NHL season right now, but the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is here to offer something to fans without a vested interest in the Stanley Cup.
This tournament doesn't have quite the same prestige as the Winter Olympics, but the 2024 World Championship was the most successful in terms of overall attendance. We're expecting this tournament in Switzerland to be just as popular as the USA, Canada, Czechia, Sweden, Finland, and other top sides battle it out on the ice.
If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
What is the Ice Hockey World Championships?The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual international men's ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation. 16 teams are divided into two groups for the Preliminary Round played in a single round robin format. The top-four ranked teams of each group advance to the knockout rounds.
The defending champions are Czechia.
When is the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships?The 2026 IIHF World Championships will take place from May 15-31. This year's tournament will be hosted by Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland.
How to watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for freeThe 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.
IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access
Connect to IIHF.TV
Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream the tournament before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms 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 the Ice Hockey World Championships?ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
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
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).
Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.
I gave my smart home a "dumb mode" that guests can actually understand
Your smart home shouldn’t be hard to understand, but the reality is often a different story. You know that some lights turn on and off automatically, how to control the HVAC, and which switches should never be turned off at the wall.
WhatsApp is testing messages that self-destruct after you read them
WhatsApp is working on a new feature: Messages that disappear after you read them.
This is according to WABetaInfo, which found the feature in the latest WhatsApp for iOS beta, version 26.19.10.72.
According to the WhatsApp beta screenshot posted by the outlet, the feature will appear under the "Privacy - Default message timer" part of WhatsApp's settings. The user can choose to have the timer off, have the messages disappear after a fixed period of time (currently available options are 24 hours, 7 days, and 90 days), or "After reading."
According to the introductory text in WhatsApp, when "After reading" is selected, messages disappear "after they're read," while unread messages disappear after 24 hours. While that's a bit vague, the screenshots posted by WABetaInfo discover that this feature actually adds an additional timer, which kicks off after a message has been read. The options for this secondary timer are 5 minutes, 1 hour, or 12 hours.
The feature is not fool-proof, and WhatsApp adds a disclaimer that people "may find other ways to save messages." But it is the safest option yet if you want the messages to be read once, and only once, by the intended recipient.
SEE ALSO: WhatsApp tests Plus subscription. But what do you actually get?It's unclear when the feature will become available widely. WhatsApp has previously tested the feature on Android, and now it's expanded it to iOS devices as well, signalling it may happen soon.
Dreame brings Matter support and more to affordable smart locks
Smart locks have become easier to recommend over the past few years, but there are still a few sticking points. Compatibility is one of them. Many locks work best inside a single ecosystem, and some still require extra hubs or bridges to unlock their full feature set.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select hits best-ever price before Memorial Day — save $25 with coupon
SAVE $25: As of May 20, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select is on sale for $14.99 at Amazon. Use the coupon code SELECT4K to access this record-low price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $14.99 at Amazon$39.99 Save $25 Use the coupon code SELECT4K at the checkout Get Deal
From binge-watching your favorite box sets to streaming live sports, dedicated streaming devices have become a staple in many homes.
Brands like Amazon, Google, and Roku all offer their own take on smart TV streaming, and there are options for all budgets and streaming setups. One such device is the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, an affordable way to upgrade to 4K streaming. And as of May 20, it's on sale for $14.99 at Amazon with the coupon code SELECT4K.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is just one of Amazon's streaming devices. This one is designed for 4K Ultra HD watching with HDR10+ support, so movie nights are always great quality. With this device, you'll also get access to a wide range of apps including Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV+, and many more, along with lots of ad-supported content.
Setup is nice and easy, just plug the device into a TV and connect to WiFi for streaming. You'll also need to power it via a wall outlet, but you'll get all you need to use it in the box.
Find this streaming device at Amazon now.
The new Nothing Headphone (a) is already on sale at Amazon — act fast to save $30
SAVE $30: As of May 20, the Nothing Headphone (a) is down to a new low price of $169 at Amazon. This is $30 off their full price of $199.
Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing Headphone (a) $169 at Amazon$199 Save $30 Get Deal
Memorial Day deals have officially landed, and we've been keeping a keen eye on exciting discounts already live.
For those looking to scoop up new headphones, we've already spotted some great offers at Amazon: The new Nothing Headphone (a) is already on sale for a record-low price.
As of May 20, every available color of the Nothing Headphone (a) is down to $169 at Amazon. This deal saves you $30 on the list price of $199, marking a new low price at the retailer.
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!Mashable's Bethany Allard reviewed these headphones and had high praise for them. She said: "The Nothing Headphone (a) is the best pair of headphones from Nothing, and one of the best pairs of mid-range headphones available to get, thanks to their solid all-around performance and standout battery life."
Allard adds: "Nothing backs up the great look of these headphones with a solid performance, rounding out decent sound and ANC with plenty of ease built into the user experience, topped up with truly unbeatable battery life." And if you're curious how long that battery life is? Allard says they offer, "75 hours of battery life with ANC and 135 hours without."
There's no telling how long this offer will last, so be quick to jump on this deal on the Nothing Headphone (a) at Amazon.
Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.
Don't buy these 8 popular IKEA products until you've tried 3D printing them first
You’re probably not going to 3D print your next sofa or dining table (even though somebody out there has probably tried), so a trip to IKEA might be the right choice. But what about those smaller, modular, expandable items that end up in your cart every time you visit?
Jimmy Kimmel gleefully roasts footage of Trump talking about his $400 million ballroom
Donald Trump talking to the media about his controversial $400 million White House ballroom in front of a noisy construction site was always going to a silver platter of potential late night jokes — and in the monologue above, Jimmy Kimmel makes the most of it.
The host has more than a few ridiculous moments to chose between, from Trump saying it's "a very complex building" and "the roof also goes down into the basement" to the president's poster boards blowing away in the wind.
"Can you imagine the Iranians watching that this morning?" asks Kimmel. "Minutes before his deadline to bomb them he's showing off plans for the new dance floor, where he's going to cha-cha to 'YMCA'. I mean if he wasn't so dumb, it might be diabolical. But it isn't. He's dumb."
Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.
The Magic: The Gathering Edge of Eternities Play Booster Box is only $145 at Amazon — save $20
TL;DR: Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Edge of Eternities Play Booster Box available from $143.88, down from its $164.70 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Edge of Eternities Play Booster Box (30 Packs) $143.88 at Amazon$164.70 Save $20.82 Get Deal
If you missed out on Edge of Eternities when the Magic: The Gathering set first launched, Amazon’s latest price cut gives you a decent excuse to finally give your deckbuilding a deep space theme.
As of May 20, Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Edge of Eternities Play Booster Box available from $143.88 through its other sellers section, down from the $164.70 list price. That works out to 13% off, saving you $20.82 before tax. Since you’re getting 30 Play Boosters in the box, you’re paying about $4.80 per pack.
This $143.88 listing, sold by Gaming Universe Corp, comes with an expected delivery date range between May 26-28. However, if you don’t mind paying slightly more, a $144.96 listing — shipped and sold by Champion Gaming — can come as soon as May 21-22 at the time of writing.
Walmart has the same box listed for $142.95, down from $169.99, while TCGplayer listings start from $124.97 with shipping included. So Amazon isn’t the cheapest overall, but if you prefer ordering through Amazon as your main trading card retailer, these are still decent prices for the full sealed box.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The Edge of Eternities theme is Magic’s first proper space opera expansion, sending players into the Sothera system with alien factions, distant planets, cosmic magic, and an unstable supervoid threatening the center of it all. It also brings four newer mechanics into play: Station, Warp, Landers, and Void.
Inside the box are 30 Edge of Eternities Play Boosters. Each pack includes 14 Magic cards and one token, with one to four cards of Rare or higher rarity, three to five Uncommons, six to nine Commons, and one Land card. Every booster also includes at least one Traditional Foil, with a chance at a Foil Borderless Mythic and Traditional Foil Lands replacing regular lands in 20% of packs.
Among other MTG deals, you can still get the Magic: The Gathering Marvel's Spider-Man Scene Box at $14 off. What’s more, preorders for the official KPop Demon Hunters Trading Cards are live on Amazon.
If you’re a Pokémon TCG fan, the newly-announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.
Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.
The Pokémon TCG Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box is back under $80 at Amazon — save $5 now
TL;DR: Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box on sale for $79.69, down from its $84.99 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box $79.69 at Amazon$84.99 Save $5.30 Get Deal
Perfect Order might not be the newest Pokémon TCG set anymore, but it’s still the most budget-friendly expansion compared to Ascended Heroes or Phantasmal Flames.
As of May 20, Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box back under $80, down from its $84.99 list price. This 6% discount saves you $5.30 on the sold-and-shipped-by-Amazon listing, with free delivery available. Amazon does offer lower prices from other sellers, though some of those don’t come with free Prime shipping.
Over on TCGplayer, the Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box is currently listed from as low as $70. Walmart is another slightly cheaper alternative, with a price of $78.94 at the lowest. Against TCGplayer’s $67.12 market price and $79.94 listed median, this puts Amazon’s deal slightly above market, but still close enough to be worth considering if fast, direct shipping is the priority.
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!Inside the ETB, you’re getting nine Pokémon TCG Perfect Order booster packs of trading cards, one full-art foil promo card featuring Tyrunt, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, a player’s guide, six damage-counter dice, a competition-legal coin-flip die, a plastic coin, a collector’s box with six dividers, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.
To get even more boosters from this expansion, you can also score the Perfect Order Booster Bundle for just under $50. As for the new Pokémon TCG expansion, you can still pre-order the Chaos Rising Booster Bundle for slightly over $60.
Although currently not available on Amazon, the Pokémon TCG’s newly-announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.
Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.
