IT General
This cheap Japanese compact car is still the king of reliability
Affordable compact cars come and go, but one Japanese model has quietly dominated the reliability conversation for years. The Honda Civic remains a benchmark for durability and trouble-free ownership, even as competitors come and go. Its reputation for needing fewer repairs and delivering long-lasting performance makes it the go-to choice for drivers who want a dependable daily driver without frequent visits to the shop.
The best fonts to use in Microsoft Word for different purposes
There are well over a hundred fonts to choose from when using Microsoft Word. While it's fun to experiment with them, it would take forever to try them all out. That's why I'm picking a handful of the best fonts to use with Word across various use cases, be it academia, design, or even coding.
Please stop buying expensive mesh Wi-Fi systems for small homes
If you’ve been eyeing one of those pricey mesh systems to improve your Wi-Fi but can’t justify the cost, here's some good news: there’s a good chance you don’t even need one. In many apartments and smaller homes, a single router can already provide all the coverage you could possibly need.
I replaced 4 paid subscriptions with one free app
It's exhausting trying to find a truly effective productivity tool these days. The market is completely flooded, and you can't trust an advertisement to reflect reality; they're all just marketing hype. However, there are still apps that can do everything you need that don't cost you a monthly payment.
How to use the REPT function in Excel to create text-based progress bars
Excel's conditional formatting data bars seem easy to use, but they can cause more problems than they solve, creating a "rule rot" mess and causing a massive lag in large worksheets. Switching to the REPT function keeps your file size small and your performance snappy.
Last-minute Super Bowl upgrade: the 85-inch Sony Bravia 3 TV is at its best price ever
SAVE $700: As of Feb. 6, get the Sony 85-inch Bravia 3 TV for $899.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,599.99. That's a discount of 44% and the lowest price we've seen.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sony 85-inch Bravia 3 TV $899.99 at Amazon$1,599.99 Save $700 Get Deal
There are just a couple of days left before the big game, and if you need a new, larger TV, STAT, you're in luck. You can score a massive TV upgrade that should still arrive for the biggest sports event of the year if you head over to Amazon right now, and save some serious cash while doing so.
As of Feb. 6, get the Sony 85-inch Bravia 3 TV for $899.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,599.99. That's $700 off and a discount of 44%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.
SEE ALSO: Save up to $6,000 on Samsung's best TVs before the big gameThis massive 85-inch TV is a media powerhouse. Not only does it offer excellent picture quality with deep dark hues and plenty of different shades of color, but it also supports Triluminos Pro to make it all a bit sharper. It also features Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode, so it has presets ready to go for watching sports or whatever else you happen to be into. It also rocks powerful audio that you can enhance with a soundbar if needed.
If you're into streaming movies and TV shows, it's useful for that as well. It has built-in Google Assistant support, which lets you summon things like apps (Netflix, Prime Video, you name it) via voice and without needing a separate streaming device. And if you prefer to play your own sports or other titles as a gamer, there are tons of preset supports for it as well.
Save big on this TV and and go ham for the big game before it starts, and you'll be in one very popular household.
Samsungs The Terrace 55-inch outdoor TV is $600 off
SAVE 17%: As of Feb. 6, the 55-inch Samsung "The Terrace" outdoor Smart TV (QN55LST7DAFXZA, 2024 model) is on sale for $2,891.96, down from $3,497.99, at Amazon. That's a 17% discount or $606.03 savings.
55-inch Samsung "The Terrace" outdoor Smart TV (QN55LST7DAFXZA, 2024 model) $2,891.96 at Amazon$3,497.99 Save $606.03 Get Deal at Amazon
If you've been dreaming of a movie setup for your patio, the "off-season" is the smartest time to buy. While everyone else waits for the first warm day of spring (when prices are high), Amazon is quietly clearing out premium outdoor tech.
SEE ALSO: Save up to $6,000 on Samsung's best TVs before the big gameRight now, you can get the 55-inch Samsung "The Terrace" outdoor Smart TV (QN55LST7DAFXZA, 2024 model) on sale for $2,891.96, down from $3,497.99, at Amazon. That's a 17% discount or $606.03 savings.
Unlike a regular TV that you have to panic-drag inside when it starts to sprinkle, this screen is built to handle the elements. It carries an IP56 rating for water and dust resistance, and the "Partial Sun" model uses a Neo QLED 4K panel to boost brightness so you can watch clearly in daylight. It also features anti-reflection technology to reduce glare and a 120Hz refresh rate, which is ideal for watching sports.
Just remember: This model is designed for shaded areas, like a covered deck or pergola, rather than direct sunlight. If you're planning on placing it in direct sunlight, be sure to choose the "Full Sun TV" option.
This third-party Plex client with a sleek design just got an upgrade
Plezy is a third-party Plex client for Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile platforms with a sleek design and a few unique features. If you're annoyed with the official Plex apps, you should give Plezy a spin—especially after the most recent update.
Grab the Bose Ultra Open earbuds in any color for their best price ever
SAVE $100: As of Feb. 6, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are on sale for $199 at Amazon. That's $100 or 33% off their list price and the best price on record in most colors.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Ultra Open earbuds $199 at Amazon$299 Save $100 Get Deal
If you're curious about open-ear earbuds, but don't want to sacrifice sound quality, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are the best option. And now that they're $100 off, they're an incredible value.
As of Feb. 6, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are down to just $199 at Amazon in every color. That's 33% off their list price of $299 and their best price ever in most color options.
The Ultra Open buds curl around the edges of your ears like earring cuffs instead of going directly into your ear canal. This "open" design helps to keep you in touch with your surroundings while you listen to music, audiobooks, podcasts, etc., which makes them a particularly good pick for runners, cyclists, or commuters who need to stay aware and alert. Most open earbuds can sound muddied because of this design, but Mashable contributor RJ Andersen said that's not the case with the Bose earbuds.
"The sound was well-balanced, and even with my ear completely uncovered, I didn’t notice any issues with the audio sounding distant or muddy. Instead, the Ultra Open Earbuds sounded clear, natural, and pretty lush," Andersen noted in her review.
You'll get over seven hours of listening time and an extra 2.5 charges from the case — not the best, but decent. If you're not into AirPods-style earbuds and want to try something a little different, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are real treat (especially when they're $100 cheaper than usual).
Home Assistant projects to try this weekend (February 6-8)
2026 is flying by, with January already behind us. If you haven't yet managed to fulfill your New Year's resolution to do more with Home Assistant, there are still plenty of projects to get your teeth into.
How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony online for free
TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on Peacock or NBCOlympics.com. Alternatively, you can watch on a number of free streaming platforms including 9Now, CBC Gem, and BBC iPlayer.
We feel truly blessed by all the sport on the calendar this year. We're genuinely overrun with huge events, including the Winter Olympics. You could make the argument that this is the biggest event of 2026, but some people would point to the 2026 World Cup taking place this summer. Frankly, we don't care. We're just going to enjoy everything on offer.
The Winter Olympics doesn't actually begin with the opening ceremony. Curling, luge, snowboarding, skiing, and ice hockey started from Feb. 4, but the opening ceremony is still where things officially get going. Expect a stunning show from the San Siro Olympic Stadium plus extra events from other Olympic territories. The likes of Mariah Carey, Laura Pausini, Sabrina Impacciatore, and Andrea Bocelli will perform.
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!If you want to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony?The opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from 2 p.m. ET on Feb. 6. The opening ceremony is expected to run for around three hours.
How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony for freeThe 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony is available to live stream for free on a number of services:
Australia — 9Now
Austria — ORF
Canada — CBC Gem
France — France TV
Germany — ARD
Ireland — RTÉ Player
Italy — RAI
Spain — RTVE
UK — BBC iPlayer
These free live streams are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can access free live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to 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 free access
Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the opening ceremony plus the rest of the 2026 Winter Olympics before recovering your investment.
How to watch Love Island: All Stars online for free
TL;DR: Live stream the third season of Love Island: All Stars for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
We should all be seeking as little drama as possible in our private lives. There's a lot of joy to be found in a peaceful existence. That being said, there's also a great deal of joy to be found in watching other people's messy lives play out. And that's exactly what Love Island provides.
The hit show delivers weeks of flirting, breakups, and passionate debate between fame-hungry singles. It's exactly what we all need to get through these bleak winter months. And the only thing better than Love Island is Love Island: All Stars. Someone came up with the great idea to invite some of the best Love Island contestants back for a second (or third) chance at finding love.
They're looking for love, OK? They're not heading back for a quick paycheck. How dare you even suggest that.
If you're interested in watching Love Island: All Stars for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is Love Island: All Stars in 2026?The third season of Love Island: All Stars starts on Jan. 15. This latest season is expected to run for six weeks.
How to watch Love Island: All Stars for free in 2026The third season of Love Island: All Stars is available to live stream for free on ITVX.
ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone from around the world can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to watch Love Island: All Stars from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Love Island: All Stars 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 the UK
Visit ITVX
Stream Love Island: All Stars for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for unblocking streaming sites are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials and money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Love Island: All Stars without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you time to watch a large chunk of the season before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for ITVX?ExpressVPN is the top choice for accessing free live streams on ITVX, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
Easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as platforms like Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and routers
Strict no-logging policy
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).
Live stream Love Island: All Stars for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TCLs gigantic 98-inch QM6K mini LED TV is on sale for half off — save $1,500
SAVE $1,500: Amazon and Best Buy have the 98-inch TCL QM6K Mini LED TV on sale for just $1,499.99 as of Feb. 6. That's 50% off its $2,999 MSRP, which is its biggest discount ever. Delivery times vary by retailer.
Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 98-inch QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV (98QM6K) $1,499.99 at Amazon$2,999.99 Save $1,500.00 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 98-inch QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV (98QM6K) $1,499.99 at Best Buy
$2,999.99 Save $1,500.00 Get Deal
February is one of the best times to buy a new TV because retailers love tying promos to the Big Game. Big-screen QLEDs are especially easy to find on sale right now because they're primo for watching sports, according to Mashable's Leah Stodart. "The vibrant lighting supplied by a QLED panel is ideal for following small details like a ball or tiny score box," she writes.
If you're looking to upgrade your TV to a nice QLED model before the Seahawks take on the Patriots this Sunday, and you've got a large wall to fill, allow me to present the best "go big or go home" deal I could scrounge up. As of Feb. 6, the 98-inch TCL QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV is on sale for just $1,499.99 at Amazon and Best Buy — that's half off its usual retail price of $2,999.99 and a new all-time low. (Ignore Amazon's deflated list price of $2,299.99. The TCL website says it's a $3,000 value.)
According to data on camelcamelcamel, an Amazon price-tracking site, this exact TV has never been on sale for less than $1,599.99 prior to today.
Here's the 55-inch TCL QM6K up on my colleague's wall. The LED light strip illuminating its edges is not included. Credit: Leah Stodart / MashableAmazon was listing a delivery range of Feb. 12 to 16 for me at the time of writing, so if you need the 98-inch TCL QM6K sooner, go through Best Buy. It was offering free delivery as soon as Feb. 7 (tomorrow) the last time I checked — though if I needed someone to help me install it, I'd have to wait until Feb. 11 at the earliest. Enter your zip code on the Best Buy website to see what delivery times look like at your local stores.
Stodart is fresh off reviewing the 55-inch version of the QM6K, which she rated a 4.5/5 and deemed a Mashable Choice Award winner for its nice brightness, deep blacks, detailed shadows, and exceptional value.
"The TCL QM6K is an excellent budget mini LED TV for casual home theater purposes," Stodart said. "It's palpably brighter than a regular LED TV in broad daylight. In dark rooms, the deep black levels handle dark scenes way better than you'd expect for the price." Yes, it even makes Games of Thrones' "The Long Night" episode watchable. Read Stodart's full review here.
Dr. Squatch’s Briccd Up soap is back (and on sale)
Valentine’s Day is officially next weekend, which means we are in the final stretch of gifting panic. Right on cue, Dr. Squatch and Trojan have teamed up again to bring back their viral collaboration.
SEE ALSO: 30+ unique Valentine's Day gifts for men: Smart, cute, and practical ideas he'll be psyched aboutYes, the name is ridiculous — it’s called "Bricc'd Up," a pun I definitely don't need to explain to you. But people legitimately go crazy for this stuff; I’ve even seen bars from last year’s drop being resold on eBay. If you can look past the aggressive "Alpha" marketing, this is a solid buy (I keep Dr. Squatch in my own shower rotation).
I usually swear by the brand's heavy grit bars for exfoliation, but this specific limited-edition block is a "Zero Grit" formula designed for a much smoother lather using silk peptides and horny goat weed. It's also comically huge: The Magnum Bricc weighs nearly 14 ounces, which is roughly three times the size of a standard bar.
But the real reason we're talking about this is the deal. We love a freebie, and right now, you can score the massive Magnum Bricc (plus the free box of Trojan Magnum XL condoms) for just $15. Or, if you want to stock up, the 3-Pack Bundle of standard bars is down to $24. Honestly, for a gift that’s funny, genuinely useful, and saves you an awkward trip to the drugstore later, that's money well spent.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dr. Squatch Magnum Bricc + FREE Condoms $15 at Dr. Squatch$21.50 Save $6.50 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dr. Squatch Bricc'd Up 3-Pack + FREE Condoms $24 at Dr. Squatch
$30.50 Save $6.50 Get Deal
I’m done pretending open-source software is free
I discovered Linux in high school and fell in love with the OS in college. I dreamed of getting a job writing about free software and making others aware of the amazing things they can do with their computer. But despite this dream coming true, I’m no longer the open source purist I once was. Now I prefer not really having to think of software at all.
Crypto prices on Friday: Bitcoin, Ethereum and more tick upward
Bitcoin and the rest of the crypto market took a shellacking on Thursday, with prices dropping to their lowest levels since before the boom that occurred after Donald Trump's election. The hit that Bitcoin and the biggest altcoins took was the worst since the crypto crash of 2022.
As of Friday, however, Bitcoin has started to bounce back. As of the publication of this piece, Bitcoin is trading above $68,000.
Bitcoin dropped as low as $60,000 yesterday as institutional investors sold their holdings. But, Bitcoin was able to hold on to that $60k range, which was a key level according to some crypto analysts.
Ethereum, the second-most-popular cryptocurrency, plunged to $1,700 over the past 24 hours. It currently sits around $1,950 but has yet to make a recovery back into the $2,000 range.
Altcoins like Dogecoin and Solana also fell to lows that had not been experienced in years. Dogecoin fell to $0.08, which it last saw in September 2024. Solana dropped into the $70 range, a price point last seen in January 2024.
The crypto market as a whole has been trending upward as of Friday morning; however, prices have yet to return to their pre-crash levels, and it's too soon to say if the latest trend will hold through the weekend.
Stay prepared with the Oupes Guardian 6000 power station for its best price yet
SAVE $500.01: As of Feb. 6, get the Oupes Guardian 6000 power station for $1,698.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,199. That's a discount of 23% and the lowest price we've seen.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Oupes Guardian 6000 $1,698.99 at Amazon$2,199 Save $500.01 Get Deal
These days, there are tons of reasons to buy a power station. You might be going on a camping trip and want to have electricity. Or you might lose power in a storm and need to save precious food items. Whatever your reason for buying, getting one for a discount is always the best situation, and you can get a great one on offer at Amazon right now.
As of Feb. 6, get the Oupes Guardian 6000 power station for $1,698.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,199. That's $500.01 off and a discount of 23%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.
SEE ALSO: The 5 best portable power stations to stay charged up at home and on the goYou can handle just about any emergency thanks to this power station's massive 4608 Wh LiFePO4 battery with 6000W of output, boosted to 7200W as well as its 120V/240V dual voltage, expandable to 41kWh. That means you've got electricity to power everything from your fridge to your phone a few times over to keep you going until the lights are back.
It has five AC outlets and a total of 11 output ports period, with space for everything you need and want to handle. When the battery's drained, it can go from zero juice to a complete charge in just 90 minutes as well, so you won't be left standing around waiting to get back on track.
Now's the time to grab yours before the weather changes and it starts getting nasty again. Dive in before the price goes up.
3 overrated car features to avoid and 3 worth every penny
Buying a car always reminds me how strange the whole process is. I’ve done it several times now, and every trip to the dealership still manages to surprise me. Not because of the cars themselves, but because of how much effort goes into nudging buyers toward features they didn’t walk in asking for. Some of it is subtle, some of it is straight-up upsell, and a lot of it hides behind words like premium, smart, or advanced. By the time you’re sitting at the salesperson’s desk signing paperwork, it’s easy to lose track of what you actually wanted versus what sounded good in the moment.
De-Google your life now: 3 easy switches to reclaim your privacy
De-Googling makes sense. We're all handing every bit of our personal data to huge companies, and the most common one is typically Google—and it wouldn't be weird of you to think that's weird or creepy.
Googling Heated Rivalry triggers this cheeky exchange between Shane and Ilya
Heated Rivalry fans have a new reason to keep refreshing their browsers.
Searching "Heated Rivalry" on Google now unlocks a delightful little Easter egg, one that lovingly calls fans out for being extremely normal about their favorite hockey rivals. The feature sparks a digital back-and-forth between Shane and Ilya, appearing under their text-message aliases, Jane and Lily. It offers just enough content to tide devotees over until the next season.
SEE ALSO: A new 'Heated Rivalry' book is on the way — preorder 'Unrivaled' by Rachel Reid nowNaturally, Ilya isn't letting Shane or the fans off easy. Underneath the search bar and above the results, you'll see this cheeky text exchange between the two scrolling from the right, reading:
Lily: "Still obsessed with us?"
Jane: "I'm not obsessed with anything!"
Lily: "How many times have you looked us up?"
And that's only part of their conversation. It's part love letter to the fandom, part online humiliation ritual.
Hockey fever is officially spilling off the ice and into the search bar, and Google is leaning into it.
Google reports that search interest in ice hockey is surging, especially during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Searches for "olympic hockey schedule" are trending alongside figure skating's perennial popularity, while curiosity around hockey rosters, goalie warm-ups, and even the basics of the sport has climbed to multi-year highs. Interest in "hockey players" is at a 10-year peak, and questions about representation — like "are there any gay hockey players" — are reaching all-time highs, signaling a fandom that's both deeply invested and increasingly hockey-curious.
And then there's my personal favorite stat: search interest in "boy aquarium" is also at an all-time high. The tongue-in-cheek term refers to ice hockey rinks themselves, where fans gather behind the glass to watch and admire the male players skating past like handsome fish in a tank.
If I can't go to the cottage, then I'll take one ticket to the boy aquarium, please.


