IT General

Gmail finally offers end-to-end encryption for email on Android and iPhone

How-To Geek - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 23:33

Fully encrypted email has been available in at least some form for Gmail since the end of 2022, but now it's finally ready for mobile. Google is now offering end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for Gmail on Android devices and iPhones through the official email app.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These American brands are now more reliable than some Japanese rivals

How-To Geek - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 23:00

Buying a vehicle seems to get more expensive each year. On top of the purchase price, you have to factor in gasoline, diesel, or electricity to keep it running. Insurance, registration fees, and depreciation only add to the overall cost. The last thing you need is an expensive repair bill.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new shows to watch this weekend across Netflix, HBO Max, and more (April 10-12)

How-To Geek - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 22:00

Now that the calendar has turned to April, streaming services are rolling out new and returning shows every week. These next two months are always a crowded time for television because the eligibility period for the 2026 Emmys ends on May 31, 2026. The fifth and final season of an HBO Max comedy show will certainly be vying to take home awards this fall.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Waymo robotaxis will help cities fix potholes by sharing data

How-To Geek - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 21:32

You might need to thank a self-driving car the next time your city patches a hole in the road. Alphabet's Waymo is launching a pilot program that will share data from its robotaxis to help municipal and state governments identify and fix potholes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Kindle owners are furious over Amazons plan to end support for older devices

Mashable - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 21:31

Amazon is facing backlash from Kindle owners after notifying users this week that support for Kindle devices released in 2012 or earlier will end on May 20.

The email sparked immediate panic online, with many readers initially fearing their beloved e-readers were about to stop working entirely — and others expressing frustration that devices they have used for more than a decade are effectively being pushed toward obsolescence.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Much of the frustration seems less about the devices themselves and more about what they represent. Kindle owners repeatedly pointed out that their 2010 or 2011 devices still do the one thing they need them to do: read books.

On Reddit, many users framed Amazon's move as another example of planned obsolescence and unnecessary e-waste, especially because these devices are otherwise fully functional. Some commenters on X and Threads said they were considering switching to Kobo rather than buying another Kindle, while others called the change "a nightmare" and "a hostile act of predatory capitalism."

Across social media, readers described the move as a money grab. Some users said being nudged toward buying a new device, even with Amazon offering trade-in discounts, feels especially out of touch for people who cannot easily justify replacing something that still works.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. View on Threads This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

There is also a very specific kind of outrage coming from longtime Kindle loyalists who love the quirks of older models, especially devices with physical page-turn buttons. For some readers, older Kindles are more comfortable, more durable, and easier to use than newer touchscreen models. Losing access to the Kindle Store on those devices feels less like an inevitable software update and more like losing a favorite object that has been part of their daily routine for years.

For others, though, the news was less about outrage and more about amazement that some 15-year-old Kindles are still working well enough to make replacing them feel unnecessary. That's an unusually long lifespan in consumer tech.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

At the same time, some users online have been quick to point out that this is not exactly the end of the road. Many are already sharing workarounds involving jailbreaking, USB transfers, sideloading, and programs like Calibre, which allow readers to manually move books onto their devices.

As Mashable's resident e-reader expert, Samantha Mangino, noted, "The affected Kindles aren't necessarily being deactivated; service will just be limited. You can still read the books you have already downloaded to your Kindle per usual... Who's really losing out are Libby users, who have benefited from the Send to Kindle feature."

For some longtime Kindle devotees, this change might be enough to sour them on Amazon altogether — and to consider whether it might finally be time to try a different e-reader.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop wasting money on these 5 phone accessories

How-To Geek - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 21:31

Nearly everyone has an Android phone or iPhone in their pocket—if a company can get a sizable portion of those people to buy its accessory, that’s a lot of potential profit. But just because a product exists, that doesn’t mean you should buy it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Can Waymo and Waze fix cities potholes?

Mashable - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 21:20

Transportation companies Waymo and Waze announced a new, pothole-patching pilot today, harnessing their troves of street data to map out areas in need of fixing.

The program will rely on the perception and physical feedback systems built into Waymo's autonomous fleet vehicles to detect the location and condition of city potholes. That data will then be sent to city and state Departments of Transportation through the free Waze for Cities program, which provides real-time road data to partners.

SEE ALSO: Using ChatGPT Health? Read this first.

Waze users will be able to access and verify the data in the app, starting with riders in Los Angeles, when driving through areas with Waymo fleets.

Waymo will pilot the data partnership in five cities to start: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta, and plans to expand to cities with more complex transportation conditions, including harsh winters and freeze-thaw cycles. The company says it has already identified 500 potholes in need of filling. It says the partnership will "help fill reporting gaps and support cities’ efforts to maintain safer streets."

Waymo recently launched its driverless fleet to riders in Nashville, part of an aggressive expansion across the U.S., including cities like Chicago and Charlotte — it's expected to debut in dozens more cities this year. Waymo is in direct competition with Tesla's robotaxi fleet and recently had a $16 billion financing round. Tesla, meanwhile, is reportedly accelerating its autonomous fleet plans outside of its base in Austin, Texas.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop trusting your TV's night mode: What happens when you're not watching

How-To Geek - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 21:00

When you've woken up after falling asleep while watching Netflix, and you turn your TV off and go to bed for real, your day may have ended, but your TV still has business to conduct.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I stopped using desktop icons on Windows, and you should too

How-To Geek - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 20:56

The Windows desktop is iconic. Some of the backgrounds, the green rolling hills featured in Windows XP, have even become a bit of a meme. However, I do one thing very differently: I have completely removed all desktop icons from my desktop.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 ways I use presence sensors with Home Assistant to automate my morning routine

How-To Geek - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 20:30

My smart home morning routine has evolved a lot over the years. It used to be triggered at the same time each morning, but life isn't always that predictable. I now use presence sensors to help automate my mornings.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Motorolas Moto G budget phone prices spike up to 50 percent

Mashable - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 19:59

Motorola is usually a pretty dependable manufacturer of affordable budget phones in the U.S., but that's changing a bit this year.

As noted by Ars Technica, several 2026 revisions of Motorola's usual low-priced lineup have gotten significant price hikes.

Take the Moto G, Moto G Play, and Moto G Power phones, for example. All three have risen in price by anywhere from 33 to 50 percent year-over-year in 2026. The Moto G Play used to be $180, but now it's $250. On top of that, the slightly higher-end 2026 Moto G Stylus just made its debut at $500, a $100 price increase from last year.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 17e review: Ticks every box but one

In response to Mashable's questions about the price changes, a Motorola spokesperson provided this statement: "Pricing is always subject to change based on market conditions. We regularly assess pricing to remain competitive and continue to offer strong bundle and promotional offers to give consumers the strongest value possible."

Of course, phone prices tend to rise year-over-year to account for hardware or software improvements. However, the new Moto G Stylus, for instance, has the same display and memory specs as the previous year's model, and brands typically offer improved specs along with higher prices.

The most obvious potential culprit here is the ongoing memory shortage driven by AI data center construction around the world. It's caused everything from game console price increases to shortages in SD cards, and there's no sign of it ending anytime soon. (Not to mention pressure from tariffs and inflation.)

Is a more expensive phone acceptable if it has new AI features? Consumers will have to make that choice for themselves, but Motorola, like most other tech companies, is all-in on artificial intelligence.

UPDATE: Apr. 9, 2026, 2:15 p.m. EDT We've updated this article with a statement from Motorola.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Milk, tears, and Digimon: BTS Hot Ones episode was pure chaos

Mashable - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 19:49

Some things can feel so specific, so perfectly engineered in a lab to appeal directly to me. Today, that thing is the members of BTS singing "Butter-Fly" by Kōji Wada, the iconic opening theme to Digimon Adventure, during an appearance on Hot Ones.

The members approached the hot wings challenge with wildly different strategies. V called it quits a few wings in — smart! — and spent the rest of the episode slamming pints of milk. Jin attempted to expel the chili demons from his body through a series of guttural screams, while j-hope tried to walk it off. RM kept his tears hidden behind his sunglasses, while Jimin and Jung Kook mostly played it cool, rallying themselves every round with an enthusiastic "come on, wing!" And then there was Suga: the silent wing assassin, who only showed his weakness at the very end.

SEE ALSO: 19 best 'Hot Ones' episodes to binge-watch

As the wings got hotter, the conversation only got more charming. Jin talked about his love of fishing, Jung Kook shared his perfect tteokbokki recipe, and the group reflected on their latest album, Arirang, and the world tour that just kicked off in Seoul.

Even through sweat dabbing, milk chugging, and increasingly desperate reactions to the wings, the episode doubled as a reminder of why spending time with BTS is always such a delight: No matter how chaotic things get, they never stop being deeply themselves — especially when it comes to their favorite anime OSTs.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 Ryobi lighting products you didn’t realize you needed

How-To Geek - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 19:45

Ryobi tools are a popular option for DIYers and homeowners for several reasons. And while you probably have all sorts of Ryobi tools, one thing a lot of buyers forget about is lighting. If you're looking to upgrade your garage for less, get these affordable Ryobi lights that outperform the rest.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your DNS server knows every website you visit—here's why Google's 8.8.8.8 is different

How-To Geek - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 19:31

At some point, you've probably been told that switching your DNS server to 8.8.8.8—or some other alternative—might be the cure for your internet problems.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Outcome review: Keanu Reeves puts his nice guy rep on the line

Mashable - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 19:15

Hollywood actors playing fictionalised versions of themselves isn't new. George Clooney in Jay Kelly, Nicolas Cage in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Bruce Campbell in My Name Is Bruce, Paul Giamatti in Cold Souls, Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm, and hell, the entire cast of This Is the End. Keanu Reeves, widely known as one of Hollywood's nicest actors, already played a fictional version of himself in Ali Wong and Randall Park's Always Be My Maybe, exaggerating his affable attributes as a disarmingly wonderful date.

However, in Outcome, Reeves explores a more earnest approach to a life in Hollywood, leaning into a desperation to be seen as a good person — and to maintain that public reputation amid a turbulent private life. Directed, starring, and co-written by Jonah Hill (with Ezra Woods), the latest of Hill's Strong Baby productions, Outcome sends Reeves on an apology tour through the past, in a framework reminiscent of Noah Baumbach's Jay Kelly, Jim Jarmusch's Broken Flowers, or Neil LaBute's Some Girl(s).

A star-studded affair with opulent production design, Outcome often swims on the surface of the tale it's trying to tell, while still giving sharply written consideration of what it means to be a famous person looking down the barrel of reputational threat.

Outcome sees Keanu Reeves as himself, kinda, not really. Keanu Reeves and a a near-unrecognisable Jonah Hill. Credit: Apple

Reeves plays a fictionalised version of himself as Reef Hawk, a child star who's grown into one of Hollywood's most beloved movie stars. Unlike Reef, who has been working since he was six, Reeves made his big screen debut at 21 in Youngblood. But what is relatable to Reeves is his character's reputation as a nice guy, with the John Wick star's congeniality well-documented on the internet.

However, as always with public life, there's a private reality. Reef is now five years sober from a heroin addiction, one the public never saw (nor do we), but a time his high school best friends Kyle (Cameron Diaz) and Xander (Matt Bomer) helped him through. An actor who began his career pre-internet, Reef is now paranoid about his reputation. He's desperate to cling to this down-to-earth facade. His friends have to pull him away from talking to set crew, referring to it as "MOPing… Man-of-the-People-ing," and he's constantly googling himself to luxuriate in People headlines like "Reef Hawk still beloved by fans."

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

And it's this cherished rep that's threatened in one phone call from his lawyer Ira (a near-unrecognisable Hill): "There's a video."

Who is extorting Hollywood's most beloved star? No one hates this guy, right? Well…maybe his first manager (Martin Scorsese!) or his first girlfriend (Welker White), his reality star mother (All My Children icon Susan Lucci) or perhaps former crew, studio executives, his old trainer, his new trainer, the three shelter dogs he returned…

Yes, that's Martin Scorsese. Credit: Apple

So begins an apology tour for the screen star, one that sees him making amends with people from his past. With a set-up like this, it's impossible not to compare Outcome to Baumbach's Jay Kelly, which saw Clooney as an actor facing similar realities. As Mashable entertainment editor Kristy Puchko wrote in her Jay Kelly review, that film interrogates movie stardom in "an odd love letter to the industry, one that recognizes its warts and still declares devotion." In contrast, Outcome seems to hold little love for Hollywood, instead presenting Reeves as a former child star surrounded by yes people, whose bad behaviour has gone unapologised for now that he's an adult. We never actually see this behaviour — we only hear about it — but it's clear his experiences with addiction and substance abuse have burned some bridges.

Outcome's cast is heavily star-studded. Cameron Diaz and Matt Bomer are a dream team. Credit: Apple

Make no mistake, Outcome is brimming with names, all of whom know a thing or two about Hollywood. As Reeves' obnoxious, fast-talking, pop culture-referencing crisis lawyer, Hill is undoubtedly why many people will watch the film, having made headlines for his character's appearance in prosthetics. Like Adam Sandler's exceptional performance in Jay Kelly as the protagonist's long-suffering manager Ron, Hill's Ira upstages Reeves' Reef as the well-connected friend on the payroll who makes everything happen or go away. Ira is the one who's been there through the ups and the downs — and making sure the downs don't hit the papers. Hill understands his own penned assignment here, hurtling Ira through a flurry of unsettling one-liners. If you need clarity on Ira's moral compass, his office is filled with portraits of former clients Kanye West and Kevin Spacey, and the bumper sticker on his car reads, "Honk if you can separate art from the artist."

And then there's Cameron Diaz and Matt Bomer. As Reef's besties Kyle and Xander, it's entirely possible they deserve the biggest apology of all. These two actors seem to be having the best time, bringing heart and hilarity to these literal supporting roles. "I love outlandish humor with my friends!" Kyle chuckles, pretend-smoking on the highway with Xander. They're the base Reef often overlooks, though the film does not, giving the pair plenty of heartfelt and meme-able scenes.

Meanwhile, the parading lineup of names here gives The Studio, another industry satire from Apple, a run for its money. Scorsese (who also appeared in The Studio) is straight-up wonderful as Reef's first manager, Richie "Red" Rodriguez, who convincingly muses on Hollywood heydays — after being almost upstaged by Weapons' Cary Christopher as straight-talkin' child star. Making up Ira's crack team of lawyers ("Reef Unit") that cover what might be on the video is the all-star lineup of Laverne Cox, Roy Wood Jr., and Atsuko Okatsuka. Whether it's racist behaviour or sexual misconduct, Reef's team is prepared for every possible outcome. They sit through probably the most jaw-dropping dialogue in the film, an unsettling satirical monologue about "victim capitalism" by Cox's character that's sure to spark opinion pieces. Plus, Drew Barrymore makes a fitting cameo as herself, in a frankly missed opportunity for the film. Though Barrymore briefly connects with Reef about being a child star and growing up in Hollywood, Outcome doesn't move beyond a surface-level moment here.

Outcome boasts sublime production design. Lush. And also Susan Lucci! Credit: Apple

Outcome is extremely beautiful to look at. Production designer and frequent Sofia Coppola/Spike Jonze collaborator K.K. Barrett (Her, Lost in Translation, Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) works with art director Jourdan Henderson (Madame Web) to craft a kaleidoscopic aesthetic for Outcome that feels one degree removed from reality. Every scene in Outcome feels somewhat like it takes place on a set, or is revealed to actually be a set. Everything is drenched in saturated light, with backgrounds that often look like backgrounds, hammering home the perpetual nature of Hollywood's conflict with the real world.

"Just because it's performative doesn't mean it's not the truth," declares Reef's reality star mother Dinah. "Why can't it be both?"

The film is a wash of iridescent hues, all beautifully captured by Gaspar Noé's go-to cinematographer Benoît Debie, whose Enter the Void energy works strangely well in Outcome. Every scene in Reef's home or Ira's office seems permeated with golden glows or neon gradients, which make them feel just a little bit unreal.

Through this vivid aesthetic, Outcome dabbles in questions of fame, acknowledging the village of people it takes to support (or protect) a movie star, as Reeves plays a man full of reluctant apology. It's a crowded space, movies seeing major stars explore fictionalised versions of themselves, and Reeves playing on his nice guy reputation makes for a strong drawcard. Though the film could have dived even deeper, it's a shimmering pool for consideration. 

Outcome premieres on Apple TV April 10.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Linux does these 3 things better than Windows, and the gap is widening

How-To Geek - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 19:15

As Microsoft leans harder into the "OS-as-a-Service" model with Windows 11, the philosophical and technical divide between Windows and Linux really only keeps growing more and more.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Tesla is making a cheaper personal EV despite Elon Musk's robotaxi dreams

How-To Geek - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 19:07

Elon Musk may have effectively shelved Tesla's plans for an affordable EV in 2024, but the company appears to be rethinking its strategy. Reuters sources claim Tesla is developing a compact electric SUV that would be priced well below the Model 3, which starts at $37,000 for American customers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Homelab projects to try this weekend (April 10 - 12)

How-To Geek - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 19:00

Are you ready to dive into some fresh homelab projects this weekend? Today, I’m showcasing a few fun projects for you to try out, like Calibre-Web, ChangeDetection.io, and even a unique authentication experience with Teleport.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best compact SUV for $40K isn't Japanese—it's German

How-To Geek - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 18:46

New-car prices blasting past $50,000 have made the used market feel like the only sane place left to shop. And tucked between all the forgettable listings is a standout deal you probably wouldn’t expect: the 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You only need 12 lines of CSS to build a clean, attractive website

How-To Geek - Thu, 04/09/2026 - 18:31

A web page without any styling is like a blank canvas. The possibilities are endless, and it’s easy to waste time experimenting with different layouts, colors, and fonts. But the default browser styles are not ideal, so you need to put in the effort just to get started with a proper design.

Categories: IT General, Technology
Syndicate content

eXTReMe Tracker