IT General

3 terrific free movies to watch this weekend (March 6-8)

How-To Geek - 9 min 15 sec ago

It's never been more expensive to watch movies than it is today. Depending on where you live, theatrical tickets could cost north of $20. Throw in snacks and drinks, and you're spending over $40 to watch one movie. It's not much better at home thanks to an abundance of streaming services that constantly increase their fees.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop killing your Milwaukee batteries: 4 tips that work

How-To Geek - 24 min 15 sec ago

If you’re invested in the Milwaukee tool ecosystem, you understand that those battery packs are just as important as the tools. And not only are they important, but your Milwaukee M12 or M18 batteries are expensive, too. However, many people have a few bad habits that shorten their batteries' lifespan, and a few simple habits can extend runtime or prevent premature failure.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 unique Android Auto apps that'll actually improve your driving experience

How-To Geek - 39 min 15 sec ago

Android Auto is one of the best things since sliced bread. Whether you have an aftermarket Android head unit in an older car or a new car that supports it natively, it’s one of the most transformative ways to make your driving safer, smarter, and more convenient.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 free and open-source apps for creating stunning presentations

How-To Geek - 55 min 15 sec ago

Finding good presentation software doesn't mean you always have to resort to premium options. Whether you're looking for something web-based or a desktop app, it's easy to find a program to create slideshows for any occasion and for free. Let's look at several options, including some that are open-source.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop using Energy Efficient Ethernet: Why IEEE 802.3az is causing your random link flapping

How-To Geek - 1 hour 9 min ago

I'm no stranger to various internet-related issues, and by that, I mean an unsteady connection. Most of my problems have been on the ISP's side, but many bad connections are kind of self-inflicted. That's the best kind, though, as they're usually easy enough to fix.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You can solve most Google TV problems with this 30-second fix

How-To Geek - 1 hour 24 min ago

Do you ever feel like no matter how much you spend on a fancy smart TV, the performance is never all that great and gets worse over time? If your Android TV is running poorly with laggy menus, slow apps, and a stuttering user interface and experience, you're not alone.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This cheap IKEA organizer is the perfect 3D printing project

How-To Geek - 1 hour 39 min ago

Using your 3D printer to extract even more utility and value out of your home is a great reason to get into the hobby. So imagine what happens when you take a product from IKEA, a company best known for min-maxing your living space, and combine it with the infinite possibilities of a 3D printer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These are the only Netflix documentaries you need to watch in 2026

How-To Geek - 1 hour 54 min ago

Nothing beats an addictive documentary, whether a feature-length film or a multipart docuseries. Netflix has an attractive collection of documentaries, providing so many to choose from that I never run out of options when I need my documentary fix.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Plex server doesn't need 70TB: Why hoarding 4K remuxes is a massive storage trap

How-To Geek - 2 hours 9 min ago

I’ve been running a Plex server for a long time, which means I’ve made my fair share of amateur mistakes. Storage is probably one of the biggest things plaguing my Plex server, and I have definitely made all three of these mistakes at least once (if not multiple times).

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why a long HDMI cable is the best thing I’ve bought in months

How-To Geek - 2 hours 24 min ago

As the way we use our computers changes, new problems always crop up that need a solution. In my case, I've had to deal with big gaps between my display device and computer. The solutions have been various, but only recently did I spot a long HDMI cable that was perfect for my needs.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 experimental Android features that were way ahead of their time

How-To Geek - 2 hours 39 min ago

If there’s one thing Android is known for, it’s being on the bleeding edge of technology. Countless features have debuted on Android devices years before they made it to the iPhone. However, even Android was too far ahead of the game sometimes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Copilot isn't just an assistant—it's Microsoft's fix for a decades-old problem

How-To Geek - 2 hours 54 min ago

Microsoft Copilot is marketed as a genius coworker, and in many ways, it lives up to that promise. It can summarize 50-page transcripts, draft repetitive emails, and generate Excel formulas. But beneath the hype, it often functions merely as a high-tech shortcut to commands buried in the ribbon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

OpenAI is delaying its adult mode for ChatGPT

Mashable - 3 hours 1 min ago

Last fall, OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, promised that it would enable an “adult mode” for verified users of the service sometime in the first quarter of 2026. Today, we learned that the service has been delayed.

In a brief roundup, independent journalist Alex Heath revealed on his newsletter, Sources, that an OpenAI spokesperson told him that the company was "pushing out the launch of adult mode." OpenAI stated further that the company wanted to "focus on work that is a higher priority for more users right now," such as "personality improvements, personalization, and making the experience more proactive."

SEE ALSO: OpenAI updates Department of War deal after backlash

The news may disappoint some, as the "adult mode" was allegedly meant to launch in Q1 of this year. Erotica is understood to be a potentially lucrative market for AI, and many people are already relying on generative AI for romantic connections or to find "digital companions" for NSFW chatting. However, there's also apprehension about the marriage of artificial intelligence and human sexuality, with experts warning about the “AI porn problem” and the ethical problems that might arise from handing an all-powerful software access to our fantasies. 

According to reporting by the Wall Street Journal, one former OpenAI employee even claims they were fired because of concerns they raised about the promised launch of erotic content on the service, specifically surrounding the mental health of ChatGPT users and the ease with which teenagers might still access the content. Elon Musk’s Grok A.I. has already faced heavy criticism for its “digital undressing” feature, used to disrobe real people without their consent.

Despite the controversy and the latest delay, OpenAI has continued to roll out age verification features to gatekeep functions and hasn’t shied away from its commitment to giving its users the maximum autonomy. "We still believe in the principle of treating adults like adults," the spokesperson told Heath, "but getting the experience right will take more time."

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Dropped RAID arrays and skipped sectors: Why surveillance HDDs are a fatal trap for your NAS

How-To Geek - 3 hours 9 min ago

As I write this, hard drives are selling out all over the world and prices are rising, so finding storage for your NAS is more of a challenge than ever. But, while browsing the web looking for a deal, you spot some large hard drives marketed as "surveillance" hard drives at a good price. How has no one else snapped these up? A hard drive is a hard drive, right? Wrong!

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Wrexham vs. Chelsea in the FA Cup online for free

Mashable - 3 hours 16 min ago

TL;DR: Live stream Wrexham vs. Chelsea in the FA Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The FA Cup always produces interesting storylines, and all eyes will be on Wrexham vs. Chelsea in the latest round of the competition. Chelsea are obviously favorites to progress, but Wrexham's well-documented story could add another famous chapter with a win here. The Racecourse Ground will be rocking when Chelsea come to town this weekend.

If you want to watch Wrexham vs. Chelsea in the FA Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Wrexham vs. Chelsea?

Wrexham vs. Chelsea in the FA Cup kicks off at 5:45 p.m. GMT on March 7. This fixture takes place at the Molineux Stadium.

How to watch Wrexham vs. Chelsea for free

Wrexham vs. Chelsea in the FA Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Wrexham vs. Chelsea 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 the UK

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

  5. Live stream Wrexham vs. Chelsea for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 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 Wrexham vs. Chelsea without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the FA Cup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

  • 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 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 Wrexham vs. Chelsea in the FA Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I've used a Raspberry Pi for 10 years, and this easy project started it all

How-To Geek - 3 hours 24 min ago

Getting started with a Raspberry PI can feel daunting, especially with so many peripherals and projects out there. This was the project that got me started, and it is still a great beginner project today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Was Windows 7 really as good as we remember? I revisited it 17 years later

How-To Geek - 3 hours 39 min ago

I grew up on Windows 7 because it was my main operating system for years. I spent some of my early computing days on Windows XP, but Windows 7 was my digital home for the longest time. I haven't used it in almost a decade. Microsoft dropped support for it about six years ago. There was an extended release version, but software companies are abandoning that ESR version too. Just this month, Firefox announced that it's ending support for Windows 7, which prompted me to try it again for old time's sake.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, and the M1 shock: 5 times Apple forced Windows hardware to evolve

How-To Geek - 3 hours 54 min ago

There's always been a strong rivalry between Apple and Microsoft along with the companies that make Windows hardware. This has been going on ever since both companies were "inspired" by the graphical technologies they saw at Xerox PARC all those years ago.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why shaking your smartphone is making a rattling noise

How-To Geek - 4 hours 9 min ago

Have you ever shaken your smartphone and heard something rattling inside? It's not loose parts—well, technically it is, but it’s placed there intentionally. Here's what's actually going on.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Pips hints, answers for March 7, 2026

Mashable - 4 hours 15 min ago

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 7, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

  • Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

  • Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

  • Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

  • Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

  • Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 7, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for March 7 Pips

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for March 7 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 6-0, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for March 7 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.

Number (18): Everything in this space must add up to 18. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 0-3, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this orange space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this red space must be equal to 4. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 1-4, placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Number (18): Everything in this space must add up to 18. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Categories: IT General, Technology
Syndicate content

eXTReMe Tracker