IT General

Keychron Q16 HE 8K review: Not the future of mechanical keyboards to look forward to

How-To Geek - 23 min 23 sec ago

I'm always excited to try out a new sort of keyboard, so when the "world's first ceramic keyboard" came around, I couldn't resist reviewing it. Unfortunately, the Keychron Q16 HE 8K is an awful keyboard by even basic metrics, let alone as a new and unique build.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Djokovic online for free

Mashable - 6 hours 23 min ago

TL;DR: Live stream Alcaraz vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Australian Open has delivered a number of incredible games, but the semi-final stage of the men's draw went absolutely wild. Carlos Alcaraz overcame Alexander Zverev in an epic five-set match, followed by Novak Djokovic's astonishing five-set victory over defending champion Jannik Sinner.

That has set up a mouth-watering final between the top seed and arguably the best player of all time. Alcaraz will be the favorite to lift the trophy, but Djokovic's semi-final triumph just goes to show that you can never count him out. Djokovic will be gunning for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam. Alcaraz will be aiming to become the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam. It's all set to be something special.

If you want to watch Alcaraz vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Djokovic for free

Alcaraz vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, 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 Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Australian Open 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 Australia

  4. Visit 9Now

  5. Watch the 2026 Australian Open 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 leading services do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Alcaraz vs. Djokovic without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live tennis on 9Now, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Australia

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always 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 Alcaraz vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for February 1, 2026

Mashable - 6 hours 23 min ago

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To play again.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

RERUN

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Short.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

STOUT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Tiny.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 1 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SMALL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Flinched.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SHIED

Final Hurdle hint

Unfortunately.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

SADLY

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

Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on February 1

Mashable - 6 hours 23 min ago

It's the Full Moon tonight, and in February, this is typically known as the Snow Moon. Keep scrolling to find out what you can see on the moon tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Sunday, Feb. 1, the Moon phase is Full Moon. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 100% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

The Moon is big and bright in our skies tonight. If you take a closer look, what features can you spot on it's surface? Without any visual aids, the Kepler Crater, Aristarchus Plateau, and the Mare Serenitatis are all visible. Want to see more? Pull out the binoculars to see the Posidonius Crater and Apennine Mountains too. Finally, with a telescope, you'll see all this and the Linne Crater, Rima Ariadaeus, and the Fra Mauro Highlands.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on March 3.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the lunar cycle lasts around 29.5 days. This is how long the Moon takes to travel once around Earth. Over that period, it passes through eight recognised phases. The same side of the Moon always faces our planet, however the portion that appears lit changes as the Moon moves along its orbit. The amount of sunlight reaching the Moon is what makes it appear full, partially illuminated, or almost invisible at different points in the cycle. The eight lunar phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Pips hints, answers for February 1, 2026

Mashable - 8 hours 23 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 February 1, 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 February 1, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 1 Pips

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

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 1 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 1 Pips

Less Than (9): Everything in this space must be less than 9. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.

Less Than (20): Everything in this space must be less than 20. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed vertically.

Less Than (7): Everything in this space must be less than 7. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally.

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

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 1, 2026

Mashable - 8 hours 23 min ago

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know aquaticsports.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Water sports

  • Green: Fast

  • Blue: Collect them all

  • Purple: Might be a Grand Slam champion

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Aquatic Sports Verbs

  • Green: Speed

  • Blue: Sports Card Brands

  • Purple: Tennis Grand Slam Winners, Minus A Letter

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #496 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
  • Aquatic Sports Verbs - KAYAK, ROW, SAIL, SWIM

  • Speed - MUSTARD, POP, VELOCITY, ZIP

  • Sports Card Brands - LEAF, PANINI, TOPPS, UPPER DECK

  • Tennis Grand Slam Winners, Minus A Letter - ASH, KIN, NADA, WILLIAM

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 1, 2026

Mashable - 8 hours 23 min ago

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're fashionable.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 1, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: To highlight

  • Green: Worn on the feet

  • Blue: A hit

  • Purple: Played by musicians

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Publicize

  • Green: Kinds of shoes

  • Blue: Anthem

  • Purple: Musical instruments plus starting letter

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #966 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Publicize: BOOST, HYPE, PITCH, PLUG

  • Kinds of shoes: CLOG, FLAT, MULE, WEDGE

  • Anthem: BANGER, BOP, HEATER, JAM

  • Musical instruments plus starting letter: GLUTE, MORGAN, SHARP, THORN

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 1, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for February 1, 2026

Mashable - 8 hours 23 min ago

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a giver.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 1, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 1, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's a gift

The words are related to giving.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe ways to give.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Generosity

NYT Strands word list for February 1
  • Bonus

  • Grant

  • Present

  • Generosity

  • Donation

  • Award

  • Offering

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 1, 2026

Mashable - 8 hours 23 min ago

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you like textured things.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 1, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 1, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Prickly.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SPINY

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 1, 2026

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The internet keeps telling you to 3D print these—don’t

How-To Geek - 12 hours 23 min ago

When you first gain access to a 3D printer, you might be tempted to print everything and anything you can. This urge can be amplified by the number of models available online and the passion of the 3D printing community.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Bring Microsoft’s best productivity tools to your Mac

Mashable - 12 hours 23 min ago

TL;DR: Give your Mac a tune-up with this lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021, now only $49.97 (reg. $219) through Feb. 22.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $49.97
$219 Save $169.03   Get Deal

Your Mac is already powerful, but if you’re looking to take it to the next level, it may be time to tap Microsoft’s finest. This Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license equips your Apple device with six helpful apps, and right now you can snag them all for just $49.97 (reg. $219) through Feb. 22.

Don’t count out Microsoft just because you have a Mac. You can take advantage of some of their most powerful tools with the Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021. This license gives you permanent access to six powerful apps — making them less than $9 each.

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!

Curious what you can do with this license? These tools are great for both personal and professional tasks — like Word for document creation, Excel for budgeting and other spreadsheet needs, and PowerPoint for creating eye-catching, impactful presentations.

This suite also includes Outlook to help manage your email correspondence, Teams to stay connected with friends, family, and coworkers, and OneNote to upgrade the way you take notes.

Note that your Mac needs to be running macOS 14 or later. You’ll receive instant delivery and download after purchase, so you can access the apps immediately and permanently, with no subscription fees and no cloud connectivity required.

Get this lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 for just $49.97 now through Feb. 22.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Kia used to lag in reliability—now it’s closing the gap in 2026

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/31/2026 - 23:30

Kia arrived in the US in 1993 with the Sephia and Sportage 4x4. Back then, it was all budget-friendly cars with few bells and whistles, but that’s no longer the case.

Categories: IT General, Technology

SSD prices have doubled: Why buying 'just in case' is a waste of money

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/31/2026 - 22:30

It's safe to say that the ongoing component shortage has well and truly hit SSDs now, too. Many models are sold out entirely, but there's still plenty of options if you want to shop—provided you don't mind spending way more than you should, that is.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 things I learned adding my new HVAC system to Home Assistant

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/31/2026 - 22:01

It’s summer here in Australia, and in the sub-tropics where I live, that means high temperatures, harsh sun, and punishing humidity. This prompted a pricey investment that we’ve been putting off for years: a whole-house ducted air conditioning system.

Categories: IT General, Technology

8 “hidden” terminal features that make Linux feel like a power-user OS

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/31/2026 - 21:30

With the command-line shell, Linux provides countless tools and programs to wield power over your system. But many of these features are hidden below the surface, waiting for you to discover them.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I switched to a "lean" version of Windows 11, and I'm never going back

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/31/2026 - 21:30

Windows 11, especially in the latest versions, has become a big, bloated mess. It's slow, cluttered, and feels like a billboard to advertise Microsoft services more than an operating system. I tried a version of Windows that strips all of that away and makes your computer feel like yours again.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Lock in on your 2026 health goals with this Etekcity smart scale (and it’s on sale)

Mashable - Sat, 01/31/2026 - 21:19

Save $5: As of Jan. 31, Amazon has the Etekcity smart scale on sale for $19.98, which is 17% off its list price of $23.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Etekcity Etekcity Smart Scale for Body Weight $19.98 at Amazon
$23.99 Save $4.01   Get Deal

Fewer things have worse vibes than that dusty analog scale at your parents' or grandparents' house that squishes when you step on it, with a dial that isn’t always accurate. Maybe you’ve moved on from that, but the digital scale you inherited from a roommate a million years ago is perpetually low on batteries because it eats AAs like it's its job instead of measuring your weight. Well, the smart scale that holds the #1 spot in the Body Composition Monitors on Amazon is currently on sale this weekend, and it is a lot better than those aforementioned scales of yore.

For just under $20, the Etekcity Smart Scale comes replete with app syncing features and Body Fat/Muscle Mass assessment technology that can supposedly tell you more about your body and health. The scale also comes with 3 AAA batteries that last for quite some time, according to satisfied reviewers.

The compatible app for this scale has really helpful features, including listing muscle mass, BMI, skeletal mass, and more. It also visualizes weigh-in data over time in a helpful linear graph, so you can see trends in your health. Multiple user profiles can be created and connected to the app, so weigh-ins can be private and logged to each user.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This discount on this 75-inch TCL UHD Smart TV is almost as big the TV itself

Mashable - Sat, 01/31/2026 - 21:14

SAVE $170: As of Jan. 31, Amazon has the TCL 75-inch UHD Smart TV on sale for $479, 26% off its list price of $649.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 75-inch UHD Smart TV $479 at Amazon
$649 Save $170   Get Deal

If you spring for this discounted TCL 75-inch UHD Smart TV this weekend, you could be watching the Super Bowl in truly giant and crisp resolution. The model features 4K Ultra HD resolution, which TCL claims is 4 times the resolution of 1080p full-HD TVs. The TV comes replete with enhanced color, multiple motion enhancement technologies to see fast-paced games as clearly as possible, and a built-in Fire TV streaming OS. As for hardware, the TV has built-in Dolby Atmos speakers, a bezel-less design, two TV stand feet, and a remote (with batteries, which is always nice). 

Reviewers who purchased the 75-inch TCL Smart TV at this size praise the audio quality and power, which match the colossal screen size. A TV this size could end up feeling clunky or overwhelming in one’s space, customers credit its sleek profile and bezel-less design for preventing said crowding.

The price point of this TCL 75-inch UHD Smart TV, given its size and features, is quite hard to beat. Honestly, it will feel so cool to fire up the Super Bowl next weekend and watch Bad Bunny’s half-time show in all its 75-inch UHD glory. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 of the least-known Excel charts and why you should use them

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/31/2026 - 20:30

Of the 17 different types of charts in Excel, I'd confidently speculate that only a few are used frequently. Actually, they all have their benefits in different circumstances and allow you to display your data in diverse ways.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I still use my 15-year-old dumb TV thanks to these modern accessories

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/31/2026 - 20:30

We all have at least one TV collecting dust after an upgrade. If you’re like me, you probably have a few older sets tucked away around your home.

Categories: IT General, Technology
Syndicate content

eXTReMe Tracker