IT General
Enter 2026 with a note-taking superpower — pay $40 once, use forever
TL;DR: My Notes AI Pro gives you unlimited transcription, instant AI summaries, meeting recording, and smart organization across iPhone, iPad, and Mac — for a one-time $39.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: My Notes AI My Notes AI Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription - AI Note Transcriber & Summarizer $39.99$299 Save $259.01 Get Deal
If “Get more organized this year” is at the top of your mental to-do list, this might be the easiest win of the upcoming new year. My Notes AI Pro takes everything you wish note-taking apps would do and actually does it.
And since the lifetime subscription is just $39.99 (reg. $299), it’s a simple upgrade that pays off every time you open your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
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!Think of My Notes AI as your always-on assistant for meetings, lectures, interviews, brainstorms — basically anything that requires your attention. The app handles unlimited transcription, whether you’re recording live audio or uploading files after the fact, and transforms them into clean, readable notes with zero effort on your end.
Mac users get an especially slick perk: Effortless Meeting Recording. Audio from Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, or other apps can be captured automatically — no bots, no clunky plugins.
Once you’ve got your transcription, My Notes AI does the heavy lifting. You can convert long conversations into instant, concise summaries that highlight key points and next steps. And thanks to smart folder organization, your notes stay neatly categorized by project, date, or topic.
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or anyone trying to tame a chaotic workflow, this app may become your new secret weapon.
One lifetime license, unlimited productivity. Get lifetime access to My Notes AI Pro while it’s just $39.99 (reg. $299) for a limited time.
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Amazon better watch out because Kobos new e-reader remote rocks
One thing about tech these days: there aren't enough buttons. Our phones and tablets are all touchscreen, and even e-readers have lost their buttons. That's why I love the Kobo Libra Colour so much. It's one of the few e-readers that still features page-turning buttons since the Kindle Oasis was discontinued. Since Kobo understands the value of a button, it's no surprise that it's the first e-reader maker to launch a page-turning remote.
Page-turning remotes for e-readers are the hottest accessory. They're especially coveted in the colder months when all you want to do is keep your hands under a blanket but still be able to read your book. On Dec. 2, Kobo launched its very own remote, making a device that's native to its e-readers.
As a lover of the page turner I got for my Kindle, I was thrilled to try out Kobo's new remote. And guess what? Amazon better watch out and start working on a Kindle remote — stat.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kobo Kobo Remote $29.99 at KoboShop Now The best remote page turner — Kindles better watch out
The most popular remote page turners for e-readers are two pieces: one piece clips onto the side of the e-reader, and the other is the actual remote to turn the pages. Kobo ditches that design and is just a standalone remote that connects via Bluetooth to Kobo e-readers. Additionally, where most remotes have only one button, the Kobo Remote has two. One moves pages forward and a second turns pages back.
The top button on the Kobo remote turns pages forward while the bottom button turns the page back. Credit: Samantha Mangino / MashableKobo nailed the design of the remote. Having both page forward and back buttons is so clutch. Other remotes have only a single button, so if I accidentally click forward a few pages, to go back, I have to tap the screen. However, the Kobo allows you to do both, meaning your hands don't need to leave the blankets once.
The remote also stays connected between sessions. Other e-reader remotes require you to reconnect every time you use them, but the Kobo remote stays connected, just like a TV remote stays connected to your TV.
All this to say, Kobo nailed its e-reader remote right out of the gate.
Perfectly designed for a comfortable hold and no screen interference The Kobo Remote has a slightly curved design to fit nicely in your palm. Credit: Samantha Mangino / MashableBeyond the buttons, the Kobo Remote measures just under four inches in length. It has a slight bend to it, replicating the curve of your palm. It's very comfortable to hold, even for extended periods of time. I put my Kobo Libra Colour on my bedside stand and used the remote to read for a few hours, never experiencing fatigue while holding it.
Because the device connects to Kobo e-readers via Bluetooth, you don't need a separate clip to turn the page. This means that, unlike most page turners, there's no screen interference.
It won't work with KindlesMost page-turning remotes you can buy will work with any e-reader or tablet, as they're made mainly by third-party manufacturers and not by the e-reader manufacturers themselves. Since the Kobo Remote is the first remote designed by an e-reader maker and the best-designed remote thus far, I wanted to see if it would work with a Kindle.
The answer — no. Whomp whomp. I tried to connect the Kobo Remote to my Kindle's Bluetooth settings, but unfortunately, even when the remote was in pairing mode, my Kindle couldn't find the device. So until Amazon gets it together and makes its own Kindle remote, you're stuck using a third-party remote.
Should you buy the Kobo Remote? Put your Kobo e-reader in a stand, grab the remote, and get cozy this winter. Credit: Samantha Mangino / MashableIf you're a Kobo e-reader owner, you should absolutely buy the Kobo Remote. It conveniently connects to the device and is the best-designed remote out there. The curved design of the remote will help prevent hand cramps during extended reading sessions, and with its two included buttons, you can easily turn to the next page or go back a page.
The Kobo Remote costs $29.99. You can find page-turning e-reader remotes ranging from $15 to $35, which technically puts it toward the upper end of the market. That being said, I think it's a great value at $29.99, given its stellar design and functionality. It's the best-designed page-turning remote I've tested, and at $29.99, it's a great value.
Amazon better watch out because Kobo has mastered the page-turning remote. While we usually prefer Kindles over Kobo e-readers, the brand's new remote gives its e-readers a leg up.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kobo Kobo Remote $29.99 at KoboShop Now
Enjoy faster and smarter EV charging at home with the MSI EV Life charger
Sometimes, the most thoughtful holiday gift is the practical one. Electric car drivers will tell you that a reliable charging solution for their vehicle is priceless. Though electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common in the U.S., the charging infrastructure still hasn’t fully caught up. The at-home electric-vehicle charging market, in particular, has been stuck in a frustrating place, with consumers being forced to choose between durability, compatibility, performance, installation, and price.
Hurdle hints and answers for December 21, 2025
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 hintTo chew.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerCHOMP
Hurdle Word 2 hintTo break
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 21, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerSPLIT
Hurdle Word 3 hintNo animal products.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 21 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 21, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answerVEGAN
Hurdle Word 4 hintStriped cat.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 21 Hurdle Word 4 answerTIGER
Final Hurdle hintTo get rid of.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerPURGE
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
How to watch Hawks vs. Bulls online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls in the NBA for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The festive NBA action continues with Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls. Both sides are hovering around the middle of the Eastern Conference standings, with eyes on avoiding the play-in. They'll need to string together a good patch of form to make the playoffs, and that starts with this busy period of games.
If you want to watch Hawks vs. Bulls in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Hawks vs. Bulls?Hawks vs. Bulls in the NBA starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. This game takes place at the State Farm Arena.
How to watch Hawks vs. Bulls for freeHawks vs. Bulls in the NBA is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.
This free live stream is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (if you're not already a member)
Subscribe to a 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
Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight 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 generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).
Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.
Moon phase today: What the moon will look like on December 21
The Moon is finally starting to come back into view, which means we're in a new lunar cycle. It will now be getting bigger and brighter each night as we work towards the next Full Moon.
What is today’s moon phase?As of Sunday, Dec. 21, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent (if you're in the U.S). According to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, 2% of the moon will be lit up tonight. With so little of the Moon illuminated, there’s still nothing to see on its surface tonight.
When is the next full moon?The next full moon will be on Jan. 3. The last full moon was on Dec. 4.
What are moon phases?According to NASA, the Moon takes around 29.5 days to complete one full cycle. This is known as the lunar cycle. Throughout this time, it passes through a series of phases as it orbits Earth. Although the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surface changes, which is why it can appear fully illuminated, partly lit, or completely invisible at different points in the cycle. This process is divided into eight main lunar phases:
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.
How to watch Morocco vs. Comoros online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Morocco vs. Comoros in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off with the hosts taking on Comoros. Fans will be expecting Morocco to come away with a confident win here, but anyone who has ever watched AFCON will know that you should always expect the unexpected.
Morocco are on a winning run of 18 consecutive victories, making them firm favorites to lift the trophy on home soil. They've not won this competition since 1976, so the pressure will be on Achraf Hakimi and teammates to deliver that sought-after title.
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 Morocco vs. Comoros in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Morocco vs. Comoros?Morocco vs. Comoros in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. This fixture takes place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
How to watch Morocco vs. Comoros for freeMorocco vs. Comoros in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.
Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone 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 Channel 4 to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Morocco vs. Comoros for free 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 the UK
Visit Channel 4
Watch Morocco vs. Comoros for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Morocco vs. Comoros (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Channel 4?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4, 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 eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).
Watch Morocco vs. Comoros in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 21, 2025
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love a cuppa.
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 December 21, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: A kettle
Green: Book haven
Blue: To come up
Purple: To fall
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Features of a teapot
Green: Library sections
Blue: Arise
Purple: ___ Drop
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 #924 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayFeatures of a teapot: HANDLE, LID, SPOUT. STRAINER
Library sections: CIRCULATION, PERIODICALS, REFERENCE, STACKS
Arise: EMERGE, FLOW, ISSUE, RESULT
___ Drop: AIR, EAVES, GUM, RAIN
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 December 21, 2025Are 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.
NYT Strands hints, answers for December 21, 2025
Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you like it just right.
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 MashableBy 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 December 21, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 21, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Big bad wolfThe words are related to books.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe a popular children's story.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Three Little Pigs.
NYT Strands word list for December 21Huff
Three Little Pigs
Puff
Sticks
Blow
Down
Bricks
Straw
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.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 21, 2025
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love to knit.
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 December 21, 2025 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 December 21, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A thick blanket.
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 Q.
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...
QUILT
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 December 21, 2025Reporting 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.
Never pay for cloud storage again with this lifetime 20TB deal
TL;DR: Secure 20TB of storage with this Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription on sale now for just $399.97 (reg. $4,900) through Dec. 21.
Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription (20TB) $399.97$4,900 Save $4,500.03 Get Deal
Do you rent your cloud storage? Not only is that a hefty expense every month, but it just keeps rising as you need more space. If you’re looking for a more cost-effective way to store your important files safely, it’s time to check out Internxt Cloud Storage.
Right now, you can pay once and lock in 20TB of cloud storage for only $399.97 (reg. $4,900) through Dec. 21.
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!Cloud storage offers a lot of convenience, but it can be costly month after month. You also have to continuously upgrade your plan to meet your storage needs. That’s where Internxt Cloud Storage really shines, letting you pay once and own 20TB of space for life.
12TB of storage from Apple sets you back $60 a month, or $720 a year. You’ll nearly double that amount of storage for almost half the price with Internxt, and you only have to pay once for life. This deal for 20TB of storage lets you store 6.5 million photos, 5 million documents, or thousands of hours of HD video.
Aside from letting you own enough storage to grow with for life, Internxt Cloud Storage also offers next-level security with end-to-end encryption. Your data is safe, and not even Internxt itself can access it. They are also GDPR-compliant, adhering to strict European laws regarding user privacy and data security.
Get cloud storage for life with this Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription, now only $399.97 (reg. $4,900) through Dec. 21.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
This classic Christmas movie is a must-watch—but its sequel is even better
When the holidays roll around, one festive flick is at the top of many people's to-watch lists: Home Alone. And for good reason! However, its sequel should also be a priority, seeing as it's the better choice.
Target's system collapse was the Grinch that (almost) stole Christmas
We've all done it—waited until the very last minute to do our holiday shopping, thanks to the convenience of modern internet-powered shopping. Online retailers even give us little indicators to show whether an item will arrive in time for Christmas. Heck, they might even wrap it for you.
This 3-year-old sedan outperforms most new cars in reliability
When people talk about the best used sedans, the conversation usually sticks to the usual suspects: Honda Accord, maybe a Mazda6, and a few German picks from people who haven’t paid for a water pump in years. But one car quietly flies under the radar—cushioned, unbothered by the crossover craze, and built to last.
Data center investments reached $61 billion in 2025, report finds
The data center market is booming with little indication it'll be slowing down anytime soon — despite efforts to halt the processing sprawl.
According to a new report by S&P Global, the global data center market ballooned to $61 billion in 2025, a half billion dollar increase from last year and another record high for the industry. The money is trying to keep pace with expanding infrastructure projects needed to funnel more data processing power to generative AI and its makers.
SEE ALSO: NVIDIA earnings report: Why the AI bubble will bounce into 2026Despite concerns that interest in AI will wane and render projects moot, S&P experts told CNBC that they predict demand for AI applications will stay strong in 2026, and skepticism of major AI players is unlikely to change the market trends. Still, the numbers may not be as positive as they appear. S&P Global found that a majority of the financing surge came from private equity financing, a precarious debt model that's needed to feed the massive, energy-intensive industry, CNBC reported.
According to an October S&P Global report, data centers were expected to increase their power grid use by another 22 percent by the end of 2025, and predict that number will triple by 2030. Other experts have spotted similar trends.
In response to these trends, communities around the country have been pushing back against data center deals. Earlier this month, a coalition of 350 nonprofit environmental organizations signed a letter outlining major concerns about the environmental impact of large data centers, urging all 50 states to halt the expansion of data center projects. Over the last year, data center deals have faced legal and social blowback from community groups and local advocacy organizations, including cases in Virginia and Wisconsin. Advocates have even created litigation tool kits to support the fight against AI data center expansion.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has pledged to accelerate federal data center permitting and bypass established environmental laws in order to meet goals outlined in its new AI action plan.
3 reasons I regret buying a cheap power supply
When I built my first fully custom PC in 2017, I made several mistakes that I vowed never to repeat. Most of them were corrected in the new PC I built earlier this year—except for one. If I could turn back time, getting a different power supply is the only decision I’d change.
Gaming phones never took off (and it's probably for the best)
Gaming phones were all the rage from around 2017 to 2020—ROG Phone, Razer, Nubia, etc. The segment still exists, and one could argue they’ve never been better—so why don't people seem to care anymore?
Valve quietly discontinued the cheapest Steam Deck model
Valve has quietly pulled the plug on the cheapest Steam Deck model. This means the entry price for the popular gaming handheld just jumped significantly. If you were holding out for the most affordable way to get into PC handheld gaming, you are officially out of luck.
An exploded Starlink satellite is orbiting Earth right now
A debris field comprised of a Starlink satellite's remains is floating through space, after a minor explosion broke off pieces of the tech and sent them tumbling around Earth's orbit.
Space X reported the anomaly earlier this week, which the company said resulted in trackable debris that included the satellite's propulsion tank and the largely intact satellite body, which is still in orbit. SpaceX says the satellite, which the company says isn't close enough to the International Space Station (ISS) to pose a risk to astronauts, will reenter the atmosphere and reach its "demise" in the next week.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed."As the world’s largest satellite constellation operator, we are deeply committed to space safety. We take these events seriously. Our engineers are rapidly working to root cause and mitigate the source of the anomaly and are already in the process of deploying software to our vehicles that increases protections against this type of event," wrote SpaceX.
Earth's orbit is filled with such debris, prompting concern among experts who warn that accumulating space junk will impede our space efforts, lead to greater and more dangerous collisions, and, more importantly, pose increased risk to humans on the ground. Last week, a SpaceX satellite and a satellite from Chinese company CAS Space nearly crashed into each other.
The anomaly comes one week after the aerospace and telecommunications companies launched 27 new Starlink satellites into the Earth's orbit, marking the 580th flight of the company's Falcon 9 rocket since its first successful deployment in 2015 — it was the 162nd flight in 2025 alone, Space reported. Out of more than 10,000 Starlink satellites sent into space, around 9,300 are still active.
The Elon Musk-owned company is continuing a major push to become the leading supplier of rural broadband internet and emergency satellite communications services, including ongoing deals with the U.S. government. SpaceX has struck out against federal funding allocations for fiber internet access projects and courted favor with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in an effort to gain priority for satellite internet over other broadband efforts.
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