IT General

Start the school year fresh with a new Owala FreeSip — now 20% off

Mashable - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 18:00

SAVE 20% OFF SITE WIDE: From August 3 to 9, score 20% off everything at Owala, including on their FreeSip water bottles.

Opens in a new window Credit: Owala Shop Owala for 20% off sitewide Get Deal

We know Stanley is sort of the hydration It Girl, but we're Owala people here at Mashable. In almost every team meeting, you'll catch one of us drinking from our FreeSip. These bright, colorful water bottles keep water icy cold and offer the flexibility of sipping through a straw or chugging from the spout. And during back-to-school season, Owala is offering 20% off site-wide.

All items at Owala will be marked down from August 3 to 9. The sale kicks off at 10 a.m. MT, and ends at 11:59 p.m. MT on August 9. No code is necessary to access the sale as everything is marked down 20%.

While the FreeSip is our favorite Owala product, the brand has an extensive collection. During the sale, enjoy 20% off the brand's very own 40-ounce tumbler as well as the FreeSip Sway and Twist. All styles come in Owala's signature range of vibrant hues.

Shop now and score savings on a new back-to-school water bottle or tumbler.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Best Halo Games Ranked From Worst to Best

How-To Geek - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 18:00

When Halo: Combat Evolved was released in 2001, it completely changed the first-person shooter landscape. It also transformed Master Chief into a household name for gamers around the world. Soon enough, the success of the first game led to a bevy of sequels, prequels, and spinoffs.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Galaxy Watch 8 vs. Galaxy Watch 8 Classic: Which One Should You Get?

How-To Geek - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 17:31

If you're in the market for a new smartwatch to pair with your Android smartphone, Samsung has just dropped the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, which are among the hot options right now. Given that both are Samsung's latest wearables, which one should you choose? Let me help you figure it out.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My Kids Were Ruining My Apple Music Recommendations So This Is What I Did

How-To Geek - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 17:00

Apple Music can offer useful recommendations for artists or new music you might like based on your previous listening history. Under normal circumstances, these recommendations are usually reasonably good, and in the past, they've helped me discover new artists that I really like. However, the algorithms base their suggestions on any music played from your Apple Music account, and since my kids have started requesting their own music choices through our smart speakers, my recommendations have been ruined.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 Productivity Apps That Are Worth the Premium Subscription

How-To Geek - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 17:00

If you've gotten attached to a free app, only to find your favorite features behind a subscription paywall, you may be wondering: should I just subscribe and call it a day, or stick to the free version?

Categories: IT General, Technology

I Run My Favorite Apps in Docker So I Never Need to Reinstall Them

How-To Geek - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 16:30

Are you tired of configuring, and reconfiguring, and configuring yet again your favorite server applications? I was, but Docker fixed that. Portability makes Docker one of my favorite homelab tools, and I think you’ll love it too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

YouTube is testing creator collabs similar to Instagram, TikTok

Mashable - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 16:19

The social media ouroboros continues, and this time, YouTube is taking a bite out of Instagram and TikTok. According to a Google employee posting on YouTube Help, the platform is currently testing a new feature that allows creators to tag collaborators directly in videos, making it easier for viewers to discover and follow them.

The move mirrors similar collaboration tools already standard on TikTok and Instagram, where joint posts and tags boost visibility for everyone involved.

SEE ALSO: You can no longer go live on Instagram unless you have 1,000 followers

For now, the feature is being rolled out to a small group of trusted creators, but YouTube reportedly plans to expand it more broadly. As of now, the only known video we've seen using the feature is a recently posted upload from MrBeast in collaboration with creators Mark Rober, Ben Azelart, and the Stoke Twins.

Credit: YouTube Screenshot

The feature appears to function much like its counterparts on Instagram and TikTok: clicking on the main creator’s name opens a pop-up showing all tagged collaborators, each with a subscribe button next to their name. And, just like those platforms, it’s unlikely creators will be able to tag anyone at will — collaborators will probably need to accept an invite before being officially co-authored on the video.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This 2025 SUV Is Built for Families—and Surprisingly Affordable

How-To Geek - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 16:00

There’s a reason crossovers have quietly taken over the roads. They blend the smooth ride of a car with the space and confidence of an SUV—without going full off-roader.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to Text On Your Phone Without Cell or Wi‑Fi

How-To Geek - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 15:30

When the network is overloaded, or when you’re too far out for towers to reach you, most messaging apps stall. But there are apps that let you message anyway without cellular or the internet. You just have to set them up ahead of time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 3, 2025

Mashable - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 15:05

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for July 31, 2025 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: Ways to measure a gap in racing

  • Green: Routes

  • Blue: All-stars on the mound

  • Purple: Upstart teams

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Distances, in Horse Racing

  • Green: Receiving Routes for a Running Back

  • Blue: 2025 MLB All-Star Pitchers

  • Purple: Original ABA Teams, In Singular Form

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 #313 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today
  • Distances, in Horse Racing - FURLONG, LENGTH, MILE, NOSE

  • Receiving Routes for a Running Back - ANGLE, FLAT, SWING, WHEEL

  • 2025 MLB All-Star Pitchers - CROCHET, FRIED, GORE, SKENES

  • Original ABA Teams, In Singular Form - CHAPARRAL, COLONEL, PACER, ROCKET

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.

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 today's Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Best Hulu Original Shows to Stream Right Now

How-To Geek - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 15:00

Hulu surprised me this year and dropped some pretty cool original shows, and they all hooked me like the content shark I am. However, this year's additions aren't the only originals you should be watching. From true crime adaptations and gritty crime dramas to dystopian worlds, thrillers, and historical comedies, the platform is full of must-watch shows.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 Reasons Why Flip Phones Are Better Than Book-Style Foldables

How-To Geek - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 14:30

2025 has seen some of the biggest leaps forward for folding smartphones. With its newly refined look, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the most well-received foldable to date. And yet, while these book-style devices are getting all the attention, it'll be the smaller flip phones that ultimately win out.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to Make GRUB Appear on Boot and Customize Its Appearance

How-To Geek - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 14:15

Are you a dual-booter running a Linux-Windows or even a Linux-Linux dual-boot system? Have you ever lost booting access to one of your OSes or want to be prepared for if and when that happens? If yes, you need to master GRUB and its capabilities to get more control over the boot process.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Classic TV Shows from the 1960s

How-To Geek - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 14:00

The 1960s were a revolutionary time for television, and not just due to the advent of the color TV. After a decade of experimenting with sitcoms, science fiction, and cartoons, better quality came to the small screen with writing and production values. Unlike the Jello salads of the era, most of these shows held up so well that they formed the foundation for future television.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 Premium Mac Apps to Try This Month (August 2025)

How-To Geek - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 13:30

The Mac is home to some of the finest free software around, but sometimes there’s no replacing a premium app. Depending on how much the purchase can turbo-charge your workflow, opening your wallet could be a decision that pays for itself when it comes to efficiency, productivity, and making life that little bit easier.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Thrilling Movies to Stream on Peacock Now

How-To Geek - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 13:00

Nothing gets my blood pumping like a good thriller, and right now, Peacock is showcasing some good ones. From action and adventure to psychological and horror thrillers, all of these movies have heart-pounding moments that’ll either get your adrenaline flowing or make those baby hairs on the back of your neck stand at full attention.

Categories: IT General, Technology

As an anxious cat mom, I love my robot vacuum with a livestream camera

Mashable - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 12:00

When people think about the best robot vacuums for pet owners, they're mostly zeroing in on pet hair pickup (i.e. performance on carpet, and maybe the self-emptying aspect for the allergy-havers). But there's another feature showing up on more and more robot vacuums that is a game-changer for pet parents — but it has nothing to do with suction power. It's the ability to check in remotely on your household with a livestream camera on the front of the robot vacuum, and it has become one of my favorite features throughout all the robot vacuums I've tested.

Hello! Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

This really speaks to the middle of the Venn diagram between clean freak pet parents and anxious pet parents — what I can only assume is a pretty populous overlap. If your helicopter pet parent senses start tingling the second you leave the door, such a robot vacuum might be a more comforting purchase than a stick vacuum. The brain behind the cordless vacuum leaves when the person leaves home, but that's not the case with robot vacuums. The ones with a camera can show you a livestream POV of everything the robot vacuum sees as it's cleaning your home, offering a more ambulatory way to keep tabs on the home's goings-on than a stationary pet camera.

My built-in pet sitter. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Many robot vacuum livestream cameras also have the option for remote control viewing, where the user can use on-screen arrows to point or drive the vacuum in a certain direction. With the Roborock Saros Z70, you could even manually maneuver its robotic arm to pick up obstacles like a claw machine — though that took way too much precision to be practical. However, being able to steer a robot vacuum by hand while it's recording could come in handy to slowly approach a pet who's spooked by a machine whirring around.

Though I spy on my cats nearly every time I'm away, they're never doing anything super interesting. Sometimes I catch them walking around (and coming up to the vacuum like, "Mom, you ain't slick"), but they're usually up on the furniture where the vacuum can't clock them. But if your animal is a known hide-under-the-bed-er, the roving floor-level camera could offer some relieving confirmation about your pet's whereabouts.

Nothing like a glass of wine and spying on your cat from the porch of the beach Airbnb. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Pets aside, you can also check in with real humans from the robot vac's camera. Most robot vacuum cameras have a built-in video call feature that supports two-way audio, so you can ring anyone who's at home while you're not: house sitters, kids, the dog walker from Rover. The person on the other end of the line doesn't have to "pick up" — the call automatically just starts. I've successfully used it to call my roommate after she missed my calls on her phone because it was on silent.

I've most enjoyed the livestream cameras in flagship Roborock vacuums like the Roborock Saros 10 and Saros 10R. The view is the least grainy I've tried, and the "search for the pet" feature is just plain fun. I could see it coming in handy for pet parents who don't have time to watch the vacuum clean every single room in hopes of spotting the pet.

SEE ALSO: Ruggable launches new collaboration with Jonathan Adler, featuring maximalist pillows and pet beds

However, onboard cameras are no longer fully limited to ultra-premium robot vacs that cost over $1,000. I tested and was wowed by the 3i G10+ budget robot vacuum, particularly by its affordable small obstacle avoidance and remote viewing capabilities.

Can you use a robot vacuum camera for actual security purposes?

I'm a horror movie head, and found footage is my favorite subgenre. You can imagine the pitches I've come up with for a low-budget, very 2020s paranormal short where a robot vacuum camera sees assorted household items moving in the middle of the night. It would get approximately a 14 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

However, the movie wouldn't work well as a slasher. As disguised and genius as it seems, a robot vacuum camera actually wouldn't do a great job of sneakily catching someone in the act — every time you open live view mode, the vacuum announces "remote viewing activated," and also announces when live viewing is toggled off. Yes, this notification plays out loud even if you've turned the vacuum's smart assistant or dock volume off otherwise.

SEE ALSO: How to make your robot vacuum work better: 3 setup tips to do right now

This also means that the cameras are not recording constantly every time they're out and about, or watching 24/7 from the sidelines while they're charging. All of the robot vacuums with cameras that I've tested also require a PIN code or the draw-to-unlock thing, where you connect dots in a certain pattern. I've had a few friends ask if a random person could spy through your robot vacuum if your phone was stolen, but just like unlocking the phone or something like a smart doorbell, they'd have to also know the passcode. (This can be specific to the robot vacuum app and isn't automatically the same one your phone uses.)

Shop robot vacuums with livestream cameras 3i G10+ robot vacuum and mop $449.99 at Amazon Shop Now Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni robot vacuum and mop $969.99 at Amazon Shop Now Roborock Saros 10R robot vacuum and mop $1,599.99 at Amazon Shop Now Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum and mop $2,599.00 at Amazon Shop Now
Categories: IT General, Technology

Logitech G522 Lightspeed Review: A Gaming Headset Staple Remains Great

How-To Geek - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 12:00

Logitech’s gaming headsets are popular for good reason: they’re comfortable, sound great for their price, and excel in microphone quality. All of these qualities remain true in the Logitech G522 Lightspeed, a refresh of the company’s midrange line that’s only a few flaws away from perfection.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The DJI Mini 4K drone is flying off the shelves — here’s where to buy yours

Mashable - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 11:00

TL;DR: The DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for $249 at Amazon (Prime member discount). Not a member? You can still score this drone for under $300.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mini 4K Drone $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50 Get Deal

DJI is one of the biggest names in drones, with a strong reputation for creating incredible aerial shots. The DJI product range is the top choice of TikTokers, YouTubers, and filmmakers. That being said, we were surprised to see the DJI Mini 4K drone so near the top of the charts of best-sellers over Prime Day. We knew these drones were popular, but surely not as popular as AirPods?

Then the real reason hit us like a drone to the head.

President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at helping the U.S. drone industry and shoring up protections against malicious drone activity. The measures don't actually order a full ban on Chinese-made drones (yet), but talk of a ban on DJI drones has been doing the rounds for a while now. That uncertainty is clearly causing an uptick in sales.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station means business, and it’s great for DJI drone owners

The good news for anyone hoping to buy before a potential ban is that you can still find the DJI Mini 4K drone on Amazon. In fact, it's on sale for $249 at Amazon for Prime members. It's being shipped and sold by AeroTech Hubs. We don't generally recommend third-party sellers, but AeroTech Hubs has an excellent track record and times are tough right now. With stock running low, we'll take what we can get.

The DJI Mini 4K is full of helpful features for beginners and advanced users alike. It has one-tap takeoff options and a return to home function. But perhaps most importantly for content creators is the three-axis gimbal and 4K quality, as well as advanced wind resistance and extended battery life. It's a step up from the DJI Neo Mini 4K that we think creators will appreciate.

Prime members can get the DJI Mini 4K drone for under $250 at Amazon. Everyone else can still get their hands on this drone for under $300.

Categories: IT General, Technology

50+ of the best Harvard University courses you can take online for free

Mashable - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 11:00

TL;DR: A wide range of online courses from Harvard University are available to take for free on edX.

It's got to the point where what once was a secret is now common knowledge, but for those still in the dark, we want to point out that you can take a wide range of online courses from some of the top educational institutions in the world for absolutely nothing. That's right, you can become a student of somewhere prestigious like Harvard University without actually spending anything (or stepping foot outside).

Harvard University is offering free online courses on popular topics like AI, cybersecurity, game development, personal development, law, and so much more. We have checked out everything on offer and lined up a standout selection of online courses to get you started.

These are the best free online courses from Harvard University this month:

There's always a catch, and in this case it's that these free courses don't include certificates of completion or graded assignments/exams. But you can still enroll at any time and start learning at your own pace, so we're not complaining.

Find the best free online courses from Harvard University with edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: Harvard University Harvard University Courses Free at edX Learn More
Categories: IT General, Technology
Syndicate content

eXTReMe Tracker