IT General

TL;DR: Save $9 on the iKlips S USB-C Nano Fingerprint 256GB SSD while supplies last.

Your phone’s out of space — again — but the thought of giving in to those cloud storage prompts, and being locked into another subscription loop, is just too much. Before you delete any pics of summer memories or your dog being a goof, consider grabbing this mini USB-C SSD with 256GB of space.

By mini, we don’t just mean smaller than your phone, we’re talking tinier than a kiwi, strawberry — even a grape. All you have to do is plug it into your phone, move files over, and lock everything up with your fingerprint. Order yours here for $79.99 (reg. $89).

When size really does matter

It’s called the iKlips S, and even though it’s barely the size of your fingertip, it somehow manages to be a fully functional SSD that works with iPhone 15 and newer, Android phones, laptops, and more. It doesn’t require any apps to transfer files. Just plug it in via USB-C and start moving photos, ProRes videos, or other large files instantly. It supports exFAT, so you won’t run into annoying size limits.

Worried about losing it? The iKlips S has built-in fingerprint encryption and can store up to 20 different fingerprints. That means your files stay private even if someone else finds the drive, and you can still share access with trusted friends and family members.

From freeing up space for vacation pics to backing up important work documents or videos on the go, this little SSD packs a punch without bulking up your pocket or your phone while in use.

Grab this mini SSD as external phone storage for $79.99 (reg. $89).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Adam Elements iKlips S USB-C Nano Fingerprint 256GB SSD $79.99
$89 Save $9.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC for life for just $129.97 (reg. $149.99) — no subscriptions, no hassle.

That back-to-school rush? It hits fast — suddenly your kid needs PowerPoint for a class presentation, you’re juggling family budgets in Excel, and no one remembers where last year’s science project went. Instead of scrambling with random tools or digging through old subscriptions, make life easy and own Office 2024 outright for a one-time payment of $129.97, $20 off the original price of $149.99.

This one-time purchase of Microsoft Office 2024 Home gives you the classic desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote — the same apps you’ve used forever, but freshened up for 2024. It works on either Mac or PC, and there’s no subscription to babysit. Once you buy it, it’s yours.

The new version comes with smart upgrades, like contextual Ribbon menus that show only what you need, real-time co-authoring, and built-in chat and comments to cut down on back-and-forth.

Word now includes AI-powered Smart Compose, Excel can wrangle massive data sets with dynamic formulas, and PowerPoint lets you record full video presentations with captions — perfect for remote classes or sending polished updates to the PTA.

It’s also packed with features that make documents more accessible, easier to organize, and faster to create — and everything’s tied to your Microsoft Account, not your device.

No annual fees, no weird renewal emails — just the tools you need, whenever you need them.

For a limited time, save 13% and get this lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2024 for Mac or Windows for $129.97 (reg. $149.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC: One-Time Purchase $129.97
$149.99 Save $20.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: This refurbished iPad (64GB, WiFi and cellular) for just $279.99 (reg. $449) is packed with a Liquid Retina display, 12MP cameras, and all-day battery life.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple iPad 10th Gen (64GB, WiFi & Cellular) $279.99
$449 Save $169.01 Get Deal

Powerful enough for productivity, fun enough for everything else — this refurbished 10th gen Apple iPad (released in 2022) gives you the same sleek look, impressive performance, and epic portability as a brand-new one for hundreds less.

Get a refurbished iPad (64GB, WiFi and cellular) for just $279.99 (reg. $449). It’s ready for work, play, sketching, or streaming, with support for Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard Folio (not included).

What's included:

• 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and 500-nit brightness for colorful, ultra-clear visuals

• A14 Bionic chip with 6-core CPU and 16-core Neural Engine to breeze through apps, games, and editing

• WiFi 6 and cellular support means you can connect from just about anywhere

• 64GB of storage to hold your favorite apps, photos, downloads, and more

• 12MP wide and ultra-wide cameras with Center Stage and 4K video recording

• USB-C port for faster charging and accessory compatibility, with up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge

• Refurbished grade “A” condition — meaning little to no signs of previous use — with a 1-year parts and labor warranty

It’s the iPad you know and love — just smarter for your wallet. Get this pink refurbished 2022 10th-generation iPad for $279.99 while this deal lasts.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Own Microsoft Project 2021 Pro forever for just $14.97. No subscriptions, just full-featured desktop project control.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Project 2021 Pro: Lifetime License for Windows $14.97
$249.99 Save $235.02 Get Deal

No matter what your field or your title, juggling deadlines, dependencies, and budgets across multiple spreadsheets isn’t exactly a good time. If you’re managing more than one moving part, you need real tools. Microsoft Project 2021 Professional is just that — and right now, you can grab a lifetime license for only $14.97 (reg. $249.99).

Designed for serious project management, Project 2021 offers features like pre-built templates, auto-scheduling, visual timelines, and what-if analysis tools that make it easier to spot issues before they become problems. You also get task tracking, team coordination, and built-in reporting that turns status updates into actual insight.

The best part? It’s a one-time download for Windows users, and it’s yours forever — no subscriptions, no renewals, and no extra charges to unlock “premium features.”

Whether you’re managing internal workflows, external deliverables, or just trying to keep your team on track, Microsoft Project helps you stay organized without the subscription fatigue.

And yes — this version is for new users only, so if you’ve been waiting for a clean start or just want to upgrade your project toolkit without spending hundreds, this is it.

One download. One price. Yours for good. Sounds like a smart project move to us.

Get this lifetime license to Microsoft Project 2021 for Windows while it’s only $14.97 (reg. $249.99) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $40: As of July 30, the Fitbit Charge 6 is on sale for $139.99 at Amazon. That's a 22% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 6 $139.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $40 Get Deal

On the hunt for a new smartwatch? Check out this latest deal on the Fitbit Charge 6, currently on sale for a record-low price at Amazon. As of July 30, this Fitbit model is 22% off, now just $139.99.

For the price, it's a great watch. So, what are you getting? First off, it comes with built-in GPS. This means you can head out for a run, bike ride, or walk without carrying your phone. It tracks your pace, distance, and route using satellite data, so you get a clear map of where you’ve been. It also logs your steps, calories burned, and Active Zone Minutes, a clever Fitbit stat that tracks how much time you spend in elevated heart rate zones.

SEE ALSO: The Fitbit Charge 6 is lacking a key feature, and I just can't get over it

Health stats are also incredibly advanced, even the heart rate monitoring. It uses Fitbit's PurePulse 2.0 sensor, so you've got 24/7 heart rate tracking with this watch. This also means you get data on your resting heart rate, heart rate zones during workouts, and even alerts if your heart rate goes unusually high or low.

The Charge 6 also has SpO2 tracking, sleep tracking, and a whole lot of activities to track. Despite its many great offerings, the Charge 6 is lacking an altimeter, a tool used to measure elevation climbed more acurately. If this is a deal breaker, check out the Fitbit Versa 4 instead.

Sold? Get this deal from Amazon right now.

TL;DR: The DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for $249 at Amazon (Prime member discount). That's $50 off the list price for a limited time.

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

DJI is one of the biggest names in the ultra competitive drone game, and it's easy to see why. DJI has a strong reputation for creating incredible aerial shots and their product range is often the top choice of TikTokers, YouTubers, and filmmakers. That being said, we were honestly 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 that popular? Then the real reason hit us like an out-of-control drone.

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 must be boosting 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 scrambling 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 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. 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. Not a member? You can still score this drone for under $300.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime subscription to BitMar’s content finder for £11.24 with code BITMAR5 at checkout.

Opens in a new window Credit: BitMar BitMar Streaming Content-Finder: Lifetime Subscription £11.24
£112.50 Save £101.26 with code BITMAR5 Get Deal

Here’s a challenge: cut the cord with your streaming services. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, all of them. You’re likely paying hundreds each year in subscription fees and, chances are, you still can’t find the one movie you want to watch on any of them.

All of these reasons are probably why so many people are turning to BitMar, a streaming service alternative. You know how you can find some free movies or TV shows available online if you dig hard enough? This powerful search engine does that for you. And, for a limited time, you can get it for £11.24 with code BITMAR5 at checkout (reg. £112.50).

Wait…how does it work?

BitMar is powered by the Bing search engine, but it only has eyes for free streaming content. You’ll use a far more user-friendly interface to plug in a channel, genre, actor, or a specific movie or TV show you have in mind, then this content aggregator scours the web to find it.

Is it legal? Yes. BitMar is fully compliant with copyright laws — and it’s simply locating content already available on the web.

If you’re wondering why you wouldn’t just spend the time searching for it yourself, that’s the reason right there — it saves you time. BitMar also filters out the garbage to leave you with high-quality, ad-free content.

Enjoy no subscription streaming with a BitMar lifetime subscription at £11.24 with code BITMAR5 at checkout (reg. $150).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream Panathinaikos vs. Rangers in the Champions League for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Rangers secured an impressive 2-0 victory over Panathinaikos in the first leg of their Champions League qualification matchup, but the job is not done yet. Russell Martin's side now travel to Athens to defend that lead.

You can watch how the action unfolds without spending anything. If you want to watch Panathinaikos vs. Rangers in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Panathinaikos vs. Rangers?

Panathinaikos vs. Rangers in the Champions League starts at 7 p.m. BST on July 30. This fixture takes place at the Olympic Stadium of Athens.

How to watch Panathinaikos vs. Rangers for free

Panathinaikos vs. Rangers in the Champions League 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 Panathinaikos vs. Rangers 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 Panathinaikos vs. Rangers 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 Panathinaikos vs. Rangers without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream this fixture 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 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 Panathinaikos vs. Rangers in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

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

Happiness.

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

BLISS

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A woolly animal.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 30, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SHEEP

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A letter in the Greek alphabet.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 30 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 30, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

ALPHA

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Water, juice, beer, etc.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for July 30 Hurdle Word 4 answer

DRINK

Final Hurdle hint

A stupid person.

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

IDIOT

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

The moon is becoming more lit up each night as we progress through the lunar cycle.

The lunar cycle is a series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

So, what's happening tonight, July 30?

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Wednesday, July 30, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent. There's 32% of the moon's surface visible to us on Earth (according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation).

It's day six of the new lunar cycle, and there's a lot to see on the moon's surface.

With the unaided eye, enjoy a glimpse of the Mare Crisium and the Mare Fecunditatis, an impact basin also known as the "Sea of Fertility." Add binoculars and you'll also get a glimpse of the Endymion Crater and the Posidonius Crater, a lava-filled impact crater that's visible from the fifth to the 19th day of the lunar cycle.

If you have a telescope, you'll also see the Apollo 17, the last moon landing of the Apollo program. Use NASA's interactive moon guide tool to know exactly where to look.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on August 9. The last full moon was on July 10.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

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.

Last Quarter (or Third 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.

The microwave is an underrated addition to any kitchen. Often maligned as the culinary weapon of choice for lazy or unwilling-to-learn chefs, the microwave is undoubtedly there to ensure that meal-making is quick and easy. Sure, you won't make Michelin star-rated cuisine but that's kind of the point. Sometimes quick and easy is exactly what you need. Never underestimate the need for convenience.

Whether you're out of ideas, short on time, or just taking it easy, the microwave is there to make sure you're well fed. If in doubt, opt for the microwave, whether you're warming up last night's leftovers or you need a fancy a ready meal in two minutes.

There's a huge range of microwaves out there. It's great to have options, but — a bit like look at meal options too — much choice can become a problem. How are you supposed to know which model is right for you and your kitchen? This is where we can help. We've put together a helpful guide and a round-up of the best models. Read on and the best choice should jump out at you and go "ping".

Are there different types of microwaves?

You're likely to come across a few different types of microwaves when shopping around for the best model. There are three key types of microwaves:

Solo Microwave — This is the most basic microwave type of microwave. It can defrost and heat your food, and that's it.

Grill Microwave — A small step up from the solo microwave, with a grilling element that can, wait for it, grill your food.

Combi Microwave — The ultimate in microwave cooking, with the ability to grill, bake, and even roast. So it's essentially a conventional oven in microwave form.

You're likely to encounter microwaves with even more advanced cooking features, like the ability to steam and air fry, but these are the essential categories.

What is the best wattage for a microwave?

A microwave with a higher wattage should cook your food more quickly and efficiently. It doesn't always work out that way though. You're better off reading reviews — particularly comments regarding cooking speed and efficiency.

What are the most important features in a microwave?

There are plenty of things to consider when buying a microwave, and keeping a few features in mind throughout the purchasing process can make things a lot easier. These are the most important features in a microwave:

Power — Most microwaves give you the choice of a range of power levels, which is useful when you're switching up your meals. This might be a surprise to some, but you don't need to blast every item in your microwave at maximum power.

Preset programs — Some models that offer programs that automatically adjust the power and cooking time based on what food you've got in there.

Defrosting — It seems like an obvious feature because almost all microwaves are equipped with a defrost function. But the quality of this feature can vary. Cheaper microwaves may have just one defrost setting, whereas others will have accurate defrost timings for specific food types and the weight of food.

Convection cooking — This simulates oven cooking by using an additional heating that circulates heat evenly. Convection cooking is the thing that usually determines whether your microwave is a combi microwave or not, as a combi microwave combines regular microwave cooking with convection cooking or other methods.

Inverter technology — This delivers a consistent power level so your food cooks evenly. This allows the microwave to cook at different power levels, giving you precise temperature control no matter what type of meal you're cooking. This prevents the age old problem of microwaved food that's hot on the outside and cold in the middle.

Safety — Have you got kids? You may benefit from a microwave with a child lock option. This locks the control panel, giving you some much needed peace of mind. There are already so many dangerous items in the kitchen, so it's good to know that the microwave isn't something to worry about.

Keep these features in mind when shopping for your next microwave.

What is the best microwave for your kitchen?

We've tried to make the purchase process easier by lining up a selection of top microwaves from top brands. There should be something for everyone and every budget. We recommend taking your time and properly considering all the options.

These are the best microwaves in 2025.

Horror stories from robot vacuum owners mostly stem from two fixable mishaps: They accidentally bought a dinky robot vacuum or merely haven't set their very capable robot vacuum up for success in the settings.

For those who resonate with the first statement — you need to upgrade from your ancient five-year-old Roomba, for example — I've vetted a handful of good robot vacuum recommendations. (I've even curated a list of cheap robot vacuums that actually work well, if you still want to pay a price similar to your current clunker.)

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has both

But for those who purchased a robot vacuum more recently — as in, you did your research and know your model has more potential than you're seeing — there may be some robot vacuum features that you're just not fully taking advantage of. These settings, like suction power adjustment or customizable cleaning zones, are kind of hidden in plain sight in most robot vacuum apps. We knew they were there at one point, but it's easy for our conscious mind to go full hands-off mode and expect a robotic vacuum to do everything right, right off the bat.

Throughout my years of testing robot vacuums in my own various apartments, I've developed a pretty solid strategy for customizing robot vacuum settings to work for various home sizes, number of rooms, and floor types. These obvious robot vacuum tips are the ones many people blow off, but they make a huge difference.

Get detailed with mapping and zone cleaning

A big component of how proficiently a robot vacuum does its job is how intimately it knows your living space. Much of this comes from the robot vacuum's initial mapping run of your home — and while many robot vacuums actually create a fairly accurate map on the first try, it probably won't be perfect. The first step is to split or merge rooms, and even that's easy to be lazy about. There was a period of time where I'd simply use the map a robot vacuum created even if it incorrectly mushed two rooms together. Then, I realized my life didn't have to involve so much dragging and dropping. Editing and labeling all the rooms off the bat makes the chore much more streamlined in the future.

The Roborock Saros 10 knows every room and floor type in my apartment. Credit: Screenshot: Roborock The Roomba Home app lets you label recurring cleaning zones in the map. Credit: Screenshot: iRobot

My personal favorite strategy is to get super extra with customizing cleaning zones within those rooms. Some apps don't offer recurring zones, so I just create a room like "front door." Others do let you add permanent cleaning zones to the map, which I always use to designate the areas that get dirty faster, like the area around a litter box. These let the robot vacuum get in and out quicker on days that you're not conducting a whole-home clean.

Yes, smart mapping is valuable even in small apartments with only two or three rooms. Without it, you won't get the luxury of virtual boundaries with zone cleaning. You'll still want to be able to say "mop in this square, but don't mop in this square," or draw a keep-out zone near the pile of cords by the TV stand.

SEE ALSO: I found the most impressive robot vacuum under $500. You've never heard of it.

Sub-tip: If you're reading this in your preliminary shopping phase, rule out robot vacuums that don't have smart mapping at all. Bumping around and hoping for the best just isn't worth it when smart mapping is a present feature in so many budget robot vacuums. Not all robot vacuum brands will phrase this in the same way, but look for key phrases like "home mapping" or "clean by room." After all, cleaning performance can't even come into play unless the robot vacuum makes it to the right spot in the first place.

Send it for two cleaning passes instead of one

Watching other people watch a robot vacuum clean for the first time is always entertaining. There's almost guaranteed to be a shit talking session about the vac missing a spot. While some junky robotic vacuum cleaners are simply bad at cleaning, a lot of people don't realize the app has a built-in backup plan: Toggle two passes instead of one.

You can select multiple passes in the robot vacuum's app. Credit: Screenshot: iRobot

The first round can be a fluke sometimes, especially if the side brushes accidentally swept a crumb the wrong way. There have been countless times when I've watched a robot vacuum do a mediocre job the first time around, turn away for a second, and look back to see the same area sparkling clean after a second pass.

Also, remember that many robot vacuums clean the edges of the room first, and then go back to sweep in rows down the middle. Don't get frustrated right away if your robot vacuum "misses" something within the first few minutes of cleaning. It's very possible that that droplet or piece of debris will be grabbed in the latter half of cleaning.

Adjust suction and water settings on a case-by-case basis The Roborock Saros 10 cleaning a rug on max suction. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The Roborock Saros 10R mopping the kitchen floor with heavy water flow. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Not all messes on the floor are created equal. Many of your robot vacuum's cleaning sessions won't be much more than a daily skim for new dust and hair that's accumulated in the past 24 hours. But other times, your robot vacuum actually will be tackling legitimate spills, or extra-furry spots on the carpet — messes that require more oomph than the default setting you use daily. Most robot vacuum apps have a settings tab where you can scale suction power up or down (and water flow, if it's a robot vacuum that mops), so you can adjust the cleaning intensity based on how soiled the floor is.

SEE ALSO: The Roborock Saros 10R aces one thing that most other robot vacuums can't

For instance, I make sure to use heavy water flow when a robot vacuum is mopping the gross shoe area near the front door, or if I've sent it to wipe up a liquid splatter. I settle for moderate suction power for bathroom cleanings to avoid the botvac sucking up my bath mats, but I'm sure to crank it up to the highest suction setting for rooms with rugs covered in cat hair.

Some premium robot vacuums have the option to let AI decide the cleaning settings for the room or zone you've selected. While I do appreciate robot vacuums that automatically boost suction power whenever carpet is sensed, I still prefer to tweak the settings myself — I know my cleaning preferences better than a machine.

Manage your expectations, like actually

While customizing the above settings can expand the variety (or severity) of messes a robot vacuum can tackle, they're not always all-powerful. Even the most powerful robot vacuums have limits due to the compact motor that their slim build requires. It's impractical to send it over a catastrophic mess, like a giant pile of spilled powdered sugar or a spilled full glass of juice, and expect spotless results on the first try. If you're expecting a heavy-duty clean like that, you should probably just buy a heavy-duty stick vacuum instead.

Linux-first laptops are overlooked because of their specs sometimes, but you can find some pretty sweet and powerful deals on the open-source side of the pond. This laptop by Tuxedo is one of the most powerful you can buy, and it comes with Linux out of the box.

The Adobe Suite is a mainstay of creatives everywhere, and one of the most common apps is Adobe Premiere—the video-editing software. However, I've switched to an open-source alternative, and I don't regret it for a moment.

WinRAR has been such a steadfast part of the Windows experience that its payment model—politely nagging users to buy a license—has become a meme. But after more than 20 years, I've finally found an alternative.

For as long as the industry has existed, mobile carriers have been competing to offer the biggest and fastest mobile network. You can find yearly stats on the big players' speeds since the 3G era. Well, testing hasn’t stopped, and carriers have continued to expand and beef up their networks to get faster download speeds, especially since they could soon be competing with satellite internet providers like Starlink.

So, what is the fastest mobile network in 2025?

Ookla, the company behind the popular internet speed testing service Speedtest, has published new stats measuring network speed for the first half of 2025. And the new Speedtest Connectivity Report contains very good news for T-Mobile customers.

(Disclosure: Ookla and Mashable are owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)

T-Mobile has the fastest mobile network

Per Ookla, T-Mobile’s speeds are heads and shoulders above its competition. Based on download speeds, upload speeds, and other metrics, Ookla assigns a “speed score” to carriers. T-Mobile scored 74.45 through June 2025. The next closest carrier was Verizon at 65.72, while AT&T scored 63.16. In short, the competition for the first half of 2005 wasn’t particularly close. T-Mobile clearly won. In fact, in addition to the naming T-Mobile the fastest network, Ookla also crowned T-Mobile with the best overall mobile network and the best 5G network.

T-Mobile collected its win based on a variety of metrics, but most of all was its consistency. T-Mobile was the fastest carrier overall in 46 states and Washington, D.C., while Verizon only had the fastest speeds in North Dakota. Per Ookla, the results in the remaining four states were “too close to call.” AT&T wasn't the fastest carrier in any U.S. state or territory. 

T-Mobile also reigned supreme in most large U.S. cities, although AT&T took the top spot for Chicago, while Verizon Wireless scored highest in San Francisco.

T-Mobile claims back-to-back-to-back wins

These results shouldn’t be terribly surprising. T-Mobile’s network speed has been at the top of the stack for a few years now across multiple testing methods. In 2021, PCMag drove 10,000 miles and tested all three major networks, concluding that T-Mobile was the fastest. T-Mobile has carried the title of fastest mobile network ever since, including in Ookla’s 2023 report as well as its 2024 report.

Verizon has the best mobile network for streaming

Verizon was the second-fastest mobile network, according to Ookla. And while T-Mobile nabbed the best overall spot, Ookla named Verizon the best mobile network for streaming. Verizon also received the highest 5G streaming score.

So, if you're interested purely in speed, T-Mobile wins out. However, Verizon has a lot to offer customers interested in streaming video on their devices.

AT&T is the fastest ISP

Unfortunately for AT&T customers, the carrier didn't win any awards in the lastest Ookla rankings. However, AT&T did rank highest in a related category. In the same report, the AT&T Fiber network was named the top-rated internet service provider overall. It was also named the fastest ISP, with the highest median download speed. AT&T also ranked highest among all ISPs in the "Consumer Sentiment" category.

So, for customers who often connect to WiFi, AT&T does offer some advantages.

When you think of iconic laptops, you might immediately think of the IBM ThinkPad, or the Apple MacBook. However, Sony used to be quite the leader in beautiful, cutting-edge laptop design—its VAIO series.

No matter who you are or what sort of things you do in life, there's a pretty good chance you have to deal with PDF files from time to time. This document format has had its day, and it causes numerous problems on modern screens, yet it just doesn't show any signs of going away.

Mods on old hardware can be especially cool. While an old 90s laptop shouldn't be driven daily by anyone, that didn't stop this person from making their old iBook a tad more modern than even some laptops these days.

Operating systems have to strike a balance between supporting older technologies, and avoiding unnecessary bloat from accumulated components over the decades. Which is why developers like Microsoft or Apple may eventually dump support for legacy hardware, since hardly anyone uses it.