IT General

Download & Unzip Files Without Leaving the Linux Terminal With These 6 Commands

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 15:01

I used to download and unzip files with a browser and file manager until I realized I could do it all from the terminal, without clicking or switching windows. I now use just six commands all the time. Here’s what they are and why they’re worth memorizing.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wednesday Season 2 trailer is full of murder, mayhem, and a failed airport security check

Mashable - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 15:00

Wednesday Addams is back to torment the citizens of Jericho alongside the students of Nevermore Academy for another semester, with Netflix releasing the first teaser trailer for Wednesday Season 2.

Back in the braids for Tim Burton's series is spooky star Jenna Ortega, alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán as Wednesday's parents Morticia and Gomez Addams, Emma Myers as teen werewolf Enid Sinclair, Fred Armisen as everyone's favourite freaky uncle Fester Addams, and Joy Sunday as teen siren Bianca Barclay.

In the horror-packed trailer, Wednesday very much fails an airport security check with every blade and weapon in the book, reunites with her Nevermore roomie and a very creepy doll, casually wields an axe, appears to be playing some kind of school sport?!, and generally "does her best work in the dark." Click click!

Wednesday Season 2 will launch in two parts on Aug. 6 (Part 1) and Sept. 3 (Part 2) this year on Netflix.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Chronically online drivers are scarily distracted, survey says

Mashable - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 15:00

On many roads across the U.S., this is a familiar scene: Drivers talk, text, click, scroll, read, and even film themselves to make social media content — all while piloting what is essentially a dangerous, or deadly, machine.

Maybe you are even among these drivers. After all, your phone and its apps are built to keep you engaged. And that console on your dashboard constantly needs your attention with its alerts about slowdowns, incoming calls, and missed messages.

A new survey commissioned by the location-based service and app Life360, which tracks driver behavior, puts some numbers to the problem of chronically online drivers. You might be surprised to learn that it affects every generation, not just the youngest motorists.

SEE ALSO: Smooth, silent, strange: What it's really like to hail a robotaxi

The survey results, paired with Life360's own proprietary data, indicate that some drivers are taking shocking risks on the road in order to stay on their phone. Even if they get to their destination without harming themselves or someone else, scientific research has shown that the human brain simply can't safely manage the simultaneous demands of driving and phone.

How bad is distracted driving, really?

Life360's recent survey of 1,000 U.S. drivers between the ages of 16 and 65 found that more than a third texted, 19 percent scrolled through social media, and 16 percent watched online videos while driving, with varying degrees of frequency.

These figures were higher for Gen Z drivers; 13 percent of them said they frequently viewed online videos behind the wheel, while only 4 percent of all respondents did the same. Similarly, while only 7.5 percent of all participants texted often on the road, that jumped to 16.5 percent of Gen Z drivers. Only roughly a third of Gen Z drivers rarely or never texted.

But older respondents were also guilty of the same behavior — they just do it less frequently.

Between 5 and 6 percent of Millennials in the survey admitted to frequently texting, scrolling, and watching while driving. Overall, between 6 and 29 percent of Gen X respondents text, scroll social media, and watch online videos, frequently, often, or occasionally.

Though less than a percent of Baby Boomers texted frequently or often while driving, 20 percent of them did so occasionally.

Life360's analysis of its own data from 55 million opted-in users, over the period between January 2024 and early April 2025, also provides insight into aggressive driving patterns, which may be affected partly by delayed or sudden reactions due to being distracted.

Life360 found that Gen Z drivers indeed speed 84 percent more often than Baby Boomers, and that speeding and rapid acceleration both peak for users around age 20. The company also saw an 8 percent year-over-year nationwide increase in trips with rapid acceleration between January 2024 and January 2025.

More than 3,200 Americans were killed in crashes that involved distracted drivers in 2023, according to the latest data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The trick distracted drivers play on themselves

Dr. Paul Atchley, a professor of psychology at the University of South Florida who studies distracted driving, says the simple truth is that driving wears the human brain out.

"We're used to driving, so it seems easy, but frankly, there's a lot going on during the process of getting from point A to point B safely as a driver," says Atchley, who was not involved in Life360's survey and research. "When you try to combine that with a secondary task that also requires a lot of your brain, your brain has to make compromises."

As a result, a distracted driver scans the environment less well, doesn't perceive objects, and can be slower to react, or not react at all.

Atchley says drivers continue to pick up their phones on the road because of a concept called "perception as the grand illusion."

Typically, when someone is behind the wheel, their expansive field of vision can make it feel like they're observing everything. The reality, however, is that the brain processes only a fraction of what someone sees.

So when a distracted driver doesn't notice the pedestrian at the crosswalk and there's no accident, they have no evidence to counter their perception as a grand illusion. Instead, they start to believe that "they drove perfectly well," Atchley says.

Yet years of research shows this generally just isn't true. Even asking a hands-free voice-command assistant to compose and send a text message while driving distracts the brain long enough that it takes 27 seconds to regain full attention.

"These infotainment systems can present the same kinds of distracting information that you get with your phone." - Dr. Paul Atchley, professor of psychology at the University of South Florida

Atchley says drivers are also fooled by interactive consoles in their cars. His own research on console-based systems found that people were far more willing to interact with them, even for the same type of activity they'd do with a handheld phone. They believed them to be safety-tested, but that's not the case, according to Atchley.

"These infotainment systems can present the same kinds of distracting information that you get with your phone," he says.

Atchley says there's a small percentage of drivers who simply can't limit their phone use while in the car. For those individuals, he recommends restricting their access to a connected device every time they drive, by turning it off or putting it out of reach.

"Once that phone's in the car...it's very difficult for a driver whose brain is trying to pay attention to the road and doesn't have a lot of willpower left over to not interact with it," Atchley says.

For all drivers, he says that any activity on a phone or hands-free system that takes longer than two seconds — or the amount of time you'd spend turning the AC on or switching radio stations — just isn't safe.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Mobile Gaming Lets Me Get My Gaming Fix as a Busy Parent

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 14:30

I grew up with video games, and every now and then, I feel tempted to own a gaming PC or home console. The thing is, as a parent of two young kids, I wouldn't actually get time to play them—so I've fully embraced mobile gaming instead.

Categories: IT General, Technology

2026 Lexus ES Debuts With Comprehensive Redesign and Major Upgrades

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 14:16

Lexus just pulled the wraps off the 2026 ES at Auto Shanghai 2025, and it's safe to say—nobody saw this coming. Once the understated "girl next door" of the lineup, the ES has transformed into one of the most striking sedans Lexus has ever designed.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Elon to reduce DOGE involvement after dismal Tesla earnings report

Mashable - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 14:03

Tesla's quarterly results are in, and it seems the panic alarm finally went off.

Analyst expectations for Tesla's first quarter of 2025 were already pretty grim, but Tesla handily beat them with a 71 percent drop in profit and a 20 percent drop in car sales, with the only thing keeping the company in the green for the quarter being $595 million in carbon credit sales.

While the sales drop can partially be attributed to the launch of Tesla's updated Model Y, it's now obvious that Musk's political engagement, which includes running the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been giving potential Tesla buyers pause. DOGE, which is supposed to be cutting unnecessary government expenses, has instead wreaked havoc inside the federal government, with fairly little to show for it.

Musk's endorsement of far right political options probably isn't helping either, especially in Europe, where Tesla sales have plummeted in recent months.

It seems that Musk is finally getting the message — partially, at least. During Tesla's earnings call on Tuesday, he said his time allocation to DOGE would drop "significantly" starting in May. Musk also said he plans to allocate "far more" of his time to Tesla.

He will not, however, leave DOGE completely, as long as the president would like him to stay, and "as long as it's useful".

During the call, Musk also complained about Trump's tariffs on China, which hurt Tesla's profits, as well as claiming that the increasingly widespread Tesla boycotts are the work of those who oppose Musk's work at DOGE.

As for Tesla's future plans, Musk was surprisingly timid. In June, the company will launch "fully autonomous" taxi rides in Austin, Texas, but they won't be Tesla Cybercabs. Instead, the company will launch the autonomous rides with Tesla Model Ys. Musk also said that Tesla Optimus robots will be working in Tesla factories by year's end, though the humanoid robot is also affected by Trump's tariffs.

SEE ALSO: Tesla reportedly delays cheaper Model Y again as earnings call looms

Overall, however, Musk is still very bullish about the prospects of his company. "I continue to believe that Tesla, with excellent execution, will be the most valuable company in the world by far," he said.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Lenovo’s First 2025 ThinkPads Have AMD's Zen 5 And Intel's Arrow Lake Chips

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 14:00

Few laptops have as much of a legacy as the ThinkPad. It first started as an IBM product, and while the lineup is managed by Lenovo today, they are still awesome pieces of hardware. Now, if you need a keyboard with a nub in your life, there's a few new ThinkPads. And they all look great.

Categories: IT General, Technology

19 Seconds of History: The First YouTube Video Is 20 Years Old

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 14:00

20 years ago, a 19-second video in crisp 240p changed everything. You might not remember it, but a humble video simply titled "Me at the zoo" quietly marked the dawn of a new era. Oh, how far we've come since then.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 Ways to Safely Recycle or Dispose of Old Batteries

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 13:30

You can't just throw away batteries in the trash, nor can you recycle them with normal bottles and plastic. Make sure to recycle them properly for the environment.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Lego Botanicals Wildflower Bouquet is a great Mothers Day gift — save 20% at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 13:08

SAVE $12: As of April 23, the Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet is on sale for $47.99 at Amazon. That's 20% off its list price of $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet $47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12 Get Deal

Lego sets are always a fun gift idea. Personally, I'm a big fan of Lego, and it's always great to see the new sets coming out. Some of the cutest sets from Lego are the various floral arrangements, and right now you can score a nice deal on the Lego Botanicals Wildflower Bouquet. With Mother's Day coming up, this is a fun gift idea to scoop up.

The Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet has received a 20% discount at Amazon, dropping its price from $59.99 to $47.99. This deal is very close to its lowest-ever price of $47.95, so there's no better time than now to add it into your shopping cart.

SEE ALSO: Lego is giving away Grogu models for free to celebrate Star Wars Day. Here’s how to get yours.

Complete with 939 pieces, this set offers a beautiful variety of wildflowers, including cornflowers, lavender, Welsh poppies, cow parsley, leatherleaf ferns, gerbera daisies, larkspur, and lupins. It's an arrangement bursting with color and even comes with 16 individual stems so you can set them up in a vase.

This Lego set is a great gift to work on together this Mother's Day. Don't miss out on 20% off the Botanicals Wildflower Bouquet set at Amazon.

Lego has even more to offer this Mother's Day, too. If you visit a select Lego Store on April 27 (from 12-2 p.m.), you could have the opportunity to participate in a Lego Mother's Day Flower model make and take event to get a cute flower set for free.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 23, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 13:02

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.

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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.

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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's The Mini crossword answers for April 23 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Found on a Redwood

  • Green: Features of common house pets

  • Blue: SNL is full of these

  • Purple: The second half is the same

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

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

  • Yellow: Parts of a tree

  • Green: Canine/feline features

  • Blue: Comedic routine

  • Purple: __Pole

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 #682 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Parts of a tree: BRANCH, LEAF, ROOT, TRUNK

  • Canine/feline features: FUR, MUZZLE, PAW, TAIL

  • Comedic routine: ACT, BIT, GAG, SKETCH

  • __Pole: BEAN, FLAG, MAY, TAD

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 April 23

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

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 23, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 13:01

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for April 23 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's The Mini crossword answers for April 23, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A gas found in Earth's atmosphere.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter O appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter O.

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...

OZONE.

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 April 23

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

10 Board Games You Can Print at Home

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 13:01

Are you looking for a board game that can be 3D printed at home? Whether you're avoiding spending money or just want to be able to say that you've made your own game, these are some of the best board games to print at home.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Ford Hits the Brakes Again With Major New Recall

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 12:37

Ford has announced three fresh recalls through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The move affects various popular models, including the F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Sony WF-C700N earbuds are back down to their lowest-ever price

Mashable - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 12:18

SAVE OVER $40: As of April 23, the Sony WF-C700N earbuds are on sale for $78 at Amazon. That's 35% off their list price of $119.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WF-C700N Earbuds $78 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $41.99 Get Deal

A good pair of earbuds are a must if you listen to music, audiobooks, podcasts, and more — especially if you have travel plans this year, as they can keep you entertained on any sort of journey. If you've been on the hunt for a new pair, there are some worthwhile deals floating around right now. This includes a discount on the Sony WF-C700N earbuds, which have returned to their lowest-ever price at Amazon.

The Sony WF-C700N earbuds are 35% off, which has dropped their price from $119.99 to $78. They're currently listed as a limited-time deal, so if they've caught your eye you'll want to act fast to pick them up at their lowest-ever price.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best earbuds to buy in 2025 from Bose, Sony, and more

Sony's WF-C700N earbuds are worth the investment. Boasting up to 15 hours of battery with the charging case and a comfortable fit, these earbuds will keep you entertained for ages, making them a great fit for any long trips you have coming up. They also have noise-canceling features, so you can remain immersed in what you're listening to without anything leaking in.

This limited-time deal won't last for long, though. Score the Sony WF-C700N earbuds back at their lowest-ever price at Amazon.

If you'd prefer to have over-ear headphones, you can also take advantage of some great deals on Sony's WH-1000XM4s and Sony ULT WEAR headphones.

Categories: IT General, Technology

HyperX Pulsefire Saga Pro Review: The Most Personalized Mouse I've Ever Used

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 12:00

The HyperX Pulsefire Saga Pro is a pretty run-of-the-mill gaming mouse when it comes to specs, but that's not what makes it special. With a wide range of 3D printable files, this mouse can be customized like none I've ever used before, and I absolutely love that.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Grab the JBL Flip 6 portable speaker for under $100 at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 11:32

SAVE $30: As of April 23, the JBL Flip 6 portable speaker is on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's 23% off its list price of $129.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Flip 6 $99.95 at Amazon
$129.95 Save $30.00 Get Deal

If you're planning some trips this year, whether it's to the pool or out camping, a portable speaker can be a great traveling companion to keep you busy with music and more. The good news is there has been a wide range on sale lately, so you can save on something new. One of our favorites at the moment is this deal on the JBL Flip 6, which has dropped below $100.

The JBL Flip 6 portable speaker is currently listed for $99.95, a 23% price drop from $129.95. Several different color options are on sale as well, so you can choose between black, blue, camo, green, grey, pink, red, teal, and white. On top of the deal, select speaker colors also come with a 90-day free trial of an Amazon Music Unlimited Individual Plan. This offer is only available to new subscribers.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best Bluetooth speakers, tested

JBL's Flip 6 speaker boasts powerful sound and a compact build that's perfect for taking on any journeys you go on. No matter the location, it's also waterproof and dustproof to handle some of the elements around it. And with up to 12 hours of battery life, you can keep the tunes going for longer between charges.

Make your outdoor adventures even more fun with the JBL Flip 6 portable speaker. Don't miss out on 23% off at Amazon.

If you prefer to listen to music, audiobooks, and podcasts on your own, there are some great headphone deals available right now. Over at Amazon, you can also score discounts on Sony's WH-1000XM4s and the Sony ULT WEAR headphones.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This weird planet sports a giant tail like a comet

Mashable - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 11:30

Astronomers have accidentally found a planet with a debris trail like a comet that stretches up to 5.5 million miles in space

This strange exoplanet, located 140 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Pegasus, appears to be rapidly falling apart. Its blistering host star is so close, the radiation is effectively melting it down, leaving behind a long tail of dust. 

Scientists say the rocky world, labeled BD+05 4868 Ab, is losing about one Mount Everest's worth of rock material with each orbit. At that rate, it may completely disintegrate in 1 million to 2 million years.

A team of MIT-led researchers discovered the planet with NASA's TESS mission — short for Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite — a probe designed to find new worlds as they pass in front of their host stars. The findings are published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

"We weren't looking for this kind of planet," said Marc Hon, the paper's lead author, in a statement. "I happened to spot this signal that appeared very unusual."

SEE ALSO: A star was wrongly accused of a cosmic crime: devouring its own planet A team of MIT-led researchers discovered the planet with NASA's TESS mission — short for Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite — a probe designed to find new worlds as they pass in front of their host stars. Credit: NASA illustration

Only three other planets with tails, all discovered more than a decade ago, are known. But this one stands out for the length of its tail and how bright its star is, making it easier to study with powerful telescopes. The research team intends to follow up with James Webb Space Telescope observations this summer to study the tail's features and decipher what minerals make up the planet. 

One thing they already know about the tail is that its dust particles are surprisingly large — the size of sand grains. Without this gargantuan tail, scientists may not have known the planet was crumbling. The tail had been blocking some of the star's light after the planet passed in front of it, which caused the star to dim in unexpected ways. Those dimmings were uneven and appeared to change each time the planet zipped by.

"We got lucky with catching it exactly when it's really going away," said Avi Shporer, one of the paper's co-authors, in a statement. "It's like on its last breath."

Exoplanet BD+05 4868 Ab is about the size of Mercury and wraps around its star once every 30.5 hours — meaning its year is only slightly longer than a day on Earth. That's possible in part because the planet is roughly 20 times closer to its star than Mercury is to the sun. At that distance, the planet’s surface is perhaps 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit and covered in magma

The team believes the star has whittled away the planet over billions of years. Its diminutive size means it doesn’t have enough gravity to hold onto its material, thus compounding the effect.

Researchers are now sifting through TESS data, hoping to find more planets with tails like BD+05 4868 Ab. They may have stumbled upon a unique way to directly study the interior composition of a rocky planet. Such work could give astronomers a better understanding of the diversity of other terrestrial planets like Earth in the galaxy.

"Sometimes with the food comes the appetite," Shporer said.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best noise-cancelling headphones for flying make air travel suck a little less

Mashable - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 11:30

Flying was never the most stress-free way to travel, but thanks to never-ending airline delays, unruly passengers, and the incredible shrinking airline seat, it can be a nightmare. Not to mention the added anxiety of recent airplane crashes. If you're ready to upgrade your flying experience, picking up a pair of noise-cancelling headphones can go a long way.

You definitely have options: plenty of headphones, from over-ear headphones to wireless earbuds, offer active noise cancellation. And in 2025, it's not too hard to find ANC headphones for under $100. That said, we do recommend spending a little more to enjoy maximum calm at 35,000 feet. To make sure your investment is worth it, we've tried and tested the top noise-cancelling headphones on the market.

SEE ALSO: Are you scared to fly? The internet is, too. How much should I spend on noise-cancelling headphones?

If you want to find the best noise-cancelling headphones for flying, you should be prepared to pay $250 to $500. Premium headphones offer improved active noise cancellation, customizable settings, and transparency modes that allow you to hear those all-important gate announcements.

Many cheap headphones claim to offer "noise-cancelling" features, but a random pair of $50 over-ear headphones with passive noise cancellation will let a lot of sound through. They'll also struggle to connect and switch between devices easily, or simply feel uncomfortable.

SEE ALSO: What does Airplane Mode do?

At the end of the day, going for that good all-around pair is worth it, because on a flight, ANC on its own won't save the day — otherwise, we'd just direct you to our guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones. For long flights, comfort is also key. It won't matter if your headphones block sound if you only want to wear them for two out of five hours of your flight. And because this is a flying-focused roundup, we did give extra points to headphones with thoughtful design that makes storage easy.

If that $250-plus price range feels totally out of the question, we've included a couple of budget earbuds in the under-$100 category, but they come with tradeoffs. If you're okay with a mid-range pick, consider buying wireless earbuds with ANC instead of over-ear headphones.

If the cost of a pair of headphones is off-putting, you can always wait for a sale to start. We see headphones from Bose, Sony, and Apple get marked down year-round — if you don't want to keep your eyes peeled yourself, Mashable's deals coverage is a great place to find any noteworthy headphone deals. For the picks on our list, we recommend waiting to buy at the following prices:

  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones — At least $349, if not $329

  • Sony WH-1000XM5 — At least $329, if not $299

  • Apple AirPods Pro 2 At least $189, if not $179 or lower ($199 is technically a sale price, but typically what these earbuds go for at Amazon)

SEE ALSO: The best gifts for people who love to travel What are the best noise-cancelling headphones for flying?

Noise-cancelling headphones are at their most useful on airplanes. It's difficult to find a moment's peace when so much is going on around you. Frequent flyers may prefer to rest or work, and the best way to prepare for either is by using the best ANC headphones to block out the chaos. 

Because shopping for headphones shouldn't be as stressful as heading to the airport, we've done extensive testing to bring you the top options. So, read on to find the best noise-cancelling headphones for airplanes in 2025 — all based on Mashable's hands-on testing.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save over $60 on the Garmin vívoactive 5 for a limited time

Mashable - Wed, 04/23/2025 - 11:00

SAVE $63: As of April 23, the Garmin vívoactive 5 is on sale for $236.92 at Amazon. That's a 21% discount on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin vívoactive 5 $236.92 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $63.07 Get Deal

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a go-to watch if you're looking for impressive fitness and lifestyle tracking, and even better, it's currently on sale. As of April 23, this model is currently priced at $236.92, saving you $63.

The watch was released in late 2023, bringing a stark upgrade from the previous modelIt is no longer the newest in the range, with the release of the vívoactive 6 this year. However, if having the latest in the range doesn't matter to you, then this is an excellent choice.

Unlike the vívoactive 4, the 5 benefits from a bright AMOLED display, making colors incredibly vibrant and stand out more. It also has a much-improved battery life, boasting 11 days when in smartwatch mode.

Stats-wise, this is as impressive as you would expect from a Garmin. It's packed with advanced health-tracking features, including heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, stress tracking, and in-depth sleep insights. The sleep insights have also had an upgrade from earlier models, now featuring sleep coaching.

And if you're purchasing for sports tracking, this includes running, cycling, swimming, and lots more. It is worth noting, however, that unlike some of the higher-end watches in Garmin's lineup, the vívoactive 5 is missing more advanced features such as training status and training readiness. For statistics like these, you'll want to look at the Forerunner range. But if these aren't as important to you, this is a fantastic option full of useful stats and tracking abilities.

Head to Amazon to grab this great Garmin deal.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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