IT General

The best Prime Day Chromebook deals arent at Amazon

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:31
The best Prime Day Chromebook deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL Asus CX34 Chromebook Plus (Intel Core i5-1335U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $459 (save $140) Get Deal BEST SPLURGE Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (Intel Core Ultra 5 115U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $629 (save $170) Get Deal BEST BUDGET DEAL Acer Gateway Chromebook 314 (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) $199.99 (save $50) Get Deal

Prime Day formally kicks off next week (July 8 through 11), but you can start saving on all sorts of gadgets and gizmos ahead of time — from headphones to TVs to laptops. While it's not quite on Black Friday level, Prime Day tends to be a pretty good time to score a deal on a new laptop (especially a MacBook), including fan-favorite, budget-friendly Chromebooks. The thing is, the best deals probably won't be at Amazon.

As in years past, all of the Prime Day Chromebook deals are either at Best Buy or OEMs like Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo. We'll likely see some Chromebook discounts pop up at Amazon when the official sale begins, but in our experience, Best Buy will be the place to shop if you want to score the best deal. The retailer is running a "Black Friday in July" sale in direct competition of Prime Day that runs July 7 through 13.

It's worth mentioning that while Chromebooks are known for their affordability, tech-based tariffs have raised the prices of some models as much as $100. For instance, Acer verified that its Chromebook Plus Spin 714 now retails for $799.99 — a big jump from its original price of $699.99. Several Asus laptops have also hiked up their prices. We'll definitely be keeping our eyes peeled for some big Prime Day price cuts on these models to combat President Trump's tariffs.

We're tracking the best Prime Day Chromebook deals across all retailers and will update the list with any new deals that may drop at Amazon, Best Buy, and elsewhere.

The best Prime Day Chromebook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus CX34 Chromebook Plus (Intel Core i5-1335U, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) $459 at Best Buy
$599 Save $140 Get Deal Why we like it

The 2025 Asus CX34 Chromebook Plus is pretty impressive, earning our sister site PCMag's "best Chromebook for most people" title. It's up next on our docket for testing, but for what it's worth, we loved the previous model. The 2025 version swapped out the processor for a newer 13th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, offers an enjoyable keyboard and touchpad, has a decent number of ports, and "seriously competitive performance for way less than some competing models," according to PCMag. It also packs 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS storage, which is on the higher end for a Chromebook. It's not perfect (battery life is just so-so), but for under $500, it's the best value.

Acer dealsAsus dealsHP dealsLenovo deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Prime Day Fitbit deals are live — grab the Fitbit Ace for kids $30 off

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:29
Best early Prime Day Fitbit deals 2025 Best kids Fitbit deal Fitbit Ace $149.95 (Save $30) Get Deal Best adults Fitbit deal Fitbit Sense 2 $219 (Save $30.95) Get Deal

If you're like us, you're ready to take full advantage of the summer weather to get active. If you, too, have fitness aspirations for 2025, you'll probably want a good fitness tracker by your side to keep you honest and primed for success.

Thankfully, Amazon Prime Day is just a few short weeks away (running from July 8-11), which means plenty of fitness tracker deals are on the way. In fact, many of those deals are already live. If you're locked into the Fitbit ecosystem, though, the discounts are pretty slim at the moment. Still, there are a few worth considering, so read on.

SEE ALSO: Home gym starter kit: Everything you need to work out from home

Find our top picks below, and stay tuned to this page, as we'll be updating it as more Prime Day deals come in.

Best early Prime Day Fitbit deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Ace $149.95 at Amazon
$179.95 Save $30 Get Deal Why we like it

You might think that buying a fitness tracker for a kid is a little weird — children don't need to be tracking calories. Thankfully, kids fitness trackers are way more streamlined and meant to encourage movement with no extra metrics or analytics. If you have a high-energy kid in your home and want to support their active lifestyle, the Fitbit Ace is a great option that'll keep them focused and moving. Ahead of Prime Day 2025, you can get one for $30 off.

More early Prime Day Fitbit deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel unlocked phone deals are live on Prime Day 2025

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:17
The best early Prime Day unlocked phone deals at a glance: BEST SAMSUNG GALAXY DEAL Samsung Galaxy S25+ (512GB) $919.99 (save $200) Get Deal BEST MOTOROLA DEAL Motorola Edge 2024 (256GB) $349.99 (save $200) Get Deal BEST GOOGLE PIXEL DEAL Google Pixel 9a (128GB) $449 (save $50) Get Deal

Need to upgrade your phone? Amazon Prime Day could be your best opportunity to score one for less. Save yourself the trouble of coordinating trade-ins and data plans at a specific carrier and check out unlocked phones at Amazon instead. In most cases, you'll be able to find a better deal. Not to mention, if you travel abroad, you won't have to worry about a carrier lock preventing your ability to connect to a new network (ask me how I know).

Prime Day officially commences on July 8 and run through July 11. Yes, it's now a four-day event, making it the longest Prime Day ever. We're already seeing some of the best prices to date on the Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup weeks ahead of the sale, but we'll be keeping an eye on things and updating the list below with any new deals that pop up as we inch closer to the official Prime Day kickoff. Sadly, Apple iPhones rarely (if ever) go on sale during Amazon shopping events, but we'll never say never.

Here are the best unlocked phone deals we could find at Amazon before the annual shopping event.

Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

The best unlocked phone deal ahead of Prime Day Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Galaxy S25+ (256GB) 🔥 $919.99 at Amazon
$1,119.99 Save $200 Get Deal Why we like it

The Galaxy S25+, which launched earlier this year, is just $20 shy of its best price ever ahead of Prime Day — just $919.99 for the 512GB model. While it's not quite as powerful as the S25 Ultra or the latest S25 Edge, it's also a lot easier on your wallet. You'll still get the impressive Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and 12GB of RAM, plus a slightly larger and nicer display than the basic S25 (6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with new "ProScaler" technology), as well as a bigger 4,900mAh battery. Mashable's Chance Townsend calls the S25+ the "sweet spot for battery life and versatility" amongst the S25 lineup. It doesn't look too much different than the S24+, but it'll definitely wow you in terms of internal upgrades — and that's saying something, considering how brilliant the S24 lineup already was.

More unlocked phone deals

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Motorola deals

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Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Nintendo Switch deals on Prime Day 2025

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:12
Best Prime Day 2025 Nintendo Switch deals Best Nintendo Switch game deal 'It Takes Two' $29.99 (Save $10) Get Deal Best Switch 2 case Deal tomtoc Slim Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch 2 $36.99 (Save $11) Get Deal Best Nintendo Switch accessory deal Elgato HDR10 External Capture Card for Nintendo Switch 2 $149.99 (Save $30) Get Deal

Prime Day 2025 is so close that we can taste it — the massive sale kicks off on July 8 and has been extended into a four-day affair that concludes on July 11. In the meantime, though, there are plenty of deals on the Amazon website that are worth considering ahead of Prime Day.

That's especially true for Nintendo fans, because a bunch of consoles, games, and accessories for the Switch are discounted leading up to the sale. You won't find much related to the Switch 2 yet — it's just too new — but those with an original Switch will find plenty to like.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 restock tracker (June 23): Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, Costco, and more

Check out our top deal picks below, and stay tuned, because we'll keep updating this page as more offers come in.

Best Nintendo Switch game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hazelight Studios 'It Takes Two' $29.99 at Best Buy
$39.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you haven't played a decent co-op game, you're truly missing out. Hazelight Studios makes some of the most critically-acclaimed cooperative games out there, including 2021 Game of the Year winner It Takes Two. You can save $10 on the game ahead of Prime Day, just $29.99. So, get yourself a friend to play through it with, and enjoy!

Best Nintendo Switch accessory deal Opens in a new window Credit: Elgato Elgato HDR10 External Capture Card for Nintendo Switch 2 $149.99 at Best Buy
$179.99 Save $30 Get Deal Why we like it

With the new Nintendo Switch here, it's time to start stocking up on all the accessories you can get for it. If you're at all interested in streaming or posting your gameplay online, you're going to want a capture card, and Elgato makes some of the best on the market. This one works with the brand-new Switch 2, and it's currently $30 off at Best Buy, just $149.99.

Nintendo Switch console dealsNintendo Switch game dealsNintendo Switch accessory deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple AirPods 4 have hit a new low price on Prime Day 2025 — score them for under $90

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:09

SAVE $40: As of July 8, Apple AirPods 4 are on sale for $89 at Amazon. That's a saving of 31% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $89 at Amazon
$129 Save $40 Get Deal

Prime Day deals have landed, and the discounts are next level. There are plenty of discounts to be had across the new four-day event, but we can't not spotlight this new deal on the Apple AirPods 4, now at their lowest-ever price. While you're at it, check out what we thought when we gave them the full review treatment.

As of July 8, you can buy the newest pair of AirPods for $89, down from their usual price and under $90 for the first time ever. This particular deal is for the AirPods without active noise cancellation or AppleCare+, but there are discounts across all variations if you want to add these.

SEE ALSO: This is not a drill: Apple AirPods Pro 2 are down to a record-low price on Prime Day

Powered by the H2 chip, these AirPods create an incredibly immersive listening experience. Personalized Spatial Audio and dynamic head tracking makes it feel like the sound is moving all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience. The microphone audio is super high quality too; it uses advanced computational audio to reduce background noise while highlighting the sound of your voice. This is exactly what you need for phone calls and voicenotes on the go.

Battery life will remain strong for a good five hours on a single charge, and the case adds a total of 30 hours of listening time.

Prime Day is active until July 11, but this deal could go at any time. So head to Amazon now to avoid missing out.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Prime Day steals for your kitchen — save on air fryers, blenders, and more

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:03

TL;DR: Don't wait until July 8-11 to save: Shop Prime Day kitchen deals now! Get big discounts on air fryers, blenders, and more from some of the best kitchen brands.

Best Prime Day kitchen deals: Best air fryer deal Chefman 4-Quart Window Air Fryer $60.40 (save $39.59) Get Deal Best blender deal Ninja Blender (NJ601AMZ​) $79.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Ninja Luxe Café Premier 3-in-1 Espresso and Coffee Maker $509.99 (save $90 + get a free $50 Amazon credit) Get Deal

Yep, you heard right: Prime Day is almost here, and Amazon's giving us double the days of deals! (So, it's not just Prime Day 1 & 2, it's four whole days of savings.) They've even rolled out a "Today's Big Deals" hub where Prime members can snag exclusive, limited-time markdowns.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2025: Dates and deals

Officially, Prime Day kicks off on July 8 at 12:01 a.m. PDT and runs through July 11. That's 96 hours to save on air fryers, blenders, espresso machines, that Ninja kitchen gadget you've been eyeing, and so much more.

Below, we're rounding up the very best Prime Day kitchen deals you can grab right now. And good news: we'll be keeping this updated regularly with all the latest price drops.

Best air fryer deal Chefman 4-Quart Window Air Fryer $60.40 at Amazon
$63.85 Save $3.45 Get Deal Why we like it

If you’ve yet to succumb to the air fryer hype, now’s your chance. The Chefman 4-Quart Window Air Fryer is currently on sale for $60.40, down from $99.99. That's a 40% discount and a $39.59 saving. It's not the absolute lowest price we've seen for this model (it was $49.97 last December), but it's still a solid deal for an Amazon's Choice kitchen appliance.

This mid-sized air fryer is large enough to cook a meal for up to four people, but small enough that it won’t monopolize your counter space. It’s also super user-friendly and has a little viewing window, so you can see what’s going on without opening the basket and letting all the heat escape (I like my stuff extra crispy, so this is a pretty cool feature IMO). There’s also a Hi-Fry button that lets you crank the heat up to 450 degrees in the last two minutes of cooking (again, great for those of us who like extra crispy food).

SEE ALSO: We tested the most popular Ninja appliances in our own kitchens. Here's what we found. More air fryers on sale

Quick note: I’ve been watching the Ninja Crsipi like a hawk because it honestly seems like the ideal setup, but it hasn’t hit a price that I’d say is a “great deal” just yet (it's still around $160). I’m sure Amazon will drop the price within the coming weeks, so for now, I’m recommending this top-rated Chefman air fryer.

Best blender deal Ninja Blender (NJ601AMZ​) $79.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $30 Get Deal Why we like it

The Ninja Blender (NJ601AMZ​) is a no-frills blender with a lot of power for its price. You can get it for $79.99, down from $109.99. That's an 27% discount and a $30 saving. Again, this isn’t the cheapest it’s ever been (the last time it saw a real discount was in December of 2022; it was $64.99 then), but I still think it’s a solid deal, especially if you’re looking for something that can crush ice easily.

The Ninja Blender (NJ601AMZ​) is a first-generation model with 1,000 watts of power. It has a 72-ounce pitcher with a 64-ounce max liquid capacity. It’s also easy to use with three speeds and a pulse function.

You can make sauces, dips, smoothies, and more with this machine. You’ll also get a recipe guide in the box to help get you started.

More blenders on sale SEE ALSO: I tested the Margaritaville frozen drink maker, and it's as ridiculous as you think Best coffee maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Luxe Café Premier 3-in-1 Espresso and Coffee Maker $509.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $90 get a free $50 Amazon credit Get Deal Why we like it

On Mashable's list of the best Ninja kitchen appliances, the Ninja Luxe Café Premier 3-in-1 Espresso and Coffee Maker earns the top spot when it comes to espresso and coffee. Ahead of Prime Day, it's already on sale for $509.99, which works out to a $90 saving compared to the normal price of $599.99. But Amazon has made this deal extra sweet by offering a free $50 Amazon credit with your purchase. The credit will land in your account 30 days after the espresso and coffee maker ships.

But back to the important matter of coffee, the Ninja Luxe Café Premier is an all-star machine that can do it all. You'll be able to pull creamy espresso shots, make a comforting cup of drip, and create cold brew in minutes at home. Mashable Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino's review of the machine explains that it's user-friendly but doesn't slack on quality. She found the suggested grind setting to be useful as well as the automatic milk frothing. "If you've ever felt intimidated by using an espresso machine, the Ninja Luxe Café Premier strikes the perfect balance of user-friendly design with high-end settings," wrote Mangino.

More coffee maker & espresso machine deals The best early Prime Day deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

The Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner is $81.99, which means it must be Prime Day

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:00

Get the Little Green for $81.99: For Prime Day 2025, the famous Bissell Little Green portable carpet cleaner is discounted to $81.99, a 34% price drop.

Bissell Prime Day deals The classic Bissell Little Green portable carpet cleaner $81.99 (Save $41.60 on Amazon) Get Deal The newcomer Bissell Little Green Mini portable carpet cleaner $69.99 (Save $25 at Amazon) Get Deal

I've covered a lot of Prime Days and Black Fridays in my career as a shopping editor, and the Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner has been one of the few constants. Over the years, I've seen this classic cleaning machine go viral on TikTok, and it's a true cult-favorite home appliance (and there aren't a lot of those).

While this portable carpet and upholstery cleaner gets regular discounts throughout the year, we only see it drop to $81.99 during big sales like Prime Day and Black Friday. And now that Prime Day 2025 is officially here, it's once again one of the year's best Prime Day deals.

What makes this carpet cleaner so enduringly popular? It works. It really works. If you have pets, children, or live in constant fear of spilled wine, then this little device can be a godsend. Keep it tucked away in a closet or cabinet and break it out whenever you need to spruce up your carpets, area rugs, bath mats, upholstered furniture, or even your car interiors. With the cleaning attachments, scrubber, and cleaning solution, you can erase stains almost as quickly as they appear.

Even after years of viral fame, Amazon still sells about 30,000 Little Greens every month, and this is your chance to grab one on sale for 34% off the usual price.

Pro tip: The Little Green is a little bigger than you might expect, so if you live in an apartment instead of a home, opt for the product's sibling, the Bissell Little Green Mini. The newer, more compact version is also on sale for Prime Day, and it still has all of the features that make this product such a success.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bissell Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner $81.99 at Bissell
$123.59 Save $41.60 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

This is not a drill: Apple AirPods Pro 2 are down to a record-low price on Prime Day

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 08:49

SAVE 40%: As of July 8, you can get the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $149 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount on list price and the lowest-ever price on Amazon.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) $149 at Amazon
$249 Save $100 Get Deal

Prime Day is here — one of the most exciting, bargain-packed sale events of the year — and some of the discounts sound very good to us. Quite literally in the case of the Apple AirPods Pro 2, some of the best earbuds available and just one example of discounted Apple devices on Prime Day (check out discounted MacBooks, AirTags, and iPads, if you have the time).

As of July 8, you can get the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $149, down from $249. That's a massive 40% discount and a saving of $100 on list price. That's actually the lowest price we've ever seen, so there's genuinely never been a better time to buy.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day vs. Black Friday: When are the deals better?

The AirPods Pro 2 are packed with impressive sound tech, including Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode, plus an Adaptive Audio that combines the two. You get four sizes of silicone tips, which ensure for a customised fit, and swipe controls via the stems. And with a battery of up 30 hours, they offer a whole lot of listening time.

These buds also have a powerful, built-in Hearing Aid feature. It’s a clinical-grade function for anyone with mild to moderate hearing loss. It works by conducting a hearing test on your iPhone to create a custom sound profile. This also enables Media Assist, which automatically makes your music, videos, and phone calls sharper and easier to understand.

SEE ALSO: The new AirPods Pro look old but sound fresh

Not only that, they're great for Apple users and sync seamlessly within the Apple device ecosystem. These earbuds are all about a slick user experience.

Don't miss you chance to grab a pair of Apple AirPods Pro 2 at their lowest ever price — now just $149 on Prime Day 2025.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Prime Day now has streaming deals: save on Paramount+, Starz, Apple TV+, and more

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 08:29
The best Prime Day streaming deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL Paramount+ Premium (with Showtime) $0.99/month for 2 months (save $24) Get Deal BEST PRIME VIDEO ADD-ON DEAL Starz (Prime Video add-on) $0.99/month for 2 months (save $20) Get Deal RUNNER-UP PRIME VIDEO ADD-ON DEAL Apple TV+ (Prime Video add-on) $4.99/month for 2 months (save $10) Get Deal

Prime Day isn't just a good time to score a TV or laptop at a steep discount anymore. In 2025, it's also a good time to load up your devices with streaming services.

For the first time in Prime Day history, streaming deals are aplenty, so long as you're a Prime member. (Not yet a member? Sign up here.) One of the perks of subscribing to Prime is having access to Prime Video, Amazon's own streaming service. And since Prime Day is a celebration for members, the mega retailer is offering streaming deals in the form of Prime Video add-ons. There's certainly a chance more streaming services will toss their hats in the ring to compete with Prime Video, but we're not expecting Black Friday-level streaming deals or anything.

Still, we're pretty impressed by the sheer number of streaming discounts available on day one of Prime Day. Below, we've rounded up all the best options and we'll continue adding to this list if any new streaming deals pop up.

Best Prime Day streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium $0.99/month for 2 months (save $12/month) Get Deal Why we like it

New and returning subscribers can get their first two months of Paramount+ Premium — that's the ad-free tier with Showtime — for just 99 cents per month. Typically $12.99 per month, that saves you $24 total. Even better, you can score the deal on its own through Paramount+ or as a Prime video add-on. For what it's worth, the streamer typically offers a $2.99 per month deal for six months during Black Friday. While the Prime Day discount is only valid for a third of the time, it'll cost you $2 less per month, making this a pretty epic deal.

The Premium tier gives viewers an ad-free experience (except with live TV), access to the entire Showtime library, the ability to stream CBS live and download movies and shows for offline viewing, and 4K, UHD, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 quality. The discount is only valid through July 13, so be sure to sign up ASAP. Also, remember that the cost per month will go back to full price ($12.99/month) after your two-month promotional period unless you cancel.

More Prime day streaming deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

New low price alert: Score the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for under $650 on Prime Day

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 07:00

SAVE $150: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is on sale for $649 on Prime Day, down from the normal price of $799. That's a 19% discount and the lowest we've ever seen on this configuration at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) $649 at Amazon
$799 Save $150 Get Deal

We've been all-eyes on Apple Watch Prime Day deals and we're finally getting lucky. If you're looking for an Apple Watch on sale, listen up.

As of July 8, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) is on sale for $649 at Amazon, down from the usual price of $799. That works out to a 19% discount or a saving of $150. It's also the lowest price we've ever seen on this configuration at Amazon.

Apple deals are coming in hot on Prime Day and we're not mad in the slightest that the Apple Watch Ultra just dipped to a new record-low price. You'll need to go with the black titanium case with black ocean band to get the sale price of $649, but black matches everything.

SEE ALSO: The best early Prime Day fitness tracker deals in 2025 — shop Apple, Garmin, Fitbit, and more

Compared to the Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 focus on adventure features for those who spend their free time running, swimming, diving, cycling, and more. The titanium case in built to withstand some wear that comes with these activities and the always-on retina display gives you constant access to maps or workout metrics.

If you're shopping for an Apple Watch Prime Day deal this year, consider today's discount on the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Since it's already down to a record-low price of $649, buying today could mean the watch arrives well before the sale ends later this week.

The best early Prime Day deals to shop today
Categories: IT General, Technology

The Onn 4K Pro Is on Sale for Just the Second Time Since Launch

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 23:11

Walmart's Onn 4K Pro streaming device launched last year as a combination Nest speaker and Google TV streaming box. At only $50, it was already a great deal, but it just hit a price that makes it even harder to ignore.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 Paramount+ Shows You Need to Binge This Week (July 7 - July 13)

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 23:00

We’re already a month into the official summer season, and there’s so much to watch but never enough time. That’s why, this week, I bring you a list of watchables with a dash of legendary history, a police procedural, some silliness, and a sprinkle of horror, since we are, you know, crawling towards the spooky season.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 Reasons to Run Your Homelab Storage on Unraid (and 4 Reasons Not To)

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 22:30

Unraid has several features that make it a “love it or hate it” operating system. I’m not sure which side you fall on there, but I absolutely love it. However, I realize that Unraid might not be the best choice for all homelab storage servers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 PC Upgrades That Actually Changed How I Game

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 22:00

I’ve gone through a lot of PC gaming gear to find the perfect accessories for my desk. With all the upgrades that I’ve done over the past decade, only five upgrades really stand out to me. These are the things that completely changed how I game at my desk (and why I think these upgrades might apply to you, too).

Categories: IT General, Technology

Thunderbird 140 Is Here With a Dark Mode Toggle

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 21:43

Thunderbird 140, also known by its code name "Eclipse," has officially been released. There's something for everyone this time around, including dark mode reading improvements, easier interface customization, native notifications across all platforms, and much more.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7-Zip's New Update Is a Performance Boost

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 21:30

7-Zip, the popular open-source application for compressing files, just received a new update. The new 7-Zip 25.0 release is still the same tool you know and love, but with some helpful performance improvements and bug fixes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These New SmartThings Features Will Make Your Smart Home Feel Smarter

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 21:21

It’s very easy for a smart home setup to feel more complicated than it’s worth. All those individual settings, the convoluted routines, and just the sheer amount of time it takes to get things right. Samsung SmartThings is looking to change that.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 Open-Source Alternatives to Adobe Acrobat for Editing Your PDFs

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 21:00

Why pay for Adobe Acrobat or risk your data with online editors when excellent open-source PDF tools offer powerful, private alternatives? These PDF editors give you complete control over your documents and are free of cost.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Fairphone 6 Got a Perfect iFixit Score

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 20:58

Personally, I love the Fairphone range. It goes against everything that's "normal" in the smartphone ecosystem to put together a repairable, long-lasting phone. Now, an iFixit teardown reveals that the new Fairphone 6 is, indeed, every bit as repairable as you'd expect it to be.

Categories: IT General, Technology

AI slop artists are redoing the Squid Game series finale

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 20:26

Was the series finale of the hit South Korean Netflix show Squid Game a good one?

Depending on who you ask, not really. Judging by the endless online chatter, many viewers found the ending unsatisfying — not necessarily because it didn’t tie up loose ends (although it arguably did not), but because it left the characters in an especially grim place.

For others — particularly those with some extra time on their hands — it became the perfect excuse to fire up Google’s Veo 3 and craft an entirely new ending.

Spoilers ahead, but the ending of Squid Game Season 3 is bleak. Both this season and the one before it explored the clash of ideals between Gi-hun, the show’s protagonist, and the Frontman (Lee Byung-hun), with Season 3 ultimately siding with the latter’s nihilistic view of humanity. In the finale, Gi-hun faces an impossible choice: save himself, or sacrifice everything to protect Player 222’s newborn child during the last game. He chooses the latter, giving up his life so the baby — an unsettlingly CGI-rendered creation — can live.

Viewers didn’t love it.

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Of course, fanfiction and alternate endings are nothing new. But using AI to visualize those endings is still relatively novel — and, frankly, strange to watch. On TikTok and Instagram, creators using Google Veo 3 have been generating new versions of the finale. Some feature Gi-hun kicking the CGI baby off a platform; others depict Player 222 surviving the Jump Rope game and going on to raise her child. There's also the one where Gi-hun has a knife fight with the baby. It's definitely disturbing stuff.

There’s plenty to say about Squid Game’s ending itself — like how extending the series beyond its first season arguably undermines the show's original critique of capitalism. But there’s something else at play here: the growing urge to use AI to "fix" stories that were intentionally written to leave viewers unsettled.

Are these AI-generated videos meant to be taken seriously? Not really. But they’re also a glimpse of where things are heading—toward a future where anyone can easily remake or reshape a story to fit their own preferred version of events.

Whether that’s exciting or unsettling depends on how you feel about the game itself.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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