IT General

Im saving 32% on Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 earbuds, and so should you

Mashable - Tue, 03/04/2025 - 11:45

SAVE OVER $80: As of March 4, Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 wireless earbuds are available for $168.08 at Amazon,. That's a 32% discount from their usual $249 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bowers & Wilkins Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 Wireless Earbuds $168.08 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $80.92 Get Deal

I'm not a fan of the price tags that come with high-end audio gear, but Amazon has Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 wireless earbuds on sale for $168.08, down from their usual $249 price. If you've been holding out for audiophile-level earbuds with noise cancellation, this is it.

If you're unfamiliar with Bowers & Wilkins, they're a big deal in the high-end audio world. This is the brand that produces some of the best-sounding speakers and headphones on the market, so it's no surprise that the Pi6 earbuds come packed with serious audio tech.

SEE ALSO: I have no excuse to skip workouts now that the Apple Watch Series 10 is $70 off

They feature 12mm bio-cellulose drive units borrowed from the Px7 S2e over-ear headphones — translation: distortion-free audio with incredible detail. Whether you're listening to music, watching movies, or gaming, these buds dynamically adjust their performance for the best possible sound thanks to aptX Adaptive technology.

  • Price: $168.08 $249

  • Retailer: Amazon

  • Noise Cancelling: Adaptive ANC, auto-adjusts to surroundings

  • Battery Life: 8 hours per charge (24 hours with case)

  • Fast Charging: 15-minute charge = 2 extra hours

  • Sound Quality: 12mm bio-cellulose drivers, aptX Adaptive

  • Microphones: 3 built-in mics for call clarity

  • Water Resistance: IP54-rated (sweat and dust-resistant)

  • Compatibility: Works with iOS and Android, supports B&W Music App

Pi6s come with bespoke active noise cancellation, meaning the earbuds adjust the noise cancellation level based on your environment. Commuting on a train? The ANC will kick in stronger. Sitting in a quiet room? It dials things down so your audio doesn't feel unnatural. Plus, there are three built-in microphones designed to improve call clarity, so you're not that person yelling, "Can you hear me now?" on Zoom.

Battery life isn't the longest in the game, but it's solid. You'll get up to eight hours per charge, extending the case to 24 hours total. And if you're in a pinch, a 15-minute charge gives you an extra two hours, perfect for when you forget to charge them before heading out. They also have an IP54 rating, meaning they can handle sweat, rain, and dust.

At $168.08, these are some of the best luxury earbuds under $200, and the price doesn't dip this low often. If you've been looking for top-tier sound without paying top dollar, I'd grab these while they're still on sale.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These Beats Studio Buds with ANC are on sale for under $100, and I’m seriously considering a pair

Mashable - Tue, 03/04/2025 - 11:40

SAVE $50: As of March 4, Beats Studio Buds are available for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount from their usual $149.95 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds $99.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Good noise-canceling earbuds aren’t cheap unless you catch a deal like this. Amazon has Beats Studio Buds on sale for $99.95, which is $50 off their usual $149.95 price. Finding a solid pair of wireless ANC earbuds for under $100 isn’t easy, and when it’s a brand as well-known as Beats, you know they’re worth a second look.

I’ve tested my fair share of earbuds and can confidently say that Beats knows how to do bass right. But unlike some older models that went all-in on deep lows, the Studio Buds feature a custom acoustic platform that balances everything out. So you get booming bass but also crisp mids and highs. Listening to hip-hop, rock, or podcasts is solid without messing with EQ or bass settings.

SEE ALSO: I have no excuse to skip workouts now that the Apple Watch Series 10 is $70 off

One of my favorite things about these buds is their two listening modes. If you want to tune everything out, Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) blocks out distractions. But if you still want to hear what’s happening around you, Transparency Mode lets in ambient noise. Both options are game-changers, especially if switching between work, workouts, and commutes.

  • Price: $99.95 $149.95

  • Retailer: Amazon

  • Noise Cancelling: Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) + Transparency Mode

  • Battery Life: 8 hours per charge (24 hours with case)

  • Connectivity: Class 1 Bluetooth for extended range

  • Microphones: Built-in for calls and voice assistants

  • Water Resistance: IPX4-rated (sweat and water-resistant)

  • Compatibility: Works with Apple and Android

Beats Studio Buds use Class 1 Bluetooth, meaning you get an extended range and fewer dropouts, even if your phone isn’t right next to you. Call quality is solid, too, thanks to the built-in microphones that pick up your voice clearly without annoying background noise creeping in.

Battery life is another win: eight hours on a single charge, with the case bringing that total up to 24 hours. And if you’re low on power, a quick charge via USB-C gives you extra juice fast. If you’re taking them to the gym or for a run, you’ll be happy to know they’re IPX4-rated sweat- and water-resistant, so a bit of sweat or rain won’t ruin them.

At $99.95, this is one of the best prices I’ve seen on the Beats Studio Buds, and these deals don’t last forever. If you’ve been looking for wireless ANC earbuds with great sound, solid battery life, and a name you can trust, then grab a pair.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I found a pair of ANC earbuds with 50-hour battery life for under $60, and I’m impressed

Mashable - Tue, 03/04/2025 - 11:29

SAVE $20: As of March 4, Soundcore by Anker Space A40 earbuds are available for $59 at Amazon. That's a 26% discount from their usual $79.99 price. Prime members can snag them for just $44.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Earbuds $59.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

I don't know about you, but I refuse to pay premium prices for earbuds when budget-friendly options like this exist. Right now, you can grab Soundcore by Anker Space A40 earbuds for just $59 at Amazon, a decent 26% discount off their usual $79.99 price. And if you're an Amazon Prime member, you can pick them up for just $44.99 (which honestly feels like a steal).

Why put these little guys worth a spot in your ears? First, adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC). Unlike some budget earbuds that barely block out a whisper, the Space A40s can reduce noise by up to 98%. That means no more distractions from chatty coworkers, screaming kids, or whatever mystery construction project is happening down the street. The ANC automatically adjusts based on your environment, so these earbuds adapt accordingly whether you're on a plane or just trying to focus at your desk.

SEE ALSO: I have no excuse to skip workouts now that the Apple Watch Series 10 is $70 off

But good ANC is useless if the sound quality is trash. Thankfully, these don't disappoint. The double-layer diaphragm drivers deliver strong bass, clear mids, and bright treble. So, everything sounds crisp when you're pumping bass-heavy beats or catching up on your latest podcast. If you're an audiophile, you'll appreciate the LDAC mode for Hi-Res Audio Wireless sound, which means better detail and clarity for your music.

  • Price: $59 $79.99 / $44.99 for Prime members

  • Retailer: Amazon

  • Noise Cancelling: Adaptive ANC, reduces noise by up to 98%

  • Battery Life: 50 hours total (10 hours per charge)

  • Fast Charging: 10-minute charge = 4 hours playback

  • Sound Quality: Hi-Res sound, double-layer diaphragm drivers

  • Wireless Charging: Yes

  • Fit: Ergonomic, lightweight design

Battery life is another area where the Space A40s shine. You'll get 10 hours of playtime per charge, and the charging case extends that to a ridiculous 50 hours. Even better, a quick 10-minute charge gives you 4 hours of playback, which is perfect for when you forget to charge them before heading out. Oh, and wireless charging is an option if you're into that.

Comfort-wise, these are smaller and lighter than previous Soundcore ANC earbuds, so they won't make your ears ache after long listening sessions. The ergonomic design also helps them stay in place, meaning fewer annoying readjustments mid-workout or while on the go.

At $59 (or $44.99 for Prime members), these are a ridiculously good deal for ANC earbuds that don't cut corners on sound quality or battery life. If you're in the market for a solid pair of wireless earbuds that won't break the bank, I'd grab these while they're still on sale.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch India vs. Australia online for free

Mashable - Tue, 03/04/2025 - 11:00

TL;DR: Live stream India vs. Australia in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is reaching its dramatic conclusion. The group stage is settled, with India, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa securing their places in the knockout rounds. Every team will believe that they can go all the way this year.

India will meet Australia in the first semi final. It's an absolutely huge matchup between two cricketing powerhouses, and you can watch all the action without spending anything.

If you want to watch India vs. Australia in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is India vs. Australia?

India vs. Australia in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy starts at 4 a.m. ET on March 4. This ODI takes place at the Dubai International Stadium.

How to watch India vs. Australia for free

The following platforms are offering coverage of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy:

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is available to live stream for free in Pakistan. The free streaming platforms are geo-restricted to Pakistan, but anyone can access these free live streams with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Pakistan, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy 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 Pakistan

  4. Visit Tamasha or PTV

  5. Live stream India vs. Australia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream India vs. Australia (plus every remaining 2025 ICC Champions Trophy game) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for live sport?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Pakistan

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream India vs. Australia in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get Microsoft Visual Studio Pro for £22 and take your dev skills to new heights

Mashable - Tue, 03/04/2025 - 07:00

TL;DR: Own Microsoft Visual Studio for life for just £22 (reg. £392.57) through 30 March and transform your development process with advanced tools.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for Windows £22.00 at the Mashable Shop
£392.57 Save £370.57 Get Deal

If you’re serious about coding, you need a serious tool to match your skills. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 is built to help developers work smarter, not harder — offering a comprehensive suite of features to simplify coding, debugging, and deploying your projects.

Own Microsoft Visual Studio for life for just £22 (reg. £392.57) through 30 March and transform your development process with advanced tools.

Designed for professionals and teams, this platform supports a wide range of programming languages and frameworks, making it a go-to for everything from web development to mobile app creation. Its integrated debugging tools allow you to spot and fix errors in real time, cutting down on frustration and saving you hours of work.

Collaboration is seamless, thanks to various built-in integrations, letting you work smoothly with your team. The intuitive interface and advanced organisation tools help you handle even the most complex workflows with ease, so you can stay focused on what really matters — creating amazing applications.

This isn’t just a tool for writing code; it’s a full-scale development environment tailored to the needs of professionals. You’ll also enjoy live testing features, making it easy to catch bugs early and deliver polished results. Best of all, this is a lifetime license, so there are no subscriptions or recurring fees.

Whether you’re an experienced developer or looking to take your skills to the next level, Visual Studio Professional 2022 is the ultimate companion for efficiency and precision.

Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for £22 (reg. £392.57) through 30 March and elevate your coding game with tools built for success.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Can’t Find Android Apps With Widgets? Google Wants to Fix That

How-To Geek - Tue, 03/04/2025 - 00:34

There’s no easy way to find Android apps with great widget support. That’s finally changing, as Google has announced new Play Store pages and search filters to improve discovery of apps with widgets.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Trump attempts to bail out his wealthy cryptocurrency backers with U.S. crypto reserve

Mashable - Tue, 03/04/2025 - 00:25

Just a few days ago, Mashable published an article investigating why Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies were suddenly in a freefall. Of the four main reasons, three were attributable to Donald Trump and his actions as president. 

This is not exactly what one would expect from Trump, who promised to be a pro-crypto president after its advocates helped him win the presidency.

But over the weekend, as Bitcoin lost roughly one-fifth of its value, Trump suddenly made an announcement that temporarily sent cryptocurrencies' values skyrocketing once again.

SEE ALSO: 4 reasons why Bitcoin value is nosediving. (Hint: It's Trump.)

On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump announced that the U.S. government would create a "Crypto Strategic Reserve" and begin buying various cryptocurrencies. Trump specifically mentioned five: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano.

"A U.S. Crypto Reserve will elevate this critical industry after years of corrupt attacks by the Biden Administration, which is why my Executive Order on Digital Assets directed the Presidential Working Group to move forward on a Crypto Strategic Reserve that includes XRP, SOL, and ADA," posted Trump. "I will make sure the U.S. is the Crypto Capital of the World. We are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Crypto immediately went up across the market. Bitcoin, for example, shot up from the $85,000 range to the $95,000 range, ending a seemingly downward spiral that the crypto market was experiencing. 

However, critics immediately called out Trump and his administration for the move. For one, it seemed like a bizarre strategy for an administration spearheading a cost-cutting initiative led by Elon Musk to use taxpayer dollars to buy up cryptocurrencies. 

"Nobody announced a tax or a spending program," White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks said to those critics. "Maybe you should wait to find out what’s actually being proposed."

Tweet may have been deleted

Sacks, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist, never shared precisely what was being proposed as a followup.

While most have likely heard of Bitcoin and Ethereum, the other three cryptocurrencies mentioned by the president serve very niche crypto audiences. Solana is probably best known as the platform on which many meme coins are built. For example, Trump's controversial meme coin is traded on the Solana blockchain. Some crypto advocates even criticized Trump's inclusion of XRP and ADA due to concerns regarding centralization and the lack of stablecoin issuers.

But speaking of Sacks, a big spotlight was also put on him and his seemingly coincidental connection to the five specific cryptocurrencies that Trump wants the U.S. government to buy.

Sacks was an early investor in Solana and, as a result, had a significant amount of Solana crypto holdings. Sacks claims he has since sold off all of his crypto holdings. However, Sacks has yet to speak to his venture capital firm Craft Ventures and its connection to the five specific cryptocurrencies.

Craft Ventures invests in crypto companies such as Bitwise, a crypto asset manager with significant crypto holdings. Its top five cryptocurrency holdings? Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano.

We'll have to wait and see exactly what Trump and Sacks have planned to fully look into the ramifications here, but so far, it's not looking good.

As for Trump's attempt to help the crypto markets, the bounce appears to have been only temporary. As of publication, most cryptocurrencies have dropped back to their trading levels before Trump's announcement.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Trump administration launches digital DEI reporting line

Mashable - Tue, 03/04/2025 - 00:22

The Department of Education is now inviting parents to submit complaints about diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts that may be happening at their child's school.

Last week, the federal agency launched a new "End DEI" portal that parents can use to report "discrimination based on race or sex" in publicly-funded schools for kindergarten through 12th grade.

The department has the authority to investigate discrimination based on race, sex, and disability, among other protected characteristics, and already offered a form for such reports.

SEE ALSO: DOGE tech employees jointly resign in protest of Elon Musk

The End DEI portal appears to specifically target instruction or curriculum that conservatives have long attacked. A text introduction on the online form notes that students should "have access to meaningful learning free of divisive ideologies and indoctrination."

The department's news release introducing the portal also includes a lengthy quote from a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, a far-right political organization that has pushed book bans and backed Trump's presidential campaign.

Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice argued that children are being taught "critical theory, rogue sex education and divisive ideologies."

"Parents, now is the time that you share the receipts of the betrayal that has happened in our public schools," Justice said in her statement.

Conservatives have previously supported the use of tip lines to report what they consider objectionable discussions or curriculum in the classroom.

In 2022, Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin created a tip line to receive related reports. In 2021, one New Hampshire Moms for Liberty chapter even offered a $500 bounty to the first person who caught a public school teacher breaking a new law intended to discourage educators from discussing "divisive concepts."

The End DEI portal allows parents to submit their email address, school or school district, and a brief description of the alleged discrimination, as well as attached JPG, JPEG, PNG, and PDF files. The portal says that the education department will use the submissions for potential investigations.

Major unions that represent educators — the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association — are fighting back against the Trump administration's pressure to eradicate DEI from schools.

NEA President Becky Pringle called the End DEI portal a "stunt" and defended DEI initiatives in a statement.

"Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs create a sense of belonging where we all feel comfortable sharing our ideas and lived experiences," Pringle said.

The American Federation of Teachers recently sued the Trump administration for threatening to cut off funding for schools that do not comply with its demand to effectively cease efforts designed to achieve "diversity, racial balancing, social justice, or equity" by Feb. 28.

The administration argued in a Feb. 14 memo that those efforts unlawfully preference certain racial groups.

"This vague and clearly unconstitutional memo is a grave attack on students, our profession and knowledge itself," AFT President Randi Weingarten said in a statement. "It would hamper efforts to extend access to education, and dash the promise of equal opportunity for all, a central tenant of the United States since its founding."

Categories: IT General, Technology

Learn a new language for less than $1 with Qlango

Mashable - Mon, 03/03/2025 - 23:21

TL;DR: Learn 56 different languages for a one-time price of $39.99 with Qlango Language Learning (reg. $119). 

Since there's an app for just about everything, it's only natural that dozens of language apps are currently around. But when you actually want to pick up a new language, it can be hard to navigate the best one to choose. With a whole 56 languages to pick from, Qlango stands out from the rest. 

Qlango Language Learning gamifies mastering a new language and helps make learning fun. Right now you can score their lifetime subscription that includes all 56 languages for just $39.99 (reg. $119), but that won't last much longer. That means you can pick up new languages for the rest of your life for less than $1 a piece.

Learning a new language can be fun

Whether you're trying to maintain your Spanish or French, or you've been meaning to master Chinese or Icelandic, Qlango is available right in your pocket anytime you want to work on your skills.

Qlango reinvents the language learning process with an engaging question-and-answer method, allowing you to think and respond naturally in your soon-to-be new spoken language. Hints help you out as you play, so you keep learning even when you may be stumped.

Their scientifically proven spaced repetition technique means you'll pick up words more effectively as you hear them at intervals that lead to long-term retention.

Qlango helps you master 6,679 essential words that you'll actually use in real conversations — so you don't need to worry about wasting time on impractical topics. And six different difficulty levels help you challenge and immerse yourself to keep you fluent.

Learn new languages for life with Qlango Language Learning, now $80 off the usual price at just $39.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Qlango Qlango Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $39.99
$119.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Plex Is Ending Support for This Once-Popular NAS Brand

How-To Geek - Mon, 03/03/2025 - 22:53

It's been two years since Drobo filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and stopped providing support for its NAS hardware. Now, Plex says it will end Drobo compatibility following the Plex Media Server 1.41.7 release in Q2 2025.

Categories: IT General, Technology

HMD’s New Flip Phone Has USB-C and a Headphone Jack

How-To Geek - Mon, 03/03/2025 - 22:43

The concept of the flip phone was brought back in the foldable phone era, with phones that can be flipped open and snap shut but otherwise operate like your regular, run-of-the-mill smartphone. HMD's latest phone, however, tries to bring things back to basics.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Break through writer’s block with an AI-powered creativity hack

Mashable - Mon, 03/03/2025 - 21:13

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to 1min.AI for A$160 and use AI to generate content, edit visuals, and spark creativity — no monthly fees, ever.

Writer’s block? Lackluster visuals? Say goodbye to those roadblocks with 1min.AI, an advanced AI-powered tool designed to help you create content, boost productivity, and enhance your visual projects. With a lifetime subscription for A$160 (reg. A$865), you’ll unlock a suite of creative features without worrying about ongoing monthly fees.

1min.AI leverages cutting-edge AI models to assist with tasks like article generation, rewriting, and paraphrasing. Whether you’re tackling a blog post, revamping existing copy, or brainstorming ideas, this tool helps streamline the process so you can focus on the big picture. Need visuals? The built-in image generation and editing features make creating eye-catching graphics or enhancing your content easy.

While 1min.AI provides incredible support, it’s not perfect — human oversight is still key to ensuring the output matches your creative vision. The platform is a powerful assistant, not a replacement, making it an ideal partner for professionals and creators looking to save time and spark ideas.

With 4 million monthly credits included in the 1min.AI Advanced Business plan, unlimited storage, and more, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore its capabilities and integrate it into your workflow.

Priced at A$160 for lifetime access, a 1min.AI Advanced Business plan is an affordable way to tap into the potential of AI and elevate your creative projects. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1min.AI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription A$160.00 at the Mashable Shop
A$865.00 Save A$705.00 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

This Phone Has Swappable Magnetic Camera Lenses

How-To Geek - Mon, 03/03/2025 - 20:47

The popular phone manufacturer Xiaomi debuted an all-new modular phone concept at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 this week, and it looks quite impressive. This new phone has a magnetic array on the back, similar to MagSafe, but the focus is on photography enthusiasts.

Categories: IT General, Technology

McDonalds in the Pentagon TikTok song makes ska trendy again

Mashable - Mon, 03/03/2025 - 20:43

If you could easily predict TikTok trends, I suspect you'd be spectacularly rich. There's so much money to be made on the platform — brand deals, chart-topping songs, major e-commerce — but its trends are so difficult to foresee.

Plus, TikTok is a weird place. A trending sound right now, for instance, is a parody song combining ska — the upbeat, horn-centric, staccato-guitar music that resurged in the '90s — and McDonald's inside the Pentagon.

If that sounds like a mishmash of words, that's because it is. The TikTok sound is an actual song created by a TikTokker @sillystu4u. To be clear, there is, in fact, a McDonald's in the Pentagon food court just for federal employees. The song from Silly Stu has the (expected) refrain of "There's a McDonald's in the Pentagon" and uses the upbeat ska to highlight that absurdity. The original TikTok of the song has racked up roughly 10 million views.

People have then posted themselves singing along, dancing, or otherwise commenting on the catchy tune.

There is not necessarily an overarching theme to the folks posting with the song beyond the fact that it's catchy. The song itself, however, does a fine job of highlighting the absurdity of the U.S. government paying to have a McDonald's in the building responsible for maintaining its empire.

The tune focuses on a narrator flipping burgers for folks who can't talk about what they do for work because, well, they work in the Pentagon. All with a janky guitar sound and lots of horns. It really is a perfect little parody. TikTok is weird, but it can also be great.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Theres something in the air: Apples Tim Cook teases new Air product drop this week

Mashable - Mon, 03/03/2025 - 20:30

"There's something in the air," posted Apple CEO Tim Cook on X. And it's likely a MacBook Air with an M4 chip.

On Monday, Cook teased a product drop happening this week. He didn't specify the day or time, but the "air" hint all but confirms strong rumors that it will be the M4 MacBook Air. This was predicted by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman who expected a March launch. Given that today is the first business day in March, that prediction is right on track.

Tweet may have been deleted

Apple is also rumored to be launching a new iPad Air soon. Although given the timing of the product cycles and inventory, odds are on the M4 MacBook Air to debut first.

What to expect with the M4 MacBook Air

Like its predecessors, the M4 MacBook Air is expected to come in 13-inch and 15-inch versions. It will also reportedly be equipped with the M4 chip, which is the same that powers the 2024 MacBook Pro and iMac.

According to 9to5Mac, the new MacBook Air will offer increased RAM from 24GB to 32GB, a 12MP Center Stage camera, and increased speed and performance that comes with the more powerful chipset. It might also include Thunderbolt 4 ports for better external display support.

As we mentioned, a new iPad Air isn't entirely out of the question, since it too is reportedly slated for release. Maybe a MacBook Air / iPad Air combo since the hint could apply to both?

We won't have to wait long to find out.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The tri-fold Tecno Phantom Ultimate 2 is thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 6

Mashable - Mon, 03/03/2025 - 20:25

Foldable phones are having a moment, but alongside the release of new book-style foldables and flip-style phones, some are experimenting with new concepts. We've seen a few foldables with two hinges instead of one, but the latest concept unveiled at MWC 2025 could be the most polished yet. In fact, the Tecno Phantom Ultimate 2 is one of the thinnest foldable phones yet.

To be clear, the Phantom Ultimate 2 is just a concept for now. Tecno hasn’t said anything about releasing the phone to the public. But, the concept does at least show that work on foldable phones is progressing pretty nicely. 

SEE ALSO: Hands on with the world's thinnest smartphone

So, why would you want a foldable phone with two hinges instead of one? It all comes down to more screen real estate. The Phantom Ultimate 2 concept essentially involves one-third of the display on the front when the phone is completely folded up — and that's what you'll use in phone mode. Then, you can unfold the device to get a wide aspect ratio, like the phone on the laptop or tablet you already use. That's instead of the near-square aspect ratios we've seen from most foldables so far. 

Look at those hinges. Credit: Christian de Looper / Mashable

The device's thickness is particularly impressive. In fact, the phone is only 11mm thick when it's completely folded up. That’s thinner than the 12.1mm Galaxy Z Fold 6, which has two sides instead of three. 

According to Tecno, the device achieves that ultra-thin design thanks to a thin battery cover, which is only 0.25mm thick. The display in phone mode measures 6.48 inches, but when you unfold the phone, you’ll get a huge 10-inch 3K OLED display.

Tecno says that the software has been optimized for the huge display, including the different modes that the device can be used in with the two hinges. You can use the device as a kind of big-screen laptop, with one-third of the display lying flat on the table with a keyboard. You can also use the device for things like dual-screen translation. 

As mentioned, this is still a concept, and we don’t know what kind of processor the phone has or the camera specifications. We also don’t know how big the battery is under that ultra-thin cover. And keep in mind that the device would likely be expensive if it ever were to be released.

Regardless, I hope we see a phone like this available to the public sometime soon — especially for those who want a little more productivity from their phone when they’re on the go.

Mashable's on the ground at MWC 2025, covering the best tech products that have Barcelona abuzz.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Anora: Our favorite film of 2024 is heading to Hulu

Mashable - Mon, 03/03/2025 - 20:25

UPDATE: Mar. 3, 2025, 1:25 p.m. EST This article has been updated with details on the Oscar wins for "Anora," as well as the latest pricing for digital on demand.

The best streaming deals to watch 'Anora' at a glance: BEST NON-STREAMING OPTION Buy or rent 'Anora' on Prime Video $14.99 to buy with Prime, $5.99 to rent Get Deal BEST FOR MOST PEOPLE Hulu annual subscription $99.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal BEST BUNDLE DEAL Hulu and Disney+ (with ads) $10.99/month (save $8.99/month) Get Deal BEST FOR STUDENTS Hulu Student $1.99/month (save $8/month) Get Deal BEST FOR T-MOBILE CUSTOMERS Hulu (with ads) Free for select T-Mobile customers (save $9.99/month) Learn More

Anora, winner of the Palme d'Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, flooded award nomination lists this season. And we couldn't be more thrilled. A Cinderella story that doesn't quite go the way you'd expect, Anora was our favorite film of 2024. Its lead, Mikey Madison, is now a certified star. She secured the BAFTA award for Best Leading Actress in February then went on to take home the Academy Award for Best Actress.

As of March 17, it's gracing the streaming world for all to see. Here's everything you need to know to watch Anora at home.

What is Anora about?

Mikey Madison stars as sex worker Anora — call her Ani — whose professional relationship with her young Russian client Ivan (Mark Eydelshtyen), the son of an oligarch, quickly turns into a wedding in Vegas. Ivan's wealthy parents aren't thrilled with the news and they make a visit to Brooklyn, alongside their cronies, to try to put an end to the marriage. It's up to Ani to fight for what she wants. "To borrow from another 2024 cinematic sex worker — she will not accept a life she does not deserve," Mashable film editor Kristy Puchko summarizes.

Check out the official trailer for a sneak peek:

Is Anora worth watching?

Not only do we think Anora is one of indie writer/director Sean Baker's best films yet, but we also think it's the best movie of 2024. "Anora is magnificently alive. Madison is its shining star, her charisma absolute as she wields a Brooklyn accent like a whip to dazzle with or wreak havoc as she sees fit," Mashable's Kristy Puchko writes in her review, adding that it's "as bold as it is brilliant." Other critics largely agree, with the film earning a glowing 93 percent critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 89 percent audience rating.

Anora was nominated for six Oscars at the 97th Academy Awards and took home five of them — including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Lead Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. See what the hype is about when it hits streaming — we can't recommend it enough.

Check out our full review of Anora.

How to watch Anora at home Credit: NEON

If you skipped the big screen, you're in luck. Anora became available to watch at home as of Dec. 17. You can purchase it for your digital collection through on demand retailers like Prime Video and Apple TV or rent it for 30 days. If you choose to rent, just be aware that once you start watching, you'll only have 48 hours to finish. For streaming information, keep scrolling.

Here are some of the platforms where you can purchase the film online:

When and where is Anora streaming?

Since the indie film distributor Neon has a deal with Hulu, we predicted Anora would make its streaming debut on the service in March 2025. We're happy to announce that this was an accurate prediction. Anora is set to make its streaming debut on Hulu on March 17, 2025.

Hulu is surprisingly one of the most generous streamers for newbies, as it offers a free 30-day trial. Subscriptions start at $9.99 per month, but we've also rounded up a few different ways you can save on your subscription below.

The best Hulu streaming dealsBest Hulu deal for most people: Hulu annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) annual subscription $99.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal

Instead of paying $9.99 per month for Hulu (with ads), which adds up to $119.88 in a year, you can opt for an annual subscription and save 16%. A yearly subscription, paid up front, costs just $99.99, which drops the monthly fee down to just $8.33 per month. It's the best way to keep more money in your pocket in the long run.

Best bundle deal: Get Hulu and Disney+ for 37% off Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Duo Basic bundle: Hulu and Disney+ with ads $10.99 per month (save 45%) Get Deal

Want the most bang for your buck? Opt for a bundle plan. You can sign up for the Disney Duo Basic bundle and get both Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for $10.99 per month. That's just $1 more than paying for Hulu alone, or a savings of 45%. If you're a sports fan, you can also throw ESPN+ into the mix for only $16.99 per month total. That's 47% in savings on all three services.

Best for students: Hulu Student Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student $1.99 per month (save 80%) Get Deal

Students looking to stream Anora and other Neon hits can sign up for Hulu for only $1.99 per month. That's 80% off the usual cost of a Hulu with ads plan. The only requirement is that you can verify your college email address using SheerID.

Best for T-Mobile users: Hulu (with ads) included for one year for Go5G Next customers Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile / Hulu Hulu (with ads) Free for select T-Mobile customers Get Deal

One of the best ways to get free streaming services, including Hulu, is to switch your phone plan to T-Mobile's Go5G Next plan. Customers on this plan can enjoy Hulu with ads for free (as well as Netflix and Apple TV+). If you're already on the Go5G Next plan, just head over to the T-Mobile promo page and choose "redeem now" to claim your offer. You'll have to enter your T-Mobile number and account details in order to sign up for Hulu.

Note: After your initial 12-month promotional period, you'll also have to take action in order to keep your subscription alive.

Categories: IT General, Technology

ZTE unveils Nubia Neo 3 series for gamers and Flip 2 foldable at MWC 2025

Mashable - Mon, 03/03/2025 - 20:11

ZTE's Nubia brand is back at MWC with some big releases for 2025. Alongside the flip-style foldable phone it unveiled last week, the company introduced the Nubia Neo 3 series — designed with gamers in mind. These phones feature RGB lighting and hidden shoulder triggers in the phone’s frame.

There are other gaming-focused features beyond the shoulder triggers for gaming. Notably, the device has interesting RGB lighting and offers a variety of different designs. It also has a powerful cooling system that should help keep your phone running smoother for longer, which is helpful for those who game for extended periods of time. 

SEE ALSO: What to expect at MWC 2025 from Samsung, TCL, and more

As you might expect, the Nubia Neo 3 is largely designed for gamers. The Neo 3 GT is the top-tier model in the lineup and offers an impressive 12GB of RAM (plus 12GB of so-called virtual RAM that the operating system can use from the storage). Perhaps more impressive is the fact that it has a UNISOC T9100 5G processor — an uncommon choice in a sea of Qualcomm and MediaTek-powered phones. It has an OLED display with a 1080p resolution and a massive 6,000mAh battery. 

The slightly lower-performing Neo 3 is powered by a UNISOC T8300 processor and has 8GB of hardware RAM. It also features gaming shoulder triggers and a linear haptic feedback motor. 

Up close and personal with the Nubia Flip 2. Credit: Christian de Looper / Mashable

Both phones also feature the new AI Game Space 3.0, which lets you customize game modes, and tweak performance to match your preferences.

Perhaps cooler than those phones, of course, is the new foldable device, which was also on show at MWC 2025. The new device, called the Nubia Flip 2, will go up against phones like the Motorola Razr series and has a rectangular display on the front with a larger screen inside. It has a MediaTek Dimensity 7300X processor, along with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. I was able to see the phone in person at MWC 2025, and it felt relatively premium and well-built —though no more so than the other flip-style phones on the market right now.

ZTE Nubia phones aren’t necessarily the most well-known, but they prove to be great choices for those who want to buy a solid, powerful phone on a budget. All three of these devices will become available over the next few months.

The Nubia Flip 2 is perhaps the most notable in price — it comes at only 62,080 yen, which equates to around $410. For now, it’ll only be available in Japan.

Mashable's on the ground at MWC 2025, covering the best tech products that have Barcelona abuzz.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Apples full Siri overhaul might be pushed back to 2027

Mashable - Mon, 03/03/2025 - 19:41

The truly overhauled Siri that Apple has promised reportedly might not be ready until 2027.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is running way behind on meaningful upgrades for its voice assistant and "conversational version of Siri won’t reach consumers until iOS 20 at best." The slow, staggered, and sometimes delayed rollout of Apple Intelligence features has already indicated that Apple is struggling to deliver a more advanced Siri, akin to OpenAI's ChatGPT.

SEE ALSO: Apple Intelligence will summarise your breakup texts

But now, Apple is in a full-blown "AI crisis" and facing "make-or-break" moment to meet sky-high expectations or risk losing its competitive edge altogether, said Gurman.

Tweet may have been deleted

To be clear, Siri is getting smarter in some areas. The upcoming iOS 18.5 will reportedly enable Siri to tap into users' personal data to elicit more customized responses and "take action" across apps.

But at the center of the crisis is Siri's functionality, which currently relies on a patchwork combination of the legacy system for simpler commands and a more advanced version that handles Apple Intelligence queries. The plan was to merge the two systems into one system dubbed internally "LLM Siri," in time for the iOS 18 launch, but that didn't happen in time.

Apple was planning to bring LLM Siri to the iOS 19 release at WWDC this coming June, but that plan is reportedly delayed now too. That means the iOS 19 update might not come with any significant Apple Intelligence updates, and LLM Siri might be pushed back to the next product cycle, iOS 20.

This heaps onto an already disappointing rollout of Apple Intelligence, which Gurman reports has "extremely low" usage according to internal data. Currently, Apple Intelligence consists of AI features like writing tools, voicemail and audio transcriptions, custom emojis called Genmoji, and Image Playground for AI-generated cartoon images. Such features are mildly helpful or fun novelties, but hardly the vital use cases Apple is looking for.

Apple Intelligence also provides AI-generated summaries of notifications, messages, and emails, but some users have found these summaries to be annoying at best, and scarily inaccurate at worst, like when it falsely claimed suspected Healthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione shot himself. Apple subsequently suspended AI news summaries for the time being.

Meanwhile, Amazon just debuted an updated version of its voice assistant, Alexa+ which has the conversational capabilities, third-party app integration, and agentic AI features Apple is probably aiming for with Siri. All eyes are on Apple now to see if it can close the gap.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save 38% on the Coway Airmega 100 air purifier and wave goodbye to spring pollen

Mashable - Mon, 03/03/2025 - 19:39

SAVE $49.99: The Coway Airmega 100 (black) is on sale at Amazon for just $80, down from the normal price of $129.99. That's a 38% discount and the lowest price we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Coway Coway Airmega 100 (black) $80.00 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $49.99 Get Deal

Welcome to the wonderful spring season. Crocuses, daffodils, and tulips are making their way up any day, giving us hope that spring warmth is within reach. If you love spring but dread the associated seasonal allergies, check out this great deal on a reliable air purifier.

As of March 3, the Coway Airmega 100 air purifier in black is on sale at Amazon for just $80, marked down from the usual price of $129.99. That means you'll be getting a 38% discount and save $49.99. This sale price also marks the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon on this model.

This is a limited time deal at Amazon, so it's best to snag one ASAP if an air purifier is on your shopping list.

SEE ALSO: Get ahead of spring allergies with Shark's 3-in-1 air purifier that's 62% off at Best Buy

Well known for its reliable and high quality air purifiers, Coway designed the Airmega 100 to protect in spaces as large as 810 square feet. With a HEPA filter, you'll be better off when it comes to pollen, wildfire smoke, viruses, and pet dander. Coway mentions the purifier can capture 99.99% of micron particles as small as 0.01. It can also capture 99% of all VOC (volatile organic compounds) and odors that frequently come with new furniture and paints.

Before particles meet the HEPA filter, they go through the pre-filter which you can vacuum off to clean. It'll capture pet hair, dust mites, and hair before it reaches the HEPA filter, which gives it a longer lifespan.

The Coway Airmega 100 comes with some great touch-control functions including a timer, airflow speed settings, and a sleep mode. In sleep mode, the Airmega operates at about 20 decibels which is about the same measurement as a whisper so you won't be disrupted at night.

Instead of suffering through spring allergy season, clean your indoor air with the Coway Airmega 100. Since it's on sale for just $80 today, this is a great opportunity to safeguard your home before pollen comes knocking.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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