IT General

Google Fiber is about to get a huge speed boost, for free

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 22:09

While most people are happy with 1 Gig internet speeds, if they even get that, Google isn't, and wants to give faster speeds to all of its Fiber customers. Today, the company announced that GFiber's cheapest Core 1 Gig plan will triple to 3 Gig in select cities, and it'll still be only $70 per month. Whoa!

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Samsung Galaxy TriFold is coming to America: Price, release date confirmed

Mashable - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 22:00

Samsung's next journey into the foldable frontier is underway in the form of the Galaxy TriFold, a foldable smartphone featuring two folds instead of one. 

Just a few months after launching the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 foldables, Samsung officially announced the TriFold, a smartphone that has two folding screens, resulting in three panels of usable phone, plus an external cover display. The internal screen measures a whopping 10 inches, comparable in size to a Galaxy Tab, and it folds down into a normal-sized 6.5-inch phone once fully closed. 

SEE ALSO: Did the foldable iPhone just get leaked? Seems like it.

Mashable got to go hands-on with the Galaxy TriFold at CES 2026, and we haven't been able to stop thinking about it ever since. Plus, because the phone has been released in Korea, we know pretty much everything about this unique foldable, including the U.S. release date and price.

Samsung Galaxy TriFold: Pricing

Samsung has finally made the U.S. price for the TriFold official. Are you ready for this? You better sit down, first.

Samsung recently announced that the Galaxy TriFold will cost U.S. shoppers a whopping $2,900. Yes, that's the right number. It's not a typo. We hope you've been saving up.

Rumor has it that Samsung is losing money with each TriFold it sells, which might explain why the price is even higher than we expected.

Samsung Galaxy TriFold: U.S. release date

Additionally, alongside the price, Samsung announced that the TriFold will finally be available for U.S. shoppers starting Jan. 30. Again, you'll have to spend a lot of money, but it'll be there.

Samsung Galaxy TriFold: Specs Credit: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images

According to the official announcement, here are the specs coming on the Galaxy TriFold:

  • Cover screen: 6.5-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

  • Interior screen: 10-inch QXGA (2160 x 1584)  Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate

  • CPU: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy 

  • RAM and Storage: 16GB of RAM and 512GB or 1TB of storage

  • Rear cameras: 12 MP ultra-wide / 200 MP wide-angle / 10 MP telephoto

  • Front cameras: 10 MP selfie camera (cover screen) / 10 MP selfie camera (main screen)

  • Battery size: 5,600 mAh three-cell battery

  • Dimensions (folded): 159.2 x 75.0 x 12.9mm

  • Dimensions (unfolded): 159.2 x 214.1 x 3.9mm / 4.2mm / 4.0mm (screen with SIM tray, center screen, and screen with side button, respectively)

  • Weight: 309 grams

In terms of processors, cameras, RAM, and all that other fun stuff, these specs are pretty similar to what you'd find in a Z Fold 7. The 6.5-inch cover display stands out especially, as the one on the Z Fold 7 is the exact same size. The 10-inch interior display, however, will be significantly larger than the 8-inch equivalent in the Z Fold 7. That's the big selling point here: When it's folded, this is sized like a bigger traditional smartphone, but when you unfold it, you're unlikely to find any phone with a bigger display.

Initially, thickness was a potential issue, as a trifold smartphone was bound to be a hair bit thicker than anything else on the market. At 12.9mm, it is a thick smartphone. For reference, the super-thin Galaxy Z Fold 7 is just 8.9mm when folded, which makes the Galaxy X TriFold about a third thicker than its closest sibling. Whether or not that’s a dealbreaker depends exclusively on how thick or thin you want your smartphone to be. 

That’s about the only complaint in an otherwise stellar spec sheet. The battery is nice and big, with Samsung stuffing 5,600 mAh into its three-cell system we first saw in a Korean phone patent. Each cell is hidden in each screen of the display, and it's a 1,200 mAh improvement over the Galaxy Z Fold 7. 

SEE ALSO: Samsung and LG preview new Micro RGB TVs. OK, but what are Micro RGB TVs? What do people think of the Samsung Galaxy TriFold?

Despite the high price tag, the Galaxy TriFold quite literally sold out in minutes. In South Korea, at least, the hype train is real, and Samsung can barely put these things on the shelves fast enough. The next batch is scheduled for Dec. 17th on Samsung’s website, and after that, we don’t know if they’ll have to continue rationing these out like they are now. 

Impressions online have been generally positive, with the few people who have actually had the opportunity to play with the smartphone stating that it’s certainly one of the most interesting smartphones in a while. Online and written impressions from publications are generally very positive, with complaints being fairly mild and often related to refinement, which is understandable given that this is a first-generation product. 

Here's what tech YouTuber Mrwhosetheboss said after trying out the phone: "So, honestly, I don't think the Trifold is this experimental quirky phone option. I actually think that this phone has immediately become the definitive Samsung foldable. You will have to handle it with care and you'll definitely have to pay for the privilege."

Social impressions were mixed, with some folks saying that this is the coolest new smartphone in years, while others are a little more guarded. 

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

"This is the true tablet killer," said one Redditor. Another stated that they were pleased to see Samsung innovating, and pontificated on when Apple would eventually release its first foldable. "Sign me up for one," another Redditor said. "[I’m] bored of my Folds." The most common sentiment among the excited was how absurd it would feel to be able to put a 10-inch tablet in your pocket

In terms of complaints, they fell into two camps. Excited people from Europe who are currently experiencing difficulties measuring their disappointment at not receiving a release there, and those wondering how the first-generation device will hold up over the long term. Some expressed worry about screen durability, especially since Samsung is offering a 50 percent discount on the first screen repair. Others are concerned with battery life, believing that the 10-inch display will chew through the 5,600 mAh battery rather quickly. 

With that said, very few people have gotten their hands on a TriFold, so we’ll have to wait a little bit longer to hear first-hand accounts on how it feels to use it day-to-day.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop paying the 'Samsung Tax': Why off-brand SSDs are the smart move

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 22:00

At a time when SSDs are already wildly overpriced and getting worse by the minute, is now really the time to pay extra for brand tax?

Categories: IT General, Technology

You can make a self-hosted AI server with LM Studio 0.4.0

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 21:15

LM Studio is one of the best tools for running generative AI models locally on your computer, giving you something comparable to ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or Google Gemini without using cloud services. Now, LM Studio 0.4.0 has arrived with an overhauled interface and new options for self-hosted servers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This RAV4 Hybrid rival offers Lexus levels of luxury for less

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 21:00

In a segment where efficiency and refinement both matter, one hybrid SUV is carving out a niche by offering surprising levels of luxury without the luxury price tag. While the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is often the go-to choice for buyers seeking fuel savings and utility, this rival delivers a more upscale interior, refined ride quality, and premium touches that put it closer in feel to a Lexus, yet it still costs noticeably less. That combination of efficiency and near-luxury comfort makes it one of the most compelling choices in the hybrid SUV category.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Creator Khaby Lame just sold a stake in his brand for $975 million

Mashable - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 20:52

Khaby Lame, the most-followed creator on TikTok, has sold a controlling stake in his core business to Rich Sparkle Holdings in a deal that values the company at roughly $975 million, marking one of the largest and most ambitious efforts yet to turn creator influence into a full-scale commercial platform.

SEE ALSO: The Mashable 101: The creators shaping the internet in 2025

Under the agreement, Rich Sparkle secures exclusive global rights for 36 months to manage and monetize Lame’s digital presence. That includes livestream income, short-form video strategy, supply chain operations, and brand partnerships. The company says Lame will also become a controlling shareholder.

According to reporting from Mint, the transaction positions Rich Sparkle to expand Lame’s brand into categories like beauty, fragrance, and apparel, while also developing an AI-powered digital twin using his likeness, voice, and gestures to produce multilingual content at scale.

The company projects that this closed-loop commerce model (where everything is discovered, bought, and shipped within the same ecosystem) could generate more than $4 billion in annual sales, though that figure remains aspirational.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Home Depot’s big Ryobi and Milwaukee tool deals end in 3 days

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 20:35

Did you take advantage of the huge tool deals at Home Depot over the holidays? If not, you're running out of time to score a free battery through buy-one-get-one deals, free Makita battery packs, or nearly 40% discounts. That's because all the best Home Depot power tool deals end on February 1st, and here's what you need to know.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung Galaxy S26 will have ‘pixel level’ privacy feature, Samsung confirms

Mashable - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 20:32

Samsung is cooking up a fresh new privacy feature for the next Galaxy phones.

The company announced in a pretty vague blog post that it's getting ready to show off new security functions that work "at a pixel level" for Galaxy phones in the near future. We don't have a strict date for when we'll learn more yet, but the smart money would be on the next Galaxy Unpacked event, which is rumored to take place in late February.

We'll presumably see the new Galaxy S26 lineup at Unpacked, and with it, a look at this new privacy shield.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy XR review: A great Vision Pro alternative, but for whom?

Again, Samsung didn't go deep into how all of this works, but the company claimed it'll be a way for you to do things like enter sensitive passwords in public spaces without strangers peering over your shoulder to see what you're doing. It apparently has granular options that allow you to make the privacy feature work only with certain apps or to censor notification pop-ups.

In a probably-related development, recent leaks all but confirmed that an innovative "Privacy Display" feature is coming to the S26 phones. It seems pretty likely that the features are one and the same, but if so, it would be fairly underwhelming, since we already know about Privacy Display.

Ideally, by the end of February, Samsung will be able to talk more freely about all of this without being so vague.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 tips to speed up file transfers on Windows 11

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 20:30

If you’re experiencing slower file transfer speeds on your Windows 11 PC, there are tweaks you can make to your system to speed up the transfers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Apple TV is making movies look bad: Here is the 30-second fix

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 20:00

I honestly believe that the Apple TV streaming box is the best overall streaming solution on the market today. It offers the best image quality, in my opinion, and when it comes to the user experience and privacy it's the least worst of the bunch.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The live Linux distro for editing disks just got a big update

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 19:48

GParted Live, a bootable Linux distribution dedicated to editing disk partitions, has been updated to version 1.8.0. It follows the release of version 1.8.0 of the GParted application this week, and the distro release includes updates to the package base and some important bug fixes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Most Beautiful News of The Year 2025

Information is beautiful - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 19:46

Starting the year on a positive note, our picks of positive trends and admirable global breakthroughs of 2025.

Part of our Beautiful News project. There we surface the good news and happy data we can’t always see when fixated on the negativity of the news.

» See the charticle
» Explore the data and sources

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 unusual things you can do with a jailbroken Kindle

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 19:30

A jailbroken Kindle can be so much more than an eReader. Unlocking it lets you install third-party app stores and tackle some really wild projects. Not all of them are especially useful, but they can be a lot of fun.

Categories: IT General, Technology

PyCharm IDE for Python development just got a big update

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 19:21

JetBrains just dropped a major update for its Python IDE, PyCharm 2025.3.2. PyCharm and Google Colab are normally treated like separate tools, with the former PyCharm for that serious, heavy-duty local IDE power, and Colab for easy, GPU-accelerated cloud access. This update merges them.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Update now: Apple iOS 26.2.1 arrives with support for AirTags 2

Mashable - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 19:10

Apple has released the latest update to its iPhone operating system, and users with compatible devices can update to iOS 26.2.1 immediately.

Compared to the previous iOS 26 updates, the new upgrade is extremely light. The official description is a single short sentence: "This update provides support for AirTag (2nd generation) along with bug fixes."

Apple recently announced the launch of the AirTag 2, after months of rumors and speculation. The new AirTags have a louder speaker and an expanded range. In addition, Apple is offering improved precision-tracking features that point you to the exact location of your missing item, down to the foot.

If you plan to pick up the new AirTag, you'll want to upgrade to iOS 26.2.1. (The new AirTag is the same price as the original version released in 2021, but the original is currently on sale at Amazon.)

Opens in a new window Credit: AirTag 1 (4-pack) AirTag (1st Generation, 4-pack) $69.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $29.01   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (2nd Generation, 4-pack) $99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

We generally recommend upgrading your OS as soon as possible, as these updates usually deliver important security fixes. Strangely, that's not the case with iOS 26.2.1, which doesn't note any security patches.

What's new in iOS 26.2.1?

Still, Apple says iOS 26.2.1 does bring some bug fixes. (If you want to get into the weeds on those fixes, @onejailbreak_ has a detailed breakdown of the tweaks.)

Hopefully, those changes will make Liquid Glass and iOS 26 work more smoothly and solve some of the battery issues users have complained about. Ever since its release, Liquid Glass has been controversial.

And if you're looking for an even more substantial update to your iPhone's OS, you can also sign up for the iOS 26.3 public beta 3, which is also available now.

How to update to iOS 26.2.1

To update your iPhone, go to your device's settings, then tap or click on "General." From there, look for "Software Update," where you'll find the options to "Update Now" or later in the evening while you're sleeping.

Categories: IT General, Technology

More bloatware is coming to Google Chrome

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 19:00

Every web browser is being loaded up with generative AI features, whether you like it or not. Now, Chrome is getting more Gemini integrations, the Nano Banana AI image generator, and an 'Auto Browse' mode comparable to ChatGPT Atlas.

Categories: IT General, Technology

DC fans have one major issue with Warner Bros. biggest streaming service

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 19:00

Once considered a DC fan’s paradise, HBO Max is the dedicated Warner Bros. streaming platform. Sadly, due to Warner Bros.' questionable business model, that is no longer the case. Warner Bros. has continued to sell the streaming rights to several of its most popular titles, all the way up until the company’s sale. Despite being the streaming home of all Warner Bros. content, HBO Max has less than half of DC’s media library available.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Napoli vs. Chelsea online for free

Mashable - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 19:00

TL;DR: Live stream Napoli vs. Chelsea in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League group stage is coming to an end. We've got a final round of fixtures to get through before the knockout rounds.

Napoli face Chelsea in one of the most interesting matchups from this round of games. Napoli need a result to move into the playoff positions. Chelsea will probably need a positive result to hold onto a spot in the top eight. No team wants to play extra games, so avoiding the playoff round is a real prize.

If you want to watch Napoli vs. Chelsea in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Napoli vs. Chelsea?

Napoli vs. Chelsea in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Jan. 28. This fixture takes place at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

How to watch Napoli vs. Chelsea for free

Napoli vs. Chelsea is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Napoli vs. Chelsea 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 Ireland

  4. Visit Virgin Media Player

  5. Watch Napoli vs. Chelsea for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Napoli vs. Chelsea (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

  • 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 10 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. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Napoli vs. Chelsea in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Free your photos from your camera roll with this Kodak Dock Plus deal

Mashable - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 18:48

SAVE 26%: As of Jan. 28, the Kodak Dock Plus 4PASS Instant Photo Printer Bundle is on sale for $110.49 at Amazon. That's a 26% discount or $39.50 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kodak Kodak Dock Plus 4PASS Instant Photo Printer Bundle $110.49 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $39.50   Get Deal

Most of our best photos live and die on our smartphones. If you'd prefer to have physical 4x6 prints to frame or stick on the fridge, this Kodak dock handles the job at home — and it's currently on sale.

As of Jan. 28, the Kodak Dock Plus 4PASS Instant Photo Printer Bundle is on sale for $110.49 at Amazon. That's a 26% discount and includes a pack of 50 sheets of photo paper, so you can start printing right out of the box.

Instead of the tiny 2x3 stickers you get from most portable printers, this outputs standard 4x6-inch photos. It uses 4PASS technology, which layers color and adds a laminated top coat to make the prints water-resistant and fingerprint-proof. You can physically dock your phone on top to print and charge at the same time, or connect wirelessly via Bluetooth.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Orastone hand warmers are 50% off and Mashable-tested

Mashable - Wed, 01/28/2026 - 18:41

SAVE $15: The Orastone rechargable hand warmers are on sale at Amazon for $14.99 each, down from the normal price of $29.99. That's a 50% discount and a sale price we haven't seen since 2024.

Opens in a new window Credit: Orastone Orastone rechargable hand warmer $14.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $15.00   Get Deal

It's cold out. Even if you're someone who thrives in cold weather, it's undeniable that keeping fingers and toes warm is a struggle. We have tons of rechargeable hand warmers on the market, but it's a disaster to figure out which ones are worth purchasing. Thankfully, we have Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beth Werth's expertise, and his favorite hand warmer is on a major discount ahead of a chilly weekend.

As of Jan. 28, the Orastone rechargeable hand warmers are on sale at Amazon for $14.99 each in select colorways, marked down from the normal price of $29.99 each. That's a 50% discount that takes $15 off each hand warmer. In a sense, you're able to warm both hands for the price of one. Today's sale price matches the record low at Amazon, which we haven't seen since 2024.

Instead of letting your fingers go numb, click on this deal to snag Orastone rechargeable hand warmers. Werth has been buying these as gifts for years and mentions they're well worth the (low) price. "Most electric hand warmers work just fine, but are pretty ugly. The Orastone is the rare hand warmer that's actually cute, and it comes with a lanyard you can wrap around your glove-covered hands," Werth wrote in his review.

SEE ALSO: The 55-inch Sony Bravia 3 TV is on sale at Amazon — save over $100 ahead of the Winter Olympics

Orastone says the rechargeable hand warmer heats to about 107 degrees Fahrenheit in less than two minutes, and they last for about three or four hours per charge. As a bonus, they come with a built-in flashlight. These could make for excellent Valentine's Day gifts.

Before the weekend chill hits, get equipped with the Orastone rechargeable hand warmers. They're on sale for under $15, come in cute colorways, and will come in handy (I'm sorry) for the rest of the winter. Here's to toasty fingers in the future.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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