IT General

Adding my 3D printer to my smart home gave me a ton of new tricks

How-To Geek - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 17:00

3D printers and smart homes are relatively nerdy, tech-savvy pursuits. So it makes sense then that one can complement the other, and I’m not even talking about 3D printing mounts for your sensors or other gadgets.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Qarabag vs. Newcastle online for free

Mashable - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 16:43

TL;DR: Live stream Qarabag vs. Newcastle 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 particularly challenging since it moved to its current format. You could argue that it's easier to qualify for the knockout rounds, but you end up playing a lot of top teams and placing in the top eight is not straightforward. Just ask Newcastle United.

Eddie Howe's team won four out of eight group-stage games, but that was only enough to secure a spot in the playoff round. They face a trip to Azerbaijan to play Qarabag, a team that finished four points behind Newcastle in the group stage. Newcastle will be expected to progress to the next round, but anything can happen at this late stage. They'll need to be at their best to secure a first-leg result to bring back to St. James' Park. Expect big performances from the likes of Sandro Tonali, Nick Woltemade, and Dan Burn.

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

When is Qarabag vs. Newcastle?

Qarabag vs. Newcastle in the Champions League kicks off at 12:45 p.m. ET on Feb. 18. This fixture takes place at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium.

How to watch Qarabag vs. Newcastle for free

Qarabag vs. Newcastle 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 Qarabag vs. Newcastle 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 Qarabag vs. Newcastle 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 Qarabag vs. Newcastle (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 two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Qarabag vs. Newcastle in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These are the only Linux distros I recommend for sysadmins

How-To Geek - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 16:31

Whether you're running a home server or building out rack-mount data centers, Linux is the OS of choice for servers, and for good reason. But what distro should you go with? Here are the best choices for reliable server distros.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Score the 11-inch Apple iPad Pro M5 for a record-low price at Amazon — save almost $200

Mashable - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 16:28

SAVE 20%: As of Feb. 18, you can get the 11-inch Apple iPad Pro (M5) for $799.99 at Amazon, down from $999. That's $199.01 in savings. It's also the best price we've seen on this model.

11-inch Apple iPad Pro M5 $999 at Apple.com
  Get Deal at Apple.com Get Deal at Amazon

Presidents' Day is technically over, but Amazon still has a few good deals lingering on the site.

Right now, the 11-inch Apple iPad Pro (M5) is down to $799.99. That’s a $199 price cut from the usual $999 sticker — a solid 20% off. It’s also the lowest we’ve seen this model go for, which is pretty cool considering it just launched back in October.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPad Pro 2024 (13-inch) review: The battery life is bonkers

We called this tablet a "victory lap" for Apple in our review, and honestly, I get it. It’s impossibly thin (somehow thinner than the new iPhone Air, which we dubbed the "sexiest phone ever made") and features a "drool-worthy" Ultra Retina XDR OLED display. Plus, that M5 chip makes it faster than 92% of the laptops we've tested.

At $799.99, it's still a splurge, but if you want the absolute best tablet Apple makes, this is the time to grab it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The LG 75-inch 85A QNED Mini-LED TV is under $900 — its best price ever

Mashable - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 16:28

SAVE $703: As of Feb. 18, the LG 75-inch 85A QNED Mini-LED 4K TV is on sale for only $896.99 at Amazon. That's around 44% in savings and matches its best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 75-inch QNED Mini-LED 4K TV $896.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $703   Get Deal

While it's not traditionally the best time to buy a TV, it is a pretty great time to buy one specific TV: the LG QNED85A.

As of Feb. 18, the LG 75-inch 85A QNED Mini-LED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for only $896.99. While Amazon's listing might make it look like a price drop of only $500 or so, it's actually a savings of over $700 (about 44%). The actual list price is between $1,599.99 and $1,799.99 — as seen at Best Buy and LG's own website — so Amazon cuts itself short. This price matches its lowest on record.

The Class 85A series from LG, one of our favorite TV brands, debuted at CES 2025. It's a mid-range Mini-LED option that uses AI to enhance your picture and audio in real time. Its Alpha 8 AI Processor Gen2 can find the perfect HDR and brightness settings for whatever you're watching, while giving the dialogue a boost over background noise and refining the sound to suit your preferences. The AI Magic Remote can also give you content recommendations, picture and audio customizations, and even a generative AI gallery of images to transform your TV into art.

The gaming specs are stacked as well. A 120Hz native refresh rate and VRR 144Hz refresh rate, paired with AMD FreeSync Premium and LG's Game Optimizer, make for a smooth gaming experience. Meanwhile, GeForce NOW and Xbox Cloud Gaming allow for quick game streaming.

If a big screen with stunning picture quality that won't put a huge dent in your wallet is what you're after, the mid-range LG 75-inch 85A Mini-LED 4K TV is a great pick — especially when it's at its best price ever.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Apple AirTag 4-pack is down to $64 at Amazon — save $35 right now

Mashable - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 16:25

SAVE $35: As of Feb. 18, get the Apple AirTag (4-Pack) for $64, down from its usual price of $99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 35%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple AirTag (4-Pack) $64 at Amazon
$99 Save $35   Get Deal

How often do you misplace important items like your keys or wallet? If you're the type of person who just can't find things on a regular basis, you might want to give in and pick up a smart tracker like an Apple AirTag to help in the future. Now's a good time to do so, in fact, as you can get a set of four for an excellent price.

As of Feb. 18, get the Apple AirTag (4-Pack) for $64, down from its usual price of $99 at Amazon. That's $35 off and a discount of 35%.

SEE ALSO: The Apple Watch Series 11 has hit its best-ever price at Amazon — save $100

Apple AirTags are extremely easy to use and can help you find all your things when you're in a pinch. Just bring one near your iPhone and you can attach it to a single item or keep it freestanding. You can name it and assign an emoji of your choice, then drop it wherever you want it.

You can track down the tag using the Find My app, which leverages nearby iPhones to ping your tag's location. It has a built-in speaker that can play a jingle to help you locate the tag, or you can follow onscreen instructions to get to your lost item. That makes it especially useful for finding your lost wallet, luggage, or even a pet should you lose it.

This deal is for the 1st-gen Apple AirTags, which have a slightly less loud speaker and range than the new models, but if you're someone who loses things often and you need a little help finding things, this 4-pack is a steal. Hand them out in your family, drop one anywhere you need it, and get some peace of mind. Your phone can help you track just about anything down.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hands-on with Google Pixel 10a: A budget phone with a completely flat backside

Mashable - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 16:23

Google's Pixel A-series is generally one of the easiest budget handsets to recommend each year. So, those in the market for a new Android phone might want to take a look at the new Pixel 10a, officially announced today.

The Pixel 10a is priced at $499 (no price increase) and delivers modest upgrades over its predecessor. The new phone will be available starting March 4, and you can pre-order the phone starting today.

I got to preview the phone at a recent hands-on demo event, and it looks very similar to last year's Pixel 9a. The prominent horizontal camera bar that adorns the regular Pixel line is still gone, in favor of an inconspicuous little camera array that now sits completely flush with the device's back.

Last year's model also got rid of the horizontal bar, but the camera still jutted out a little bit. Now, you can lay the Pixel 10a completely flat on a table without it rocking around, a big problem with the latest Samsung phones.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 10a (8GB RAM, 128GB storage) $499 at Google
Ships March 5 Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon / Google Google Pixel 10a + $100 Amazon Gift Card $499 at Amazon
Ships March 5 Pre-order Here SEE ALSO: Google responds to claim that it stole NPR host's voice Google Pixel 10a: The specs Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Google Pixel 10a comes in four colors: Lavender, Berry, Fog, and Obsidian. It also costs $499, just like the Pixel 9a did. Here are the basic specs:

  • 6.3-inch display with 1080x2424 resolution and 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate

  • Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness

  • Google Tensor G4 processor

  • 5,100mAh battery

  • 8GB RAM

  • 128/256GB storage

  • Two rear camera lenses: 48MP and 13MP

  • 13MP selfie camera

What's new, what's not The display hasn't changed much. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Eagle-eyed readers will notice quite a few similarities between the Pixel 10a and the Pixel 9a on that list of specs. The battery size, RAM, and storage options are all the same as last year, too. Ditto for the camera specs.

However, the Pixel 10a does carry some upgrades. Google says the Pixel 10a is its most durable A-series phone, with IP68 water and dust resistance. The 6.3-inch Actua display also has new Corning Gorilla Glass 7i and is 11 percent brighter than the 9a.

What kind of performance will it offer? Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Interestingly, the processor hasn't changed, which is unusual for the Pixel A-series. Usually, the budget version of a Pixel phone uses the same processor as the previous model. For example, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9a both used the Tensor G4 processor. For some reason, Google has kept the Tensor G4 processor in the Pixel 10a, despite the Pixel 10 running on Tensor G5.

At this moment in time, it's impossible to tell what practical difference this will make on performance, especially given that Google is bringing AI feature parity from the Pixel 10 to the Pixel 10a. It doesn't necessarily do anything new software-wise, but it can do basically everything the Pixel 10 could do, as far as I can tell.

Is the Pixel 10a worth it? Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Processor weirdness aside, the Pixel 10a is looking like another high-value mid-range phone from a company that's gotten very, very good at making those in recent years.

We'll know more about the Pixel 10a once we have a chance to properly test it out, and a full review ill be coming soon.

You can preorder the Google Pixel 10a for $499 at the Google Store. Shoppers who pre-order the phone at Amazon will also get a free $100 Amazon gift card.

See? It's flat. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable
Categories: IT General, Technology

This open-source app revealed my ISP was ripping me off

How-To Geek - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 16:15

The internet is an invaluable part of day-to-day life, but what happens when you don't get the speed you need? How do you even notice, and how can you tell if the problem is on your end or with your ISP?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on February 18

Mashable - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 16:09

It's a new lunar phase tonight, but the Moon is still mostly covered in darkness. Things should start to get brighter over the coming days as we move through the lunar cycle, but for now, can you spot the Moon at all?

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Wednesday, Feb. 18, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 1% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on March 3. The last Full Moon was on Feb. 1.

What are Moon phases?

NASA tells us that the Moon completes a full orbit around Earth in roughly 29.5 days. During this cycle, it passes through eight distinct phases. Although we consistently see the same side of the Moon, the portion illuminated by the Sun shifts as it travels along its orbit. The changing angle of sunlight reflecting off the Moon’s surface is what makes it appear full, partially lit, or nearly dark at different times. The eight phases include:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I love physical notebooks, but I love these 6 digital notetaking features even more

How-To Geek - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 16:01

Whenever I see a pretty notebook sitting on a store shelf, I imagine taking it home and all the great things we can do together. Too bad it rarely works out. Now that I've used a touchscreen with a stylus, I find physical notebooks hard to use. There's so much digital notetaking brings to the table that I miss when I pull out pen and paper.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why streaming apps keep showing you stuff you don’t like (and how to fix it)

How-To Geek - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 16:01

Have you ever felt like you keep seeing the same song, show, or movie recommendation on a streaming service? Recommendation fatigue is real, and it can be frustrating to deal with if you're trying to find new options or stray away from your usual tastes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Pixel 10a arrives with great hardware upgrades, no price increase

How-To Geek - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 16:01

Google's Pixel A-series has been a great choice for anyone wanting an affordable Android phone that doesn't compromise on camera performance or software support. The Pixel 10a has now arrived, and it carries on that tradition with a few helpful enhancements.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Bluetti AC200L portable power station with a 350W solar panel is on a major discount at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 15:52

SAVE $700.02: The Bluetti AC200L portable power station with a 350W solar panel is on sale at Amazon for $1,298.98, down from the list price of $1,999. That's a 35% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti AC200L portable power station with a 350W solar panel $1,298.98 at Amazon
$1,999 Save $700.02   Get Deal

Back in the day, going camping meant your phone and other gadgets would go dead within a day of arriving. Not to mention the coffee was instant, and once the sun went down, it was flashlight tag to find your friends. Instead of dealing with dead batteries during the upcoming camping season, upgrade the experience with a portable power station. There's a great model on sale today at Amazon, and it comes with a major perk.

As of Feb. 18, the Bluetti AC200L portable power station with a 350W solar panel is on sale at Amazon for $1,298.98, marked down from the normal price of $1,999. That's a 35% discount that saves a hefty $700.02. Note that shipping might take a week or longer, and the solar panel will ship separately from the power station.

Bluetti makes some of the most versatile portable power stations, and the AC200L brings a nice 2,048Wh to the party. This will be a major asset for camping, taking to the worksite, or powering up the backyard projector for movie nights.

The Bluetti AC200L comes with plenty of ports for your charging needs, including four AC ports, two USB-A, two USB-C, and a 30-amp plug. But one of the coolest parts about this deal is that it comes with a foldable 350W solar panel to recharge the power station. With good sun, you'll be able to recharge the AC200L back to 80 percent battery capacity in about 4.5 hours with the solar panel. If you have access to standard wall recharging, you'll get back to 80 percent in about 45 minutes.

SEE ALSO: The Anker Solix C2000 power station is over $700 off right now at Amazon

The Bluetti AC200L also offers a blazing-fast fast uninterrupted power supply (UPS) that measures 0.02 seconds. That's important if you'll be using the power station to keep the WiFi router online or power up a CPAP machine during a power outage. The 0.02-second switch over time means you won't notice the switch at all, giving you an uninterrupted power experience.

Before camping season kicks off, upgrade this year's adventures with the Bluetti AC200L portable power station and a 350W solar panel. As long as you have sunshine at camp, the power station could mean unlimited recharging of all your gadgets.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Apple Watch Series 11 has hit its best-ever price at Amazon — save $100

Mashable - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 15:40

SAVE $100: As of Feb. 18, the Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) is on sale for only $299 at Amazon. That's 25% off or $100 less than its list price of $399.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100   Get Deal

The newest Apple Watch isn't a whole lot different than its predecessor, as is the case lately with most new generations of tech products. As Mashable's tech editor put it, "We're living in the era of iterative improvements." But the Apple Watch Series 11 does significantly improve one aspect that really matters: battery life. And that's reason enough to upgrade for some folks. Another reason? It's on sale for $100 off.

As of Feb. 18, the Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) is on sale for $299 at Amazon. That's 25% off its list price and matches its lowest price on record.

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Anyone who has used an Apple Watch knows how sad the battery life is, but the Series 11 finally offers a much-needed boost. While the Series 10 lasted a mere 18 hours per charge, the Series 11 brings that up to a full 24 hours. That's still not the greatest compared to other smartwatches, but any improvement is welcome in that department.

It looks, performs, and functions almost the same as the previous generation smartwatch, but now has a tougher design with durable glass that's twice as resistant to scratches, is 5G-capable for quicker connectivity, and has a Sleep Score and hypertension tool that can flag chronic high blood pressure. It's not a massive upgrade, but as Mashable's reviewer Stan Schroeder writes, "Buy it for the battery life."

Categories: IT General, Technology

The amazing Windows 10 feature that Microsoft wants you to forget

How-To Geek - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 15:30

Windows 10 had a powerful productivity tool that functioned as a literal time machine for your computer. It was known as Windows Timeline, and it is suspiciously similar to another feature that would come much later, which is not as good.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Canada vs. Czechia in mens ice hockey online for free

Mashable - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 15:19

TL;DR: Live stream Canada vs. Czechia in men's ice hockey for free on CBC Gem. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The international ice hockey keeps coming, and the games are getting bigger and bigger. Canada vs. Czechia is the second quarter-final matchup on the schedule. Slovakia vs. Germany was the first game from this round, with Slovakia comfortably advancing to the semi finals after a 6-2 victory.

Canada are expected to overcome Czechia. They're expected to win every game they play, but Czechia possess the talent to give Canada some problems. They're coming off an impressive 3-2 victory over Denmark in the last round, but they'll need to find something special if they want to overcome Canada and progress to the next round. It's going to be a fascinating clash between two star-studded teams.

If you want to watch Canada vs. Czechia in men's ice hockey for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Canada vs. Czechia?

Canada vs. Czechia in men's ice hockey takes place at 10:40 a.m. ET on Feb. 18. This fixture takes place at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

How to watch Canada vs. Czechia for free

Canada vs. Czechia in men's ice hockey is available to live stream for free on CBC Gem.

CBC Gem is geo-restricted to Canada, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Canada, meaning you can access free live streams of the 2026 winter sports ice hockey from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Canada vs. Czechia in men's ice hockey 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 Canada

  4. Visit CBC Gem

  5. Watch Canada vs. Czechia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 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 gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the ice hockey before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for CBC Gem?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including Canada

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Canada vs. Czechia in men's ice hockey for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your '100% Health' SSD score is a trap: The hidden signs of silent data corruption

How-To Geek - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 15:00

SSDs have a lot of behind-the-scenes error correction. That's fantastic, but it also means they can fail at 100% health, and you'll be none the wiser.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to Make a Killing review: Glen Powell stars in A24s eat-the-rich comedy

Mashable - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 15:00

Parasite. Saltburn. Ready or Not. Triangle of Sadness. The Menu. Send Help. The last few years have offered moviegoers a feast of wild and compelling eat-the-rich comedies. However, A24's latest, How to Make a Killing, should not be counted among them. 

SEE ALSO: 2026 movie preview: All the films you need to know about right now

This film's predecessors offered scorching social commentary, scandalous twists, gross-out gags or gag-worthy gore, and dark humor so grim you might choke on your laughter. How to Make a Killing, however, is tame by comparison.

In every way, writer/director John Patton Ford (Emily the Criminal) has dulled the edge of the very premise, creating a dark comedy that feels less like punching up and more like a defeated shrug. 

How to Make a Killing has a video game premise. 

Glen Powell stars as Becket Redfellow, the firstborn son of a poised New York socialite, who should have been able to grant him every privilege — no matter how obscene — of the ultra-rich. 

However, because Becket was conceived out of wedlock, his mother was disowned, forced to raise him not in the luxurious family mansion in Huntington, Long Island, but in the blue-collar setting of Bellevue, New Jersey. 

In flashbacks, a young Becket is educated by his mother in the hobbies of the hobnobbing elite, like archery, and told that he is still in the will, so one day the Redfellow fortune could be his. So, naturally, when his childhood crush resurfaces as a femme fatale (Margaret Qualley), tempting him to join high society no matter the cost, Becket gets to offing his estranged relatives. 

This has the vibes of a video game at first, where he stalks a douchey Wall Street broker (Raff Law) to his yacht, then a Bushwick trustafarian (Zach Woods) to his rooftop darkroom, then a two-faced televangelist (Topher Grace) to the office of his megachurch. With each successful murder, Becket is one step closer to the big boss, his ornery grandfather Whitelaw Redfellow (Ed Harris, bringing Love Lies Bleeding menace to a higher social class). 

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

However, where Qualley's Waspy seductress is the devil on his shoulder, an angel appears in Jessica Henwick, who plays an aspiring high school teacher named Ruth, who is proud of her "small dreams." Which woman — and thereby which path — will Becket choose? It's not as fun as it should be to find out. 

Glen Powell is miscast in How to Make a Killing. 

As in Edgar Wright's The Running Man remake, this strong-jawed leading man with brilliantly white, straight teeth is cast as a working-class everyman, put-upon by a wealthy ruling class that scoffs at his suffering. However, Powell doesn't look working class, no matter how he might muss his hair. 

Becket was supposed to be born into a life of privilege, so you could argue him looking the part is the point. OK. But the other problem is, Powell is just not as funny as the supporting players around him. Law is channeling The Wolf of Wall Street slapstick as a finance bro with no self-awareness. Woods is sharply comedic as a self-important photographer with more money than vision. Grace, who looks jarring with a deep spray tan and a litter of tattoos, is unnervingly amusing as a modern pastor whose true passion is scamming. Add to that Bill Camp (Drive-Away Dolls) as a self-loathing uncle and Qualley as an over-the-top vamp, and you have a stellar supporting cast priming Powell for punchlines. And he can't land a one. (No offense to Henwick. She's cast to play a one-note good girl, so she gets nothing in the way of jokes.) 

SEE ALSO: How eat-the-rich comedies changed during COVID

Powell's playing an underdog, but he has the suavity of a leading man. And as Ford's thriller trudges into its climactic showdown, I was frustrated to realize I didn't feel invested in Becket's journey because he didn't feel remotely real to me. While everyone else had built characters kooky, bold, and — even if thinly written — defined, Powell's revenge killer struck me as bland, despite his murder spree. 

How to Make a Killing falls short of shocking, surprising, or fun. 

Ford conceives of unexpected ways to kill the first couple of cousins. However, for those seeking gruesome spectacle, as is common for eat-the-rich comedies, you'll be let down by how often the deaths happen out of frame. There's nothing as heart-stopping as the climax of Parasite's party, or as gross as Triangle of Sadness's vomit fest, or as satisfying as the gloppy explosions in Ready or Not. And Ford certainly doesn't genre-bend as effectively as Sam Raimi does with Send Help

For those hoping for a thrilling cat-and-mouse game with the FBI agents who turn up after the second murder, you'll be frustrated by how the authorities are painted as both outrageously incompetent and, abruptly, incredibly competent, depending on the needs of the plot. 

How to Make a Killing isn't shocking in its violence, but it is bold in its gaping plot holes. For a movie so fixated on how its anti-hero aims to get away with murder, it's wild to ignore typical evidence, like DNA, as a plot point. 

But most frustrating of all is how How to Make a Killing offers neither political satire nor cheap thrills, delivering a tedious cautionary tale about the pursuit of money at all costs. All the other comedies I mentioned use their twisted tales to not only entertain but also urge their audience to consider how class conflict and wealth inequality impacts them and their world. How to Make A Killing offers a story that feels bound by Hays Code conventions, antiquated guidelines for Hollywood movies intended to keep them from being too subversive or controversial. While that code fell out of fashion in the 1960s, it's alarming to see in 2026 a movie from A24, the groundbreaking studio behind such superb cinema as Lady Bird, Moonlight, The Florida Project, and Everything Everywhere All at Once, deliver an eat-the-rich comedy so tame. 

How to Make a Killing opens in theaters on Feb. 20.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Grab 8 Pokemon TCG: Phantasmal Flames booster packs at a new low price on Amazon — save $20

Mashable - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 14:47

TL;DR: Eight-pack lots of Pokémon TCG: Phantasmal Flames booster packs are now $69.98 on Amazon. That’s a 22% discount from the $89.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokemon TCG: Mega Evolution Phantasmal Flames Sleeved Booster Pack Lot $69.98 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $20.01   Get Deal

Modern expansions in the Pokémon trading card game are still hard to come by at reasonable prices, but now you can save just over $20 when stocking up on Phantasmal Flames. As of Feb. 18, you can buy an eight-pack lot of Pokémon TCG: Phantasmal Flames booster packs for $69.98 — that's $20.01 off its original list price of $89.99. 

Checking price tracker camelcamelcamel has confirmed that this is a fairly new listing, but it is still an amazing deal considering the other prices out there. 

Firstly, as with other expansions, each Phantasmal Flames booster pack will give you 10 random cards from its 120-card total — giving you the chance to pull stunning and valuable Special Illustration Rares like Mega Charizard X ex and Dawn, although you can also buy single cards from the expansion at TCGplayer.

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Due to the long ongoing issues with the Pokémon TCG’s high consumer demand vs. supply, it’s been almost impossible to have readily available booster packs at market value pricing. With this eight-pack lot sold for $69.98, you would normally be saving money with each booster worth $8.74. However, Phantasmal Flames seem to be seeing even shorter supply than normal — resulting in its boosters being sold for $11.43. So you're getting an even bigger saving with this bundle.

To get more of Phantasmal Flames at a good price, the Weavile 3-Pack Blister is still going for $34.99 at Amazon. What’s more, the Pokémon TCG Pokémon Day 2026 Collection is still available for under $40 at Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get $80 off Sonos Ace headphones at Amazon — act fast to score this limited-time discount

Mashable - Wed, 02/18/2026 - 14:38

SAVE $80: As of Feb. 18, Sonos Ace headphones are on sale for $319 at Amazon. This deal saves you $80 on their list price of $399.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Ace $319 at Amazon
$399 Save $80   Get Deal

Are you searching for some new headphones to take on adventures once the warmer weather rolls in? The Sonos Ace are worth a look and they're on sale at Amazon. For a limited time, you can grab the black pair for $319 at Amazon.

This is an $80 drop from the Sonos Ace list price of $399, but it only applies to the black headphones. The white pair are also on sale right now, although they've only been reduced to $349. You'll save money on whichever pair you decide to go with, but the black pair are the real standout deal of the two.

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As is the case with many products from Sonos, the Sonos Ace feature a sleek, understated style that's comfy to boot. In our review of the Sonos Ace, Mashable's Miller Kern said they're "the most comfortable over-ear headphones I’ve personally tried." It's not just the comfort department that they excel in, though. The Sonos Ace also boast great sound quality, spatial audio, and active noise cancellation, alongside up to 30 hours of battery life with ANC enabled.

When it comes to the ANC, Kern noted that it's "pretty good noise cancellation that blocks out most outside noise." And as for sound quality? Kern had high praise, saying, "Other headphones I’ve tested pale in comparison to Sonos Ace when it comes to sound quality."

Treat yourself to new headphones with this great deal on the Sonos Ace at Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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