Technology

I stopped overusing IF in Excel—and my formulas instantly became cleaner and faster

How-To Geek - 33 min 33 sec ago

For years, nested IF statements were my default solution whenever an Excel formula needed more logic. The problem is that they become difficult to read, debug, and maintain surprisingly quickly. Before long, I was staring at a formula full of closing parentheses, trying to work out how everything was supposed to fit together.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new movies to watch this week across Netflix, Prime Video, and more (June 22-28)

How-To Geek - 43 min 27 sec ago

With one full week left, many of the streamers are adding marquee movies before some have to depart. Our top selection this week marks the debut of a billion-dollar sci-fi franchise on Disney+. If you had any doubts about James Cameron, this movie still proves you should never bet against him.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google DeepMind and A24 team up on AI tools for filmmakers—what does this mean for movies?

How-To Geek - 49 min 51 sec ago

At least one movie producer is putting aside quarrels with AI giants. Google DeepMind has forged a partnership with indie movie studio A24 to help artists develop AI "workflows and techniques."

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your modern hard drive is cheap because of a 1999 piracy craze

How-To Geek - 1 hour 2 min ago

Picture the late '90s. You've got a screeching dial-up modem, a CD binder the size of a phone book, and a burning desire to own every song you've ever heard. Then, Napster shows up in June 1999, and suddenly, your buddy three states over can hand you his entire music collection for free.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Noise-cancelling and open earbuds are down to record-low prices ahead of Prime Day

Mashable - 1 hour 31 min ago
Best earbuds deals live ahead of Prime Day The best noise-cancelling earbuds deal (if you can grab it in stock) Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179.99 (save $70) Get Deal Another great noise-cancelling earbuds deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) $249 (save $50) Get Deal Best workout earbuds deal Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $179.95 (save $70.04) Get Deal Best open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $199.99 (save $30) Get Deal

UPDATE: Jun. 22, 2026, 11:04 a.m. EDT This post has been updated to reflect the latest pricing, stock availability, and new alternative deals ahead of Prime Day.

Amazon Prime Day isn't until tomorrow, but deals on the best earbuds are already Prime Day-worthy.

The actual start date feels like a bit of a formality after the AirPods Pro 3 hit record low prices twice this week. They even dropped to $169 at Walmart on June 18, knocking $80 off the normal $249 price.

SEE ALSO: A Prime Day Apple deals primer: We're tracking prices on AirPods, iPads, and MacBooks

Other notable buds, like the Sony XM6 earbuds, second-gen Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, and Nothing earbuds, are all on sale. Though many of these early deals are available to anyone, Prime member or not, some savings (like on the Nothing buds) are Prime exclusive.

Below, we've rounded up the best early Prime Day earbud deals you can grab right now.

Best noise-cancelling earbuds deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $69.01   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it

Note: While I was writing this story, the $169 price sold out at Walmart. I'm keeping them as a top pick for now because you can still grab them for $179.99 at Amazon and Best Buy, but my alternative pick for the best noise-cancelling earbuds deal is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen).

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 dropped down to a record low price of $179 ahead of Prime Day, but then the price dropped even lower before the sale's official start. According to the price tracker camelcamelcamel, the Pro 3 buds got down to $169 at Amazon, but at the time of writing, that specific deal is gone. You can still find them for $179.99 and in stock at both Amazon and Best Buy, so if you want to pick them up before Prime Day, you won't want to wait too long.

Read our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

More noise-cancelling earbuds dealsBest open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $199.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The Sony LinkBuds Clip give the ultra-popular Bose Ultra Open earbuds a run for their money. In my head-to-head testing of the two pairs of earbuds, I found that while the Bose buds generally lean louder, the Sony earbuds have a more detailed sound profile, making for an overall superior listening experience. They also have a longer battery life, delivering nine hours per charge, where the Bose earbuds deliver seven. With both earbuds on sale, there's only a 99 cent price discrepancy between the two, but if you don't anticipate using these earbuds in many noisy situations, the Sony earbuds are likely the way to go.

Read our full review of the Sony LinkBuds Clip.

More open earbuds dealsEven more early Prime Day earbuds deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

5 reasons I run Google Maps and Waze together while driving with Android Auto

How-To Geek - 1 hour 32 min ago

Google Maps and Waze are two of the most popular navigation apps for Android Auto. But I've never been convinced that you need to choose between one or the other. While a lot of the core functionality of the two apps overlaps, many of their strengths don't. By using them both, I get the best of both worlds.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Lego deals ahead of Prime Day — score a Botanicals set for less than $10

Mashable - 1 hour 40 min ago
The best Lego sets on sale ahead of Prime Day 2026: Best overall deal Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System $47.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best Botanicals deal Lego Botanicals Flower Bouquet $33.59 (save $26.40) Get Deal Best Lego car deal Lego Technic Peugeot 9X8 24H Le Mans Hybrid Hypercar $159.99 (save $40) Get Deal

Any Lego fan knows that getting into the plastic brick building hobby isn't cheap.

Which is why it's a good idea to take advantage of Prime Day deals and shop Lego sets on sale. Though we're just one day away from the official start of Amazon's sitewide sale, if you don't want to wait until June 23, we've already spotted some Lego sets marked down out in the wild.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best Lego sets of 2026 so far, from F1 to Monet and Pokémon

The best part is that while Prime Day deals can be limited to just Prime members, none of these Lego deals are Prime exclusive. During the week of the sale, we spotted a few more deals, including two Lego sets below $10, an Architecture set, and a new Botanical deal. Below, find all the best Lego deals live ahead of Prime Day.

Best Lego deal ahead of Prime Day Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System $47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12   Get Deal Why we like it

The Artemis Space Launch system is one the bestselling sets on Lego's website, but you'll have to shell out full price if you get it directly from the brand. Or, you could pick it up from Amazon ahead of Prime Day and save 20% on the $59.99 list price, bringing it down to just $47.99. For a 632-piece set that measures 27.5-inches tall and has a pretty cool real-world analogue, this set is an early Prime Day steal.

More Lego deals ahead of Prime Day
Categories: IT General, Technology

Prime Day starts tomorrow but cordless power tool deals are already live at Amazon

Mashable - 1 hour 40 min ago
Best early Prime Day deals on cordless power tools: Best DeWalt deal DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit $169 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal Best Craftsman deal Craftsman V20 Power Tool Combo Kit $299 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal Best Hoto deal Hoto SNAPBLOQ S-A01 3.7V Electric Screwdriver $79.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal

Summer is the ideal time to tackle home DIY projects. The paint will dry quicker, there's more hours of daylight, and maybe even some friends around to help out. If you have a list of home and yard projects to take care of this summer, make sure you have the necessary tools. Nothing sidelines a weekend project quite like realizing you need to run to the hardware store.

SEE ALSO: The 5 best portable power station deals I'd buy before Prime Day

Lucky for us, early Amazon Prime Day already has great discounts on cordless power tools. Of course, we expect to see more when Prime Day kicks off tomorrow, June 23. But for now, here are the top deals worth shopping.

Best DeWalt deal Opens in a new window Credit: DeWalt DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit $169 at Amazon
$249 Save $80   Get Deal Why we like it

Perfect for anyone building a new tool collection, the DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit is on sale for $80 off before Prime Day. The kit comes with the 20V compact drill/driver, 20V impact driver, two 20V batteries, a battery charger, and a durable carrying case. Both tools have a built-in LED light so you'll get a better view for optimal accuracy. The comfort grip with ergonomic design is also a major plus.

Best Craftsman deal Opens in a new window Credit: Craftsman Craftsman V20 Power Tool Combo Kit $299 at Amazon
$369 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

Packing in seven tools, the Craftsman V20 Power Tool Combo Kit is an upgraded starter pack. It comes with a drill/driver, oscillating tool, impact driver, grinder, reciprocating saw, circular saw, and even more. You also get two 20V batteries and a battery charger.

Before Prime Day kicks off, the Craftsman Power Tool Combo Kit is on sale for $229, down from the normal price of $369.

Best Hoto deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hoto Hoto SNAPBLOQ S-A01 3.7V Electric Screwdriver $79.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20   Get Deal Why we like it

Hoto makes some excellent cordless tools that are useful to have around any home, even if you're not taking on DIY projects soon. The Hoto SNAPBLOQ S-A01 3.7V Electric Screwdriver is the perfect example given that it comes with 56 bits to cover every possible scenario. It also has three torque settings and an LED light. Use it to repair your glasses or sunglasses, get access to tiny screws in a watch or your laptop, while still having access to more standard bits.

Hoto says you'll get about 60 minutes of runtime before the cordless electric screwdriver needs to recharge its 800 mAh battery.

More cordless tool deals to shop before Prime Day
Categories: IT General, Technology

I used Windows Kiosk Mode to build a distraction-free writing machine

How-To Geek - 1 hour 47 min ago

Most writers fight distractions with apps. I went further and locked an entire PC into a single-purpose writing machine using a feature built into Windows itself.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Veed gives you AI generative video and intuitive editing tools, all in one place, for less

Mashable - 1 hour 55 min ago

Creating videos with generative AI content for your brand or channel usually requires a bunch of different apps, services, and sites to get the job done. Worse: It’s often inefficient, time-consuming, and hard to get exactly what you want. VEED.IO recognized this and created an all-in-one browser-based platform that lets you create videos and edit AI-powered clips quickly and easily.

Opens in a new window Credit: VEED VEED Harness the power of generative AI to make & edit your own videos with this powerful browser-based platform Learn More

Here’s how: 

A powerful AI generative tool for making your videos

VEED can create AI-generated video from prompts, add audio from AI text-to-voice, and their stock library has tons of content available, making it easy to build out a full video in minutes. You can record your screen or webcam in-browser, and use their script generator to convert your ideas into spoken words. You can also build custom AI avatars to be the face of your brand or channel, whether based on a real person or entirely generated from your inputs. 

Make any edits directly on the platform

After you’ve generated the footage you need, there’s no need to export and drag it over to another platform. VEED’s built-in editing software lets you trim clips, add AI voiceover, clean up your audio, or drop in some B-roll automatically. Their text-based editor even lets you describe your video in a document, and then VEED delivers what you requested. Looking to impact audiences around the world? VEED’s AI-powered autotranslate function can add subtitles in over 125 languages in the caption style you prefer.

There’s no need to download or export

Once your project is ready for an audience, VEED’s publishing tools are just a couple of clicks away, all on the same platform. Users can share links to watch a new project, or you can host it on VEED for free, ad-free. Looking for internal feedback? Your team can post timestamped comments, making it easy to address their notes before you publish to platforms, social channels, or other sites.

New users can try VEED and save 25% off your first year of an Annual Pro Plan using the promo code VEEDHEAT25 right now (valid until June 30), or save 30% off any VEED plan with the promo code VEEDPEAK30, valid July 1 to Sept. 30. 

Check out VEED’s all-in-one platform and start saving time on crafting your video content today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Last chance: The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus is down to a record-low price, saving you over $1,000

Mashable - 1 hour 56 min ago

SAVE $1,300 TODAY: As of June 22, the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus portable power station is on sale for $1,499 at Amazon, down from $2,799. That’s a 46% discount on a high-capacity backup power system for home, RV, and emergencies.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus Portable Power Station $1,499 at Amazon
$2,799 Save $1,300   Get Deal

The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus portable power station is down to $1,499 at Amazon, a 46% discount off its usual $2,799 price. It’s part of early Prime Day deals and is now sitting back at its record-low price.

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The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus acts like a backup power source for your home when the grid goes down. It can handle everyday heavy-duty appliances like heaters, pumps, and dryers, and has enough capacity to keep basic essentials running for over two weeks for a three-person household. You can also expand it if you need more backup power for longer outages.

It’s simple to use, so you don’t need any complicated setup — just plug it in, and it’s ready to go. It can recharge in about 2 hours using faster charging options when needed, so you’re not waiting long to get it ready again.

Even though it’s powerful, it’s made to move around easily with wheels and a handle, so you can move it wherever you need backup power.

Lock in the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus portable power station at Amazon today only, at this limited-time price.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wyze smart scale tracks your body composition for just $80—here's what it's missing

How-To Geek - 2 hours 20 sec ago

You don't have to pay a premium for a smart bathroom scale that measures more than just your weight. Wyze has introduced the Scale BodyScan to track your body composition for $40 less than the Scale Ultra BodyScan you previously needed for that data.

Categories: IT General, Technology

New leak reveals more about Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

Mashable - 2 hours 1 min ago

Samsung's next premium smartwatch might exist at the expense of another one in its lineup.

That's according to Samsung leaker GalaxyTechie on X, anyway. The original post seems to be gone, but it's been archived by AndroidCentral, and it indicates Samsung will not release a new Galaxy Watch 9 Classic this year, instead focusing on a more premium Galaxy Watch Ultra that incorporates some Classic features. The new Ultra is said to have Classic-esque numbers on the watch face, a more boxy look, a thinner bezel, and improved side buttons.

SEE ALSO: How to set up the smartest Galaxy AI features on your new Samsung Galaxy S26, step by step

One thing this leak doesn't say is whether the new Galaxy Watch Ultra will come with a rotating bezel, something Samsung included on some watch models in years past. In general, it sounds like Samsung will combine some of the things people liked about the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic last year with the high-end features of the Ultra. Of course, both the rumored Galaxy Watch 9 and the new Ultra will most likely come with plenty of new watch faces and band colors, as well.

As for when we'll find out whether or not any of this is true, we probably won't have to wait long. Samsung's next big Unpacked event is supposedly happening in London in late July. According to all available rumors and leaks, the new watches will be there alongside a new lineup of foldable phones.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Prime Day is almost here: We found 50+ deals on Apple, Sony, and Lego favorites you can shop early

Mashable - 2 hours 4 min ago
Best early Amazon Prime Day deals: Best Apple Deal Apple AirPods Pro Max 2 $399 at Amazon (save $150) Get Deal Best Echo Deal Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon (save $35) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Apple Watch Ultra 2 $499 at Amazon (save $300) Get Deal Best home and kitchen deal Cuisinart 2.6-Quart Air Fryer $59.95 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal Best kitchen splurge Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine $499.95 at Amazon (save $193.04) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Eufy C28 Robot Vacuum and Mop $499.99 at Amazon (save $300) Get Deal Best portable power station deal Bluetti Elite 30 V2 Portable Power Station 600W $219 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal Best TV deal Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K Smart TV $1,197.99 at Amazon (save $500) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Classic Large Creative Brick Box $33.49 at Amazon (save $26.50) Get Deal Best deal to watch Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $159.99 at Amazon Learn More

Prime Day 2026 is almost here. Amazon's flagship summer sale is a great opportunity to save on almost anything, from household essentials like dish soap to big-ticket splurges like a new 65-inch TV. If you're eager to start shopping, we found all of the best Prime Day deals already live, including an unprecedented last-minute price drop on Apple headphones.

Prime Day usually takes place in July, but this year, Amazon decided to shake things up and run the sale in June. So, if you haven't already heard the news (or seen the many TV commercials), Amazon Prime Day 2026 runs from June 23 to 26. The timing may have changed, but we're still expecting the same great savings on products from Apple, Sony, Dyson, Bose, Ninja, Lego, and Samsung.

Mashable shopping experts will be closely monitoring the latest discounts and collecting all of the top Prime Day deals into this one-stop shopping guide, so keep checking back for new deals. We're also tracking prices at competing sales from Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and beyond, and we'll make sure we're always pointing you to the lowest possible price.

Deals marked with a ✅ are Mashable editor favorites. Deals marked with a strikethrough are no longer available.

Best early Prime Day Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max 2 ✅ $399 at Amazon
$549 Save $150   Get Deal

We're obviously hunting for the best Apple deals in the lead-up to Prime Day. On the eve of the sale, a major AirPods deal just dropped: The new AirPods Pro Max 2 are on sale for just $399 (normally $549) — a new record low. It took years for the previous models to hit this price, so grab 'em while you can.

FYI, this deal only applies to the starlight AirPods Pro Max 2. Every other color is $100 more expensive. If you had your heart set on another color, check back around 3 a.m. ET when Prime Day officially kicks off.

Apple Watch dealsAirPods dealsiPad dealsMacBook dealsBest early Prime Day headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-CH720N $94 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $85.99   Get Deal

When the main event starts on June 23, we expect some of the best Prime Day deals of 2026 to include our favorite flagship headphones, such as the Sony 1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. But leading up to it, those big brands still have lots of savings to give. Right now, the best deal on headphones is on the Sony WH-CH720N, an affordable pair of over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. Normally $179.99, the WH-CH720N just dropped under $100 ahead of Prime Day. Snag them now for as low as $94 and save $85.99, depending on the color.

More headphones dealsMore earbuds dealsBest early Prime Day Amazon device deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $35.00   Get Deal

Echo prices dropped well ahead of Prime Day. The latest Echo devices, the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio, both hit new, all-time low prices. But the biggest discount is on the Echo Spot, Amazon's smart alarm clock. This tiny speaker sits compactly on nightstands but provides everything you need to start your morning, including a weather report and tunes to get you out of bed.

Ahead of Prime Day, get the Amazon Echo Spot for just $44.99. That saves you $35 off its $79.99 price tag for a 44% discount.

More Echo dealsBest early Prime Day Kindle deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Essentials Bundle $106.97 at Amazon
$161.97 Save $55   Get Deal

We're eagerly waiting for the best Prime Day Kindle deals. Individual Kindles don't usually go on sale until the sale officially starts, but Amazon always offers Kindle bundle deals ahead of time. So, while we wait for our favorite Amazon e-readers to go on sale, this is your chance to score a discounted bundle, which comes with a Kindle, a cover, and a power adapter.

More Kindle dealsBest early Prime Day home and kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Cuisinart Cuisinart 2.6-Quart Air Fryer $59.95 at Amazon
$89.95 Save $30   Get Deal

Here's a summer hack to keep your house cool: Don't turn on the oven. That doesn't mean only eating cold salads all summer. What you really need is an air fryer. My air fryer has saved me countless times in the summer, letting me cook dinner without breaking a sweat. Ahead of Prime Day, grab the Cuisinart 2.6-Quart Air Fryer for just $59.95 and save $30.

More kitchen dealsMore home dealsBest early Prime Day speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Era 300 $379 at Amazon
$479 Save $100   Get Deal

Whether you're hosting summer movie nights or dinner parties, if you want to upgrade your home's audio, early Prime Day deals are coming in clutch. The advanced Sonos Era 300 is equipped with Dolby Atmos and powered by six drivers for surround sound. Right now, grab it for just $379, saving you $100 off its $479 price tag.

More speaker dealsBest early Prime Day power station deals Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station $219 at Amazon
$299 Save $80   Get Deal

Ready for summer adventures? If you're gearing up to pack the car and head into nature, don't forget to invest in a portable power station to keep your campsite powered. Plus, it can serve as an at-home power backup in an emergency.

Prime Day and Black Friday are the best times of year to buy these popular devices, and you can often find savings of 50% or more on Mashable-tested brands like Anker, Jackery, and Bluetti. If you're looking to buy your first-ever power station, an affordable new model from Bluetti is on sale ahead of Prime Day.

More portable power station dealsBest early Prime Day TV deals Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K TV $1,197.99 at Amazon
$1,697.99 Save $500   Get Deal

Getting ready for the World Cup? If you want to watch every heart-racing moment in 4K and your TV isn't up to par, then look for Prime Day deals on award-winning OLED and Micro RGB TVs. Case in point: the Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K Smart TV, on sale now. Normally $1,697.99, it's down to $1,197.99, saving you $500. That's a new all-time low price. It's an exceptionally crisp TV with deep contrast and built-in AI.

More TV dealsBest early Prime Day vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy C28 Robot Vacuum and Mop $499.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $300   Get Deal

Mashable's resident vacuum expert, Leah Stodart, named the Eufy C28 Robot Vacuum and Mop the best affordable vacuum-and-mop combo. Despite its budget price, Stodart says it's the most heavy-duty robot mop you'll find, and delivers spotless cleans. Ahead of Prime Day, get the Eufy C28 for just $499.99. That's the vacuum's lowest price ever, offering $300 in savings.

More robot vacuum dealsMore vacuum dealsUpholstery cleaner dealsBest early Prime Day Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Classic Large Creative Brick Box $33.49 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $26.50   Get Deal

While novelty Lego sets are fun, there's something special about a set that gives you full creative control. The Lego Classic Large Brick Box has 790 pieces to build the neighborhood of your dreams. Just in time for summer break when kiddos need some entertainment, this box set is on sale for 44% off. Grab it now for under $35 ahead of Prime Day.

More Lego deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Google just deleted years of smart home help—here's where to find answers now

How-To Geek - 2 hours 18 min ago

Forums are an essential place to actually get helpful information about any piece of tech or software. The Google Nest Community in particular is especially helpful for any queries you may have about your Google Home equipment, as it's stocked with years upon years of user and Google employee questions, issues, and information.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Pokémon deals to grab before Prime Day — Walmarts Chaos Rising ETB price beats Amazon

Mashable - 2 hours 26 min ago

Amazon’s latest Prime Day sale is almost here, steadily building up to several days of huge deals on appliances, gadgets, and, of course, offers on Pokémon cards, games, gifts, and more. 

While the actual four-day Prime Day sale doesn’t kick off until June 23, Amazon is doing its usual thing and revealing plenty of deals early on to start ramping up the anticipation. The thing is, early discounts on Pokémon gear — especially deals on Pokémon cards — are much more fleeting than the other deals we see.

Whether you're shopping for booster packs on the latest trading card game expansion or hit games on Nintendo Switch, Mashable has scoured the site and cherry-picked the best deals live at Amazon and Walmart right now. Here are the best early Prime Day deals you can find on all things Pokémon.

Best Pokémon card deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box $84.95 at Walmart
  Get Deal Why we like it

The Chaos Rising expansion has proved to be an exceptionally popular member of the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution set. The Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box originally dropped under $90 at both Amazon and Walmart ahead of Prime Day. While Amazon's price has bumped back up to $99.95, Walmart's remains at $84.95 — $34.04 off of Amazon's original list price of $118.99.

Although the option for returns isn’t available, this is still one of the best prices we’ve seen on this massive chance to pull valuable single Chaos Rising chase cards, like SIR Mega Greninja ex, Mega Hyper Rare Mega Greninja ex, Cinccino ex, SIR Mega Dragalge ex, and SIR Mega Floette ex. 

More early Prime Day Pokémon dealsPokémon TCGClothingDVDsFunko Pop! figuresGiftsVideo games
Categories: IT General, Technology

4 CPUs that are officially too old for anything in 2026

How-To Geek - 2 hours 32 min ago

Processors are one of the most important parts of any computer, but they’re also among the easiest to take for granted. They’ve been improving so steadily over the years that it’s easy to lose track of just how far things have come, and how outdated some older chips really are when viewed in a modern context.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Prime Day isnt here yet, but these 3 noise-cancelling headphones are already at record prices

Mashable - 2 hours 34 min ago
Best Prime Day deals on noise-cancelling headphones: Best headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM6 $399.99 (save $60) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179.99 (save $69) Get Deal Cheapest option CMF By Nothing Buds 2 $24.50 (save $24.50) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is (almost) upon us once more, but the retailer isn't making you wait for savings if noise-cancelling headphones are on the top of your list. In fact, some of our favorite noise-cancelling audio products are already at record prices.

The four-day sale doesn't officially kick off until June 23, but as of June 22, deals on flagship models from Sony, Bose, and Apple are already available. And it's not just the $400+ flagship headphones getting discounts. The mid-range Nothing Headphone (a) are down to $151.05, while one of our budget-friendly favorites, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC, is just $10 away from its record low price.

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces dates for a 4-day Prime Day sale in late June: Everything you need to know

Earbuds have an impressive showing too, with the AirPods Pro 3 down to a record-low price ahead of the sale's start, plus markdowns on the newer Sony XM6 buds. You can also pick up the CMF by Nothing Buds 2 for just $24.50, making them the cheapest option on our list.

All this to say, if you're looking to shop right away, there are some early Prime Day deals we can genuinely recommend. We'll be updating this guide as we approach the sale, but for now, check out the top deals so far.

Best ANC headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 $399.99 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $60   Get Deal Why we like it

The Sony XM6 headphones aren't a must-upgrade if you already own the XM5s — in fact, we find the two quite similar. That said, the XM6 headphones are a much more palatable upgrade at a sub-$400 price range, and bring the added convenience of folding ear cups, which is especially handy if you anticipate using them for travel often (which their excellent ANC does make them a great candidate for). At the time of writing, every color option is discounted, though a few finishes are off by about a dollar, depending on which one you pick.

Read our full review on the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

More ANC headphones deals Best ANC earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $69.01   Get Deal Why we like it

The AirPods Pro have long been a great choice for any Apple power user, and the third generation of the earbuds is no different. In fact, it fills even more gaps than its predecessors. In addition to its solid sound quality and top notch ANC, these earbuds come in with live translation features, and a built-in heart rate monitor. At their full price, they're already on the cheaper end of premium flagship earbuds, but at $179.99, they're both at their lowest price ever and a nearly unbeatable value.

Read our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

More earbuds deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

How to set up the smartest Galaxy AI features on your new Samsung Galaxy S26, step by step

Mashable - 2 hours 41 min ago

TL;DR key takeaways:

  • The Samsung Galaxy S26 Series is built around Galaxy AI[1], with features that surface information when you need it and stay out of the way when you don't.

  • Now Brief and Now Bar recap your schedule, current weather forecast, and live activities like music playback.

  • Call Screening filters unknown callers and provides a live transcript of their reason for calling before you decide whether to pick up.

  • Photo Assist[2], Creative Studio[3], and Bixby work together so editing, content creation, and voice control all happen in one place.

  • Privacy Display[4] on the Galaxy S26 Ultra narrows the screen’s viewing angle to keep your screen private in public spaces.

Modern existence can be exhausting. Between double-booked meetings on your work calendar and an entire digital social life to manage online, the small stuff has a way of stealing time you’d rather have for, you know, life.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 is built to smooth out the rhythm of that everyday routine so you can get some of your time back. From need-to-know morning briefings that set your workday up for success, to live call transcripts that filter unknown numbers before you decide whether to pick up, to weekend photo-editing for post-worthy content, the device handles the little things for you.

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Much of this behind-the-scenes help is thanks to Galaxy AI, Samsung’s on-device AI platform, which got a boost with the brand’s latest lineup of S26 devices. Here’s a quick, step-by-step guide to setting up the most useful features the moment you’ve finished unboxing.

Step 1. Personalise your lock screen with Now Brief

Now Brief is the Galaxy S26’s personalised daily briefing. It pulls together calendar entries, weather data, and updates from your selected interests (e.g., health and wellness, travel, news, music and podcasts, SmartThings, and Wallet), so you can get all that information at a quick glance. For those days when your brain is at about 40 percent capacity before your first coffee, the day's essentials are right at your fingertips instead of buried across half a dozen apps.

To set it up:

  • First, switch on Personal Data Intelligence in Settings (this is what lets Galaxy AI process your habits and preferences on-device to personalise the briefing)

  • Then, open Settings, tap Galaxy AI, and select Now Brief

  • Tap Content to Include and toggle on any of the categories you want to see

You can then access Now Brief from the Edge panel, from the Now Bar on your lock screen (more on that in the next step), or by adding the Now Brief widget to your home screen.

Now Brief also refreshes through the day with morning, afternoon, and evening versions, so what you see in the morning can be geared toward revving up for the day ahead, and your evening digest can be designed for wind-down mode. The feature is also intelligent and adaptive, so the longer you use it, the more tailored its suggestions become.

Step 2. Turn on Now Bar for live activities on your lock screen

Now Bar pairs with Now Brief by showing real-time activities on your lock screen, such as music playback controls and active timers. If you’re listening to a podcast while making dinner or following turn-by-turn directions, Now Bar keeps the relevant information one glance away.

To configure it:

  • Open Settings, select Lock Screen and AOD, then tap Now Bar

  • Under Live Notifications, tap See All and toggle on the apps you want

  • Back on the Now Bar screen, turn on options like Now Brief, Current Mode, Do Not Disturb, and Torch

  • Tap a Now Bar entry to expand it, swipe up to cycle between active ones, or press and hold to manage settings

Step 3. Set up Call Screening before the next unknown number rings

Spam calls always seem to ring the moment you sit down to focus, and the line between a genuine call and a scam attempt gets blurrier every year.

The Galaxy AI Call Screening feature uses on-device AI to evaluate calls from unknown numbers and supply a live transcript of the caller’s intent, so you can decide whether or not to pick up. It works across more than a dozen languages, and you can configure it to auto-screen all unknown callers if you’d rather not see them ring through.

To activate it:

  • Open the Phone app

  • Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right-hand corner and click Settings

  • Look for Call Screening at the top of the list and toggle the feature on to enable

Step 4. Save taps with Automation in Modes and Routines

Automation lets you chain conditions to actions, so your phone behaves the way you want without manual toggling. For example: You might want your Galaxy S26 to dim the screen and switch to grayscale half an hour before your usual bedtime, or silence work-app notifications the moment you leave the office.

To create a Routine:

  • Open Settings > Modes and Routines

  • Tap the Routines tab (on the bottom menu)

  • Hit the ‘+’ icon up top

  • Set your ‘If’ conditions (location, time, app, sensor trigger, etc.), and the resulting ‘Then’ actions 

  • Hit ‘Save’ to add the Routine to your device’s memory

Step 5. Edit photos with Photo Assist

Photo Assist lives inside the Gallery app and lets you remove unwanted elements in the chaotic group shot you need to tidy. You can add new details (like a full moon over the skyline or fresh snow on the ground), shift the lighting on a shot using text or voice prompts, or merge two photos together into a single frame.

To activate:

  • Open any photo in your Gallery

  • Tap the Galaxy AI icon at the centre of the bottom toolbar (the starburst icon)

  • Circle the area you want to change or describe the edit you’re after

Edits save as copies, so your originals stay intact.

Step 6. Generate shareable content in Creative Studio

Creative Studio, accessed via the Edge panel, turns your existing photos into custom stickers, greeting cards, or invitations. It's a simple way to spin a portrait of your kid into a birthday-party invite, or a cute snapshot of your dog into a sticker pack the fam group chat will love.

To make something: 

  • Swipe in the Edge panel and tap Creative Studio

  • Choose a photo

  • Describe what you want to make and pick a style

  • Tap Generate

You'll have something ready to share within seconds (no extra design software or apps necessary).

Step 7. Switch on Privacy Display

Though not an AI feature per se, the Privacy Display is a smart enough design to deserve a spot on this list. 

It’s a hardware-level feature exclusive to the Galaxy S26 Ultra that narrows the screen’s viewing angle — so the stranger sitting next to you on public transport can’t easily read your dating app messages, account balance on your banking app, or whatever other sensitive info may be on your screen.

To enable the feature:

  • Head to Settings > Display

  • Toggle Privacy Display on

To set it to activate automatically in certain circumstances:

  • Tap Privacy Display > Conditions for Turning On > Apps

  • Choose from the list, or toggle on PIN, pattern, password so the feature kicks in whenever you authenticate

Step 8. Get to know Bixby and pair your Galaxy Buds

Bixby on the Galaxy S26 has returned with stronger natural language understanding, so you can phrase requests the way you’d say them out loud. 

To start a conversation with Bixby:

  • Open the Bixby app from your app drawer or say ‘Hi Bixby’ once you've enabled voice activation in Settings > Bixby > Voice Wake-Up

Or, for a more integrated setup, pair a set of Galaxy Buds and set them up to work with Galaxy AI: 

  • Open the case near your Galaxy S26 and follow the on-screen prompt, or head to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth

Once linked, your Buds can handle Bixby commands hands-free and take incoming calls[5], so you can lean on Call Screening without lifting the phone to your ear.

Those are just eight of the Galaxy S26 features most worth switching on out of the box, and there are plenty more you can play with to help streamline your daily life. A few minutes of set-up now, and the S26 takes over the small stuff that's been making the daily juggle feel heavier than it needs to be.

The Galaxy S26 Series is available now at samsung.com.

FAQsAre all these features available across the full Galaxy S26 Series?

Now Brief, Now Bar, Call Screening, Bixby, Automation, Photo Assist, and Creative Studio are available across the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra. Privacy Display is exclusive to the Ultra, where it’s built directly into the display hardware.

Do Galaxy AI features process my data on the device or in the cloud?

The Galaxy S26 is designed to handle Galaxy AI workloads on the device where possible, which means less data leaves your phone. On-device processing is backed by Samsung Knox, the multi-layer security platform built into every Galaxy device, with the Personal Data Engine[6] handling your habits and preferences locally.

What can I do with Galaxy Buds that I can't do with the Galaxy S26 alone?

Once paired, Galaxy Buds let you handle Bixby commands hands-free, take incoming calls without lifting the phone (handy when you're using Call Screening), and switch audio automatically between your S26 and other Galaxy devices you're signed into.

Disclaimers:
[1] Samsung account login is required for certain AI features. Galaxy AI features are provided for free. Future releases may include additional advanced features that are offered as part of a paid subscription plan. Different terms may apply for AI features provided by third parties.
[2] Requires network connection and Samsung account login. A visible watermark is overlaid on the saved image to indicate it was generated by Galaxy AI. Accuracy of output not guaranteed.
[3] Requires network connection and Samsung account login. Accuracy of output not guaranteed.
[4] Requires manual activation in settings to function. Privacy Display feature is not AI-powered.
[5] Requires Galaxy smartphone with One UI 8.5 or above
[6] Personal Data Engine is exclusive to Samsung native apps and is not applicable to third-party applications. Personal Data Engine recognises 20 languages and certain accents/dialects. The Personal Data Intelligence menu must be switched on. Analysed data will be deleted once the Intelligence menu is turned off.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Apple MacBook Air M3 just hit a record-low price at Amazon — buy now for $799

Mashable - 2 hours 46 min ago

SAVE 38%: As of June 22, you can get the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $799. That's down from $1,299 at Amazon.

13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $799 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $500   Get Deal at Amazon

Prime Day doesn't officially start until June 23, but Amazon is already teasing us with early deals on tech, kitchen appliances, and more. If you've been holding out for a laptop, I'd say you can go ahead and take out your wallet today.

Right now, you can get the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $799 at Amazon. That's down from $1,299. That's a 38% discount or $500 savings. It's also the lowest price we've tracked on this model to date.

SEE ALSO: A Prime Day Apple deals primer: We're tracking prices on AirPods, iPads, and MacBooks

According to Mashable's Senior Shopping Reporter, Haley Henschel, MacBook Airs usually don't usually hit record lows until the sale begins. That means you can feel confident this is a genuinely good deal and not another one of Amazon's marketing ploys to steal your money.

Plus, you aren't getting stuck with a bare-bones base model. Even though it's a couple of years old, this version has an M3 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, along with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display and an 18-hour battery life.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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