Technology

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.

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.

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.

With much of the Northern Hemisphere fully covered in snow, we can safely say that winter is here. While we’re cozy in our warm homes, our cars unfortunately have to take all that beating outside (unless you have a garage, of course). One of those cars is my poor old BMW, which I thought wouldn’t be drivable this winter—until I fixed a surprisingly simple issue.

Lexus has long been a go-to for luxury, tech, and value, especially with models like the UX300h, NX, and RZ—all starting under $44K. Step up to higher trims with bigger engines and fancier features, though, and you’re easily looking at $60K or more.

The popularity of USB flash drives was undeniable a decade ago, but they’ve somewhat fallen out of fashion in favor of much faster external SSDs. However, now that SSD prices are creeping up and showing no signs of slowing, it might be time to give traditional USB drives another look.

Transmission is my favorite BitTorrent client, with excellent ports to Windows, Linux, macOS, and headless servers. Now, Transmission 4.1 has arrived after over a year of development, and it has some great changes.

Apple's native messaging app is the obvious choice for your texting needs as an iPhone user, especially if you're seeped into the Apple ecosystem. There are, however, a few changes you can make so your conversations feel smoother. If you're a new Messages user or want to improve your texting experience on the app, make sure you enable these settings now.

Android has long included bits and pieces of a make-shift desktop mode, but only Samsung has gone above and beyond with their own DeX experience. Last year, Google officially teased its brand new desktop mode for Android, and now we’re getting our first look at it in action.

A new investigation claims that the Apple and Google app stores hosted dozens of so-called "nudify" AI apps, despite such apps violating the companies' rules.

The Transparency Project (TTP), a group affiliated with the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, found dozens of apps in both stores that digitally remove clothes, rendering the subjects naked or nearly naked. It found 55 such apps in the Google Play Store and 47 in the Apple App Store.

Wrote TTP:

"The apps identified by TTP have been collectively downloaded more than 705 million times worldwide and generated $117 million in revenue, according to AppMagic, an app analytics firm. Because Google and Apple take a cut of that revenue, they are directly profiting from the activity of these apps."

Both tech giants have responded to the TTP report. Apple told CNBC it had removed 28 apps identified in the TTP report, while Google told the outlet it had "suspended several apps" while noting its investigation was ongoing.

However, the TTP concludes that both App Stores need to do more to stop non-consensual deepfakes.

SEE ALSO: Explicit deepfakes are traumatic. How to deal with the pain.

"TTP’s findings show that Google and Apple have failed to keep pace with the spread of AI deepfake apps that can 'nudify' people without their permission," the report states. "Both companies say they are dedicated to the safety and security of users, but they host a collection of apps that can turn an innocuous photo of a woman into an abusive, sexualized image."

The report from TTP comes on the heels of the controversy surrounding Elon Musk and xAI's Grok, which is under investigation in several countries for creating sexualized, nonconsensual images. A Mashable investigation found that Grok lacks basic safety guardrails to prevent deepfakes. In addition, researchers say Grok has created more than 3 million sexualized images — including more than 20,000 that appeared to depict children — over an 11-day period between Dec. 29 and Jan. 8.

With the dawn of the AI age, sexual deepfakes will continue to be a major issue for tech companies moving forward.

Shrinking is back, and Season 3 is already packing just as much of an emotional punch as its predecessors.

In a moving hour-long episode that builds to Paul (Harrison Ford) marrying Julie (Wendie Malick), there's one scene right at the end that hits harder than any of the others. So what happens, and what exactly does it mean?

SEE ALSO: 'Shrinking' Season 3 review: My heart can't take it What happens at the end of Shrinking Season 3, episode 1?

The final scene of the episode links back to one of its first scenes, when Paul attends a neurology clinic and meets a fellow patient with Parkinson's, Gerry (a cameo from Michael J. Fox). Paul is experiencing tremors in his left hand, and he has a conversation with Gerry — whose Parkinson's is more advanced — about the various ways the disease is affecting them.

"How's the brain?" asks Gerry at one point. "Any hallucinations?"

"No. Thank God," responds Paul.

"They're the worst. Bad enough your body goes, but then you start seeng shit. It's scary. I didn't even know that was a thing with Parkinson's."

Later, at the very end of the episode, Paul comes in from his wedding to get a glass of water in the kitchen. He turns from the sink and finds Gerry sitting in a chair, tucking into some cake. But moments later, when Julie joins him, it's clear that Gerry isn't really there.

"Oh," says Paul, as he realises what's happening. "You don't see him, do you?"

The scene is a sign that Paul's Parkinson's has continued to progress. He's now experiencing the same hallucinations that Gerry spoke to him about earlier on in the episode.

Is Paul hallucinating throughout the episode?

Some people with Parkinson's may experience hallucinations, sometimes as a side effect of medication or as a symptom of an additional condition. So, is this what's happening with Paul?

The first time Paul meets Gerry, it's pretty clear that he isn't a hallucination. When Paul is called by the doctor, the first thing she says is "Gerry, I'll grab you in a minute," indicating that she can see him too.

It's only at the end of the episode that there's any indication Paul is seeing and hearing something other characters cannot. This is what makes it such a painful moment — like Paul's trembling hand, it's yet another sign that the disease is impacting more and more parts of him.

Shrinking Season 3 is now streaming on Apple TV with new episodes Wednesdays.

SAVE $500.01: As of Jan. 28, get the Oupes Guardian 6000 power station for $1,698.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,199. That's a discount of 23% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Oupes Guardian 6000 power station $1,698.99 at Amazon
$2,199 Save $500.01   Get Deal

Much of the country was just buffeted by sleet and ice with a powerful snowstorm, and for many, it also meant power outages, some for extended periods of time. If you happen to find yourself without electricity often, a portable power station is your best bet. There's one at Amazon right now that you'd do well to have in a similar emergency, and it's on sale for a great price.

As of Jan. 28, get the Oupes Guardian 6000 power station for $1,698.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,199. That's $500.01 off and a discount of 23%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The Anker Solix C1000 power station is on sale for $429 at Amazon — save over $300

This absolute unit of a power station is everything you need in an emergency. It has a 4608 Wh LiFePO4 battery with 6000W of output (boosted to 7200W) and 120V/240V dual voltage, which is expandable to 41kWh. In short, if you have an emergency that finds you without electricity, it'll be your best friend. It can power everything from small electronics like laptops to fridges and larger items to get you out of an emergency and functioning again.

With 11 output ports, including five AC outlets, it has plenty of space to handle multiple devices at once. Plus, when you deplete the battery, you can charge it from empty to full in just under 90 minutes. That means you won't be left sitting around and waiting for it to charge you back up again.

If you're ready to stop waiting out power outages, this might be a good investment for you. Just be sure to get it while it's available at this low price.

VPNs could be banned for children in the UK if a new law is approved by the government.

On January 21, the UK House of Lords voted to allow an amendment to the government's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill which would ban VPN usage for children.

Effectively, it would require VPN users to go through age assurance — the way that the UK's Online Safety Act requires such assurance to view material deemed "harmful to children," from pornography to content about eating disorders.

SEE ALSO: Pornhub will soon be blocked for UK users — unless they take one step

"Within 12 months of the day on which this Act is passed the Secretary of State must, for the purpose of furthering the protection and wellbeing of children, make regulations which prohibit the provision to UK children of a Relevant VPN Service," the amendment states.

In the six months since the Online Safety Act went into effect, VPN use has more than doubled in the UK, as it's a loophole for submitting personal data to view certain content. Now, the UK government seeks to close the loophole and deem VPNs unsuitable for minors, as well.

When Mashable spoke to free speech and internet experts in 2025 about age verification, they warned of "second-order censorship," which comes after primary regulation. In this case, the primary regulation is the Online Safety Act, and people are finding workarounds. Second-order censorship would involve restricting VPNs.

It's a similar story in the United States, where a proposed bill in Michigan seeks to ban both porn and VPNs.

The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill is still proposed legislation, thus hasn't been passed nor is it going into effect yet. MPs will now consider changes to the Bill as part of a process known as ping-pong: the to and fro of amendments to Bills between the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

The vote came days before Pornhub announced new restrictions coming in the UK: Any adult who hasn't verified their age on the site before Feb. 2 will no longer be able to access it. Representatives from Pornhub's parent company, Aylo, cited VPN use as one reason why the Online Safety Act is failing. Aylo instead advocates for device-level filters as a more comprehensive way to keep minors off porn sites.

SAVE $90: The DJI Mic Mini is on sale at Amazon for $79, down from the list price of $169. That's a 53% discount that matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic Mini $79 at Amazon
$169 Save $90   Get Deal

Watch any YouTube video or TikTok clip and you'll likely spot it — the DJI Mic Mini. The tiny microphone seems to be attached to every content creator lately, and there's good reason. DJI knows how to make tech that simply works great for creators. If you've been eyeing getting the DJI Mic Mini for your own content creation setup, check out this deal.

As of Jan. 28, the DJI Mic Mini is on sale for $79 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $169. That shaves $90 off the normal price thanks to a 53% discount. This sale price matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

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This bundle has it all. You'll get one DJI Mic Mini receiver, two transmitters, a charging case, a mobile phone adapter, charging cable, four windscreens, two magnetic clips, and a carrying case. Did we mention all of this comes in at under $80? It feels almost too good to be true.

Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard reviewed the DJI Mic Mini and found that it lives up to its viral hype. She wrote, "I'm convinced it's one of the best upgrades for content creators." She tested it out in less-than-ideal recording situations like on a busy street with windy weather and found its sound to be impressive. "With and without the noise-cancelling feature, the mic picked up my voice while barely picking up the sound of wind — birds and car engines were lost in many cases," Allard wrote in the review.

With the charging case, you'll be in line for 48 hours of battery life and the includes USB-C phone adapter is a benefit. It's especially great if your content setup already includes a DJI camera like the Osmo Pocket 3.

While it's sitting at an all-time low price of $79, upgrade your creator setup to the DJI Mic Mini. It comes with all the accessories you'd want for getting a pro recording system for on-the-go creating.

SAVE $270: The DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $429 with the on-page coupon, down from the list price of $699. That's a 39% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station $429 at Amazon
$699 Save $270   Get Deal

Winter is one of the least convenient times to lose power. Not that there's a good time to experience a power cut, but winter feels especially brutal. Instead of sitting in the cold with zero lights and a dead phone, enlist the help of a portable power station to keep your gadgets charged up. Lucky for us, there's an on-page coupon that's worth taking advantage of before it expires.

Until Feb. 1, the DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station is on sale for $429 at Amazon with the on-page coupon, marked down from the list price of $699. That's a 39% discount that takes $270 off the price.

Next time the power goes out, the DJI Power 1000 V2 will keep your online and charged up. So long as the network didn't go down, you can use the Power 1000 V2 to keep your WiFi router online, phone charged up, and coffee maker brewing. With a stable output of 2,600W, you can also keep the refrigerator cooling.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is down to its best-ever price at Amazon — save $500 right now

Come warmer weather, the Power 1000 V2 would like to come along on your camping trip. It'll prove it was worthy of an invitation when it keeps your phone charged, powers the projector for nightly movies, and keeps the camp lights on.

But the DJI Power 1000 V2 is also awesome for DJI drone owners and content creators. Like the viral DJI Mic Mini, the brand knows how to keep creators happy and the DJI Power 1000 V2 is capable of super-quick charging DJI drone batteries. Plus, it operates as quiet as 26 decibels which is essential if you'll be recording in the same room.

Before the coupon expires on Feb. 1, upgrade to the DJI Power 1000 V2 while it's on sale for $429 at Amazon. It'll come in handy for any content project, camping trip, and power outage.

E-commerce behemoth Amazon is making another round of layoffs, according to a blog post on the company's official website.

Amazon said the cuts will affect 16,000 corporate jobs. The company said it will give its employees 90 days to look for a new role internally within Amazon. Those who don't find a new role will receive severance pay and other temporary benefits.

The company's public statement, from Amazon’s Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology Beth Galetti, clarified that the company will "continue hiring and investing in strategic areas and functions that are critical to our future." 

While Amazon doesn't explicitly state what that means, the New York Times reports that the company intends to shift resources to artificial intelligence and the data centers that AI requires. As mentioned in their report, Amazon spent around $125 billion last year on data centers and related expenditures.

“Some of you might ask if this is the beginning of a new rhythm — where we announce broad reductions every few months. That’s not our plan,” reads a blog post written by Beth Galetti, Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology at Amazon. Galetti also emphasized that the company was "working hard to support everyone whose role is impacted."

Last October, Amazon sources told Reuters that the company was planning its biggest round of layoffs ever and was set to cut 30,000 jobs. Days later, Amazon announced that it was laying off 14,000 employees, but it seems the 30,000 report was correct after all. With today's announcement, Amazon will have laid off 30,000 workers total, and Galetti's blog post adds some context to the situation.

"While many teams finalized their organizational changes in October, other teams did not complete that work until now."

While Amazon CEO Andy Jassy denied AI was responsible for the October layoffs, our colleagues at PC Mag note that Galetti provided employees with a different take at the time. (Disclosure: PC Mag and Mashable are both owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)

"This generation of AI is the most transformative technology we’ve seen since the internet, and...we need to be organized more leanly, with fewer layers and more ownership, to move as quickly as possible for our customers and business," Galetti said last year.

In addition to this latest round of layoffs, Amazon also announced just yesterday that it was closing all of its physical Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh store locations to focus on Whole Foods Market and grocery deliveries under the Whole Foods brand.

Amazon currently employs roughly 1.5 million people.

SAVE $250: Amazon has the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) on sale for $549 as of Jan. 28. That's 31% off its regular retail price of $799, which is its biggest discount ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) $549 at Amazon
$799 Save $250   Get Deal

If your New Year's resolution involves more wilderness adventures (and you haven't broken it yet), you're going to need a rugged smartwatch that can handle the elements. We recommend the Apple Watch Ultra 2 over the newer Ultra 3 because their differences are minimal, and because the Ultra 2 is usually easy to find on sale for a much lower price.

As of late January, its price is lower than ever. Amazon currently has the Ultra 2 on sale for a record-low of just $549, which is $250 off its $799 MSRP and $50 better than its Black Friday discount.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Black Titanium, as seen on the wrist of Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Amazon's deal applies to most Natural Titanium variants with Alpine or Trail Loops in the small size. (It should fit wrists that are 130 to 160 millimeters in diameter.) If you'd prefer a Black Titanium case, a different band style, or a different size, head to Best Buy instead: More Ultra 2 variants were $200 off there at the time of writing.

The Ultra 2 features an ultra-bright, always-on OLED display, a customizable action button, an S9 SiP processor, a slew of health sensors, and up to 72 hours of battery life. It supports all of the latest "Liquid Glass" watchOS 26 features, including wrist flick gestures and the AI-powered Workout Buddy fitness assistant.

For reference, the Ultra 3's only notable upgrades over its predecessor are a larger display with wider viewing angles, six extra hours of battery life, and support for 5G cellular connectivity as well as emergency SOS via satellite. Those are some nice improvements, to be sure, but they're probably not worth the extra cash for most buyers. The Ultra 3 also retails for $799, and it's never been more than $120 off.

SAVE $80: As of Jan. 28, get the Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set for $99 at Amazon. That's down from its usual price of $179.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set $99 at Amazon
$179 Save $80   Get Deal

If you're still puttering around the house waiting for a reason to finish all your home projects this far into 2026, this is your sign to bring them to an end: a shiny new tool. It's officially DIY season for you, because we've found a deal that'll help you finally finish up your to-do list. And you won't even have to spend that much money to do it.

As of Jan. 28, get the Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set for $99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $179. That's $80 off and a discount of 45%.

SEE ALSO: Finish your DIY projects with the DeWalt Mechanics Tool Set for its lowest price yet

The Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set has everything you need to tackle all those odd jobs around the house. It comes with the electric drill itself, as well as a battery, charger, and LED light to make sure you can see what you're doing, all for under $100.

The power drill, with a brushless motor, is compact enough at 7.6 inches front to back that it's easy to fit in plenty of smaller, tighter spaces. It has an ergonomic grip for better control, and it's perfect for most general-purpose drilling. It has a 2-speed transmission and a single-sleeve ratcheting chuck for your convenience, all with a longer runtime so you can get jobs done faster.

Whether you're looking for an easy way to get things done or you want to give a gift to new homeowners or DIY enthusiasts, this affordable package is a great buy, especially at this price point.

AirPods have become the wireless earbuds everyone owns, and those who don’t often wish they did. However, just because iPhone users default to AirPods without considering other options on the market, that doesn't automatically make them the best option. Plenty of alternatives can offer more for a lot less money.

TL;DR: Live stream Liverpool vs. Qarabag in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League group stage is coming to an end. Places in the knockout rounds are still up for grabs, with the final round of group-stage games set to decide which teams will progress to the last 16, which will make the playoff round, and which will miss out.

Liverpool are in a strong position to make the top eight and therefore avoid the playoffs. A win in their final group-stage fixture against Qarabag will guarantee their spot. Qarabag, meanwhile, are hoping to hang on to a playoff spot.

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

When is Liverpool vs. Qarabag?

Liverpool vs. Qarabag in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Jan. 28. This fixture takes place at Anfield.

How to watch Liverpool vs. Qarabag for free

Liverpool vs. Qarabag is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.

RTÉ 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 RTÉ Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Liverpool vs. Qarabag 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 RTÉ Player

5. Watch Liverpool vs. Qarabag 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 Liverpool vs. Qarabag (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTÉ 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 Liverpool vs. Qarabag in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.