Technology

5 things your Android phone's buttons can secretly control (besides volume and power)

How-To Geek - 36 min 41 sec ago

Most of us use our Android phone’s side buttons only to adjust the volume or lock the screen—but that barely scratches the surface of what they can do. With the right setup, those side buttons can launch your digital assistant, activate Emergency SOS, and perform other useful tasks.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop buying family SUVs: 4 reasons this sedan makes more sense

How-To Geek - 51 min 42 sec ago

Family SUVs have become the default choice for modern households, offering space, versatility, and a commanding driving position. But as prices continue to climb and fuel costs remain a concern, they’re not always the most practical or cost-effective option. In many cases, a well-designed sedan can deliver everything a family needs, while costing less to buy and own.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your DIY homelab server is secretly costing you more than a dedicated NAS

How-To Geek - 1 hour 5 min ago

I am currently building a PC to use, at least in part, as a server—but there are downsides to my chosen path compared to a dedicated NAS. If you find yourself debating which route to go, here are the reasons to buy a NAS instead.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These are the 13 best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals

How-To Geek - 1 hour 6 min ago

It's that time of the year again—not Prime Day, but for the Amazon Big Spring Sale. This seasonal event is much like Prime Day, but you don't need to wait until July to enjoy it. With thousands of items on sale, it can be overwhelming to find what are the best discounts. Don't worry, we have you covered.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You don’t need Microsoft Word anymore, these 4 free apps prove it

How-To Geek - 1 hour 36 min ago

I’m always looking for writing tools that match how I work, not ones that try to dictate a workflow. Microsoft Word still gets the job done, but it tries to be everything at once, and that often makes it feel heavier than it needs to be for everyday writing. And if I can avoid another monthly subscription in the process, that's even better.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 5 Harbor Freight power tools prove you don't need to spend big on Milwaukee or Makita

How-To Geek - 1 hour 51 min ago

While premium brands like Milwaukee or Makita are great for daily professional use, budget-conscious homeowners don't need to spend a fortune to get the job done right. Harbor Freight has evolved over the years and is quickly becoming a go-to destination for DIYers looking for quality gear without breaking the bank.

Categories: IT General, Technology

A new 7-episode Merlin and King Arthur series is available to stream, but there’s a catch

How-To Geek - 2 hours 6 min ago

There’s an epic new Merlin/King Arthur series available in the streaming world, and, if I do say so myself, it’s pretty awesome. Contrary to what you might think, we’re not zeroing in on the Arthur-Guinevere love story. Instead, we’re tracing an origin story, and it’s a must-see for fans of historical fiction and fantasy. The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin is a 7-episode historical fiction series based on Stephen R. Lawhead’s line of popular Pendragon Cycle novels.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Best Buy’s Tech Fest is officially over, but these leftover deals are still worth your money

Mashable - 2 hours 11 min ago

Best Buy spring deals 2026: Best TV deal 65-inch Samsung Class S84F OLED 4K UHD Vision AI Smart Tizen TV $899.99 (save $1,100) Get Deal Best laptop deal 15.6-inch Acer Chromebook 315 (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB LPDDR4X, 64GB eMMC) + Protective Sleeve $149 (save $150) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 (save $100) Get Deal

The Amazon Big Spring Sale is all anyone can talk about right now (which, fair, it's basically a pre-game for July's Prime Day event). But Amazon isn't the only retailer dropping prices this week.

In a completely unsurprising move to steal some of that spotlight, Best Buy threw its own Tech Fest sale over the weekend. The official event technically wrapped up, but a ton of those discounts are still live on the site as of March 25, including markdowns on big-ticket items like OLED TVs, noise-canceling headphones, and Apple products.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is back: The best deals already live on Apple, robot vacuums, headphones, and more

So before you blow your entire shopping budget at Amazon, here are the best leftover Best Buy deals you can add to your cart right now.

Best deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung 65-inch Samsung Class S84F OLED 4K UHD Vision AI Smart Tizen TV $899.99 at Best Buy
$1,999.99 Save $1,100   Get Deal Why we like it

There are literally hundreds of leftover deals still floating around Best Buy's site right now, and we'll be updating this piece as we dig through more of them. But if we had to single out a discount to jump on right this second, it's this one. Scoring a 65-inch Samsung OLED for under $900 is basically unheard of outside of Black Friday. If you've been waiting for an excuse to finally upgrade your living room setup, saving over a grand on a premium display beats paying full price for whatever shiny new model drops next month.

Best TV deals Best laptop deals Best headphones and earbuds dealsBest Apple deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

7 Linux apps I install on every new PC

How-To Geek - 2 hours 15 min ago

Linux is all about customization, whether you need the most basic, command-line-only operating system, or a fully-fledged desktop ready to throw down with Windows and macOS. These are a few of the best apps you can install on Linux.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This modular Android tablet can easily be upgraded and repaired with a Phillips screwdriver

How-To Geek - 2 hours 20 min ago

Most modern devices aren’t built to last. Sure, they get many years of software updates, but what about the hardware? Batteries eventually stop holding a charge, and storage runs out. Brax is one company trying to solve this problem, and after launching an Android phone, it’s moving on to tablets.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop mounting your TV above the fireplace—it's ruining your viewing experience

How-To Geek - 2 hours 21 min ago

You just got yourself a beautiful new TV, and you want to show it off to everyone who walks into your living room. You’ve also got a gorgeous fireplace, and, understandably, mounting that TV in the sweet spot right over top of it might seem like the perfect place—it’s clean and makes the space look like a showroom. The problem is, showrooms aren’t for watching TV, they’re for selling furniture.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best TV deals in Amazons Spring Sale — score budget QLED TVs at record-low prices

Mashable - 2 hours 23 min ago
The best Amazon Big Spring Sale TV deals at a glance: Best 55-inch TV deal Hisense 55-inch Canvas QLED 4K TV $687.99 at Amazon (save $306) Get Deal Best 65-inch TV deal TCL 65-inch QM8K Mini LED QLED 4K TV $997.97 at Amazon (save $500) Get Deal Best 75-inch TV deal Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV $897.96 at Amazon (save $398) Get Deal

Most of the year's major flagship TVs announced in January are typically out by the end of March, cueing retailers to push deals on last year's TVs even harder. March was further established as one of the best months to buy a TV when Amazon started holding a massive annual spring sale. This year, it's longer than ever: The 2026 Big Spring Sale runs from March 25 through 31. And a ton of TVs are included in the sale.

SEE ALSO: What to look for when buying a TV, as told through this easy TV specs guide

It's not just Amazon's in-house Fire TVs that see big discounts during the Big Spring Sale — they're hardly the best TVs you can get for the money right now. The most worthwhile Amazon TV deals are from solid budget brands like TCL and Hisense, with a few premium options like Samsung's The Frame thrown in. To find deals on premium 2025 OLEDs, Best Buy tends to have way more options.

We’re tracking the strongest Amazon TV deals throughout the Big Spring Sale, with a rolling list updated as prices change. Every model featured here is at, or lower than, its previous best price based on data from camelcamelcamel, so these are genuinely competitive offers. We’re also watching for fresh discounts across the models we've picked as the best 65-inch TVs you can buy this year.

Best Big Spring Sale TV deal Hisense 75-inch U7 QLED 4K TV $897.96 at Amazon
$1,297.99 Save $400.03   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

One TV that's actually beating its previous record-low sale price is the 2025 75-inch Hisense U7. Currently 31 percent off, it's $103 cheaper than it was just a month ago during Presidents' Day sales.

The 2026 version of the same TV was just unveiled on March 6, so a new price drop on the predecessor model certainly tracks. The 2026 75-inch U7 will cost $1,999.99 — more than $1,000 steeper than the 2025 model's $897.96 sale price. Those are the kind of steals we were talking about. The 65-inch model is also at a new record-low $697.96 if 75 inches is a bit larger than you'd like.

This mini LED model packs a serious punch for the price. Its brightness in SDR and HDR gets consistently great notes across the internet, with glare handling strong enough for most sunlit rooms. You don't always see a 165 Hz refresh rate in budget to mid-range TVs, so the Hisense U7 is a top contender for an XL gaming TV under $1,000.

Deals on 43-inch TVs and underDeals on 50- to 55-inch TVsDeals on 65-inch TVs Deals on 75-inch TVs and up
Categories: IT General, Technology

Netflixs Apex trailer teases Charlize Theron being hunted in the Australian wilderness

Mashable - 2 hours 27 min ago

If there's one thing we've learned from Australian survival thrillers, it's that it's never a good idea to venture out solo into the wilderness — and if you do, you definitely want to avoid asking the locals for directions.

A cat-and-mouse survival game plays out in the Netflix trailer above for Apex, which sees Charlize Theron being hunted through the mountains by an impressively creepy Taron Egerton.

From the looks of things we can expect beautiful scenery, rock climbing and kayak-based action sequences, and plenty of shots of Egerton grinning while wielding a crossbow.

Apex is streaming on Netflix from April 24.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to check or reload your Amazon gift card balance

Mashable - 2 hours 32 min ago

Dust off those Amazon gift cards — Amazon’s Big Spring Sale runs from Wednesday, March 25 to March 31 (and some great deals are already available). 

If you previously redeemed a gift card and want to check the remaining balance, we’ve got you covered. We'll also explain how to reload a gift card. Follow the steps below to make sure your Amazon gift cards are ready for those Lightning Deals. Happy shopping!

How to check your Amazon gift card balance on your desktop

Follow these quick steps to check or reload your Amazon gift card balance from your computer browser:

Total Time
  • 2 minutes
What You Need
  • Computer

Step 1: Navigate to Amazon

Open the Amazon website.

Step 2: Accounts & Lists

Click on Accounts & Lists in the top right corner of the screen.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon website

Step 3: Select Gift cards

A new menu page will open on the website. Select Gift cards.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon website

Step 4: Redeem or reload gift card

Once you click, you'll be able to see the existing balance on your gift card. If you are checking the balance on an unredeemed gift card and wish to redeem it, you can click on Redeem a Gift card. You can also opt to Reload your card in this menu or check your transaction history, which is listed below the gift card balance.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon website How to check your Amazon gift card balance in the app

Follow these simple steps to check or reload your Amazon gift card balance from your phone or tablet:

Total Time
  • 2 minutes
What You Need
  • Smartphone

Step 1: Go to Account

Open the app and click on the account icon at the bottom of the landing page (the little person illustration). Then choose Account at the top of the landing page.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 2: Navigate to Payments

Scroll down until you see the Payments section.

Step 3: Manage gift card balance

In the Payments section, click on Manage gift card balance.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 4: Check balance or reload

Use the new menu that opens to check your gift card balance, reload your gift card, or check past activity.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon
Categories: IT General, Technology

I finally separated my work and personal life on Windows 11 and it’s a game-changer

How-To Geek - 2 hours 36 min ago

Windows 11 is one of the most widely used operating systems in the world, and that's because it appeals to a wide range of people, both for work usage and personal usage.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best tablet deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale 2026: Score deals on the latest iPad Air

Mashable - 2 hours 37 min ago
Best Big Spring Sale Tablet Deals Best tablet deal Apple iPad Air (M4 chip, 128GB, WiFi) $559 (save $40) Get Deal Best Android tablet deal Samsung Galaxy S11 $739.99 (save $120) Get Deal Best kids tablet deal Amazon Fire 7 Kids with six months Amazon Kids+ $59.99 (save $40) Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale has arrived. The seasonal sale, which runs March 25 through 31, focuses on seasonal transition items – think cleaning supplies to freshen up your home and camping supples to get outdoors. However, it wouldn't be a sale without tech deals, too.

We've spotted solid savings on tablets, good timing considering Apple just dropped a brand new one. The Apple iPad Air with M4 chip just dropped this month, and it's already on sale. But if iPads aren't your thing don't worry, there are plenty of other tablet deals to shop.

Here are all the best tablet deals to shop during Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air (M4 chip, 128GB, WiFi) $559 at Amazon
$599 Save $40   Get Deal

Read our full review of the Apple iPad Air (M4).

Apple's latest iPad drop is the iPad Air with M4 chip. It's one of the retailers speediest, most efficient tablets, scoring 13,176 on the Geekbench 6 test, which puts it ahead of most laptops. When Apple released the new iPad Air, they didn't raise the price, keeping the midrange tablet at $599. However, it already received a price cut at Amazon.

During the Big Spring Sale, get the Apple iPad Air with M4 chip for just $559. While that's only $40 in savings and less than 10% off its list price, it's still a great deal considering it's a brand new tablet.

So while we might like this deal best, if you want some bigger savings, there are plenty more deals to shop.

More iPad deals

iPads

Best Android tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S11 $739.99 at Amazon
$859.99 Save $120   Get Deal

The best Android tablet to compete with Apple's iPad is the Samsung Galaxy S11. It's more expensive than Apple's iPads but it has everything we want in a tablet. Speedy processing for gaming and streaming, gorgeous displays and crystal clear resolution, adjustable app windows, and an included stylus for note taking or drawing. We've previously tested the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, which is a step up from the S11.

During Amazon's Big Spring Sale, get the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 for just $739.99. That saves you $120 off its $859.99 list price for 14% savings.

More Android tablet dealsKids tablet deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Im a tech editor, and I found 37 Big Spring Sale tech deals at Amazon Id actually shop

Mashable - 2 hours 38 min ago

As Mashable's tech editor, it's my job to test the latest and greatest products from brands like Apple, Samsung, and DJI. But I also get to test cool under-the-radar finds and random gadgets only true tech nerds know about. With the Amazon Big Spring Sale kicking off today and running through the end of March, I hand-picked a fresh batch of tech deals that are actually worth shopping.

Amazon Big Spring Sale tech deals: Best of the best Best Kindle deal Kindle Paperwhite $134.99 (save $25) Get Deal Best Budget Headphones Sony WH-CH520 Wireless On-Ear Headphones $48 (save $21.99) Get Deal Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $398 (save $61.99) Get Deal Best Drone Deal DJI Neo Mini 4K Drone $149 (save $50) Get Deal Best Amazon Device Deal Amazon Echo Dot Max $74.99 (save $25) Get Deal Best Apple Deal Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) $199 (save $50) Get Deal Best MacBook Deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $949 (save $250) Get Deal Best Creator Deal DJI Mic Mini $45 (save $14) Get Deal Best Streaming Deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $14.99 (save $25 with code FTVSELECT) Get Deal

Between inflation, a global memory shortage, and overall economic anxiety (trust me — I'm feeling it, too!), you don't want to miss a chance to save some money.

I've personally tested many of these products, and I'm only recommending genuine deals, because we all know big retailers like to play fast and loose with the definition of the word "deal."

So, whether you have an old laptop that needs replacing or want to check out last-chance deals on last-gen tech, check out my guide to the best Big Spring Sale tech deals.

Kindles starting at $94.99

I don't know what I'd do without my Kindle. As an avid book collector, I have literally run out of space to store books, and so I depend on my Kindle Paperwhite. And just like during Black Friday, you can grab my beloved Kindle on sale for $134.99, with the base Kindle available for under $100.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle $94.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $15   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $134.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $25   Get Deal More Kindle dealsGrab Sony Headphones on sale

During the Big Spring Sale, you can shop wireless Sony headphones starting at just $48. On day one of the savings event, Sony's flagship cans, the famous XM6 headphones, are also discounted to $398, their best-ever price.

However, if you're looking for something in the mid-range, you can also grab the bass-heavy Sony ULT Wear Headphones on sale for $148, a 41% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones Bluetooth On-Ear $48 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $21.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $398 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $61.99   Get Deal Select MacBooks, iPads, and Apple Watches are all at record prices

Amazon always delivers solid Apple discounts during its big sales, and this time around, you can score record-low prices on M4 MacBook Airs, our favorite iPad Air, previous-generation Apple Watches, and even some of the newly released MacBook Pro laptops. See also: AirTags and AirPods.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inches (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $949 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $250   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 at Amazon
$249 Save $50   Get Deal More Apple dealsDJI drones on sale starting at $149

Yes, technically, DJI drones are banned in the United States, but they're still widely available from third-party sellers at Amazon. (It's complicated.) If you're a creator, real estate professional, or wedding photographer who wants to take beautiful aerial videos in 4K — or just an aspiring pilot looking to have some fun outdoors — these drones are by far the most popular choice.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Neo Mini 4K Drone $149 at Amazon
$199 Save $50   Get Deal More deals on DJI dronesAmazon Echo device deals

As per usual, some of the best deals of the spring Amazon sale are on Amazon's own products, particularly in the Echo lineup. I was at the fall 2025 event where Amazon unveiled its new Echo smart home products, which include refreshes to the popular Echo Dot and Echo Show devices. You can also grab Fire TV Sticks starting at just $14.99, letting you stream movies and enjoy cloud gaming at home.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $14.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $25 Use code FTV Select Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Show 11 $169.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $50   Get Deal

More Echo device deals:

TV deals

During Prime Day, you can grab TVs starting at just $99. However, I recommend spending a little more than that. You can grab 55-inch Fire TVs at a very reasonable price, and Hisense has a good 65-inch QLED TV for just $377.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 55-inch Fire TV 4 Series $279.99
$459.99 Save $180   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch E6 Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $376.97 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $173.02   Get Deal More TV dealsDJI creator deals

For the Big Spring Sale, Amazon is going hard with DJI deals, and you can find massive discounts on the brand's popular line of creator gadgets. I personally use the DJI Mic Mini and DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Gimbal when shooting videos for Mashable.

But let me also call your attention to the cult-favorite DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Vlogging camera, which almost never goes on sale like this. Pro creators and YouTubers are obsessed with this camera, so grab it before it goes out of stock again!

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) $79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20   Get Deal Opens in a new window DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo $569 at Amazon
$629 Save $60   Get Deal More DJI creator dealsShark vacuums are 50% off

Spring cleaning is a big theme during the Big Spring Sale, and one of our all-time favorite Shark vacuums is currently marked down to just $149. The Mashable-tested and approved Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum is a pet hair hero, but you can also save on the brand's popular robot vacuums, now up to 60% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum $149 at Amazon
$299 Save $150   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Plus 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop $299.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $450   Get Deal Save on Dyson stick vacuums

Looking for a more premium cleaning machine, preferably one with lasers? Then you need a Dyson Detect stick vac. For the Big Spring Sale, you can grab one of the latest Dyson Detect vacuums, complete with the dust-illuminating laser attachment, while it's on sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum $599.99 at Amazon
$849.99 Save $250   Get Deal JBL Bluetooth speakers — save 27%

I'm a big fan of JBL's Bluetooth speakers. In my testing, they've beaten out more expensive speakers from brands like Bose and Sonos. They're also extremely portable, super easy to use, and totally waterproof, i.e. perfect for spring and summer hangouts.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Flip 7 Bluetooth Speaker $109.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $40.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Xtreme 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker $299.94 at Amazon
$379.95 Save $80.01   Get Deal HEPA air purifiers for allergy season

Have you heard the bad news? Climate change is making seasonal allergies worse, which I can attest to firsthand. So, if you want to add some fresh air to your apartment or home, get a HEPA air purifier that can remove 99.98% of allergens, bacteria, and other microsopic particles. This Shark model is currently 45% off for Prime members, which is probably why it's almost sold out.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark HEPA Air Purifier — Large $179.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $150 Almost sold out! Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Why people are ditching their carriers for MVNOs (and it's not just about price)

How-To Geek - 2 hours 51 min ago

Have you recently considered ditching Verizon or AT&T and switching to an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) like Mint Mobile or Straight Talk? They're a popular carrier option thanks to being cheap, but that's not all you'll get from choosing an MVNO over the big guys.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Refresh your water this spring with a Waterdrop Filter upgrade

How-To Geek - 3 hours 6 min ago

Spring-cleaning usually focuses on what you can see. Closets get reorganized, kitchens get scrubbed, and windows are opened after months of cold weather. But while these visible areas get attention, one everyday essential is often overlooked: the water coming from the kitchen tap.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 5 Linux desktop environments solve problems GNOME won't

How-To Geek - 3 hours 6 min ago

Most people switching to Linux naturally land on GNOME—not because it was their choice, but because it’s the default on most popular distros. I've used Linux for over 10 years and tested every major desktop environment (DE). While GNOME does some things well, it leaves real gaps in workflow flexibility, resource efficiency, and built-in functionality. If you've ever bumped into one of those limitations, these five DEs will be a better fit for your workflow.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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