Technology

CDs, DVDs, and other spinning discs are thought of as antiquated technology, but in some ways, they're superior to even the most expensive solid-state drives.

3D printing is a super fun hobby. I love my 3D printer and use it quite often for a wide range of things. There are some projects that are just plain dumb, no matter how much 3D printing enthusiasts love them.

When we talk about Windows app compatibilty, we usually think of Linux running some sort of WINE configuration. That's not all the wonderful world of open-source has to offer though. Some really talented developers have managed to reverse engineer the Windows NT architecture. They've been working on it for almost 30 years. The project is called ReactOS, and it's directly compatible with Windows software and drivers (no compatibility layers or emulation required).

Apple has finally revealed new models of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. The MacBook Air is getting double the base storage and an upgrade to the M5 chip, while the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro now has M5 Pro and M5 Max options.

You've probably heard a lot of tips, dos, and don'ts about hard drives. The thing is, a lot of it is either a straight up lie or is based on oversimplified or older advice.

If you only want your Home Assistant automations to run at certain times or on certain days, you can use a time condition. Hard-coding your schedule this way is simple to do, but there is a better way.

In movies, you'll sometimes see characters grapple with a "dead man switch." If someone doesn't push a button or enter a password every few hours (or days), it triggers a self-destruct sequence or sends out a secret message. I've always found that concept really cool, so I built one with an app on my Android phone.

Even the most seasoned senior developers, armed with years of experience, routinely stumble over traps in Python. It's not hard and doesn't stem from a lack of technical skill, but from an ingrained reliance on programming intuitions that simply do not hold true in the Python ecosystem.

Plex is the go-to app for most users with a large home media library. But not everyone actually needs it. If you just want to watch shows or movies on the big screen, your TV might already have the tools you need.

If you're a Ryobi owner, you probably have a good collection of its lime-green 18V ONE+ power tools. With more than 350 products that run on the same battery, it's often all you need. But when you're battling weeds, fighting an overgrown lawn, or trying to finish jobs quickly while outside in the heat, Ryobi's 40V platform is the better choice.

Apple continued its "big week" of product launches on Tuesday by announcing new M5 MacBook Air laptops alongside upgraded MacBook Pros. They're set for release on Wednesday, March 11, and preorders open March 4.

The $1,099 starting price does make us wonder if Apple is about to announce an even cheaper MacBook during its March 4 "special experience" tomorrow, as rumors suggest. For weeks, Apple forecasters have been predicting a low-priced touchscreen MacBook that could compete with cheap Windows laptops.

For now, let's dive into what we know about the new M5 MacBook Air.

Apple introduces the M5 MacBook Air

The new 13- and 15-inch MacBook Airs will come with the M5 chip and start with 512GB of storage. (Last fall's speedy 14-inch MacBook Pro had the same processor.) They're configurable with up to 4TB of storage for the first time.

The 512GB base models will retail for $1,099 and $1,299, respectively, which is the biggest news here. Those prices represent $100 discounts compared to the M4 MacBook Airs with the same amount of storage. They started with 256GB at $999, but that configuration option is no longer available.

Credit: Apple

The M5 MacBook Airs have also added Apple's N1 wireless chip, which brings support for WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

Beyond that, this is a very iterative update. The M5 MacBook Airs have the same designs as their predecessors, retaining their aluminum builds, 60Hz Liquid Retina displays, 12MP Center Stage webcams, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, and 18-hour battery life ratings. They still come in sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver.

SEE ALSO: Apple expects high demand from its March 4 releases

Apple kicked off the week by announcing the iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air on Monday. It's expected to reveal a new budget MacBook on Wednesday as part of a "special experience" in New York, London, and Shanghai.

Apple M5 MacBook Air: The specs Credit: Apple

• Processor: M5 with 10-core CPU

• Display: Liquid Retina displays (60Hz)

• Storage: 512GB to 4TB

• Connectivity: N1 wireless chip delivers Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6

• Size: 13- and 15-inch models

• Battery life: 18 hours

• Webcam: 12MP Center Stage camera

• Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4 ports

• Colors: Sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver

• Starting price: $1,099

Apple AirTags have changed the game for anyone who constantly misplaces their keys or wallets. Almost every major brand now offers its own alternative, from the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 to the Motorola Moto Tag.

TL;DR: Live stream Como vs. Internazionale in the Coppa Italia for free on Mediaset Infinity. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Domestic cup competitions are approaching their conclusions across Europe this week. We've got semi finals in the Copa del Rey, Taça de Portugal, and Coppa Italia. And better yet, fans can live stream select fixtures without spending anything.

One such game is Como vs. Internazionale. This exciting first-leg matchup sees fifth place take on first place from Serie A. We're expecting a tense clash between two organized and intriguing sides. Can Cesc Fàbregas lead his talented side into the final? Como will need to be at their best to advance.

If you want to watch Como vs. Internazionale in the Coppa Italia from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Como vs. Internazionale?

Como vs. Internazionale in the Coppa Italia kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on March 3. This fixture takes place at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.

How to watch Como vs. Internazionale for free

Como vs. Internazionale in the Coppa Italia is available to live stream for free on Mediaset Infinity.

Mediaset Infinity is geo-restricted to Italy, 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 Italy, meaning you can unblock Mediaset Infinity to live stream the Coppa Italia for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Como vs. Internazionale in the Coppa Italia 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 Italy

4. Visit Mediaset Infinity

5. Watch Como vs. Internazionale 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 Coppa Italia without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Como vs. Internazionale in the Coppa Italia before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Mediaset Infinity?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Italy

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Como vs. Internazionale in the Coppa Italia for free with ExpressVPN.

Apple recently released the latest phone in its "e" series, the iPhone 17e. Unlike the "SE" line that came before it, this one seems to be on track for annual updates. However, for a variety of reasons, the "e" series is far less compelling—and it shouldn't exist.

There would be many more programmers in the world if not for the fact that programming is hard, and you need to spend a lot of time learning, practicing, and testing your code.

New models of smartphones get released on a constant churn, and even if you don't upgrade every year, it's a safe bet that your current phone is not your first. The chances are that you have some old phones lying around your home. The same is probably true of other devices such as tablets and e-readers.

SAVE $500: As of Feb. 28, Amazon has the DJI Mini 5 Pro drone camera on sale for 30% off at $1,099, down from its list price of $1,599. 

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo $1,099 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $500   Get Deal

If you’ve been wanting to upgrade your aerial photography setup, this weekend might be a great chance to do so. Amazon has DJI’s Mini 5 Pro on sale for almost a third off its list price, which is a pretty good deal. The Mini 5 Pro is an excellent sidekick for outdoor adventurers, aerial photography hobbyists, and professionals who want a compact, portable device.

The drone is palm-sized when folded and fits easily into a pocket. This model comes replete with 42GB of internal storage, so you can film your adventure or venture entirely uninterrupted. Its portability and compactness do not compromise its ability to capture high-quality video, either. As previously mentioned, the drone records 4k footage with a 60fps (frames per second) frame rate. DJI claims this drone will render your content in crisp, clear, highly defined detail.

The drone also comes with the DJI RC 2 (the remote control) that has a large screen in the center to see what you’re filming in real time. 

You might have heard the idiom about the guy with his feet in a freezer and his head in an oven: on average, he's perfectly comfortable. In Excel, we do this with our data every day. Averages are great summaries, but they can quietly sabotage your decisions.

TL;DR: Live stream Sporting CP vs. Porto in the Taça de Portugal for free on RTP Play. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The top two teams from the Liga Portugal are meeting in the semi-final stage of the Taça de Portugal. Sporting CP vs. Porto is one of the biggest games in Portuguese football every season, but this year feels extra special. Both teams are gunning for a domestic double, so there's an added element of pressure to this all-important clash.

The good news for fans is that it's possible to watch select fixtures from the Taça de Portugal without spending anything, including this first leg matchup. So sit back, relax, and watch these talented sides battle it out for a place in the final.

If you want to watch Sporting CP vs. Porto in the Taça de Portugal from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Sporting CP vs. Porto?

Sporting CP vs. Porto in the Taça de Portugal kicks off at 3:45 p.m. ET on March 3. This fixture takes place at the José Alvalade Stadium.

How to watch Sporting CP vs. Porto for free

Sporting CP vs. Porto in the Taça de Portugal is available to live stream for free on RTP Play.

RTP Play is geo-restricted to Portugal, 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 Portugal, meaning you can unblock RTP Play to live stream the Taça de Portugal for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Sporting CP vs. Porto in the Taça de Portugal 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 Portugal

4. Visit RTP Play

5. Watch Sporting CP vs. Porto 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 Taça de Portugal without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Sporting CP vs. Porto in the Taça de Portugal before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTP Play?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Portugal

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Sporting CP vs. Porto in the Taça de Portugal for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box is down to $116.49 at Amazon, hitting its lowest-ever price and undercutting Walmart’s $118 listing. It also beats the cheapest TCGplayer listing once shipping is factored in.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box $116.49 at Amazon
  Shop Now

Mega Evolution’s Ascended Heroes ETBs have been bouncing around the triple-digit mark since launch, but Amazon sellers seem determined to keep pushing down prices on ETBs to keep an edge over competitors on other storefronts. As of March 3, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box is listed for $116.49 at Amazon. That’s a small but real saving vs. Walmart’s current $118 price. 

Confirmed when checking price tracker camelcamelcamel, that’s the lowest price the Ascended Heroes ETB has been at Amazon so far — selling for $119.99 just last week ahead of Pokemon Day 2026.

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TCGplayer’s listings look tempting at first glance, with prices as low as $108.98 — putting it at the market price estimated by the dedicated trading card selling website. However, that lowest listing also comes with an added shipping fees, putting the total above Amazon’s listing.

Your sealed Elite Trainer Box will contain nine Ascended Heroes booster packs, a full-art foil promo card featuring N’s Zekrom, 65 sleeves, 40 Energy cards, a player’s guide, dice, coin, dividers, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live. If you want to save every dollar you can with this particularly expensive hobby, Amazon is the go-to when it comes to Ascended Heroes ETBs right now.

Looking ahead to the next Pokémon TCG expansion, you can now pre-order Perfect Order Elite Trainer Boxes for as low as $105.81 at TCGplayer. Meanwhile, Walmart has the best price on Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution ETBs — still only $88.95.