Technology

Even if you've never heard of the VP8, VP9, or AV1 video codecs, you've probably had a better video streaming experience because of them. The organization behind the AV1 project, the Alliance for Open Media, is now turning its attention to audio with plans for a revamped Opus codec.

SSDs have gotten faster, but hard drives, for better or worse, haven't. There's a reason why they haven't, and that's mostly due to to the way they work. So any attempts to make hard drives faster would need to get around that.

Did you know that Microsoft makes a lot of apps that they don’t include pre-installed with Windows? I know, it’s hard to believe, especially with how bloated Windows 11 has become. Here are the three apps that I wish Microsoft would include with Windows 11.

Hybrid SUVs are supposed to deliver the best of both worlds—lower fuel costs and long-term dependability, but affordability often comes with compromises. In 2026, however, the cheapest hybrid compact SUV on the market is challenging that assumption. The Kia Sportage Hybrid undercuts many rivals on price while posting reliability scores that rival, and in some cases surpass, the long-trusted Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

Even though Linux might only hold a tiny part of desktop market share, its influence goes much further than the small number of regular people who use it every day. Most of the infrastructure in the world, such as web servers, run on some form of Linux. Software developers commonly use Linux for their work, and certainly the people who work on Windows are not only aware of Linux, but are intimately familiar with it.

SAVE $850: As of Feb. 23, the Bluetti AC200L portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $748.99. That's 53% off its usual list price of $1,599 and its best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti AC200L portable power station $748.99 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $850.01   Get Deal

Portable power stations are having a moment for a reason: they can be real lifesavers in all sorts of circumstances. Whether you have an upcoming camping trip and need to access your computer for work or you live in a power outage-prone area, having immediate access to on-the-go power can keep you up and running. Of course, they're not the cheapest investments, so when you find a good discount it's worth grabbing.

As of Feb. 23, you can pick up the Bluetti AC200L portable power station at Amazon for only $748.99. That's 53% or over $850 off its list price of $1,599 and the lowest price on record.

The Bluetti AC200L packs a 2,048Wh capacity (expandable up to 8,448Wh) with a 2,400W output. That's enough to power to keep a campsite rolling for the weekend or keep your essentials charged up and running in a home power outage. It includes plenty of ports for all of your devices and appliances, including four AC outlets, two USB-A, two USB-C, a 30A RV port, and a 48V/8A DC port. A standard wall outlet will juice up the entire power station in just over an hour, but if you don't have access to one, a solar panel (sold separately) will also get you full power in about 2.5 hours.

At 62 pounds, it's not exactly light, but it's still portable enough to pack in the car for camping trips, tailgates, and other off-grid adventures. It's also small enough to store at home for emergency backup purposes.

The AC200L power station has a 10-year lifespan and a five-year warranty, making it a smart long-term investment for your home and adventures. And knowing it's built to last helps justify the cost. Save over $850 while this deal is live.

Apple's next pro-level iPhone is reportedly staying on the warm side of the color spectrum.

The latest newsletter from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who is usually correct when it comes to Apple predictions, is saying as much. Apparently, Apple has been testing out a new "deep red" color for the iPhone 18 Pro, using the same all-aluminum body type as last year's iPhone 17 Pro. This would be the first red iPhone since 2022, and according to Gurman, it might exist alongside the cosmic orange color that made waves last year, instead of outright replacing it. The orange is very popular in China, which is why it might survive into 2026 and beyond.

SEE ALSO: All the new products Apple could release in March: iPhone 17e, iPad Air, MacBooks

The heavily rumored iPhone Fold, said to launch this year, may not be so fortunate with its color choices in its debut, Gurman says. As an aside, Gurman's report notes that Apple is sticking to dark gray or black and white or silver for the colorways on that device. This aligns with previous leaks and rumors that said the iPhone Fold will only be available in black and white. Maybe we'll get a fun iPhone Fold in year two.

The all-aluminum chassis Apple adopted on the iPhone 17 Pro allowed the company to get a little bolder with its color choices, but it also came with a catch.

Last year's model was notoriously easy to scratch up, creating a minor controversy known as "Scratchgate." Some have theorized that Scratchgate is why Apple didn't release a black iPhone 17 Pro last year, even though black has been a mainstay color option for iPhones for a long time. The scratches were more easily visible on darker models, and the lack of a black color for the 17 Pro bothered some longtime fans on the internet.

If you want an expensive iPhone with a more muted color scheme, go with the Fold this year. If you want something vivid that will ultimately need to be covered with a case to avoid scratches, go with the 18 Pro.

The top 3 DJI drone deals this weekend at a glance: Best combo deal DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo with DJI RC 2 $1,109 (save $490) Get Deal Runner-up combo deal DJI Flip Fly More Combo With RC 2 $659 (save $120) Get Deal Best controller-free deal DJI Neo $149 (save $50) Get Deal

We live in perhaps the best era to be a content creator. We have access to incredible tech that gives us the freedom to create shareable content in a way that's never been possible before. You can start your own channel that focuses on travel, cleaning, embroidery, sleep tips, or sharing the adorable things your dog does everyday. You can genuinely pick any topic to start a content creation journey, but there's one brand that stands above the rest as a content-creator tech favorite and that's DJI.

Between the brand's cult-following DJI Mic Mini to the Osmo Pocket 3, DJI makes creating content so much easier. If your content could use the help of epic drone shots, we've found some excellent deals this week at Amazon. Here are the best DJI drone deals worth shopping.

Best combo deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo with DJI RC 2 $1,109 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $490   Get Deal Why we like it

DJI combo deals offer some of the best all-in-one options to get extra batteries, a case, and more, but this combo deal is truly all-encompassing. The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo comes with the DJI RC 2, a shoulder bag, three DJI Intelligent Flight batteries, a two-way charging hub, and a filter set. You'll be taking off with the right gear from the get-go thanks to this combo. It usually sells for $1,599 but it's on sale at Amazon today for $1,109 which is the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

The DJI Mini 5 Pro drone itself comes with excellent specs like a 1-inch CMOS that can record in 4K at 60fps. You can also get true vertical shots, and it comes with a 225 degree gimbal rotation. If you'll be filming action shots, the DJI ActiveTrack 360° keeps your subjects in frame.

Best runner-up combo deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Flip Fly More Combo With RC 2 $659 at Amazon
$779 Save $120   Get Deal Why we like it

Another great DJI drone combo option that's on sale this week is the DJI Flip Fly More Combo. While it usually sells for $779, it's on sale at Amazon for $659.

With foldable propeller guards, this could be a great model if you'll be heading outside on drone adventures and packing it along in a backpack. The combo deal on the DJI Flip includes the drone itself, a carrying bag, the DJI RC 2, three DJI Flip Intelligent Flight batteries, and a charging hub. Each battery offers up to 31 minutes of flight time, so you'll be able to fly for over 90 minutes with the three included.

Since the DJI Flip drone weighs under 249 grams, it doesn't require an FAA registration, and the lightweight nature makes it easier for travel. Thanks to the DJI feature of palm takeoff, you'll have the ultimate level of freedom when getting drone content.

Best controller-free deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Neo $149 at Amazon
$199 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for an affordable DJI drone and you don't need a combo model, the DJI Neo drone is down to just $149 at Amazon. That's a 25% discount from the normal price of $199, and it marks a record-low price at Amazon.

Instead of using a remote control, the DJI Neo comes with the ability to fly with controls on your phone. That means there's one less thing to pack along when on a drone journey. The built-in propeller guards are fantastic for easing the concern of getting damaged while in flight and you'll be recording in 4K UHD. Plus, palm takeoff adds extra convenience.

Google Gemini is supposed to maintain a record of your conversations, so you can search through them later or use them as context in new chats. Unfortunately, Gemini's chat history is disappearing for some people.

Spring is right around the corner, which means it's time to lay pre-emergent and get ready to take care of your yard. With the right Ryobi tools, you won't just be maintaining the grass and trying to keep it alive; it'll thrive.

Google announced new features on Friday to increase users' productivity in its Google Chrome web browser.

Split view, PDF annotations, and Save to Google Drive are all new to Google Chrome; however, some users may have seen them previously during Google's test run of the features.

SEE ALSO: Google resolves glitch serving ads to YouTube Music Premium users

Split view allows users to view two browser tabs side-by-side. Google provided some examples of how this feature can be used, with users being able to watch a YouTube video in one split-view tab and take notes in the second split-view tab. Unlike an operating system-level split view function, the split view feature in Chrome occurs within a single window in the web browser, with the two sites displayed next to each other simultaneously.

Google's PDF viewer within Chrome now has annotations. Users can markup any PDF within Chrome with notes, highlights, and more. Users can write freehand, use shapes, utilize different colors for their highlights, provide digital signatures, and more. Google shared that this was the most-requested feature from users, and now it's here.

Finally, Google has rolled out a new Save to Google Drive feature. Users no longer have to save documents and other downloadable files from the internet directly to their hard drive. Instead, Chrome users can choose to save downloads directly to Google Drive. Within Google Drive, every internet download can be found within the Saved from Chrome folder, so that nothing gets lost among all your other Google Drive files.

SAVE 33%: As of Feb. 23, you can get the eufy E25 robot vacuum-mop combo for $599.99, down from $899.99, at Amazon. That's a 33% discount or $300 savings.

eufy E25 robot vacuum-mop combo $599.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $300   Get Deal at Amazon

If you're a pet parent dealing with constant shedding, a standard robot vacuum might not cut it. You're going to need a machine with serious suction and anti-tangle tech, and fortunately for you, Amazon just knocked the price of this eufy model down by $300.

As of Feb. 23, you can get the eufy E25 robot vacuum-mop combo for $599.99, down from $899.99, at Amazon. That's a 33% discount or $300 savings.

SEE ALSO: I found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness (after testing 30+ models at home)

This model is essentially tailor-made for homes with pets. It offers 20,000 Pa of turbo suction to pull embedded fur out of carpets, plus DuoSpiral anti-tangle brushes that prevent hair from clogging the rollers. If you're hesitant about smelly robot mops, this system solves that problem: the E25 uses a HydroJet system that continuously washes the roller mop twice per second while it cleans your floors. When it returns to the base station, it uses hot air drying to completely dry the mop, so you'll never have to deal with a musty wet-vac odor.

However, if the idea of a wet vac still makes you nervous (I had one bad experience, and I'll probably never buy another wet vac), or if your home is mostly carpet, you might want to check out the Eufy E20 3-in-1. It recently earned a spot in our roundup of the best robot vacuums for pet hair because it combines a self-emptying robot vacuum and a cordless stick vacuum into one dock. It's a great alternative if you just want to focus on dry messes — and at $349.99, it's a bit cheaper, too.

I still have some CDs from two decades ago that work just fine, but I know better than to assume that this will be the norm for all my CDs and DVDs. The fact of the matter is that CD-Rs and DVD-Rs, much like any storage media, can be susceptible to data loss, and your old files could be in major danger.

UK communications regulator Ofcom has fined the porn company 8579 LLC £1.35 million for not installing age checks, thus not complying with the Online Safety Act. Ofcom has also fined it an additional £50,000 for failing to respond to an information request.

The Online Safety Act went into effect in July 2025, requiring porn sites to have robust age assurance, such as with a credit card or facial recognition scan, going beyond the typical "yes or no" checkbox to verify someone is of age.

SEE ALSO: All the states Pornhub is blocked in now

According to Ofcom's investigation into 8579 LLC, its websites — such as crazyporn.xxx, hoes.tube, and love4porn.com — don't have these robust age checks.

"We've been clear that adult sites must deploy robust age checks to protect children in the UK from seeing porn," Ofcom's director of enforcement, George Lusty, stated in the press release. "Those that fail to do this — or ignore legally binding requests from us — should expect to face fines."

Ofcom has also investigated and fined other porn providers, like Kick Online Entertainment, which it fined £800,000. Last year, Ofcom threatened to fine and/or block controversial U.S. sites 4chan and Kiwi Farms for not implementing age checks. Now those sites are suing Ofcom, claiming they shouldn't have to comply as they're based in the United States.

In addition to finding non-compliant websites, people can avoid UK age checks using VPNs (virtual private networks). VPN usage has more than doubled since the law went into effect, to the point that the UK government is now weighing a VPN ban for children.

Pornhub, arguably the most well-known porn site, initially complied with the Online Safety Act. Towards the end of January, however, its parent company, Aylo, announced it would no longer comply due to these workarounds — both non-compliant sites and VPNs — and now blocks itself in the UK, aside from adults who have verified their age before February 2.

SEE PROJECT HAIL MARY EARLY: Prime members have the chance to see the highly anticipated Project Hail Mary at an exclusive early screening four days before its nationwide release. Tickets are now available — secure yours while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon MGM Studios Get tickets for 'Project Hail Mary' exclusive early screening   Get Deal

The highly anticipated film adaptation of Andy Weir's best-selling sci-fi novel Project Hail Mary officially hits theaters on March 20, 2026. But Prime members have the opportunity to see it in theaters four days before its nationwide release. A Prime membership really is the gift that keeps on giving.

As an Amazon MGM Studios theatrical release, Amazon is giving Prime members access to an exclusive early screening of Project Hail Mary on March 16, 2026 at 7 p.m. local time in select theaters across the country. Tickets are now available through Fandango on a first-come, first-serve basis. Navigate to the Project Hail Mary landing page on Amazon.com and click on "buy tickets" in the bottom corner. You'll then be prompted to sign into your Amazon Prime account and redirected to Fandango to select your tickets. All early access showings will be on premium large format screens, including IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and 70mm, so you can watch astronaut Ryland Grace's interstellar adventure in the most immersive way possible.

It goes without saying that tickets are going fast — be sure to snag yours ASAP if you want to see the film before everyone else.

Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Project Hail Mary stars Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher who wakes up on a spaceship millions of miles from Earth with no recollection of how he got there. As his memory slowly returns, he pieces together his mission: save Earth from the alien microorganisms causing the sun to die out. Those who have read the book (which I couldn't recommend more — particularly the audiobook) know the gripping story is about a whole lot more than just science. It's a story about survival and unexpected friendship, and you may want to bring some tissues along.

Not a Prime member? You can still sign up and gain access to the early screening, but you'll have to act quick to secure your tickets. You'll get a free 30-day trial to kick things off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sign up for Amazon Prime free 30-day trial, then $14.99/month Get Deal

It's the perineal problem on desktop computers: a Downloads folder that's out of control, full of sundry items with varying levels of importance. Mine is no exception, but I managed to write a simple Bash script that can handle it for me.

SAVE 76%: As of Feb. 23, you can get the JLab Talk USB Microphone for just $23.99, down from $99, at Amazon. That's a 76% discount or $75.01 savings.

JLab Talk USB Microphone $23.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $75.01   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy

If you want to start a podcast or upgrade your streaming setup without overspending, the JLab Talk USB Microphone is worth a look right now.

As of Feb. 23, you can get the JLab Talk USB Microphone for just $23.99, down from $99, at Amazon. That's a 76% discount or $75.01 in savings. It's also the best price we've seen on this microphone to date.

SEE ALSO: The content creators with the most TikTok followers - see the top 10.

The mic features three studio-quality condensers and a 96kHz/24BIT resolution to ensure your voice comes through clearly. You can also choose from four directional pattern modes: Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Stereo, and Bidirectional. This makes it easy to adjust your recording style for a solo podcast, a music session, or a game stream.

With the plug-and-play setup, you just connect the included USB cable to your device and start recording. You don't need to download any extra drivers. Most microphones in the $25 price bracket are pretty bare-bones, so getting on-device gain and volume control, along with four recording modes for this price is a solid value.

How do you create a rock-solid development environment on Ubuntu? I'll show you how to do it in just a few minutes with VS Code and Docker Desktop.

I write thousands of words a day and share them online for others to see. I take photos, conduct research, and chat with colleagues. I do all of this remotely, and yet, despite living my professional life online, I do all of this without owning a PC. And you know what? With the other options available, I’ve never been happier to get to work.

The top three TV deals this week at a glance: Best LG Deal LG 75-Inch 85A QNED Mini LED 4K TV $896.99 (save $703) Get Deal Best Samsung Deal Samsung 75-inch Q8F QLED 4K TV $897.99 (save $202) Get Deal Best Hisense Deal Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini LED ULED 4K TV $899.99 (save $398) Get Deal

It may not traditionally be the best time of year to buy a new TV, but rules are made to be broken. If you're rocking an older TV set that's lost its vibrancy, you can save a good chunk of change on a few excellent options from some of our favorite TV brands. I've rounded up the top three TV deals I could find heading into this week, with savings up to 50%.

While I focused on 75-inch models specifically, most sizes of each TV are discounted — just click through to the different sizes on the product pages for further pricing details.

Best LG TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 75-Inch 85A QNED Mini LED 4K TV $896.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $703   Get Deal Why we like it

This mid-range Mini LED option from LG leans heavily on AI to find the perfect settings to enhance your viewing experience. The Alpha 8 AI Processor Gen2 adjusts HDR and brightness in real time to suit what you're watching, boosts the dialogue over background noise, and refines the sound to your preferences. There's even an AI Magic Remote that delivers content recommendations, picture and audio customizations, and an art gallery to transform your TV from a basic black rectangle. As far as gaming goes, it packs a 120Hz native refresh rate and VRR 144Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium, LG's Game Optimizer, GeForce NOW, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. At under $900, it's chilling at its best price on record.

Best Samsung TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 75-inch Q8F QLED 4K TV $897.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $202   Get Deal Why we like it

On the budget-friendly side of Samsung's vast QLED TV lineup is the Q8F. It pairs a vibrant quantum dot display with a Q4 AI processor to upscale your content and integrated sensors that monitor and auto-adjust sound. Gamers will appreciate its dedicated gaming dashboard that offers a 144Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium VRR, and Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ for buttery smooth performance. Its sleek and slim build is also minimalist's dream. While not quite its lowest price to date, you're still getting impressive features for a sub-$900 price tag.

Best Hisense TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini LED ULED 4K TV $899.99 at Amazon
$1,297.99 Save $398   Get Deal Why we like it

The U7 Mini LED is Hisense's "ultimate mid-premium" model from 2025. Its actual list price is nearly $2,000 (which you can see on Best Buy's website), which means you'll save just over 50% by picking up this deal at Amazon. The U7 combines mini LED backlighting with an impressive 165Hz refresh rate, making for a gorgeous, lag-free picture. It also features an AGLR-Antiglare low-reflection panel, up to 3,000 nits of brightness, and HDR10, HDR10+ Adaptive, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos. In other words, it looks brilliant no matter the lighting scenario.