Technology

Switching on "private DNS" feels like flipping the privacy switch. The name alone makes it sound like a one-click solution to keep your browsing habits to yourself, hidden from your ISP, your network admin, and anyone else who might be peeking at your traffic.

Before smartphones, most people’s experience with operating systems was from computers. Naturally, many of those desktop habits carried over, and malicious Android developers were more than happy to take advantage.

Not so long ago, running a Windows PC without some kind of special antivirus would have all but ensured that your PC got infected with malware. Now, however, the situation is different. Microsoft has made huge improvements to the operating system, and you probably don't need to pay up for antivirus.

While it can be subtle, Windows 11 is filled with lots of little animations and details that give the OS an overall impression of being shiny and modern. Of course, this is only skin-deep, but setting aside whether Windows 11 actually is shiny and modern under the hood, these aesthetic effects aren't free.

Car theft in the United States hit a decades-long low in 2025, a 23% drop from 2024, according to the latest data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

When I first started setting up my smart home, I focused on Wi-Fi devices. They were easy to set up, and I didn't need any equipment other than the router I already owned. If I had my time over again, I'd do things very differently.

Most online Excel tutorials are obsessed with flashy new functions, complex formulas, or clever hacks that solve simple problems in overly complicated ways. But the real upgrade isn't new or exciting at all. Excel tables are old, unglamorous, and one of the most powerful features in the ribbon—and they'll transform how you work.

At this point in time, if your PC still has certain ports, it's officially too old. But that doesn't mean that those ports (and your PC by extension) weren't genius in their own right, or that they weren't (in some ways) better than USB.

TL;DR: T-Mobile has dropped new deals on the latest iPhones. Score the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and more for free right now at T-Mobile.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Free when you switch and trade in an eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Pro Free when you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now

There's a battle going on right now to offer you the most competitive mobile deals. The likes of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are constantly dropping new deals in an effort to tempt you into switching, and that includes offers on the latest iPhones.

In fact, T-Mobile has just dropped a new batch of live iPhone deals that are particularly tempting:

• Apple iPhone 17e — free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on most plans.

• Apple iPhone 17 — free when you switch and trade in an eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.

• Apple iPhone 17 Pro — free when you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.

The value of these iPhones is applied as 24 monthly credits to your bill, so you're still paying for the phone but you're getting paid back in full over time. We should also note that you do need to pay taxes and a $35 device connection fee with these offers, but that's always the case with this type of limited-time mobile deal.

The latest iPhone lineup is seriously impressive, with something for everyone.

In Mashable's review of the iPhone 17, Stan Schroeder said it's an "excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter." When Schroeder took a close look at the iPhone 17e, he said: "The iPhone 17e is a decent upgrade over its predecessor, and a good choice if you want the cheapest new iPhone you can get."

Upgrade to the iPhone 17 lineup for free with T-Mobile.

When Lexus launched its LS 400 sedan in 1989, it introduced a new car with a new philosophy: deliver levels of refinement normally reserved for European luxury manufacturers, beat them on price, and back it with a level of quality the industry hadn't seen before. That philosophy underscores every Lexus product to this day, including the LX, the brand's full-size flagship SUV.

Most Excel users never look beyond the ribbon, which means they miss some of the app's most powerful workflow tools. From live-updating dashboard snapshots to hidden shortcuts that prevent data-entry mistakes, these four off-ribbon features will completely change how you use Excel.

I have a cloud-synced calendar on my phone and computer, which I use to track work, plans, and reminders. I figured Home Assistant's built-in calendar was surplus to my requirements.

As someone who has watched a lot of television over her twenty-something years, I’ve noticed a trend in the industry: many comedic actors, who were primarily known for sitcoms, sketches, or other hilarious work, have shifted into dramatic roles. While this isn’t necessarily a new thing, it’s still intriguing to see the difference in the actors' style — and just be in complete awe of their talents.

Homelabbing is a great way to escape an ever-increasing number of subscription services, and there are dozens of great free and open-source self-hosted alternatives out there. However, there is some software that is worth paying a one-time fee for, especially if you're looking for a setup that minimizes tinkering.

The ESP32 is a cheap microcontroller that powers sensors, toys, communication devices, and all manner of low-power electronics. It’s a favorite among hobbyists thanks to its versatility, price, and excellent software and hardware support.

Adobe has had a stranglehold on photo editing for a long time, and for most people, that means paying a monthly subscription for tools they may not fully use. The alternatives that exist tend to either cap out at basic adjustments or fall apart once your files get large enough. DaVinci Resolve was already the best free video editing software, but now it has got an upgrade.

It can be scary to leave the Apple ecosystem, but whatever your personal reasoning may be, I drew on my experience as a headphones and earbuds tester to ease the transition. For the purposes of this guide, I focused on the AirPods 4 with ANC and AirPods Pro 3. (If you want alternatives to the AirPods Max or AirPods Max 2, might I suggest any other pair of over-ear noise-cancelling headphones? I promise you'll get better bang for your buck).

SEE ALSO: AirPods Max 2 vs. Sony WH-1000XM6: Which headphones win?

After going back through testing notes and existing reviews, I came away with three options for the best AirPods alternatives: the Sony WF-1000XM6, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, and the EarFun Air Pro 4.

It can be scary to leave the Apple ecosystem, but whatever your personal reasoning may be, I drew on my experience as a headphones and earbuds tester to ease the transition. For the purposes of this guide, I focused on the AirPods 4 with ANC and AirPods Pro 3. (If you want alternatives to the AirPods Max or AirPods Max 2, might I suggest any other pair of over-ear noise-cancelling headphones? I promise you'll get better bang for your buck).

SEE ALSO: AirPods Max 2 vs. Sony WH-1000XM6: Which headphones win?

After going back through testing notes and existing reviews, I came away with three options for the best AirPods alternatives: the Sony WF-1000XM6, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, and the EarFun Air Pro 4.

TL;DR: The AdGuard Family Plan lifetime subscription is on sale for $15.97 (reg. $169.99) through May 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT and covers up to nine devices.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
$169.99 Save $154.02   Get Deal

If constant pop-ups, autoplay videos, and banner ads are making the internet feel more annoying than useful lately, an ad blocker can make a noticeable difference. What you need is the AdGuard Family Plan. Its family lifetime subscription is on sale for $15.97, discounted from $169.99, through May 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

AdGuard is great for people who are tired of incessant ads disrupting everyday browsing. Whether you’re trying to watch YouTube videos without interruptions, read articles without giant pop-ups covering the screen, or shop online without trackers following you afterward, this ad-blocking software creates a cleaner, less cluttered experience up across your devices.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

The Family Plan covers up to nine devices, including Windows PCs, Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Android devices, so households can use it across phones, laptops, and tablets under one subscription.

Along with blocking ads, AdGuard also includes tracker protection, phishing and malware safeguards, and parental controls. That added layer of privacy may appeal to families looking to cut down on both distractions and data collection while browsing. Parents can also restrict adult content on shared devices for younger users.

Mashable regularly covers tools that help simplify digital life, whether that means productivity apps, cybersecurity software, or privacy-focused tech. If you’ve already explored browser upgrades or online security tools, this deal lands in a similar category of practical quality-of-life improvements.

One of the more appealing parts of this offer is the lifetime access. Instead of adding another monthly subscription to your budget, you pay once and keep access permanently, including future updates.

For anyone frustrated with ads slowing down websites, interrupting videos, or cluttering nearly every corner of the web, the AdGuard Family Plan may be worth a look while it’s discounted to $15.97 (reg. $169.99) through May 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

TL;DR: The AdGuard Family Plan lifetime subscription is on sale for $15.97 (reg. $169.99) through May 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT and covers up to nine devices.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
$169.99 Save $154.02   Get Deal

If constant pop-ups, autoplay videos, and banner ads are making the internet feel more annoying than useful lately, an ad blocker can make a noticeable difference. What you need is the AdGuard Family Plan. Its family lifetime subscription is on sale for $15.97, discounted from $169.99, through May 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

AdGuard is great for people who are tired of incessant ads disrupting everyday browsing. Whether you’re trying to watch YouTube videos without interruptions, read articles without giant pop-ups covering the screen, or shop online without trackers following you afterward, this ad-blocking software creates a cleaner, less cluttered experience up across your devices.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

The Family Plan covers up to nine devices, including Windows PCs, Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Android devices, so households can use it across phones, laptops, and tablets under one subscription.

Along with blocking ads, AdGuard also includes tracker protection, phishing and malware safeguards, and parental controls. That added layer of privacy may appeal to families looking to cut down on both distractions and data collection while browsing. Parents can also restrict adult content on shared devices for younger users.

Mashable regularly covers tools that help simplify digital life, whether that means productivity apps, cybersecurity software, or privacy-focused tech. If you’ve already explored browser upgrades or online security tools, this deal lands in a similar category of practical quality-of-life improvements.

One of the more appealing parts of this offer is the lifetime access. Instead of adding another monthly subscription to your budget, you pay once and keep access permanently, including future updates.

For anyone frustrated with ads slowing down websites, interrupting videos, or cluttering nearly every corner of the web, the AdGuard Family Plan may be worth a look while it’s discounted to $15.97 (reg. $169.99) through May 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.