Technology

Android has evolved by leaps and bounds since the early days, and as a result, dozens of helpful features are hiding all over the place. Whether you're a long-time user or just switched from the iPhone, here's a hidden feature I use daily that most people have forgotten even exists.

We all dream of having a perfectly organized home with a place for everything and everything in its place. Achieving that dream is harder than it seems, but I've found a techie solution that's extremely cheap and easy to set up.

The prices for PC storage drives have been on the rise lately, particularly fast NVMe drives, so people are looking for alternative ways to meet their data storage needs without breaking the bank. One storage upgrade that’s a lot cheaper and more appealing than it seems at first glance is the humble external hard drive.

Imagine an operating system that forgets everything you did once you shut down your computer. One that not only erases all traces of your activity, but also protects your privacy online. That's exactly what Tails is meant to be.

SAVE UP TO 78%: If you commit to a two-year plan, you can save up to 78% on ExpressVPN and get four extra months for free. It's one of the best VPNs for streaming sports — including the NFL.

ExpressVPN deals: ExpressVPN Basic (2-year subscription + 4 months) $78.18 (save $285.54) Get Deal ExpressVPN Standard (2-year subscription + 4 months) $100.58 (save $291.14) Get Deal ExpressVPN Pro (2-year subscription + 4 months) $167.78 (save $391.94) Get Deal

A VPN hides your real IP address and connects you to a secure server in another location. It may not be the most honest way to watch sports, but it does often make it the cheapest. And as of Jan. 23, one of the best VPNs for streaming is running a winter sale that knocks the price down even further. There's just one catch.

ExpressVPN's winter sale lets you sign up for as low as $2.79 per month (Basic plan), which is 78% off its usual cost of $12.99. The catch is you'll have to commit to a two-year plan to score that price. The Standard tier is down to just $3.59 per month (reg. $13.99) and the Pro tier is down to $5.99 per month (reg. $19.99). As a bonus, when you sign up for two years, you'll get an extra four months for free.

The VPN's new tier pricing structure is a little confusing, but what it boils down to is the longer you commit, the cheaper the monthly price — especially during the sale.

With the NFC and AFC Championship games this weekend, and the Big Game coming in just a few weeks, it's a great time to lock in a VPN subscription. ExpressVPN, a top choice for uninterrupted streaming, essentially lets you watch NFL games for free (including the playoffs) by unblocking international streaming sites like Australia's 7plus from anywhere in the world.

ExpressVPN offers all the stuff you want in a VPN, including ad blocking, malware detection, and password management. But its ability to unlock streaming sites really sets it apart. It's usually a bit pricey compared to other options, but this winter sale knocks it down to a much more wallet-friendly price.

James Austin Johnson doing Donald Trump in Saturday Night Live’s cold open. Name a more iconic duo.

Or, depending on who you ask, a more overplayed one. Either way, Johnson’s Trump impression once again kicked off Saturday night with a brand-new fictional awards show: The Trumps.

The premise was exactly what it sounds like. Much like Trump’s being given the Nobel Peace Prize second-hand or FIFA creating an entire award just for him, the Trumps exist solely to celebrate Trump, by Trump, for Trump. Among the evening’s "prestigious" honors were Best Picture and Best Kiss, both of which Trump, unsurprisingly, won himself.

The biggest surprise came with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Comedy, which — based on the title alone — you could probably guess went to Elon Musk (played by the always amazing Mike Myers).

As a frequent user of HBO Max, I love how easy—effortless, really—it is to explore and discover all the content its library has to offer. One of my favorite features to dive into is the streamer’s unique Discover Our Collections category, which contains a heck of a lot more than just random collections of content. The service also offers a rabbit hole into entertaining experiences and insider information.

If you’ve always wanted an Italian sports sedan but assumed the price would be out of reach, there’s now a compelling opportunity in the used market. The 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia, in its non-Quadrifoglio trims, has depreciated enough that well-equipped examples can now be found for less than $25,000. That’s a rare price point for a European performance-leaning sedan with distinct style and engaging dynamics.

I started a climate modeling project assuming I'd be dealing with "large" datasets. Then I saw the actual size: 2 terabytes. I wrote a straightforward NumPy script, hit-run, and grabbed a coffee. Bad idea. When I came back, my machine had frozen. I restarted and tried a smaller slice. Same crash. My usual workflow wasn't going to work. After some trial and error, I eventually landed on Zarr, a Python library for chunked array storage. It let me process that entire 2TB dataset on my laptop without any crashes. Here's what I learned:

The bar for a NAS can be lower than the ultra-expensive hardware it usually requires. Sometimes, it can be as simple as a hard drive or a DAS plugged into a Wi-Fi router via its USB port.

I use free apps every day, and I write about them constantly. In many cases, they’re genuinely great. Some of the most useful software on my phone and computer doesn’t cost me a cent upfront. But that doesn’t mean it’s actually free.

Mention the INDIRECT function in an Excel forum and you'll start a fight. It's volatile, meaning it's always awake and recalculating, which can turn a fast spreadsheet into a sluggish mess. But used correctly, it's a power user's secret weapon for building dynamic, reactive dashboards.

Home Assistant is arguably the best choice for anyone looking to start a smart home, but this is especially true for power users. If you want unhindered freedom to decide how your smart home functions and you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty, there’s no better choice.

Google Sheets is hiding a massive productivity feature in plain sight: the timeline builder. It's dynamic, it's colorful, and best of all, it updates itself. So, forget the manual formatting—here's how to build your own visualized project tracker in just five minutes.

When shopping for a Valentine's Day gift for the woman in your life, remember that romance doesn't stem from the amount of money you spend (or the number of stems in the bouquet).

The real sparks fly when your gift shows that you pay attention. Think about what type of gift could satisfy her latest obsession, or what type of gift could alleviate her latest pet peeve. Of course, heart-shaped or romantic Valentine's Day gifts are never a bad idea — we're just here to make sure they're not too cliché. Here are our picks for the best Valentine's Day gifts for her in 2026. Thoughtful, practical, whimsical, or appropriately mushy, these unique gift ideas go beyond the classic flowers and jewelry that you've already thought of.

TL;DR: Get more done with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license, now $34.97 (reg. $219.99) until Feb. 22.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $34.97
$219.99 Save $185.02   Get Deal

From creating a standout resume to building a budget or drafting an invoice, there are some tasks that are just easier on your PC. If you’re looking to make them even easier, a Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license can help. Now you can own eight powerful Microsoft tools for life for just $34.97 (reg. $219.99) through Feb. 22.

Got an endless to-do list piling up? Knock it out with Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows. This lifetime license gives you eight apps that make life a little easier — from finishing work tasks to answering emails — and there are no subscription fees required. You’ll get these eight Microsoft essentials for less than $5 each with this license, including new and familiar favorites.

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Draft documents in Word, manage correspondence in Outlook, put together powerful presentations in PowerPoint, and build budgets in Excel. You can also stay connected to others with Teams, manage large databases with Access, take notes more efficiently with OneNote, and create professional documents in Publisher.

Don’t let the year of this edition give you pause — all the apps have been redesigned to help things work smoothly. There’s a ribbon-based interface so you can access features, tools, and customizations more easily. Just make sure your PC is running Windows 10 or 11 before your purchase, as Windows 7 and 8 won’t support the apps.

Get this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license for only $34.97 (reg. $219.99) now through Feb. 22.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream Denver Nuggets vs. Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's been an action packed week of NBA action for both the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies, with multiple games played across a number of arenas.

But this Sunday afternoon fixture should favor the Nuggets, who are riding high in the Western Conference while the Grizzles are scrambling in the bottom half. Can the Grizzlies pull off an unexpected win? Or will the Nuggets notch up another victory in what's shaping up to be a solid season?

If you want to watch Nuggets vs. Grizzlies in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Nuggets vs. Grizzlies?

Denver Nuggets vs. Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA starts at 3.30 p.m. ET on Jan. 25. This game takes place at the FedExForum in Memphis, TN.

How to watch Nuggets vs. Grizzlies for free

Denver Nuggets vs. Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Learn More

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• 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 $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Rams vs. Seahawks for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're at a crucial stage in the NFL playoffs, as the Conference Championship games go down this weekend. In the NFC Championship game, the Los Angeles Rams clash with the Seattle Seahawks.

The Rams, the No. 5 seed, have had an exciting playoff run and defeated the Chicago Bears in overtime drama. But they'll face the toughest competition in the entire conference. The Seahawks are the No. 1 seed and they absolutely dominated the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.

The winner of this game with face either the Denver Broncos or New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Seahawks look like the obvious pick on paper, but — as the Seahawks proved themselves in the last game with a 13-second touchdown — anything can happen at this stage And there was just one point between these teams when they met last month, a game won by Seattle.

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If you want to watch Rams vs. Seahawks in the NFL playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Rams vs. Seahawks?

Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks takes place at 6.30 p.m. ET on Jan. 25. This fixture will be played at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.

How to watch Rams vs. Seahawks for free

Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world. Access free live streams of the NFL 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 a location with free coverage of the NFL

4. Register with TVNZ+

5. Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch Rams vs. Seahawks and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Patriots vs. Broncos for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Does it get any more exciting than the NFL playoffs? And we're now deep into the postseason. It's time for the Championship Conference games, which means we're just one game away from the Super Bowl. Yes, it's all pretty exciting.

The AFC Championship Game sees the Patriots go on the road for a showdown with the Denver Broncos, with the winner set to face the victor of the Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams NFC Championship Game.

The Broncos are the AFC No. 1 seed and boast a record of 14-3 this season. But they scraped past the Divisional Round thanks to a controversial call against the Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, the Patriots, the No.2 seed, scored a convincing win over the Houston Texans, including a sensational touchdown pass from MVP contender Drake Maye. Can New England continue that momentum and regain their former glory?

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If you want to watch Patriots vs. Broncos in the NFL playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Patriots vs. Broncos?

New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos takes place at 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 25. This fixture will be played at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.

How to watch Patriots vs. Broncos for free

New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world. Access free live streams of the NFL 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 a location with free coverage of the NFL

4. Register with TVNZ+

5. Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch Patriots vs. Broncos and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, and includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

At present, I think the best Windows laptop for most people is the 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 powered by the Snapdragon X Elite chip. It's a stylish workhorse with enough power to handle demanding workloads and has a premium build as well as an amazing all-day battery life (outdone by just two other models). Even the M4 MacBooks can't keep up. Beyond that, I have other picks for users with different budgets, use cases, and design preferences.

I chose my picks based on hands-on testing conducted by myself and other Mashable staff and contributors. We've reviewed dozens of PCs on the basis of performance, build quality, battery life, and value over the years, and the ones I'm recommending are the cream of recent-gen crops. Most of them scored high enough to secure a Mashable Choice Award, the highest honor we give to the gadgets we review.

New Windows laptops are coming soon — and so are higher prices (maybe)

Every major PC maker announced new Windows laptops at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January. They'll all be powered by new Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm processors, and many of them feature modular or ultra-ultraportable designs. Six of them will succeed some of the current top picks on this list (noted above). We'll be testing as many as possible in the coming months to see what's worthy of our recommendation, so stay tuned.

Relatedly, a word of caution: Next-gen Windows laptops could be significantly more expensive than their predecessors. It's because AI data centers have gobbled up DDR5 RAM and SSDs in recent months, leading to a shortage of such components for laptops and other consumer devices. Experts predict that PCs will get pricier over the coming months or ship with lesser specs, as Mashable's Alex Perry reported.

Very few PC makers have confirmed pricing and availability for their 2026 Windows laptops, so we don't know exactly how the shortage affects them just yet. The good news is that it might be up to a year before we see prices start to skyrocket. In a recent interview with Tom's Guide, a higher-up at Intel said that PC makers have “about nine to 12 months of inventory" on hand as a buffer.

Whether you're buying one of the excellent past-gen models on this list or sticking it out for something newer, I would strongly recommend upgrading your device with as much RAM and storage as your budget allows. You'll add some extra future-proofing while avoiding any potential price hikes down the road.