Technology

The iPhone 16e may be budget-friendly, but it still needs protection. Rugged cases offer the best defense, while slim and clear options provide style and function. And, even though it lacks MagSafe, third-party cases can add compatibility.

The Nissan GT-R is a performance powerhouse, rocketing from 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 196 mph in R35 guise. They don't come cheap, though, so if a GT-R is out of budget, here are 10 cheap sports cars that would give the Nissan a serious run for its money.

Google’s Pixel 9a just got hit with a major leak, and this time, it’s a full-on hands-on video.

The yet-to-be-announced phone reportedly made an early appearance, showcasing its familiar minimalist design — but with a build that leans more budget than premium, according to 9to5Google.

Google’s A-series Pixel phones have always been about balancing cost savings with flagship-tier features, but the Pixel 9a might take a slightly different approach. If the latest leaks hold up, the device is expected to pack familiar specs: a Tensor G4 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and a 120Hz OLED display, among other Pixel-specific features.

SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 9 review: Officially too much AI

But affordability comes with trade-offs. According to a hands-on video spotted on 9to5Google, the 9a might be built with cheaper materials for its chassis and frame. Despite its more budget-friendly appearance, the leaker describes the phone as "plastic feeling" — comparing it to a "Nokia Lumia" that’s surprisingly comfortable in hand.

There’s not much else known about the Pixel 9a at this point, but if you’re particular about how a phone feels in hand, well, here’s something to consider. That said, the leak suggests the 9a will deliver an aesthetically pleasing design, opting for a flat profile over bulky camera bumps.

When can you actually get your hands on one? If the rumors are true, Google could be gearing up to launch the Pixel 9a sometime in late March.

For years, iPhone and iPad owners were unable to change their default app settings. But times have changed, and Apple has loosened its grip with a bit of pressure from the courts for good measure. Here’s how to change app defaults, and some ideas of what to replace them with.

While more and more phones are slowly getting satellite text or cellular calling, carriers aren't stopping there. This week, Verizon and AT&T separately announced that they had successfully completed and tested satellite-to-phone video calls. And no, it's not through Starlink.

SPEND $25, SAVE $5: Through 3 a.m. ET (12 a.m. PT) on Feb. 25, you can save $5 when you spend $25 on over 4,000 eligible paperback and hardcover books at Target.

Opens in a new window Credit: Red Tower Books / Entangled Publishing Spend $25 on books, save $5 Shop Now

E-book deals are popping up pretty much every week these days.

But if physical page turning is what really gets your dopamine dopamine-ing, Target's current book sale is about to do a real number on your 2025 reading list — and perhaps provide inspo for a spring refresh of your coffee table decor. Through 3 a.m. ET (midnight PT) on Feb. 25, Target will shave off $5 when you spend $25 on books.

SEE ALSO: I read over 50 books a year. Here are my favorite e-readers.

The discount is applied at checkout for Target Circle members, which is a quick, free membership you'll want to join — Target offers little coupons like this all the time.

The list of eligible books is more than 4,000 long — sifting through all 50 pages is essentially reading a book in itself. Shop BookTok heavy hitters like the Court of Thorns and Roses series or titles from Freida McFadden and Colleen Hoover, nonfiction gems like Matthew McConaughey's Greenlights, shadow work journals, or even the occasional coloring book.

Mashable curated a list of TikTok's favorite fiction books from 2024, in case you don't feel like spending hours on the app yourself. You know, because you like to spend your free time... reading. Even if you're not a big book person yourself, this sale is a gold mine for gift ideas or donation options.

With the launch of a brand new version of Photoshop for smartphones, Adobe has also launched what is now its cheapest premium Photoshop plan. We're not sure if it's a good replacement for that 20GB Photography Plan that Adobe killed off a couple of months ago, though.

TL;DR: Enjoy a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for just A$235 (reg. A$470).

Anyone interested in learning to play the piano should take a closer look at Skoove. This app is more like your personal piano coach. Using cutting-edge AI technology, Skoove listens to the notes you play and offers real-time feedback to help you improve. A lifetime subscription is on sale for just A$235 (reg. A$470).

The lessons are tailored to your pace and skill level, ensuring a customized experience. Whether you’re diving into classical compositions or belting out pop hits, Skoove’s extensive library keeps learning fresh and exciting.

With compatibility across all pianos and keyboards — USB/MIDI or acoustic — you can learn wherever you are. Plus, Skoove’s monthly updates mean you’ll always have new songs and lessons to explore. And if you ever hit a snag, their one-on-one support from expert instructors has you covered.

Learning piano doesn’t have to be intimidating. With Skoove, you can start at your own pace and build confidence through intuitive lessons. Want to play Imagine by John Lennon or dive into Beethoven’s Für Elise? Skoove makes it possible, breaking each piece into digestible steps that make learning fun and achievable.

For seasoned players, Skoove offers advanced lessons and techniques to refine your skills and broaden your repertoire. And since it works on tablets, smartphones, and personal computers across multiple operating systems, your piano practice is always at your fingertips.

Say goodbye to expensive piano tutors and rigid schedules. For just A$235, you can unlock a lifetime of Skoove lessons and resources designed to grow with you.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription A$235.00 at the Mashable Shop
A$470.00 Save A$235.00 Get Deal

Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is advertising directly to players through the killcam. This new feature lets players add weapon blueprints and skins from the killer to a wishlist.

SAVE $79.01: The Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ (Mango Yellow) is on sale for just $69.99 at Woot, down from the normal price of $149. That's a 53% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nespresso Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ (Mango Yellow) $69.99 at Woot
$149.00 Save $79.01 Get Deal

Morning coffee is serious business for some of us. We go to bed thrilled that the hours until coffee are dwindling. Many coffee-lovers are incredibly picky about how they like their brew, and rightfully so. But sometimes it pays off to not to be picky. If you don't have a particular color in mind when it comes to coffee machines, check out today's deal at Woot.

As of Feb. 25, the Mango Yellow Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ espresso and coffee maker is on sale at Woot for just $69.99, down from the list price of $149. That's a 53% discount that saves $79.01 compared to the regular price. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you'll get free shipping at Woot.

A Nespresso machine is one of the easiest and tastiest ways to get a quick coffee each morning. The Vertuo Pop+ machine uses Nespresso Vertuo pods and allows you the option to choose between five sizes — 5, 8, and 12 ounces or opt for a single or double shot of espresso. Both espresso options can be made as hot or iced drinks.

SEE ALSO: The Ember Mug 2 is at an even better deal than it was a few weeks ago

The machine takes only 30 seconds to heat up and it'll also give you a descaling alert when the machine needs some light maintenance. Plus, each pod is recyclable with Nespresso's free program.

If your kitchen and coffee setup could use a spring refresh, hurry to snag the Mango Yellow Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ for just $69.99. Not only will the color bring some brightness to your kitchen, the machine will add convenience to your morning routine.

Getting ready to retire your current gaming mouse but aren't sure whether to splurge on an ultralight gaming mouse? Here's why ultralight gaming mice are great choices for any gamer, their disadvantages, and what to focus on after you decide to explore the ultralight gaming mouse market.

SAVE UP TO 30%: Through Feb. 27, Southwest Airlines is running a Splash Sale where travelers can save up to 30% on base fares for select domestic and international flights with code 30SPLASH.

Opens in a new window Credit: Southwest Save up to 30% on select Southwest flights with code 30SPLASH Get Deal

Looking to get away this spring? Thanks to Southwest's Splash Sale, your travel plans just got up to 30% more affordable.

From Feb. 25 through Feb. 27, travelers can use the code 30SPLASH to knock up to 30% off base fares on select domestic and international Southwest flights. The fine print is you'll have to travel between March 18 and May 21 for continental U.S. flights, and between April 28 and May 21 for international, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii flights. Just enter 30SPLASH in the promo code box when you search for flights (be sure to choose dates in the promotional period) and discounts will be reflected on select times and fare types (Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus).

SEE ALSO: Snag Apple AirTags for their lowest price ever just in time for spring break travel

Southwest is known for its competitive rates, although you won't see them pop up on your typical online travel websites like Expedia or Kayak. You'll have to head to Southwest's website directly to check out their prices. The airline also allows you to fly with two checked bags for free, and to change or cancel flights without charge.

As long as you're flexible with your spring travel plans, you'll be able to keep some extra cash in your pocket during the Southwest Splash Sale. That gives you more money to splurge on a solid pair of noise-cancelling headphones for your flight.

GET $300 OFF: As of Feb. 25th, the Asus ROG Strix G16 (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, Intel Core i7-13650HX, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) Gaming Laptop is on sale for $1,099.99, saving you 21%, or $300.

Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus ROG Strix G16 (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, Intel Core i7-13650HX, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) Gaming Laptop $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $300.00 Get Deal

If you're eyeing a new gaming laptop, this Amazon deal is a good excuse to buy. Gaming laptops are built for performance, with included graphics drives, beefy RAM, and other perks like quick screen refresh times.

The Asus ROG Strix G16 (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, Intel Core i7-13650HX, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) gaming laptop is a powerful machine made more affordable by an Amazon flash sale. Currently, it's on sale for $1,099.99, down from $1,399.99, at Amazon. That saves you 21%, or $300.

SEE ALSO: The best gaming laptops of 2025 no matter your budget

Asus has been in the gaming laptop scene for some time, and they keep upgrading their products. While there's a number of Asus ROG Strix models available, this one totes an Intel Core i7-13650HX — not the i9 that we were stoked to see revealed in India. That said, the i7-13650HX is still a powerful chip for the price, especially when equipped with everything else this laptop is carrying.

This G16 comes with a respectable 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB solid state drive. This is a solid build with good processing power and a chunky memory bank for games, photos, and all the rest. Plus, a GeForce RTX 4060 will ensure that your rays get traced snappily. It's a strong processing loadout.

As we expect from a gaming laptop, the screen prioritizes speed over precision. Its HD resolution might not wow like 4K, but it is very fast. With 165Hz refresh times you'll have an edge in even the quickest firing competitive gameplay. At 16 inches who needs 4K anyway? In gaming, speed matters more.

Whatever your gaming tastes, this gaming laptop will do it well, whether that's clearing hordes in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, or running the latest Skyrim ultra-texture-pack mod.

LinkedIn — the platform where your boss humblebrags about "leading with empathy" while denying your raise — is doubling down on its casual games suite.

SEE ALSO: LinkedIn and dating apps are failing users in the same ways

The app is rolling out a games widget that puts word and logic puzzles just a tap away from your home screen. The games widget launched in May 2024, but this update makes them easier to access without opening the app. Competing with viral puzzles like The New York Times' Wordle and Connections, LinkedIn wants to keep users engaged longer.

Whether this boosts retention or just delays résumé updates, the platform is betting on distraction.

Its games page offers four options: Pinpoint, Crossclimb, Tango, and Queens. Pinpoint, the most Wordle-like, is a word-association challenge. Crossclimb functions as a trivia ladder "inspired by a mini crossword." Tango swaps numbers for symbols in a sudoku-style puzzle, while Queens is a grid-based logic game.

The widget, launching Wednesday, will automatically update to display your last played time and current streak count. Director of Product Lakshman Somasundaram says installation instructions will go live on LinkedIn the same day.

SAVE UP TO 89%: Score e-books as low as 89% off at Amazon and Bookshop.org. Get acclaimed titles like Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia for just $1.99, down from $18, saving 89%.

Best e-book deals Best Amazon e-book deal 'Silver Nitrate' by Silvia Moreno-Garcia $1.99 at Amazon (Save $16.01) Get Deal Best Bookshop.org e-book deal 'The Thursday Murder Club' by Richard Osman $2.99 at Bookshop.org (Save $15.01) Get Deal Best literary fiction deal 'Normal People' by Sally Rooney $2.99 at Amazon (Save $11) Get Deal

As we get ready to shed our winter coats, it's time for a spring refresh. Maybe it's time to do a thorough deep clean of the house? Or a purge of your closet and bookshelf? And if it's out with the old, then it's in with the new. If you're ready to make room for some new reads, you can find major savings on e-books this week. The best part? These e-books won't take up any physical space.

While Amazon has long dominated the e-book market, Bookshop.org has come to compete. It's good timing too, as some users are looking for an Amazon alternative as the company is removing the option to download Kindle e-books to your computer this week.

But regardless of whatever retailer you go to, there are e-book deals to be had. Shop the best deals this week and save up to 89%.

Best Amazon e-book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Silver Nitrate' by Silvia Moreno-Garcia $1.99 at Amazon
$18.00 Save $16.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Bestselling author Silvia Moreno-Garcia followed up her bestseller Mexican Gothic with her 2023 release, Silver Nitrate. A Locust Award finalist and named one of the best books of 2023, Silver Nitrate brings reader to the vibrant film industry of 1990's Mexico City. This thriller is injected with the occult, a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and send chills up your spin.

Right now, you can find Silver Nitrate for $1.99, knocking $16.01 off it's usual print price. That's 89% savings on this Kindle e-book.

More Amazon e-book deals

• Affinity by Sarah Waters — $1.99 $17 (save $15.01)

• Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen — $1.99 $11.99 (save $10)

• Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty — $2.99 $17.99 (save $15)

• The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderband — $3.99 $9.99 (save $6)

• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo — $2.99 $8.99 (save $6)

• Normal People by Sally Rooney — $2.99 $13.99 (save $11)

• Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks — $2.99 $8.99 (save $6)

Best Bookshop.org e-book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'The Thursday Murder Club' by Richard Osman $2.99 at Bookshop.eg
$18.00 Save $15.01 Get Deal Why we like it

If you can't get enough murder and intrigue in your life — if the wait between The Traitors episodes is just too long — dive into the world of Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club. This charming novel tells the story of four unlikely friends who come together in their retirement community to discuss unsolved crimes. But when a local developer is found dead, suddenly their cases are no longer cold. In fact, things are turning red hot as more deaths pile up, and the Thursday Murder Club races to find the killer.

Soon to be a Netflix feature film starring Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan, you can find The Thursday Murder Club for just $2.99, down from $18 to save you $15.01.

More Bookshop.org e-book deals

• A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende — $1.99 $13.99 (save $12)

• All About Love by bell hooks — $2.99 $13.99 (save $11)

• Arcadia by Lauren Groff — $2.99 $9.99 (save $7)

• The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma — $1.99 $6.99 (save $5)

• Loving You Always by Kennedy Ryan — $1.99 $7.99 (save $6)

• On Tennis by David Foster Wallace — $1.99 $4.99 (save $3)

• Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn — $1.99 $7.99 (save $6)

• Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell — $1.99 $14.99 (save $13)

• The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller — $1.99 $13.99 (save $12)

• To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn — $1.99 $7.99 (save $6)

SAVE $120: As of Feb. 25, get the Nebula Capsule 3 GTV Projector for $379.99, down from its usual price of $499.99, at Amazon. That's a discount of 24%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Nebula Capsule 3 GTV Projector $379.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $120.00 Get Deal

You can enjoy your favorite shows and movies wherever you want with a projector. That makes it fun to plan movie nights under the stars, and much easier to go to someone's house and enjoy those things together when there isn't a great TV setup. The weather is set to warm up in the coming weeks, which means you might want to pick up a projector to prepare.

As of Feb. 25, you can grab the Nebula Capsule 3 GTV Projector for $379.99, down from its usual price of $499.99, at Amazon. That's $120 off and a discount of 24%.

SEE ALSO: I’ve never seen a Sony Bravia XR Mini LED TV this cheap — save $1,200 at Walmart

This projector gives you a huge, large and in charge screen wherever you go, with a max screen size of 120 inches. It rocks a 1080p display with 200 lumens of brightness, and it's ultraportable, so you can take it with you wherever you go. You can set it up in seconds, and then use it to watch a whole 2.5-hour movie or even listen to up to 8 hours of music on a single charge.

All you really need to make this projector work for you is a large space for your movie or content, and you can sit back, relax, and enjoy Dolby Vision and all the other smart features you'd expect from a Google TV. Alternatively, use it as a Bluetooth speaker and bring the party wherever you go. It even has built-in Netflix, so you don't have to fiddle too much with different apps. For $120 off, it's a good time to give a projector a try if you haven't before.

Apple has released its new low-cost smartphone, the iPhone 16e. However, the new iPhone is priced higher than previous iPhone SE models, making it possible to buy an iPhone 15 for a similar price. There are plenty of reasons why buying last year's iPhone makes more sense.

Some people feel nostalgic about those old BlackBerry phones that featured, among other things, physical keyboards. If you miss that feel, Clicks cases have been a good choice for iPhone users, and now they're coming for some Android phones as well.

Liars, beware — we've got our first look at Poker Face Season 2.

On Tuesday, Peacock dropped new images for the upcoming season of Rian Johnson's Emmy-winning series, with Natasha Lyonne's lie-detecting Charlie Cale back to weed out the con artists and murderers. Plus, we're looking at a spring release date.

This 12-episode season promises another journey across America for its murder-of-the-week format, with Lyonne's detector of deception hitting the road again to undo every hoax, sham, and murder in her path.

SEE ALSO: How a line in the 'Poker Face' finale solves one of the show's very first mysteries

The cast is stacked for this season, with Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Kumail Nanjiani (Only Murders in the Building), Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets), Sam Richardson (The Afterparty), Giancarlo Esposito (The Boys), Awkwafina (Jackpot!), Margo Martindale (The Sticky), Alia Shawkat (Severance), John Cho (AfrAId), Ego Nwodim (Saturday Night Live), BJ Novak (The Office), Sherry Cola (Joy Ride), John Mulaney, Katie Holmes, and more on the bill.

Here's your first look at Poker Face Season 2, one of the TV shows we're looking forward to this year.

Credit: Peacock Credit: Peacock Credit: Peacock Credit: Peacock Credit: Peacock Credit: Peacock

How to watch: Poker Face Season 2 premieres on Peacock in spring 2025.

UPDATE: Feb. 25, 2025, 1:01 p.m. EST This originally referred to the next season of "Poker Face" as Season 3. We regret the error.

In Paradise, the world ends not with a bang, but with many loosely related bangs all happening at once. A supervolcano, a megatsunami, nuclear war — the show even throws an earthquake in there for good measure.

SEE ALSO: 'Paradise's big twist is exactly why you need to watch it: Review

The more is more approach is par for the course for Paradise, a series whose first episode opens with the murder of U.S. President Cal Bradford (James Marsden) and ends with the bonkers reveal that the show is set in an underground city built to withstand the apocalypse. (And that's just the start of Paradise's many plot twists.)

Paradise keeps the exact nature of that apocalypse under wraps until its seventh episode, only hinting at it in flashbacks or in small drips of information. In episode 2, Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) witnesses a bright flash of light while on the plane to Colorado, implying a nuclear blast. A trip outside the bunker in episode 4 suggests nuclear winter as well, with shots of snowy landscapes and a destroyed city. Yet a shot of the submerged Washington Monument in episode 5 positions climate change as the culprit. In the same episode, Cal reads about a potential volcanic disaster on his tablet, and in the very next episode, Xavier's daughter Presley (Aliyah Mastin) uses that same tablet to learn that nukes were detonated in Atlanta. So what is the truth? Did nuclear war destroy the world, or is a climate change-based natural disaster to blame?

The answer, it turns out, is all of the above. And Paradise's maximalist approach to the apocalypse proves deeply fun and deeply stressful to watch.

Paradise delivers a wildly excessive apocalypse. James Marsden in "Paradise." Credit: Disney / Brian Roedel

As revealed in Paradise's seventh episode, "The Day," the end of the world kicks off with the eruption of a megavolcano underneath the Antarctic ice sheet. The force of the explosion knocks much of the ice shelf into the ocean, adding trillions of gallons of water to the already-rising seas. The eruption also triggers a gargantuan tsunami that moves north at speeds of 600 miles per hour, wiping out Melbourne, Sydney, and everything else in its path.

The reveal may sound borderline ridiculous, but Paradise prepared us for this calamity way back in episode 2, when Sam "Sinatra" Redmond (Julianne Nicholson) attended a talk by Dr. Louge (Geoffrey Arend) about the consequences of a hypothetical Antarctic volcanic eruption. "It's going to happen," Dr. Louge told Sinatra. And lo and behold, it does!

SEE ALSO: What will happen when the next supervolcano erupts, according to NASA

Still, despite this nearly one-to-one foreshadowing, nothing could have prepared me for Paradise going full 2012 in its vision of the apocalypse. Especially not when it adds a nuclear conflict with Russia to the fold, or a random Los Angeles earthquake that gets all of two seconds of screen time before vanishing from memory. Sure, why not!

Paradise does its best to highlight the interconnected nature of these events. Dr. Louge pops up on TV during the crisis to remind audiences that higher temperatures due to man-made climate change caused Antarctic ice to melt, therefore freeing up the volcanoes below and priming them for eruption — all of which is based in fact. As for the nuclear war of it all, Cal's advisors point out that nuclear strikes are nations' efforts to destroy competition for whatever few resources will be left post-tsunami. (Still no word on the earthquake, though.)

All the same, Paradise's stacked calamities are a hat on a hat, taking current, very valid worries about climate change and nuclear war and dialing them up to 100. The addition of each new disaster kept me laughing in awe that Paradise was just committing whole hog to its apocalypse. I truly haven't been able to stop thinking about it, and on every rewatch, I've wondered, "Would I rather get swept up in a megatsunami or straight-up nuked?" Jury's still out.

Paradise keeps its crazy apocalypse grounded. James Marsden and Sterling K. Brown in "Paradise." Credit: Disney / Brian Roedel

Yet even with all the new apocalyptic twists and turns Paradise throws at us — including Cal being able to stop the nukes thanks to a failsafe switch from the '60s — the show manages to keep "The Day" somewhat grounded by focusing on the very human drama of people struggling to navigate the end of the world.

Xavier is the focus here, as he tries to get his family to safety. His children are at school with Cal's son, so it's easy to make sure they stay together and make it to the planes out of DC in time. But his wife, Dr. Teri-Roger Collins (Enuka Okuma), is stranded in Atlanta, and disrupted cell service makes it nearly impossible to reach her and guide her to possible evacuation. Each missed phone call or failed text is another nail in her proverbial coffin (even if we do find out she survives).

Of course, Xavier and his family are lucky to be in a position where they know they have a way out. Paradise gives us glimpses of the grim reality everyone else faces, like White House staffer Marsha (Amy Pietz) realizing that she and her son won't get any help from Xavier or Cal. It's yet another reminder of the massive privilege the (mostly billionaire) residents of Paradise have, while almost the entire rest of the world is left to suffer in the dark. Not familiar at all, right?

That's all fittingly somber subject matter, and it makes "The Day" an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. From disbelief at the volcano-tsunami-nuclear-war-earthquake combo to growing horror at the waves of death across the globe, "The Day" and the apocalypse at its heart are absolutely unforgettable.

Paradise is now streaming on Hulu, with the Season 1 finale airing March 4.