Technology

First Western Digital, now Sony: The tech giant suspends SD card sales

Mashable - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 17:00

The global memory shortage due to rapid AI data center expansion is hitting everyone, even the biggest tech companies in the world.

Case in point: Sony is suspending orders for almost all SD card sales from both vendors and consumers, per PetaPixel. The announcement was made on Sony's Japanese website, and explicitly blamed the lack of available memory as a reason why it can't fulfill SD card orders for the time being. Sony's full statement is as follows:

Thank you for your continued patronage of Sony products.

Due to the global shortage of semiconductors (memory) and other factors, it is anticipated that supply will not be able to meet demand for CFexpress memory cards and SD memory cards for the foreseeable future. Therefore, we have decided to temporarily suspend the acceptance of orders from our authorized dealers and from customers at the Sony Store from March 27, 2026 onwards.

Regarding the resumption of order acceptance, we will consider it while monitoring the supply situation and will announce it separately on the product information page.

SEE ALSO: PS5, PS5 Pro price hikes announced as Sony blames economic pressures

CFExpress Type A and Type B cards, as well as regular SD cards, are all affected by this move. Some low-end cards appear to still be in production, per PetaPixel, but as it stands, just assume that any card you see on a store shelf is the last one you'll see there for a while from Sony. The company's statement even straight up said that it doesn't know when it will be able to get the manufacturing up and running again.

Sony follows Western Digital as a fellow big tech memory manufacturer that is feeling the squeeze from the needs of data centers. Western Digital announced in February that it had sold out of all hard drives for the year, with 10 whole months to go. This wasn't a great week for Sony in general, as the company also announced massive price hikes on its current-gen PlayStation video game consoles, most likely for the same reasons that it had to stop making SD cards.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Soldered RAM is the future of desktops—and I finally understand why

How-To Geek - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 17:00

Soldered RAM is widely seen as a disadvantage, even as a pain point, on some laptops and compact PCs, including the MacBook. The thing is, it's usually seen as a solution only when you need to save space—like on a compact device, or a thin laptop.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Scotland vs. Japan online for free

Mashable - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 17:00

TL;DR: Live stream Scotland vs. Japan in a 2026 International Friendly for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a number of interesting International Friendlies taking place this week as teams start to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, including Scotland vs. Japan. The Scots are still riding high after defeating Denmark 4-2 in their last fixture, but Japan will pose a tough test at Hampden Park.

If Scotland are to overcome a talented Japan, they'll need big performances from the likes of Scott McTominay and Aston Villa captain John McGinn. Japan will look to the Premier League experience of Kamada and Mitoma in this contest.

If you want to watch Scotland vs. Japan in a 2026 International Friendly for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Scotland vs. Japan?

Scotland vs. Japan kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on March 28. This fixture takes place Hampden Park.

How to watch Scotland vs. Japan for free

Scotland vs. Japan is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service 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 on BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Scotland vs. Japan 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 the UK

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

  5. Stream Scotland vs. Japan for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 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 watch Scotland vs. Japan without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select games before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

  • 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 eight 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 Scotland vs. Japan for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Im watching the Japanese GP for free this weekend — how to live stream F1 for free

Mashable - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 17:00

TL;DR: Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels to watch select F1 races live. Watch the Japanese GP for free with the Prime Video app.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple TV Prime Video Channel Watch the Japanese GP for free with a 7-day trial Shop Now

Does anyone really know where we stand with this new season of F1? Some fans and drivers seem to like this new style of racing. Others think it's the end of the sport. Whichever camp you find yourself in, you can't deny that it has been entertaining to watch.

What has become clear from the first two races in Australia and China is that Mercedes are seriously fast. After the opening race weekend, some people were already crowning George Russell as champion. Kimi Antonelli's stunning performance in China has made those early predictions look a little foolish. It's looking like we're going to get a real battle between the Mercedes teammates this season. Can anyone else compete? It looks unlikely at this stage, but don't count out Ferrari.

If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the Japanese GP?

The Japanese GP is the third race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from the Suzuka Circuit:

  • Practice 1 — 10:30-11:30 p.m. ET on March 26

  • Practice 2 — 2-3 a.m. ET on March 27

  • Practice 3 — 10:30-11:30 p.m. ET on March 27

  • Qualifying — 2-3 a.m. ET on March 28

  • Race — 1 a.m. ET on March 29

It's possible for fans to follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.

How to watch the Japanese GP for free

I'm a paid-up member of Amazon Prime. I subscribe for the fast shipping, exclusive Prime Day deals, and access to Prime Video. That Prime Video access is not something I usually care about greatly, but it's absolutely crucial for this season of F1.

It's now possible to sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels. F1 is now exclusive to Apple TV in the U.S., so by accessing this free trial, you can watch select races for free this season. The subscription usually costs £9.99 per month after the trial ends, but you can cancel at any time. That means you can watch the Japanese GP for free this weekend and then back out before needing to pay anything.

I already pay for Amazon Prime, so you could argue that I'm not really watching for free. I get that, but Amazon Prime does offer a 30-day free trial period if you're new to the service. By signing up for this free trial and then gaining access to Apple TV through Prime Video Channels, you can truly watch select races without spending anything.

If you've already used this method to watch the Australian GP or Chinese GP, I suggest you go direct to Apple TV. This popular steaming service comes with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. Alternatively, Apple One bundles Apple TV with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness Plus, Apple News Plus, and 50GB of iCloud Storage for $19.95 per month after a one-month free trial.

It's also worth noting that the best Apple TV free-trial offer comes with purchases of new Apple devices. New subscribers can get three months of Apple TV for free after purchasing any eligible Apple product. There are loads of live Apple deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, so this could be the best moment to upgrade.

How to live stream 2026 F1 for free in 2026 Best Apple TV Deal Apple TV 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Prime Video Deal Apple TV Prime Video Channel 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Apple One Deal Apple One 30-day free trial Shop Now
Categories: IT General, Technology

This one PowerShell command showed me everything Windows was hiding

How-To Geek - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 16:45

I'm the tech guy in my family, which means I'm usually the one getting the call when something "isn't working right." Over the years, I've learned that half the battle isn't fixing the problem, it's figuring out what's actually going on in the first place. Windows gives you plenty of tools, but they're scattered, simplified, or buried behind menus that don't always tell the full story. That's a big part of why I've leaned so heavily on PowerShell, and why I've written before about commands and built-in tools you should try before jumping straight to a full reinstall.

Categories: IT General, Technology

40+ deals under $50 in Amazons Big Spring Sale — Amazon devices, earbuds, video games

Mashable - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 16:40
Best deals under $50 during Amazon's Big Spring Sale Best Amazon device deal Amazon Echo Spot $49.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Soundcore by Anker Space A40 $49.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal Best home deal Dreo TurboPoly Table Fan 315 $49.95 (save $6) Get Deal

It's a great week if you like deals. As of March 25, Amazon is hosting the first major sale event of 2026. The Amazon Big Spring Sale spans almost the entire week, ending Tuesday, March 31.

Like all Amazon sales, there is an abundance of deals to sort through, and that's especially true if you're searching for items that fall into the category of under $50. Maybe you're searching for the perfect birthday gift, thinking ahead to Mother's Day (May 10 this year, FYI), or simply don't want to spend a ton; an under-$50 budget allows for plenty of buying power.

We've compiled a list of our favorite deals under $50 to shop during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. Check back as we continue to update this article throughout the week.

Best Amazon device deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $49.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon sales are notoriously one of the best opportunities to snag Amazon devices. From Kindles to Fire TV sticks, Amazon loves to put its own products on huge discounts. If you could use a new bedroom smart speaker and clock, the Amazon Echo Spot has a sale price of $49.99, down from the standard price of $79.99. With a quick glance, you'll be able to check the time, weather, and more without having to check your phone. Plus, you can set it to play your favorite wakeup playlist each morning.

More Amazon devices on saleBest earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore by Anker Soundcore by Anker Space A40 (select colorways) $49.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The Soundcore by Anker Space A40 earbuds usually come with a price of $79.99, but as long as you're cool with navy, black, or white, they can be yours for only $49.99. The Space A40 earbuds are designed to reduce noise by up to 98 percent, and they come with a massive 50 hours of playback time with the included case. Amazon's Big Spring Sale could be the best opportunity to replace earbuds before we head into the summer.

More headphones, earbuds, and audio dealsBest home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dreo Dreo TurboPoly Table Fan 315 $49.95 at Amazon
$55.99 Save $6.04   Get Deal Why we like it

It's about to get hot. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon enough, we'll be back in sweltering season. This year, head into the warmth with the Dreo TurboPoly Table Fan. Not only does it look great, it has four speeds, an 8-hour timer, and big oscillation power. Dreo says the fan is powerful enough to blow air up to 60 feet, so it'll be ideal for a bedroom or office. Plus, it's a quiet 28 decibels, so there's no issue with sleeping with the fan on.

More home dealsBest gaming deal

Note: All of the below gaming deals are part of the Woot! video game sale that also runs through March 31 (or until supplies last). Woot! is owned by Amazon, and all the games are brand new.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo 'Mario Kart World' for Nintendo Switch 2 $51.99 at Woot!
$79.99 Save $28.00 Use code 'SAVETWENTY' at checkout. Get Deal Why we like it

OK, this one is not technically under $50, but it's so close and such a good deal, we couldn't pass up including it here. One of the more controversial parts of the Switch 2 release was the higher game prices, including on the first title live with the console: Mario Kart World. The good news is that if you've been waiting for the $80 game to drop in price, Spring Sale season has you covered. Thanks to this markdown at Woot!, you can pick it up for $64.99. And as of March 25, you can use the code SAVETWENTY at checkout to knock an additional $13 off the game our reviewer called "chaotic, hilarious fun."

Check out our full review of Mario Kart World.

More gaming deals

Gaming gear

Nintendo Switch

PlayStation

Categories: IT General, Technology

Fedora Linux ships with an ultra-powerful tool most people never even open

How-To Geek - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 16:30

I could go on talking all day about Fedora being one of the best "mainstream" Linux distros. It's great with updates, and it packs a lot of stuff usually considered bleeding-edge on other distros. But it also has a greatly useful tool that you probably didn't know you had.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best deals in Home Depots Spring Sale — score free power tools from DeWalt, Ryobi, and Milwaukee

Mashable - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 16:26
A quick look at the best Home Depot Spring Sale deals: Best cordless power tool deal DeWalt 20V Max Cordless 9 Tool Combo Kit $649 at Home Depot (save $350) Get Deal Best Amazon device deal Amazon Echo Spot $49.99 at Home Depot (save $30) Get Deal Best BOGO tool deal Ryobi One+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless String Trimmer $299 plus free gift worth up to $129 at Home Depot Get Deal Best camping deal Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless 3-Tool Campers Kit $50.41 at Home Depot (save $83.38) Get Deal Best backyard deal Napoleon Rogue PRO-S 625 5-Burner Propane Gas Grill $1,601 at Home Depot (save $178) Get Deal

The Home Depot doesn't hold competition sales for any of Amazon's seasonal sales as reliably as Target or Walmart do. That doesn't mean that there aren't any good spring deals to be found at the Home Depot during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. You just have to scroll a little bit.

SEE ALSO: I test new vacuums every month. Here are the robot vacuum deals I think are worth it at Amazon's spring sale.

So far, the Home Depot is once again giving away some free power tools with select purchases — reminiscent of the BOGO cordless tool promo we saw during Black Friday. (But hurry, some of the free DeWalt deals have sold out already.) The Home Depot is also quietly competing with Wayfair's Big Outdoor Sale with discounts on outdoor furniture, as well as up to 40% off in other home categories, from mattresses to wallpaper to area rugs from big brands like Safavieh.

Best Home Depot cordless power tools deal Opens in a new window Credit: DeWalt DeWalt 20V Max Cordless 9 Tool Combo Kit $649 at Home Depot
$999 Save $350   Get Deal Why we like it

Spring home improvement projects just got a major upgrade. The nine-piece DeWalt 20V Max Combo Kit is loaded with essentials to tackle home projects this spring and summer, and it comes with two 20V 2.0Ah batteries and charger. A well-trusted brand in the industry, the DeWalt cordless power tool kit includes a compact drill driver, impact driver, reciprocal saw, circular saw, and even more. Plus, it has a few extra accessories like an LED work light, durable Bluetooth speaker, and two contractor bags for all your new tools.

More cordless power tool dealsBest Home Depot BOGO dealsBest Home Depot Amazon device deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $49.99 at Home Depot
$79.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The Home Depot might not seem like a retailer that would stock your favorite Amazon devices, but here we are. Matching the record-low sale price at Amazon during its Big Spring Sale, you can snag the new Amazon Echo Spot from the Home Depot for $49.99, down from the list price of $79.99. This compact bed-side device can server as your alarm clock, Bluetooth speaker, personal weather expert, schedule keeper, and more. Plus, it's a great clock which means you won't reach for your phone in the middle in the night to check on the time and then accidentally scroll Instagram for an hour.

More Amazon device dealsBest Home Depot backyard deal Opens in a new window Credit: Napoleon Napoleon Rogue PRO-S 625 5-Burner Propane Gas Grill $1,601 at Home Depot
$1,779 Save $178   Get Deal Why we like it

With summer coming up quickly, it's time to consider the backyard barbecue. If the sad grill you used last year it's gonna make the cut this year, the Home Depot's Spring Sale is here to offer some upgrades. One of the best deals is on the Napoleon Rogue PRO-S 625 5-Burner Propane Gas Grill which comes with a massive cooking area of 625 square inches. You'll be able to flip 39 burgers on the surface and it can heat to 400 degrees in just six minutes. Plus, it comes with a 15-year warranty.

More backyard dealsOther Home Depot spring deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple blocks developer from updating Mac app because its similar to a defunct feature

Mashable - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 16:18

Mac users mourning the loss of Launchpad have found solace in a few third-party apps that replicate its functionality. However, one popular replacement, AppGrid, is now being blocked by Apple from receiving updates in the App Store.

Why? According to the app's developer, Apple told them it's too similar to Launchpad, which, again, no longer exists on the Mac.

Launchpad was an iPad-like app grid on the Mac, accessible from the dock. Apple released Launchpad alongside Mac OS X Lion in July 2011. When a user clicked Launchpad in the dock, a pop-up filled the screen with all the apps installed on the Mac. Users could curate and order the apps in Launchpad, however they liked.

SEE ALSO: iOS 26.4 available now: All updates, security improvements to know

However, Apple killed off Launchpad with macOS Tahoe, released last September. Launchpad was replaced with a new app called Apps. However, Apps simply lists the Mac's apps in alphabetical order, with no way to sort the app icons. In addition, the search function in Apps is buggy and doesn't always find the app that a user is looking for.

Many Mac users were quite unhappy with Apple removing Launchpad. Third-party developers have since stepped in to replace Launchpad, launching their own apps with their take on the feature.

One of the more popular Launchpad replacements in Apple's official App Store is AppGrid. However, according to its developer, Attila Miklósi, Apple is blocking the app's ability to release new updates in the App Store.

According to Apple's developer guidelines, apps cannot be “confusingly similar to an existing Apple product or interface.” However, Launchpad no longer exists in the latest version of macOS. Apple is essentially blocking developers from creating a feature that no longer exists.

Miklósi says that Apple shared that they would accept updates if AppGrid looked less like Launchpad did when it existed. However, the developer is hesitant to change AppGrid's look, as thousands of users have already paid for the version that looks like it currently does.

While Miklósi has maintained the app with updates through direct downloads on AppGrid's website, the App Store version hasn't been updated since November 2025. 

As Miklósi points out, Apple oddly didn't remove the app from the App Store. Users can still buy the Pro version of the app too, giving Apple its percentage of the App Store revenue cut. However, the AppGrid version in the App Store can't be updated there and is essentially in a "zombie state" due to Apple's policies.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The perfect plug-in hybrid garage—these 4 cars cover everything

How-To Geek - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 16:15

The automotive world is currently split. On one side, there are people who love fully electric vehicles and can’t wait to see manufacturers improve their models. On the other side, there are those who won't even consider a vehicle without an internal combustion engine. Sure, EVs are fast and efficient, but without the sounds and vibrations of a traditional engine, an EV simply doesn’t measure up.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Were tracking the best Apple deals in Amazons Spring Sale — new lows on AirPods, iPads, Apple Watches, and MacBooks

Mashable - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 16:12
The best Amazon Big Spring Sale Apple deals at a glance: Best AirPods deal AirPods Pro 3 $199 (save $50) Get Deal Best AirTag deal Apple AirTag (1st Gen, 4-Pack) $59.99 (save $39.01) Get Deal Best iPad deal Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) $746.50 (save $52.50) Get Deal Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $949 (save $250) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 (save $100) Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is back for its third consecutive year, with deals running across the site through March 31. The retailer began rolling out wide-ranging discounts earlier this week, with more to come as prices drop on such items as robot vacuums, TVs, and your daily essentials. And if there's one thing we can always guarantee, it's that this sale features a raft of much-welcome Apple deals.

Apple has kept us very busy so far in 2026. We've been hard at work testing the first-ever budget Neo MacBook, as well as the upgraded MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros, a new iPad Air, and the iPhone 17e. Next on our Apple to-do list: the upcoming AirPods Max 2.

With so many new Apple products, we're seeing a bunch of first-time discounts during the Amazon Spring Sale, as well as new record-low prices on last-gen models like the Apple Watch SE 2 and M4 MacBook Air. What more could you want from a major sale event? Just keep in mind that many of the older models are selling out fast at Amazon. If the model you want is no longer available, be sure to check the stock at Best Buy and Walmart. These retailers are matching many of the best Spring Sale deals.

We'll be tracking prices on AirPods, MacBooks, and iPads between now and March 31, so keep checking back on this page for info on the lowest-possible prices across Apple products.

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 at Amazon
$249 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

We've always been fans of the AirPods Pro, but the third generation really takes them to new heights. Mashable's reviewer called them, "without a doubt, one of the best products of the year" in 2025.

The latest premium buds feature outstanding noise cancellation (twice as good as the Pro 2), a solid eight hours of battery life with ANC on, and new foam-infused tips that come in five sizes to find the perfect fit. Apple also brought the heart rate monitoring tech from the Powerbeats Pro 2 (our favorite earbuds for working out) and Fitness app compatibility to the new AirPods Pro 3, and introduced a live translation feature.

While we've seen the buds drop as low as $184 in the past, this Amazon spring sale discount is still worth grabbing.

More AirPods dealsBest AirTag deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (1st Gen, 4-Pack) $59.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $39.01   Get Deal Why we like it

This four-pack of Apple's Bluetooth trackers keeps going in and out of stock on Amazon, which is hardly surprising: It's never been cheaper there. (It dipped to $62.99 on Black Friday, but the $59.99 sale price is a new record-low price.) You wind up paying just $15 per AirTag. Walmart and Best Buy are both offering the same deal; if you can't find it in stock on Amazon, be sure to check there.

Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) $746.50 at Amazon
$799 Save $52.50   Get Deal Why we like it

Just launched earlier this month, the 13-inch M4 iPad Air is already on sale for $84.50 off. The base configuration with WiFi connectivity and 128GB of storage is now just $746.50 (normally $799). Mashable's tech editor took the M4 iPad Air for a spin and found it pretty impressive — too impressive for the average user, even. "It delivers iterative updates that improve an already stellar tablet," he writes in his review.

More iPad dealsBest Amazon Big Spring Sale MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $949 at Best Buy
$1,199 Save $250   Get Deal Why we like it

Apple released its new MacBook Air with the M5 chip this month, but honestly, they're not a whole lot different than the M4 Airs. The main differences are the upgraded processor and a new wireless chip. You can save some money by grabbing the M4 model with 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage, which is currently down to just $949 at Best Buy. Amazon had the same deal at the start of the Big Spring Sale, but it's since gone out of stock multiple times and jumped up to $999.

More MacBook Air dealsMacBook Neo dealsMacBook Pro dealsBest Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple Watch Series 11 offers significant battery improvements over its predecessor. For that reason alone, it's worth the upgrade. It also features a tougher build with durable glass that's twice as resistant to scratches, 5G capability for quicker connectivity, and a Sleep Score and hypertension tool that can flag chronic high blood pressure. It's not a major upgrade (is anything in 2026?), but as Mashable's reviewer put it: "Buy it for the battery life." Now $100 cheaper, it's an even better value.

More Apple Watch dealsApple Pencil deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

My favorite smart glasses are at record prices for the Amazon Spring Sale — prices start at $249

Mashable - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 16:07
Products featured in this story: Best for Entertainment TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR/XR Glasses $249 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal The Best AR Glasses Overall Xreal One Pro AR Glasses $598 at Amazon (save $171) Get Deal

We're halfway through the Amazon Big Spring Sale 2026, and my favorite AR smart glasses from Xreal and TCL are all on sale.

As Mashable's tech editor, I get to test out (and geek out over) a lot of cool gadgets. This year, I've been focused on a lot of virtual reality and augmented reality products, particularly smart glasses.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Big Spring Sale 2026: Live updates on the best deals

I tested a ton of smart glasses at CES 2026, and most recently, I put the new TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR/XR Glasses through their paces. And as I mentioned, these futuristic smart glasses are only $249 during the Amazon spring sale. These glasses were just released in late February, and an on-page coupon lets you take $50 off the retail price of $299.

Opens in a new window Credit: RayNeo TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR/XR Glasses $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50   Get Deal

In my TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro review, I said that these AR glasses are like an OLED TV you can wear, and they're designed for entertainment and gaming. Wherever you are, they project a 201-inch virtual display into the air. They're the first smart glasses with an HDR display, and they're almost twice as bright as the competition.

While I enjoyed testing (and watching The Lord of the Rings) on the new RayNeo smart glasses, the pair I actually use most often come from Xreal, the market leader in this niche.

Xreal's AR glasses can produce an ultra-wide display that you can anchor in place in your field of view, giving you an extra monitor. I've found they're really useful when working on an airplane or on the go. The Xreal One Pro AR Glasses have way more customization options than the RayNeo and a new AI 3D conversion feature.

Finally, Xreal recently released the Xreal 1S AR Glasses, which offer big upgrades at a lower price. The 1S can project a 500-inch virtual screen. If you want to work, go with the One Pro. If you want to work and watch movies or game, go with the 1S. Both are on sale at record prices.

Opens in a new window Credit: Xreal Xreal 1S AR Glasses $448 at Amazon
$529 Save $81   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Xreal Xreal One Pro AR Glasses $598 at Amazon
$769 Save $171   Get Deal Are AR glasses worth it? For early adopters, yes.

Bear in mind that smart glasses are still in their infancy as a product category, and even the best AR glasses have some issues. But if you're an early adopter who wants to explore the augmented world, TCL and Xreal are the brands I'd recommend.

Crucially, none of these glasses feature cameras. Smart glasses with cameras have always felt a bit creepy to me, and as Mashable has reported, creeps do seem to love Meta-Ray Ban smart glasses.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Victim of Jeffrey Epstein files class-action lawsuit against Google

Mashable - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 16:01

There's more legal trouble brewing for Google, as a victim of Jeffrey Epstein has filed a class action suit against the world's largest search engine, alleging its AI Mode improperly published personal information about sex trafficking victims.

The problem began with the Department of Justice, whose rollout of the Epstein files, following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act last year, was riddled with hasty redactions, which often protected the identities of alleged perpetrators while the identities of victims were left unconcealed.

SEE ALSO: Jmail creators release Jeffrey Epstein’s calendar as JCal

The DOJ, however, has acknowledged the errors and removed the personal information from its website. The problem now lies with Google, and more specifically, its artificial intelligence, which trawled the initial, unredacted document dump and still hosts the sensitive personal information of sex trafficking victims.

"Even after the government acknowledged the disclosure violated the rights of survivors and withdrew the information, online entities like Google continuously republish it, refusing [the] victim’s pleas to take it down," the lawsuit reads. 

The allegations don't stop there. Not only did Google knowingly refuse to remove the sensitive information, which includes "full name, contact information, cities of residence, and association with Jeffrey Epstein," but the AI also allegedly "generated a hypertext link allowing anyone to send direct email to Plaintiff with the click of a button."

Worse still, for Google: the lawsuit alleges that other artificial intelligence companies did not improperly publish victim information: "Notably, several other publicly available AI tools that generate content by analyzing online sources, such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity, provided no victim-related information whatsoever in similar repeated testing."

This latest lawsuit comes on the heels of a damning Los Angeles jury ruling that found both Meta and Google-owned YouTube liable for "designing products that addict and harm children," prioritizing online engagement over the well-being of their users. 

At the time of writing, Google has not issued a public statement on the lawsuit, but a verdict in this trial could set important precedents for privacy protections in the age of AI, with implications that would ripple across the tech landscape.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Harbor Freight's tools are finally taking on Milwaukee—here's what's coming in 2026

How-To Geek - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 16:00

You can never have too many tools, right? While all the big-name brands like Milwaukee, DeWALT, and Ryobi are busy releasing new tools for 2026, they're not the only ones. Harbor Freight has capable new tools on the way from its in-house brands, including Hercules, Bauer, and more. If you're on a budget, here are some great tools coming in 2026 that you might want to wait for.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I gave up on Kindle and built my own eBook server with Calibre

How-To Geek - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 16:00

Have you been searching for a way to ditch Kindle and build your own eBook library? I have, and Calibre makes it easy to self-host your eBooks, read them anywhere, and even still send them to your Kindle—no subscription required.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Pips hints, answers for March 28, 2026

Mashable - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 15:50

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 28, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

  • Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

  • Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

  • Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

  • Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

  • Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 28, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for March 28 Pips

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for March 28 Pips

Equal (0): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 3-3, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 3-1, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for March 28 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed horizontally.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 2-4, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The $0 Windows "Swiss Army Knife" every developer should install today

How-To Geek - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 15:45

As a developer, I constantly run into tiny problems that interrupt my flow. Formatting a messy JSON response, decoding a Base64 string, or testing a quick regex. The usual solution is opening a browser tab and pasting your data into one of countless online utilities, often cluttered with ads and questionable privacy practices.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 28, 2026

Mashable - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 15:36

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who live in Michigan.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Teams in the mitten

  • Green: An at-bat

  • Blue: Teams with a similar color

  • Purple: Types of cards

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Michigan Teams

  • Green: Outcomes in an at-bat

  • Blue: "Red" Teams

  • Purple: ____Card

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #550 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

  • Michigan Teams - LIONS, PISTONS, SPARTANS, TIGERS

  • Outcomes in an at-bat - FIELDER'S CHOICE, HIT, STRIKEOUT, WALK

  • "Red" Teams - RED BULLS, RED SOX, RED STORM, RED WINGS

  • ____Card - BASEBALL, LINEUP, RED, WILD

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Bentley’s new hybrid GT S beats old W12 while offering 50 miles of electric range

How-To Geek - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 15:30

Bentley offers many expressions of the Continental GT, from the wellness-oriented Azure to the athletic nature of the GT Speed. Yet the new Continental GT S and GTC S, available as both a coupe (GT S) and convertible (GTC S), might be the most driver-centric variants yet.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop blaming your internet: Here's why Netflix caps Chrome at 1080p without telling you

How-To Geek - Sat, 03/28/2026 - 15:00

One of the big reasons people choose Netflix Premium is the promise of 4K streaming, which gets millions of subscribers to pay a bit more each month for the best picture quality out there. When you, a paying customer, sit down at your desktop computer and see that "Ultra HD 4K" badge on a movie, you'd reasonably expect to get the sharpest, most vibrant visuals possible.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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