Technology

We found 10+ Prime Day deals on MicroSD and portable SSDs for a brief respite from RAMageddon

Mashable - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 17:06
Best Prime Day MicroSD and portable SSD deals Best MicroSD Card deal Samsung T7 MicroSDXC, 1TB $239.99 (Save $80) Get Deal Best portable SSD deal Sandisk Portable SSD, 1TB $135.99 (Save $24) Get Deal Best for Switch 2 Samsung P9 Express MicroSD, 256GB $39.99 (Save $40) Get Deal

Thanks to the global memory crisis known as RAMageddon, prices on memory products like hard drives, MicroSD cards, and portable SSDs have gone up, up, and up. Experts interviewed by Mashable say the memory crisis will get worse before it gets better, so this is a rare opportunity to find deals on these products.

MicroSD and portable SSDs are a staple of Prime Day and more relevant than ever in light of RAMageddon. We found the best deals in the memory category, so now is the time to take advantage of these microSD and portable SSD offers, with Prime Day deals from Lexar, Samsung, and SanDisk.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day 2026: Get live updates on Amazon deals from Apple, Bose, Lego, and Sony

So, if your Nintendo Switch 2 or hard drive has been dangerously full, now's the best time to restock.

Best MicroSD Card deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung T7 MicroSDXC 1TB $239.99 at Amazon
$319.99 Save $80   Get Deal

If you're maxing out device storage, enough is enough. The Samsung T7 brings an immense amount of storage space (1TB to be exact) in a tiny package. It can store your favorite games and capture high-res photos and 4K video in real time. It pulls a lot of weight and right now, you can pay just $239.99 for the MicroSD card, saving you $80 during Prime Day. For some slightly cheaper microSDs, check out Lexar's SD cards during Prime Day.

Best portable SSD deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sandisk Sandisk Portable SSD, 1TB $135.99
$159.99 Save $24   Get Deal

A portable SSD provides an immense amount of storage in a portable package. This Sandisk portable SSD is made for people on the go with a loop on it for easy attachment to a backpack or belt loop. With 1TB of storage, Sandisk claims excellent performance with up to 800MB/s speeds. Get it for just $135.99 and save $24 during Prime Day.

Best deal for Switch 2 Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung P9 Express MicroSD, 256GB $39.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $40.00   Get Deal

If you're in the market for a microSD card for your Nintendo Switch 2, you can grab the Samsung P9 Express MicroSD for 50% off during Prime Day. It has transfer speeds up to 800MB/s and 256GB of storage, so you can store games on it in a safe spot.

More MicroSD and Portable SSD deals

MicroSDs

Portable SSDs

Categories: IT General, Technology

GTA VI price revealed: What you get for the $99 ultimate edition

Mashable - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 17:05

If you were looking to lock down a Grand Theft Auto VI pre-order this week, Rockstar Games just released some very important information about that.

Specifically, Rockstar finally gave us a price for the game. There is a standard edition for $79.99, making GTA VI the first game since Mario Kart World to start at that price. That's not terribly surprising, nor is the fact that Rockstar is also charging $99.99 for an Ultimate Edition of the game.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day is here: We found 75+ deals on Apple, Sony, Kindle, and Lego favorites

What exactly does that price get you? According to Rockstar, it's an "exclusive collection of premium vehicles, weapons, apparel, and action around every corner." The official website for the game has some more specific information on that front. The Ultimate Edition of GTA VI includes:

  • Several exclusive vehicles

  • Exclusive weapons

  • A bevy of shops for fashion, vehicle mods, and tattoos that only exist in the Ultimate Edition

Locking outfits and even vehicles behind an Ultimate Edition purchase is pretty normal stuff for a game like this, but putting several shops in the game that can only be accessed by players who bought the more expensive version is...innovative, though maybe not in the way people want GTA VI to be.

It should also be noted that Rockstar emphasized in its news drop on Wednesday that GTA VI is, for now, a single-player experience. Barring the unexpected, there will not be an online portion of the game available at launch. That was also true of GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2. Both of those games got multiplayer modes later, with V's being a cornerstone of Rockstar's financial success for the last decade.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I test e-readers, and Ive found the best-ever Kindle deals to shop on Prime Day

Mashable - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 17:03
The best Prime Day Kindle deals: Best Kindle Deal Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $144.99 (Save $55) Get Deal Best Colorsoft Deal Amazon Kindle Colorsoft $159.99 (Save $90) Get Deal Best Scribe Deal Amazon Kindle Scribe (32GB) $379.99 (Save $120) Get Deal Best Kids Kindle Deal Kindle Colorsoft Kids $179.99 (Save $90) Get Deal

Testing Kindles and e-readers is my job, but it's also my passion. I use my Kindle Paperwhite every day — unless I'm testing a new e-reader — and it's accompanied me on many a summer adventure. So, while I spend a lot of time convincing Mashable readers to buy my favorite e-readers, I also track the best times to buy one.

Amazon Prime Day 2026 is now in full swing, and Kindle deals are back in a big way. Several models have dropped to record-low prices, and the newer Kindle Scribes are finally seeing discounts, too.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2026

So TL;DR, if you're eyeing a Kindle, now is the time to buy. Here are the very best Kindle deals to shop during Prime Day.

Best Prime Day Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $144.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $55   Get Deal Why we like it

My absolute favorite Prime Day Kindle deal is on the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. It's the e-reader that I use everyday, and it just hit a new all-time low price of $144.99. That makes it cheaper than the Paperwhite at full-price, but it also makes it the same price as the currently on sale Paperwhite without ads.

However, the Signature Edition is far more bang for your buck as it comes with twice the storage, an auto-adjusting front light, and wireless charging. It's an exceptional deal and the device's new lowest-price ever.

Interested in a different Kindle model? Explore all the Kindles on sale during Prime Day.

More Prime Day Kindle deals

Kids Kindles

How do Kindle prices compare to previous sales?

Having tracked prices on Kindles for years, I have a pretty good sense of how much Amazon's e-readers cost during a sale. So how are Kindle deals this Prime Day?

We tracked the prices on the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite over the past four sales to predict this years prices. Credit: Mashable

The Kindle Paperwhite's lowest price ever is $124.99, which the device dropped to during Black Friday, Prime Big Deals Days, and of course, last year's Prime Day. This year it's back down to $124.99. The Signature Edition on the other hand reached a new low of $144.99, just $20 more for a boatload of extra features.

The deal I'm most disappointed in is on the basic Kindle, which previously dropped to $79.99. This Prime Day, it's $5 more for $84.99. New deals this Prime Day include the latest Kindle Scribe and Scribe Colorsoft, both getting their first price drops since being released.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Steam Machine is a computer for no one

How-To Geek - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 17:00

The Steam Machine has been revealed in its final retail form, and we know what the price is. At a starting price of $1,049, it's much more expensive than the PlayStation 5 Pro, yet the base model is less capacious than a standard PlayStation 5. The PS5 also comes with a controller, whereas with the Steam Machine you still need to add the price of a controller to your budget.

Categories: IT General, Technology

When does Prime Day end? Heres how long the sale lasts in 2026.

Mashable - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 16:57

Prime Day 2026 has started out with a bang, offering the deep discounts we've come to expect over the years.

But it won't last forever! And people seem to be aware of this fact, as we've seen a spike in people asking exactly when Amazon Prime Day will end this year. No one wants to deal with FOMO when it comes to saving hundreds of dollars on the best Prime Day deals.

So, mark your calendar: Prime Day 2026 ends on Friday, June 26.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day 2026: Get live updates on Amazon deals from Apple, Bose, Lego, and Sony How long is Prime Day 2026? When exactly does it end?

Amazon Prime Day 2026 started at 3:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday, June 23. The Amazon sale will come to an end at exactly 2:59 p.m. ET on Friday, June 26, 2026 (or 11:59 p.m. PT). At that point, you can expect most deals on major brands like Apple, Lego, and Amazon's own devices will have ended. As of this writing, we're on day two of the four-day mega sale.

Some price drops do tend to linger once the sale is technically over, so it's worth checking to see if the products you've had your eye on are still available on sale. It's a bit of a gamble at that point, though, so we recommend grabbing deals sooner rather than later.

Best things to buy on Prime Day

Like Black Friday, Prime Day only comes around once a year — though there are other sales to be had year-round from Amazon. So it's definitely a bummer to think you may have missed one of the most lucrative events of the year when it comes to saving money.

SEE ALSO: The best anti-Prime Day sales 2026: Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and more

The good news is that you still have plenty of time to find a bargain. Below, find a selection of some of the best Amazon Prime Day deals Mashable has curated for our readers. And be sure to follow along in our Prime Day hub for the latest and greatest price drops during (and after) the event.

Apple deals

AirPods deals

Apple Watch deals

Ipad deals

MacBook deals

Streaming deals

Streaming services

Streaming sticks

Amazon device deals

Echo deals

Kindle deals

Fire TV deals

TV deals

65-inch TVs

75-inch TVs

85-inch TVs

Categories: IT General, Technology

How I turned a Raspberry Pi into an automatic podcast downloading server

How-To Geek - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 16:45

I love a good podcast, but there are so many available that it can be hard to know what to listen to next. I decided to build my own podcast server using a Raspberry Pi, which would automatically download the latest episodes of my favorite podcasts.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I track TV prices all year: Here are the Prime Day TV deals that are actually worth buying

Mashable - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 16:31
The best Prime Day TV deals at a glance: Best 55-inch TV deal Hisense 55-inch U6 Pro Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV $529.99 (save $320) Get Deal Best Frame TV deal Samsung 55-inch The Frame Pro Neo QLED TV $1,267.99 (Save $230 + get a free Echo Show 11) Get Deal Best 65-inch TV deal TCL 65-inch QM8L SQD Mini LED 4K TV $1,497.99 (save $1,002) Get Deal Best 75-inch TV deal Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini LED 4K TV $999.99 (save $1,000) Get Deal Best Amazon TV deal Amazon 65-inch Ember Artline 4K QLED Fire TV $799.99 (save $300 with code SAVEFTV) Get Deal

Prime Day season is one of the best times of year to buy a TV on sale. Usually in July, Prime Day is here earlier than usual, running June 23 to 26. Maybe Amazon knew that the World Cup would make everyone realize they were in need of a new TV.

Leading up to Prime Day, the TV deals were hot as we saw savings over $1,000. Now that Amazon's flagship sale is officially underway, we're seeing even bigger discounts on already great deals. Not to mention, Amazon is running a stellar bundle on Frame TVs and the Echo 8.

So let's get into all the best TV deals to shop during Prime Day. Be sure to check back throughout the sale for updates and follow along with all other categories in Mashable's Prime Day hub.

SEE ALSO: 15+ streaming services you can get for 99 cents, plus more early Prime Day streaming deals Best Prime Day TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini LED 4K TV $999.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $1,000   Get Deal Why we like it

Hisense finally launched its highly-awaited RGB TVs on June 2. While both the UR8 and UR9 RGB TVs are on sale at Best Buy, there's another 2026 Hisense TV with a much wilder discount: The 75-inch Hisense U7 Mini LED TV is just $999.99 exclusively for Prime members after a massive 50% price drop from its usual $1,999.99.

Just released in March, the Hisense U7 series has a pretty incredible lighting system for its price range. Its backlight benefits from full-array local dimming, which uses clusters of tiny LED bulbs that can fully turn themselves on or off for more precise contrast during any scene or livestream. Other impressive numbers include a peak brightness of 3,000 nits (great news for FIFA fans trying to watch a game during the daytime) and a native 165Hz refresh rate (great news for gamers on a budget).

Best Frame TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 55-inch The Frame Pro Neo QLED TV $1,267.99 at Amazon
$1,497.99 Save $230 + get a free Echo Show 11 Get Deal Why we like it

Samsung's latest Frame TVs just got their first discount during Prime Day and if that wasn't enough, Amazon is sweetening the deal. The new Frame TVs come with Neo QLEDs, a Micro HDMI port, and that signature art display.

But during Prime Day, Amazon is offering an even bigger discount. The Frame Pro is $230 off, its first discount, bringing it down to $1,297.99. That's 15% savings, but there's more. You'll also get a free Echo Show 11 with your purchase if you add it to your cart from the promo page. That's a $219.99 value, totally free.

This deal is available on both the Frame TV Pro and regular Frame TV.

Best Amazon TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 65-inch Ember Artline 4K QLED Fire TV $799.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $300 with code SAVEFTV Get Deal Why we like it

It's not Prime Day without record-low prices on Amazon's own gadgets. The 65-inch Ember Artline TV, which was just released at the end of April, got its biggest discount ever right before the Prime Day festivities kicked off. Now that we're in the trenches of the sale, Amazon has knocked an extra $100 off for select Prime members. Click on "Redeem" under the Prime Day logo to score the extra savings or enter the code FTVSAVE at checkout to get this model for only $799.99.

Think of the Ember Artline as Amazon's dupe of The Frame. It's designed to look like a painting on the wall, with a matte screen, an assortment of frame options, and a gallery of 2,000+ free works of art. Basically, if you have The Frame taste, but you're on a bit tighter budget, this is the deal for you.

Deals on 43-inch TVs and underDeals on 50-inch to 55-inch TVsDeals on 65-inch TVs Deals on 75-inch to 77-inch TVsDeals on 85-inch TVs
Categories: IT General, Technology

PowerToys replaced tools I used to install on every Windows PC

How-To Geek - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 16:30

I've been using Raycast for Windows since shortly after the public beta launched last November, and I still think it's a good program. It gave Windows the kind of fast app launcher and command bar experience I'd been missing, especially when I wanted to open apps, jump into actions, or avoid digging through menus. For a while, it felt like one of those small utilities I'd automatically install on every Windows PC I used.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Oura Ring 4 is at an all-time low price for Prime Day — save over $200

Mashable - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 16:27

SAVE OVER $200: As of June 24, the Mashable-tested Oura Ring 4 has dropped to a new low price of $214 at Amazon, with prices varying based on the size. That's a 38% discount from its usual $349 price.

Oura Ring 4 $214 at Amazon
$349 Save $135   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Target

We're officially into day two of Amazon's four-day-long Prime Day sale, and there's still plenty of exciting offers catching our attention. One of our favorite fitness trackers, the Oura Ring 4, has hit a new all-time low price at Amazon.

As of June 24, this popular smart ring is available for as little as $214 on Prime Day 2026. Normally it's listed with a full price of $349, so this deal offers significant savings.

Multiple Mashable reporters and editors have tested this model of the Oura Ring, and across the board, they've had very positive experiences. One of our reporters even wore this smart ring while training for and then running the New York City marathon. Our testers praise its abilities as both a fitness and sleep tracker, and there's a reason it's beloved by pro and amateur athletes alike.

Multiple members of the Mashable team have tested and loved the Oura smart ring. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable SEE ALSO: Everything to know about Amazon Prime Day: Dates, competition, and the best deals to shop

If you want a tracker without a screen, the Oura Ring 4 is an easy choice. Powered by Smart Sensing technology, this stylish smart ring tracks a variety of health metrics right from your finger, including sleep, stress, activity, heart health, and even metrics specific to women's health. It also boasts a solid battery life that can last you up to eight days.

It's among our favorite fitness trackers and our favorite overall smart ring, though it's since been eclipsed by the new Oura Ring 5. After testing the ring, Mashable's Kimberly Gedeon wrote, "the Oura Ring 4 is a wellness powerhouse with a sleek design and cutting-edge AI that takes personalized health tracking to the next level."

This Prime Day deal won't last for long. Act fast to save on the Oura Ring 4 while it's still on sale at Amazon.

Pro tip: If you're not sure of your size, order the Oura Ring Sizing Kit. The kit is available for Prime members for just $8.49 with overnight delivery in many locations.

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

Slate reveals pricing for its affordable electric pickup

Mashable - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 16:22

Remember Slate Auto, the minimalistic, made-in-America electric truck that went viral in 2025? Originally, the car was supposed to start at $20,000 after federal incentives.

Now, official price has been revealed and it's not exactly that, but it isn't too bad either.

SEE ALSO: BMW's new i3 is so hot, the company opened preorders months ahead of schedule

The official starting price for Slate Auto is $24,950, though that doesn't include a destination charge, taxes, and other potential fees. Those federal credits that Slate hoped would push the price below $20,000 no longer exist thanks to Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill", so hoping the price would be so low was unrealistic, anyways.

For the price, you get the Blank Slate edition, which comes with a nice surprise: a slightly larger-than-announced 63kWh battery with 205 miles of EPA range. Other highlights include a single, rear-mounted 135kW motor with 181 hp, a 20-80 percent charge in 30 minutes on a DC fast charger, a 1,550lb max payload,and a towing capacity at around 2,000lb. The 0-60mph time is a flat eight seconds, and top speed is 90mph.

In terms of safety and comfort, you get traction control, electronic stability control, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, a backup camera, and remote keyless entry, among other amenities (see full specs on Slate's website).

The Slate Auto starts pretty basic, but you can add a bunch of goodies to it to make it unique. Credit: Slate

The car remains highly modular. You can choose between 100 color wraps with most costing an additional $499, and turn the Blank Slate variant into the Slate SUV variant which has a full roof (Fastback and an Open Air variants are also available). The pricing for those upgrades, however, hasn't been revealed yet.

While the price was expected, the big news here is the battery and the 205 miles of range, a pretty big increase from the originally announced 150 miles. Also, the car has an NCAS charging port, making it compatible with Tesla Supercharger network. The charging speed at 120kW is not the best out there but it's still plenty fast, especially on a battery of this size.

Slate said it received 180,000 reservations for the car so far, and deliveries start in the fourth quarter of the year.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why this convertible remains the best budget sports car in 2026

How-To Geek - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 16:15

Sports cars have become increasingly complicated over the last decade. More power, more technology, and endless performance metrics have pushed many modern machines into territory that feels inaccessible, both financially and emotionally. As prices continue to climb, the idea of an affordable driver's car seems to be disappearing.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Prime Day AirPods deals — AirPods Max 2 have never been cheaper

Mashable - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 16:08
The best Prime Day deals on AirPods: Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30) Get Deal Best AirPods Pro Deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179 (save $70) Get Deal Best AirPods Max deal (and a new record-low price) Apple AirPods Max 2 $399 (save $150) Get Deal

Need a new pair of AirPods? You can always find Apple's earbuds and headphones on sale for cheaper than usual during Amazon's Prime Day event — not just on Amazon, but at competing retailers, too.

Prime Day 2026 is live now through June 26, and so far, the top AirPods deal involves the over-ear AirPods Max 2. They're currently marked down to a record-low price of $399 on Amazon, or a whopping $150 off. (They only just came out in April, mind you.) Amazon's inventory is starting to dwindle as we approach the midway point of Prime Day, but Walmart still has a few colorways in stock at the same price; it's running a sale of its own this week.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day is here: We found 75+ deals on Apple, Sony, Kindle, and Lego favorites

Meanwhile, the entry-level AirPods 4 and noise-cancelling AirPods Pro 3 are both on sale for up to $70 off this Prime Day. Neither model is matching its biggest discount on record, but given Apple's plans for price hikes in the near future, these are probably going to be their best deals for a while.

Read on for our rundown of the best Prime Day AirPods deals available. If you're a brand loyalist, be sure to check out our dedicated guide to the top Prime Day deals on all Apple products.

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

The vanilla AirPods 4 are our No. 1 Apple earbuds for budget buyers. In our testing, they sounded fantastic, fit comfortably, and worked seamlessly with other Apple devices. We saw them drop all the way down to $69 last Black Friday, but $99 is their best price so far in 2026. Save $30 at Amazon and Walmart. (PSA: Walmart also has pre-owned AirPods 4 on sale for just $65.)

The AirPods 4 are also available with ANC. That pair is on sale for $148.99 (normally $179) at Amazon, Walmart, and Costco. For reference, their record-low price is $99.

Read Mashable's full review of the AirPods 4 with ANC.

Best AirPods Pro deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179 at Amazon
$249 Save $70   Get Deal

The AirPods Pro 3 are our favorite AirPods across all price points, offering great ANC, an eight-hour battery life, plus extra fixings like a built-in heart rate monitor. They're also more water- and sweat-resistant than the regular AirPods 4, making them better for working out. They were only $169 on Amazon last week, but at the time of writing, they were sitting at $179 there. Walmart was price-matching them.

Read Mashable's full review of the AirPods Pro 3.

Best AirPods Max deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max 2 $399 at Amazon
$549 Save $150   Get Deal

Apple's newly updated headphones have better ANC than the original AirPods Max from 2021. They run on the same H2 chip as the AirPods Pro 3, so they support the same software features (such as Live Translation and Conversation Awareness). In one of the best and most unexpected Prime Day deals thus far, they're on sale for just $399 this week — a new all-time low. Amazon had them in stock at that price in midnight at the time of writing. They're price-matched at Walmart in blue, purple, and starlight.

Read Mashable's full review of the AirPods Max 2.

We will be regularly updating this guide with the best Prime Day AirPods deals, so keep checking back. You can also visit our Prime Day 2026 hub for all the latest updates and price drops.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I turned my old Android phone into a dashcam, and it was a mistake

How-To Geek - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 16:00

As our phones have become more powerful, they have evolved into much more than devices for making calls. However, just because our phones can do something does not mean they are the best tool for the job. As someone who turned an old Android phone into a dashcam, I can say that I regret doing it and will be switching back to a dedicated dash camera.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Regularly $2,590, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 gaming laptop is over $400 off on Prime Day

Mashable - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 16:00

SAVE $490: As of June 24, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) is down to $2,099.99 at Amazon. That’s $490.01 off a high-end gaming laptop built for serious gaming and heavy workloads.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) $2,099.99 at Amazon
$2,590 Save $490.01   Get Deal

Prime Day is officially here, and if you've been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your gaming laptop, this might be it. Amazon has cut the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) to $2,099.99, knocking nearly $500 off the regular price and bringing the high-performance gaming laptop down to its lowest price this year.

This is a high-end gaming laptop built for people who want serious speed without waiting around for things to load. It runs on Intel’s Core Ultra 9 processor paired with NVIDIA’s RTX 5070 Ti graphics, which basically means it can handle demanding games, creative work, and heavy multitasking without slowing down. You also get 32GB of memory and a 1TB solid-state drive, so apps open quickly, and there’s plenty of space for a full game library.

On the experience side, the 16-inch display is designed for fast, smooth gameplay, which helps keep motion clear in fast-moving games. It also has an advanced cooling system designed to maintain steady performance during long gaming sessions instead of throttling under pressure.

The RGB lighting is mostly for looks and customization, but you can switch it off or tone it down if you want a more simple, work-friendly setup.

Grab the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) on Amazon before your laptop starts charging emotional damage fees.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Prime Day Deals Right Now

Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $179.00 (List Price $249.00)

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds With Active Noise Cancellation — $148.99 (List Price $179.00)

Apple iPad 11" 128GB Wi-Fi Retina Tablet (Silver, 2025 Release) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $279.00 (List Price $399.00)

Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones — $378.00 (List Price $459.99)

55" Amazon Ember 4-Series 4K HDR10+ Smart Fire TV (2025 Model) — $279.95 (List Price $459.99)

Fire TV Stick 4K Plus Streaming Player With Remote (2025 Model) — $24.99 (List Price $49.99)

Meta Quest 3S 128GB With 3-Month Trial of Meta Horizon+ — $296.79 (List Price $349.99)

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 Prime Day iPhone deals to get ahead of the price increase, including a free iPhone from T-Mobile

Mashable - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 15:53
The best Prime Day iPhone deals at a glance: Best iPhone 17 Pro deal Apple iPhone 17 Pro (256GB) Free with Experience More or Experience Beyond at T-Mobile (save $1,099.99) Get Deal Best iPhone Air deal Apple iPhone Air (256GB) $839.99 at Best Buy (save $160) Get Deal Best budget iPhone deal Apple iPhone 16e (128GB) $489.99 at Best Buy (save $110) Get Deal Best renewed iPhone 17 Pro deal Apple iPhone 17 Pro 512GB (Renewed Premium) 999.99 at Amazon (save $249) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day has kicked off earlier than ever this year. Amazon must know we're all looking for a good deal in an economy with ever-rising prices. If you're on team iPhone, those price increases aren't expected to chill out anytime soon. Tim Cook just announced iPhone price hikes are "unavoidable," citing a chip problem that doesn't seem to have a solution.

Our recommendation is to shop for deals as soon as possible if you need an iPhone upgrade. Amazon doesn't currently have any new iPhone deals, but we're seeing some great options elsewhere, including Best Buy and T-Mobile.

Here's where to snag the best iPhone deals before the price increase. If you're shopping for other Apple devices like AirPods or a MacBook, check out the best Apple deals this Prime Day.

Best iPhone 17 deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Pro $0 at T-Mobile
$1,099.99 Save $1,099.99   Get Deal Why we like it

It doesn't get better than free. With no trade-in required, T-Mobile has an excellent deal if you're eyeing the new iPhone 17 Pro. It's free! Of course, there's a slight catch, but it's not terrible. All you need to do is sign on to a T-Mobile Experience More or Experience Beyond plan for 24 months. Over these consecutive months, T-Mobile applies a promo credit to bring the price of the phone to zero. Plus, the Cosmic Orange colorway makes a statement.

Best iPhone Air deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone Air (256GB) $839.99 at Best Buy
$999.99 Save $160   Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the iPhone Air.

For those who want slim but durable, the new iPhone Air is ideal. It's Apple's thinnest-ever iPhone at 5.6mm while having an ultralight titanium frame. Battery life measures about 27 hours and it's compatible with eSIMs if you'll be traveling soon.

Shop Best Buy this Prime Day to snag the 256GB iPhone Air while it's on sale for $839.99.

Best budget iPhone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 16e (128GB) $489.99 at Best Buy
$599.99 Save $110   Get Deal Why we like it

Your old iPhone no longer holds a charge but you're not looking to spend much to get a new model. If that's the case, consider the Prime Day sale on the iPhone 16e for $489.99. You'll be getting 128GB storage, a 6.1-inch display, and the A18 chip. While this isn't the newest model, it's only one generation behind.

Best Renewed iPhone 17 Pro deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Pro 512GB (Renewed Premium) $999.99 at Amazon
$1,249 Save $249.01   Get Deal Why we like it

If you’re okay skipping the brand-new box experience, this is one of the easiest ways to save on a higher-storage iPhone 17 Pro. The 512GB Renewed Premium iPhone 17 Pro is down to $999.99 on Amazon, cutting $249 off the usual price and bringing a top-tier storage option below the $1,000 mark.

Because it’s listed as Renewed Premium, it also comes with stricter quality checks than standard refurbished models, so it’s closer to a “like-new” experience while still costing significantly less.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

6 Shift key shortcuts that speed up Windows 11 way more than you'd expect

How-To Geek - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 15:45

Most of the time when you press Shift it is just to capitalize a letter or word, but it also gives you access to dozens of different shortcuts in Windows 11 that can speed up your workflow.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This free Home Assistant upgrade made my smart home feel futuristic

How-To Geek - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 15:30

Are you still looking at walls of Home Assistant notifications instead of a nice summary? What about your Home Assistant voice commands—do they work how you want? It's easier (and cheaper) to integrate AI with your smart home than you might think.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to sign up for Double Date Island, Tinders new TikTok dating show

Mashable - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 15:26

I used to joke that auditioning for Love Island is a better alternative to dating, and now Tinder is taking it seriously. The app just announced that it's partnering with TikTok to launch a full-on reality dating show this summer called Double Date Island.

The concept is a little different from most dating shows. Instead of sending single people out to navigate an island or competition alone, Tinder is asking contestants to bring a best friend along for the ride. It's all part of Tinder's attempt to be relationship-focused while promoting its Double Date Mode. They're casting single duos from various countries (the U.S., UK, Brazil, Australia, France, Spain, Italy, and Germany), according to the press release, and flying them to Portugal for a summer of on-camera courting.

The show will follow real Tinder users as they go on double dates and participate in challenges and other activities, the app told Mashable. It's (unsurprisingly) inspired by the Double Date feature, and will be unscripted.

SEE ALSO: App fatigue is real. I tested the best dating apps of 2026 to find the ones that really work.

I'm not sure if Tinder is taking a page out of InStyle's book — The InTern mockumentary series went viral soon after its first episode, and now it's so popular that celebrities like Drew Barrymore and Sarah Sherman have appeared in it — but a dating show built just for TikTok sounds like something I'd binge while huddled under my covers.

If you want to try out for it, you have to move fast. According to a LinkedIn post shared by Tinder's Global Communications and Social Media Manager, Francisco Gonçalves, the casting window opened on June 22 and closes at midnight local time on June 28, this Sunday.

View this post on Instagram

If you're 18 or older, all you have to do is open up Tinder. A special casting card will randomly pop up right in your usual profile stack over the next few days, and if you want to apply, you literally just Swipe Right on it.

Applications will then be reviewed by the production team, Tinder told Mashable. Selected applicants may be invited to participate in further casting stages, such as interviews, additional social or video submissions, social media reviews, background checks, welfare assessments, and other standard production checks.

The show will culminate in an international finale featuring contributors from multiple countries, according to Tinder. Double Date Island will premiere exclusively on TikTok (not Tinder or another streamer) this summer — apparently, if you're 18 and older.

It might be a promo for the app, but hey, traveling to Portugal with your best friend "for the plot" sounds way better than normal swiping.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get better hydration with Waterdrop Filter this Prime Day

How-To Geek - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 15:00

There’s just so much to do in Summer, and a lot of it happens outdoors under the blazing sun, which makes adequate hydration both important and easy to overlook. After all, if you’re having fun, who remembers to drink?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Star Fox for Switch 2s multiplayer is Mario Kart for dogfighting

Mashable - Wed, 06/24/2026 - 15:00

In online spaces where people talk about video games, the necessity (or lack thereof) of remakes is pretty well-worn discourse. Any given remake needs to have some reason to exist beyond just being new, so the argument goes. If we are to accept that framing with regards to Nintendo's new Star Fox reboot for Switch 2, I'd say the multiplayer mode is a solid enough reason to exist.

Between playing the new online Battle Mode at a preview event a few weeks ago and then getting some more hands-on time with it during the review process, I've come away thinking that it's much more than just a tacked-on bonus for this Star Fox 64 remake. While Battle Mode is ultimately too limited in scope to become anyone's new multiplayer obsession, matches are big and chaotic enough (thanks to some added Mario Kart elements) to make it a worthwhile diversion once you're done racking up high scores and collecting medals in the single-player campaign.

SEE ALSO: The biggest announcements from the June 2026 Nintendo Direct 'Star Fox' battle mode is a frenzied take on dogfighting

Star Fox for Switch 2 is far from the first game in the series to experiment with competitive multiplayer. Its chief inspiration, Star Fox 64, had a very basic split-screen dogfighting mode that is a source of nostalgia for some, but, frankly, it was never the appeal of that game for me. Some later entries, like Assault for GameCube and the 3DS version of 64, expanded on the number of modes and vehicles, but the Switch 2 reboot is the first time since Command for the Nintendo DS that the series has allowed online play.

Given its history, Star Fox for Switch 2 is easily the most the franchise has ever delivered on the potential of online dogfighting with strangers or the homies. Battles take place between two teams of four, with one team stepping into the boots of team Star Fox, and the other inhabiting the role of the rival crew Star Wolf. These battles take place in extremely large arenas full of obstacles to maneuver around, enemy NPC ships that you can shoot down for small point bonuses, and wormholes that you can use to quickly teleport around.

SEE ALSO: This Nintendo Switch 2 bundle is leading the way on Prime Day — how to score a free game today

It can be a lot to take in at first, and you might find yourself getting shot down frequently if you get a little too adventurous before learning how the game works. The skies of the Lylat System aren't especially forgiving.

Given that the single-player modes in Star Fox are entirely beholden to a game from 1997, Battle Mode is the main avenue for the developers at Velan Studios to flex their creative muscles. That's done primarily via random weapon pick-ups a la Mario Kart; you don't know what you're getting until you've collected it, and it's gone once you use it. These can range from small drones that accompany your craft and augment your weapon fire, a quick teleport you can activate at will, homing cluster missiles, or my personal favorite, a giant f***-you laser beam that just wipes out anything it touches.

At its best, Battle Mode feels like Mario Kart in the air. A rough stretch can quickly turn around if you happen to collect the right weapon, and that can snowball into a come-from-behind victory if enough things go right. All of that combines with truly excellent flight mechanics to make something that's tremendously easy to pick up and play for a few minutes, provided you've at least played the tutorial for this game.

But there just isn't enough of it Oh yeah, you can use characters' faces in GameChat, too. Credit: Nintendo

Star Fox for Switch 2 fills a nice little niche for multiplayer dogfighting that's more approachable and family-friendly than something like Ace Combat or any of the myriad online military sims you can play on PC. Sadly, in accordance with the game's relatively low $50 price tag, there just isn't a ton of it to chew on.

Specifically, there are only three modes:

  1. Capture a zone of the map before the enemy does

  2. Avoid falling meteorites and collect pick-ups from their impact craters to score points

  3. Steal cargo from space pirates and carry it to your enemy base

That'd be a decent enough selection of modes if not for the fact that each one is tied to a certain map, meaning there are a total of three maps in Battle Mode. Nintendo and Velan have also not indicated any plans for DLC, so there's a good possibility that this is all we'll get. While all three maps are fun enough to play on their own, it's just too meager an offering to be something that anyone but a handful of die-hards will want to play for longer than a couple of weeks.

SEE ALSO: I played 'Star Fox' on Switch 2. Multiplayer mode rules.

In a vacuum, that's not a bad thing. I'm always in favor of games being intentional with scope and not demanding that players give over their entire lives to them. I don't need Star Fox to be the next Fortnite. But this is the first Star Fox game in a decade, and the first good one in much longer than that, so it's kind of a bummer that Battle Mode is as good as it is while also being extremely limited.

But hey, at least you can also use a webcam to plaster an AR Falco model that roughly follows your facial movements in GameChat lobbies. That's funny, if nothing else.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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