Technology

Last chance: Get the MacBook Neo for $589 at Amazon before prices go up for good

Mashable - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 18:19

We'll cut to the chase: As of Thursday, June 25, Apple is officially raising prices on its new budget laptop, the MacBook Neo. At the online Apple store, prices on the MacBook Neo have increased by $100.

However, for a little while longer, you can still order this laptop at its original price at Amazon, while supplies last.

Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $589.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $689.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

This colorful starter laptop launched in March with a starting price of $599, and Amazon quickly undercut the competition (and Apple itself) by selling the computer for $589.99. (A version with extra storage and Touch ID costs $699.99, or $689.99 at Amazon.)

The MacBook Neo was a shot across the bow of the Windows laptop market, and there's truly nothing else like it at its price point. However, the $599 MacBook Neo was apparently too good for this world.

Last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook warned of impending price increases caused by the global memory shortage, aka RAMageddon. As the AI industry buys up memory components, manufacturers have been raising prices on tech products across the board in 2026. Apple held out longer than most of its rivals, but as of this morning, the company has implemented price increases on MacBooks, Mac devices, and iPads. Price increases on iPhones could follow shortly.

SEE ALSO: Thank the AI industry for tech price increases: See the full list

However, as I mentioned, it will take some time before the new prices are reflected at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

So, once again, this is almost certainly your last chance to get the MacBook Neo at its original launch price.

Do not pass go. Do not waste $100. Head to Amazon and add the Neo to your cart while you still can.

Categories: IT General, Technology

We found 15+ Prime Day deals on MicroSD and portable SSDs: How to beat RAMageddon

Mashable - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 18:16
Best Prime Day MicroSD, portable SSD, and hard drive 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 Best external HDD deal Western Digital Elements Desktop HDD, 20TB $599.99 (save $215) Get Deal Best internal hard drive deal Acer Predator GM7 NVMe SSD, 4TB $469.99 (save $140) Get Deal

Thanks to the global memory crisis known as RAMageddon, prices on memory products like hard drives, MicroSD cards, and portable SSDs have continued to climb. It's been a relentless trajectory of up, up, and up again. Experts interviewed by Mashable say the memory crisis will get worse before it gets better, so Prime Day marks a rare opportunity to find deals on these products.

MicroSD, portable SSDs, and hard drives are a staple of Prime Day and more relevant than ever in light of RAMageddon. We did some digging and found the best deals in the memory category. Now is the time to take advantage of these microSD, portable SSD, and hard drive 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, Portable SSD, and hard drive deals for Prime Day

MicroSDs

Portable SSDs

Portable HDDs

Internal hard drives

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 strange '80s movie rip-offs you didn’t know existed

How-To Geek - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 18:15

The 1980s saw a plethora of revolutionary movies, such as Aliens, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Halloween, to name a few. Thus, the decade also produced numerous oddball movies to replicate the success of those more serious cinematic productions.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Acer at VidCon sweepstakes entry rules

Mashable - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 18:05

OFFICIAL SWEEPSTAKES RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Acer @ VidCon 2026 Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) is governed by these official rules (the “Sweepstakes Rules”). The Sweepstakes begins on June 25th, 2026 at 9:00AM PST and ends on June 27, 2026 at 6:00PM PST (the “Sweepstakes Period”).

SPONSOR: Ziff Davis, LLC, with an address of 360 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor, New York, New York 10010 (the “Sponsor”). Acer America Corporation. is acting solely as a prize provider and co-promotional partner for this promotion (“Acer”).

ELIGIBILITY: This Sweepstakes is open to individuals who are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry who are legal residents of the United States (excluding Tennessee) and the District of Columbia. By entering the Sweepstakes as described in these Sweepstakes Rules, entrants represent and warrant that they are complying with these Sweepstakes Rules (including, without limitation, all eligibility requirements), and that they agree to abide by and be bound by all the rules and terms and conditions stated herein and all decisions of Sponsor, which shall be final and binding. 

All previous winners of any sweepstakes sponsored by Sponsor during the nine (9) month period prior to the Selection Date are not eligible to enter. Any individuals (including, but not limited to, employees, consultants, independent contractors and interns) who have, within the past six (6) months, held employment with or performed services for Sponsor, Acer or any organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion of the Sweepstakes (“Employees”) are not eligible to enter or win. Immediate Family Members and Household Members are also not eligible to enter or win. “Immediate Family Members” means parents, step-parents, legal guardians, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, or spouses of an Employee. “Household Members” means those individuals who share the same residence with an Employee at least three (3) months a year.  

HOW TO ENTER: To enter the Sweepstakes, you must complete the following steps during the Sweepstakes Period:

  • Follow the official Mashable and Acer accounts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mashable and https://www.instagram.com/Acer_America

  • Locate the designated entry post by scanning the QR code at the Mashable VidCon booth or by finding the post directly on Instagram.

  • ‘Like’ the designated entry post.

  • ‘Comment’ on the designated entry post, including the hashtag #VidCon2026.

Limit one (1) entry per person, regardless of method of entry. Subsequent attempts made by the same individual to submit multiple entries by using multiple accounts or otherwise may result in disqualification of the entrant.

Only contributions submitted during the Sweepstakes Period will be eligible for entry into the Sweepstakes. No other methods of entry will be accepted. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. Entries are limited to individuals only; commercial enterprises and business entities are not eligible. Use of a false account will disqualify an entry. Sponsor is not responsible for entries not received due to difficulty accessing the internet, service outage or delays, computer difficulties and other technological problems.

Entries are subject to any applicable restrictions or eligibility requirements listed herein. Entries will be deemed to have been made by the authorized account holder of the email or telephone phone number submitted at the time of entry and qualification. Multiple participants are not permitted to share the same email address. Should multiple users of the same e-mail account or mobile phone number, as applicable, enter the Sweepstakes and a dispute thereafter arises regarding the identity of the entrant, the Authorized Account Holder of said e-mail account or mobile phone account at the time of entry will be considered the entrant. “Authorized Account Holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned an e-mail address or mobile phone number by an Internet access provider, on-line service provider, telephone service provider or other organization which is responsible for assigned e-mail addresses, phone numbers or the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. Proof of submission of an entry shall not be deemed proof of receipt by the website administrator for online entries. When applicable, the website administrator’s computer will be deemed the official time keeping device for the Sweepstakes promotion. Entries will be disqualified if found to be incomplete and/or if Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, that multiple entries were submitted by the same entrant in violation of the Sweepstakes Rules. 

WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION: Sponsor shall select the prize winner(s) (collectively, the “Winner”) on or about July 3, 2026 (“Selection Date”) by random drawing or other randomized process from among all eligible entries. The Winner will be notified via direct message or reply through the Instagram account used to enter, and will be required to provide a valid email address and mailing address in order to claim the Prize. Notification of the Winner shall be deemed to have occurred immediately upon sending of the notification by Sponsor. Selected winner(s) will be required to respond (as directed) to the notification within 3 business days of attempted notification. The only entries that will be considered eligible entries are entries received by Sponsor within the Sweepstakes Period. Sponsor’s database computer is the official time-keeping device for the Sweepstakes. The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to choose only two (2) alternative winners in the event that that a possible winner has been disqualified, fails to respond timely to the notification, or is deemed ineligible for any reason. In the case the alternate winners are also disqualified, fail to respond timely to the notification, or are deemed ineligible for any reason, Ziff Davis shall not be obligated to pick any further alternate winners for the Sweepstakes and the prize(s) shall remain un-awarded.

PRIZE: One (1) Prize Winner will receive the following prize (collectively, the “Prize”):

  • An Acer Swift 16 AI, valued at approximately one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars ($1,250 USD).

No more than the stated number of prize(s) will be awarded, and all prize(s) listed above will be awarded. Actual retail value of the Prize may vary due to market conditions. The difference in value of the Prize as stated above and value at time of notification of the Winner, if any, will not be awarded. No cash or prize substitution is permitted, except at the discretion of Sponsor. The Prize is non-transferrable. If the Prize cannot be awarded due to circumstances beyond the control of Sponsor, a substitute Prize and/or cash value of equal or greater retail value will be awarded; provided, however, that if a Prize is awarded but remains unclaimed or is forfeited by the Winner, the Prize may not be re-awarded, in Sponsor’s sole discretion. In the event that more than the stated number of prize(s) becomes available for any reason, Sponsor reserves the right to award only the stated number of prize(s) by a random drawing among all legitimate, un-awarded, eligible prize claims. 

ACCEPTANCE AND DELIVERY OF THE PRIZE: The Winner will be required to verify his or her address and may be required to execute the following document(s) before a notary public and return them within 72 hours (3) days (or a shorter time if required by exigencies) of receipt of such documents: an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release, and (where imposing such condition is legal) a publicity release covering eligibility, liability, advertising, publicity and media appearance issues (collectively, the “Prize Claim Documents”). If an entrant is unable to verify the information submitted with their entry, the entrant will automatically be disqualified and their prize, if any, will be forfeited. The Prize will not be awarded until all such properly executed and notarized Prize Claim Documents are returned to Sponsor. Prize(s) won by an eligible entrant who is a minor in his or her state of residence will be awarded to minor’s parent or legal guardian, who must sign and return all required Prize Claim Documents. In the event the Prize Claim Documents are not returned within the specified period, an alternate Winner may be selected by Sponsor for such Prize. The Prize will be shipped to the Winner within 6 weeks of Sponsor’s receipt of a signed Affidavit and Release from the Winner. The Winner is responsible for all taxes and fees related to the Prize received, if any. 

OTHER RULES: THIS SWEEPSTAKES IS SUBJECT TO ALL APPLICABLE LAWS AND IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. ALL SUBMISSIONS BY ENTRANTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE SWEEPSTAKES BECOME THE SOLE PROPERTY OF THE SPONSOR AND WILL NOT BE ACKNOWLEDGED OR RETURNED. WINNER ASSUMES ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY INJURIES OR DAMAGE CAUSED OR CLAIMED TO BE CAUSED BY PARTICIPATION IN THIS SWEEPSTAKES OR BY THE USE OR MISUSE OF ANY PRIZE. 

BY ENTERING THE SWEEPSTAKES, EACH WINNER GRANTS THE SPONSOR PERMISSION TO USE HIS OR HER NAME, CITY, STATE/PROVINCE, E-MAIL ADDRESS AND, TO THE EXTENT SUBMITTED AS PART OF THE SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY, HIS OR HER PHOTOGRAPH, VOICE, AND/OR LIKENESS FOR ADVERTISING, PUBLICITY OR OTHER PURPOSES OR ON A WINNER’S LIST, IF APPLICABLE, IN ANY AND ALL MEDIA WHETHER NOW KNOWN OR HEREINAFTER DEVELOPED, WORLDWIDE, WITHOUT ADDITIONAL CONSENT OR COMPENSATION, EXCEPT WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. By submitting an entry, entrants also grant the Sponsor a perpetual, fully-paid, irrevocable, non-exclusive license to reproduce, prepare derivative works of, distribute, display, exhibit, transmit, broadcast, televise, digitize, perform and otherwise use and permit others to use, and throughout the world, their entry materials in any manner, form, or format now known or hereinafter created, including on the internet, and for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising or promotion of the Sweepstakes, the Sponsor and/or its products and services, without further consent from or compensation to the entrant. By entering the Sweepstakes, entrants consent to receive notification of future promotions, advertisements or solicitations by or from Sponsor and/or Sponsor’s parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries and business partners, via email or other means of communication. 

If, in the Sponsor’s opinion, there is any suspected or actual evidence of fraud, electronic or non-electronic tampering or unauthorized intervention with any portion of this Sweepstakes, or if fraud or technical difficulties of any sort (e.g., computer viruses, bugs) compromise the integrity of the Sweepstakes, the Sponsor reserves the right to void suspect entries and/or terminate the Sweepstakes and award the Prize in its sole discretion. Any attempt to deliberately damage the Sponsor’s website(s) or undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be in violation of U.S. criminal and civil laws and will result in disqualification from participation in the Sweepstakes. Should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek remedies and damages (including attorney’s fees) to the fullest extent of the law, including pursuing criminal prosecution.

DISCLAIMER: EXCLUDING ONLY APPLICABLE MANUFACTURERS’ WARRANTIES, THE PRIZE IS PROVIDED TO THE WINNER ON AN “AS IS” BASIS, WITHOUT FURTHER WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. SPONSOR HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL FURTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE PRIZE. THIS PROMOTION IS IN NO WAY SPONSORED, ENDORSED, ADMINISTERED BY, OR ASSOCIATED WITH INSTAGRAM. BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS SWEEPSTAKES, YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE PROVIDING YOUR INFORMATION TO ZIFF DAVIS, LLC AND NOT TO INSTAGRAM, AND YOU HEREBY RELEASE INSTAGRAM FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY RELATED TO THIS PROMOTION.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: BY ENTERING THE SWEEPSTAKES, ENTRANTS, ON BEHALF OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR HEIRS, EXECUTORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES, RELEASE AND HOLD THE SPONSOR AND ACER AND THEIR RESPECTIVE PARENT COMPANIES, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATED COMPANIES, UNITS AND DIVISIONS, AND THE CURRENT AND FORMER OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, SHAREHOLDERS, AGENTS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS OF EACH OF THE FOREGOING, AND ALL THOSE ACTING UNDER THE AUTHORITY FO THE FOREGOING, OR ANY OF THEM (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL AGENCIES AND PRIZE SUPPLIERS) (EACH A “RELEASED PARTY”), HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, ACTIONS, INJURY, LOSS, DAMAGES, LIABILTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER (COLLECTIVELY, THE “CLAIMS”) WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, WHICH ENTRANT EVER HAD, NOW HAVE, OR HEREAFTER CAN, SHALL OR MAY HAVE, AGAINST THE RELEASED PARTIES (OR ANY OF THEM), INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE SWEEPSTAKES OR ENTRANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE SWEEPSTAKES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CLAIMS FOR LIBEL, DEFAMATION, INVASION OF PRIVACY, VIOLATION OF THE RIGHT OF PUBLICITY, COMMERCIAL APPROPRIATION OF NAME AND LIKENESS, INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT OR VIOLATION OF ANY OTHER PERSONAL OR PROPRIETARY RIGHT), AND THE RECEIPT, OWNERSHIP, USE, MISUSE, TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE PRIZE (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CLAIMS FOR PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE). All matters relating to the interpretation and application of these Sweepstakes Rules shall be decided by Sponsor in its sole discretion.  

DISPUTES: If, for any reason (including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes), the Sweepstakes is not capable of being conducted as described in these Sweepstakes Rules, Sponsor  shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and/or to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes. The Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries. The Sponsor is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers, providers, computer equipment, software, or failure of any e-mail or entry to be received by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, or any combination thereof, including, without limitation, any injury or damage to any entrant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating or downloading any materials in this Sweepstakes. Because of the unique nature and scope of the Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right, in addition to those other rights reserved herein, to modify any date(s) or deadline(s) set forth in these Sweepstakes Rules or otherwise governing the Sweepstakes, and any such changes will be posted here in the Sweepstakes Rules. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Sweepstakes Rules shall not constitute a waiver of any provision.

As a condition of participating in the Sweepstakes, entrant agrees that any and all disputes that cannot be resolved between entrant and Sponsor, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Sweepstakes or these Sweepstakes Rules, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court of competent jurisdiction located in San Francisco, California, and entrant irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in San Francisco, California with respect to any such dispute, cause of action, or other matter. All disputes will be governed and controlled by the laws of the State of California (without regard for its conflicts-of-laws principles). Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby irrevocably waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, or any other damages, including attorneys’ fees, other than entrant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e., costs incurred directly in connection with entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes), and entrant further irrevocably waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased, if any. EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.

PRIVACY: Information collected from entrants in connection with the Sweepstakes is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy, which may be found here. You understand that when you register on Instagram or submit information to or via Instagram, such submissions are also subject to Instagram’s privacy policy. 

SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION: Although the Sweepstakes may be featured on Instagram and/or other social media platforms, the Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or association with Instagram and/or such other social media platforms and you agree that Instagram and all other social media platforms are not liable in any way for any claims, damages or losses associated with the Sweepstakes.  

WINNER(S) LIST: For a list of name(s) of prize winner(s), after the Selection Date, please send a stamped, self-addressed No. 10/standard  business envelope to Ziff Davis, LLC, Attn: Legal Department, 360 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor New York, New York 10010 (VT residents may omit return postage).

BY ENTERING, YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO ALL OF THESE SWEEPSTAKES RULES.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your external hard drive is already dying—here's how to catch it in time

How-To Geek - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 18:00

There are a lot of misconceptions around the topic of PC storage, and external HDDs aren't immune to those. It might seem that they can just about live forever, but that's not entirely the case.

Categories: IT General, Technology

So many Lego sets are 20% off for Prime Day: We found 103 deals worth shopping

Mashable - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 17:54
The best Prime Day Lego deals at a glance: Best Lego Technic deal Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System $47.99 at Amazon (save $12) Get Deal Best Lego Star Wars deal Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer $111.99 at Amazon (save $48) Get Deal Best Lego Botanicals deal Lego Botanicals Flower Bouquet $33.59 at Amazon (save $26.40) Get Deal Best Lego Super Mario deal Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant $37.79 at Amazon (save $22.20) Get Deal Best Lego deal under $10 Lego Lotus Flower $7.79 at Amazon (save $7.20) Get Deal Best Lego deal that's not on Amazon Lego Botanicals Succulents $25 at Walmart (save $24.99) Get Deal

Any Lego fan knows that getting into the brick-building hobby isn't cheap. That's why it's a good idea to take advantage of Amazon's Prime Day deals on Lego sets. The members-only megasale is still going strong through tomorrow, June 26, so there's still plenty of time to shop.

The running theme of this year's Prime Day Lego deals seems to be "20% off." That's the discount Amazon's given to dozens of builds across the Lego lineup, including many popular Star Wars, Botanicals, Icons, Technic, Art, Super Mario, and Harry Potter sets. Lots of them have fallen to new record-low prices; three now cost less than $10.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best Lego sets of 2026 so far, from F1 to Monet and Pokémon

Before you ask: None of the Lego Pokémon sets or new Lego Smart Play sets are on sale right now, but we're monitoring them closely in case that changes.

Read on for our guide to the absolute best Prime Day Lego deals you can snag on Amazon this week. (We'll keep updating it as Prime Day progresses, so check back.) We've also thrown in four great Lego deals you can score elsewhere: Walmart's Deals event features some sets that were out of stock or more expensive on Amazon.

Best Prime Day Lego Technic deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System $47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12   Get Deal

The Lego Artemis Space Launch System is a bestseller on Lego's website that almost never goes on sale there. This Prime Day, it's 20% off on Amazon: You'll pay $47.99 instead of its usual $59.99. That's a new all-time low (and a pretty sweet deal for a pretty big, pretty topical set). As a bonus, it comes with four astronaut nanofigures.

More Lego Technic dealsBest Prime Day Lego Star Wars deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer $111.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $48.00   Get Deal

No, it's not a revival of the huge $559.99 Imperial Star Destroyer that Lego retired. But it is still an 18-inch-long brick version of one of the most iconic ships in the Star Wars franchise. It comes with seven mini-figures, and is particularly coveted for one rare mini-fig: Cal Kestis. It usually retails for $159.99, but Prime members pay just $111.99 this week (a 30% savings). That's a record-low price, beating its 2025 Cyber Monday deal by $8.

More Lego Star Wars dealsBest Prime Day Lego Botanicals deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Flower Bouquet $33.59 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $26.40   Get Deal

This brickified flower bouquet is full price (and backordered) on Lego's website, but it's on sale (and set for next-day delivery) on Amazon. It's marked down to $33.59 there for Prime Day, which is 44% off its $59.99 MSRP — its biggest discount ever. This adult-oriented set contains 756 pieces and builds into roses, poppies, and daisies, among other flowers. No watering required.

More Lego flower dealsBest Prime Day Lego Super Mario deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant $37.79 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $22.20   Get Deal

Need a gift for a Nintendo fan (that doesn't cost as much as a Switch 2)? Lego's popular, posable Super Mario Piranha Plant comes complete with its own green pipe pot, and it's on sale for just $37.79 this Prime Day — a 37% savings. It's less than $3 away from its record-low price from last October's Prime Big Deal Days sale.

More Lego Super Mario dealsEven more Prime Day Lego dealsLego ArtLego ArchitectureLego CityLego CreatorLego DisneyLego Harry PotterLego IconsLego IdeasLego MarvelLego MinecraftMiscellaneous Lego sets
Categories: IT General, Technology

3 Home Assistant hardware projects to try this weekend (June 26-28)

How-To Geek - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 17:30

Home Assistant is all about automation and control of your smart home. Not every Home Assistant project needs to focus on writing automations, however. Sometimes a little work on your hardware can make your smart home even better.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best streaming stick deals on Prime Day: Score a streaming stick for as low as $10

Mashable - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 17:20
The best Prime Day streaming stick deals at a glance: best overall Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus 24.99 (save $25 with on-page coupon) Get Deal best budget deal Amazon Fire TV Stick HD $15.99 (save $19) Get Deal best non-Amazon deal Google TV Streamer 4K $79.99 (save $20) Get Deal

If you're not ready to completely replace your old TV (and dish out the money to do so), but you want a speedier, more modern streaming experience, grabbing a streaming stick is the move. Their simple plug-and-play design can completely transform any TV with an HDMI port for a whole lot cheaper than getting a new one — especially if you grab one during Prime Day.

Now that Prime Day is in full swing through June 26, our shopping team has spotted hundreds of deals worth grabbing. From streaming services to devices, I'll be tracking all of the best streaming deals throughout the Amazon Prime Day shopping event. And yes, there are also plenty of TV deals up for grabs if you do decide to take the leap.

Amazon Fire TV Sticks are definitely running the show (no surprise there), but there are a few noteworthy deals from Roku, Google, and more in the mix as well. Here are the best live Prime Day streaming stick deals to shop.

Psst: Looking for deals on streaming services? Check out my guide to the best Prime Day streaming deals overall. And be sure to follow along with all shopping updates in Mashable's Prime Day hub so you don't miss any great deals.

Best Prime Day streaming stick deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is the most affordable Fire TV Stick in Amazon's lineup that offers 4K quality with HDR10+ support, as well as Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It still features the old Android-based operating system, which can be slightly laggy, but overall it's well-loved by many longtime users. It also still allows for sideloading apps if you're into that. (Starting with the 4K Select model, all future Fire TV Sticks will switch to the Linux-based Vega operating system).

While this deal required an on-page coupon ahead of Prime Day, now that the shopping event is in full swing, all Prime members can score 50% off this streaming stick. This is the lowest price on record.

More early Prime Day streaming stick deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The SUV that makes 200,000 miles look surprisingly easy

How-To Geek - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 17:16

Crossovers may be more efficient, easier to park, and packed with family-friendly features, but there's one thing old-school full-size SUVs still do better than almost anything else: rack up serious mileage. Built on truck-based platforms and designed for hard work, these machines were made to tow, haul, and keep going long after most vehicles start showing their age.

Categories: IT General, Technology

GTA VI Online release date: What we know so far

Mashable - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 17:12

Grand Theft Auto VI pre-orders started on Thursday, with lots of folks presumably eager to spend as much as $100 on the hotly anticipated game before its November release. But one major question remains: What's happening with the online mode?

The GTA Online component of Grand Theft Auto V has kept that 13-year-old game relevant across three console generations, with a recent leak suggesting Rockstar makes as much as $500 million annually from microtransactions alone. One would think that means GTA VI will have a similar online offering available at launch, but that isn't the case. Per a Rockstar statement given to IGN, as well as all available marketing language on digital storefronts, GTA VI is a "single-player experience."

That means there will be no online component at launch, nor has Rockstar announced any intention of adding one after launch. Sadly, that is all the concrete information anyone can provide right now.

SEE ALSO: 'GTA VI' preorders are live for PS5 and Xbox, starting at $80 with a $100 Ultimate Edition

However, that doesn't mean all hope is lost. It's worth remembering that both GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 launched as solo experiences and got online modes later, though it was only a matter of months in both cases. Given that Rockstar hasn't even said if there will be a new GTA Online experience for VI, it's probably safe to assume the wait will be longer this time.

The fact that the existing GTA Online is so wildly successful (with no signs of slowing down) means Rockstar isn't necessarily incentivized to make a new one right away. It also means Rockstar has to decide if it wants to keep two different GTA Online experiences running at the same time, should GTA VI ever get one. As IGN noted, Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two currently supports two different NBA 2K Online games in the Asian market; the first launched in 2012 and its sequel in 2017, but they're both popular enough to coexist to this day.

Unfortunately, we don't have a definitive answer on when we'll get a new GTA Online mode tied to the new game, but hey, single-player games aren't so bad. I'm sure there will be plenty of hours of entertainment to be had in GTA VI as it is.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This $5 RJ45 coupler solved my networking problem better than a $600 router ever did

How-To Geek - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 17:01

I have bought a lot of networking gear that promised to fix one thing or another. I've overpaid for said gear, too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Bear reheats The Pitts nachos in a baffling Season 5: Review

Mashable - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 17:00

The stakes going into The Bear Season 5 are enormous.

Within the show, Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Natalie (Abby Elliott) are reeling from Carmy's (Jeremy Allen White) shocking Season 4 decision to quit the industry. Outside the world of the show, The Bear is hoping to end on a high note, especially after two frustratingly self-indulgent seasons that ran in circles. So, how does The Bear go big for its final season? What spectacular trick is it hiding up its chef's jacket sleeves?

SEE ALSO: 'The Bear's 'Gary' cliffhanger explained: What just happened to Richie?

Simple. It reheats The Pitt's nachos — then artfully re-plates them and drizzles them with Michelin-worthy garnishes — by setting the season over the course of one day.

The Bear Season 5 feels an awful lot like The Pitt. Ayo Edebiri and Jeremy Allen White in "The Bear." Credit: FX

That day is the one directly following Season 4's conclusion, when the clock officially ran out for the Bear. Now, Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) plans to sell the building, while Sydney, Richie, and Natalie try to get through one last service with their staff. Hopefully, this will be the one that earns them a Michelin star — that is, if a gargantuan storm doesn't interfere with their plans.

SEE ALSO: The best TV shows of 2026 (so far), and where to stream them

The first seven episodes of the season that were sent to critics (there are eight in total) unfold almost in real time, beginning with the staff's journeys to the Bear, then moving through prep and service. In a post-Pitt world, The Bear's choice to set its final season over one day is a confusing one, even if it ties into the show's oft-repeated mantra that "every second counts." Obviously, The Pitt isn't the only TV show set in real time. There's 24, the godfather of the genre, as well as recent additions like Hijack. Yet The Bear's thematic focus on stressful work environments, mental health, and work-life balance makes the comparison to The Pitt near-impossible to ignore. Given that The Bear felt like a breath of fresh air in its first season, it's a shame that the core conceit of its last outing is so inseparable from another acclaimed series.

The Bear Season 5 reminds us the show is at its best in the kitchen. Ayo Edebiri in "The Bear." Credit: FX

However, the single-day structure does offer The Bear a chance to go back to the basics of what made it tick so well in the first place. For starters, you won't find any standalone character- or event-focused episodes this season. While some of these kinds of episodes, like Season 2's "Forks" and "Fishes," remain series highs, later examples, like Season 4's "Bears," became the clearest proof of The Bear's overindulgence (especially its distracting reliance on stunt casting).

Instead, Season 5 hones in on this last service with a concentration that mirrors its characters' near-obsession with getting the night right. That tighter focus whips up a stressful pressure cooker that recalls Season 1's most harrowing, scream-filled moments, and you can always count on The Bear to alleviate some of that stress with a heaping dash of competency porn from its team. But the real winner here is The Bear's food scenes. In Season 3 and especially Season 4, The Bear spent more time outside the kitchen, and therefore away from cooking. By spending most of Season 5 in the restaurant proper, The Bear zeroes back in on food, delivering mouth-watering sequences rooted in character and story. Each dish has deep ties to the person who made it, sometimes recalling moments from all the way back in Season 1. The ever-evolving menu and the loving way the food is shot are perhaps the best sendoffs The Bear could ask for.

SEE ALSO: 2026 Summer TV preview: Every TV show you need to know about now

Unfortunately, The Bear takes its final season as a chance to throw everything at the wall, and its sound and fury often overpower the simpler joys of the season. The storm is the largest culprit here, a too on-the-nose plot device that externalizes the restaurant's inner turmoil to an exhausting degree. Every episode begins with the rumble of thunder to remind us of the chaos raging within the Bear. Trust us, we know!

Elsewhere, a side plot where Uncle Jimmy scrambles around Chicago to sell the restaurant is an unwelcome departure from the kitchen, and the Fak brothers continue their reign of unfunny terror. (We'll never have to see them again after this season, but that's still not reward enough for having to suffer through their antics for five seasons straight.)

Most frustrating of all is the melodrama between staffers. When they're not yelling at one another, they sound like therapists spelling out The Bear's themes in the simplest of terms, and the season's condensed timeline means that most personal growth comes on far too suddenly.

Carmy's return in The Bear Season 5 undermines the show's most interesting choice. Jeremy Allen White in "The Bear." Credit: FX

Speaking of growth, let's talk about Carmy. By the end of Season 4, he made the bold but healthy choice to step away from the Bear for a bit. In Season 5, though, he's right back in the kitchen, albeit ceding control to Sydney like he said he would.

I understand that you can't do a full season of The Bear — especially not the last season — without Carmy. But to have him return the literal day after his game-changing decision totally undermines Season 4's ending, which is the most interesting move the show had made in two seasons. Here was a chance to see Carmy without the kitchen, and the Bear's kitchen without Carmy. How would that environment look? How would each character adapt to his choice? The Bear doesn't give anyone the chance to find out, reverting to an uneasy equilibrium far too quickly. (The show stresses he'll be leaving the restaurant after this service, but that's an empty promise in a final season.)

The Bear's semi-backtrack on Carmy's decision loops back around to Season 5's single-day structure. Carmy actually leaving is something that would take a greater time span to explore in depth, whereas the "last service" angle is a flashier conceit guaranteed to pull at the heartstrings as the show says goodbye. The two ideas fundamentally chafe against one another. In the end, the latter wins out, turning The Bear's final course into a lackluster serving of confusing choices and wasted potential.

The Bear Season 5 premieres in its entirety June 25 at 9 p.m. ET on Hulu. The first two episodes air at 9 p.m. ET on FX, with a new episode airing every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Please stop buying vinyl when CDs exist

How-To Geek - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 16:47

Vinyl records are one of those nostalgic technologies that everyone loves, and they've recently seen a resurgence of popularity. However, if you're looking for quality—especially if you're using a modern amplifier—there is a cheaper, better option.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The World Cup is causing a spike in Tinder activity

Mashable - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 16:45

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, and international tourists are obsessed with mundane American things. It seems like they're also interested in another American export: Tinder.

Compared to the same time last year, the dating app has seen increases in Swipes, Likes, and matches across World Cup host cities. The U.S. is seeing over a 15 percent increase in users, around a 25 percent increase in Swipe activity, and nearly a 60 percent increase in matches compared to June 2025.

SEE ALSO: The World Cup’s latest viral trend is surprisingly wholesome

Mexico and Canada are feeling the love, too, with increases across the board.

The app saw an average 47 percent increase among international users in game host cities, according to internal data from June 11 to 16. This is across host cities and match days, and is after accounting for ordinary summer travel. Some of the strongest activity jumps include +80 percent in Monterrey around the Sweden vs. Tunisia game, +74 percent in Guadalajara around Korea Republic vs. Czechia, and +47 percent in Boston around Iraq vs. Norway.

Domestic users are apparently feeling like driving a goal, too, with a 22 percent increase.

Featured Video For You My awkward first date with an AI companion

Tinder is also seeing increases in Passport Mode use, which lets users swipe in other locations than where they're currently based. The New York/New Jersey area, Los Angeles, and Miami are the top host metros for Passport inflow, according to Tinder. The top origin countries — excluding host countries — include Great Britain, Brazil, Thailand, and Nigeria.

It's not surprising that sports invigorates the desire for a date (or a hookup). During the Olympics, Tinder users often try to virtually enter the Olympic Village with Passport Mode.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This hidden Audacity trick removes background noise without a single plugin

How-To Geek - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 16:31

Recording decent audio at home almost always means fighting some kind of background noise. Most people assume fixing this means buying a better microphone or building a quiet room, and that's not wrong, but it also isn't the whole story. Audacity has a noise reduction tool built right into it, and you don't need an extra plugin for it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The one Wi-Fi setting that’s hurting your Galaxy phone's battery life

How-To Geek - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 16:15

Wi-Fi is one of those convenient features we're all so familiar with that it's easy to take for granted. And over the years, the way our phones use Wi-Fi has changed quite a bit, including some features and settings that'll inevitably drain your battery. Luckily, there's one quick setting that'll eliminate that battery drain.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This is the best $5 I've ever spent on my smart home

How-To Geek - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 16:00

Many of us run some sort of smart lighting at home. Smart switches are the default choice for many setups, but in some cases, smart bulbs are either the better option or the only practical one.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Debloat Your Motorola Phone and Transform its performance and speed!

How-To Geek - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 15:45

I have a Motorola phone that I like to use for experiments, home lab projects, and, well, an actual phone. Lately, it runs slower than I did when I tried out for the high school track team. Anyhow, I wanted to try de-bloating it to improve the speed and performance. You might not think of Motorola phones as being bloated, but a few key changes worked great for me.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best live Prime Day speaker deals: Shop Sony, Sonos, JBL, and more of our top picks

Mashable - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 15:39
The best Prime Day speaker deals at a glance: Best overall Sony ULT Field 3 $137.75 (save $72.24) Get Deal Runner-up Marshall Emberton III $99.99 (save $80) Get Deal Best budget pick Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go $19.99 (save $15) Get Deal

If you plan on hitting the beach, hosting friends, or heading out on a camping trip this summer, having a quality speaker in tow is a good idea. And lucky for you, plenty of fantastic options are on sale to kick off the season, thanks to Amazon Prime Day.

Prime Day is still going strong through June 26, and Amazon's deals on speakers show no signs of slowing down. Top brands like Sony, Sonos, and JBL saw solid discounts in the lead up to the big event, but now that Prime Day is actually here, prices have dropped even further for some of our top picks. The ULT Field line of Sony speakers is seeing record-low prices, as are some of our niche favorites like the Marshall Emberton III, Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go, and Ultimate Ears Miniroll.

We'll be tracking the best Bluetooth speaker deals throughout Prime Day and updating this page with the absolute best pricing. If nothing catches your eye quite yet, check back for any new deals that may drop.

Looking for deals on other tech? Check out Mashable's Prime day hub for all of the latest and greatest deals across the board.

Best Prime Day speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Field 3 $137.75 at Amazon
$209.99 Save $72.24   Get Deal Why we like it

Our favorite Bluetooth speaker for bass lovers, the Sony ULT Field 3 just hit a new best price ever for Prime Day 2026. Surprisingly powerful, it checks all the right boxes for a Bluetooth speaker: it's waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and rustproof, and has excellent audio quality, impressive battery life, and hefty bass you can feel bump through your whole body.

Mashable's Miller Kern writes, "The speaker is great for punching up your music and bringing out little details you might miss on another speaker." Typically $209.99, it's dropped all the way down to $137.75.

Runner-up Prime Day speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Marshall Emberton III $99.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $80.00   Get Deal Why we like it

If you like your tech to look as stylish as it performs, the Marshall Emberton III is another one of our top picks for a Bluetooth speaker. "Not only does this premium Bluetooth speaker have Marshall's iconic vintage look, but it's also a solid-sounding speaker for its price point," Mashable's reviewer writes. It produces clear and well-rounded sound with a slightly bass-heavy mix right out of the box. We wish there was a custom equalizer, but the companion app does have presets that you can use to personalize your sound. The list price is a bit steep for what you get, but now that it's down to a record-low $99.99, we highly recommend it.

Best Prime Day budget speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go $19.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $15.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Our favorite speaker under $50 has dropped below $20 for Prime Day. The Soundcore Select 4 Go is a tiny powerhouse that's as portable as it is tough. It's dust- and waterproof, can easily be attached to a backpack or beach bag, packs 20 hours of playtime, and customizable through an in-app 9-band EQ or select presets. As Mashable's reviewer puts it, "If you don’t need expansive customization, or even crystal-clear sound, then go with what’s considered the best portable speaker deal under $25 and $50." Or in this case, under $20.

More Prime Day speaker deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

I wired Ollama into my recipe collection and now I can ask what to cook with what's in my fridge

How-To Geek - Thu, 06/25/2026 - 15:31

There's a meme I saw that was a little too close for comfort. It read "Marriage is basically just asking each other 'What do you want to eat?' until one of you dies." It feels like a lot of our lives are spent trying to decide what to cook, so I decided to see if I could get a local AI model to help.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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