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In a segment where efficiency and refinement both matter, one hybrid SUV is carving out a niche by offering surprising levels of luxury without the luxury price tag. While the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is often the go-to choice for buyers seeking fuel savings and utility, this rival delivers a more upscale interior, refined ride quality, and premium touches that put it closer in feel to a Lexus, yet it still costs noticeably less. That combination of efficiency and near-luxury comfort makes it one of the most compelling choices in the hybrid SUV category.

Khaby Lame, the most-followed creator on TikTok, has sold a controlling stake in his core business to Rich Sparkle Holdings in a deal that values the company at roughly $975 million, marking one of the largest and most ambitious efforts yet to turn creator influence into a full-scale commercial platform.

SEE ALSO: The Mashable 101: The creators shaping the internet in 2025

Under the agreement, Rich Sparkle secures exclusive global rights for 36 months to manage and monetize Lame’s digital presence. That includes livestream income, short-form video strategy, supply chain operations, and brand partnerships. The company says Lame will also become a controlling shareholder.

According to reporting from Mint, the transaction positions Rich Sparkle to expand Lame’s brand into categories like beauty, fragrance, and apparel, while also developing an AI-powered digital twin using his likeness, voice, and gestures to produce multilingual content at scale.

The company projects that this closed-loop commerce model (where everything is discovered, bought, and shipped within the same ecosystem) could generate more than $4 billion in annual sales, though that figure remains aspirational.

Did you take advantage of the huge tool deals at Home Depot over the holidays? If not, you're running out of time to score a free battery through buy-one-get-one deals, free Makita battery packs, or nearly 40% discounts. That's because all the best Home Depot power tool deals end on February 1st, and here's what you need to know.

Samsung is cooking up a fresh new privacy feature for the next Galaxy phones.

The company announced in a pretty vague blog post that it's getting ready to show off new security functions that work "at a pixel level" for Galaxy phones in the near future. We don't have a strict date for when we'll learn more yet, but the smart money would be on the next Galaxy Unpacked event, which is rumored to take place in late February.

We'll presumably see the new Galaxy S26 lineup at Unpacked, and with it, a look at this new privacy shield.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy XR review: A great Vision Pro alternative, but for whom?

Again, Samsung didn't go deep into how all of this works, but the company claimed it'll be a way for you to do things like enter sensitive passwords in public spaces without strangers peering over your shoulder to see what you're doing. It apparently has granular options that allow you to make the privacy feature work only with certain apps or to censor notification pop-ups.

In a probably-related development, recent leaks all but confirmed that an innovative "Privacy Display" feature is coming to the S26 phones. It seems pretty likely that the features are one and the same, but if so, it would be fairly underwhelming, since we already know about Privacy Display.

Ideally, by the end of February, Samsung will be able to talk more freely about all of this without being so vague.

If you’re experiencing slower file transfer speeds on your Windows 11 PC, there are tweaks you can make to your system to speed up the transfers.

I honestly believe that the Apple TV streaming box is the best overall streaming solution on the market today. It offers the best image quality, in my opinion, and when it comes to the user experience and privacy it's the least worst of the bunch.

GParted Live, a bootable Linux distribution dedicated to editing disk partitions, has been updated to version 1.8.0. It follows the release of version 1.8.0 of the GParted application this week, and the distro release includes updates to the package base and some important bug fixes.

Starting the year on a positive note, our picks of positive trends and admirable global breakthroughs of 2025.

Part of our Beautiful News project. There we surface the good news and happy data we can’t always see when fixated on the negativity of the news.

» See the charticle
» Explore the data and sources

A jailbroken Kindle can be so much more than an eReader. Unlocking it lets you install third-party app stores and tackle some really wild projects. Not all of them are especially useful, but they can be a lot of fun.

JetBrains just dropped a major update for its Python IDE, PyCharm 2025.3.2. PyCharm and Google Colab are normally treated like separate tools, with the former PyCharm for that serious, heavy-duty local IDE power, and Colab for easy, GPU-accelerated cloud access. This update merges them.

Apple has released the latest update to its iPhone operating system, and users with compatible devices can update to iOS 26.2.1 immediately.

Compared to the previous iOS 26 updates, the new upgrade is extremely light. The official description is a single short sentence: "This update provides support for AirTag (2nd generation) along with bug fixes."

Apple recently announced the launch of the AirTag 2, after months of rumors and speculation. The new AirTags have a louder speaker and an expanded range. In addition, Apple is offering improved precision-tracking features that point you to the exact location of your missing item, down to the foot.

If you plan to pick up the new AirTag, you'll want to upgrade to iOS 26.2.1. (The new AirTag is the same price as the original version released in 2021, but the original is currently on sale at Amazon.)

Opens in a new window Credit: AirTag 1 (4-pack) AirTag (1st Generation, 4-pack) $69.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $29.01   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (2nd Generation, 4-pack) $99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

We generally recommend upgrading your OS as soon as possible, as these updates usually deliver important security fixes. Strangely, that's not the case with iOS 26.2.1, which doesn't note any security patches.

What's new in iOS 26.2.1?

Still, Apple says iOS 26.2.1 does bring some bug fixes. (If you want to get into the weeds on those fixes, @onejailbreak_ has a detailed breakdown of the tweaks.)

Hopefully, those changes will make Liquid Glass and iOS 26 work more smoothly and solve some of the battery issues users have complained about. Ever since its release, Liquid Glass has been controversial.

And if you're looking for an even more substantial update to your iPhone's OS, you can also sign up for the iOS 26.3 public beta 3, which is also available now.

How to update to iOS 26.2.1

To update your iPhone, go to your device's settings, then tap or click on "General." From there, look for "Software Update," where you'll find the options to "Update Now" or later in the evening while you're sleeping.

Every web browser is being loaded up with generative AI features, whether you like it or not. Now, Chrome is getting more Gemini integrations, the Nano Banana AI image generator, and an 'Auto Browse' mode comparable to ChatGPT Atlas.

Once considered a DC fan’s paradise, HBO Max is the dedicated Warner Bros. streaming platform. Sadly, due to Warner Bros.' questionable business model, that is no longer the case. Warner Bros. has continued to sell the streaming rights to several of its most popular titles, all the way up until the company’s sale. Despite being the streaming home of all Warner Bros. content, HBO Max has less than half of DC’s media library available.

TL;DR: Live stream Napoli vs. Chelsea in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League group stage is coming to an end. We've got a final round of fixtures to get through before the knockout rounds.

Napoli face Chelsea in one of the most interesting matchups from this round of games. Napoli need a result to move into the playoff positions. Chelsea will probably need a positive result to hold onto a spot in the top eight. No team wants to play extra games, so avoiding the playoff round is a real prize.

If you want to watch Napoli vs. Chelsea in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Napoli vs. Chelsea?

Napoli vs. Chelsea in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Jan. 28. This fixture takes place at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

How to watch Napoli vs. Chelsea for free

Napoli vs. Chelsea is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Napoli vs. Chelsea 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 Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Napoli vs. Chelsea for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 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 access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Napoli vs. Chelsea (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Napoli vs. Chelsea in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE 26%: As of Jan. 28, the Kodak Dock Plus 4PASS Instant Photo Printer Bundle is on sale for $110.49 at Amazon. That's a 26% discount or $39.50 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kodak Kodak Dock Plus 4PASS Instant Photo Printer Bundle $110.49 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $39.50   Get Deal

Most of our best photos live and die on our smartphones. If you'd prefer to have physical 4x6 prints to frame or stick on the fridge, this Kodak dock handles the job at home — and it's currently on sale.

As of Jan. 28, the Kodak Dock Plus 4PASS Instant Photo Printer Bundle is on sale for $110.49 at Amazon. That's a 26% discount and includes a pack of 50 sheets of photo paper, so you can start printing right out of the box.

Instead of the tiny 2x3 stickers you get from most portable printers, this outputs standard 4x6-inch photos. It uses 4PASS technology, which layers color and adds a laminated top coat to make the prints water-resistant and fingerprint-proof. You can physically dock your phone on top to print and charge at the same time, or connect wirelessly via Bluetooth.

SAVE $15: The Orastone rechargable hand warmers are on sale at Amazon for $14.99 each, down from the normal price of $29.99. That's a 50% discount and a sale price we haven't seen since 2024.

Opens in a new window Credit: Orastone Orastone rechargable hand warmer $14.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $15.00   Get Deal

It's cold out. Even if you're someone who thrives in cold weather, it's undeniable that keeping fingers and toes warm is a struggle. We have tons of rechargeable hand warmers on the market, but it's a disaster to figure out which ones are worth purchasing. Thankfully, we have Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beth Werth's expertise, and his favorite hand warmer is on a major discount ahead of a chilly weekend.

As of Jan. 28, the Orastone rechargeable hand warmers are on sale at Amazon for $14.99 each in select colorways, marked down from the normal price of $29.99 each. That's a 50% discount that takes $15 off each hand warmer. In a sense, you're able to warm both hands for the price of one. Today's sale price matches the record low at Amazon, which we haven't seen since 2024.

Instead of letting your fingers go numb, click on this deal to snag Orastone rechargeable hand warmers. Werth has been buying these as gifts for years and mentions they're well worth the (low) price. "Most electric hand warmers work just fine, but are pretty ugly. The Orastone is the rare hand warmer that's actually cute, and it comes with a lanyard you can wrap around your glove-covered hands," Werth wrote in his review.

SEE ALSO: The 55-inch Sony Bravia 3 TV is on sale at Amazon — save over $100 ahead of the Winter Olympics

Orastone says the rechargeable hand warmer heats to about 107 degrees Fahrenheit in less than two minutes, and they last for about three or four hours per charge. As a bonus, they come with a built-in flashlight. These could make for excellent Valentine's Day gifts.

Before the weekend chill hits, get equipped with the Orastone rechargeable hand warmers. They're on sale for under $15, come in cute colorways, and will come in handy (I'm sorry) for the rest of the winter. Here's to toasty fingers in the future.

Best deals on winter essentials: Best hand warmer deal Orastone Rechargeable Hand Warmer $14.99 (save $15) Get Deal Best space heater deal Lasko 1500W Ceramic Tower Space Heater (751320) $54.99 (save $25) Get Deal Best heated blanket Bedsure Heated Blanket $45.48 (save 23.51) Get Deal

To say this week has been "harsh" feels like an understatement. We currently have 76 million people under freeze alerts, wind chills dropping to -14 in the Midwest, and yes, even the Hudson River is starting to freeze over. To make matters worse, there’s another storm tracking for the East Coast this weekend.

SEE ALSO: Winter storm snowfall levels: See online how many inches have fallen nationwide

With temperatures staying dangerously low and power outages still affecting thousands, staying warm (and safe!) should be your top priority. If you need to prep your home (or yourself) for the next few days, Amazon has marked down a lot of the essentials. From space heaters to thermal gear, here are a few deals that can help you stay safe on a budget.

Best hand warmer deal Orastone Rechargeable Hand Warmer $14.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $15.00   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Hand warmers are an underrated accessory that are usually pretty cheap and super effective. Take the Orastone Rechargeable Hand Warmer, for example. Not only does it have more than 6K reviews on Amazon (with a 4.6-star rating), but our Tech Editor, Timothy Beck Werth, swears by them. He’s been buying these little gadgets for years and vouches for their durability and longevity (you’ll probably get two years out of one). Plus, they’re rechargeable and come with a built-in flashlight. What more could you ask for?

More hand warmer deals

• HotHands Hand Warmer Value Pack —$7.47 $9.99 (save $2.52)

• Lerat Rechargeable Hand Warmers (2-Pack) —$9.99 $11.99 (save $2)

• KILeap Rechargeable Hand Warmers (2-Pack) —$29.98 $35.99 (save $6.01)

Best space heater deal Lasko 1500W Oscillation Electric Ceramic Tower Space Heater with Remote $54.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $25.00   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

If your thermostat just isn’t cutting it, a space heater can help break the chill. The Lasko 1500W Ceramic Tower Space Heater (751320) is a pretty good buy for anyone looking for a tower model. It’s ideal for keeping your bedroom or a medium-sized living room toasty and features an adjustable thermostat (with remote) and oscillation for even heat distribution. It also has a built-in carry handle, so you can move it from room to room without much hassle.

More space heater deals

• BLACK+DECKER 1500W Portable Space Heater — $21.99 $31.33 (save $9.64)

• Dreo 1500W Portable Space Heater — $37.99 $39.99 (save $2)

• Dr Infrared Heater 1500W Portable Space Heater — $87.70 $129.99 (save $42.29)

Best heated blanket deal Bedsure Heated Throw Soft Flannel Electric Blanket with 4 Time Settings & 6 Heat Settings (50x60 inches, Grey) $45.48 at Amazon
$68.99 Save $23.51   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

There’s nothing cozier than a heated blanket, and right now Amazon has tons of ‘em on sale. If you’re not sure which one to pick, we recommend the Bedsure Heated Blanket. It’s 34% off right now and has more than 13K reviews (and a 4.3-star rating). This particular model is available in a variety of colors and sizes and offers six heating levels and four time settings. There’s a three-hour auto-shutoff for safety (just in case you fall asleep with it on, or accidentally leave it on the couch or elsewhere unattended). It’s undergone 74 safety checks at Bedsure’s Intertek-recognized lab, and it’s machine washable, so you don’t have to do anything special to keep it clean.

More heated blanket deals

• Beautyrest Heated Throw Blanket — $38.22 $44.99 (save $6.77)

• Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece Heated Electric Blanket — $49.41 $59.99 (save $10.58)

• Serta Luxuriously Soft Plush Electric Blanket — $62.05 $68.99 (save $8.94)

With much of the Northern Hemisphere fully covered in snow, we can safely say that winter is here. While we’re cozy in our warm homes, our cars unfortunately have to take all that beating outside (unless you have a garage, of course). One of those cars is my poor old BMW, which I thought wouldn’t be drivable this winter—until I fixed a surprisingly simple issue.

SAVE $10: As of Jan. 28, get the Soundcore Sport X20 earbuds for $69.99 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $79.99. That's a discount of 13%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Soundcore Sport X20 $69.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $10   Get Deal

If you're looking for a new pair of earbuds to take with you to the gym, not just any will do. You've got to make sure you have waterproof features so you won't ruin them with sweat as well as a fit that keeps them on and in your ears. We've got the perfect pair that ticks both boxes, and they're on sale right now, too.

As of Jan. 28, get the Soundcore Sport X20 earbuds for $69.99 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $79.99. That's a discount of 13%.

SEE ALSO: Travel smarter with these earbuds that translate over 50 languages in real time

These workout earbuds are great for heading to the gym, going on a run, or just playing some sports here and there. They stay put thanks to their adjustable ear hooks, which you can rotate and extend to find the best fit. They have noise-cancellation features as well, so you can block out the world while exercising and keep listening to your favorite songs.

And because you sometimes need to spend longer hours working on your fitness, these earbuds boast a great battery life with over 12 hours on a single charge. You can even get 48 out of them with the included charging case, and about 7 to 28 with noise cancellation, with and without said case.

Since these earbuds are up for grabs for under $70, it's a good time to go ahead and snag them while they're available. Don't miss out and secure yours.

SAVE UP TO $60: Refurbished first-generation Nintendo Switches are on sale at various retailers as of Jan. 28, with prices starting from just $169.99. Choose from the standard Switch, the OLED model, or the Switch Lite.

Shop deals on refurbished Nintendo Switch consoles: Nintendo Switch (Geek Squad Certified Refurbished) $249.99 (save $50) Get Deal Nintendo Switch – OLED Model (Geek Squad Certified Refurbished) $289.99 (save $60) Get Deal Nintendo Switch Lite (Refurbished) $169.99 (save $30) Get Deal

It's a predicament that many of us are facing lately: A new free update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons beckons, but a $450 Nintendo Switch 2 just isn't in the cards.

Before you give up on your dreams of island life, allow me to present an alternative. As of late January, refurbished Switches are on sale for up to $60 off the price of a new system, with options starting at only $169.99. Tom Nook would never be so generous.

At Best Buy, you can take your pick from the standard first-generation Switch (was $299.99, now $249.99) or the prettier OLED model with more storage and a better kickstand (was $349.99, now $289.99). As "Geek Squad Refurbished" units, they're used but fixed up to work like new. They come with 90-day parts and labor warranties.

The Nintendo Switch Lite is ideal for on-the-go gamers. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

If you'd prefer the portable Switch Lite, head to the My Nintendo Store instead. It's on sale there in refurbished condition for $169.99 (was $199.99) in Yellow, Coral, Gray, and Blue. It has a one-year warranty.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025: the hot console's first year evaluated

The newer Switch 2 is a far better machine than all of its predecessors, to be sure, though you might not be someone who cares deeply about having a bigger screen or 4K video output. For most people, the most important thing is that you can play most of the same games on older Switches. The Switch 2 doesn't have too many notable exclusives at present (just Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, which are pricier than past Switch titles), so your game FOMO should be minimal for the foreseeable future. If you do decide to upgrade down the road, you can trade in your older Switch for some credit and grab cheap upgrade packs for any titles you want to keep playing.

As a final note, I'll mention that discounted refurbished Switches typically sell out fast; it's rare to see all of these in stock. If you're thinking about adding one to your cart, don't dawdle.