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I've been flying the mini PC flag for some time now, after I realized just how much value these little computers could provide. The used mini PC market in particular was replete with machines that cost less than a Raspberry Pi. but could run circles around the popular single-board computer for just about any computing task.

Luxury SUVs often come with hidden ownership costs, and one of the most frustrating is the requirement for premium fuel. While higher-octane gas can be expected in high-performance models, many buyers are surprised to find even entry-level luxury SUVs demanding extra money at every fill-up. In 2026, however, a few affordable premium SUVs still manage to deliver refinement without the premium fuel bill.

For the next two months, I will be locked in for the NBA Playoffs. I'm a New York Knicks fan, so I'm hoping their season ends in June rather than April. As much as I love basketball, I'm extremely frustrated with the NBA right now. This is the first postseason since the league signed its 11-year, $77 billion media rights deal with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon.

Having to use all the same drive sizes in a NAS is a pain in the neck. That’s why I mix the drives in my main NAS. It might sound complicated, but, so long as you follow a few simple steps, you can easily mix drive sizes in a NAS and get much better use out of the storage you own than with traditional RAID.

Voice assistants like Alexa are easy to use but come with significant issues. One of the biggest is that the voice recordings are sent to the cloud for processing, and some of these recordings have been listened to by third-party contractors hired to judge the quality of smart speaker responses. If you want a smart speaker that doesn't invade your privacy, you can always build your own.

Parents worried about what their teen is discussing with Meta's AI Assistant will now be able to view topics of conversation through a Teen Account parental supervision tool. Meta announced the feature Thursday in a blog post.

The information will be available via an Insights tab in the supervision tool for the platforms Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger, all of which are owned by Meta.

The feature lists broader topics, such as school, entertainment, writing, health, and wellbeing. Parents can click on the topic for additional but limited detail.

The health and wellbeing categories, for example, can include fitness, physical health, and mental health. The information only covers the past seven days of exchanges.

SEE ALSO: Former Meta employee accused of downloading 30,000 private user images

The feature is the latest safety measure Meta has implemented under intense legal and media scrutiny.

Meta recently lost two separate landmark trials related to child safety protections and the allegedly addictive design of its products. The company said it will appeal both verdicts.

The child safety lawsuit, which took place this year in New Mexico, yielded internal Meta documents demonstrating that the company's leadership knew its persona-driven AI companions, or "characters," could engage in inappropriate and sexual interactions and still launched them without stronger controls.

Last August, Meta locked down its AI characters for teen users amid reports that they were inappropriately engaging with minors, including in discussions about self-harm, suicide, and romantic interactions. In October, the company provided parents with the ability to turn off one-to-one AI character conversations and block specific characters. In January, though, Meta again restricted teen access to characters as its AI assistant remained available.

A Meta spokesperson confirmed to Mashable that AI characters are paused for teens globally as the company continues to build parental controls.

In addition to the latest parental supervision feature, Meta partnered with the Cyberbullying Research Center to create a list of "conversation starters" about AI chatbot use.

The company also announced the formation of a new AI Wellbeing Expert Council assembled to provide "ongoing input" on AI teen experiences. Meta said the experts are affiliated with the National Council for Suicide Prevention, the University of Michigan, and Northeastern University, among other institutions.

Josh Golin, executive director of the children's advocacy nonprofit Fairplay, said in a statement that Meta's newest supervision feature "once again" burdens parents with monitoring their child's online activity in lieu of "building a safe product to begin with."

Last fall, Fairplay published a report on independent safety testing of Meta's Teen Accounts. Fairplay said the findings indicate that Meta's safety measures don't work as advertised.

The latest feature, Golin said, "doesn't address the fundamental problem: The main function of Meta's chatbots is to manipulate young people into spending more time on the platform by encouraging teens to form unhealthy emotional connections to bots."

Additional reporting by Chase DiBenedetto.

UPDATE: Apr. 23, 2026, 9:24 a.m. PDT This story has been updated with a statement from Fairplay.

Netflix has a difficult reputation among anime fans. While the streamer has produced many recent hits and compiled beloved franchises—including Neon Genesis Evangelion and Studio Ghibli's filmography—into one convenient place, their release strategies have left global audiences divided. However, one unanimously disliked initiative by the platform has been their handling of live-action adaptations of beloved titles, resulting in panned projects such as Death Note and Cowboy Bebop.

Social media app X rolled out a new custom timeline feature earlier this week, and so far, user reactions have been positive.

The new feature is reminiscent of TweetDeck, the popular feature that recently rebranded as X Pro. Using the new custom timelines feature, X users will be able to create custom feeds for specific topics.

The new feature, powered by the xAI tool Grok, is now available to Premium subscribers on iOS devices. Nikita Bier, head of product at X, announced the rollout in a post on X and said that Android support would be coming soon.

"It's powered by Grok's understanding of every post with the algorithm's personalization — meaning every timeline is made just for you. And it works even better when it's a topic you already engage with. This was a huge undertaking across many months, so we're excited for you take it for a spin," Bier wrote.

X also released a short video showing how the feature works.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Podcaster Aakash Gupta noted that the update lets users create up to "75 custom timelines powered by Grok." Gupta also speculated that the feature would give xAI a lot of new data for AI training."

In general, X users were excited to try the feature, though there was some confusion, which is typical with new-feature rollouts like this.

In response to a user lamenting the lack of an option for a Catholicism-focused custom feed, Bier reminded users to update the X app to try the new feature.

"Update your app," Bier wrote. "That’s the old experimental feature. We’re working on supporting religions in the next 2 weeks. We had it earlier, but the quality/content didn’t meet our bar yet.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

To a user who asked if it was possible to prevent topics from appearing in a feed, Bier pointed users to another new feature — the snooze topics feature, which rolled out at the same time as the custom feeds. That feature is available now for iOS and web Premium users.

Credit: X / @nikitabier

Most other comments on Bier's post were from users requesting specific topics, such as Ukraine, manufacturing, Bitcoin, and memes.

Finally, some X users are skeptical of the feature but willing to try it.

"Using it since morning, tbh it's okay," wrote X user @syssignals. "I saw overlapping in between AI, Software and Tech. Also seeing same content again and again on these timelines. I am still on my For you timeline. But hope this custom timeline will be mature as time goes by."

User @Hoxygo shared a similar sentiment: "Finally a way to separate tech from sports without building a whole new account. The real test is whether the algorithm respects the timeline boundaries instead of bleeding the main feed into it."

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STAR WARS x CASETIFY COLLECTION: Shop the new The Mandalorian and Grogu collection at Casetify ahead of Star Wars Day. The collection includes customizable phone cases, laptop cases, earbuds cases, tablet cases, and more. Some items are already on sale.

Casetify 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' sale items at a glance: This is The Way Special Set (mirror case, earbuds collectible case, Snappy wallet) $134 (save $14) Get Deal Gorgu Special Set (impact case, impact laptop sleeve, Snappy mirror grip stand) $124 (save $14) Get Deal The Mandalorian Grogu Collectible AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Pro Case $46 (save $18) Get Deal

We're gearing up for an important day for Star Wars fans — May the 4th. We already have deals from Lego to help celebrate but now we can add Casetify to the list of offerings. The tech-lifestyle accessories brand just launched a major new collection that's perfect for any Star Wars fanatic.

On April 23, Casetify launched a galactic-themed collection that focuses on The Mandalorian and Grogu, and as a surprise, a few items are already on sale. The collection features tons of options for cell phone cases, laptop cases, tablet cases, and more. A few options include customizable elements like the Impact Case with MagSafe compatibility. Shoppers can choose their ideal protection level, bumper design, additional features.

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Prices for the collection vary depending on the item with some of the least expensive options being phone case accessories like a Snappy Grip Stand for $32 or Snappy Cardholder Stand for $34. There's also the The Mandalorian and Grogu Stickermania Earbuds Case for $32.

Shop the entire Casetify collection here, and be sure to order soon to be fully equipped when the new The Mandalorian and Grogu film premiers on May 22.

Recently, the FBI recovered old Signal messages from a suspect's iPhone, despite the messages and the app having been deleted. Now, Apple has fixed the loophole that allowed it to happen.

Signal is a popular secure messaging app, so the news that the FBI had extracted Signal messages from an iPhone was concerning for Signal users, even though the bug originated with Apple, not Signal itself. In this case, the FBI was able to recover deleted Signal messages from the suspect's iPhone notifications.

The news comes courtesy of BleepingComputer, which noticed that a small security update was issued to iPhones and iPads to theoretically rectify the issue. In an Apple security bulletin, the company noted that a bug called "CVE-2026-28950" had been fixed. Apple didn't provide a lot of specificity here, but its official description of the bug seems right in line with the Signal notifications loophole: "Notifications marked for deletion could be unexpectedly retained on the device."

If you haven't already, update your iPhone to iOS 26.4.2 to take advantage of the security update.

Signal even thanked Apple for doing this on X.

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The Signal bug in question, originally reported by 404 Media, involved deleted and end-to-end encrypted messages extracted from iPhone push notifications. Since the notifications contained the text of the message, and the iPhone didn't delete them in a timely fashion, the FBI was able to read them.

While Apple's security update didn't mention this story, it seems fairly obvious that this update was meant to address this particular bug. Moving forward, old notifications will be deleted instead of retained.

SEE ALSO: The Tim Cook era at Apple is defined by 5 achievements

As a reminder, Signal users can also avoid this problem by going to the app's Settings menu, tapping "Notification," then "Notification Content," and then finally choosing "No Name or Content." If you do that, your push notifications will merely alert you to the presence of a message without spoiling its sender or contents for you — or for anyone else who might get a warrant for your device in the future.

Users running iOS 26.4.2 (and iOS 18.7.8) will get the benefits of the latest security update. Users whose iPhones are running older software should ensure their push notification settings are up to date.

Summer is almost here, and as the anticipation heats up, so will your weekend streaming runs. This May, Netflix is bringing a string of original shows and films, blockbuster live events, and gripping documentaries that will make for a perfect early-summer watch list.

The standard utilities on Linux are boring; have you ever noticed that? Their function is essential, but they're boring. Wouldn't you like to jazz up their outputs with some pretty colors? Or even speed them up? These terminal utilities do that and more.

Hot hatches have long been the go-to choice for drivers who want performance without sacrificing everyday usability. They offer quick acceleration, sharp handling, and enough practicality to serve as a daily driver. But as electrification reshapes the market, a new kind of performance vehicle is starting to challenge that formula, one that adds SUV versatility and plug-in hybrid efficiency to the mix.

If you’ve signed up for any app on your phone, you already know the drill. You input your email, hit “continue,” switch to your inbox, look for the verification code, flip back to the app, and type it in. The worst part—you got it wrong for the first time due to a typo or a forgetful memory, so you’re back to square one.

See that little hole pictured above with the "K" and lock icon? There's a good chance if you go and look at your laptop right now, you'll have the same one. There's also a good chance you never noticed it before, but this is one of the best security features on laptops and even some desktop PC cases. So why not use it?

SAVE $300: As of April 23, Amazon and Best Buy have dropped the price of the Hisense 75-inch QD7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV to just $499.99. That's $300 off its list price of $799.99 — a new all-time low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-inch QD7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV $499.99 at Best Buy
$799.99 Save $300   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-inch QD7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV $499.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $300   Get Deal

Budget-friendly TV brand Hisense is offloading its older inventory to make space for all of its new models. That's great news if you're shopping for a new TV, as you can find 2025 models for the cheapest they've ever been.

As of April 23, the Hisense 75-inch QD7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV is on sale at both Amazon and Best Buy for a record-low $499.99. That's $300 off its already low list price of $799.99. According to our favorite price-tracking tool camelcamelcamel, this discount beats its previous all-time low by $50.

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With full array local dimming (typically only found in more expensive TVs), excellent contrast and brightness levels, plus features like an AI upscaler, Filmmaker Mode, and native 144Hz refresh rate, we can see why our friends at CNET (Mashable's sister site, also owned by Ziff Davis) called the QD7 the best budget TV.

"In my head-to-head comparisons, I found the Hisense delivers picture quality that I have never seen in a TV this cheap," writes TV expert Ty Pendlebury. He heartily recommends it.

As a fire TV, you'll get built-in Alexa. So you can press a button on the remote and ask Alexa for just about anything from sports scores to content recommendations. If you link your smart home gadgets, you can even ask your TV to adjust the lights, show you who's at the front door, set reminders, and more.

There's no doubt the Hisense QD7 is excellent value — especially now that it's $300 cheaper. At a cost this low, there's a good chance it could sell out.

It's hard to believe it, but Shrek came into our lives 25 years ago. While the franchise is celebrating the anniversary, Lego has gotten in on the fun and just announced two Shrek-themed Lego builds. One is geared toward experience builders while the other is great for smaller displays. Both undeniably combine the fun of Shrek and Legos.

Both the Lego Shrek, Donkey and Puss in Boots build and the BrickHeadz Shrek, Donkey and Gingy Figures are set to ship on June 1 and preorders are already live online at Lego. The Danish company has put a limit a household order limit of three sets on each build to give everyone the best chance to score their very own Lego ogre. Here are all the details.

Lego Shrek, Donkey, and Puss in Boots (72423) The posable Shrek figures make for a great gift for a fan of the films. Credit: Lego

Fans of Shrek, the lovable Donkey, and witty Puss in Boots will love this 1,403-piece Lego build. The trio stand in a swamp and have posable features like Shrek's head and hands as well as Donkey's mouth and tail. The scene includes Easter eggs fans will appreciate, and Lego added a hidden element in Shrek's belly.

The Shrek Lego set is selling for $129.99 with a ship date set for June 1. Preorder the build by April 26 and you can score a free Lego Adventure Peely and Cuddle Team Leader build from Fortnite courtesy of Lego.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Shrek, Donkey, and Puss in Boots (72423) $129.99 at Lego
  Pre-order Here Lego BrickHeadz Shrek, Donkey and Gingy Figures (40923) Adorable mini-builds are designed for ages 10 and up. Credit: Lego

For those looking for a smaller build or something suitable for younger Shrek fans, we have the Lego BrickHeadz Shrek, Donkey, and Gingy Figures. In total, all three figures have 259 pieces that are designed for those ages 10 and up. Shrek is standing proud with a "Beware Ogre" sign while Donkey's oversized teeth bring about a fun Lego twist to the character. Each figure is between two and three inches tall, so the mini builds will fit on any nightstand, bookshelf, or toy table.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego BrickHeadz Shrek, Donkey, and Gingy Figures (40923) $24.99 at Lego
  Pre-order Here

Plenty of people use Android Auto for its great real-time traffic updates with Google Maps and handling media playback with services like Spotify and YouTube Music. I'm behind the wheel every day, and over countless miles, I've found a few different areas where the experience still feels too restrictive and outdated.

To celebrate 20 years of streaming, Spotify just released lists of the most-streamed artists, albums, songs, podcasts, and audiobooks on the app. Popular artists, rappers, and bands like Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, and Coldplay appear repeatedly on the "Spotify at 20" lists, with Swift nabbing the title of most-streamed Spotify artist of all time.

In a blog post, Spotify said it was the first time they had ever revealed the all-time top performers on the platform.

While the top artists are mostly what you'd expect, there are a handful of surprises on the lists. Britney Spears appears once, but only in the audiobooks section. And neither Jay-Z nor Beyoncé appears on the lists at all.

You can find the complete "Spotify at 20" lists at the Spotify website, or keep scrolling to see the top results.

Top 20 most-streamed artists on Spotify

• Taylor Swift

• Bad Bunny

• Drake

• The Weeknd

• Ariana Grande

• Ed Sheeran

• Justin Bieber

• Billie Eilish

• Eminem

• Kanye West

• Travis Scott

• BTS

• Post Malone

• Bruno Mars

• J Balvin

• Rihanna

• Coldplay

• Kendrick Lamar

• Future

• Juice WRLD

Most-streamed albums on Spotify

• Un Verano Sin Ti by Bad Bunny

• Starboy by The Weeknd

• ÷ (Deluxe) by Ed Sheeran

• SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo

• After Hours by The Weeknd

• SOS by SZA

• Hollywood’s Bleeding by Post Malone

• Lover by Taylor Swift

• AM by Arctic Monkeys

• WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? by Billie Eilish

Most-streamed songs on Spotify

• “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd

• “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran

• “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood

• “Starboy” by The Weeknd and Daft Punk

• “As It Was” by Harry Styles

• “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi

• “Sunflower – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” by Post Malone and Swae Lee

• “One Dance” by Drake, Wizkid, and Kyla

• “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran

• “STAY (with Justin Bieber)” by The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber

Most-streamed podcasts on Spotify

• The Joe Rogan Experience

• Gemischtes Hack

• Crime Junkie

• Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

• Last Podcast On The Left

• The Daily

• Fest & Flauschig

• Morbid

• My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

• Relatos de la Noche

Most-streamed audiobooks in Premium on Spotify

• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

• The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

• I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

• A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

• Lights Out by Ted Koppel

• A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

• The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

• The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

• Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

The good news is that Samsung is now selling cheaper versions of last year's foldables. The bad news is that "cheaper" is relative.

The Korean tech giant announced on Wednesday that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, two phones we at Mashable really liked a year ago, are now available in refurbished form via the company's "Re-Newed" program. You can check out refurbished Fold and Flip phones on Samsung's websites, with the former starting at $1,699 and the latter at $939. In a vacuum, if you go by the phones' suggested retail prices, those are discounts of $300 and $160, respectively.

SEE ALSO: Samsung leak shows open earbuds are likely in the pipeline

The only problem, as 9to5Google pointed out, is that you can currently get a brand-new Galaxy Z Fold 7 on Samsung's website for $1,599, which is less than the refurbished model with the same specs. The same goes for the brand new Flip 7, which Samsung is selling for $899, a slight discount from the refurbished model. Of course, the discounted prices of the new phones could just be temporary, while the refurbished prices might stay the same over time, but it still feels a little bit backward that the new phone costs less than the refurbished one right now.

That said, either way, you're getting a deal compared to the devices' launch prices. And, for what it's worth, both phones are very good foldable devices. If you want one, this might be the time to get one.