Blogroll

How to roll back to an older version of an Android app

How-To Geek - 5 hours 41 min ago

Sometimes, an update can break an app, get rid of a useful feature, or introduce a redesign that you don't like. The easiest way to fix those problems is to roll back the app to an older version. I'll show you three ways you can do just that.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The new Linux Mint, Wine version 11, Raspberry Pi's HAT upgrade, and more: Linux news roundup

How-To Geek - 5 hours 56 min ago

This was another busy week in the Linux ecosystem, with the arrival of new Raspberry Pi hardware, a Linux Mint release, a premium Linux laptop from Slimbook, and much more. These are the biggest stories you might have missed.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Don't underestimate helper columns in Excel: Here's why they're better than long formulas

How-To Geek - 6 hours 26 min ago

Stop trying to win an Excel Hero award with ten-line formulas. They're impossible to debug and even harder to explain to your coworkers. Using helper columns doesn't mean you're a beginner—it means you're an engineer building a system that actually lasts. Here's why the simplest solution is actually the best.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Don't rely on remote access—it's Home Assistant's biggest crutch

How-To Geek - 6 hours 56 min ago

For many of us, having remote access to our smart homes over the internet is non-negotiable. But is this really necessary? And more to the point, is there anything to be gained from not doing so?

Categories: IT General, Technology

I replaced my Windows workflow with Linux Mint and it was easier than I imagined

How-To Geek - 7 hours 26 min ago

Linux Mint has a reputation for being the distro most enthusiasts recommend to Windows users who want to try Linux. After trying Pop!_OS for a week, my next project was using Linux Mint for work, entertainment, and everything in between. After two weeks of daily driving Mint, I now understand why everyone recommends it as a Windows replacement.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Anker Prime Docking Station (DL7400) review: So many ports yet it's still missing one

How-To Geek - 7 hours 56 min ago

If you’re in the market for a new USB-C hub, then Anker’s Prime Docking Station is a solid choice. Out of all the docks I’ve tested, this has to be one of my favorites. Here’s everything that I love (and the two things I dislike) with Anker’s latest USB-C hub.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 11 best noise-cancelling headphones we use, love, and recommend

Mashable - 8 hours 45 min ago
What are the best noise-cancelling headphones of 2026?

Even the best value headphones will feel lacking if they don't come equipped with halfway decent noise cancellation. Besides, there are simply too many headphones on the market (our testing pool gets bigger by the month) for you to pay hundreds only to get subpar ANC. So, which brand comes out on top?

For most people, we think the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) offer the best overall value, with the ideal blend of comfort, sound quality, and ANC. However, if you're looking for the best active noise-cancellation overall, we have to give it up to the Sony XM6 headphones. Fortunately, there are no bad choices here.

To help you wade through the top options from brands like Apple, Beats, Bose, Sony, and Sonos, Mashable editors and reviewers tested dozens of headphones and earbuds. From flagship models to budget buds, we picked out the best options at every price range.

SEE ALSO: How we test headphones and earbuds How do noise-cancelling headphones actually work?

Even cheap headphones can block some noise from the outside world. And you can always blast your music loud enough to drown out nearby conversations and street noise via passive noise cancellation. However, if you really want to turn the volume of the world down to the limit, then you need headphones with active noise cancellation.

Active noise-cancelling headphones electronically cover up the sounds coming from your surroundings. They use internal microphones to listen to the world around you, then invert the noise and send it to the speakers. The idea is that both the output and the input will cancel out, leaving you with near-silence. The best over-ear headphones also create a tight seal around your ears, providing an extra layer of passive sound blocking.

Testing the Apple AirPods Max headphones, which didn't make the final cut for this guide. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable Getting up close and personal with Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

If you've tried a pair of noise-cancelling headphones before and haven't been impressed, don't be discouraged, as not all ANC performs equally. For instance, cheaper ANC headphones may have a more noticeable hissing sound that you'll hear when the noise cancellation is turned on, which can be distracting for some folks.

Other headphones may be great at blocking low tones, but more prone to letting in high-pitched tones. Typically, premium headphones will yield better results all around, but we have budget picks below that still do a solid job.

In the past, not many wireless earbuds featured active noise cancellation that was comparable to over-ear headphones, but newer iterations like the AirPods Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds hold their own in the ANC space. However, even these earbuds can't quite get the same seal (or fit as many mics) that headphones can, so if you're looking for maximum silence, stick with over-ear headphones.

Recent testing updates
  • December 2025: We removed the Dyson On-Trac headphones from this guide. While they had unbeatable battery life when they were first released, that's no longer the case.

  • December 2025: We added the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 as the best sports earbuds.

  • December 2025: We added the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 headphones as the best splurge.

  • September 2025: We replaced the original Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds with the updated second-gen model.

  • July 2025: We added the new Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

  • February 2025: We added the EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds as our favorite earbuds pick under $100, replacing the Beats Studio Buds+.

  • August 2024: With a heavy heart, we said goodbye to the Bose 700 headphones as our recommendation for the best noise-cancelling headphones with adjustable ANC.

Categories: IT General, Technology

25+ gadgets to totally level up your junk journaling game

Mashable - 8 hours 53 min ago

If you're a junk journaler (or have one in your life), you probably have a proclivity for swiping a crisp cocktail napkin into your bag when you’re out for drinks or saving a particularly cute flyer from a museum event that you went to. Maybe your first thought is even, “I should grab some for my junk journal” at the sight of confetti exploding over an arena during your favorite artists’ concert or a stray plastic flower petal that blew onto your picnic blanket. Junk journaling can be quite special and meaningful to those who really jive with this creative practice. 

Junk journaling is also an awesome analog activity to take up if you're looking to cut down on screen time and spend less of your day doomscrolling.

What is junk journaling?

“The number one rule of junk journaling is that there are no rules,” Martina Calvi says in her book A Year of Junk Journaling: 52 creative prompts to transform the scraps of your life into art. In case you haven't heard about it, junk journaling is a practice of saving "trash" or ephemera from your daily life and gluing it down in a physical journal. Some folks also have robust digital junk journals and collages on their iPad in programs like Procreate or Freeform. 

“No matter how mundane you think your life is, there are beautiful memories worth preserving, and your future self will thank you for collecting these in a tangible form,” Calvi writes. “The simple joys of sharing a coffee with your friend, walking through the park on your day off, or having dinner with your parents.” 

In her book, Calvi encourages folks to get creative with what they see in their daily life. Fans of junk journaling emphasize that the practice of noticing the meaning behind small objects can have a ripple effect of appreciation for the minutiae of your life. 

For example, junk journalers often commemorate things like a stray grocery receipt from a first Thanksgiving in a new home or a matchbook from a memorably bad date. As opposed to scrapbooking, which often spotlights traditionally important events, anything goes in junk journaling.

Save receipts, stickers, takeout bags, coasters, and whatever other physical "junk" you can collect throughout your day. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable What are the best gadgets for junk journaling?

Junk journalers on TikTok and Pinterest have a healthy self-awareness that our little hobby can be a bit unusual or extra. It seems like many junk journalers often must find a way to strike a balance between saving memorabilia for our hobby and letting things just go into the trash or recycling. Antics aside, junk journaling can be super fun. Something that makes any crafting practice more fun is snagging the best tools to enhance it. 

You can call me inspector because I truly love a gadget. Picking up a new tool or gadget related to your artistic hobby can be so inspiring. It can renew your love of the practice because you suddenly have new and inventive ways to create. Below, we rounded up some of the absolute best tools and essentials for junk journalers and crafters, et al.

A journal Opens in a new window Credit: Leuchtturm1917 Leuchtturm1917 notebook $25.50 at Amazon
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First and foremost, you need a journal to house all your junk. The blank Leuchtturm1917 notebook is one of the most popular among junk journalers on TikTok. Just note that the pages are a bit see-through, so you'll want to glue them together for each new spread to avoid bleeding.

A Year of Junk Journaling 'A Year of Junk Journaling' by Martina Calvi $23.29 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $1.70   Shop Now at Amazon

This book is such an amazing resource for avid junk journalers or folks who are curious about the art form. It inspired me so much about things I wasn’t even considering for my spreads, like fruit stickers, restaurant matchboxes, receipts, candy wrappers, and handwritten things from loved ones, like grocery lists. The spreads are so colorful and inspiring in this book, too. 

A photo sticker printer Canon Ivy 2 mini photo printer $109.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $10   Shop Now at Amazon Kodak Step wireless mini printer $79.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Walmart HP Sprocket 2x3 instant smartphone printer $89.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon HP Sprocket Panorama label and photo printer $129.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $20   Shop Now at Amazon

A mini photo printer is the perfect sidekick for someone who wants to fill their junk journal with pictures to correspond with their spreads. Some of our favorites are the Canon Ivy 2, Kodak Step, HP Sprocket, and HP Sprocket Panorama. Just connect the printers to your smartphone or social media accounts and print photo stickers on demand.

Bench organizer Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Bench Organizer for Art Supplies Tools $68.56 at Amazon
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This is the perfect addition to a junk journaler’s desk. There are so many compartments for organizing postcards, pencils, pens, stickers, scissors, and notebooks. Junk journaling can get pretty chaotic and disorganized with all of the random scraps that you save.

Epson EcoTank printer Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Cartridge-Free Printer $199.99 at Amazon
$239.99 Save $40   Shop Now at Amazon

For serious crafters and junk journalers who want to print to their hearts' content, the Epson Ecotank series is a complete game-changer. At varying price points, Epson has revolutionized printing in color. The EcoTank printer comes with bottles of ink that barely run out after printing many pages of full, vibrant color.

Chompsaw Opens in a new window Credit: Chompsaw ChompSaw: The Ultimate Kid-Safe Power Tool for Cutting Cardboard $249.99 at Amazon
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The Chompsaw is an exciting new invention directed primarily at children, but the brand emphasizes that it's safe for ages 3 to 103 for a reason. The Chompsaw acts like a “bench saw” for cardboard and thicker paper products. Intended to be completely safe for tiny and adult fingers, it allows folks to get really creative with their trash. 

Toddler digital instant camera Opens in a new window Credit: Dylanto Dylanto Kids Camera Instant Print $31.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $8.00   Shop Now

This might sound so bananas, but this toddler digital camera with instant print capability is an amazing tool for junk journalers because the cameras use thermal printing, meaning the film is not as precious as Instax or Polaroid (though those are super fun to use as well). While some instant print cameras that use film cost around $16 for a box of 20 photos, rolls of paper for these cameras cost around $10 for six rolls. Each roll for these “toddler” cameras can print 70 photos. The photos are only in black and white, but can add a fun pop of creativity to your junk journaling spreads. 

Pen hot glue gun Opens in a new window Credit: Dremel Dremel Pen Hot Glue Gun Cordless $47.99 at Amazon
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This cordless pen glue gun from Dremel is seriously innovative with its easy-squeeze trigger. The glue gun is designed to be held like a pen for easier maneuvering and grip strength. This is awesome for junk journalers who like to include unique and hard-to-glue-down objects like fake flowers, pennies, and other truly random treasures. Eschew the annoying features of the classic glue gun with its limiting cord, constant tipping over, and clunky application design.

Dremel electric scissors  Opens in a new window Credit: Dremel Dremel Electric Scissors $64.99 at Amazon
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For folks who work with many different materials, from fabric to cardboard, these electric scissors from Dremel might come in super handy. Cut through tons of material for your junk journal spread without tiring out your hands.

Kodak nice digital camera  Kodak PIXPRO FZ55-BK 16MP CMOS Sensor Digital Camera $159.95 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

A friend to many junk journalers is the classic digital camera. Yes, many, if not most, of us have phones that can take pictures. However, having a digital camera can offer a different texture and aesthetic to the photos that you’re snapping. 

Polaroid camera  Polaroid Now 3rd Generation I-Type Instant Camera + Film Bundle $144.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $15   Shop Now at Amazon

For folks who want higher-quality photos in their spreads, a classic Polaroid camera can’t steer you wrong. This Polaroid Now 3rd-generation I-type instant camera also comes with two packs of eight film sheets. Add that classic nostalgic touch to your junk journal spreads with vivid snaps of your favorite places, people, or things.

Portable scanner Portable Document Scanner $60.99 at Amazon
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This portable scanner tool is so cool. It is specified for documents, but many folks will use it on surfaces, signs, posters, and textures they see when out and about. Scan textures you see on your travels or in your neighborhood and save them for your next digital or IRL collage. Graphic designers rave about the scanner’s ability to capture texture more than a simple smartphone photo. 

Artist and content creator lamp Opens in a new window Credit: Canvas Canvas Lamp $172.99 at Canvas
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If content creation is an essential part of your creative or artistic practice, artists have raved in the avalanche of positive reviews for this lamp. The lamp clamps onto your desk and can move around and change its brightness level. It also has a convenient mount for placing your phone in and recording your crafting session.

Letter stamps 36-piece small wooden rubber stamps $9.99 at Amazon
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If your handwriting looks better in your head than it does on paper, you might have fun with an alphabet stamp set. Create cohesive titles for your spreads or stamp out words and numbers that fit the theme of your junk.

iPad Apple iPad (128GB, A16 chip, 11-inch) $329 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart Shop Now at Amazon

For folks who vibe with the concept of junk journaling but not with the mess of scissors, tape, paper, and glue, you can still be a junk journaler! Celebrate those photos that just sit in your camera roll by giving them another life in a digital collage with Procreate or Freeform. 

Apple Pencil Pro Apple Pencil Pro $94.99 at Amazon
$129 Save $34.01   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Walmart

Digital junk journalers all over TikTok are rarely seen without an Apple Pencil. This stylus is so compatible with iPads, it can allow you to digitally collage, illustrate, and junk journal to your heart’s content.

Band.do stickers Ban.do sticker booklet $12.95 at Amazon
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Sticker lovers can rejoice with this booklet from Ban.do. The brand has tons of different artists contribute to each booklet it releases. Stickers can always be a fun addition to junk journaling, even though they’re not “found objects.” 

Flow, the Book for Paper Lovers 'Flow, the Book for Paper Lovers' $29.99 at Amazon
$35 Save $5.01   Shop Now at Amazon

Sometimes you just don't have enough junk to fill up all of the white space in your journal — or you simply want some fun paper as the backdrop for your spread. Flow is an awesome book full of paper, stickers, illustrations, and even journaling ideas.

Double-sided tape dispenser Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Double-sided tape dispenser $24.95 at Amazon
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Double-sided tape dispensers can make your junk journaling session go super smoothly. This set comes with two dispensers and eight refills, so you can get a lot of stuff taped down.

Fiskars circle cutter Opens in a new window Credit: Fiskars Fiskars circle cutter $26.19 at Amazon
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This Fiskars circle cutter can punch out precise circles from various materials. Cut out different sizes of circles with this cutter that comes with three separate replacement blades. 

Funky scissors Mr. Pen craft scissors $6.85 at Amazon
$9.99 Save $3.14   Shop Now at Amazon

Give your junk a fun, decorative edge with this set of six scrapbooking scissors.

Mini embosser kit Sizzix Sidekick Starter Kit $64.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

This mini embosser machine is something that could elevate or add a dash of creativity to your practice. Roll paper through this machine to emboss the material with unique shapes, patterns, or words. The opportunities for creativity are pretty much endless.

X-Acto knife set  Opens in a new window Credit: DIYSELF DIYSELF Exacto Knife  $6.99 at Amazon
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This scrapbooking knife set speaks for itself when it comes to junk journaling. It’s an excellent tool for isolating certain images in a pamphlet or paper that you want to cut out with more precision than the average pair of household scissors.

Heated ribbon cutter Memory keepers heated ribbon cutter $19.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $10   Shop Now at Amazon

This tool is super helpful for cutting ribbon or other materials that are likely to fray. It seals the end of the cut material with heat.

Label printer Phomemo D30 Label Maker Machine $16.19 at Amazon
$28.98 Save $12.79   Shop Now at Amazon

Label printers are such an unsung hero of the junk journaling game. Instantly print labels for your spreads that can indicate any info you’d like. Print out labels for the date of your spread, explain an inside joke, or even decoratively incorporate song lyrics or lines from your favorite poem.

Thermal laminator Scotch TL901X Thermal Laminator $26.97 at Walmart
$54.99 Save $28.02   Shop Now at Walmart Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon

A laminator might be a great score for someone who wants to junk journal in a more practical sense. Make bookmarks or reusable calendars out of your junk journaling spreads by creating your masterpiece and feeding it through the laminator for enhanced permanence.

Accordion file folder Opens in a new window Credit: Sooez Sooez Expanding Accordion Organizer $14.99 at Amazon
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This accordion file folder on Amazon is perfect for the junk journalers who are running out of room for storing all their unused ephemera. It’s expandable, so it can grow and shrink with the ebbs and flows of your collection of things. 

Phone app limiter Opens in a new window Credit: Brick Brick $59 at Brick
  Get Deal

This might be a surprising inclusion on this list, but the Brick phone-locking device could be a really helpful tool for your creativity. Tap your phone against the Brick to lock your access to the apps of your choosing and fully focus on your artistic project. (Many of our staff members use and love the Brick.)

Categories: IT General, Technology

Is SLS still the most powerful rocket? 5 facts as Artemis 2 rolls out

Mashable - 8 hours 56 min ago

NASA’s mega moon rocket will begin a slow trek to its Florida launchpad early Saturday, marking a major milestone for Artemis II, the agency’s first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.

The rollout of the Space Launch System and Orion spaceship to a Cape Canaveral launchpad will kick off the final series of ground tests before NASA attempts to send four astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — on a 10-day flight into deep space

The journey begins at 7 a.m. ET Jan. 17, which you can watch live below, with the stacked rocket exiting the Vehicle Assembly Building on a giant crawler-transporter. And they don't call it a "crawl" for nothing. 

"We'll be at a cruising speed of just under 1 mph," said launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson at a Friday briefing. "It'll be a little slower around the turns and up the hill, and that journey will take us about eight to 10 hours to get there." 

Once at the pad, teams will hook the rocket and capsule to ground systems and swing the crew access arm into place. If the fueling dress rehearsal goes smoothly, NASA could target launch opportunities as early as February. 

Here’s what to know about NASA’s towering moon rocket.

SEE ALSO: NASA says Artemis II can fly without its big, broken deep space antenna 1. SLS is powerful, but no longer the most powerful

SLS generates about 8.8 million pounds of thrust, roughly the output of 160,000 Corvette engines. SpaceX’s Starship now exceeds that, producing an estimated 16 to 17 million pounds.

NASA's rocket claimed the power crown during its Artemis I debut, but Starship has since flown multiple tests in space. That distinction comes with caveats, though: SLS is flight-ready for astronauts, while Starship has yet to even carry cargo. 

With Artemis II, SLS could become the most powerful rocket ever to launch humans. Its four main engines burn roughly 700,000 gallons of ultra-cold fuel, producing enough oomph to keep eight Boeing 747s aloft. Future versions of SLS, if they come to fruition, could deliver even greater power.

Size tells a similar story. SLS stands 322 feet tall, higher than the Statue of Liberty and Big Ben. It tops the Space Shuttle stack — a stack is the fully assembled, vertical version of a space rocket — but still trails Saturn V, NASA’s Apollo-era moon rocket. Starship, again, looms largest, rising more than 80 feet above SLS.

Watch NASA's livestream of the SLS rollout in the video above, beginning at 7 a.m. ET Jan. 17.

2. SLS is the only rocket built to fly Orion

Right now, SLS is the sole vehicle capable of sending Orion to the moon and beyond. The capsule, renamed Integrity by the crew, serves as both spacecraft and living quarters, providing its astronauts a snug space to work, eat, and sleep on long missions.

For Artemis II, Orion will fly about 5,000 miles past the moon's far side, potentially setting a new distance record for human spaceflight. When it returns, the spaceship will splash down in the Pacific Ocean.

3. SLS is made with retro hardware

The mega moon rocket is literally built on the Space Shuttle’s legacy. NASA carried forward major shuttle hardware into the new rocket, drawing on a program that flew from 1981 to 2011.

Engineers replaced the winged orbiter with Orion, while stretching the shuttle’s orange external tank into the rocket’s core stage. Four former shuttle main engines power that core.

Unlike before, those engines will not be reused. NASA plans to discard them after flight. Two shuttle-derived solid rocket boosters flank the core and provide about 75 percent of the thrust at liftoff. NASA modernized key systems and manufacturing methods, though Congress barred a clean-sheet design.

NASA's crawler-transporter leaves crushed rocks in its wake as it carries the Space Launch System to its launchpad on Nov. 4, 2022. Credit: NASA / Joel Kowsky 4. SLS sacrifices reusability for reach

Keeping in mind that SLS relies on Space Shuttle hardware, it demanded major changes to reach the moon. After all, the shuttle was originally designed for short trips to the International Space Station, about 250 miles above Earth. By contrast, the moon is roughly 239,000 miles away.

To make that leap, engineers stripped out reusable features such as parachutes, reserve fuel, and landing sensors. The changes freed about 2,000 pounds of payload capacity, helping Orion reach roughly 24,500 mph, the speed needed for a moonbound trajectory. The cost of that performance is disposability: SLS uses new boosters and engines for every mission.

Its exhaust is relatively clean, though. The engines burn liquid hydrogen and oxygen, producing superheated water vapor. NASA also replaced asbestos insulation on the boosters with rubber-based materials.

5. SLS is often called the most expensive

Many at NASA and on Capitol Hill have called SLS "America’s rocket," treating it as a national asset akin to a custom-built aircraft carrier for the military. Cost control was never the top priority. 

A 2010 spending law ordered NASA to build the rocket and spelled out its design, contractors, and business model. Passed during the Great Recession, it aimed in part to protect jobs. Today, about 3,800 suppliers across all 50 states support SLS and Orion.

SLS is often cited as the most expensive rocket ever built. In 2022, NASA’s inspector general estimated each Artemis launch would cost $4.1 billion, with about half tied to SLS alone.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I tried the Even Realities G2, the most subtle pair of smart glasses you can buy in 2026

Mashable - 8 hours 56 min ago

It was a refreshing experience to demo the Even Realities G2 smart glasses at CES 2026, which was filled with Meta Ray-Ban knockoffs. As someone who’s been using last-gen G1 glasses as my daily specs, I was stoked to try the G2 glasses. And they didn’t disappoint. Even Realities doubled down on its best features and polished the rough edges. They’re the closest a pair of smart glasses has come to traditional specs, thanks to the minimalist feature set that felt just right.

Like their predecessor, the Even Realities G2 smart glasses feature a display in each lens. But there are big upgrades lying under the hood. These screens are 75 percent larger this year, and the difference was apparent as soon as I wore them.

SEE ALSO: The best smart glasses of CES 2026 Even Realities G2 smart glasses: First impressions The G2 smart glasses look like regular prescription frames at first glance. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

First, I was greeted by a sharper, brighter, and more stable display during movement. The company is calling it Even HAO 2.0 (Holistic Adaptive Optics), and it combines mini micro-LED projectors, gradient wavelengths, and hi-def lenses to deliver the upgraded experience.

Second, I could feel the difference in weight instantly. I’ve been wearing the G1s (with my prescription) for the past few months, and I get nosepad marks consistently. However, that could change with the G2 glasses.

While my demo was too short to talk about long-term comfort, the new Even Realities glasses are lighter (36 versus 44 grams without prescription) and more comfortable than the previous generation. They’re made with a similar mix of titanium and magnesium alloy, but the stem is stronger, which should instill more confidence in day-to-day use. I like the fit and finish better this time.

What I liked about the Even Realities G2 smart glasses Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Werth testing the new Even Realities G2 smart glasses at CES 2026. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Once you put on the G2 glasses, you’re welcomed to a Dashboard. It can be customized to your liking from the app. You can navigate the UI either by gestures (using the touch sensors located on the back of the stems) or via the new R1 smart ring. In my demo, I played around with the UI in both ways to try different functions.

I loved the Translation feature, which is one of the best I’ve tried on a wearable. The words were clearly visible on my screen, and seeing it happen in real time was close to sci-fi. Teleprompt benefits from the bigger screen area, too. Plus, you can now control the flow by swiping on your R1 smart ring.

I’ve mostly used my G1s to take quick notes by long-pressing the back of the right stem, and I’m glad to report that action is now less finicky and more reliable. I like how swipes flow more naturally now. I didn’t have to fiddle with the gestures (unlike my G1s).

You can control the dashboard using the new R1 smart ring. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable The G2 smart glasses have a very impressive live translation feature. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

There’s a new Conversate feature, which didn’t work properly in my demo (I’ll test it on my unit soon), most likely due to WiFi problems, which are common on the CES showroom floor. Theoretically, Conversate inserts contextual talking points on the glasses' display in real-time as you’re having a conversation with someone. For instance, a person can name a famous personality or place, and the glasses will show me related information about those topics.

You also get Navigation with a built-in geomagnetic sensor, so directions can adapt as you turn your head. However, it’s not compatible with Google Maps yet, and you have to use the company’s own navigation system. Similarly, health monitoring data in Dashboard and within the app is limited to the R1 smart ring. I’d love for it to show my Apple Health data via the Apple Watch, but it is not possible as of now.

The bottom line: The G2 are a worthy upgrade The heads-up display is powered by mini micro-LED projectors. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

The Even Realities G2 are the most subtle pair of smart glasses you can purchase right now. I’ve set up my unit and will report back on how they function in daily wear, especially compared to the G1s. You can buy them in two styles — panto and rectangular — in gray, brown, or green color options. Prices start at $599 and, like the last generation, you can add clip-on sunglasses and prescription.

Opens in a new window Credit: Even Realities Even Realities G2 smart glasses $599 at Even Realities
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Categories: IT General, Technology

Put Dr. Kelson from 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple on RuPauls Drag Race

Mashable - 8 hours 56 min ago

There are two periods of your life. There's before you see Ralph Fiennes absolutely devour an Iron Maiden musical number in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, and there is after. And oh, how I pity anyone who's still living in the "before."

The electrifying sequence comes in the third act of Nia DaCosta's zombie banger, when Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell) brings his "Fingers" to the Bone Temple for an audience with Satan, aka Old Nick. Except the devil they encounter isn't really Old Nick. It's actually Dr. Ian Kelson (Fiennes), the temple's contemplative architect.

SEE ALSO: '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' review: Nia DaCosta delivers an exhilarating horror epic

However, Dr. Kelson is under strict orders from Jimmy to sell the illusion that he is Old Nick. If he doesn't comply, he can kiss his life goodbye. So what does Dr. Kelson do? Throws on a leather jacket; daubs charcoal all over his eyes, teeth, and bare chest; and performs the literal hell out of Iron Maiden's "The Number of the Beast."

We're talking singing while climbing a pyramid of bones. Pyrotechnics. Drugging your audience so they trip out while you blast your decades-old Iron Maiden vinyl across the post-apocalyptic landscape. My eyes? Peeled. My jaw? Dropped. My hands? Raised throughout the entire grand finale in preparation for the applause Kelson so richly deserved. Based on the loud whoops and cheers that followed his fiery grand finale, the audience in my screening felt the exact same way.

SEE ALSO: '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple': How does Cillian Murphy return as Jim?

Masterfully executed by DaCosta and Fiennes, the scene burns with high-stakes theatricality, the same kind that makes you ask "Can they really pull this off?" during an incredibly taxing Broadway number or a particularly rocking solo at a concert. But what I really associate Kelson's level of performance with is that holy grail of entertainment: a RuPaul's Drag Race Lip Sync for Your Life.

Ralph Fiennes in "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple." Credit: Miya Mizuno / Sony

A Lip Sync for Your Life is reality TV's best elimination challenge, one where two drag queens must perform a lip sync number on the spot — simultaneously! — in order to avoid being booted from the competition. Over the span of a single lip sync, you get everything: banger songs, dance moves to die for, all held together by the scorching tension of fighting to stay in the game.

And you know what fits the bill on all those criteria? Kelson's "The Number of the Beast" performance. Sure, he's not performing against an opponent, but he, like Drag Race's bottom two queens, is using a musical performance to avoid dire consequences. In the queens' case, that consequence is the horrible blow of being told to sashay away by RuPaul. In Kelson's case, that's the very real threat of Jimmy feeding him his own intestines. You be the judge of what's scarier.

Featured Video For You Nia DaCosta and Jack O'Connell dive into '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple'

On top of being a literal lip sync for his life, Kelson's showstopper really is proof he'd crush Drag Race. His drag name? Old Nick, of course. When he's not lip syncing to Iron Maiden, he's turning it out to Duran Duran.

We know Old Nick's got the lip syncs covered, but his gaunt makeup and leather number prove he'd nail a design challenge. He's also got the chops to crush acting challenges: Look no further than his phony sermon to Jimmy and his Fingers. And remember Drag Race's random interior design challenges where queens had to decorate a club or a bathroom? The man built a temple out of human bones; I think he'd be fine.

But what about the reading challenge? Could the kind Kelson really muster up that much shade? No worries if not. He could just call on another Fiennes character: Cardinal Lawrence from Conclave, a film that drew several Drag Race comparisons itself.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is now in theaters.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch 49ers vs. Seahawks in the NFL online for free

Mashable - 8 hours 56 min ago

TL;DR: Live stream 49ers vs. Seahawks for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Following an exciting Wild Card Weekend, the action promises to step up another gear in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. This is one of the hottest fixtures of the postseason so far, as the San Francisco 49ers travel to face the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks are the NFC's No. 1 seed, with a record of 14-3. The 49ers have only lost two more games and they're coming off a tremendous win over defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. They met just two weeks ago, when the Seahawks got the win — but it was narrow win, with only a field goal and touchdown separating the teams. Can the 49ers keep the Quest for Six dream alive? Or will the Seahawks advance towards the Super Bowl?

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If you want to watch 49ers vs. Seahawks in the NFL playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is 49ers vs. Seahawks?

San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks takes place at 8 p.m. ET on Jan. 17. This fixture will be played at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.

How to watch 49ers vs. Seahawks for free

San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL 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 a location with free coverage of the NFL

  4. Register with TVNZ+

  5. Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch 49ers vs. Seahawks and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Bills vs. Broncos in the NFL online for free

Mashable - 8 hours 56 min ago

TL;DR: Live stream Bills vs. Broncos for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

With this year's Wild Card Weekend in the history books, it's time for the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs.

The Bills scored a narrow win over the Jaguars last weekend, which now put the Bills up against AFC's top seed, the Denver Broncos. As the No. 6 seed, Buffalo will have their work cut out against a well-rested, dominant Denver, who haven't played since annihilating the Chargers on Jan. 3. Most fans are expecting to see the Broncos, who went 14-3 in regular season, face the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.

But it's been a season of unexpected twists — just ask the Chiefs, who didn't even make the playoffs, or Super Bowl champions the Eagles, who were eliminated in the last round — so anything is possible.

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If you want to watch Bills vs. Broncos in the NFL playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Bills vs. Broncos?

Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos takes place at 4.30 p.m. ET on Jan. 17. This fixture will be played at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado.

How to watch Bills vs. Broncos for free

Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world. Access free live streams of the NFL 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 a location with free coverage of the NFL

  4. Register with TVNZ+

  5. Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch Bills vs. Broncos and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

If you’ve ever run out of cloud space, this 100TB sale is for you

Mashable - 8 hours 56 min ago

TL;DR: If you’re tired of juggling storage limits, Internxt’s 100TB lifetime cloud plan offers long-term peace of mind with privacy built in for $974.97 (reg. $9,900).

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 100TB $974.97
$9,900 Save $8,925.03   Get Deal

Living in a digital world has its perks, but it also comes with a quiet, constant stress: running out of space. Photos pile up. Videos get larger. Work files multiply. And sooner or later, you’re deciding what to delete just to make room for what’s next.

Internxt Cloud Storage takes a very different approach. Instead of managing limits month after month, this lifetime plan gives you 100TB of cloud storage for $974.97 (reg. $9,900).

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That’s enough space to store years (or decades) of files without constant cleanup.

Internxt is designed around privacy first. All files are protected with end-to-end, zero-knowledge encryption, meaning only you can ever access your data. Files are encrypted, split into smaller pieces, and stored securely, with Internxt itself unable to read them. The entire platform is open-source, audited, GDPR-compliant, and transparent about how your data is handled.

The service works across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browsers, making it easy to sync and access files from virtually anywhere. Performance is optimized to match your connection speed, and the interface stays refreshingly simple—no steep learning curve required.

This plan includes Internxt Drive only, focusing purely on encrypted file storage and sharing. Extras like email, backups, or antivirus are available separately, which keeps this option streamlined for users who want massive, secure storage without bundled distractions.

Stop worrying about storage space and start living your life. New users can get lifetime access to 100TB of Internxt Cloud Storage for a one-time $974.97 (reg. $9,900) through Jan. 25.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Where in Westeros does A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms take place?

Mashable - 8 hours 56 min ago

From the frigid forests of the North to the bustling streets of King's Landing, the world of Westeros is home to countless fantasy locations — so much so that Game of Thrones' opening credits provided a map to lay it all out for us!

SEE ALSO: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' review: 'Game of Thrones' prequel is a surprising comfort watch

So where on that map does Game of Thrones' latest spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, land?

Unlike Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, there is no Westerosi globe-trotting in Season 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Instead, it spends most of its time in one place: Ashford Meadow, the site of a tournament where new hedge knight Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall (Peter Claffey) hopes to prove his mettle.

Where is Ashford Meadow in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?

Ashford Meadow is a large field near the town of Ashford, in the Westerosi region known as the Reach. At the time of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, it's ruled by House Tyrell from their seat in Highgarden.

Ashford is east of Highgarden along the river Cockleswent. It's also just north of the Dornish Marches. Despite their name, the Dornish Marches are in the Stormlands instead of Dorne, placing them under the rule of House Baratheon. However, they also serve as the northern border to Dorne which, by the time A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms begins, has only been a part of the Seven Kingdoms for a little over a decade.

Given its position near Dorne and the Stormlands, Ashford Meadow serves as a perfect crossroads for Dunk to meet a variety of people from across the Seven Kingdoms. He'll meet nobles from the Reach, like Steffon and Raymun Fossoway (Edward Ashley and Shaun Thomas); puppeteers from Dorne, like Tanselle (Tanzyn Crawford); and even the Lord of Storm's End, Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings).

The Reach also has a special significance to knighthood as it stands in Westeros. In a 1999 letter to a fan, as collected in A Song of Ice and Fire archive The Citadel, George R.R. Martin wrote, "The Reach is the heart of the chivalric tradition in the Seven Kingdoms, the place where knighthood is most universally esteemed."

That means Dunk will be proving himself and learning what it truly means to be a knight in the most chivalrous place in Westeros. What better testing ground could there be?

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres Jan. 18 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Four Game of Thrones ancestors youll see in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Mashable - 8 hours 56 min ago

If you're a Game of Thrones fan, you're going to hear a ton of familiar names in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

SEE ALSO: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' review: 'Game of Thrones' prequel is a surprising comfort watch

HBO's latest Game of Thrones spin-off takes place roughly a century before the original series, when knight Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall (Peter Claffey) first takes his squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) under his wing. The pair make their way to a tournament at Ashford Meadow. And you know what a tournament means? Lots of Westerosi lords will be there — including members of the Great Houses whose descendants viewers have come to know and love in Game of Thrones. So who should you be keeping an eye out for in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and how are they related to your Game of Thrones faves?

So, so, so many Targaryens Finn Bennett, Bertie Carvel, and Sam Spruell in "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms." Credit: Composite: Mashable / Images: Steffon Hill / HBO

It wouldn't be a Game of Thrones show without Targaryens, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has Targs to spare. Major names to remember include Prince Baelor "Breakspear" Targaryen (Bertie Carvel), heir to the Iron Throne; his brother, Prince Maekar (Sam Spruell); and Maekar's son, Aerion (Finn Bennett). While Baelor is among the kindest, most just Targaryens you'll meet onscreen, Aerion is a total wild card with a bit of a sadistic streak.

You won't see him in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, but the current ruler of the Seven Kingdoms is Baelor and Maekar's father, Daeron II Targaryen. Known as "Daeron the Good," he's a respected ruler who managed to incorporate Dorne into the Seven Kingdoms without spilling a drop of blood — something even Aegon the Conqueror couldn't accomplish. He's also Daenerys Targaryen's great-great-great-grandfather.

SEE ALSO: The new 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 intro shows the history of House Targaryen

That's not the only connection this crop of Targaryens has to Game of Thrones. Maekar has sons besides Aerion, including Aemon, who's currently training to become a Maester at the Citadel. Down the line, he becomes becomes Maester at Castle Black in Game of Thrones. Like Daeron II, Aemon doesn't appear in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, but just know that he's around (and probably scrubbing chambers pots like Samwell Tarly did in Game of Thrones Season 7).

Lyonel Baratheon Daniel Ings in "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms." Credit: Steffon Hill / HBO

House Baratheon's words are "Ours is the fury," but you'd never know it from looking at Ser Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings), current heir to Storm's End. Nicknamed "the Laughing Storm," he's a jovial partier who loves a good time — and a good fight, should the need arise. His heir, Ormund, goes on to be the grandfather of Game of Thrones characters like King Robert, Stannis, and Renly. George R.R. Martin doesn't specify whether Ormund is Lyonel's son, meaning he could be some other family relation. However, Lyonel remains an integral part of the Baratheon family tree.

Leo Tyrell

The current Lord of Highgarden is Leo "Longthorn" Tyrell (Steve Wall), whose descendants include Mace Tyrell and his children, Margaery and Loras. According to The World of Ice and Fire and A Storm of Swords, he's a formidable jouster and one of House Tyrell's most lauded knights.

Manfred Dondarrion Daniel Monks in "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms." Credit: Steffon Hill / HBO

House Dondarrion isn't one of the Great Houses, but it still deserves a shout-out. Ser Manfred Dondarrion (Daniel Monks) is the heir to House Dondarrion in the Stormlands. He's also one of the ancestors of Game of Thrones' much-resurrected Ser Beric Dondarrion, the Lightning Lord and leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres Jan. 18 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics online for free

Mashable - 8 hours 56 min ago

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

This is shaping up to be an absolutely huge year for sport. Sure, the World Cup is probably the biggest event on the calendar. But there are so many other massive moments to get excited about. And there's really no need to wait, because the action starts early in 2026.

The 2026 Winter Olympics is kicking things off in February with a host of top events including alpine skiing, ice hockey, bobsleigh, snowboarding, and so much more. You can stay warm and dry whilst the best of the best compete for medals in the cold. And better yet, you can follow all the action from Lombardy without spending anything.

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If you want to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Winter Olympics?

The Winter Olympics is a major international event held once every four years for sports practiced on snow and ice. Eight sports and 15 disciplines will feature on the programme for the 2026 Winter Olympics: Biathlon, Bobsleigh (Skeleton, Bobsleigh), Curling, Ice Hockey, Luge, Skating (Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Short Track Speed Skating), Ski Mountaineering, and Skiing (Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing, Snowboard).

Norway leads the all-time medal record for the Winter Olympics.

When is the 2026 Winter Olympics?

The 2026 Winter Olympics is the 25th edition of the famous event. This year's event will take place on Feb. 6-22 at sites across Lombardy and Northeast Italy.

How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics for free

The 2026 Winter Olympics is available to live stream for free on a number of services:

These free live streams are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can acvcess free live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics 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 a location with free access

  4. Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics 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 leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the 2026 Winter Olympics?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 4 best iPads of 2026: Which iPad should you buy in the new year?

Mashable - 8 hours 56 min ago

At this point, iPads can do (almost) anything your laptop can do thanks to iPadOS 26. Whether you want to stream, browse the internet, illustrate, or edit videos, you can do it on the iPad. Recent developments in the Pro and Air models also set them up as gaming devices.

The rapid pace of Apple's update schedule makes shopping for a tablet all the more difficult. So, we tested every model to help you find the best iPad for you.

Which iPad model should I buy?

The right iPad for you depends purely on your needs. Do you want something that has enough storage and speed for streaming? Do you want to use it to read? Do you want to use a tablet as your primary workstation? Your answers should factor into your decision.

To get you started, we believe the best iPad for most people is the new M3 iPad Air (2025). It has exceptional performance but is also in the middle range for both price and capability.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Zverev vs. Diallo online for free

Mashable - 13 hours 56 min ago

TL;DR: Live stream Zverev vs. Diallo in the 2026 Australian Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The tennis season starts right here, with the 2026 Australian Open serving up two weeks of elite tennis action.

Among the top stars in the opening round is German 28-year-old, Alexander Zverev, the No. 3 seed. This match against Gabriel Diallo, an unseeded Canadian, should be akin to warming up for Zverev. But expect the German to come out swinging. He's yet to win a Grand Slam and fell to Jannik Sinner in last year's Australian Open final. He'll want to make 2026 his year.

That said, don't count out Diallo. Anything can happen and Grand Slam tournaments often throw up surprises in the early stages.

If you want to watch Zverev vs. Diallo in the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Zverev vs. Diallo for free

Zverev vs. Diallo in the 2026 Australian Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Australian Open 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 Australia

  4. Visit 9Now

  5. Watch the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer incentive deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Zverev vs. Diallo without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live tennis on 9Now, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $59.88 and includes an extra three months for free — 69% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Zverev vs. Diallo in the 2026 Australian Open for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for January 17, 2026

Mashable - 13 hours 56 min ago

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Burp.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

BELCH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A monster.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 17, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

BEAST

Hurdle Word 3 hint

An outdoor deck.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 17 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 17, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

PATIO

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To dodge.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

AVOID

Final Hurdle hint

Tired.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

WEARY

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

Categories: IT General, Technology
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