Blogroll

If you were an early NVMe adopter or just like pulling apart old laptops for parts, you’ve probably got one or two tiny 64GB or 128GB NVMe SSDs lying around. They’re too small to realistically use as primary storage in a modern desktop or laptop, but it’s also hard to justify leaving them unused in a drawer—and they don’t exactly make for good "cold" storage anyway.

I've started purchasing physical media and digitizing it to build my own media library. I could put this all on a Plex or Jellyfin server, but I decided to purchase an Open Source Media Center box instead—and this has been the single best TV upgrade I've ever made.

I'm a self-hosting machine, running over half a dozen servers with dozens of virtual machines and over 100TB of local storage. However, even with all that hardware and storage, I stopped self-hosting three services and pushed them back to the cloud—here's why.

As governments and companies around the world seem to be on a bit of an internet censorship binge, many people are turning to VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to get around these restrictions—only to be caught out!

When you're using Home Assistant, it's easy to fall into the trap of assuming that you need to create an automation for everything. Automations aren't the only option, however. Sometimes using a script or a scene can be a better choice.

What are the 10 greatest movies of all time? For a movie lover like myself, it's an impossible question. Could I name 10 movies that I believe to be great? Absolutely. The only problem is that I will regret my answers within five minutes of posting this article. I'll forget about an all-time movie that deserves to be on this list and get mad at myself for not putting it on. I feel the same anxiety when ordering at a restaurant — as soon as the waiter walks away, I want to change my selection.

Good news for vibe coders everywhere: Apple has lifted its temporary ban on Replit updates, enacted earlier this year, and the company has officially released Agent 4, first teased in March.

CEO Amjad Massad took to X to celebrate the good news: "We worked things out with Apple, and just published our app for the first time in 4 months. Thanks to all our customers and creators who helped out. It’s been a journey, but we never give up and stay winning! Enjoy the updates! Lots of new things coming."

SEE ALSO: Apple boots vibe coding app Anything from App Store

The Agent 4 update brings powerful new upgrades to the platform, including the introduction of parallel agents to allow you to work on multiple ideas simultaneously, the ability to collaborate on projects by merging flows, and the ability to view your projects across multiple workspaces. 

Though it isn't exactly clear what compromise or agreement Apple managed to reach with Replit and other AI-based software creators, the original dispute involved a long-standing clause in Apple's App Review Guidelines, specifically 2.5.2: "Apps should be self-contained in their bundles, and may not read or write data outside the designated container area, nor may they download, install, or execute code which introduces or changes features or functionality of the app, including other apps."

Because Replit's Agent app is capable of programming apps, Apple argued that it violated the "self-containment" clause, thereby bypassing the App Store.  

Whether Apple ultimately changed its mind about its interpretation of Agent 4, or whether Replit compromised in some respect, remains unclear, but you can now download and run the latest version of Agent 4 on the iPhone or iPad to try it out for yourself.

For years, named ranges were the "pro" way to structure Excel data. But modern spreadsheets have moved on. Tables now handle what named ranges only simulate—without the manual upkeep or hidden breakpoints waiting to surface.

Microsoft Excel still rules on the desktop, but the mobile app (iOS and Android) has quietly developed a few advantages of its own. From scanning tables with your camera to touch-friendly data entry, some Excel tasks are genuinely faster and easier on your phone. Here are five workflows to start using today.

Self-hosting had always sounded appealing; the idea of running my own services and keeping control of my data was music to my ears. Despite running a Home Assistant server for several years, however, I'd never gotten beyond that point until I bought a relatively cheap mini PC.

Whether you’re relaxing by the pool, hitting the beach, or hosting a backyard gathering, the best waterproof speakers are ready for any occasion. They’re built for adventure and outdoor fun, and they let you take your music anywhere without worrying about the elements. And unlike our favorite party speakers, all of these gadgets can handle a little H20.

Before purchasing a model, you’ll want a better understanding of what “waterproof” means, at least when it comes to wireless speakers. Waterproofing is the ability to resist water intrusion. This is measured by an ingress protection (IP) rating. The higher the rating, the stronger the protection (see more info in our FAQ section). 

Many waterproof speakers also feature rubberized bumpers for shock absorption and sealed ports that keep out dirt, dust, and sand. Some models include detachable straps that latch onto everyday carry items like backpacks, gym bags, purses, or satchels. Some of the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers are even designed to float while playing music in the water.

For this guide, Mashable tech and audio experts ranked the best waterproof speakers based on factors such as overall performance, real-world usability, and value. Our picks are guided by hands-on experience with the latest releases, as well as insights from past reviews and years of category testing to spotlight top-tier entries.

So, if you want the best waterproof speaker to keep your playlist bumping — rain, splash, or shine — we've got you.

Know before you buy: What does "waterproof" really mean?

Water-resistant, splashproof, waterproof — these terms all have different meanings. All of the speakers in this guide have an IP waterproof rating, but let's break down what that means.

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable Understanding IP ratings

The IP rating system classifies how resistant electrical enclosures are to intrusion from foreign matter, moisture, and environmental exposure. Here’s a breakdown of what each IP rating means.

• IPX0 – No water resistance

• IPX1 – Survives vertical drop of 1 millimeter of water

• IPX2 – Survives drop of 3 millimeters of water

• IPX3 – Survives light water spraying

• IPX4 – Survives omnidirectional water splashing (water resistant)

• IPX5 – Survives water jet splashing up to 12.5 liters for 1 min

• IPX6 – Survives water jet splashing up to 100 liters for 3 mins

• IPX7 – Complete submersion up to 1 meter for 30 mins

• IPX8 – Complete submersion up to 3 meters for 30 mins

Why do some IP ratings have two digits?

The first digit (0–6) rates protection against solids, and the second digit (0–9) rates protection against liquids. 

Have you ever wondered just how much it costs to run your homelab? The answer might shock you—it did for me. Here's how I started measuring the power draw of my homelab, and why it's important to do so.

I never leave the house without a few essentials. Those include my phone, wallet, keys, and my daily carry pocket knife and flashlight. And if you're still using your phone as a flashlight, I have the perfect upgrade for you.

For months, I thought my favorite pair of earbuds, which I used a lot for podcasts and long workdays, was just wearing out as electronics do. The sound had become dull, the vocals seemed distant, the bass muddy, and the cymbals sounded indistinct. I blamed software updates, battery degradation, or just normal wear from daily use. I was already browsing for replacement models when I thought about cleaning them. This led to a serious look at how I take care of my earbuds. Basically, the jump in sound quality was immediate and embarrassing because it's so simple. If you, like me, believe your earbuds are worn out and ready to throw away, you might be surprised to learn that their best days are still ahead.

Google Gemini can be a genuinely useful assistant in your day-to-day life. It can also be a completely pointless, nonsense machine for your own enjoyment. I decided to combine those two very different approaches—practical and silly—and I wish I’d done it sooner.

Pipes are a very powerful core feature of Linux. By chaining programs together, you can carry out complex tasks with a small set of tools. But piping isn’t always the best solution; when it’s not needed, it can increase complexity and lead to less efficient options.

Home Assistant has so many features that you’re bound to have missed a few. Though you can get by with the basics, some of the things you never touch can make your server more efficient and your smart home even smarter.

In my hunt for the best e-readers, I've been determined to find a great alternative to a Kindle or a Kobo. Don't get me wrong, I love both of these e-readers and generally think they are the best e-readers you can buy, but I know there's a hunger for variety in the e-reader community beyond the big two. I've tried Barnes & Noble's Nook, Remarkable e-ink tablets, and Boox e-readers, but none of them have impressed me. But the Durobo Krono caught my eye at CES 2026.

I've often called an e-reader a library in your pocket, and the Durobo Krono is more than that. It's a library, bookstore, notebook, and MP3 player all in one. But that's a lot of promise in a palm-sized device. Luckily, it totally nails it. Here's what you need to know about the Durobo Krono and why I named it the best open-source Android e-reader.

Durobo Krono e-reader: Our quick verdict Have lots of different books on different apps? The Durobo Krono might just be for you. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

• Best for: The person with books in multiple apps — Kindle, Kobo, Audible, Libro.fm, and Libby. Plus, great for the person who likes to listen to audiobooks and read at the same time, and people seeking an on-the-go voice notetaker.

• Key tech: 6.13-inch Carta 1200 e-ink display, 128GB of storage, 6GB RAM, 300 ppi resolution, adjustable warmth and brightness, octa-core processor, and Android 15 OS.

• MSRP: $279.99

Your entire digital library on one device Access your Kindle library from the Durobo Krono. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

I find myself in a unique conundrum as an e-reader tester: I have collections of books across many different e-reader platforms. While I could just get used to cycling through different e-readers regularly, that's a lot to keep track of. The dream is to have them all on one device, and the Durobo Krono is that dream realized.

Running Android 15, the Google Play Store comes preinstalled on the Krono, so any app available in the store is available on the e-ink tablet. Suddenly, all the apps I use regularly from Audible, Kindle, Kobo Books, Libby, and Libro.fm are now on my Durobo Krono.

The apps appear on a separate page from Krono's built-in library, so you will need to navigate between them. A small price to pay for the convenience of accessing them from one device.

Technically, you could get this convenience from a tablet, too. Except an iPad doesn't have the matte, easy-on-the-eyes e-ink display that the Krono does.

Since it's an Android device, Apple apps (like Apple Music and Apple Books) aren't available, so as an Apple Music listener, I couldn't use the device as a music player.

It's fast — until it's not

In my testing, I find open Android e-readers to be too slow, especially compared to Kindles and Kobos, which are zippy e-readers. The Boox Go and Boox Palma 2, similar devices to the Durobo Krono, have both had disappointing performance, even right out of the box. Yet, the Durobo Krono is brilliantly speedy. Even when moving between different books on different apps, I was impressed by how quickly it sped through them.

Its speed is conditional. Too many apps, or more demanding apps, will slow down the device. After a week of use, I added the Substack app to the Krono, which was too demanding for it. Even when I wasn't using the app, it slowed down the whole device. Once I deleted the app, it sped back up.

Other demanding apps I found were audiobook players like Audible. I especially noticed this when listening to an audiobook while reading an e-book on a separate app. It's disappointing that two apps geared toward readers slowed down an e-reader device. For the best performance on the Krono, use one app at a time and avoid high-demanding apps.

A perfect palm-sized e-reader The Durobo Krono is perfectly palm-sized. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Durobo Krono has a 6.13-inch screen, slightly bigger than the basic Kindle's, but the entire device is narrower than the Kindle. It's about the same size as my hand and weighs 6.1 ounces. The small size makes it comfortable to hold for hours at a time — especially if you add a PopSockets grip on the back as I did. But that doesn't make the screen size feel cramped either.

It needs better battery life

When you're used to the months-long battery life of a Kindle, it's a hard adjustment to go to an e-reader with significantly less. With a couple of hours of use per day, the Durobo Krono e-readers have about one week of battery life. Compared to a smartphone or tablet, that's pretty good, but when you're coming from a Kindle or even a Kobo, the Krono e-reader's battery life feels too short.

More features to enjoy Access Durobo AI on the Krono e-reader. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable Easily scroll through articles and apps with the Krono's smart dial. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The features on the Krono Durobo are extensive. It has a smart dial on the side that refreshes the screen, starts recording, and scrolls on the device. It has a built-in AI called Spark, which captures voice recordings and produces transcripts and summaries. It's a lot more than just a standard e-reader, but in the months of use, I never used the Spark AI. The Smart Dial is a fantastic addition for smooth scrolling.

Is the Durobo Krono worth it? Looking for an alternative to a Kindle or Kobo? Try the Durobo Krono e-reader. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Durobo Krono is the best open Android e-reader. If you're exploring the world of the Boox Palma or the Remarkable Move, the Krono is my preferred pick for its fast processing and support for third-party apps. In a perfect, palm-sized package, it provides access to all your digital libraries. It's more expensive than other e-readers, but for its extra benefits, it's worth the extra price.

Durobo Krono $279.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at DuRoBo

UPDATE: May. 16, 2026, 5:00 a.m. EDT I first wrote about my initial impressions of the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete in February 2026 after a week of using it daily at home. This review was updated after three more months of testing.

In my mind, Roborock had the best robot vacuum of the year for most of 2025 — and it was pretty uncontested. Dreame isn't letting that happen this year. The Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete is clearly out to prove that it's the apex robot vacuum, and it's certainly priced like it at $1,699.99. I tested it at home for several months to see whether it's that worthwhile of an investment.

I apologize in advance for the number of times you'll have to read "Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete" in the next few minutes. There has to be a better naming strategy.

I think the Aqua10's dock is slightly prettier, but the X60 Max Ultra is still chic. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable What's special about the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete?

The Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete is nearly the most powerful robot vacuum on the market, only to be topped on paper by the Roborock Saros 20's 36,000 Pa. But I've tested both at home and find the Dreame to be much more of a beast.

I appreciate the dual brush rolls made of two different textures. That's the most effective design for hair pickup. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The X60 Max Ultra comes with regular detergent and detergent for pet odors. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Compared to the roller mop Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller released in August 2025, the X60 Max Ultra Complete reverts to dual spinning mopping pads for precise edge mopping. That's nothing we haven't seen before. The X60 Max Ultra Complete's actual unique addition is heated mopping — most robot vacuum mop combos that can heat water only use it for washing the pads, not during floor cleaning.

Is the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete good on carpet?

The Dreame X60 Max Ultra has done a pretty outstanding job at vacuuming various carpet piles in my apartment. It took a lot of mental fortitude to forgo vacuuming my living room rug for a few days at a time to test the X60 Max Ultra Complete's performance on built-up pet hair. But time after time, the X60 Max Ultra Complete proved to be wicked on shedding and other fluff that sticks to carpet fibers.

SEE ALSO: The Dreame FP10 air purifier cleans fur off its own filter. Just as crucially, it matches my living room aesthetic.

You know how you can kind of see "invisible" pet hair on the floor if you bend down to put on a shoe? It was a different story after the X60 Max Ultra Complete came through, at least if I set it to the max suction setting. Multiple lint roller tests afterward revealed but a few fuzzies and some fur that was left over, but the kind that's so thin that it's nearly invisible.

One test in the living room also involved a field of crushed Goldfish crackers. The X60 Max Ultra Complete didn't leave a single piece behind. You can literally hear the deep carpet cleaning that's going on.

There were even more Goldfish pieces outside of the frame. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The X60 Max Ultra Complete also grabbed several large tufts of cat fur in this trip. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

My tufted, medium pile living room rug is very similar to the feel and height of a traditional carpet, so I'm confident in recommending the X60 Max Ultra Complete for multi-pet homes with fully carpeted rooms.

As a professional robot vacuum reviewer, I'm also not afraid to fabricate a completely ridiculous mess just to make a vacuum's life difficult. This one involved spilled sprinkles and tufts of cat hair pulled from the ChomChom strewn across a furry white rug. Its pile and uneven zebra-ish texture make it easy for debris to skim under a vacuum's radar, and it's so light that missed debris really stands out.

Before... Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable ...after Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

I was impressed by the success rate here. I had to get eye level with the floor to find any missed specks. On max power (the strongest of four settings), the X60 picked up every single ball of cat hair, even the ones that I pressed into the rug fibers. It cleared about 97 percent of the sprinkles, leaving behind a single green star and a few tiny balls.

I must call out that the X60 Max Ultra Complete feels extremely quiet for how powerful it is. Its strongest setting averaged between 67 and 69 decibels, and that was with my phone an inch away from the machine itself. (For reference, weaker vacuums I've tested range from 64 to 74 decibels). I was pleasantly surprised by how subdued (and short) the self-emptying noise is. At 71 decibels, you definitely don't have to plug your ears and brace yourself if you're anywhere near the dock. After being traumatized by several Roombas, Dreame's clear focus on noise level is appreciated.

Is the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete good on hard floors?

January in Pennsylvania always comes with a certain amount of white salt residue being trudged inside on shoes. But in the aftermath of one massive winter storm, there was an unprecedented level of slush coming in and drying near my front door. We happened to have guests on the first day that I had the X60, so there were even more shoes adding to the puddle — the floor was literally tinted gray.

Before the X60 Max Ultra came through, my floors were caked with snow and salt residue. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The mop scrubbed away most of the debris in the first pass. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The X60 Max Ultra Complete's mopping came in so clutch. It was able to scrub away a vast majority of the massive powdery puddle in the first pass, leaving the floor comfortingly shiny behind it. I've tested so many robot vacuum and mop combos that struggle more with dried water stains than they do with wet spills, but the X60 Max Ultra Complete aced it. Surely, that's the difference between mopping with room-temperature water and mopping with 104-degree Fahrenheit water, as the X60 does.

The spinning mopping pads were also pressurized enough to wipe up super fine dust that suction power alone just can't lift. I made a huge mess while changing the waste drawer liner in my Litter-Robot and sent the X60 to deal with it. The line between where the vacuum had and hadn't cleaned yet was as stark and satisfying as one could ask for.

SEE ALSO: The PetSafe ScoopFree is a budget Litter-Robot alternative if your cat hates enclosed litter boxes

I could always trust the X60 Max Ultra Complete's nimble body to scoot right up against the kitchen cabinets and refrigerator overhang, flicking hidden crumbs out from the cracks and mopping up random sprinkles of salt. Similarly, the X60 Max Ultra Complete kept the cat bowl area quite tidy, swiping scattered pieces of dry food near the wall and scrubbing dried splatters of wet food. It did all of this without touching the elevated bowl stand — many other premium robot vacuums are surprisingly rough around it.

The X60 noticed "large particles" of cat food, a power cord, and my feet. Credit: Screenshot / Dreame

If the X60 Max Ultra Complete notices a spill bigger than a few small pieces of debris, it automatically creates a side quest for itself within the larger cleaning mission that you've sent it on. Multiple passes are immediately taken over the extra-dirty area until the AI cameras consider the job done. Then, the vacuum goes back to cleaning the rest of the selected area.

Factors to consider

The Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete is the most expensive robot vacuum released so far this year. As well-rounded as I think it is, $1,699.99 is a steep asking price for a robot vacuum that's not 100 percent perfect. For example, the X60 Max Ultra Complete ran over a cord once or twice and occasionally stumbled into the wrong bedroom on the way back to the dock. It did leave behind a tiny bit of debris around rug edges on more than one occasion, and at this price, shouldn't its pickup rate basically be 100? I could see why you'd argue that.

Am I the only one who's not super excited about the 3.5-inch "climbing" capabilities? It's just not all that helpful unless your home features shallow drops or sliding door tracks between rooms, like into a sunroom. The full-length mirrors in my apartment are all sliding doors, and the X60 Max Ultra Complete was able to safely cross those to sweep the dust and hairs off my closet floor. It was also able to drive over the metal legs of my kitchen island instead of having to drive around. Those are convenient touches, but I feel like robot vacuum threshold scaling isn't going to hit very hard until legitimate staircases are a possibility.

All in all, the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete is worth it in homes with heavy-duty vacuuming needs. But as well-rounded as it is, I'd still tell you not to buy it unless it's on sale.

Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete $1,699.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

Despite Android's presence in nearly every corner of the tech industry, it has yet to truly establish a foothold on PC platforms. Google has had ChromeOS powering Chromebooks for years, but the ubiquity of Android — paired with its lack of a meaningful foothold in traditional computing — made it clear something had to give.

Now, Google is moving to unify ChromeOS and Android into a single desktop platform, currently operating under the codename "Aluminum OS." (Or, depending on who you ask, Aluminium OS.)

SEE ALSO: What to expect from Google I/O 2026: Gemini news, Android XR glasses What is Aluminum OS?

As far as we know — thanks to reporting from Android Authority — Aluminum OS is the internal codename for Google’s unified Android/ChromeOS desktop platform. The merger was officially announced this past September at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit, although rumors about a ChromeOS–Android convergence had been circulating for at least a year.

In that September announcement, Google stated that it would be partnering with Qualcomm to develop a new platform that integrates mobile and desktop computing, powered by the latest advancements in AI.

The name "Aluminum OS" comes from a tip shared with Android Authority, which led the outlet to a now-deleted Google job listing for a Senior Product Manager in Taipei City, Taiwan. Luckily, Archive.today captured the posting before it disappeared. In it, Google states it is "working on a new Aluminium, Android-based, operating system” and that “Aluminium is a new operating system built with Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the core."

The role also mentions "driving the roadmap and curating a portfolio of ChromeOS and Aluminium Operating System (ALOS) commercial devices across all form factors (e.g. laptops, detachables, tablets, and boxes)." In other words, Aluminum OS won’t be limited to laptops. Tablets and so-called "boxes" — which Android Authority interprets as budget-style machines, such as Chromebooks or even Mac Mini–style devices — are also part of the plan.

A number of leaks after September have given us an even greater idea of what to expect from Aluminum OS.

In May, MysticLeaks posted a 16-minute video allegedly showing off the setup process of the new OS (running in a virtual machine inside a MacBook). In the video, you can see that the interface looks fairly similar to what's already available in ChromeOS, though there are some differences. Apps can be placed on the desktop, and you can right-click to create new folders, a la Windows, for instance.

It's also got an Android-like Quick Settings menu and a task manager, but there isn't much else to glean from the video.

Apart from unofficial leaks, we think Google also made an indirect reference to Aluminum OS during The Android Show livestream event on May 12.

SEE ALSO: The biggest announcements from The Android Show: I/O Edition What devices will run Aluminium OS? Here's a Googlebook. Credit: Google

While previous reporting has indicated that Aluminum OS can run on a variety of device categories, it seems like it might debut with Googlebooks, a new class of laptop Google announced a week prior to Google I/O 2026. Google has only briefly teased Googlebooks so far, but if Aluminum were to run on anything, it would most likely run on one of these laptops.

In fact, Google's messaging around Googlebooks all but confirms that. In the initial reveal, Google talked about Googlebooks as though they will be a successor to Chromebooks in some way, leveraging Android apps as well as Gemini. Users will be able to do things like use AI to generate widgets.

Here's how Google described the Googlebook experience:

With the shift from operating system to intelligence system, we thought it was time for another fundamental reinvention. This year, we are taking the best of Android, a modern OS with powerful apps on Google Play, and the best of Chrome OS, which comes with the world's most popular browser and the biggest library of extensions. And they're now bringing them together, creating a new category of laptops that are built with Gemini at the core, work seamlessly with the devices in your life, and are powered by premium hardware. Meet Googlebook.

This could very well be our first official glimpse at the capabilities of Aluminum OS.

Google showed off several unique capabilities of Googlebooks, such as the ability to open Android apps from your phone right on your laptop without downloading the app.

Is this our first official glimpse of Aluminum OS? Credit: Google

They also revealed the “Magic Pointer,” an AI-powered update to the pointer. You’ll be able to hover over any element on the screen and get AI suggestions for next steps, more information, and other options.

The Magic Pointer feature in action. Credit: Google

We think Google will tell us more about Googlebooks, and Aluminum OS by extension, in the very near future.

Could Aluminum OS make its debut at Google I/O 2026? Check back on May 19 for the Mashable Google I/O live blog and get the latest updates on all things Google, Android, and Gemini.