Blogroll

Don’t miss the MS Office Pro 2021 and Windows 11 Pro bundle for just $40

Mashable - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 23:00

TL;DR: This limited-time bundle gives you lifetime access to Microsoft Office Pro 2021 plus Windows 11 Pro for just $39.99 (reg. $418.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $39.97
$418.99 Save $379.02   Get Deal

Keeping a Windows PC productive usually means juggling multiple upgrades — your operating system on one side, your productivity software on the other. This limited-time bundle simplifies that decision by pairing Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows with Windows 11 Pro for a single one-time payment of $39.97.

Office Professional 2021 includes the tools most people rely on daily: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access.

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It’s designed for real work, whether that’s building spreadsheets, writing reports, managing email, or creating presentations. The familiar ribbon-based interface keeps everything accessible, while updates to Excel analysis tools and PowerPoint design features help speed things up without changing how you work.

Windows 11 Pro handles what happens underneath. It introduces a cleaner interface, better window management with Snap layouts, stronger security through features like BitLocker and TPM 2.0, and productivity improvements that make multitasking easier.

For professionals, it adds tools like Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and Azure AD support. For everyone else, it simply makes daily computing feel smoother.

Windows 11 Pro also brings Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant, directly into the OS. It can help summarize content, adjust system settings, generate ideas, and even assist with writing or code — all without leaving your desktop.

Together, these two Microsoft gems cover both what you do and how your PC runs. Instead of paying ongoing subscription fees, this bundle lets you own two core Microsoft tools outright.

Get both Office Pro 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for just $39.99 (reg. $418.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Maestrelli vs. Djokovic online for free

Mashable - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 23:00

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

The 2026 Australian Open movies into the second round with a number of interesting matchups, including Maestrelli vs. Djokovic. The big question is whether Djokovic can still compete in the latter rounds, and if he can't, will the Serbian legend continue to compete?

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

How to watch Maestrelli vs. Djokovic for free

Maestrelli vs. Djokovic 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 deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Maestrelli vs. Djokovic 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 Maestrelli vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Researchers say they convinced Gemini to leak Google Calendar data

Mashable - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 22:32

Google's AI assistant Gemini has surged to the top of AI leaderboards since the search giant's latest update last month.

However, cybersecurity researchers say the AI chatbot still has some privacy problems.

Researchers with the app security platform Miggo Security recently released a report detailing how they were able to trick Google's Gemini AI assistant into sharing sensitive user calendar data (as first reported by Bleeping Computer) without permission. The researchers say they accomplished this with nothing more than a Google Calendar invite and a prompt. 

The report, titled Weaponizing Calendar Invites: A Semantic Attack on Google Gemini, explains how the researchers sent an unsolicited Google Calendar invite to a targeted user and included a prompt that instructed Gemini to do three things. The prompt requested that Gemini summarize all of the Google Meetings the targeted user had in a specific day, take that data and include it in the description of a new calendar invite, and then hide all of this from the targeted user by informing them "it's a free time slot" when asked.

According to researchers, the attack was activated when the targeted user asked Gemini about their schedule that day on the calendar. Gemini responded as requested, telling the user, "it's a free time slot." However, the researchers say it also created a new calendar invite with a summary of the target user's private meetings in the description. This calendar invite was then visible to the attacker, the report says.

Miggo Security researchers explain in their report that "Gemini automatically ingests and interprets event data to be helpful," which makes it a prime target for hackers to exploit. This type of attack is known as an Indirect Prompt Injection, and it's starting to gain prominence among bad actors. As the researchers also point out, this type of vulnerability among AI assistants is not unique to Google and Gemini.

SEE ALSO: Prompt injection attacks and 6 more security risks when using AI at work

The report includes technical details about the security vulnerability. In addition, the Miggo Security researchers urge AI companies to attribute intent to requested actions, which could help stop bad actors engaging in prompt injection attacks.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Don't throw away your old Apple TV: 5 ways to give it a second life

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 22:31

Your Apple TV is likely the last device you upgrade regularly. In recent years, updates have primarily focused on faster chips and a redesigned Siri Remote, which remains compatible with older models.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Windows Notepad is now a better Markdown text editor

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 22:21

Notepad was overhauled with a modern interface and new features alongside Windows 11, and Microsoft has continued updating it. Now, the text editor is getting even more Markdown editing features and a few other changes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This German compact SUV offers surprisingly good value for money

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 21:30

German luxury compact SUVs are often associated with high price tags, but one particular model has quietly proven that premium doesn’t always mean pricey. This SUV delivers the refinement, comfort, and technology buyers expect from a German brand, yet it does so with a value proposition that surprises many shoppers who assume higher costs come with the badge. For those balancing luxury and sensible spending, it’s becoming one of the most attractive options in its segment.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This clever Android game turns your charging cable into a bow and arrow

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 21:05

We’ve all played mobile games that rely on tapping, swiping, and tilting, but what about plugging and unplugging your charging cable? As strange as it sounds, that’s exactly what a clever web developer created, and you can play it on your Android phone without downloading anything.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The RTX 5090 is now $5,800: 4 GPUs that are complete rip-offs

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 20:30

The graphics card market is a fickle beast. One year, it'll be teeming with options for every price range; the next, it'll be barren during a shortage. The ongoing RAM-pocalypse is definitely pushing us toward that latter state, but there are still GPUs left to buy—for now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Drive is getting better protection from ransomware

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 20:13

Google is stepping up its security game for educational institutions by adding automated ransomware detection directly into Google Drive. This gives administrators and users a better defense against data loss and the threat of ransom payments. It also provides a safety net if an attack has already happened.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best thing about Galaxy XR was never announced

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 20:00

There are many reasons why Samsung Galaxy XR is the first VR headset I’ve actually wanted, but the best thing about it is something that neither Samsung nor Google felt the need to highlight. This is the most open, unrestricted headset on the market today—a device I can truly make my own.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My favorite thing about Home Assistant isn't the tech

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 19:00

Home Assistant is free, open-source smart home software that allows you to connect and control a huge number of smart home devices, regardless of their brand or ecosystem. It's a technological marvel, but my favorite thing about Home Assistant has nothing to do with the tech at all.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Our favorite budget dupe for the Dyson Supersonic just went on sale for $70, its lowest-ever price

Mashable - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 18:39

SAVE $30: Amazon has the Dreame Gleam Hair Dryer on sale for just $69.99 as of Jan. 21. That's 30% off its $99.99 sticker price, which is its biggest discount to date.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame Gleam Hair Dryer $69.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30   Get Deal

The Dyson Supersonic is a fast and effective hair dryer, but like most Dyson beauty tech, it suffers from the affliction of Being Way Too Expensive. Fortunately, my colleague Bethany Allard has made it part of her life's work to find the best Dyson Supersonic dupes that replicate its results for $300 or less. Her top budget pick, the Dreame Gleam, manages to do it for just $100 — but if you hustle, you'll pay a fraction of that.

As of Jan. 21, Amazon has the Gleam on sale for just $69.99, or 30% off its usual $99.99 MSRP. (You could buy six of them for the price of one Supersonic.) Data on the price-tracking site CamelCamelCamel shows that this is a match of its record-low price from last September, which hasn't reemerged until now.

SEE ALSO: I found 5 Dyson Supersonic dupes that are almost as good as the real thing

Dreame previously offered the same Gleam deal as part of a Black Friday special on its website, but it's currently sold out there.

Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The Gleam dethroned the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium as Allard's top Supersonic dupe under $100 several months ago because its short-nozzle design is a closer match, and because it's easier to find. It has two settings for speeds and three for heat, and it comes with one concentrator attachment. It's available in one shade of pastel pink — very apt for Valentine's Day, I might add.

Allard was impressed by the Gleam's lightweight feel and its effectiveness in taking her long hair from wet to dry in about 15 minutes on the warm setting. "My hair looked shiny and like it hadn't been overblasted with heat," she said. Less impressive: Its highest heat setting feels too hot to use for more than a few seconds, and it produces more frizz compared to some of the other Supersonic dupes Allard tried. Still, "these are minor complaints for a hair dryer under $100," she added.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Nows the time to buy the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 portable power station — heres how to save $1,700

Mashable - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 18:34

SAVE $1,700: The EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $1,999, down from the usual price of $3,699. That's a 46% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: EcoFlow EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 $1,999 at Amazon
$3,699 Save $1,700   Get Deal

Winter is the perfect time for home renovations. With no house guests lined up to arrive soon, you're free to make improvements to rooms that have been begging for upgrades. But something that we often overlook is how to power up the necessary tools to make improvements. Instead of running a giant extension cord through the house, opt for the convenience of a versatile portable power station. There's a beast of a model on sale today at Amazon.

As of Jan. 21, the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $1,999, down from the usual price of $3,699. That's a 46% discount that shaves a major $1,700 off the price. It's also the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

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Unlike smaller models that are perfect for keeping your phone charged during a power outage, the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 is a hefty model that comes with 4,096Wh of battery capacity. That will be incredible for both home renovations and keeping large appliances powered up during outages. EcoFlow says this model can keep a refrigerator cooling for three days.

SEE ALSO: The Jackery HomePower 3000 portable power station is nearly half off at Amazon — save over $1,000

Since this much battery power comes with significant weight, EcoFlow designed the Delta Pro 3 with durable wheels and a telescoping handle, so you'll be able to roll the power station around the house. It's also quiet, giving off as little as 30 decibels, so you'll be in good shape for using it in the kids room at night or for those who need to sleep with a CPAP.

Before you take on another home project or face a storm that knocks out power, upgrade to the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 portable power station while it's on sale at Amazon for under $2,000. It's ideal to use for home projects, during power outages, and for rolling into the backyard on summer nights for outdoor movies.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get your 1st year of the Criterion Channel for 20% off

Mashable - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 18:33

SAVE $20: Through Feb. 2, you can sign up for your first year of The Criterion Channel for just $79.99 instead of $99.99 during the Winter Sale. That's 20% off when you use the code NEWYEAR26.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Criterion Channel The Criterion Channel $79.99
$99.99 Save $20 with code NEWYEAR26 Get Deal

If you're looking to improve your cinephile status in 2026, a subscription The Criterion Channel is a necessity. And lucky for you, you can sign up for the entire year for 20% off.

Through Feb. 2, you can get your first year of The Criterion Channel for just $79.99 instead of the usual $99.99 during the Winter Sale. That's $20 or 20% in savings. Just use the code NEWYEAR26 at checkout to score the deal.

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The best streaming subscription for movie buffs, a Criterion Channel annual plan gives you access to the films in the Criterion Collection and Janus Films' library of more than 1,500 films. Rather than a fixed library with algorithmic programming, it hosts constantly rotating thematic programming, which ranges from mass-market to niche indie films. Current collections featured include "Hotels on Film," "Nordic Noir," "The '90s Do the '70s," and "Family Reunions." You'll also get access to over 500 shorts and 5,000 supplementary features, like trailers, introductions, behind-the-scenes documentaries, interviews, commentary, and rare archival footage.

To be frank, it's a cinephile's paradise. If you want to expand your cinematic palate this year, we highly recommend securing this deal before Feb. 2.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Microsoft 365, Office apps, and Microsoft Teams are down right now

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 18:31

If you can't get Microsoft Teams, Outlook, or other Microsoft apps to work right now, you're not alone. There's an outage that has taken out several Microsoft 365 services, and a fix is in the works.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Volvo EX60 is an electric SUV with Gemini AI and 400 miles of range

Mashable - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 18:30

Volvo EX60 is probably the most important car for Volvo this decade, and the specifications show it.

Officially unveiled on Wednesday, the Volvo EX60 is a mid-sized electric SUV, positioned in between the smaller EX30 and the big family hauler, the EX90, both of which are already available for purchase.

Volvo says the EX60 is extremely efficient thanks to its aerodynamics, as well as thermal and propulsion efficiency. Credit: Volvo

But the EX60 mimics the company's all-time best-selling model, the petrol-powered Volvo XC60. And while that car has been electrified in the form of the plug-in hybrid, the XC60 Recharge, the Volvo EX60 is the company's first, true mid-size electric SUV.

Given the intense competition in that space, Volvo had to pull out the big guns to stay competitive, and that it did, at least on paper. The Volvo EX60, which is built on Volvo's new SPA3 EV architecture, has a massive 400 miles of range. It also has super-fast charging, ideally taking the battery from 10 to 80 percent in just 19 minutes on a 400kW charger.

You won't mistake the EX60 for a non-Volvo, that's for sure. Credit: Volvo

These figures are for the most powerful variant, the Volvo EX60 P12 AWD, which comes with a 117kWh battery and dual motors for a combined 670hp, propelling the car from 0 to 60mph in 3.8 seconds.

You can also get the EX60 in a slightly weaker, P10 AWD configuration, which has a 95kWh battery and up to 320 miles of range, while the P6 only has a rear motor and up to 310 miles of range.

It's worth comparing that range figure with some competitors, as Volvo claims it's best-in-class. For example, Tesla's Model Y has up to 330 of EPA range, while BMW's recently unveiled iX3 equals the EX60 with up to 400 miles of range.

The infotainment system is powered by Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Google Gemini AI. Note the central screen which is horizontal instead of vertical, as it is on other Volvo models. Credit: Volvo

Volvo also addressed another pain point in many of today's cars: Infotainment. The EX60 is based on HuginCore, Volvo's name for a hardware/software combination of Nvidia and Qualcomm chips, and Google's Gemini AI smarts.

Some amenities you can get in an EX60 include a 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, with Apple Music pre-installed with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio support. The Gemini AI bit means you can have a natural conversation with your car, and the AI isn't just for answering geography and history questions; instead, it should be able to perform a variety of commands without you having to remember specific queries.

We hoped for a 7-seat variant, but Volvo doesn't mention it anywhere. Credit: Volvo

Volvo also says that all this hardware power brings a "no-lag" infotainment experience, in which "screens respond quickly, maps load instantly, voice assistants understand passengers better, and everything feels smooth." It sounds great, but we'll believe it when we see it.

Other highlights include tons of safety tech, as is customary for Volvo, which includes a boron steel-strengthened safety cage. The minimalistic exterior and interior design gently whispers "Scandinavian quality" into your ear. Looking at Volvo's promotional pictures, the most important detail we've noticed is the horizontally oriented central display, which used to be vertical in previous Volvos.

The Volvo EX60 CC is a bit more nature-friendly, but it's not that different from the regular EX60. Credit: Volvo

The company also launched the Volvo EX60 Cross Country, a slightly more rugged variant that shares very similar specs, though it's only available in the P10 AWD and P12 AWD configurations. Differences from the regular EX60 include higher clearance and seating position, air suspension, rugged wheel arches, stainless steel skid plates, and badges that remind you that this is a CC model.

Volvo says that the production of EX60 P6 and P10 variants will begin in April 2026, while the P12 will enter production later this year. As for price, the company says that a "really well-equipped" Volvo EX60 P10 AWD should cost around $60,000.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Marseille vs. Liverpool online for free

Mashable - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 18:30

TL;DR: Live stream Marseille vs. Liverpool in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League always delivers interesting matchups, but there's something special about Marseille vs. Liverpool. We're not exactly sure why, but this is a fascinating prospect.

Maybe it's because both teams still harbor ambitions of making the top eight and avoiding the playoff round. Marseille are three points off eighth place, so they need a bit of luck over the last two rounds of group stage games, but anything is possible. And Liverpool are not exactly flying right now, so Marseille will fancy their chances of taking three points at home.

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

When is Marseille vs. Liverpool?

Marseille vs. Liverpool in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Jan. 21. This fixture takes place at the Stade Vélodrome.

How to watch Marseille vs. Liverpool for free

Marseille vs. Liverpool is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.

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

Live stream Marseille vs. Liverpool for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

  4. Visit RTÉ Player

  5. Watch Marseille vs. Liverpool for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Marseille vs. Liverpool (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Marseille vs. Liverpool in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

ChatGPT is overtaking Google in one alarming way

Mashable - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 18:21

OpenAI and its popular AI chatbot ChatGPT may have started the current AI craze, but they've recently been losing some ground to Google Gemini in the AI arms race. However, it seems all is not lost for OpenAI and ChatGPT.

A new survey from subscription bundling platform Bango claims that 72 percent of ChatGPT subscribers say they have set the chatbot as their new browser homepage on both desktop and mobile (as reported by Tom's Guide). If true, that would be a big blow to Google's long-time dominance in the search space. Google hasn't faced a true competitor in the search world in decades, and a U.S. federal judged ruled in 2024 that the company illegally maintained a monopoly in online search. (Google is appealing that antitrust ruling.)

Since ChatGPT exploded onto the scene in 2022, Google and OpenAI have become fierce rivals.

Last month, a report found that ChatGPT had lost six percent of its user base after Google launched an upgraded Gemini 3 model. Then, just weeks ago, Google announced alongside Apple that its Gemini AI model would power Apple Intelligence across all of Apple's devices, which in turn would likely further dilute ChatGPT's market share. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reportedly declared a "code red" at the company in response to increased competition.

ChatGPT is still causing problems for Google in one key area

Bango's survey found that a majority of ChatGPT subscribers now use the AI chatbot as their default homepage, according to Tom's Guide. That's potentially hundreds of millions of people who no longer start their online experience with Google.

One of the ways Google has dominated the search engine space for so long has been by becoming the default search engine when users open their web browsers. For example, Google had been paying Apple a whopping $20 billion per year for the privilege of being the default search engine for iPhone users, until the company was barred from doing so as a result of an antitrust lawsuit.

If this survey data is accurate, OpenAI has been able to convince users to switch from Google to ChatGPT, and without paying billions of dollars a year to do so.

Bango reportedly polled 1,400 U.S. ChatGPT subscribers for this survey, so we should note that these are the opinions of a small group of users who regularly utilize ChatGPT. 

ChatGPT subscribers love ChatGPT

The main takeaway from Bango's survey is that while Google has been making gains when it comes to AI, the search giant may have to defend its own turf from ChatGPT.

However, there are other interesting results from this survey that point to another trend: many hardcore ChatGPT users want to do everything within ChatGPT.

The survey also found that 78 percent of ChatGPT subscribers have added the ChatGPT widget to their mobile device's home screen, per Tom's Guide. This means they don't even have to access a web browser to use it. They just want to go directly to ChatGPT.

Once those users are in ChatGPT, they don't want to go anywhere else. The survey found that 74 percent of ChatGPT subscribers want to shop for products within ChatGPT, and 72 percent say they'll use standalone third-party apps like Spotify and Maps less if they can access them within ChatGPT.

In addition, three-quarters of ChatGPT subscribers said they want to perform all their daily digital tasks within ChatGPT without using any other apps or websites.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Saving files is currently broken on Windows 11 and Windows 10

How-To Geek - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 18:09

Microsoft has confirmed that its latest Windows updates, released on January 13, 2026, are causing several applications to freeze when accessing files stored on cloud services like OneDrive and Dropbox. This is just one in a series of critical bugs discovered in the recent patch.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Is OnePlus getting shut down? Conflicting reports cause confusion among mobile users.

Mashable - Wed, 01/21/2026 - 18:03

Lots of people are saying OnePlus is on the verge of shutting down, but OnePlus executives beg to differ.

So, what's going on with OnePlus?

The Chinese smartphone maker is the subject of credible reports alleging that parent company Oppo is planning to end the mobile brand's operations in the near future. It all started with an investigation from Android Headlines, which cited dismal sales numbers and multiple unnamed sources claiming that the company is on its last legs. Android Headlines described the evidence it collected as "damning."

"OnePlus, as you know it, is over," wrote Android Headlines publisher and owner Chris Yackulic. "The brand is being dismantled — wound down and put on life support until it honors its remaining commitments, and by then, no one will remember to ask what happened. That’s not speculation. That’s the playbook, and we’ve watched it run before."

Android Headlines reported that some corporate headquarters have already been closed, and that products like OnePlus's next foldable have been canceled.

However, OnePlus India CEO Robin Liu has strongly denied these claims in a statement on X. He echoed this denial in statements to various mobile outlets.

"Recent unverified reports claiming OnePlus is shutting down are false. OnePlus India’s business operations continue as normal. We urge all stakeholders to verify information from official sources before sharing unsubstantiated claims.”

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

In addition, OnePlus's North American branch provided a similar comment to Android Headlines.

“OnePlus North America continues to operate, with full guarantee of users’ after-sales support, software updates, and rights commitments," the company told Android Headlines.

Of course, many struggling companies deny reports like this right up to the moment they shut down in an attempt to stave off a death spiral.

Mashable has reviewed OnePlus phones for years, and if the company does shut down, it would leave a hole in a mobile market that's already dominated by several tech giants (Apple, Google, and Samsung). The calculus is different in Asia, where there are lots of alternative smartphone options, but here in the West, OnePlus is one of the only ways to get out of the Apple-Google-Samsung ecosystem.

The OnePlus 15, released just a few months ago, was one of the very best phones of 2025, with high-end specs at a competitive price.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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