Blogroll

6 hybrids that get over 50 MPG and cost less than $30,000

How-To Geek - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 20:30

Fuel efficiency remains one of the biggest priorities for budget-conscious buyers, but reaching 50 MPG or more often sounds like something reserved for expensive specialty hybrids. In 2026, that’s no longer the case. Several affordable hybrid models now deliver exceptional fuel economy while keeping purchase prices within reach for everyday drivers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How the iPhone Fold and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 differ, according to leaks

Mashable - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 20:18

Apple's first foldable iPhone, unofficially dubbed the iPhone Fold, is expected to debut in September. Now new leaks show how the phone will likely differ from the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 lineup.

Apple is several years late to the foldable smartphone market, but don't count Apple out based on speed. After all, the company was late to MP3 players and smartphones — and the iPod and iPhone were the results.

Leakers with decent track records are showing dummy cases for the iPhone Fold on X. And that gives us a clear sense of how this foldable will set itself apart from the competition.

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iPhone Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8: Design differences

Most flagship foldables have roughly the same width and length as a regular smartphone when folded, but earlier leaks suggest Apple has adopted a wider design.

You can see that in the latest photos of alleged iPhone Fold dummy units and cases, from @MajinBuofficia on X (via Android Authority).

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Meanwhile, Samsung seems set to introduce a new version of its flagship foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold Wide, that will have similar dimensions as the iPhone Fold. Recent leaks from Android Headlines show what the Fold Wide could look like. Still, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will likely retain a similar design and proportions as last year's Z Fold 7.

Square edges on last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Early photos of the Z Fold 8 lineup show phones with sharper corners, like the Z Fold 7, while Apple appears to be embracing more rounded edges.

Both phones are expected to be ultra-thin, with an unfolded width under 5 mm, just like the Z Fold 7.

Samsung and Apple foldables: Other key differences

Apple will reportedly place the volume buttons on the top edge of the iPhone Fold, with a power and Touch ID button expected along the right edge.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 unfolded. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable A hypothetical rendering of the iPhone Fold. Credit: Mashable

The iPhone Fold will be running iOS (presumably iOS 27), while the Galaxy foldables will be running the latest version of Android.

More importantly, the iPhone Fold appears to have only two rear cameras, while the Z Fold 8 is expected to have three rear cameras. Leaks of the Z Fold Wide show two cameras, matching the iPhone Fold.

The iPhone Fold could have one big advantage over the Galaxy Z Fold 8 — it will fit more easily in pockets.

In design, Apple's device sits somewhere between flip-style foldables and tablet-style foldables. Overall, it looks more like the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which wasn't particularly well-received by our reviewer — or by the tech world at large.

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Againm we're mostly working from leaks and rumors at this point, and we don't know what we don't know. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a highly trusted name in this realm, recently reported that the iPhone Fold is on track for a 2026 launch, while the new Galaxy Z Fold smartphones are rumored to launch July 22.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 entertaining Netflix thrillers worth watching this week (April 20-26)

How-To Geek - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 20:00

I don't know why, but I'm actively seeking shark movies. Last week, I recommended Thrash as the top Netflix thriller of the week. Is Thrash going to win an Oscar? Absolutely not. It's quite ridiculous, actually, but I had a blast watching sharks terrorize a coastal town. I needed an entertaining movie where I could turn my brain off. Thrash did that for me.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Andy Weir, Emily St. John Mandel, and more close out BookCon 2026 with what makes a successful page-to-screen adaptation

Mashable - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 19:54

For book fans, book-to-screen adaptations can be a sore subject of changed endings and miscastings. But authors aren't as precious about them. In the final panel of BookCon 2026, authors Andy Weir (Project Hail Mary, The Martian), Emily St. John Mandel (Station Eleven), May Cobb (The Hunting Wives), and Robinne Lee (The Idea of You) were joined by moderator Jason Blitman (host and producer of the Gays Reading podcast) to discuss the the joys and limitations of bringing a book to the screen.

Cutting straight to the heart of the topic, Blitman kicked things off with the ultimate question: What makes a successful adaptation? Across the panel, there have been varied adaptations. Weir's Project Hail Mary and Cobb's The Hunting Wives had mostly faithful adaptations, while The Idea of You and Station Eleven are larger departures from the source material.

St. John Mandel answered regarding the adaptation of Station Eleven, saying, "They changed every single plot, but they did retain the spirit of the original."

Lee added, "How can I be true to what readers fell in love with and still create something that's going to appeal to a wider audience?"

A potentially surprising sentiment shared by all four authors is that, regardless of their involvement in the adaptations, there was a lack of preciousness toward the projects. That's not to be confused with enthusiasm, however, as everyone on the panel echoed wanting to be champions and cheerleaders for the adaptations.

Novels, television, and movies are such widely different media that change is inevitable in an adaptation, as Weir says, "There are things you can do in a visual medium that are very difficult to do in a narrative medium."

On screen, when you don't need to spend pages filling in interiority or describing scenes and settings, there's room to play and expand characters. Cobb found this to be true in The Hunting Wives as "The husband that takes out the trash is now running for governor."

Lee made the most apt analogy of the panel, saying, "You are going to look at your book as your baby, but you have to look at any adaptation as a kind of distant relative." She went on to say, "When you go to that adaptation, suddenly other people are taking it over, and people are owning those characters. People judging the film, to me, doesn't feel as personal. It doesn't feel like a judgment of my work."

While there's often an adversarial relationship between fans and adaptations of their favorite books, authors enter these projects with an open mind. "I feel like I'm almost like pathologically welcoming of changes in the adaptation process," said St. John Mandel.

Cobb, who first met The Hunting Wives producer, Rebecca Cutter, when she came to visit Texas, recalls driving through the back woods of East Texas. She said Cutter pitched Cobb on her vision for the TV show, describing how she wanted to change the ending, which Cobb met with excitement, saying, "Where were you when I was writing the book?"

In fact, Weir said in his book Artemis, which has been on the adaptation backburner for several years, that when there is movement on the project, he has a list of changes ready to go: "I have identified a bunch of problems in Artemis that I feel are places where the writing is weak. I'm gonna give the directors and the people who are pitching it to studios, I'm going to give a bullet point list of an alternate plot sequence for Artemis."

The panel was the final of BookCon, which returns in 2027 on April 10 and 11.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Practical Magic 2 trailer: Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return for a witchy good time

Mashable - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 19:30

Blend yourself some midnight margaritas, because the Owens sisters are back!

SEE ALSO: 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' trailer promises plenty of Star Wars-level action

The witches at the heart of 1998's Practical Magic return for a sequel almost 30 years in the making, directed by Susanne Bier and written by Akiva Goldsman and Georgia Pritchett. Practical Magic 2 is based on the final novel in Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic series, The Book of Magic.

Practical Magic 2 takes place 25 years after the first film. By this point, Sally and Gillian (Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman) are still practicing magic in Massachusetts alongside their aunts Frances and Jet (Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest). They're also still cursed when it comes to matters of love.

Taking an even bigger role in Practical Magic 2 are Sally's daughters, played by Joey King and Maisie Williams. In the original film, the characters of Kylie and Antonia Owens were played by Evan Rachel Wood and Alexandra Artrip. Wood confirmed she was not asked to return for the sequel, and that the role was being recast.

As Sally's daughters' begins to develop, ancient family secrets come to light that will force three generations of Owens sisters to fight back against their ancestral curse. Their journey will take them from Massachusetts to the United Kingdom.

The teaser trailer for Practical Magic 2 is full of Practical Magic greatest hits, including Harry Nilsson's song "Coconut," which plays during the midnight margaritas scene in the first film. It also introduces new characters, including Lee Pace as a new companion for Sally and Gillian's travels.

Practical Magic 2 hits theaters Sept. 11.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 unforgettable Prime Video movies to watch this week (April 20 - April 26)

How-To Geek - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 19:30

I love a good movie that strikes an inherent chord and leaves a long-lasting impact. The unforgettable ones tend to linger for quite a while, and when a movie does that, you know it’s done its job of inspiring insight, deeper understanding, and different perspectives.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow is $100 off at Amazon

Mashable - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 19:16

SAVE $100: The Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $899.99, down from the list price of $999.99. That's a 10% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow robot vacuum and mop $899.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $100   Get Deal

Mashable's resident vacuum expert Lead Stodart has tested over 25 models of robot vacuums that also mop. She hadn't written off robot vacuums that have a roller mop, but she was yet to be impressed by performance. However, the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 impressed, and lucky for us, it's on sale today.

As of April 20, the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $899.99, marked down from the usual price of $999.99. That's a 10% discount that takes $100 off the price.

In Stodart's testing of the new Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow, it did a damn fine job at every challenge she tossed its way. While it has 20,000Pa suction power, it picked up sprinkles off a deep carpet as efficiently as the 35,000Pa Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete. "Though the Dreame vacuum is significantly stronger with 35,000 Pa of suction power, I honestly think that the Curv 2 Flow did just as good a job — the pickup rate of both was almost perfect. When I got down on eye level to see if the Curv 2 Flow cleaned up crushed chips on my tufted living room rug, it was spotless aside from a single long hair," noted Stodart.

SEE ALSO: Narwal Flow 2 robot vacuum review: The most insightful AI mess detection yet for a decent price

The roller mop was also impressive in its ability to clean corners, something that doesn't seem physically possible with a robot roller. "The roller sits in a sliding case that visibly extends an inch or two past the vacuum's circumference when an edge is sensed," according to Stodart. "The Curv 2 Flow has provided an extremely close scrub against walls, including the wall of my bathtub, where there are always tiny pieces of hair and kitty litter dust stuck in dried soap droplets."

While this powerful do-it-all model is sitting at a sale price, offload the task of cleaning the floors and enlist the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow robot vacuum and mop to handle the job.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop buying expensive mesh Wi-Fi systems, a single well-placed router is better

How-To Geek - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 19:00

Mesh Wi-Fi systems get recommended like a cure-all, and to be fair, they absolutely have their place. I use one myself because I need to cover both my house and a separate studio, and it's the only setup that makes that seamless. But that's a pretty specific scenario, and it's not how most people actually live or use their network.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Marty Supreme: Timothée Chalamet’s Oscar-nominated movie is finally streaming

Mashable - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 18:56

It's hard to escape Timothée Chalamet in film these days. First, he was Wonka, then he conquered Bob Dylan, and now he's taking audiences into the high-stakes world of 1950s table tennis as ping pong star Marty Mauser.

The best streaming deals to watch 'Marty Supreme' at home: Best non-streaming option Buy or rent "Marty Supreme" on Prime Video $19.99 or $7.99 Shop Now Best for most people HBO Max (With Ads) $109.99/year (save $21.89) Get Deal Best ad-free option for most people Max Standard $184.99/year (save $36.89) Get Deal Best for students HBO Max Student $5.49 per month for 12 months (save 50%) Get Deal Best way to watch for free HBO Max Basic With Ads Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month unlimited plan (save $10.99/month) Get Deal Best bundle deal Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max $19.99 per month (with ads), $32.99 per month (no ads) (save up to 42%) Get Deal Best for Verizon customers Netflix and HBO Max (with ads) $10/month for Verizon myPlan customers (save $8.98/month) Get Deal

Directed by Josh Safdie and distributed by A24, Marty Supreme was a major contender during awards season. Chalamet won the Golden Globe for his performance as Marty, and while he didn't take home the Oscar, the movie was a nine-time nominee, which is still something to brag about. Beyond Chalamet, the sports dramedy also has a fantastic ensemble cast that includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A'zion, Kevin O'Leary, Tyler Okonma (aka Tyler, the Creator), Abel Ferrara, and Fran Drescher.

After a lengthy wait, Marty Supreme is finally hitting the streaming circuit. Here's everything you need to know to catch it from your couch.

What is Marty Supreme about?

Inspired by the real-life story of table tennis champion Marty Reisman, Marty Mauser (Chalamet) is a man with a big dream — to achieve greatness and bring ping pong to the masses. Already a legend in his own mind, though he's barely scraping by, Marty just needs to pay his way to the championship overseas first. And he'll do anything to get there.

"Exploding with chaos, character, and kinetic energy, Marty Supreme is a movie about the city's scoundrels, their sins, and why we love them anyway," writes Mashable's entertainment editor Kristy Puchko.

Check out the official trailer for a glimpse at Marty Supreme:

Is Marty Supreme worth watching?

Now the highest-grossing A24 film domestically, Marty Supreme has surpassed Everything Everywhere All at Once in North America with over $80 million. Audiences didn't just show up for it; they loved it. Currently, the sports comedy holds an 82 percent audience rating and an impressive 93 percent critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes — with most cheering on Chalamet's performance. He won the Golden Globe and was nominated for the Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar. That's not all, though; the film was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Production Design, Best Film Editing, Best Directing, Best Cinematography, Best Casting, Best Costume Design, and Best Original Screenplay.

"This zinging dialogue, racing score, and electric cast collide to create cinema that celebrates New York, while recognizing its warts with a bleeding grin. All of this makes Marty Supreme an unusual crowdpleaser," Mashable's Puchko writes in her review. "Full of wild humor and shocking turns, it has its audience in a chokehold of tension and surprise, rarely letting up for us to breathe. And yet, what a thrill to be breathless."

Check out Mashable's full review of Marty Supreme.

How to watch Marty Supreme at home Credit: A24

A24 released Marty Supreme on digital back on Feb. 10, so we've had quite a wait for its streaming debut. Now that it's finally arrived, we've broken down the details below.

Buy or rent on digital

Marty Supreme made its at-home debut at digital-on-demand retailers on Feb. 10. You can purchase the film for your digital library for $19.99 or rent it for only $7.99. If you choose to rent, you'll get access for 30 days, but just 48 hours once you start watching.

Quick links to buy/rent Marty Supreme on digital:

Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Buy or rent 'Marty Supreme' at Prime Video $19.99 or $7.99 Shop Now Stream it on HBO Max

Marty Supreme will finally make its streaming debut on HBO Max on April 24, 2026. While it feels like a long wait, this is actually right on the money for A24 theatrical releases. Other recent A24 movies, like Sorry, Baby, Bring Her Back, and The Smashing Machine, followed the same theater-to-streaming trajectory. A24 just renewed its output deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, so we can expect more A24 theatrical releases (Pillion, The Drama) to hit the streamer in the coming months.

HBO Max subscriptions start at $10.99 per month (thanks to its most recent price hike), but there are some ways to save some money on your plan. Check out the best HBO Max streaming deals below.

SEE ALSO: What does Netflix's purchase of Warner Bros. mean for theatrical releases? The best HBO Max streaming dealsBest for most people: Save 16% on HBO Max annual subscriptions Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Basic with ads annual subscription $109.99 per year (save $21.89) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Standard annual subscription $184.99 per year (save $36.89) Get Deal

The best way to save on HBO Max on any given day is to sign up for the annual plan over the monthly plan. The HBO Max Basic plan with ads typically costs $10.99 per month, but if you pay for an entire year upfront, that price drops down to just $9.17. You'll pay $109.99 total for the year, which saves you about 16% compared to paying each month.

Rather go ad-free? The annual HBO Max Standard or Premium plans will also save you about 16% over their monthly counterparts. The Standard tier costs either $18.49 per month or $184.99 per year (about $15.42 per month), while the Premium tier costs either $22.99 per month or $229.99 per year (about $19.17 per month). Both tiers unlock ad-free viewing, but the Premium tier also adds 4K Ultra HD video quality, Dolby Atmos immersive audio, and the ability to download more offline content.

Get HBO Max for free: Switch to Cricket's Supreme Unlimited plan Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max / Cricket HBO Max (with ads) Free for Cricket customers on the Supreme Unlimited plan Get Deal

Want to get HBO Max for free? One of the best ways in 2026 is to switch your phone plan to Cricket's $60 per month Supreme Unlimited plan. It includes HBO Max Basic with ads for free — a $10.99 per month value. When you open up the HBO Max app or website, you'll just select Cricket as your provider and use your credentials to log in.

Best HBO Max deal for students: Save 50% on HBO Max Basic with ads Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Student $5.49 per month for 12 months Get Deal

College students can watch Marty Supreme when it hits streaming by signing up for an entire year of HBO Max with ads for half price. Verify your student status through UNiDAYS and retrieve the unique discount code to drop the price from $10.99 to just $5.49 per month. After 12 months, the price will jump back up to the full $10.99 monthly fee unless you cancel.

Best bundle deal: Get HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu for up to 42% off Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max / Hulu / Disney+ Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max $19.99 per month (with ads), $32.99 per month (no ads) Get Deal

You'll get the most bang for your buck if you opt for the Disney+ bundle deal that includes Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max for just $19.99 per month with ads. That lineup of streamers would usually cost you $34.97 per month if you paid separately for each, so you'll keep an extra $15 in your pocket monthly. If you prefer to watch without ads, the bundle will run you $32.99 per month as opposed to $56.47. That's up to 42% in savings for unlimited access to all three streaming libraries.

Another great bundle deal: Save $9/month on HBO Max and Netflix (with ads) with Verizon MyPlan Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix / HBO Max Netflix and HBO Max $10 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan (save $8.98 per month) Get Deal

Verizon customers with myPlan can get both Netflix and HBO Max with ads for only $10 per month ($8.98/month in savings). An $18.98/month value, that essentially gets you Netflix Standard with ads for free. Eligible Verizon customers include those on the Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plans. After enrolling in the promo, you'll have to complete the account setup separately for each service. Verizon's support page has all the eligibility details, terms, and FAQs.

UPDATE: Apr. 20, 2026, 11:35 a.m. EDT This article has been updated with the latest streaming information for "Marty Supreme."

Categories: IT General, Technology

The MacBook Neo is selling out at Apple. Consider these 4 alternatives if you cant wait.

Mashable - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 18:43

When Apple revealed its colorful new budget laptop, the MacBook Neo, to the world earlier this year, I predicted Apple would sell millions of them. (Ten million, by some counts.)

Less than two months later, 9To5Mac reports that Apple has sold out its April supply of the MacBook Neo, with the $599 MacBook Neo backordered until May. While you can still find the MacBook Neo in stock at Amazon and Best Buy, rumor has it that after selling out its initial stock, Apple was forced to place rush orders with its manufacturers earlier this month.

The MacBook Neo has an unbeatable price for its feature set, and students and educators can get the laptop for just $499 by taking advantage of the Apple Store's education offer. (That might be why the laptop is backordered at Apple but still available elsewhere.) A version with Touch ID and 512GB of storage is available for $699, or $599 with education pricing.

As I explained in my MacBook Neo review, this laptop has no true competitor. Windows laptops and Chromebooks at that price point have much weaker displays, speakers, and overall specs — and that's before you factor in the Apple status symbol and cool factor as well.

So, if you can't get your hands on the MacBook Neo or prefer Windows, what should you buy instead? All of these MacBook Neo alternatives come with some tradeoffs, but they won't break your budget or slow you down too much.

Your best bet: Wait for more inventory

Honestly, unless you prefer Windows or need a gaming laptop, we recommend waiting until the MacBook Neo is available again at the Apple Store. And if you don't qualify for education pricing, you can still find the Neo in stock at Amazon and Best Buy, for now.

Apple MacBook Neo, 13 inches (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $589.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Apple MacBook Neo, 13 inches, Touch ID (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $689.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Best for Windows users: Windows 11 Ultimate College Bundle

Last week, Microsoft released a new savings offer for college students that seems designed to compete with MacBook Neo shoppers. Microsoft recently raised prices on its Microsoft Surface devices, and has no true competitor to the Neo. However, this offer does come with a lot of perks for students.

When you buy a Windows 11 laptop, the company will also give you one year of Microsoft 365 Premium, one year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and an Xbox Wireless Controller for free, a more than $500 value.

The offer includes popular cheap laptops like the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x and the Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop. (See all offers at the Microsoft store.)

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x Copilot+ PC, 15.3 inchesSnapdragon X, 16GB Memory, 256GB SSD) $449.99 at Best Buy
$799.99 Save $350   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop, 15.6 inches (Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $999.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Best for AI users: Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514

Acer's popular Chromebook Plus Spin 514 will cost you more than the MacBook Neo, but it comes with 12 months of the Google One AI Premium plan, which includes 5TB of cloud storage. It's also a 2-in-1 convertible laptop with a touchscreen, so if offers more versatility than a MacBook. In terms of spec, you also get more RAM and a larger display, though you'll lost out on the MacBook Neo speakers and Retina display.

Again, if you had your heart set on the MacBook Neo, we'd recommend waiting until it's back in stock at Apple or shopping through Amazon in the meantime.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 (MediaTek Kompanio Ultra, 12GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749
+12 months of the Google One AI Premium plan Get Deal

Also consider: The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, a Mashable Choice product available at Best Buy for $699.

Best Apple alternative: The M1 MacBook Air

In our performance tests, the new MacBook Neo's A18 Pro chip performed almost exactly like the original M1 chip on the Geekbench 6 benchmark test. The M1 MacBook Air was also one of the most award-winning laptops ever, and while it's no longer officially sold, you can still find it in stock at Walmart. However, you can grab it refurbished at Amazon and Best Buy for under $500, which is the most we'd pay for this old model.

The M1 chip is ancient compared to the new M5 chips, but it holds up surprisingly well given its age. There's a reason Apple silicon has been so disruptive in the laptop market.

Don't forget: Because this laptop is six years old, it won't be supported with updates for as long as a newly designed device.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13 inches (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) Refurbished models starting at $439 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13 inches (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $618.19 at Walmart
  Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

The Sony XM6 earbuds are the best audio product Ive tested this year — and theyre back at their lowest price ever

Mashable - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 18:36

Save $31.99: Take 10% off the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds at Amazon as of April 20. This brings them down to $298, instead of their list price of $329.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WF-1000XM6 $298 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $31.99   Get Deal

As a headphones reviewer, I get plenty experience testing out the latest and greatest audio has to offer. As a budget-buys lover, I don't always see the point of increasingly high price points.

Then, I tried the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds. At $329.99, these earbuds aren't cheap, sitting at an even higher price than Bose's flagship earbuds and the Technics EAH-AZ1000, another Mashable favorite. However, as of April 20, the Sony buds are down to a slightly better $298, marking a return to their lowest price ever.

Don't get me wrong — I get that $300 isn't exactly chump change. That said, I consider these earbuds an investment for anyone who wants the absolute best blend of sound, comfort, and noise cancellation. To be clear, I still think the Bose QC Ultra 2 buds lead the category on the comfort scale, but between the best noise cancellation and sound I've tried on a pair of earbuds, I get why these are priced the way they are.

SEE ALSO: Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) vs. Sony WH-1000xM6: Which headphones should you buy?

As these are Sony buds, the companion app also offers great customization, with a 10-band equalizer for finding the sound that's just right. At eight hours per charge, their battery life is also competitive with other noise-cancelling favorites of Mashable's, like the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

I loved the XM6 earbuds when I first reviewed them earlier this year, and I continue to love them months later. Unless the audio space throws a real curveball, I imagine these will be one of the best releases of the year.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to use the FIND function in Microsoft Excel

How-To Geek - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 18:30

Most of Excel's functions and tools ignore the difference between capital and lowercase letters, which is fine until a case-sensitive ID breaks your workflow. The FIND function is a strict gatekeeper for your data, treating casing as a critical data point rather than a suggestion.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Grab Sonys 77-inch QD-OLED 4K TV while its $1,000 off

Mashable - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 18:28

SAVE 20%: As of April 20, you can get the Sony QD-OLED 77-inch BRAVIA XR A95L Series 4K Ultra HD TV for $3,999.99, down from $4,999.99. That's a 20% discount or $1,000 savings.

Sony QD-OLED 77-inch BRAVIA XR A95L Series 4K Ultra HD TV $3,999.99 at Amazon
$4,999.99 Save $1,000   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart

Hooking up a PlayStation 5 to a mediocre screen is a quick way to ruin the graphics you paid for. If you want your games to look the way they were intended, you need a TV that can keep up with the console.

SEE ALSO: What's the best time of year to buy a TV? Yes, there's an answer.

Right now, you can get the Sony QD-OLED 77-inch BRAVIA XR A95L Series 4K Ultra HD TV for $3,999.99 at Amazon, down from $4,999.99. That's a 20% discount, or $1,000 in savings.

Since Sony makes both the console and the TV, you'll get exclusive features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping that optimize the picture quality while you play. It has HDMI 2.1 for 4K gaming at 120Hz, so you don't have to deal with lag, and there's a dedicated Game Menu to adjust your settings on the fly. When you put the controller down, the QD-OLED screen gives you pure blacks and bright colors for movie night, with Google TV built in so you have all your streaming apps in one place.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The DJI Mini 3 beginner-friendly drone is down to an all-time low $299 at Amazon

Mashable - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 18:20

SAVE $120: As of April 20, the DJI Mini 3 beginner-friendly drone is on sale at Amazon for only $299 with an on-page coupon. That's nearly 30% in savings and its best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 3 $299 at Amazon
$419 Save $120 with on-page coupon Get Deal

Everyone from real estate agents to marketing managers to casual Instagrammers could use a drone to capture more enticing footage. But drones don't typically come with the most affordable price tags, which is why we're highlighting this deal we spotted on the DJI Mini 3. At nearly 30% off, it's the cheapest we've ever seen it.

As of April 20, the beginner-friendly DJI Mini 3 is down to $299 with an on-page coupon at Amazon. That's $120 off its list price of $419 and just the second time we've seen the price drop this low. Just be sure to check the box that says "coupon price" to score the discount.

Weighing in at just half a pound, the DJI Mini 3 is true to its name. It folds up to an even more compact size for transport. It captures 4K HDR video and its innovative gimbal design allows for true vertical shooting and dynamic angles. Translation: you'll be able to snap some truly epic shots for social media. You'll get about 38 minutes of flight time before you need a charge or battery swap, but you can extend that to up to 51 minutes if you purchase the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus (sold separately).

The Mini 3 is level 5 wind-resistant, so you can still take flight and capture footage in less than ideal conditions. Plus, intelligent features like auto takeoff, RTH (return to home), and precise hovering help beginners get started without a steep learning curve.

It's not every day the popular DJI Mini 3 goes on sale for $120 off. If you're in the market for a beginner-friendly drone, click on that coupon box and snag it while you can.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new movies to watch this week across Netflix, HBO Max, and more (April 20-26)

How-To Geek - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 18:15

The list of new movies from last week was much smaller in scale compared to what's arriving in the coming days. Netflix's sweet comedy, Roommates, and the raunchy Prime Video movie, Balls Up, would not make our top 3. That's a testament to this week's quality of streaming movies.

Categories: IT General, Technology

A robot runner just beat a half-marathon record

Mashable - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 17:52

A world half-marathon record was broken at a race in China this weekend. But the winner wasn't an Olympian or even a competitive racer. It was a bright red humanoid robot. Nickname? Lightning.

The autonomous robot was competing in a robot versus human half-marathon race in Beijing, China, an annual event featuring the country's top robotics companies in a foot race test against their human counterparts.

SEE ALSO: Tariff refund site: What it is, how to use it

Lightning was built by Honor, a Chinese robotics and smartphone maker. The company tested other running robot variants at the race, including the bots that took home second- and third-place titles.

Mashable got an early look at Honor's new line of AI-powered humanoid bots at the latest Mobile World Congress. The bots had an impressive stability (many of these two-legged bots are prone to tumbling) and even a crowd-pleasing dance performance. The company also debuted a new "Robot Phone," featuring a robotic eye and arm that juts out from the smartphone to take photos and respond to requests.

During Sunday's race, the company showed that the new era of humanoid robots aren't just dancers, but competitive athletes, with Lightning taking home the gold in a 50-minute and 26-second sprint — that's six minutes quicker than the fastest human and nearly two hours faster than its time in last year's race. Honor engineers explained that the robot's fast upgrade came from modeling its design after top athletes, including elongated legs and an internal liquid-cooling system.

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Chinese robotics companies have been accelerating their development of humanoid robots over the last several years in direct competition with U.S. manufacturers. Lightning's record-breaking win was taken as a sign that the country's investments may be paying off.

Still, many of the robots needed assistance to cross the finish line. In addition to starting line stumbles and a few falls, about 60 percent of the competing bots were remotely operated by their human teams.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

Android's most trusted launcher is now harvesting your data

How-To Geek - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 17:42

There was once a time when Nova Launcher was the best Android launcher in the world. If you bought the premium version, you might very well feel compelled to continue using it. Sadly, now is the time to let go.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Score this 65-inch Toshiba mini-LED 4K TV for $500 off

Mashable - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 17:31

SAVE 33%: As of April 20, you can get the 65-inch Toshiba Class Z670R Series Smart Fire TV for $999.99, down from $1,499.99, at Amazon. That's a 33% discount or $500 savings.

65-inch Toshiba Class Z670R Series Smart Fire TV $999.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $500   Get Deal at Amazon

Replacing your living room TV can be expensive, which is exactly why people put up with a dying screen or terrible speakers for years. But you don't have to spend a ridiculous amount of money just to get a good picture. Toshiba's 65-inch Mini-LED 4K TV gives you all the high-end specs you want without the usual sticker shock.

SEE ALSO: What's the best time of year to buy a TV? Yes, there's an answer.

Right now, you can grab this 2026 model for $999.99 at Amazon, down from $1,499.99. That's a 33% discount or an extra $500 in your wallet for a soundbar, or important things, like bills.

This QLED screen uses Mini LED technology and full-array local dimming to keep blacks deep and highlights bright. It has a native 144Hz refresh rate to keep motion looking smooth, and with a built-in Fire TV, you won't need an extra streaming dongle to access your live channels or apps. Toshiba also included a REGZA Power Audio Pro system with a dedicated bass woofer, so you get resonant audio straight out of the box.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop replacing your entire keyboard—swap these 7 keys instead

How-To Geek - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 17:31

Mechanical keyboards are a massive upgrade over standard membrane ones. They offer a level of customization that goes far beyond typing feel alone. One of the biggest advantages of hot-swappable mechanical keyboards is that you can easily mix and match switches and keycaps to build something unique.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple AirTags are over 40% off — and at a new record-low price

Mashable - Mon, 04/20/2026 - 17:18

Save 42%: As of April 20, you can grab a four-pack of first generation Apple AirTags on sale for $56.99 at Woot. This sale slashes their price down $42.01 from $99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTags, first generation (4-pack) $56.99 at Woot
$99 Save $42.01   Get Deal

Sometimes, shopping in the off-season can get you the best deals on a product (think space heater in the middle of summer). And sometimes, as is the case with this Apple deal, products go on sale at the perfect time.

Just in time for spring and summer travel, a four-pack of the first generation Apple AirTags are on sale at Woot for $56.99. That comes out to just $14.25 per AirTag, compared to the $29 a single AirTag will run you. It's also the best price we've ever seen on the Bluetooth trackers, besting their record-low of $59.99 they hit in March.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Same great style with the tiniest of upgrades

Of course, a Bluetooth tracker can be useful year-round, not just during travel season. AirTags are small enough to be slipped in your purse, wallet, on a keychain, and for some people, even as a collar for their pets. A new generation of AirTags did just hit the market in February, but in comparing the two generations side by side, Mashable's Stan Schroeder found that the differences between the two trackers weren't vast, with the first generation especially reigning superior for older iPhone compatibility.

The newer trackers have a better tracking range, and a louder signal. Still, it's hard to beat value, and at this sale price, the first generation AirTags are undeniably offering that.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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