Blogroll

Synology has faced a lot of hate over the past year for various reasons—some of which are very founded. However, a longstanding gripe of the brand’s customers is how expensive its hardware is. Here’s why I think that it’s still worth paying the Synology tax in 2026.

High fidelity is almost never the default setting in the digital streaming world today. Most platforms, including YouTube Music, prioritize keeping your playback smooth and saving your data over giving you pure audio quality. This trade-off is silently ruining your listening experience.

Imagine yourself lost in the wilderness, miles from civilization, with no cell signal or Wi-Fi. Your phone is pretty much a useless brick. But what if you could still send a text? While it's not always possible to text without any connection, your Google Pixel has a few tricks up its sleeve for when you're truly off the grid.

Home Assistant is arguably the best choice for anyone looking to start a smart home, but this is especially true for power users. If you want unhindered freedom to decide how your smart home functions and you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty, there’s no better choice.

I used to treat my Linux app menu like a forgotten drawer. I rarely opened it, only to switch to my terminal a bit later. Then I found Ulauncher. It quietly replaced my start menu, app grid, and desktop shortcuts. Once I got used to it, I wondered why I ever clicked through menus in the first place.

With Microsoft's long-term vision aiming for Windows to become an agentic OS, you may think about switching away. I don't blame you because it sounds like a horrible idea, and one that I believe will end in disaster—I have three reasons why.

VBA used to be the only way to handle iterative, multistep logic in Microsoft Excel. Not anymore. REDUCE brings the power of functional programming directly into your cells, allowing you to condense complex, messy data into single, clean results.

This was another busy week for tech news, including more updates (and bugs) for Windows 11, cheaper plans for YouTube TV, Amazon bricking smart home hardware, and more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.

Hot hatches are everywhere these days, from mild sport compacts to full-blown speed demons, but one still stands out from the crowd. Even after decades on the road, this car proves that you don’t have to sacrifice practicality for fun.

SAVE $500: The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale at Amazon for $1,099, down from the normal price of $1,599. That's a 31% discount that matches the record low at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo $1,099 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $500   Get Deal

Despite the FCC ban on foreign drones, you can still get yourself a DJI drone. The fine print of the ban explains that any drone already in the country are excluded from the new legislation, which means they're fair game for ownership and operation. However, that means stock is dwindling, so if you're searching for a DJI drone, check out this deal.

As of Jan. 24, the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $1,099 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $1,599. That's a 31% discount that takes a hefty $500 off the price. It also matches the record low at Amazon.

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The DJI Mini 5 Pro is a premium drone and the Fly More Combo makes it just that much more appealing. The bundle includes the DJI Mini 5 Pro drone itself, the DJI RC 2 camera-drone remote controller, a set of filters, three DJI Mini 5 Pro Intelligent Flight batteries, three propeller sets, a shoulder bag, and more. Boiled down, this is everything you'd want for an epic drone set-up.

In terms of performance, the DJI Mini 5 Pro is a stellar model. It has a one-inch CMOS camera with 4K HDR filming at 60fps. You can also go with 4K 120fps for slow-motion filming. DJI also made this model especially appealing for night flying thanks to the 360 degree Nightscape Omnidirectional Sensing and Nighttime return-to-home function. DJI's ActiveTrack 360° technology is a must-have feature if you'll be filming moving subjects like a cyclist, skier, or surfer.

While it's still in stock and on sale for a record-low price, snag the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo. The bundle is packed with advanced accessories while still being a perfect model for beginners.

It's no secret that Milwaukee is one of the most popular tool brands, and while many owners love the M18 line of powerful 18V tools, Milwaukee's M12 platform is equally excellent at a lower price point. If you're looking to get your money's worth with a new tool purchase, here are five M12 tools that live up to the hype.

Many Excel users abandon the ROWS function because it feels like a technicality they can skip. However, to build a truly functional workbook, you need formulas that adapt to your data dimensions, and the ROWS function is ideal for this. Here are four ways I use it to make my Excel spreadsheet smarter.

People are freaking out about Fallout — and the reactions couldn’t be more divided. Some fans are calling it one of the best video game adaptations ever made. Others think it’s already betraying Fallout’s canon. So… are they right?

I don’t have to tell you that phones are really good now, and you can probably point to the areas where that’s obvious. Cameras, displays, processors, build materials, and so much more. However, phones have improved in sneaky ways, too.

You’ve probably seen those social media adverts for minimalist maps of your city, but did you know you can create your own? While it might seem like a lot of work, this simple Python script takes minutes to set up and is easy to use on pretty much any computer.

These jq filters handle the jobs you do every day: select, map, reduce, sort, defaults, and formatting. Find out how to use these vital features with explanations and examples.

The Nothing Ear (3) has an eye-grabbing design with a pleasant sound and a unique case to boot. Unfortunately, there are two major downsides working against what would otherwise be decent earbuds.

Winter is here, and that means snow! Just how much snow? Well, back in the day, after a big snowfall, you'd need to whip out the ruler or yardstick and actually trek out into the white winter wonderland. And with a huge winter storm set to blanket much of the South and Northeast this weekend (200 million Americans are expected to see snowfall), this isn't a rhetorical question.

Nowadays, thankfully, you don't even have to go outside to see just how long you'll be digging out your car or shoveling your walkway.

There are a few great online resources that can let you know just how many inches — or dare I say feet — of snow fell anywhere in the country. So, whether you're checking up on your adult kids, a distant relative, or your own backyard, here's how to check how many inches of snow have fallen.

NWS Snowmap and NWS Snowfall Analysis

Perhaps the easiest and most straightforward way to find out how much snow fell in your town is directly from the National Weather Service. There's the National Weather Service's Snowmap and the National Weather Service's Snowfall Analysis map. Both maps track how much snow, measured in inches, has fallen and place it on a map of the U.S. in a simple and easy-to-understand way. The Snowmap tracks the snowfall in a specific U.S. city by using circular markers color-coded to match the snowfall amounts, whereas the Snowfall Analysis website maps out the snowfall with a more traditional weather report design. Users can check out how much snow fell in the past hour, the past 24 hours, and the past 72 hours.

It's important to note that the NWS Snowmap and Snowfall Analysis sites only track how much snow has already fallen — they aren't forecasting services.

USA Today Snowfall Accumulation Tracker

If you're looking for a more modern tracker, then perhaps the USA Today Snowfall Accumulation Tracker is for you.

USA Today has built a sleeker tracker that uses the same trusted data from the National Weather Service. The site maps out the snowfall across the U.S. over the past 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours. It even throws in a "Season" toggle so you can see how much snow has accumulated for the entire winter season so far.

Windy: The Windy map and weather forecast

If you're a complete weather head, then Windy.com might be the site for you. Windy maps out weather forecasts of all types — temperature, wind gusts, and, yes, snowfall. Unlike the previous options, Windy will also give you future forecasts of snowfall and not just how much snow is already on the ground.

Windy includes a highly interactive map, but there are also premium options that require a paid subscription, so unless you're a hardcore weather nerd seeking more than just how many inches fell in your hometown, it might just be more straightforward to check out the other platforms.

NCEI's Daily U.S. Snowfall and Snow Depth report

National Centers for Environmental Information's Daily U.S. Snowfall and Snow Depth report will provide the most accurate information when it comes to how much snow fell in your location.

However, the snowfall report will usually come a few days after the snow has already fallen. Why? Because the data is pulled from the Global Historical Climatology Network daily (GHCNd) database, which basically records daily climate summaries from land surface stations around the world.

With more than 100,000 stations, this data is as accurate as you're going to get if you want to know how much snow fell in a specific area.

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: Watch now Rent or Buy "Marty Supreme" on Prime Video $19.99 or $24.99 Shop Now Watch now Rent or buy "Marty Supreme" on Apple TV $19.99 or $24.99 Shop Now Watch later HBO Max (With Ads) $109.99/year (save $21.89) Get Deal Watch later Max Standard $184.99/year (save $36.89) Get Deal Watch later HBO Max Student $5.49 per month for 12 months (save 50%) Get Deal Watch later HBO Max Basic With Ads Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month unlimited plan (save $10.99/month) Get Deal Watch later Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max $19.99 per month (with ads), $32.99 per month (no ads) (save up to 42%) Get Deal

Directed by Josh Safdie and distributed by A24, Marty Supreme is a major contender this awards season. Chalamet has already won the Golden Globe for his performance as Marty and we wouldn't be surprised if he took home the Oscar (finally). 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.

While it's still floating around in theaters, you don't have to battle the cold to watch it. 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 the art of 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 — from pulling a gun on a coworker to seducing money out of a washed-up movie star (Paltrow).

"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 aren't just showing up for it; they're loving 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's already won the Golden Globe and is nominated for an Oscar. That's not all, though; the film is 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 has officially announced the digital release for Marty Supreme, but we're still waiting for details on its streaming debut. We've broken down the details we do know below.

Buy or rent on digital

Marty Supreme will be available to purchase or rent on digital video-on-demand platforms as of Feb. 3. You can buy the movie for your digital library and watch it whenever you want or rent it, which gives you 30 days to watch and only 48 hours to finish watching once you begin.

You can purchase and rent the film at the following retailers:

• Prime Video — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• Apple TV — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• Fandango at Home — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Rent or Buy 'Marty Supreme' at Prime Video $19.99 or $24.99 Shop Now Stream it on HBO Max

While we haven't got word on a specific streaming release date yet for Marty Supreme, we do know that it will make its debut on HBO Max.

A24 just renewed its output deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, so new A24 theatrical releases will still exclusively stream on HBO Max before anywhere else. If Marty Supreme follows a similar theater-to-streaming trajectory as other recently released A24 movies — like Sorry, Baby, Bring Her Back, and The Smashing Machine — we estimate that it will hit HBO Max sometime in April 2026.

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: Disney / Hulu / HBO Max 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.

Color e-readers are the future of the e-reader market. Every brand is coming out with its own iterations — Amazon has a whole slew of Kindles now with color displays. But if you're looking to avoid Amazon, look to Kobo. We already know and love the Kobo Libra Colour, but what about the smaller, more affordable Kobo Clara Colour?

Even after testing dozens of e-readers, I still stand in awe of the occasional e-reader. The Clara took me by surprise, a perfectly handheld e-reader that's an incredible value considering its color display. I've already put the Kobo Clara Colour head-to-head with the Kindle Paperwhite, but today I'm focusing on the Kobo Clara Colour. Is it worth it? And what are the device's downfalls? Here's everything to know about the Kobo Clara Colour.

Kobo Clara Colour price and specs The Kobo Clara Colour is the same price as the Kindle Paperwhite. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Kobo Clara Colour costs $159.99. It comes in two different colors, black or white, but let's get into what's inside.

• 6-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display

• 300 ppi black and white resolution and 150 ppi color resolution

• USB-C charging port with up to 6 weeks of battery life

• 16GB of storage

• IPX8 waterproof rating can be fully submerged in water for up to one hour

• Night mode available

Why go for a Kobo?

Kindles are by far the most popular e-readers out there, so why should you swing for a Kobo instead? Kindles are Amazon devices, so if you're avoiding shopping on Amazon, you'll need to look elsewhere. Having tested our way through e-readers, we find Kobos equally great. They're just as fast and user-friendly as Kindles, but they're free of Amazon.

Your borrowed Libby books automatically populate on Kobo e-readers. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Another huge perk across Kobo devices is OverDrive integration. If you're using Libby, that's part of Overdrive's system. With Kobo's Overdrive integration, any book you borrow through Libby will auto-populate on your e-reader. While Kindle also has a Libby integration, it's not nearly as smooth as Kobo's.

The most affordable color e-reader

At $159.99, the Kobo Clara Colour is the most affordable color e-reader. It's more expensive than the basic Kindle, which costs $109.99, but it's the same price as the Kindle Paperwhite. Its affordability is key here, as color e-readers are typically expensive, so a price below $200 makes it more budget-friendly.

The Clara Colour is, in fact, colorful but also muted Expect accurate but muted colors on the Kobo Clara Colour. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

With color e-readers, manage your expectations on just how vibrant they can be. On the Kobo Clara Colour, its colors are accurate but muted compared to a physical book or even an e-book on a tablet. This is the case with most color e-readers, since they have such low color resolution. The Kobo's color resolution is 150 ppi, half its black-and-white resolution. If you're reading a standard book, you won't fault the lower color resolution, but it might be a bummer for those reading graphic novels.

The perfect handheld size The Kobo Clara Colour is perfectly palm-sized. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

In testing the Kobo Clara Colour, I put away my Kindle Paperwhite for a few weeks and was surprised but how much I didn't miss it. It was refreshing to use a smaller e-reader that truly felt handheld. The six-inch screen is smaller than the Paperwhite's, but I didn't miss the extra real estate. In fact, it was a worthy sacrifice for how comfortable it felt to hold.

Rather than the Kindle Paperwhite's screen that sits flush with the chassis, the Clara's screen is surrounded by a raised edge. This follows the same design as the basic Kindle. The Clara is also the same size as the basic Kindle, which, in my review of the Kindle, I noted would be the perfect e-reader if it were waterproof. Well, the Kobo Clara delivers a near-identical design and is waterproof.

Compatible with the Kobo remote Kobo is the only e-reader brand with a remote for their devices. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Another reason to love the Kobo Clara Colour is its compatibility with the Kobo remote. Kobo is the only e-reader brand with a native remote. It connects to the Clara via Bluetooth so you can move forward (or backward) in the book with just the press of a button. Just prop up the Clara on a stand, get out the remote, and prepare for the coziest winter reading setup.

It needs better battery life

The biggest issue I have with the Kobo Clara Colour is its battery life. It lasts up to six weeks, which, compared to a phone or laptop, might seem like plenty. The issue is that the bar is high for e-reader battery life, with Kindles lasting up to 12 weeks. In the months I've had the Kobo Clara, I've needed to recharge it twice as often as the Kindle Paperwhite. If Kobo wants to one-up Kindle, it needs to improve the device's battery life.

Is the Kobo Clara Colour worth it? Want an e-reader but don't want to shop at Amazon? Try the Kobo Clara Colour. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

If you're seeking a new e-reader and want to avoid Amazon, go for the Kobo Clara Colour. It's an incredible value at $159.99, the same price as the Kindle Paperwhite, but the Clara comes with color displays and a better handheld size. It's a worthy competitor to Amazon's Kindles, but there is room for improvement, especially around its battery life.