Blogroll

My old DVD rips look better on Plex now—thanks to NVIDIA's forgotten AI upscaler

How-To Geek - 7 hours 33 min ago

I'll be honest—I completely forgot that NVIDIA's RTX Video Super Resolution existed. I was looking around the NVIDIA app the other day trying to sort out a custom resolution issue and spotted the setting again.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 5 apps proved to me that self-hosting was worth the effort

How-To Geek - 8 hours 3 min ago

Self-hosting is now more popular than ever, and it’s not hard to see why. Day by day, more of our digital lives is moving into subscription-based cloud services that often fail to deliver.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Gemini now has a Mac app

Mashable - 8 hours 19 min ago

Mac owner? Need even more AI in your life? We've got great news for you: Google's AI assistant Gemini is now available as a dedicated Mac app.

If you choose to install the app, it will be available via a keyboard shortcut (Option + Space), which can be handier than opening the Gemini website. But there are other perks to having Gemini living on your desktop. For example, you can share what's on your screen with Gemini, and have it look at your local files.

To do so, you'll have to give the app access to your Mac's screen and audio in the Settings. You may want to revoke that access when you're not using the feature, for privacy and security's sake.

SEE ALSO: Gemini will let you import ChatGPT, other chatbot conversations Gemini can now look at your screen, if you let it. Credit: Google

Google's Gemini is a bit late to the party, with both Anthropic's Claude and OpenAI's ChatGPT having a dedicated Mac app already. The company says that this launch is "just the beginning."

"We're building the foundation for a truly personal, proactive and powerful desktop assistant, with more news to share in the coming months," said Google in a blog post.

The app is freely available to all macOS users, provided you have macOS version 15 and up. You can download it over at http://gemini.google/mac.

Featured Video For You Moltbook's real risk isn't AI. It's your data
Categories: IT General, Technology

Target is celebrating Pokémon’s 30th anniversary with a massive exclusive collection — how to buy

Mashable - 8 hours 51 min ago

TL:DR: Target is celebrating 30 years of Pokémon with an exclusive collection for fans of every generation. The collection features more than 100 items coming in two drops (May 2 and June 6) — check it out here.

Do you have a binder full of holographic Charizards gathering dust in the attic? Or are you a new collector chasing rare pulls and limited-edition items? Either way, Target is the place to be for all types of Pokémon fans in the coming weeks.

To celebrate 30 years of Pokémon, Target has announced an exclusive collection featuring over 100 items. This has been created in partnership with Pokémon superfans like Joe Jonas, SuperDuperDani, Sydeon, PhillyBeatzU, Stephosaurawr and Aspen, and Noah Dankocsik and Lori Haynes.

This is a full-scale takeover spanning apparel, home goods, and collectible merchandise. Here's a snapshot of what's included in this collection:

  • A first-of-its-kind retro jacket featuring the OG trio (Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle)

  • Nostalgic collabs with legacy brands like Mead (maker of Trapper Keeper), Caboodles, Lip Smacker, and Starter

  • A 151-piece puzzle inspired by the original Kanto 151 region

  • A "Jigglypuff-scented" fragrance mist (whatever that smells like)

  • Water-type Pokémon water bottles

  • Butterfree-shaped hair clips 

Almost half of the assortment is priced under $20, with items starting at just $3.50. The collection is already available on Target’s website, where you can sort by product category or Pokémon type.

Credit: Target

Target is splitting the release into two waves to keep the hype going. Target's Pokémon adventure officially begins on May 2 in stores and online from May 3 with about 65 items launching, followed by a second drop on June 6 with about 40 additional items going live.

Given how quickly Pokémon merch usually moves, we recommend signing up for a Target Circle account now so you can check out faster when the online drop hits.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Josh Johnson talks Daily Show hosting with Stephen Colbert

Mashable - 8 hours 55 min ago

Josh Johnson sat down with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday for his first Late Show interview, and it was a delightful chat between late night show hosts.

The Daily Show host spoke to Colbert about the pressure of being the latest addition to the lineup alongside Jon Stewart, Ronny Chieng, Desi Lydic, Jordan Klepper, and Michael Kosta, with a perfect analogy.

"When it comes to hosting, it's so fun, and everyone is so supportive, but it is intimidating," Johnson said. "You look at something like Daily Show, and it feels like you are borrowing your friend's car to drive. You just want to give the keys back and be able to smile at them, like, the car is just like you left it. There's no blood on the front grill or anything. I didn't hit anything. I didn't ruin it. I didn't total it."

Come for the Daily Show chat and Johnson's announcement of his new HBO comedy special Symphony (out May 22), stay for his story about brass knuckles, TSA, and toe separators.

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Is Bluesky down? Heres what we know.

Mashable - 8 hours 57 min ago

UPDATE: Apr. 16, 2026, 11:40 a.m. UTC Bluesky appears to be working again, both on the app and web, though we're still seeing loading issues.

UPDATE: Apr. 16, 2026, 2:28 p.m. UTC Bluesky is operational again, according to the company's status page. Bluesky told Mashable via email, "We are experiencing some service interruptions and our team is working on the issue."

Bluesky went down on Thursday, with users reporting issues with the social media platform.

Often seen as the alternative to Elon Musk's X, Bluesky was not working as usual in the early hours, with Downdetector identifying a thousand-strong spike in reported issues with the app and site around 6:30 a.m. ET. (Disclosure: DownDetector and Mashable are both owned by the same company, Ziff Davis.)

Credit: Downdetector

At 6:42 a.m., Bluesky's own service status page reported acknowledgment of the issue, saying it was "investigating an incident" and confirming "some systems down."

"We are starting to see some early recovery, but many users and services are still impacted," a post read.

Credit: Bluesky

At the time of first publishing, Mashable could not access the site properly, and we reached out to Bluesky for further information.

"We are experiencing some service interruptions and our team is working on the issue," a Bluesky rep told Mashable via email. "You can find the latest updates at status.bsky.app or the Bluesky Server Status account."

A few hours later, Bluesky's status page reported that the site was fully operational, though did not detail the issue that affected it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Xfce doesn't have to feel frozen in time—here's how I modernized mine

How-To Geek - 9 hours 3 min ago

There is a quiet assumption that if you choose Xfce, you have made peace with a certain aesthetic. Functional, stable, slightly frozen in time. It works, it does not surprise you, and it does not try to look like anything else, and much like others, I also accepted it. Then I started making small, almost trivial changes, and something odd happened. The desktop stopped feeling like a compromise and started feeling intentional.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stephen Colbert breaks down the reality of Trumps tax refunds

Mashable - 9 hours 29 min ago

It's Tax Day in the U.S. and those super-charged tax refunds promised by Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" are on the way, right? Well...

As Stephen Colbert pointed out during The Late Show on Wednesday night, while the average individual tax refund will indeed be $748 higher this year due to the Republican-backed bill, the average U.S. household could pay $740 more for gasoline, thanks to the ongoing U.S. war with Iran. So, what's the difference?

"Let's see... that is...eight bucks. That's eight bucks. So congratulations, everybody," Colbert said. "Eight bucks doesn't sound like much, but may I remind you that'll get you eight lotto tickets, which also happens to be Trump's health care plan."

Colbert noted one person who's seemingly not concerned with oil prices and inflation, Trump's Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett, who told CNBC on Tuesday, "Imagine if oil prices start going back down, because the situation resolves itself somehow, that you could be looking at an inflation close to zero."

"Yes, the situation might resolve itself somehow," responded Colbert, in full sarcasm mode. "Until then, all America has to do is use their imagination. My friends, imagine a car made of liquorice somehow, and it somehow runs on dreams, and somehow your best friend is a musical dog and Kevin Hassett isn't an idiot, somehow."

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Jimmy Kimmel mocks Trump for sharing another AI image of Jesus

Mashable - 9 hours 36 min ago

It's only been a few days since Donald Trump received criticism for attacking the Pope online and then sharing a now-deleted AI image of himself as Jesus a "doctor", but it appears the president is doubling down.

"Our Darth Vader president is lashing out at the Pope again," says Jimmy Kimmel in the clip above. "This is how he operates: he does something dumb, everyone around him tries to clean it up for him, and then he just does it again. He's mad at the Pope for being against war and lashed out last night just before midnight, which is not helping his 'I'm not the Antichrist campaign.'"

Kimmel goes on to show another AI image Trump posted on Truth Social, this time featuring himself standing next to Jesus in apparent harmony.

"He posted this image of Jesus quietly begging him to stop," says Kimmel. "Check out the chin and cheekbones. Somebody's been looksmaxxing."

Categories: IT General, Technology

Best Buy is giving away a free TV when you buy the LG Class B5 Series OLED TV — how to claim

Mashable - 9 hours 51 min ago

TL;DR: As of April 16, you can get the LG 43-inch Class UA77 Series for free when you buy the LG 77-inch Class B5 Series at Best Buy.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 77-Inch Class B5 Series OLED TV $1,499.99 at Best Buy
$2,999.99 Save $1,500.00 Get the LG 43-inch Class UA77 Series TV for free with purchase Get Deal

If you're shopping around for multiple TVs to kit out your living room, kitchen, or bedroom, Best Buy has a stellar deal right now that will see you get an impressive TV for free. Yes, really.

As of April 16, if you buy the LG 77-inch Class B5 Series TV, you'll get the 43-inch Class UA77 Series totally for free. But that's not all. You don't even need to pay full price for the B5 Series, because it's currently half off. For a limited time, the price is down from $2,999.99 to $1,499.99. So already you've saved $1,500 before you consider the TV thrown in for free.

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The LG 77-inch Class B5 Series TV offers native 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and a filmmaker mode for a more cinematic experience. It's powered by the α8 AI Processor, which automatically optimizes picture and audio based on what you're watching. And for gamers, it includes NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, VRR, and four HDMI 2.1 ports, along with LG Game Optimizer and Game Dashboard.

You can add $249.99 to your savings, because that's the list price for the UA77 Series that you're getting for free. That's a total saving of $1,749.99 when everything is added up.

Anything is good when it's free, but this TV shines at full price. It's a 4K TV with webOS 25, so you'll get smooth browsing, personalized recommendations, and access to over 300 free LG Channels. And just like the B5 Series, gamers are catered for thanks to the LG Game Optimizer.

Head to Best Buy to snag this BOGO deal.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Regularly $2,000, the 45-inch curved LG UltraGear OLED gaming monitor is over $400 off right now

Mashable - 10 hours 5 min ago

TL;DR: Amazon has the LG 45-inch UltraGear OLED curved gaming monitor on sale for $1,547.52, which knocks $452.47 off its $1,999.99 list price. That’s a 23% discount on a huge 5K2K OLED display with a dramatic 800R curve, dual-mode refresh rates up to 330Hz, and a near-instant 0.03ms response time.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG OLED 45-inch Curved UltraGear Gaming Monitor $1,547.52 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $452.47 Get Deal

OLEDs are some of the most expensive screens you can buy, both for gaming monitors and TVs. And even more so when you look at curved models. However, the latest bargain from LG on one of its UltraGear units should help take the sting away from your upgrade.

As of April 16, the LG 45-inch UltraGear OLED curved gaming monitor is listed for $1,547.52 at Amazon, down from $1,999.99. That saves you $452.47 on a monitor that feels built for gamers who want their setup to look as stellar as the games they’re playing.

With its 45-inch curved OLED panel, 21:9 aspect ratio, and a 5K2K WUHD resolution of 5120 x 2160, this LG monitor gives you a lot more room to work with than a standard gaming display. LG also says the aggressive 800R curve is designed to pull more of your peripheral vision into the action, which makes this a particularly tempting pick for the latest sprawling RPGs like Crimson Desert, and other single-player releases that are on a more cinematic scale — such as Pragmata and Saros.

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What’s more, LG’s Dual Mode lets you switch between 5K2K at up to 165Hz for sharper, more detailed visuals, or Wide Full HD at up to 330Hz when you want something even faster and more responsive for competitive matches.

When combined with its 0.03ms response time, NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, you’re not only all set for buttery smooth visuals with quick-moving racing games like Forza Horizon 5, but also fast-paced shooters like Fortnite and Marathon.

For those who are open to a smaller model, LG’s 27-inch Ultragear gaming monitor is only $749.99. Elsewhere, Samsung’s 40-inch Odyssey G7 is now just under $700

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Google Pixel Watch 4 is under $400 right now at Amazon — save $60

Mashable - 10 hours 12 min ago

SAVE $60: As of April 16, the Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, LTE) has been marked down to $389.99 at Amazon. This is $60 off its list price of $449.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm) $389.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $60   Get Deal

Have you considered investing in a smartwatch to help keep track of your workout or health goals? Amazon has a few deals worth checking out right now. Among them is the Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, LTE), our favorite Android smartwatch, which is $60 off right now.

This deal has dropped this Pixel Watch 4's price from $449.99 to $389.99. What's even better is every available color is on sale at this price, so you can pick out your favorite from the range.

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The Pixel Watch 4 boasts a wide variety of health and fitness features, including over 40 exercise modes, a high-precision dual-frequency GPS, heart rate tracking, and sleep tracking, just to name a few. Mashable's Christianna Silva called it a "true runners' watch" in her review, also mentioning that it's "faster, brighter, and more customizable than ever."

On top of all that, the Pixel Watch 4 has a solid battery life. Silva noted in her review that it, "charges 25 percent faster than the Google Pixel Watch 3" and that, "The Google Pixel Watch 4 has up to 48 hours of battery life on the 41mm or 72 hours on the 45mm in Battery Saver Mode."

Keep in mind that this deal on the Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, LTE) is currently marked as a limited-time offer at Amazon. So if you're hoping to grab it at this price, act fast before it's gone.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Bluetti Elite 10 Mini power station is under $150 for a limited time — save over $80 at Amazon

Mashable - 10 hours 18 min ago

SAVE OVER $80: As of April 16, the Bluetti Elite 10 Mini is on sale for $112.98 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 10 Mini $112.98 at Amazon
$199 Save $86.02   Get Deal

A reliable power backup source doesn't need to break the bank, especially when you don't need a unit to power a whole home for days.

If you're looking for something to keep your main devices going, you need the Bluetti Elite 10 Mini. And as of April 16, it's on sale at Amazon. Right now you can take home this model for just $112.98, saving you over $80. This price is for the gray model, but for one cent more you can opt for the meadow green color.

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This power station is designed to be a step up from a power bank. It has enough capacity to power small devices like laptops, drones, and cameras while on the move, so it's a great choice if you have lots of personal devices. It includes a 200W AC outlet, 100W USB-C fast charging, and multiple DC ports, so it's handy for camping, travel, or even emergency use. And despite its powerful output, it's light enough to carry around (just 4.0 lbs).

For charging, it has multiple methods of powering, including 150W AC charging that reaches full power in around 70 minutes, 100W solar input for off-grid use (solar panels are sold separately), and car charging via a 12V outlet.

You can find this limited-time Bluetti deal at Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for April 16, 2026

Mashable - 10 hours 21 min ago

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, April 16, 2026:

AcrossBow ties and ribbons that you can't wear?
  • The answer is Pasta.

Opposite of lower
  • The answer is Upper.

Flappable origami creation
  • The answer is Crane.

Where the Hangul alphabet is used
  • The answer is Korea.

Apparatus under a trapeze
  • The answer is Net.

DownDisc dropped on center ice
  • The answer is Puck.

One might read "Kiss the Chef"
  • The answer is Apron.

Unlikely outcome after a 7-10 split
  • The answer is Spare.

Fundamental belief
  • The answer is Tenet.

Bay ___ (part of California)
  • The answer is Area.

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Normally $2,000, score the Anker Solix F2000 for over $1,000 off with this limited-time deal

Mashable - 10 hours 22 min ago

SAVE OVER $1,000: As of April 16, the Anker Solix F2000 is on sale for $899.99 at Amazon. That's a 55% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix F2000 $899.99 at Amazon
$1,999 Save $1,099.01   Get Deal

If you’ve been thinking about picking up a reliable portable power station for home backup, travel, or camping, there are plenty of great deals at Amazon right now, including this latest offer on the Anker Solix F2000.

As of April 16, this powerhouse of a unit is reduced by over $1,000, bringing the price down from $1,999 to $899.99. That's more than half off. This deal is for the unit alone, however there are upgrade options to add solar panels or expansion batteries.

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This is a high-capacity portable power station designed for long-term use. It delivers 2400W of output with a wide range of ports, including AC outlets, USB-C and USB-A ports, car sockets, and an RV port. It can even keep a fridge running for up to 32 hours.

It supports fast recharging, reaching around 80% in about 1.4 hours, and has the ability to handle higher-wattage devices up to 3,600W using its SurgePad feature. And thanks to Anker’s InfiniPower technology, this unit has a lifespan of up to 10 years, so you'll truly get your money's worth.

You can find this portable power station deal at Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Regularly $800, you can score the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 power station for $449 if you act fast

Mashable - 10 hours 29 min ago

SAVE $350: As of April 16, the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is on sale for $449 at Amazon. That's a 44% discount off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $449 at Amazon
$799 Save $350   Get Deal

The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is back on sale at Amazon, and if you've been looking for a reliable portable power station to see you through power outages, this is the ideal unit. And as of April 16, there's currently $350 off the list price, bringing the cost down to $449. This price is for the unit only, however there are various upgrade options also on sale. You can add solar panels, charging cables, or carrying bags for less right now.

With 1,500W of AC power (3,000W surge) and a 1,070Wh capacity, this power station is ideal for running all types of appliances, from fridges to keeping your phone charged.

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Despite being so powerful, it doesn't need long to charge up. It actually supports fast charging, reaching full battery in around one hour with the Jackery app’s emergency mode, or 1.7 hours when charged normally. And this battery will last. It has an LFP battery that's rated for over 4,000 charge cycles. This worsk out to around 10 years of use.

For your devices, you'll get multiple ports you can use at the same time, including USB-C, USB-A, DC car output, and three AC outlets. And it's a great unit for taking with you on the go, weighing just 23.8 lbs and including a foldable handle, making it ideal for camping or road trips.

Get this Jackery power station deal at Amazon now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Looksmaxxing my bedroom TV with the Hisense Déco: The chic, small, budget QLED TV that blends in with my decor

Mashable - 10 hours 32 min ago

As a society, we're down to spend money on a nice new living room TV every so often. But smaller spaces like the kitchen or a bedroom seem to have been dubbed undeserving of a TV upgrade — even if the current TV is crappy, or even if we spend a lot of time in that room. To be fair, there weren't many exciting options to choose from. I don't know how the stylish budget-friendly small TV market went so untapped for so long, but Hisense was genius for throwing the S5 Déco QLED TV into the mix.

What's special about the Hisense Déco TV

The Hisense Déco TV is a 32-inch QLED TV with a chic white "art-inspired design." That's not to be confused with matte art TVs that lie flat against the wall like framed art. So while the Hisense Déco isn't a direct dupe for The Frame or the Hisense CanvasTV, it still speaks to the style-conscious part of your brain that cares about the cohesiveness of a space. Why settle for a blatantly techy TV if your bedroom's decor calls for something more whimsical?

The case for an aesthetically pleasing bedroom TV

I've been carefully curating my bedroom's ambiance for years, as most of us do. There are few places more comforting than the personal cave we've designed for ourselves, few activities that sound better than watching something cozy in bed. Doesn't it just make sense for the TV to mesh with the rest of your decor?

The Hisense Déco TV matches my room's color scheme and level of whimsy. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Outside of expensive art TVs with swappable frames, I don't think I had ever seen a TV that strays from the standard black design. Apparently, neither had all of the people who flooded my DMs when I posted the above photo on my Instagram Story.

"What is this?!", "I've literally never seen a white TV before omg", "I'm scared to know how much this costs but I need it", and "This pic is literally so chic omg" were just a few of the replies. You get the point: There was clearly a need for a classy little decor-centric TV that doesn't cost $600, like the smallest Frame TV.

The display flows right into the central stand, so you don't need to screw on legs. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The remote is your average Fire TV remote. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

My current dresser was my mom's when she was a teenager in the '70s. It's an eggshell color with swirly gold handles, topped with various trinkets like antique jewelry boxes, perfume, a skeleton hand from Michaels' Halloween section that I use as a ring holder... the classics. I always thought that the arrangement was way too elegant for the old black plasticky TV that also lived there. (The mismatch would probably be less obvious if I mounted the TV on the wall instead, but I ain't doing all that.) The Hisense Déco is the seamless addition that I had unknowingly been waiting for.

Instead of standing on two stubby legs, the Déco's curved white bezels flow directly into the base of the TV. The sculptural one-piece build feels avant-garde for TV standards, but also means that no assembly is required.

Picture quality is actually quite sharp for non-4K

The Hisense Déco's screen has some serious pop, especially compared to a dull LED screen. The Déco's full HD resolution isn't as granular as the 4K you'll see on 90 percent of TVs, but I don't think the average $200 32-inch TV buyer will be that picky about upscaling. Shadows aren't pixelated like they were on my old TV, and there's no overall fuzziness. I was thoroughly impressed by the sharpness of subtitles, despite the letters being so small.

A coral reef wouldn't be nearly this colorful on my old TV. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The layer of quantum dots picks up a lot of the slack from the lack of 4K. While LED vs. QLED and FHD vs. 4K are talking about two different TV specs (light and resolution, respectively), the range of a QLED TV's color palette does create a crispier image than an LED TV. These tiny nanocrystals can emit over a billion different colors, deepening black levels and brightening light tones to create a more contrasted picture. The colors on the Hisense Déco are legitimately stunning. They were even rich enough to hold their own against the color-changing bulbs in my nightstand, which are the only lights on in my room at night.

SEE ALSO: I've sucked at sleeping for a decade. The Hatch Restore 3 makes bedtime feel less chaotic, but it's not a cure-all.

I struggle to wind down at night as it is, so I typically don't watch anything that I actually need to pay attention to before bed. If I absolutely need some background noise, Planet Earth or Our Planet for the 40th time it is. The Déco really did the habitats on these shows justice. Between spot-on color accuracy and vibrant hues across the board, it's quite the immersive experience for such a little TV.

Bright objects in dark scenes do sometimes have a glow around them. The Déco's screen uses a direct backlight rather than full-array local dimming, so it doesn't benefit from little clusters of bulbs that turn off to reduce the halo effect. But the casual watcher probably won't even notice — a TV this small isn't meant to have the picture quality of an advanced home theater TV.

I hate when movies show the demon. Anyway, the dark scenes in "Rosario" looked awesome. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The Déco didn't muddy the overnight recordings from "Paranormal Activity 3" at all. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The occasional blooming didn't affect my weekend horror movie watching, at least. In my time with the Déco TV so far, I crossed Hallow Road and Rosario off my list and threw in a comfort rewatch of Paranormal Activity 3. Dark scene details in all three films were less gray and significantly more legible from a few feet away in my bed than on my old TV.

If you haven't switched to a smart TV yet, do it

Many small space TVs are such an afterthought that they haven't made it out of the dumb TV phase yet. That was me using my bedroom TV from high school at age 30. The ol' Fire Stick rig can make it possible to access streaming apps on a regular TV for several years. But as I learned, a TV can simply get so old that it can't handle an external streaming device anymore.

A single arrow click on the Fire TV remote was enough to send my old TV into shock. It was so frustrating that I stopped bothering trying to watch anything at all. So not only was that TV an ugly plastic box that didn't match my room at all, but it was doing nothing but collecting dust.

SEE ALSO: Did Amazon brick your Kindle? The pros and cons of switching to Kobo e-readers.

After a month or so with the Hisense Déco, I can't believe I put up with a non-smart TV setup for so long. The Déco's Fire TV interface is highly responsive and as easy to navigate as Fire TV always is. You mean I can just click on a streaming app and it plays the content? Without the possibility of spontaneous combustion?

Is it a reach to classify a reliable bedroom TV as a productivity hack? That's one surefire way to pair some universally-hated chores — like folding laundry or cursing out the fitted sheet while you make your bed — with an activity you enjoy, like catching up on a show. It's also nice to not be relegated to the living room couch if I want to watch something live. Now, I can throw the new episode of Abbott Elementary or an NBA game on in my room without propping my phone up to watch YouTube TV. (That app would have sent my old TV into orbit.)

Factors to keep in mind

The Hisense Déco TV is the rare QLED TV that isn't 4K. The difference between the Déco's FHD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) and 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) would be most noticeable when intently watching a dark film in a dark room or playing video games. But no one would realistically be shopping for the decor-focused Déco TV with expectations for an elevated streaming or gaming experience.

The reflection of my makeup desk in the top left corner was getting distracting. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

QLED TVs are naturally brighter and easier to see in sunlit rooms than LED TVs. That doesn't automatically make them immune to glare in a bright room. The Déco TV definitely struggles to neutralize reflections when watching TV during the day. Because it's designed for such casual use, I'm not that pressed about the lack of glare reduction — plus, there are significantly more expensive QLED TVs that struggle just as much in lit rooms.

The competition

For those in the market for a small budget TV, it makes the most sense to compare the Déco TV to other TVs in its price range. Barring any extra wild discounts that could pop up during an event like Prime Day, a hard $200 cutoff will typically have you looking at 32- through 50-inch 4K LED TVs.

Best Buy often has the TCL 40-inch Q35F QLED FHD Fire TV on sale for $149.99 or the 50-inch Q5 QLED 4K Fire TV on sale for $179.99. Both are obviously larger screens for a little bit less money, but both are the exact plasticky black box design that we were trying to get away from. Hisense can't just make the prettiest small TV you've ever seen and then make it the same price as a boring small TV, you know?

SEE ALSO: If dark scenes are too dark on your TV, play around with these settings Is the Hisense Déco TV worth it?

I'd recommend the Hisense Déco TV to anyone looking for a small space TV. You really couldn't ask for a more seamless TV setup: It's bright and responsive when you are watching it, stylishly camouflaged when it's off, and costs $400 less than The Frame of the same size.

I've been firmly on the living room side of the "bedroom person vs. living room person" conversation forever. Now, I'm convinced that some of my living room tendencies stemmed from the fact that my old bedroom TV sucked. The switch to the Hisense Déco has genuinely been such a delight, and I find myself carving out time to hang out in there instead. It's bright and bold enough for the full range of my TV watching needs, but more importantly, the satisfaction of its cohesiveness with the rest of the room never gets old.

With the world as overwhelming as it is, the safe space that is your bedroom deserves a little extra adornment. In this case, that adornment is a TV that serves c*nt.

Hisense Déco 32-inch TV $194.96 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon
Categories: IT General, Technology

This $13 OS gives your old PC a serious upgrade

Mashable - 10 hours 34 min ago

TL;DR: Work smarter, not harder, with an operating system made for professionals, Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, on sale now for just $12.97 (reg. $199) through May 3.

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You’d be surprised at the difference a new operating system can make. From fresh tools to a new interface, Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is ready to streamline your workflow, designed with modern professionals in mind. Right now, you can give your PC this upgrade for only $12.97 until May 3.

If you’ve got a PC that can’t upgrade through Windows Update, we have some great news. This Windows 11 Pro license provides a good upgrade for less than the cost of your lunch.

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The first thing you’ll notice with this new operating system? An enhanced, easy-to-use interface, with better ways to multitask. Snapping windows, virtual desktops, and snap layouts make things easier, while you can also take advantage of a powerful search experience, voice typing, and easy redocking.

This OS sets itself apart by including its own AI-powered assistant, Copilot. This handy tool is right on your desktop, ready to answer questions, help with tasks, and even change settings, summarize web pages, or open apps.

You can sync your iPhone and Android devices right to the computer for better efficiency. You’ll also enjoy improved cybersecurity with biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and enhanced antivirus protection to help keep your data safe.

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See which AI gets it right without having to switch tabs thanks to this $75 tool

Mashable - 10 hours 34 min ago

TL;DR: Get multiple AI model responses in one window with this lifetime subscription to ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Plan, now only $74.97 (reg. $619) through April 26.

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Not all AI responses are created equal. With dozens of models on the market, it’s hard to keep up with what each one does best. That guesswork also adds a lot of time to your workflow, as you tab-hop and compare results. ChatPlayground AI lets you check out multiple answers side-by-side, all in one convenient window.

Right now, you can lock in permanent savings with this lifetime subscription to the Unlimited Plan for $74.97 until April 26.

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Everyone talks about AI being a huge timesaver, but it really requires the right tools. ChatPlayground AI lets you query dozens of models in one place — and it’s a Chrome extension, so it’s easily accessible when you need it.

With ChatPlayground AI, you can enter your prompt and see answers from ChatGPT, Perplexity, DeepSeek, Llama, and over 20 more models in seconds. Not only do you get easy access, but you also avoid paying subscription fees for multiple models.

No matter your AI need — from generating code to creating images to answering simple questions — ChatPlayground AI gets you answers for all of it. Need help with prompt building? Prompt engineering tools are available to help you get more accurate responses.

If you don’t feel like typing, you can use image and PDF chat features. ChatPlayground AI also saves your past conversations, so you can reference them or keep up an ongoing project with just a few clicks.

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Score a lifetime subscription to ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Plan for just $74.97 (reg. $619) now through April 26.

Grabbing this deal? Build your cart to $100+ and score a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 free with code GWP4MAC (for Mac) or GWP4WIND (for Windows) through 4/19.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

Pay once and enjoy Microsoft Office essentials for life with this $33 deal

Mashable - 10 hours 34 min ago

TL;DR: Get eight apps for one low price with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license, on sale now for just $32.97 (reg. $219.99) through April 19.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $32.97
$219.99 Save $187.02   Get Deal

It turns out the go-to tools of yesteryear can still get the job done. Before you start hunting down the newest, coolest apps, give the old classics of Microsoft Office a try. This Microsoft Office Professional 2021 license for Windows equips your PC with eight staples and new favorites, all for just $32.97 — less than $5 each — now through April 19 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Whether you’ve got a new computer, an old device in need of Microsoft Office, or you’re sick of paying monthly subscription fees for your apps, we’ve got a permanent solution for you. This Microsoft Office Professional 2021 license gives your PC a fresh set of tools — eight to be exact — from ’90s classics to newer essentials.

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Curious what’s included? This edition gives you Word for your document needs, Excel for spreadsheet building, Outlook for email management, and PowerPoint for creating presentations. There’s also Access for managing large databases, Publisher for professional document design, Teams for staying connected with others, and OneNote for digital note-taking.

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Get a Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license for only $32.97 (reg. $219.99) through April 19.

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