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I tried to de-Google my life, but there were 4 Google services I just couldn't replace
In theory, it sounds like it should be easy to get away from Google. There are alternative phones, different email services, a dozen cloud photo apps, and more video sites than I can count. Despite the variety of options, I still can't completely get away from Google no matter how hard I try. These are the services that keep pulling me back.
It took nearly 30 years, but I finally found a good open-source replacement for GIMP
For a very long time, GIMP was the answer. If you wanted a free image editor, and you cared at all about open-source software, that was the app people pointed you toward. It was powerful, flexible, and established enough that it always seemed like the obvious choice.
The DJI Power 2000 is on sale at Amazon for over $500 off — one of the best portable power stations for creators
SAVE $550: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $749, down from the usual price of $1,299. That's a 42% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 2000 $749 at Amazon$1,299 Save $550 Get Deal
Portable power stations are everywhere these days. Your friends are using them for camping, the neighbors have one to run a backyard projector for movie nights, and your parents have one to keep the refrigerator running during a power outage. But there are a few models that cater specifically to content creators, and one of them is on a major discount today.
As of April 15, the DJI Power 2000 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $749, marked down from the usual price of $1,299. That's a 42% discount that takes a major $550 off the price.
DJI knows how to keep content creators happy. From the viral Mic Mini to the user-friendly Osmo Pocket 3, the brand is a go-to for creators. These days, DJI has several portable power stations to keep creators charged up while working. The largest of them is the DJI Power 2000, which offers 2,048Wh of capacity from a long-lasting LFP battery.
SEE ALSO: The Anker Solix F3800 Plus portable power station is over $400 off at AmazonLike other portable power stations, the DJI has a collection of standard AC ports, USB-C, and USB-A options. But unlike other power stations, the DJI Power 2000 includes two SDC ports which have the ability to quick-charge DJI drone batteries. Two of the USB-C ports are capable of 140W output which will be ideal for recharging laptops.
Another benefit for creators is the quiet operation of the Power 2000. That'll be ideal if recording content in the same room as the Power 2000. There's also the 10 millisecond UPS switch time that'll keep devices running seamlessly during a power cut. Plus, the DJI power station can recharge to 80% in just 50 minutes with standard wall charging.
While it's sitting at a 42% discount, upgrade your content creation setup with the DJI Power 2000. It's great for content creators, camping, using during power outages, and for backyard movie nights this summer.
Stop assuming hybrid SUVs save money: The Crosstrek Hybrid's real payback timeline
Tax Day 2026 deals: Score free food from Burger King, Krispy Kreme, Popeyes, Wendys, and more
Tax Day is here. We know you've had this special date circled in your calendar for some time, but not for submitting your taxes. You've had this date in mind for an entirely different reason: scoring all the free food deals that drop on April 15.
The usual suspects have launched limited-time food offers to mark this occasion, including Burger King and Krispy Kreme. We've checked out everything on offer to bring you the only list you'll ever need. So submit your taxes and celebrate with any of these tasty promotions.
BJ’s Restaurant and BrewhouseOn April 15, get $10 off any $40 takeout or delivery order.
Burger KingOK, so this isn't exactly a Tax Day deal, but customers can get a regular Whopper sandwich for $3.99 or a small Whopper combo meal for $6.99 on April 15. That's because Tax Day falls on a Wednesday, and Burger King offers this promotion on every Wednesday.
California TortillaOn April 15, get a free small chips and queso when you make any online or in-app purchase and use promo code GOVCHEESE at checkout. To get your freebie in-store, mention “Government Cheese” at the checkout.
Del TacoGet a free Snack Taco with a $5 purchase, a BOGO deal on Crispy Fish tacos, and a $1 Grilled Chicken Taco on Tax Day.
Krispy KremeOn April 15, Krispy Kreme customers who purchase any dozen doughnuts at regular price can get a second Original Glazed dozen for free.
Olive GardenOlive Garden is offering a Buy One, Take One promotion until May 3. Customers can order from a select menu of entrées and get a second, chilled entrée to-go starting at $14.99.
QdobaQdoba Rewards members can get $5 off any full-sized entrée this tax season. Visit www.TaxDayGuacRelief.com to file for "guac relief." Complete a short survey and then the $5 off reward will be dropped in your Qdoba app rewards wallet on April 20.
Pizza HutOn April 15, get a large three-topping pizza starting at just $10. This offer is available in-store, online, or via the Pizza Hut app.
PopeyesOn April 15, Popeyes is offering customers a 25% off Tax Day three-piece tenders combo. This offer is available on the Popeyes app or online, and includes a three-piece tenders, one regular side, one biscuit, and a drink.
PotbellyOn April 15, get a free Original size sandwich or wrap with the purchase of any Big or Original size sandwich or wrap.
Smoothie KingOn April 15, get $3 off by joining the Healthy Rewards loyalty program through the Smoothie King app.
SubwayOn April 15, get a free footlong sandwich with the purchase of another footlong. The BOGO offer is available through April 28 on the Subway app or website using promo ode FLBOGO.
Taco John'sOn April 15, Taco John's Rewards members can score a free small order of Potato Olés with any $3 purchase. This offer is redeemable through the Taco John's app or online ordering.
Wendy'sOn April 15, Wendy's is offering customers a free six-piece nuggets with a purchase of $5 via the Wendy's app.
I'm still using 3-button navigation on Android—Here’s why
For years, Android smartphones have offered users two main navigation methods: gestures or the old 3-button system. If your phone doesn't default to the newer gesture controls, it's likely an option when you set up a new phone. I'm still using 3-button navigation, and according to all my co-workers, I'm a monster that's stuck in the past.
I tried replacing my desktop PC with a Raspberry Pi—here's the setup that worked best
The Raspberry Pi isn't designed to be a full desktop replacement, and trying to use one as a full desktop replacement probably sounds like a bad idea. However, with a few upgrades, the right operating system, and some lightweight software, you can turn a Raspberry Pi into a decent desktop replacement.
Windows isn't the best operating system anymore
If you've been feeling like Windows has slowly stopped working for you, you're not imagining it. The OS you grew up with has been quietly shifting its priorities, and what you're left with doesn't feel like the same deal you signed up for. Thankfully, there are better options available now—and one of them has gotten good enough that the switch makes all the sense in the world.
Spotify now sells physical books
Spotify is now a physical book store, y'all.
On Wednesday, the (primarily) music streaming company announced the launch of printed book sales in the U.S. and UK. In these two markets, Spotify users can now order physical books, though only on the Android version of the app, with iOS support starting next week.
Spotify, which announced the move in February, partnered with Bookshop.org for physical book sales. Bookshop.org is an online book marketplace that focuses on local, independent bookstores, selling both physical books and e-books.
SEE ALSO: How to use Spotify's Page Match feature while readingSpotify launched audiobooks in Sept. 2022 in the U.S., and has since steadily expanded its catalog and availability in other markets, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and several European countries. The company currently offers audiobooks in 22 markets, and has a catalog of 700,000 titles.
As for why is Spotify, initially a purely digital platform, moving into physical books, hear it from Owen Smith, Spotify’s Global Head of Audiobooks. "We believe the future of reading or listening needs to be flexible and fit more seamlessly into people’s lives, he said in February when the feature was originally announced. "We’re extending Spotify’s discovery and engagement strengths across both audio and physical formats, so authors can build deeper connections with their audiences and books can follow readers wherever they go."
On Wednesday, Spotify also launched several other features. One is the expansion of Page Match, a feature that allows listeners to seamlessly move between ebooks, physical books, and audiobooks, to 30 additional languages. The company also expanded Audiobook Recaps on Android, launched Audiobook Charts in Germany, and introduced a dedicated Audiobook Chart for kids in the U.S. and the UK.
Featured Video For You How TikTok is Changing the Music IndustryForget the MCU: These 5 Spider-Man cartoons are the hero's best work
Spider-Man is one of the most important and popular superheros of all time. He is easily the most recognizable Marvel figure and has received constant media adaptations, both live-action and otherwise. Although many of the Spider-Man films are extremely popular, the cartoons are where the Wall Crawler truly shines.
Google Pixel's best features prove Apple plays it too safe
Google Pixel phones aren't the most powerful you can buy, but thanks to Google's expertise with software and a willingness to experiment, they come loaded with a range of features you can't find in other phones. These are four of the best features Pixels have that iPhones don't.
9 Rust apps that are faster than the Linux tools they replace
Rust has become one of the hot new programming languages because it combines the ease of programming and memory safety of languages like Python with the performance and execution speed of C and C++. It's no surprise that developers have jumped on it to create real applications. Here's a grab bag of applications, ranging from simple terminal apps to games.
The Eufy E28 robot vacuum and mop is down to its best-ever price at Amazon — save $350
SAVE OVER $300: As of April 15, the Eufy E28 robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $649.99 at Amazon, a return to its lowest-ever price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy E28 Robot Vacuum and Mop $649.99 at Amazon$999.99 Save $350 Get Deal
If you've been looking for a robot vacuum that can do more that just vacuum your floors, there are some great combo models available right now. The Eufy E28 is one option worth considering that can vacuum, mop, and even comes with a detachable carpet cleaner. It's quite a helpful pick-up for spring cleaning, and now is a great time to grab it as it's currently on sale at Amazon.
It's usually listed for $999.99, but the Eufy E28 has dropped to $649.99 at Amazon for a limited time. This deal marks a return to its lowest-ever price, which is certainly worth celebrating. If its all-in-one design has caught your eye, this is an excellent time to scoop it up for less.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!There's a lot to take in with the Eufy E28. When vacuuming, the robot vacuum boasts 20,000Pa suction power for cleaning your floors and even features carpet detection, which adjusts suction automatically to match your flooring. It also has DuoSpiral anti-tangle brushes on the inside that helps to make sure hair doesn't get tangled up and slow it down. And when it comes to mopping, it has a HydroJet Deep Cleaning System that helps to remove stains on hard surface floors.
The Eufy E28 also comes with a detachable deep carpet cleaner, which is an extra special win for carpets or fabric furniture in your home. With this, you'll be able to tackle stains on these surfaces a little bit easier.
The Eufy E28 is an incredibly helpful all-in-one cleaner to have in your house this spring. Don't miss out on this great chance to save right now at Amazon.
5 ways your smart home can monitor your health
Your smart home can do a lot more than just turn on your lights or control your heating. It can also help you monitor your health. Paired with the right devices, you can use your smart home to track health metrics, spot trends, and help build healthier habits.
4 extreme home theater projects I’d totally do if I had the money
Home theater setups can be as cheap or expensive as you want them to be. A basic setup might include a soundbar and some surround speakers, while a more expensive setup could have a dedicated projector, surround speakers, ceiling speakers, and multiple subwoofers. If I had an unlimited budget and the right space, these are the components I'd add.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a hilarious little ant farm for Nintendo Switch. And I need that right now.
Here is where things currently stand on my Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream island: I'm married to Dua Lipa, who I only added to the island because I wanted her to fall in love with my friend Nick, who has a thing for her. Nick, in a full cowboy getup, played guitar and sang at our wedding because he's a good guy who would never let jealousy end a friendship. Meanwhile, my friend Curt has a devastating crush on Sonic the Hedgehog, but so far it remains tragically unrequited. Stewie Griffin and Eric Cartman have also fallen in love with each other, but neither party has confessed as much yet. I wish them all the best.
This is largely how Tomodachi Life on the Nintendo Switch goes. You make a bunch of Miis (you know, the weird little dudes you played as in Wii Sports 20 years ago), perform a tiny amount of daily maintenance to keep them happy and unlock new stuff, and whatever happens next is up to them. While at times it barely feels like a game in the traditional sense, there's simply no denying how much fun it is.
As a long-awaited follow-up to Tomodachi Life on 3DS (released in 2014), Living the Dream has big shoes to fill. While not every great aspect of the 3DS game made the journey to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo has expanded upon that game's vision in enough other cool ways to make this a sequel worth waiting more than a decade for.
SEE ALSO: 'Pragmata' proves a great game only needs one great idea I hope you like landscapingSince Living the Dream is launching to a much larger audience than the 3DS game did 12 years ago, I imagine there are plenty of folks wondering what the heck it is. Let me explain it the best I can.
In Living the Dream, the player's main job is to cultivate and maintain an island full of Miis. You can base them on yourself, your friends, or your favorite fictional characters, celebs, or athletes. Each Mii has a distinct personality set by the player via a series of personality sliders ("Honest" and "Polite" are at opposite ends of one slider, for example), and this dictates how they behave and who they become friends with. Feeding them food they like, giving them stylish outfits, and otherwise fulfilling whatever mundane requests they make will fill up a happiness meter, which facilitates island expansion and other fun unlocks.
And that's pretty much it! The bones of Tomodachi Life haven't changed much since 2014, but a lot of things around the edges have been updated to make Living the Dream a more customizable experience than the last game. Perhaps the biggest change is that you can perform grid-based island customization now to make your island look exactly how you want. This also opens up another avenue for unlocking collectibles, as things like potted plants, trees, vending machines, and certain walking surfaces are now locked behind leveling up.
This is the life. Credit: NintendoI have to admit that this is not something I'm very keen on in any game. I just don't have a good eye for interior or exterior decoration. That said, Living the Dream makes this extremely simple to do and low-stakes enough that you can safely ignore it if you want. One of my favorite features is that, anytime it's time to place a new structure or item, you can press a "Mii's Choice" button to make the game put it wherever it makes the most sense. Or, sometimes, it'll put a vending machine on the beach. Either way, I don't have to think too hard about it.
Nintendo made the rather brilliant decision to not include a censorship filter of any kind in Living the Dream, so while I'll refrain from sharing specific examples, I can confirm that you can make them talk about literally anything you can fit in that text field.Another cool new feature is the ability to create objects, clothing, and even physical features for Miis by simply drawing with a cursor (or, in handheld mode, a touchscreen). Again, I am not an artist, so this is something I didn't do a lot, but I know for certain it's going to unlock a new level of deranged nonsense once Living the Dream goes wide.
Even if it's not something I want to spend a lot of time on, making the Mii Island a more tangible and customizable place is a great move for Living the Dream. People are going to go nuts with it, and I can't wait to see dedicated players' Mii metropolises, even though they won't be able to easily share them online. More on that in a moment.
The voice synthesis is what makes Tomodachi Life great Imagine this, but in the weirdest robot voice you've ever heard. Credit: NintendoThe actual gameplay of Tomodachi Life, at least in my eyes, is not really the appeal here. That said, it is a fun and rewarding loop that can remain engaging for dozens of hours, while never really asking the player to spend more than 30 to 45 minutes playing at a time. One of the best aspects of Living the Dream is that you'll just kinda naturally run out of things to do before each session reaches an hour, unless you have an ungodly number of Miis on your island. They'll stop making requests and start operating on their own. You can stick around and watch, or you can come back later. It's got Animal Crossing-style real-time clock elements, so there are reasons to log on at certain times of day. But, thankfully, I never once felt obligated to structure my real-life schedule around Tomodachi Life, which is what turned me off of Animal Crossing.
In actuality, though, the secret sauce that makes Living the Dream work is the robotic text-to-speech voice synthesis that every Mii uses to speak. They'll often ask you questions that you can answer in a text field, and then they'll repeat the answer out loud in all sorts of different contexts. I told a Mii that I like Bruce Springsteen, and now all of the Miis on my island talk about The Boss a lot. Nintendo made the rather brilliant decision to not include a censorship filter of any kind in Living the Dream, so while I'll refrain from sharing specific examples, I can confirm that you can make them talk about literally anything you can fit in that text field.
I'm not joking when I say the reason to play this game is to just sit and listen to the Miis talk. Their voices sound distinctly unnatural in a way that's both funny and refreshingly honest in a world full of generative AI garbage. At no point are any of your Miis trying to actually imitate human speech, which is what makes it so charming. Of course, you have full control over their voice pitch, depth, and tone, so you can make them sound really weird, if you want.
This mostly manifests in the form of little comedy skits your Miis will ambiently perform for your amusement. Occasionally, a Mii will ask you to help them befriend another Mii by requesting a conversation topic. Type anything in, and they'll have a goofy little Mad Libs-style conversation about it. The voice synthesis in Tomodachi Life is not new for this entry in the series, but it is absolutely key to what makes Living the Dream so fun to check in on every day.
I just wish you could use the share button You can draw whatever you want, but good luck sharing it on social media. Credit: NintendoIn Living the Dream, Miis have never looked crisper and more high-definition. There are more cosmetic options for them here than the Wii had, so if you're creative enough, you can make a virtual facsimile of just about anyone. Nintendo has also made the admirable decision to make this a Switch 1 joint rather than locking it onto the more expensive Switch 2. Unfortunately, this means the game is locked to 30 frames per second and doesn't currently take advantage of any unique Switch 2 features, such as mouse control, which would have made drawing things and landscaping a lot easier. The frame rate thing doesn't really matter in a game like this, but no mouse support is a real bummer.
Nothing is a bigger bummer, though, than the lack of true share button support. In Living the Dream, you can press the Switch's share button to capture screenshots and video clips of hilarious moments, just like you would in any other Switch game. However, Nintendo has turned off the ability to upload captures directly to a mobile device. This means getting screenshots and videos off of a console and onto social media is borderline impossible for the average user.
There's a loophole that involves putting the captures on a SD card and uploading them to a computer that way, but most people simply aren't going to do that.
My friends and I do this on weekends. Credit: NintendoI think I understand Nintendo's thinking here. If the share button worked as normal in a game with no censorship filter, the internet would be flooded with horrible pictures and videos from misbehaving Miis, a bad look for the most family-friendly publisher in gaming. Unfortunately, there are so many funny screenshots I've taken that I can't even include in this review because I can't currently get them off my Switch.
Lastly, I'll also mention that I don't think you can write songs for your Miis to perform in this game, as you could in the 3DS version. It's possible I just haven't fulfilled some arcane unlocking mechanism to use that feature, but as far as I can tell, my favorite part of the 3DS version has been excised. Sad.
Even with those bothersome limitations, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is almost exactly what I wanted it to be in every other respect. It's a different, more lowkey kind of "cozy game" than Pokémon Pokopia. Rather than focusing on large-scale construction projects, you'll spend most of your time in Living the Dream making funny little talking dolls that look like your friends and pushing them together until they fall in love, or don't. Most importantly, I laugh literally every time I play it. Most video games can't claim that.
Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream $59.99 at AmazonShop Now
The Daily Show calls BS on Trumps AI Jesus post being a joke
Donald Trump's Truth Social post with an AI image of himself as Jesus is still all over our feeds, with vice president JD Vance attempting to play the post off as a "joke."
"He had to come out yesterday to defend President Trump from all the woke Christians who are trying to cancel him just because he might have said, 'I am Jesus'," joked The Daily Show's Ronny Chieng during Tuesday night's show. "Get over it, snowflakes. Where in the Trump Bible does it say you can't worship false idols?"
Vance told Fox News of Trump's now-deleted post, "I think the president was posting a joke and, of course, he took it down because he recognised that a lot of people weren't understanding his humour" — which Chieng jokingly lambasted the Daily Show audience for.
"Shut up! Shut up. It was a joke. What's the matter, you guys don't have jokes at Jesus Camp? Everyone knows Trump posted this picture to be funny, right?" Chieng said, cutting to footage of Trump himself telling reporters he though "it was me as a doctor" with no mention of it being a joke.
"OK, well, make up your mind," said Chieng. "Is it a doctor or is it a joke, or is it a doctor who is a joke, like a chiropractor?"
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Stop ruining GNOME with extensions–here's why I stick to the defaults
GNOME is my favorite desktop, not just among the options available for Linux, but anywhere. While I'm glad that I can install GNOME extensions flexible enough to change the entire interface, here's why I choose not to.
Stephen Colbert reacts to Trumps AI Jesus post angering the Knights Templar
No one said it better than Stephen Colbert: "Yesterday might have been the weirdest weird that ever weirded."
Yes, we're talking about the fact that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, took questions from reporters at the White House about the U.S.-Iran war and his Truth Social post involving an AI image of himself as Jesus, all after he DoorDashed McDonald's and attacked the Pope online.
"If you just woke up from a coma and that report was the first thing you saw, you'd ask the doctor to put you back in. I'm sorry, you'd ask the Jesus to put you back in," Colbert said, referring to Trump's U-turn on the now-deleted image of himself as Jesus, which the president claimed he thought "was me as a doctor."
"This recreational blasphemy got Trump so much heat that he pulled the post down from social media, and now people can only see it everywhere on the internet," said Colbert.
"Here's how offensive Trump's AI Jesus post was: The Knights Templar said they condemn it wholeheartedly and asked for a public apology. The Knights Templar. He's angered the Knights Templar," Colbert said. "Well, it's official: we're trapped in a Dan Brown movie. Quick! Somebody find Tom Hanks and give him a terrible haircut."
SEE ALSO: Jimmy Kimmel mocks JD Vance's response to Trump attacking the PopeColbert also noted how Trump's online vendetta against Pope Leo XIV might be unwise if he's worried about approval ratings.
"Why would you start a beef with the Pope? According to a recent NBC poll, Pope Leo leads everyone in America in approval ratings. It's got to piss Trump off to learn that the most popular guy on the planet lives in a palace dripping with gold and wears an insane hat and it's not him," said Colbert. "Fun fact: Do you know what American finished second in that NBC poll? It gives me no pleasure to say 'Colbert trailed only Pope Leo in favorability.' Forgive me, I lied. Actually found that quite pleasurable."
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The DJI Mini 5 Pro drone is down to its record-low price at Amazon — save over $500 this week
SAVE $500: The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $1,089 at Amazon. That's over $500 off the list price and the best-ever price at Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo $1,089 at Amazon$1,599 Save $510 Get Deal
The 2026 drone market is currently in a weird state of flux. Legislative pressure is mounting on DJI imports. We’ve moved past the phase of uncertainty into genuine panic buying before stock disappears for good.
Any sort of deal during this frantic period is very much welcome. Any sort of deal down to a record-low price cannot be ignored.
The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is down to $1,089 at Amazon — its all-time low and over $500 off the list price for a limited time.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The Mini 5 Pro remains the champion of the lightweight category. For creators, the one-inch CMOS sensor is the star of the show, delivering 4K HDR at 60fps that looks like it belongs on a cinema screen. The 360-degree Nightscape sensing maps obstacles in low light while the specialized Nighttime Return-to-Home ensures your investment doesn't end up as a permanent resident of a neighbor's tree.
We’ve monitored this price point across several sale cycles, and this looks like the floor. If you’re a content creator looking to future-proof your kit with a drone that doesn't require a commercial pilot’s license, this is the deal to snipe before stock drops.
We're not encouraging panic buying, but we do believe in tactical shopping — and there's never been a better time to invest in this versatile drone.


