Blogroll

These 5 graphics settings look incredible but won't tank your FPS

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 19:30

We’re now in an era where fancy rendering techniques like ray tracing and even full path tracing tend to steal the show. I get it—they look incredible in screenshots, tech demos, and gameplay videos on high-end machines, but in practice, they bring even the most powerful systems to their knees.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Bring this large and in charge 100-inch Hisense Class U6 Series Mini-LED 4K TV home for its best price yet

Mashable - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 19:05

SAVE $500.03: As of April 8, get the 100-inch Hisense Class U6 Series Mini-LED 4K TV for $1,497.96 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,997.99. That's a discount of 25% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 100-inch Hisense Class U6 Series Mini-LED 4K TV $1,497.96 at Amazon
$1,997.99 Save $500.03   Get Deal

There's never a bad time to get a new TV. And it's an especially great time right now to add one to your living room, especially one at this price: a massive, 100-inch display that's ready to turn your home into an entertainment center.

As of April 8, get the 100-inch Hisense Class U6 Series Mini-LED 4K TV for $1,497.96 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,997.99. That's a discount of 25% and the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: There are huge deals on Hisense TVs in the Amazon Spring Sale — score $500 off a 100-inch monster

The Hisense Class U6 Series QLED 4K TV has bright, crisp colors, a peak brightness of up to 1,000 nits with 600 dimming zones, 144Hz, HDR10+, and Dolby Visio IQ.

In the realm of audio, it has Dolby Atmos as well, for excellent sound regardless if you add a soundbar or other device. And if you're a gamer, it has a 144Hz native refresh rate with a special Game Mode Pro option to smooth lag while you're playing fast-paced games.

If you're planning on using it to catch up with your favorite shows and movies, it has built-in Alexa support with its Fire TV integration. That means you can watch a variety of live TV channels, stream content, and more all without having to add a streaming stick.

This is your chance to bring home a massive TV that has all the bells and whistles of a model twice its price. If you're ready to go all in on your entertainment setup, now's the time to head to Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

AirPods Pro vs. the competition: $30 to $150 challengers

Mashable - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 19:01

We compare AirPods Pro, Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro, Nothing Ear (a) and SoundPEATS C30 in everyday use. The focus is on how they handle sound, comfort, and workouts in real-world conditions, and whether any of these lower-priced options can realistically replace a premium pair.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why three buttons beat Android's gesture system every single time

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 19:00

Google changed how you interact with Android, ditching the old navigation bar for a new, edge-to-edge gesture system. The industry buzz was that buttons were an old, somewhat clunky feature, meant for replacement by the more fluid, intuitive motions of a swipe.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch PSG vs. Liverpool online for free

Mashable - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 19:00

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

The Champions League is showcasing some huge quarter-final matchups this week, and it doesn't get much bigger than the defending champions hosting Liverpool. PSG will be expected to advance to the next round, but Liverpool possess the talent to upset the odds. They've not been at their best this season, but they could turn things around at the Parc des Princes.

Expect big performances from the likes of Doué, Dembélé, and Kvaratskhelia as PSG look to build a lead to take to Anfield.

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

When is PSG vs. Liverpool?

PSG vs. Liverpool in the Champions League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on April 8. This fixture takes place at the Parc des Princes.

How to watch PSG vs. Liverpool for free

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

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

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

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

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

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

  4. Visit RTÉ Player

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

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

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

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPn for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid online for free

Mashable - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 19:00

TL;DR: Live stream Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The next round of Champions League fixtures continues with Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid. This is arguably the toughest contest to predict from the quarter-final stage, but you can be sure of big performances from the likes of Lamine Yamal and Julián Alvarez as these rivals battle it out at the Camp Nou.

They've already met a few times this season, most recently in a dramatic 2-1 win for Barcelona in La Liga. Atletico Madrid did knock Barcelona out of the Copa del Rey earlier this season, so they know how to beat Barcelona over two legs.

If you want to watch Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid?

Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid in the Champions League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on April 8. This fixture takes place at the Camp Nou.

How to watch Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid for free

Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

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

Live stream Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit Virgin Media Player

  5. Watch Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hate vacuuming? This budget-friendly Eufy robot vacuum is down to $139.99

Mashable - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:53

SAVE 50%: As of April 8, you can get the Eufy Robot Vacuum 11S MAX for $139.99, down from $279.99, at Amazon. That's a 50% discount or $140 savings.

Eufy Robot Vacuum 11S MAX $139.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $140   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Amazon

Vacuuming is one of those necessary evils that you just have to do. (I mean, I guess you could boycott vacuuming, but that would most likely make your living space a nightmare). But there is a loophole: The robot vacuum cleaner, and right now you can get one of Amazon's top-rated models for 50% off.

As of April 8, you can get the Eufy Robot Vacuum 11S MAX for $139.99 at Amazon, down from $279.99. That's a 50% discount or $140 savings.

SEE ALSO: I found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness

This super-slim robovac is ideal for anyone with low-clearance furniture. It'll run for 100 minutes on a single charge, which should be long enough to clean your entire apartment or the main floor of your house (unless you live in a palace). It's also super quiet (it operates at about the same noise level as a microwave).

My favorite feature of this robot vac is more of a non-feature. It doesn't connect to WiFi or an app. All operations are done using the included remote control. If you're sick of downloading a new app for every single thing in your house (why do I need an app for my washing machine or stove?), this is the best robot vacuum you can get.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Mark Zuckerberg announces Muse Spark, the first AI model from Meta Superintelligence Labs

Mashable - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:49

Mark Zuckerberg announced Wednesday that Meta Superintelligence Labs has reached its first major milestone: a new family of AI models called Muse, with the debut model, Spark, available now. In a Facebook post, Zuckerberg said that Muse Spark now powers an updated version of Meta AI, which users can access online at meta.ai or in the Meta AI app.

"Muse Spark is the first step on our scaling ladder and the first product of a ground-up overhaul of our AI efforts," a Meta announcement stated.

Spark is designed to be particularly capable in areas tied to everyday personal use — tasks like visual understanding, health, shopping, and social content. Looking ahead, Zuckerberg said Meta is building products that go beyond answering questions, toward AI that acts as agents "that do things for you."

Future AI models in the Muse lineup will also include new open-source releases.

Muse Spark is the first big product from Meta Superintelligence Labs

The announcement marks the public debut of work that has been underway — and at times turbulent — since last summer. When Zuckerberg first laid out his vision for "personal superintelligence" in a July 2025 manifesto, the ambition was an AI that helps people pursue their own goals rather than one controlled from the top down.

To build it, Meta went on one of the most aggressive hiring sprees in recent memory, personally recruiting more than 50 researchers from rivals including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, and bringing in former Scale AI chief Alexandr Wang to lead its new superintelligence research group.

Then, just as quickly, Meta froze hiring altogether — citing routine budget planning — and restructured the team into four smaller units focused on research, superintelligence development, products, and infrastructure. Zuckerberg explained the pivot by saying he believes breakthrough AI work is best done by compact teams who can hold the full picture in their heads, rather than sprawling organizations.

The whiplash raised eyebrows amid broader market jitters about whether the AI boom is sustainable. An MIT study circulating at the time found the vast majority of companies deploying AI were seeing no financial return.

In his original manifesto, Zuckerberg drew a sharp philosophical line between Meta and its competitors, arguing that some AI labs want to concentrate superintelligence and pipe its output to humanity like a utility. Meta sees it differently, he said.

In Wednesday's Muse Spark announcement post, he once again framed the lab's founding goal as "putting personal superintelligence in everyone's hands" — with the underlying belief that empowering individuals, not centralizing intelligence, is how humanity moves forward.

Wednesday's Muse announcement will be the first concrete product to emerge from these multi-billion-dollar investments. (Meta allocated $72 billion in AI development in 2025 and is expected to spend up to $135 billion in 2026.)

Muse Spark: Benchmark performance

So far, Meta's Llama family of AI models has lagged far behind its rivals on AI leaderboards. Whether Spark lives up to the superintelligence branding remains to be seen, but after months of hiring drama, restructuring, and big-picture theorizing, Meta has finally put something on the table.

As Zuckerberg put it: "I'm looking forward to sharing more soon."

As part of its Muse Spark announcement, Meta Superintelligence Labs released its scores on popular AI benchmark tests such as Humanity's Last Exam (HLE), ARC AGI 2, and GPQA Diamond. These scores could not be independently verified at this time, but Meta did release information on its testing methodology for Muse Spark.

Overall, Meta reported mixed results when comparing Muse Spark to frontier models such as Claude Opus 4.6 Max, Gemini 3.1 Pro High, GPT 5.4 Xhigh, and Grok 4.2, with Muse Spark outperforming on some benchmarks and underperforming on others.

Meta released a table comparing benchmark performance for Muse Spark.

Meta released this benchmark comparison table. Credit: Meta How to try Muse Spark from Meta

Muse Spark is available online now. Desktop users can access the new AI model online at meta.ai. Mobile users can also try Muse Spark in the Meta AI app. Additionally, Meta said that select users will be able to access a private API preview.

To compete with reasoning models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, Meta is also releasing a "Contemplating" mode for Muse Spark, "which orchestrates multiple agents that reason in parallel."

"This allows Muse Spark to compete with the extreme reasoning modes of frontier models such as Gemini Deep Think and GPT Pro. Contemplating mode provides significant capability improvements in challenging tasks, achieving 58% in Humanity’s Last Exam and 38% in FrontierScience Research."

Contemplating mode is not yet available; Meta said it will be released gradually at meta.ai, but did not provide a timeline for its release.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The reliable Japanese luxury SUV that handles better than expected

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:45

We’re living in an exciting time for cars. Even entry-level models now pack tech and features that used to be luxury-only.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Gaming Headset is on sale for under $300 at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:35

SAVE $80: The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Multi-System Gaming Headset is on sale at Amazon for $299.99, down from the list price of $379.99. That's a 21% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: SteelSeries SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Multi-System Gaming Headset $299.99 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $80   Get Deal

A great gaming monitor can change your experience but there's something espeically immersive about a great gaming headset. If you could use an upgrade, check out this nice deal at Amazon on a splurge-worthy pair.

As of April 8, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Multi-System Gaming Headset is on sale at Amazon for $299.99, marked down from the standard price of $379.99. That's a 21% discount that takes $80 off the normal price.

If you're looking for a "treat yourself" moment when it comes to gaming, it might not get much better than upgrading to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset. Contributor Ben Williams reviewed the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro and wrote, "Its price is still rather high, even when discounted. That said, the experience is well and truly worth the cost — especially if you want the absolute best level of gaming audio you can get on any platform at home and beyond."

SEE ALSO: This curved 27-inch ASUS TUF gaming monitor is now at its best-ever price on Amazon — save $70

Williams also commended the SteelSeries for "brilliant audio performance and connectivity," in addition to mentioning the headset's comfort. Another nice feature is the headset's noise cancellation. While it's not gonna get Sony XM6 levels of impressive, it should do just fine for keeping distractions away from your gaming sessions.

SteelSeries also uses a dual battery system on the Arctis Nova Pro headset. While one battery is keeping the headset powered on for up to 20 hours, the other battery can be charging on the base station. When one battery dies, swap it out for the other fully-charged battery to get another 20 hours of gaming.

Before this sale price disappears, up your gaming sessions with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Multi-System Gaming Headset. You'll be equipped with a pro-level gaming headset for under $300.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Is your phone gross? Watch this.

Mashable - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:32

Spring cleaning your phone goes beyond just wiping down the screen. Iyaz walks through how to safely clean and disinfect your phone and earbuds to remove built-up grime and bacteria, while also showing how to clean inside your device by clearing unused apps and using built-in Android and iOS tools to free up space and improve performance.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Android finally gets a controller feature mobile gamers have been begging for

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:24

One aspect of mobile gaming that has consistently lagged behind is controller support that actually works the way you want it to. It’s a maddening experience to find out that jump is on X, dodge is mapped to the wrong trigger, or when the game doesn’t let you change any of it. Fortunately, Google is finally addressing this pain point in Android 17 Beta 2, and it works exactly the way mobile gamers have wanted it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Former Meta employee accused of downloading 30,000 private user images

Mashable - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:22

London's cybercrime unit is investigating a former Meta employee who allegedly downloaded more than 30,000 private user images from personal Facebook pages.

Police say the employee, a company engineer, allegedly designed a script that allowed his activity to go undetected by internal security systems, according to court documents reviewed by The Guardian.

SEE ALSO: Anthropic limits access to AI that finds security flaws, realizing hackers may use it for exactly that

The incident was discovered by the company over a year ago, Meta explained in a statement to the BBC. In addition to terminating the employee, Meta notified affected Facebook users and updated its security protocols. Meta then referred the case to the UK police, and authorities arrested the man in November.

"After discovering improper access by an employee over a year ago, we immediately terminated the individual, notified users, referred the matter to law enforcement and enhanced our security measures," the company said to the press. "We are co-operating with the ongoing investigation."

Meta has previously been accused of failing to appropriately notify users of privacy policies and how their data is accessed by the company, including recent concerns about Meta AI chatbot prompts being made visible to the public.

Last month, an investigation found that offshore Meta workers in Kenya were being forced to review personal recordings taken by Meta Ray-Ban glasses wearers — videos that were being shared unbeknownst to users to train the company's AI. In January, a group of international plaintiffs and whistleblowers filed a lawsuit against Meta, alleging that private WhatsApp conversations, which are end-to-end encrypted, were being accessed and analyzed by Meta employees. The company has denied the allegation.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Best Buy is giving away a Super Mario Bros. 40th anniversary collectible game case for free — how to claim

Mashable - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:22

GET A FREE COLLECTIBLE GAME CASE: As of April 8, you can pick up a slick Super Mario Bros. 40th anniversary collectible game case for free at Best Buy when you purchase two select Mario titles for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Super Mario Bros. 40th anniversary collectible game case free when you buy any 2 Mario titles at Best Buy Get Deal

There's a lot of Mario talk lately between The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the Super Mario Bros. Wonder Switch 2 Edition release, and the 40th anniversary of the nostalgic Nintendo mascot. And Best Buy wants in on the conversation. For a limited time, the retailer is giving away free Super Mario Bros. 40th anniversary collectible game cases. Here's how you can claim yours.

There's limited quantities of these slick collectible cases, so you'll want to act semi-quickly if you want to ensure you get one. All you have to do to qualify is purchase two select Mario titles for Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 at Best Buy. Once you add two to your cart, you'll see the game case added automatically for $0 (a $20 value). It can hold 24 games and showcases photos of Mario himself over the years.

There's plenty of excellent games included in the list, including Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park, Mario Kart World for Nintendo Switch 2, Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 for Nintendo Switch, and Mario Party Superstars for Nintendo Switch. Most of them are at full price, which is kind of a bummer, but we do think the majority of them are worth the money.

Regardless, this is your chance to celebrate four decades of Mario and get some sick merch to go along with it. And a free gift is a free gift!

Categories: IT General, Technology

Artemis II return date and time: When to livestream reentry and splashdown

Mashable - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:19

After 10 days circling the Earth, the moon, and breaking records in deep space, the Artemis II crew is about to make one final, fiery plunge back to Earth.

This four-person crew made history on April 6, when Orion reached 248,655 miles from Earth, the farthest any human has ever traveled in space, surpassing Apollo 13's record. Now, U.S. Navy teams stationed near San Diego are ready to bring them safely home.

If you don't want to miss the Artemis II return, then tune in to the NASA livestream on Friday. That's when Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen are expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PT (7:07 p.m. CT).

When to start watching

NASA+ coverage kicks off at 3:30 p.m. PT, about 90 minutes before splashdown. But the action really heats up, literally, around 4:53 p.m. PT, when the Orion spacecraft hits entry interface, and the capsule begins its scorching journey through Earth's atmosphere, where it will reach roughly 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

After the Artemis II recovery, NASA will hold a post-splashdown news conference at 7:30 p.m. PT at Johnson Space Center.

Where to watch Artemis II reentry

Stream the Artemis II return free on NASA+ at plus.nasa.gov or on NASA's YouTube channel.

Want more science and tech news delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable's Light Speed newsletter today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon will stop supporting your old Kindle and Kindle Fire, here's what you can do

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:15

If you've been holding on to an old Kindle device for over a decade, it's likely time to move on. An Amazon spokesperson has confirmed to The Verge that Kindle eReaders and Kindle Fire tablets released in 2012 and earlier will no longer have Kindle Store access to buy, borrow, or download books after May 20th, 2026.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new Netflix documentaries to watch in April

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:15

With spring blooming, it's time for your Netflix watch list to get a well-deserved refresh. This April, the streaming platform is bringing a string of documentaries and docuseries that you can tune into.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Dont panic: Amazon is discontinuing support on these 13 Kindle devices, but theyre not totally obsolete

Mashable - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:09

On April 7, some Kindle users received an alarming email from Amazon. The email alerted users that, as of May 20, 2026, their Kindle devices will no longer be supported. Immediate reactions on social media devolved into panic, fearing that this meant beloved Kindles were no longer functional. Yet, I'm more impressed that 14-year-old Kindles are still going strong.

View on Threads

Before you run out to buy a new Kindle, you don't have to fear — you can still use your Kindle. The news does not mean these Kindle devices are being deactivated; however, they're no longer receiving software updates, nor will you have access to web services. And, yes, for Libby users, this means you'll no longer be able to borrow books on your device since you need WiFi.

Here's everything you need to know, including which devices are affected and what that means for you.

Which Kindle devices are affected?

Kindle users with an affected device linked to their Amazon account received an email informing them that support for their device is being discontinued. In fact, it's not just Kindles but Fire tablets, too. The devices no longer being supported include:

  • Kindle (1st generation)

  • Kindle (2nd generation)

  • Kindle DX

  • Kindle DX Graphite

  • Kindle Keyboard

  • Kindle 4

  • Kindle Touch

  • Kindle 5

  • Kindle Paperwhite (1st generation)

  • Kindle Fire (1st generation)

  • Kindle Fire (2nd generation)

  • Kindle Fire HD 7

  • Kindle Fire HD 8.9

What does the change on May 20 mean?

In the email Amazon sent to users, it stated: "Amazon is discontinuing support for Kindle devices released in 2012 or earlier." But what does discontuning support actually mean? Devices will no longer have web support; therefore, they won't have the Send to Kindle feature, which requires an internet connection. It also means you won't be able to borrow or download books from the Kindle Store, including Libby e-books, since they go through the Kindle Store. In Amazon's email, they also mentioned that if you deregister and factory reset the device, you cannot register it again.

When reached for comment, an Amazon spokesperson provided this statement to Mashable:

Starting May 20, 2026, customers using Kindle and Kindle Fire devices released in 2012 and earlier will no longer be able to purchase, borrow, or download new content via the Kindle Store. These models have been supported for at least 14 years — some as long as 18 years — but technology has come a long way in that time, and these devices will no longer be supported moving forward. We are notifying those still actively using them and offering promotions to help with the transition to newer devices. Their accounts and Kindle Library also remain fully accessible through the free Kindle app and Kindle for Web.

Can you still use your affected Kindle after May 20?

The affected Kindles aren't necessarily being deactivated; service will just be limited. You can still read the books you have already downloaded to your Kindle per usual. Plus, many users recommend jailbreaking the device.

If you connect your Kindle to a computer and use a program like Calibre, you can still easily transfer books to your Kindle. Who's really losing out are Libby users, who have benefited from the Send to Kindle feature.

If the update is a huge deal-breaker, it may be time for a new Kindle, where you can access all the books you've ever purchased in the Kindle Store. For some, this update has left a bad impression and might mean it's time to try out a different e-reader, like a Kobo.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Paperwhite $159.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Kobo Kobo Libra Colour $229.99 at Kobo
  Shop Now
Categories: IT General, Technology

Upgrade your smartphone with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for its lowest price yet

Mashable - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:06

SAVE $200: As of April 8, get the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for $1,299.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,499.99. That's a discount of 13% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra $1,299.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $200   Get Deal

If a spring refresh means you're updating everything in your life, not just cleaning your home, it might be time for a new smartphone. If that's the case for you, you won't want to miss this deal on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra we found at Amazon, which cuts the new smartphone down by a significant amount.

As of April 8, get the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for $1,299.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,499.99. That's $200 off and a discount of 13%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: I might be done with iPhones

This unlocked phone comes with a new custom chip in the form of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, 512GB of memory, a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with a 3120x1440 resolution, a 5000 mAh battery, and a 200MP main camera.

Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth proclaimed that "this might be the year I switch to Android" after giving the phone a test drive, awarding it a 4.6 score in his review and praising its "incredible camera array", "gorgeous AMOLED display", and its processor's ability to handle "everything I threw at it".

Though the phone hasn't been out very long on the market, saving $200 on the unlocked version is an extremely great deal, especially if you're also on the fence about switching mobile teams, so to speak. It likely won't last long at this price, so it's a good idea to go ahead and pick it up while it's still in stock.

Categories: IT General, Technology

RAM disks are insanely fast, but I'm not using one—and neither should you

How-To Geek - Wed, 04/08/2026 - 18:01

What if you could reserve part of your PC's RAM for storage, giving you a blazing-fast disk that sweeps the floor with today's fastest SSDs, right where they tend to choke?

Categories: IT General, Technology
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