Blogroll

5 Oscar-winning Netflix movies to watch this weekend (March 20-22)

How-To Geek - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 20:30

While the 2026 Oscars ended with some surprises and snubs, the spirit of the show can still be celebrated. From classic watches and new movies, the iconic Oscar collection of winners in major and other categories is a gift that keeps giving.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your car's infotainment system is hiding 5 features you didn't know existed

How-To Geek - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 20:00

Your car is not just a machine with an engine and four wheels anymore; it is an advanced, networked device. Many use the most basic functions, but car screens have gotten more advanced as years have gone by.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Windows 11’s Start menu keeps getting worse. Open Shell fixes it

How-To Geek - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 19:45

I've never been a fan of how Windows 11 handles the Start menu or search. I've covered those frustrations before, but it still comes down to the same issue. I want Windows to adapt to how I work, not force me into a layout and workflow that feel less efficient.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 Raspberry Pi projects I'd totally do if I had the time

How-To Geek - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 19:39

If you have a ton of time on your hands, then I really hope you make these Raspberry Pi projects for me. I want to make them myself, but I just don't have the time, however cool or useful they are.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Don't upgrade your GPU until you've tried this $7 app

How-To Geek - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 19:30

Guess what? GPUs are really, really expensive right now. I know, shocking, right? I kid, but it's true that graphics card prices have been on a rapid rise ever since the ongoing RAM shortage started. And no, it doesn't look like the prices will improve anytime soon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google shares 5 tools to help avoid tax scams

Mashable - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 19:22

We're now deep into tax season with most people filing between now and the April 15 deadline. This also means that we're now deep into scam season for fraudsters and cybercriminals.

Over the years, Mashable has covered countless scams during the tax season period that prey on individuals just trying to file their taxes.

This week, Google published a post sharing their own tools and tips to avoid getting scammed this tax season. As the company points out, Alloy's annual State of Fraud report found a 67 percent increase in fraud attempts. The most common? Tax-related refund update scams.

So, here's what Google is doing to help.

SEE ALSO: Why you shouldn't use ChatGPT to do your taxes Scam Detection on Pixel phones

Google says Pixel users experience 70 percent fewer spam calls thanks to Call Screen, a feature that detects and filters out spammers when they're calling your Pixel phone. 

However, Google has another new layer of protection that can even actively monitor the call in real-time and alert the user when the conversation is headed into scam territory. Scam Detection alerts is an opt-in feature in the Pixel's Phone app. Using AI, Scam Detection lets users know when conversations start sounding like scams and will send a notification, a sound alert, and vibration to the device to let the user know.

Detect text scams with Circle to Search

One common scam during tax season comes in the form of text messages or DMs in messaging apps that claim to come from the IRS or have important information about your tax refund.

Google already has Scam Detection built into Google Messages on Android devices, but Circle to Search now provides another layer of protection. 

Simply long-press the home button on your Android device and circle the potentially fraudulent message or post. Circle to Search will fact check the message and let you know if its suspicious or not.

On iOS devices, this feature can be utilized with Lens via the Google app. Simply take a screenshot of the message, open Lens, and then tap on the screenshot for Google to make its determination.

SEE ALSO: Google wants to fill Fitbit with AI — and your medical records Google Safe Browsing

Google's Chrome web browser also has its own layers of protection for users with Google Safe Browsing

Simply go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, followed by Security, and select Enhanced protection. Google Safe Browsing will scan the websites you visit against a database of known threats and let users know if they are on a phishing website or other nefarious webpage.

Gmail alerts

When a known scam, spam, or malware gets delivered to your Gmail inbox, Google immediately flags that email to let users know about the malicious activity that awaits.

Gmail shows "high-visibility warning banners" that point out suspicious emails, links, and senders. The red or yellow banners are hard to miss and ensure one place that fraudsters can't take advantage of you is in your inbox.

Ad transparency

See an ad that seems too good to be true? 

Click the three-dot icon next to any ad in Google Search and head to the “About this advertiser” section. The advertiser's name, location, and whether they've been verified by Google all appears here.

Google's ad transparency tools will make sure scammers don't weaponize Search ads to carry out their schemes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Pokémon Pokopia event: How to get Hoppip while you can

Mashable - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 19:09

The real joy of Pokémon Pokopia for Nintendo Switch 2 is seeing all sorts of weird little creatures show up in your towns, but not all of them arrive in the most intuitive of fashions.

Take Hoppip, for example. This pink plant fella is in Pokopia, but at the moment only in a time-limited, event-centric way. If you want Hoppip in your Pokopia environment, there are a couple of things to know. Keep reading to find out.

SEE ALSO: Pokémon Pokopia: How to power up Rock Smash How to get Hoppip in Pokémon Pokopia

The main thing to know about Hoppip and its evolutions Skiploom and Jumpluff is that they're currently only available in Pokopia as part of the "More Spores for Hoppip" seasonal event, which is only available from now until March 25, per our friends at IGN. That means you've only got a few days at most to get this done.

Thankfully, there really isn't much to get done in order for Hoppip to grace your town with its presence. All you have to do is finish work on the Pokémon Center in Withered Wasteland, the game's opening area. This is part of the tutorial for Pokopia, so there's a good chance anyone reading this has already done that. If not, just keep following the main story quests until it's done.

SEE ALSO: 'Pokémon Pokopia': How to get the Suck ability to move water around

Once you have the Pokémon Center built, simply log into Pokopia during the day before the event runs its course. When your character wakes up, you should see a notification that a Pokémon is "the talk of the town," which means Hoppip has shown up. Go to that Pokémon Center we talked about earlier and you should find it, which kicks off the whole event. Participating in the event, which entails collecting cotton spores on Dream Islands, will net you some fun items that you can then use to create habitats to attract Skiploom and Jumpluff.

Congrats on becoming friends with Hoppip. If only we could all be so lucky.

Categories: IT General, Technology

It's been 10 years since the death of smartphone headphone jacks—here's what we gained from it

How-To Geek - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 19:00

It's been roughly 10 years since headphone jacks were stripped from nearly all of our smartphones. On one hand, this was a tragedy—but it's one that occurred for a good reason. More than one, actually. In some ways, our phones are better off for having kissed this beloved port goodbye.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You don’t need a Lexus to get luxury—just look at the Crown Signia

How-To Geek - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 18:45

If you’ve been eyeing a Lexus NX but don’t want to splurge, the Toyota Crown Signia quietly steps up as a surprisingly roomy and practical alternative. Toyota has been blurring the line between mainstream and premium, and the Signia is its boldest move yet—stylish, calm, and effortlessly upscale.

Categories: IT General, Technology

15 wireless earbuds deals live ahead of Amazons Big Spring Sale

Mashable - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 18:28
Best early earbuds deals before the Big Spring Sale Best overall Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199.99 (save $49.01) Get Deal Best open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $198 (save $31.99) Get Deal

Anyone hoping Amazon's Big Spring Sale would feature great earbuds deals, you're in luck.

The sitewide sale for Prime and non-Prime members alike doesn't kick off until March 25 (running through March 31), but a selection of deals are already live and very much worth looking it, including plenty on wireless earbuds. Though the sale is primarily focused on spring-focused savings like camping gear and cleaning supplies, markdowns on plenty of tech are cropping up, even if they're not officially affiliated with the sale.

In the earbuds space, Sony's latest releases like the LinkBuds Clip and WF-1000XM6 are on sale. Apple AirPods Pro 3 are receiving one of their best price reductions to date, and budget friendlier options like the EarFun Clip and Sony WF-C710N are also even cheaper than usual.

Check out all 15 of the best earbuds deals live already:

Best wireless earbuds deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $49.01   See It at Amazon See It at Walmart Why we like it

The AirPods Pro 3 are still quite new, having only hit the market this past fall. The earbuds are undeniably the best Apple has released yet, featuring two times the noise cancellation power of the second-gen Pros, a well-rounded sound profile, eight hours of battery life per charge, a built-in heart rate monitor, and live translation features. In his review of the buds, Mashable contributor Adam Doud wrote, "Overall, the AirPods Pro 3 are a remarkable upgrade, even over the AirPods Pro 2, which were already very good."

Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

More earbuds dealsBest open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $198 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $31.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

When it comes to open earbuds, it seems more and more options are coming out by the day. While the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are one of the most popular options, Sony's latest release, the Sony LinkBuds Clip, is worth a closer look. Like the Bose buds, they have a clip design built for maximizing comfort. Also like the Bose buds, they have excellent sound quality. Mashable contributor Simon Cohen wrote in his review of the buds, "With the possible exception of Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds ($299), the LinkBuds Clip are the best [open earbuds] I’ve heard." On sale, they're also over $100 cheaper than the Bose buds, so second best in sound quality hardly feels like settling here.

Check out Mashable's full review of the Sony LinkBuds Clip.

More open earbuds deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Why the PC gaming obsession with GPU undervolting is a complete waste of time

How-To Geek - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 18:00

GPU undervolting has become a favorite pastime for many enthusiast PC gamers. For years, we've been told that a simple undervolt drastically lowers temperatures and power consumption while also resulting in quieter operation, but the truth is that, in most situations, running your GPU at its default settings is completely fine.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 presence-based Home Assistant projects to try this weekend (March 20 - 22)

How-To Geek - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 17:45

Presence detection can make your Home Assistant automations feel much smarter. Instead of relying on basic motion sensors, you can track your location to a specific room and even determine exactly where in the room you are. These weekend projects tackle presence detection in different ways.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon Big Spring Sale 2026: Tablet deals are in full bloom with savings on the latest iPad Air

Mashable - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 17:39
Best Big Spring Sale Tablet Deals Best tablet deal Apple iPad Air (M4 chip, 128GB, WiFi) $559 (save $40) Get Deal Best Android tablet deal Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE $499.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best kids tablet deal Amazon Fire 7 Kids with six months Amazon Kids+ $59.99 (save $40) Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale kicks off on March 25. The seasonal sale, which runs through March 31, focuses on seasonal transition items – think cleaning supplies to freshen up your home and camping supples to get outdoors. However, it wouldn't be a sale without tech deals, too.

Ahead of the sale, we've spotted early savings on tablets, good timing considering Apple just dropped a brand new tablet. The Apple iPad Air with M4 chip just dropped this month, and the good news is, it's already on sale. But if iPads aren't your thing don't worry, there are plenty of other tablet deals to shop.

Here are all the best tablet deals to shop ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Best Tablet Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air (M4 chip, 128GB, WiFi) $559 at Amazon
$599 Save $40   Get Deal

Read our full review of the Apple iPad Air (M4).

Apple's latest iPad drop is the iPad Air with M4 chip. It's one of the retailers speediest, most efficient tablets, scoring 13,176 on the Geekbench 6 test, which puts it ahead of most laptops. When Apple released the new iPad Air, they didn't raise the price, keeping the midrange tablet at $599. However, it already receive a price cut at Amazon.

Ahead of the Big Spring Sale, get the Apple iPad Air with M4 chip for just $559. While that's only $40 in savings and less than 10% off its list price, it's still a great deal considering it's a brand new tablet.

So while we might like this deal best, if you want some bigger savings, there are plenty more deals to shop.

More tablet deals

iPads

Android

Kids tablet

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 excellent Prime Video documentaries to watch this weekend (March 20 - 22)

How-To Geek - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 17:31

The treasure trove that is Prime Video's library of weird and wild documentaries never ceases to impress—and offer a nice jolt to my weekend viewing sessions.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How ADB helped me unlock my Fire TV Stick's full potential

How-To Geek - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 17:31

The Android Debug Bridge allows you to run all sorts of terminal commands on Android devices remotely. Since Amazon's Fire TV Sticks run Android at its core, here's how I unlocked a few "hidden" features of my Fire TV with ADB.

Categories: IT General, Technology

In honor of Chuck Norris, here's where you can stream his best movies and TV shows

How-To Geek - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 17:25

Chuck Norris, the legendary action star and martial artist, has died at the age of 86. Norris' family revealed that he passed away yesterday morning after being hospitalized in Hawaii.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Snag some serious DJI discounts before the Amazon Big Spring Sale lands

Mashable - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 17:13

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale DJI deals at a glance: Best DJI Drone deal DJI Mavic 4 Pro Triple Camera Flagship Drone $4,399 (save $829) Get Deal Best DJI Mic Deal DJI Mic Mini (2TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) $79 (Save $20) Get Deal Best DJI Gimbal Deal DJI Osmo Mobile 7 $59 (Save $16) Get Deal

There's around a week left until the Amazon Big Spring Sale officially begins, bringing with it a slew of deals across every category on the site. From March 25 through March 31, you can expect to see major savings from Amazon, but if you're looking to shop now, there are still plenty of deals to be had.

If you're looking to save on DJI products, now's the time to do so. It isn't just a drone company, as you may well be aware of by now, but it produces the viral DJI Mic Mini and a number of other content creation tools. If you've been looking to get into DJI or pick up a few yourself, now's the time to claim some of the early deals that have popped up.

Below, find some of the best early DJI sale picks you can shop before the Big Spring Sale officially kicks off.

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale DJI drone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mavic 4 Pro Triple Camera Flagship Drone $5,228 at Amazon
  Get Deal Why we like it

This DJI drone is in stock right now, so if you've been thinking of a reason to pick one up, it's time to lock in. It's a tri-camera unit with a 100MP 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera with a max flight time of 51 minutes. It also comes with three batteries, spare propellers, a charging hub, shoulder bag, and other goodies. Plus, its new gimbal gives you 360-degree rotation with Dutch angles and a 41km range for time lapse and panoramic images.

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale DJI mic deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mic Mini (2TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) $79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20   Get Deal Why we like it

This TikTok-famous mic set is well-loved for a reason. It sounds great, offers up to 48 hours of recording time, and it's perfect for users both new and old thanks to its accessibility and simple setup. It comes with a receiver, two transmitters, a charging cable, phone adapter, four windscreens, two magnetic clips, and a case, so you're all set to start using it immediately.

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale DJI gimbal deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Osmo Mobile 7 $59 at Amazon
$75 Save $16   Get Deal Why we like it

This three-axis stabilizing gimbal is perfect for content creators, whether they're new or old hat at making videos. It's compatible with both iPhone and Android and uses DJI's stabilization tech to remove stuttering from your videos. It also uses ActiveTrack 7.0 to follow subjects around so you don't have to, no matter the activity. Plus, it boasts up to 10 hours of battery life, with multifunctionality as a tripod if you need a place to rest your phone while you record.

More DJI deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

3 eye-opening Netflix documentaries to watch this weekend (March 20 - 22)

How-To Geek - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 17:00

Netflix has quietly become one of the best places to scroll your way into some fascinating documentaries and docuseries. And just as with finding a good movie or series to binge, the challenge with docs isn’t finding something interesting—it’s deciding where to start.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stick vacuums on sale ahead of Amazons spring sale: Shark is dunking on Dyson right now

Mashable - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 16:55
A quick look at the best cordless vacuum deals ahead of Amazon's spring sale Best vacuum deal for homes with pets Shark PowerDetect Pet Plus Clean & Empty $399.99 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal Best budget stick vacuum deal Shark Pet IX141 $149.00 at Amazon (save $150.99) Get Deal Best wet dry cordless vacuum deal Roborock F25 Ace Combo $459.99 at Amazon (save $290) Get Deal

Take it from someone who tests multiple robot vacuums each month: Not even the best robot vacuum AI features are immune to screwing up. If you're inclined to just do the job yourself — or if the concept of a robot vacuum with a camera sketches you out — at least make the chore enjoyable. A ton of cordless stick vacuums are already on sale ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, which runs from March 25 to 31 in 2026.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has both

Our favorite cordless vacuum deals so far are all vacuums that someone at Mashable has tested at home and loved. But my favorite cordless vacuum brand to test is missing. Amazon typically isn't a reliable spot to find good deals on Dyson vacuums, even though Amazon's deals on other Dyson products can be quite good. I'm crossing my fingers for deals on the Dyson V12 Detect Slim and maybe even the new Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones — but the most worthwhile Dyson deals would pop up at Dyson.com, not Amazon.

Below, I'm tracking the best cordless vacuums on sale at Amazon pre-Big Spring Sale, including deals on cordless wet and dry vacuums.

Best Amazon cordless stick vacuum deal Shark PowerDetect Pet Plus Clean & Empty IP3253 $399.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $200   See It at Amazon Why we like it

There are actually two great Shark stick vacuum deals live at Amazon: The $249 Shark Clean & Empty model is probably the most affordable self-emptying stick vacuum you'll find this season. The other, which I'm highlighting here, is probably the most powerful self-emptying stick vacuum you'll find. $399.99 for that title is more than reasonable.

Though I'm constantly recommending the lightweight Dyson V12 Detect Slim for dust and pet hair on hard floors, the Shark PowerDetect is easily the beastliest vacuum I've tested on carpet — you can literally feel the vigorous double brushroll system digging into the floor. The Clean & Empty Sharks automatically empty the dustbin every time they're hung on the dock to charge, so you won't have to deal with emptying the larger dock dustbin for at least 45 days (it's much longer in my experience). Past the mega convenience, an always-empty dustbin provides visible proof of just how much gunk the PowerDetect has sucked up in the area you're currently sweeping.

More cordless stick vacuum deals at AmazonCordless wet dry vacuum deals at Amazon
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best TV deals ahead of Amazons Spring Sale — score budget QLED TVs at record-low prices

Mashable - Fri, 03/20/2026 - 16:49
A quick look at the best Amazon TV deals ahead of the Big Spring Sale Best 55-inch TV deal Hisense 55-inch Canvas QLED 4K TV $693.99 at Amazon (save $306) Get Deal Best 65-inch TV deal TCL 65-inch QM8K Mini LED QLED 4K TV $999.99 at Amazon (save $500) Get Deal Best 75-inch TV deal Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV $897.96 at Amazon (save $398) Get Deal

Most of the year's major flagship TVs announced in January are typically out by the end of March, cuing retailers to push deals on last year's TVs even harder. March was further established as one of the best months to buy a TV when Amazon started holding a massive annual spring sale. This year, it's longer than ever: The 2026 Big Spring Sale runs from March 25 through 31.

SEE ALSO: What to look for when buying a TV, as told through this easy TV specs guide

It's not just Amazon's in-house Fire TVs that see big discounts during the Big Spring Sale — they're hardly the best TVs you can get for the money right now. The most worthwhile Amazon TV deals are typically from solid budget brands like TCL and Hisense, with a few premium options like Samsung's The Frame thrown in. To find deals on premium 2025 OLEDs, Best Buy's spring sale has way more options.

We’re tracking the strongest Amazon TV deals already live ahead of the Big Spring Sale, with a rolling list updated as prices drop. Every model featured here is at, or lower than, its previous best price based on data from camelcamelcamel, so these are genuinely competitive offers. We’re also watching for fresh discounts across the best 65-inch TVs.

Best early Big Spring Sale TV deal Hisense 75-inch U7 QLED 4K TV $897.96 at Amazon
$1,297.99 Save $400.03   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

One TV that's actually beating its previous record-low sale price is the 2025 75-inch Hisense U7. Currently 31 percent off, it's $103 cheaper than it was just a month ago during Presidents' Day sales.

This new price drop tracks, considering the 2026 version of the same TV was just unveiled on March 6. The 2026 75-inch U7 will cost $1,999.99 — more than $1,000 steeper than the 2025 model's $899.99 sale price. Those are the kind of steals we were talking about.

This mini LED model packs a serious punch for the price. Its brightness in SDR and HDR gets consistently great notes across the internet, with glare handling strong enough for most sunlit rooms. You don't always see a 165 Hz refresh rate in budget to mid-range TVs, so the Hisense U7 is a top contender for an XL gaming TV under $1,000.

Deals on 43-inch TVs and underDeals on 50- to 55-inch TVsDeals on 65-inch TVs Deals on 75-inch TVs and up
Categories: IT General, Technology
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