Blogroll

Streaming services are now worse than cable—here's how they trapped us

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 18:45

I cut the cord pretty early in the streaming game. Back then, I got my first broadband connection (4Mbps!) and was still using satellite TV to watch movies and TV series. After subscribing to Netflix, I canceled that contract and enjoyed years of paying a fraction of that fee to access a massive library.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Robert De Niro & Adam Scott on How The Whisper Man Tackles Generational Trauma

Mashable - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 18:36

In advance of the release of Netflix's new thriller The Whisper Man, Mashable executive producer Mark Stetson sat down with stars Robert De Niro, Adam Scott, director James Ashcroft, and author Alex North to discuss the film's theme of generational trauma, the complex dynamics between fathers and sons, and the process of adapting the highly anticipated novel for the screen.

Author of the book, Alex North discussed the book's themes that were most important to translate to film: "This is a book that I wanted to write because it was about fathers and sons, and grandfathers and fathers and sons. And different iterations of the way that plays out in terms of generational trauma. How we respond to things that have happened in our childhood, how we protect our children from things that have happened in our childhood, how we pass things down and how we don't."

Adam Scott was particularly drawn to North's themes. "I thought it was a really interesting part of the script, this horrifying trauma that they are both going through while simultaneously trying to repair their relationship."

De Niro added, "It was one of the things that attracted me to the script, that relationship."

At the close of the interview, Robert De Niro shares his candid advice for young actors who experience imposter syndrome when working with their heroes: "If it manifests in a such a way where it gets in the way of working on a scene, I'd say, 'It's ok, don't worry. In two days, it's all going to go away. It's just us."

The Whisper Man is now streaming on Netflix.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Here's what wrapping your phone in aluminum foil does

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 18:30

Ever wondered what happens when you wrap your phone in tinfoil? I decided to try it out to see if there’s any truth—or benefit—to the idea.

Categories: IT General, Technology

CachyOS is closing the one gap that used to keep me on Windows

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 18:30

I've used both Windows and Linux for years now. To the disappointment of many of you, Windows mostly won the tie-breaker. It's not like I admire Windows a lot. Rather, fully switching means I have to give up a smooth desktop, a vast software collection, a no-headache gaming experience, and the comfort of "it just works."

Categories: IT General, Technology

9 no-cost tech hobbies you can pick up over a weekend

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 18:00

You don't need expensive equipment, years of experience, or a shelf full of specialized gear to get into a new tech hobby. With a computer or phone and a little curiosity, you can start building things, exploring the world, or making something of your own this weekend.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 reasons a $70 Surface Go is the best tiny Linux laptop money can buy

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 18:00

I've always had a saying. The best Linux laptop is, as a matter of fact, a Windows laptop. Linux laptop projects such as System76 are lovely, but most people are better off just buying a regular Windows laptop and putting Linux on it. To that effect, a second-hand Surface Go might just be the best cheap, tiny Linux laptop you can get. Here's why.

Categories: IT General, Technology

OpenAI cuts off Cursors AI models, deepening feud with Musk

Mashable - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 17:31

OpenAI said Friday it will wind down its partnership with Cursor, the popular AI coding tool now owned by SpaceX, marking the latest escalation in the long-running dispute between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk.

In a company blog post, OpenAI said it notified SpaceX of its intent to end the contract, proposing a shutoff date of Nov. 12, 2026 — the maximum notice window allowed under the agreement.

OpenAI framed the decision as a matter of trust. The company said it could not be confident that SpaceX would use its technology in accordance with OpenAI's terms of service, citing what it described as a pattern of Musk's companies violating contracts. Specifically, OpenAI's post alleged that X breached the terms of its own contract with OpenAI after Musk's acquisition, and noted that Musk had admitted under oath earlier this year that xAI had also violated OpenAI's terms of service.

OpenAI added that its custom agreement with Cursor only gave it a limited window to cancel following a change of ownership, and said it wanted to preserve as much access as possible for developers in the meantime, calling the choice "incredibly tough" given how widely it wants its models used.

SpaceX completed its acquisition of Anysphere, the startup behind Cursor, earlier this month, following a deal announced in June.

Responding on X, Musk wrote that he "couldn't care less," while calling Altman and OpenAI president Greg Brockman "untrustworthy" and repeating his long-standing claim that the pair "stole an open source nonprofit." Michael Truell, Cursor's co-founder and now a SpaceX executive, struck a more conciliatory tone, saying on X that the company was in talks with OpenAI's team to try to resolve the issue.

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Since the announcement, OpenAI competitor Anthropic — which has an ongoing partnership with SpaceX — said it would increase compute support for its Claude models within Cursor.

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This is only the latest chapter in a feud that has simmered for years. Musk sued OpenAI and Altman for $150 billion over the company's shift from its nonprofit roots; a federal jury ruled against him earlier this year, finding he'd filed too late.

The fight has also played out repeatedly on social media, as Mashable has reported. Altman reposted allegations that Musk's companies failed to preserve key documents during discovery, then turned Musk's own catchphrase back on him: "Concerning!" He later said he was "really excited" to depose Musk, calling it "Christmas in April."

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I stopped pretending Excel is a database and switched to this open-source app

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 17:30

I've used Excel for decades, and I'm perfectly comfortable using it for things it wasn't really designed to do. But when my data started behaving like a database, I decided to see what would happen when I used a tool that's actually built for the job: Grist.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This TV setting is the cure for "I need subtitles on everything"

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 16:30

Needing subtitles to follow a conversation on screen feels so normal today. That's because it isn't a hearing problem for most people. It was built for a setup you likely don't have. However, you can increase the volume for just the dialogue; you just have to know what to press.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My 3D printer got so much better after I stopped printing toys (and started printing solutions)

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 16:00

There are many preconceptions about 3D printing, among them the idea that 3D printer owners spend all of their time making fidget toys and other useless bits of plastic. While there’s a grain of truth to this, many outgrow the tchotchkes and move on to printing solutions instead.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These lightweight open-source apps should be built into Windows 11

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 15:30

When we think of powerful apps, we normally think of massive, complex programs like Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Office, but an app doesn’t have to be a heavyweight to pack a lot of power. These three open-source apps I always keep on my computers prove it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 popular apps I refuse to install on my Windows PC

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 15:30

I'm fairly selective about what I install on my Windows PC. There are plenty of popular apps I've consciously never installed, and a few I've tried and deliberately got rid of. In every case, though, the reason is the same: I don't see a good enough reason to give them space on my computer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger SV online for free

Mashable - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 15:17

TL;DR: Watch Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga for free on CazéTV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026/27 Bundesliga season is now underway, with a full day of German soccer fixtures lined up. On the schedule today is Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger SV.

Expect Dortmund to make a strong start to the season. They finished second in the league last season and have just lost the German Super Cup final, coming second to league rivals Bayern Munich in both instances. Dortmund will want to prove themselves in this opening Bundesliga game. Hamburger SV are looking to improve on last season's finish in the bottom half of the league, though it was the club's first season back in the Bundesliga after a seven-year absence. Can they do better this time around?

If you're interested in watching Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger SV?

Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga kicks off at 12.30 p.m. ET on Aug. 29. This fixture takes place at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund.

How to watch Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger SV for free

Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga is available to live stream for free on CazéTV.

CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can live stream Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger SV for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger SV for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

  4. Visit CazéTV

  5. Watch Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger SV for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger SV without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Bundesliga?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

  • 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger SV for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This new Google Pixel feature turned my phone into a green screen studio

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 15:00

Google Pixel phones are jam-packed with useful features, and sometimes it's hard to keep track of everything. A prime example is the new Pixel "Screen Reactions" feature in Android 17, the first green screen tool for reaction videos built directly into a phone.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Milwaukee's M12 line proves you don't need big tools for big jobs

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 15:00

For years, if you wanted powerful and capable tools for any job, you needed a big 18V or 20V tool. Or at least that was the assumption. If you still think you need a massive 18V tool for big jobs, think again. Milwaukee's M12 Fuel (12V) ecosystem punches far above its weight class and can handle just about anything, whether that's in the shop or around the house.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch South Africa vs. New Zealand (2nd Test) online for free

Mashable - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 14:59

TL;DR: Watch South Africa vs. New Zealand in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry for free on RugbyPass TV. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour is about to serve up its second Test match, as South Africa host the All Blacks at the Cape Town Stadium.

The All Blacks have already played four South African club teams as part of the tour, and scored a decisive win over South Africa in the first Test, beating the Springboks 16-33. Can South Africa pull a win back this time around? Or will the All Blacks continue their dominance?

If you're interested in watching South Africa vs. New Zealand in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is South Africa vs. New Zealand?

South Africa vs. New Zealand in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry (2nd Test) kicks off at 11:10 a.m. ET on Aug. 29. This fixture takes place at Cape Town Stadium.

How to watch South Africa vs. New Zealand for free

South Africa vs. New Zealand in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry (2nd Test) is available to live stream for free on RugbyPass TV.

This RugbyPass TV livestream is geo-restricted to the U.S., but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can live stream South Africa vs. New Zealand for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream South Africa vs. New Zealand for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

  4. Visit RugbyPass TV

  5. Watch South Africa vs. New Zealand for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch South Africa vs. New Zealand without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus other tour fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RugbyPass TV?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries, including the U.S.

  • 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream South Africa vs. New Zealand for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Windows 11 looks and runs better when you disable this feature

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 14:30

I'm not going to lie; I was a massive fan of Windows Aero when it debuted with Windows Vista, and I continued to rave about the famous translucent glass UI in Windows 7, which is my favorite version of Windows to this day.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 hands-on hobbies that make a rainy weekend feel well spent

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 14:00

A rainy day means staying warm inside, unless you feel like catching a cold! However, it seems we all have the same hobbies these days when stuck inside. You'll probably end up watching TV, playing video games, or reading a book.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 legendary USB accessories that don't exist anymore

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 13:31

I'm willing to bet that you have dozens of USB-powered gadgets in your house. Be it USB-C or USB-A, we all have masses of random electronics, many of which often lie there for ages, unused. If they disappeared tomorrow, you might not even notice. (Or is that just me?)

Categories: IT General, Technology

Desktop pets are having a renaissance, and they actually make you more productive now

How-To Geek - Sat, 08/29/2026 - 13:31

Desktop pets are back, and this time they are not just nostalgic clutter. Between AI coding agents running unattended and a renewed appetite for low-effort personality on our screens, the tiny animated companions from decades past have found genuine, if unexpected, utility.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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