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NASAs new moon base plan bets big on moon trucks and hopping drones

Mashable - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 23:45

NASA has started locking in the first missions it says will turn the moon's south pole into a place where astronauts can actually stay and work.

The U.S. space agency announced Tuesday that three initial moon base-building missions this year will send cargo and vehicles for moving crews across the surface to the lunar south pole. The work builds on the recent Artemis II crewed flight around the moon and sets up a busier end to this decade, when astronauts start spending more time on the lunar surface.

The accelerated plan unfolds amid a broader rivalry with China, which has mounted a series of lunar missions and sketched out a long‑term research station for its own astronauts, known as taikonauts. Both countries now see the moon as the next stage for human exploration and a race for leadership in deep space.

China has its first human landing in its crosshairs and could beat NASA back to the surface of the moon. The United States' last crewed landing occurred in 1972, and no other nation has ever put boots on the lunar ground. Right now, NASA is targeting a landing of its Artemis IV mission in late 2028. 

"What we are embarking upon is extremely challenging, and we know so little from what is a combined 80 hours of lunar astronaut EVA time across the Apollo missions, and that was more than a half-century ago. So we are not jumping right into the glass-dome moon base," said NASA administrator Jared Isaacman in Washington during a news briefing. "We are leveraging the NASA playbook from the 1960s, figuring out what works and what doesn't, in this epic science of survival."

SEE ALSO: NASA may use a one-legged robot to explore a Saturn moon. Watch it hop.

The moon base's construction at the south pole is split into three phases. First, it focuses on making landings reliable, trying out ways to survive the brutal polar environment, and delivering an initial trickle of cargo. Next, NASA and its partners add bigger power systems, more cargo runs, and, eventually, places where astronauts can live and work for longer stretches.

In the final phase, heavy cargo versions of commercial landers haul larger hardware — habitats, bigger power plants, more capable rovers, and science instruments — so astronauts can assemble the base over dozens of flights.

The moon base push comes as a clear pivot from NASA's earlier plan. Until recently, the agency's roadmap leaned heavily on Gateway, a small space station proposal that would have orbited the moon rather than established an outpost on the ground. Leaders now say they will shift their funding and workforce toward the base effort and look for ways to reuse some Gateway components.

The south pole sits at the center of the new strategy. Craters there stay in permanent shadow and likely hold frozen water. Nearby ridges can get sunlight for most of the lunar day. Water could supply drinking water, oxygen, and even rocket fuel. Steady light makes solar power easier. NASA wants to learn how to run a base in this region before it sends people on months‑long trips to Mars.

"The moon base is as beautiful as it is hostile," Isaacman said. "We go for the technology we will pioneer to get there, the science, and all that we will learn that will make life better here on Earth."

"The moon base is as beautiful as it is hostile."

The first big step is Moon Base I, which will fly Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance lander to a spot NASA calls Shackleton Connecting Ridge near the rim of Shackleton crater. The mission, targeted for launch no earlier than fall 2026, will carry NASA instruments, including stereo cameras to watch how rocket exhaust throws lunar dust and rocks and a laser reflector that helps orbiting spacecraft pinpoint their exact location using bounced laser light. NASA says this flight will cut risk for crewed Artemis landings.

Two more missions follow. Moon Base II, planned for launch later this year, will ride on Astrobotic's Griffin lander and deliver more than 1,100 pounds of cargo, including Astrolab's FLIP rover, to shake out early mobility systems. Moon Base III, also targeted for this year, will fly on Intuitive Machines' Nova‑C Trinity lander and carry the Lunar Vertex science package to study strange bright "swirl" markings on the surface, along with instruments from the European Space Agency and South Korea's astronomy institute.

NASA has begun to stage missions intended to deliver hardware and vehicles to the lunar south pole for the construction of a moon base. Credit: NASA illustration

To help crews and robots get around, NASA picked two companies to build lunar terrain vehicles — essentially moon‑ready utility trucks. The agency awarded about $219 million to Astrolab and $220 million to Lunar Outpost for the first phase of these rovers, which it wants operating by 2028. Astrolab's CLV‑1 rover weighs about 2,000 pounds in its stowed form, carries two astronauts plus cargo, and can top 6 mph on flat ground. Lunar Outpost's Pegasus rover can drive for up to a year, run under manual, remote, or autonomous control, and reach more than 9 mph.

NASA also plans a hopping‑drone mission, called Moonfall. In 2028, a Moonfall flight will send four small drones that make short hops across the south pole, then settle in and keep working for several months through the harsh lunar night. They will scout rough terrain, search for signs of buried ice, and beam back sharp images that help later landers avoid hazards. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California leads the drone design, and Firefly Aerospace will build the spacecraft that ferries them from Earth orbit to the Moon.

All of this plugs into the broader Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the surface and then push on to Mars. Artemis III, targeted for mid‑2027, will test more of the pieces the moon base needs, including docking with commercial landers

NASA officials say they do not know yet exactly where a long‑term base will sit or what it will look like. For now, they want many landers, rovers, and drones to explore different ridges and craters, then gradually build up something more like a small lunar neighborhood spread across a wide area, said Carlos García-Galán, the program executive for the moon base.

"With crews coming to the surface twice a year, we can expand the time that they can expend there before they come back home," said García-Galán. "Eventually, when we've matched the assets, habitation modules, with the logistics and all the things to move the logistics around, then we'll be able to say, 'Hey, we're permanently here, and we're not giving it up.'"

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget luxury rivals—this Toyota sedan makes them feel overpriced

How-To Geek - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 23:30

Luxury cars used to feel attainable if you were willing to stretch your budget a little. These days, even entry-level premium models are creeping into price territory that would’ve bought you something seriously high-end a decade ago.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Scammers and hackers target GTA 6 fans as pre-order hype begins

Mashable - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 23:11

Be careful, Grand Theft Auto fans. Cybercriminals are already weaponizing your excitement for GTA 6 to hack your devices and scam you out of money.

According to a new report from NordVPN’s Threat Intelligence research unit, multiple malware and scam campaigns have rolled out recently, looking to capitalize on the impending release of perhaps the most anticipated video game of all time, Grand Theft Auto IV.

Developer Rockstar Games finally announced a release date of Nov. 19, 2026 for GTA 6, which means it'll be 13 years between its release and its predecessor, GTA 5. Bad actors know GTA 6 fans can hardly wait a few more months and are itching to purchase a pre-order or download a beta release. And those cybercriminals are looking to take advantage of that.

SEE ALSO: 'Grand Theft Auto VI' gets a surprise second trailer after being delayed

"GTA VI is one of the most anticipated releases in gaming history, and that level of public excitement is exactly what criminals look for," says NordVPN CTO Marijus Briedis. "When people are desperate to get early access to something, their guard comes down. That's the window attackers exploit."

Fake GTA 6 beta websites

According to NordVPN, its researchers have uncovered fake GTA 6 beta websites. These fake GTA sites claim to offer beta keys for PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. Users are asked to fill out a form, go through a verification process, and then asked to pay for a subscription service or download an unknown application.

Fake GTA 6 beta site Credit: NordVPN

Rockstar Games have yet to announce any sort of public GTA 6 beta. These fake websites don't actually have beta keys to offer. Instead, they're looking to charge a user for a service they don't want or, even worse, steal their information or install malware on their device.

Fake piracy websites

Malicious actors are even faking "legitimate" piracy websites in order to scam GTA 6 fans. 

NordVPN has uncovered fake clones of gaming piracy websites that are being used to spread malware to Grand Theft Auto fans. While downloading pirated or cracked games inherently has their own risks, gamers have come to trust certain well-known sites like FitGirl, DODI, and ElAmigos.

According to NordVPN, in one instance detected earlier this month, a "malicious package" on one of these clones "presented itself as a legitimate game installer." However, once downloaded, a trojanized malicious file hides under the disguise of a NVIDIA graphics driver component.

Operating undetected, this malware modifies a computer's memory, downloads other malware, and connects to external servers where cybercriminals can send instructions to the malicious file.

Fake GTA 6 Android apps

NordVPN has already uncovered at least one Android app masquerading as a GTA 6 beta application.

The fake GTA 6 app has branding and an intro video that makes it look officially connected to Rockstar Games. However, there's no actual game in this app. Instead, the app tricks users into believing that they just need to download additional data to run the app.

Fake GTA 6 beta Android app Credit: NordVPN

A prompt sends users to full-screen ads and external page redirects that pressures the user to subscribe to a paid service or to download malware. The report says that the bad actors even disguised the actions they want users to take as steps in a fake human verification process.

According to NordVPN, researchers discovered that the app was connected to a domain with a "documented history of distributing infostealers, banking trojans, adware, and ransomware on both Android and Windows."

Rockstar Social Club phishing campaigns

GTA fans who have an account on the Rockstar Social Club platform are specifically being targeted as well, according to NordVPN.

Researchers have already tracked "hundreds of amateur phishing pages targeting Rockstar Social Club credentials through fake login forms." 

NordVPN says that scammers often weaponize trusted platforms like GitHub and Vercel as hosts for these fake pages in order to perpetuate their phishing schemes. 

Once a bad actor compromises a user's Rockstar Social Club account, they often try to sell the account on the dark web or utilize the account for in-game fraud.

GTA 6 fans should be extra careful in the coming months as hackers are likely to ramp up their campaigns as the game's release date gets closer. The notorious hacking collective ShinyHunters breached Rockstar Games just last month, so it appears no one is safe from GTA inspired schemes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 10 most satisfying car brands to own in 2026, according to consumer reports

How-To Geek - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 22:30

Customer satisfaction says a lot about how well an automaker is really serving its buyers. According to Consumer Reports’ latest owner satisfaction study, these are the brands that owners are most likely to buy from again in 2026, based on how happy they are with their vehicles overall.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Did WWE star Danhausen help the New York Knicks reach the NBA Finals?

Mashable - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 22:11

The New York Knicks are going to the NBA Finals, thanks to some help from a pro wrestling ghoul.

That's not a bit. That's just what happened. The Knicks are heading to their first Finals since the Clinton administration, and a meaningful portion of the internet is crediting Danhausen — a vampire-gremlin-ghoul character from the world of professional wrestling who makes a habit of cursing people who irritate him — with nearly derailing the whole thing.

SEE ALSO: The Knicks have taken over New York City — and the internet

We say 'derail' because Danhausen initially cursed the Knicks ahead of their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks. During his appearance on ESPN's First Take, Stephen A. Smith, who has never been accused of being easy to deal with, apparently rubbed Danhausen the wrong way. Danhausen then cursed the Knicks, and the New York team went down 2-1 to a Hawks team they were heavily favored to beat.

He then uncursed the New York Knicks after a pro wrestling podcaster paid him on Cameo to do so. "Alright, I guess I've been paid, so the New York Knicks, I guess you can be uncursed."

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The uncursing happened the morning of Game 6. The Knicks won by 51 points, the sixth-largest margin of victory in NBA playoff history. They then won their next eight games without losing, finishing the postseason on a 10-0 run — the fifth-longest playoff winning streak in NBA history, one game shy of the 11-game runs by the 1989 and 2003 Lakers.

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The collision between the NBA and pro wrestling is not rare. Dennis Rodman famously appeared on an episode of WCW Nitro in the middle of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. Shaquille O'Neal has made multiple WWE appearances and got speared through a table in the early days of All Elite Wrestling. That iconic meme of a young LeBron James taking a picture with his flip phone is from a 2003 episode of Monday Night Raw. More recently, in 2024, Knicks star Jalen Brunson got in the ring with Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton on a June episode of Smackdown — just weeks after Haliburton knocked New York out of the Eastern Conference Finals.

So a vampiric wrestling gremlin getting paid on Cameo to uncurse the Knicks is, to anyone who has watched pro wrestling, probably the least surprising thing on this list. For everyone else, it's admittedly pretty weird.

Danhausen, for his part, is having a blast with it. He's already selling t-shirts commemorating the uncursing. He debuted for WWE this past February and got off to a rocky start, but has since become the company's second-highest merchandise seller despite having wrestled exactly two matches since his debut.

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So, did a wrestling ghoul's Cameo alter the trajectory of a professional basketball team? Probably not. Jalen Brunson is very good at basketball. Karl-Anthony Towns is a seven-footer who can shoot threes and run the offense. These things matter more than curses. However, they did win a playoff game by 51 points, the same morning Danhausen got paid to nonchalantly uncurse them. They're going to the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years.

Probably a coincidence. Almost certainly a coincidence. The kind of coincidence, though, that Knicks fans are going to be telling their kids about.

Categories: IT General, Technology

American Air inks deal with Starlink for fastest Wi-Fi in the sky

Mashable - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 22:09

American Air inked a deal with Starlink to equip 500 of the airline’s planes with the satellite internet provider’s WiFi.

In an announcement made today, American described Starlink "as the world’s most advanced satellite constellation" and touted its ability to deliver powerful broadband internet via its thousands of satellites flying in low Earth orbit.

Starlink will connect to American’s narrow body planes — smaller aircraft that typically fly shorter routes — starting in the early months of 2027. Starlink, part of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, will connect to the planes via its Aero Terminal, which can support up to 1 Gbps of data per antenna.

American promises that Starlink WiFi will enable fliers to not just smoothly access their email, but stream entertainment, conduct on-camera work meetings, and play online games.

Are you an Apple superfan? Enter Mashable’s Big Guessing Game to win prizes.

SEE ALSO: An exploded Starlink satellite is orbiting Earth right now

"American is committed to elevating every aspect of our customers’ travel journeys, which in the air means keeping them connected and comfortable with the assurance they won’t have to download documents ahead of a flight or worry about lag time," American Airlines Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden said in a statement. "Starlink’s high speed and low latency make the Wi-Fi more reliable, which matters when customers are trying to load pages, join real-time collaboration tools or stay connected consistently throughout a flight."

American, the largest airline in the world, uses Viasat or Intelsat for WiFi on its larger, wide-body planes. It was just in January that the company announced it would start offering free AT&T WiFi for nearly all of its AAdvantage rewards members.

Starlink is already working with a number of other major airlines, including United and Lufthansa. However, Starlink is also facing competition for control of the internet at 30,000 feet. Amazon Leo, the satellite internet service from Amazon, will support WiFi on Delta planes starting in 2028.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 newly-added Paramount+ movies to watch this week (May 25-31)

How-To Geek - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 22:00

Paramount+ has well-stocked shelves of movies spanning every conceivable genre and going back decades. Between the steady drip of Taylor Sheridan dramas, the latest Star Trek installments, and a deep back catalog of MTV and CBS classics, there's already plenty pulling at your attention this spring. Throw in a fresh wave of films landing over the last few weeks, and the "what should we watch tonight?" debate just got more chaotic.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I found 11 surprise Memorial Day Apple deals that are still live: Grab M5 MacBook Airs for $899, AirPods for $99

Mashable - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 21:38
Top Memorial Day Apple Deals that are still live: Best Overall M5 MacBook Air, 13 inches (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $899 (save $200 at Amazon) Get Deal Best AirPods Deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30 at Walmart) Get Deal Best Past-Gen Deal Apple iPad Air, 11 inches (A16, 128GB) $299 (save $50 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Deal at Best Buy Apple iPad Air, 11 inches (M4, 1TB) $899 (save $200 at Best Buy) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 (save $100 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Beats Deal Beats Studio Pro Noise-Cancelling Headphones $249.95 (save $100.04 at Amazon) Get Deal Best MagSafe Accessory deal Anker Nano MagSafe Portable Charger $45.99 (save $9 at Amazon) Get Deal

I'm Mashable's Tech Editor, and I drew the short straw as the editor on call for Memorial Day. But I'm kind of glad I did, because we spotted an unexpected price drop on the new M5 MacBook Air. While the long weekend is technically over, almost all of these deals are still live.

In my review of the latest MacBook Air, I said that this is a pretty much perfect laptop, though I wasn't in love with the price. So, with the new record-low price of just $899 at Amazon, the MacBook Air just erased my one and only gripe. In the days of RAM-ageddon, this is a phenomenal price — and it's not the only Apple product on sale today.

At Best Buy, you can pick up previous-gen iPad Airs starting at $499, or save $200 on the M5 iPad Airs with 1TB of memory. At Woot, you can score a 4-pack of the original AirTags for only $59.99. And at Amazon, Prime Members can save $50 on iPads and AirPods.

Get your clicking and scrolling fingers ready as we break down the best Memorial Day Apple deals that are still kickin', with big savings on Apple AirPods, MacBooks, AirTags, iPads, and Beats headphones.

SEE ALSO: The best Memorial Day tech deals you can shop this weekend — save on headphones, laptops, and more Best Apple Deal: M5 MacBook Air Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13 inches (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $899.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $200   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15 inches (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $200   Get Deal Why we like it

As we mentioned above, we weren't expecting this one. We were excited when the newest MacBook Air dropped to $949, but here we are after MDW, and this sleek Apple laptop is still at its lowest-ever price: $899. With the lightning-fast M5 chip, Apple's famous Liquid Retina display, powerful and well-balanced speakers, and a svelte form factor, I think this is the best laptop in the world for the money, full stop.

With a worldwide memory shortage causing tons of price hikes in the laptop space, I highly recommend jumping on this price while you still can!

More Memorial Day deals on Apple products:Apple accessories deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

This $30,000 Mazda is more fun than six-figure sports cars, and here's why

How-To Geek - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 21:30

Modern sports cars are increasingly defined by big horsepower figures, aggressive styling, and eye-watering price tags, but that formula often misses what actually makes a car enjoyable to drive. While many buyers assume real performance starts at six figures, the reality is that some of the most rewarding driving experiences come from far more accessible machines that prioritize balance, feedback, and lightness over raw output.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Strava was logging my home address without asking—here's the open-source app I switched to

How-To Geek - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 21:01

The running season is in full swing across the Northern Hemisphere. The mild spring weather right before the summer heat has brought a lot of runners back outside for the first time in months, or in my case, years. Unsurprisingly, fitness apps that track your workouts have risen in popularity as well. Strava, in particular, has taken social media by storm, with many people sharing their personal records on Instagram.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The new version of my favorite stick vacuum for carpet is $150 off: Get the Shark PowerDetect Speed for $350

Mashable - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 20:21

SAVE $150: As of May 26, the Shark PowerDetect Speed stick vacuum with Clean & Empty System is on sale for $349.99 at Amazon and Best Buy. That's 30% off of its usual $499.99.

Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean & Empty $349.99 at Best Buy
$499.99 Save $150   Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Amazon

There's a new best Shark stick vacuum in town, but you don't even have to pay close to full price to bring it home. Less than two months after launching in April, the Shark PowerDetect Speed and its self-empty dock are on sale for just $349.99 at Amazon and Best Buy — a massive 30% discount that's surprising to see on a vacuum so new. In my humble opinion as Mashable's resident vacuum reviewer, this is one of the absolute best Memorial Day deals on a vacuum, beating Dyson.

The PowerDetect Speed is the chicer version of my favorite cordless vacuum for pet hair on carpet, the original Shark PowerDetect. The suction power hasn't changed much — it's still wickedly powerful, and you'll literally be able to feel the TurboPro brush roll digging into rug or carpet fibers to untether fur or crumbs. Since this stick vac empties itself whenever it's hung up to charge, the transparent dustbin starts with a clean slate every time. You'll be able to see exactly how much debris was embedded in the current room you're cleaning. And trust me: There's way more gray fluff embedded in your floors than you think.

SEE ALSO: The Shark BlastBoss uses blasts of air to clean spots a vacuum can't. I keep finding new ways to use it.

The Speed model's cleaning head looks a little different from the original PowerDetect, and not just because it's orange. This one is a little more compact and shoots out a blue LED light to illuminate debris that you may not see with the naked eye. The PowerDetect Speed just has a more slender build overall, too. It barely weighs over seven pounds, shaving more than two pounds off the bulky OG PowerDetect.

Despite the smaller design (and presumably smaller battery), the PowerDetect Speed can still clean for up to an hour on one charge.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Knicks have taken over New York City — and the internet

Mashable - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 20:11

The New York Knicks are headed back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, and that sentence still doesn't feel real.

Think about the timeline: A kid born the last time the Knicks played for a championship is now 27 years old. An entire generation of Knicks fans, including Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet, reached adulthood having never once watched their team play meaningful basketball in June.

Now here they are. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby are four wins away from a championship. Four wins from ending a 53-year title drought. Four wins from becoming the first New York men's team in one of the Big Four sports to win it all since 2011, with the New York Liberty championship banner in 2024 still very much acknowledged and respected.

The strangest part of it all is the vibe. Knicks fans are known for their "passionate" feelings toward their team and other teams around the league (ex. Trae Young). As one X post bluntly states, if the Knicks win it all, "the city might actually become ungovernable."

For right now, at least, New York City just seems happy. Genuinely, quietly, almost disbelievingly happy. Like an immense weight has been lifted off everyone's shoulders, and the city that never sleeps is legitimately just relaxing right now.

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After sweeping the Cavaliers, Knicks fans filled the streets of New York, which was fair enough. While the Thunder and Spurs are legit going to war out West, there's no anxiety in New York. Just fans who are genuinely enjoying being fans of their team for maybe the first time in their lives.

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Even the city's politics have gotten swept up in it. The city's recently elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, was seen at Game 2 last week in the nosebleeds at Madison Square Garden, rooting for the Knicks.

After the Game 4 win, Mamdani tweeted NYC Sanitation to report a sweep. It's the kind of corny, earnest post that makes you like a politician more. It also helps that he's been a lifelong fan of England's Arsenal football team, which also just recently broke a championship drought after years of choking allegations.

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It's the exact right energy. Meanwhile, former mayor Eric Adams, never one to miss a moment, marked the occasion by posting what appeared to be an AI-generated video of dancing brooms, which somehow perfectly summarizes where his relationship with the city stands right now.

There's a decent comparison to be made with Detroit over the last few years. The Lions finally got good after decades as one of the NFL's favorite punching bags, and something shifted in the city alongside them. Detroit's violent crime dropped to its lowest levels in 60 years in 2023 — the same season the Lions went 12–5 and won their first playoff game since 1991.

Now, criminologists will tell you causation is complicated, and sure, they're right. But there's a kind of magic in an entire city having a team worth believing in again.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget the CR-V Hybrid—this 3-row SUV gives you more for the same money

How-To Geek - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 20:00

Over the last five years, hybrid SUVs in the U.S. have gone from a niche option to something you see everywhere on the road. Automakers have flooded the market with new models, turning what used to be a small corner of the industry into a full-blown mainstream segment.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Motorola phones are reportedly injecting affiliate codes into the Amazon app

Mashable - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 19:34

A few years ago, a massive affiliate code hijacking scheme rocked the internet. YouTubers and other influencers discovered that PayPal's money-saving Chrome extension, Honey, was sneakily inserting its own e-commerce affiliate codes — sometimes even replacing creators' affiliate codes — in order to take credit for the sale and profit from the commission. 

The whole ordeal resulted in lawsuits and even Google getting involved, changing its Chrome extensions policy and how the company handles affiliate links.

Now, a Reddit user and 9to5Google have uncovered yet another over-the-top instance of affiliate hijacking that's reportedly affecting Motorola smartphone users.

Over the weekend, a Reddit user noticed that their Motorola Razr Ultra was behaving oddly when trying to shop on Amazon. 

"When I tried to open the Amazon app, it would instead open the browser and send me to some sketchy looking url, which then redirects to amazon.com with an affiliate code," Reddit user u/Trypocopris said.

The user found that his device was making requests to "devicenative.com," a service that claims to offer "personalized, on-device mobile ad serving without sharing user data."

9to5Google was able to replicate the issue. The outlet found the issue on a Razr Fold with the latest Smart Feed v2.03.0070. However, 9to5Google was unable to replicate the behavior on the latest Razr running the older Smart Feed v2.03.0056. While some Motorola phones on the latest version would not replicate the issue, 9to5Google believes the issue is related to Smart Feed v2.03.0070.

The affiliate hijacking only appears to occur when a user opens the Amazon app from the app drawer. Opening Amazon from the home screen does not cause the issue. (Mashable was also redirected when opening the Amazon shopping app from the Smart Feed, but not when opening the app from the home screen.) When selecting Amazon from the app drawer, the user's mobile web browser briefly opens up before quickly directing the user to the Amazon app.

Interestingly, 9to5Google found that users are briefly redirected to a website containing the term “kira-abboud,” an apparent reference to fashion influencer @kirasfashionfinds. However, as the outlet discovered, neither this URL nor the Amazon affiliate code being injected matches anything publicly shared by the influencer herself. 

So, did a bad actor find a way to inject their affiliate code into certain Motorola smartphones? Did a rogue employee insert their own? Mashable reached out to Motorola for comment, and we'll update this story if they provide more information.

However, users can stop the behavior by turning the Smart Feed feature off. Simply go to Settings, followed by Apps, then search for Smart Feed and choose the Disable option. 9to5Google reports that doing this immediately stopped the redirect.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop rebooting your router manually, set it and forget it instead

How-To Geek - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 19:25

Most of us rarely think about routers until they stop working, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Routers are designed to quietly handle your internet traffic 24/7 for months without a single break. However, just because they can do that, it doesn't mean that they should. Like many other devices, they can benefit from a simple restart, and fortunately, it's easy to set up an automatic schedule that can do just that.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Woot has refurbished Kindle Paperwhites on sale for $69.99. But theres a catch.

Mashable - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 19:17

GET A KINDLE PAPERWHITE FOR UNDER $70: Woot has refurbished scratch and dent Kindle Paperwhite e-readers (11th Gen, 32GB) on sale for $69.99. These models have been tested to be fully functional but could have physical imperfections like scratches or dings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Refurbished scratch and dent Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen, 32GB) $69.99 at Woot
  Get Deal

If you're not one for needing the very latest model of tech, buying a previous generation tends to come with a big savings. Take that one step further and buy a used model of a previous generation and you're in a major discount. If you've been eyeing a Kindle Paperwhite but don't feel like dishing out full price, check out this limited-time offer.

As of May 26, Woot is selling refurbished scratch and dent Kindle Paperwhite e-readers (11th Gen, 32GB) for $69.99. These models have been tested to be fully functional but could have physical imperfections like scratches or dings. A new Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen, 16GB) costs $159.

I love to score a bargain price, which is why I don't shy away from buying used tech, especially when it's certified refurbished from Amazon. I treated myself to a scratch and dent used Kindle Paperwhite from Woot last spring, and I was shocked at what showed up. I expected plenty of damage, but instead, I got a Kindle with one minor scratch on the back. Otherwise, it's in perfect shape.

Of course, buying a scratch and dent Kindle is playing Roulette. Some might have significant wear and tear, but they're all certified by Amazon to be in full working condition, but perhaps with some blemishes. For me, taking the chance on some physical issues was well worth the savings. It certainly paid of in my case since my Kindle is nearly perfect.

SEE ALSO: The Fitbit Versa 4 is still on sale at Amazon after Memorial Day — act fast to save $40

This sale price applies to the 11th Gen model which launched in 2021. Amazon is currently selling the 12th Gen. While this is an older model, it comes with massive storage space — a whole 32GB. The current Kindle Paperwhite doesn't even have the option to get this much storage. You'd have to upgrade to the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition to get 32GB which sells for $199.99.

Keep in mind that you probably don't have much time to ponder if you're willing to take a chance on a scratch and dent model. These Kindle sales at Woot tend to vanish quickly. There's only one color and storage combo remaining, so this deal will likely be gone before the end of the work day.

If you're like me and prioritize a great deal over a perfect product, hop on this $69.99 Woot deal and get yourself a Kindle Paperwhite for the summer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Level up your living room with 30% off the Sony QD-OLED 77-inch Bravia XR A95L TV

Mashable - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 19:15

SAVE $1,501.99: As of May 26, get the Sony QD-OLED 77 inch Bravia XR A95L Series 4K TV for $3,498 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $4,999.99. That's a discount of 30%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sony QD-OLED 77 inch Bravia XR A95L Series 4K TV $3,498 at Amazon
$4,999.99 Save $1,501.99   Get Deal

There are plenty of new movies and TV shows being paraded out over the next few months that having a great living room display is a must. If you're thinking about upgrading your TV, now's the time to get on the bandwagon, especially as we've found a fantastic price on one of Sony's best TVs. You can save some serious cash and be ready for summer watch parties in the blink of an eye.

As of May 26, get the Sony QD-OLED 77 inch Bravia XR A95L Series 4K TV for $3,498 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $4,999.99. That's $1,501.99 off and a discount of 30%.

SEE ALSO: The best TVs for gaming to get you to next-level play

This enormous 77-inch TV is the perfect addition to your living room, or anywhere else for that matter. It offers fantastic picture quality, with a QD-OLD display with 4K resolution for the crispest picture possible. It uses Acoustic Surface Audio+ with support for Dolby Atmos as well, for immersive audio that lets you feel as though you're right in the middle of the action.

For games, you can rely on the Game Menu options to control all the important gaming settings exclusive to the TV (with assist options as well), so no matter what kind of titles you play, you can optimize your display. It might even help you improve your game, if you can find enemies or puzzles and secrets a bit clearer.

This is the perfect time to upgrade your display, and you're saving quite a bit, so be sure to pick one up while the discount is still live.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Most of the best Memorial Day sales are still live: We found the top discounts on TVs, mattresses, MacBooks, and Ninja appliances

Mashable - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 19:06
The best Memorial Day 2026 deals at a glance: Best Apple Deal M5 MacBook Air, 13 inches (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $899 (save $50 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Amazon deal Ninja Slushi $259 (save $90.99) Get Deal Best TV deal Toshiba 65-inch C350 LED 4K Fire TV $264.99 (save $265) Get Deal Best tech deal Bose QuietComfort headphones $229 (save $120) Get Deal Best home deal Ruggable save up to 25% sitewide Shop Now Best Anker Deal Anker USB-C Display Charger, 45W $27.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best Outdoor Deal Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Power Station $449 (save $350 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Amazon Device Deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $29.99 (save $20 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Memorial Day Deal Under $50 Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones $36.95 (save $33.04) Get Deal Best Gaming Deal Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 Ultra-Wide Gaming Monitor $279.99 (save $120 at Amazon) Get Deal

Our first warm weather long weekend has come and gone, but most Memorial Day sales are sticking around for an extra day or two.

From the big retailers like Amazon and Best Buy to internet favorite brands like Ruggable, Dyson, and KitchenAid, we've found all of the best Memorial Day deals still live as of Tuesday, May 26. While many sales don't disclose a specific end date, we wouldn't be surprised if Tuesday is the last day. So, use your post-holiday downtime to grab some summer staples on sale — it's likely that we won't see prices like this again until Prime Day in June.

Best Memorial Day Amazon deals Ninja Slushi $259.99 at Best Buy
$349.99 Save $90   Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

What says start of the summer better than slushies on demand? When Mashable's Leah Stodart reviewed the Ninja Slushi, she pointed out the merits of the Slushi over a regular blender: no ice is required, and it keeps drinks frozen while in its cooling cylinder. From cola slushies to frosé, this might just be the ultimate summer drink machine. It has some downsides (sugar-free beverages are a no-go), but if you're a frozen drink enthusiast, this deal is worth a closer look.

More Amazon dealsBest Memorial Day TV deals Opens in a new window Credit: Toshiba Toshiba 65-inch C350 LED 4K Fire TV $264.99 at Best Buy
$529.99 Save $265   Get Deal Why we like it

Best Buy and Amazon have been racing to match prices on this Fire TV. Best Buy was initially $75 cheaper than Amazon, so Amazon dropped its sale price to keep pace. But that's only a piece of the picture, demonstrating just how good this deal is. Our resident TV expert, Leah Stodart, pointed out that this $264.99 price point is so good that it's less than the sale price of the 43-inch version of Amazon's most basic Ember 4K Fire TV. In other words, if you're looking to score a solid deal on a smart TV this Memorial Day, this could be the one for you.

More TV deals

43-inch to 50-inch TVs

55-inch TVs

65-inch TVs

70-inch TVs and up

Best Memorial Day mattress deals
  • Avocado: Get up to 20% off organic mattresses, bed toppers, and bedding.

  • Amerisleep: Get up to $1,000 off all mattresses and 40% off bundles

  • Bear: Get 35% off sitewide, plus $275 worth of free accessories

  • Casper: Get up to 30% off select mattresses and 35% off bundles

  • DreamCloud: Save up to 60% on mattresses and 66% on bundles

  • Purple: Get up to $900 off a mattress and a base

  • Helix: Get 25% off sitewide with code MEMDAY25

  • Leesa: Get 30% off select mattresses

  • Mattress Firm: Get up to 60% off select mattresses with queens starting at $189.99

  • Nectar: Get up to 50% off select mattresses and 66% off bundles

  • Saatva: Save up to $650 on mattresses, including the Saatva Classic and Memory Foam Hybrid mattresses

  • Serta: Save up to $600 on select mattress and adjustable base sets

  • Sleep Number: Save up to $1,200 on ClimateCool and ComfortNext mattresses, BOGO free Ultimate Shape Pillows, and BOGO 50% off sheets

  • Tempur-Pedic: Save 40% on the Tempur-Cloud Mattress or up to $500 on adjustable mattress sets, plus free gifts

Best Memorial Day home deals
  • AirDoctor: Save 20% on air purifier bundles

  • Brooklinen: Save 25% sitewide

  • Buffy: Save up to 25% sitewide

  • Caraway Home: Save up to 30% on cookware and bakeware

  • Cozy Earth: Save 30% sitewide

  • Crate & Barrel: Save up to 60% on rugs, 35% on kitchen brands, and 30% on furniture

  • Dyson: Save up to $290 on Dyson vacuums and floor cleaning appliances

  • Home Depot: Save up to 40% on select appliances, 20% on select patio furniture, and up to $175 off on select tools now through May 27

  • Joybird: Save up to 45% off on bestselling furniture and up to 35% off sitewide

  • KitchenAid: Save up to 25% on select countertop appliances

  • Kohl's: Save up to 50% sitewide on clothes, kitchen appliances, bedding, patio furniture, and more

  • Lego: Spend $100 and get a free duck family Lego set

  • Lovesac: Save 40% sitewide through May 31

  • Lowe's: Save on appliances, grills, patio furniture, gardening supplies, and more through June 3

  • Mellow Sleep: Get $20 off $100, $50 off $200, or $100 off $300

  • Nest New York: Save 25% sitewide with code 25OFF

  • Parachute: Save 25% sitewide plus 30% on bundles

  • Pluto Pillow: Save 15% with code MEMDAY

  • Pottery Barn: Save up to 60% on select furniture, decor, bedding, and more, plus an extra 20% on select styles

  • Revival Rugs: Save 20% on $350+ or 25% on $750+

  • Ruggable: Save up to 25% sitewide

  • Rugs Direct: Save up to 80% sitewide on brands like Safavieh, Chris Loves Julia, Loloi, Rifle Paper Co., and Rugs USA

  • SharkNinja: Save up to 30% on Ninja kitchen appliances and Shark vacuums, hair tools, and fans

  • Target: Save up to 50% on outdoor furniture, up to 40% on inflatable pools and water toys, up to 40% on swimsuits, and more

  • Wayfair: Save up to 70% sitewide

SEE ALSO: Dyson's Memorial Day sale has $290 off vacuums, $150 off hair care tools Best Memorial Day tech deals
  • Best Buy: Save on TVs, Apple products, laptops, monitors, Sony cameras, Bluetooth speakers, and more

  • BJ’s Wholesale Club: Get up to 50% off TVs and electronics, 25% off mattresses, and 15% off home and kitchen

  • Brick: Save 15% on one Brick and 20% on two Bricks

  • HP: Save up to 72% on OmniBook laptops, Omen gaming PCs, All-in-One desktops, and more

  • Lenovo: Save up to 30% on ThinkPad, Yoga, ThinkBook, IdeaPad, and Legion laptops

  • LG: Save up to 44% on TVs, 40% on monitors, and up to 58% on appliances

  • Tile: Save up to 40% on trackers

  • Sonos: Save up to 25% on smart speakers, soundbars, and subwoofers at Sonos and Amazon

  • TP-Link: Save up to $220 on select products, including the Tapo C460 (4-Pack) + H500, plus get an additional 10% off sitewide with code USA10

Best Memorial Day beauty deals
  • Dyson: Save up to $150 on the Dyson Airwrap i.d., Airstrait, and Supersonic Nural

  • FabFitFun: Save 40% on your first box, plus get a free Vacation bonus box ($250 value) with an annual membership signup

  • L'ange: Save up to 44% on select tools with code MEMORIAL, plus an extra 15% off your entire order with code EXTRA15

  • Nuface: Save 25% on all Mini+ kits plus get a free gift

Best Memorial Day outdoor deals
  • Bote: Save 15% sitewide

  • Diadem Sports: Save up to 50% sitewide on pickleball paddles, grips, and more

  • Dick's Sporting Goods: Save up to 50% on bikes, kayaks, tents, grills, and golf gear, save up to to 40% on Nike and adidas

  • Huffy: Save 25% on select bikes

  • Gozney: Take up to $100 off select ovens and up to 20% off accessories

  • HOVERAir: Save up to 47%

  • Oru Kayak: Save 20% sitewide

  • Rumpl: Save 25% sitewide

  • Shibumi: Spend $350 to get a free $50 gift card

  • Solo Stove: Save 15% on select fire pits and pizza ovens

  • TGW: Save 25% on $50+ golf club purchases with code MDWSALE

SEE ALSO: Memorial Day 2026 deals: Score free food from 7-Eleven, Dunkin’, Subway, Starbucks, and more
Categories: IT General, Technology

Spotify now streams long magazine articles, not just audiobooks

How-To Geek - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 19:05

You can now use Spotify to catch up on your magazines in addition to your podcasts and audiobook backlog. The streaming service is introducing long-form magazine articles to audio, keeping you up to date even during your commute.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget hardcore off-roading—the Ford Ranger MS-RT is built for the street

How-To Geek - Tue, 05/26/2026 - 19:01

The Ford Ranger MS-RT isn’t trying to be another hardcore off-road pickup. Instead, it leans into something very different for this segment—a proper street-focused take on Ford’s midsize truck.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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