Blogroll

Package managers are an extremely convenient part of Linux operating systems, but Windows, despite being more "user-friendly," doesn't have anything nearly as useful. However, using one free, open-source project and a built-in Windows command line utility, you can get the exact same thing on Windows.

Android Auto is a convenient and useful feature on most modern cars, even if it's a bit underused. By default, most drivers end up using Google Maps even though there are countless solid alternatives. While there's a lot to love about Google Maps, I use Waze with Android Auto instead, and here's why.

There are a lot of uses for 3D printing in science, medicine, and research. From prosthesis to housing, these ideas push the boundaries of what is possible in modern manufacturing.

Almost every Linux command has options to control the way it works, and applies default values when you don’t provide any. But these defaults are very sticky, and what made sense in 1970 doesn’t always make sense today.

This weekend’s homelab project roundup is all about expanding your homelab’s capabilities. From installing Proxmox to spin up virtual machines to setting up a wake-on-LAN server, here are three homelab projects you should try this weekend.

Robotic pool cleaners have steadily moved from niche upgrades to more practical, everyday tools. Cordless designs, smarter navigation, and broader cleaning coverage have made them easier to adopt, especially for users who want to spend less time on manual pool maintenance.

You already know the difference between SATA and NVMe—that part's not the problem. The problem is that knowing that difference can actually make you more confident about a purchase you probably shouldn't be confident about. The spec that actually separates a good SSD from a disappointing one isn't the interface—it's the type of NAND flash inside, and most buyers never consider checking it before buying.

It's no secret that Milwaukee makes some of the best cordless power tools used by professionals everywhere, but that doesn't mean they're always the right choice. Milwaukee tools are often quite expensive, and with several other brands readily available, you have a lot of options. Here are three reasons Milwaukee might not be right for you, along with what to buy instead.

When Antigravity came out, a lot of people were interested enough to ditch VS Code. Unfortunately, plenty left soon after because it is not an easy way to program if you don't know what you're doing. Claude is very similar because it is great at giving an overview of what to do before starting, but that is due to a misconception of how to use Antigravity correctly. If you know what you're doing and can avoid the rate limits, you'll never go back to Claude for coding. At best, Claude will seem like a good way to get your ideas together, but not a good way to implement them.

Are you ready for some fun Raspberry Pi projects to do this weekend? Well, for starters, you definitely need to get a Home Assistant server running if you have’t already. Then, utilize Home Assistant to know when your washer and dryer are done running. Then, kick back and relax while you read your favorite articles with Readeck.

If you're sick of paying a small fortune to subscribe to the ever-growing list of streaming services, there is another option. You can set up a media server, add your media files, and make your own streaming service. This sounds like it might be complicated, but with Jellyfin, it's simple enough even for most non-technical people to set up.

Windows users like to give Linux enthusiasts heat because they love the Terminal so much, but the truth is that even for some everyday tasks it's often better to use a command line interface instead of clicking a bunch of pictures.

You’re getting to the end of a roll of filament, and you’re not confident there’s enough left to justify using it for another print. So you throw it in the drawer, next to the other almost-empty spools from the last time this happened.

AI assistants are quietly becoming the Swiss Army knife no one expected. I’ve already turned ChatGPT into a project management system and a Grammarly Pro replacement. But Claude is different—not only can it do almost everything ChatGPT can, but it also has access to my file system. So when I noticed my storage was nearing 80%, I decided to use Claude to free up some disk space.

Aqara’s latest Doorbell Camera G400 packs a lot of premium features in a budget-friendly package. With on-device AI, power-over-Ethernet (PoE) as a power option, and local recording, this $100 doorbell camera is the one to beat in 2026.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!

What's different about an art TV?

Any old smart TV can play a 10-hour-long YouTube slideshow of famous paintings. True art TVs have a few unique characteristics that separate them from the average flatscreen:

1. A flush mount: Art TVs come with a special mount that allows them to hang flat against the wall, just like a framed photo or print. From the side, you won't see any metal arms holding the TV up.

2. A matte display: The original versions of the world's famous paintings aren't displayed behind traditional shiny glass — if they were, you'd be able to see your own reflection better than the artwork. The Frame brought elite glare-free displays to the TV category to better replicate the authentic museum experience. The best art TVs use anti-glare coating so you can enjoy TV, games, and artwork even in bright sunlight.

3. Interchangeable bezels: The decorative picture frame-esque border is the other half of the "not a TV" illusion. Different art TVs use different frame colors, but all have the option to swap the traditional black outline for a white or wood-like finish.

So while the Hisense Déco TV that I tested and loved has a pretty curved white frame, it doesn't meet any of the above criteria — it's more of an artsy TV than an art TV by the books, though you may still want to consider it as an alternative to The Frame. If you're looking for a small bedroom TV that won't clash with your decor, I highly recommend the QLED Déco TV. We'll call it an honorable mention for this list.

SEE ALSO: The Dreame FP10 air purifier cleans fur off its own filter. Just as crucially, it matches my living room aesthetic. LG and TCL are dropping new art TVs soon

Competition between the best frame TVs is about to stiffen up in the second half of 2026. Preorders opened for the pricey OLED LG W6 Wallpaper TV and the full-array mini-LED LG Gallery TV with Frame at the end of April, so release dates should be coming any time now. TCL has also confirmed that a pro version of the NXTVISION TV is on the way. I'll update this guide accordingly as each model becomes available for purchase.

On Gemini 7's second lap around Earth, as the spacecraft glided over the Caribbean Sea, astronaut Frank Borman glanced outside and radioed a deadpan report: "We have a bogey at 10 o'clock high."

That moment in 1965 passed, folded into NASA's growing pile of strange-yet-seemingly-innocuous space oddities. But President Donald Trump's new UFO files suggest it never really left the government's imagination.

The release, published May 8 through a new government archive for unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAPs, pulls together records from NASA, the FBI, and several intelligence agencies. UAP is Washington's new catch-all for UFOs and other odd events that officials can't immediately explain. The administration says more files will arrive in rolling batches on a new website over the coming weeks. Its white-on-black typeset and grainy military photos add a nostalgic X-Files flair.

Astronauts have always carried unusual weight in UFO lore. They are trained observers, steeped in checklists and telemetry, but also symbols of humanity's push into the unknown. So when astronauts reported strange lights, drifting objects, or puzzling events in orbit, those accounts tended to stick — even when later investigations pointed to equipment glitches, space junk, or natural occurrences.

The newly released records don't prove extraterrestrial life exists, and officials repeatedly caution that many cases remain unresolved simply because investigators never collected enough data to reach a firm conclusion. 

"I applaud President Trump's whole-of-government effort to bring greater transparency to the American people on unidentified anomalous phenomena," NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement. "We will remain candid about what we know to be true, what we have yet to understand, and all that remains to be discovered. Exploration and the pursuit of knowledge are core to NASA's mission as we endeavor to unlock the secrets of the universe." 

SEE ALSO: Where NASA's Dragonfly mission is going, 'We don't need roads'

NASA astronauts repeatedly reported strange sights during missions to the moon and aboard the United States' first space station, according to newly highlighted material in the files. The records include astronaut transcripts, crew debriefings, an audio recording, and annotated photographs, spanning missions from Gemini 7 in 1965 through Skylab in the 1970s.  

Gemini 7 astronauts reported a 'bogey' in orbit

During the Gemini 7 mission in 1965, astronaut Frank Borman radioed mission control to report what he called a "bogey," a military term for an unidentified aircraft. Borman and astronaut Jim Lovell also described a cloud of particles drifting near their spacecraft. Lovell later described a bright object that he saw against the darkness of space. Handwritten notes attached to the transcript labeled the event a "UFO sighting by Borman."  

Apollo 11 crew spotted lights on the way to the moon

Apollo 11 astronauts described several unusual observations during the first human moon landing mission in 1969. 

Buzz Aldrin told debriefers the crew saw a large object while en route to the moon and examined it with a monocular. The astronauts speculated it may have been part of the Saturn V rocket. Aldrin also described repeated flashes of light inside the spacecraft cabin. He later reported seeing a bright light the crew tentatively identified as a laser during their return to Earth.  

An area of interest above the lunar horizon is highlighted in this view from the 1969 landing site of the Apollo 12 mission. Credit: NASA / Department of Defense Apollo 12 astronauts watched drifting glowing particles

Apollo 12 astronauts reported multiple unexplained sightings during their 1969 mission. 

Alan Bean described seeing particles and flashes of light "sailing off in space" while using the spacecraft's optical telescope. Commander Pete Conrad later described illuminated debris floating outside the lunar module before the light source suddenly disappeared. 

The archive also includes several Apollo 12 photographs marked with highlighted "areas of interest" above the lunar horizon.  

A smattering of five areas of interest are highlighted in this image taken from the Apollo 12 landing site on the moon. Credit: NASA / Department of Defense Apollo 17 crew described mysterious objects

Back in 1972, Apollo 17 astronauts reported some of the most detailed observations in the archive. 

Ronald Evans described bright particles tumbling near the spacecraft, while Harrison Schmitt compared the scene to "the Fourth of July." Commander Eugene Cernan later reported intense flashing lights that appeared bright enough to resemble a train headlight. Schmitt also reported seeing a flash on the lunar surface near Grimaldi crater. 

Another Apollo 17 image in the archive shows three unexplained dots in a triangular formation. Government analysts have reopened the case and obtained the original film for further study, according to the file.  

Skylab crews repeatedly saw flashes

Astronauts aboard Skylab, America's first space station, documented unexplained sightings in 1973 and 1974.

One crew saw frequent light flashes while trying to sleep. Another tracked a bright reddish object for several minutes, eventually concluding it moved in an orbit similar to Skylab's. A later crew reported flashing lights outside the station moving independently of the spacecraft, though astronauts suspected the objects may have been debris or satellites. 

SAVE OVER $500: The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $1,059 at Amazon. That's over $500 off the list price of $1,599.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo $1,059 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $540   Get Deal

Due to legislative pressure on DJI imports in the U.S., there is an expectation that we're going to see stock issues at some point. We have been saying that for some time though. We're not seeing any indications of low stock just yet. In fact, we're seeing strong discounts on popular models at Amazon.

The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $1,059 at Amazon. That's over $500 off this content creator favorite and the record-low price at Amazon.

The DJI Mini 5 Pro is a content creator’s dream, pairing a high-end 1-inch sensor with the ability to shoot 4K at 120fps for cinematic, high-contrast results. It’s also an incredibly safe mini-drone, using LiDAR-powered sensing to see obstacles like thin wires or buildings even when you're flying blind. It's good to know that you're expensive investment isn't going to smash into the nearest obstacle as soon as you lose sight.

There are so many useful features with this popular drone, but perhaps the biggest quality-of-life upgrade is the 42GB of internal memory. That's enough to house your entire 4K shoot locally so you should never be sidelined by lack of storage space.

Save over $500 on the DJI Mini 5 Pro this weekend.

TL;DR: Get the iPhone 17 for free with T-Mobile. To qualify, simply switch and bring your number on an Experience Beyond or Better Value plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 17 for free   Shop Now

There's a battle going on between leading mobile carriers to offer you the most tempting offers. We've seen really impressive deals dropped by the likes of Verizon and AT&T recently, but T-Mobile is leading the charge with a free iPhone offer that doesn't require a trade-in.

For a limited time, anyone can claim the Apple Phone 17 for free when switching to T-Mobile and bringing their number on an Experience Beyond or Better Value plan. The iPhone 17e is also available for free with just about any T-Mobile plan. What sets these offers apart from much of the competition is that neither requires a trade-in. You do need to pay taxes and a $35 device connection fee, but that's a small price to pay for a free iPhone.

SEE ALSO: iOS 27 could finally bring AI photo-editing to your iPhone

The iPhone 17 is built to handle Apple’s most advanced AI features. In Mashable's review, Stan Schroeder said it's an "excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter." According to Stan Schroeder, the camera is "almost as good as the one on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max."

How will T-Mobile's rivals respond? Only time will tell, but right now T-Mobile is offering one of the most tempting packages for anyone interesting in making the switch.

Score the Apple iPhone 17 for free from T-Mobile this weekend.

SAVE $20: As of May 9, the Echo Show 5 is on sale for $69.99 at Amazon. That's a 22% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Show 5 $69.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $20   Get Deal

Smart home hubs can make your life a whole lot easier. Nowadays, robot vacuums and mowers, voice activated speakers, and so much more are smart. And a great way to manage all these devices is with a dedicated hub, like the Echo Show 5. And this model is on sale this weekend. As of May 9, this Amazon smart home hub is down from $89.99 to $69.99.

The Echo Show 5 is a smart display with a 5.5-inch screen that is perfect for displaying information like weather reports, news, and playlists. It supports music streaming from top providers like Amazon Music, Spotify, as well as video options from Prime Video.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

It even includes a built-in 2 MP camera, so you can use it for video calls or home monitoring. When not in use, you can change the display to show rotating photo slideshows, and Prime members also receive unlimited cloud photo storage.

And if sustainability is on your mind when purchasing, the fabric on this device is made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester yarn, the aluminium uses 100% recycled aluminium, and the packaging is fully recyclable.

Find this Echo Show deal at Amazon now. It's a limited-time deal, so don't miss out.