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For a long time, I treated incognito mode like a privacy shield. Open a private window, browse freely, close it, and everything just disappears. No history, no tracking, no trace. It feels clean, almost anonymous, and that's exactly why it's so easy to misunderstand what it's doing.

Were you planning to get a black iPhone 17 Pro last year, only to be sideswiped with the revelation that there was no black iPhone 17 Pro? Well, if you were hoping that Apple would come to its senses and release a black iPhone 18 Pro later this year, then we have more bad news for you.

According to one Apple leaker, Apple has no plans to release a black iPhone 18 Pro. 

SEE ALSO: Apple to issue emergency patch to protect iPhones from DarkSword spyware

The leaker, known as Instant Digital on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, has a good track record when it comes to advance knowledge of Apple's upcoming devices. Instant Digital has previously shared accurate information in previous iPhone leaks.

This would mark the second year in a row that Apple decided to pass on a black color option for its premium iPhone models. Apple shocked its fans last year when it released the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max without a standard black option (the phones were offered in silver, deep blue, and cosmic orange).

The iPhone 17 Pro line had an anodized aluminum body (instead of titanium), which proved to be extremely scratch-prone, and "scratchgate" could explain the lack of a black color option. Scratches were more visible with the darker deep blue colors.

SEE ALSO: What is ‘scratchgate’? Unpacking the iPhone 17 Pro scratching problem.

As 9to5Mac points out, while the cosmic orange offering caught consumers off guard, the color option was actually widely popular and may have partially led to Apple having its best fiscal quarter in its history.

It appears Apple may be trying to catch lightning in a bottle twice. As Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman previously reported, the company is currently working on a "Deep Red" color offering for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models. This would be the first iPhone to come in any shade of red since the iPhone 14 was offered in red as part of the (PRODUCT)RED lineup.

For iPhone users who must have a black color smartphone, the iPhone 18 base model will likely still come in black. In addition, Apple is reportedly passing on any fun colors for the much-talked-about iPhone Fold, which is rumored to launch by the end of the year. Apple appears to be opting for more traditional Apple colors for its first foldable mobile device (think space gray and, yes, black).

With all that being said, Apple could still change its mind or even unveil a completely different color lineup for the new iPhone 18 line come September.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

SAVE $500: The 55-inch Samsung OLED 4K S85F Series TV is on sale for $897.99 at Amazon, down from the list price of $1,397.99. That's a 36% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung 55-inch Samsung OLED 4K S85F Series TV $897.99 at Amazon
$1,397.99 Save $500   Get Deal

The Amazon Big Spring Sale has come and gone, but Amazon forgot to turn off the discounts on TVs. We're still seeing many models sitting at their sale price two days later, but we're not mad. Baseball season is here, after all, and if you could use an upgrade to watch this year's games, check out this Samsung deal.

As of April 2, the 55-inch Samsung OLED 4K S85F Series TV is on sale at Amazon for $897.99, down from the list price of $1,397.99. That's a 36% discount that takes $500 off the price.

With 4K resolution, dynamic brightness, and excellent contrast, the 55-inch Samsung OLED TV will be a welcomed addition to your home's entertainment setup. Samsung mentions this model uses the brand's NQ4 AI Gen2 processor to ensure each scene has optimal brightness. Samsung also tapped into the color experts at Pantone to make sure skin tones were realistic and accurate.

SEE ALSO: The Google TV Streamer 4K is $20 off at Amazon — save on this streaming game-changer

When it comes to watching sports on the 55-inch Samsung OLED, the 120Hz Motion Xcelerator brings smoothness to quick movements. Plus, Samsung used object tracking sound technology which allows sound to follow objects on screen, giving a more life-like experience.

In addition to today's sale price, Amazon is tossing in free delivery and unpacking service, which usually costs $29.99. This means delivery will come to the room of your choice with unboxing and packaging removal.

Upgrade to the 55-inch Samsung OLED 4K S85F Series TV while it's still sitting at the sale price we saw earlier this week at Amazon's Big Spring Sale sale. You'll be saving $500 that can be used for your favorite streaming services in the future.

The next generation of PlayStation consoles might not appeal to people who enjoy building physical game collections.

A hardware leaker known as KeplerL2 posted in the NeoGAF forums this week (via WCCF Tech), claiming that the still-unconfirmed PlayStation 6 will not have a disc drive built in.

In a reply to another user's inquiry, KeplerL2 also said the base PS6 would come with just 1TB of storage space on its internal SSD. For reference, that's exactly the same as most PS5 models. Typically, specs like that only get better over time, but it seems like Sony might make a lateral move at best for storage capacity this time around.

SEE ALSO: Sony sued over high PlayStation Store 'monopoly' prices and download fees

That's almost certainly because of the AI-driven global RAM shortage, which was recently rumored to potentially cause the PS6 to miss its intended late 2027 launch date. All things being equal, Sony might be inclined to put a 2TB drive in each base PS5, but that might not be feasible right now.

As for the lack of a disc drive, that's going to ruffle feathers for a multitude of reasons.

Yes, the PS5 has had a no-disc-drive variant since its launch in 2020, but Sony also sells a standalone attachable disc drive unit in case users want one. Obviously, Sony could do the same with the PS6, but we don't know that yet. And while a large majority of video game sales happen in digital marketplaces as opposed to physical retail stores, plenty of people still like to own their games, whether it's out of concern for digital storefronts eventually shutting down, or just to build a nice collection of physical media. And, of course, sometimes you get good discounts on used games.

Needless to say, if this is true, it will be controversial.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Are you still using Thingiverse to find models for your 3D printer? It’s time to upgrade your 3D model search engine with these three sites that are better in just about every way.

Your router can do more than provide a Wi-Fi signal or an Ethernet connection to your devices. It is a miniature computer, and most of them allow you to run extra services that can improve functionality and security.

People love to share their Home Assistant dashboards on chat groups and forums. A lot of these dashboards look really impressive, but so many I see seem to be making the exact same mistake.

SAVE $101.99: As of April 2, the Sony ULT Wear headphones are on sale for just $148 at Amazon. That's 41% off the list price of $249.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Wear $148 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $101.99   Get Deal

If you've got expensive taste, but a more moderate budget, the Sony ULT Wear headphones were made for you. And two days after Amazon's Big Spring Sale officially came to a close, they're still on sale for over 40% off.

As of April 2, you can pick up a pair of Sony ULT Wear noise-cancelling headphones at Amazon for just $148 instead of their list price of $249.99. That's over $100 in savings, although not quite their lowest price on record.

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Mashable Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern tested the ULT Wear headphones when they launched in 2024 and was "genuinely shocked" by how great they were. "We try not to make sweeping claims in our reviews at Mashable," she writes, "but these honestly might be my favorite pair of headphones I’ve tried — especially when you consider the price."

With comparable sound to Sony's flagship headphones and heavy bass that can be bumped up two levels, these noise-cancellers earned the title of Mashable's favorite headphones for bass heads. "The booming sound makes other (decidedly good) headphones sound flat," Kern says.

Admittedly, they are slightly bulky compared to Sony's much more expensive XM6s, but they do fold down for easier portability and come with a carrying case. Not to mention, on sale, the ULT Wears are less than half the price of the XM6s. They're an excellent choice if you want a new pair of noise-cancelling headphones, but you're balling on a budget.

RAID is typically the go-to method for redundancy in servers, and it definitely has stood the test of time. What if I told you I intentionally stopped using RAID on my Plex server? Here’s why.

There's a lot to enjoy with an Amazon Prime membership: a plentiful streaming service full of acclaimed originals, same-day shipping, and Grubhub+. But that's just a sampling of the extensive benefits for members. Prime members who also happen to be bookworms can maximize their monthly reading with the Amazon First Reads program.

Similar to Book of the Month, every month, Amazon First Reads drops a new collection of discounted titles. However, unlike Book of the Month, these books are totally free for Prime Members. Here's everything you need to know about Amazon First Reads.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon First Reads   Learn More What is Amazon First Reads?

Amazon First Reads is a monthly program in which eight editor-selected books are offered free to Prime members. Members are allowed to choose one book per month, which is then added to their library. Non-Prime members can still join in on the fun, but they have to pay $1.99 per book.

Featured Amazon First Reads books are totally free at checkout for Prime members. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon / Mashable composite

Some months, like Prime Day's July and Black Friday's November, offer two free books. And in others, you can select a free short story with your one free e-book.

To select your book, visit the Amazon First Reads home page to browse the options. As a Prime Member, you'll see the option to "read now for free " when you go to purchase the titles. Once you make your selection, it'll automatically be added to your Kindle library.

Which books are featured in Amazon First Reads?

Among the eight books selected each month, the book editors at Amazon provide a variety of genres for every reader. The books are typically new or soon-to-be-released books — many of the books are published under one of Amazon's publishing imprints, so they're exclusive to Amazon's shelves.

In addition to the eight full-length books offered each month, there's typically a short story available, too, exclusive to read through the Kindle Store. You'll find familiar names in the First Reads collections. Past authors include Abby Jimenez, Rebecca Yarros, Lee Child, Fredrik Backman, Alice Hoffman, and Dean Koontz.

Kindle Unlimited members are able to read most of the previous First Reads picks for free, so if there are multiple each month that you want to add to your digital bookshelf, consider a Kindle Unlimited membership.

April 2026 Amazon First Reads books The April 2026 First Reads collection includes the children's book 'Kimi the BALLerina', illustrated by a former Pixar artist. Credit: Amazon / Mashable

April's First Reads line-up feature eight novels, one children's picture book, and one short read. This month's short read, Lift Me Up, comes from Sunday Times bestselling author Milly Johnson. The enemies-to-lovers workplace romance is described as "A pitch-perfect love story for fans of Jenny Colgan, Debbie Macomber, and Katie Fforde," by Maisie Lawrence, an Amazon book editor.

This month's titles also includes a children's picture book, Kimi the BALLerina, written by Korey Watari and illustrated by her husband Mike Wu, a former Pixar artist.

Here are all of the First Reads picks for April 2026:

• Lift Me Up by Milly Johnson

• When The Storm Passes by Manel Loureiro

• Where the Sea Lavender Grows by Kitty Johnson

• The Dead Room by Catriona McPherson

• Wake-Up Calls by Mariah Stewart

• The Roaring Ridleys by K.M. Colley

• The Last Sunday in May by Kate Clark Stone

• The Final System by Anthony Tardiff

• Ways to Find Yourself by Angela Brown

• Kimi the BALLerina by Korey Watari

Do you need a Kindle for Amazon First Reads?

All of the books selected are technically purchased through the Kindle Store. But does that mean you need a Kindle to read them?

Nope! No Kindle e-reader is necessary to read books collected through First Reads. All books purchased through the Kindle Store are available in the Kindle app, which can be read on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

However, if you're asking if you should get a Kindle, that's a different question. While a Kindle is not required to enjoy the bounty of the Kindle store, it is our favorite e-reader brand if you're in the market.

Kindle Paperwhite $134.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $25   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy

Have you been wanting to launch a website, but were turned off by the cost and difficulty required? Those two elements of website building are a thing of the past now! It’s easier than ever before to launch your website with modern tools, and it doesn’t even have to cost you a dime.

When Samsung released the One UI 7 update and the Galaxy S25, the company also debuted the Now Bar and Now Brief, among other things. Samsung's Now Bar was supposed to be Galaxy's answer to the Dynamic Island, a sleek pill-shaped hub that promised to turn your home and lock screen into an information command center.

If your wired internet speeds aren't what you expect, or you find that your Wi-Fi network doesn't work as well as it should, your router might not be responsible—it could be something else. Old network switches, damaged or low-quality Ethernet cables, and unreliable transmission methods could all be at fault.

Between the 2026 Winter Olympics and March Madness, it’s been a big year for sports already, and Paramount+ is making sure you continue to get your fill in April. While the streamer will see exclusive streaming debuts of a couple of recently released movies, it will also see debuts of three new original docuseries, one of which is a doozie for all the true-crime fans out there. Additionally, you can also catch the Masters live and UFC Fight Night.

I have been in the homelabbing game for over five years at this point, and I have tried out, quite literally, hundreds of services to self-host. These days, I have around 30 to 40 services running in my homelab at any given time, but these five are the ones I can’t live without.

For many drivers, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have become essential parts of the in-car experience. Navigation, music, calls, and messaging all run through the vehicle’s infotainment system, so phones don’t have to be handled while driving. The problem is that many cars produced between 2016 and 2023 still require a wired USB connection to use those features.

Buying a NAS for one specific thing is probably the main reason why a lot of people end up with a NAS in the first place. But what if you end up not being that into the very thing you bought it for? Here are 5 more reasons and ways to put that NAS to use.

Most homeowners have a power tool or two, and chances are Ryobi, Milwaukee, Makita, or DeWALT make it. All the major brands manufacture a wide range of options. And while your go-to brand likely offers the usual essential tools, each also makes a few unique items tailored to specific professions or tasks.

The once-speedy Windows PC you bought will eventually turn into a slow, unresponsive machine, suffering from long boot times and application delays. Many users blame this on aging hardware, the unavoidable decay of technology over time and in some ways it is, leading some to give up. However, the truth is much more subtle and fixable. Your computer wears out because of the digital clutter you install and the natural outcome of long-term operating system use. This systemic clutter exhausts available memory and storage space, severely reducing disk read/write speeds and slowing down your computer's overall responsiveness.

A good streaming box or dongle can cost just as much or quite a bit more than a Raspberry Pi, even when you factor in a case, power supply, and wireless media keyboard. If you're in the market for an upgrade to a dumb TV or an existing smart TV where you don't want to use the built-in streaming apps, the Raspberry Pi might be your best choice.