Blogroll

Looking for a political match? Enter Senate Island.

Mashable - Wed, 11/04/2026 - 03:23

Apparently, having a type extends to tax policy as well.

Welcome to Senate Island, where finding a connection means comparing healthcare plans and the next recoupling happens at the polls. The parody website, inspired by the hit reality show Love Island, gives Senate candidates the reality-dating-show treatment, inviting visitors to size up their political connections before casting a ballot in the 2026 midterms. The states are villas, the candidates are islanders, and finding a match involves comparing views on healthcare and housing.

Created by Chicago-based art director and designer Anweih Cox, the site launched Oct. 26 and has since attracted more than 80,000 visitors and half a million page views, according to The 19th. (Cox had initially hoped for 1,000 page views.) It also, naturally, went viral on socials.

The inspiration came from watching Love Island USA and thinking about the enthusiasm fans bring to voting on the show's app, Cox said. If people could get that invested in a recoupling, perhaps the format could make researching an election feel a little more approachable.

How does Senate Island work?

Visitors begin by choosing their state, or "villa," then meeting the candidates hoping to couple up with voters. In Texas, for example, the lineup includes James Talarico, Ken Paxton, and Ted Brown, presented in swipeable profile cards with their names, ages, and AI-generated portraits. (Apparently, the villa dress code is a button-down and khakis.)

Credit: Screenshot: Senate Island

From there, the "Casa Amor" tab takes visitors to a side-by-side comparison of candidates' positions on education, healthcare, housing, AI, and the cost of living. In our Texas walkthrough, selecting education brought up Talarico's opposition to using public school funding to subsidize private schools alongside Paxton’s support for universal school choice. The summaries keep the dating-show language going, with Talarico's entry describing that funding arrangement as a "dealbreaker."

Credit: Screenshot: Senate Island

The policy summaries borrow the language of dating profiles. For example, Florida Democrat Angie Nixon's cost-of-living entry opens with an invitation to swipe right in response to frustration with price gouging, while Republican Ashley Moody's entry frames tax proposals as a love language.

After choosing a candidate, visitors reach voting resources, including links to check registration, find a polling place, and learn more about their ballot. (Choosing someone on the website doesn't cast an actual vote.)

SEE ALSO: Election Day 2026 results updates: See live election results trackers as polls close

"It's important because a lot of times people feel very intimidated," Cox told The 19th. "You have to go through all these different sites sometimes just to hunt down the information you’re looking for, and so just having that starting resource that is on the more playful side just makes it feel less intimidating."

The project has reached someone very familiar with running a villa. Love Island USA host Ariana Madix commented on Cox's TikTok, writing, "you are brilliant."

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Categories: IT General, Technology

I built a weekend Bluetooth tracker from an ESP32, and nRF Connect does the rest

How-To Geek - Wed, 11/04/2026 - 02:00

I was looking for a fun home lab project to try over the weekend and realized it's been a while since I last made something with an ESP32 board. I have a few different boards among my supplies, including several ESP32-C3 Supermini boards, and I thought, “Why not make a tracking tag out of a few of them? So I did a bit of research for ideas on how to do that and ended up doing a nifty little weekend experiment with the concept.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Election Day 2026: The internet reacts to results as polls close

Mashable - Wed, 11/04/2026 - 01:41

Election nights always come with a familiar routine. Put on the news. Open an election results page. Check social media to see whether anyone knows something the broadcast doesn’t. Repeat until the phone needs charging.

As Americans wait to learn how the 2026 midterms will shake out, the internet is settling in for a long night. As Americans await the outcome of the 2026 midterms, people are posting through the anticipation — with varying levels of enthusiasm.

Some users are convinced one more refresh will tell them everything they need to know.

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Others are treating their timelines like required reading. Missing a single post? Can’t risk it.

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For the election-map enthusiasts, meanwhile, this is practically the Super Bowl. Apologies in advance to anyone expecting a conversation about anything else.

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All those hours spent scrolling have apparently been training and waiting for this moment.

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Some users are questioning whether election-night anxiety really needs to be a group activity.

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Others are embracing the idea of getting together, provided everyone understands that the agenda is to refresh results and panic.

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Perhaps the most useful hosting advice, based on these reactions, is to ensure there are enough outlets.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

Campaigns are investing in creators. What does that mean for voters?

Mashable - Wed, 11/04/2026 - 01:25

Somewhere between a makeup tutorial and a podcast clip, politics has become part of the daily scroll. Creators are slipping voting reminders into beauty videos, candidates are sitting down with podcasters, and campaigns are paying online personalities to help reach voters.

The 2026 midterms offer a look at how those relationships work in today's influencer economy. Campaigns brief influencers on competitive races and collaborate on posts, while advocacy groups provide training, research, and financial support. Tonight, creators will also cover the midterms across YouTube livestreams alongside familiar network broadcasts.

These arrangements give campaigns and political groups access to audiences who might otherwise tune politics out, while giving some creators the resources to make political coverage steady work. But a voter-registration reminder, a candidate interview, and a paid campaign post can appear in the same feed. Understanding who funds that content, and what they expect in return, is becoming part of following politics online.

SEE ALSO: Election Day 2026 results updates: See live election results trackers now Why campaigns are turning to creators

Creators offer something campaigns want: a highly engaged audience. That audience might follow for political commentary, but it might just as easily come for makeup tutorials or comedy.

"If we’re looking to engage and educate Americans in this modern era, we have to be ready to work with audiences from different places, with different experiences, and who engage with different types of content," Brian Tyler Cohen, founder of Chorus, a progressive nonprofit that supports creators with training, research, and monthly stipends, told Mashable.

That strategy fits how many Americans encounter news online. According to Pew Research Center's 2025 survey, 21 percent of U.S. adults regularly got news from news influencers, including 38 percent of adults ages 18 to 29. Among those regular consumers, 69 percent mostly came across that news rather than actively seeking it out.

Some Americans say creator content has influenced their decisions, too. In a Sep. 2026 Morning Consult survey, 26 percent of U.S. adults said posts from creators had affected whom they voted for in an election, while 56 percent said it had affected their views on political or social issues.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. What creator partnerships look like

Organizations such as When We All Vote, Chorus, YALLvote, and Gen-Z for Change work with creators to advance civic engagement and political advocacy. Their goals differ, from nonpartisan voter participation to support for progressive causes and candidates, as do the ways creators bring those messages to their audiences.

For some, that has meant using thirst traps to recruit poll workers. Leigh McGowan, the creator known as PoliticsGirl and a Chorus co-founder, said that creator Alex Cascio noticed her thirst-trap posts were driving poll worker sign-ups and shared a template with the organization. Other creators in the program then adapted the format for their own audiences, McGowan said.

A beauty routine offers another opening. Through When We All Vote's Voting Squad, beauty creator Gabriel Zamora incorporated a voter-registration reminder into a "GRWM" style makeup video, making voting information part of something his followers already came to watch. The nonpartisan initiative, founded by Michelle Obama, also works with beauty creators Golloria and Toni Bravo, health educator Joel Bervell, and houseplant creator Paige Tailyn.

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Separate from those organized programs, creators also build audiences around political commentary. Posting about a race or supporting a candidate does not, on its own, establish a paid campaign relationship. Progressive commentator Harry Sisson delivers short reactions and a daily political podcast, while left-wing Twitch streamer Hasan Piker's longer livestreams give him room to discuss events as they unfold. Political advocacy can extend offline, too. In April, Piker joined Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed at university rallies.

Candidate interviews are another way to reach those audiences, giving politicians a platform to make their case to a host's listeners. A guest appearance alone does not establish that the host is being paid by or working for the campaign. The progressive podcast Pod Save America, hosted by former Obama aides, interviewed Democratic Nevada gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford in September, while conservative commentator Ben Shapiro interviewed Republican Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers. The strategy extends beyond explicitly political shows. In 2024, Donald Trump appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience, while Kamala Harris joined Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy.

Who's paying for the political posts?

Campaigns also work directly with creators to make content. In Massachusetts, for example, digital creator Maria Comstock confirmed that she made a video with Sen. Ed Markey's team, writing that "Influencers are VITAL to modern political campaigns."

Other partnerships explicitly involve campaigns paying creators to publish posts, sometimes for substantial sums. During California's gubernatorial primary, Katie Porter's campaign paid lifestyle creator Avery Cyrus $25,000 for what appeared to be a single TikTok post (which has seemingly been deleted), while Tom Steyer's California gubernatorial campaign paid 17 influencers at least $5,000 each, the New York Times reported back in August. Steyer defended those payments in a Substack post as compensation for creators' work and time, comparing them with payments to campaign staff and consultants.

Nonprofit funding can support a creator's ongoing work rather than pay for a specific campaign post. Chorus, for example, says its monthly stipends help creators grow their platforms and inform their audiences on issues. For McGowan, that support addresses a gap in how Democrats approached online political coverage.

"After 2024, the narrative was that Democrats lost because they weren't showing up online," McGowan told Mashable. "The real problem was that progressive creators like us were there, but no one was supporting or amplifying us."

McGowan said creators in Chorus retain control of their platforms. The organization does not review or approve their posts or ask them to endorse particular candidates. It also does not require creators to disclose its support, citing harassment concerns.

What can audiences tell about creator/campaign relationships?

These arrangements differ in who pays, what the support covers, and how much control a creator retains. Independent commentary may involve no campaign or nonprofit relationship at all. But those distinctions may not be apparent to someone watching a post. A recent Center for Democracy & Technology report, based in part on more than 30 interviews, found that financial ties between creators, agencies, and political groups can be difficult to trace.

Color-coded arrows show how money, influence, and regulation flow among them. Credit: Center for Democracy & Technology

"The opaque nature of partnerships makes it challenging to distinguish between compensated and uncompensated political coordination online," the CDT's researchers wrote. They also noted that a creator's political beliefs don't necessarily reveal whether money is involved.

Questions about who funds election content extend beyond campaigns and advocacy groups. During the Los Angeles mayoral primary, several influencers paid by Kalshi or Polymarket partners promoted betting odds while spreading claims that officials were rigging the race against Spencer Pratt, according to an Oct. 29 CDT analysis. Kalshi later asked several influencers to remove posts that violated its affiliate marketing policies. The episode shows how commercial creator partnerships can also become a vehicle for election misinformation.

As the midterms move from voting reminders to results and reactions, the partnerships behind political content will matter beyond Election Day. Campaigns are paying for access to audiences, organizations are funding creators' ongoing work, and candidates are seeking out familiar hosts. For viewers, the face delivering the message may be recognizable. The relationship behind it can be harder to see.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Election Day 2026 results updates: See live election results trackers as polls close

Mashable - Wed, 11/04/2026 - 01:08

If you haven't already, it's time to vote.

The 2026 U.S. midterm elections are today, and with them come answers from the American people on the future of the Senate, climate policy, LGBTQ+ rights, billionaire taxes, and more local issues than one can begin to count.

SEE ALSO: Election Day 2026: Find when polls open, close, and other voting details

The tech industry — led by SpaceXSI owner Elon Musk — has invested hundreds of millions in the outcome of this year's local elections amid a push to regulate the industry. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has threatened to sequester votes, block results certifications, and revolt against a theorized blue wave of democratic electorates.

All of this to say: Your ballot well and truly matters.

Check out the results trackers below to see how the rest of America feels on the issues, too.

Election results trackers with latest updates

The easiest way to track live election results is via online election hubs from known news outlets. These will be updated in real-time as estimated counts come in, and you can reliably keep track of multiple outlets' predictions at once versus switching channels.

Election livestreams and coverage

In addition, you can tune into live coverage of the elections. Major news outlets will be covering results in real-time for standard cable customers and on streaming services, as well as YouTube streams from CBS News, PBS NewsHour, and NBC News Now.

When will we know the official results?

Keep in mind that vote counts and race calls from news outlets are technically unofficial. Each outlet calculates results using different measures, and states vary in how and when they report outcomes. It may take days — even weeks, some experts say — to have final tallies in every state.

At least 14 state Senate races will be closely watched until official counts are called, including Michigan, Maine, Ohio, Texas, and Alaska. Alaska will be the last state to close its polls at 1 a.m. ET, which means predictions won't be made until late into the night or tomorrow, Nov. 4. Both Alaska and Maine also use a ranked-choice runoff voting system, which could delay results further.

UPDATE: Nov. 3, 2026, 11:12 a.m. This article was updated with additional information on when election results will be called.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 "headless" Raspberry Pi projects that don't need a monitor, mouse, or keyboard

How-To Geek - Wed, 11/04/2026 - 01:00

If you're like me, you have more Raspberry Pis than you have monitors, or even monitor inputs. They tend to pile up as you buy an old Pi 3 here or a cheap Pi Zero there.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I gave my LG TV the Apple TV doorbell feature it was missing

How-To Geek - Wed, 11/04/2026 - 00:31

I recently rooted my LG TV to try to stop it from spying on me. One of the benefits of doing so was that I was able to install homebrew apps on the TV to give it features that it didn’t previously have. When I realized that I could use AI to vibe-code custom apps for my TV, I decided to replicate an Apple TV feature that I’ve always wanted.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new Netflix shows streaming in November

How-To Geek - Wed, 11/04/2026 - 00:00

Netflix has no plans to slow down even with only two months left in the year. In fact, the streamer is ramping up its list of new and returning shows this month. One of Netflix's surprise U.S. hits of 2025 returns on Thanksgiving for a drama-filled second season.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Soundcore P30i earbuds have dropped below $30 — save $20 before the Black Friday rush

Mashable - Wed, 11/04/2026 - 00:00

SAVE $20: As of Nov. 3, the Soundcore P30i earbuds are on sale for $29.99 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore P30i $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal at Amazon

Looking for an affordable pair of earbuds that don't sacrifice quality? Meet the Soundcore P30i. As of Nov. 3, these earbuds are down to just $29.99 at Amazon, saving you $20 on their usual list price of $49.99. This price is for the pink, blue, and white earbuds, so you can choose a color that suits you.

There are lots of reasons to choose these earbuds, and sound is just one. These are designed to make listening and watching on the move easier with the charging case that has a clever extra feature: it doubles as a phone stand, so you can prop up your device and watch your favorite shows hands-free.

They also offer active noise cancellation that reduces external noise by up to 42dB, with automatic adjustments based on your surroundings. If you'd rather hear what's happening around you, switch to transparency mode to let ambient sound through.

Battery life is another strong point. You can get up to 10 hours of listening on a single charge, or six hours with ANC switched on. The charging case extends that to 45 hours in total, and a quick 10-minute charge provides an extra two hours of playback.

Get this earbuds deal at Amazon now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Fire TV Sticks arent waiting for Black Friday — save $30 on the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus

Mashable - Wed, 11/04/2026 - 00:00

SAVE $30: As of July 6, the Fire Stick 4K Plus is on sale for $39.99 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus $39.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $10   Get Deal at Amazon

Amazon has knocked $30 off its Fire TV Stick 4K Plus ahead of Black Friday, bringing the price down to $39.99 from $69.99.

You can save $30 on a new streaming device to upgrade an older TV. If you have a 4K-compatible TV, the Fire TV Stick can make the most of it, supporting 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+. It also includes Dolby Atmos audio.

This is the 2026 edition, featuring a more streamlined design and an updated Fire TV experience.

There's no shortage of things to watch, either. You can access major streaming services including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and HBO Max. There are also thousands of free films and TV episodes available through ad-supported platforms such as Tubi, Pluto TV, and Fire TV Channels. And if you're a gamer, you can even stream Xbox titles with Xbox Game Pass.

Head to Amazon now to grab this limited-time streaming deal.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This VPN helps protect your privacy for less than $2 a month

Mashable - Wed, 11/04/2026 - 00:00

TL;DR: Stay safer online with this three-year subscription to VPN Unlimited, on sale now for just $59.99 (reg. $162).

Opens in a new window Credit: KeepSolid VPN Unlimited: 3-Year Subscription $59.99
$162 Save $102.01   Get Deal

A VPN can do more than you might think — from keeping your personal data safe to giving you access to websites and content that are blocked in your region. VPN Unlimited is a powerful option already trusted by 60 million users worldwide, protecting data, hiding locations, and providing access to content from all around the world.

Right now, you can unlock a three-year subscription to VPN Unlimited for only $59.99 — just $20 a year.

Hide your IP address and browse the web privately with this VPN

What if you could boost your cybersecurity with just a few clicks? That’s what VPN Unlimited offers — an incredibly easy way to hide your IP address and location and browse the web privately — now for less than $2 a month.

Curious how it works? With VPN Unlimited, you’re using an encrypted connection that keeps your internet traffic private from your ISP and others that share your network. This offers added security whether you’re browsing at home or out of town when you’re using public WiFi. A zero-log policy also ensures your browsing activity is never stored anywhere, for added privacy.

Enjoy peace of mind knowing the built-in DNS Firewall gives you an added layer of protection against unwanted connections and unsafe websites. Your IP address and location are also hidden, so websites and third parties can’t track your activity.

In addition to improving your online security, you can enjoy unrestricted browsing with VPN Unlimited. Access your usual apps and websites when you’re abroad, or tap into content from other countries by connecting through more than 80 global locations.

You can use this VPN Unlimited subscription on up to five devices at one time. It works on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Lock in your own three-year subscription to VPN Unlimited for just $59.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your router can show you which devices are secretly uploading your data

How-To Geek - Tue, 11/03/2026 - 23:30

You don't have to be obsessed with privacy and cybersecurity to worry about your data. These days, data is a hot commodity, and you want to have as much control over yours as possible. Some of it is hard to avoid; for instance, your ISP probably knows more about you than you think. But sometimes, a rogue device might be oversharing, and you definitely want to know when that's the case.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NASA astronauts voted in the 2026 midterms from space. Here’s how.

Mashable - Tue, 11/03/2026 - 23:26

Election Day reached beyond Earth this year.

Three NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station cast ballots in the 2026 midterm elections, with astronaut Anil Menon sharing a look at his orbital voting setup on Tuesday, Nov. 3. His polling place? The same small compartment where he sleeps.

In a video posted to X, Menon showed how he used his computer to complete an electronic ballot and send it to Harris County, Texas. Fellow astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney also voted from the station.

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"We filled out an electronic ballot and sent it securely to the election officials," Menon wrote.

So how does a vote get from orbit to an election office? It takes a few more stops than a trip to the mailbox.

According to NASA, astronauts can request an absentee ballot using a Federal Post Card Application. Once completed aboard the station, their electronic ballot travels through the agency’s Near Space Network, which also carries other communications between the station and Earth.

The ballot passes through NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System to a ground antenna in New Mexico, then heads to Mission Control in Houston before reaching the appropriate county clerk. NASA says the ballot is encrypted and accessible only to the astronaut and the clerk.

SEE ALSO: Election Day 2026 results updates: See live election results trackers now

This isn't a new Election Day workaround. Texas lawmakers cleared the way for astronauts to vote from orbit in 1997. That year, NASA astronaut David Wolf became the first American to do so while aboard Russia’s Mir space station.

Nearly three decades later, the space station's sleeping quarters are still pulling double duty for democracy.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

iOS 27.3 beta: Everything new in Apples latest iOS beta release

Mashable - Tue, 11/03/2026 - 23:24

The new iOS 27.3 beta has just been released by Apple. So, what's new?

From a redesigned Health app to new vertical tabs in Safari, the latest iOS beta update for iPhone offers significantly more features than reports had previously expected.

Let's break down what's new.

Redesigned Health app

Apple had previously redesigned the Health app before pulling that from a prior developer beta release. Now, it's back in the iOS 27.3 beta.

The new Health app has been redesigned to integrate Apple Intelligence into its core. There's also a more intuitive user interface, making certain categories easier to access. In addition, the redesigned Health app offers predictive insights into long-term health trends based on user activity and sleep patterns, including new features such as Health Age and movement assessments. 

Vertical Tabs in Safari

A whole new web browsing experience can now be found in Safari with Vertical Tabs.

Vertical Tabs in Safari provide a new design option where a user's open tabs are listed in a menu on the left-hand side of the screen instead of across the top of the app. Tabs open in Vertical Tabs can be displayed as an icon to save space or as the entire page title.

To try Vertical Tabs in iOS 27.3, users should go to the Settings app and tap Safari under Apps. The Vertical Tabs option will be located there.

Adaptive Dark Mode in Safari

The iOS 27.3 beta doesn't stop there with new Safari features. With the latest update, Safari now has Adaptive Dark Mode, which lets Apple's mobile browser automatically apply Dark Mode to pages that don't natively support the feature.

Siri AI app actions

Siri AI is getting supercharged, at least when it comes to how the voice assistant can interact with Apple's own iPhone apps. 

Users can now request complex tasks from Siri AI, such as organizing files, scheduling messages to friends, and creating curated personalized playlists.

These new Siri AI app actions work with Calendar, Files, Finder, Journal, Mail, Maps, Messages, Music, Notes, Photos, Preview, Reminders, Safari, Shortcuts, and Weather.

New StandBy mode

Apple has "reimagined" StandBy mode in the iOS 27.3 beta. 

StandBy now has updated the Analog and Digital Clock faces with additional customization options. There are also new StandBy faces for Calendar and Weather. Users can also now pick Shared Albums when using a Photos face.

StandBy will also let users swipe between multiple versions of each face.

If you've had some hands-on time with the iPhone Duo, you likely have already experienced the newly updated StandBy mode. Apple is now bringing those new abilities to its other iPhone models.

That's not all: There are a few other new features in iOS 27.3 beta, such as new Gym Strength workouts in Apple Fitness+. iPhone Duo users will get a new Reachability option that lets you swap the left and right sides of the screen to fix issues some users were having when using the device with one hand. Siri AI also adds new languages, including Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, Turkish, and Norwegian.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

I asked Claude for a 30-day Linux command-line workout and finished it in days

How-To Geek - Tue, 11/03/2026 - 23:00

I'm good with the Linux command line. I use it daily and even teach basic Linux operations to a few students. But I was thinking about it the other day and realized: I can get around and do a lot using the Terminal, but am I truly fluent with the command line? I don't think I am. Every so often, I like to test Claude, whether it's for gaming tweaks, research, or other stuff. I wanted to see how it would do on something useful, so I devised an experiment that asked a simple question: can an LLM design a 30-day Linux workout that can make a daily/familiar Linux user with a lot of experience more fluent with the command line? The answer was surprising.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Beats Pill speaker is under $100 for a limited time — save $50 ahead of Black Friday

Mashable - Tue, 11/03/2026 - 23:00

SAVE $50: As of Nov. 3, the Beats Pill speaker is on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill $99.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $50.00   Get Deal at Amazon

Not every Bluetooth speaker is easy or robust enough to throw in a bag and take wherever you're going, but the Beats Pill is designed with portability in mind. It has a removable lanyard, a grippy silicone backing, and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. It's also currently down to $99.95 at Amazon, saving you $50 on its usual $149.95 price.

You can also choose from three finishes: matte black, champagne gold, or statement red.

There's a lot to like about the Beats Pill, but one of its biggest selling points is how long it can keep the music going. The speaker delivers up to 24 hours of playback on a single charge, so you won't need to keep recharging it. It also doubles as a handy backup power bank, letting you charge your phone or other devices via USB-C when you're running low on battery.

The sound is big and powerful too. A larger racetrack woofer moves 90% more air, helping produce deeper, richer bass, and USB-C connectivity enables high-resolution lossless audio with compatible devices. And if you want louder sound, you can connect two Beats Pill speakers in either Amplify or Stereo mode. And this applies to both Apple and Android devices.

Get this Beats deal at Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Shark AV2501S AI Ultra robot vacuum is almost half off at Amazon — save $270

Mashable - Tue, 11/03/2026 - 23:00

SAVE $270: As of Nov. 3, the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra robot vacuum is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. That's a 49% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AV2501S AI Robot Vacuum $279.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $270   Get Deal at Amazon

Black Friday deals are already appearing, and robot vacuums are among the products getting early discounts.

If you've been thinking about letting a machine take care of the floors for you, there's already a decent saving to be had on the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra at Amazon. As of Nov. 3, the price has dropped from $549.99 to $279.99, saving you $270 – almost half the usual price.

One of the biggest selling points is its self-emptying, bagless base, which can hold up to 30 days of dirt and debris before needing to be emptied manually. It's also a great option for pet owners, thanks to its strong suction and self-cleaning brushroll, which help tackle pet hair.

Battery life shouldn't be an issue for most homes, either. The vacuum can run for up to 120 minutes before returning to its base to recharge. It also remembers where it stopped, so it can pick up where it left off once it's ready to go again.

This robot vacuum deal is live on Amazon now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get Word, Excel, a whole new OS, and more with this $39 Microsoft bundle

Mashable - Tue, 11/03/2026 - 23:00

TL;DR: Upgrade your PC affordably with The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle for just $38.97 (reg. $418.99) until Nov. 8.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $38.97
$418.99 Save $380.02   Get Deal

Most software is great to have on hand when you need it, but some tools immediately become a part of your everyday routine. If you’re someone who works with documents or spreadsheets, or regularly gives presentations, you need The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle.

This helpful bundle gives your PC new tools and a new operating system, and right now it’s all yours for just $38.97 through Nov. 8.

Give your computer a software refresh for $39

If you’re looking to change your workflow for the better, you need The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle. This combo brings a fresh suite of apps and a brand new OS to your PC, giving it a new lease on life.

With the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle, you get access to old classics and new favorites — starting with the Microsoft Office license.

Draft documents, build spreadsheets, and craft killer presentations with Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows. This edition includes the old go-tos: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. You’ll also have new favorites OneNote, Teams, and Access.

Once you’ve got your new apps installed, you can start exploring a brand new operating system with Windows 11 Pro. This OS was designed for modern professionals, so it offers time-saving features and tools to help you multitask, such as snap layouts and improved voice typing.

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Give your PC a boost with The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle for just $38.97 now until Nov. 8.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

One UI 9 pushes Samsung closer to iPhone, and that's a problem

How-To Geek - Tue, 11/03/2026 - 22:30

As someone who has used Samsung phones for a while, I can't help but feel like the brand is slowly but surely drifting away from its roots. While all smartphone brands copy one another, Samsung seemingly ditches things that already work really well in favor of a layout that is considered to be more popular.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 Ubuntu 26.04 changes that breathe new life into an old PC

How-To Geek - Tue, 11/03/2026 - 22:01

Upgrading to Ubuntu 26.04 on an older PC might not feel as smooth as you expected. The new release recommends 6GB of RAM for a comfortable experience, up from 4GB in Ubuntu 24.04. If your system is starting to feel sluggish, you might be able to make things better without spending money on new hardware.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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