Blogroll

You’re a Spotify Premium subscriber who’s just toggled on the new lossless playback option to hear your favorite tracks in richer detail. Maybe you notice the difference; maybe you don’t. But one thing you do notice is that since going lossless, your phone’s free storage seems to be shrinking.

Buying your first 3D printer is a big decision. You’re about to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a hobby that you’ve yet to fully commit to, and you’ll probably doubt your decision right down to the moment you click “Pay.”

The site formerly known as Twitter has killed what were formerly known as Twitter DMs, in favor of something new.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk: Tesla drivers will soon be able to text and drive

Elon Musk's X has finally rolled out Chat, a replacement for the DM tab that has been located at the bottom right of the Twitter app for many years. All your old DMs and group chats are still there, but there have been some changes. It's all end-to-end encrypted now; you can edit and delete messages, and even set them to disappear after a certain amount of time, similar to Signal. X claims this is all for the sake of privacy, of course.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

All of this came along with a UI makeover as well. While added privacy is, in concept, a very good thing, I should note that many longtime Twitter power users in my life are dismayed by these changes. Finding existing chats in the web browser version of X is now more challenging than it used to be, and changing the names of group chats has also become difficult, if not impossible. The mobile app version of Chat is also noticeably slower than what was there before, in my experience. One of my longtime group chats has already started the process of migrating to Discord.

However, it's now Elon Musk's site, and he can do with it as he pleases. Maybe Bluesky will finally add group chats one of these days.

Got an old Chromecast sitting in a drawer unused? It doesn't matter if you no longer need it for streaming, there are plenty of other ways to make use of it. So connect it to your TV, update the software, and try one of these ideas to repurpose your old Chromecast.

There is so much I love about Home Assistant, but I still have to fall back to Samsung SmartThings more often than I'd like. As sad as it makes me, I’m running into enough issues that I can’t yet commit to Home Assistant being my one and only smart home platform.

Microsoft's taking a different tack with its next-generation of Xbox hardware, and it seems this might be putting it on a collision course with Valve and its Steam platform.

You've probably used top and htop for many years, and while they've served us well, it's 2025—modern software has moved on to more functional and visually appealing designs. Both top and htop feel outdated and could use a modern refresh, which is exactly what btop++ brings.

For too many years, I merely accepted YouTube's flaws—a feed plagued by Shorts, annoying automation, and a bloated UI. Now, thanks to one simple browser extension, I finally have the personalized video platform I always wanted.

There’s a lot you can do to design a resilient smart home, from choosing an open ecosystem like Home Assistant to avoiding devices that depend on the cloud to work. But sometimes, things just don’t go to plan.

This was another busy week for tech news, with Valve revealing its new Steam Machine console and Steam Frame headset, Mozilla overhauling Firefox, a new update for Visual Studio Code, and much more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.

If you're a fan of Ryobi's brightly colored tools found at Home Depot, or even own several, you've likely seen a few "Hybrid" tools from the brand. Ryobi tools are incredibly popular, fairly affordable, and constantly on sale. However, did you know that the brand also offers hybrid tools that you can continue using even when the battery runs out?

The git program supports so many sub-commands that it’s almost impossible to keep on top of them all. Most of them are quite low-level and carry out simple tasks like committing code changes or switching branch. But some of the most obscure offering surprising functionality that does way beyond the norm.

Lincoln is a classic American brand that somehow always feels current. Its current lineup leans heavily on SUVs, and the latest Navigator has reminded everyone why Lincoln still dominates the full-size segment.

For far too long, I struggled to find the perfect image without a distracting background for my PowerPoint slides. I used to think I needed complicated software to fix it, but I eventually discovered a tool that's built into the software itself: Remove Background.

You can't properly, safely store passwords without a password manager, and my choice for that on Linux is KeePassXC. There are many out there, but there's a reason I've stuck with this free and open source option for five years.

Perhaps it's not fair coming from a (nearly) 40-year-old man, but the opening sequences of modern cartoons just don't have the same zing it used to in the '80s and '90s. I guess the commerce-driven Saturday morning cartoon had more incentives to be attention-grabbing, and these classics are certified bangers in any era.

I gave up on the new Outlook six months ago, fed up with the clunky, buggy, featureless mess of a desktop app. Half a year on, I hoped its fundamental problems would be fixed—but they haven't. It's still a slow, under-tooled disappointment that sabotages my workflow.

While you can't replace the feel of paper — the beauty of bound hardcovers and the ritual of turning the page — an e-reader brings convenience and portability that a physical book just can't beat. Sure, you can throw a book in your tote bag, but what about an entire library?

When you think of the best e-readers, your first thought is likely an Amazon Kindle, however this isn't a list of the best Kindles, although we do have a list of those, too. While Kindles are great — there's certainly no denying that — you can find a couple of equally wonderful alternatives.

SEE ALSO: From the basic to the Paperwhite, these are Amazon's best Kindles

So, what is the best e-reader for 2025? I'm regularly testing new e-readers (and tablets) and cycling through different models to stay up to date on the best options available. So, if you're gearing up to read more books this summer or fall, I can recommend a model you'll love.

Plus, with Black Friday upon us, we're approaching the best time to buy an e-reader. During Prime Day, we see discounts on Kindles, but we have to wait for Black Friday to find deals on other e-readers like Kobos. Ahead of Black Friday, we've spotted deals on like-new Kindle Paperwhites, but we're holding out for more.

Featured Video For You Other e-readers we've tested From left to right: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook GlowLight 4 Plus, Kindle Scribe Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Most recently, we've tested the Remarkable PaperPro and Onyx Boox Go 7 as contenders for this list. After several weeks of testing, both devices proved to be pretty good but not quite list-worthy.

Whenever you search for e-readers, Remarkable's tablets will always pop up in the search results, but unfortunately, it's hard to obtain ePUB files on the Remarkable. With Remarkable, you can access files within Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. If you have any locked ePUB files — like from Libby — you won't be able to access them on a Remarkable tablet. So, after testing the Remarkable tablet myself, it proved to be a better document reader or digital journal than an e-reader.

The Onyx Boox Go 7 is a better e-reader option than the Remarkable. It's the same size as the Kobo Libra or Amazon Kindle, but it really lags on processing speed. To read ePUB files from Libby required downloading the Adobe Digital Editions app onto the Boox Go 7, and there was so much lag while opening and closing the app. While it was an easier process than getting library books on a Nook, it was still a major pain compared to Kindle or Kobo's integrations. The Boox Go 7 lagged and took ages to load files. I was most looking forward to testing this Boox because of its page-turning buttons, but unfortunately, I found that they didn't work on my device.

An e-reader we haven't gotten around to testing is the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, which just debuted on Sept. 30, 2025. As of Nov. 2025, it's not available for preorder yet, but once we get a model to test, we'll update this guide with our recommendations.

What about the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition?

If you're familiar with the Kindle lineup, it may come as a surprise that the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition isn't on this list. Don't get me wrong, it's great, but I think there are better options. The Signature Edition is an upgraded version of the Paperwhite, and we've compared the devices head-to-head. The short version? The Paperwhite is a better value, even with the SE's added features like auto-adjusting brightness and 32GB of storage.

If you are prepared to spend $200 on an e-reader, though, I say skip the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and go for the Kobo Libra Colour.

Where's the Nook on this list?

In terms of big-name e-readers, you might notice one omission from this list: the Barnes & Noble Nook. I have tested this e-reader, and it was previously featured on this list. However, after testing more devices, it no longer makes the cut. In comparison to any of the Kindles or the Kobo Libra, the Nook has sloth-like performance, making it frustrating to use.

Plus, getting my library books onto the Nook was a nightmare, as it was a multi-step process that required downloading to a computer before uploading to a Nook. Its only redeeming quality was the buttons on either side of the device, which made page turning a breeze. However, unless you are a loyal buyer of Barnes & Noble books, I recommend steering clear of the Nook.

Where to get e-reader books for free

Once you get an e-reader, it's time to fill it up with books, and that doesn't necessarily mean spending money. In fact, you can load up your e-reader without spending a dime; you just need to be a bit resourceful.

The best way to read nearly any book — a classic or hot new release — is with Libby. I have read hundreds of free books with the Libby app — I wouldn't have been able to test for this guide without it. It connects with your library card, allowing you to borrow from your local library's digital collection. Plus, both Kobo and Kindle have exceptional Libby integrations.

Another way to build your library is through Stuff Your Kindle Day events. These are 24-hour opportunities led by authors that make books discounted or free.

If you're a fan of the classics or looking to discover a treasure lost to time, an online resource like Project Gutenberg has more than 75,000 books in the public domain that you can download and read on an e-reader.

Many of the super-inexpensive robot vacuums cut corners too close to the sun, quickly going from helpers around the house to agents of chaos. Let's say that their low price stems from basic bumper car navigation instead of smart mapping, or from outdated obstacle sensors that get confused by table legs. Your chances of coming home to a vacuum stuck under the couch are higher than the chance of coming home to a fully-swept floor plan.

It's also more likely than not that any old cheap robot vacuum caps suction power at 3,000 or 4,000 Pa. And that's simply not enough to challenge any remotely stubborn crumbs, dust, or pet hair baked into carpet. That mediocrity extends to many robot vacuum and mop combo models, which often don't "scrub" so much as feebly glide a damp cloth around. A few steps in your bare feet, and you're all but guaranteed to step on debris the vacuum left behind.

SEE ALSO: iRobot could be facing bankruptcy. But as a vacuum tester, I saw the Roomba flop era coming from a mile away.

Long story short: Buying a robot vacuum just because it's cheap puts that glorious hands-off cleaning experience in jeopardy. But not all super-affordable robot vacuums are disappointing. Compared to five years ago, the affordable end of the robot vacuum spectrum has experienced just as much of a glow-up as the premium end. Smart mapping and self-emptying docks are both common and affordable in 2025, especially when deals on robot vacuums happen year-round. All of the vacuums in this guide regularly go on sale for under $500.

These cheap robot vacuums get even more affordable during savings events like Black Friday. In fact, most robot vacuums drop to record-low prices during the holiday shopping season. This year, I wouldn't be surprised if several self-emptying, smart mapping options drop below $200 (or get close to $150).

Other robot vacuums I've tested recently

I have tested several other inexpensive robot vacuums in the past that didn't make the most recent cut for this list. These include older models like the Eufy L60, Roomba 694, the Roomba Combo Essential 2, and Shark Matrix RV2300, which have simply been overshadowed by other (often newer) vacuums that offer more suction power and smarter features in the same budget price range.

One comparison that sticks out is the Roomba 205 DustCompactor versus the 3i G10+, which both "self-empty" without a self-emptying dock. However, I wasn't psyched on my experience with the Roomba 205 — it got stuck on rug corners and got lost too often. Plus, the 3i G10+ offers more advanced features like small obstacle and pet waste avoidance and a livestream pet camera, whereas the Roomba 205 doesn't.

Cards on the table, it’s been a gloriously slutty year. There’s no shame in hiding it. I’ve been single longer than one hand can tally, and I’d kill for a dual income to upgrade my lifestyle here in Chicago. On the plus side, I get to live shamelessly doing whatever I want, which lately includes testing gay dating apps for Mashable. But recently, the same old dating apps have become a bit choppy. 

Grindr ads are killing me; the gays on Hinge all lie about having boats; and thanks to a former stalker of mine, I’ve been banned from Tinder for almost a decade. But, that’s a different story. I’ve been looking for a new way to have casual sex, and I might be a little late to the game, but Jesus H. Christ, Sniffies — where the hell have you been hiding?

For the gays still blissfully unaware of the seedy circus that is Sniffies, just know it makes Grindr look like something your mom would pull up at Sunday brunch. In comparison to Sniffies, Grindr keeps your feed rather tame — faceless torsos, struggling actors’ headshots, blank profiles, and if you’re lucky, some muscle jock’s butt. Despite Grindr's NSFW reputation, it's nothing you couldn’t post on Instagram. 

Sniffies, on the other hand? Cocks. Everywhere. Hole. As far as the eye can see. All plastered on a blue map of your area. Face pics feel borderline illegal, because this is an app designed for sex and absolutely nothing else. And, you can find it in seconds. Even the best hookup apps could never work this fast. The first time I used the “app” (I’ll speak more on why that’s in quotes in a bit), I had a man over from around the corner and in my apartment in less than five minutes. It was almost too easy.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Photo Composite Use Sniffies Anonymously   Learn More How does Sniffies work?

Alright, so, you can’t get Sniffies in the App Store anymore, thanks to Apple’s famously prudish guidelines. Bummer. I know. Instead, you have to use whatever browser you’ve got on your phone or laptop and head to the Sniffies website. You’re prompted with the option to either create a profile or cruise anonymously. If you make a profile, you can basically do everything you’d do on any gay dating app — set your preferences, drop a bio, broadcast your kinks, casually note your stance on fisting, you get the picture — only here the big question is, “How much nudity should I show in my profile?”

When your profile is complete, you’re graced with the Sniffies cruising map. Profiles appear in little circles, almost like pins. You can click on any profile and message any guy you’re interested in meeting IRL. You’ll also get access to popular cruising locations around town, which you may or may not have even known were cruising areas. (Editor’s note: In New York City, we’ve heard credible reports that the NYPD is using Sniffies to arrest gay men at popular cruising destinations, so cruise accordingly.) After using Sniffies, I’ll never look at my local home improvement store bathroom the same again.

Some of these locations are set in public parks, businesses, and the like. Obviously, cruising in places like this is not legal, and I definitely don't recommend breaking the law to meet guys. That's not me being coy, either. No matter how much you might want to, it’s probably not wise to meet up and get drilled by the 6’4” daddy asking you to meet somewhere you definitely shouldn’t.

You’ll also see a number of men hosting sex parties, group jerkoff sessions, gloryholes, and more. These are typically planned in advance, and you’ll have to ask the group host if you can attend. He’ll probably say yes, and can you bring any friends?

Unlike most gay dating apps, even if you don’t make a profile, you can still access everything on Sniffies right away. While that can be convenient, please protect your privacy accordingly. However, as a free user, you’ll only be able to send photos of yourself in the chat. This is great for all you DL men with wives. And, yes, I am judging you.

Should I get Sniffies?

Hey, that’s up to you — but here’s what you need to do. Be careful. People on Sniffies are on Sniffies for one thing and one thing only: to have sex with you. You will find sex as a gay man (or trans person, y’all can hop on, too!) through Sniffies, just make sure you’re doing so safely and not getting yourself into any trouble. Fun is fun when it’s fun, just use your brain, even as all your blood rushes elsewhere. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. And, for the love of God — get tested regularly.

If you do want to give it a shot, just head to the Sniffies website.