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Home Assistant has slowly expanded its 'Works with Home Assistant' program, adding more companies that pledge to keep their smart home devices compatible with Home Assistant. Today, another manufacturer is joining the party: Heiman.

iSO 26.4 beta 2 has launched for developers, and there's plenty to test out.

For those early adopters out there, we've already gotten a look at new features and other changes.

Here are a few things to keep an eye out for.

RCS encryption with Android devices

Apple has added encryption for RCS messaging between iPhone and Android devices, which is a big development for security-minded users.

Wrote Apple in its release notes:

"In this beta, RCS end-to-end encryption will become available for testing between Apple and Android devices. This feature is not shipping in this release and will be available to customers in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS 26 releases. End-to-end encryption is in beta and is not available for all devices or carriers. Conversations labeled as encrypted are encrypted end-to-end, so messages can’t be read while they’re sent between devices."

Reduce highlighting effects

As Apple-focused site 9to5Mac spotted, the new beta adds a feature where users can reduce the highlighting effect on the edges of buttons and sliders. This is an accessibility feature.

Home screen editing

The edit menu for the Home Screen — where you can add a widget, customize your wallpaper, and do other tasks — uses even more transparent Liquid Glass, MacRumors spotted.

How to try the new iOS 26.4 beta 2

If you're subscribed to the Apple Beta Software Program, then you can find the new beta in Settings > General > Software Updates. As per usual, you should back up your device before switching to a beta OS. You can also read the full release notes at the Apple Developer portal.

And don't forget that we're expecting big developments from Apple in the coming week. The company has an event scheduled for March 4, and we're expecting announcements related to iOS and new devices.

It's a familiar situation for every Excel user: you open the Conditional Formatting Rules Manager and discover that the neat little rule you created has somehow multiplied into dozens—or even hundreds—of fragmented copies. The formatting that once worked now behaves unpredictably.

Google constantly updates its core Android apps with new features, especially Google Messages. Throughout 2025, it received an onslaught of new goodies, like better RCS support, and now we're about to get another long-outstanding feature to help it compete with iMessage and others.

I switched from sitting in front of my laptop all day to a sit-stand desk about four months ago, and I’m a changed man. I knew a sit-stand desk was better than sitting all day, but I didn’t realize how much it would positively affect my overall comfort and concentration.

SAVE $16: As of Feb. 24, you can sign up for the Starz Prime Video add-on streaming subscription for just $2.99 per month for two months. Usually $10.99 per month, that saves you $16 total.

Opens in a new window Credit: Starz Starz (Prime Video add-on) $2.99/month for 2 months (save $8/month) Get Deal

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Starz is one of the most slept on streaming services. It may not be the first streamer you think of (or even the second), but it deserves a spot in your lineup. And the best part is it won't cost you an arm and a leg like other subscriptions.

As of Feb. 24, you can get a taste of what Starz has to offer by signing up for the Starz Prime Video add-on for just $2.99 per month for two months. It's usually a $10.99 per month subscription, so you'll save about $16 on two months of streaming. Of course, you'll have to be a Prime member or a Prime Video subscriber in order to get the add-on. Not yet a subscriber? You can get your first 30 days for free.

What can you watch on Starz? Well, it's the first stop Lionsgate theatrical releases make in the streaming circuit. That means it's where you'll be able to stream The Housemaid and Greenland 2: Migration in the coming months. Other recent additions include The Long Walk and The Strangers: Chapter 2. The streamer also has its own original series we think are worth a watch, like the female serial killer comedy Sweetpea and the TV adaptation of Lisa Taddeo's book Three Women.

Streaming deals are pretty hard to come by (unless it's a major shopping holiday), so the ability to score two months of streaming for less than $6 is pretty epic.

In some online forums, you might've come across a piece of advice—if your hard drive is damaged, maybe swapping the PCB with a working drive's PCB will fix it.

SAVE $326: As of Feb. 24, get the LG Ultragear 27-Inch QHD OLED Gaming Monitor for $473.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $799.99. That's a discount of 41%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon LG Ultragear 27-Inch QHD OLED Gaming Monitor $473.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $326   Get Deal

Ready to invest in a new gaming monitor? Now's the best time to do so, especially with a model like this LG Ultragear available at such a great price. You can get this high-refresh OLED display that'll get you good and ready for games like Resident Evil Requiem and beyond for a significant discount today.

As of Feb. 24, get the LG Ultragear 27-Inch QHD OLED Gaming Monitor for $473.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $799.99. That's $326 off and a discount of 41%.

SEE ALSO: Get a 57-inch 4K Samsung gaming monitor for its best-ever price at Amazon — includes a free copy of 'Resident Evil Requiem'

This monitor boasts a 2560x1440 QHD resolution OLED panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It also has deep levels of black shades as well as bright, eye-popping colors and crisp contrast to give anything you play a polished visual upgrade. It's great for handling just about any variety of game, or you can use it solely for desktop work.

It has a 250Hz refresh rate and an 0.03ms response time as well as support for NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. It also supports VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 for some additional graphical detail.

Put simply, you can use this laptop for a variety of different situations and still be satisfied, but if you're a huge gamer, you'll want to lock one in for the sheer performance you'll experience. Be sure to lock yours in ASAP while you still can.

Great smart home setups aren't based on the number of gadgets you own or how complicated your automations are. Instead, it's about the quality and thoughtful design of the logic connecting them. Unfortunately, too many people have basic, ill-conceived routines that mostly bring friction and issues.

It's late February, and that means the Samsung Galaxy S26 series will soon be upon us. If there's one thing I want to see this year, it has nothing to do with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. I just want the base model to stop being such an afterthought compared to its bigger siblings.

SAVE $500: The Roborock Qrevo Curv S5X Robot Vacuum and Mop is on sale at Amazon for $649.99, down from the usual price of $1,149.99. That's a 43% discount that matches the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Curv S5X Robot Vacuum and Mop $649.99 at Amazon
$1,149.99 Save $500   Get Deal

When robot vacuums first rolled into our homes, it was a semi-comical experience. The poor lil' robots often needed some help getting back to the cleaning task when they got stuck under the couch, lost in a closet, or took a fall down the stairs. Thankfully, we no longer have these worries and in addition to vacuuming, these robots can now mop our floors. If could use the help of a robot vacuum and mop, check out this Amazon deal.

As of Feb. 24, the Roborock Qrevo Curv S5X Robot Vacuum and Mop is on sale at Amazon for $649.99, down from the usual price of $1,149.99. That's a 43% discount that works out to a savings of $500. It also matches the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

The Roborock Qrevo Curv S5X brings 18,500Pa suction power to the cleaning party and the roller brush is designed to never tangle with hair. Both of these attributes combined makes is great for pet owners. Roborock also equipped this model with the brand's FlexiArm technology. No, this is not the Roborock model with an arm, but it uses a side brush and edge mopping system to make sure every corner of your home is spotless. It'll be able to tackle corners, go around legs on a chair, and get as close to baseboards as physically possible.

SEE ALSO: The Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum and mop has hit its best-ever price at Amazon — save $700

The charging and emptying dock is an all-in-one hub that gives the robot the power to mop with hot water up to 167 degrees with auto tank refilling. There's also the warm air drying when the vacuum comes back to the base after mopping with dirty mop pads.

With the Roborock app, you'll be able to set a cleaning schedule and make no-go zones for the vacuum so it'll avoid objects like the dog's water dish.

If you're no longer interested in a growing list of house chores, grab the Roborock Qrevo Curv S5X Robot Vacuum and Mop while it's on sale at Amazon for under $650. It'll be the perfect way to kickstart spring cleaning this year.

Where to find the Dreame X50 Ultra on sale Amazon Dreame X50 Ultra $899.98 at Amazon (save $800) Get Deal DREAME Dreame X50 Ultra 899.99 (save $800) Get Deal

The 2026 Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete has only been out for a few weeks, but that was long enough for Dreame to further drop the price on its flagship vacuum from last year. You can now get the 2025 Dreame X50 Ultra in black or white from Amazon or Dreame's website for $899.99. That's new record low compared to its debut price of $1,699.99 or its recent steady sale price of $1,049.99. Technically, you're saving $800 total over someone who bought it upon release last year.

Aside from the name being two words longer, the biggest difference between the Dreame X50 Ultra and Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete is suction power: The X50 Ultra has 20,000 Pa of suction power compared to the X60 Ultra Max Complete's 35,000 Pa (which is the strongest on the market right now). Still, 20,000 Pa is a highly impressive number that would be more than sufficient for pet hair pickup from one or two pets, even on carpet. Plus, the X50 Ultra's $899.99 sale price looks really affordable compared to the X60 Max Ultra Complete's $1,359 sale price.

SEE ALSO: Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete first impressions: It's tied for the most powerful robot vacuum of 2026. OK, prove it.

To put it into perspective, the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow (another CES 2026 new release) has the same 20,000 Pa, but is sitting at its MSRP of $999.99. If you would prefer the dual rotating mopping pad design over the Curv 2 Flow's roller mop, opting for the X50 Ultra gets you the same suction power as a 2026 flagship for $100 less. The spinning mops of the X50 Ultra were great at scrubbing along wall edges and in corners during my testing at home in spring 2025.

Pet parents will also appreciate the X50 Ultra's built-in livestream camera, which you can use to check in on your pet when you're not home.

For most Android phones, accessories are a boring afterthought. Cases, chargers, maybe a kickstand if you’re lucky. However, some Android phones have made accessories a core part of the experience. The ideas didn’t always work, but they were always interesting.

SAVE $53.04: As of Feb. 24, the Garmin vívoactive 6 smartwatch is on sale for $246.95 at Amazon. That's 18% off its list price and the lowest price we've seen since its launch.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin vívoactive 6 smartwatch $246.95 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $53.04   Get Deal

If you're in the market for a new smartwatch, I cannot recommend switching to a Garmin enough. The brand's smartwatch lineup offers something for everyone, but for the most well-rounded, entry-level model, I'd go with the vívoactive 6. Not only does it feature a brilliant display, impressive battery life, and bountiful health insights, but it's also down to its best price to date.

As of Feb. 24, the Garmin vívoactive 6 smartwatch is on sale for just $246.95 at Amazon in the slate black colorway. That's an 18% or $53.04 discount from its list price and the lowest price we've seen so far on the watch — even beating Black Friday.

Let's talk battery life. If you're an Apple Watch user, then you'll particularly be blown away by the vívoactive 6's ability to last up to 11 days on a single charge in smartwatch mode. If you track a ton of activities, that battery life obviously drops, but if you're simply building routines and monitoring your steps, body battery, sleep, and more, you'll get a ton of longevity out of it.

It's packed with over 80 indoor and activities, including daily suggested workouts, animated workouts, stretching, walking, running, swimming, activities for wheelchair users, and more. The broad range of options, paired with the depth of health and wellness insights, make it a great pick for someone who does (or wants to try) a lot of different things. You'll even get a glimpse into your energy levels each day, so you can plan workouts and rest times accordingly. Of course, like any good smartwatch, you'll also be able to receive emails, texts, and alerts when you pair the vívoactive 6 with your iPhone or Android smartphone.

At full price, the Garmin vívoactive 6 smartwatch is a decent value; with a $53 price drop, it's even better.

If you've ever wondered why one of the ports on the back of your TV appears to glow, that's the optical digital audio output via a TOSLINK port. It uses light to transmit data through a fiber-optic cable, which is why the port can appear to glow. While HDMI ARC and eARC have become the standard way to connect a TV to speakers, there are still a surprising number of things you can use your optical audio port for.

The x86 architecture is the foundation of many computers, servers, and game consoles, and there are many emulators for it. This new emulator is special, though: it's written completely in CSS, the language normally used for applying layout styles to web pages.

SAVE $70: As of Feb. 24, get the Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set for $270 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $349. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set $270 at Amazon
$349 Save $79   Get Deal

Looking for a good reason to jump in and tackle all your DIY projects at home? How about a shiny new tool kit? A new set of tools can be just the thing to give you the push you need to finish all those important things you've been saying you'd handle at home since, well, forever ago. And this sale at Amazon has everything you need to do it all and then some.

As of Feb. 24, get the Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set for $270 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $349. That's $70 off and a discount of 20%.

SEE ALSO: The DeWalt 5-Tool Combo Kit is over $150 off in the Amazon Presidents' Day sale

This massive 298-piece set comes with a wide selection of options for you to add to your tool collection. It's perfect for newbies just getting used to working on home projects as well as experts who need a hardy set of mechanical tools to rely on.

It includes 166 sockets, 23 wrenches, 29 additional accessories to support them, 3 ratchets, 33 specialty bits, and 44 hex keys to round the kit out. Plus, this assortment of ratchets, sockets, and wrenches as well as specialty bits come in a full polished chrome finish, with all the tools packed into plastic trays to help organize and store them.

You can't do much better than this kit if you need to round out your tool set, and it's a great option for beginners, too. Pick it up while it's still on sale.

SAVE $650: The 55-inch Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun QLED 4K outdoor TV is on sale at Amazon for $2,847.99, down from the list price of $3,497.99. That's a 19% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung 55-inch Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun QLED 4K TV $2,847.99 at Amazon
$3,497.99 Save $650   Get Deal

The outside temp might not be cooperating today, but in a few months we'll all be outside basking in the warmth of spring and summer. Although it feels far away, now is a great time to start making plans like booking flights, grabbing the campsite reservation, and making plans for how you'll make the most of summer. If you love to spend time outdoors, there's a unique deal in store today at Amazon.

As of Feb. 24, the 55-inch Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun QLED 4K outdoor TV is on sale for $2,847.99 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $3,497.99. That works out to a savings of $650 from a 19% discount.

If you don't want to wait until dark to watch a movie outside on the portable projector this summer, you can go with a TV that's designed to withstand heat, rain, and sun. Not many TV models have these qualities but Samsung, one of most trusted TV brands, makes The Terrace TV. Like the name suggests, The Terrace is capable of staying outdoors without getting damaged, and the display is capable of reaching a brightness you can see even on sunny afternoons. Today's deal applies to the 55-inch model that's happy to work in full or partially shaded outdoor areas.

SEE ALSO: The TCL 75-Inch Class QM6K Mini LED QLED TV is over $200 off at Amazon

Even in bright daylight, The Terrace Partial Sun is designed to display a bright and vivid 4K picture. The IP56 weatherproof rating will add protection from dust and water. Samsung also added an anti-reflection technology that'll help reduce glare.

As a bonus, Amazon is offering free deluxe delivery and unpacking service, which usually costs $29.99. This service comes with free delivery into the room of your choice, unboxing, and removal of packaging, so you won't need to battle with getting the box into the recycling bin.

If you're thinking ahead about patio upgrades for this summer, a 55-inch Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun QLED 4K outdoor TV is a great idea. Since it works in bright daylight as resists damage from rain, you'll be in great shape for spring and summer outdoor entertainment.

Ryobi is the go-to brand for many homeowners and DIY enthusiasts. If you're one of those people who love these capable tools, you know that power tool batteries aren't cheap. Thankfully, a few everyday habits can extend your Ryobi battery's runtime, prevent premature failures, and help it last longer.

TL;DR: A quality refurbished Apple MacBook Air from 2017 with a 13.3-inch display, Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB SSD is on sale for $199.97 (reg. $999).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 2017 (Refurbished) $199.97
$999 Save $799.03   Get Deal

If you’re seeking a reliable laptop for everyday essentials without breaking the bank, this refurbished Apple MacBook Air deserves a look. The 2017 model is now just $199.97 (reg. $999), putting a familiar Apple device within reach. The sale ends on Feb. 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

This MacBook Air features a 13.3-inch widescreen display, a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB solid-state drive. That’s a solid spec list for day-to-day tasks like web browsing, email, streaming, document editing, and file management. Intel HD Graphics 6000 provides smooth video playback, while Wi-Fi and Bluetooth cover all standard connectivity needs. Apple estimates up to 12 hours of battery life, which is beneficial for marathon study sessions or travel days.

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Each unit is quality refurbished and ships in Grade A or Grade B condition. That means it’s been thoroughly tested, cleaned, and restored to full working order, with cosmetic wear that varies by device. For anyone open to minor signs of previous use, the value compared to buying new is hard to beat.

This deal is great for students, remote workers with light tasks, or anyone who needs a secondary laptop for travel or home use. It works well for writing projects, résumé updates, or online learning, without the premium price or complexity of newer machines. The storage capacity is modest at 128GB, so it’s not the best fit for vast media libraries or heavy creative projects, but cloud storage or external drives help bridge that gap.

Get this refurbished 2017 MacBook Air while it’s on sale for $199.97 (reg. $999) through Feb. 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.