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If you use a Linux desktop, you might be confused about Wayland and how it's taking over from the traditional X11 display server that's been a part of Linux for so long. Here's why Wayland is taking over, how to prepare, and why you might be using Wayland already without knowing it.

Windows 10 has been technically "dead" for a couple of months as of the time of publishing, as the operating system reached its end-of-life date. Yet, it's still widely used in millions of computers around the world at this very moment.

I'm obsessed with workflow efficiency, yet I overlooked Excel's best UI tools for years. These six features are the game-changers I wish I'd discovered much earlier to stop the constant clicking and tab-hopping.

Apple's desktop operating system is the best reason to buy a Mac, especially if you're trying to escape Windows 11's increasingly user-hostile desktop experience. Still, macOS isn't perfect. But there are plenty of single-use apps to fix, tweak, and add the things that Apple forgot.

Every year, someone jokes that this may just be the "year of the Linux desktop." It's a meme. But under the radar, enough pieces are falling into place that someday we might look back on 2026 as the year, not of the Linux desktop, but of Android-based ones.

BMW’s midsize luxury SUV has long been the benchmark for buyers who want performance, prestige, and everyday usability in one package. But a newer challenger from Korea is forcing shoppers to rethink that default choice. With a lower price, a longer list of standard features, and a growing reputation for long-term dependability, this luxury SUV is proving that you don’t need a German badge to get a truly premium experience.

If you're trying to squeeze a few more movies into the weird in-between stretch of the month/year we find ourselves in right now, you've come to the right place. I regularly dig through the huge library of movies on Paramount+, and as we wait for the new swath of titles for January 2026 to arrive, below are three excellent movies to watch this week.

RSS is older than most of the stuff we use on the Internet on a daily basis. It's older than Facebook, it's older than this very website, and it's just as old as Google. And it remains very widely used because it's tremendously useful.

As we celebrate the passing of one year and welcome the arrival of a new one, we’re doing so in style with Amazon Prime Video.

Among the most difficult parenting tasks, there are few as dreaded as asking a child to put down the device that's just absorbed their attention for hours.

As a parent, you feel guilty that it got this far. You're also gearing up for a potential fight, should that child throw a toddler, tween, or teen tantrum. As they say, nobody wants this.

While setting new boundaries on screen time might feel daunting, experts want you to know that a reset is possible. The new year, with its fresh beginnings and renewed optimism, is a great time to make such a move.

Think of it not as a battle, says Catherine Price, co-author of the new book The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World. Instead, remember that you're working toward a shared goal frequently thwarted by social media and excessive screen time.

"In reality, we really should be on the same side, because what do we want for ourselves and our kids?" says Price. "We want to have meaningful and fun lives, with strong relationships."

With that in mind, follow these four strategies to help your child reclaim their time from digital screens:

1. Don't lecture about screen time rules

Parents keen on curbing screen use often make the mistake of lecturing their child on the topic. Price says it's more effective to start a family conversation about how screen time makes each person feel, whether it's their own or yours.

This part is important, and an oft-missing ingredient in efforts to recalibrate device use, because parents must reckon with their own habits.

It's worse than you might expect. Take, for example, a recent nationally representative Girl Scouts survey of 1,000 5-to-13-year-olds which found that 52 percent struggled to get their parents' attention because they were on their own phones.

"What are you modeling currently for your kids?" says Price, who was not involved in the survey. "Because you can't expect your kids to follow your instructions if you're not following those habits yourself."

"What are you modeling currently for your kids?" - Catherine Price, co-author of "The Amazing Generation"

You might rely on your own memory, but that's unlikely to offer a full picture of what your kids experience. Instead, look at any screen time reports created by your personal devices.

Price recommends drilling down to time spent using specific apps. A road trip might give the impression that you spent eight hours glued to your phone when it was just using a maps app. But several hours of regular daily use on an app like TikTok or WhatsApp should be a wakeup call for parents about their own habits, and one they might not recognize without objective data.

Price also suggests treating the conversation about household screen time rules as a mini science experiment wherein both kids and parents get to track what they observe, then talk about it together. The point is to identify what aspects of parent or child screen time lead to unpleasant experiences like negative or hurt feelings and limited socializing.

Parents might also be surprised by their child's interest or curiosity in spending less time online. The Amazing Generation, co-written with Dr. Jonathan Haidt, is a middle school-aged companion book to his best-seller The Anxious Generation. Presented with graphic novel elements, it also includes regretful anecdotes from young adults who wished their childhood and adolescence hadn't been dominated by social media and screen time.

Relatedly, the Girl Scouts survey similarly found that 46 percent of girls felt pressure to be online, even if they weren't enjoying it.

2. Set and stick to rules for screen time

Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist and author of 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World: How Parents Can Stop Smartphones, Social Media, and Gaming from Taking Over Their Children's Lives, says parents should create new household screen time guidelines based on conversations with their kids, or return to enforcing existing rules. For help with this task, parents can consult the American Academy of Pediatrics' customizable resource for creating a family media plan.

Twenge, a mother of three teens who's conducted extensive academic research on screen time, recommends setting the same standards for every child in the household. This might include no smartphones and social media until age 16, time limits on specific devices, and prohibiting certain apps or websites. Parents should follow household expectations as well, like device-free mealtimes.

Even if the plan goes well at first, there will be moments you feel like relenting, because of inconvenience, crisis, or peer pressure. Twenge suggests having a plan for these times.

Airplane rides, for example, might be the exception to your thoughtful rules, when the 10-year-old gets unlimited time on their favorite gaming platform. It's important to be transparent about these exceptions to avoid confusion and backtracking.

Twenge also encourages parents to substitute TV time for device use at home if they really need to occupy a child. You'll know what they're watching, compared to how they might spend time on a tablet or phone, and the content is probably higher quality than watching short videos on social media.

Along with the rules you set, Twenge urges parents to use parental controls or even a third-party monitoring system. Even if your child has limited screen time, you still want to prevent them from discovering or engaging with harmful content.

Twenge says she's come to the "reluctant conclusion" that device and app-specific parental controls are so difficult to use that third-party software, like Bark or Aura, may be necessary to ensure they're staying safe and following the rules you've set.

3. Coach kids through the downsides of less screen time

Even if a child likes the idea of spending less time online, the very real tradeoffs to them can include boredom and social exclusion.

Sarah Keating, vice president of Girl Scout Experience for the Girl Scouts, says parents play an important role in coaching kids through these concerns. First, she says adults need to be comfortable with the idea of their children being bored.

To make this less painful for everyone, Keating recommends offering screen-free alternatives that help satisfy the tactile sensory experience of picking up a phone or tablet. For younger children, these could be blocks or markers. Older children might enjoy an activity book like Mad Libs or doing something with their hands, such as crocheting.

Twenge suggests asking a tween or teen to make a list of activities they can do instead of scrolling or posting. You might also discuss how screen time can worsen their boredom, a phenomenon that research suggests is real.

It's also helpful to remind teens of what they still have, Twenge says, particularly if you've given them a "dumb" phone or voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phone to communicate with friends.

Keating acknowledges that kids use technology and internet culture to create cliques that exclude others. She says it's critical to talk with your child about this dynamic and help them create a script they can use in such situation. Instead of feeling rejected, for example, the child might ask their friend with curiosity about a meme they've referenced.

4. Encourage real-world freedom over screen time

Price likes to flip the concern about missing out on its head by pointing out what offline opportunities kids will lose if they spend so much time online.

In this regard, she hopes that parents trying to set new screen time norms for their kids also offer real-world freedom that helps build confidence and independence.

"It's not just about restriction," Price says. "It's about actually making life more fun and enjoyable."

Tweens and teens might get opportunities to walk to the store or a friend's house by themselves. While younger children might need a different approach, parents can focus on ensuring they're playing with friends or at the park instead of sitting at home on a screen.

To generate more ideas, parents can ask their children what they're interested in trying or learning and then figure out ways for them to do that independently.

The way Price thinks about it, recalibrating screen time isn't just about getting kids offline, it's about bringing "kids back to life."

You've probably been using ps, df, and curl for years, but there's always room for improvement. I know I'm always on the lookout for new tools, and perhaps you are too? If that's the case, I have three modern replacements for these tools that you may appreciate.

As we leave 2025 behind and enter the new year, there is one thing we know for sure: Netflix has plenty of great movies to watch. That said, there is ample trash too, and you shouldn't waste your time watching a turkey.

Nineties boyband fans rejoice: a new Take That documentary series will be landing in the new year, launching globally on Netflix on 27 Jan. 2026.

This three-part limited series, directed by David Soutar, will tell the story of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Jason Orange, and Robbie Williams and their experiences in one of the UK's most successful bands.

Expect archive, previously unseen footage, along with interviews with Gary, Howard, and Mark as the series explores the highs and lows of the iconic band which sold over 45 million records worldwide.

All episodes of TAKE THAT will be available on Netflix from 27 Jan. 2026.

Do you like the freedom Linux offers but hate how it looks by default? Or do you love macOS’s polished, modern design but dislike its restrictive nature? Either way, here are five macOS-like Linux desktop environments that let you pair freedom with aesthetic polish.

Working remotely, I often switch between a desktop computer at home and a laptop when I’m out and about. That’s as simple as it gets; in theory, I could work anywhere, on any computer, with just a few basic requirements.

Sure, we've already taken stock of the best overall smartphones in 2025, but that doesn't mean we can't give them a little more shine.

Specifically, it's time to talk cameras. Apple, Samsung, Google, and others released some excellent handsets in the past calendar year, but there's a lot that goes into deciding whether or not a phone is good. Processing power, battery life, AI features, and a bunch of other little odds and ends factor into our reviews, but for a lot of people, all of those things are secondary to the cameras.

So, with that in mind, let's focus on cameras as we close out 2025. Here are our favorite smartphone cameras of the year.

SEE ALSO: The best smartphones of 2025 include some surprises Best overall: iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max Big surprise here. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

It almost feels like a cop-out to give this award to the highest-end iPhone released in 2025, but the fact of the matter is that we didn't test out any phone cameras in 2025 that impressed us more than the iPhone 17 Pro models. If you don't trust me, listen to what our reviewer Stan Schroeder had to say about it.

"The triple 48-megapixel camera system on this phone is the best I’ve ever tried. The main sensor captures rich and detailed photos," Schroeder wrote. "Low light photography is so good that you can snap a shot in near-total darkness and get a photo that looks like it was taken during the day."

The low light photography is impressive. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Schroeder said the iPhone 17 Pro Max was capable of taking good shots under a lot of different conditions. Low light photography was impressive, in particular, as were the zoom capabilities. He said that photos taken at up to 8x zoom looked crisp, which is no small feat. Apple always brings its A-game when it comes to cameras, and the iPhone 17 Pro is no different.

Looks good! Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable Best cheap Android camera: Google Pixel 9a No bump this time, though. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Google's Pixel phones have always delivered on the camera front, and the Pixel 9a is no exception, especially considering its lean $500 price point. As I noted in my Pixel 9a review, it's now the budget smartphone to beat in 2025, thanks in large part to the competent camera array.

By the numbers, it's nothing spectacular. The rear camera array consists of a 48MP wide lens and a 13MP ultra-wide lens, which are fairly standard smartphone megapixel counts, and come in below what you'd get on a more expensive Pixel 9. Still, thanks to Google's software wizardry and some smart feature inclusions, the Pixel 9a can produce plenty of gorgeous shots with vibrant, bright colors.

Hard to tell this came from a cheap phone. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

I'd also like to shout out Google for including Macro Focus in the Pixel 9a, which wasn't in the previous Pixel A-series phones. This feature lets you place the lens just an inch or two away from your subject and capture fine details. It's a really nice thing to have on a $500 phone.

This is what Macro Focus can do. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable Google Pixel 9a $499 at Google Store
  Shop Now at Google Store Best cheap iOS camera: Apple iPhone 16e Just one lens. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

There hasn't been a flagship iPhone release in 2025 yet (wait for September), so the only Apple product we can give any props to right now is the iPhone 16e.

Apple's $600 budget-minded handset has just one solitary camera lens on the back, measuring in at 48MP. However, don't let that description sell it short. As our reviewer Stan Schroeder demonstrated, it can take very nice-looking shots with clear details and natural colors.

Ahoy. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Schroeder also shouted out its competent low-light photography, which isn't incredible, but gets the job done for a phone of that price.

Looks good. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable Apple iPhone 16e $599 at Apple.com
  Shop Now at Apple.com Best affordable flagship camera: OnePlus 15 Kinda generic looking, but that's not the point. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

At $899, the OnePlus 15's affordability is definitely relative. This is not a Pixel 9a in terms of price, or even an iPhone 16e. That said, for less than $1,000, you get a trio of 50MP lenses on the back with 7x optical-quality zoom. That's shockingly close to the iPhone 17 Pro in terms of specs, and the results are also pretty satisfactory.

Nice. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Colors are vivid, image clarity is sharp, and you've got pretty much all of the modes you'd want, including a nice macro photography option. OnePlus has a habit of making phones that just...do what you want a phone to do, without asking for too much in return. I would say the OnePlus 15's camera array fits that description pretty well, to the point where there isn't much else to say about it.

Macro is great. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

TL;DR: Learn 12 different languages with a lifetime subscription to Promova, on sale for $55 when you use code LANG25.

Opens in a new window Credit: Promova Promova Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription $54.97
$299.99 Save $245.02   Get Deal

Sticking with a new language is tough when attention is split between work, social feeds, and everything else on a screen. Promova is a language-learning platform that tries to meet that reality with short lessons, AI practice, and live tutors in one app, and you even get access to lessons in 12 different languages. Right now, a lifetime subscription is on sale for $54.97, but that won’t last much longer (reg. $299.99).

There’s more than one way to learn from Promova. You can move between vocabulary cards, grammar explanations, dialogues, podcasts, and AI role-play in a single interface on web or mobile. Your learning path adjusts to your unique goals, so someone focused on travel will not see the same content as someone preparing for work calls. Lessons follow CEFR levels, and the app tracks progress so you can see where you left off.

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!

AI-powered tools let you rehearse conversations, get feedback on pronunciation, and step into scenarios like ordering food, checking into a hotel, or talking to coworkers. Tutor sessions are available when you want real-time guidance, but the app is designed so you can still get meaningful practice on your own.

Accessibility is baked into the design. There’s a Dyslexia Mode with adjusted fonts and layout, white-noise options to help learners with ADHD stay focused, and even an American Sign Language course alongside spoken languages.

Use code LANG25 to get a lifetime subscription to Promova on sale for $54.97. Sale ends Jan. 11 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Turn your phone into a professional-grade document scanner with lifetime access to SwiftScan VIP for $39.97 — use code SCAN until Jan. 11.

Opens in a new window Credit: SwiftScan SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription $39.97
$199.99 Save $160.02   Get Deal

Is your workspace buried under a growing stack of papers? From receipts and contracts to loose notes you meant to organize ages ago, staying on top of documents can feel like a losing battle. SwiftScan VIP brings order back into the chaos. For a limited time through Jan. 11, you can unlock lifetime access to this powerful mobile scanner app for a one-time payment of $39.97 when you use the code SCAN at checkout.

This app turns your phone into a top-tier scanner, letting you create crystal-clear scans in seconds. Whether it’s an important invoice or handwritten notes from a meeting, SwiftScan makes them look polished and professional. With intuitive editing tools, you can crop, adjust, or fine-tune your scans before saving them, so they’re always ready to impress.

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!

SwiftScan also plays nicely with your favorite cloud services, so you can save and access your documents from anywhere. Need to send something fast? The app has built-in sharing options, so you can email, text, or upload with a tap.

Unlike subscription services that charge you forever, this lifetime deal means you pay once and get access to all premium features forever. No monthly fees, no surprises, just hassle-free scanning for life.

Say goodbye to paper chaos.

Whether you’re a student managing class notes, a professional on the go, or someone looking to tidy up their paper clutter, a lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP is the ultimate solution at just $39.97 (reg. $199.99) with promo code SCAN until Jan. 11 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

30% OFF: It's your last chance to save 30% on Nomad eSIM plans (excluding anything already on sale) with the Mashable-exclusive discount code MASH30. This code is only valid until the last day of this year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nomad eSIM Nomad eSIM: 30% off with code MASH30   Get Deal

2026 is just a couple of weeks away, and if you've been planning some trips for the new year, it's worth having an eSIM that helps you stay connected while you travel abroad. Nomad can help here, and thankfully, Mashable readers still have time to take advantage of an exclusive discount code to save 30% on select eSIM plans.

The Mashable-exclusive code MASH30 only lasts until the last day of 2025, so you'll want to act fast to sign up for the eSIM plan that catches your eye. Keep in mind that this code doesn't apply to plans that are already discounted. This offer is well worth taking advantage of so you can worry about one less thing while traveling in the new year.

SEE ALSO: The 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025: Find unique gift ideas you'd never think of on your own

Nomad's eSIM plans offer coverage in over 200 locations around the globe, which is excellent news for frequent travelers with a busy schedule in 2026. With an eSIM plan, you won't need to worry about losing out on service or data while you're out and about, so you can stay focused on the adventure ahead instead. Nomad even breaks down their plans by Global or Regional eSIMs alongside an individual breakdown of all available destinations so you can find your best fit.

If an eSIM is a new investment for you, Nomad has some information pages available to help you out before you jump in. This includes a page detailing which devices support an eSIM, so you can make sure it works with your phone before buying, alongside a page detailing what an eSIM actually is. To cover the basics of that, this is a digital alternative to a physical SIM card that's inserted in a device.

There's plenty of perks that come with a digitally activated SIM card, including the ability to swap between carriers without having to change out a physical card. This means that you can have a second cell number active on your phone, allowing you to have a foreign number in the country you're going to. Compared to using your carrier's pricey roaming fees, this is a more cost effective approach.

Again, this offer code only lasts until the last day of 2025. Now's your chance to save 30% on select eSIM plans from Nomad with the Mashable-exclusive code MASH30.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Dec. 29, 2025:

AcrossBunny on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

• The answer is Bugs.

Capital of Norway

• The answer is Oslo.

Constantly complaining

• The answer is Whiny.

Precipice

• The answer is Edge.

Part of R&R and R.I.P.

• The answer is Rest.

DownKnot for the present

• The answer is Bow.

"Love in This Club" singer, 2008

• The answer is Usher.

Move effortlessly

• The answer is Glide.

Spotify Wrapped listings

• The answer is Songs.

"You ain't seen nothing ___!"

• The answer is Yet.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.