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5 beginner-friendly maker projects that don’t require a garage full of tools

How-To Geek - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 17:00

Feeling the itch to make something but don’t have an entire workshop at your disposal? Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to flex your woodworking and upcycling skills without going into debt at the hardware store.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Early Labor Day TV deal: Hisense QD7 Series TVs start from just £279.99 at Costco

Mashable - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 16:37
The best Labor Day deals on Hisense TVs: Best 55-Inch Hisense TV Deal Hisense 55-Inch QD7 Series $279.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best Hisense 100-Inch TV Deal Hisense 100-Inch QD7 Series $1499.99 (save $300) Get Deal

Labor Day is fast approaching, and that can only mean one thing: deals.

If you’re looking to save money on a TV, Costco has just the thing — great prices on the Hisense QD7 range. And there’s no better time to upgrade your TV, with the football season kicking off and summer turning to fall, meaning more time cozying up with a boxset binge or movie.

You can choose from two sizes of this popular Hisense model: the 55-inch QD7 series is currently priced at $279.99, and the 100-inch QD7 series is now priced at $1,499.99. The prices on both models are valid until mid-September.

Why we like the Hisense QD7 Series

Hisense is already a go-to TV brand for premium specs and exceptional value. And the QD7 Series, a Costco exclusive, doesn’t skimp on features or technology. Using Hi-QLED screen tech, it delivers punchy, nuanced colors and a 4K resolution — a superb, outsized smart TV for next-gen gaming, cinema-like movie watching, and sports that seem to put you right in the stadium.

You’ll also get a glare-free screen, 4K upscaling, Dolby Vision and Atmos, AI-powered motion smoothing, Alexa, and a Fire TV operating system that offers all your favorite streaming apps

Don't miss your chance to upgrade your TV — not to mention your whole TV viewing experience — this Labor Day. Pick up the the Hisense 55-inch QD7 Series for $279.99 or the Hisense 100-inch QD7 Series for $1,499.99

Available only at Costco, each QD7 purchase includes a three-year Allstate protection plan, which is bundled in with five years of total coverage when paired with the manufacturer's warranty.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 things you can do with your Meta Quest USB port

How-To Geek - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 16:36

If you have a Meta Quest 2 or later, then you know that it has a USB-C port. After all, that's how you charge it! However, you might not know that this little port has a few more tricks up its sleeve.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Pixel phone is always scanning—disable these two settings to add hours of battery life

How-To Geek - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 16:15

Pixel phones are always doing a lot in the background. Some things are obvious—like weather apps grabbing your location—but others aren’t as upfront. Even worse is when seemingly simple features have a bigger impact on battery life than we know.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Rare Alienware deal: Get $60 off the Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED curved monitor

Mashable - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 16:07

SAVE $60: As of Aug. 27, get the Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3425DW) for $289.99, down from its usual price of $349.99. That's a 17% discount on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED Curved Monitor $289.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $60   Get Deal

PC gaming can be a pricey hobby. Grabbing a new peripheral or accessory for your setup can be an expensive affair, so it's good to grab things during a sale when you can. If you need to upgrade your build for an upcoming game or just want some new equipment, now's the time to lock in a new monitor purchase with this sale.

As of Aug. 27, get the Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3425DW) for $289.99, down from its usual price of $349.99. That's $60 off, a 17% discount.

SEE ALSO: First look: Secretlab’s new Spider-Man and Venom gaming chairs are slinging onto shelves

This ultrawide curved gaming monitor boasts a 1,400p resolution, a smooth 240Hz refresh rate, and 0.03ms response time. It features a height-adjustable stand that lets you position it perfectly, with tilt and swivel options to get a great angle as well.

That makes it the perfect candidate for adding to your setup, no matter what genre of game you enjoy. Its curved screen can help you feel like you're right in the middle of the action, so you get the impression you've been dropped into a firefight, or you're seeing your favorite game world surrounding you.

If you're ready to add a little oomph to your gaming battlestation, this monitor is the perfect way to do so, especially if you like to feel as though you're actually living your favorite games. It's especially nice at this price, so be sure to grab it while it's still in stock.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your next 3D printer may be "poop-free," but that's not necessarily a good thing

How-To Geek - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 16:00

If you have a modern 3D printer, most likely the "CoreXY" design that's become so popular, then you may have noticed a little rectangular hole on the back of the machine. Whenever the nozzle has to be purged of its current filament in exchange for a new one, a little filament "poop" comes out the back.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to preorder Microsofts translucent green anniversary Xbox console and controller

Mashable - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 16:00

Microsoft has finally opened preorders for the Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection it unveiled back in June. The bundle includes a special-edition Xbox console and controller with matching translucent "OG Green" designs inspired by the original Xbox Launch Team Edition system from 2001.

The Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection costs $899.99 and is set for release on Nov. 13. Shoppers can also purchase the controller separately for $79.99; it arrives Oct. 20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console $899.99 at Amazon
Includes a free download of "Halo: Campaign Evolved." Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Xbox X25 Special Edition Wireless Controller $79.99 at Best Buy
  Pre-order Here

"This collection is our way of celebrating the community that has made Xbox what it is today," said Jason Ronald, VP of Next Generation at Xbox, in a blog post Wednesday. "Thank you for being part of this journey."

The Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console has a power button that glows green and an Xbox 25th Anniversary logo on its facade. Its see-through housing offers a peek at its internal components. Each one is engraved with its unique production number.

At $899.99, the Series X25 is $100 more expensive than a regular Series X. (The flagship console has faced three separate price hikes since last May; the latest one went into effect Aug. 1.) At least Microsoft throws in a free download of Halo: Campaign Evolved, this summer's new remake of the very first Halo game.

Credit: Microsoft

Series X25 preorders began Wednesday via email invitation for "some of Xbox’s most dedicated fans," according to Ronald's post. Everyone else can preorder it starting today (Aug. 27) at 10 a.m. ET. It's available on the Xbox website and at participating retailers "while supplies last," Ronald said. That includes Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Target, and Walmart.

The X25 Special Edition Wireless Controller has ABXY buttons and bumpers that match those on "the Duke," Microsoft's inaugural gamepad. Its power button also lights up in green. It's $15 more expensive than a standard Xbox controller.

Credit: Microsoft

Preorders for the X25 Special Edition controller started Wednesday and went fast. It was only in stock at Best Buy and Walmart at the time of writing, having already sold out at the Microsoft Store, Amazon, Target, and GameStop.

Microsoft has partnered up with IKEA and Razer for other limited-edition collections in honor of its silver jubilee.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The new Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection includes redesigned Razer accessories: Where to preorder

Mashable - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 15:53
Razer range from the Designed for Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection: Razer Hammerhead V3 X HyperSpeed $119.99 Shop Now Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K $179.99 Shop Now Razer BlackWidow V4 75% $209.99 Shop Now

Xbox is turning 25, and it's celebrating with new gear. The Designed for Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection is now up for preorder, pulling the console's original translucent green look into a lineup of mice, keyboards, earbuds, controllers, and bags — including the ever-popular Razer range.

Here's everything in the collection from Razer:

  • Razer Hammerhead V3 X HyperSpeed — Wireless gaming earbuds running on Razer's HyperSpeed Wireless and Bluetooth 5.3, delivering low-latency audio across phones, tablets, and PCs. Battery life totals up to 35 hours between the earbuds (10 hours) and the pocketable charging case (25 hours), with USB-C passthrough to top up on the go.

  • Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K — A wireless ergonomic gaming mouse running Razer's Focus Pro 35K Optical Sensor Gen-2, the company's most precise sensor to date, paired with a reworked 4-way scroll wheel for deeper customization and up to 140 hours of battery life.

  • Razer BlackWidow V4 75% — A compact, hot-swappable mechanical keyboard with Chroma RGB lighting you can fully customize down to the switches. The anniversary edition adds one exclusive perk: a dedicated Xbox key that instantly pulls up the Game Bar.

Twenty-five years of gaming history, distilled into gear you can actually use — pick your favorite before preorders wrap up.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Photos just killed automatic PC backups—here are 4 alternatives

How-To Geek - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 15:45

Google Drive used to make it easy to send photos and videos from folders on your PC straight to Google Photos. That changed when Google removed the feature from Drive for desktop. You can still back up PC folders to Google Photos, but you now have to select and manage that destination directly within the Drive for desktop app settings rather than having Drive and Photos sync automatically.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This is the easiest way to build interactive websites without JavaScript

How-To Geek - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 15:30

Although you can create a huge range of web page designs using just HTML and CSS, when it comes to interactivity, you’ll need to start writing JavaScript—right? Well, not necessarily.

Categories: IT General, Technology

First look: Hypershell is launching the worlds first full-leg exoskeleton at IFA 2026

Mashable - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 15:29

TL;DR: Hypershell is debuting Halo, a flagship full-leg exoskeleton, at IFA 2026 in Berlin on Sept. 3. It uses a four-motor system that powers the hip and knee joints together, expanding on the company's hip-only exoskeletons.

Robot legs are getting an upgrade. Hypershell is unveiling the Hypershell Halo, its flagship full-leg exoskeleton, at its keynote at IFA 2026 in Berlin on Sept. 3. It's the company's biggest step yet toward expanding what wearable tech can do for how people move — building on the hip-only exoskeletons it's built its name on.

Hypershell's existing exoskeletons work by strapping motors to your hips to assist your stride. Mashable put Hypershell's X Series to the test on real trails, and it held up: the AI-driven motion system adapts to your stride in real-time, giving a noticeable push on inclines that felt more like a tailwind than a shove.

With around 800W of peak output, it steadied climbs and uneven terrain, and our reviewer backed up Hypershell's claims of 40% more leg strength and 30% less effort — resulting in less fatigue, less soreness, and more distance covered. Battery held up too: over 10 miles per charge, with a 35-minute top-up getting it back to 50%.

Halo takes that hip-only setup and expands it: it's built around what the company calls a unified architecture that coordinates four powered joints — covering both the hips and knees — into a single connected system, rather than assisting just one joint. Hypershell says that setup extends powered assistance across the entire lower limb, allowing Halo to support a wider range of movement over changing terrain than its earlier models.

Hypershell will showcase Halo and the X Series at Booth 119, Hall 12, at IFA, running through Sept. 8 in Berlin.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Is Samsungs Galaxy S26 FE still a good value at $700?

Mashable - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 15:24

Samsung's $700 Galaxy S26 FE gets nearly all of the camera features we've seen on the company's more expensive phones, including My FanCam, Super Steady video with Horizontal Lock and other Android 17 perks.

Categories: IT General, Technology

GTA 6 Netflix extended look: What time it releases today

Mashable - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 15:10

For months, video game enjoyers have been wondering when we'd actually get to see some real gameplay footage of Grand Theft Auto VI prior to its release in November. Over the past few days, leakers have been sharing a lot of footage online, but today we'll get to see something official.

Rockstar Games is bringing "an extended look" at GTA VI that will air today, Aug. 27, on Netflix, at 3 p.m. ET. If you can't or don't want to watch it on Netflix, the same footage will appear on Rockstar's YouTube channel at 9 p.m. ET that night. The Netflix website also states, "Coming August 27: See an extended look at Grand Theft Auto VI, the next evolution in the groundbreaking Grand Theft Auto series.

SEE ALSO: 'GTA VI' Online release date: What we know so far This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Fans have been speculating for months about when the next GTA VI trailer will finally see the light of day. Interestingly, neither Rockstar Games nor Netflix actually uses the word trailer, so it's unclear what form this "extended look" will take.

Likewise, Rockstar's post didn't include any new footage or even a clear description of what we'll see, but it's easy enough to make an educated guess. The game is out on Nov. 19, and we've seen very little gameplay footage from official sources.

It's also worth briefly noting that, as someone who has followed video game news very closely for more than 20 years, I can't recall a single game trailer airing first on a paid streaming service. That's the world Rockstar has created for itself.

As a reminder, you have until the middle of November to save up $100 for the version of the game that comes with every feature.

'Grand Theft Auto VI' for PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X $79.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at GameStop 'Grand Theft Auto VI' Ultimate Edition: PS5 or Xbox $99.99 at PlayStation Store
  Pre-order Here at PlayStation Store Pre-order Here at Xbox Pre-order Here at Rockstar Games

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Categories: IT General, Technology

These Raspberry Pi Pico builds solve surprisingly relatable problems (August 28 - 30)

How-To Geek - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 15:00

Today's weekend Raspberry Pi projects will be coming from a bit of a different angle than normal. Instead of focusing on the traditional Raspberry Pi single-board computer, I'm going to show you three fun projects to do with a Pi Pico microcontroller.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Linux does these 5 things effortlessly that Windows still struggles with

How-To Geek - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 14:45

As long as Windows and Linux exist, people will argue about which one is better than the other. Linux is a favorite of programmers, sysadmins, and other technical types, for good reason. Here are the things that are easiest for technical professionals to get their work done but are a pain in Windows.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You're probably making these 4 common mistakes with your cordless drill

How-To Geek - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 14:30

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced DIYer, there's a good chance you often overlook some cordless drill basics. From ignoring the torque clutch to tightening the chuck, here are four everyday mistakes to look out for and avoid.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 things I do to my PC now that I used to think were only for broke college kids

How-To Geek - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 14:15

I've been building PCs since I was in my early teens. Obviously, I had very limited funds, so I had to learn how to make the most of every dollar. As an adult, having an expendable income and overwhelming FOMO have pushed me toward more high-end builds, leaving the penny-pinching to broke college kids.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Galaxy S26 FE is the affordable "flagship" phone we need right now

How-To Geek - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 14:00

Samsung has a timely answer to soaring phone prices: a budget version of its latest flagship phones. As expected, the company has used its event to introduce a Galaxy S26 FE that is a mild upgrade over last year's S25 FE, but could be worth buying simply due to a relatively low price.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The discontinued Ferrari-powered sedan that made BMW M3 owners jealous

How-To Geek - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 14:00

Performance sedans are increasingly becoming faster, more digital, and arguably less engaging, making this discontinued Italian model feel even more special in hindsight. With more than 500 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, razor-sharp handling, and a Ferrari-derived twin-turbocharged V-6, it offered a driving experience that few rivals could match. It wasn't the quickest car in its class on paper, but behind the wheel, its character and communicative steering gave it an edge that spec sheets couldn't capture.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung announces a mid-range Galaxy S26 FE for $699

Mashable - Thu, 08/27/2026 - 14:00

Samsung's mid-range Galaxy phone is back.

The Korean tech giant announced on Thursday that the Galaxy S26 FE will launch on Sept. 3 for a starting price of $699. That's $50 more than the Galaxy S25 FE was priced at a year ago, but such is the way of things these days. More importantly, it costs a lot less than the $1,099 base-model Galaxy S26 that launched earlier this year, despite coming with many of the same AI features.

I got to demo the new phone at a recent impressions, and my first impression is this: it's fine! The new phone feels solid in the hands and not like a cheap, budget phone. The display seems equally solid, but a lower peak brightness could be a problem, especially in sunlight. Finally, the colors are pretty boring to me.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 review: The perfect phone for cool teens — with generous parents The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE: By the numbers

Here are the basic specs for the Galaxy S26 FE:

  • Display: 6.7-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate and 1,900 nits peak brightness

  • Processor: Exynos 2500

  • RAM: 8GB

  • Storage: 128/256GB

  • Battery: 4,900mAh

  • Rear cameras: 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 8MP telephoto

  • Front camera: 12MP

Three cameras. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Samsung obviously had to make a lot of compromises on the hardware front compared to the regular S26 to get the price down as low as it is. Peak brightness is one of them, as the S26's is 2,600 nits and the S26 FE's is only 1,900 nits. The S26 also had 12GB of RAM, compared to 8GB on the FE. Similarly, Samsung isn't offering a 512GB storage variant for the FE, even though it did on the regular S26.

The telephoto lens on the back has also been downgraded from 10MP to 8MP, though interestingly, the 4,900mAh battery cell in the FE is bigger than the 4,300mAh cell in the S26. The inferior Exynos 2500 chip in the FE might give it worse battery efficiency, though. We'll have to wait until it's in our hands to find that out for sure.

Despite all of the hardware downgrades, Samsung tells me that you can expect parity in terms of AI features, like Samsung's AI photo editing software or its suite of AI time-saving features. (The jury is out on whether the Exynos can handle these processes on device as well as the S26's Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. If you can live without the brightest display, the most storage, or the best cameras, the S26 FE might be a good option for anyone in need of a new Android phone.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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