Technology

The best handheld vacuums for tackling pet hair

Mashable - Sat, 06/14/2025 - 06:00

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Having a pet is great, particularly the furry kind. If you have a cat or a dog your life is likely all the richer and more fulfilling for having them. But there’s a downside to sharing you home with fur ball family members: Pet hair. On everything. All the time.

It’s in your car, on your clothes, on your sofa, and matted into the carpet. There’s probably even a circle of pet hair on your bed, a lasting reminder of their favourite sleeping spot right next to you. Cute but also, well, ewww.

Of course, you love them anyway, but that doesn’t mean you need to give up and accept a house full of pet hair. You have options, like buying a good handheld vacuum. The great thing is, you can find handheld vacs made specifically for sucking up pet hair. Here's some useful information and a round-up of the best available models.

Are handheld vacuums best for pet hair?

Traditional and robot vacuum cleaners are great, but let’s be honest, they don’t let you really get down into small corners or the small, dark crevices of your sofa. Handheld vacuums are ideal for pet hair because they’re generally small and lightweight, allowing you to walk around the house and attack any hair-strewn spots you find without having to drag a heavy vacuum behind you. A small handheld vacuum will get to work on your stairs, in your bedroom, or in your car.

Some pet vacuums are also modern and stylish, so you won’t mind leaving them out around your home and you can grab them whenever needed for a quick whizz around. This is especially true if you get a handheld vacuum with a docking station. Handheld vacuums are also quieter than traditional vacuums.

Best of all, most handheld vacuums are cordless and cost way less money than traditional cordless vacuums. This makes them even more convenient for your home and car. It also means you can use them on your clothes, too, because let’s be real: A handheld vacuum is way better at getting pet hair off your coat than a lint roller.

What vacuum features are good for pet hair?

If you’re shopping for a handheld vacuum that’s built to tackle pet hair, there are a few features you’ll want to consider:

Ergonomic design — You hold a handheld vacuum in your hands, which means you want to buy one that you can hold comfortably. Look for one that has an ergonomic handle so that you can hold and control it easily as you clean your home.

Weight — The whole point of a handheld vacuum is portability, so make sure it’s lightweight. Of course, everyone has a slightly different definition of “lightweight”, but in general, you want to make sure your arm doesn’t tire out faster than the battery.

Battery life — Most handheld vacuums are designed to be small, so they don’t hold a charge for long. Constant recharging can get frustrating quickly. Shop around for a vac with decent battery life. Some come with swappable batteries.

Suction power — It goes without saying, but a vacuum with weak suction is pretty useless, especially if you’re trying to clean up pet hair. So when you’re looking for a handheld vacuum, make sure you look for one with strong suction power.

Attachments — A good handheld vacuum will come with a variety of specialised tools to help you easily clean specific fabrics, crevices, or material types. Look for handheld vacs with motorised brushes, crevice tools, or pet hair brushes.

Storage — Some of the smaller handheld vacuums come with convenient charging docks for storing and charging n one place. Some docking stations have space to stash your attachments and accessories.

What is the best handheld vacuum for pet hair?

There are lots of vacuums on the market right now, so it can be tough to find “the one.” That’s why we’ve done the research for you and rounded up the best of the best. These handheld vacuums all suck, but in the best way possible.

These are the best handheld vacuum cleaners for pet hair in 2025.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best toasters for every kitchen

Mashable - Sat, 06/14/2025 - 06:00

Where would the average kitchen be without a decent toaster? Below average, that's where. Because the toaster is a cornerstone of not only breakfast but also quick and easy eating. And let's not overlook just how tasty a nice slice of toast (plus butter, jam, marmite, whatever) really is. Or bagels, crumpets, and other toasted treats.

What's strange is that even though the toaster is a kitchen essential — and the fact that pretty much everyone loves toast — the purchase process is often not given the consideration is deserves. A lot of shoppers will buy the cheapest model on offer, without thinking about the fact that you're going to use this device every day.

We're trying to change things and give toasters their well deserved moment in the spotlight, so you can find a model that works for you and your kitchen. But first, we're going to answer a few commonly asked questions to help you out.

Is a two or four-slice toaster best?

There are lots of different toaster models out there, but there is one simple way to categorise everything on offer: Two-slice and four-slice toasters. The question of which type you need really isn't complicated. Simply consider how many slices of bread or bagels you're likely to be toasting at the same time, which is likely dictated by the size of your household rather than the size of your appetite. If it's more than two slices, you should opt for a four-slice option. If you're only going to be having one or two slices at a time, or you live in a smaller household, purchase a two-slice toaster.

What are the most important toaster features?

Before starting this buying process, there are some things you should consider:

Defrost setting — Do you keep your bread, bagels, and other toastable items in the freezer so that they last longer? If so, you would benefit from a toaster with a defrost setting. Fortunately, this setting is included on even the most basic models. A reheat or "keep warm" function (both self-explanatory) are both handy too.

Cooking time settings — Normally you get numbers on the front of the toaster that represents the heat time, but it doesn't always work like this. Sometimes you get a scale that measures how toasted your bread, bagel, or crumpet is going to be.

Crumb tray — Cleaning a toaster is not an easy task, unless it has a crumb tray. This handy feature catches all of the debris from the toasting process, and can be removed when you're cleaning it out.

Slot width — A lot of toasters have fixed slot widths, which is not generally an issue. But if you like to mix it up, there are toasters that have adjustable bread slots — or generous space to fit all kinds of bread products.

Quick look — This goes by different names brand-to-brand, but the idea is that you can quickly pop the toast up and check its progress, without stopping the toasting cycle and risking it burning. C'mon, we've all done it.

What is the best toaster?

At this point, you should know what makes a good toaster. But to make your purchase process easier, we've lined up a selection of the best options. We've tried to find something to suit everyone and every budget. This includes top models from popular kitchen brands like Russell Hobbs and Breville. Just pick a favourite.

These are the best toasters in 2025.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans online for free

Mashable - Sat, 06/14/2025 - 06:00

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans for free on YouTube. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There aren't many events that capture the attention of the world like 24 Hours of Le Mans. This unique spectacle takes place once a year, and has motorsport fans from all over the world canceling their weekend plans to follow the action. And the great news for petrolheads is that you can watch every minute of 24 Hours of Le Mans without spending anything.

If you're interested in watching the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is 24 Hours of Le Mans?

Le Mans is a famous endurance race held annually near the town of Le Mans, France. It's the world's oldest active endurance racing event, and is won by the car that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours.

When is 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2025?

The 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans is the 93rd edition of the race. This year's event takes place on June 14-15 at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

How to watch the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans for free

The 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans is available to live stream for free on YouTube (Grande Prêmio).

Grande Prêmio is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can access this free live stream on YouTube with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil. This simple process makes it look like you're connecting from Brazil, so you can access free live streams on Grande Prêmio's YouTube channel from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly service (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Brazil

  4. Visit Grande Prêmio

  5. Watch 24 Hours of Le Mans for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By using these offers, you can unblock Grande Prêmio without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to live stream 24 Hours of Le Mans before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for YouTube?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking free live streams on YouTube (including Grande Prêmio), for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Brazil

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy

  • Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Watch the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup online for free

Mashable - Sat, 06/14/2025 - 06:00

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup for free on DAZN. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

A quick look at the calendar suggests that there's an absence of a major football tournament this summer. There's no World Cup, European Championship, or Copa America. What are fans supposed to do with all this free time? Sure, there's the Concacaf Gold Cup and U21 Euro 2025, but we need more. We need much more.

Do not fear, because FIFA has identified this glaring lack of tournament football and come up with something special. How does 32 top teams from all over the world competiting in a traditional World Cup format sound? Sounds pretty epic, right?

If you want to watch the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the FIFA Club World Cup?

The FIFA Club World Cup is an international club soccer competition organized by FIFA. The FIFA Club World Cup has historically been held annually in December, with only the winners of continental club competitions competing for the trophy.

In 2025, the expanded tournament sees 32 teams divided into eight groups of four, with the top two teams in each group qualifying to the knockout stage. The likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, Boca Juniors, and Urawa Red Diamonds will compete in this year's competition.

This new version of the competition will take place every four years.

When is the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is the 21st edition of the FIFA Club World Cup. This year's competition will take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13. The tournament starts with Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium.

How to watch the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup for free

All 63 matches of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup are available to live stream for free on DAZN.

These free live streams are available all around the world, but if you're blocked by your network, you can consider using a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in another location. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so that you can secure access to free live streams from anywhere in the world.

Unblock free live streams of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access to DAZN

  4. Visit DAZN

  5. Stream the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the 2025 FIFA Club World without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can bypass content restrictions to stream live sport before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for DAZN?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream sport for free, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 14, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 06/14/2025 - 04:00

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for June 14 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: A female star

  • Green: Popular ink

  • Blue: Popular pups

  • Purple: A dog breed

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Goddess

  • Green: Elements of a classic "Mom" tattoo

  • Blue: Dogs of the screen

  • Purple: ___ Terrier

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #734 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Goddess: DIVA, ICON, LEGEND, QUEEN

  • Elements of a classic "Mom" tattoo: ARROW, HEART, MOM, RIBBON

  • Dogs of the screen: ASTRO, BLUE, HOOCH, TOTO

  • ___ Terrier: BORDER, BOSTON, BULL, RAT

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 14

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for June 14

Mashable - Sat, 06/14/2025 - 04:00

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 14 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 14 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's a banner day

The words are patriotism-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are things found on banners.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Flag Symbol

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for June 14
  • Star

  • Stripe

  • Moon

  • Triangle

  • Flag Symbol

  • Crown

  • Shield

  • Cross

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 14, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 06/14/2025 - 04:00

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for June 14 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for June 13, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

An apparition.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

GHOST.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 14

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple's Haptic F1 Movie Trailer Is Cool—But What's the Point?

How-To Geek - Sat, 06/14/2025 - 00:00

I guess it's hard to get attention for your movie these days, with the competition in both cinemas and on streaming channels hotter than ever. So what did Apple do to help promote F1: The Movie? They made a movie trailer that buzzes in your hands.

Categories: IT General, Technology

YouTube Is the Most Valuable Streaming Services—So Why Don't People Want to Pay For It?

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/13/2025 - 23:15

YouTube is one of the most interesting things to come out of the whole internet thing. It's basically like community TV, but with a global reach. Anyone can upload content to YouTube, and it changes the whole balance of power when it comes to video content.

Categories: IT General, Technology

GameStop class-action settlement: How to get your free $10 GameStop voucher

Mashable - Fri, 06/13/2025 - 22:53

If you received a GameStop settlement email, then you may be entitled to compensation. Just manage your expectations — this isn't a get-rich-quick type of opportunity.

GameStop has been a savior recently. For many of us, the gaming-centric retailer was a means to snag the coveted Nintendo Switch 2. They also gave the best trade-in offer for those of us who were ready to part with the older console to make room for the new one. But, according to the plaintiffs of the class-action lawsuit Aldana v. GameStop, Inc., the company may have done some customers dirty. And thanks to a settlement in the case, GameStop customers can now claim some payback from the company.

If you bought a game online at GameStop between Aug. 18, 2020 and April 17, 2025 and you have an active Facebook profile (and did so at the time of purchase) that uses your real name, you might entitled to some cash back. If you're eligible for a payout from the lawsuit, you get to choose between a $5 cash payment or a voucher for $10 to use at GameStop's website. To get either of these benefits, you'll need to submit a claim form by Aug. 15.

How to file your claim

If you're eligible for the settlement offer, you should have received an email with details of how to file your claim. The email is titled "Aldana v. GameStop - Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement," in case it ended up your spam folder. So, if you're wondering if the GameStop settlement email is legit, it is.

To file your claim, you'll need to head to the class-action lawsuits official webpage. From there, you'll need to scroll to the bottom and hit "Start Your Claim." Enter your personal details, including the Unique ID that's listed in the email notice. If you didn't get an email notice, but you think you're eligible, you'll need to fill out a paper claim form and mail it to the listed address. Otherwise, follow the online form to enter in your name, address, and proof of your Facebook account. You can do this by either providing your account's URL or uploading a screenshot.

If you opt for the cash payment, you'll be prompted to provide your Venmo username, PayPal email address, or Zelle email address.

If you go the GameStop voucher route, it'll be sent to the GameStop account associated with the email you listed on the claim form. Remember: you must file this claim by Aug. 15.

While $5 of cash or a $10 GameStop credit won't get you far these days, free money is free money, so there's really no downside to filing your claim. And hey, a $10 GameStop voucher will take some of the sting out of that $80 Mario Kart World purchase.

The gritty details

The lawsuit, brought about by Alejandro Aldana and Scott Gallie, claims GameStop wrongfully gave Facebook information about its online customers without their consent. GameStop claims they've done no wrong, but has agreed to settle the class-action lawsuit in the sum of $4.5 million. Companies often do this to avoid a (more) costly legal process.

SEE ALSO: The best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories include an irresistible Piranha Plant webcam and an upgraded controller

In case you're interested in the fine print, here's how this all went down: The lawsuit says GameStop gave personally identifiable information (PII) of online customers to Facebook via the Facebook Tracking Pixel without the consent of these customers. If that did actually happen, it would be in violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA). This law was passed way back in 1988 and forbids companies like GameStop from disclosing PPI without consent. (That's the year that Crocodile Dundee II came out, for reference.) The law mostly talks about information from video rental and purchase history, but the language makes it still applicable to today's world of video game purchases.

The final step of this settlement is set to take place in a fairness hearing on Sept. 18 at the Supreme Court of the State of New York. There, the court will hear any objections and determine the fairness of the case.

The settlement GameStop agreed to also requires the company to stop using the Facebook Tracking Pixel on any page of its website that could capture information that would violate the VPPA, according to Top Class Actions. If you feel like doing a deep dive, you can read the entire 56-page settlement here. You can also check out an FAQ.

Top Tech Deals at Amazon Products available for purchase through affiliate links. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
Categories: IT General, Technology

Meta's Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Are Currently a Neat $60 Off

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/13/2025 - 22:40

Smart glasses are a concept that's not really popular yet, but while we wait for fancy AR glasses, things like the Meta Ray-Bans are here to tide us over. If you've been eyeing one, it's now the perfect time to get it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to Repurpose an Old or Unsupported Chromebook

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/13/2025 - 22:30

In case you didn't know, every Chromebook has an AUE or Auto Update Expiration date. After this date, your Chromebook will keep working, but it will no longer receive software support or updates.

Categories: IT General, Technology

PSA: You Don't Need a Switch 2 to Play Console Games With a Mouse

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/13/2025 - 22:00

Everyone's excited about the Switch 2 (myself included) and one of the coolest features are the included mouse sensors in the new Joy Cons.

Categories: IT General, Technology

RIP, Dyson air-purifying headphones that no one asked for

Mashable - Fri, 06/13/2025 - 21:56

Wow, Dyson discontinued its Age of Ultron-looking air-purifying headphones? That's crazy. No one ever could have predicted that they'd be too ridiculous to catch on.

Dyson is informally recognized as the final boss in product categories like cordless stick vacuums, hair dryers, and air purifying fans. And every so often, Dyson attempts to further capitalize on that expertise with spinoff products in those core categories... and misses the mark. The Zone headphones combined some of Dyson's air purification skills with over-ear noise-canceling headphones. There's just one little issue: The face mask part simply cannot be worn seriously. It turns out that most people with allergies would rather be a little sniffly than walk around their neighborhood looking like General Grievous' cousin.

The magnetic visor part can come off, but at that point, just buy a normal pair of headphones. Credit: Dyson

Surprisingly enough, Dyson didn't invent the Zone headphones in response to Covid and mask mandates. They were released in 2022 after an alleged six years in production. The Zone's mask part doesn't filter viruses, anyway — it's mostly meant to combat air pollutants and allergens.

The Zone originally cost $949 upon release. Hilarious. Despite the Zone going on sale for as low as $260 in the past year, it seems that consumers would rather spend a few hundred dollars on a more practical pair. They've officially been scrubbed from Dyson's website, leaving Woot as the only real retailer where they can still be purchased (unless you count places like eBay, where multiple people are trying to get rid of theirs).

SEE ALSO: Skullcandy Method 360 ANC vs. Bose QuietComfort: Comparing Bose-powered earbuds

Did the Zone headphones actually have pretty nice audio quality? Sure, but who cares when they're survived by the Dyson OnTrac? These 2024 Dyson headphones are a much more normal-looking option with incredible sound quality and noise cancellation. Between those and all of the other noise-canceling headphones that we love — and actually like to wear — it was only a matter of time until the Zone officially flopped.

(I'm calling it now: The next Dyson product up for discontinuation is the 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum, which is similarly cyborg-looking and way too expensive for what it can do.)

Categories: IT General, Technology

locate vs. find vs. whereis: Linux Search Commands Compared

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/13/2025 - 21:00

Linux offers more than one way to find what you're looking for, including commands like locate, find, and whereis. Knowing when and which command to use can save you time and frustration. Let's dive into each one and see which performs better in different situations.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 7 iOS 26 features only available for newer iPhones

Mashable - Fri, 06/13/2025 - 20:51

Apple announced a whole host of new features at WWDC 2025 earlier this week for iOS 26, including its fancy new Liquid Glass design, live translations, and updates to CarPlay and Messages.

The newest iOS will be available to most users who have an iPhone, but according to Engadget, if you have the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or iPhone XS Max, all three of which were released in 2018, you won't be able to download iOS 26. If you have an iPhone released in 2019 or later, you'll be able to download the new iOS, but that doesn't mean you'll be able to use all of the features announced.

SEE ALSO: The 7 hidden iOS 26 features I'm excited to try

9to5mac reported that you'll need an iPhone 12 or newer to access the new Lockscreen 3D effect. As for the features listed below, you'll need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer:

  • Visual intelligence with screenshots

  • Live translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone

  • Shortcuts actions with AI powers

  • Reminders, suggestions, and organization powered by Apple Intelligence

  • Apple Wallet order tracking

  • New Genmoji and Image Playground upgrades

  • Messages background creation and poll suggestion

"The Apple Intelligence features detailed require supported devices, which include all iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad and Mac models with M1 and later that have Apple Intelligence enabled and Siri and device language set to the same supported language: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, or Chinese (simplified). More languages will be coming by the end of this year: Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (traditional), and Vietnamese," Apple's website reads.

While these new features might make you want to buy a new phone — or at least update it to get what you can — there's one really important reason users might want to ensure their iPhones are running on the latest iOS: security updates.

Categories: IT General, Technology

8 Games That Need to Be Turned Into TV Shows

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/13/2025 - 20:30

Shows like The Last of Us and Fallout have proven that games can also make for excellent TV shows. When looking at how successful they are, one can't help but wonder which other franchises could become critically acclaimed TV adaptations.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Bought a New Windows PC? Change These 8 Settings Now

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/13/2025 - 20:30

When you get a new Windows computer, it's important to tweak a few things before you start doing anything productive with it. From personalization and optimization to storage management and data protection, let's look at several settings you should change to enhance your experience. It shouldn't take long to do.

Categories: IT General, Technology

10 Netflix Movies to Watch With Your Dad

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/13/2025 - 20:00

It's Father's Day weekend, which means there's no better time to kick back with your dad (and your family) with a good movie, and Netflix has tons. I've pulled together this list of father-centric family movies, ranging from comedies, dramas, comedy-dramas, animations, and even stand-up specials, that you can watch with your dad for some quality time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Over a Million Anker Battery Packs Are Getting Recalled

How-To Geek - Fri, 06/13/2025 - 19:47

With how commonplace battery packs are, when a particular range of packs suddenly starts blowing up, it's a source of concern. Now, Anker is recalling a battery pack, of which it sold over a million units. Yikes.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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