Feed aggregator

Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 1, 2026

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 22:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you believe in coincidences.

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 hints today: Clues, answers for March 1, 2026 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 Pips hints, answers for March 1, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A coincidence.

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 F.

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...

FLUKE

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.

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 yesterday's Wordle.

At the Pentagon, OpenAI is In and Anthropic Is Out

NYT Technology - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 19:18
It’s been a crazy 48 hours in the A.I. industry.

Amazon has a 39-inch LG Ultragear Curved Gaming Monitor on sale for almost half off

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 13:59

SAVE $723: As of Feb. 28, Amazon has the 39-inch LG Ultragear curved gaming monitor on sale for $876, which is 45% its list price of 1,599.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 39GX90SA-W 39-inch Ultragear OLED Curved Gaming $876 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $723   Get Deal

If you’ve been dreaming of putting together a gaming setup with a curved monitor or wishing to upgrade your current equipment, this weekend might be the time to do it. Amazon has the LG Ultragear 39-inch curved gaming monitor on sale for almost half off. This model is perfect for those who want a single-screen OLED monitor with a wicked-fast frame rate and an 800R curve for true immersion. The monitor has a thick, sturdy, white base for folks who don’t mind the look of noticeable hardware. 

Unlike other monitors meant only for running whatever you plug into them, this model has webOS 24 with access to your favorite streaming services built in. This means you could take a break from work or gaming and binge your favorite shows.

The screen is also expertly designed to reduce glare and reflections. This means you aren’t automatically required to find an extremely low-light location for your gaming monitor (although that can sometimes be a vibe). The sale price of this monitor makes this particular model size one of the lowest-priced OLED monitors you can buy on Amazon right now.

Buddy Guy and Miles Catons Sinners Tiny Desk Concert is pure blues magic

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 13:45

Legendary musician Buddy Guy brought the blues to NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series, with a guest appearance from Sinners actor Miles Caton.

SEE ALSO: 'Sinners' review: Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan deliver a vampire movie for the ages

The pair co-star in Ryan Coogler's Academy Award-nominated smash hit. Caton plays gifted blues singer Sammie "Preacher Boy" Moore, whose music is so brilliant it transcends time (and lures a crew of vampires right to him). Guy plays Sammie 60 years on, when he's deep into a successful blues career.

Guy kicks off his Tiny Desk Concert with his 1991 track "Damn Right, I've Got the Blues" before shifting to his cover of Muddy Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man."

After these classic blues songs, Guy invites Caton to join him for two songs from the Sinners soundtrack. First up is "Travelin,'" which Sammie sings while driving around with Stack (Michael B. Jordan). Then, Guy and Caton launch into "I Lied to You," the song that brings the house down in Smoke (also Jordan) and Stack's juke joint. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song, "I Lied to You" was written by Raphael Saadiq and Sinners composter Ludwig Göransson.

Don't expect Guy and Caton to perform these songs exactly as they appear in Sinners, though. Their renditions here are full of blues improvisation and playful banter, with Guy adding his own spin throughout and inviting Caton to join in. For a great trip through the history of blues, this mini concert is a must watch.

This weekend Amazon has this Samsung 57” Odyssey Neo G9 curved gaming monitor on sale for 36% off

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 13:32

SAVE $819: As of February 28, Amazon has this Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 curved gaming monitor on sale for $1,480, which is 36% off its list price of $2,299.

Opens in a new window Credit: Saumsung Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 curved gaming monitor $1,599 at Amazon
  Get Deal

If you’ve ever been tapping away at your laptop with a million tabs open, wishing you could drag them all out in the air and see everything at once, Amazon has a sale this weekend that you might be interested in. The 57” Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 curved gaming monitor is on sale right now. Although it can’t offer the futuristic (Apple Vision Pro-esque) feature of spreading all your windows out into thin air, it offers an amazing surface area for multitasking or gaming.

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 essentially gives you the workspace of two high-quality monitors set side by side. Instead of an awkward gap in the center, you get 57 inches of uninterrupted 4K resolution with a 240 Hz refresh rate.

Samsung's proprietary Quantum Matrix Technology with quantum mini-LEDs offers enhanced brightness and color contrast on this massive screen. This, paired with the aforementioned refresh rate, allows your media to be viewed in rich, crisp detail. Satisfied review writers praise the curvature of the screen’s ability to make you feel totally immersed in whatever you end up doing.

Beginners can capture 360° video footage in 4K with this DJI Mini 5 Pro — and it’s on sale right now

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 13:15

SAVE $500: As of Feb. 28, Amazon has the DJI Mini 5 Pro drone camera on sale for 30% off at $1,099, down from its list price of $1,599. 

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo $1,099 at mashable
$1,599 Save $500   Get Deal

If you’ve been wanting to upgrade your aerial photography setup, this weekend might be a great chance to do so. Amazon has DJI’s Mini 5 Pro on sale for almost a third off its list price, which is a pretty good deal. The Mini 5 Pro is an excellent sidekick for outdoor adventurers, aerial photography hobbyists, and professionals who want a compact, portable device.

The drone is palm-sized when folded and fits easily into a pocket. This model comes replete with 42GB of internal storage, so you can film your adventure or venture entirely uninterrupted. Its portability and compactness do not compromise its ability to capture high-quality video, either. As previously mentioned, the drone records 4k footage with a 60fps (frames per second) frame rate. DJI claims this drone will render your content in crisp, clear, highly defined detail.

The drone also comes with the DJI RC 2 (the remote control) that has a large screen in the center to see what you’re filming in real time. 

NYT Pips hints, answers for February 28, 2026

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 12:16

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 28, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

  • Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

  • Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

  • Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

  • Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

  • Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for February 28, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 28 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 28 Pips

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 2-1, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (15): Everything in this space must add up to 15. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 28 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 1-4, placed vertically; 4-5, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally.

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

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 28, 2026

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 11:47

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who love golf.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, 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 the latest 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: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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.

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

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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Golf squire

  • Green: How to make a baseball

  • Blue: Meccas of Southern Football

  • Purple: Bears players

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Golf Equipment

  • Green: Materials in a Baseball

  • Blue: SEC School Locations

  • Purple: First Names of Chicago Bears

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: Sports Edition #523 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
  • Golf Equipment - CLUB, GLOVE, RANGEFINDER, TEE

  • Materials in a Baseball - CORK, LEATHER, RUBBER, YARN

  • SEC School Locations - ATHENS, AUBURN, LEXINGTON, OXFORD

  • First Names of Chicago Bears - CAIRO, CALEB, LUTHER, ROME

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections 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.

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 yesterday's Connections.

Men are paying to have negative posts removed from Tea app

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 11:31

As reported by 404 Media, online service Tea App Green Flags will scrub negative posts from anonymous gossip app Tea and similar online forums where women post about negative experiences they've had with men they've dated.

According to 404 Media's interview with Tea App Green Flags' founder, simply identified as Jay, the company launched two years ago to tackle posts on the many Are We Dating the Same Guy Facebook groups. His focus has turned to Tea in the past year.

SEE ALSO: Gossip app Tea is back — but not on the App Store

"We just want to take down posts about people who are being defamed," Jay told 404 Media. “And when I say defamed, it means like, 'this guy has a small penis,' or 'this guy smells.' That doesn't fit the mission statement of what the Tea app was for, which is to warn women against people who are harmful, who are abusive, who are cheaters."

Tea App Green Flags' site claims to have removed over 2,500 posts from the Tea App for over 759 clients. Most of the service's clients are men, although Jay noted that occasionally the wives and girlfriends of men posted on the app will reach out.

Prospective Tea App Green Flags clients must provide their name, age, location, and photo to the service, as well links to specific posts targeting them. According to Tea App Green Flags' FAQs, they can only remove posts with direct references to a client. On average, the site says, a Tea App "takedown campaign" will take 21 - 30 days. The lengths of other takedowns depend on the platform.

Price-wise, it costs $1.99 to report one Tea account and up to $79.99 to report 25 of them. The company also offers "24/7 Reputation Monitoring," which costs $19.99 per month and alerts clients when they appear on Tea or Facebook.

Jay would not share the details of the takedown process with 404 Media. Tea does have a free form for takedown requests on its website, and says that it will "only reply to takedown requests submitted via the takedown portal."

Jay emphasized to 404 Media that Tea App Green Flags does not extend its services to people who have been accused of sexual assault multiple times on Tea, or who have been accused by one person using their real name and photo in a Facebook group.

"Sometimes we find along the process that there are pedophiles or people who actually did what they did, and they're very bad," Jay told 404 Media. "So we say, 'we're not doing this.' We can't take a rap for that. We're ethical. We just want to take down people who are being defamed."

Tea markets itself as presenting "dating safety tools that protect women." In July 2025, it was the target of a large-scale cyberattack that exposed thousands of user images including drivers' licenses, leaving users vulnerable to doxxing and harassment. These images were provided as verification for accounts, although the app itself is otherwise anonymous.

Jay claimed to 404 Media that Tea's anonymity "causes a cesspool of defamation," and that he would prefer if women shared their faces, even if they are speaking out against dangerous men who have done them harm.

While Tea is meant to be a women-only app, Tea App Green Flags is proof of men's infiltration of these online dating spaces. (Tea itself was founded by a man: Sean Cook.)

"I have a Tea app account. I'm a dude," Jay told 404 Media. "All my reps have Tea app accounts. They're men."

Mashable has reached out to Tea for further comment.

Xiaomis new hyper car concept has the strangest cockpit weve ever seen

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 11:05

Xiaomi likes to bring cars to Barcelona; the company gave us the first glimpse of its SU7 Ultra supercar during last year's MWC in March.

This year, however, Xiaomi has unveiled something that's pretty far out there, even by its own standards. Called the Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo, it's a hypercar that was designed to go really fast while slicing through the air in a way not many cars (or race cars, for that matter) can (Xiaomi says it's been "sculpted by the wind").

It feels kinda empty in there. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

The company will bring the concept car to its MWC show floor in Barcelona on March 2, presumably when we'll learn more about its powertrain, acceleration, battery, and other trivialities. Today, however, Xiaomi was mostly focused on how the air flows through the car, using a variety of wind tunnels and channels (and even a moving part on the car's bottom) to make it more efficient.

The wheels and wheel covers are special, too. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Even the car's wheels have special covers that are (somehow) magnetically set in place so they don't rotate while the car moves, as that would also increase drag.

I bet your car doesn't have a cocoon-shaped sofa. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Inside, it gets even nuttier. The seats are out; instead, you sit in a "cocoon-shaped sofa" with an x-wing steering wheel with five tiny displays, some of which apparently double as (contextual?) buttons. Most of the things you associate with a traditional car are gone; instead, it's you in that sofa-shaped cockpit, that steering wheel, and the road. The car's a two-seater, so don't expect to bring your family on a trip in this one.

Fortunately, you might be able to get a cocoon-shaped sofa/cockpit for your home. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

In fact, most people probably won't be able to afford a car like this, but Xiaomi's got you covered, as it plans to release a gaming console/cockpit shaped just like the car's cockpit, so you can race around in your own little cocoon in the relative safety of your home.

SEE ALSO: Xiaomi 17 Ultra hands-on: The cameraphone with a monstrous zoom

We don't know how fast it goes. We don't know where the batteries are, given that the car appears to be mostly wind tunnels under that cockpit. We don't know if it's ever going to make it to market. But boy, does it all look cool.

We'll hopefully find out more on March 2 when that show floor opens, so stay tuned for pics and videos.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra hands-on: The cameraphone with a monstrous zoom

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 09:30

Xiaomi's Ultra line of phones has always been about one thing: Peak camera performance. The new Xiaomi 17 Ultra, launched ahead of MWC 2026 in Barcelona, pushes the boundaries once more, though it suffers from similar setbacks as its predecessors.

Note that there was no Xiaomi 16 Ultra; the company decided to skip that number and go straight from the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra to Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra, likely to "catch up" with Apple, whose latest models also bear the number seventeen. Despite the change, the new Xiaomi phones are very much an evolution of last year's flagship models.

SEE ALSO: MWC 2026: What to expect at the world's largest phone show

On the phone side of things, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is an extremely capable Android smartphone, with a 6.9-inch, 120Hz OLED display, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, 16GB of RAM, 512/1024GB of storage, and a 6,000mAh battery with 90W fast charging and 50W wireless charging. It comes in three colors: Black, White, and the sparkly Starlit Green (Xiaomi sent me a black unit, but the Starlit Green looks way cooler).

The 6.9-inch OLED display is excellent. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Where the Xiaomi 17 Ultra differs from the regular Xiaomi 17, which also debuted here in Barcelona, is mainly in screen size (6.9 vs. 6.3 inches), and the camera. The Ultra's got a massive, Leica-branded camera array on the back, with a 50-megapixel main camera, a 200-megapixel telephoto camera, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera, coupled with a 50-megapixel selfie camera on the front.

At 8.29mm thickness and 218 grams of weight, it's the thinnest and lightest Xiaomi Ultra phone ever. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

The 200-megapixel, 75-100mm telephoto camera gives this phone otherworldly zoom capabilities, with up to 17.2x of "optical-level zoom." I've tried it out, and was able to take usable photos at 100x zoom or more, far beyond in the distance than what my naked I could see.

Left: This is what the XIaomi 17 Ultra's telephoto camera can do. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable Right: Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Venture that far out, and AI takes the reins quite heavy handedly, which you'll see in the way the system recreates the letters of a sign you took in the distance. Still, if you like the idea of having a camera that can take sharp photos of a flower that's a hundred yards away, this is the phone to do it with.

Left: Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable Right: The zoom on this phone is so good, it's worth providing another example. It's like having a set of binoculars. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

To add an exclamation point to the phone's camera capabilities, Xiaomi also sells two optional photography kits which consists of two different cases that turn the phone into something that really looks like a compact camera, and add a few buttons, visual details, and battery life to the mix. The smaller Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit makes more sense to me as the phone still retains somewhat normal dimensions; the two-part Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit Pro makes it a bit too big for my taste.

The photography kits look cool, but they make the phone a lot bulkier. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

The kits, as cool as they may be, illustrate the most obvious drawback of this phone: it's too much of a camera. It's top heavy, has a smaller battery than the regular Xiaomi 17, and – due to its massive camera bump on the back – doesn't support Xiaomi's wireless, magnetic battery. Don't get me wrong, this is one powerful phone, but it's primarily aimed at photography enthusiasts. Kudos to Xiaomi for making the Ultra lighter than ever, though at 218 grams it's still not exactly lightweight.

Hands on: Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro is the closest you can get to an iPad Pro on Android

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 09:30

Xiaomi's strategy when it comes to phones, tablets, and accompanying accessories, appears to be pretty simple: Make it as Apple-like as possible, while still using the best that the Android ecosystem has to offer.

The company's new Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro, launched during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, is no different. It's a powerful, 11.2-inch tablet with slim black bezels, a metallic unibody frame, and a set of accessories that can turn it into a compact, portable computer, including a pen and two different keyboards.

The Xiaomi Magic Keyboard Pro Focus. Sounds pretty familiar, doesn't it? Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Inside, you'll find a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a 9,200mAh battery, 8/12GB of RAM, 128/256/512GB of storage, and quad speakers with Hi-Res audio and Dolby Atmos support. The 50-megapixel main camera on the back coupled with a 32-megapixel selfie camera sounds like overkill for a tablet, but then again, why not?

SEE ALSO: MWC 2026: What to expect at the world's largest phone show

All tablets look similar. But having spent some time with the device I can tell you that the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro really wears its influence on the sleeve. Its dimensions are nearly identical to the 11-inch iPad Pro, down to the thinness and weight (Xiaomi: 5.75mm and 485 grams, iPad Pro: 5.3mm and 444 grams), and Xiaomi's Magic Keyboard Pro Focus is a dead ringer for Apple's Magic Keyboard (XIaomi also offers a more portable version called the Xiaomi Magic Keyboard Pro). Heck, even the Xiaomi Focus Pen Pro looks pretty much exactly like Apple Pencil.

There's an optional pen, and another, lighter keyboard on offer as well. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

The good news is that Xiaomi's tablet and accessories all quality-made, so if you don't mind the similarities with Apple, you don't have to worry about them not being good. In other words: It's not just a cheap knock-off.

In fact, Xiaomi's tablet beats its competitors in several regards. Both of its cameras are pretty amazing for a tablet. It has fast 67W charging. The 3.2K display is as crisp as they come. Battery seems to lasts forever if you're browsing or reading, or even using it as a secondary display (yes, you can do that even if you have a Mac). Sure, the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro not an absolute powerhouse like the iPad Pro, as it has a smartphone chip, but I think the vast majority of users don't need their tablet to be more powerful. For what it's worth, I've found Xiaomi's Pad 8 Pro to be very snappy in common everyday tasks.

Xiaomi's HyperOS software could use some work, though. It, too, is extraordinarily similar to Apple's iPadOS, down to the icon design. But sometimes you can tell it's an adaptation of a smartphone OS. For example, I was frustratingly enable to set up even the simplest of widgets the way I wanted them on the screen, as the widgets take up tons of empty space for no good reason. AI is baked in, of course, in the form of Google Gemini; you can invoke the assistant with a long press of the power button.

You can get the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro in Blue, Gray, and (pictured) Pine Green. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Depending on which keyboard you choose, you'll either get a slightly bulkier tablet that feels more like a tiny laptop, or a truly portable tablet that also happens to have a decent keyboard. I'd probably opt for the bulkier Magic Keyboard Pro Focus, simply because it has a touchpad.

Despite the fancy keyboards, this thing is not a great replacement for a laptop, but neither is the iPad. Instead, the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro is a pro-looking Android tablet that will excel at things tablets are for: Browsing, reading, gaming, and some light work.

Xiaomi 17 launches alongside Xiaomi Tag, Watch 5, and more

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 09:30

Xiaomi's ecosystem of gadgets is expanding.

As is customary, the company brought its new flagship phones to Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, including the Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

Xiaomi also launched a new smartwatch called the Xiaomi Watch 5, a new pair of earbuds called the Redmi Buds 8 Pro and, for the first time, an AirTag-like tracking device called the Xiaomi Tag.

SEE ALSO: Xiaomi 17 Ultra hands-on: The cameraphone with a monstrous zoom Xiaomi Tag is here to compete with AirTag

Xiaomi Tag is as simple as they come: A white puck that you can attach to your keys and track via your phone. But the big deal with this one is that it works with Apple Find My, making it a very real competitor to Apple's AirTag. Xiaomi sent me one to test, and I can confirm that it's trackable via Find My just like any other Apple gadget (you don't get Apple's Precision Tracking, though).

Yes, Xiaomi brought a lot of new gadgets to Barcelona this year. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable Xiaomi Watch 5 is ready for your wrist

Xiaomi's new Watch 5 was launched in December 2025 in China. It's a round smartwatch running Xiaomi's HyperOS 3, with a 1.54-inch AMOLED display inside a stainless steel frame, a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip inside, and a 930mAh battery.

SEE ALSO: MWC 2026: What to expect at the world's largest phone show

Xiaomi also has a different line of smartwatches called the Redmi Watch, and these are square and very resemblant of Apple Watch. The Xiaomi Watch 5 is more of a successor to 2024's Watch S4, which had a slightly smaller display, and a battery that was half the size.

The Xiaomi 5 Watch is a hefty, sturdy looking device that's more of a dress watch than a sports watch. It does, of course, come with various health and activity tracking features, including an EMG sensor and an ECG heart rate sensor.

Xiaomi Redmi Buds 8 Pro are packed with features

Launched a few weeks back, Redmi Buds 8 Pro are a pair of sleek-looking earbuds with hi-res audio support, active noise cancellation, and up to 36 hours of battery life.

The Buds 8 Pro also have a noise reduction system that should make calls clear in extremely noisy scenarios (up to 95dB of external noise), as well as very windy environments.

Other features of note include Dolby Audio support, dynamic head tracking, and IP54 dust and water resistance.

Xiaomi 17 brings all the megapixels Xiaomi 17 has a crisp, 6.3-inch display, and is just the right size for my hand. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Finally, the star of the show is the Xiaomi 17. It's Xiaomi's no-nonsense flagship, a powerful Android smartphone that sets its sights on Apple's non-Pro iPhone. It has a 6.3-inch, 120Hz OLED display, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, 12GB of RAM, 256/512GB of storage, and a hefty 6,330mAh battery with 100W fast charging (and 50W wireless charging).

On the back, you'll find a Leica-branded, triple camera system that consists of a 50-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel telephoto camera, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera. There's also a 50-megapixel selfie camera on the front, hidden inside a punch-hole cutout at the top of the display. Yes, Xiaomi just slapped a bunch of 50-megapixel cameras onto this one, and we don't mind it one bit.

Having had some time with both the Xiaomi 17 and the 17 Ultra, I can say that I actually prefer the "regular," Xiaomi 17 variant, even though it has a less powerful camera system. It has a very clean design with glass on both front and back, and I love the Venture Green color my unit was in, as it covers both the back and the sides of the phone (other colors on offer are Black, Alpine Pink, and Ice Blue).

The Xiaomi 17 has a triple, 50-megapixel camera system on the back, and a 50-megapixel selfie camera on the front. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

The phone sits in the hand perfectly as it's not top heavy like its Ultra brother. Xiaomi includes a see-through case which isn't bad, but the phone's color and feel is so nice that wrapping it up in plastic is a shame.

Other features of note are an in-display fingerprint sensor, Hi-Res audio support, and IP68 dust and water resistance. Xiaomi also offers a very simple and super-thin magnetic battery which wirelessly charges the phone when attached. Interestingly, it only works with the Xiaomi 17; the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has such a massive rear camera bump that the magnetic battery doesn't fit.

How to watch India vs. West Indies in the 2026 T20 World Cup online for free

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 08:30

TL;DR: Live stream India vs. West Indies in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 T20 World Cup action concludes this weekend with an absolutely huge game between India and West Indies. The winner of this fixture will progress to the semi finals. The loser will be dumped out. It's a winner-takes-all knockout game. It really doesn't get much bigger than this.

India and West Indies both suffered defeats to the impressive South Africa in this tricky group. They also both beat Zimbabwe to set up this all-important clash at Eden Gardens. The stadium is going to be electric.

If you want to watch India vs. West Indies in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is India vs. West Indies?

India vs. West Indies in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on March 1. This game takes place at the Eden Gardens.

How to watch India vs. West Indies for free

India vs. West Indies in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream India vs. West Indies in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free 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

  4. Visit ICC.TV

  5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, 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 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch the 2026 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

The 11 best dating apps for women who want real connections in 2026

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 05:45

Being a woman on the internet has never been easy, but trying to find a genuine connection on a dating app in 2026? That can feel like a part-time job you actually pay to do. Between the emboldened creeps, the "swipe fatigue," and surprisingly convincing AI profiles, it's enough to make you wonder if applying for Love Island is the more sane alternative. (Spoiler alert: it's not.)

The reality is, dating right now comes with a unique set of challenges. There's the constant barrage of low-effort "hey" messages, the unsolicited dick pics, the men who are definitely married, and the underlying safety concerns men just don't have to think about. It’s enough to make you want to swear off dating and just get another cat (no judgment here).

But despite the challenges, dating apps do work. Connections happen every day, and a 2025 survey from SSRS found that nearly 39 percent of all U.S. adults have used dating apps. However, among current users, only 38 percent are women. Yes, that means the odds are a little stacked against you, but don't despair. The key isn't giving up and hoping for an old-fashioned meet-cute; it's finding the best dating apps for women that prioritize safety, respect, and actually help you filter out the nonsense.

SEE ALSO: How to get over a breakup

Fortunately for you (and my sanity), navigating this mess is literally my job. As Mashable's resident dating expert for the last three years, I've put dozens of dating apps and websites to the test. From classics like eharmony to sex-positive newcomers like Pure, I tried them all. I did the swiping, verifying, and blocking to figure out what actually works. So whether you want a serious relationship, a casual hookup, or just an app that puts you in control, I've found the options genuinely worth your time.

The dating apps I'd skip (and why)

You'll probably notice a few popular apps are missing from my list. That’s intentional. Part of my job is to filter out the platforms that aren't worth your time, money, or sanity —especially when safety is a top concern for women. An app doesn't get my recommendation just because it's well-known; it has to be effective and trustworthy. Here are a few I think women should skip.

  • Plenty of Fish (POF): I know this one shows up on a lot of lists, but in my opinion, it's a low-tech dating app ghost town. POF launched way back in 2003, and the experience and interface feel dated. After testing it out, I (along with tons of Redditors) can confirm that it's filled with bots and scammers. I think your time is better spent elsewhere.

  • "Hookup" sites (like BeNaughty, Fling, Kasual): You've probably seen ads for sites promising quick, no-strings-attached fun. Based on my research and countless user reviews, I'd advise women to steer clear. These platforms are notorious for being overrun with bots and having questionable billing practices. More importantly, the lack of verification and moderation often creates a sketchy environment where harassment and fake profiles are rampant.

We all love viral videos of Punch the monkey. A lot of them are AI.

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 05:30

Punch, the baby macaque abandoned by his mother, is the breakout star of 2026. The internet has come together to swoon and cry over videos of Punch clinging to his Ikea orangutan plushie, a stand-in for his absent mother.

As Punch's beloved Ikea plushie became his emotional support animal, he became the world's emotional support animal. And, for now, the story seems to have a happy ending. As Punch grows up, the macaques at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan are accepting him as one of their own.

Every day, more videos of Punch the monkey go viral. Unfortunately for our friend Punch, the baby macaque has also become the unwitting star of many AI videos.

As Mashable has documented, the latest AI video models can create incredibly lifelike videos, and even experts can struggle to definitively identify AI-generated videos. In this particular case, the potential for misinformation and dehumanizing deepfakes is blessedly low, but no one likes to feel tricked.

For instance, you may have seen this recent viral video, which shows Punch being hugged by a surrogate mother.

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

So cute!

The video has millions of views. It's also completely bogus.

When I first saw the video on my timeline, I thought something about it looked off. Many AI videos have a glossy appearance, and details often look hyperreal. In this case, the nipples on the mama monkey jumped out right away. However, that's not the real tell.

Watch closely, and you can see Punch's arm move right through the maternal macaque's arm.

Left: AI-GENERATED IMAGE. Credit: Screenshot: @peladodelatv Right: AI-GENERATED IMAGE. Credit: Screenshot: @peladodelatv

Of course, other AI videos of Punch the monkey are more obvious. When the tiny macaque first went viral, people started creating AI videos of Punch taking his revenge on the monkeys who wronged him.

A lot of the AI videos starring Punch aren’t trying to trick the viewer, and real or not, they can be a lot of fun.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. How to spot viral AI videos of Punch the monkey

Mashable has an entire guide to identifying AI videos, as well as tips for spotting viral AI videos, in particular.

As Mashable's tech editor, I can also share some simple tips.

First, trust your instincts.

If a video seems too surreal, too cute, or just wrong somehow, listen to that instinct. Punch probably doesn't have access to guns, as one example.

Often, a closer examination will reveal obvious problems with the video.

That's why you have to look closely for AI artifacts. Like Punch's arm moving through another monkey's limbs, AI videos often have little details that defy the laws of physics and common sense. Look for objects suddenly multiplying, disappearing, or moving in impossible ways.

One of my best suggestions: Check the video length. Even the best AI video generators can only create six to 12-second clips. If you're watching an extended scene of 30 seconds or more with no cuts or edits, then it's much more likely to be real.

Lastly, check the source of the video.

Many AI viral videos come from slop accounts that post AI videos en masse. They're trying to monetize their audience by posting AI slop, and a quick look at their timeline will often give away the game.

Fortunately, there are countless very real videos and images of Punch the monkey to enjoy. You can also follow Mashable's Punch the Monkey coverage for the latest verified updates on the internet's favorite star.

For now, I'll leave you with these adorable, and almost definitely real, viral videos:

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

Ready to read in color? These are the 4 best color e-readers.

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 05:26

When we write about e-readers, Kindle is usually the first name that comes to mind. But in the color e-reader market, Kindle has been late to the party. That delay opened the door for other brands to step in with stronger devices. We’ve rounded up the best color e-readers, and here are the ones that stood out.

Temper your color expectations An e-reader's color won't be quite as vibrant as a tablet's or physical book's. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mangino

Having tested my way through a lot of e-readers — and now color e-readers — I’ve found a universal truth: While the colors are accurate, they often look a bit washed out. No matter which brand you use, that’s going to be the case. The muted tones don’t outweigh the convenience and portability of color e-readers, but it’s worth tempering your expectations.

Don’t expect the vivid, punchy colors of an iPad screen. An iPad has a max nits of 500 (a measure of brightness), while Kobo and Kindle e-readers max out at 100.

The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft makes a splash

As of February 2026, we've added the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft to this guide. After testing Amazon's latest e-reader, we were thoroughly impressed by both its speed and display. With an 11-inch display, it's still too large for daily e-reader use; however, that makes it a fantastic device for note-taking. Not to mention it is an investment at $629.99, making it the priciest model on this list.

What about ReMarkable tablets?

You might notice that ReMarkable e-ink tablets are not on this list. We've tested both the ReMarkable Paper Pro and ReMarkable Paper Move, and while they're dynamic digital notebooks, they're limited in their e-reader capabilities. Getting e-books on these devices was a bit of a struggle, and we missed the Libby integrations available on Kindles and Kobos. So while we think they're great e-ink tablets, they're inferior e-readers.

Rate your favorite audio brands for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 05:03
Take the smart home survey.

Here at Mashable, we’re always trying out the latest tech products to help our readers determine whether or not they’re worth it. But now, we want to hear from you about the products you use and love. In this edition of our Readers’ Choice Awards, we’re asking you about the audio gear you use in your daily life, including headphones and earbuds, speakers, and soundbars.

So, take a few minutes to fill out our audio survey. Your thoughts and feedback might just grant your favorite devices a Mashable Readers’ Choice Award — plus you could win a $250 Amazon gift card.

We’ll be running this survey for about two months, and then we’ll crunch the numbers to see which headphones/earbuds, speakers, and soundbars you all deem the best.

How to enter

There are two methods to enter the Sweepstakes: (1) fill out the online survey, or (2) enter by mail.

  1. Survey Entry: To enter the Sweepstakes through the online survey, go to the survey page and complete the current survey during the Sweepstakes Period.

  2. Mail Entry: To enter the Sweepstakes by mail, on a 3 x 5-inch card, print your first and last name, street address, city, state, zip code, phone number, and email address. Mail your completed entry to:

Readers' Choice Sweepstakes - Audio
c/o M. Kern
360 Park Ave South, Floor 17
New York, NY 10010

Mail Entries must be postmarked by May 11, 2026, and received by May 17, 2026. For official sweepstakes rules and promotion start and end dates, please click HERE.

Hands-on: The RayNeo Air 4 Pro smart glasses are like wearing an OLED TV on my face

Mashable - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 05:00

I got to try a ton of awesome smart glasses at CES 2026, and one of the most exciting pairs is finally available. On Friday, TCL launched the new RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR/XR glasses for $299 (early shoppers can save $50 at launch), which boast dual Micro-OLED displays for watching movies and playing games.

These smart glasses are the world's first to offer support for HDR10, and they can create a virtual screen up to 201 inches in size. They're also noticeably brighter and more vivid than other smart glasses I've tried, including the popular Xreal One Pro AR glasses, which I've tested and enjoyed. The Xreal One Pro glasses cost $650, and the cheapest competitors have a starting price of $499. As I wrote at the time, with a boundary-breaking display and a $299 price tag, the RayNeo Air 4 Pro seemed all set to completely disrupt this emerging market.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR/XR Glasses $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50   Shop Now

But there's a reason we don't write reviews after a short demo at CES. After spending more time with the RayNeo Air 4 Pro, they're not quite as big a threat to Xreal as I first thought.

Still, it's hard to argue with $299 smart glasses that feature a gorgeous micro-OLED display. For gaming and watching movies, the RayNeo Air 4 Pro are currently the best smart glasses on the market.

What are the RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR Glasses? Unboxing the RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR/XR Glasses. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

The Air 4 Pro are augmented reality glasses that connect to a smartphone, laptop, gaming handheld, or other device. Simply plug them into any compatible device, and they should start to work immediately — no setup required. You do have to stay connected at all times via the included USB-C cable, but you don't have to worry about battery life, which is nice.

Using dual micro-OLED displays, smart glasses like this create a virtual screen that floats in the space in front of you. If you're plugged into a laptop, it will act as a second monitor. On a smartphone, it mirrors your display. While spatial computing gadgets like this are often designed for enhanced productivity, the RayNeo Air 4 Pro were specifically designed for entertainment.

Unboxing the RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR/XR Glasses. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

As TCL puts it in a press release, "RayNeo Air 4 Pro is like a television you can wear on your head...With Air 4 Pro, you can enjoy an IMAX-level private cinema in a crowded subway, a large-screen working environment during business trips, or an immersive gaming experience during breaks — this is the revolutionary experience brought by RayNeo Air 4 Pro."

The OLED displays support HDR10 and have two refresh rate options, 60 Hz or 120 Hz.

The RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR/XR glasses: By the numbers Buttons on the arms control volume, brightness, and the menu. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Let's break down the specs before diving deeper into my full RayNeo Air 4 Pro review.

  • Style: Augmented reality smart glasses

  • Display: 0.6-inch micro-OLED display

  • Screen size: 201 inches

  • Brightness: Up to 1,200 nits

  • Resolution: 1920x1080

  • Refresh rate: 60 Hz, 120 Hz

  • Color accuracy: ΔE

  • Sound: Bang & Olufsen surround sound (4 speakers)

  • Weight: 76 grams

In terms of fit and comfort, they're slightly lighter than Viture and Xreal glasses (though they're much heavier than display glasses like Even Realities G2). I haven't had any problems with comfort, though, because of my larger face size, the fit is a bit awkward. I have to fiddle to keep the whole virtual screen in sight.

The best smart glasses for entertainment They're comfortable and lightweight, though the USB-C tether can be annoying. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

I've spent quite a bit of time testing the Xreal One Pro smart glasses, widely regarded to be the best AR glasses on the market right now. However, in my experience, the One Pro are most useful when working on the go, such as at a coffee shop or airplane, when you need an extra display. But with the new RayNeo AR/XR glasses, TCL is prioritizing an advanced display and audio.

The sound is high quality for smart glasses, though obviously they compare poorly to the best wireless earbuds. I found they have minimal (but not non-existent) sound leakage. When watching movies, TV shows, and YouTube videos, I was happy with the sound. I did experience some technical issues, however. When connected to my MacBook, I could not get the RayNeo Air 4 Pro to play audio instead of the MacBook speakers. That could be an Apple problem, of course.

The display is still impressive. If you've tried other AR glasses, you should notice an immediate difference. Color accuracy, motion blur, sharpness, and brightness are noticeably better here, particularly brightness. While the new Xreal 1S AR glasses max out at 700 nits, the RayNeo offer 1,200 nits. They also provide built-in eye protection (3840Hz PWM dimming) so your eyes don't tire out.

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

However, it's not all rosy. I noticed a regular flicker effect when using the glasses, which was distracting. It wasn't so bad to render the glasses unusable, but it was a big pain point. I also found it difficult to get the entire display in my field of view, likely because I have a much larger head than the average person. You can adjust the angle of the lens to the frames and change out the nose guard, but sometimes the bottom of the screen would blur or disappear.

On the whole, you get a 201-inch virtual screen you can use to watch movies while traveling, lying in bed, or anytime you don't have access to a TV. It really is like having an OLED TV you can wear on your head.

Of course, that's also the $299 question: Do you want to wear an OLED TV on your face?

A beautiful display, but at a cost The TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro glasses are missing some key features. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

It wasn't apparent in my initial demo, but the new RayNeo glasses are missing some very important features. With my Xreal glasses, I can easily adjust the size of the virtual screen, the angle of the virtual screen, and the distance. I can also activate a curved, ultra-wide display mode. Most importantly, I can anchor the display so that it freezes in a particular part of my eyeline, no matter how much I turn my head.

This spatial computing trick is especially handy when working, as I can anchor the screen just above or to the side of my laptop. RayNeo's virtual display moves with you. You may also be distracted by some reflection on the back of the glasses, which hasn't been a problem with Xreal to date.

In its press materials and on its website, TCL also talks about an immersive 3D feature, which can turn 2D photos and videos into 3D. This doesn't appear to be available yet, however.

Xreal's 3D conversion feature is live, and it's pretty damn cool.

Are the TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro worth it? The TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro are lightweight and comfortable, but the USB-C tether can be annoying. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

For early adopters eager to try AR glasses for entertainment, I think this is the best option on the market in 2026, at least, for now. But as I already discussed, they come with tradeoffs, and Xreal has a large advantage for productivity and advanced features like 3D conversion. (If money is no object, wait for the ROG Xreal R1 Gaming Glasses coming later this year.)

I should also note that smart glasses are a very new product category. The average customer is an early adopter and a techie who's OK with some bugs and quirks if it means they're on the cutting edge. I think it's an open question whether the market will ultimately settle on AR headsets like the Vision Pro and Galaxy XR, or on AR smart glasses (like the ones Google is releasing later this year, and that Apple is rumored to be building for 2027).

I guess what I'm trying to tell you is this: We're grading smart glasses on a curve. If you're not an early adopter, they may not be for you.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR/XR Glasses $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR/XR Glasses $249 at TCL
$299 Save $50   Get Deal

The British Watch Brand Apiar Goes Beyond Traditional Constraints

NYT Technology - Sat, 02/28/2026 - 05:00
The tech-focused leaders of the British brand Apiar aim to stretch beyond watchmaking’s traditional material and manufacturing constraints.

Pages

Subscribe to Page Integrity, Inc. aggregator