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We like the taste of this deal ahead of October Prime Day — save $200 on a DeLonghi espresso machine

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 18:00

TL;DR: As of Sept. 24, the De'Longhi Magnifica Duo espresso machine is available for $799.95 at Amazon. That's a $200 saving on the regular list price of $999.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: De'Longhi De'Longhi Magnifica Duo Espresso Machine $799.95 at Amazon
$999.95 Save $200   Get Deal

Good quality coffee tastes good, but it doesn't come cheap. That's true whether you're buying just one cup on the go or a coffee machine. Of course, it makes sense to fork out for a coffee machine — it will save you money in the long run — but that initial cost of a machine can be enough to make most coffee lovers stop in their tracks.

Thankfully, October Prime Day is just around the corner, with the two-day event scheduled for Oct. 6-7 — a perfect opportunity to pick up a coffee machine deal and lots more discounts. In fact, there are some deals live ahead of the big event, such as 20% off the De'Longhi Magnifica Duo espresso machine.

As of Sept. 24, the De'Longhi Magnifica Duo espresso machine has been marked down to $799.95, which gives you a tasty saving of $200 from the regular list price of $999.95.

You'll certainly get your money's worth with this deal. It offers 20 different hot and cold drinks at the press of a button, including espresso, drip coffee, iced lattes, and cold brew. It also comes with a milk frother and an integrated conical burr grinder. It's super quick, which takes all the effort out of your morning brew (or indeed, a coffee at any time of the day).

Don't miss your chance to save $200 on the De'Longhi Magnifica Duo espresso machine ahead of October Prime Day. Now available for just $799.95.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

ChatGPT or Claude? For just $40, you can ask them both (and many others).

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 18:00

TL;DR: Get AskAnyModel AI Pro for life for $39.99 and access 50+ AI models, compare up to six responses at once, and generate unlimited AI images across supported models.

Opens in a new window Credit: AskAnyModel AskAnyModel AI Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$499 Save $459.01   Get Deal

Having a favorite AI model is fine — and is actually pretty common. Keeping GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and a handful of others scattered across separate tabs is where things get messy. AskAnyModel AI Pro is now on sale for just $39.99 (reg. $499) for lifetime access, bringing 50+ AI models into one cloud-based workspace.

Its standout feature is side-by-side comparison. Pick two to six models, type your prompt once, and AskAnyModel sends it to all of them simultaneously. Responses appear together with response times and token counts, making it easier to compare different approaches without repeatedly copying and pasting prompts.

The model library includes 30 standard models with unlimited chats, including options from Mistral, Llama, DeepSeek, Gemma, Qwen, and others. There’s also a Pro Gemini model with Google Search grounding, limited to 300 chats per week.

For flagship models, you get 500 monthly premium credits to use across 19 options, including GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek Pro, Perplexity Search, and Mistral Large. So, importantly, lifetime access doesn’t mean unlimited use of every model.

AskAnyModel isn’t restricted to text, either. You can generate unlimited AI images across supported models without using premium credits, switch models during conversations, and use the platform for writing, coding, research, brainstorming, and content creation.

Everything runs through a modern web browser, with no downloads or updates required, and the model library is regularly refreshed.

Get AskAnyModel for just $39.99 (reg. $499) for lifetime access.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Learn on your own time with 9 CompTIA exam prep courses for just $24.99

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 18:00

TL;DR: Get 9 CompTIA certification prep courses covering A+, Security+, Network+, Cloud+, Linux+, PenTest+, and more for $24.99 (reg. $269.91).

Opens in a new window Credit: CompTIA The 2026 CompTIA Certification Training: Complete Exam Prep Bundle $24.99
$269.91 Save $244.92   Get Deal

Studying for an IT certification doesn’t necessarily require going back to school or building your week around a class schedule. The 2026 CompTIA Certification Training: Complete Exam Prep Bundle is on sale for $24.99 (reg. $269.91) and includes 9 multi-lesson courses you can tackle from home on your own time.

The lineup starts with CompTIA Tech+ FC0-U71, making the bundle approachable for someone beginning with IT fundamentals. There’s also prep for both CompTIA A+ 220-1201 and 220-1202, along with Network+ N10-009 and Security+ SY0-701.

Already know which part of IT interests you? The remaining courses let you dig into more specific areas. Cloud+ CV0-004, Linux+ XK0-006, and Server+ SK0-005 cover cloud, Linux, and server skills, while the PenTest+ PT0-003 Lab focuses on ethical hacking and penetration testing. Data+ DA0-002 rounds things out with certification prep centered on data.

That range gives you options. You might be exploring IT for the first time, already working in tech and looking to prepare for a particular certification exam, or interested in studying several areas before deciding where to focus next.

More importantly, you’re in charge of the schedule. Instead of coordinating separate classes for different certification paths, you have nine prep courses together and can decide which one deserves your attention first.

The bundle is exam prep, not the certifications themselves, so you’ll still need to take the corresponding CompTIA exams separately.

Get the 2026 CompTIA Certification Training Bundle for just $24.99 (reg. $269.91).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Join BJ’s for just $15 before holiday shopping gets serious

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 18:00

TL;DR: New members can get a one-year BJ’s Club Membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal for just $15 (reg. $60), just in time for fall fun and holiday stock-up season.

Opens in a new window Credit: BJ's Wholesale Club 1-Year BJ's Club Membership with BJ's Easy Renewal $15
$60 Save $45   Get Deal

There may be no better season for discovering what a warehouse club can do than fall. Spooky finds are showing up, holiday prep isn’t far behind, and new members can get a one-year BJ’s Club Membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal® for a one-time $15 (reg. $60).

The membership gives you access to BJ’s savings on groceries, fresh foods, household essentials, electronics, seasonal items, and more. BJ’s says members can save up to 25% off grocery store prices, making this an especially useful time to start stocking the pantry before cozy-season cooking, parties, and holiday gatherings kick into full gear.

Fresh produce, meats, deli, and bakery items cover weekly grocery runs and larger get-togethers, while seasonal finds give you another excuse to wander the aisles. BJ’s also carries national brands at wholesale club prices.

Members can even shop online or in-club, use Curbside Pickup and Same-Day Delivery, or use ExpressPay® to scan items while shopping and pay through the BJ’s app. BJ’s also accepts manufacturers’ coupons, which can be combined with hundreds of BJ’s coupons.

Drivers get another membership perk: BJ’s says members save 20¢ per gallon on average with BJ’s Gas everyday low gas prices. There are also member-exclusive services and perks through BJ’s Optical, Tire Center, Home Improvement, and travel.

This offer is for new members only. You’re purchasing a redemption code that must be redeemed at BJs.com to activate the membership, which includes BJ’s Easy Renewal®.

For $15 for an entire year of savings, the timing is ideal. Join for the spooky finds, stay for the holiday stock-ups, and everyday grocery runs.

Get a one-year BJ’s membership for just $15 (reg. $60) while you can.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

This Toshiba art TV is a picturesque deal at this price — get it now with a huge saving of $900

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 17:00

SAVE $900: As of Sept. 24, the Toshiba 65-inch G700 Series ArtVision 4K TV is on sale for $1,099.99 at Amazon. That's $900 off its full price of $1,999.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Toshiba Toshiba 65-inch G700 Series ArtVision 4K TV $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $900   Get Deal

Bargain hunters know that there are few greater pleasures than a big deal on a big TV. There's a reason that Black Friday used to be a stampede of shoppers towards the TV aisle. Thankfully, the next major sale event is almost here: October Prime Day runs from Oct. 6-7, and there are already some early deals live on Amazon.

As far as we're concerned, the bigger the better for both the TV and the discount. In that respect, the Toshiba 65-inch G700 Series ArtVision 4K TV hits the right spot — a whopper TV with a 45% markdown.

As of Sept. 24, the Toshiba 65-inch G700 Series ArtVision 4K TV is available on Amazon for $1,099.99, representing an incredible $900 saving on the usual price of $1,999.99.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime in time for the next Prime Day

This TV is part of a very modern range that looks like a portrait, mounts on the wall, and enhances the room's overall aesthetic when it's not being watched. You can even set it to display a variety of artwork or images via Art Gallery Mode to keep the room's decor varied. It's just as impressive as an actual TV, delivering 4K courtesy of a QLED display.

It runs on the Fire TV operating system, one of the most popular platforms in mid-range TV technology right now.

Amazon's sale is still a few weeks away, but this deal is live right now — not to mention well worth the money. Grab the Toshiba 65-inch G700 Series ArtVision 4K TV today and save $900.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

How to watch Australia vs. Brazil online for free

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 17:00

TL;DR: Watch Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly for free on Network 10. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The footballing world is largely focused on the Nations League this week, but there are some really interesting friendly fixtures on the schedule. That includes Australia vs. Brazil, a potentially tricky matchup for the visitors.

Carlo Ancelotti's team will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing World Cup exit at the hands of Norway.

If you're interested in watching Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Australia vs. Brazil?

Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly kicks off at 6 a.m. ET on Sept. 25. This fixture takes place at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

How to watch Australia vs. Brazil for free

Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly is available to live stream for free on Network 10.

Network 10 is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can live stream Australia vs. Brazil for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Australia vs. Brazil for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

  4. Visit Network 10

  5. Watch Australia vs. Brazil 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 they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Australia vs. Brazil without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Network 10?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Network 10, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries, including Australia

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Australia vs. Brazil for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

15 early October Prime Day tech deals, hand-picked by our gadget experts

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 16:51
Early October Prime Day tech deals at a glance: Best earbuds deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30) Get Deal Best Amazon device deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $24.99 (save $45 with code STREAM4K) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Garmin vívoactive 6 (42mm) $229.99 (save $70) Get Deal Best laptop deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $3,499 (save $600) Get Deal Best TV deal TCL 85-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $2,497.99 (save $1,502) Get Deal Best gaming deal "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (Nintendo Switch 2) $59.88 (save $10.11) Get Deal Best Memory Deal SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD $259.45 (save $40.54) Get Deal

Mashable's discerning reporters and editors are constantly testing the latest gadgets, from e-readers to headphones, laptops, phones, power stations, smart rings, and portable speakers. This year, many of our favorite products have been besieged by price hikes as a result of the ongoing memory crisis. Fortunately, Amazon is about to bring tech shoppers some relief in the form of Prime Big Deal Days, better known as October Prime Day.

Set for Oct. 6 and 7, Prime Big Deal Days is a 48-hour sale for members of Amazon's Prime program. Often referred to as "October Prime Day," it serves as Amazon's unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season. We've been covering the event since its inception in 2022, back when it was still called the Prime Early Access Sale. And this year, we'll be keeping an extra close eye on the best early Prime Day tech deals.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime in time for the next Prime Day

In the lead-up to the sale, Amazon is already offering some steep discounts on select devices from brands like Apple, TCL, Garmin, Beats, and Sony. After spending hours poring over these deals, we've identified the best early Prime Day deals that are so good, we'd buy them ourselves.

How do we pick these deals, you might ask? We look for products we recommend at record-low prices (or close to them). We use price-tracking tools like camelcamelcamel to see if Amazon's discounts are actually better than usual, then cross-check them with other retailers' listings to make sure they're not cheaper elsewhere. (Walmart and Target are both gearing up to host their own October sales, FYI.) You can add our picks to your cart with confidence.

Without any further ado, these are the best early October Prime Day deals we've spotted so far.

$99 AirPods (a Prime Day classic)

It wouldn't be an Amazon Prime event without some $99 AirPods. Apple's fourth-generation earbuds have excellent audio quality and a comfortable fit. and a five-hour battery life. The newer AirPods 5 sound even better and add ANC, but this pair is still a great option for iOS users on a budget. (Read Mashable's review.)

Note: The AirPods 4 dipped down to $69 last Black Friday, but $99 is their lowest price so far in 2026. Plus, they probably won't be in stock much longer now that their successors have launched; they already sold out once on Amazon earlier this week.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30   Get Deal Take $600 off Apple's most powerful laptop

If you're a professional creative, developer, or AI enthusiast who needs a compact new laptop for work, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option than the 14-inch, M5 Max-powered MacBook Pro. (The M5 Max is Apple's most powerful laptop chip to date.) The "base" configuration with 36GB of RAM and 2TB of storage got a $500 price increase back in June, which bumped it from $3,599 to $4,099. But right now, Amazon has it on sale for just $3,499 — a $600 savings. It's even cheaper than before.

I should mention that Amazon's MacBook Pro discounts have capped out around $400 during its past Prime events. Suffice to say, this is a very good deal that probably won't last long.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $3,499 at Amazon
$4,099 Save $600   Get Deal Cheaper-than-ever Fire tablets

Two of Amazon's own Fire tablets are already on sale for record-low prices ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. Take your pick from the compact Fire HD 8 with 64GB of storage — our favorite Fire tablet overall — or the big-screened Fire HD 10 with 32GB of storage, nicer cameras, and a sharper display. (Both have 13-hour battery lives.) They're now up to 53% off for Prime members.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 (64GB) $79.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $50.00 Prime membership required. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 (32GB) $72.99
$154.99 Save $82.00 Prime membership required. Get Deal 64% off a 4K streaming stick

Amazon's Fire tablets have been safe from price hikes so far, but the retailer made all of its Fire TV streaming sticks at least $5 more expensive in August. For its part, the 4K Plus model went from $49.99 to $69.99. Nevertheless, Amazon will sell it to you for just $24.99 right now if you enter the code STREAM4K at checkout. That matches its all-time low price from this summer's Prime Day sale and Black Friday 2025. It used to equate to a $25 savings, but now you're getting a whopping $45 off.

FWIW, this is Amazon's cheapest media player with support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Nvidia Geforce Now, and Alexa Home Theater (a surround sound feature that works with Echo devices).

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $24.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $45 Enter code STREAM4K at checkout. Get Deal A new all-time low on an Apple Watch alternative

Garmin's vívoactive 6 is a lightweight fitness smartwatch with an AMOLED display and an 11-day battery life. It supports features like constant heart rate readings, stress tracking, and sleep coaching. Our friends over at Lifehacker, one of our sister sites, gave it a stellar 4.5/5 review, calling it "a great watch for somebody who wants to track their steps and activity."

The vívoactive 6 usually costs $50 more than Apple's entry-level smartwatch — the $249 Apple Watch SE 3 — but Amazon just put the pink dawn variant on sale for $229.99. At 23% off, it's never been cheaper before.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin vívoactive 6 (42mm) $229.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $70   Get Deal A huge discount on a huge QLED TV

The 65-inch TCL QM8L is the best QLED TV for most people, according to Leah Stodart, our former TV expert. She praised its "superb peak brightness, detailed picture quality, and fantastic glare handling." (QLED TVs in general "are ideal for people whose TV usage happens mostly in the daytime, especially watching sports," to quote her TV specs guide.)

The 85-inch QM8L just hit a new all-time low of $2,497.99 on Amazon, which is 38% off its suggested sticker price of $3,999.99. For comparison's sake, it's currently $2 more expensive at Best Buy and on TCL's website.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 85-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $2,497.99 at Amazon
$3,999.99 Save $1,502   Get Deal An affordable Fire TV

The best early Prime Day tech deals always include savings on Amazon's own devices, like this affordable Ember Fire TV. This TV has a high-definition HDR10+ display and doubles as an Alexa smart speaker for your home. The 28% discount drops the price to a very affordable $179.99, its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Ember 40-inch 2-Series Fire TV $179.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $70   Get Deal Save $10 when you preorder the 'Ocarina of Time' remake

Nintendo's upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Switch 2 will be one of the year's biggest gaming releases (after GTA 6, obviously). Preordering the physical edition will normally cost you $69.99 — it's $10 more than the digital version — but Amazon has it on sale for $59.88 ahead of its Nov. 5 launch. The first print run has special packaging with foil cover art, so don't dawdle.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (Nintendo Switch 2) $59.88 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $10.11   Get Deal Deals on SanDisk memory products

The global memory crisis has led to rising costs for smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles, but it's been a disaster for SD cards and hard drives. So, while the discounts aren't as huge as they were in past years, you can find savings on these memory products during October Prime Big Deal Days. We've found a bunch of early Prime Day deals on portable SSDs and hard drives, and we expect even more savings to come.

Case in point: The SanDisk Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Card Express is currently $40 off. Likewise, you can save $40 on the popular SanDisk Extreme portable SSD with 1TB of storage.

Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk SanDisk microSD Express Card for Switch 2, 512GB $159.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $40   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk Sandisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD $259.45 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $40.54   Get Deal Bose QuietComfort headphones and earbuds on sale

We've made so secret of the fact that we love Bose headphones and earbuds here at Mashable. The brand makes the most comfortable headphones we've ever tested, and the brand's popular QuietComfort line recently got refreshed.

Right now, you can get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) for $50 off. Keep in mind that the headphones are not at a record-low price, so there's a chance they could get bigger discounts when Prime Big Deal Days starts on Oct. 6.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) $249.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) $399.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $50   Get Deal Shop the Nintendo Customer Appreciation Sale

Nintendo just got a massive tariff refund, and to pass along the savings, the brand is hosting a mega Customer Appreciation Sale through Sept. 26. So, while these aren't technically early Prime Day deals, they are a great opportunity to enjoy rare savings on Nintendo Switch games and hardware. Unfortunately, the Switch consoles and Switch 2 games aren't on sale, but we'll let you know if that changes when October Prime Day begins.

You can shop the sale at Amazon or Nintendo, but our top picks include the classic Metroid Dread and the wireless Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo 'Metroid Dread' for Nintendo Switch (digital download) $41.97 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $18.02   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch Pro Wireless Controller $55.97
$79.99 Save $24.02   Get Deal Early deals on iPads

Some of the best early Prime Day tech deals so far are on Apple's iPads, which are due for an upgrade any day now. If you don't mind a slightly older device and chip, you can pick up the Apple iPad Air (M4) with a cool $100 discount.

Check out all of the top October Prime Day iPad deals so far.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air (M4), 11 inches $649 at Amazon
$749 Save $100   Get Deal

Discord now checks your age based on your activity and other factors

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 16:44

Back in early February, popular messaging app Discord announced that it would roll out age verification in order to keep its teenage users safe on the platform. By the end of the month, after facing significant backlash, Discord announced that it would be pausing that rollout while addressing some of the issues.

According to Discord, those age verification checks will now be rolling out.

Discord has launched a system that already estimates users' ages based on several factors, such as general activity levels, communities and servers joined, games that an account is connected to, and how old a user account is.

The company has also assured users that no messages, calls, or other content have been analyzed to make an age determination.

SEE ALSO: Discord defaults to teen experience for all users

Discord must believe in its model, as the company says that 90 percent of its users will not have to do or change a thing. However, Discord knows that mistakes will be made. The company says that any user can check the age group they've been assigned to by going to User Settings and checking Account Status. 

The main backlash against Discord's age verification system centered on the privacy and security concerns that came with the facial age estimation and ID upload methods. Discord says that if a user has to verify their age, there are now additional methods to do so that don't require facial age estimation or ID verification. These alternative methods include a credit card authorization, allowing the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to share a user's age range, a Google Wallet confirmation, or an AgeKey credential.

Adult users on Discord will notice no changes to how the platform works. Teenage users will still be able to message friends, join voice calls, and join non-age-restricted servers. However, age-restricted content and spaces will be blocked. In addition, extra safety protections have been added in cases where a non-friend attempts to message a teenage user.

Discord says it has already launched age verification checks in places like Texas, where it's required, and wants to get ahead of age verification laws as they expand globally.

Meta VR glasses vs Meta Quest 3: How they compare

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 13:41

At Meta Connect on Wednesday night, Mark Zuckerberg unveiled what could be the next frontier of VR hardware for the company: the Meta VR glasses.

These new specs blend the form factor of regular smart glasses with the stereoscopic 3D and virtual reality capabilities of a Quest headset. But how, exactly, do these glasses compare with the Quest 3? We can't directly test the glasses just yet, but even on paper, there are some notable differences to consider.

SEE ALSO: Meta's new VR glasses: We tried them, plus Muse on Meta's AI glasses Meta VR Glasses vs. Quest 3: Price

The most obvious difference between these two devices, aside from the way they look, is the price. The VR Glasses, when they launch in 2027, will start at $1,299. The Quest 3, meanwhile, can currently be had for just $599. One of these VR devices costs literally more than twice as much as the other, so set your expectations accordingly.

Meta VR Glasses vs. Quest 3: Specs There's that puck. Credit: Meta

Despite the price difference, there are actually a couple of areas where the Quest 3 outperforms the VR Glasses on a specs level.

Here are the basic specs of the VR Glasses:

  • Display: Micro-OLED display with 2412×2288 resolution per eye

  • Field of view: 70 degrees by 66 degrees

  • Processor: Snapdragon Reality Elite

  • RAM: 12GB

  • Starting storage: 128GB

  • Controllers: Not included, but compatible

And here are the equivalent specs for the Quest 3:

  • Display: LCD display with 2064×2208 resolution per eye

  • Field of view: 110 degrees by 96 degrees

  • Processor: Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2

  • RAM: 8GB

  • Starting storage: 512GB

  • Controllers: Included

The VR Glasses have the Quest 3 beat on display resolution and RAM, as well as with a newer processor. But there are some areas in which the Quest 3 wins here, too. Its field of view is significantly larger, as you'd expect from something that completely covers your face. It also comes with significantly more starting storage and a pair of touch controllers. The VR Glasses have a microSD card slot for expandable storage, and the controllers are compatible, but not included.

Meta VR Glasses vs. Quest 3: Design That's a lot more bulky than the glasses. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable

Well, this one's simple. One device is a pair of glasses, and the other is a full-on headset. Whichever you prefer is ultimately a matter of taste.

There are pros and cons to each. The VR Glasses allow the user a greater degree of spatial awareness because they don't cover as much of the face, but that might also make VR experiences less immersive. Meanwhile, the Quest 3 will probably be a bit more immersive, but it's heavier and more cumbersome because its computing hardware sits in the headset.

That last part is important, as the VR Glasses don't actually have any of the real computing hardware built into the glasses themselves. Instead, there's a computing puck attached to the device by wire, similar to the Apple Vision Pro. That's what allows the glasses to be as sleek as they are compared to the Quest 3, but it might also explain why the starting storage is so low in comparison.

Ultimately, the glasses weigh about 100 grams and the headset weighs 515 grams. That's a big enough difference to justify the use of a puck, but again, it's your call.

Meta VR Glasses vs. Quest 3: Software

There is some overlap in terms of available software features, but there are also some key differences between the VR Glasses and Quest 3. In general, it seems like the VR Glasses can do more.

Both devices run on the same operating system, and the glasses support all of the same content that is currently available on Quest 3. Things get more interesting when you look at what the VR Glasses can do that the Quest 3 can't. The glasses support eye tracking and face tracking in addition to hand tracking, while the headset supports hand tracking but not eye or face tracking.

As such, there are some VR Glasses-centric gaming experiences, like a new update to Beat Saber that allows the game to be played without controllers. Glasses owners will also be able to watch fully 3D movies from streaming services like Disney+, and the glasses are the first VR device to be IMAX certified, according to Meta. Meta also envisions the glasses being used as a work device, so they can connect to Macs or PCs using USB-C or wirelessly. That will give users the ability to create virtual displays for their workspace.

Last but not least is Hologram, a new method of video calling coming first to the VR Glasses. You'll be able to join WhatsApp video calls as a face-tracked avatar of yourself, appearing at true scale for the other participants. This feature won't fully render everyone in 3D at launch, but Meta says that's coming later. The metaverse is back, folks.

Given that the VR Glasses are newer and much more expensive, it's not surprising that they seem broadly more capable than the Quest 3. But, as you can tell, there might still be reasons to get a Quest 3 instead.

Huly and Disney+ price hikes: How the new prices compare to Netflix, Apple TV, HBO Max

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 12:57

Gas, groceries, smartphones, and your favorite streaming platform. The cost of all those things just continues to go up.

The latest streamer to roll out a price hike? Disney+ and Hulu.

Just one year after Disney last raised the price of Disney+ and Hulu monthly subscriptions, they're doing it again. Disney+ and Hulu will now cost $21.49 each per month for the ad-free tier and $12.49 per month for the tier with ads. That's an increase of $2.50 and 50 cents per month, respectively.

The Disney+/Hulu bundle subscription continues to be a bargain when compared to the individual service subscriptions, but even those bundled plans are going up in price, too.

The ad-free Disney+/Hulu bundle will now cost $21.99 per month, and the ad-supported bundle will cost $12.99. That's a bump of $2 per month and 50 cents per month, respectively.

How Disney+ and Hulu pricing compares to other streaming platforms

Virtually all streamers have raised prices in the last 12 months, but gas and groceries are necessities in a way that streaming platforms are not. (Well, maybe that's not the case for some binge watchers.) So, if one could only afford one or two streaming services per month, they may be wondering how they rank when it comes to affordability.

Netflix last raised its prices in March. Like Disney, Netflix also bumped the cost of its monthly subscription plans by $1 to $2. The price for a standard ad-free Netflix subscription is now $19.99 per month and $8.99 per month for the ad-supported plan. Netflix also offers a Premium subscription, which includes 4K and additional simultaneous viewing devices, for $26.99 per month.

Apple TV subscription prices just went up last month, but it still remains the lowest-priced ad-free offering if one opts for the annual plan. Apple bumped the price of its Apple TV streaming service from $12.99 to $14.99 per month. The annual plan went up as well, from $99 to $119 per year. Still, that annual price puts Apple TV at less than $10 per month.

HBO Max subscription last saw a price hike in October of last year, so it's very possible that we can see yet another increase next month for 2026. HBO Max's Standard ad-free plan went from $16.99 to $18.49 per month last time around. The annual plan also went up to $184.99 per year, which saved $36.89 from the monthly plan. HBO Max Basic with Ads went from $9.99 per month to $10.99 per month. The annual plan rose from $99.99 to $109.99, yet it remained the lowest cost ad-supported plan. The Premium tier of HBO Max rose from $20.99 per month to $22.99 per month, with the annual plan jumping to $229.99.

Disney will continue offering a Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle option, which may be the best deal of all if you watch content on all three streaming platforms. The ad-supported Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle will cost $21.99 per month, and the ad-free bundle for all three services will cost $34.99 per month.

From Clippy to Jolly: Why tech keeps putting a cute face on its products

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 12:51

Before you hand over your inbox to an AI assistant, perhaps you’d like to meet a little guy.

His name is Jolly. He’s cute, cheerful-looking, and the default mascot for Meta’s Muse AI assistant. He also gives a friendly face to Meta’s much bigger ambition of making its AI part of your everyday life.

At Meta Connect on Sept. 23, Mark Zuckerberg showed off Muse and introduced Muse Charm, a Tamagotchi-like handheld device for interacting with the assistant on the go. With Jolly as its default avatar, it makes the idea of carrying around an AI assistant feel a little more like bringing along a tiny companion.

SEE ALSO: Meta gets metaphysical laying out vision for Muse AI assistant

Giving a product a cute face is a familiar move. Duolingo has an owl whose antics you can follow without ever finishing a Spanish lesson. LINE’s sticker characters became a brand people buy plush toys from. And Microsoft’s Clippy is still recognizable to anyone who remembers trying to get him to leave them alone. (Interestingly, Microsoft recently killed its newest mascot, Pico.)

Before Jolly settles onto anyone’s keychain, meet the other mascots that show what a little character can do for a big company.

Duo, Duolingo’s owl Credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images

You don’t have to be learning Spanish to know who Duo is. The green owl is the mascot of language-learning app Duolingo, where he encourages you to keep up with your lessons. But on social media, he’s better known for memes, petty feuds, and a willingness to make absolutely everything his business.

Duolingo has given its mascot plenty to do beyond reminding people to study. The brand is known to join in on trending conversations, joke with followers in social media comments, and once turned celebrity drama into a pretend feud with Google Translate. Following Duo has become its own form of entertainment, no vocabulary quiz required.

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

In 2025, the company went so far as to announce his death. His eventual comeback was part of the "Dead Duo" campaign, which generated 1.7 billion organic impressions and brought a meaningful increase in new and returning users. For an owl employed by a language-learning app, he has a busy social life. That personality keeps people interested even when studying isn’t on their agenda.

Meet Brown from LINE Friends This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Brown has a lot to say for a bear whose expression barely changes. This straight-faced character is part of LINE Friends, the cast that started as stickers on the messaging app LINE in 2011. Alongside characters like Cony the rabbit, Brown gave people another way to express themselves in their chats.

Brown eventually outgrew the chat window. LINE Friends expanded into merchandise, stores, and collaborations, turning characters from a messaging app into a brand people could wear, collect, and give as gifts. With Muse Charm, Meta is also giving people a way to carry a digital character around. Brown offers a glimpse of what can happen when people get attached enough to want a company’s character in their lives beyond the screen.

Grimace, McDonald’s big purple mascot Credit: Jeff Schear/Getty Images

Grimace is the big purple, vaguely blob-shaped character from McDonald’s (canonically defined as a giant taste bud), recognizable enough that he doesn’t need to be holding a burger for you to know which company he belongs to. With his rounded shape and easy smile, he looks like something you’d win at a carnival and immediately want to hug.

He also gives McDonald’s a familiar face to bring back for new generations. In 2023, the company built an entire birthday promotion around Grimace, complete with his own meal and purple shake. That’s a pretty good gig for a character who doesn’t have much to say.

Yes, the shake inspired a bizarre TikTok horror trend, but the jokes also introduced him to people who hadn’t grown up with McDonald’s cast of characters, and gives new generations other reasons to connect with it (beyond the french fries).

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

Enterprise software might not sound like the natural habitat of an adorable character. Salesforce would disagree.

Its mascot, Astro, grew out of a 2014 developer-event T-shirt design and became a guide to the company’s world. Salesforce explicitly describes its characters as a way to make technology accessible, friendly, and fun. They give newcomers a welcoming presence as they learn their way around.

It’s an understandable approach. When you’re already trying to figure out unfamiliar software, a cheerful guide can make the whole thing feel a little less intimidating. Jolly could serve a similar purpose for Meta. "Personal superintelligence" is a lot to introduce to someone. A smiling character gives them somewhere to start.

Clippy, Microsoft’s assistant Credit: Pavlo Gonchar/Getty Images

If you used Microsoft Office during Clippy’s time, you may remember having a complicated relationship with an animated paperclip.

Clippy was an assistant with a face, popping up to offer help while people worked. Unfortunately, those interventions weren’t always welcome. A paper hosted by Microsoft Research described how earlier software agents, such as Clippy, became disliked for being intrusive and annoying. But still, the paperclip made an impression. Microsoft brought Clippy back as an emoji in 2021, giving people a way to enjoy the character without having him interrupt a document.

Microsoft has since tried another friendly face with Mico, an optional character for its Copilot AI assistant. Microsoft recently killed the Copilot mascot, shortly before it came out against anthropomorphizing AI technology.

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

The company told the BBC that Mico was intended to make voice conversations feel more natural, and that users could turn it off. If Meta can learn anything from their experience, putting a face on an assistant gives people something to connect with, but it also gives their frustration somewhere to land. A character’s welcome depends on how helpful it actually is.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft ditches Copilot's mascot Mico (and cuts a few AI features) What does Meta want from Jolly?

There’s a reason companies keep hiring these little creatures. As marketing professor Anthony Patterson told the BBC, mascots give a company "a voice, a personality, a face even." Author and technology commentator Nathalie Nahai explained that big eyes and oversized heads tap into our instinctive responses to babies, while pointing out that their comeback coincides with growing mistrust of tech companies. It’s easier to warm up to a cuddly character than the enormous business behind it.

Of course, people can still recognize when they’re being sold something. A 2021 study found that cute characters could help when consumers felt a brand cared about them, but could backfire when they became more aware of its efforts to persuade them.

That matters for Meta, which wants Muse to handle shopping, email, and tasks on your computer. Those are fairly personal responsibilities to hand over to a product you’re still getting to know, so giving it a friendly face could make the prospect feel more comfortable. (Meta also outlined upcoming privacy protections, including Muse Confidential VM, which the company says will use encryption to prevent even Meta from accessing users’ data.)

Jolly could help get people interested enough to give Muse a try, but staying on their keychains will come down to whether they trust the assistant and find it useful once the novelty wears off.

Complaints About Meta’s ‘Pervert Glasses’ Won’t Slow Tech’s Wearable Gadgets Drive

NYT Technology - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 12:43
Meta’s smart glasses are the latest in a line of products to raise eyebrows over privacy. That’s not stopping other companies from creating similar devices.

Musk documentary trailer is finally here

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 12:15

The official trailer for Musk, filmmaker Alex Gibney's documentary on Elon Musk, has arrived.

The two-minute and 24-second trailer was released today and, like the teaser from earlier this month, sets the tone for what to expect when the movie hits theaters next month.

"Elon Musk is one of the most controversial figures in the world," says Gibney in a voiceover that kicks off the trailer. "So, I decided to make him a subject of my next film."

"But it soon became clear, Elon would not participate," the filmmaker continues as posts from Elon Musk appear on the screen, calling Gibney a "douche" and declaring that the film is a "hit piece."

The trailer continues by touching on critiques of SpaceX, Tesla, Musk's acquisition of Twitter, his personal life and entrance into politics, DOGE, and much more. It truly looks like it's going to be a brutal exposé on Musk.

Musk hits select theaters in New York and Los Angeles on Oct. 9 and opens nationwide on Oct. 16.

iOS 27.2 beta arrives. How to try the new iPhone Health app.

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 12:11

Apple has a new iOS beta out for anyone who wants to test new iPhone features early.

This time, it's a public beta for iOS 27.2. You might be wondering: Where is iOS 27.1? The answer is a bit odd: Apple is launching the first big iOS 27 update with the iPhone Duo in October, so to keep iPhone Duo-specific features under wraps, the company is beta testing iOS 27.2 first. That means you're unlikely to find any nuggets of info about the iPhone Duo in the iOS 27.2 beta, but fret not, as there is still plenty to chew on.

SEE ALSO: If you have an iPhone, Apple might owe you money. Here's how to claim it. How to install iOS 27.2 beta

As always, Apple's beta process is pretty simple and requires only a modicum of effort on your part. Before getting started, though, make sure you have a recent device backup saved in the cloud. You never know what could happen with beta software.

Here's a basic rundown of how it works:

  1. Go to Apple's beta software program page, sign up with your Apple account, and register whichever device you want to install the beta on.

  2. On the device, go to Settings, then General, then Software Update.

  3. Choose the iOS 27.2 beta as the software version you want to upgrade to.

After that, just wait for the update to download and install.

iOS 27.2 beta: What's up with the Health app? There's the new app. Credit: Apple

Earlier in September, Apple announced a revamped Health app coming to iPhones later this year. It's not actually going to launch with iOS 27.2, but you can test it out in the beta now to help Apple get it into shape for an eventual launch later this year.

Apple has redesigned the app so everything is sorted into three tabs: Insights, Longevity, and Browse. Insights will give you a broad overview of all your metrics in one place, updated throughout the day. There's also a For You section that'll recommend articles you might be interested in.

Longevity, meanwhile, includes a metric called Health Age that will analyze your health metrics relative to your actual age. The Longevity tab also tracks your health over long periods of time and provides insights based on that data. Lastly, Browse is most likely a way to find specific things within the app that might not be easy to find in the other tabs.

There are other odds and ends in the iOS 27.2 beta, like individual profiles in the mobile Apple TV app, but the upgraded Health app is the big headliner here.

I made my own stickers with Cricuts new StickerPix machines, and you can too

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 12:00

Cricut has made a name for itself in the crafting and DIY space. Its makers are huge on wedding planning TikTok, staples in craft rooms, and even inspired recreations of Taylor Swift's "Stevie Knicks" T-shirt.

As of Sept. 24, Cricut is adding two new machines to its lineup: The Cricut StickerPix Print + Cut and the Cricut StickerPix Print — both available now. Other Cricut machines can be used to make stickers, but these are the first dedicated sticker makers from the brand. I got to play around with both StickerPix machines for the last week, and they've earned a permanent spot in my craft supplies.

Let's break down the pricing, specs, and differences of both machines.

The larger Cricut StickerPix Print + Cut. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable The smaller Cricut StickerPix Print. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable Cricut StickerPix Print + Cut

The Cricut StickerPix Print + Cut is the more advanced of the two. It prints, laminates, and precision cuts all in one machine. Within Cricut's Design Space app, you can start with a template or a blank canvas for your sticker or photo prints. There are tons of preloaded designs and themes: If you want some cute, little ghost stickers, they've got them. If you want to put your friends' faces on different holiday sweaters, they've got that too.

I'm an avid junk journaler and also just had a birthday, so I wanted to make a sheet of stickers for my birthday spread in my journal.

I started with a blank canvas and dropped in a photo of my cake, plus pics of my friends and family celebrating with me. I also wanted some more generic birthday-themed stickers, so I browsed through Cricut's huge library of artist-made illustrations and found a cute happy birthday banner to add to my sheet. To finish it off, I added a striped background to the sticker sheet. This part doesn't affect the stickers, but it adds another level of fun and design to the experience. The Print + Cut machine cut around the outlines of my images, so I have a perfectly cake-shaped sticker for my spread.

All of this creation was done on my phone, but you can also use the desktop app.

What I designed in the Design Space app... Credit: Screenshot: Cricut ...versus the printed sticker sheet. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

The StickerPix Print + Cut retails for $299 but is available in a few bundle options. For the first seven days, the machine is available exclusively at Cricut.com and Michaels. After that, it'll be more widely available.

Cricut StickerPix Print + Cut $299 at Cricut
  Shop Now at Cricut Cricut StickerPix Print

The Cricut StickerPix Print is a smaller, pared-down version of the sticker maker. It prints 4x6 photos and prints and laminates pre-cut sticker sheets. My boyfriend and I took a trip to the Indiana State Fair this summer and haven't finished our journal spreads yet, so I used the circle pre-cut sheet to design some blue ribbon-worthy stickers. I paired illustrations with solid-colored and patterned backgrounds to create unique stickers that fit our State Fair experience.

My junk journal vision... Credit: Screenshot: Cricut ...brought to life. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

I also used the Print machine to print a collage of photos from my summer (I could have done this on either machine). There are templates for different types of photo and card prints. I will definitely be printing my own holiday cards this year. Cricut Senior Product Director Jana Lee said she thinks these machines will be direct competitors with printing services like Minted.

I chose a collage tempate in the app and changed the background color and text. Credit: Screenshot: Cricut Filling in the photos was as simple as tapping the empty boxes and selecting from my phone's camera roll. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

The StickerPix Print retails for $169, with bundle options available. Again, the machine is available exclusively at Cricut.com and Michaels for the first week, with wider availability later.

Cricut StickerPix Print $169 at Cricut
  Shop Now at Cricut

The UK is investigating Pornhub. Heres what Pornhub says about it.

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 11:44

The UK's communications regulator, Ofcom, has launched an investigation into the most well-known tube site, Pornhub.

The investigation, which opened Sept. 22 and was publicly announced yesterday, is under the country's age-verification law, the Online Safety Act. It requires explicit websites (and some non-explicit websites that contain content that is deemed "restricted to adults," such as about addiction) to install robust age checks that require inputting personal data, like a government ID, to pass.

SEE ALSO: Pornhub viewers left in droves to see Apple's foldable iPhone

The Online Safety Act went into effect in July 2025, and Pornhub stated ahead of the enactment that it would comply with the law. But in Jan. 2026, Pornhub stated that it would restrict access to unverified users due to the Online Safety Act's failures, including the presence of noncompliant sites. In May, however, Pornhub restored access for any adult who confirms their age through Apple's UK age-verification process — a new capability as of iOS 26.4.

This process is device-level age-verification, which is what Pornhub and other industry leaders have been calling for for years. Rather than verifying age each time someone wants to visit a certain website (which might mean repeatedly uploading sensitive information), device-level verification is one-time only and takes place on (in this case) one's iPhone. Advocates for device-level age verification state that it's less invasive and risky from a privacy and security standpoint. And, it doesn't impede free speech rights, advocates say.

A 'welcome' investigation

Now, Ofcom will investigate Aylo, Pornhub's parent company, to determine whether it has complied with the Online Safety Act. Specifically, Ofcom will look into whether Pornhub uses highly effective age assurance to prevent children from seeing porn, and it will also conduct a children's access assessment.

"Online age checks are a vital protection to prevent children from encountering inappropriate or harmful material, including pornography," Ofcom's director of enforcement, George Lusty, stated in Ofcom's announcement. "We expect tech firms to ensure age checks are highly effective before introducing them. Anything less could leave children at risk."

"We actually really welcome this," vice president of brand and community at Pornhub, Alex Kekesi, told Mashabe in a phone interview. "We've done our due diligence."

Kekesi stated that there's no 100 percent, bulletproof solution, but Pornhub is confident that Apple's process is the best, as of today. She told Mashable that Pornhub embraces this investigation and intends to be transparent and public about how it's going, its data and findings, and its interactions with Ofcom.

"We have over 130 million daily visitors," she said. "We're the perfect testing ground if you have anything really that stands to actually work to protect kids and to keep them off of age-inappropriate platforms."

Verified adults in the UK don't have to worry — Pornhub will function in the country as usual, Kekesi said.

In Kekesi's statement on Aylo's website, she mentioned that less than five percent of consumers go through age-verification for adult content, according to the adult industry trade organization, the Free Speech Coalition. Viewers — whether of age or not — can circumvent platform-based age checks by using VPNs or visiting noncompliant websites.

Ofcom itself acknowledged the shortcomings of the Online Safety Act, including the use of VPNs and noncompliant websites, in a report released a year after its enactment. In Nov. 2025, Pornhub urged tech giants Microsoft, Apple, and Google to enable device-level age verification and recently sent a letter to U.S. lawmakers calling for mandates that they do so.

This isn't the first inquiry of its kind. In Feb. 2026, the UK fined porn company 8579 LLC £1.35 million for lack of age verification following an investigation.

Tech editors react to Meta Connect 2026: Will smartglasses become mainstream?

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 11:40

PCMag's Iyaz Akhtar leads a panel of tech experts from CNET, PCMag and Mashable to unpack all the news from the Meta Connect 2026 launch event.

Read more about Meta’s new smart glasses: Meet the Meta Ray-Ban Gen 3, starting at $249
Meta unveils camera-free audio glasses

Timecode chapters
00:00 Introduction and muse AI assistant
00:02:49 Event reactions and privacy concerns
05:08 Smart glasses, fashion, and collaborations
09:54 VR glasses and display technology
16:16 Final thoughts on Meta devices and privacy

Video credits
Host: Iyaz Akhtar
Guest host: Timothy Beck Werth
Guest host: Will Greenwald
Guest host: Angela Moscaritolo
Guest host: Scott Stein
Producer: Stephen Beacham
Video editor: Stephen Beacham
Thumbnail designer: Tharon Green

Let your LEGO flag fly with these brick sets and in-store fandom events

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 11:35

Need a hero? LEGO has got you covered. From Star Wars rebels battling for the galaxy and LEGO Ninjago dragon-riding ninjas to the delivery person who races to get you your pizza on time, LEGO brick sets tell the stories of the heroes we all root for. 

Whether you’re getting ahead of holiday gifting for your kids or buying bricks for yourself, we all need heroes these days, and LEGO has them in spades. 

Take on the giant Guardian Droid Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO Star Wars Hutt Palace Sentry Droid Showdown $49.99 at LEGO
  Shop Now

The 415-piece LEGO Star Wars Hutt Palace Sentry Droid Showdown lets you relive epic battle scenes from Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. The hands, arms, legs, and feet of the 5.5-inch droid are movable and you can fire its stud shooter. Give minifigure Mando a jetpack and blaster, then help Grogu open the back of the droid so he can deactivate it. Fight your rival bounty hunters, Embo and Keibu, for the fate of Mandalore. For kids ages 9 and up. 

Fun, no matter how you slice it Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO LEGO City Pizza Delivery Experience with Vehicles $49.99 at LEGO
  Shop Now

The 494-piece LEGO City Pizza Delivery Experience with Vehicles celebrates the everyday heroes: the people who deliver your pizza in 30 minutes or less. Turn the dial and see the flames flicker as pizzas are fed into the wood-fired oven. Push a lever to launch the flame-emblazoned delivery car that shoots pizzas from its hood. Or jump on the scooter or delivery drone and save the minifigures from their pizza cravings. For kids ages 6 and up.

Ride the dragon to victory Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO NINJAGO Wyldfyre's Transforming Dragon Mech $89.99 at LEGO
  Shop Now

Fans of the NINJAGO Dragons Rising TV show, prepare for battle. The 821-piece LEGO NINJAGO Wyldfyre's Transforming Dragon Mech set comes fully loaded with a two-in-one action figure that transforms from a 6-inch, four-legged dragon into a formidable mech figure armed with a large sword. Will ninjas Wyldfyre, Arin, and Sora defeat the villainous Empress Beatrix, Ice Monster, and Acid Monster? Empress Beatrix has her mech and the Weapon of Desolation. But you have your imagination. For kids ages 9 and up.

Take the fun in-store this September and October

If building these heroes brick-by-brick isn’t immersive enough for you, swing by the LEGO store at West Edmonton Mall, Guilford Town Centre, Fairview Mall, or Polo Park on Sept. 27 for their Hero Days event. Meet Kai from LEGO Ninjago and get free LEGO swag when you suit up as your favorite hero. 

On Oct. 11, you’ll also get a free LEGO set at the Make & Take: LEGO Pizza Delivery Shark event, held at all official LEGO stores. Bring your LEGO Passport for a Pizza Delivery Shark stamp.

While we’ve highlighted three hero-centric brick sets here, shop all adventure LEGO sets and start building your own hero story today.

Everything announced at Meta Connect in 10 minutes

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 11:19

Meta's September Connect event reveals a bunch of new Meta products, including a deep dive into its new Muse AI personal assistant, audio-only smart glasses in many new frame styles and new VR Glasses that weigh as much as a deck of cards. Check out all the highlights in less than 10 minutes.

Read more about Meta’s new AI and smart glasses: Meta to release Muse Charm, a Tamagotchi-like device for the Muse AI agent
Blackpink’s Lisa gives Meta’s AI smart glasses a major high-fashion makeover — where to buy

Timecode chapters
0:00 Introduction to Muse AI agent
1:00 Muse integrations and computer use
1:37 Agentic e-commerce and shopping
2:36 Muse voice customization and live demo
4:00 Privacy and security (Muse VMS)
4:34 Hearing enhancement feature
5:03 Camera-less audio glasses and new styles
5:53 Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3
7:00 Meta VR glasses debut
8:32 Hologram calling and legs in VR
9:05 Pocket Muse keychain device

Video credits
Video Editor: Owen Poole
Thumbnail designer: Zooey Liao

Metas new VR glasses: We tried them, plus Muse on Metas AI glasses

Mashable - Thu, 09/24/2026 - 11:06

Muse AI on Meta glasses? Hearing enhancement? VR glasses that run Quest games? Camera-free glasses? All that and more to talk about, but very little on privacy.

Read more about Meta’s new glasses and Meta Connect 2026: Everything announced at Meta Connect 2026
Meta reveals next-gen smart glasses at Meta Connect: See all the new glasses

Timecode chapters
0:00 Overview and intro to Meta’s new lineup
0:47 Meta Ray-Ban Gen 3 and audio-only glasses
1:28 FDA-cleared hearing assistance feature
2:23 Meta Muse agentic AI demo
5:07 New frame designs and collaborations
5:46 Hands-on with $1,299 Meta VR glasses
6:08 Productivity, eye tracking and desktop modes
6:51 Media streaming and field of view comparisons
8:36 Immersive sports, IMAX and spatial media
9:44 Controllerless Beat Saber hands-on
10:12 Market price comparisons and final thoughts

Video credits
Host: Scott Stein
Scripted by: Scott Stein
Producer: Celso Bulgatti
Camera: Celso Bulgatti
Video editor: Numi Prasarn
Thumbnail designer: Zooey Liao

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