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The International Space Station has a new skate spot.

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir posted a clip on X showing herself doing tricks on a fingerboard, a tiny Tech Deck-style skateboard, aboard the ISS. In the video, she rolls the mini board along the station’s blue equipment panels and metal rails, skating around Velcro patches and rolls of tape.

SEE ALSO: China is coming for the moon. NASA's answer: a faster, leaner plan

"Space skate!" Meir wrote, calling the clip a tribute to the skaters in her life back on Earth. She dedicated it to her brother, her husband, and their daughter, whom she called a "little ripper." Then she called out the GOAT himself and tagged skateboarding legend Tony Hawk to ask what trick he’d try in orbit.

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Meir is now back on solid ground. She commanded NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission, which spent 235 days on the ISS before splashing down in the Pacific off Southern California. The crew completed four spacewalks during the mission. It was Meir’s second long stay on the station, following 205 days in orbit from 2019 to 2020.

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Jay-Z is heading to the Super Bowl, only this time he'll have a microphone. After years of helping shape the halftime show from behind the scenes (and a week of speculation), the rapper will headline it himself in 2027.

The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation announced the news Monday, Oct. 26, confirming that Jay-Z will perform at Super Bowl LXI on Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The game will air on ESPN, ABC, and Disney+.

The announcement arrived during Monday Night Football with a black-and-white video featuring Jay-Z sitting in a stadium surrounded by goats — yes, actual goats — soundtracked by "Public Service Announcement" with the accompanying caption "GOAT's out of the bag." Doesn't quite roll off the tongue, but I digress.

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It's a familiar venue for the rapper, who just played two shows at SoFi over the weekend as part of a concert run celebrating the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. Now, he’ll return for a performance that brings his role in the NFL's entertainment operation full circle. His company, Roc Nation, has helped produce the halftime show since 2019, with headliners including Rihanna, Usher, Kendrick Lamar, and Bad Bunny.

SEE ALSO: Bad Bunny's halftime show sparked emotional reactions across the Americas

The announcement follows weeks of speculation about who would take the stage. Puck reported that Jay-Z had emerged as the pick over fellow contenders Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber, while TMZ had named Harry Styles among the frontrunners.

But alongside the excitement about which songs he might perform, many people online were quick to point out the unusual arrangement at play.

"jay finally approved his own application," one user wrote. "Announced himself you mean!" added another, while one user joked that "Jay-Z really pulled a Katniss," invoking The Hunger Games heroine's decision to volunteer.

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Those jokes had already been circulating for a week. After Puck reported that Jay-Z would headline, an r/Music thread titled "Jay-Z Picks Jay-Z to perform halftime show for Super Bowl LXI" drew thousands of comments. One Redditor imagined the boardroom pitch: "Jay Z presents…. Jay Z." Another offered a revised lyric: "He's got 99 problems but being in a powerful position of influence regarding the Super Bowl Halftime Show ain't one."

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The NFL, for its part, framed the choice as a longtime ambition. "When we first reached an agreement with Roc Nation to produce the show, I had just one request: that Jay-Z take the stage himself one day, whenever the moment felt right to him," Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. Apparently, that moment has arrived.

Some listeners, however, questioned whether that moment had passed. Some Reddit commenters debated whether a show built around his decades-long catalog would feel exciting in 2027. His most recent solo album, 4:44, came out in 2017.

"Pretty lame choice. Jay hasn't had a hit or been relevant in years," one commenter wrote. Others suggested younger pop stars or called for a rock band to headline instead.

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But for fans welcoming the announcement, the back catalog is precisely the appeal. "I ain't mad at it! Perform Izzo, Encore, & Otis," one fan wrote on Reddit. One X user called it a "rare announcement that actually lives up to the hype."

Former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce was similarly enthusiastic during Monday Night Football’s coverage. "He's got more stadium-ready hits than most artists have songs, period," he said.

There's also excitement around who might join him. Jay-Z's anniversary concerts featured a rotating roster of guests, including Rihanna, Eminem, Nas, Alicia Keys, and Beyoncé, giving fans plenty of material for their Super Bowl predictions. None have been confirmed for the halftime show, but that hasn’t stopped people from submitting requests.

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"Imagine he brought Ye out with him for this, at least for the sake of the culture," one user wrote on X. On Reddit, others floated Linkin Park, which teamed up with Jay-Z on Collision Course, and "Empire State of Mind" collaborator Alicia Keys. Unsurprisingly, Beyoncé was also high on the wish list. "He's coming with his wife (for sure)." Another user wrote, "The only reason people are going to watch is for Beyoncé," said another.

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But the prospect of famous guests didn’t win everyone over. "Other tagalongs who haven't been relevant in a decade either? Neat," one Redditor wrote. "She already did a half time show. We need something fresh," another wrote about Beyoncé, who headlined in 2013 and returned in 2016 as a guest during Coldplay's set alongside Bruno Mars.

Jay-Z appeared to address some of the criticism during his second SoFi show on Oct. 24, questioning the gap between what people were posting and what concertgoers could see for themselves.

"People will tell you that nobody was in here tonight, but you got eyes, you can see. People will tell you that the music wasn’t great, but you got ears," he told the crowd, before urging fans to "question everything in this world of AI."

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We’ll see whether Jay-Z wins over the skeptics on Feb. 14. At least he won’t have to worry about impressing the guy who picked him.

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The latest Silicon Valley billionaire club is a $333 million political ad machine that is heavily engaged in next week’s elections.

PREORDER ON OCT. 28: Preorder the new Apple iMac with M6 starting on Oct. 28 so it arrives on its Nov. 6 release day. Prices start at $1,499.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iMac (M6) starting at $1,499 Preorder

If you've been looking for the right time to upgrade your desktop computer, Apple just dropped a new iMac for the first time since 2024. While Apple's "Pro and Tell" event technically doesn't kick off until tomorrow, the company has launched the new desktop, as well as a new MacBook Pro and iPad mini before the event even begins.

The new iMac skips the M5 chip altogether and opts for the outrageously fast M6 chip. "Everything feels extra snappy and responsive for families managing busy calendars, students putting the finishing touches on a project, and small business owners running their companies," Apple writes in a press release.

As for how speedy it actually is, here's the breakdown:

• Up to 2.5 times faster performance in apps like Microsoft Excel compared to M1 iMac, up to 1.5 times faster than M4 iMac

• Up to 3.3 times faster graphics performance compared to M1 iMac, up to 2 times faster than M4 iMac

• Up to 12 times faster AI performance compared to M1 iMac, up to 5 times faster than M4 iMac

• Up to 2 times higher gaming performance compared to M4 iMac

Aside from the addition of the M6 chip, the new iMac also has the Apple N1 wireless networking chip, alongside Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 on the base model. Otherwise, it's not all that different from the previous M4 iMac from 2024. It still features a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, a 12MP Center Stage camera, up to four USB-C ports, and the ability to connect up to two 6K external displays.

The M6 iMacs start at $1,499 for the 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU configuration, while the 12-core CPU and GPU model starts at $1,699. In the age of RAMageddon, these prices come as no surprise. The M6 iMac comes in the same shades of green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and standard silver as the M4 iMac.

Where to buy the Apple M6 iMac

The new Apple M6 iMac is available for preorder from Apple starting at 1:10 p.m. ET on Oct. 28. Other retailers like Amazon and Best Buy will likely join the fray shortly after. The desktop computer will be fully available in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers on Friday, Nov. 6.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iMac (M6) starting at $1,499 Preorder

PREORDER NOW: The updated Apple Creator Studio arrives on the App Store in November as a free update for current subscribers. New subscribers pay $12.99 per month or $129 per year, and Apple includes a one-month free trial.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Creator Studio $12.99 at Apple
  Get Deal at Apple

Apple had more than a set of new Macs to show off on Tuesday. The same morning it introduced the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 and a new iMac, the company also announced a sizable update to Apple Creator Studio, the $12.99-a-month subscription that bundles Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage with a slew of additional premium features in Keynote, Pages, and Numbers.

Apple calls it the biggest update since Creator Studio launched in January. In addition to adding the MotionVFX plug-in library directly into Final Cut Pro, it also brings additional stock video to Apple’s Content Hub, the Generate Fill tool to Pixelmator Pro, and puts the spotlight on AI assistants built on Apple models and OpenAI inside Logic Pro, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers.

This mega update is set to arrive on the App Store in November as a free update for current subscribers. New subscribers pay $12.99 per month or $129 per year, with a one-month free trial available to take it for a test drive.

What’s new in Apple Creator Studio

The biggest addition to Apple Creator Studio that's worth upgrading for is MotionVFX. This third-party library of titles, transitions, graphics, and effects now comes built into Final Cut Pro and Motion. Final Cut Pro is also getting the Content Hub, with Apple’s stock video, photos, and backgrounds you can use to drop straight into a timeline.

Pixelmator Pro can also add in Generate Fill, which lets you circle part of an image, describe what you want changed, and have the app fill it in while matching textures, colors, and backgrounds around it.

Logic Pro is also getting a significant Liquid Glass redesign as well as a new assistant in beta that can start a song or set up a vocal track from a single prompt. There's a redesigned browser addition that will also keep loops, instruments, effects, and a Splice library together in one place, too.

Finally, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers both get an assistant that can "understand" the documents you’re working on, along with stock video in the Content Hub and new templates and themes to choose from.

Where to buy Apple Creator Studio

Apple Creator Studio is only available through the App Store, but your single subscription works across Mac, iPad, and iPhone. It costs $12.99 per month or $129 per year if you aren't already subscribed, and if you are, you'll simply get the update for free. New subscribers get a one-month free trial, and Family Sharing lets up to six people use it without having to pay extra.

You can save with an educator's discount on Apple Creator Studio. It's just $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year for students or teachers, but verification is required.

There's another way to try out all the new additions as well. If you buy a new Mac or a qualifying iPad from Apple or an authorized reseller, you get three months of Apple Creator Studio for free.

So if you're ready to give it a try, now's the time to prep for its November release, though there's no specific date to watch out for just yet.

TL;DR: T-Mobile is overhauling its unlimited plans with T-Mix — starting at $55 a month with AutoPay — trading traditional bundled perks for customizable "Picks" and slightly lower single-line pricing.

T-Mobile is shuffling its lineup once again. After nudging rates upward over the past couple of years, the carrier is introducing T-Mix, a trio of plans built around an à la carte menu of digital freebies.

Instead of baking the same streaming bundle into everyone's account, T-Mobile gives you a monthly allotment of Picks that you can redeem for entertainment apps, food delivery perks, airline miles, or connectivity upgrades.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is giving away the latest Motorola Razr for free — how to qualify

The lineup lands in November and comes in three tiers (all assuming AutoPay with a debit card, bank account, or T-Mobile Visa, with taxes and government fees billed separately):

• T-Mix Standard ($55/month for one line) — Comes with 50GB of premium data, 480p standard-definition streaming, zero high-speed mobile hotspot (you're throttled to basic 3G speeds), and 1 Pick.

• T-Mix More ($75/month for one line) — Bumps you to unlimited premium data, 4K streaming, 60GB of high-speed mobile hotspot, solid international roaming (15GB in Canada/Mexico, 5GB abroad), and 2 Picks.

• T-Mix Loaded ($95/month for one line) — Delivers unlimited premium data, 4K streaming, a massive 250GB mobile hotspot allowance, hefty roaming data (30GB in Canada/Mexico, 15GB abroad), and 3 Picks.

Adding extra lines also grows your pool of Picks. Lines two and three add the same allotment as your base plan, while a fourth line adds one extra Pick on Standard and More, and two on Loaded. Discounted versions will also be available for seniors (55+), military and veterans, first responders, and college students.

How the Picks actually work

T-Mobile gives you a set monthly allowance of credits to spend on a menu of add-ons. Basic services cost one Pick, while pricier ad-free plans and gaming passes cost more:

• 1-Pick freebies — Ad-supported Netflix, ad-supported Hulu, Apple TV (for a limited promotional window), Paramount+ Essential, DoorDash DashPass, Google AI Plus, Pandora Plus, SiriusXM app access, YouTube Premium Lite, 500 Delta SkyMiles each month, or T-Satellite roaming (via Starlink).

• 2-Pick freebies — Ad-free YouTube Premium, Apple Music Individual, Google AI Pro, Pandora Premium, or Xbox Game Pass Premium.

• 3- to 4-Pick freebies — Higher-tier upgrades like Netflix Standard (ad-free) or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for 3 Picks, and ESPN Unlimited or Netflix Premium for 4 Picks.

You are not stuck with your choices forever, either. You can swap your partner perks four times a year — during three dedicated change windows plus an “Annual Remix” window — while network-level add-ons like T-Satellite can be toggled whenever you want.

All tiers still include standard weekly discount drops through T-Mobile Tuesdays. You can also bank one to three Picks per line to unlock discounted pricing or trade-in deals when upgrading your phone.

Will T-Mix actually save you money?

It depends on how many lines you need and how willing you are to strategize over subscription vouchers. If you only need one or two lines, T-Mix More and Loaded can actually come in lower than previous Experience and Go5G equivalents. If you already pay cash out of pocket for perks like DashPass or YouTube Premium, the bundled value adds up quickly.

Families, however, have good reason to pause. Because older setups frequently leaned on third-line-free promotions, accounts with three or four lines could easily pay more under T-Mix than on legacy plans.

Don't forget about extra fees, either. Unlike classic Magenta and Go5G setups that rolled regulatory surcharges and taxes straight into the advertised rate, T-Mix bills them on top, so your final credit card charge will inevitably run several dollars higher than the sticker price.

SEE ALSO: Best family phone plans of 2026 — how to add lines without adding to the bill

T-Mobile says existing subscribers will not be forced off their current plans right away, but the carrier is pulling older options from its website and moving them to in-store-only sales.

If you are happy with what you are paying and already use the freebies tied to your account, the smartest move right now is to do absolutely nothing.

PREORDER ON OCT. 28: The new 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro goes live for preorders at 10:10 a.m. PT on Oct. 28 at Apple. Apple's latest MacBook is set to launch on Nov. 6 with prices starting at $1,999.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple M6 MacBook Pro $1,999 at Apple
  Learn More at Apple

The kids are excited about costumes and candy this week, but if you're an Apple fan, we have something that's equally special for you. There's a new MacBook Pro launching early next month, and it's equipped with the M6 Chip.

Preorders for the new 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro go live at Apple on Oct. 28 at 10:10 a.m. PT. Prices start at $1,999 for M6 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and a standard display. Going with more RAM, storage, or upgrading to the nano-texture display are all options during preorder. Apple has the launch date set for Nov. 6.

For creatives who need top performance but also want portability, the the new MacBook Pro with M6 chip could be awesome. In Mashable's lineup of the best MacBooks, the previous M5 MacBook Pro won the award as being the best model for artists, content creators, and casual gamers.

SEE ALSO: Apple just announced a new iPad mini with an 8.5-inch OLED display — how to preorder

The upgrade to the M6 chip in the 2026 model means this machine is even more powerful. And as a bonus, the new M6 MacBook Pro didn't see a price hike compared to the M5 MacBook Pro. Both start at $1,999.

In great news, Apple says the M6 MacBook Pro can get up to 24 hours of battery life. While we haven't tested that, a true all-day battery life would be a major benefit for creators, students, or busy business people.

The base model of the M6 MacBook Pro comes with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD, but you can make upgrades and go with the 24 or 32GB RAM and increase to up to 4TB SSD. An additional $150 gets you the nano-texture display which Apple says helps reduce glare and might be ideal for those who work outdoors often.

Get ready to preorder the powerful new M6 MacBook Pro on Oct. 28 at 10:10 a.m. PT. The new MacBook officially launches next Friday, Nov. 6.

SAVE $801.99: As of Oct. 27, the 65-inch Sony Bravia 6 OLED 4K HDR Smart Google TV is on sale for $1,198 at Amazon. That's down from its typical $1,999.99 list price — a 40% discount and its best price since launch.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony Bravia 6 $1,198 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $801.99   Get Deal at Amazon

Movie fans and console gamers looking for a flagship living room centerpiece just got a huge early holiday price break.

The 65-inch Sony Bravia 6 OLED 4K HDR Smart TV is on sale for $1,198 at Amazon, slashing $801.99 off its regular $1,999.99 list price. That steep 40% markdown marks the best price since launch for this fresh release.

The screen relies on over eight million individually calibrated, self-illuminating pixels to deliver pure blacks and striking contrast without backlight glow. Colors look remarkably natural and rich thanks to Sony’s Triluminos Pro technology, which unlocks a palette of over a billion shades. Built-in light sensors automatically adjust panel brightness to match the room, whether it is sunny midday or pitch-black midnight, while OLED's expansive viewing angles keep image quality consistent no matter where you are sitting on the couch.

SEE ALSO: Early Black Friday deals from Samsung include gaming monitors, TVs, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra

Film lovers get complete cinema support with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X, delivering expansive, theater-grade sound and imagery to your living room. The TV also comes loaded with the Sony Pictures Core app, which includes 5 free movie credits and a 12-month subscription to stream from a massive library of IMAX Enhanced classics. Google TV now features built-in Gemini, letting you chat naturally to track down shows, ask questions, and run connected smart home gadgets without digging through endless nested menus.

Gamers are also well-covered here. Sony equipped the set with four full HDMI 2.1 ports, enabling 4K playback at 120Hz with VRR, ALLM, and SBTM support for lag-free console play. The physical frame keeps things minimal with a flush, narrow bezel, while the two-way adjustable stand lets you raise the display to easily slide a soundbar underneath without blocking the picture.

Snag the 65-inch Sony Bravia 6 OLED 4K TV while it's over $800 off.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Play Booster Box is on sale for $122.95 at Amazon, down from its $132.99 typical price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Avatar Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Play Booster Box (30 Packs) $122.95 at Amazon
$132.99 Save $10.04 Get Deal at Amazon

If you've been holding off on getting into Magic: The Gathering's Avatar The Last Airbender expansion, Amazon has brought its 30-pack Play Booster Box down to a new low. 

As of Oct. 27, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Play Booster Box is available for just $122.95 at Amazon. That knocks $10.04 off its typical $132.99 price, giving you an 8% discount and bringing the cost down to $4.10 per pack.

That is this 30-pack box’s lowest price so far — confirmed by price tracker camelcamelcamel. What’s more, that’s only $2.20 above its estimated market price on dedicated trading card platform TCGplayer.

SEE ALSO: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box is close to market price at Amazon — save over $70

Inside this massive display are 30 Play Boosters containing 14 cards apiece, giving you 420 cards altogether. Each pack includes at least one Traditional Foil card and between one and four cards of Rare rarity or higher, with a chance of pulling special borderless alternate-art cards.

Alongside familiar characters like Aang, Zuko, and Katara, the expansion brings the show's elemental bending abilities into iconic TCG’s gameplay. Whether you're building new decks, organizing a draft night with friends, or simply opening packs to expand your collection, there's plenty of themed content from the hit franchise to explore.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Three-Booster Blister Pack is on sale for $36.98 at Amazon, down from its typical price of $41.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign 3-Pack Blister $37 at Amazon
$41.95 Save $4.95   Get Deal at Amazon

Preordering one of Pokemon’s upcoming Delta Reign Display Boxes costs over $200 for 30 packs, but the blister containing three boosters is a solid way to get into the Mega Rayquaza ex-themed expansion at a modest price compared to market value — and an Amazon seller has dropped theirs to the lowest price we’ve seen.

As of Oct. 27, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Three-Booster Blister Pack can be preordered for just $36.98 at Amazon. That's a $4.97 cut from its typical $41.95 price. Keep in mind that rather than being sold and shipped by Amazon, this is being sent from third-party seller Collectors Expedition, with free delivery currently estimated for Nov. 13 — seven days after the expansion's Nov. 6 release.

SEE ALSO: Walmart has dropped the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration ETB closer to market price — save over $100

This price is a nice undercut on Walmart (where the same Delta Reign blister is still priced at $39.99), where sellers on this platform usually try to beat Amazon on modern Pokemon TCG releases. 

TCGplayer is the cheapest place to buy, offering unopened Three-Booster Blisters for $33.29, including shipping, which is $1.28 below its estimated market price of $34.57.

Each blister comes with three Delta Reign booster packs containing 10 cards each, along with a promotional Seel card. That works out to approximately $12.33 per pack at Amazon before factoring in the extra promo.

The latest Silicon Valley billionaire club is a $333 million political ad machine that is heavily engaged in next week’s elections.

The Apple news just keeps coming.

With just one day to go before the "Pro and Tell" event in Los Angeles, Apple is dripping out smaller announcements as appetizers. One of the announcements on Tuesday morning was the unveiling of a brand-new iMac with a more powerful M6 chip, a wide range of color options, and plenty of other features that might make it a very appealing all-in-one option for AI lovers.

Apple M6 iMac: Price and release date

Obviously, because it's a computer in the age of RAMageddon, the iMac is not going to be especially cheap. There are two versions: one with a 10-core CPU and GPU, and one with a 12-core CPU and GPU. The former starts at $1,499 and the latter at $1,699.

The device is available for pre-order starting Wednesday and will be generally available on Nov. 6. Your color options this time around are blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, green, and silver.

Apple M6 iMac: Specs and features Look at that thing. Credit: Apple

Here are the specs you can expect when you pick up one of these:

• Display: 24-inch 4.5K retina display with 4480x2520 resolution and 500 nits peak brightness

• Processor: Apple M6

• RAM: 16/24GB

• Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB

• Ports: Up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports

Apple is positioning this as a one-stop shop for all your AI vibe coding needs, claiming the M6 chip delivers 5x faster on-device AI performance than the M4 chip. The whole Apple Intelligence and Siri AI suite is supported here, of course, while up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports provide enough flexibility with external displays to create a very large workspace for yourself.

It should also be a very powerful machine for non-AI applications. Apple claims it has up to 2x higher gaming performance than M4, and the SSD read and write performance is faster, too. Most importantly, it comes in pink, which is just great.

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Smart rings monitor your health in a tiny, inconspicuous package. At first glance, they look like any other piece of jewelry, a simple gold or silver ring. But with tiny sensors, these rings track biometrics through your finger. Yes, they'll track your step count and calories burned, but more advanced technology allows them to track sleep and stress levels, all detected through heart rate and variability.

After extensive testing — including some epic marathon training — we selected the best smart rings of the year so far. This year, Oura debuted the Oura Ring 5, which is an exceptional ring for comfort, design, and overall health tracking. While it takes the top spot in our guide, we tried plenty more options.

This guide compares the top options for fitness-minded tech users who want a low-profile health tracker. To compare the rings, we dug into what actually separates these rings: design, battery life, health features, price, subscription costs, and device compatibility.

SEE ALSO: I ran the NYC Marathon wearing 7 fitness trackers and they all watched me throw up

Latest updates to this guide

As of August 2026, we've replaced the Oura Ring 4 with the Oura Ring 5. Yes, it's the latest model, but its smaller size has greatly improved its comfort, making it the best Oura Ring but also the best overall smart ring.

We've also removed the Evie Ring from this list as it appears to be out of stock. The website for the Evie Ring appears to be unavailable, and the product is no longer listed for sale. We've reached out to Evie for comment on whether the ring is officially discontinued and the status of the company.

We're in the process of testing the RingConn Gen 2 Air for inclusion in this guide. Currently, we've included the Ultrahuman Air in this guide, which is no longer being made but is still available for purchase. We'll update this guide with the Ultrahuman Ring Pro once we've completed testing.

What's the best smart ring?

The smart ring market is ever-growing, with new models debuting each year. Samsung launched a smart ring in 2024, and while Apple doesn't have a smart ring on the market yet, we're sure it will be here in a matter of time. But smart rings are synonymous with the Oura Ring, a leader in the field, and for good reason. Having tried multiple Oura rings (the Oura Ring 4 and Oura Ring 5), testing their hype, and comparing them to other devices, we can confidently say Oura makes the best smart ring in 2026.

Oura offers the most expansive biometric tracking, monitoring your health around the clock. It focuses on daily and long-term health goals more holistically than other rings.

However, the Oura Ring has downsides, like a monthly subscription fee. If you're not down for a monthly fee, we tested some popular alternatives to Oura rings.

Why should you buy a smart ring? So you think you want a smart ring? Here's what you need to know about the latest tech wearable. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Smart rings are not just another fitness tracker. Yes, they do track your activity, steps, and calories burned. However, they're really meant to offer a more holistic view of your health so you can gain deeper insights into your sleep habits, cardiovascular health, and more.

You're a good candidate for a smart ring if you hate the look of a smartwatch or fitness tracker with LED screens, which are categorically not cool. Smart rings are posed as a discreet option, looking like a regular piece of jewelry. However, to be frank, they don't blend in that well. In my weeks of testing, while wearing the rings during hangouts, someone would inevitably ask me, "What's that?"

Since a smart ring doesn't have a screen, you have to pull out your phone and open an app whenever you want to track activity. That's certainly not the end of the world, but if you convert from a smartwatch, you'll miss the convenience of tapping your wrist. That being said, I actually find a smart ring most useful when paired with a smartwatch. I ran all my testing while simultaneously wearing an Apple Watch, and I appreciated the smart rings that were compatible with my watch so I could receive push notifications.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection is on sale for $51.95 at Amazon, down from its typical price of $64.94.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection $51.95 at Amazon
$64.98 Save $13.03   Get Deal at Amazon

Some Pokémon TCG expansions keep dropping in price over time, but the 30th Celebration poster collection has been stubbornly sticking to the $60-$65 range. Now, however, Amazon sellers are giving you a chance to pay just over $50 once again. 

As of Oct. 27, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection is available for $51.95 at Amazon, saving you $12.99 on its $64.94 list price. Keep in mind that this lowest-price listing comes from third-party seller TCG & MORE, but still ships through Amazon, with free delivery currently estimated between Nov. 10-22.

For comparison, that's just 97 cents above the $50.98 Amazon deal we covered on Oct. 19, but is still below its average Amazon price of $53.66 (confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel). Those wanting their cards sooner can pay $53 through another Amazon seller, TszDirect, with free delivery set for Nov. 5 at the time of writing.

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box is close to market price at Amazon — buy for under $140

Inside the collection are three 30th Celebration booster packs, foil promo cards featuring Kanto's Legendary birds Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, and a double-sided poster measuring nearly 27 by 39 inches — bringing together artwork from more than 160 cards in the expansion.

Each booster contains five foil cards, one foil Basic Energy, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. When comparing TCGplayer listings, be careful when checking the descriptions, as some of its much cheaper offers are for the poster alone rather than the full sealed collection.

It appears that Apple's "Pro and Tell" event, scheduled for tomorrow, Oct. 28, will be a busy one, as the company keeps launching products before the event even starts.

Yesterday, Apple introduced a new iPad mini; today, it's the new 14-inch MacBook Pro.

In terms of battery life, the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M6 chip is better than the same model with the M5 chip. Credit: Apple

The new MacBook Pro looks exactly the same as the last one but comes with Apple's powerful new M6 chip, delivering significant upgrades over last year's M5 chip. The M6 has a 12-core CPU, a 12-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine, delivering up to 30 percent faster graphics and up to 25 percent faster AI workloads compared to M5.

The new MacBook Pro is available with 16, 24, or 32GB of memory, and 1, 2, or 4TB of SSD storage. The display is a 14.2-inch mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display. In terms of connectivity, you get Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, and an SDXC card slot.

Three Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI port, and an SDXC card slot. Credit: Apple

Other highlights include improved battery life with up to 16 hours of web browsing and up to 24 hours of video streaming. The choice of colors is the same as before: Space Black or Silver.

The update doesn't extend to the 16-inch model, which still only comes with an M5 Pro or M5 Max chip, but that one will probably get updated tomorrow.

SEE ALSO: Apple's affordable iPhone is getting a new chip and selfie camera, report claims

Pre-orders for the new 14-inch MacBook Pro start tomorrow, Oct. 28, with pricing starting at $1,999. We wouldn't hurry, though; wait till you see what else Apple has in store for the "Pro and Tell" event.

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I test new robot vacuums on a regular basis and compare them to the top performers from previous months, with all my evaluations taking place in my own home on various rugs, tile, and hardwood floors. As I test each robot vacuum and tweak its settings for optimal performance, I keep notes on its overall suction power vigor, scrubbing efficacy (if it's a robot vacuum and mop combo), pet hair pickup, the convenience of its automatic emptying and self-washing mopping pads, accuracy of smart mapping and small obstacle avoidance, and the overall user experience. But the final boss here is cost efficiency — I'll be the first one to point out when a cheap robot vacuum actually works well for the price, or when a high-end robot vacuum is actually worth the splurge or not.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has both Recent changes to this guide

July 2026: I added the Narwal Flow 2 as the new pick for best roller mop robot vacuum overall, bumping the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow to the best roller mop robot vacuum under $1,000. The Narwal Flow 2 has stronger suction power and more advanced AI spill detection.

March 2026: I added the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow as the best roller mop robot vacuum, replacing the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller. Though the Dreame has more powerful suction on paper, the Curv 2 Flow demonstrated better edge mopping and comparable vacuuming. I also replaced the Eufy X10 Pro Omni with the Eufy C28 and shifted it to my budget roller mop pick. The X10 Pro Omni is two years old at this point, and the new C28 offers more advanced cleaning and obstacle avoidance.

January 2026: I added the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete as the best robot vacuum right now and shifted the Aqua10 Ultra to the best roller mop robot vacuum. The Roborock Saros 10R, which was listed as the best option for corner cleaning, has been removed from the list. It costs nearly the same amount as the X60 Max Ultra Complete, which has near-identical corner mopping abilities and much stronger suction power.

December 2025: I added a disclaimer to the pick for best Roomba value in light of iRobot's bankruptcy news.

October 2025: I added the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller as the best robot vacuum right now and shifted the Roborock Saros 10R (previously named the best robot vacuum right now) to the option for best corner cleaning.

July 2025: I removed the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 robot vacuum from this guide. While it was a solid budget mopping robot vacuum for its first year or so on the market, it's now a little bit too basic compared to other newer budget robot vacuums.

TL;DR: The Motorola Razr and Motorola Razr+ are available for free with T-Mobile. You do not need to trade in anything to qualify for these deals.

Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Motorola Razr Free when you activate a new line on most T-Mobile plans. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Motorola Razr+ Free when you activate a new line on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now

We're well aware that Apple recently launched the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the iPhone Duo, but not everyone is totally obsessed with Apple. We know that's hard to believe, but there are people out there shopping for foldable phones from other brands.

Take a look around the live deals from T-Mobile, and you'll soon discover that the free iPhone deals have largely disappeared. That's a shame, but do not fear. You can still pick up Motorola's latest handsets for absolutely nothing. And the process of claiming these free phones is straightforward. You don't even need to trade anything in to qualify:

• Motorola Razr — free when you activate a new line on most T-Mobile plans.

• Motorola Razr+ — free when you activate a new line on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan.

The total cost is covered via 36 monthly bill credits. If you cancel or switch carriers before the three-year promotional period, you’ll owe the remaining balance on the phone’s full retail price. You will also need to pay taxes and a one-time $35 connection charge.

In the market for a new phone but aren't convinced by the iPhone Duo? T-Mobile has you sorted with free Motorola Razr deals this week.

Mashable has been testing laptops for over 10 years. Over the past two years alone, the team and I have researched dozens of models and tried over 90 of the most promising configurations available. We use a meticulous testing procedure involving real-world stress tests and artificial benchmarks to evaluate our contenders on the basis of performance, battery life, design/build quality, and value.

This regularly updated guide serves as our laptop trophy case, highlighting the best-in-class models we've tried across different subcategories. For even more recommendations, check out my dedicated guides to the best MacBooks, the best Windows laptops, the best cheap laptops, and the best Chromebooks.

Why are laptops so expensive right now?

Laptop prices have skyrocketed in 2026 for several reasons. One is the recent boom in AI data center construction, which has caused a global shortage of RAM and SSD storage chips (often referred to as "RAMageddon"). As a result, many consumer tech devices that use these components, including the best laptops, have become vastly more expensive than they would've been otherwise. Most PC makers have been affected, including Apple, Dell, Lenovo, and Acer.

The memory crisis is expected to worsen and could last into 2028, driving up prices even further and making good values in the budget and mid-range tiers even scarcer. On top of that, the Trump administration is reportedly mulling new tariffs on semiconductors that would apply to laptops and other electronics.

SEE ALSO: RAMageddon is reportedly causing a MacBook Air shortage

Further complicating things is that Microsoft reportedly raised its Windows 11 licensing fees by higher-than-usual percentages. In other words, both hardware and software prices have gone up for PC makers this year, forcing them to pass on the extra costs to consumers. Lucky us.

The Mashable team is taking the current state of the market into consideration as we assess and select laptops to recommend to our readers. Moreover, we've gone back and re-evaluated several models that have gotten more expensive since we first tested them.

At the time of writing, only two previous top picks have gotten so pricey that we think they're no longer worth buying. That would be the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, which jumped from an already-high $750 to $1,000, and the Acer Chromebook Plus 516, which went from $479 to $649. We're currently testing some other Chromebook options and will update this guide with a new top pick soon.

Recent updates to this guide

• Mid-September 2026: I've added the Dell XPS 13 as a new pick following our latest round of testing. It's now the best budget Windows laptop we've tried. I also checked all of our current picks for any new pricing and availability updates; there are none to report at this time.

• Early September 2026: I added more information about the various factors affecting laptop prices right now. I also added a new section about some new laptops that shoppers can look forward to in the coming months. Finally, I updated three of our picks in the wake of recent pricing and availability changes. I removed the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 as our top Chromebook because of its value-zapping $170 price hike, and I'm now looking for its replacement. The Asus Zenbook A16 got a $300 price bump, but I'm keeping it as our best 16-inch laptop (for now) because it's still not a rip-off in the current market. Lastly, the Acer Swift Edge 14 AI was out of stock at the time of writing, but may not be sold out for good. I'll continue to monitor its listings over the next few weeks and will swap it for another model if it turns out it's actually been discontinued. In the meantime, a refurbished Swift Edge 14 AI is readily available.

• July 2026: The Acer Swift Edge 14 AI is officially the most portable laptop we've ever tested: It only weighs 2.18 pounds and measures 0.37 inches thin at its slimmest point. I added it as a new pick.

• June 2026: I made the Asus ExpertBook Ultra our new favorite business laptop and named the Asus Zenbook A16 the best 16-inch laptop. I also removed the Alienware 16X Aurora as our top gaming laptop because the configuration we tested has been discontinued. We're currently testing potential replacements.

What to look forward to

In early September, PC makers showed off a slew of new Windows laptops at IFA, an annual tech trade show in Berlin. Among them are the ultralight Acer Swift Blade 14, the very repairable Acer Swift Vero 16, two new Lenovo creator laptops running on Nvidia RTX Spark, and a pair of colorful MacBook Neo competitors: the Lenovo IdeaPad Vibe and the pared-down Dell 14S. The IdeaPad Vibe is confirmed to arrive this October, starting at $699.99, but most other IFA debutants don't have set prices or release dates just yet.

On the MacBook side, Apple is rumored to be working on a refreshed MacBook Pro with an M6 chip (first seen in this summer's new Mac mini), as well as a higher-end MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen. The latter might be called the "MacBook Ultra," if the gossip mill is correct. The M6 model is reportedly coming this fall, while the Ultra could debut at the end of this year or early next.

Read this before you buy a Windows laptop

Many great Windows laptops we've tried run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X and X2 series chips, which use ARM-based architecture instead of standard x86 architecture like Intel and AMD chips. The Zenbook A14 and A16 are two great examples of outstanding ARM laptops.

These Qualcomm chips are great because they offer amazing performance and battery life, but they're not compatible with some specialty software and PC games. Having said that, ARM support is getting better and should dramatically improve in the near future. Right now, I would only avoid ARM laptops if you're a student or if gaming is the main thing you do on your PC. You can read more about this in my dedicated guides to the best Windows laptops and the best laptops for college.

We wanted to test our way through the best Ninja had to offer in kitchen appliances. We brought the most popular products from the brand into our kitchens to see how the Creami, Slushi, Foodi, and Ninja Kitchen System stacked up.

Why buy Ninja?

There are plenty of kitchen appliance brands out there, so why Ninja? Generally, we find its products to be some of the best value products. They tend to be the most affordable options on the market that still deliver excellent performance.

Plus, Ninja products are really beginner-friendly devices that are easy to use with minimal setup required. The appliances bring ease with delicious end products. The Creami is a perfect example of this. Traditional ice cream making requires a bit of skill, knowing how to cook custards to the right temperature with hours of churning. But the Creami simplifies ice cream making with a user-friendly product that still delivers a fantastic end result.

Just because they're beginner-friendly devices doesn't mean they're only for beginners. They're convenient devices with professional-level performance that help develop a more efficient kitchen.

Other products we tested

Having rounded up the best Ninja kitchen appliances means we tested a lot of products and not all of them made it to the list, two notable exceptions being the Ninja Creami Deluxe and Foodi Grill and Air Fryer.

The Ninja Deluxe was my introduction to the Creami lineup, and it is great. It spun up creamy frozen confections and even featured a frozen drink setting. However, compared to the Swirl, it required several re-spins to get the right texture.

Meanwhile, the Foodi Grill was another great multicooker from Ninja. The indoor grill made delicious, juicy chicken breasts with actual char marks. Plus, its air-frying capabilities were a little too good. It got things crispy fast, but often felt like it dried out food in the process. Plus, it was just so large that it didn't feel like a practical device for most people.

That being said, these devices are good, but not in our all-star line-up.

When it comes to gifting, kids can be particular. The things kids like change not just with age, but also with evolving trends from TV shows and new technology. If parents are lucky enough, their kid will write a long list of the precise items they'd like as a birthday or Christmas or Hannukkah gift and put it up on the fridge with pride. But sometimes, it can be as much of a crapshoot as coming up with a gift idea for someone else's kid. Without further ado, here are the best gifts for kids of all ages — including toy and non-toy gifts alike.