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TL;DR: The new Apple iPad mini is available to preorder starting Oct. 28. Prices start at $699, and Apple has set the launch date for Nov. 6.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini $699 at AppleApple has a slew of new products to keep us happy as we head into the finale of 2026. We have the foldable iPhone Duo, a new Apple smart speaker, and now we get to look forward to a new iPad mini. If you loved the old iPad mini or you're looking for a tablet that isn't gigantic, here's how to get your hands on the new iPad mini.
The new Apple iPad mini launches on Nov. 6, and preorders go live at Apple on Oct. 28. Prices start at $699 for the 128GB version with standard glass. You can also go with more storage and get the 256GB model or max out at 512GB. Apple is also offering the iPad mini with nano-texture glass, which starts at $899 for the 256GB model, the smallest offering with the upgraded glass.
SEE ALSO: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is (almost) free before Black Friday — how to claimThe iPad mini is the perfect tablet for anyone who wants a model that's easy to hold and travel-friendly. The 8.5-inch display is larger than the previous model, but the tablet itself is the same size. Apple simply thinned the bezel to make this possible.
In Mashable's review of the previous model, the iPad mini 7th Gen, Senior Tech Editor Stan Schroeder wasn't impressed with Apple's decision to use the A17 Pro chip instead of the A18 Pro. But that's no longer a concern with the new model, because the 2026 iPad mini has the A20 Pro chip.
The OLED display on the new iPad mini 8th Gen has over twice the peak brightness of the 7th Gen, reaching up to 1,200 nits. Additionally, the 12MP center camera will be great for video calls this holiday season. Plus, it's water- and dust-resistant.
In Mashable's review of the best iPads, the 7th-gen iPad mini earned the top spot for reading.
Now's your chance to preorder the 8th-gen iPad mini. Given its small size and portability, it'll be the perfect companion for upcoming holiday travel.
Reddit is following in the footsteps of TikTok (and virtually every other social media app), even if it's a few years later than the rest.
In a company blog post, Reddit announced the rollout of a new "For You" feed for users, which appears on the Reddit homepage.
Reddit says this will start popping up on users' feeds globally in the coming weeks, and it's already live for many users in the United States.
With this change, the Reddit homepage experience will now be divided into two tabs: Following and For You, similar to how other apps like X and TikTok work. The Following tab will strictly show you posts from communities you follow, while For You will blend those with posts from communities you might be interested in.
Often abbreviated to FYP, these "For You" feeds are common across many social media apps.
Credit: Screenshot: Reddit SEE ALSO: Reddit will block 'Old Reddit' for users who don’t use it for six months"At Reddit, good recommendations should help people follow an interest into a community, and from there, into a conversation," the blog post said. "Across thousands of communities, discovery can help people find others who get them, encounter perspectives that broaden their own, and take part in something bigger while sharing their own experiences."
The new feed seems fairly self-explanatory if you've ever used X, Instagram, or Threads, and Reddit's blog post didn't expand much beyond what we've revealed here. As with those other apps, you can freely choose to ignore it if you don't like it, and the app will default to the last one you looked at when you open it next time.
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Need to tackle some jobs around the house? Grab the right tools to handle them ahead of Black Friday. Early Black Friday discounts on Dewalt tools and accessories have already started rolling in, and we're seeing a variety of discounts you can shop right now ahead of the official shopping event.
That makes this the right time to fill out a toolbox, whether it's your own or you're shopping for someone who's been borrowing your drill for too long. A DeWalt kit is a safe bet for a new homeowner, a kid moving into their first apartment, or a relative who's hinted at a home project they never get around to.
These tools tend to sell out fast, so you'll want o grab whatever you need now rather than waiting for the week of Thanksgiving and hoping it goes back on sale (and comes back in stock).
Here are the best early Black Friday DeWalt deals we've found so far.
Best early Black Friday Dewalt deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dewalt 20V MAX Drill and Impact Driver $129 at AmazonThis kit is a great option for anyone looking to build out their own tool set. It has a 1/2-inch drill/driver and 1/4-inch impact driver, plus two 20V MAX batteries, a charger, and a contractor bag. The drill has a two-speed transmission and a 16-setting clutch for everything from pilot holes to driving long screws, while the impact driver puts out up to 1,400 in-lbs of torque and loads bits one-handed.
Best early Black Friday Dewalt cordless tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dewalt Cordless Screwdriver $81.10 at AmazonThis cordless tool is the perfect companion for jobs that require a screwdriver, but not necessarily a massive one. Just twist your wrist to the right to drive and to the left to back a screw out, and the harder you turn, the faster it spins, up to 430 RPM. The kit comes with two 8V MAX batteries and a charger, so you're ready to handle just about any project that comes your way.
Best early Black Friday Dewalt tool kit deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dewalt 20V MAX 5Ah 9-Piece Brushless Power Tool Set $749 at AmazonThis deluxe tool kit is the perfect option for setting up your own projects at home or for helping someone get started with a set of accessories to tackle their own home improvements. It comes with a brushless 1/2-inch drill/driver, a 1/4-inch impact driver, a brushless reciprocating saw, a 6-1/2-inch brushless circular saw, a three-speed oscillating multi-tool, a brushless grinder, a 5-inch random orbit sander, a 1/2-inch impact wrench, and an LED work light. It's everything you need and then some.
More early Black Friday Dewalt dealsDewalt 20V MAX Air Inflator — $141.95 $179 (save $37.05)
Dewalt 20V Max Cordless Impact Wrench — $196.25 $239.99 (save $43.74)
It appears that Discord has some users spooked.
On Tuesday, Mashable reported on Discord's upcoming changes to its platform, which will see tens of thousands of public servers get indexed on Google Search, along with some of the messages in the servers' channels. That means some Discord conversations may soon appear in Google Search results, similar to how Reddit threads and comments can surface in Google.
The reason for the change is to make Discord's public Discoverable Servers, well, more discoverable, helping those communities grow. However, some Discord users who value the privacy aspects of the platform are concerned about this change. Until Discord made this change, the only way to see messages in a server, regardless of whether it was public or private, was to sign up for Discord and join the specific server.
Looking to delete your Discord message history so that it's not included in Google Search? You don't have to do that. Discord is providing users with a simple way to opt out of their messages being searchable.
Also, if you did want to delete all your Discord messages, you'd have to go through the servers and delete each and every one of your messages individually. Even deleting your Discord account won't remove your past messages.
How to remove your Discord messages from GoogleDiscord users can go to their User Settings > Data and Privacy and change their Channel Messages settings. This will ensure that your Discord messages cannot be seen on publicly accessible Server Web Pages that are indexed by search engines.
Discord may still use the content of users' messages for Channel Summaries on Server Web Pages. However, those summaries will not be connected to specific users, and usernames and avatars won't be shown next to messages on these public Server Web Pages.
How to remove your public Discord server from GoogleIf you're a server admin, you can also opt your server out of Google Search indexing. Admins can go to Server Settings > Web Presence on their public server and choose which channels to make searchable. Admins can change these settings to opt out of every one of their server's channels.
If an admin does not opt out, though, all public channels will be added to the Server Web Page when it goes live next month. Admins can also choose to turn off channel summaries on their Server Web Page. In order to ensure a Server Web Page isn't created for their server, admins must make these changes by Nov. 16, 2026.
If you're worried about your private server or private messages, there's no need to be. These changes do not affect those servers and messages. They remain completely private and excluded from search engines. Private servers also continue to require an invite to join.
Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters or get Mashable push alerts today.
The coolest tech gifts may look like the most boring box in the present pile... until they're unwrapped. But in a second, you'll both unlock a new favorite memory: They get to gush over owning one of the most sought-after gadgets of the year, and you get to watch their face light up.
Our tech gift guide for 2026 includes some of the best new releases of the year from Apple, Amazon, Bose, Shark, and Sony, most of which we personally reviewed. We're obviously loving the latest upgrades, like the refreshed Kindle and the second-gen QuietComforts. But even if you're not shopping for an early adopter, we've still found some awesome under-the-radar gadgets that'll speak to their niche interests. The cool teenager on your list may not care about Apple's new smart home devices, but they will freak over the Camp Snap 2. (It's one of our top Gifts of the Year.)
To find the best holiday gifts for the techies in your life, Mashable's tech and shopping reporters have come together to curate a guide to our favorite gift-worthy gadgets of the year — the true "I can't believe you got this for me" gifts. So, whether you're splurging on a MacBook or searching for stocking stuffers, here are the best tech gifts for 2026.
When it comes to streaming video games, a $500 microphone won't get you 500 viewers. Most new game streamers are lucky to have 100 people watching in their first few months.
It helps to know what makes a difference on day one, whether you're buying gear for yourself or someone on your gift list.
Not even the best gear will make you a good streamer -- personality, practice, and becoming comfortable talking to an audience from an empty room will do that. Start with what you have, and upgrade to better equipment when your audience gives you a reason.
You can watch me walk through the essential streaming gear, along with other holiday shopping advice for the gamers on your list, in a new CNET Group video franchise called Holiday Office Hours From the Labs.
Here’s the short list of what you need to start streaming video games.
Your PCIf your computer already runs your games well, it can probably stream them too. If you’re shopping for a new one, look for three things: At least 16GB of RAM, an SSD instead of a hard drive, and a modern graphics card.
These are important because your PC needs to handle both streaming and gaming. With an SSD, your games can load faster, and a decent-quality graphics card can do the bulk of the work. We recommend the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060.
Opens in a new window Credit: GIGABYTE / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 $459.99 at AmazonAll the current graphics cards from Nvidia, AMD, and Intel have a built-in hardware encoder, which turns your gameplay into a video stream without slowing down the game. NVIDIA’s encoder is the most widely supported and best-regarded option in free streaming software like OBS. That makes the RTX 5060 the easiest card to set up and forget.
A word of warning: demand from the AI boom has pushed up the prices of RAM and graphics cards, so compare prices before you buy. A prebuilt PC that costs about $1,000 should cover everything above. Used and refurbished listings are worth a look too. I bought my own prebuilt on Facebook Marketplace for $800, and it came with an RTX 5080 Founders Edition card. Deals like that are out there.
Credit: Mashable/Cole Kan Capture cardIf you’re gaming and streaming on the same PC, you can skip a capture card. Free software like OBS captures your gameplay directly. You’ll need one only if you’re streaming from a console or if you use a second PC just for streaming.
If that’s you, our pick is the Elgato 4K S, at about $160.
Opens in a new window Credit: Elgato Elgato 4K S $159.67 at Best BuyThis is the one place we’d tell most new streamers to spend a little extra effort. Your webcam is a small box in the corner of the screen, but your voice carries the whole stream. Viewers will forgive a grainy picture long before they forgive bad audio.
Our pick is a Logitech Creators Blue Yeti, a plug-and-play USB mic that sounds good without extra equipment.
Opens in a new window Credit: Logitech Logitech Creators Blue Yeti USB Microphone $99.99 at AmazonBut you don’t need a dedicated mic right away. The headset you already own can sound surprisingly good with some basic noise removal and EQ, and there are plenty of free tutorials that show you how. I don’t own a standalone mic myself. When I need to record, I use my Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones.
Webcam and lightingFor a webcam, a 1080p model is plenty. The Logitech C920x, at about $70, is our pick.
Opens in a new window Credit: Logitech Logitech C920x $69.99 at AmazonLighting is what makes a cheap camera look expensive. Our pick is the Philips Hue starter kit, at about $140, at the time of this writing. It includes two smart bulbs and the Hue Bridge, the hub that connects them to your Wi-Fi so you can control them from your phone. Govee makes good options for less.
Opens in a new window Credit: Phillips Philips Hue Smart Light Starter Kit $139.86 at AmazonYou can also skip smart lighting entirely. Pointing an inexpensive desk lamp at your face, so your monitor isn’t your only light source, goes a long way.
Stream deckThe Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 is a grid of programmable buttons for switching scenes, muting your mic, playing sound effects, and more. It’s great, and it’s our pick when you’re ready for one. But it’s built for people who stream regularly, so you don’t need it on day one.
Opens in a new window Credit: Elgato Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 $119.99 at AmazonAs much as we try to ignore it, having a phone has become a necessity. You can Brick it to stay off doomscrolling apps, but you'll need a phone to accomplish life's most basic tasks these days.
But having a phone isn't all bad. We can use them to take photos, keep in touch with friends, and watch endless hours of Christmas movies. But if your phone can barely hold a charge, has cracks across every angle of the screen, or takes lame photos, it's time for an upgrade.
SEE ALSO: Early Black Friday home improvement deals save big on power tools, smart lights, home security, and more.As an early Black Friday treat, we're seeing nice discounts on models from Samsung, Google, Motorola, and more. Here are the best deals to shop if you're in need of a new phone.
Best Google Pixel deal Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 10 Pro (128GB) $749 at AmazonThe Google Pixel 11 is Mashable's top pick for the best Android phone, but we can't ignore the previous generation. The older but still great Google Pixel 10 Pro is on sale for a major 25% off before Black Friday. The Pixel 10 Pro has a 6.3-inch display, a battery that can last for over 24 hours, and an impressive camera that's great even in low-light.
Best Samsung Galaxy deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 $789 at AmazonUnlocked and with 256GB of storage for all your photos and videos, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is already on sale ahead of Black Friday shopping chaos. The Samsung uses the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor for speedy operations across the board.
More unlocked phone dealsTCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro (128GB) — $279.98 $329.99 (save $50.01)
Motorola Razr (2025, 256GB) — $549.99 $699.99 (save $150)
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB) — $1,349.99 $1,599.99 (save $250)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 — $1,699.99 $1,899.99 (save $200)
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
Behold, fellow period drama lovers, the trailer for the much-anticipated Netflix adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is finally here.
Adapted for the screen by Dolly Alderton and directed by Euros Lyn, the six-part series stars Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet, Jack Lowden as Mr. Darcy, and Olivia Colman as Mrs. Bennet. The other Bennet sisters are played by Hopey Parish (Mary), Hollie Avery (Kitty), Rhea Norwood (Lydia), and Freya Mavor (Jane). Daryl McCormack is Mr. Bingley, Jamie Demetriou plays Mr. Collins, and Louis Partridge is Mr. Wickham. Fiona Shaw plays the esteemed patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
For those of us who cherish previous adaptations of the beloved Austen novel, we have high hopes for this six-part series. No pressure, Netflix. Though one can't judge from the trailer alone, my initial impressions (as an Austen devotee) are that it looks faithful to the story, romantic at its heart, and the period drama treat that we're all craving this cosy season.
TL;DR: Score up to 50% off during LELO's fall sale. Plus, get a free MIA 3 when you spend $199+.
Opens in a new window Credit: LELO Get up to 50% off plus a free toy when you spend $199+ Shop Now at LELOHalloween is just a few days away, but retailers are still dropping thrills for the ghouls and gals who want all the treats this year.
Right now, you can get up to 50% off top-rated vibes during LELO's fall sale. Just be sure to use the promo code PUMPKINSPICE10 (how fitting) for an additional 10% off at checkout. (Note: This code doesn't work on bundles, and it expires on Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET!)
SEE ALSO: LELO just released its 2026 Couples Calendar and it's luxe AFIf you spend $199+, you'll get a free MIA 3 — a travel-sized lipstick vibrator with eight settings. It's waterproof, USB rechargeable, and has a travel lock, so you can toss it in your bag without worrying about it turning on by accident.
Unsure of what to buy? Here are a few of my favorites:
ENIGMA Double Sonic (or any of the Enigma toys, honestly) for G-spot and clitoral stimulation
SONA 3 Cruise for intense clitoral suction
GIGI 3 for targeted G-spot pleasure
LELO also has a handful of male sex toys and, of course, bundle deals for those of you who want more for less (just remember that promo code won't apply to the bundles).
We've barely had time to eat stale candy corn, but Black Friday deals are already coming in hot. Every year, we look forward to early deals to get ahead of holiday shopping, and I have good news if you're a fan of Ninja kitchen appliances. We're already seeing excellent discounts with the brand on some of Mashable's favorite Ninja items.
SEE ALSO: Early Black Friday home improvement deals save big on power tools, smart lights, home security, and more.Shopping early Black Friday kitchen deals makes sense if you're hosting Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas brunch, or you have a chef to shop for this season. Ninja makes a massive collection of kitchen appliances from luxury espresso machines to glass air fryers that you'll use everyday.
I've gathered the best Ninja deals below if you're looking to shop early or make some upgrades in your own kitchen.
Best coffee maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Fresh Brew Coffee Maker $69.99 at AmazonSometimes you just need a pot of drip coffee. Fancier options exist, but some of us need a giant mug of simple drip to make it through the season. If that's the case, the 12-cup Ninja Fresh Brew coffee maker is the way to go. The stainless steel design looks modern in any kitchen, and you can stop mid-brew to pour a cup right away.
Going with a simple coffee maker is also a great choice if you'll be hosting guests this holiday season since it can serve up 12 cups with one brew. No one will have to wait in line to get a cup. For other times, the Ninja has a small batch setting that brews between one and four cups.
More Ninja coffee dealsNinja Single Serve Coffee Maker — $89.99 $129.99 (save $40)
Ninja Espresso & Coffee Maker — $229.95 $279.99 (save $50.04)
Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus — $449.99 $499.99 (save $50)
The Ninja Crispi earned a Mashable Gift of the Year award and makes the list of the best kitchen gear we always recommend. The glass containers set this model apart from most other air fryers, and the Pro version comes with a 6 and 2.5-quart containers with storage lids.
Ninja equipped this model with six cooking functions like roast, crisp, and bake. Plus, the glassware and lids are dishwasher safe.
More Ninja air fryer dealsNinja Air Fryer XL — $99.99 $179.99 (save $80)
Ninja DualZone Air Fryer — $149.99 $269.99 (save $120)
Ninja French Door Premier Air Fry Oven — $199.99 $279.99 (save $80)
If you're anything like me, you put ice cubes, frozen mango chunks, banana, and spinach in the blender and expect it to perfect crush ice and frozen fruit. Not every blender is up for that task, but the Ninja CrushBoss can handle it. With a powerful 1,850W base, the blender is ready to chop and puree almost anything you toss at it.
The food processor attachment on this blender is excellent for helping out with food prep since it can slice and cut veggies. It can even mix dough so you don't have to spent time and manpower on the task.
More Ninja blender dealsNinja Nutri-Blender Pro — $73.99 $109.99 (save $36)
Ninja Professional Plus Duo Blender — $109.99 $149.99 (save $40)
Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System — $159.99 $219.99 (save $60)
Life is short. You should have soft-serve ice cream on demand in your own kitchen if you feel like it. The unique Ninja Scoop & Swirl can make ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, gelato, milkshakes, and give you the ability to become an expert soft serve swirler. Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino's review of the Ninja Scoop & Swirl proved it's worth the investment if you're a fan of frozen treats at home. Just be sure you have counter space to handle the addition.
Looking to start up a board game night tradition? Now's the perfect time to do it, especially since retailers have started slashing prices on board games weeks ahead of Black Friday. In fact, some of the discounts we're seeing now are actually better than what showed up on Black Friday itself last year, which means you should go ahead and stock up while the discounts are so deep.
A board game isn't just the perfect thing to add to your arsenal of entertainment items at home. It's also a good gift idea for hard-to-shop-for relative, older kids, or family who just doesn't want or need anything else. There are some great titles available now with some significant price cuts too, so they're definitely worth grabbing now rather than hoping they're still around the week of Thanksgiving.
Here are the best early Black Friday board game deals we've found so far.
Best early Black Friday board game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Slay The Spire: The Board Game $99.99 at AmazonThis cooperative deck-building roguelike, based on the video game of the same name, feels very similar to the digital version. Choose the Ironclad, the Silent, the Defect, or the Watcher, start with a bare-bones deck, and climb the Spire floor by floor. You work to add cards and relics while fighting through elites and bosses along the way, The box is stuffed with more than 650 cards plus four miniatures, map boards, and a token tray, so every game plays out differently. It works just as well solo as it does with a full table, and you can save a campaign mid-climb and pick it up next game night.
Best early Black Friday strategy board game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Catan $39.99 at AmazonCatan is a veritable board game classic, and it's a great pickup to snag while it's discounted. Three to four players settle a randomly laid-out island, collecting wood, brick, wool, grain, and ore to build roads, settlements, and cities. Games wrap up in about an hour to 90 minutes, and it's fairly easy to learn. And if you're tired of playing the same things over and over, Catan's modular board means no two games set up the same way. It's a significant upgrade from Monopoly that's suitable for the whole family.
Best early Black Friday kids' board game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Operation $13.99 at AmazonThis classic board game has delighted kids and families for years, and nothing has changed after all this time. Cavity Sam lies on the table with a dozen ailments like the Wishbone, Charley Horse, and Butterflies in the Stomach. Players take turns using the tweezers to pull each piece out without touching the metal edges. Brush the side and his nose lights up and buzzes, and you lose your turn. Once you've all taken all of the issues away from (and out of) Sam, the game is over. That buzzer may very well haunt your dreams for years.
Best early Black Friday Dungeons & Dragons deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dungeons & Dragons - Starter Set: Heroes of the Borderlands $39.95 at AmazonIf you've ever wanted to get started with Dungeons & Dragons but didn't know how, this board game is the perfect introduction. It has a quick-start guide, player boards for the Cleric, Rogue, Wizard, and Fighter, and cards for species, backgrounds, spells, and gear so nobody has to build a character from scratch. Three to five players run through three adventure booklets split between combat, exploration, and roleplaying, and the poster maps for the Keep and the Caves of Chaos pull from one of the oldest modules in the game’s history. It's got everything beginners need and then some, so it's a much less daunting introductory experience.
More early Black Friday board game dealsCatan on the Road Card Game — $7.99 $9.99 (save $2)
Bananagrams — $11.99 $15.99 (save $4)
Hot Dog Drop — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)
Dixit — $39.99 $44.99 (save $5)
7 Wonders — $51.10 $58.99 (save $7.89)
Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West — $103.28 $119.99 (save $16.71)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim The Adventure Game — $98.95 $149.99 (save $51.04)
You might need to take a break from salivating over every Grand Theft Auto VI trailer to clear some space on your PS5 or Xbox hard drive.
An X account called PlayStation Game Size allegedly caught wind of the install size for GTA 6 and posted it on Tuesday. Ladies and gentlemen, wait for the reveal...it's apparently 210GB. That's pretty huge (though still not as big as Call of Duty), which should be a surprise to no one. However, given that a base PS5 has a little less than 1TB of usable storage space, you might need to do some virtual inventory management if you also keep other big games installed.
SEE ALSO: A new 'GTA 6 Ultimate Edition' deal for the PS5 just dropped: How to save $15 with clever hack This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.A 210GB file size for a purely single-player (for now) game is massive. Just to compare it to a couple of other major open-world games from this console generation, Elden Ring is only about 65GB, Assassin's Creed Shadows was just north of 100GB, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 asked for 98GB of space on your hard drive. That doesn't necessarily mean GTA 6 is twice as big as those games, as a lot of different variables can factor into file size, but it does mean that it's probably pretty huge regardless of how it compares to anything else.
Only a few more weeks now until it's finally in our hands. Remember: GTA 6 officially launched Nov. 19.
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SAVE $50: The brand-new Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are on sale at Woot for $99, down from $149. That scores you a $50 discount (34% off) on Apple's latest open-ear noise-cancelling buds.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at WalmartApple’s brand-new AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation just took a massive price cut at Woot, dropping down to $99 from their standard $149 retail price. That is a straight $50 discount for a pair of earbuds that just hit the market. Apple managed to bring legitimate active noise cancellation to an open-ear design, ditching the silicone tips that many people find uncomfortable on the AirPods Pro.
Mashable’s Kimberly Gedeon awarded them a 4.6/5 score and a Mashable Choice Award. When she took them on an eight-hour flight across 3,319 miles, the earbuds handled the high-pitched drone of airplane engines and airport chaos with ease, while outlasting Apple’s battery ratings by clocking 5 hours and 12 minutes on a single charge with ANC turned on.
SEE ALSO: Everything Apple announced so far: M6 MacBook Pro, M6 iMac, and an OLED iPad miniThe AirPods 4 run on the upgraded H2 chip, which powers handy perks like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness to lower your volume automatically when you start speaking to someone. Voice Isolation cleans up loud street noise during calls, while Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking gives music and movies an expansive, theater-like vibe.
The hardware received a subtle shape overhaul for a more stable one-size-fits-most fit, complete with an IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistance rating on both the buds and the case. That redesigned charging case is the smallest in the industry with wireless charging support, powering up via USB-C, standard Qi pads, or even an Apple Watch charger puck, with an integrated speaker for Find My tracking.
Get this no-brainer AirPods 4 deal while it lasts.
TL;DR: The Amazon Echo Show 16 is available for preorder for $399.99 (normally $499.99) at Amazon when you click the on-screen coupon. That's a $100 discount on a smart display that doesn't even release until Dec. 16.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Show 16 $399.99 at AmazonAmazon just launched a new lineup of smart home tech, including an Alexa Photo Frame, an upgraded Echo Dot, and the Echo Show 16 — Amazon's "most advanced" Echo Show yet.
SEE ALSO: The 7 best Amazon Echo devices for 2026Right now, you can preorder the Amazon Echo Show 16 for $399.99 at Amazon. Its sticker price is $499.99, so if you want to get it on sale before the holidays, now's your chance. This $100 discount is a limited-time introductory offer (via an on-screen coupon), and we don't expect it to last much longer after its official launch on Dec. 16.
The Echo Show 16 features a 16-inch display (10 percent larger than the Echo Show 15), Alexa voice remote, and built-in Fire TV. You can access thousands of apps, including your fave streaming platforms, manage your calendar, and order groceries, all with the touch of a button or Alexa+.
It also acts as a smart home hub, featuring a new Alexa Home Map that lets you scan your house with an iPhone to create a virtual layout of your devices. (I mean, IDK if that's a great idea, but if you're fully invested in the ecosystem, it makes controlling your lights and cameras pretty seamless.) It even comes with a wall mount right in the box, though you'll have to buy a stand separately if you prefer keeping it on the counter.
TL;DR: Pokémon GO kicked off its two-part Halloween 2026 event on Oct. 27, featuring top-hatted Zubat, cape-wearing Pikachu, the debut of Shiny Greavard, and up to 3× Candy and Stardust via the Halloween GO Pass through Nov. 5.
If you noticed PokéStops and Gyms looking a little more festive than usual this week, you aren't imagining things. Pokémon GO has officially kicked off its two-part Halloween 2026 celebration, running through Nov. 5.
Alongside seasonal map decor and the classic Lavender Town theme music remix playing in the game every night, the event packs costume debuts, massive resource multipliers, and a brand-new shiny ghost dog into a tidy schedule.
Part I kicked off Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. and runs through Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. local time. The initial stretch focuses on fresh seasonal costumes and map bonuses:
Zubat wearing a top hat — Spawns in the wild, with a possible Shiny encounter.
Pikachu wearing a hat and capelet — Featured in one-star raids, with a Shiny chance.
Sinistea wearing a bow — Appears in one-star raids alongside Pikachu, also eligible to be Shiny.
Themed wild spawns — Duskull, Piplup wearing a Halloween Mischief costume, Drifblim wearing a Halloween Mischief costume, and more will appear in the wild.
Spooky map surprises — Mischievous Pokémon leave behind objects on the overworld map; tapping them triggers encounters or awards Pikachu, Zubat, Sinistea, or Rare Candy.
Part II picks up on Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. and ends on Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. local time. The second half shifts focus toward a new Shiny debut and battle upgrades:
Shiny Greavard debut — Available for the first time in Pokémon GO, appearing in the wild, through Field Research tasks, and via the GO Pass.
Themed wild spawns — Litwick, Rowlet wearing a Pokémon Halloween costume, Gengar wearing a Spooky Festival costume, and others will spawn in the wild.
Super Max Level Mega Sableye — You can raise Mega Sableye's Mega Level to Super Max Level.
Night Shade+ Charged Attack — Unlocking Super Max Level lets eligible Mega Evolved Pokémon learn a second Charged Attack, granting Sableye the move Night Shade+.
Running across both halves of the event is the GO Pass: Halloween 2026. By completing pass tasks and collecting GO Points to rank up, you'll unlock passive resource multipliers at major milestones:
Tier 1 (Rank 10) — Unlocks 2× Catch Candy, which bumps to 3× Catch Candy if you pick up the GO Pass Deluxe.
Tier 2 (Rank 20) — Unlocks 2× Catch Stardust, which jumps to 3× Catch Stardust on the GO Pass Deluxe.
Free GO Pass rewards — Ranking up grants encounters with event-themed Pokémon, themed Candy, Rare Candy, and Ultra Balls.
Every reward unlocked along your GO Pass must be claimed before Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. local time, or it disappears for good.
Clear out your item bag, crank up the in-game audio for the Lavender Town vibes, and get hunting — you only have until Nov. 5 to make the most of this year's haunted haul.
TL;DR: Krispy Kreme’s limited-edition All Jacked Up Dozen is currently live for $13 in shops, at drive-thrus, and online — running now through Thursday, Oct. 29.
If you’ve walked into a bakery lately, you already know holiday-themed treats usually come with a holiday-themed markup. Krispy Kreme seems to be going the other direction this week, quietly selling a full Halloween-themed box for roughly what you’d pay for a plain dozen.
The chain's limited-time All Jacked Up Dozen has dropped for $13, though you won’t have long to catch it. The promotion is only scheduled through Thursday, Oct. 29.
Thankfully, nobody tried to reinvent the wheel with artificial pumpkin glazes here. It’s just the classic melt-in-your-mouth pastry dressed up in a loud Halloween costume with a handful of playful toppings:
Jack's Original Glazed Doughnuts (9) — The standard melt-in-your-mouth glazed ring, tinted festive orange with an extra drizzle of icing.
Mummy Jack Doughnut (1) — An orange Original Glazed dipped in icing, piped with white vanilla buttercreme "bandages," and finished with a green iced stem.
Jack O' Doughnut (1) — An orange-glazed base detailed with chocolate frosting to look like a mini carved jack-o’-lantern.
Monster Jack Doughnut (1) — Topped with orange icing, crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, piped chocolate stitches, and a green stem.
You can grab one at participating shops, through the drive-thru, or via the app for pickup and delivery — just keep in mind that once Oct. 29 ends, the $13 run is done.
John Ternus has been busy since taking over as Apple's new CEO on Sept. 1. Two weeks after the company's "Welcome Home" smart home launch, the company is hosting the "Pro and Tell" event in Los Angeles today. Apple is widely expected to release a new MacBook Pro model with an OLED touchscreen at the event, and Ternus is teasing it on X.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.However, Apple surprised the tech world by announcing a bunch of new products ahead of the event, including a new iPad Mini, M6 Mac devices, and updates to Apple Creator Studio, the company's subscription bundle of creative apps.
While we await the rumored MacBook Pro OLED model, here's everything Apple has announced around its "Pro and Tell" private event so far.
14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 Credit: ApplePrice: Starts at $1,999
Release date: Pre-order starting Oct. 28, ships Nov. 6
The headline product is the 14-inch MacBook Pro, which gets M6's 12-core CPU. Apple says M6 features the world’s fastest CPU core. Apple claims the 12-core GPU is up to 30 percent faster for graphics and up to 25 percent faster for AI workloads than the M5, while the Neural Engine is up to 1.9x faster. Owners of an M1 model could see bigger jumps: Apple cites up to 11x faster graphics and up to 13x faster AI performance.
Apple's AI benchmarks are the more telling numbers. It says LLM prompt processing delivers a first token up to 1.3x faster than the M5 model, with similar gains in Blender rendering and Xcode builds.
Battery life is rated at up to 24 hours, which Apple calls the longest ever in a Mac, and fast charging reaches 50 percent in 30 minutes with a 96W adapter. Memory starts at 16GB and tops out at 32GB. Wireless connectivity upgrades to WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and the laptop supports up to two external displays.
Speaking of displays, the MacBook Pro has a Liquid Retina XDR display (with up to 1,600 nits of peak HDR brightness and a nano-texture option), a 12MP Center Stage camera, six speakers, and the same ports, including HDMI, MagSafe 3, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, and an SDXC slot.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 starts at $1,999, or $1,899 with education pricing, and comes in space black and silver. Apple Upgrade leases start at $38.99 per month for 36 months. Pre-orders open Wednesday, Oct. 28, in the U.S. and 34 other countries and regions, with availability beginning Friday, Nov. 6.
iMac with M6 Credit: ApplePrice: Starts at $1,499
Release date: Pre-order starting Oct. 28, ships Nov. 6
The iMac skips M5 entirely, jumping from M4 straight to M6. Apple says the CPU and GPU each gain two cores, with configurations offering up to 12 cores apiece and delivering up to 2x faster graphics than the M4. Again, Apple’s big claim is that the iMac can run AI locally. The company says the iMac runs on-device AI up to 5x faster than M4, including prompt processing in LM Studio. For anyone still on an Intel iMac, Apple reports an overall performance gain of up to 18x.
Connectivity gets some of the more practical upgrades. WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6 come standard, available 2.5Gb Ethernet is up to 2.5x faster than before, and Apple says SSD speeds have doubled. Up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports support two 6K external displays.
The rest of the iMac is unchanged, including the 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera, color-matched accessories, and seven colors: blue, green, pink, yellow, purple, orange, and silver.
The iMac with M6 starts at $1,499 ($1,449 for education) with a 10-core CPU and GPU, and $1,699 ($1,599 for education) with a 12-core CPU and GPU. That base price matches what the M4 iMac currently sells for after a $200 increase in June, according to MacRumors. Apple Upgrade leases start at $28.99 per month for 36 months. Pre-orders open Wednesday, Oct. 28, with availability beginning Friday, Nov. 6.
Apple Creator Studio Credit: ApplePrice: $12.99 per month or $129 per year
Release date: Apple says it "will be available on the App Store this November"
Apple also gave its new Macs more AI software to run. Apple Creator Studio adds intelligent assistants (in beta) to Logic Pro for Mac and to Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. Notably, Apple says those assistants are built on a combination of its own models and OpenAI’s. Keynote, Pages, and Numbers also gain Model Context Protocol (MCP) support, which lets third-party AI agents read documents, make edits, and run automated actions inside the apps.
Elsewhere, Final Cut Pro for Mac now includes MotionVFX's library of effects, transitions, and templates, and Pixelmator Pro adds Generate Fill, which lets you edit selected parts of an image using text prompts. Logic Pro's Stem Splitter can now separate drums.
The Creator Studio updates arrive in November at no additional cost for existing subscribers. The subscription costs $12.99 per month or $129 per year, with education pricing of $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year.
iPad mini with A20 Pro Credit: ApplePrice: Starts at $699
Release date: Pre-order starting Oct. 28, ships Nov. 6
Apple's week of Pro and Tell announcements technically started Monday with the new iPad mini, which Apple calls the tablet's "biggest update ever." The headline change is a larger 8.5-inch OLED display that fits in the same footprint, thanks to 24 percent thinner bezels. Apple says peak brightness reaches 1,200 nits, more than double that of the previous model, and a nano-texture option is available.
The A20 Pro chip follows the same local AI script as the M6. It has Neural Accelerators in each GPU core, and Apple claims up to 4.5x faster AI performance than the previous generation. The tablet is also thinner, at 5.4mm, and adds IP67 water and dust resistance, a 12MP front camera on the landscape edge, and Apple's N1 wireless and C2 cellular chips.
The iPad mini starts at $699 for WiFi and $849 for WiFi + Cellular (education pricing starts at $649), and comes in midnight and starlight. Pre-orders open Wednesday, Oct. 28, with availability beginning Friday, Nov. 6.
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Working with a smaller budget this holiday season? You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to pick up a great gift for White Elephant or treat yourself to something awesome. Believe it or not, you can grab plenty of deals for less than $25 during Black Friday sales.
Technically, Black Friday is still a few weeks away, but there are already lots of inexpensive items available. To point you in the right direction, we've rounded up some of our favorite deals we've spotted so far.
As with every major sale, we'll be keeping an eye on all the best deals leading up to and during Black Friday 2026. We'll update this list with any new budget friendly steals that pop up. For now, here are the best early Black Friday deals under $25.
Best early Black Friday deal under $25 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2026) $19.99 at AmazonEvery Fire TV Stick was hit with a price increase this year, but we're still seeing drastic discounts ahead of Black Friday. For instance: the brand-new Fire TV Stick 4K (just released last month) is on sale for just under $20 for Prime members, thanks to an on-page coupon. This recent release effectively replaces the 4K Select, though it just came out last year. Amazon heard the cries of customers over the 4K Select's limited app store and added over 2,000 more apps (including Spotify, Xbox, VLC, and a range of VPNs). It also comes with the Vega 2.0 OS, 8GB of storage, a quad-core 1.7GHz processor, support for WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, HDR10+, HLG, Alexa+, and a redesigned remote.
More early Black Friday deals under $25Anker USB-C to USB-C Cable (2-pack) — $9.99 $12.99 (save $3)
Play-Doh Blooming Flower Garden Playset — $14 $23.99 (save $9.99)
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select — $14.99 $49.99 (save $35 with on-page code SELECT4K)
Blink Mini 2K+ — $16.99 $39.99 (save $33)
Amazon Fire TV Stick HD — $17.99 $39.99 (save $22 with on-page code HDFTV)
Play-Doh Blooms Rosy Petite Flower Bouquet — $18.74 $24.99 (save $6.25)
Play-Doh PD Blooms Wildflower Petite Bouquet — $18.74 $24.99 (save $6.25)
Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10)
Yeti Rambler Travel Bottle (22-ounce) — $21 $28 (save $7)
Apple AirTag (2nd gen) — $23 $29 (save $6)
Blink Wired Doorbell 2K+ — $23.99 $49.99 (save $26)
Anker Nano Power Bank — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)
Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go — $23.99 $34.99 (save $11)
Yeti Rambler Ceramic Lined Mug (10-ounce) — $24 $30 (save $6)
Bluey Cruise Ship Playset — $25 $59.99 (save $34.99)
SAVE 75%: Proton VPN's Black Friday sale drops its two-year VPN Plus subscription down to $2.49 per month (billed as $59.76 for 24 months) — save 75% off the standard monthly rate.
Opens in a new window Credit: Proton VPN Proton VPN (2-Year Plan) Get Deal at Proton VPNIf you have been putting off getting a VPN because you didn’t want to add another expensive monthly bill to your plate, this is the time to pounce. Proton VPN has rolled out its biggest sale of the year for Black Friday, slashing 75% off its two-year VPN Plus plan. That brings the price down from the regular $9.99 per month to just $2.49 per month (billed all at once as $59.76 for the first 24 months).
The biggest hesitation most people have with VPNs is simple: can you actually trust the company with your private browsing?
With Proton, the answer is built into the foundation. Unlike many providers that keep your data behind closed doors, Proton’s software is completely open-source, so independent security experts can inspect the code at any time. It runs on a strict no-logs policy, so whatever you search, stream, or click never gets tracked, stored, or sold off to advertisers.
Of course, solid privacy doesn't mean much if your connection grinds to a halt every time you try to stream a show. Proton solves that by giving you unlimited bandwidth with zero speed throttling across a massive network of over 20,000 high-speed servers in more than 140 countries. Thanks to its VPN Accelerator, which boosts speeds up to 400%, you can stream movies while traveling without annoying lag or buffering.
Plus, a single subscription covers up to 10 devices at once, keeping your phone, laptop, tablet, and smart TV protected under one login. Besides keeping prying eyes off your traffic, it actively cleans up your daily web experience. The built-in NetShield feature acts as an automatic bodyguard, wiping out annoying pop-up ads, trackers, and malicious phishing sites before they even have a chance to load.
SEE ALSO: How to protect yourself from AI scams — McAfee+ combines AI-powered scam protection, antivirus, VPN, and moreIf you're still on the fence, you may as well take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee to see how it handles your daily browsing. Just keep in mind that once those initial 24 months wrap up, it rolls into a yearly renewal at $83.88 unless you turn off auto-renew.
Grab the two-year plan for $2.49 a month while the lowest price of the year is still live.
TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Play Booster Box is on sale for $139.99 at Amazon, down from its $207.95 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Play Booster Box $139.99 at AmazonJust when it seemed like Magic: The Gathering's The Hobbit Play Booster Box couldn't get any cheaper, Amazon has surprised us with another major price drop. Less than a week after the 30-pack display fell below $160 for the first time, this Middle-earth-themed box is now almost $20 cheaper again.
As of Oct. 28, the Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Play Booster Box costs just $139.99 at Amazon. Compared to the $207.95 list price, that's a staggering $67.96 in savings after a 33% discount, bringing the cost of each of the 30 included packs down to $4.67. Better still, Amazon is handling both the sale and shipping — with free delivery set for Nov. 2, or as soon as Oct. 30 for Prime members.
Amazon isn't the only retailer offering this price. Walmart has matched the $139.99 deal, although its listing is sold by Cataclysm Games and fulfilled by Walmart.
SEE ALSO: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box is close to market price at Amazon — save over $70You'll get 30 Play Boosters containing 14 cards apiece, plus an exclusive traditional foil Middle-earth Box Topper featuring a special reprint from The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth.
Every pack also includes at least one foil card and one to three rare or higher-rarity cards, with chances to uncover special alternate-art and borderless versions of characters from Bilbo's classic adventure in the original tale of The Hobbit book.
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