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SAVE $61.99: As of Dec. 15, the Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones are down to just $398 at Amazon. That's a 13% drop from their usual list price and matches their Black Friday price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones $398 at AmazonWhen Sony dropped its newest WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones earlier this year, we were a little disappointed in the price increase over their predecessor. Though Mashable's tech editor Timothy Beck Werth believes the steep cost is mostly justified by their robust specs, we definitely appreciate a solid discount.
As of Dec. 15, the Sony WH-1000XM6s are back down to just $398 instead of their usual list price of $459.99. That's $61.99 or 13% in savings and matches the record-low Black Friday deal we saw on the headphones.
Sure, that's still a lot of dough to drop on a pair of headphones, but they are wildly impressive. They're our top pick for sound quality amongst all brands of headphones, and our reviewer says they "elevate wireless audio to heights that no other rival has yet to match." Our shopping team has tested a ton of headphones and found that the XM6s sound great right out of the box, though with fine-tuning on the equalizer they somehow sound even better.
Beyond sound quality, they also offer phenomenal noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and a travel-friendly folding design (unlike the XM5s). The battery life is the same as their predecessor, but that's not a bad thing necessarily. 30 hours is pretty dang solid. If you need some influencing, check out our full review of the 2025 Sony flagship headphones.
The XM6s are in a league of their own, but if you can't fathom spending that much on a pair of headphones — even when they're on sale — the XM5s are still a great option as well.
SAVE $92.89: The Meta Quest 3 (512GB) is on sale at Amazon for $407.10, down from the usual price of $499.99. That's 19% discount and it comes with a free $100 digital credit with code QUEST30.
Opens in a new window Credit: Meta Meta Quest 3 (512GB) $407.10 at AmazonTis the season to go big. Whether you're shopping for the ultimate holiday gift or looking for an end-of-the-year present for yourself, there are some great deals out there. Some of these extend to items that might ordinarily be out of price range but have become much more reasonable thanks to a special sale. If you've always wanted to dive into the world of virtual reality, this could be your shot.
As of Dec. 15, the Meta Quest 3 (512GB) is on sale at Amazon for $407.10, marked down from the usual price of $499.99. That works out to a savings of $92.89 from a 19% discount. But even more exciting is that you can enter code QUEST30 at checkout to get a free $100 digital Amazon credit.
Maybe you were holding out with early models, but the Meta Quest 3 is said to have a 30% sharper resolution. Pair this with the ample 512GB of storage and 8GB RAM, and we're in line for epic gaming. The VR headset also comes with free access to Meta Horizon+ for three months which gives access to over 40 games with new drops each month.
SEE ALSO: Get the Bose Ultra open-ear earbuds for under $200 at Best BuyThe Meta Quest 3 is designed with a lightweight and slim design and it has bragging rights of using two RGB cameras which helps virtual objects blend into your physical space. In Kimberly Gedeon's Mashable review of the Meta Quest 3, battery life came up as one of the only negatives. In testing, it only stayed powered up for about an hour and 20 minutes. While that's not super impressive, maybe it's a nice time limit on a gaming session.
If you've been on the fence about investing in the Meta Quest 3, the nearly $100 discount could be your sign. On top of this, checkout code QUEST30 earns you a free $100 Amazon digital credit. Since Amazon is noting this is a limited-time deal, it's best to jump on this one quickly.
If your Christmas present this year is watching Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2 right when it drops, you're in luck. Netflix has dropped a trailer for the show's next three episodes, making for a pre-Christmas gift you can watch (and theorize over) for the next 10 days.
The trailer picks up in the aftermath of Vecna's (Jamie Campbell Bower) attack on the Hawkins MAC-Z. Despite Will (Noah Schnapp) going full sorcerer on a Demogorgon army and saving his friends' lives, our Hawkins heroes still failed to rescue the children Vecna planned to kidnap. Now, they're trapped in Vecna's lair, and their minds will be stuck in his mindscape alongside Max (Sadie Sink) and Holly (Nell Fisher).
SEE ALSO: 11 burning questions we have for 'Stranger Things' Season 5, Volume 2Obviously, this failure is demoralizing for everyone involved. But will the Hawkins crew give up? Never! On top of Will's new powers, the squad also has Eleven's (Millie Bobby Brown) sister Kali (Linnea Berthelsen) on their side. Plus, based on the trailer, it looks like Max and Holly will be making a mad dash to escape the Camazotz-esque prison of Vecna's mind. With their escape on the horizon, things could be looking up. Right?
Well, trust the Duffer Brothers to throw more curveballs at us. Case in point: the massive ball of roiling red energy Steve (Joe Keery) and Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) discover in the Upside Down. What new fresh hell is this? Notably, the trailer also teases a much-needed reconciliation between these two. Steve and Dustin have been at odds since the start of the season, with Eddie's (Joseph Quinn) death hanging heavy between them. However, that reconciliation also resurrects one of the best Steve and Dustin exchanges from the show: Season 3's, "I die, you die."
Look, I get where the two are coming from, as they're surely about to embark on some perilous mission. But hear me out: How about neither of you die? Sound good? Great, glad we're all on the same page.
SAVE $30: As of Dec. 15, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is back down to its $9.99 Black Friday price when you use the coupon code HOLFTV4K at checkout. That's $30 or 75% off its list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $9.99 at AmazonIf you missed out on the best streaming device deal from Black Friday, it's back, baby.
As of Dec. 15, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is back down to just $9.99 when you use the coupon code HOLFTV4K at checkout. That's $30 or 75% off its list price. We saw this deal pop up a few times during Cyber Week and disappear just as fast, but it still managed to become one of Mashable readers' top buys on Black Friday. If there's a streaming stick on your shopping list, we suggest grabbing it ASAP as the code is fleeting.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The newest streaming stick in the Fire TV lineup and also the most affordable 4K option, the 4K Select offers vibrant 4K quality with HDR10+ support and an ultra-responsive and fast new operating system called Vega. We haven't tested it yet ourselves, but we weren't thrilled with the old operating system, so we're totally on board with the upgrade. The plug-and-play design mirrors all other Fire TV Sticks and it will instantly put all of your favorite apps in one place — with Prime Video at the forefront, of course. It offers support for Xbox Game Pass, Amazon Luna, NordVPN, and IPVanish, and Alexa+ and Amazon Kids+ are also coming soon.
It doesn't offer Dolby Atmos or Vision and it can't turn your TV into an art TV like the 4K Max, but for everyday streaming, it's a pretty hard deal to beat for 10 bucks.
BEST PRICE: As of Dec. 15, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Play Booster Box is on sale for $124.99 on Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price at Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: The Magic: The Gathering Store Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Play Booster Box $124.99 at AmazonThe trading card market is still absolutely wild. We're really trying to stay on top of the Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering situation as we creep towards Christmas, but tracking stock, prices, and availability is not easy. It's incredibly tough for fans to secure a good price these days, so we're doing what we can to help you out.
We know that Amazon doesn't generally offer the best prices for sealed product, but we also know that a lot of buyers appreciate the convenience and speed that comes with the retailer. That being said, we should flag that the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Play Booster Box has hit a new low price at Amazon.
As of Dec. 15, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Play Booster Box is on sale for $124.99 on Amazon. That's over $80 off the list price on Amazon.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!This popular set contains 30 Play Boosters, each with 14 cards and at least one shiny Traditional Foil card and 1–4 cards of rarity "Rare" or higher. Feeling lucky? There's a chance you could also get special cards featuring beautiful borderless alternate art. The chances are obviously slim, but never say never.
Get the best-ever price on the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Play Booster Box at Amazon.
TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Venusaur ex Premium Collection Box is on sale for $69.81 at Amazon. That's 12% off the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Venusaur ex Premium Collection Box $69.81 at AmazonThe Pokémon TCG Mega Venusaur ex Premium Collection Box was finally released on Dec. 5, offering one foil promo card featuring Mega Venusaur ex, one oversize lenticular promo card featuring Mega Venusaur ex, one tech sticker featuring Mega Venusaur, and eight Pokémon TCG booster packs. Collectors have been buying this item in huge numbers, so any price drop is worth considering.
As of Dec. 15, the Pokémon TCG Mega Venusaur ex Premium Collection Box is on sale for $69.81 at Amazon. That's 12% off the list price. The Amazon price is still elevated compared to TCGplayer, but a lot of buyers still opt for the convenience of Amazon over the very best price.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!It's worth noting that this item is being sold by Collectors Expedition. We generally don't recommend third-party sellers on Amazon, but this is Pokémon we're talking about. Reviews for Collectors Expedition are decent and stock is limited right now. We'll take what we can get.
Score the Pokémon TCG Mega Venusaur ex Premium Collection Box for under $70 at Amazon.
SAVE $600: The DJI Power 2000 is on sale at Amazon for $699, down from the list price of $1,299. That's a 46% discount that matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 2000 portable power station $699 at AmazonWe're in the thick of unstable weather these days. Our social media and news feeds are filled with weather warnings of atmospheric rivers, wind advisories, and cold snaps. That means power outages are plentiful. If you're not interested in dealing with the inconvenience that entails, a portable power station could be the best solution, and there's a major sale in store today.
As of Dec. 15, the DJI Power 2000 is on sale for $699 at Amazon, marked down from the usual price of $1,299. That works out to a savings of $600 from a 46% discount. It also matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.
DJI is a favorite brand among content creators, making a phenomenal lineup of drones, cameras, and mics. But it's worth paying attention to the DJI power station lineup, too. In my testing of portable power stations, the DJI Power 2000 is the perfect model for creators.
Thanks to the dual SDC ports, drone owners can utilize DJI's fast charging. Other port options include two 140W USB-C, two 65W USB-C, four 24W USB-A, three AC, and even a 30amp.
SEE ALSO: Gift your content-creator friend the DJI Mic Mini while it's on sale for just $45In real-life situations, the DJI Power 2000's 2,048Wh can keep a WiFi router powered on for over 150 hours or a refrigerator for about 40 hours. Both of those will sure come in handy during the next power cut. Of course, you'll also be able to keep phones charged up.
Keep in mind, DJI is facing issues with getting products into the U.S., and it's nearly impossible to purchase directly from DJI right now. Instead, this Amazon deal is sold by a third-party seller. Mashable generally advises against buying from these sellers on Amazon, but DJI products have proven to be an exception since third-party is often the only way to snag a DJI product right now (and this one has positive ratings). Due to the nature of shipping portable power stations, the DJI Power 2000 is listed as non-returnable at Amazon, which is something to keep in mind before buying.
If this doesn't sound appealing, consider the DJI Power 1000, which is currently on sale for $349 or 50% off its normal price of $699. This sale price on Amazon is offered directly by DJI. You'll be halving the power offered from the DJI Power 2000, but it's also half the price.
In either case, DJI makes solid portable power stations. If you're looking for better protection during the next storm, the DJI Power 2000 is down to the record-low price of $699 today.
SAVE OVER $10: As of Dec. 15, the Lego Icons Dried Flower Centerpiece is on sale for $31.99 at Amazon. This is $18 off its list price of $49.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons Dried Flower Centerpiece Building Set 10314 $31.99 at AmazonLego is a great gift to give over the holidays. If you're shopping for an adult fan right now, there are quite a few deals worth checking out at places like Amazon. Among them is the Lego Icons Dried Flower Centerpiece (10314), which has dropped to $31.99 for a limited time.
This deal saves you $18 on the Lego Icons Dried Flower Centerpiece. Not to mention, it's also very close to its lowest-ever price of $27.99. What's even better is Amazon states on its sale page that it'll arrive before Christmas if you buy it now, so there's truly no better time to grab it if you're getting last-minute shopping done.
SEE ALSO: The 30 best new Lego sets run the gamut from Game Boy to 'The Goonies' and the U.S.S. EnterpriseThe Lego Icons Dried Flower Centerpiece is sure to impress your guests over the holidays once it's all set up. Its 812 pieces create a sweet centerpiece display that's filled with a nice variety of flowers in warm reds, oranges, and yellows, with a gerbera and rose as the main event in the middle. It's even a great build to work on with someone else, thanks to its split design, though keep in mind that it's angled towards adults.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!This Lego set is marked as a limited-time deal, so now's your chance to save on the Lego Icons Dried Flower Centerpiece and pick it up to have in time for Christmas.
Looking for more fun gift ideas to give this year? We're here to help there, too. Check out our breakdown of the 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025 to see more items we recommend.
SAVE OVER $30: As of Dec. 15, the Echo Spot is back to its lowest-ever price of $44.99 at Amazon. This is $35 off its list price of $79.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at AmazonAhead of the holidays, Amazon has been dropping some great discounts on some of its own devices. The Echo Spot is one that's on sale right now, but what's even better is it's currently back to its lowest-ever price of $44.99. This is the same price we saw over Black Friday, so why not make a move if it's on your holiday shopping list?
This discount marks 44% off the full price of the Echo Spot, allowing you to save $35. Amazon even has a note on the sale page stating that it'll arrive before Christmas if you grab it now, which is excellent news for last-minute shoppers.
SEE ALSO: The 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025: Find unique gift ideas you'd never think of on your ownThis smart alarm clock is a worthy pick-up to have at home, too. The Echo Spot can do plenty alongside showing you the time, including show the weather for the day, reminders, song titles while you're playing music, and it can even be used to control compatible smart home devices with the help of Alexa.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The Echo Spot comes in multiple colors that are all discounted to this price, including black, glacier white, and ocean blue, though the latter says it may not arrive until after Christmas.
This is a great opportunity to score the Echo Spot, back at its lowest price. Alternatively, if you're curious to see more tech items worth grabbing as gifts for the holidays, have a look through our roundup of the 65 best tech gifts of the year.
Well, Carol, you did it.
Apple TV has announced that Pluribus is its most watched series ever, reportedly surpassing the company's wildly popular shows like Severance and Ted Lasso.
Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan's dystopian mystery series, which sees Earth's humans united as a hive mind excepting 12 people, is now Apple's streaming service's top show — an announcement you should take with a grain of salt considering Apple does not release viewership numbers on specific shows (Ben Stiller reportedly doesn't know how many people watched Severance.)
SEE ALSO: 'Pluribus' episode 6: What did Carol find in the warehouse?However, Apple's announcement was deeply on-theme, posting on X a scene from Pluribus showing non-Joined human Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) celebrating solo in her driveway with a sparkler and a six-pack. Go off, Carol.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Pluribus' penultimate episode will air on Friday, Dec. 19 before its Season 1 finale the week after, so let's raise a tiny carton of milk to the show that fills us with existential questions and drops horrific twists into our weekly viewing.
Pluribus is now streaming on Apple TV+ with new episodes Friday.
Tesla Robotaxis in Austin are finally doing what they were always supposed to do: drive themselves without a human at the wheel.
A Tesla Model Y was recently spotted driving on one of Austin's public roads with absolutely no one at the wheel, or at the passenger seat.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: Tesla Optimus robot falls over, goes viralWhile that may be a scary sight to some, it's basically the same thing Alphabet's Waymo's been doing in Austin for years now. The biggest difference, however, is that Tesla is using seemingly unmodified Model Y cars, the same ones you can buy as your own personal car, while Waymo is relying on heavily modified Jaguar I-Pace vehicles.
So far, Tesla's Robotaxi fleet in Austin has been operating with a human safety monitor in the driver's seat, but this is seemingly changing soon.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the company is testing fully driverless Robotaxis, writing on X, "Testing is underway with no occupants in the car."
In November, Musk said that he expects "Robotaxis to to operate without safety drivers in large parts of Austin this year." The year is almost at its end, but judging by this latest development, the company might just make the deadline.
UPGRADE AND SAVE: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Enhanced Booster Box is currently $29.99 cheaper on TCGplayer compared to the Standard Booster Box for $249.99 on Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Enhanced Booster Box $220 at AmazonGetting an upgraded product for $29.99 less is a no-brainer, end of story. Right now, TCGplayer is offering just that, with the Mega Evolution Enhanced Booster Box going for $220, which is a much better deal than Amazon's Standard Booster Box for $249.99. The difference is the epic Bulbasaur Illustration Rare Stamped Promo card, which in itself is worth $18.10 right now. Now that's a deal.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!Enhanced Booster Boxes randomly get included in set releases. The last one was Journey Together, featuring N's Reshiram Illustration Rare Stamped Promo. It's a nice bonus, especially when the Enhanced Booster Box contains the same count of 36 booster packs. Plus, stamped promo cards tend to hold value and climb steadily over time, which is a big bonus for sealed collectors.
The best chase cards you can pull from Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon CompanyIf you're just bothered about ripping packs and finding chase cards, a Booster Box is the best product to buy. However, buying a Booster Box doesn't guarantee pulling the top card of the set, which is a feat only achieved when opening multiple Booster Boxes. I'd sooner just buy the chase card I'm after to save money long term over ripping open what feels like a million packs.
Here's the top five for Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames with up-to-date values and links to TCGplayer to catch your very own:
Mega Charizard X ex - 125/094
Near Mint Holofoil: $514
Market price: $535.60
Most recent sale: $514
Mega Charizard X ex - 130/094
Near Mint Holofoil: $360.48
Market price: $386.07
Most recent sale: $369.59
Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
Near Mint Holofoil: $320
Market price: $385.01
Most recent sale: $323
Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
Near Mint Holofoil: $278
Market price: $302.38
Most recent sale: $281.97
Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
Near Mint Holofoil: $195.73
Market price: $206.79
Most recent sale: $191.99
It's not been long since the news broke that director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead at their home in LA, but the tributes from Hollywood have already started to pour in.
SEE ALSO: 'This Is Spinal Tap' re-release trailer cranks it up to 11Reiner had a long career in Hollywood, starting as an actor before moving on to direct some of the best known films of all time. Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, Misery, This is Spinal Tap and A Few Good Men are among his many movies. His most recent was Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, which came out earlier this year.
In the hours since his death, actors and politicians have taken to social media to share their tributes and memories of a Hollywood legend.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Featured Video For You Spinal Tap is not responsible for your spontaneous combustion This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.AT MARKET VALUE: The Pokémon TCG Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Premium Collection is now at market value on Amazon compared to TCGplayer's current listing starting at $163.
Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Premium Collection $164.99 at AmazonIt's been a pain trying to get hold of the Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Premium Collection for a good price.
It was number one on scalper hit lists, with ridiculous listings on eBay going at or above $250. Well, The Pokémon Company is starting to flood the market with stock, meaning you can now get this bad boy for a decent price, or in Amazon's case, at market value when compared with TCGplayer. You will be looking at a post-Christmas delivery, something to keep in mind if you're looking to gift this UPC.
SEE ALSO: Pokémon TCG's Mega Evolution Enhanced Booster Box is over $20 cheaper on TCGPlayer, but Amazon offers a gift cardYou're getting booster packs from the best of Scarlet and Violet on top of Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames, specifically:
4 x Phantasmal Flames
4 x Mega Evolution
4 x Destined Rivals
4 x Journey Together
2 x Surging Sparks
On top of that, you're scoring Mega Charizard X-themed deck sleeves, deck box, playmat, damage counter dice, and a metal coin. The main draws of this collection for me are the promo cards, specifically the Mega Charizard X ex Mega Attack Rare promo card, with the Oricorio ex SIR promo offering some of the most detailed artwork I've seen in a Pokémon card.
There's no difference to the usual ex variants of Mega Attack Rares, but the cell-shaded comic-style artwork features the main attack in Japanese script, much like the old-school X and Y Mega Pokémon cards.
The best chase cards you can pull from Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon CompanyWhile this set is packed with boosters, it's still going to be tough to pull the case card you're seeking. Unless you're after the exclusive items in this UPC, I'd recommend checking out how much your chase cards are worth and just buying them for their market value. Pokémon TCG has recently found a new floor value-wise, so it's a great time to pick up the cards you need:
Mega Charizard X ex - 125/094
Near Mint Holofoil: $514
Market price: $535.60
Most recent sale: $514
Mega Charizard X ex - 130/094
Near Mint Holofoil: $360.48
Market price: $386.07
Most recent sale: $369.59
Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
Near Mint Holofoil: $320
Market price: $385.01
Most recent sale: $323
Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
Near Mint Holofoil: $278
Market price: $302.38
Most recent sale: $281.97
Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
Near Mint Holofoil: $195.73
Market price: $206.79
Most recent sale: $191.99
In the spirit of the season, the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is changing color as it leaves the sun behind — shifting from a reddish tint to a faint green glow.
That visible change signals the comet is reacting to solar heat and releasing new gases in space, giving scientists fresh clues about what it is made of and how it behaves.
Astronomers used the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii to capture new color images of the comet after it emerged from the other side of the sun on Nov. 26. Earlier images taken from Gemini South in Chile showed the comet looking redder. That ruddy color comes from gases surrounding the comet — called a coma — that heat up and shine as frozen material turns directly into gas, skipping the liquid phase. Some of those gases emit green light, which Gemini’s cameras can detect.
"Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has a post-perihelion greenish glow in time for the holidays," said Bryce Bolin, a research scientist from Eureka Scientific who led the observations, in a post on X.
Just days later, a space telescope added another piece to the puzzle. The European Space Agency’s XMM-Newton spacecraft observed 3I/ATLAS in X-rays for nearly 20 hours on Dec. 3. X-rays are a very high-energy form of light that human eyes cannot see.
SEE ALSO: A NASA spacecraft is piercing the sun's scorching atmosphere right nowThe new observations offer a rare chance to study material from another star system while the comet is still somewhat close. By tracking its changes across multiple types of light, scientists can better identify what it's made of and consider how interstellar objects form.
Comet 3I/ATLAS came from another part of the galaxy and was later ejected — likely by a gravitational jolt from a planet or passing star — before drifting across interstellar space for hundreds of millions of years. Only two other confirmed interstellar visitors have ever been sighted: 'Oumuamua in 201, which wasn't a comet, and Comet 2I/Borisov in 2019.
Earlier images taken from Gemini South in Chile showed the comet looking redder. Credit: International Gemini Observatory / NOIRLab / NSF / AURA / Shadow the Scientist / J. Miller & M. Rodriguez / T.A. Rector / M. ZamaniThe latest visitor entered the solar system traveling roughly 137,000 mph, a speed far too fast for the sun’s gravity to trap it. Scientists say that means it's only swinging by and will never return.
Comets are icy boulders that heat up as they approach the sun, releasing gas and dust in bright, sweeping tails. Most known comets are leftover materials from the solar system’s construction 4.6 billion years ago, though thousands more likely lurk beyond Neptune in the Kuiper Belt and, farther still, in the Oort Cloud.
NASA and ESA have pointed many spacecraft cameras at the comet — including the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescope, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the Lucy and Psyche missions — to collect as much information as possible while the space interloper remains in the solar system.
The Gemini North pictures took place during a live public event organized through Shadow the Scientists. The program invites students and the public into telescope control rooms so they can watch astronomers work in real time. As the telescope tracked the comet, it stayed sharp in the images while background stars streaked across the frame in different colors.
Scientists are especially interested in how 3I/ATLAS will continue to change. Comets often respond slowly to the sun's heat, because warmth takes time to reach their interiors. As a result, new gases can begin escaping later, or the comet may suddenly brighten.
The European Space Agency’s XMM-Newton spacecraft observed 3I/ATLAS in X-rays for nearly 20 hours on Dec. 3, 2025. Credit: ESA / XMM-Newton / C. Lisse, S. Cabot & the XMM ISO Team"Sharing an observing experience in some of the best conditions available gives the public a truly front-row view of our interstellar visitor," Bolin said in a statement. "Allowing the public to see what we do as astronomers and how we do it also helps demystify the scientific and data collection process, adding transparency to our study of this fascinating object."
Astronomers generally expected the comet to glow in X-rays because gas flowing off it crashes into the solar wind, a constant stream of charged particles blowing outward from the sun. That collision creates X-rays, revealing gases that are otherwise hard to detect.
These X-rays are especially useful because they can point to gases like hydrogen and nitrogen, which are nearly invisible to regular cameras and even to many space telescopes. Learning which gases are present helps scientists figure out the comet's composition.
Because 3I/ATLAS comes from a different stellar neighborhood, scientists expect some of its characteristics to be different from native comets. Early readings show that its carbon dioxide–to–water ratio does not match solar system comets, and researchers have spotted some unusual amounts of metals and dust features.
But none of those traits, NASA officials have emphasized, suggest it's not a comet or that it could be an alien spacecraft, as some have speculated on the internet. Tom Statler, NASA's lead scientist for solar system small bodies, compared these differences to coffees of various regions, such as Kona and Sumatra.
"It's different, and yet it's still coffee," he said. "In this case, we have a cometary body. It resembles the homegrown comets that we have in our solar system, and yet it's excitingly different in particular ways."
AT MARKET VALUE: The Pokémon TCG Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box is now at market value on Amazon compared to TCGplayer's current listing starting at $82.49. It's an extra $1.50, but that's worth guaranteeing delivery before Christmas.
Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box $83.99 at AmazonPhantasmal Flames is on fire right now in every way thanks to Mega Charizard X, including the Elite Trainer Box. It's one of the best artworks seen on an ETB in recent memory, and it's now at market value on Amazon
The Pokémon TCG Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box is $83.99 at Amazon, down from a ridiculously bloated $106.89 a couple of days ago. TCGplayer has listingsstarting at $82.49, but it's worth the extra charge for guaranteed delivery seven days before Christmas.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!I'm so happy to see the Mega Evolution era offering some brilliant chase cards. It's ridiculously promising, plus the amount of new Mega Evolution Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Legends: Z-A gives the era plenty of opportunities to knock it out of the Poképark. Genuinely, this is one of the most exciting Pokémon TCG eras we've had since X and Y (when Mega Evolution Pokémon cards debuted).
The best chase cards you can pull from Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon CompanyIt's a great time to buy Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames chase cards right now thanks to more stock becomng available and prices on single cards coming down due to better availability. While it's an awesome feeling ripping a pack and getting your favorite chase cards, it's rare and will likely cost you lots of Pokédollars.
Some of these chase cards are expensive, but the majority will likely save you money in the long run. Here's the top five you can pull right now alongside up-to-date market value data and links to TCGplayer to buy your very own:
Mega Charizard X ex - 125/094
Near Mint Holofoil: $514
Market price: $535.60
Most recent sale: $514
Mega Charizard X ex - 130/094
Near Mint Holofoil: $360.48
Market price: $386.07
Most recent sale: $369.59
Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
Near Mint Holofoil: $320
Market price: $385.01
Most recent sale: $323
Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
Near Mint Holofoil: $278
Market price: $302.38
Most recent sale: $281.97
Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
Near Mint Holofoil: $195.73
Market price: $206.79
Most recent sale: $191.99
Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.
Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.
Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.
How to play PipsIf you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 15, 2025The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.
Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:
Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.
Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.
Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.
Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.
Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.
If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 15, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 15 PipsLess Than (5): Everything in this purple space must be less than 5. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically.
Greater Than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically.
Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically.
Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 15 PipsNumber (5): Everything in this purple space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this red space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 3-3, palced horizontally.
Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.
Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this dark blue space must be greater than 4. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.
Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 15 PipsNumber (4): Everything in this purple space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.
Number (11): Everything in this red space must add up to 11. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this light blue space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.
Number (3): Everything in this yellow space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.
Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.
Number (4): Everything in this green space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.
Number (5): Everything in this purple space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.
Number (2): Everything in this red space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.
Number (1): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.
Number (0): Everything in this yellow space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically.
Number (4): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.
Greater Than (5): Everything in this green space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this purple space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.
Less Than (3): Everything in this red space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.
Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically; 0-3, placed vertically.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
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