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Early Black Friday kitchen deals are hot — shop Ninja, KitchenAid, and Our Place now

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 12:52
Best early Black Friday Best coffee and espresso deal Ninja Luxe Café Pro Espresso and Coffee Machine $634.99 (save $115) Get Deal Best kitchen appliance deal Our Place Wonder Oven Pro $275 (save $50) Get Deal Best kitchen cookware deal All-Clad HA1 13-piece Nonstick Cookware Set $489.99 (save $210) Get Deal

Nothing will make you realize you need to upgrade your kitchenware more than cooking Thanksgiving dinner. If you're already deep into prep and realizing that your blender's motor kicked it or your nonstick pans are starting to stick, then it's time to upgrade. So if you're shopping, you need to be shopping the sales.

Ahead of Black Friday, there are a ton of kitchen deals that are already live. Ninja is really the star of the early Black Friday kitchen deals, with its buzziest appliances, like the Creami, Slushi, and Crispi, all already on sale.

So if you're looking to kick off your Black Friday shopping early, and specifically looking to make some kitchen upgrades, these are the best deals we've spotted thus far.

Best coffee and espresso deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Luxe Café Pro Espresso and Coffee Machine $634.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $115   Get Deal Why we like it

While testing the best Ninja appliances, I fell totally in love with the Ninja Luxe Café Pro Espresso machine. It's a dual espresso and coffee maker that does single servings without the pods. It bridges the gap between amateur and pro at-home baristas, automating the coffee-making process so it's easy to make the perfect coffee or latte. It's a new release, but just hit its lowest price ever at $634.99, saving you $115 off its list price for 15% savings..

More coffee and espresso machine dealsBest kitchen appliances deal Opens in a new window Credit: Our Place Our Place Wonder Oven Pro $275 at Our Place
$325 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

My Our Place Wonder Oven is the hero of my kitchen, so I was thrilled to see the debut of the brand's Wonder Oven Pro. It's a bigger, multi-tasking oven that now has a digital screen for more precise cooking. It's $50 off during Our Place's Black Friday sale, bringing it down to $275, for 15% off.

More kitchen appliance dealsMore Kitchen deals

Kitchen Cookware

Kitchen tool deals

We’ve tested them all: The best Black Friday Ninja deals on air fryers, blenders, and more

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 12:35
Best early Black Friday Ninja deals Best Ninja deal overall Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer $159.95 (save $20.40) Get Deal Best runner-up deal Ninja Digital 8-in-1 Air Fry Countertop Oven $179.99 (save $70) Get Deal Bonus deal Ninja Creami (NC301) + 2 Pint Containers w/Lids $189.99 (save $40) Get Deal

We haven’t even made it to Thanksgiving yet, but the Black Friday sales have already begun. Target, Walmart, Kohl’s — everyone is dropping discounts right now to try and beat Amazon to the punch.

SEE ALSO: What time Black Friday sales start for Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and more

I'm going to be straight with you: Ninja is off to a slow start this year. A lot of the deals I flagged during Prime Day aren't back yet, and I'm seeing a lot of inflated list prices designed to make a "sale" look better than it actually is. (Amazon and Walmart are notorious for this kind of math, especially around the holidays.)

But that’s why you’re here. We’ve tested most of these products, so we know what they actually cost and when a price drop is genuinely worth your money.

Here are the best early Black Friday Ninja deals we could find as of Nov. 19:

Best Ninja deal overall Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer $159.95 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $20.04   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Ninja Kitchen Why we like it

The Ninja Crispi is a Mashable fave, and it’s (surprisingly) at its Prime Day price of $159.95. So, if you missed out in October, now’s the time to add it to your cart. You can get it around this price (give or take five cents) at multiple retailers, including Kohl’s (you'll also get $30 Kohl's cash!), Macy’s, and other usual suspects (we now have additional retailers in our shop cards, so where you shop is up to you!). This deal includes two CleanCrisp glass containers and two storage lids. The six-cup container is designed for personal meals (and can cook them in about seven minutes), while the four-quart container is large enough to cook a four-pound chicken and veggies in one go.

Best runner-up deal Ninja Digital 8-in-1 Air Fry Countertop Oven $179.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $70   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

If you need more cooking capacity, the Ninja Digital Air Fry 8-in-1 Countertop Oven is on sale for $179.99 at Amazon, down from $249.99. That's a $70 savings. This isn’t the lowest we’ve ever seen it (it was around $129 in 2023), but it’s the lowest price it’s been in a while. This countertop appliance comes with an extra-large capacity air fry basket, wire rack, and crumb tray. It’s perfect for whipping up chicken wings, sheet pan dinners, or even dehydrating fruits and veggies.

Bonus deal Ninja Creami (NC301) + 2 Pint Containers w/Lids $184.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $45   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The Ninja Creami (NC301) is currently on sale for $189.99 at Amazon. That's a $39 price cut from its usual $229.99. It’s not the most earth-shattering discount we've ever seen, but what is unique here is that this isn't a "Prime exclusive deal." During Prime Day, you couldn't get this price unless you were a member; now, it's open to everyone.

The Creami is obviously a viral gadget, but our Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino has a realistic take: It's a cool appliance, but it's loud. She recommends it mostly for people with food allergies who need to control exactly what's going into their treats, or for people who are serious about meal prepping. Even with the noise, it's a solid deal that comes with two pint containers with lids. If you have kids, making custom flavors is a pretty fun Sunday night activity.

More early Black Friday Ninja deals

The 12 best Bluetooth speakers of 2025

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 12:13

A Bluetooth speaker is one of those devices that, once you find one you like, you won't be able to imagine how you lived without it. And since both Bluetooth and speakers aren't exactly new technology, you'll find that this is one of the more expansive product categories in the tech world (admittedly, this feels like the case for almost anything you buy these days). Enter: the Mashable tech and shopping teams. We stay on top of the latest Bluetooth speaker releases from brands like Sony, JBL, Bose, and Marshall, while also applying our audio and product testing expertise to determine when old favorites are the better choice. We spend time testing the speakers in our own homes, evaluating the balance in their sound, portability, and of course, their prices.

As of November 2025, our top picks include the near-indestructible JBL Charge 6, the smart home-integrated Sonos Move 2, and the charmingly retro Marshall Emberton III. You'll also find the best small Bluetooth speakers, the most portable speakers, and bass-thumping party speakers.

Recent additions to this guide:

  • November 2025: We've selected the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Generation) as our best travel speaker, replacing the IKEA Vappeby (our new honorable mention pick).

  • November 2025: We've added the JBL PartyBox Stage 320 as the best party speaker, replacing the older Ultimate Ears Hyperboom.

  • November 2025: We've added the Sony ULT Field 7 as the best boombox-style speaker.

20 of the best early Black Friday deals under $50

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 12:13
Best early Black Friday deals under $50 at a glance Best portable Bluetooth speaker deal JBL Go 4 $39.95 (save $10) Get Deal Best Lego set deal Lego Botanicals Mini Bonsai Trees $44.99 (save $20) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Nutribullet Flex portable blender $49.99 (save $20) Get Deal Best stocking stuffer deal Orastone Rechargeable Hand Warmer $17.99 (save $12) Get Deal

We're just one official day away from the major retailers kicking off Black Friday 2025. Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and more have tomorrow, Nov. 20, set as the beginning of the sale period. Instead of filling up on Thanksgiving dinner and then going shopping, we can now shop way ahead of the food-focused holiday.

If you're shopping on a budget this year or are looking for lower-cost items to fill in gifting gaps and grab some stocking stuffers, plenty of great early Black Friday deals come in at under $50. That's great news given the pricing chaos we've all endured in 2025.

The Mashable shopping team will continue to update this article as the sale continues, so check back for the latest deals.

Best portable speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Go 4 $39.95 at Amazon
$49.95 Save $10   Get Deal

With seven hours of playtime per charge, the JBL Go 4 is a great, affordable portable speaker. It's both waterproof and dustproof, so it'll be ready for camping adventures come warmer weather, and it's safe to bring into the bathroom for some shower tunes. JBL makes some of Mashable's favorite Bluetooth speakers, so going with JBL is a wise move.

More Bluetooth speakers under $50Best Lego set deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Mini Bonsai Trees $44.99 at Amazon
$64.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal

The zen-like Lego Botanicals Mini Bonsai Trees are on sale for the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon. Instead of coming in at the list price of $64.99, Amazon has the set on sale for $44.99 ahead of Black Friday. This set features three bonsai trees, each in a decorative pot. The three trees represent different seasons, like fall's stunning yellow leaves on the gingko tree and spring's magnificent purple wisteria. Lego sets make for some of the most thoughtful gift options, so you can't go wrong here.

More Lego sets under $50Best kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nutribullet Nutribullet Flex portable blender $49.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal

For those who are often on the go, a portable blender could make for a great way to stay up on nutritional needs. According to camelcamelcamel, Mashable's favorite price tracker, this is a record-low price for the Nutribullet Flex portable blender. The $49.99 sale price extends to all six colorways, so you have plenty of options to choose your favorite.

Best stocking stuffer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Orastone Orastone Rechargeable Hand Warmer $17.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $12   Get Deal

Stocking stuffers are some of the most fun gifts to shop for, and the Orastone Rechargeable Hand Warmer is a gift that practically anyone will love. It takes just two minutes for the hand warmer to reach a cozy 107 degrees Fahrenheit. It's perfect for anyone who takes the dog for a walk in the early morning or those heading to the ski slope for the day. Not only is it rechargeable, there's also an LED light function on the handwarmer.

More stocking stuffers under $50

The best early Black Friday speaker deals from our favorite brands

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 11:52
The best early Black Friday speaker deals at a glance: Best overall JBL Charge 6 $129.95 (save $70) Get Deal Best soundbar deal Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus $149.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best party speaker deal Bose Soundlink Max $299 (save $100) Get Deal Best home speaker deal Amazon Echo Studio $189.99 (save $30 with on-page coupon ECHOSTUDIO30) Get Deal

'Tis the season for blasting Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You, and you can't do that without a quality speaker. Fortunately, as we're officially in Black Friday season, you can grab plenty of speakers for their best prices of the year.

While Black Friday technically falls on Nov. 28 this year, retailers are kicking off their sales early and the deals are rolling in. Speaker discounts from brands like Bose, JBL, Sony, and Amazon are already pretty impressive. We're still waiting on some heavy hitters from Sonos and Ultimate Ears to get the deal treatment, but we expect those to drop within the next week.

We'll be tracking the best speaker deals throughout Black Friday and Cyber Monday and updating this page with the latest and greatest prices.

Note: Deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Best early Black Friday speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Charge 6 🔥 $129.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

While Mashable's shopping team has tested a lot of Bluetooth speakers, the JBL Charge 6 reigns supreme as our top pick for most people. At just 2 pounds, it's lightweight enough to tote around just about anywhere. It even comes with a handy removable strap for ultra portability. But don't let its size fool you — this baby is powerful enough to be used for an outdoor party. And as a bonus, it can even charge your other devices via USB-C (hence the name). The only downside is that its list price is $20 more than its predecessor. Fortunately, this early Black Friday deal at Amazon and Best Buy drops it down to a more budget friendly price of $129.95.

Best early Black Friday Soundbar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus 🔥 $149.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

If your TV's picture and sound aren't quite on the same level, Amazon's Fire TV Soundbar Plus is an affordable way to give things a boost. While Amazon's basic Fire TV Soundbar wasn't anything to write home about, the Soundbar Plus really steps things up with three full-range speakers, three tweeters, and two woofers that pump out sound in every direction. It supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS TruVolume, and features a dedicated center dialogue channel to keep voices crisp and clear. You can also use it as a home Bluetooth speaker when your TV is off. At $149.99, it's $100 off for a 40% discount and its lowest price on record.

More early Black Friday speaker dealsPortable Bluetooth speakersHome speakersParty speakersSoundbars

Saudi Arabia Backs Elon Musk’s xAI With Data Center Deal

NYT Technology - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 11:22
Mr. Musk’s xAI will work with the Saudi artificial intelligence company Humain on a new data center, part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s effort to diversify his country’s economy.

I test headphones for a living — these are the 5 best early Black Friday deals

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 10:42
Best early Black Friday headphones and earbuds deals Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra $298 (save $131) Get Deal Best noise-cancelling earbuds deal Bose QuietComfort earbuds $129 (save $50) Get Deal Best deal under $100 Sony WH-CH720N $89.99 (save $90) Get Deal

I pretty much spend every day I'm at work testing out headphones and earbuds, which means I've become relatively well-versed in which headphones are actually worth your money.

This year has been an especially noteworthy year for headphones, with flagship releases from Sony, Bose, and Bowers & Wilkins. Flagship headphones are often the ones that get recommended on best of lists — ours included — but considering the new norm for a starting price is $449, they're not exactly the most affordable choice out there. Enter: early Black Friday deals, when tech deals abound.

SEE ALSO: Mashable will send the best Black Friday deals directly to your phone — how it works

As of Nov. 19, I've spotted five especially noteworthy headphones and earbuds on sale — all of which Mashable has recommended in some capacity. As we approach Black Friday proper on Nov. 27, and the start of Amazon's Black Friday sale on Nov. 20, I expect more deals to go on sale. But for the time being, here are the best headphones and earbuds deals ahead of Black Friday.

One of the most comfortable pairs of noise-cancelling headphones

The first time I put the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones on, I knew they were the most comfortable headphones I'd ever worn (Mashable's Sam Mangino had a similar experience). That belief became even firmer over years of use (and testing them against new competitors). Although the new second-generation headphones feel ever so slightly more comfortable, the originals still hold up.

SEE ALSO: We tested every pair of Bose headphones and earbuds. We found 5 we love, and 1 to buy on sale.

On sale for $298, they're a much better value than the $449 second-gen Ultras. Their main quirks include no passive playback and the occasional difficulty pairing to more than one device. However, when I compared them directly against their newer counterpart, I found the ANC and sound to be very similar, making it easy to recommend grabbing these over the second gens if they happen to go on sale.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones $298 at Amazon
$429 Save $131   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Walmart Sony headphones that sound incredible

The thing about Sony flagship headphones is that they're going to sound incredible. With the release of the XM6s, the WH-1000XM5 headphones are the former flagship headphones, but their sound profile remains one of the best in the game. I particularly like the "find your equalizer" feature that guides the less audiophile inclined among us through the process of finding their perfect custom EQ sound, which really helps these headphones shine. More generally speaking, when I tested the XM6s and XM5s head-to-head, I didn't find any huge discrepancies in performance. Plus, the XM6s got a $50 price bump to their list price, meaning that even if they were to get a $50 price drop over Black Friday (a markdown we've only spotted once before), they'll still be $150 more than the XM5s at this price point.

Sony WH-1000XM5 $248 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $151.99   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Amazon Mid-range headphones for under $100

Noise-cancelling headphones with great sound quality from a reputable brand don't need to cost several hundred dollars, and the Sony WH-CH720N are proof of exactly that. Mashable named them Sony's best headphones under $100, with Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti singing their praises after two years of use. He deemed their sound quality "near flagship" level, and was impressed by the 35 hours of battery life with ANC on, which beats out the current flagship models of both Bose and Sony.

Though you can often find them on sale for $98 (a feat on its own, considering their $179.99 list price), it's slightly less common to find them on sale for $89.99, making this a great deal ahead of Black Friday. As an added bonus, the pink colorway is more unique than you might find from other budget headphones options under $100.

Sony WH-CH720N $89.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $90.00   See It at Amazon The best sounding open earbuds

Open earbuds are great if you prefer staying somewhat aware of the world around you, but in my experience, that can come in the form of less-than-stellar sound quality. In the case of the Bose Ultra Open earbuds, you get the best of both worlds. I suspect that's a large part of the reason behind their $299 price tag (which feels more appropriate for noise-cancelling earbuds). That's why I recommend them as an upgrade pick for open earbuds, and why I'm an especially big fan of this $100 off deal. In addition to their surprisingly rich sound, I especially like their small charging case, smartly placed on-ear controls, comfortable clip-on design, and many options for colorways.

Bose Ultra Open earbuds $199 at Amazon
$299 Save $100   Get Deal at Amazon Excellent mid-range noise-cancelling earbuds

Rounding out my picks is maybe the most underrated Bose product — the QuietComfort earbuds. Though their design isn't the most elegant, that's pretty much where their underwhelming features end. For starters, these earbuds have incredible battery life — in my weeks of testing them, I rarely had to charge them, and easily squeezed in a five-hour day of use, with ANC on and battery life to spare.

Sound and noise-cancellation-wise, they don't wow quite as much as the QC Ultra earbuds, but they're also significantly cheaper, even at full price. For their $129 sale price, they're less than half the price of the premium earbuds, and I promise, their performance doesn't reflect that. If I had to put a number to it, I'd say there's more of a $50 to $75 performance discrepancy between the two earbuds, which is why we've named these the best mid-budget earbuds currently on the market. Though we've seen them drop to $129 before, it is their lowest price ever, making this a great grab ahead of Black Friday.

Bose QuietComfort earbuds $129 at Amazon
$179 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon

The 65-inch TCL QM6K QLED TV has hit its lowest-ever price on Amazon — pay under $500 ahead of Black Friday

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 08:32

TL;DR: As of Nov. 19, the 65-inch TCL QM6K QLED TV is on sale for $497.99 at Amazon. That's over $100 off and the lowest-ever price for this model.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL 65-inch TCL QM6K QLED TV $497.99 at Amazon
$647.99 Save $150   Get Deal

We're keeping a close eye on all the deals that are dropping at this time of year, but we're keeping a particularly keen eye on TV deals. Why? Because shoppers care about low prices on top models. And that's exactly what you're getting with the 65-inch TCL QM6K QLED TV.

As of Nov. 19, the 65-inch TCL QM6K QLED TV is on sale for $497.99 at Amazon. That's over $100 off and the lowest-ever price for this model.

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Mashable's sister site PCMag reviewed this TV, saying "The TCL QM6K is a very good value and a strong performer for the price. While it isn’t the brightest TV available, its mini-LED backlight enables deep black levels for excellent contrast, its colors are wide and accurate, and it's packed with features for streaming and gaming." That's more than enough for us, especially at this record-breaking price.

TCL’s QD-Mini LED technology is designed to outperform traditional QLED and OLED TVs, making the QM6K a top choice for big moments like watching sport or movies with the whole family. If you want a centerpiece TV that could bring everyone together for special moments, this could be the deal for you.

Score the best-ever price on the TCL QM6K QLED TV before Black Friday.

Larry Summers Resigns From OpenAI’s Board

NYT Technology - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 08:32
Mr. Summers’ departure from the artificial intelligence company’s board followed revelations of his communications with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Gen Z daters want deeper connections, but some use AI to date, Hinge reports

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 08:00

Dating in 2025 isn't for the faint of heart, especially if you're a young adult. Between growing up online and coming of age during COVID lockdowns, Gen Z has a distinct experience finding love compared to any other generation.

The popular dating app Hinge has distilled some of this experience in the app's latest D.A.T.E. (Data, Advice, Trends, and Expertise) Report called Closing the Communication Gap, or the disconnect between the desire for deep conversations young daters have versus their hesitance to initiate them.

SEE ALSO: Hinge users complain it 'isn't the same' app Mamdani met his wife on

For this report, the app's research team, Hinge Labs, surveyed around 30,000 Hinge users globally this year.

Gen Z struggles to open up

Gen Z daters are 36 percent more hesitant than their millennial counterparts to initiate a deep conversation on the first date — meaning, going beyond small talk.

This aligns with previous research from Hinge. In 2024, Hinge found that Gen Z singles were 47 percent more likely to say the pandemic made them nervous to talk to new people, compared to millennials, and 25 percent more likely to say the pandemic made them less confident on a first date.

Now, at the near-end of 2025, 35 percent of all Hinge daters across genders and sexualities say they're holding back from having deeper conversations because they don't know how to start.

There's also a "communication gap" between women and men, specifically. Forty-two percent of heterosexual Gen Z women feel like the men they date don't want to have deep conversations on the first few dates, but 65 percent of heterosexual Gen Z men say they do.

Early dating often locks people into invisible scripts — like who is "passive" and who is "active," Hinge's love and connection expert, Moe Ari Brown, said in the report. "Falling into these kinds of roles can quietly sabotage the connection because, while habits create routines, they can also create monotony or imbalance."

Zooming out, 43 percent of Gen Z women in general wait for the other person to initiate deep conversations, partly because they assume men don't want to have them, and 48 percent of Gen Z men hold back from emotional intimacy because they don't want to seem "too much." Other worries are the fear of rejection and being judged.

SEE ALSO: The best dating apps and sites in August 2025

This also tracks with what Hinge found last year: 95 percent of Gen Z daters worry about rejection, and 56 percent said that worry held them back from pursuing a potential relationship.

Another reason Gen Z is holding back is social media. Half of Gen Z men, 45 percent of Gen Z women, and 39 percent of nonbinary Gen Z daters said that social media has made them more hesitant to be emotionally open, according to the 2025 report.

In a time where nearly every move one makes is posted online (if not every single move), the fear of being cringe is strong. But we have to embrace it to find love. As Hinge's lead relationship scientist, Logan Ury, said in the new report, "authentic connection requires vulnerability and imperfection."

...while also using AI tools to date

Yet, it could be easier than ever to outsource vulnerability with AI, which Gen Z daters are turning to. From flirting to wedding planning, young adults are using AI tools like ChatGPT to shape their relationship experiences.

Of the Gen Z men who turn to AI for dating, over half (58 percent) use it to initiate conversations, and exactly half use it to generate conversation responses. Forty percent of Gen Z women who use AI do so to start chatting, and 57 percent use it for responding to conversations as well.

Meanwhile, only 34 percent of Hinge daters overall are comfortable or neutral about using AI to write messages.

As difficult as it is, you might want to exit out of ChatGPT in order to find your partner in 2026. You're not alone if you're looking for greater emotional intimacy, though: 84 percent of Gen Z Hinge daters want to find new ways to build deeper connections with the people they're dating.

Netherlands Hands Back Control of Chipmaker Nexperia

NYT Technology - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 07:39
Uncertainty over the availability of the Chinese-owned company’s chips, which are used in cars and electronics, had added to concerns of a global shortage.

Googles Gemini 3 is smarter, better at figuring out what you need

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 07:38

Google has a new contender for the smartest AI in the world.

On Tuesday, the company launched Gemini 3, calling it its "most intelligent model."

The new LLM (large language model) should have improved reasoning, helping it to understand the depth and nuance of the tasks it tackles. But according to Google, it should also be better at figuring out "the context and intent behind your request," which means you should be able to get things done with less prompts.

SEE ALSO: Google Maps introduces conversational navigation with Gemini

Gemini hasn't only been updated on its own. Google said it shipped the LLM at scale across its products, meaning that Gemini 3 is already live in AI mode in Google Search — the first time the company has shipped a new model in Search on launch day (note, however, that it's currently only live for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers). Gemini 3 is now also live in the Gemini app, in AI Studio and Vertex AI, as well as in Google's agentic development platform, Antigravity.

Featured Video For You How to use Gemini AI to plan your trip

As is customary, Google immediately showed off Gemini 3's score in various benchmarks. For example, Gemini 3 Pro is now the leader in LMArena with a score of 1501 Elo, ahead of xAI's Grok, and Gemini 3's predecessor, Gemini 2.5 Pro.

And if you want to push it a little further, you can run Gemini 3 Deep Think, which is even better in reasoning and more suited for the most complex tasks. That model is notably better in certain benchmarks, including the notoriously tough Humanity's Last Exam.

On top of all that, Google also redesigned its Gemini app. One key change is the My Stuff folder, where you can find the various chats and documents you've created with Gemini. The company also improved the shopping experience, and started experimenting with generative interfaces, which are created by the model as you prompt it.

Finally, the Gemini Agent is a feature which can complete multi-step tasks for you, including managing your appointments and reminders, organizing your inbox, or performing research online.

The EF EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra portable power station is over 50% off for Prime members

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 07:32

SAVE OVER $1,700: As of Nov. 19, the EF EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra portable power station is on sale for $1,598.99 for Prime members. This is 52% off its list price of $3,299.

Opens in a new window Credit: EF ECOFLOW EF EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Portable Power Station with 400W Solar Panel $1,598.99 at Amazon
$3,299 Save $1,700.01   Get Deal

Amazon's Black Friday sale officially starts on Nov. 20, but the retailer already has some exciting deals to consider. Prime members, in particular, have exclusive offers available to check out right now. Among them is this massive discount on the EF EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra portable power station with 400W solar panel, 52% off for a limited time.

This Prime-exclusive discount has dropped the price of the EF EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra portable power station with 400W solar panel from $3,299 to $1,598.99, saving you $1,700.01. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, it has never hit this low price before, so now is a great time to grab it. However, this deal only lasts through the rest of Nov. 19, so you'll want to be quick.

SEE ALSO: Target Black Friday ad: The best deals you can buy online early

The EF EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra boasts a 3,600W continuous output (7,200W surge) that's ready to power up devices around your home. It features multiple ports as well, including four 120V, 20A AC outputs, one 18W max USB-A port, three 140W max USB-C ports, one 120V, 30A TT-30 RV port, and a 12V, 10A cigarette lighter port.

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 4 msgs/mo. 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 also works quietly, which is a bonus if you're using it in a smaller space. Complete with the 400W solar panel, the EF EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra is ready for any outdoor adventures you have planned.

If you're a Prime member, now is your chance to scoop up the EF EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra portable power station with 400W solar panel for 52% off at Amazon. And if you're looking for more great deals available right now ahead of Black Friday, check out our breakdown of 60+ early Black Friday deals.

Amazon has knocked $600 off the Samsung 75-Inch Neo QLED 4K QN80F TV ahead of Black Friday

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 06:45

SAVE $600: As of Nov. 19, the Samsung 75-Inch Neo QLED 4K QN80F TV is on sale for $1,497.99 at Amazon. This is $600 off its list price of $2,097.99 and its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 75-Inch Class Neo QLED 4K QN80F TV $1,497.99 at Amazon
$2,097.99 Save $600.00   Get Deal

TV deals are regularly some of the best to drop over Black Friday, and we've been lucky enough to find plenty on offer ahead of the official start time. Amazon has quite a few worth checking out right now, including this stellar offer on the Samsung 75-Inch Neo QLED 4K QN80F TV, which has dropped below $1,500 for the first time.

This TV is usually listed for $2,097.99, but the Samsung 75-Inch Neo QLED 4K QN80F TV is down by $600 to $1,497.99. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is its lowest-ever price. Now's a great time to grab it if you've been on the hunt for an upgrade ahead of the holidays.

SEE ALSO: Target Black Friday ad: The best early deals you can buy online

This large 75-inch Samsung TV is big enough to make movie nights or binge-watching TV shows over the holiday season feel exciting and immersive. Pair that with a high-quality picture thanks to 4K resolution and a QLED display, and you're in for visuals that pop with vibrant color and detail. On top of that, it even comes with Dolby Atmos spatial audio, which makes it seem as if you are surrounded by the sounds.

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Since this Samsung TV is a smart TV, you'll also have instant access to all of your favorite streaming apps. So no matter what you've deciding to watch over the holidays, flipping between your favorite streamers is nice and easy.

Don't miss out on this excellent deal on the Samsung 75-Inch Neo QLED 4K QN80F TV at Amazon. And if you're looking for more, check out our breakdown of the best early Black Friday TV deals to see other picks that have caught our eye lately.

Stranger Things stars Joe Keery and Gaten Matarazzo cold-calling famous friends is a fun time

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 06:41

Joe Keery and Gaten Matarazzo are well into the Stranger Things Season 5 promo tour, and in the pitstop above they visit BBC Radio 1 for a classic game of "Sit Down, Stand Up" with host Greg James.

The rules are pretty simple: Take turns calling a famous friend, and guess if they're sitting down or standing up when they answer. In the clip they keep things on topic, first calling Joseph Quinn (who's played the game before himself) and then Finn Wolfhard, who somewhat confusingly seems to think Keery and Matarazzo are supposed to be meeting him for a Netflix thing.

It's a fun, chaotic time.

Review: Kirby Air Riders is frivolous, fleeting, and only fun with other people

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 06:00

One of the distinct joys of art is that sometimes you get to feel like you truly grasp something in a way other people don’t. This is the driving force behind "cult classics," those rare movies or games that get a lukewarm reception at release but turn out to be misunderstood gems. It’s fun to feel like you were right all along, but even more fun to feel like other people were wrong.

Take Kirby Air Ride, a vehicle-based action game starring Nintendo’s spherical pink icon Kirby, originally released for GameCube in 2003. One glance at its Metacritic page tells the whole story: Reviewers didn’t much care for it, but lots of gamers loved it, judging by the user score.

As someone who did play the original and found it kind of forgettable, I went into its Nintendo Switch 2 sequel Kirby Air Riders hoping to be won over. I so badly wanted to believe the critics got it wrong, and expanding the game with more characters, abilities, and modes would give Kirby a triumphant return that proved the haters wrong. 

SEE ALSO: Early preview: 'Kirby Air Riders' is a 'Super Smash'-style racer that triggers all the good brain chemicals

That didn’t happen. Kirby Air Riders may have more going for it than its predecessor, but that’s not saying much. This is still a thin racing action game with one cool mode and a whole lot of "bleh" around it, including a miserable single-player experience.

For Nintendo nerds, it’s cool that Air Riders exists at all Most of the racing tracks look fantastic. Credit: Nintendo

Before I get to all the stuff that bums me out about Air Riders, I want to make one thing clear: I’m happy this game exists, if for no other reason than it’s the first big Kirby game directed by series creator Masahiro Sakurai in more than 20 years. You may or may not know Sakurai from being the public face of the Super Smash Bros. series, but Kirby is his baby, and it makes me happy to know that he got to make something of a passion project for himself before presumably getting back into the Smash mines.

Air Riders also feels like a much-deserved celebration of Kirby in general. It’s full of playable characters who range from basic Kirby enemies to Kirby’s friends or even major villains from throughout the series. The soundtrack mixes great original tracks with fresh re-arrangements of classic Kirby songs, and I would say the music is probably the best thing about Air Riders in general. It’s also a visual feast for the young Switch 2 console, with an exceptionally vibrant color palette, racetracks with awesome-looking setpieces and scenery, and a (from what I can tell) flawless 60 frames per second frame rate holding it all together.

Air Riders looks and sounds great, but then you have to actually play it.

But there’s ultimately almost no meat on the bone here Same, homies. Credit: Nintendo

In case you never played the original Air Ride or missed the marketing or public beta weekends for Air Riders, the key thing to know about it mechanically is that there’s no accelerate button. Unlike most racing or vehicular action games, acceleration happens automatically. There are only two buttons, one that slams the brakes (while also charging up a speed boost that activates once you let go), and another that activates your chosen character’s special ability once a meter is full.

Add in a spin attack that you can do by wiggling the left stick back and forth, and that’s your entire moveset. Air Riders is, to its credit, very easy to learn thanks to its inherent simplicity as well as a series of playable tutorials that make sure none of the nuances (which mostly exist in the form of vehicles that all control and behave pretty differently) get past the player. It is worth going through all of these just because, unlike most driving games, most of the vehicles in Air Riders can fly, which is one of the easiest ways to pick up speed and win races.

The problem is that there just isn’t a whole lot to do once you’ve finished the tutorials. You can compete against CPUs or friends in the racing-based Air Ride mode, the top-down Top Ride mode, and the more open-ended action mode City Trial, or check out Road Trip, which technically counts as a single-player story mode. More on that later.

City Trial was the highlight of the GameCube original, and it’s still the main reason to play its sequel. This mode places up to 16 players in a big city map for exactly five minutes, during which time they have to find vehicles and power them up by collecting items that spawn in a variety of ways. You can destroy boxes to juice up your car, but random challenges like short races or even boss fights will appear from time to time, each coming with the opportunity to collect a lot of power-ups simply by participating in them.

I love this guy. Credit: Nintendo

Once those five minutes are up, players are cordoned off into Stadiums, which are basically just mini-games. Some of them prioritize speed, others prioritize flight or combat ability. City Trial is all about embracing whatever machine you ended up with and whatever stats it has at the end of the match, and just trying your best in whichever Stadium you do. There are technically winners and losers, but really, the joy here is in zooming around a map for five minutes and collecting floating icons that make numbers go up. 

Air Riders is at its best when City Trial is at its most hectic, with meteors raining from the sky or some wacky boss wrecking the place while everyone is just trying to power up their ride. I do find some joy in getting to the point where my vehicle is so fast that it’s barely controllable, but that also makes completing specific challenges not especially fun at times. Still, City Trial (especially online, and especially with people you know) is a good time. 

I wish I felt the same about Air Ride, the racing mode. These races aren’t terrible by any means, but they’re usually exceedingly short and insubstantial. City Trial works as well as it does largely because it’s full of random nonsense that can throw you off your game or work to your benefit. Air Ride races, meanwhile, are kind of the same every time, unless you really get into trying different combinations of characters and vehicles. I appreciate that every character can suck up enemies on the road and copy their powers like Kirby can, but even those abilities only add a tiny bit of variety to the proceedings. 

Top Ride is also barely worth talking about. These mechanics don't translate super well to a top-down perspective, and making turns can be more of a chore than I'd like. It feels like a Mario Party mini-game.

City Trial and (to a lesser extent) Air Ride are where you’ll spend most of your time in Air Riders, as they both support local and online multiplayer. Speaking of online, you can host a bunch of friends in a paddock, which works as a social lobby where you can show off your characters or rides, which can be customized using unlockable parts and decals. It’s fun to jump around and do dumb emotes for a while before a City Trail match.

Road Trip is a bust Imagine doing this for 90 minutes. Credit: Nintendo

Unfortunately, there is also a single-player side of Air Riders. Road Trip is an approximation of a solo adventure mode in which you choose a rider and spend somewhere between 60 and 90 minutes completing challenges, collecting machines, powering up said machines, and occasionally fighting bosses. Most of the challenges are plucked from the other modes; short races on Air Ride tracks or Stadium sessions against CPUs make up the bulk of Road Trip’s runtime. Every now and then, you see an uninteresting cutscene as a reward for your efforts, too.

In theory, I’m sort of into a roguelike mode where, by the end, you have a big roster of souped-up machines. Sadly, Road Trip is immeasurably dull. Challenges quickly become repetitive, as you might find yourself doing the same race on the same slice of the same Air Ride track half a dozen times during one Road Trip. I also found that the challenge level stayed pretty much the same. Challenges only got more difficult near the end of a run for me, and only because my machines were so powered up that they became more difficult to control. I actively disliked the late-game boss fights that required a slight modicum of precision, which is not really what Air Riders is good at.

I just can’t personally see myself playing any more of Road Trip than I had to for the purposes of writing this review. At best, it’s somewhat pleasant and boring. At worst, it’s actively frustrating and, again, felt like a chore. I did, on occasion, get a small dopamine rush from completing in-game achievements to fill out a big checklist, which sometimes rewarded me with new characters to play as or new machines to use. The problem with this is that a huge majority of those achievements reward you with stickers or other cosmetic items instead. 

Kirby Air Riders, in that sense, simultaneously has a lot to do and next to nothing to do. You can theoretically pump hours and hours into this game to unlock everything, but the process of doing that isn’t particularly enjoyable beyond the satisfaction of completing something. Air Riders is overflowing with stuff, but most of it is truly just “stuff,” if you catch my drift. 

Critics in 2003 were right

I was not reviewing video games in 2003 because I was nine years old. Playing Kirby Air Riders in this capacity made me feel some solidarity with reviewers from back then, though, as I think this game is roughly as good in a 2025 context as that one was in a 2003 context. Unfortunately, the 2025 version costs $69, and it's just not worth that much.

Yes, the sequel has more playable characters, machines, ways to customize both of those things, and tons of other crap to unlock. The new and improved City Trial mode is genuinely a lot of fun at times, too, and Air Riders is a gorgeous game both visually and aurally. Longtime Kirby aficionados will also surely enjoy the amount of fan service at work here.

But Air Riders still feels woefully thin to me. If you aren’t playing City Trial online, you might as well just play something else. Air Ride mode wears out its welcome pretty quickly and Road Trip is only marginally more fun than driving across Kansas in real life. 

I just don’t think there’s enough hidden depth here to make even City Trial interesting for more than a couple of weeks. All I wanted out of this game was to be persuaded that the original Air Ride was secretly great, and just needed a second chance to truly shine. Needless to say, I remain unconvinced.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo 'Kirby Air Riders' $69 at Amazon
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The Pokémon TCG White Flare Booster Bundle is down to market value at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 05:49

MARKET VALUE: As of Nov. 19, the Pokémon TCG White Flare Booster Bundle is $50.99 at Amazon, which is the going rate and market value compared to TCGplayer.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG White Flare Booster Bundle $51.35 at TCGPlayer
$58.95 Save $7.60   Get Deal

Mega Evolution boosters and Phantasmal Flames is the focus right now for most people, but the Scarlet and Violet era is dominating early Black Friday deals. Specifically, the White Flare Booster Bundle is available for $50.99 at Amazon. That's market value compared to TCGplayer.

However, if you apply for an Amazon Visa card and get accepted, you'll get an instant $60 Amazon gift card credited to your account. This can then be used to pay for the Booster Bundle in full, leaving $9.01 for your next purchase.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Chase cards in Black Bolt and White Flare are some of the most valuable in the Scarlet and Violet era, but it's still likely to turn out cheaper to buy something outright than ripping open endless packs. Here's what they're going for right now alongside links to TCGplayer to catch your favorite Pokémon:

  1. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
    Near Mint Holofoil: $430
    Market price: $468.99
    Most recent sale: $430

  2. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
    Near Mint Holofoil: $420
    Market price: $432.27
    Most recent sale: $440

  3. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
    Near Mint Holofoil: $420
    Market price: $480.87
    Most recent sale: $445.98

  4. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
    Near Mint Holofoil: $368
    Market price: $371.22
    Most recent sale: $375

  5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
    Near Mint Holofoil: $231.37
    Market price: $238.43
    Most recent sale: $230

  6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
    Near Mint Holofoil: $180.99
    Market price: $188.80
    Most recent sale: $186.23

The Insignia 50-inch Class F50 TV just got its biggest-ever discount ahead of Black Friday — save over $100 right now

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 05:40

SAVE $130: As of Nov. 19, the Insignia 50-inch Class F50 TV is on sale for $169.99 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 50-inch Class F50 TV $169.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $130   Get Deal

Early Black Friday deals are ramping up, and we couldn't be happier about it. And if you're looking to treat yourself to a new TV before Christmas movie season starts, there's a great deal on the Insignia 50-inch Class F50 at Amazon. As of Nov. 19, this impressive TV is down to just $169.99, saving you $130. That's also the lowest price for this model according to camelcamelcamel.

This TV gives you gorgeous 4K Ultra HD with HDR10, so movies and shows look sharp, colorful, and incredibly detailed, and all for under $200. It also uses Amazon’s Fire TV operating system, giving you quick access to apps like Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and free services such as Fire TV Channels, Tubi, and Pluto TV, and it's all laid out neatly on the home screen.

You can even use this TV as a smart home hub to check cameras, adjust lights, or start robot vacuums cleaning.

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 4 msgs/mo. 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!

For sound, enjoy an incredibly impressive audio experience with the DTS Virtual:X, an immersive sound format that creates a three-dimensional feel. You'll also get HDMI eARC which supports high-quality audio setups. It’s packed with handy ports too, from HDMI to USB to Ethernet. Plus, it’s wall-mountable, so it's nice and easy to install seamlessly into your space.

Pick up this great early Black Friday TV deal from Amazon now.

Jimmy Kimmel reacts to Trump saying quiet piggy to a reporter

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 05:39

Donald Trump is facing so many questions over his relationship with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that some of his other controversies are slipping through the cracks.

In the Jimmy Kimmel Live! video above from Tuesday night, the host brings up a recent clip of the U.S. president insulting Bloomberg's White House Correspondent Catherine Lucey on Air Force One — when the journalist asks Trump a question about Epstein, he responds, "Quiet piggy."

"He called her piggy," says a shocked Kimmel. "He said, 'quiet, piggy' to a reporter and it barely made the news. If a man spoke like that to a female co-worker in like a workplace harassment training video, you'd go, 'Ah, that's over the top. Nobody would do that.' If the pilot on Air Force One behaved like the president, he wouldn't be allowed to fly the plane."

The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Booster Bundle is free with this Black Friday hack

Mashable - Wed, 11/19/2025 - 05:37

TL;DR: As of Nov. 19, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Booster Bundle is $55.01 at Amazon, which is $14 higher compared to TCGplayer. But if you successfully apply for an Amazon Visa Card, you could grab a $60 gift card and get it for free.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Booster Bundle   Get Deal

The Mega Evolution Booster Bundle is $14 more at Amazon compared to TCGplayer, but you can still get it for free with credit to spare if you successfully apply for an Amazon Visa Card at Amazon. I can't believe this offer is still available.

Now I'm not suggesting you get a store card and go crazy with Pokémon TCG (as tempting as that is). You don't even need to spend anything on it for this deal. Simply apply for the Amazon Visa card, and if successful you'll get an instant $60 gift card credited to your account. Leave the Visa card alone and use the credit to grab the booster bundle and have $4.99 left over towards your next purchase.

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 4 msgs/mo. 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!

If you don't want the temptation, TCGplayer is currently selling Mega Evolution Booster Bundles for $41.01, so you can still catch a brilliant saving without the gift card and credit application.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Mega Evolution single card prices are crashing right now compared to launch, so it's a great time to snag that expensive chase card you've been looking for. Here's the current top Mega Evolution chase cards, with links to buy them right now on TCGplayer and up-to-date market value:

  1. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
    Near Mint Holofoil: $435
    Market price: $476.09
    Most recent sale: $418.69

  2. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
    Near Mint Holofoil: $345.98
    Market price: $369.14
    Most recent sale: $317.52

  3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
    Near Mint Holofoil: $267.50
    Market price: $222.33
    Most recent sale: $205

  4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
    Near Mint Holofoil: $224.99
    Market price: $213.52
    Most recent sale: $225

  5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
    Near Mint Holofoil: $155
    Market price: $157.42
    Most recent sale: $155

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