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Insta360 launched the Luna Ultra this year, issuing a direct challenge to the DJI Osmo Pocket's dominance amongst handheld gimbal cameras. Convincing consumers to give the new kid on the block a chance is a significant task, particularly when DJI is releasing the Osmo Pocket 4 and 4P at around the same time.

Fortunately, Insta360 seems well aware of the challenge it's facing, and has come out swinging. 

SEE ALSO: Insta360 launches X6, its flagship 360-degree 8K camera Insta360 Luna Ultra: Build The Insta360 Luna Ultra has two lenses, courtesy of a partnership with Leica. Credit: A. Yeo

The Insta360 Luna Ultra immediately distinguishes itself via its dual lenses, a feature it shares with DJI's professionally-targeted Osmo Pocket 4P. However, the Luna Ultra's lenses come courtesy of a collaboration with high-end camera company Leica, a brand which holds cult status amongst photography enthusiasts.

Specifically, the Luna Ultra includes both a Leica Summicron lens with a one-inch 8K sensor and a telephoto lens with a 1/1.3-inch sensor, which are positioned side-by-side on the gimbal in a horizontal orientation — a look that's reminiscent of Disney's WALL-E. Both lenses have wide apertures, sitting at f/1.8 and f/2.0 respectively, which allows them to take in more light and helps produce a shallower depth of field for a more cinematic look.

A look that's reminiscent of Disney's WALL-E.

The other standout feature of the Luna Ultra's build is its detachable two-inch touchscreen and controls. This allows users to remotely operate and monitor the camera, doing everything from zooming in to moving the gimbal, and switching between recording modes. This turns the Luna Ultra from a nifty handheld camera into a super flexible vlogging tool that can capture more angles with ease, and is particularly attractive for solo shooting. 

The detachable touchscreen remote is a standout feature. Credit: A. Yeo

The lightweight remote fits easily in the palm, with the physical controls well away from the rotatable 1000-nit OLED screen so it isn't obscured by users' fingers. Despite its relatively diminutive size, the remote still feels spacious and thoughtfully designed for an enjoyable shooting experience, with its array of physical controls putting the Luna Ultra's most frequently used operations at your fingertips. When not being used remotely, the panel clips to the Luna Ultra's handle and acts like a regular control setup with no apparent compromises.

Mashable loved the convenience of this remote, and found that having it so easily on hand encouraged more creativity and experimentation when shooting. Rather than having to dig the remote out from a bag, users can detach and use it while the Luna Ultra is still recording. Being an integrated piece means it's always readily at your disposal, and there's no fussing with connecting to an app if you want to operate the Luna Ultra remotely. However, you'll want to be careful not to lose or damage the remote, as the camera won't work without it and it isn't sold separately. The remote can also only be charged while attached to the Luna Ultra's main body, and has a relatively small battery. As such, it's more suited to short shots than extended remote viewing even with its liberal power saving settings.

The Luna Ultra comes in two colourways: the more subtle Cosmic Black and the attention-grabbing Stellar White. Mashable tried the Stellar White version, and while we haven't had it long enough to see whether it will go grubby, on initial inspection it doesn't seem as though the material will be prone to discolouration.

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Insta360 Luna Ultra: Settings and performance The camera includes physical controls for recording, zooming, and moving the gimbal. Credit: A. Yeo

The Insta360 Luna Ultra boasts maximum video resolutions of 8K at 30fps and 4K at 120fps, while the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P tops out at 4K at 60fps. Though filming in 4K is typically enough for the average user, the Luna Ultra's 8K resolution offers more flexibility when it comes to editing, allowing users to crop and zoom in on their footage without visible loss of quality. It's a useful option that allows people to edit 4K horizontal and vertical content from the same footage, helping to streamline workflows.

Insta360's gimbal camera also offers up to 12x zoom, giving users high resolution at a wide range of focal lengths. The Luna Ultra's main Leica Summicron lens handles 1x and 2x lossless magnification, while the telephoto lens takes care of 3x optical zoom, 6x lossless, and up to 12x zoom via digital cropping. As such, not all magnifications are available at all resolutions, with the Luna Ultra having a maximum 6x zoom at 8K.

The Luna Ultra's rotatable screen can be used in both landscape and portrait modes. Credit: A. Yeo

Mashable testing found the Luna Ultra's focus a little hit and miss. It's hard to fault in wide, well-lit shots, and its preference for people makes it easy to whip out and immediately start vlogging. However, it seemed to lack an "intuition" for figuring out what we wanted to focus on at times, particularly when filming close ups of objects (as opposed to people) or when wanting to shift focus in a moving shot. The Luna Ultra's focus tended to search and jump around in such scenarios, which was amplified when dealing with dark objects or dimmer lighting. The UI also offers limited feedback and no persistent focus box when using standard tap-to-focus, which can be stressful when trying to monitor your recording on the Luna Ultra's small screen.

The AI-powered auto tracking performs better, which is handy if you're looking to stay on a subject rather than use focus pulls. Users can set a focus box by holding and dragging on the Luna Ultra's touchscreen. This keeps their subject in frame and in focus, though it does still search from time to time.

It's easy to detach the Luna Ultra's remote from its body, then clip it back once done. Credit: A. Yeo

In addition to the Luna Ultra's Standard Video and Standard Photo modes, its shooting modes include PureVideo (for low light), Timelapse, TimeShift (essentially Timelapse but with the camera moving), Pano (the gimbal automatically rotates to take photos and stitch them into a 360-degree image), and Slow-Mo. While the Pocket 4P's slow motion mode can record 240fps at 4K, the Luna Ultra only goes up to 120fps at the same resolution. It can reach 240fps, however this requires bumping the resolution down to 1080p.

The Luna Ultra accepts microSD cards, but it also has 47GB of internal storage that allows you to start filming right out of the box, without having to shell out more cash for increasingly expensive memory cards. The Luna Ultra's capacity may be less than half of the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P's 103GB, but it's still enough to mitigate the stress of pulling out your camera only to find that you've misplaced your external storage.

Depending on its settings, Insta360 states that the Luna Ultra can run for up to 240 minutes. This should be more than enough run time for most use cases, though it can be extended further with the camera's 1000mAh battery handle accessory (more on this below). 

Insta360 Luna Ultra: Image quality A screenshot of footage from the Insta360 Luna Ultra, filming the Sydney Opera House at 3x zoom. Credit: A. Yeo

The Luna Ultra produces clear footage with good fidelity, delivering results that are at least similar, if not better, than most high end smartphones. Though not as rich or cinematic as footage captured with a mirrorless camera, video from the Luna Ultra doesn't look completely out of place when mixed into the same edit, which is definitely an achievement. The camera's automatic settings such as exposure, white balance, and focus are generally smooth and user-friendly, targeted toward ensuring you always have a usable shot, while colour profiles and resolutions help you tune in the look you want.

The Luna Ultra does offer some depth of field to play with for those blurry background shots that make a subject pop, but don't expect anything too drastic. DJI's Osmo Pocket 4P produces a more pronounced blur effect at the same reported focal length, creating even more separation between background and foreground than the Luna Ultra. 

The Luna Ultra produces clear footage with good fidelity, delivering results that are at least similar, if not better, than most high end smartphones.

Even so, this classically "cinematic" effect is hardware limited by sensor size and lens composition. As the Luna Ultra and 4P have similar specs in this regard, the difference is fairly minor and only apparent when you really push the effect, such as when filming a subject that's close to the foreground. It's nice to have some depth of field capability for such shots, however, these cameras are primarily aimed at quick and fuss-free capture of life's moments rather than carefully curated mise-en-scène. The Luna Ultra delivers on that brief splendidly.

The Luna Ultra's ISO tops out at 6400, less than the Osmo Pocket 4P's top of 51200 in low-light mode. In fact, the Luna Ultra's ISO is more comparable to the Pocket 3's standard, non-low light ISO range. Yet despite this, the Luna Ultra's low-light performance is still impressive, managing to capture details even in very dark conditions. This performance is likely thanks to the camera's onboard processing, which is handled by Insta360's Triple AI Chip system. This system consists of two imaging chips dedicated to low-light performance, while a third 4nm AI chip powers everything else. 

Footage filmed in dim environments does appear noisy and artificially brightened when viewed on the Luna Ultra's screen, looking more like a night-vision shot than a true-to-life rendition of the scene. Fortunately, this doesn't hold true once the footage is taken off the camera, delivering usable footage from a wide range of shooting conditions.

A screenshot of footage from the Insta360 Luna Ultra, filming the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay, Sydney. Credit: A. Yeo

The auto exposure appears to adjust more gradually on the Luna Ultra than on DJI's gimbal cameras, which seems to be an intentional choice. While the Luna Ultra allows imperfect exposure on some frames, it's a reasonable trade off to prevent excessive fluctuation when quickly moving between sun and shade. The Luna Ultra did, however, tend to have more drastic swings in exposure when shooting low-light, as it worked to brighten and bring out detail in very dark conditions.

If you want to enhance your footage but aren't interested in fussing with too much post-production, the Luna Ultra offers several digital filters you can apply while filming. This includes three colour profiles familiar to Leica fans: Leica Natural, Leica Vivid, and Leica Chrome.

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For those who do want to dive into the more technical side of filming, the Luna Ultra can record in I-Log, Insta360's proprietary log profile. Though footage shot in log appears flatter and more washed out when recorded, it actually captures a wider dynamic range, This enables more flexibility when colour grading in post, opening up the potential for stunning results. (If you want to try shooting in I-Log, it's natively supported in popular free colour grading software DaVinci Resolve. You can also download free LUTs, essentially log post-production presets, from Insta360's website to help you get started.)

The Luna Ultra can also film in Dolby Vision. While the average user is unlikely to benefit from the standardised HDR format, its inclusion is reflective of Insta360's goal to position its gimbal camera as a tool for pro and semi-pro creators.

Insta360 Luna Ultra: Accessories The Luna Ultra's battery handle has tripod feet for a little bit of extra utility. Credit: A. Yeo

Like the Osmo Pocket, the Luna Ultra has a battery handle accessory which includes a 1/4" thread mounting hole. Both cameras also have smaller handles which have threads but not batteries, despite featuring USB-C ports. However, Insta360's handles also come equipped with handy little wire tripod feet that fold out. They're a great addition that adds extra utility, though their small footprint means they're also less stable than a proper tripod attachment.

Unfortunately, the Luna Ultra's other accessories could use some improvement. Insta360 appears to have taken inspiration from the Osmo Pocket 3's hard protective cover, using a similar cradle design for its own cover to protect the length of the Luna Ultra on its screen side.

Insta360 does improve the cover's design by adding a nifty hinged door to encase the gimbal, giving it extra protection. Even so, the Luna Ultra's case runs into the same issue that the Pocket 3 does, in that its bulk makes it cumbersome to use and irritating to carry around. With the Osmo Pocket 4 having ditched the cradle cover for a small gimbal clamp and protective soft bag, the Luna Ultra's design feels dated in comparison.

Its protective case is bulky, but does the job. Credit: A. Yeo

Insta360 sells an alternative $10 sliding case, which is installed by prying off the Luna Ultra's wind shield and attaching it in its place. Sliding the cover down is meant to activate the camera, allowing for quick and easy one-handed use. However, Mashable found it loose and prone to sliding down when carried in a pocket, leaving us glad to have a more secure option in the original protective case. The sliding protective case also doesn't have storage for the black mist filter and wide-angle lens, making it an incomplete replacement.

The Luna Ultra's Mini Fill Light feels under-engineered. This accessory consists of a small rectangular USB-C rechargeable light that magnetises to a thin plastic bracket, which in turn slides onto the back of the gimbal hinge where it's secured with a fiddly plastic ring. Unfortunately, it feels flimsy enough that users might hesitate to toss it in their bag. While the ability to use the light independently gives the fill light some versatility, it's clunky and inelegant for its primary purpose, particularly when compared with the Osmo Pocket 4 and 4P's hot swappable fill light.

Should you buy the Insta360 Luna Ultra? The Insta360 Luna Ultra is a flexible gimbal camera with a lot to offer. Credit: A. Yeo

The Insta360 Luna Ultra starts at $769.99 for the Standard Bundle, which includes a protective cover, 1/4" thread handle, wrist strap, and its attached wind guard. In comparison, while we don't have official U.S. pricing for the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P, its Standard Combo bundle is priced at £529 in the UK (approximately $706).

Whether it's worth springing the extra cash for the Insta360 Luna Ultra depends on your needs, and whether or not you've already invested in either brand's ecosystem. If you already have other DJI products such as their Mic 3, you may prefer to pick up an Osmo Pocket 4P simply for ease of compatibility (although DJI mics can still work with the Luna Ultra via their receiver).

On the other hand, if you tend to shoot solo and could use the convenience and flexibility of a removable remote, or if you're chasing the highest resolution available in the gimbal form factor, it's hard to go past the Luna Ultra.

GET A FREE $25 STARBUCKS GIFT CARD: Purchase any new MacBook Neo from Best Buy and get a free $25 Starbucks gift card. Online orders will receive an e-gift card via e-mail, and in-store purchases will get a physical gift card.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple MacBook Neo + free $25 Starbucks gift card prices start at $699 Get Deal

Everything is more expensive these days, including MacBooks. When the MacBook Neo first landed on the market in March, the least expensive option came in at $599. That's now $699, but Best Buy has a way of making the price hike feel slightly less painful. Check out this deal.

As of Aug. 17, Best Buy is offering a free $25 Starbucks gift card with purchase of any new MacBook Neo. The 13-inch MacBook Neo with 256GB SSD costs $699 while the larger 512GB SSD is $799.

Apple's first budget laptop now comes with an extra perk: free coffee. Snag this deal from Best Buy and you'll be able to enjoy $25 worth of free Starbucks. New college students might find this deal espeically worthwhile, and a fun way to start a fresh school year.

SEE ALSO: Rare Apple price drop: Get Apple’s 11-inch A16 iPad for just $399 right now

"Even at its new $699 starting price, the MacBook Neo offers unbeatable value, and I think it's easily the best laptop under $1,000 right now," wrote Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth in his review of the MacBook Neo. He points out this isn't the right laptop if you'll be doing heavy video editing, for example, but it might be perfect for those who do simpler tasks.

In addition to being Apple's least expensive laptop, the MacBook Neo comes with the A18 chip and 8GB of memory. You get to choose between 256 or 512GB of SSD. The colors are worth noting too since it comes in a fun Blush, Indigo, Citrus, or Silver.

Since everything is more expensive, a deal that offers us free coffee is one to take advantage of. If you've been considering making the upgrade to the MacBook Neo, today's deal at Best Buy might be your sign to make the purchase.

I tested its features, accuracy and battery life, and this is Samsung’s best watch yet. But it’s also the most expensive. Here’s who should splurge on the Ultra 2 and who’s better off with the Galaxy Watch 9.

Google's Pixel 11 lineup brings Magic Capture, Instant Night Sight, and one genuinely surprising choice: the cheapest and priciest models share a main camera. We tried Magic Capture ourselves and asked Google why the Fold's camera is different.

SAVE $30: As of Aug. 17, the Sony LinkBuds Clip open earbuds are discounted to $198 at Amazon. That saves you $30 on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony LinkBuds Clip $198 at Amazon
$228 Save $30   Get Deal

Noise-canceling earbuds may be a popular pick for listeners, but there's something nice about open earbuds. They are a great option for those who prefer to be more aware of what's going on around them while listening, rather than being cut off from the outside world. If you've been thinking about buying a pair, the Sony LinkBuds Clip is a model we recommend.

Amazon even has them on sale right now, so it's a perfect time to grab them.

Normally listed at $228, the Sony LinkBuds Clip is now $198 on Amazon in every color. That saves you $30 overall, though not for long. Most of the colors have a "limited time deal" tag right now, so be quick to scoop them up at this price before the discount disappears.

SEE ALSO: CMF's first pair of open earbuds are finally here and have the potential to be a category best this year

Earning the spot as the "best newcomer" in our roundup of the best open earbuds — thanks to being "the first to truly rival Bose's rich soundscape" — the Sony LinkBuds Clip are an investment well worth making if open earbuds have been on your mind. Their battery can last up to 37 hours with the charging case, they feature a comfortable and secure fit, and they boast excellent sound quality, with writer Simon Cohen saying they're "some of the best-sounding open-ear wireless earbuds you can buy" in our review.

On top of that, they come with three listening modes: Standard, Voice Boost for noisy places, and Sound Leakage Reduction for quieter places. That way, you can find the best option depending on where you are.

If they've caught your eye, act fast to save on the Sony LinkBuds Clip while they're still on sale at Amazon.

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TL;DR: The Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 (G50F) gaming monitor is on sale for $199 at Amazon, down from its $349.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 32-Inch Odyssey G5 (G50F) $199 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $150.99 Get Deal

An 180Hz gaming monitor from a top-tier brand can rack up quite a price in today’s market, even in smaller sizes. That said, Amazon is continuing its string of reliable Samsung bargains, making it much easier on your bank account to upgrade your setup. 

As of Aug. 17, the Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 (G50F model) gaming monitor is available to buy for only $199 on Amazon. Against its $349.99 list price, that cuts $150.99 off the total for a 43% discount — and is now the lowest price ever seen at the retailer (as confirmed via price tracker camelcamelcamel).

Sold and shipped by Amazon directly, free delivery is available, with orders fulfilled by Aug. 22, while Prime members can get it as soon as Aug. 18. Free 30-day returns are included, too. 

For the money, the Odyssey G5 offers a 32-inch Fast IPS panel with 2560x1440 QHD resolution. That’s 1.7 times the pixel density of Full HD — so when you boot up even the latest games like Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls or Beast of Reincarnation, you’ll get a noticeably sharper display without paying tons more for OLED or 4K.  

Speaking of Marvel Tokon, any fast-paced title like fighting games or shooters will feel incredible to play thanks to the Odyssey G5’s 180Hz refresh rate, too. Along with the 1ms GtG response time, the extra speed should make motion feel much cleaner than on a basic 60Hz or 75Hz screen.

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NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync are both supported, helping the monitor stay in step with compatible graphics cards to reduce tearing, lag, and uneven-looking motion. Plus, the classic HDR10 lends brighter highlights and more nuanced shadows, while the IPS panel offers a wide 178-degree viewing angle.

For even more value at the sub-$200 price point, Samsung has also packed in several gaming extras: Black Equalizer for brightening darker areas to make hidden enemies easier to spot, Virtual Aim Point for an on-screen crosshair, and Auto Source Switch+ for automatically jumping to newly connected devices.

Any gamers who fancy trying out 4K OLED can also find LG's 32-inch UltraGear monitor on sale at 40% off. Among even larger monitors, the 40-inch curved Samsung Odyssey G7 is on offer for under $650. 

China is exporting more than A.I. models. It wants its data to influence the world’s chatbots, raising fears that Beijing’s narratives will spread with the technology.

SAVE $50: As of Aug. 17, the Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) is on sale for $399 at Amazon. That's an 11% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) $399 at Amazon
$449 Save $50   Get Deal

The Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) has dropped in price at Amazon, giving you the chance to save $50 on the 128GB model. This deal applies to all colorways, so you can choose from yellow, blue, pink, or silver, all for the lower price of $399. This deal does not include AppleCare+, which can be added on for an extra cost.

This iPad features Apple’s A16 chip. This gives it a faster performance and an all-day battery life that won't let you down. It has a Liquid Retina display that includes True Tone, a feature that adjusts the screen to the color temperature of your surroundings.

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It runs on iPadOS, which means you can use multiple apps at once without lag or slow performance. You can also access apps such as Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with even more available through the App Store. Netflix, Prime Video, and more are great for streaming, and gaming apps let you use the iPad for play too.

It also has a 12MP Center Stage front camera for video calls and a 12MP Wide rear camera with True Tone flash for photos, document scanning, and 4K video. This iPad also supports other Apple accessories such as the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard Folio.

Find this iPad deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $10: As of Aug. 17, the CMF BY Nothing Watch 3 Pro is on sale for $69 at Amazon. That's $10 off its list price of $79.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing CMF BY Nothing Watch 3 Pro $69 at Amazon
$79 Save $10   Get Deal

Budget-friendly buys are always a good find, especially at a time when tech prices are looking less friendly on the wallet. If you've been hoping to find a smartwatch in that category, the CMF BY Nothing Watch 3 Pro is our favorite budget smartwatch, and Amazon's made it even cheaper for a limited time.

As of Aug. 17, every color of the CMF BY Nothing Watch 3 Pro at the retailer has been marked down to $69. Compared to its usual list price of $79, that's a nice $10 discount. Again, this is a limited-time deal, so you don't have long to act.

SEE ALSO: Where to preorder the Google Pixel Watch 5

The CMF BY Nothing Watch 3 Pro is an impressive budget model, offering up to 13 days of battery life and tracking for heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂), stress levels, workouts, and more. Writer Lauren Allain wrote in her review that it "looks, feels, and functions like a smartwatch that costs hundreds more." She added that the "fitness tracking metrics are detailed, the sleep tracking dives deep, and the battery keeps it powered up for weeks."

With high praise like that, it's no wonder it earned the spot as our top budget pick in our roundup of the best smartwatches. Mashable's Timothy Beck Werth wrote: "If you're looking for the best smartwatch under $100, nothing else comes close."

Act fast to score a sweet deal on the CMF BY Nothing Watch 3 Pro while it's still on sale at Amazon.

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TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Bundle is on sale for $58.99 at Amazon, down from its $69.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Bundle $58.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $11.00 Get Deal

Magic: The Gathering’s Marvel Super Heroes expansion has already seen some hefty cuts across its popular collection of packs and boxes, and you can now get a bundle on sale that’s perfect for both MTG newcomers and veterans. 

As of Aug. 17, the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Bundle is available for as low as $58.99 at Amazon. By taking $11 off its $69.99 list price, this 16% discount on the nine-booster collection makes it so you’re only paying $6.55 per Play Booster before counting everything else inside. 

The cheapest Amazon listing is sold and shipped by third-party seller MOHZAK LLC, with free delivery currently scheduled for Aug. 27. If you’d prefer getting yours as soon as possible, Amazon itself is directly selling and shipping the Bundle for $59.93, only 94 cents more, with free delivery set for Aug. 22 or as soon as Aug. 18 for Prime members.

Whichever option you choose, you can take comfort from knowing that you’re getting a lower price than what’s ever been available on Amazon before — as confirmed via price tracker camelcamelcamel. 

On the other hand, you can still spend less away from Amazon. TCGplayer has unopened Marvel Super Heroes Bundles starting at $47.65, with shipping included, which is only 19 cents higher than its current market price of $47.46. 

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As for what you actually get in the box, the Bundle includes nine Marvel Super Heroes Play Boosters containing 14 trading cards each, along with an alternate-art Traditional Foil promo card. There are also 30 Basic Lands split evenly between Traditional Foil and nonfoil versions, with five full-art cards in each group. 

Rounding everything out is an oversized Spindown life counter, a Marvel Super Heroes card storage box, and two reference cards. For those who aren’t aware of pulling specifics, each Play Booster can contain between one and four cards of Rare rarity or higher, plus one Traditional Foil card, making this a handy middle ground between grabbing a few loose packs and committing to a full booster display. 

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $69.95 at Amazon, down from its $119.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box $69.95 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $50.04   Get Deal

Despite the hype ahead of its launch, Pitch Black has continued to drop in price compared to popular Pokémon expansions. In fact, you can grab the ETB for its lowest-ever price right now.

As of Aug. 17, the Pokémon TCG’s Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box is now available for $69.95 at Amazon. It's the lowest price we’ve seen on Amazon so far (confirmed by the price tracker camelcamelcamel), taking $50.04 off the $119.99 list price for a 42% discount in total. 

Better still, this isn’t a marketplace seller undercutting everyone else. The listing is sold and shipped directly by Amazon, with free delivery currently estimated for Aug. 22-25. Amazon is marking the item as a final sale with no returns, so keep that in mind before checking out. 

What’s more, going below the $70 mark puts the Pitch Black ETB below its TCGplayer-estimated market price of $73.94. Any listings at the dedicated trading card retailer only go as low as $74.30, so Amazon is giving you the best price by a fair amount.

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Inside the Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box are nine titular booster packs, a full-art foil Zarude promo card, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, a player’s guide, six damage-counter dice, a competition-legal coin-flip die, a plastic coin, six dividers, a collector’s box, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. 

At $69.95, the nine boosters work out to roughly $7.77 each before you even factor in the promo and accessories. Among expansion headliners, you can pull in said packs are SIR Mega Darkrai ex, MHR Mega Darkrai ex, SIR Morpeko ex, and Mega Zeraora ex — worth up to $200+, and you can buy any of these cards individually on TCGplayer if you wish.

An advertiser paid for editorial consideration of this deal. Our editorial experts vetted the deal based on our independent expertise. Because we determined that the deal will save money for the consumer, we wrote the content.

TL;DR: For a limited time, T-Mobile is offering your first month of 5G Home Internet included, plus up to $200 back via a virtual prepaid Mastercard when you sign up. Speeds vary by plan, with download speeds up to 398 Mbps on the Amplified and All-In plans.

Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Get your first month of T-Mobile 5G Home Internet included, plus up to $200 back. Plans start at $35/month with a voice line and AutoPay. Shop Now

For a limited time, T-Mobile has a new offer on 5G Home Internet worth checking out. This is a good time to compare T-Mobile's offering with what you're currently paying. Here's what's included:

• Your first month of service on T-Mobile (via bill credit; plus tax)

• Up to $200 back, delivered via virtual prepaid Mastercard (allow seven weeks from rebate submission)

• T-Mobile will buy out your current internet contract, covering early termination fees up to $750, paid via virtual prepaid card (requires 60 days of service before validation)

What plans are included?

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet comes in three tiers, with evergreen pricing when bundled with a voice line and AutoPay:

• Rely Plan — $35/month, plus taxes and fees. Download speeds up to 354 Mbps, upload speeds up to 55 Mbps.

• Amplified Plan — $45/month, plus taxes and fees. Download speeds up to 398 Mbps, upload speeds up to 55 Mbps.

• All-In Plan — $55/month, plus taxes and fees. Download speeds up to 398 Mbps, upload speeds up to 55 Mbps. Also includes the TechEdge Suite (gateway upgrade, advanced cyber security, and 24/7 tech support), plus Hulu and Paramount+ Essential.

Speeds are delivered via 5G cellular network, so actual speeds may vary depending on factors affecting cellular networks. Beyond this, T-Mobile offers a five-year price guarantee on its Home Internet plans (exclusions such as taxes and fees apply), so you'll know what you're paying well into the future.

This deal is only available for a limited time, so don't sit on it too long. Explore T-Mobile's 5G Home Internet plans to find your fit.

Hayden Panettiere, star of Heroes, Nashville, and the Scream franchise, has died aged 36.

Announced by CBS News, the actor passed away on Monday. According to the news outlet, "an investigation is ongoing" into Panettiere's death, with no further information at this stage.

Tributes to Panettiere are pouring in from family, friends, co-stars, celebrities, and fans. In a statement given to CBS News through a publicist, her father Skip Panettiere paid tribute to his daughter.

"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," his statement reads. "She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss."

New York-raised Panettiere's screen career spanned decades, from TV roles in soap opera One Life to Live at four years old to her celebrated performance as high school cheerleader Claire on Heroes and her Golden Globe-nominated role as country music star Juliette Barnes on Nashville. In film, Panettiere was well-known for her Scream character Kirby Reed, as well as roles in Remember the Titans, Custody, Bring It On: All or Nothing, and Raising Helen. And she also gained fame for her voice acting in video games Until Dawn and Kingdom Hearts.

Panetierre detailed her life in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, released in May 2026. She is survived by her daughter, Kaya.

Hayden Panettiere in "Nashville," for which she gained two Golden Globe nominations. Credit: Mark Levine / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

Beneath Panetierre's final Instagram post, friends and fans are posting messages of grief and shock at the actor's passing, including actor Selma Blair, who wrote, "I love you. Don’t be gone." 7th Heaven star Beverley Mitchell also posted under the photo, describing Panetierre as a "bright light."

Viola Davis, who starred in Custody with Panettiere in 2016, posted on Instagram. "What an amazing talent you were....so gifted," she wrote. "I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming. I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. You will be remembered."

Panetierre's Scream co-star Melissa Barrera posted a tribute in an Instagram Story, writing, "Rest in peace sweet Hayden."

Hayden Panettiere's Kirby Reed is a 'Scream' franchise legend. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy-Lenz posted on Instagram mourning her long-time friend, saying she met Panettiere at New York production studio Screen Gems in childhood. "I'm crushed. I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen. She ran through the Screen Gem studio hallways at 222 E44th St. laughing and playing games in between blocking and camera rehearsals."

Singer Jojo shared an Instagram Story writing of the "devastating news."

SAG-AFTRA posted on X in tribute to Panettiere, who was a member of the guild for decades. "We mourn the sudden passing of Hayden Panettiere," the post reads. "Our hearts are with her daughter, family, friends & fans.|

This story is developing...

SAVE OVER $800: As of Aug. 17, the Mammotion Luba 3 robot lawn mower with garage has hit its lowest-ever price of $2,448 at Amazon. That's $851 off its full price of $3,299.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mammotion Mammotion Luba 3 AWD 3000H Robot Lawn Mower with Garage $2,448 at Amazon
$3,299 Save $851   Get Deal

Considering how warm it's been so far this summer, a robot lawn mower could be a helpful pick-up, as it can trim your yard while you stay out of the heat. If these devices have caught your attention for that reason, Amazon's been dropping great discounts on select models, including the Mammotion Luba 3 AWD 3000H robot lawn mower with garage. As of Aug. 17, this model has hit its lowest price to date at the retailer.

This combo pack of the robot lawn mower and its garage has received an $851 discount on Amazon, bringing its price down from $3,299 to $2,448. Since it's never been this cheap before (according to camelcamelcamel), now is the perfect time to buy.

SEE ALSO: Purple's Labor Day sale gets you a king mattress for the price of a queen — shop now for up to $400 off

Boasting two 165W motors with six-blade discs, the Mammotion Luba 3 has plenty of power to cut through your lawn. It comes with a rechargeable lithium battery up to 12 Ah, allowing it to run for up to 175 minutes per charge. The mower also features Tri-Fusion Navigation technology — comprising 360° LiDAR, NetRTK, and Dual-Camera AI Vision — which helps it navigate and avoid obstacles as it moves around your yard.

Plus, this robot mower can handle slopes up to 80% (38.6°), according to the store page. It also has an adaptive suspension system, which helps it clear curbs, roots, and thresholds up to 50mm high, so it can handle many obstacles it might encounter while mowing.

The Mammotion Luba 3 AWD 3000H robot lawn mower with garage is only on sale for a limited time, so act fast to save.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Aug. 17, 2026:

AcrossBrownie ingredients

• The answer is Eggs.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Gym rep on leg day

• The answer is Squat.

"Silly" stuff

• The answer is Putty.

Stand for a painter

• The answer is Easel.

onnie and ___, classic crime couple

• The answer is Clyde.

Down=

• The answer is Equal.

Courageous

• The answer is Gutsy.

Fenced in, as a private community

• The answer is Gated.

What "each of us already has, all we need to do is find it," per Diane von Furstenberg

• The answer is Style.

Contractor's detail, for short

• The answer is Spec.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

SAVE $20: As of Aug. 17, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is on sale for $79.95 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Inspire 3 $79.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $20   Get Deal

The Fitbit Inspire 3 is back on sale at Amazon, and if you've been looking for a budget-friendly fitness tracker, this is a great choice for just about anyone. As of Aug. 17, it's dropped to just $79.95, saving you $20 on the list price. And for under $80, you're still getting an impressive number of features.

For example, this watch is a lightweight, water-resistant fitness tracker, so it can be used for water-based activities like swimming. You won't need to take it off for showering either. It has up to 10 days of battery life, so it won't need to be constantly recharged either.

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The display is a color touchscreen with customizable clock faces that can be changed in the Fitbit app. And for activity tracking, you can get all-day monitoring of stats like steps, heart rate, and Active Zone Minutes, plus more than 20 exercise modes and automatic workout tracking. It also offers features for stress and sleep tracking, including a daily Stress Management Score, mindfulness and breathing sessions, automatic sleep tracking, Sleep Profile, Sleep Score, and a smart wake alarm.

Other features include SpO2, resting and high/low heart rate notifications, irregular heart rhythm notifications, menstrual health tracking, and smartphone notifications for calls and texts.

This deal is available at Amazon right now, so don't miss out.

TL;DR: New U.S. users can get lifetime access to lessons in 14 different languages with Babbel for $159 with code LEARN, via StackSocial.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159
$299 Save $140   Get Deal

Learning a new language isn’t easy, but it also might not be as hard as some apps make it seem. If memorizing vocab lists isn’t working for you, check out Babbel — it takes a more practical approach to teaching, with an AI conversation partner, flash cards, and practical lessons.

A Babbel lifetime subscription normally costs $599. Use code LEARN, and it’s $159. Here’s what that gets you.

Babbel gives you lifetime access to courses in 14 different languages, and the format is designed to fit into real life. Each lesson takes around 10 to 15 minutes, so you can stick with it whether you’re commuting, traveling, or squeezing in some study time between meetings.

A few of the included languages:

• Spanish

• French

• German

• Italian

• Portuguese

• Swedish

And that’s just the beginning.

Unlike apps that lean on word games or repetitive matching drills, Babbel centers its content around practical conversation topics: travel, shopping, business, culture, and more, developed by linguists and backed by academic research. Speech recognition helps fine-tune your pronunciation, and an AI-powered conversation partner lets you practice speaking in real time.

Lessons sync across devices, so you can start on your computer and finish on your phone. There’s also an offline mode for downloading lessons in advance. You can move at your own pace, revisit review sessions, and switch between beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels as your comfort level changes.

Use code LEARN by Sept. 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get a Babbel lifetime subscription for $159.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Tesla is an electric vehicle pioneer in many ways, but one fairly pedestrian option was missing from its cars — until now.

The company recently started selling an optional vehicle-to-load (V2L) adapter for its Model Y Premium and Performance trims in the U.S. With this $80 adapter, the car can be used for charging other gadgets, such as phones, laptops and the like.

SEE ALSO: Tesla shows first Cybercab with built-in Starlink. Elon Musk explains why it needs one.

The company didn't announce the change anywhere, but the adapter started showing up in the configurator for Model Y. The specs, per Tesla's website, are as follows: The 120V, 20A adapter has 2.4kW maximum power and can be used to power devices like "lights and laptops."

The adapter can also be bought separately for $80. To use it, you need to have Tesla's Gen 3 Mobile Connector.

Tesla Outlet Adapter can also be purchased separately for $80. Credit: Tesla

Other car companies, including Ford and Hyundai, have been selling V2L adapters for their own cars for a while, but Tesla has taken its time with it, even though the underlying functionality was (probably) there.

For some reason, the non-Premium Model Y trims don't offer the adapter as an option, and none of the Model 3 variants have it, either. Vehicle-to-home (V2H) functionality isn't available on any of the Model Y or Model 3 variants.

The Cybertruck, currently the most luxurious car in Tesla's lineup, offers both the V2L adapter and V2H functionality, with the "Universal Home Charger and Gateway," necessary to power your home via the Cybertruck, priced at $1,970.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Featured Video For You How F1 became a global obsession

The best Hulu deals and bundles in August 2026: Best Hulu Bundle Deal Disney+ and Hulu Bundle Get 6 months for $11.99/month Get Deal Best HBO Max Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Student Deal Hulu Student Deal Hulu with ads for $1.99/month Get Deal Best ESPN Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle $35.99/month Get Deal

There's a wide range of excellent shows and films to watch on Hulu, including season five of The Bear, The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Shards, and Furious. It's a library that's full of options to keep you entertained throughout the summer and beyond.

If these shows have caught your eye and have you itching to sign up for Hulu, we're here to help you get the best deal. Beyond the standard ad-supported and ad-free plans, there are several bundle deals available on Hulu that are worth exploring if you're looking to save some cash. This includes the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max package.

Disney has also dropped a six-month offer for the Disney+ and Hulu bundle, though it is only available on their site at the moment. This drops its ad-supported plan to $11.99 per month when locked in for six months (then back up to $12.99 per month). The ad-free plan is down to $17.99 per month (which will return to $19.99 per month after six months).

Disney notes that this is an "ongoing offer for people who want to subscribe for a longer period to save on the average monthly cost." It's also available for new and eligible returning subscribers.

SEE ALSO: 'Furious' episode 5: Emmy Rossum on the 'whiskey waterboarding' sequence

Below you can find details on Hulu's best bundles at the moment — alongside information on both its ad-supported and ad-free plans, if you just want the basics — offering you a way to save on the service right now.

Best Disney+ bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+ and Hulu Bundle Get 6 months for $11.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

For those interested in the ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu Bundle, which includes Disney+ and Hulu, it starts at $12.99 per month. If you'd prefer the Premium ad-free version of this plan, this jumps to $19.99 per month.

If you're curious about Disney's new six-month offer, this is available on Disney's site. Again, it offers the ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu bundle plan for $11.99 per month when locked in for six months, then returns to $12.99 per month. The Premium ad-free plan is $17.99 per month for six months, then returns to $19.99 per month.

• Disney+ and Hulu Bundle — $12.99 per month

• Disney+ and Hulu Bundle Premium — $19.99 per month

Best HBO Max bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

This is one of the best Hulu bundles available at the moment. Starting at $19.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max for a much lower price than you'd pay for the three separately. It's an incredible deal to take advantage of, especially if you've already got Disney+ and HBO Max subscriptions. There are two plans to choose from with this bundle, and they are:

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $19.99 per month (save 42%)

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $32.99 per month (save 41%)

Best student deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student Deal Hulu with ads for $1.99/month Get Deal Why we like it

If you're a student enrolled at a university, you can score a Hulu (with ads) plan for even less than the above bundles. Hulu's Student Deal lets eligible college students buy a Hulu (with ads) plan for just $1.99 per month. Hulu notes that the deal lasts "so long as student enrollment status remains verified," after which it reverts to the standard monthly price.

• Hulu Student Deal — $1.99 per month

Best ESPN bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle $35.99/month Get Deal Why we like it

Alongside the big Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max bundle, Hulu also offers sports-focused plans that include ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited. According to ESPN, "ESPN Select includes ESPN+ content only. Fans who want ESPN+ exclusively may subscribe to the ESPN Select plan. ESPN Unlimited includes all of the ESPN networks and services, including ESPN+." 

The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle, which has ads, is available for $35.99 per month. The Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited premium bundle without ads is available for $44.99 per month.

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle — $19.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle Premium — $29.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle — $35.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle Premium — $44.99 per month

Hulu's monthly plans

If you're just looking to jump straight into Hulu's library without any fancy bundles, there are a couple of subscription options to consider. The ad-supported tier comes in at $11.99 per month. If you want to go ad-free, that'll cost you $18.99 per month.

• Hulu (with ads) — $11.99 per month, $119.99 per year

• Hulu Premium (no ads) — $18.99 per month

If you really want to go big on a streaming investment, there's the Hulu + Live TV plan. This costs a whopping $89.99 per month for its ad-supported plan, but comes with plenty to keep you busy. Hulu + Live TV (with ads) gets you access to 95+ channels, unlimited DVR, Disney+ (with ads), ESPN Select (with ads), and Hulu (with ads). If you want to go even bigger with the ad-free plan — which offers Hulu (no ads), Disney+ (no ads), and ESPN Select (with ads) alongside Live TV — it'll cost you $99.99 per month. The ad-supported plan also offers a free trial for three days.

• Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN Select (with ads) — $89.99 per month (3-day free trial)

• Hulu Premium + Live TV, Disney+ Premium, and ESPN Select (no ads) — $99.99 per month

• Hulu + Live TV, Disney+ Premium, and ESPN Select — $94.99 per month

• Live TV Only — $88.99 per month

Wondering what to watch once you get set up with a Hulu plan or bundle? We're here to help with that as well. Have a look at our roundups of the 30 best comedies on Hulu, the 25 best sci-fi movies on Hulu, and the 26 best horror movies on Hulu to start building your watchlist. And if you're in the mood to binge-watch a show, check out our breakdown of the 25 best shows on Hulu.

TL;DR: CVS's Epic Beauty Sale gets you $10 off when you spend $30+ on beauty and personal care products, including cosmetics, skin care, hair care, SPF, and shaving essentials. The sale runs through Aug. 29.

Opens in a new window Credit: CVS CVS Epic Beauty Sale Get $10 off when you spend $30+ until Aug. 29. Shop Now

CVS just dropped its Epic Beauty Sale, and if you've been eyeing a restock on your holy grails (or just really need a new mascara), now's the time to shop.

From Aug. 16-29, CVS is giving shoppers $10 off when they spend $30 or more on beauty and personal care products. That includes cosmetics, skin care, hair care, SPF, and shaving essentials, so your entire routine is fair game.

How to get this limited-time deal

The sale is a member-only perk, so you'll need an ExtraCare card to cash in. The good news, though, is that signing up is free and takes about two minutes. Once you're a member, you'll also unlock sale prices, personalized deals sent straight to your phone or inbox, and 2% back in ExtraBucks Rewards on what you buy in stores and online, and a $3 reward on your birthday.

Ten dollars off might not sound life-changing, but on a $30 beauty haul, that's essentially a free product. Stack it with whatever's already on sale in the beauty aisle, and you could walk out with a solid haul for less than usual.