TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Sylveon ex Box is on sale for $59.95 at Walmart, down from its $79.95 previous price.

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Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Sylveon ex Box

$59.95 at Walmart
$79.95 Save $20

 

Get Deal at Walmart

If you’re still waiting to get an invite to buy a 30th Celebration ETB for under market price, you and other Pokémon collectors can spend the same amount on another of the expansion's popular boxes after a major price drop.

As of Oct. 23, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Sylveon ex Box is down to just $59.95 at Walmart, saving you $20 on its $79.95 list price. That's a 25% discount altogether, and a whole $34.80 less than the $94.75 Amazon deal we covered during October Prime Day.

You can still save slightly less at dedicated trading card marketplace TCGplayer, where listings are as low as $59 when including shipping. If you prefer buying your trading cards through traditional retail sites, this is the best price you can get right now — and is only $1.66 higher than TCGplayer’s estimated $58.29 market price. 

Walmart’s listing is sold through third-party retailer Realgooddeal but is still fulfilled by Walmart. 

The 30th Celebration Sylveon ex Box includes four booster packs from the anniversary expansion, one playable foil Sylveon ex promo card, and an oversize foil version for display. 

That gives you opportunities to pull one of the special set’s most popular chase cards, which you can also buy individually on TCGplayer — including one of the $3,700+ RGB Rare Mews, the $85+ SIR Mew ex, and the $70+ Gengar ex.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Display Box is on sale for $252.47 at Amazon, down from its $269.21 typical price.

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Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Display Box

$252.47 at Amazon
$269.21 Save $16.74

 

Preorder at Amazon

The release of Pokémon TCG's Delta Reign expansion is now just weeks away, and Amazon sellers have dropped the preorder price for the massive 36-pack Booster Display Box. That's good news for your trading card budget. 

As of Oct. 23, the Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Booster Display Box is available to preorder for $252.47 at Amazon. This is $16.74 off its usual $269.21 price, and it comes from third-party seller Collectors Expedition, with free delivery currently estimated for Nov. 14 — eight days after Delta Reign's Nov. 6 release.

With 36 boosters included, you're effectively spending around $7.01 per pack, each containing 10 random Pokémon cards. That leaves you with 360 cards to unpack altogether, excluding Energy and code cards.

Delta Reign is introducing over 135 cards, including Mega Rayquaza ex, Mega Golurk ex, Mega Malamar ex, and Mega Golisopod ex. There are also three new Legendary Stadiums and plenty of rare cards to hunt down when the expansion arrives next month.

The Moon is getting closer to its full phase, with more of its surface visible as the days go by. Here's what you can look for when you look up at the sky tonight.

What is today's Moon phase?

As of Friday, Oct. 23, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waxing Gibbous phase, with 90% of its surface visible.

Tonight, without the use of visual aids you should be able to spot the Copernicus Crater, the Mare Serenitatis, and Mare Fecunditatis. If you have binoculars you'll also see the Endymion Crater, the Alphonsus Crater, and the Clavius Crater. Plus, if you have a telescope, you'll also see the Linne Crater, Rima Ariadaeus, and the Apollo 17 landing spot.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on October 25 or 26, depending on your timezone.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon takes around 29.5 days to travel around Earth, and its appearance changes throughout the month. As it moves around our planet, we see different amounts of its sunlit side, from a slim crescent to the quarter phases and eventually a Full Moon. It then begins the cycle again. As NASA explains, these phases are caused by the Moon's changing position relative to Earth and the Sun.

The eight phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it's not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

An invitation to an Apple event has long been something to brag about in the tech world. Now, for some influencers, it reportedly comes with business-class travel, a hotel stay, and time with the company's top executives.

On the Oct. 15 episode of Bloomberg's Power On podcast, Mark Gurman said he had confirmed that Apple offered influencers "paid hotel, paid business class travel" to attend its "Pro and Tell" product experience in Los Angeles, calling it a "creator-focused event." For the creators attending the upcoming Los Angeles showcase, Gurman described plans that include meetings with new Apple CEO John Ternus and other executives, plus dinner on Oct. 27, ahead of the company’s Oct. 28 special event.

This isn't the first time Apple has brought creators together for an exclusive experience. In March 2025, the company invited a group of student creators to Los Angeles for a one-day event that attendees nicknamed "Apple Campus" or "Apple University." For student and creator Heaven Marley, the invitation itself was a surprise. "I got the email and thought it was spam at first," she told People.

The company followed that with a similar creator gathering in Los Angeles this January. Creator Petr Mara shared an invitation to an "Apple Experience" running Jan. 27 to 29, coinciding with the launch of Apple Creator Studio, a subscription combining software for tasks such as editing video, making music, and working with images.

And, at the September iPhone event, livestreamer IShowSpeed performed a backflip while holding an iPhone Duo in front of Ternus. His video has more than 6 million views on YouTube as of Oct. 22. (Last year, MrBeast attended the event with former CEO Tim Cook.)

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Other tech companies already offer a similarly warm welcome to creators.

Bloomberg's Chris Welch also noted on the podcast episode that Samsung and Google cover travel and hotels and host dinners too, calling it "standard fare." Gurman agreed that Apple wasn’t doing anything outside its competitors' practices. What stood out to him, though, was the change from the days when an Apple invitation was enough:

"There was a time...people were begging to go," Gurman said. "It's not the other way around, typically."

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So what do companies get out of all this hospitality? Well, a chance to reach consumers through creators they already love. In a September analysis, Deloitte found that about 70 percent of U.S. consumers who engage with creators regularly return to the same ones; and roughly 60 percent said they had made a purchase primarily because of a creator's recommendation or sponsorship in the previous six months.

That appeal hasn’t gone unnoticed by the tech press. Discussing Apple's 2025 invitations on MacBreak Weekly, journalist Jason Snell argued that influencers can offer companies more control over their message, repeating promotional points "instead of questioning your points as a journalist might." And as tech reviewer Ben Sin wrote on X in March, "I completely understand why Apple is doing this," but described its "pivot to favoring giving access to lifestyle and overall influencers over techies" as "still sad news for me."

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Each brand has its own entry way into the creator economy. Take Samsung — Its "Team Galaxy” roster includes creators and other public figures, with model and creator Haley Baylee and musician Audrey Nuna joining this year. And for February’s Galaxy S26 launch, Samsung says it brought approximately 140 influencers from 35 countries to San Francisco for three days of product demos, content creation, and a closing celebration.

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As for AI companies, they face the unique challenge of trying to win over an often-skeptical public with plenty of questions about what AI means for jobs, creative work, and the environment. Influencers provide a layer of trust that they desperately need — which is probably why they are so sought-after right now.

"That’s the goal right now: build brand love," Anthropic's head of influencer, Lexie Barnhorn, told influencer marketing company Linqia. Claude recently hosted a supper club at Wild Cherry, the trendy restaurant inside New York's A24-owned Cherry Lane Theatre.

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Microsoft Copilot is trying to do the same. Last February, they brought a group of New York fashion influencers to the Super Bowl on an influencer brand trip, where they asked the AI platform questions like, "hey copilot how do you cure a hangover" and "how to get a stain out".

And in February, OpenAI sent a signal on their seriousness about influencer marketing when they hired former Instagram partnerships executive Charles Porch as its first vice president of global creative partnerships. By summer, the company was hosting creators at Wildflower Farms, a luxury resort in New York’s Hudson Valley, for a retreat featuring private cabins, monogrammed pajamas, and picturesque outdoor dinners. The company also hosted a ChatGPT influencer dinner in tandem with Brett Chody, which was held at Little Beach House Malibu, part of Soho House.

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"Creators are an important part of our community and how people get information and learn about our products today," an OpenAI spokesperson told Inc in August. "We value creators who choose to engage with us, attend our events, ask tough questions, and learn alongside everyone else."

As Mashable reported in August, OpenAI's nature-filled getaway to the Hudson Valley didn’t go over quite as planned. Beneath the lavish room tours and vacation posts, social media users questioned the setting and the creators' decision to attend.

"The concept of attending an AI brand trip surrounded by nature while it actively hurts the environment is an incredible bit," one X user wrote. On Reddit, a commenter asked whether one creator was "gazing at where the new data center is gonna go," while another asked, "Did they promise you fresh water when we run out?"

From a creator's perspective, though, there are many reasons to say yes to a brand event, trip, or collab, despite the criticism. Business creator Grace McCarrick defended the retreat as a chance to hear from the people shaping a technology likely to affect her work and her audience. "If I have the opportunity to be in the room and hear from people who are at the helm of change, I can do that," she said. "It's actually well within my moral system."

There's also a real financial incentive towards working with these brands: they have money to burn.

AI and career creator Megan Lieu, who attended the OpenAI retreat, told CNBC in February that her biggest sponsorship at that point was with Anthropic. She didn’t disclose its value, but said her sponsored deals generally ranged from $5,000 to $30,000.

Even so, some creators turn the offers down: Circus performer Jack Lepiarz, known as Jack the Whipper, told CNBC he had rejected a $20,000 deal promoting generative image tools over concerns about AI’s effect on people’s livelihoods.

That puts influencers in a complicated position. The relationship with their audience is part of what makes them valuable to a company; yet, accepting the partnership can put that same relationship under scrutiny.

But for tech brands, the decision is less complicated, with lots of potential benefits and few downsides. Influencers bring an audience with them; journalists bring questions they might not want to answer.

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Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis’ copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

SAVE $15.01: As of Oct. 23, the Anker Soundcore 2 is on sale for $29.98 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Anker

Anker Soundcore 2

$29.98 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $15.01

 

Get Deal at Amazon

If you're looking for a portable speaker that won't break the bank, the Anker Soundcore 2 is a great choice. Not only is it a wallet-friendly speaker, but as of Oct. 23, it's on sale for $29.98. This price is for the black model, but for a few dollars more you can choose from a range of colors, including navy blue, pink, and beige.

Whether you're listening at home or taking it with you outdoors, the Anker Soundcore 2 is a great option. This portable Bluetooth speaker is designed for listening anywhere, with an IPX7 waterproof rating to protect it from splashes and rain.

For sound quality, its 12W output and dual neodymium drivers deliver seriously powerful sound, and BassUp technology and a spiral bass port boost low frequencies for deeper bass. It also has a 5,200mAh battery, meaning you'll get up to 24 hours of playback on a single charge. It's simple to use, with a compact design and intuitive controls. You can even wirelessly pair two compatible speakers for stereo sound.

This deal is available on Amazon now, so don't miss out this weekend.

Amazon, like every other retailer, is gearing up for what's sure to be another epic Black Friday for 2026. Like most Amazon shopping events, deals are already pouring in — and we expect them to continue throughout the holiday season.

You can grab steep discounts on TVs, outdoor gear, headphones, Amazon devices, and so much more. And thanks to Amazon's flexible payment options, you can enjoy a breezy shopping experience all season long. Customers are no longer limited to debit and credit cards or Amazon gift cards. If you're an Apple loyalist, you can also use Apple Pay to make purchases on Amazon this season.

Apple Pay is compatible with many — but not all — vendors on Amazon, making it easier to secure deals in just a few taps. You can use it in place of a traditional card payment whenever possible by following the steps below.

How to use Apple Pay on Amazon

Step 1: Set up Apple Pay on iPhone. If you haven't already, add your debit or credit card to your iPhone's digital wallet to set up Apple Pay on your mobile device.

Step 2: Open the Amazon app.

Step 3: Add items to your cart and go to checkout. If your vendor accepts Apple Pay, you'll see it under payment options (you can use the method only if you have linked a card to your iPhone's Wallet app); select Apple Pay.

Step 4: Confirm your address and payment details.

Step 5: Once Apple Pay's payment authenticator pops up on your screen, use your Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate the purchase.

Step 6: Confirm payment to finish the process.

How to use an Apple Card to make payments on Amazon

If you choose to make a purchase from a third-party vendor that doesn't accept Apple Pay, you can work around it by using an Apple Card instead. The process is fairly straightforward.

Step 1: Make sure you add your Apple Card to the Wallet app on your iPhone by clicking on the + symbol.

Step 2: Now, go to the Amazon app and click on the Account icon, which looks like a little person on the bottom of your screen (next to the home icon).

Step 3: A new app page will appear with your orders and other details. Click on Account once again at the top of your screen.

Step 4: Click on the arrow to the right of the Wallet section, under Your Amazon highlights.

Step 5: Your Wallet will open with all of your payment methods and transactions. Click on + Add new.

Step 6: Click on Add a credit or debit card and input your Apple Card details.

Step 7: Finally, click on Add and continue to finish the process. Now, you can use your Apple Card to make purchases on Amazon.

Avatar: Seven Havens may have radically changed the world of Avatar, but the post-apocalyptic series still finds a way to continue one of the franchise's best running gags: the enduring plight of the cabbage merchant.

Introduced in Avatar: The Last Airbender, the cabbage merchant (voiced by James Sie) rarely gets to actually sell any cabbages. That's because his cart keeps getting destroyed, either by Aang's airbending, Ba Sing Se security officers, or a rogue rabaroo. At each loss, he lets out a woeful "My cabbages!" — a line delivery that is so ingrained in my mind, I can't think of cabbage without it.

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The cabbage merchant's legacy continues in The Legend of Korra. Between Aang's time and Korra's, the cabbage merchant founds car and tech company Cabbage Corp, a competitor of Future Industries. After Future Industries' Hiroshi Sato (voiced by Daniel Dae Kim) frames Cabbage Corp for illegal activity, Republic City's metalbending police arrests the owner, who is also the cabbage merchant's son (also voiced by Sie). As the police drag him away, he cries out, "My Cabbage Corp!"

On top of playing a role in both The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, the cabbage merchant also figures into some of the Avatar comics. He's even the star of his own children's book: Avatar: The Last Airbender: My Cabbages! by Rebecca Gyllenhaal and Jessica Yang. With all this cabbage-centric fanfare, it only makes sense that Seven Havens keeps the tradition alive. However, it does so with a very different food.

In the show's eighth episode, titled "The Envoys: Part One," twin Avatars Pavi (voiced by Saheli Khan) and Nisha (voiced by Aishu Devan) watch as delegates from the other Havens arrive. As they talk, Pavi airbends a paper sky bison she's made onto the street below. It hits the face of a merchant (voiced by Eric Bauza) who's balancing a vat of pudding on his head, alongside two smaller vats. The minor collision is enough to make the merchant slip up spectacularly, interrupting his joyful pudding song ("It's gonna be a pudding day!") and splattering his wares across the ground.

His reaction? A pained cry of "My pudding!" with Bauza's line delivery mirroring Sie's.

Credited simply as "pudding guy," this homage to the cabbage merchant actually winds up having a larger hand in Seven Havens' plot than his predecessor did. After a few more pratfalls, it's revealed that he, along with the rest of the cooks catering the summit, is a part of the outlaw group known as the Faceless. Sure, he could have joined their ranks because of dissatisfaction with Ellora's forced conscription of benders, but I like to think he chose this life because he was tired of losing all his delicious pudding due to bending shenanigans. That would break anyone.

Either way, the moment is a sweet nod to series past, as well as proof that while some things in Avatar have changed in cataclysmic ways, others — like the Avatar's propensity for annoying food merchants — will always stay the same.

Avatar: Seven Havens is now streaming on Paramount+, with new episodes every Friday.

Apple might have a fun new iPad for us to check out in the very near future.

On Oct. 28, Apple is hosting the "Pro and Tell" event in Los Angeles. We expect multiple product launches at the event, perhaps including a new high-end MacBook Pro OLED, but one other rumored item that we're hoping to see is the iPad Mini 8. It's been two years since the iPad Mini 7 came out, meaning it might be time for a refresh.

But what should we expect from the rumored iPad Mini 8? Let's investigate.

iPad Mini 8: Price

A recent report from Bloomberg gave us some potential bad news on the price front for the iPad Mini 8.

According to Bloomberg's intrepid Apple reporter Mark Gurman, the device could cost close to $799, which would be a $200 price increase over the original starting price of the iPad Mini 7. Apple did increase the price of the Mini 7 over time for the same reasons every other electronic product has seen recent price increases, meaning the new price would be a $100 price hike over the current cost of an iPad Mini 7. Bummer.

That said, that's still $1,200 cheaper than the iPhone Duo, so keep that in mind.

iPad Mini 8: Rumored specs

A new higher price is not great news to start out with, but there might be a good explanation for it (aside from RAMageddon) in the spec sheet.

While we don't have official specs for the iPad Mini 8, a report earlier this year from MacRumors spilled the beans on what we can expect from the new device on a technical level. Here are some of the rumored specs:

• Apple A20 Pro chip

• 12GB RAM

• OLED display

• Apple N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support

• IP-rated water resistance

There's plenty to chew on in those specs. For starters, the A20 Pro chip would bring the iPad Mini 8 significantly closer to the cutting edge than the A17 Pro chip inside the iPad Mini 7. Given that the previous model also only had 8GB RAM, the new 12GB figure should give the iPad Mini 8 a boost in performance and support Apple's new AI features, too.

Obviously, an OLED display would be a huge upgrade over the LCD display on the iPad Mini 7. That, alone, could account for the increase in price. IP-rated water resistance, a first-time iPad Mini feature, would also be a selling point for the more adventurous among us. That, or people who like looking at their iPad while in the bathtub or pool.

iPad Mini 8: A new camera?

One last tidbit, also reported by MacRumors, is that the iPad Mini 8 will apparently have a new landscape front camera. When held in an upright position, that means the camera would be in the right bezel instead of on top. Those bezels, by the way, are also supposed to be thinner than they were on the iPad Mini 7.

It's unclear what kind of specs we can expect from this new camera, but at the very least, its placement would be different.

Check back on Oct. 28 for more

Credit: Apple

Again, Apple is expected to debut a new iPad at its "Pro and Tell" special event on Oct. 28. As of this writing, Apple hasn't announced a livestream to go along with the event, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. PT. The recent "Welcome Home" event also took place without a live keynote.

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Mashable will be reporting on all of the announcements from the event, so check back soon for more details.

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Feeling festive? Set a calendar alert for the first week of November, because Starbucks has officially confirmed the return of its viral Bearista Glass Cold Cup for the 2026 holiday season. Yes, there's a broader seasonal menu launching on Nov. 5, but what we really care about is the resurrection of Starbucks' most internet-famous mascot.

The Starbucks holiday menu features the Pike Place Holiday Village and a Peppermint Mocha retro series sporting glass Christmas tree cold cups and handled tumblers. There's also a second drop lined up for Nov. 17, featuring quilted light-blue tumblers and iridescent bottles. You can check out the full lineup here.

Credit: Starbucks

It's all very Christmassy, but the centerpiece of the drop is the reimagined Bearista Collection. The Nov. 5 launch brings an entire lineup of bears, including a Bearista acrylic cold cup, a ceramic Bearista mug, and even a plush Bearista keychain and accessories. The Bearista Glass Cold Cup will join the holiday lineup, but the exact timing of this drop is still to be announced.

We know that the prospect of paying $20 to $30 for branded drinkware can feel a little silly, especially when last year's Bearista drop sparked store campouts and instant $100+ reseller markups, but that's the reality of these limited-edition drops. People like what they like, and people really like Bearista merch.

Credit: Starbucks

Credit: Starbucks

We're keeping close tabs on the announcement for the Bearista Glass Cold Cup drop. When we hear something, we'll let you know.

TL;DR: Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels to watch select F1 races for free. Watch the United States GP for free with the Prime Video app.

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Credit: Amazon

Apple TV Prime Video Channel

Watch the United States GP for free with a 7-day trial

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Kimi Antonelli is in position to win his first F1 title this weekend in Austin.

Antonelli must win this Sunday's GP to have any chance of sealing the drivers' title, but that's not all. The Italian also needs Russell to finish ninth or lower and Lewis Hamilton to finish fifth or lower. If those conditions are met, he will become the youngest champion in F1 history and the first Italian title-holder since 1953.

If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the United States GP?

The United States GP is the 18th race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from the Circuit of the Americas:

• Practice 1 — 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 23

• Practice 2 — 5-6 p.m. ET on Oct. 23

• Practice 3 — 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 24

• Qualifying — 5-6 p.m. ET on Oct. 24

• Race — 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 25

Fans can follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.

How to watch the United States GP for free

Amazon Prime offers many benefits. This popular subscription delivers fast shipping, Black Friday discounts, and access to the Prime Video library.

For F1 fans in the U.S., Prime Video is particularly useful this season. Apple TV holds exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for F1, and you can sign up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV directly through Prime Video Channels.

That trial gives you access to select races for free, including this weekend's United States Grand Prix. The subscription rolls over to $12.99 per month after the seven-day trial, but you can disable the automatic renewal and still stream the entire race weekend for free.

If you're already paying for Amazon Prime, calling it "completely free" is a stretch. But if you don't have an active membership, Amazon offers a 30-day free trial for new users. Stacking that Prime trial with the seven-day Apple TV channel trial means you're truly spending nothing to stream this weekend's race.

If you've already made use of this method, you still have a few workarounds:

• Apple TV: New standalone subscribers qualify for a direct seven-day free trial through Apple's app.

• Apple One: If you want more than just streaming, the Apple One tier packages Apple TV alongside Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and 50GB of iCloud storage — and it comes with a full one-month free trial ($19.95 per month after the promotional period).

• Apple: The most generous Apple TV offer is tied to new hardware purchases. Buying an eligible iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV grants new subscribers three months of free service. You obviously have to spend money on hardware, but if you were already planning an upgrade, it effectively unlocks a massive chunk of the F1 season for free.

TL;DR: Get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more for life on sale for $49.97 through Nov. 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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Credit: Microsoft

Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows: Lifetime License

$49.97
$249.99 Save $200.02

 

Get Deal

Microsoft 365 costs $99.99 per year at the cheapest, and that’s only if you pay for it all at once. It costs even more if you want to do it month to month. A better option is to switch to a lifetime license you own outright. Right now, you can actually get Microsoft Office 2024 for life, and it’s even on sale for $49.97 (reg. $249.99).

This license gives you Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access on one Windows PC. Instead of paying for Office every year, you pay for it once and keep it.

Office 2024 Pro Plus activates on your PC, not your Microsoft account, so you never have to sign in to open a file. None of the apps rely on the cloud, either. Microsoft keeps the feature set fixed and still sends security updates, so your apps stay protected without changing how they work.

This version also has dark mode, and Excel includes advanced tools for analyzing data. You get the benefit of the modern versions of each app without the frustration of constant subscription fees.

This license only works on Windows 10 and Windows 11, so Mac users will need a different version. Your license is also tied to one PC and can’t be transferred, so put it on a computer you plan to keep. You’ll get your key by email and have seven days to redeem it.

Stop paying for Office every year.

Through Nov. 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows on sale for $49.97 (reg. $249.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get 6TB of lifetime cloud storage with Drime for $249.97 (reg. $599), including compliance tracking, encrypted Vault storage, and team collaboration tools.

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Credit: Drime

Drime Secure Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (Advanced Plan/6TB)

$249.97
$599 Save $349.03

 

Get Deal

High-resolution videos, raw photos, and design projects have a habit of eating through storage space faster than expected. Drime offers 6TB of cloud storage with no stated per-file upload size limit, plus file sharing and collaboration features that make it useful for teams working with large assets. For a limited time, you can get a lifetime subscription to its Advanced Plan for $249.97 (reg. $599).

Drime Advanced gives teams more than just a place to store their files. It also includes compliance tracking, which keeps records of who accessed what and when. For businesses that need to document how information is handled, those records can make it easier to review activity and prepare for internal or external audits.

You can add up to 25 workspace members, assign roles and permissions, and manage access through advanced administration tools. There’s also 120-day file versioning, so you can retrieve earlier versions of documents when changes need to be reviewed or reversed.

For sensitive files, Drime includes an end-to-end encrypted Vault designed to keep its contents inaccessible even to the provider. The service uses EU-hosted infrastructure and advertises GDPR compliance, although organizations should still evaluate whether its features meet their specific regulatory requirements.

Drime also lets teams edit documents and media, collaborate in shared workspaces, and collect electronic signatures through Drime Sign. Shared links can include passwords, expiration dates, custom URLs, and access statistics.

There’s no individual file size limit, too, which can be a lifesaver when you’re dealing with massive video files, design assets, or other projects that don’t exactly travel well as email attachments. Automatic device syncing, meanwhile, helps keep work accessible across supported platforms.

Normally $599, you can grab Drime’s Advanced Plan for only $249.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Playwright Kat Sandler found inspiration in the Slavic folklore around Baba Yaga for a 2019 play she called Yaga. Now, she's adapted her script into a supernatural horror-laced mystery series centered around the disappearance of a playboy intrigued by witchcraft.

With its first two episodes, Yaga introduces a chilly coastal community, in which Henry Park (Hudson Williams), heir to a local commercial fishery, has gone missing. Family friend and private investigator Rapp (Noah Reid) returns to his childhood home to find the MIA stud, and in his place finds a doppelgänger named Logan (also played by Williams).

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In a more official capacity, police officer Carson (Clark Backo) pursues interviews with those who know Henry, including a bone-fixated professor (Carrie-Anne Moss). But at the center of this story is the question, is witchcraft real? And if so, what does that mean for Henry and his friends?

If Yaga's got you craving more supernatural series with thrills, mysteries, and spooky fun, we've got you covered with some spell-binding suggestions.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Show creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa spins his creepy comic book series, which reimagined Sabrina the Teenage Witch for horror lovers, into a gnarly teen drama with Kiernan Shipka in the title role. This Riverdale spinoff is a coming-of-age story about how this half-witch finds her way in the worlds of magic and man.

Running for 36 episodes across two seasons, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a solid and spooky teen drama, rich with angst, flirting, and horror. Plus, Doctor Who's Michelle Gomez pops up in surprise role that's pitch-perfect casting.

Starring: Kiernan Shipka, Ross Lynch, Lucy Davis, Miranda Otto, Chance Perdomo, Michelle Gomez, Jaz Sinclair, Tati Gabrielle, Adeline Rudolph, Richard Coyle, Lachlan Watson, and Gavin Leatherwood

How to watch: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is now streaming on Netflix.

Yellowjackets

If you're craving a show where female rage intersects with a paranormal mystery, you must watch Yellowjackets. On top of a wild story that has sparked lots of fan theories, the show's incredible ensemble cast will have you gasping and gagging.

Created by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, this mind-bending horror series reimagines a Donner party scenario with a teenage girls soccer team. In 1996, the Yellowjackets were a varsity team flying to a national championship tournament, when their plane crashed in the Canadian wilderness. Stranded and determined to survive, they must be a team in the face of untold dangers, paranoia, and cannibalism. But that's not all. This series leaps ahead 25 years to show who the survivors are now, offering a string of mysteries for them to unravel.

Starring: Melanie Lynskey, Tawny Cypress, Ella Purnell, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sophie Thatcher, Samantha Hanratty, Steven Krueger, Warren Kole, Christina Ricci, Juliette Lewis, Courtney Eaton, Liv Hewson, Kevin Alves, Simone Kessell, Lauren Ambrose, Sarah Desjardins, Nia Sondaya, and Jenna Burgess

How to watch: Yellowjackets is now streaming on Paramount+.

Agatha All Along

This spinoff from WandaVision transforms antagonist Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) into an MCU anti-heroine. Set three years after the events in Westview, New Jersey, this supernatural spinoff follows Agatha as she builds a coven of misfits to take on the witch's road.

In their quest, there will be battles involving magic, violence, and dark secrets unearthed. Hahn is crackling in the lead role, bolstered by a terrific supporting cast. With just one season, this one's a solid weekend binge, especially during spooky season.

Starring: Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Debra Jo Rupp, Aubrey Plaza, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Okwui Okpokwasili, Patti LuPone, Evan Peters, Maria Dizzia, Paul Adelstein, and Miles Gutierrez-Riley

How to watch: Agatha All Along is now streaming on Disney+.

The Fall of the House of Usher

Horror auteur Mike Flanagan uses Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Fall of the House of Usher" as the inspiration for a Succession-like mini-series about one truly twisted family.

The Ushers, who own a problematic pharmaceutical company, have power, wealth, privilege, and a lot of skeletons in their closets. Their vices are many, ranging from substance abuse and violence to sex, sex, and sex. But a high price must be paid for their sins, and Death has come to collect in the form of a sexy, magical woman.

Told across eight episodes, this sultry, creepy mini-series is perfectly suited to spooky season, and easy to binge over a weekend.

Starring: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Mary McDonnell, Henry Thomas, Kate Siegel, Rahul Kohli, Samantha Sloyan, T'Nia Miller, Zach Gilford, Willa Fitzgerald, Michael Trucco, Katie Parker, Sauriyan Sapkota, Matt Biedel, Crystal Balint, Ruth Codd, Kyliegh Curran, Carl Lumbly, and Mark Hamill

How to watch: The Fall of the House of Usher is now streaming on Netflix.

Interview with the Vampire

Okay, sure, I could have gone with Mayfair Witches, another dark magic show on AMC. However, its sibling series Interview with the Vampire just has more bite.

Adapted from Anne Rice's the Vampire Chronicles, this series follows the toxic romance of undead lovers Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) and Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid) across centuries. The first two seasons focus on Louis' side of their story, while Season 3 offers The Vampire Lestat. Rich with sex, murder, and big feelings, this supernatural drama is highly rewatchable. Plus, Yaga fans can look for Noah Reid in the third season, where he pops up as Lestat's moody guitarist Larry.

Starring: Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, Eric Bogosian, Bailey Bass, Assad Zaman, Delainey Hayles, Ben Daniels, Joseph Potter, and Jennifer Ehle

How to watch: Interview with the Vampire and The Vampire Lestat are now streaming on AMC+.

For most of its first season, Avatar: Seven Havens has focused primarily on one Haven: Ellora. However, in its eighth and ninth episodes, it begins to broaden its world to the other six Havens, giving viewers juicy breadcrumbs of what to expect from the rest of the show.

The episodes, titled "The Envoys: Part One" and "The Envoys: Part Two," introduce delegates from the other Havens who have arrived in Ellora to answer the city's call for aid. From the historians of New Ba Sing Se to the gearheads of Akasha, here's everything we've learned about these new Havens.

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New Ba Sing Se

The Cataclysm may have completely reshaped the world of Avatar, but somehow, the Earth Kingdom capital Ba Sing Se managed to endure. While the Haven may be called New Ba Sing Se, its inhabitants still live like they're in the old world. Their Earth Kingdom attire is the most familiar piece of costuming in the show so far, and their arrival on flying bison is a welcome sight. Note the gas masks each bison must wear on their muzzle. While the historians of New Ba Sing Se like to live in the past, it's clear they still have to adapt to their apocalyptic present in some ways.

Akasha

The Haven of Akasha serves almost as a foil to New Ba Sing Se. Its inhabitants also look to the past, but instead of focusing on history, they focus on technology. According to "The Envoys: Part One," they're the only Haven that's learned how to use old world tech, and it shows in their Mad Max-esque motorcycles.

Feather Mountain

Our primary entry point into the Haven of Feather Mountain is its ruler: Empress Yeshe (voiced by Jennie Kwan). She's a beloved ruler and talented airbender, yet she seems stifled by the constant supervision from her guards. If she sounds familiar, it's because Kwan also voiced Suki in The Last Airbender!

Seven Havens doesn't reveal much about Feather Mountain's culture beyond Empress Yeshe, but she does say that her realm "makes space for forgiveness." That makes it sound surprisingly nice and balanced for an apocalyptic hideout. Maybe Pavi (voiced by Saheli Khan) and Nisha (voiced by Aishu Devan) could head there if they need a vacation?

Nubat

Another Haven introduced in "The Envoys: Part One" is Nubat, but only in passing. During the summit, Commander Karthik (Akshay Khanna) meets with Rehan (voiced by Sunkrish Bala), the Head Lotus of Nubat, along with the Head Lotuses of Akasha. That's the only time Nubat gets mentioned in the episode, but otherwise we know very little about the Haven.

We know that Rehan is a waterbender, and he dresses in furs reminiscent of the old Water Tribe dress. Yet that could be a personal choice instead of a Haven-specific one, as the clothing in Havens like Ellora seems like a melting pot of different bending styles. For now, Nubat remains a bit of a mystery.

Republic Forest

However, Nubat's mystery is nowhere near as juicy as that of Republic Forest. Alongside another, as-yet-unnamed Haven, Republic Forest is one of the only two Havens who didn't send envoys to Ellora. That's because Republic Forest cut communication with the other Havens long ago, leading the rest of the world to wonder whether they're still alive.

Members of the Faceless believe they are and that they are free from the storms that plague the other Havens. That's where they hope to head following their attack on the summit in Ellora.

While no one knows what truly lies in Republic Forest, we can hazard some guesses based on the name. The Haven — or whatever is left of it — is likely in the remains of Republic City, which now appears to have become a forest. Based on the flashback to Korra's memories in episode 6, it seems as if the Cataclysm started in Republic City and had a lot to do with unleashed spirit energy. Could the influx of energy have expanded Republic City's Spirit Wilds into a whole spirit forest?

Avatar: Seven Havens is now streaming on Paramount+, with new episodes every Friday.

Avatar: Seven Havens gets cosmic in its ninth episode, and may have just confirmed a big fan theory in the process.

In the episode, titled "The Envoys: Part Two," Avatar Pavi (voiced by Saheli Khan) once again makes contact with the menacing, diamond-shaped anomaly that's been threatening Ellora. This time, instead of showing her a flashback of Avatar Korra's memories like it did in episode 6, the anomaly transports Pavi to a place that's familiar to any Avatar fan: outer space.

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What does Pavi see after touching the anomaly?

Okay, Pavi isn't physically in space, but her spirit winds up floating in a cosmic void. It's the same void Avatars Aang and Korra found themselves in before entering the Avatar State. In their series, they followed a glowing path to a massive cosmic projection of themselves holding a ball of white energy. Once they stepped into the ball, they'd be in the Avatar State. The entire cosmic set-up is a neat visual representation of the spiritual and mental components of being the Avatar. However, it's not what we see in Seven Havens.

Like Aang and Korra, Pavi follows a path through space in Seven Havens. But instead of finding a vision of herself, she sees a massive circular gate. Like the anomaly, it glows black and red. Unlike the anomaly's fragmented, angular geometry, this gate bears a beautiful, flowery design.

From there, Seven Havens reveals that beyond this circle lie six others, each ringed in their own glowing colors, although none bear a design yet.

The progression of these colors is a visual Avatar fans are familiar with, going all the way back to Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2, episode 19, "The Guru." In that episode, Aang visits guru Pathik to learn how to enter and control the Avatar State. Pathik teaches him about unblocking his chakras, which are points of concentrated energy throughout the body, with real-world roots in Buddhist and Hindu practices.

The scenes in which Aang unblocks his chakras are each tinged with a specific color tied to each chakra, starting with red and moving up to orange, yellow, and so on. It's the exact same color progression as the gates Pavi encounters, highly implying that she is looking at a series of chakras. But they aren't hers. Instead, each of the seven chakras is almost certainly tied to one of the seven Havens.

Avatar: Seven Havens' chakra theory, explained.

Throughout Seven Havens' run, series fans have theorized that each Haven represents one of the seven chakras. After all, the show's opening credits show the Havens as glowing points of color on a map, each corresponding to one of the chakra colors. The same color scheme carries over to the costumes of the Havens in the play about the Cataclysm in the very first episode.

All of this is compelling evidence for the theory, but Pavi's vision in "The Envoys: Part Two" is the strongest confirmation of the theory so far. Let's start with the red gate in front of Pavi. It is the same color as the first chakra guru Pathik teaches Aang about: the Earth chakra, known in real-world practices as the root chakra. It sits at the base of the spine. According to Pathik, it deals with survival, but it's blocked by fear.

All these concepts of survival, fear, and the root chakra figure into Seven Havens in some way. Book 1 is titled "Survival," while the season finale is titled "The Root Chakra." As for fear, the city of Ellora is overrun with it. Whenever someone comes into contact with the anomaly, they become afflicted by fear.

With that in mind, it seems like the anomaly isn't truly some kind of spirit demon. Rather, it's a physical manifestation of the blocked energies of Ellora, which explains its appearance as a warped version of the design on the gate. In order to keep the world in balance, Pavi and her twin sister Nisha (voiced by Aishu Devan) will surely have to find a way to unblock Ellora — the root chakra — and likely the other havens as well.

Each of the seven Havens representing a chakra raises a massive question, though. What are they chakras of? They seem to be chakras of the entire world, but does that mean that the Earth in the Avatar universe is actually its own living being? Was the Cataclysm caused in part by blockage of these energy points?

All will surely become clear as Seven Havens continues to open its mystery box. For now, though, Pavi's vision is the clearest answer viewers have gotten to the many questions the show has raised about the world post-Cataclysm.

Avatar: Seven Havens is now streaming on Paramount+, with new episodes every Friday.

Since Avatar Studios announced Avatar: Seven Havens, Avatar fans' biggest question has been, "How did Avatar Korra cause the apocalypse?"

In Seven Havens episode 7, we finally get closer to finding out.

The episode continues twin Avatars Pavi (voiced by Saheli Khan) and Nisha's (voiced by Aishu Devan) quest to find their parents. Their investigation brings them back to the mysterious glowing red anomaly that has plagued Ellora on and off throughout the season. It left behind a mass of crystals following its resurgence in the zombie-influenced "Night of the Afflicted," and when Pavi and Nisha tunnel beneath those crystals, they discover the ruins of what appears to be an old world factory. Based on the gear logo on the wall and an old mover showing Asami Sato cutting a ribbon outside the building, it's a Futures Industries factory.

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Avatar: Seven Havens teases the Cataclysm.

Deep in the bowels of the factory, Pavi finds a vast pit full of a strange liquid whose surface ripples with the glowing red design of the anomaly. As she makes contact with it, she's greeted with a memory of Republic City before the Cataclysm. The city has been completely rebuilt following the battle with Kuvira at the end of The Legend of Korra, in which Korra created a new spirit portal within the city's Spirit Wilds. Now, the yellow beam of that portal appears to emerge straight from a Future Industries tower, suggesting that the people of Republic City have built over or around the Spirit Wilds. That couldn't possibly have a negative impact on the physical world's relationship with the Spirit World, right?

In Pavi's anomaly vision, she also sees a concerned-looking Korra, one who's much older than when we last left her, flying from Air Temple Island to Republic City. When Nisha joins Pavi in the vision, the scene changes drastically. The twins find themselves in the city streets, surrounded by fires and explosions. As the smoke clears from a motorcycle crash, the twins see Korra again. This time, though, she's changed: She's in the Avatar State, and she sports a menacing smirk. That can only mean one thing. The twins are seeing the moment Korra somehow turned and broke the world.

As Pavi and Nisha look on, Korra reaches up to pipe-like structures running along Republic City's skyscrapers and tears them down. The breaking of the pipes unleashes massive bands of destructive purple energy beams, which look very similar to the spirit vine energy Kuvira harnessed in her campaign to conquer Republic City.

That's all we get of the Cataclysm, but there's already a lot to unpack here, from Republic City's new look to the purple energy beams. Most fascinating of all might be the pipe structures Korra is tearing down. Their design is not rigid and pipe-like, but instead resembles vines. In rebuilding Republic City, could its citizens have tried to harness spirit energy from the Spirit Wilds as an energy source? Did they build around the vines climbing up buildings, and if so, did that strategy backfire spectacularly, contributing to the Cataclysm? Based on Republic City's skyline and these mysterious pipes, it seems like the physical world's relationship with the Spirit World was already way out of whack by the time the Cataclysm happened. That's odd, given that much of Korra's time as the Avatar was focused on maintaining that balance. After all, she opened the spirit portals at the poles and in Republic City.

Is Korra really to blame for the Cataclysm?

That brings us to Korra herself. Let's be totally real here. That smirking woman in the Avatar State might look like Korra and bend like Korra, but that frightening smile and the intent on destroying the world just doesn't feel like her. Obviously, a lot has changed since we last saw Korra on TV, but I refuse to believe she had an entire personality transplant!

Instead, this version of Korra in the Avatar State recalls a more sinister figure from Book 2 in The Legend of Korra. In the climax of that season, villain Unalaq merged with the darkness spirit Vaatu to create a dark Avatar whose eyes glowed red, contrasting with the white glow of the light spirit Raava, who lives within the Avatar. In the Seven Havens vision, Korra's eyes still glow white, yet her unsettling body language screams that the Avatar State has been corrupted in some way.

By the end of Season 2, Korra defeated Vaatu, but did not destroy him outright. Instead, his spirit is set to regrow within Raava over a period of 10,000 years, until the next Harmonic Convergence. That's a ways off within the Avatar timeline, but could the rapid acceleration of technology or Korra's proximity to the Spirit Wilds have accelerated that growth somewhat? Or alternatively, did some Future Industries technology create the anomaly and trigger some dark turn in Korra? I could very well be barking up the wrong spirit vine, but I have a feeling Book 2 of The Legend of Korra is about to become very, very important.

Clearly, we haven't gotten the full story yet, and Seven Havens is being very careful in how it doles out Korra's memories. In this episode alone, it leaves a gap between Korra's flight to Republic City and the Cataclysm. (Assuming the visions happen on the same night, that is, as Korra is wearing the exact same outfit in both.) That gap could be key to understanding Korra's motives in bringing on the Cataclysm, and hopefully in clearing her name somewhat in the timeline of Seven Havens.

Avatar: Seven Havens is now streaming on Paramount+, with new episodes every Friday.

There's so much to want to love in Canadian series Yaga, from its small-town mystery to its hints of folklore and witchcraft. But the biggest draw of all is undoubtedly its cast, which includes Carrie-Anne Moss, Noah Reid, Clark Backo, and Heated Rivalry breakout Hudson Williams.

Yaga is Williams' first major project to come out since the runaway success of Heated Rivalry catapulted him and co-star Connor Storrie to stardom. With that comes an opportunity for Williams to further showcase his range beyond his Canadian Screen Award-winning work as Shane Hollander. It's a shame, then, that Yaga gives Williams and his co-stars so little to latch onto, in a dark feminist fable that feels more hollow than revelatory.

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What's Yaga about?

Noah Reid and Clark Backo in "Yaga." Credit: Crave / Christopher Lawrence

Based on the play by Kat Sandler, who also serves as showrunner, Yaga invites us to the small town of Whittock, where Henry Park (Williams), heir to a powerful fishery owner, has gone missing. Enter private investigator Rapp (Reid) and local police detective Carson (Backo), who are paired — reluctantly, on Carson's end — to get to the bottom of this mystery.

What begins as a standard missing persons investigation soon becomes something darker and stranger. Chicken carcasses hang menacingly on doors. Bloody symbols mar crime scenes. Through it all, Rapp hears whispers of Baba Yaga, a legendary witch from Slavic folklore known for living in a house on chicken legs and flying around in a mortar and pestle. Could Henry's disappearance be tied to the occult? Given that the whole series opens with images of an unknown figure being burned at the stake, and that each episode opens and closes with a voiceover monologue from a wizened witchy figure, the answer appears to be an unequivocal "yes."

So the stage is set for a strange, folkloric mystery. Yet Yaga's witchiness never truly sings. Too often, the show resorts to the same style of surreal fakeout dream sequences, where a stream of bloody feathers and foreboding masks blends into a shorthand for horror without truly scaring. The voiceovers, presented as coming from Baba Yaga herself, offer up platitudes about women who have been othered as witches, but they feel familiar to anyone who's ever read a "we are the granddaughters of the witches you couldn't burn" bumper sticker.

Hudson Williams pulls double duty in Yaga.

Hudson Williams in "Yaga." Credit: Crave / Christopher Lawrence

At the center of this witchy vortex is Williams' Henry, who mostly haunts Rapp and Carson's investigation in flashbacks, including a steamy podcast recording with him and intriguing professor Katherine (Moss), an expert in all things bone. Henry's not alone: Williams also plays Logan, Henry's roommate, podcasting partner, and doppelganger. (Yaga sticks Williams in a prosthetic nose and fake acne for the Logan role, and the result is a jarring trip to the uncanny valley.)

A dual role should be rich territory for any actor to mine, yet neither Henry nor Logan get enough screen time for Williams' double turn to truly sink in. Henry is primarily a confident, if sleazy, charmer, while Logan is mostly presented as an awkward, almost wooden foil to that charm. Logan was not a character in the original stage play, and it shows in his thinness here.

Yaga introduces a fascinating thread about Logan perhaps wanting to be (or maybe be with) Henry, but it rarely pulls it beyond the occasional unsettling sex scene. While onscreen intimacy can often be a great showcase of character dynamics, here, these scenes are often over too fast or accompanied by a voiceover that explains said dynamics without letting the actual performances breathe.

As Yaga unfurls, Henry and Logan become much more sinister figures. While the thought of Williams taking a villainous turn is an exciting one, his Henry and Logan don't make particularly compelling villains because we know so little of them. Yaga's leads don't tend to fare much better. Moss is slippery fun as Katherine, but too often she remains on the margins. Backo and Reid's buddy cop dynamic is punchy, yet often dragged down by Rapp's incessant flirting. That most of the women in Whittock practically throw themselves at him is one of Yaga's most infuriating features. As it happens again and again and again, these women's advances bypass sexual empowerment and move straight into bewilderment.

Yaga gestures out to interesting concepts, but ultimately, it never dives deep enough. As an examination of witchcraft as a conduit for female rage, it's not angry enough. As an erotic thriller, it's not titillating enough. As a mystery, its twists and turns are intriguing, but never quite captivating. The ingredients for success are there, but they never quite come together to cast the right spell.

The first two episodes of Yaga premiere Oct. 23 on AMC+.

Believing in magic as an adult is the stuff of eldritch terror when it comes to the world of LAIKA. The stop-motion animation studio scared the shit out of us with Coraline, a twisted, whimsically macabre web that made a nightmare of the uncanny.

Now, with Wildwood, directed by creative chief Travis Knight, LAIKA once again leans into the dark and extraordinary world of fantasy and magic, this time nestled right across the river from the American Mecca of weird: Portland, Oregon. With handcrafted animation blended with painterly digital tech, the LAIKA team draws you into the Impassable Wilds, a magical realm where the forces of nature cannot be underestimated.

Though a fantasy tale, Wildwood's emotional core lies in reality. And in such a real world, where artificial intelligence is invading systems of creativity like the film's all-powerful ivy, LAIKA's hand-wrought, tactile artistry feels truly remarkable.

Wildwood is a dark coming-of-age tale that sees magic for its darkness and light. 

Prue McKeel (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) and Curtis Mehlberg (Jacob Tremblay). Credit: LAIKA

From Wildwood's magnificent opening scene, adapted by screenwriter Chris Butler (LAIKA's Kubo and the Two Strings), it's clear this is not a fairy tale for children. Based on the novel of the same name by The Decemberists' frontman Colin Meloy and illustrator Carson Ellis, the film begins with a gothic tragedy involving a governess, Alexandra (voiced by Carey Mulligan), and her only son, one that recalls Tim Burton's Wednesday story "Tale of the Skull Tree" — and it sets the macabre tone for the film. For now, the film brings us back into a safe haven: a cosy kitchen in Portland where teen Prue McKeel (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) is leaving the magic of childhood behind her, despite her parents' (Maya Erskine and Jake Johnson) encouragement to believe.

Tasked with babysitting her brother Mac (Arthur Knight, the director's infant son), Prue's wish for adulthood is cruelly granted when he's kidnapped by a Hitchcockian murder of crows, flown deep into the forest that lies beyond St. John's Bridge. The Impassable Wilds, her father calls them, and along with adventure game-loving nerd Curtis Mehlberg (Jacob Tremblay), the pair manage to venture beyond the mist.

Into the woods... Credit: LAIKA

What ensues is a thrilling, dark, and oftentimes uproarious careen into the realm of Wildwood, where the stakes are toweringly high (honestly, don't think your favourite character can't die a horrible death) and the emotional complexity of its residents runs deep. War is brewing, as a ruthless coyote mercenary army and displaced people branded as "bandits" wage bloody land battles within the realm. The conflict affects the entire realm, from an Endor-like avian principality to a grassroots community of mystics ("hippies," Prue calls them). However, there's something even more sinister afoot, and "outsiders" Prue and Curtis must be careful who they trust to get her baby brother back.

As the geopolitical tension of Wildwood comes into focus across the North and South Woods, Prue and Curtis will meet a glorious array of familiar-voiced characters: Brendan the mighty Bandit King (Mahershala Ali), helpful wise-cracking rat Septima (Awkwafina), glorious golden eagle General (Angela Bassett), rage-fuelled coyote lieutenant Maksim (Tom Waits), the flustered yet wise Owl Rex (Richard E. Grant), sage mystic leader Iphigenia (Tantoo Cardinal), fierce warrior Niamh (Amandla Stenberg), snivelling politician's henchman Roger (Jemaine Clement), accidental soldier Dmitri (Charlie Day), and more.

And at the heart of it all lies someone torn apart by grief, who'll do anything to reclaim what was lost. 

Wildwood's extraordinary animation is at once magnificent and brutal.

Prue and the General (Angela Bassett), LAIKA's largest puppet to date. Credit: LAIKA

This is LAIKA, one of the most lauded studios working in animation today, so if you're expecting Wildwood to be visually magnificent, you won't be disappointed (and Dario Marianelli's soaring score seals the emotional deal).

Through ancient ruins, coyote-patrolled forests, heaving halls of never-ending bureaucracy, and dank dungeons adorned with hanging cages, we're treated to wondrous world-building from production designer Nelson Lowry and superb visual detail from principal character designer Thibault Leclercq, costume designer Deb Cook, and head of character and practical effects Oliver Jones. Frame after frame of sublime, handmade landscapes (there were 132 sets) are populated by 233 unique character puppets, painstakingly brought to life by head of animation Brad Schiff and his small army of animators, with Brian McLean's Rapid Prototype (RP) and Benoit Dubuc's CG Facial Animation teams. And they're all boasting hundreds of intricate costumes from Cook and head of costume Anja Poland.

All shot to perfection by cinematographer Caleb Deschanel and edited by Christopher Murrie-Green, the meticulous detail within each scene is nothing short of extraordinary — from the Bandit King's dreadlocks to Prue's tears (yes, stop-motion animated tears!) to the General's majestic flapping wings — and results in a world so resplendent, so visceral, and sometimes so shockingly violent you'll want to pause the screen or run from it. Within Wildwood, animals and people live alongside each other, with human governors, farmers, and bandits existing alongside rabbit constables, coyote commandants, and bear lumberjacks. The effect is one of harmony, tension, and fascination, with each character rendered with such individuality and detail that you could follow any one of them into their own Wildwood spinoff storyline. 

Respect the ivy... Credit: LAIKA

One of the major players in the film, a sprawling, interconnected mass of ivy stretched across the Impassable Wilds, is a feat of animation in itself, with every climbing vine, every veined leaf, moving as one powerful entity. This sense of gravitas extends to every scene in Wildwood, whether animating a rat swimming in a bowl of venison soup or rain falling on emerald mansion steps.

However, nothing compares to one of the most exceptional battle sequences you'll ever see on screen, a masterpiece of animation whose meticulous production boggles the mind. The largest ever created for a stop-motion feature film, the 12-minute battle scene is 411 thrilling, violent, and awe-inspiring shots that are sure to land this film an Oscar.

Wildwood's secret star is the city of Portland.

Prue's family live in Portland and you won't miss it. Credit: LAIKA

If there's one hidden character within Wildwood, it's the city of Portland, Oregon, America's nucleus of alternative living, where the history of magic has ancient roots. 

In Wildwood's Portland scenes, the team hide Easter eggs and references that build a portrait of the city's weird and wonderful elements: from Prue enjoying the magic of Voodoo Doughnut to cycling past drag queen story hour at legendary independent bookstore Powell's. A bagpipe-playing Darth Vader on a unicycle? Yep, we're in Portland.

Within Prue's teen bedroom, inclusions of The Decemberists' posters pay homage to the Portland band whose "The Better Part Of Bravery," lies on the soundtrack — and whose frontman wrote the book Wildwood is based on. Prue's parents are so Portland they won't even say what happened at Burning Man and mention "medical doctors" as a last resort. Yes, it's reductive and stereotypical, but it renders the city a place where it makes sense there'd be a magical wilderness on the other side of the Willamette River.

It's this familiarity that anchors Wildwood in its most brutal moments, knowing a world of war, violence, and magic lies just beyond a city bridge. LAIKA doesn't treat its audience like glass, presenting the cruelty of magic as one of finality, of life and death. Find the biggest screen you can and ride boldly across the bridge into Wildwood, where magic is just as beautiful as it is brutal. 

Wildwood was reviewed out of BFI London Film Festival and will hit cinemas Oct. 23.

You might have seen the Wicker trailer, heard the plot from your friends behind giggling hands, or experienced the collective internet reaction to a 4DX screening. We're getting another sexy straw man movie, when we thought such a thing was done For Good?

Based on Ursula Wills-Jones' short story "The Wicker Husband," the tale is what it says on the tin: a fisherwoman (Olivia Colman) requests a local basket weaver (Peter Dinklage) to make her a husband to get the bitches in town (led by Elizabeth Debicki) off her goddamn back. And it works, with Alexander Skarsgård brought to life as the world's most dashing straw man — apologies to Jonathan Bailey's Scarecrow in Wicked.

It's a deeply silly, fairy tale concept. But what directors Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson have up their sleeve is a hilarious and heartfelt script, an incredibly talented cast, and magical production design that landed actual gasps (and cackles) from the BFI London Film Festival audience.

It's an artisanal Frankenstein tale, and one that will melt that brittle basket-woven heart of yours — or simply have you thinking about Taylor Swift's "Wood" differently.

Wicker is Frankenstein for craft lovers.

Credit: BFI London Film Festival

The very concept of building a life partner from things around the house has intrigued writers from Mary Shelley to that time Sabrina the Teenage Witch's aunts played with "Man Dough." And in Wicker, a exceptionally talented basket weaver (a positively Shakespearean Dinklage) is the one to play God.

Set in a medieval village where patriarchy is divine and marriage means literally putting a collar on the bride, Wicker follows a gleeful social outsider known as the Fisherwoman (an impeccable Colman), happily living out her days in her crumbling cottage as a spinster. Covered in the stench of her occupation, she has no desire to marry as expected. However, such independence sparks the ire of the townspeople, especially the Tailor's Wife (a diabolical Debicki), a woman oppressed in her own man-child marriage to the Tailor (a superb Nabhaan Rizwan). To shut them all up, the fisherwoman commissions another recluse, the Basket Weaver, to literally make her a husband. One magic moment later, Fisherwoman has her Wicker Husband (a stoically sweet Skarsgård) — and the entire town can hear their marital bliss, echoing across the meadows. 

It's a sexual awakening indeed for Colman's Fisherwoman, and one that will have you cackling with glee as she does. But their bond becomes about more than planking sessions. Though literally fabricated, Fisherwoman and her Wicker Husband's exploration of love and intimacy feels deeply genuine, thanks to Coleman's gleeful humour and vulnerability and Skarsgård's awkward romanticism. And it's all within a safe distance from fires; one of them is "very flammable," after all.

However, as the Wicker Husband tries to understand his "purpose" and the logic behind treating women as equal (imagine!), his charms begin to affect the townspeople. Essentially, he's making the other men look absolutely useless.

Wicker makes a hilarious mockery of traditional gender roles.

Credit: BFI London Film Festival

One of the most compelling elements of Wicker, beyond its plethora of gloriously dirty jokes, frankly hilarious foley effects, and Colman's outstanding performance is its skewering of traditional gender roles within marriage.

As the townsfolk witness these moments of sweet romance, simmering sexual chemistry, and actual friendship between the Fisherwoman and Wicker Husband, the local women have questions for their own husbands. What do you mean, this man shares the housework and fishing with his wife? What do you mean, sex can be an act of pleasure, not merely for procreation? They begin to examine their society's gender essentialism, from marital obligations to division of labour and intimacy — and the husbands are annoyed. "All of a sudden I don't say enough words to her!" says one. "The wives, they're all aflutter!" says another. Here, Wicker's supporting cast shine in glorious deadpan, especially Ella Bruccoleri as one-liner queen the Baker's Wife, Ben Ashenden as her husband, Baker, and Kiell Smith-Bynoe as the stubborn Innkeeper.

But while the film's medieval innuendos are show-stoppers in their own right, Wicker's production design will actually cause a shortness of breath.

Wicker's production design team makes spicy magic happen.

It must be said: For Wicker to work, the Fisherwoman's darling "timber knight" has to be magically hot. I don't make the rules. It's part of the narrative or something. Casting Alexander Skarsgård in such a role is a superb step toward achieving such sorcery (Pillion also knew what it was doing), but transforming him into a dashing man made of flexible rods is another challenge. Luckily, Wicker enlisted Wētā Workshop and visual effects supervisor Joe Dunckley to craft an otherworldly wicker suit that's alarmingly ripped, along with facial prosthetics that trace the lines of Skarsgård's face. You can physically see through these wicker biceps, light shining through them. 

Remembering this is a raunchy fantasy comedy, the production team also doesn't waste one opportunity to draw out the properties of a wicker person during intimate scenes. Every creak of the Wicker Husband's basketry serves to emphasise his strength and physical materials. Foley artist and editor Adrian Medhurst and foley recordist Simon Koehn should be applauded for the wicker erection sounds that groan and strain through an early scene, one that had the LFF audience hooting. 

Within this raunchy fairy tale, like all fairy tales, there are lessons hidden between the fantasy and drama. And if you can't learn a thing or two about intimacy, romance, and love while staring at the sheer artistry of basket-woven pectorals, then I don't know what to tell you.

Wicker was reviewed out of BFI London Film Festival. It hits cinemas Oct. 23 in the U.S. and Oct. 30 in the UK.

John Turturro has a storied career that stretches across 45 years, and boasts unforgettable performances in iconic films like Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing and the Coen Bros' The Big Lebowski and O Brother, Where Art Thou? More recently, he awed streaming audiences with his bittersweet romance as Irving Bailiff in Apple TV+'s Severance, for which he's earned two Primetime Emmy nominations. 

Across more than 100 films and television series, Turturro has played clowns and villains, lovers and bowlers. But in his latest, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, this heralded character actor and celebrated New York City native gets the role that he was born to play.

Writer/director Noah Segan entrusts Turturro with the leading man role in a crime thriller that evokes 1970s classics like Taxi Driver, The French Connection, and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three — movies that predate Turturro's screen career. And yet, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York doesn't feel like a throwback. Instead, this big-hearted and hard-nosed thriller bridges the gap between past and present with a modern awareness of how things change, even for a classic New York character.

The Only Living Pickpocket in New York celebrates its city with every frame. 

It's a cliché to call a movie a love letter to New York. The Only Living Pickpocket in New York is more of a confession of affection scribbled on the back of a way-too-long CVS receipt. It's passionate and a bit grimy, just like the city itself.

Turturro stars as Harry Lehman, an aging Bronx resident who's been a career criminal specializing in pickpocketing for decades. This day begins as any other, lifting a wallet from a finance bro on the subway. But times have changed. The city has moved away from paper money and toward Apple Pay and cryptocurrency. So, it's harder than ever for Harry to provide for his paralyzed wife, Rosie (Karina Arroyave). So, it seems like a boon when he successfully boosts the wallet of a smug 20-something named Dylan (Will Price). But while Harry is fencing the goods to his pawnbroker buddy Ben (a pitch-perfect Steve Buscemi), he learns this mark is practically made. Okay, so he's more of a nepobaby-gangster than a goodfella. But this is still bad news.

Harry's got to hustle to get back what he sold, or else Dylan and his posse of puffed-up Gen Z goons will kill Rosie. In this quest, Harry rides the train from the Bronx to Chinatown, to Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, and up into cozy Queens, where big houses and yards shake up the presumed urban landscape. (Sorry, Staten Island, no time for you!)

In each place, Harry collides with a quintessentially New York figure, be it a no-nonsense neighbor (Echaka Agba), a shop owner (Kelvin Han Yee) more focused on his TV than a pesky customer, a wise-cracking detective (Giancarlo Esposito), a finger-wagging grannie (Lori Tan Chinn), or a slick-fingered could-be protégé (Mark Cayne). Like in classic '70s New York City cinema, each of these folks adds a new texture to this portrait of this messy and magical city. The cinematography by Sam Levy showcases this setting with a understated wonder B-roll of rumbling subways and bustling streets reflects Harry's never-say-die energy, as he strides out of pawn shops, police precincts, and community centers with an easy confidence. Before he dashes off, Levy's camera will zoom in, catching him as if he were a native animal on the run. Or else, a simple pan as Harry pauses to think reflects the big, urban world around him that won't stop for a moment.

This is not the romantic landscape of Manhattan showcased in countless rom-coms. The only view of the skyline or even NYC's rivers in this film is tinged with a sinister tone, as Harry and his detective friend recall an old thief whose head was found "bobbing in the Hudson!" The Only Living Pickpocket in New York instead captures a city that is both repulsive and beautiful, heartbreaking and inspiring. Segan even kicks off with a gut-punch of an opener, playing LCD Soundsystem's "New York I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down" at such an intensity that you can't escape the raw vulnerability in its lyrics or the trembling voice of James Murphy.

Before the title card hits, Segan shows he understands this city like a New Yorker. This is a place that will build you up and knock you down, over and over. And somehow — for those of us who truly love it — it feels like a privilege every time you get back up to try again. 

John Turturro is perfection in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York. 

This is a story of a man who's lived past his prime. A brassy score of trumpets and plinking piano puts Harry Lehman in the space of Travis Bickle, Popeye Doyle, or Transit Police Lt. Zachary Garber. But Segan's film willfully lacks the intensity of these reference points. That's because the Fear City days are behind New York, and Harry's hard edge has softened over the years of caring for his wife.

Harry, Rosie, Ben, and even Detective Warren are relics of a "bad days" era that they miss, because the days were rough, but the wild nights still make them smile. Now, kids half their age are talking about how the only worthwhile terrain for theft is through computers. But Harry doesn't even have a cell phone. A friendly stranger marvels when he knows a phone number "by heart." A crypto-bro chides him for not understanding he's part of "planned obsolescence." Over and over, the youth of this city are telling Harry that is time is over. There's a quiet resignation in his response, but even that doesn't mean he'll go down without a fight.

Turturro, who has famously seethed, snarled, and caterwauled to dramatic and comedic effect, plays closer to the vest here. When not lifting wallets, his long, agile fingers hide in the pockets of his tweed overcoat, its salt-and-pepper herringbone mirroring the color of his silvered, curly hair. Harry strives to not stand out, all the better to ply his craft. But he is coolly dashing. And in that, he has a facade of composure. But cuddled next to his wife, his passion burns. For her, he will coo and dance, showing that this old man still has moves. In front of old friends, he is gruff but caring. To their grandchildren, he is warm and paternal. And when confronted by mercurial thugs, he is alert and patient. Turturro offers a phenomenally nuanced performance that subtly speaks to what it takes to survive decades in this city.

When the Knicks won the NBA Championship this year, Turturro went viral for a dance he did at the celebration parade, candidly caught on camera. I thought of that scene throughout The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, not because his genuine joy in that moment is reflected in the movie, but because in both of these on-camera moments, Turturro succinctly captures what it is to be a New Yorker. It is grappling with grief and joy in the same crazy day. It is making a family of the misfits you treasure. It is embracing this city — and the outer boroughs — with appreciation and respect. It is building a life few can understand, and frankly, they don't need to. This is a space for all kinds of dreams, all kinds of people, and all kinds of ways to lose and win.

As a crime thriller, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York is a solidly entertaining ride, being sharply paced, thoughtfully shot, and stacked with a terrific cast that also includes Tatiana Maslany. But more than just another fun crime movie set in New York City, this one is also resolutely aware of the greats who came before, paying tribute without aping them. And best of all, Turturro offers a turn that showcases his humor, sexiness, pathos, and a cutting subtlety that's absolutely riveting. In a career full of outstanding performances, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York offers one of Turturro's very best. 

The Only Living Pickpocket in New York was reviewed out of the New York Film Festival. It will open theatrically in New York and Los Angeles on Oct. 23, then expand nationwide on Oct. 30.

Carol. Deep Water. Strangers on a Train. The Talented Mr. Ripley. American author Patricia Highsmith has inspired filmmakers for decades with her lurid tales of sex, deception, and murder. Now, she herself is a character in such a thriller, thanks to A Talent For Murder.

Adapted for the screen by Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith from her own play, Switzerland, this film imagines what might have happened if Highsmith's biggest fan got the chance to meet his hero. Enter Edward Ridgeway (Tony winner Alden Ehrenreich), a handsome young man with carefully coiffed dark hair, a strong jaw, a pressed shirt, and polished glasses, but little poise. On a train through Switzerland, he seems like he stumbled out of the first chapter of a Tom Ripley novel, sure to be felled or corrupted by the iconic con man.

Now, the girl. Clementine Harriet Balfour (Olivia Cooke) is pretty, with a bouncy brunette bob, and a fashion sense that hints at an old-money family and independent ambitions. They meet as strangers on a train, but are sure to cross paths again in the small Swiss village where she's visiting a miserly dowager aunt (Juliet Stevenson), and he's tasked with getting Highsmith to sign a contract to write a sixth Ripley novel.

Director Anton Corbijn expertly lays out a spring-loaded trap that's sure to capture the interest of Highsmith fans. A handsome couple flirts, while wealth and opportunity glitter on the horizon. What might they do to get there?

Enter a surly Highsmith, played with gnarly certainty by the one and only Helen Mirren.

Helen Mirren is a deranged delight in A Talent for Murder.

The English Dame has done Shakespeare and Prime Suspect; she's played Queen Elizabeth II and a Fast and Furious baddie with equal aplomb. Plus, just last year, she played a sultry spy in the cozy crime treat The Thursday Murder Club. But there's no lightness in Mirren's Highsmith.

In 1995, atop a Swiss mountain, the heralded author has become an eccentric recluse, rumored to have poisoned a neighbor's dog for barking too much, and to have driven an American man so mad he fled her home while only wearing his pajamas. Dressed in men's slacks, a crisp men's dress shirt, a cravat and vest, paired with a fuck-off bob, Mirren's Highsmith is imposing, even introduced ironing a shirt.

When Edward appears, eager with compliments, gifts, and talk of opportunity, she regards him with such scorching disdain the audience at the Toronto International Film Festival gasped and guffawed. The ruthless wit of the Ripley novels is sharply replicated in Murray-Smith's screenplay, and Mirren makes the most of every line, savoring the sharp barbs. To his credit, Ehrenreich doesn't balk in the face of this storied actress. And thank the gods, because failing to match her onscreen would make A Talent for Murder a miss. Instead, it's a twisted thrill: sexy, salty, and wickedly fun.

Alden Ehrenreich is hot and bothered in A Talent for Murder.

Earlier this year, Ehrenreich earned praise and a Tony award for his phenomenal performance in the Broadway revival of Becky Shaw. Watching A Talent for Murder, I thought often of this stage performance, as his characters have a lot in common. Young men who've come from a family with no means and no reputation worth a damn, who both cozy up to a wealthy family, determined not just to enter their world but to rule it.

At first glance, Edward looks like Matt Damon's version of Ripley, from the juicy 1999 adaptation The Talented Mr. Ripley. His hair floppy but fashionable. His smile earnest but awkward. The eyeglasses, a perfect twin. This feels intentional, as if Corbijn wants Highsmith fans to immediately wonder if this eager social climber might have the root of evil in him, which could make Highsmith's criminal mastermind real.

Smartly, the screenplay doesn't pitch Edward as some rube. He's come ready to impress Highsmith, even if that means tantalizing her with twisted tales from his past, and the possibility of criminally corrupting him. Enticed by his game, the two begin to collaborate on a murder mystery about a blue-collar boy who meets an old-money girl, and is determined to make her family fortune his own. Their thought experiment gets joltingly real as Highsmith haunts him in the night and inspires him to treat the reckless heiress Clementine as source material.

From there, A Talent for Murder begins to blur what's real and imagined in pursuit of bringing fresh blood to Highsmith's typewriter. And it just wouldn't work if Ehrenreich weren't on fire. Where Mirren is delicious in her snarling cruelty (think Tilda Swinton in Problemista), Ehrenreich is intriguing in his slipperiness. Edward and Highsmith's imagined novel plays out as we watch, recasting the former as her anti-hero, with Clementine playing the role they write for her. In these sections, Ehrenreich has the smoothness of Ripley, his confidence edged with a misanthropic disgust at all who aren't as clever and calculating as he. But as Edward, Ehrenreich trembles with insecurity, particularly in a scene where he's delicately called out by an Irish lady (Brid Brennan), who spots him as an outsider from his shoes alone.

To her credit, Cooke is not outshone in the slim role of Clementine. Whether the imagined version where she is a yearning virgin or the real one, where she is a spoiled rich girl looking for a cheap thrill, she brings a full-blooded verve to this girl. Together, this trio weaves a tale of sex, death, and desire that touches on the best of Highsmith's works, without feeling like a shallow retread of them. Instead, A Talent for Murder plays like a superb fan fiction, imagining the inner world and grisly desires of the seminal author, without idolizing her or whitewashing her well-documented defects.

A Talent For Murder is darkly funny, freshly thrilling, and unrepentantly seductive. It's not a Ripley sequel, but it's damn close.

A Talent For Murder was reviewed out of the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie will open in theaters on Oct. 23.

SAVE $175.50: As of Oct. 23, the Dyson Airwrap i.d. is on sale for $534.49 at Amazon. That's a 25% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Dyson

Dyson Airwrap i.d.

$534.49 at Amazon
$709.99 Save $175.50

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Amazon has a new deal on the Dyson Airwrap i.d., which includes the Dyson Chitosan post-style serum.

If you're wanting to upgrade to the popular styling tool and pair it with the brand's own products, this is a great deal. As of Oct. 23, you can take home this bundle for $534.49, down from the usual $709.99. That's a discount of over $170.

The Dyson Airwrap i.d. is designed to make styling much easier, offering several styling functions in one device. Depending on the look you're after, you can use it to dry, curl, wave, smooth, or shape your hair, with attachments to help you switch between finishes.

One of the standout features of the Airwrap is its integration with the MyDyson app. Using Bluetooth, the tool can create a personalized styling routine based on your hair type and length, helping you achieve more consistent results each time you use it. Its styling technology is also designed to rely on airflow rather than extreme heat, so heat damage isn't a concern.

You can find this Dyson deal at Amazon right now.

TL;DR: The Insta360 Mic starts at $79.99 for a single transmitter, with receiver bundles priced at $139.99 for a 1TX + 1RX setup and $249.99 for the complete 2TX + 1RX kit. It combines a customizable E-Ink display, onboard microSD storage for 32-bit float backup recording, and AI noise cancellation.

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Credit: Insta360

Insta360 Mic

 

Shop Now at Amazon

Insta360 has spent the last few years dominating the action and 360 camera space, but even the crispest 8K footage gets ruined if the audio sounds like it was recorded inside a tin can. Enter the Insta360 Mic — the newest mid-tier option designed to bridge the gap between the budget-friendly Mic Air and the top-end Mic Pro.

Built for daily vloggers, travelers, weekend sports shooters, and podcasters, it brings high-end features down to an approachable level so you don't have to blow your whole budget on gear. Each transmitter rocks a customizable E-Ink display on the front, letting you upload your channel logo, personal brand, or even a photo of your pet to show off while filming.

Credit: Insta360

An onboard microSD card slot lets you capture 32-bit float backup tracks directly to the transmitter. If audio suddenly spikes during a loud celebration or drops during a quiet moment, the massive dynamic range keeps the sound from clipping or distorting, giving you plenty of room to adjust levels during editing. You also get a dedicated NPU-based AI chip that strips out background chatter and ambient noise without making human voices sound like a compressed robot.

If you already shoot on Insta360 hardware like the X6, X5, Luna Ultra, or Ace Pro 2, the Direct Connect feature pairs the mic directly to your camera over Bluetooth, with no receiver required. Shooting on a phone or mirrorless DSLR instead? Simply plug the included receiver in using the USB-C adapter or 3.5mm jack for a traditional lavalier setup.

A single charge gets you up to 13 hours on the transmitter alone, and the charging case bumps the total runtime to 34 hours for long multi-day shoots. You can even sync four transmitters onto a single receiver, mixing and matching with older Mic Pro units, to handle group interviews or podcasts.

The Insta360 Mic is available today, starting at $79.99 for a standalone transmitter, $139.99 for a 1TX + 1RX kit, and $249.99 for the complete 2TX + 1RX bundle with the charging case.

Tesla's Cybertruck will no longer be released in Australia and New Zealand. The company announced its cancellation in these regions in an email to customers on Friday.

"After careful consideration, plans to produce the Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand have been discontinued," Tesla wrote. "As a result, we're unable to fulfil your reservation and it will be cancelled."

Drivers in Australia and New Zealand had been able to preorder Tesla's Cybertruck since it was initially unveiled in 2019. At the time, the company planned to start production in late 2021, eight years after CEO Elon Musk first teased the Cybertruck in 2013.

Now five years past the Cybertruck's previous manufacturing date, it seems that Australian and Kiwi customers' patient waiting has not borne the results they were promised. The Cybertruck has been removed from both Tesla's Australian and New Zealand websites, which now only offer the Model 3, Model Y and preorders for the Roadster.

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Those eager to secure a Cybertruck had been required to pay a preorder deposit of $AU/NZ150. Fortunately, Tesla has stated that all such payments will be refunded. The company has also said that customers whose preorders were cancelled will be given a one-year subscription to Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system — provided they buy a new Model 3 or Model Y instead.

(Despite its name, the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system does not enable Tesla's electric vehicles to autonomously drive themselves. Rather, it is a driving assistance feature that offers some automation, and still requires a driver to actively pay attention and control the car.)

While some enthusiasts have been disappointed by the cancellation of their Cybertruck preorders, many other EV users are celebrating that it won't make it onto Australia and New Zealand's roads. Even users of the r/TeslaAustralia subreddit have shed few tears over the Cybertruck's cancelled plans in the country.

The Cybertruck has been widely derided as ugly since its introduction, with people likening it to everything from a child's drawing to low-poly video game graphics. Many have also been unimpressed by negative reports on the Cybertruck's build quality, the vehicle having been subject to multiple recalls in the U.S. where it is already available. Now drivers in Australia and New Zealand won't have to worry about it as well.

TL;DR: Preorders for the physical version of Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake are $10 off at Amazon. Preorder your copy now for $59.88, and you'll also get a preorder price guarantee.

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Credit: Nintendo

'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' (Digital)

$59.99 at Amazon

 

Shop Now at Amazon

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Credit: Nintendo

'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' (Physical)

$59.88 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $10.11

 

Get Deal at Amazon

There are just a few weeks until Nintendo finally drops the Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The game is officially out on Nov. 5, but Zelda fans have been excited for this game ever since the release of gameplay preview footage.

You can already preorder both the digital and physical copies at Amazon. Even better than that, you can already get a deal on the physical edition. It was originally priced at $69.99, but as of Oct. 22, it's down to $59.88 for total savings of $10.11. The digital version is available for $59.99.

As an extra incentive, Amazon is offering a price guarantee on preorders. That means that if the price changes between now and the point the game is released — when your card is actually charged — you'll pay the lowest price point from that period (in other words, if it drops to $55 before you receive the game, that's what you'll pay).

If you need another reason to preorder, Nintendo is also releasing special packaging with textured foil cover art as part of the first print run on the physical edition. It's a can't-miss deal for collectors and die-hard Zelda fans.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Ship bed.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

BERTH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Rule-breaker.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

REBEL

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Company.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

BRAND

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Surpass.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

OUTDO

Final Hurdle hint

Therefore.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

HENCE

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for people who watch baseball.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Pennant hopefuls

• Green: Defunct baseball

• Blue: GOAT Brewers

• Purple: Championship MVP's

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: MLB Teams to Reach The League Championship Series This Year

• Green: Former MLB Team Names

• Blue: Brewers All-Stars, Historically

• Purple: World Series MVPs, with The First Letter Changed

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #760 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• MLB Teams to Reach The League Championship Series This Year: BREWERS, DODGERS, GUARDIANS, RAYS

• Former MLB Team Names: BROWNS, DEVIL RAYS, EXPOS, PILOTS

• Brewers All-Stars, Historically: FIELDER, FINGERS, SHEETS, WEEKS

• World Series MVPs, with The First Letter Changed: CAMELS, EYE, MEAGER, METER

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

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

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 23 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 23 Pips

Greater Than (7): Everything in this space must be greater than 7. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Number (15): Everything in this space must add up to 15. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 23 Pips

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-6 placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

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

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

Direct meaning

Expressing opinions clearly, plainly and without beating around the bush.

Frank meaning

Speaking or acting with sincerity and directness,

Open meaning

Not closed, blocked, sealed or covered

Vocal meaning

Relating to, produced by, or intended for the human voice or speech.

Driver meaning

A computer program that controls hardware.

Extension meaning

An extra part or allowance added to a main thing.

Plugin meaning

A software component that adds specific features to an existing program or platform without changing its core code

Update meaning

To bring something or someone up to date by adding the newest information, making it more modern or providing recent facts

Double meaning

When a word, phrase or sentence can be understood in two distinct ways at the same time

Love meaning

A strong, deep emotional and mental state of affection, attraction or devotion toward a person, animal,or activity.

Phone meaning

An electronic device that lets two or more people talk to each other across a distance using wires or radio signals.

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Spinal meaning

Relating to, or affecting the spine.

Distance meaning

The numerical measurement of how far apart two objects, points or places are.

Force meaning

A push or a pull.

Power meaning

The ability, righto r political strength to govern, influence, or direct people, events or nations

Time meaning

The continuous progression of existence where events move forward from the past, through the present and into the future

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a math whiz.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Don't beat around the bush

• Green: Tech uploads

• Blue: Mathematics

• Purple: Lightly hit

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Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Forthright

• Green: Things you install on a computer

• Blue: Quantities in a formula for power

• Purple: __ Tap

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1230 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Forthright: DIRECT, FRANK, OPEN, VOCAL

• Things you install on a computer: DRIVER, EXTENSION, PLUGIN, UPDATE

• Quantities in a formula for power: DISTANCE, FORCE, POWER, TIME

• __ Tap: DOUBLE, LOVE, PHONE, SPINAL

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you stick your nose where it doesn't belong.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: None of your beeswax!

The words are related to curiosity.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe being in others' business.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Busy Body.

NYT Strands word list for October 23

• Nosy

• Prying

• Inquisitive

• Snoopy

• Eavesdropping

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

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you get nervous easily.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Quaver.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter L appears twice.

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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter T.

The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

TRILL

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

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

SAVE OVER $20: As of Oct. 22, the Anker Solix C200 DC portable power station is marked down to $129.98 at Amazon. That's $20.01 off its full price of $149.99.

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Credit: Anker

Anker SOLIX C200 DC Portable Power Station

$129.98 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $20.01

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Anker isn't waiting until November to hop on the Black Friday bandwagon. The company has already dropped plenty of early deals for shoppers to check out, including portable power stations.

Over at Amazon, the Anker Solix C200 DC is marked down to $129.98. Compared to paying its full price of $149.99, this offer saves you just over $20. It's currently marked as a limited-time deal, so the clock is ticking to save.

The Anker Solix C200 DC may be small, but it's still packed with power to keep your devices charged up while you're on the go. It comes with a 192Wh battery that delivers a 200W output, plus five charging ports to handle your tech: a 100W USB-C, a 140W USB-C, a 15W USB-C, and two 12W USB-A ports.

And speaking of taking it on the go, it's 39% smaller than similar power stations, so bringing it along on a camping trip won't feel like a hassle. This power station is also easy to recharge, with three options: a 140W USB-C PD 3.1 port, 100W solar panels, or a car socket.

Don't let a low battery get you down. Act fast to save on the Anker Solix C200 DC while it's on sale at Amazon.

TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC for a one-time $114.97 (reg. $149.99) through Oct. 25 — includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.

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Credit: Microsoft

Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC: One-Time Purchase

$112.97
$149.99 Save $37.02

 

Get Deal

Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations aren’t going anywhere. Neither are the monthly fees that often come with productivity software. Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC is just $114.97 (reg. $149.99) through Oct. 25, and it’s a one-time purchase for lifetime access.

This edition includes the 2024 desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, which means it is a practical toolkit for students, families, and anyone who regularly works with documents.

Word handles everything from school essays to personal correspondence, with advanced formatting controls and collaboration features that let multiple people work on the same document.

Excel offers Dynamic Arrays and functions such as FILTER, SORT, and UNIQUE, which help organize information and automatically update results when data changes.

PowerPoint includes presentation recording with voice, video, and closed captions, while OneNote gives you a convenient place to organize notes and ideas.

One major advantage of the desktop apps is offline access. You can write, edit spreadsheets, and create presentations without an active internet connection, then sync supported files when you’re back online.

The software also supports real-time collaboration, making it easier to work on group assignments or shared family projects when connected.

Unlike Microsoft 365, this version doesn’t require monthly or annual subscription payments.

A couple of important details: Office 2024 Home doesn’t include Outlook, and each license covers one Mac or Windows PC. The one-use activation code is linked to your Microsoft account rather than the device itself.

For anyone who prefers familiar productivity software without recurring fees, this is a straightforward way to get the essential Office apps.

Get Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC for just $114.97 (reg. $149.99) through Oct. 25.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, my childhood Halloween hauls were 70 percent Clark Bars. Emptying my bag onto the living room floor, I’d channel my inner Ralphie from A Christmas Story, muttering a disappointed "Ohhhhh fuuudge!" at all that local chocolate.

Because Clark Bars were manufactured in Pittsburgh, customers at the local G.C. Murphy or Thrift Drug could scoop up giant bags at markdown prices. Clark had Halloween cornered in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Times have changed. Those stores are gone, Clark Bars are rare, and I’m old enough that I don't have to say "fudge" when I'm angry. But one thing hasn't changed: kids still treat trick-or-treating like a game of neighborhood Rolo roulette. Back then, anything besides a Clark Bar was a coveted confection.

After I reluctantly grew up, I went into retail, leading media relations for Kmart and Sears. Our Kmart stores would load up on cheap candy before Halloween, and sales always topped costumes or decorations. Corporate buyers spent months planning exactly what to sell, how much to order, and where to ship it across 1,000 stores. Then, like clockwork on Nov. 1, the leftovers went on clearance. Apparently, peanut butter cups don’t age well on store shelves.

That human-driven process seems so stale now. Nowadays, people snicker at the butterfingers of humans, proverbial pez heads who can let things slip be-twix their fingers. But don’t be too quick to kiss humans goodbye.

Today, childhood nostalgia is being systematically optimized away by advanced predictive analytics and logistical AI. The invisible hand of the candy aisle knows your neighborhood’s demographic profile better than you do, and it has already decided if your zip code deserves the "good stuff." Where I grew up, we wouldn’t be getting Toblerone, that’s for sure.

Global candy manufacturers and big-box retailers openly deploy AI-driven "demand sensing" models. Retailers now feed past transactions, social media trends, and hyper-local product inventory into machine learning networks. By analyzing this data, algorithms can forecast exactly how a specific neighborhood will shop.

The system cross-references local census records and homeownership rates to shift delivery pallets before the first plastic pumpkin hits shelves. Quite frankly, that is a helluva lot of data.

The result is a hyper-focused predictive allocation engine. If a well-to-do suburb experiences a millennial baby boom, something like Walmart’s demand-forecasting algorithms catch the trend early. By analyzing local sales history and foot traffic, the system uses machine learning to automatically trigger massive shipments of premium, multi-brand chocolate variety packs to those specific high-demand stores weeks in advance.

Conversely, if you live in a high-density urban apartment block of young professionals or an aging retirement community, the AI predicts low trick-or-treater turnout. Premium inventory is rerouted elsewhere, leaving your local store shelves bare of anything but low-tier hard candies.

In other words, your neighbors couldn't buy the good candy even if they wanted to; the algorithm decided they weren't worth the shipping cost. What a snobby algorithm.

Then I got to thinking, what happens when these algorithms collide with regional history, creating an inevitable feedback loop? Take my childhood Pittsburgh data. Today's predictive AI won't see a city of disappointed children. Nope, it will only see a massive, recurring seasonal spike for Clark Bars.

Blind to our melt-away misery, the algorithm would flag this as a "regional preference," boost bulk buying, slash the price, and flood local shelves. By automating past behavior, the machine ensures future generations face the exact same crisis I did. A lot of kids like me venting an "Ohhhhh fuuudge!"

The algorithm isn't just looking backward, either. It also parses unstructured data like live weather forecasts. If the machine catches even a whiff of rain on Oct. 31, it can instantly reduce shipments of trick-or-treating candy to your entire region, prioritizing indoor alternatives like party kits or ghoulish plastic backdrops.

The system is also secretly scrolling social media. The second a viral TikTok video of an influencer with a trending marshmallow ghost Peep with bug eyes catches fire, the algorithm intercepts the digital signal. It immediately diverts entire shipping containers of Peeps to the hip, urban zip codes driving the clicks, leaving the surrounding suburbs out of the loop.

To the TikTok victor go the Peep spoils.

We spend a lot of time fretting about generative AI replacing human artists or stealing digital identities. Yet, the most immediate way AI alters our culture is deceptively invisible; quietly sucking the random, chaotic joy out of a community holiday and dressing it in the costume of an optimization spreadsheet.

So, when the kids dump their plastic pumpkins onto the living room rug this year, look closely at the haul. Don’t curse the house down the street for handing out generic chocolate or cheap hard candy. They weren't being stingy.

They were just the unfortunate casualties of a cold, unfeeling algorithm. The machine unwrapped their zip code, crunched the numbers, and chewed on the fact that their neighborhood simply didn't possess the premium metrics required for a Reese's Cup.

By trying to optimize our choices, the algorithm inadvertently condemns them to a bleak, automated future of pure, inescapable Clark Bars. “Ohhhhh fuuudge!”

This article represents the opinions of its writer.

John Casey is a columnist at Raw Story, the Advocate, Daily Beast, and Outsports. He's also the author of Love: The Heroic Stories of Marriage Equality.

Skullcandy's products will no longer just feature Sound by Bose — they'll be an official part of the Bose brand, too.

Following the collaboration between the two brands that brought Bose-engineered audio and tech to the budget brand's products, Bose announced an acquisition of Skullcandy on Oct. 21.

What this means for Skullcandy and Bose

This comes just over a year and a half after the release of the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds, the first pair of Skullcandy buds to come with the Sound by Bose designation. In my testing of those earbuds, priced at $99, I found they featured an impressive soundscape for the price point that felt worthy of the Bose name. While not exactly like a pair of Bose earbuds, they did feel like an elevation over what I expected sonically from Skullcandy.

Though not twins, the Bose-powered Skullcandy earbuds and Bose earbuds do bear a resemblance. Credit: Skullcandy

Credit: Bose

The Skullcandy brand will remain its own distinct brand under Bose, with the headquarters remaining in Park City, Utah. The press release announcing the acquisition detailed that Bose wanted to retain "Skullcandy’s design, understanding of its consumers, and authentic community connections," as it helped create new products and growth for the brand, providing "new ways for Bose to meaningfully connect with consumers where it has less presence today."

In other words, the success of the collaboration between the two brands seems to have offered Bose the opportunity to go more aggressively after the budget consumer market, a corner that Skullcandy has been firmly situated in for years. For comparison, Skullcandy's cheapest earbuds, a pair of wired earbuds, go for $14.99. Bose's cheapest earbuds, the new wired ANC buds, go for $99.99. Wireless- and ANC-wise, Skullcandy's buds start at $104.99 while Bose's most affordable pair clocks in at $179.99.

The path to acquisition tracks for Bose

The writing was on the wall with Bose acquiring Skullcandy, especially considering their latest Skullcandy collab, the Crusher 1080 headphones. Released just this past July, the press release called these headphones the "most advanced headphone in Skullcandy's history," powered with Sound by Bose, Bose QuietControl 6-mic adaptive noise cancellation, Bose TrueSpatial with head tracking, and the Bose WaveForm Audio Engine.

The president of Bose Audio Technology and Chief Strategy Officer Nick Smith said the collab was "an exciting example of how Bose innovation can reach more listeners through distinctive new products and experiences," which sounds like a line that could've easily fit in the acquisition press release.

This purchase of Skullcandy is Bose's third acquisition of the year, though the first of a consumer audio brand. On Oct. 1, Bose acquired Firelight Technologies, the maker of an interactive audio software program. Earlier this year, Bose bought StreamUnlimited Engineering GmbH, a connected audio platform.

Birdbuddy has launched two new smart bird feeders ahead of the holiday season, including the compact, budget-friendly Birdbuddy Nook (starting at only $99). The other is a next-generation flagship model, the Birdbuddy Home, which retails for $219 and replaces the Birdbuddy Pro.

Both feeders initially debuted at CES 2026 as the Birdbuddy 2 mini and Birdbuddy 2, respectively. As of Oct. 22, they're now widely available for purchase at various retailers.

Opens in a new window

Credit: Birdbuddy

Birdbuddy Nook

$99 at mybirdbuddy.com

 

Shop Now at mybirdbuddy.com

Opens in a new window

Credit: Birdbuddy

Birdbuddy Home

$219 at mybirdbuddy.com

 

Shop Now at mybirdbuddy.com

Birdbuddy sent me both models to try ahead of their release. Since it can take a while for wild birds to find new feeders, I enlisted the help of my pet parrot, Melon, to evaluate their upgraded cameras. (He also helped me test out Birdbuddy's AI-powered species identification feature, which you can read about here.) Here's what stood out to me as I unboxed them and set them up in the front yard of my Chicago apartment.

Birdbuddy Nook: A basic smart feeder for under $100

The Nook is a small, minimalist hopper feeder that's ideal for tight spaces like balconies and patios. Its modular design comes in a cute sage green finish.

The Birdbuddy Nook doesn't come with a solar roof by default. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Nook is much more affordable than the Birdbuddy Home, but it requires more maintenance. It can only fit about three and a half cups of birdseed, so it needs more frequent top-ups. And its $99 base model doesn't have solar charging capabilities; you'll have to monitor its battery life and bring it inside to sit on an outlet occasionally.

You'll get a solar roof attachment if you opt for the Birdbuddy Nook Solar ($159) or the Birdbuddy Nook Extended Edition ($199.99), which also includes a larger perch and a Birdbuddy Family Premium membership. You can buy the bigger perch à la carte for $34, but full disclosure: I could not for the life of me figure out how to install it without possibly stripping its screw holes.

Here's what comes in the Birdbuddy Nook Extended Edition. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Based on my initial testing, the Nook Solar is an essential upgrade for three reasons. First, I like not having to worry about charging my feeder. Second, I think the Nook looks a little cheap and unfinished without its roof — there are little gaps on the sides where it's meant to snap on. Thirdly, the USB-C port where its roof plugs into its battery is located right in the middle of its reservoir, and it's a pain to clean tiny seeds and dust out of it.

Birdbuddy Home: A bigger smart feeder with all the fixings

The Home is an all-in-one hopper feeder with two built-in solar panels, dual-band WiFi for a more reliable connection, and a taller reservoir that can fit around five and a half cups of seeds. A bright red-orange perch accents its slate blue finish.

There's a solar panel on either side of the Birdbuddy Home's roof. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Home has the same mic and camera as the Nook, but adds a built-in speaker. It chirps the first time you install the camera and verbally guides you through the app and WiFi pairing process.

Between the Nook Solar and the Home, I prefer the latter. It has a hatch in the back that makes seed refills easier, whereas you have to remove the entire top of the Nook to access its reservoir. Additionally, the Home has two solar panels on either side of its roof, so it's more likely to get ample sun exposure. The Nook's roof attachment only has a solar panel on one side.

Here's what the Birdbuddy Home looks like before it's assembled. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Home also comes in an Extended Edition ($249.99) with a bigger perch and a Family Premium membership.

Birdbuddy camera quality

Those two lines on either side of the lens tell you whether your new Birdbuddy's camera is positioned in landscape or portrait mode. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Both new Birdbuddies have an updated 2K HDR camera with a scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass casing. Here's how it compares to the shooters on older Birdbuddy feeders, which had an oblong design instead of a round one:

• It's faster at pairing with the Birdbuddy app (I can attest to this — it only takes a few seconds)

• It has a wider field of view (135 degrees versus 122 degrees)

• It works in landscape or portrait mode

• It "wakes up" faster once the feeders' motion detectors sense a bird

• There's no longer a delay on its livestream

Before I mounted the Home outside, I bribed my parrot Melon into stepping in front of its camera by putting a few peanuts in its tray — his favorite treat. A couple minutes later, the Birdbuddy app sent me a "postcard" with a 30-second video clip and six photos it took automatically during his visit.

Smile, you're on "Candid Camera." Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The clip Birdbuddy recorded had very clear audio and colorful, detailed picture quality, but its photos weren't all that great; one was a blurry close-up of Melon, and the five others were of his back. I took some more shots manually using the photo capture feature on the Home's live feed and they turned out much better.

Left: Photos taken by the Birdbuddy Home automatically. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Right: Photos taken with the photo capture feature on the Birdbuddy Home's livestream. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Birdbuddy app tells me that Cooper's hawks, red-breasted nuthatches, and white-throated sparrows have been spotted near me this week. Let's hope they're ready for their close-up.

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Birdbuddy claims the AI model powering its species identification feature can recognize about 11,000 different types of birds, or "nearly every bird species in the world." As I was setting up its two new smart feeders for testing, I wondered: Does that include Melon, my Alexandrine parakeet?

Does Birdbuddy know ball?

Melon, as seen on the camera of the new Birdbuddy Home in my office (his room). Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Not to sound like a total bird hipster, but you've probably never heard of Alexandrines, an older and lesser-known species of chatty green parrots native to southern and southeastern Asia. They're not available at chain pet stores and are very often confused with Indian ringneck parakeets, their much more popular relatives with smaller beaks, shorter tails, and no crimson wing patches. (There are a lot of ringnecks on TikTok — see Hamlet of "what doing???" fame.)

Needless to say, I figured Melon would give Birdbuddy's AI a real challenge.

The verdict

That red wing patch should be a dead giveaway to true parrot heads. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Disappointingly, but not fully unexpectedly, Birdbuddy guessed wrong. Right after I got Melon in view of the next-gen Birdbuddy Home, the Birdbuddy app sent me a notification saying that I was just visited by a "rose-ringed parakeet" — another name for an Indian ringneck. I submitted feedback within the app to let Birdbuddy know that its guess was close but ultimately incorrect.

The good news is that most people won't have exotic parrots visiting their house on a regular basis. I'm hoping Birdbuddy will have an easier time recognizing my native wild birds; the Home is currently mounted in the front yard of my Chicago apartment, if someone could kindly alert the area pigeons.

Left: Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Right: Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The new Birdbuddy Home ($219) and Birdbuddy Nook ($99) are now available for purchase.

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

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Birdbuddy Nook

$99 at mybirdbuddy.com

 

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Credit: Birdbuddy

Birdbuddy Home

$219 at mybirdbuddy.com

 

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Rising gas prices. The Iran War. AI's effects on the economy.

Across the United States, Americans are worried about a multitude of major challenges.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump said he called Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, one of the biggest tech companies on the planet, to discuss a pressing issue that's been on his mind: Changing the name of the Atlantic Ocean.

At a rally in South Carolina, Trump shared that after successfully getting Google Maps to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and Lake Ontario to Lake America, he tried to pressure the tech giant to do the same for the Atlantic Ocean.

“We have a lake and we have a gulf, now we need a river and we need an ocean," Trump said at the rally, as reported by the Washington Post.

Trump said that he “called Google Maps," which he described as "really great with the lake" regarding his prior requests. 

"They're still rattled from the Gulf," Trump said, adding that he called Pichai because he wanted to see if Google would be up to changing the name of the Atlantic Ocean too.

"Sundar, I'm thinking of the Atlantic Ocean," Trump claimed he said in the call.

However, it seems that renaming the Atlantic Ocean as the American Ocean was one step too far for Google, which has previously kowtowed to Trump's geographical demands. (Google's previous Google Maps changes only appear for U.S. visitors to the platform)

"No, no, no. This time, I’m not doing it," Pichai said, according to Trump's version of events. "Please don’t ask us to do that."

According to Trump, Pichai's reasoning was that "oceans are different" because they "cover a lot of countries."

After the call, Trump said he'd "probably pass" on renaming the Atlantic Ocean after his call with Google. The tech giant has yet to confirm the call with the president occurred. 

"I think let's keep it the Atlantic Ocean, right?" Trump told rallygoers, before turning his attention to the West Coast.

"Pacific Ocean," Trump added. "We're going to call it the American Ocean."

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The iPhone Duo doesn't officially come out until tomorrow, but on the Bloomberg "Power On" podcast, Apple oracle Mark Gurman is already reporting on the iPhone Duo 2 and the iPhone Duo 3.

Early reviews for the iPhone Duo are out now (Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder said in his Duo review that it's the "most interesting iPhone since the first one"), and some reviewers have complained about its reliance on Touch ID. Many iOS users have gotten used to Face ID in recent years, but the Duo uses a Touch ID fingerprint sensor instead.

But according to Gurman, Bloomberg's consumer technology managing editor, prototypes of the iPhone Duo 2 with an under-display FaceID sensor are already circulating inside Apple.

"I’m told there are iPhone Duo 2 prototypes at Apple already that have an under-display Face ID sensor and camera on the outside screen, so that is something we could see," Gurman said on his "Power On" podcast. "So, I would anticipate this Touch ID to Face ID thing is fixed by the first update or the second update, so in the next two to three years or so."

Gurman reports that Apple is experimenting with an under-display Face ID sensor and camera for the Duo, which would be placed on the outer display. He said this is one of "a few different features that Apple is already looking at for the iPhone Duo 2 and the iPhone Duo 3."

Gurman has an impeccable track record when it comes to Apple scoops, and it sounds like Apple is already working on fixes for some of the issues early reviewers experienced with the new foldable.

"Perhaps the biggest issue for me was the lack of Face ID, which was replaced by Touch ID on the side button," Schroeder wrote in Mashable's iPhone Duo review. "The Touch ID works well, but you do need to navigate your finger to it often, and having the phone simply recognize your face as it does on other iPhones would be easier."

The iPhone Duo is available for preorder now and is set to be released on Friday, Oct. 23.

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Your next Heated Rivalry rewatch could use a bigger screen. And an audience of people who are equally normal about Shane and Ilya.

Regal is bringing all six episodes of the hockey romance to theaters this November, with screenings running Nov. 6–30. The event will play at more than 650 theaters nationwide, including over 275 Regal locations, plus participating AMC, Cinemark, and other theaters, according to a press release.

That doesn't mean committing to the entire season in one sitting. Episodes will screen in pairs, with tickets priced at $9.99 per screening at Regal. Here's how the season breaks down:

• Episodes 1 and 2: "Rookies" and "Olympians"

• Episodes 3 and 4: "Hunter" and "Rose"

• Episodes 5 and 6: "I’ll Believe in Anything" and "The Cottage"

Yes, that means you can experience the cottage with a room full of fellow fans. Plan your emotional recovery accordingly.

The cottage on the big screen? Say less! Credit: Screenshot: Regal

Created by Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid's series of books, Heated Rivalry follows rival hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), whose relationship gets considerably more complicated than their competition on the ice. The theatrical run arrives nearly a year after the show's premiere, with Season 2 expected in 2027.

Fans didn’t just fall for Shane and Ilya — they showed up in the millions. Since premiering on Nov. 28, 2025, Heated Rivalry has turned its hockey romance into a streaming hit. By February, the series was averaging 13 million global viewers per episode, making it HBO Max's biggest first-run acquired scripted series, according to Warner Bros. Discovery. Its breakout stars have had a busy year, too: Storrie earned his first Emmy nomination for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series for hosting Saturday Night Live. The theatrical run arrives nearly a year after the show's debut, with Season 2 expected in 2027.

"When a series connects with audiences the way Heated Rivalry has, we look for ways to bring it to the big screen and give fans a reason to experience it together," Brooks LeBoeuf, Regal's senior vice president of U.S. content, said in the release.

The event joins a growing push to turn TV viewing into a night at the movies. Netflix brought the Stranger Things series finale to theaters on New Year's Eve, while Bravo held an advance screening of the Summer House Season 10 reunion at a New York AMC in May. And HBO Max also partnered with Alamo Drafthouse for early screenings of The Pitt’s Season 2 finale in April.

For Heated Rivalry fans who've already memorized the episodes, there's a little extra incentive to leave the couch. Regal screenings will include welcome content from the cast and directors, while participating locations will serve two themed cocktails: Summer in Montreal and Russians Don't Blush.

Advance tickets are available through Regal's website, its mobile app, and theater box offices and kiosks. Check your local listings for screening dates and episode pairs before booking.

The invitation to the cottage now comes with reserved seating.

You can stream Heated Rivalry on HBO Max.

Walmart's early Black Friday deals:

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Walmart isn't waiting around for late November, and its early Black Friday sale is already live with actual price cuts on tech, home gear, and big-ticket appliances.

To help you skip the fluff, we've sifted through the noise, checked price histories, and compared offer details against competitors like Amazon and Target. We've rounded up the early Walmart Black Friday deals that are actually worth your money, including big markdowns on Apple gear, Dyson vacuums, and OLED TVs.

Below are the best offers you can grab right now. Take a look below and score them before the stock runs out or prices creep back up.

Best Walmart Black Friday TV deal

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Credit: LG

LG 65" C6 Series 4K UHD OLED AI Smart TV

$1,399.99 at Walmart
$2,699.99 Save $1,300.00

 

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Why we like it

LG's C-Series is our top OLED pick for a reason, and the 65-inch C6 delivers near-zero blooming, vivid colors, and incredible dark-room contrast that turns movie nights into a theater experience. It's equally built for modern gaming, boasting a 165Hz refresh rate and a lightning-fast 0.1ms response time across four HDMI 2.1 ports. Scoring one of the best 65-inch displays on the market at a steep $1,300 discount makes this a standout early Black Friday grab.

More early Black Friday TV deals at Walmart

43 inches

• Samsung 43-Inch U8000H Series Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV — $198 $228 (save $30)

• LG 43-Inch UA7500ZUA 4K UHD Smart TV — $228 $258 (save $30)

50 to 55 inches

• TCL 55-Inch Q6LR Series QLED 4K Smart Roku TV — $298 $399.99 (save $101)

65 inches

• Samsung 65-Inch M70HB Series Mini LED 4K Smart TV — $428 $477.99 (save $49.99)

• TCL 65-Inch QM6K Series QD-Mini LED 4K Smart TV — $648 $799.99 (save $151.99)

75 inches

• TCL 75-Inch QM51L Series QD-Mini LED 4K Smart TV — $698 $899.99 (save $201.99)

• TCL 75-Inch QM7L Series SQD-Mini LED 4K Smart TV — $1,198 $1,298 (save $100)

85 inches and up

• TCL 85-Inch QM7L Series SQD-Mini LED 4K Smart TV — $1,498 $1,698 (save $200)

Best gaming deal

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G55C gaming monitor

$179 at Walmart
$249 Save $70

 

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Why we like it

A crisp QHD resolution (1440p) looks razor-sharp on a 27-inch display, giving you almost double the pixel density of standard 1080p without crushing your GPU's frame rates. Samsung’s Odyssey G55C pairs that visual clarity with a tight 1000R curve that comfortably wraps around your vision for deep immersion. Add in a fluid 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync to eliminate screen tearing, and it’s a high-performance gaming monitor built for smooth, competitive desktop setups.

More early Black Friday gaming deals at Walmart

• Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller, Carbon Black — $49.99 $64 (save $14.51)

• Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle — $511.88 $564.80 (save $52.92)

Best laptop deal

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Credit: Apple

Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Pro chip, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD)

$2,069.10 at Walmart
$2,199 Save $129.90

 

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Why we like it

The MacBook Pro with M5 Pro chip is the Apple laptop we recommend for creatives. It has excellent battery life, a keyboard we love to use, ports-a-plenty, and a premium haptic keypad. Senior Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel explained, "It's worth the splurge for artists, content creators, developers, AI enthusiasts, and other professionals with consistently demanding workloads. (It's also the best MacBook for gaming, relatively speaking.)"

Keep in mind this Walmart deal is from a third-party seller with good reviews. If you're only after 16GB memory, head to Amazon to get the MacBook Pro on sale for $1,837.

More Black Friday laptop deals at Walmart

• Acer Nitro V (Intel Core 5, 16GB RAM, 512 SSD) — $1,249 $1,399 (save $150)

• MSI Crosshair 16 HX (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512 SSD) — $1,249 $1,999 (save $750)

• Asus ROG Strix G16 (AMD Ryzen 9, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,399 $1,999 (save $400)

Best kitchen deal

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Credit: Ninja

Ninja Professional Plus DUO 72-ounce Blender (BN750)

$99 at Walmart
$129 Save $30

 

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Why we like it

Ninja makes some of Mashable's favorite kitchen appliances. If you could use a new blender before the holidays start, the Ninja Professional Plus Duo is on sale for just $99. The pitcher holds a generous 72 ounces for whipping up a smooth soup, smoothies, or a batch of frozen margaritas. The Ninja blender bundle also includes a single-serving cup for taking drinks on the go.

More Black Friday kitchen deals

• Keurig K-Express Essentials Plus — $67.95 $79 (save $11.05)

• Ninja Creami — $149 $169 (save $20)

• Ninja Slushi Frozen Drink Machine (72 oz) — $199 $299 (save $100)

Best robot vacuum deal

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Credit: Dreame

Dreame C30 Plus Robot Vacuum and Mop Cleaner

$239.98 at Walmart
$329.99 Save $90.01

 

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Why we like it

Without spending big dollars, equip your home with the convenience of a robot vacuum and mop before holiday guests arrive. The Dreame C30 Plus Robot Vacuum and Mop has 19,000 Pa suction power, and it self-empties debris into the charging dock. Plus, you can control the vacuum via the app and send the robot off on a cleaning mission while you run holiday prep errands.

More Black Friday vacuum deals at Walmart

• Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner — $74.62 $101.97 (save $27.35)

• ONSON 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum — $87.39 $178.88 (save $91.49)

• iRobot Roomba 1010 — $158 $198 (save $40)

• Tineco iFloor 5 — $184.99 $499.99 (save $315)

• Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead Canister Vacuum — $199.99 $379.99 (save $180)

• Roborock Q10 X5+ — $249.99 $499.99 (save $250)

• Roborock QV 35S 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum — $459.99 $749.99 (save $290)

• Tineco FloorWasher Switch Pet 7 — $499.99 $899.99 (save $400)

Best deal on toys and games

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Credit: Lego

Lego Disney Princesses Advent Calendar 2026

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Why we like it

This is the time of year to snag Advent calendars while they're 1) on sale and 2) still in stock. This Lego Disney Princess Advent Calendar set comes with tons of mini figures and toys Disney princess fans will love. All the favorites are included, like Cinderella, Mulan, Ariel, and even Moana.

Best smartwatch deal

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Credit: Apple

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

$379 at Walmart
$429 Save $50

 

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Why we like it

The Apple Watch Series 11 is Mashable's top pick for an Apple fitness tracker. Its improved battery life, exceptional comfort, and scratch-resistant face all make it a worthwhile buy if you're in the Apple ecosystem.

The ending of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 might be even more ambiguous than its predecessor. And according to writer and showrunner Bartosz Sztybor, that's exactly what the creative team intended.

"We had a lot of conversation. There were a lot of endings," Sztybor told Mashable about the nearly two years spent developing the season. Ultimately, they arrived at a conclusion he described as "very ambiguous, even more ambiguous than the ending in the first season. But also somehow hopeful."

That ambiguity is especially apparent in D's final moments. After spending years pursuing revenge for the destruction of his clan, the Nomad rides off with Capri, a chip containing digitized human consciousnesses, toward an orbital space station, seemingly sacrificing himself to keep her out of Arasaka's hands.

But does he actually die? And why does his ending feel so hopeful?

Major spoilers for the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 finale follow.

What really happens to D and Capri at the end of Edgerunners 2?

D has spent years hunting the people responsible for killing his clan, only to discover that they're already dead. Worse, he learns that his clan was targeted because of him. His unusual tolerance for cyberware made him a potential host for Capri, part of an Arasaka experiment that also identified David Martinez and Talia as possible candidates.

Suddenly, the revenge that has defined D's entire existence is impossible. "I think we started with this idea that what would happen [if] your whole personality is based on that revenge thing," Sztybor explained. "And suddenly you see that, oh shit, I didn't fulfill my journey. So, what now?"

Omi, the only surviving member of D's clan, puts it more simply: "You should have followed your own path. You should have lived your own life, David."

D has spent so long living for revenge that he's forgotten how to live for himself. But his relationship with Capri changes something. Despite existing as digitized human consciousnesses stored on a chip, Capri is curious, playful, and eager to experience the world. She also has little patience for D's obsession.

"Why is everyone so obsessed with getting revenge anyway? Is getting revenge, like, fun?" she asks while controlling Talia's body.

The surprisingly simple question cuts to the heart of D's story. Revenge has given him a reason to keep going, but it hasn't made him happy.

After years spent seeking revenge for his fallen clan, D finds an unexpected sense of freedom in his relationship with Capri. Credit: Netflix

Capri, on the other hand, does. For the first time in years, D seems to be having fun. His time with her offers a reprieve from the nightmares that have haunted him since his clan's destruction, and there's something almost intoxicating about that relief. Their relationship can even be read through the lens of addiction, with its initial rush of euphoria and the danger of becoming consumed by the thing that makes you feel good. In Capri, D seems to rediscover a part of himself that existed before his life became defined by trauma.

It's not hard to understand why he'd become so attached to her. His revenge has reached a dead end, and his actions have left him with few options in Night City. But with Capri, he gets to experience something he thought he'd lost. And in keeping her out of Arasaka's hands, he offers Capri a chance at freedom, too.

Their final rampage is violent, reckless, and, in its own twisted way, almost joyful. D isn't suddenly a hero, and his decision to take Capri toward the orbital space station may ultimately cost him his life. The series leaves their fate uncertain — and it's incredibly possible that D and Capri are somewhere in the Net — but there's something liberating about those final moments. For once, he's no longer acting out of anger toward the people who destroyed his past. He's doing something because he wants to.

And in his final recording for Roman, D smiles. It's the very expression Roman has spent the season trying to capture on camera. After everything D has endured, that small moment of happiness feels like its own kind of resolution.

Talia's fate raises questions about what it means to truly live.

Talia's story explores a different side of that same idea. Born with a terminal illness, the teenager has spent much of her life having her failing body parts replaced with cyberware, all in an effort to prolong her life. But those decisions were made by her parents, not Talia herself. And throughout the season, she tries to escape their control, adding even more chrome to her body in an attempt to reclaim the autonomy she's never really had.

It's what makes cyberpunk fiction feel so relevant. Beneath all the futuristic technology is a very real conversation about medical intervention, bodily autonomy, and the difference between keeping someone alive and allowing them to actually live.

When her mother seeks a treatment that would remove the cyberware from her body to extend the time she has left, Talia protests, "I wanted to die beautiful."

With her time running out, Talia fights to reclaim control over her own body and decide how she wants to live. Credit: Netflix

And that's what makes her friendship with Roman so meaningful. With him, Talia gets to experience something resembling an ordinary teenage life. She makes a friend closer to her own age. They go to the movies. It's such a mundane thing to do, especially in Night City, where so much of life is defined by violence and survival. But for Talia, those moments are precious because they're hers.

In the finale, Talia tells Roman that seeing herself through his camera made her feel beautiful. "You are beautiful," he replies.

It's a small exchange, but it brings her story full circle. After spending so much of her life having other people decide what her body should look like and how long she should live, Talia finally gets to see herself through the eyes of someone who appreciates her exactly as she is.

Her condition is irreversible. But when she leaves with Weak, she's finally making a choice about how she wants to spend whatever time she has left.

Weak finds a new purpose in protecting Talia.

Weak has spent much of the season trying to protect Talia after her mother tells him that he's her biological father. But Talia's father later claims that story was a manipulation, leaving the truth uncertain.

By the finale, however, their biological relationship matters less than the one they've formed.

Once a legendary edgerunner known as King, Weak finds a new purpose in protecting Talia, regardless of whether they're biologically related. Credit: Netflix

Once a legendary edgerunner known as King, Weak has spent years living in the shadow of his former glory. His relationship with Talia gives him something meaningful to care about beyond his own reputation.

And despite knowing that he can't save her, he chooses to stay. "Come on, let's live!" he tells Talia as they drive away. Weak can't promise her a cure or a long future. But he can give her the freedom to spend the rest of her life on her own terms. And in choosing to be there for her, he finds something worth living for, too.

Roman's final moments reveal why the ending is so hopeful.

Before leaving with Weak, Talia shares a tearful goodbye with Roman, the young aspiring filmmaker whose analog camera has documented much of the season's events. Along the way, he's captured something more personal, too: the lives of a group of misfits whose stories might otherwise have been lost to Night City.

"Roman, we'll see each other again. I know it," she tells him. "For now, you just keep that camera rolling, and you can come show me what you've made. Scroll something so great, it will make all this stuff feel small."

Her words echo D's own farewell to Roman: "This is the high point of my story, not yours. You still have a lot ahead of you."

Both characters, whose futures have become so uncertain, encourage Roman to imagine something bigger for himself.

Armed with an analog camera, aspiring filmmaker Roman captures the lives of Night City's misfits and gives them something to be remembered by. Credit: Netflix

Sztybor described Roman as "the only perfectly innocent character" in the violent world of Night City. While the first Edgerunners was, in his words, "a story about the end of innocence," Roman's presence helped the creative team arrive at a more hopeful conclusion for the second season. Roman's love of filmmaking became central to that decision. Roman has witnessed terrible things, but those experiences haven't extinguished his desire to create.

After Talia and Weak drive away, he looks at his camera, smiles, and takes off running with an exuberant yell.

The series then closes on a flickering space station in the sky, an image evoking D and Capri's final journey without confirming their fate.

That's the beauty of Edgerunners 2's ambiguous ending. We don't know whether D and Capri survive, how much time Talia has left, or what Roman will eventually create. But the finale isn't really about promising these characters a happy ending. It's about giving them the freedom to decide what to do with their lives. Because even in Night City, where so much of your life is decided for you, there's still something powerful about getting to choose how your story unfolds.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 is streaming on Netflix now.

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Updated on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 12:25 p.m. ET — The PHP security issues known as PHP2Shell sent the cybersecurity world into a frenzy yesterday, and now we have some data on the fallout.

VirusTotal, a cybersecurity tool owned by Google, reported that there are about 5.1 million IP addresses running PHP, showing just how widespread the vulnerability is.

Cogent Security, an agentic AI cybersecurity company, released data on how the issue affected big companies. Cogent reported that the average Fortune 500 company had 2,266 affected assets, with an average of 16 assets demanding immediate action. As of 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Cogent reported that less than 1 percent of affected assets had been patched.

Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince reported a surge in attempts to exploit PHP2Shell across the company’s network: thousands in the 10 hours before the public announcement, tens of thousands within 45 minutes afterward, and hundreds of thousands within two hours. By the time of his post, the count had reached millions.

PHP2Shell caused outages across the web, including at Wikipedia, and many government, gaming, and business websites required emergency maintenance. By Thursday morning, most services had been restored.

The PHP Foundation, the non-profit team behind the PHP coding language, released emergency security updates on Wednesday to fix two critical vulnerabilities, a day after details about the flaws leaked online.

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the Prime Minister of Japan, and the U.S. National Security Agency all urged organizations to install the fixes immediately.

The newly exposed PHP vulnerability led to a number of outages on Wednesday, as webmasters around the world scrambled to update their websites.

What is PHP?

PHP is a programming language that runs on web servers. When you load a webpage, PHP often runs behind the scenes, retrieving data from databases and building the page before it reaches your browser. BleepingComputer notes that it powers many websites, including content management systems, online stores, and custom web services. According to the NCSC, PHP is also built into a range of other products.

The NCSC says the two flaws, tracked as CVE-2026-109618 and CVE-2026-109619, could allow an attacker to run their own commands on a PHP-based server without logging in. This is called remote code execution, and it’s one of the most serious kinds of security bugs.

According to the NCSC, an attacker could overload PHP’s memory to corrupt it, then, under certain conditions, use that corruption to take control of the server. One of the flaws involves how PHP processes form submissions and file uploads.

PHP rated each flaw 9.2 out of 10 on CVSS, the industry’s standard severity scale. Security firm watchTowr described them as a perfect 10, BleepingComputer reported, and so did an anonymous Hacker News post that has since been deleted. Researchers have started calling the bugs "PHP2SHELL."

The fixes were originally planned for a coordinated release later this week, so companies would have time to prepare. Then, information about the flaws leaked early. Speaking to BleepingComputer, watchTowr CEO Benjamin Harris said the vulnerabilities are "indeed real" and affect PHP versions 5 through 8. The firm said it had reproduced one of them.

PHP moved its release up to 10 a.m. ET Wednesday. As of Tuesday, watchTowr said it hadn’t seen anyone exploiting the flaws. By Wednesday, Cloudflare CTO Dane Knecht said on X that the company was seeing early attacks, according to BleepingComputer.

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The NCSC says organizations running PHP 5 or later are affected and should update to the latest fixed version. Anyone still using an older, unsupported version should move to a supported one.

Wikipedia and government websites impacted by PHP vulnerability

Wikipedia went down for a time on Wednesday, and the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that runs the site, confirmed to Mashable that the outage was tied to the PHP vulnerabilities.

In a statement to Mashable through email, the foundation said it is working to address the flaws in PHP, which it described as the programming language behind most wikis, including its own projects. "This issue affects all known versions of PHP, and is not specific to the Wikimedia Foundation," the statement said.

The foundation added that all of its PHP-based systems are affected, along with volunteer-run systems that use PHP. It has also taken several other systems offline as a precaution until they can be safely patched. Wikipedia was back up as of this writing.

Who else is affected, and what should you do?

If you only browse the web, there’s nothing for you to install. The fix is up to the people who run websites.

If you run a website, blog, or online store, check whether it uses PHP and make sure it’s up to date. If a hosting company manages your site, contact them to confirm they’ve applied the patch.

For organizations, the NCSC recommends:

• Finding every system that runs PHP, starting with the ones reachable from the internet.

• Watching for updates from vendors whose products include PHP.

• Taking systems offline if they can’t be fixed quickly.

• Checking any system that couldn’t be updated right away for signs of a break-in.

Cloudflare has added emergency firewall rules designed to block suspicious requests linked to the flaws. The rules are available to all its customers, including those on free plans.

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Do you play video games like Street Fighter, Resident Evil, or Monster Hunter online? If so, you probably have a Capcom ID — and you should know that there has been a major data breach that has affected millions of accounts.

Capcom, the developer of the aforementioned titles, posted a notice on Thursday informing users of a major data breach affecting more than 11 million accounts.

"Capcom Co., Ltd. has determined that certain customer information associated with CAPCOM ID, an online membership account service operated by the company, was subject to unauthorized access by a third party," the company said in a statement. "Capcom sincerely apologizes for the complications and concern this has caused its customers and other stakeholders."

Data breaches are seemingly becoming a regular occurrence, which may result in some becoming desensitized to this news. However, the specific information Capcom has shared should be concerning to those with a Capcom ID, as the company has confirmed that some accounts have experienced unauthorized changes due to the breach.

According to Capcom, the company first noticed suspicious activity on Capcom IDs on Oct. 19, then began blocking access and opened an investigation. Capcom's investigation found that approximately 11,774,247 accounts were impacted in a data breach. The account information exposed to the unauthorized party includes email address records, the date and time an account was created, the total number of logins, the date and time of the last login, and the IP address used for that last login.

Of those more than 11.7 million accounts, 43 had their date of birth, gender, country/region, and nickname affected, and 196 had unauthorized changes to their Capcom ID login password.

Capcom says it has already reset the passwords associated with those 196 accounts. 

One positive piece of news is that Capcom says it has yet to find any evidence that the passwords originally set by its users were leaked in the data breach. In addition, Capcom shared that it does not appear that its games were affected in the data breach.

While Capcom continues its investigation, it is warning its users to be wary of phishing emails that weaponize data leaked in the breach.

"If you receive any suspicious email or message, please exercise caution and refrain from accessing any URLs contained therein or opening any attached files," Capcom said in its breach notice.

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You probably know where the coffee shops and gas stations are in your neighborhood. But the cameras logging your license plate as you drive past? Those can be a little harder to keep track of.

Proton, the Swiss privacy company behind Proton Mail and Proton VPN, is helping make them easier to find by hosting a free map of Flock surveillance devices on its servers (you can explore the map on Proton's website). Flock tried to get the researcher behind the original project to take it down, according to The Intercept.

If you need a refresher on Flock, the company makes automated license plate readers used by police departments, businesses, schools, and homeowners associations. The cameras photograph passing vehicles whether or not their drivers are suspected of anything. Flock devices can record license plates, times, and locations, plus identifying details such as a vehicle’s make, model, color, and bumper stickers. According to Flock, its cameras log more than 20 billion vehicle sightings each month across 49 states.

Those records then go into Flock's cloud, where police can search them and share them with other agencies across city and state lines. You don’t have to be pulled over for your car to become part of a searchable record of where you’ve been — and that access has been abused. A Washington Post investigation found at least 50 officers accused or charged with misusing license plate readers, often to track people in their personal lives. (Flock's system was involved in 46 of those cases.)

On Proton's map, you can enter your ZIP code to see devices in your area, or zoom and pan around the country. Note that the data is a snapshot from December 2025, though. Cameras installed or removed since then won’t be reflected.

"You have a right to know who's recording you when you leave home"

This isn't the first effort to put surveillance cameras on the map (literally). As Mashable previously reported, DeFlock Maps lets people look up license plate readers in their neighborhoods, including devices from Flock, Motorola Solutions, and other manufacturers. Volunteers report cameras they spot and add their locations to OpenStreetMap, the open-source mapping project.

MapQuest also added a "Surveillance Layer" to its app this month, letting users see known license plate reader locations, including Flock cameras. Turn it on under Map Options, and camera markers appear alongside the roads you’re traveling.

The difference here from other crowdsourced projects is that the locations come from Flock's own systems, according to the map's creator.

Security researcher Joshua Michael discovered in November 2025 that Flock's servers were exposing an access token anyone could obtain without logging in. He used it to retrieve an inventory of device locations, reported the issue to Flock, and published his findings and a map in December. That inventory included more than 170,000 cameras and over 130,000 other Flock devices.

Proton has questioned Flock's leadership directly about how its technology is used. In an interview published in August, CEO Garrett Langley said, "Any level of abuse greater than zero is unacceptable and makes me sick," pointing to audit logs and an optional tool designed to detect potentially abusive activity. But he declined to say how many police department contracts Flock had suspended or terminated over abuse. "I don’t think you should hold the entire city accountable for just the bad decisions of a few," he said.

When it came to Michael's research, Flock's response included legal threats, The Intercept reported. The company fixed the exposed-token flaw, while also publicly maintaining that it had never been hacked and that no Flock information had leaked. On his website, Michael says Flock also sent him a cease-and-desist letter (which he published) threatening litigation and told customers it had notified law enforcement, describing him as a "malicious actor."

Michael says that customer email acknowledged Flock had found no indication of unauthorized access when it closed the issue in December. He argues that this illustrates the very concern behind his research: that information could be taken without the company detecting it.

"I’m not backing down," he recently wrote on Instagram.

In September, brand-protection company Doppel also filed a trademark complaint on Flock's behalf. It argued that Michael's website could confuse customers or harm the company, even citing the disclaimer saying it wasn't affiliated with or endorsed by Flock — though Flock had not disputed the map's accuracy, as CyberNews reported.

Proton rejected the trademark argument and published a copy of the map on its Swiss servers in order to keep it available.

"This is an attempt to suppress information, not to prevent consumer confusion," Proton head of legal Marc Løebekken said.

For residents, that means another way to find out what's watching their streets — and a starting point for questions to local officials. As Proton puts it on the map's website: "You have a right to know who's recording you when you leave home."

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Electronic music purists and brick builders, this one is for you: Daft Punk is officially entering the Lego game.

Following a cryptic teaser that interrupted the duo's WDPK 83.7 stream on Oct. 21, Lego has now confirmed a multi-year partnership with the legendary artists. The shining star of the announcement? Lego has officially greenlit a retail set based on Daft Punk’s 2007 Alive pyramid stage, complete with custom minifigures of Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo behind a mixing console made out of bricks.

The approved concept recreates the glowing pyramid from the 2007 world tour — arguably the most influential live stage production in EDM history. Alongside this exciting stage build, the official launch film features the helmeted robots and a giant holographic red brick, confirming that official Daft Punk minifigures are finally hitting shelves.

Here's the catch: the pyramid stage build from Daft Punk’s 2007 Alive tour will not be available to buy for some time. Lego confirmed that while the partnership is official today, final product launches and retail availability are slated for 2027.

The original fan submission relied on intricate translucent bricks and custom lighting rigs. Whether Lego retains the full LED light-brick integration remains to be seen. If Lego does somehow pull off the illuminated stage lighting and chrome-finished helmets, this will easily be one of the fastest sellouts in Lego Ideas history.

This fan idea will now advance into the next stage to officially become a Lego set. Credit: Lego

Julia Goldin, Chief Product and Marketing Officer at the Lego Group said, "What makes this partnership so special is the enduring appeal both brands share. Like the LEGO brand, Daft Punk inspires generations through creativity, innovation, and a deep connection with fans. We’re excited to build on these foundations to reimagine the Daft Punk legacy in a fresh and unexpected way, creating something unique that resonates with fans across all ages. This is just the beginning of a bigger journey — a creative collab made for fans ready to lose themselves to play.”

Earlier this month, some Apple Music fans had a negative response to their first look at the app's new logo. After an explanation from Apple, it seems like people are becoming more OK with it.

Apple put out a short YouTube video (via MacRumors) detailing the upcoming Apple Music redesign, which is coming with iOS 27.2. The new app logo is black and white with a hint of Liquid Glass, eschewing the red color scheme Apple Music had before. In the video, Apple detailed how the app's new visuals were "made by sound," or in other words, Apple played sound through a container in which liquid vibrated at the frequency of the music, thus inspiring the new app logo.

Apple worked with music producer Fred Again and NEST Acoustics on the redesign.

When reports of the new logo started coming out earlier in October, some fans on social media were unhappy. If you search "Apple Music" on X now, though, it seems like some folks are warming up to it a bit, especially after Apple's explanation.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

We'll see if this warm reception holds once the update is out for everyone later this month.

Chipotle’s most reliable annual food hack is back.

On Oct. 31, Chipotle is reviving its iconic Boorito promotion. Starting at 3 p.m. local time through closing, Chipotle Rewards members who show up at participating restaurants dressed in a Halloween costume can grab any regular entrée — burrito, bowl, salad, or order of tacos — for just $6. A scarily good deal.

To claim this limited-time promo, you need to follow these straightforward steps:

1. Wear a costume and head to your local Chipotle after 3 p.m. on Halloween

2. Open the free Chipotle app and have your digital Rewards member card scanned at the cash register before paying

3. Score a $6 entrée

"We love that Chipotle has become part of so many fans' Halloween traditions," said Stephanie Perdue, Senior Vice President, Brand Marketing. "The passion around Boorito inspires us to find new ways to celebrate and surprise our fans year after year."

What's important to note here is that this is strictly an in-restaurant promo. You cannot order ahead for mobile pickup via the app to bypass the dinner rush, and third-party delivery apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats won't honor the $6 price tag. The offer is also capped at one discounted entrée per costumed guest.

When you think of Black Friday, there's a good chance your mind goes to waiting in long lines to grab doorbuster deals at your local Walmart store. While the shopping event has drastically transformed over the last decade, one thing still rings true in 2026: Walmart has one of the most anticipated Black Friday sales of the season.

Walmart is still where you go if you want to shop Black Friday deals in person and avoid shipping altogether. But the retailer also hosts a pretty epic online savings event each year. You'll find deals and discounts across practically every department in the lead-up to the holidays, with things coming to a head on Black Friday proper.

To help you get the details straight and gear up to shop at Walmart on Black Friday 2026, here's everything you need to know, including when stores open, what will be on sale, and how to get early access.

When exactly is Walmart's Black Friday sale?

Black Friday officially takes place on Friday, Nov. 27 in 2026. However, most retailers will kick off their Black Friday sales before that. While Walmart hasn't officially announced its Black Friday plans, we can make an educated guess based on its 2025 savings event.

Last year, Walmart ran a multi-part sale for Black Friday with this schedule:

• Walmart Black Friday deals sneak peek: Nov. 14 to 16

• Walmart Black Friday event: Nov. 25 to 30 (online only from Nov. 25 to 27)

• Walmart Cyber Monday sale: Dec. 1 (online only)

Stay tuned for the latest details of Walmart's Black Friday sale. If the retailer follows a similar schedule for 2026, we expect the sale to run from Nov. 24 through 29. On Nov. 30, Walmart will run a Cyber Monday sale that takes place exclusively online.

Walmart Black Friday early access

Last year, Walmart+ members got five hours of early access to both Walmart's Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales before the events kicked off for the public. It's highly likely that members will get some sort of exclusive early access and benefits for the 2026 Black Friday event as well, although we don't have exact details yet.

A Walmart+ membership costs $98 per year or $12.95 per month for its base plan. You can also bundle it with Sam's Club Plus for $120 per year. A membership comes with tons of free perks, including free delivery, free next-day shipping, free access to either Paramount+ or Peacock, pharmacy delivery, gas savings, and more. You can kick off a 30-day trial for just $1.

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Credit: Walmart

Walmart+ Membership

30-day trial for $1

Get Deal at Walmart

What time do Walmart stores open on Black Friday?

Since Walmart's Black Friday sale takes place both in-store and online, its stores will be open, too. Last year, Walmart stores opened at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday. We expect stores to open at the same time this year, on Nov. 27. There may be exceptions to those hours, so it's best to check Walmart's store locator for the exact opening hours at your local store. Walmart stores are closed on Thanksgiving Day.

What will be on sale at Walmart for Black Friday?

In short: practically everything. Walmart is best known for its doorbuster deals on budget TVs, popular toys, gaming consoles, and small appliances. We expect those categories to be its strong suits once again, but there will be plenty of other categories worth shopping as well.

Last year, we saw pretty wild deals on the Oura Ring 4 and PS5 Disc Console, as well as $69 AirPods, an older generation MacBook Air for only $549, and a 75-inch Hisense QLED TV for only $378. Follow along with Mashable's Black Friday coverage for all the best deal drops from Walmart (and beyond).

We also saw Walmart+ memberships for 50% off during last Black Friday season, a deal we're hoping the retailer revives for 2026.

Best early Black Friday deals at Walmart

While Walmart isn't officially labeling anything as an early Black Friday deal yet, we've found a few noteworthy discounts well ahead of the sale. Here's a glimpse at a few of our favorite early deals so far.

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Credit: LG

LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV

$1,399.99 at Walmart
$2,699.99 Save $1,300.00

 

Get Deal at Walmart

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Credit: onn.

onn. 32-inch 720p HD TV

$68 at Walmart
$88 Save $20

 

Get Deal at Walmart

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Credit: Dyson

Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Vacuum

$649.99 at Walmart
$849.99 Save $200

 

Get Deal at Walmart

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Credit: Dreame

Dreame C30 Plus robot vacuum and mop combo

$239.98 at Walmart
$329.99 Save $90.01

 

Get Deal at Walmart

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G55C Curved Gaming Monitor

$179
$249 Save $70

 

Get Deal

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Credit: Apple

Apple AirPods 4

$99 at Walmart
$129.99 Save $30.99

 

Get Deal at Walmart

Why would anyone want a foldable phone? That's easy: You want a pocketable phone that still has a display large enough to truly enjoy books, magazines, games, and perhaps do some work without squinting.

With the iPhone Duo (read our review here), Apple did an amazing job with the user interface, as well as optimizing its own apps to look great on the Duo. But it's up to third-party developers to bring their apps up to speed and create versions that play nice with the Duo's dual displays and all that screen estate on the inner display.

The news here is mixed: Many apps, even some very popular ones (we're looking at you, Google), still haven't been redesigned to look great on the Duo. But among those that have, there are a couple that really stand out in terms of design and creativity. Here's our list of the best iPhone Duo apps so far.

Two notes: I've skipped Apple's own apps. They look universally great, but it's to be expected, and everyone who gets the Duo gets all of them anyway. Second, some of my experience comes from beta versions of these apps that were shared with me in advance for the purpose of testing; your experience on finalized apps might be slightly different (hopefully even better).

Netflix

Netflix went all in iPhone Duo, and we're here for it. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

One of the first apps to receive a complete Duo overhaul, Netflix is the one you'll show to friends on your new foldable iPhone. Not only does the larger inner display show a ton of content, but the app does different tricks depending on how you fold and position your iPhone Duo. Not all of it will be useful, but ultimately, video streaming apps are perfect companions for the Duo, and we're glad to see Netflix looking ahead here.

Edits

Video editing on a phone can be hard. On the Duo, if you're using Edits, it's a little easier. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Instagram's video editing app was one of the first to get thoroughly optimized for the Duo, and it's the type of app that really takes advantage of the extra screen space. Video editing can quickly get complex, and handling a video project's minutiae on a tiny phone display simply isn't as good as doing it on the Duo's large inner screen.

As a side note, Instagram, too, has been revamped for the Duo, but given its native vertical bias, it looks a bit odd when you hold the Duo horizontally. It's not bad, but I think Instagram's designers will probably do some more tinkering to really make use of the extra screen real estate on the Duo.

RainViewer

I could stare at this precipitation chart all day. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Weather app makers took the Duo seriously. I've gotten numerous pitches from several app makers that have updated their apps to play nice with the Duo. The one that looked nicest to my eyes was RainViewer, whose updated iOS app is currently under review by Apple. The app offers an incredibly clean, beautiful weather map focusing on incoming precipitation.

Other weather apps that have updated their apps for the Duo include Carrot Weather and Mercury Weather.

Deck-man

Just like the olden days. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

The Deck-man mimics a walkman on the Duo. Yes, an actual, analog walkman, with cassette tapes that you virtually drag from a catalog on the left to the player on the right. The visual trick that Deck-man does is that the playback doesn't start until you've folded the iPhone Duo, as if you were closing an actual Walkman. This is way too annoying to actually use as a serious music player, but it's a nice novelty idea that you just cannot have on a normal, candybar phone. Your friends that were born in the 80s or earlier will probably be delighted with this one. Anyone younger will probably give you a puzzled stare.

Headspace

Cute, simple, effective. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

This meditation app is an example of how you can create a very effective, Duo-friendly app with simple graphics and smart design choices. When I opened the app on the Duo for the first time, the smiling sun logo rising across the Duo's entire display brought a smile to my face.

Finalist

This is where the matte display of the iPhone Duo really fits the task perfectly. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Finalist is a beautiful daily planner/journal combo which has been thoroughly optimized for the Duo and looks absolutely beautiful in all orientations. This is where the fact that the Duo's inner display is matte really shines; spread out the phone on your desk with Finalist on, and it'll look like a wonderfully themed notebook holding all your tasks and meetings.

MD Vinyl

Do I need this? No. But do I want it? Hell yeah. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Sorry to include two retro music apps, but both Deck-man and MD Vinyl are perfect for showcasing what the Duo can do. Instead of cassette tapes, in MD Vinyl your music turns into records. To start playback, you need to actually move the needle onto the record, which will bring a true vinyl fan to tears (and make them subscribe to this app, which, frankly, is far from necessary to enjoy music). Yeah, it all works and looks nice on the regular iPhone, but the Duo's large display was made for apps like this, and the experience is just so much better there.

Bonus: Any app in side-by-side mode

This will never stop being cool. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

The iPhone Duo has a special side-by-side mode which allows you to have two apps opened next to each other in landscape mode, and it immediately makes even the most pedestrian apps so much better. On a video call with someone and need to check out the weather? Pull up the Weather app next to your video call, and you'll feel like a multitasking machine, handing out weather reports like a pro. Numerous apps like email and calendar work so well together that you can even opt to glue them together persistently.

Apple iPhone Duo

Save $1,000 at T-Mobile

 

Preorder at T-Mobile Preorder at Apple.com Preorder at Verizon

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At Spotify's New York City office, LE SSERAFIM's HUH YUNJIN and podcaster Emily Fan are comparing notes on what it means to be a creator in 2026. One is a K-pop star accustomed to sold-out concerts, choreographed performances, and a devoted global fandom. The other has spent more than a decade building an audience around her personality, turning her humor and observations about internet culture and everyday life into videos that keep people coming back for more.

But the two have something else in common: They're fans of each other.

YUNJIN has been subscribed to Fan's channel for years, while Fan is a proud FEARNOT, the name of LE SSERAFIM's fandom. In fact, their episode of Spotify's Show Notes opens with YUNJIN attempting to give Fan's community an official fandom name. Her suggestion? FanFan. (They're still workshopping it.)

HUH YUNJIN and Emily Fan discuss podcasting, creative expression, and what it means to build a fandom in 2026. Credit: Courtesy of Spotify

The playful moment captures the spirit of their conversation, which you can watch in full below. For all the differences between the highly produced world of K-pop and the personality-driven world of internet creators, YUNJIN and Fan have a lot to learn from each other, particularly when it comes to building and maintaining a fandom.

Mashable was invited behind the scenes of the Show Notes recording, which centered on YUNJIN's recent move into podcasting with HMM (Huh's Memo), a personal podcast on STAN:A, HYBE's artist-led podcast channel on Spotify. Unlike a traditional interview show, HMM finds YUNJIN reflecting on her thoughts and experiences in familiar spaces, like recording studios and rehearsal rooms. Fan is no stranger to the format herself, hosting her own podcast, Much to Discuss...!

Of course, K-pop idols already share an enormous amount of their lives with fans. Between livestreams, social media, dedicated fan platforms, and vlogs, the industry has built an entire ecosystem around keeping artists and their audiences connected. But podcasting offers another way to deepen that relationship, giving artists like YUNJIN room to slow down, reflect, and explore their thoughts at greater length.

For YUNJIN, the idea grew out of touring, when she found herself wanting more time to speak to fans directly during the traditional "ending ments" that close K-pop concerts. That desire to connect through conversation is familiar territory for Fan, who has built an audience of more than 1.5 million YouTube subscribers and parlayed that support into new creative opportunities, including writing, directing, and starring in her first short film, Bad Company.

And as both women explained, building a fandom isn't simply about creating something people want to watch or listen to. It's about giving them a reason to care about the person behind it.

Following the Show Notes taping, Mashable sat down with YUNJIN and Fan to talk about podcasting, creative freedom, the surprising moments that resonate with fans, and what separates an audience from a fandom.

The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

When you're making something, are you thinking about what fans want to hear from you, or do you start with what you want to say and trust that they'll connect with it?

HUH YUNJIN: I think fans feel when something is authentic or not. When you're really in tune with what you truly want to talk about or express, the support and appreciation for it will follow eventually, even if it's not right away. I don't think it's in service to anybody if you're chasing something that's so immediate.

Emily Fan: I really feel the same. When you're catering too much of yourself to external factors, that's only going to end up biting you in the butt in the long term. Being able to express what you authentically want to express and then trusting that the audience will follow is the more beneficial route to go. If you start making stuff for the sake of following what's mainstream or what you think other people are going to like, you're going to cultivate an audience who maybe wouldn't actually be interested in the things you want to say.

From K-pop to internet comedy, HUH YUNJIN and Emily Fan have more in common than you might think. Credit: Courtesy of Spotify

YUNJIN, there's an intimacy to podcasting that's different from posting on social media or going live. What kind of relationship with fans are you hoping to create through HMM?

YUNJIN: I knew that I wanted to do something like this for a very long time, but I think when it really settled in that this was something I wanted to pursue was during the tour.

It's part of K-pop concert culture to do ending ments at the end of a show, where each member goes through and says how they felt about the day and shows appreciation to the fans. Every time I did something like that, I felt like I had so much that I wanted to say and express.

Through performing and through music, I can really connect with fans, but just talking and telling them how I feel through conversation is another factor. That's one of my main goals of podcasting.

Emily, you're a K-pop fan yourself. What do you think creators can learn from the way K-pop artists build and maintain their fandoms?

Fan: I think what K-pop does really well is interaction. When I think about things like Bubble or Weverse, even livestreaming, there's a pretty direct line to the fans, aside from the physical barrier of a phone. That's something that really cultivates a connection, and I think that's one of the points of the K-pop industry that makes for such a strong foundation of fandom.

Creators can take away things like the ability to respond to comments. Something I really like doing is, at the end of my videos, I've been making it a tradition to say, "Thanks for watching, and today I hope you guys get to bounce on a trampoline," or little things like that. It's that call-and-response sort of thing that's helpful in maintaining a relationship with the audience.

And YUNJIN, what do you think K-pop artists can learn from internet creators?

YUNJIN: I respect content creators so much because they're so authentic to what they want to create. There are so many mediums, whether it's sketches or commentary videos, or people writing on Substack. I think we can really learn from the creative mediums and the diversity of what you can make yourself. The authenticity of everything is something I really respect.

Behind the scenes of Spotify's Show Notes, where HUH YUNJIN and Emily Fan compared notes on creativity and community. Credit: Courtesy of Spotify

Have either of you been surprised by something that resonated with your fans?

Fan: I do some gaming content, and I hesitate to even call it gaming. It's literally me on the computer being like, "What's going on?" My gamer tag was just a random sentence because so many usernames were taken. It was "the wasps are inside." It literally makes no sense.

That caught on so much that it almost became an inside joke in the comments. If someone says to you, "The wasps are inside," you're going to be like, "What the hell are you talking about?" unless you watch my videos. Then it actually means something. It's one of those things that's for the community, and no one outside of it is going to know what it means.

YUNJIN: There was this one time I bleached my eyebrows, and I said something in Korean about how there's so much beauty in trying not to be beautiful. There are so many definitions of beauty.

Fans came up to me in person and thanked me for helping them look at beauty through a wider lens and not confine themselves to what's conventionally beautiful. I didn't know that would resonate with fans. It was just something I'd said because of my eyebrows! That was really sweet.

YUNJIN, between songwriting, performing, and now podcasting, you're creating in many different ways. Has the podcast expanded how you think about yourself as a creator?

YUNJIN: I think it has allowed me to be more creative day to day. Just the simple act of turning on the camera, clipping on a mic, and talking about how I feel about things is something that people can potentially resonate with.

When you're performing or writing a song or singing or dancing, there's a [specific] time for that. But when you're talking about your thoughts and using that as your medium, whatever I feel can be a source of a story and something to say. It's expanded when I'm creative. I can constantly be thinking of something to make. I'm open a lot more.

We're seeing more K-pop artists experiment with podcasting. What do you think podcasts can bring to the fan experience that other kinds of content can't?

YUNJIN: So much of the K-pop world feels so otherworldly — visually, too, with all the production that goes into it. Which is why fans love Weverse DMs or lives, because it's like, "Oh my God, my idol is a normal person too sometimes." With podcasts, it's a lot more direct and a lot more personal, and there's so much more that you can really express. I think that's the biggest appeal.

Two creators, two very different audiences, and a shared understanding of what makes fandom personal. Credit: Courtesy of Spotify

Emily, you've been creating online for years, and some of your viewers have grown up alongside you. What do you think keeps people coming back even as your content changes?

Fan: I tend to be quite hard on myself. I look at my earlier videos, and in my eyes, they're objectively not good. Sometimes I wonder how I've retained an audience. But I think the throughline is almost a lack of production value, and I don't mean that negatively. It's a girl with a camera who has ideas or things to say about society or about what we observe in media.

There's something refreshing about that, where the content is solely dependent on what I'm saying and who I am as a person, as opposed to anything else. There's not a particular gimmick; especially now that I've diversified into reactions, gaming, vlogging, and commentary, the throughline is just me.

YUNJIN: I think that is a big reason why I want to tap more into this, because it's so human.

Finally, do you think there's a difference between building an audience and building a fandom?

Fan: I feel like an audience could be more passive consumption, and fandom is a bit more active. When I think of someone who's in a fandom, I think of someone who's actively seeking out your music or films or content. To cultivate that type of audience, it goes back to engaging and interacting. I think that's how you build a deeper relationship.

YUNJIN: It also feels more like a community, cultivating a fandom. It's like we see something in each other.

Fan: And with content creators, there's a sense of feeling like you're on the same level. There's less of that degree of separation. The people who are in your fandom, rather than your general audience, are the people who are going to support you in other things you do outside of content. For my short film Bad Company, the people who were the most excited were those I would consider part of my fandom rather than my general audience.

YUNJIN: A general audience might be a fan of what you make, but fans are typically fans of who you are as a person. No matter what you do, they'll be supportive of you because it is you.

Fan: Exactly. You can have tens of millions of followers, but that doesn't necessarily mean your audience is engaged with you.

Watch or listen to the full podcast conversation on Spotify's Between Episodes, and explore more creator-to-creator conversations.

TL;DR: Birdbuddy’s next-gen smart feeders are officially here. The Birdbuddy Nook ($99) and Birdbuddy Home ($219) bring upgraded 2K HDR video, audio birdsong identification, dual-band WiFi, and solar options.

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Credit: Birdbuddy

Birdbuddy Nook

$99 at Birdbuddy

 

Shop Now at Birdbuddy

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Credit: Birdbuddy

Birdbuddy Home

$219 at Birdbuddy

 

Shop Now at Birdbuddy

Backyard birdwatching is getting a major upgrade. Months after they were first revealed at CES 2026 as the Birdbuddy 2 and 2 Mini, Birdbuddy's next-gen smart feeders are officially dropping today (Oct. 22) with fresh names: the compact Birdbuddy Nook and the flagship Birdbuddy Home.

Both feeders feature a redesigned instant-wake-up camera system engineered to eliminate lag and capture feathered visitors the exact millisecond they touch down on the perch.

For apartment balconies, smaller yards, or first-time smart birders, the Birdbuddy Nook ($99) delivers an accessible, compact footprint measuring 6.95 x 5.91 x 5.31 inches (or 6.24 inches deep with perch).

It offers the exact same core camera quality, 2K resolution, AI species recognition, and audio birdsong identification as the full-sized model. Designed specifically for tighter outdoor spaces, it comes with a smaller seed capacity, an easy-refill roof, and the option to add a single solar panel or a perch extender.

If you're looking for maximum specs and backyard coverage, the Birdbuddy Home ($219) introduces a redesigned circular camera housing that supports both portrait and landscape mounting orientations. It captures 2K HDR video with slow-motion recording and a wide 135-degree field of view behind a Gorilla Glass–protected lens.

Measuring 9.0 x 6.1 x 6.3 inches (with perch), it boasts a larger seed capacity, an integrated perch extender, dual integrated solar panels with an automatic night sleep mode, and dual-band WiFi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). To track local visitors, its AI species recognition pairs visual camera feeds with a high-fidelity microphone for real-time birdsong audio identification.

While we're putting both models through their paces for a full hands-on review soon, the $99 Nook marks the most affordable entry point into the Birdbuddy ecosystem yet.

TL;DR: Sony announced the PlayStation Pulse Wireless Headset ($99.99, out Nov. 19) and the premium Pulse Edge (coming in early 2027). Both feature planar magnetic drivers and AI noise rejection, with preorders opening Oct. 29.

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Credit: PlayStation

PlayStation Pulse Wireless Headset

 

Learn More

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Credit: PlayStation

PlayStation Pulse Edge

 

Learn More at PlayStation

If you're playing PS5 games through basic TV speakers, you're missing out. Sony is upgrading its console audio lineup with the announcement of the PlayStation Pulse Wireless Headset and the flagship Pulse Edge Wireless Headset.

The standard PlayStation Pulse Wireless Headset ($99.99) comes packed with studio-inspired planar magnetic drivers, each with four magnets, to deliver clean sound separation, deep bass, and precise spatial audio for pinpointing directional cues such as enemy footsteps or weapon reloads.

Credit: PlayStation

It features built-in volume controls, an integrated microphone with AI-enhanced noise rejection to block out background clatter, and an updated, durable form factor with rotating earcups that lay flat for easier travel. It connects seamlessly via PlayStation Link, using an included USB Type-C adapter, for lossless, ultra-low-latency audio across PS5, PC, Mac, and PlayStation Portal — plus simultaneous Bluetooth connectivity so you can answer phone calls mid-session.

For players seeking top-tier performance, the premium Pulse Edge Wireless Headset offers more substantial hardware upgrades. It features planar magnetic drivers with double the magnet volume — eight magnets per driver — to deliver richer, deeper bass while keeping subtle details crystal clear.

Credit: PlayStation

It adds Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), a detachable boom mic (with a hidden mic option when detached), dedicated built-in Game Audio and Chat Balance controls for PS5, a standard 3.5mm audio/microphone jack, and a protective hard-shell carrying case.

While the $99.99 standard Pulse headset hits shelves starting Nov. 19 in white and midnight black, the Pulse Edge is slated to launch in early 2027. Sony has not yet announced pricing or preorder dates for the Pulse Edge, but players eyeing the standard Pulse can secure their preorders starting Oct. 29 through PlayStation Direct and participating retailers.

TL;DR: The Samsung 37-inch Odyssey G7 (G75F) 4K curved gaming monitor is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon, down from its $899.99 list price.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 37-Inch Odyssey G7 (G75F)

$499.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $400

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Amazon has just made one of Samsung's larger 4K gaming monitors only $20 off its lowest-ever price, giving anyone preparing for GTA 6 a chance to upgrade their setup without blowing almost $1,000 on a new display. It’s even cheaper than the deal we covered back in August.

As of Oct. 22, the Samsung 37-inch Odyssey G7 (G75F) curved gaming monitor has dropped to just $499.99 at Amazon, cutting a whopping $400 from its $899.99 list price for a 44% discount. Keep in mind that rather than being sold by Amazon directly, this offer’s coming from third-party seller Beach Camera Same Day Shipping, but Amazon is still handling fulfillment — with delivery estimated for Oct. 30 at the time of writing. 

As pointed out by price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is only $20 short of its lowest-ever price of $479.99, and is the lowest price we’ve covered for this model at Mashable in recent memory. 

Whether it’s hooking up your PS5 or Xbox to play Grand Theft Auto 6, waiting for the eventual PC port, or any other games you feel like playing, buying the Odyssey G7 gives you an enormous 37-inch 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) VA display. Unlike the 40-inch ultrawide version, it sticks with a traditional 16:9 aspect ratio, giving console players a much bigger picture without having to deal with unsupported ultrawide resolutions.

Unlike the 40-inch ultrawide version, it sticks with a traditional 16:9 aspect ratio, giving console players a much bigger picture without having to deal with unsupported ultrawide resolutions.

Meanwhile, the aggressive 1,000R curvature brings more of the screen into your peripheral vision, which should be particularly welcome when exploring sprawling open worlds like Leonida. Additionally, VESA DisplayHDR 600 delivers greater contrast, brighter highlights, and more detail in darker environments.

Especially important to note for PC gaming in general, the G7’s 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms GtG response time still make this one a perfect choice for day-to-day fast-paced titles like Apex Legends, Fortnite, and even some games on Roblox.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $155.94 at Amazon, down from its typical price of $184.95.

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Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG Scarlet and Violet Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box

$155.94 at Amazon
$184.95 Save $29.01

 

Get Deal at Amazon

If you’re waiting to get an invite to buy the 30th Celebration ETB at below market value, fans of the Pokémon TCG can grab one of the rarest modern Elite Trainer Boxes with a new discount at Amazon. 

As of Oct. 22, the Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box is down to $155.94 at Amazon. Down from its usual $184.95 price, that’s $29.01 off and a whole $18.05 cheaper than the $173.99 Amazon deal we covered on Oct. 5. What’s more, this ETB is sold and shipped directly by Amazon, rather than a third-party seller, with free delivery set for between Nov. 2-11 at the time of writing. 

Aside from a very brief price drop to the $150 mark, we haven’t seen a major price drop like this since April (confirmed by the price tracker camelcamelcamel). That said, you can still buy the Prismatic Evolutions ETB for less elsewhere — with Walmart now selling the box for $126.50 (down from $199.99), and TCGplayer going slightly lower with listings as cheap as $126.24, matching its current estimated market price. 

Inside the Elite Trainer Box are nine Prismatic Evolutions booster packs of trading cards, a full-art foil Eevee promo card, 65 Stellar Tera Eevee sleeves, 45 Energy cards, dice, condition markers, a player's guide, card dividers, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.

Among those packs, you’ll have the chance to pull some of the most valuable chase cards in the modern Pokemon TCG (which you can also buy à la carte on TCGplayer) — including the legendary SIR Umbreon ex ($1,200+), SIR Sylveon ex ($400+), and SIR Leafeon ex ($300+).

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Reality Fracture Bundle is available to preorder for $48.49 at Amazon, down from its $57.99 list price.

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Credit: Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering Reality Fracture Bundle

$48.49 at Amazon
$57.99 Save $9.50

Get Deal at Amazon

If you haven't picked up any Magic: The Gathering Reality Fracture cards yet, you don't need to spend over $150 on a full Play Booster Box to get started. With the release of the standard nine-pack bundle box just a day away, Amazon has now made it so that trading card collectors can pay less than ever to explore Jace’s Echoverse. 

As of Oct. 22, preorders for the Magic: The Gathering Reality Fracture Bundle are down to just $48.49 at Amazon in a limited-time deal, saving you $9.50 on its $57.99 list price. That's a 16% discount for the box, sold and shipped directly by Amazon.

This is the lowest price available at the retailer (confirmed via the price tracker camelcamelcamel), but keep in mind that, despite the Bundle coming out on Oct. 23, the free delivery you’ll receive is estimated for Oct. 29 and Oct. 31. 

If Amazon runs out of stock, Walmart is also selling the bundle for $48.49, while TCGplayer has gone slightly cheaper with listings as low as $47.54. That’s only 85 cents above its estimated market price of $46.69. 

You're getting nine Reality Fracture Play Boosters, each containing a Legendary card alongside its alternate Echoverse version, at least one Traditional Foil, and potentially multiple Rares. Beyond those packs, there's a bundle-exclusive Traditional Foil alternate-art promo card, 30 Lands (including 10 Borderless variants), an oversized Spindown life counter, a card storage box, and two reference cards.

This set’s based around Jace Beleren's attempt to replace the existing Multiverse with his own creation. Reality Fracture also features twisted versions of familiar Magic legends, with plenty of new cards to collect and experiment with.

SAVE OVER $30: As of Oct. 22, the Soundcore by Anker Q20i headphones are on sale for $39.97 at Amazon. This deal saves you $30.02 off their full price of $69.99.

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Credit: Soundcore

Soundcore by Anker Q20i

$39.97 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $30.02

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Early Black Friday deals are already rolling out ahead of November, with Amazon leading the charge by offering discounts on a wide variety of items. If you've been hoping for headphone deals during this time, you're in luck, as there are already quite a few that have caught our eye. This includes a price cut on select colors of the Soundcore by Anker Q20i headphones.

As of Oct. 22, these headphones are marked down to $39.97 on Amazon. Normally they cost $69.99, so you're saving over $30 by taking advantage of this offer.

If you have a busy travel season coming up for the holidays, the hybrid active noise-canceling on these headphones can make flights or car rides easier to sit through. They can reduce up to 90% of outside noise, so you can sink into your favorite music or podcasts without the outside world interrupting. And for those moments when you'd prefer to hear what's going on, they also offer a Transparency mode that you can switch to.

Sound quality is top-notch as well, thanks to 40mm dynamic drivers, and they boast a hefty 40-hour battery life when you've got ANC on. Without it, that can extend up to 60 hours, which is more than enough time to last you through a long trip.

If Soundcore by Anker Q20i headphones have caught your eye, act fast to save on them at Amazon.

SAVE OVER $250: As of Oct. 22, the Roborock Qrevo 2 Pro Set robot vacuum and mop is down to its lowest-ever price of $649.98 at Amazon. That's $250.01 off its full price of $899.99.

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Credit: Roborock

Roborock Qrevo 2 Pro Set Robot Vacuum and Mop

$649.98 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $250.01

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Black Friday sales are coming up fast, but Amazon's way ahead of the game with some excellent early deals already available to shop. Even robot vacuums are seeing some nice discounts right now, including recent releases like the Roborock Qrevo 2 Pro. This model is currently at its lowest-ever price at the retailer, so why wait for seasonal sales to grab it?

As of Oct. 22, shoppers can scoop up the Roborock Qrevo 2 Pro Set — which comes with two extra mop pads and two dust bags — for $649.98, down from its full price of $899.99. That saves you just over $250.

With the help of 25,000Pa HyperForce suction, the Roborock Qrevo 2 Pro Set can power through crumbs, debris, pet hair, and more that's lodged in carpets or scattered on hard surfaces. It even automatically boosts suction on carpets for a deeper clean. Plus, when it switches to mopping, it can lift the mopping module up to 15mm if it hits carpet, so there's no need to worry about it getting all wet during cleaning.

Edges and corners can't escape this cleaner, as the FlexiArm Edge Mopping System and reversible side brush help clean as close as 1.85mm along walls. And on top of that, the dock keeps everything running smoothly by automatically emptying the dust, refilling the water tank, and cleaning the mop at 167°F (then drying it with warm air at 113°F).

Get ahead of Black Friday shopping with this excellent deal on the Roborock Qrevo 2 Pro Set robot vacuum and mop at Amazon.

Anthropic has announced Claude Duet, a new AI agent intended for professionals and small businesses that promises to help manage daily life.

Amid competition from Meta’s Muse and OpenAI’s Dots, Anthropic on Wednesday said Claude Duet will track your messages and tasks, surfacing what it deems important, and complete tasks it's asked to perform. It’s designed to operate without supervision, but will reportedly seek permission before acting on the user’s behalf.

Anthropic says you can describe a task to Duet in a short message, and it’ll figure out which apps to use and the steps to take in the background. You’ll be notified when the task is done or if there’s something you need to know.

Some of the examples provided by Anthropic include:

• Replying to missed Gmail and Slack messages

• Run payroll using Gusto

• Draft reminders for unpaid invoices found in Intuit QuickBooks or Stripe.

• Draft a job posting, seek user approval, and post it to LinkedIn

• Build a social campaign for product launches using Canva

• Set up and manage a Shopify store

But Anthropic says there are still guardrails. User approval is required before it sends messages, makes payments, signs documents, or deletes files. And even with user approval, Claude Duet won't perform tasks like trading securities or moving money between accounts.

Claude Duet is built around Claude Opus 5.5, and because it runs on a virtual machine, the user’s computer or phone doesn’t have to be on for it to operate.

Claude Duet is available on iOS, Android, and claude.ai for users of Anthropic’s Pro and Max plans. It will share subscribers’ existing Claude usage limit. Currently in research mode, interested users can join a waitlist for access.

AI agents like Duet, Muse, and Dots have been immensely popular this year. For example, Meta's Muse has already been downloaded 10 million times in less than two months, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed Wednesday. But in that short time, the app has been beset with controversy, including reportedly creating files on users' friends and loved ones and sending a Facebook Marketplace buyer to a user's home.

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.

The iPhone Duo officially launches on Friday, Oct. 23, and the first reviews have officially arrived (including our own).

Tech reviewers seem unanimous: The iPhone Duo is a really fun phone, especially for a first-generation device.

Apple iPhone Duo

Save $1,000 at T-Mobile

 

Preorder at T-Mobile Preorder at Apple.com Preorder at Verizon

However, most early reviewers also agree on what they dislike about the iPhone Duo: The under-display FaceTime selfie camera.

In Mashable's glowing iPhone Duo review, Stan Schroeder wrote that the FaceTime camera was one of the few knocks on the device.

"The FaceTime camera that’s hidden in the inner display is bad," Schroeder said. "Any attempt of taking a half-decent selfie will result in a very processed, smudgy, AI-looking photo."

Marques Brownlee had a similar, if not more critical take on the iPhone Duo's FaceTime camera, in his review for his 21.4 million YouTube subscribers. Brownlee called the camera "very first-gen" and "bad." 

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

"The photo quality is trash," Brownlee said, not mincing words.

Why the iPhone Duo camera is unique

The under-display FaceTime camera on the iPhone Duo's inner display. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

For those unaware, while the iPhone Duo has dropped the telephoto rear lens you'll find on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, the foldable device still has a total of four cameras. There are two rear cameras: a 48MP main camera and a 48MP ultra-wide camera. Plus, there's a 12MP Center Stage front camera, and a camera that Apple has only referred to as a "FaceTime camera."

What's the difference between the selfie camera and the FaceTime camera? The selfie camera is located on the outer display, and the FaceTime camera is located under the screen on the inner display, so it can only be used when the device is unfolded.

Unlike the other three cameras, Apple is not promoting the FaceTime camera's megapixels. And it turns out that there's a good reason for that. It's only 4MP. And this is also likely why Apple has simply been referring to this camera as a "FaceTime camera," which PCMag's Eric Zeman and Gizmodo's Ray Wong both point out in their reviews.

"It’s four megapixels, and the photos it takes are low-res, washed out, and just not sharp at all," Wong said for Gizmodo. "You won’t be taking selfies with this camera; it’s meant primarily for video calls, which still look muddy, but it’s serviceable in a pinch."

"I think this camera is best left for FaceTime calls," Zeman said in PCMag's review. "The photos I snapped with it look pretty rough in terms of focus, contrast, and noise."

When Apple announced the FaceTime camera as being an under-display lens, it seemed the concern was focused on how visible or distracting it would be for users utilizing the larger inner-display to, say, watch videos. Most reviewers are happy with that design choice, but they do take issue with the FaceTime camera's output.

Apple and Samsung can't get the selfie camera on their foldables right

The inner display and pinhole selfie camera on the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

So, why does the FaceTime camera take "bad" photos? Does it have something to do with how Apple has fitted the inner-display camera under the screen in order to hide it from view? It doesn't seem likely — and Apple's not the only company that appears to have struggled to figure it out. 

Samsung also previously had trouble with under-display cameras on their foldables but, as Gizmodo's Wong points out, they stopped putting the inner-display camera under the screen with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. The new Galaxy 8 series features pinhole cutouts for the selfie cameras.

As for Samsung's current inner-display cameras, the quality is also very poor. Mashable's Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth reviewed both the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 earlier this year and had similar critiques of those devices' inner-display selfie cameras. 

Some reviewers describing the iPhone Duo's FaceTime camera have used words like "bad," "low-res," and "trash" to describe it, and Werth used the same language to describe the Z Flip 8's selfie camera. "Unfortunately, I found the selfie camera to be a bit trash, and I'm too vain to get any use out of it," he wrote.

Perhaps Apple will figure out a way to enhance the quality of the FaceTime camera in future generations of the iPhone Duo. All things considered, though, this is the one thing that reviewers most dislike about the iPhone Duo. But it doesn't seem to have sullied their overwhelmingly positive reviews regarding everything else about Apple's first foldable device.

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.

TL;DR: Live stream New England Patriots vs. Chicago Bears for free on 7Plus. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's that time of the week again, with Thursday Night Football hosting yet another big showdown. Today's game sees the New England Patriots visit the Chicago Bears.

Both teams are 4-2 for the season and coming off wins. The big story here is between the franchises' respective quarterbacks, Drake Maye and Caleb Williams, who have a relationship dating back to their high school days and were draftmates in 2024. Their last meeting saw the Patriots score a decisive win.

Can Maye lead them to another victory and make it a four-week streak?

If you want to watch Patriots vs. Bears in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Patriots vs. Bears?

New England Patriots vs. Chicago Bears starts at 8.15 p.m. ET on Oct. 22. This fixture takes place at Soldier Field.

How to watch Patriots vs. Bears for free

Patriots vs. Bears in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia only, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can live stream Patriots vs. Bears for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 7Plus

5. Watch Patriots vs. Bears for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Patriots vs. Bears without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Australia

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream New England Patriots vs. Chicago Bears for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $50.01: As of Oct. 22, the Anker Solix C300 is on sale for $199.98 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Anker

Anker Solix C300

$169.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $80

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Power cuts, weekends off-grid, and camping trips all leave you needing a reliable power source to keep your devices charged. This is what makes portable power stations so useful: they offer the flexibility to stay connected even when you're away from a wall outlet.

As of Oct. 22, the Anker Solix C300 is on sale. Normally $249.99, it is $50 off right now, down to $199.98.

The Anker C300 packs a 288Wh battery and delivers up to 300W of output, so it's a suitable option for charging everyday electronics such as phones, tablets, and laptops. Plus, Anker says the compact design is about 30% smaller than comparable power stations, making it easier to pack and carry.

You'll also have a few ways to recharge the station itself. It supports USB-C charging, car charging, and solar input (solar panels are sold separately). If you're using dual USB-C PD input, Anker says the battery can reach 80% in around an hour. And the battery is built to last, too. It has a LiFePO4 battery that is designed for long-term use, protected by smart temperature control and an impact-resistant design.

Find this portable power station deal at Amazon.

SAVE $70: As of Oct. 22, the Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones are on sale for $109.95 at Amazon. That's a 39% discount on the list price.

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Credit: SHOKZ

Shokz OpenRun Pro

$109.95 at Amazon
$179.95 Save $70.00

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Running in winter often means heading out during the dark. Even if you head out at sunrise or squeeze in a few miles after work, the shorter days mean daylight runs are few and far between. When visibility is low, being able to hear traffic, cyclists, and other people around you is important. The Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones are designed with that in mind, and right now they're on sale at Amazon.

Unlike traditional headphones or earbuds that sit over or inside your ears, these use bone conduction technology to deliver audio through vibrations in your cheekbones. Your ears remain uncovered, so you can listen to your running playlist while staying more aware of your surroundings.

These Shokz headphones are designed specifically for runners. A lightweight titanium frame wraps around your head to keep the headphones in place while you run. In addition to providing bone conduction sound, Shokz's audio technology delivers enhanced bass.

As of Oct. 22, you'll find these on sale for $109.95, saving you $70 on the usual list price. The deal is available across three colors: black, beige, and pink.

Head to Amazon to grab this deal now.

SAVE $30: As of Oct. 22, the Fire TV Stick 4K is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon. That's 50% off the list price.

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Credit: Amazon

Fire Stick 4K

$29.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $30.00

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K is back with a fresh design, and if you've been considering upgrading your streaming setup, this new model is already on sale at Amazon.

As of Oct. 22, you can save 50% off the list price. It's now down to $29.99, making it a great choice if you're looking for an affordable way to stream your favorite shows and movies in 4K.

With this streaming device, you'll get 4K streaming, HDR10+ picture quality, and WiFi 6 support for fast, smooth navigation. Like many of the new Fire Sticks, it comes with the updated Fire TV interface, which makes it much easier to navigate thanks to the dedicated content categories. Another great new upgrade is Direct Power. This means the stick can be powered by your TV via the included USB-C cable, so there's no need for a separate wall adapter or messy cables.

The Alexa Voice Remote has also been redesigned and comes with both power and volume controls, dedicated buttons for Live TV and the Fire TV menu, and voice search to help you find shows or even control compatible smart home devices.

Ready to upgrade your streaming? This deal can be found on Amazon now, but it's only available for a limited time.

SAVE OVER $90: As of Oct. 22, the Sony WH-CH720N headphones are on sale for $88 at Amazon. That's a 51% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Sony

Sony WH-CH720N

$88 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $91.99

 

Get Deal at Amazon

If you've had your eye on a new pair of headphones, there's a pretty good deal right now at Amazon.

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are currently selling for $88, down from their usual price of $179.99, proving that you don't need to spend a lot to get reliable sound from a top brand. And both the white and pink models are included in the deal at more than half off the list price.

With these headphones, you'll get solid active noise cancellation thanks to Sony's Integrated Processor V1 and Dual Noise Sensor Technology that help cut out background noise. You can also switch to Ambient Sound mode if you'd rather hear what's going on around you. Adaptive Sound Control adjusts the audio experience based on your surroundings.

They're also a solid option if you plan to use them for calls. Sony's Precise Voice Pickup Technology helps keep your voice clear and accurate. Plus, the battery lasts up to 35 hours on a full charge, so you've got more than a whole day of use. And if you're in a rush, just plug them in for three minutes, and you'll get up to an hour of listening time.

You can find this Sony deal at Amazon now.

Based on my extensive hands-on testing and expert input, I’ve picked the best sexting apps and online sites for different kinds of dirty talk, whether you're messaging a partner, meeting someone new, or paying a verified creator.

Because sometimes the anticipation of a hookup is even hotter than the main event. In my experience, sexting is the ultimate form of digital foreplay. It can help long-distance partners feel closer, give long-term couples something to look forward to, and let singles explore sexual chemistry before meeting in person. Of course, everyone involved needs to be a consenting adult who's genuinely interested in taking the conversation to a steamier level.

Sexting isn't exactly new, either. A 2015 study of 870 heterosexual U.S. adults found that nearly 88 percent of participants had sexted. That wasn't a nationally representative estimate of all American adults, but it gives us an idea of how common sexting was among the people surveyed.

You can use just about any mainstream dating app, like Tinder, Hinge, and even Hily, to find a potential sexting partner (though I think Pure is probably the best dating app for this). A match isn't permission to send something explicit, though. Ask first, and don't assume that someone looking for a hookup also wants phone sex or a photo exchange. (You know what they say about assuming.)

But once you've actually found someone who matches your freak, the next question is where to have that conversation. An app that helps you meet people isn't necessarily the one with the privacy features you want for sharing intimate messages.

You've heard of safe sex. But what about safe sexting?

As fun as the buildup is, no app can guarantee that a recipient won't save or share what you send. Sliding into the DMs on a standard social media app might feel like spontaneous fun, but a private conversation and a disappearing conversation aren't the same.

Platform rules matter, too. Mashable has reported on Instagram account removals affecting sex workers, educators, and LGBTQIA+ users, including disputed enforcement decisions. That's separate from encryption, but it's another reason to understand the services you're using instead of assuming every DM inbox works the same way.

As one of Mashable's dating app experts, I've spent the last four years testing dozens of platforms to find the best sexting apps for the job. My highest priority is always user safety. I also spoke with security expert Gary Orenstein with Bitwarden, who stressed that for sharing intimate content, "privacy features cannot be optional — they’re essential." He recommends looking for apps with three key features: end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, and screenshot detection.

Those features do different jobs. End-to-end encryption is designed to keep the service carrying your messages from reading their contents. Disappearing messages reduce the history left in a chat, while screenshot alerts may tell you when someone takes a screenshot. None can stop a recipient from photographing the screen with another device.

Following Confide's closure, Signal became my top recommendation for encrypted messaging with an existing partner or trusted connection. Its "Screen Security" setting protects content on your own device; it doesn't control screenshots on someone else's. Signal also warns that disappearing messages aren't designed to protect you from a recipient determined to keep a copy.

Whether you're looking for a free messenger for your partner, a place to find a willing sexting buddy, or an interactive session with connected toys, the picks below serve different purposes for different people. Paid creator chats and AI fantasies belong in their own categories, with their own costs and privacy considerations. If you believe in safe sex, bring that same care to your sexts.

Here's what I liked, what you can do for free, and the details worth knowing before you hit send.

Recent updates to this guide:

• Signal (July 2026): Promoted to our No. 1 overall recommendation following the official closure of Confide. Its open-source encryption makes it the gold standard for secure, free sexting.

• Lovense Remote: Added as our top choice for "Group Sexting." It remains the best interactive option for couples and polyamorous groups to sync Bluetooth toys across long distances.

• FetLife: Expanded our analysis of its custom community groups, cementing its spot as the best social network for exploring niche kinks safely.

Why some popular sexting apps didn't make the cut

You've probably seen other "best of" lists recommending apps and platforms that I've intentionally left off. My goal is to recommend secure spaces where you can build genuine, mutual connections without burning through cash or risking your digital privacy.

Here's why a few common names didn't make the cut this month:

• "Paid Operator" platforms (InstaBang, Arousr, SextLocal): Many web-based platforms marketed for fast sexting don't connect you with real local users. Instead, they hire paid "chat operators" who use fantasy scripts specifically designed to keep you replying and draining your wallet per message. While there is a market for paid fantasy, I don't consider it mutual sexting. This guide prioritizes authentic, user-to-user interaction (with the explicit exception of SextPanther, which uses clearly verified, real adult performers).

• Basic Couples Messengers (Between, Paid Vaults): While apps like Between offer private spaces for long-distance couples, they lack the specific, sex-positive interactive features (like integrated toy controls, screenshot blocks, or custom timer countdowns) that make digital foreplay fun. If you want to level up your intimacy, highly interactive platforms like We-Vibe and Lovense are much better options.

How to watch the World Series for free:

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The stage is set. The Milwaukee Brewers swept the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS and will face the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2026 World Series, following their ALCS Game 6 win against the Cleveland Guardians. The Brewers have yet to win a World Series, only making one appearance in 1982 and losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 7. Meanwhile, the Rays have appeared twice in the World Series (2008 and 2020), and have yet to secure the victory. Whichever team you're rooting for, it's sure to be a dramatic week (or more) of games. And either outcome will result in history being made.

Lucky for baseball fans, watching the postseason in 2026 is a whole lot easier than watching regular-season games. You can even watch for free with some strategic planning. We've rounded up the best ways to watch the World Series for free below. Let's play ball.

When is the 2026 World Series?

The 2026 World Series schedule is as follows:

• Game 1 — Friday, Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. ET in Milwaukee

• Game 2 — Saturday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. ET in Milwaukee

• Game 3 — Monday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. ET in Tampa Bay

• Game 4 — Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. ET in Tampa Bay

• Game 5 (if necessary) — Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. ET in Tampa Bay

• Game 6 (if necessary) — Friday, Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. ET in Milwaukee

• Game 7 (if necessary) — Saturday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. ET in Milwaukee

What channel will the 2026 World Series be on?

The World Series has exclusively aired on Fox since the early 2000s, and this year is no different. You can watch the games play out live on your local Fox network if you have cable.

Can I watch the World Series without cable?

You have a couple of different options to access Fox in 2026 without cable: a digital antenna, a Fox One subscription, or a cable replacement service. Each option has its pros and cons, of course, so we'll leave it up to you to decide what's best for your situation.

A digital antenna is a relatively cheap (generally between $25 and $40) way to gain access to your local TV stations, but you need to be within a certain radius of the stations themselves and free of obstructions in order to get a clear broadcast. Fox One subscriptions give you access to not only your local Fox station, but the entirety of the Fox TV portfolio. It's a great choice for sports fans in general, but it might be overkill if you just want access to your local station for the World Series.

Finally, a cable replacement service (like YouTube TV or DirecTV) gives you access to 100+ live TV channels, including Fox. If you want a long-term way to watch live broadcasts, these are pretty well-rounded options that still cost less than cable. But that definitely doesn't mean they're cheap.

How to watch the World Series for free in 2026

Fortunately, there are a few ways you can watch the World Series (or at least a big chunk of it) without paying a cent. Two words: free trials. Not only does Fox One offer a free trial to new subscribers, but YouTube TV and Fubo do as well. If you've never subscribed to those services and you plan your trials strategically, you'll be able to watch the World Series for free — even if it goes to Game 7. If you don't qualify for any of the free trial options, we recommend either signing up for Fox One for one month at $19.99 or grabbing yourself a digital antenna.

Fox One: 3-day free trial

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Fox One

free 3-day trial, then $19.99/month

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Fox One, the new direct-to-consumer streaming service from Fox, gives subscribers access to the entire Fox TV portfolio. That includes your local Fox station live, as well as Fox News, Fox Sports, Fox Weather, FS1, FS2, Fox Business, Fox Deportes, Big Ten Network (B1G), Fox Network, and Fox Nation. Basically, if it's on Fox, it's on Fox One. A subscription costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year, but new subscribers can kick things off with a free trial that lasts for three days. You'll at least be able to watch two (maybe three) games with this trial period.

YouTube TV: 10-day free trial

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YouTube TV Sports + News plan

free 10-day trial, then $49.99/month for 5 months (save $110)

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YouTube TV is a comprehensive cable replacement service with over 100 live TV channels, unlimited DVR, and customizable add-ons. It's definitely overkill if you're just looking to watch your local Fox station for the World Series, but it holds a lot of value if you want to watch live TV long-term. You can try out the Sports + News plan for 10 days with a free trial if you're new to YouTube TV, which would give you the ability to watch the entire World Series for free. Just beware: if you forget to cancel, you'll be charged $49.99/month (for your first five months) and $71.99/month thereafter.

Fubo: 5-day free trial

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Fubo Sports

free 5-day trial, then $45.99 for 1 month (save $10)

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Like YouTube TV, Fubo offers TV lovers a cable replacement with tons of live channels. It also offers a five-day free trial for new subscribers, giving you the ability to watch most of the World Series for free. There are three different tiers you can choose from: Pro, Elite, and Elite with Sports Plus. All three plans include Fox. As the most affordable option, the Pro tier offers 228 channels and will run you $63.99 for your first month, should you forget to cancel.

More free trial options:

• Fox One (Prime Video add-on) — free 3-day trial, then $19.99/month

• Hulu + Live TV — free 3-day trial, then $49.99/month for your first month

• DirecTV Stream — free 5-day trial, then starting at $59.99/month

With the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max now available and the iPhone Duo launch just around the corner (our full iPhone Duo review is online), Apple is also prepping its latest iOS update for its mobile devices.

Along with various bug fixes, the new iOS 27.2 is also going to be packed with new features as well. The update is expected to launch before the end of October; it could come any minute now.

Here are the biggest new features headed your way in iOS 27.2.

Dual Capture for group FaceTime calls

Dual Capture allows users with compatible iPhone models to capture a video simultaneously with both their rear main camera and selfie camera. Dual Capture for FaceTime allows users to utilize both the front and rear camera when on a FaceTime video call, but this feature only works with a call with an individual person.

Now, 9to5Mac reports that with iOS 27.2, users will be able to utilize Dual Capture when on Group FaceTime calls, too.

Redesigned Health app

Apple showed off the new Health app at its September event when it unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and iPhone Duo. It will finally arrive with the rollout of iOS 27.2, per MacRumors.

The redesigned Health app is now organized into three main tabs: Insights, Longevity, and Browse. Insights includes vitals, heart rate, and other related current health information, whereas the Longevity tab includes your health data over a period of time.

Suggestions in Messages

Messages is getting a new feature that offers suggestions based on the context of a conversation in your texts. For example, if a contact texts you about a date for an event, Suggestions will provide one-tap options to add that event to your calendar or set up a reminder. 9to5 Mac reports this feature will finally arrive on iPhones that support Apple Intelligence with iOS 27.2

With this feature, Messages can also help users find photos, locations, contacts, and other pertinent information as it relates to the context of the conversation.

Interestingly, Suggestions was included in the original iOS 27 beta, but was later pulled, according to 9to5Mac. This is also a case of Apple playing catch-up, as Galaxy and Pixel phones already have this AI feature (it's called Magic Cue on Pixel phones and Now Nudge on Galaxy phones).

Revamped 'Up Next' in Apple Podcasts

Apple is splitting up the "Up Next" section in Apple Podcasts into two different sections, according to MacRumors.

New Episodes will appear where Up Next is currently, and show users the latest episodes for the podcasts that they subscribe to. Continue Playing is a brand new section that will appear below New Episodes and will display all episodes in the queue that the user was listening to. 

Anniversaries via Call Context

This isn't a huge new feature, but it could be a fun one. If you have an anniversary set up with someone in your Contacts, the new Call Context feature will remind you of this fact if that contact calls you at that time. You can see this feature in action at MacRumors.

Profiles on Apple TV app

It's incredible that it took this long for this to happen, but the Apple TV app on iOS will now support user profiles. (We're also expecting Apple to release a new Apple TV device in early October.)

Apple TV viewers on tvOS have long been able to create separate user profiles, which include different movie and TV show suggestions based on the user's watch history. This same ability did not exist on iPhone until now, with the upcoming release of iOS 27.2, also per MacRumors.

New Home app alerts

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Apple is all set to launch some new smart home products this fall, including the brand new HomeView smart speaker. The Apple Home app will be critical to managing these new devices, and so it's no surprise that some updates are coming. In addition to new products, Apple is also giving the Home app in iOS 27.2 a couple of new functions to help keep your home safe and in order.

First is "Lock After Closing," a new feature that, well, automatically locks a door after it's been closed but not locked. You can set a specific duration of time that needs to pass before the door automatically locks, and it's supported by products like the LG Smart Deadbolt Lock.

Similarly, "Door Left Open" is an alert that automatically notifies users when a door equipped with a compatible smart lock has been left open for too long. If you want to make sure every door in your house is closed when they should be closed, iOS 27.2 has your back.

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.

If you weren't able to snag tickets to see Pokémon's sold-out 30th-anniversary EDM spectacle live in LA, you don't have to miss out on the party.

Pokémon Night Out is available to watch for free online on Oct. 24. Headlined by Marshmello with support from Alison Wonderland, the event promises to unite "the eclectic world of Pokémon with high-energy electronic dance music for a truly unforgettable evening" at the Intuit Dome.

When is Pokémon Night Out?

The 2026 Pokémon Night Out starts at 7:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 24. This special event takes place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

How to watch Pokémon Night Out for free

You can tune into the official livestream across two major platforms for free:

• Twitch: Stream live on the official Pokémon Twitch Channel

• YouTube: Stream live on the official Pokémon YouTube Channel

Livestream viewers will be treated to a DJ set from electronic artist and multi-instrumentalist JVNA during the intermission. This set is exclusive to the Pokémon Night Out livestream.

We've linked the YouTube stream above, but you should know that if you watch the concert on Twitch for at least 30 minutes with your Pokémon Trainer Central account linked, you'll automatically earn an exclusive Pokémon Night Out Baseball Jersey code for your Pokémon GO avatar.

Watching Pokémon Night Out on YouTube or Twitch costs absolutely nothing. It's the perfect Saturday night activity for Pokémon fans all around the world.

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to AcePDF Converter & Editor for just $23.97 (reg. $99.99) through Oct. 25.

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Klara and the Sun is a disaster of a movie, though on paper it was promising.

The film's source material is Kazuo Ishiguro's popular sci-fi novel. Its content taps into the emerging conversation around artificial intelligence, as the titular Klara is an Artificial Friend, designed to be the perfect companion for a lonely teen. In the lead role is rising star Jenna Ortega, who aims to show range from her hardened Scream character and devotedly monotone Wednesday by playing a smiley robot who's scorned for being "too empathetic."

Joining her are celebrated actresses like Amy Adams and Natasha Lyonne. And at the helm is Taika Waititi, who previously adapted Barry Crump's book Wild Pork and Watercress into the beloved coming-of-age action comedy Hunt for the Wilderpeople. However, it's been 10 years since Waititi gifted audiences with the winsome and weird tale of "bad egg" Ricky Baker.

Want more film and TV news and reviews delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Since then, Waititi earned mixed reviews for Jojo Rabbit, his adaptation of Christine Leunens' Caging Skies in which he cast himself as Adolf Hitler. Following the fun of Thor: Ragnarok came the blunder of Thor: Love and Thunder. And most recently, Waititi took the inspirational soccer documentary Next Goal Wins and turned it into an awful sports comedy of the same name.

Going from What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople to Next Goal Wins was a warning that Waititi had lost the spark that made him an exciting filmmaker. Klara and the Sun confirms the spark is gone.

What is Klara and The Sun about?

Mia Tharia and Jenna Ortega star in "Klara and the Sun." Credit: CTMG, Inc.

Post-World War III and post-internet, AI Friends are the must-have accessory for any wealthy household. Among a gaggle of older models, Klara is considered an oddity because she prays to the sun and stands "like a flamingo" with one leg raised. If someone doesn't buy her soon, she'll be sent back to the factory and scrapped for parts. So, when a gloomy teen named Josie (Mia Tharia) chooses her, Klara declares she's been saved from "certain doom."

Far away from the soot-covered city where the Artificial Friends store sits, Josie lives amid wheat fields in a big house, overdecorated by her smothering mother Chrissie (Amy Adams), who works tirelessly as an interior designer. It's a house full of things, but frozen in mourning. Years before, Josie's older sister Sal died, and then her father left, leaving her and her mother to stare at each other for years of failed connection. Thrust into this dynamic, Klara is a polarizing presence.

Josie is happy to have a friend devoted to hearing her out, as her mother is constantly criticizing or away at work. For Chrissie, Klara is meant to be a baby monitor who can watch over Josie. But why does Josie need watching over? Well, neither Chrissie nor her fiercely protective maid Melania (recurring Waititi collaborator Rachel House) will explain that to Klara, even as medicines are hooked up via IV and Josie begins experiencing violent fits.

As Klara tried to calibrate her surroundings and do her best by Josie, she meets new friends, like Josie's robo-curious crush Rick (Aran Murphy) and a scarecrow robot called Scarecrow (Jesse Griffin in a Rhys Darby-coded role). But most of all, when in doubt, Klara talks to the sun, convinced it is a benevolent god who has the power to heal her sickly human friend.

Klara and the Sun is a movie for no one.

Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams star in "Klara and the Sun." Credit: CTMG, Inc.

The premise sounds like a children's story at first, where a child-like robot learns from the world, even when it's cruel. (See also Steven Spielberg's AI.) However, as the contemporary conversation of AI is getting heated, with parents worrying about the negative affect chatbots can have on their children's mental health, Klara and the Sun feels achingly dated, presenting Klara as a wholesome, sentient servant, devoted purely to making her owner happy and healthy.

Beyond that, Waititi's approach to Ishiguro's novel is confounding. The first act is set in the AF store where a kindly manager (Natasha Lyonne) reads bedtime stories to her robot wards. Here, Klara seems eccentric in the way of Roald Dahl's Matilda, with an earnest curiosity and plucky resilience. With simple diction and a hiking outfit that recalls Dora the Explorer, Ortega's character seems suitable for a children's movie. But soon, Waititi's screenplay, co-written with Dahvi Waller, injects darker elements, including violence, blood, death, arson, and suicide.

Of course, Tim Burton has touched on those elements in spooky movies and in Wednesday, which families watch together. But I can't imagine families will be tempted to sit down in such a way for Klara and the Sun. It's not irreverently funny like Beetlejuice, whimsical like Edward Scissorhands, or fun amid its darkness. It's dreadful, bland, and mean. Klara is repeatedly called an "idiot," while the humans around her are thinly sketched scoundrels who lie, seethe, shout, and make selfish demands. Even the kindly store manager is cruel, locking Klara in a dark closet, away from the sun, which — as she is solar-powered — is tantamount to starving her.

In Matilda, there is abundant cruelty around its eponymous heroine, but there is also a beacon of hope in Miss Honey. Klara and the Sun has no Miss Honey, only Josie, who is caricature of an angsty teenager, fitfully sarcastic, cheerful, and sulky. Tharia is resigned to brooding silently as plot happens around her. With such flimsy roles, all of the actors struggle. Lyonne is amusing, but one note. Even six-time Academy Award nominee Amy Adams can't bring depth to Waititi's charmless movie.

Klara and the Sun is a story of faith with no soul.

Jenna Ortega and Natasha Lyonne star in "Klara and the Sun." Credit: CTMG, Inc.

In a world full of fears and pain, Klara looks unblinkingly to the sun. She prays, goes on a pilgrimage, and even offers a sacrifice in hopes her god will answer her plea to fix Josie. But Waititi's vision shows no belief in her convictions. Sure, Ortega brings a bright smile to the role, but she seems unmoored in this clumsily constructed world that doesn't reflect her whimsy — even though the film is told from Klara's perspective.

Waititi's color palette is muted by an overcast of sickly yellow/green, which makes the whole world reminiscent of the glum, genderless uniform the AFs wear upon purchase. The costumes across the board are ghastly. Josie dresses haphazardly, with nothing worth noting. Adams is wedged into drab dresses that work against her curves and natural beauty, while Klara is eventually slapped into a '80s soccer mom look, with high-waisted jeans and an asymmetrical jersey. The whimsy Ortega offers in her performance is swallowed by such bland choices, and mocked by a bob that is clunkily cut to look like Temu Amélie.

Bizarrely, the most interesting fashion choices come in a second-act sequence where Josie meets her soon-to-be schoolmates. All rich, entitled, and vicious, these teens are all dressed in garish textures, vibrant colors, and/or outrageous silhouettes meant to suggest they're wealthy and shallow. A curious choice from a filmmaker who has attended the Met Gala.

Otherwise, the score by Michael Giacchino is cloyingly sentimental, desperately flagging to the audience a scene is meant to be moving when even on the page it must have been flat. For instance, Waititi and Waller set up that Josie might be jealous of Klara. But rather than a moving scene of conflict, they dodge it twice, including a disturbing revelation sequence that should hit harder.

Simply put, Waititi utterly fails to adapt this book into a compelling movie. His screenplay is childish and plodding. His visual storytelling is lackluster and baffling. His leading lady throws herself into physical comedy and a taboo topic to show her range. But Waititi's direction makes Ortega look like she's auditioning for a Disney Channel TV movie from the early '90s.

The best Ortega's fans can do for her is to politely look away and forget Klara and the Sun ever happened.

Klara and the Sun opens in theaters on Oct. 23.

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Most VPN’s require a monthly fee that only seems affordable if you don’t do the math. Even paying a few dollars every month can end up costing you hundreds over the course of your whole subscription. If you want a cheaper option, AdGuard VPN just dropped a five-year subscription on sale for $34.97 (reg. $359.40).

This subscription lets you connect up to 10 devices at the same time, enough for a whole family. A household can put phones, laptops, tablets, and a few more devices on the same account instead of buying separate plans for each person. Everyone signs in under one subscription, so there’s only one account to keep track of for all five years.

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Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

16. The New Stanford Prison Experiment

If you thought Netflix recreating Squid Game was a new low for reality series totally missing the point, I raise you its new unscripted series, The New Stanford Prison Experiment. The show recreates Philip Zimbardo's controversial study, in which subjects were randomly assigned inmate and guard roles in a fake prison, to examine power dynamics. The New Stanford Prison Experiment's executive producer Jane Lipsitz insists this series comes with "different safeguards," but ultimately, Netflix is still repackaging an infamous study for entertainment. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: The New Stanford Prison Experiment is now streaming on Netflix.

15. By Any Means

Directed by Elegance Bratton, the drama draws on true events to expose anti-Black racism in the American South in the 1960s. In the lead role, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars as Special FBI Agent Wayne Strider, a Black G-man who's investigating the murder of civil rights activist Vernon Dahmer (Giancarlo Esposito). Mark Wahlberg, who also produces, co-stars as Gregory Scarpa, a mafia hitman called in to be muscle for the feds.

However, this movie takes major leaps in imagination, making By Any Means feel more like Mississippi Burning meets Green Book. As I wrote in my review, "By Any Means becomes a kind of buddy-cop movie, where Strider is the by-the-books hero, and Scarpa is the scrappy, no-rules, no-fucks-given man of action... [but offers] a muddied message about the place of violence in seeking justice." — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Wahlberg, Nicole Beharie, Josh Lucas, David Strathairn, and Giancarlo Esposito

How to watch: By Any Means is now available on digital.

14. The Terminal List, Season 2

Navy SEAL James Reece (Chris Pratt) is back and just as growly as ever in The Terminal List Season 2 — the next chapter in David DiGilio's thriller about a lieutenant commander going rogue to protect his family. The good news? The president is apparently willing to give him a full pardon for everything if he works with his old colleagues to track down the people behind a series of terror attacks. Expect a lot of action, and not much smiling in this adaptation of Jack Carr's series of novels. — Sam Haysom, General Assignment Editor, UK

Starring: Chris Pratt, Constance Wu, Taylor Kitsch, Riley Keough, Arlo Mertz, and Jeanne Tripplehorn

How to watch: The Terminal List Season 2 is now streaming on Prime Video.

13. The Cycle

Co-written and directed by Jordan Downey, this movie weaves a particular horror subgenre into a crime thriller narrative. True Blood's Deborah Ann Woll stars as Meg, a forensic anthropologist who studies corpses for a living. But her past comes back to haunt her when her long lost father's remains turn up at a murder scene.

The facts of the case don't fit. So, Meg teams with the local police to try to make sense of the impossible. Along the way, she'll face dark secrets and horrific truths, leading to a climax that's a real howler. — K.P.

Starring: Deborah Ann Woll, Jeffrey Donovan, Gretchen Corbett, Phillip Andre Botello, and Will Hochman

How to watch: The Cycle debuts on Shudder on Oct. 23.

12. Moana (2026)

Disney continues to make live-action movies based on their beloved animated films with Moana. And this is certainly one of Disney's cash-grabbing remakes.

In my review, I wrote, "Aside from my general grievance about the lack of innovation in Disney's menagerie of live-action remakes, Moana has a strangely false quality to it. The cast — led by 19-year-old Catherine Laga'aia — gives performances that feel straight out of a Disney Channel show. They're bouncy and broad in a way that made me expect the cheer of a pre-recorded studio audience to break in."

While director Thomas Kail and his ensemble aim to recreate the original film with care, the artifice of CGI backdrops and Dwayne Johnson's eyesore of a Maui costume is ruinous. "The result is a film that misses the point of its protagonist's journey. Rather than going somewhere new, Kail and company avoid discovery, opting instead to approximate popular IP. And in that way, it feels like AI. It does not feel like an earnest, human expression, but rather a shallow approximation that might have the general look but misses the soul of the original work."* — K.P.

Starring: Catherine Laga'aia, Dwayne Johnson, John Tui, Frankie Adams, and Rena Owen

How to watch: Moana (2026) is now streaming on Disney+.

11. Lupin, Season 4

French mystery thriller Lupin returns for Season 4, meaning gentleman thief Assane Diop (Omar Sy) is back to steal our hearts (and our diamonds). There's just one problem: Assane is still in prison following the events of Season 3, and he wants nothing more than to serve out his sentence, then reunite with his family in Senegal. However, when a Lupin copycat begins pulling off museum heists and pinning the blame on the still-imprisoned Assane, he'll have to engineer a daring escape of his own in order to clear his name. — B.E.

Starring: Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Antoine Gouy, Soufiane Guerrab, Shirine Boutella, and Etan Simon

How to watch: Lupin Season 4 debuts on Netflix on Oct. 23.

10. Junk

An impressive cast combines with an intriguing premise in Junk, which follows two different storylines in the same city: a bitter TV writer (David Schwimmer) trying to get his career back on track, and two teenagers (Dominic Fike and Talia Ryder) on the hunt for a stolen backpack. Music video director Jack Begert's feature-length debut looks like a dark and comedic mishmash of sex, drugs and violence — but the reviews leave something to be desired. — S.H.

Starring: Dominic Fike, David Schwimmer, Talia Ryder, and Gaby Hoffmann 

How to watch: Junk debuts on Mubi on Oct. 23.

9. Swipe Right on the Devil

There's plenty of documentaries about online dating gone wrong. Swipe Right on the Devil is alarmingly more twisted than most. It begins with 24-year-old Sydney Loofe, a Nebraska woman looking for her match on Tinder. What she found was a catfisher who lured her into a deadly game of sex, deception, and self-proclaimed witches.

In this three-part documentary, Loofe's friends and family remember her alongside their quest to find her. Then, as the missing persons investigation moves into a murder trial, director Brian Biegel speaks with investigators, the press, attorneys, and other victims who share their stories of trauma and terror. Be warned, this one is disturbing. — K.P.

How to watch: Swipe Right on the Devil is now streaming on Hulu.

8. The Invite

As the follow-up to Don't Worry Darling, actor/director Olivia Wilde offers an English-language remake of the Spanish comedy The People Upstairs.

Written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, The Invite stars Wilde and Seth Rogen as a married couple with a kid, a great apartment, and no patience left for each other. So, when the hot couple from upstairs (Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton) come down for an adults-only dinner, sparks fly, as does a spicy invite.

In my review, I cheered, "I was enchanted by The Invite. McCormack and Jones' screenplay is smartly written, bringing emotional depth to all four lovers, while solidly establishing the relatable frustrations of long-term relationships. Wilde's direction is deceptively simple in its aesthetic, favoring cinematography that allows us to spy without the discomfort of voyeurism. This keeps the tone light even as the talk turns dirty. And with an ensemble that's totally game to embrace the silly, sexy, and subversive, The Invite is ruthlessly entertaining."* — K.P.

Starring: Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton

How to watch: The Invite debuts on HBO Max on Oct. 23.

7. I Want Your Sex

Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman heat up the screen in Gregg Araki's buzzy erotic comedy I Want Your Sex, now on digital. Hoffman plays Elliot, an assistant to Wilde's famed artist Erika Tracy. When Erika initiates a BDSM relationship with Elliot, he'll reconsider everything he thought he knew about sex and his own relationships.

On top of bringing Erika and Elliot's kinky fantasies to life, I Want Your Sex also probes generational differences when it comes to sex, sparking conversations about whether Gen Z is actually repressed. The result is, as Mashable's Kristy Puchko wrote in her review, "an exuberantly entertaining comedy, alive with sexual vigor, earnest humanity, and biting humor."* — B.E.

Starring: Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, Mason Gooding, Chase Sui Wonders, Daveed Diggs, and Charli XCX

How to watch: I Want Your Sex is now available on digital.

6. Nobody Wants This, Season 3

Netflix's Emmy–nominated rom-com Nobody Wants This returns with its third season this week, which sees its central pairing of Joanne (Kristen Bell) and Noah (Adam Brody) taking a big next step in their relationship. They're moving in together! With that move comes further stability and commitment for both of them, so expect an October binge full of butterflies. — B.E.

Starring: Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, Justine Lupe, Timothy Simons, and Jackie Tohn

How to watch: Nobody Wants This Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.

5. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2

Return to Night City in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, the next installment in CD Projekt Red and Studio Trigger's award-winning anime. This season boosts a new art style and a whole new crew of characters, but for Mashable's Digital Culture Editor Crystal Bell, all that novelty works in the show's favor. As she wrote in her review, "Edgerunners 2 doesn't just live up to its predecessor. In some ways, I think it surpasses it." — B.E.

Starring: Valeria Rodriguez, Kimoy Lee, Cesili Williams, Daniel Wu, Brittany Lauda, and E.G. Daily

How to watch: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

4. Adam Conover: Big Divorce Energy

Comedian Adam Conover spent three seasons educating audiences with Adam Ruins Everything. Now, he's back, dropping the cheeky wise-guy act and getting personal with his new comedy special Big Divorce Energy.

Far from a bitter look at the end of his long-term relationship, Conover explores how this big change has affected his sex life, his identity, and his politics. The special is one that is jolting, funny, and still educational. For more from Conover, look for Mashable's upcoming episode of Say More. — K.P.

Starring: Adam Conover

How to watch: Adam Conover: Big Divorce Energy debuts on YouTube on Oct. 23.

3. Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story

If you don't know the name Maria Bamford, chances are good you've heard her work. Outside of being a stellar stand-up comedian who uses funny voices and powerful punchlines to bring light to dark topics, she's a prolific voice actor who's worked on Futurama, Rick and Morty, Adventure Time, BoJack Horseman, Big Mouth, Harley Quinn, and many, many more.

This documentary, however, is more in line with her stand-up, which has long dealt with her mental health journey with brilliant humor and insight. Directed by Judd Apatow and Neil Berkeley, Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story charts the course of Bamford's childhood in Duluth, Minnesota, to her discovery of stand-up in college, chasing her dream of comedy to Los Angeles, and beyond.*

For more from Bamford, look for Mashable's new episode of Say More. — K.P.

Starring: Maria Bamford

How to watch: Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story debuts on Netflix on Oct. 23.

2. Yaga

Heated Rivalry's Hudson Williams returns to our TVs this week in Canadian series Yaga, based on the play of the same name by Kat Sandler. The series follows private investigator Rapp (Noah Reid) and small-town detective Carson (Clark Backo) as they look into the disappearance of Henry Park (Williams), a billionaire heir. Along the way, they'll cross paths with an enigmatic professor (Carrie-Anne Moss) and a series of eerie visions and rituals that suggest that Henry's disappearance may have something to do with the occult.

Presented as a dark feminist fable rooted in Slavic folklore, Yaga should be a slam dunk. I mean, look at that cast! Yet the show's witchy mystery falls disappointingly flat. As I wrote in my review, "As an examination of witchcraft as a conduit for female rage, it's not angry enough. As an erotic thriller, it's not titillating enough. As a mystery, its twists and turns are intriguing, but never quite captivating. The ingredients for success are there, but they never quite come together to cast the right spell." — B.E.

Starring: Noah Reid, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hudson Williams, Clark Backo, Sheila McCarthy, Megan Follows, Ezra Franky, Patrick Gilmore, Katharine Isabelle, Hiro Kanagawa, Emilija Baranac, Georgia Acken, Anisa Harris, and Sam Krochmal

How to watch: Yaga's first two episodes premiere Oct. 23 on AMC+, with new episodes weekly.

Best of streaming this week: Phony

What would you do if your mom got replaced by a doppelgänger, but only you could tell? That's the dilemma facing high schooler Sonny (Sam Nivola) in Hulu's new series Phony. After Sonny gets in a car crash, he wakes up in the hospital to find that his mother Ellen (Connie Britton) has been swapped with an impostor (Britton in subtly transformative prosthetics).

As Sonny tries to find out what, exactly, happened to his mother, Phony constructs an engaging mystery that ranges from unsettling to downright creepy. Through all that, it manages to keep a funny streak thanks to its delightful ensemble of high school characters who feel authentic and lived-in. With its first two episodes out today, Phony has all the makings of your next fall mystery obsession. — B.E.

Starring: Connie Britton, Sam Nivola, Meera Syal, Grace Brennan, Mahaela Park, Maliq Johnson, and Colter Lee

How to watch: The first two episodes of Phony is now streaming on Hulu, with new episodes every Tuesday.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

SAVE $250: As of Oct. 22, the Dyson V15 Detect Origin Cordless Vacuum is on sale for $589.99 at Amazon. That's a 30% discount and the best-ever price on one of Dyson's highest-performing vacuums.

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Credit: Dyson

Dyson V15 Detect Origin

$589.99 at Amazon
$839.99 Save $250

 

Get Deal at Amazon

If you think vacuuming is an endless chore, wait until you get your hands on a high-powered Dyson.

The Dyson V15 Detect Origin just dropped from its regular $839.99 list price down to $589.99 at Amazon. That 30% discount slashes $250 off this cordless vacuum, bringing it down to its absolute best price ever.

In her guide to the best Dyson vacuums for 2026, Mashable's Leah Stodart named the V15 Detect the best mid-size Dyson vacuum, noting that while it changed the game when it dropped in 2021 as the first model with a dust-detecting laser, "it's still one of the best Dyson vacuums for balancing power and price." Leah points out that its suction power (topping 200 air watts) comes surprisingly close to the $1,149.99 Gen5outsize — which tops it by just 10 AW — while costing hundreds less.

She also notes it's "much tougher on pet hair than the V12 Detect Slim" and features a slightly larger dustbin that keeps up with heavy shedding without being "too bulky to clean ceilings or blinds with one hand." You also get two advanced cleaner heads: the Fluffy Optic head uses a precise green light to make invisible dust on hardwood floors look like an absolute horror movie, while the Digital Motorbar head deep-cleans area rugs and actively detangles hair off the roller as you sweep.

Plus, an internal sensor intelligently adapts suction based on debris levels and floor type, while an onboard LCD screen breaks down picked-up particles in real-time and displays remaining runtime right down to the second. Leah even shared that her mom has owned the V15 Detect for five years of near-daily use and "it's still kicking" — proving it's a true workhorse.

Grab the Dyson V15 Detect Origin on Amazon at its record-low price before stock sells out.

TL;DR: The Xbox Halo Special Edition Console Hallmark Keepsake Ornament is available for $27.99 at Amazon. It features light-up effects and plays the iconic Xbox startup sound and Halo 2 guitar riff.

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Credit: Hallmark / Xbox

Halo Special Edition Console Hallmark Ornament

$27.99 at Amazon

 

Shop Now at Amazon

Trading boring glittery snowflakes for a translucent green homage to Microsoft's peak gaming era is easily the best holiday upgrade you can give your tree.

The Xbox Halo Special Edition Console Hallmark Keepsake Ornament brings Microsoft’s iconic limited-edition hardware straight to your Christmas tree for $27.99, letting you relive all those endless hours spent parked in front of the TV battling the Covenant on original hardware.

This Amazon-exclusive miniature looks like it was shrunk down straight from the classic 2004 bundle. Styled in translucent green plastic, it measures roughly 3.5 inches wide and features the "Halo Special Edition" text on the front face. It comes complete with a tiny wired "Duke" controller resting on top of the console, giving your tree an instant dose of retro LAN party vibes without pulling down heavy branches.

It’s not your ordinary ornament, so it does way more than just sit there looking fancy. Hitting the tiny power button on the front illuminates the console and triggers the original Xbox boot-up chime alongside the roaring guitar riffs from the Halo 2 "Mjolnir Mix" theme. It instantly transports you back to screen-cheating during split-screen multiplayer matches or grinding through legendary campaign runs.

Hallmark also includes the gift box and all three replaceable LR44 button batteries, so you can test the startup sounds before hanging it on a branch. Whether you're building out a full gaming tree alongside Hallmark's classic black original Xbox, PS1, and Zelda ornaments, or just snagging a piece of gaming history, this translucent green keepsake hits every single nostalgia node.

Grab an Xbox Halo Ornament at Amazon to add a touch of your personal favorite gaming nostalgia to the tree this year.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for $59.99 at Amazon. Due to high demand, shoppers need to request an invite to buy.

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Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box

$59.99 at Amazon

 

Shop Now at Amazon

Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box preorders first dropped for $89.99 at Amazon. We've then been stuck at $159.99 for some time, but now Amazon has dropped a stunning discount.

The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is currently listed for just $59.99 on Amazon, with shipping and sales handled directly by Amazon. Demand for the product remains high, so Amazon is still routing orders through its "request invite" system.

At $59.99, Amazon’s price is way under TCGplayer’s $120 market price. We expect the deal to sell like wild, so we suggest that anyone interested should request an invite to buy immediately. Seriously, do not delay. This deal could disappear at any time.

The 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box offers nine 30th Celebration booster packs, an exclusive full-art foil Nidorina promo card, 16 foil Basic Energy cards, 65 custom card sleeves, damage-counter dice, a condition marker, card dividers, a collector’s player guide, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.

Shop the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration ETB for just $59.99 at Amazon.

TL;DR: The new Apple iPhone Duo is $1,000 off with T-Mobile. To qualify for this preorder deal, you need to switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan.

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Credit: Apple

T-Mobile: Apple iPhone Duo for $1,000 off

 

Shop Now

The launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max had a big impact, but the iPhone Duo's drop has resulted in absolute chaos. It's Apple's first-ever foldable phone — what did you expect?

Stan Schroeder reviewed the iPhone Duo for Mashable, writing that it's the "first choice for Apple customers looking for a cool new phone."

Preorders for the Apple iPhone Duo are officially live, and T-Mobile is coming out of the gate with one of its biggest carrier promotions of the year.

Right now, T-Mobile is offering up to $1,000 off the Apple iPhone Duo via 36 monthly bill credits when you switch and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan. You are still required to cover local sales tax on the phone's full pre-credit retail value upfront at checkout, plus T-Mobile's standard $35 device connection fee.

The $1,000 discount is distributed as 36 monthly bill credits. If you decide to cancel your service, downgrade your plan, or switch carriers before three years have passed, the remaining hardware balance becomes due immediately. But if you are already planning to stick with T-Mobile's top-tier unlimited plan for the long haul, taking $1,000 off Apple's iPhone Duo is a massive win for your tech budget ahead of Black Friday.

Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Carrier deals like this might be your best chance to score the iPhone Duo. Preorders for the iPhone Duo opened last week, and the phone sold out moments later. Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Werth tried to get his hands on the new phone, but missed the "blink-and-you'll-miss-it window."

TL;DR: Get ChatPlayground AI Lifetime Unlimited Plan for $59.97 (reg. $619) through Oct. 25 and compare multiple models for life.

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Credit: ChatPlayground AI

ChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan)

$59.97
$619 Save $559.03

 

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We all know the modern AI drill. ChatGPT has an answer. Claude has another. Gemini might approach the same question differently.

Instead of bouncing between tabs to compare them, ChatPlayground AI’s Unlimited Plan puts 20+ AI models in one dashboard for $59.97 (reg. $619) through Oct. 25.

Enter one prompt, compare responses from multiple AI models side by side, and choose the answer that works best for your project.

ChatPlayground brings together popular AI tools, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, Llama, and Perplexity. Whether you’re drafting content, researching ideas, troubleshooting code, or experimenting with prompts, you can see how different models tackle the same request. That’s particularly useful when you want a second opinion without having to restart the entire conversation in another app.

Beyond chatting, ChatPlayground includes prompt engineering tools to help refine your questions and improve results. You can also upload PDFs and images to ask questions about their contents, generate AI images, and save conversations for future reference.

For writers, developers, marketers, and small teams, those features can make it easier to organize ongoing projects and explore different approaches.

The Unlimited Plan includes unlimited monthly messages, subject to a fair use policy, along with priority customer support and priority access to new features and future models.

Keep in mind that the available AI models and features can change as the technology evolves. Get a lifetime of the ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Plan for just $59.97 (reg. $619) through Oct. 25.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Overgrown.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

MOSSY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Burger.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

PATTY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Stale.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

TRITE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Capable.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

ABLED

Final Hurdle hint

Suppress.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

QUELL

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for people who are fans of the New York Giants

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Stadium crew

• Green: Football QBs

• Blue: Actions during a pass play

• Purple: Sounds like an NBA player

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Workers at a Stadium

• Green: Giants QBs, Past and Present

• Blue: Pass___

• Purple: Ends in an NBA MVP

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #759 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Workers at a Stadium: GROUNDSKEEPER, MASCOT, SECURITY GUARD, USHER

• Giants QBs, Past and Present: DART, MANNING, SIMMS, TITTLE

• Pass___: BREAKUP, INTERFERENCE, PROTECTION, RUSH

• Ends in an NBA MVP: BOOBIRD, DESERVING, GNASH, SCURRY

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 22 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 4-0, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 22 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer 4-3, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 22 Pips

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer 4-0, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this purple space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically.

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

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

Grip meaning

To hold, seize or grasp something tightly.

Handle meaning

A piece designed to be grasped, lifted or pulled with the hand.

Hilt meaning

The handle of a sword, dagger, knife or bayonet

Knob meaning

A small, rounded grip used to open doors, drawers or cabinets.

Bust meaning

The physical measurement around the upper torso at the fullest point.

Mobile meaning

Capable of moving, being moved easily or operating without a fixed location

Relief meaning

The lessening or removal of physical pain, pressure or a heavy burden

Statue meaning

A three-dimensional work of art that represents a person, animal or mythical being

End meaning

The final part, limit or conclusion of something in time, space or action

Guard meaning

To protect, watch over, or keep someone or something safe from harm.

Safety meaning

The state of being free from harm, danger, injury or loss.

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Tackle meaning

To make a serious effort to deal with a difficult task, issue or crisis.

Blank meaning

Lacking writing, marks, expression or contents.

Comfort meaning

A state of physical relaxation, freedom from pain, emotional relief or financial sufficiency.

Pill meaning

A small, solid mass of medicine, vitamins, or supplements intended to be swallowed whole.

She meaning

A third-person singular feminine personal pronoun.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're an artist.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Hold it

• Green: Artworks

• Blue: Sports players

• Purple: Linens

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Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Parts to be grasped

• Green: Kinds of sculptures

• Blue: American football positions

• Purple: Starts of bedding

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1228 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Parts to be grasped: GRIP, HANDLE, HILT, KNOB

• Kinds of sculptures: BUST, MOBILE, RELIEF, STATUE

• American football positions: END, GUARD, SAFETY, TACKLE

• Starts of bedding: BLANK, COMFORT, PILL SHE

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you have a large family.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Any relation?

The words are related to relatives.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe being related to someone.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Family Ties.

NYT Strands word list for October 22

• Blood

• Ancestors

• Family Ties

• Kinfolk

• Brethren

• Offspring

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

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you give second chances.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Restart.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.

The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

RESET

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

Robert Downey Jr. spent years playing a tech billionaire who could summon digital displays with a wave of his hand. Now, his latest role brings a little of Tony Stark's world to life.

The actor has joined Specs, Snap's augmented reality glasses business, as its honorary chief customer experience officer. Announced Oct. 20, the partnership will involve original content, custom AR experiences, hardware collaborations, and in-person experiences.

Downey is well aware of the casting here. In the announcement, he said the glasses deliver on the promise of AR technology associated with "a certain techno optimist superhero I portrayed."

"Life imitates art-imitates life!" he added.

According to a release shared with Mashable, the collaboration will explore how AR could be used across entertainment and education, as well as medicine, engineering, and manufacturing.

Downey's first project is an original content series, which debuted during Game 1 of the World Series, showcasing the glasses in action, "from work and entertainment to golf and creativity." The series launched on Oct. 20, and the 30-second clip was broadcast during the Knicks vs. 76ers game. More episodes are set to drop on the Specs website or YouTube.

Downey says the product won him over quickly.

"Trying is believing. Having tested practically every wearable tech that’s come to market in the last 20 years, and been largely unimpressed, I was absolutely sold on SPECS within 40 seconds," he said in the announcement.

"The applications are endless. Families can share experiences instead of hunching over devices, skills can be honed, big business can streamline development," Downey continued.

The Oscar-award winning actor also made the role LinkedIn official, updating his profile and posting, "Day 1. New Gig," alongside a short video of him entering the SPECS headquarters in Santa Monica, California.

Snap Inc. co-founder and CEO Evan Spiegel welcomed him in the replies ("Excited to collaborate together."), while other commenters supplied the inevitable Marvel references. "Be careful to not work with Obadiah Stane," one advised.

Credit: Screenshot: LinkedIn

What are Specs?

Snap introduced the augmented reality (AR) glasses in June 2026, announcing a $2,195 preorder price, with a refundable $200 deposit and shipping planned for the fall in the U.S., UK, and France.

As Mashable’s Timothy Beck Werth explained at launch, Specs function as a standalone computer. See-through displays layer digital content over the wearer's surroundings, while hand tracking and voice controls let people interact with it.

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In his latest analysis, Werth wrote that Specs reminded him more of Apple's Vision Pro than other smart glasses he'd tested. Both offer virtual screens and digital experiences positioned in the space around the wearer, though Specs use transparent lenses rather than a headset's camera-fed view of the world.

"For a computer, they’re impressively light, compact, and wireless. But for glasses, they’re undeniably chunky," Werth wrote.

Like VR glasses, Snap isn't necessarily expecting people to wear Specs through every waking hour. Spiegel previously told Mashable the company would start with developers: "And then we’ll extend beyond that, with the early adopters and folks who see a lot of value in specific use cases — whether they’re trying to improve their golf swing or whether they just want to work on the road and still bring the benefits of that large display or monitor."

In more ways than one, the team is clearly trying to distance itself from the phrase "AI glasses." In the promo video, Downey even dumps an "AI glasses" box into the garbage. Of course, Specs have AI features, too, but Snap clearly wants to sell a bigger idea than another pair of glasses with an assistant built in.

Downey has drawn his own lines around AI

Downry's enthusiasm for Specs adds another chapter to a public conversation he's already been having about advancements in technology, specifically around AI.

As Mashable reported in 2018, Downey hosted and executive produced an eight-episode YouTube series, "The Age of AI," exploring the technology, featuring experts discussing how it could change the way people interact with each other and the world.

His later comments made clear that enthusiasm came with boundaries. During an Oct. 2024 appearance on On With Kara Swisher, Downey said he intended to sue future executives who authorized an AI replica of his likeness. When Swisher pointed out that he might be dead by then, he replied with the viral comment, "But my law firm will still be very active."

That same year, his Broadway debut, McNeal, explored questions about AI and artistic ownership. The production itself also used AI: "We used a ton of AI to make this show, but we're also mimicking how people feel about AI and how it expresses itself to us," said the show's projectionist and designer Jake Barton.

Downey’s interest in AI also extends to investing. In Dec. 2021, he joined investors including Gwyneth Paltrow in Forethought’s $65 million Series C funding round. The startup develops AI tools to automate customer service. When software company Zendesk announced plans to acquire Forethought in March 2026, Downey said he'd "been a huge believer of this team and their tech since [the] jump."

He's also been an investor, board member, and public face of Aura, and supported how the company uses AI to help protect customers against scams and other online threats. A 2025 campaign even used AI-assisted visual effects to show him aging from childhood into his senior years.

For Snap, the partnership is part of a decade-long effort to turn smart glasses into a viable business — with some expensive setbacks along the way.

After launching its original camera-equipped Spectacles in 2016, the company recorded $39.9 million in inventory-related charges in 2017, primarily because of excess inventory.

This time around, there is still a good amount of doubt over who is going to buy $2,195 glasses. During its August earnings call, Spiegel didn't disclose preorder numbers when asked about demand, instead emphasizing the need for people to try Specs themselves. "It’s obviously a high consideration purchase at $2,195," he said. He also cautioned that mass-market consumer adoption likely wouldn’t arrive until "towards the end of the decade."

Meanwhile, Meta's partnership with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica sold more than 7 million AI glasses across its Ray-Ban and Oakley lines in 2025 alone. Its eyewear also accounted for 81.3 percent of global AI-glasses shipments in the first half of 2026.

That doesn't mean people necessarily like Meta glasses, or smart glasses in general. The discreet cameras that make the glasses convenient for recording have also raised legitimate concerns about filming people without their knowledge. On Oct. 13, The European Data Protection Board (EDPB), made up of national privacy regulators across Europe, issued a statement about smart glasses, calling for stronger safeguards, while Meta will now brick your glasses' camera if you tamper with it.

Snap has to ultimately convince people that its more expensive AR computer deserves a place in their lives, all while smart glasses face growing scrutiny. But if anyone can get people excited about futuristic eyewear, it's Iron Man.

SAVE $299.02: As of Oct. 21, the DJI Power 1000 V2 Portable Power Station is on sale for $399.98 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount and marks its best-ever price to date.

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Credit: DJI

DJI Power 1000 V2 Portable Power Station

$399.98 at Amazon
$699 Save $299.02

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Finding reliable emergency backup power under $400 usually forces you to pick between slow charging, low wattage, or noisy operation. The upgraded DJI Power 1000 V2 bridges that gap, dropping to a record-low $399.98 at Amazon, cutting 43% off its regular list price.

Equipped with a 1,024Wh LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery and a massive 2,600W continuous power output, this unit reliably runs 99% of everyday household appliances. That means keeping a full-sized home refrigerator cool for up to 20 hours during a blackout, powering a CPAP machine through multiple nights, or running high-draw gear like electric cookers, coffee makers, and power tools at a campsite without tripping the safety breakers.

Plugged into a standard wall outlet, the V2 recharges from dead to 80% in just 37 minutes. Out on the trail or on the job site, you get dual 140W USB-C ports (delivering 280W total combined output) to fast-charge high-end laptops like a MacBook Pro without extra brick adapters, plus two of DJI’s proprietary SDC ports (one standard SDC and one SDC Lite) to top off drone batteries directly in the field.

Despite the heavy power output, it runs at an ultra-quiet 26 decibels, quieter than a soft whisper, making it ideal for nightstand use inside an RV or bedroom. Its safe LFP battery cells are rated to hold 80% capacity even after 4,000 full charge cycles (roughly a 10-year lifespan), and its built-in 10-millisecond UPS function instantly takes over during a grid failure so your connected home electronics won't crash.

Grab the DJI Power 1000 V2 Portable Power Station at Amazon for $399.98 before this record-low price disappears.

Astronauts should return to the Apollo 15 landing site on the moon and haul home some of its half-century-old poop and hardware, a panel told NASA on Wednesday.

A crew would land just north of the site at Mons Hadley — far enough away to avoid damaging it. From there, the astronauts would walk over to inspect the rover, lander base, instruments, and power systems the prior crew left behind in 1971.

That equipment has endured decades of space radiation and repeated heating and cooling as lunar days give way to nights. Scientists on Earth could study how the lunar environment impacts the hardware over time. A close look at the urine and feces in a lab could reveal how biological material changes and whether it affects the area around it. 

That "would be foundational information [for] how we need to engineer the systems for lunar bases," said Dan Dumbacher, co-chairperson of the committee, "for anything humans take to the surface of the moon." 

The mission proposal came from a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee, whom NASA asked to recommend future moon-landing sites away from the lunar south pole, where the agency already intends to build a long-term moon base. In a new report, members of the committee selected four non-polar sites — Bhabha Crater, Mons Hadley, Orientale Basin, and Aristarchus Plateau — where they believe Artemis astronauts should collect samples, make observations, and conduct experiments. They prioritized locations they believed would benefit from human explorers over uncrewed robots.

These so-called "sorties," the term NASA used when tasking the committee, would be short, one-time visits. Because the poles lack the volcanic terrain found elsewhere on the moon, as well as radioactive metals like uranium and thorium, the brief trips would complement the base, not replace it, according to the report.

Each mission would send a pair of astronauts to make one to four moonwalks within 2 kilometers — or 1.2 miles — of their lander. That distance is a previously established "walkback" limit NASA decided long ago that the committee thinks the agency should try to extend. The panel also chose landing sites that offered the most opportunities for geology, biology, human health, and physics research. 

The top pick, Bhabha Crater, sits inside what may be the solar system's largest and oldest crater, and its rocks could pin down when that massive impact happened. Situated on the far side of the moon, the crew would have to land farther from home than any humans before, letting NASA test how astronauts cope with isolation.

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The site is also prime for a telescope, said James Day, the other chairperson of the committee. 

"It's an almost unmatched location for doing radio astronomy, and the reason for this is because it's in the quiet zone on the far side of the moon. It is shielded from the noise that we produce here on Earth," Day said. "This will give us information on the very early universe before the first stars or galaxies had formed."

Bhabha crater is the National Academies committee's top pick among four recommended moon landing sites. Credit: NASA / GSFC / Arizona State University

At Orientale, the moon's youngest large basin at roughly 3.8 billion years old, astronauts would collect boulders from deep in the crust that could show whether the moon was once entirely molten. They would also set up a detector for gravitational waves — ripples in spacetime. The instrument could alert astronomers months before distant neutron stars collide, the committee leaders said.

Finally, the Aristarchus Plateau, an Apollo destination that NASA never reached, holds volcanic deposits that may yield water. It spans about 60 miles, so crews there would gain the most from the simple open rover the committee thinks NASA should build.

Among its recommendations, the panel said NASA should keep mapping the moon in detail from orbit, build instruments that can run through the lunar night, and set up a communications system that keeps crews in constant contact with Earth, even on the far side.

NASA will decide when and in what order to fly the missions. 

"All four of these sites will give us profound knowledge," Day said, "not just of our moon, but of our solar system, and frankly of ourselves." 

SAVE $30: As of Oct. 21, the DJI Neo 4K Drone is on sale for $169 at Amazon. That's a 15% discount on this palm-sized camera drone.

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Credit: DJI

DJI Neo

$169 at Amazon
$199 Save $30

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Holding out for a camera drone that doesn't require a pilot's license, an FAA registration form marathon, or a giant suitcase full of gear is officially over. The ultra-portable DJI Neo is down to just $169, knocking 15% off its regular price tag and bringing top-tier aerial footage well under the $200 mark.

Tipping the scales at a featherlight 135 grams, this mini drone is lighter than most smartphones. Because it comes in way below the federal weight limit, casual flyers can bypass FAA registration and Remote ID entirely. You simply unbox it, charge the battery, and take off — no paperwork, no test taking, and no bureaucracy standing between you and incredible 4K video clips.

What makes the Neo an absolute blast for beginners and solo creators is its dead-simple controls. You don't even need to use a remote or hook up your phone if you don't want to. Just place it in the palm of your hand, press a quick button, and watch it lift off automatically. Built-in smart tracking features lock onto you to keep you centered in the frame while you walk, run, or hike, making it feel like traveling with your own personal robotic camera crew.

Despite its tiny footprint, it shoots crisp, stabilized 4K footage and comes built with full-coverage propeller guards so you won't chew up the blades if you bump into a tree branch or bedroom doorframe. Whether you fly it completely hands-free using palm gestures, use voice controls, or pair it with your phone, this deal is easily the best entry point into drone photography right now.

Get this DJI Neo 4K drone while it's still discounted.

TL;DR: Keep your important info secure with this lifetime subscription to LegacyLocked Digital Estate Planning Vault, which is on sale now for just $49 (reg. $99).

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Credit: Mind2Matter

LegacyLocked Digital Estate Planning Vault: Lifetime Subscription

$49
$99 Save $50

 

Get Deal

When someone needs access to your important documents one day, you don’t want them to dig through your emails and scramble through scraps of paper to find everything. The LegacyLocked Digital Estate Planning Vault gives you a single encrypted space to organize all the information your family might need.

Right now, you can lock in a lifetime subscription to LegacyLocked Digital Estate Planning Vault for only $49.

You don’t realize how many important documents you have floating around until you try to consolidate them and find yourself digging through drawers, folders, and inboxes. LegacyLocked Digital Estate Planning Vault lets you sort them in one convenient place — with folders for financial accounts, insurance, legal records, crypto, and key contacts so you don’t have to scramble to find them all.

With LegacyLocked, your vault lives right on your device, not a cloud account. Every item is encrypted on your device before it’s saved in the vault.

Besides ensuring their security, keeping your files on the device rather than in the cloud also means they’re always accessible, even offline. You’ll also have a global search feature that lets you find items easily, as well as local action history to keep tabs on any changes.

With LegacyLocked, your usual lists and account info give a boost of security with encryption. There are folders for everything you need to store, and dedicated item types that save each kind of record in a format tailored to that type of information.

This lifetime subscription gives you permanent access without recurring fees. Windows and Mac desktop apps are available, and you’ll receive access to all future software updates. Since your vault is local to your device, you also get to choose how your trusted individuals can access it when they need to.

Get this lifetime subscription to LegacyLocked Digital Estate Planning Vault for only $49 today.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Nothing says "relaxing vacation" like a list of chores to finish before checkout. It’s a common issue for travelers staying in Airbnbs to find themselves forced to strip beds, wash dishes, and take out the trash before catching a flight — all while still paying a cleaning fee.

But now, Airbnb is putting limits on that routine. For reservations booked on or after Nov. 20, hosts generally won’t be allowed to ask guests to do the housework any longer.

What can Airbnb hosts still ask guests to do?

The update, announced by Airbnb on Oct. 20, draws a distinction between light tidying and cleaning the rental for its next occupants.

Here's how the company breaks it down:

• Dishes: Hosts can ask you to leave used dishes in the sink, but shouldn't ask you to wash and put them away.

• Laundry: Gathering used towels is allowed. Stripping beds or starting a load of laundry generally isn't.

• Trash: Hosts can ask you to separate garbage and recycling into designated indoor bins, but shouldn't ask you to haul it off-site.

• Air conditioning: Hosts shouldn't tell you to avoid an amenity advertised in the listing, though they can ask you to turn it off when you leave.

Airbnb may make exceptions based on the property, the stay, and local conditions. Some examples include putting trash in an animal-proof container in bear country and limiting shower time during local drought restrictions.

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There is an interesting financial wrinkle: Airbnb takes a cut of cleaning fees. Its single service fee, which is 15.5 percent for most hosts, applies to the nightly price and additional host charges, including cleaning. At that rate, $15.50 of a $100 cleaning fee goes to Airbnb. That means, if hosts raise those charges to cover more work, Airbnb could collect more, too.

No surprise rules after you book

The changes also address another familiar frustration: finding out about the rules only after the reservation is already paid for. Under the new policy, all house rules and requests must appear in the designated listing section when you book. That means no additional requirements slipped into a message, posted on the fridge, or delivered in person after arrival.

And hosts generally can’t attach their own fines or penalties, either. Hosts who persistently violate the policy could face a warning on their listing, reduced visibility in search, or other action from Airbnb.

To make those expectations harder to miss, Airbnb is displaying rules more prominently on listings, in guests' Trips tabs, and in reservation reminders. Listings with unresolved cleaning requests may also carry an alert reading "includes cleaning requests" — useful information before committing to a weekend away.

If this all sounds familiar, Airbnb has been working on the checkout chore problem for years. Back in Nov. 2022, the company said guests shouldn’t have to strip beds, do laundry, or vacuum before leaving. Its 2023 summer update made checkout instructions visible before booking and let guests flag excessive requests in reviews. Airbnb also said it would remove listings that repeatedly received low ratings over unreasonable chores.

Airbnb guests have entered the chat

The announcement has prompted plenty of travelers to celebrate and share their own horror stories.

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One user recalled a stay that required stripping beds, washing every dish, cleaning the kitchen, and hauling trash to the road — despite a $100 cleaning fee.

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Another said a host in Florida had tried to charge an additional $250 after their stay because they hadn’t washed and replaced the bedsheets and towels, taken out the trash, or swept the floor. According to the post, Airbnb customer service intervened and told the host they couldn’t charge extra for those tasks.

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On Reddit, where a discussion in r/technology has drawn roughly 18,000 upvotes and 1,400 comments in 4 hours, users commiserate over similar experiences.

"We once had a host call us screaming because we piled the dirty towels in the bathtub instead of washing and drying them," one commenter wrote. Another described being asked to take garbage to an off-site dump that charged for disposal and closed on Sundays. The host told them, "You have to take it out on Saturday then bring your Sunday trash home."

"If you have to put your existing paying guests to work preparing your property for your future paying guests, while also charging everyone a cleaning fee, maybe hosting just isn't for you?" said one X user.

But the conversation also includes other frustrations with Airbnb. One X user argued that the combination of prices rivaling luxury hotels and an "extensive chore chart" had eroded the service's appeal. "There’s almost zero reason not to stay in a hotel at this point," he wrote. "Too late. So many of us have moved on back to hotels. Less hassle and cheaper," a Reddit user wrote in response to Airbnb's latest update.

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Not all guests could agree on where basic courtesy ends and an unreasonable chore list begins, though. "I never minded dishes, but laundry was asking a bit much," one Reddit user wrote. Another said washing dishes and taking out trash seemed reasonable, particularly when food waste could start to smell.

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This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Still, the online frustration hasn’t translated into an overall decline in Airbnb's business quite yet. In its second-quarter 2026 results, the company reported revenue of $3.6 billion, up 17 percent from a year earlier. Its combined "Nights and Seats Booked" metric, covering stays and experiences, rose 10 percent. So though some travelers may have sworn off the platform, bookings are still growing.

Nevertheless, Airbnb has drawn its line in a longstanding debate over what it means to be a good guest. Whether hosts and travelers can agree on it is another matter.

TL;DR: Learn piano from home with flowkey’s 5-year Classic Plan on sale for $79.99 (reg. $899).

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Credit: Flowkey

flowkey Piano Learning App: Classic Plan (5-Year Subscription)

$79.99
$899 Save $819.01

 

Get Deal

Whether you’re just starting or looking to build on your existing skills, flowkey lets you learn piano at your own pace without sacrificing progress. Its flexible lessons and guided practice make it easier to fit playing into your schedule, and this deal brings the five-year Classic Plan to just $79.99 (regularly $899) for a limited time.

Flowkey is designed to make practicing feel approachable instead of intimidating. Whether you’re sitting at a keyboard for the first time or returning after a long break, the app guides you through each lesson at your own pace. It even listens while you play, offering instant feedback so you know when you’ve nailed a note — or when it’s time to try again.

The Classic Plan includes access to more than 1,000 classical and public-domain songs, featuring composers like Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Bach, Debussy, Liszt, and Brahms. You’ll also unlock every course and exercise, covering everything from reading sheet music and learning chords to proper hand positioning and rhythm.

Helpful tools like Wait Mode, Slow Motion, Loop, and separate hand practice make difficult sections easier to master without feeling rushed. Because your subscription works across phones, tablets, and computers, it’s easy to fit practice into your schedule.

With five years of access, this is an easy opportunity to start building those piano skills while this offer is still available.

For a limited time, get a five-year subscription to the flowkey Classic Plan for a one-time $79.99 (reg. $899).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Meta, which has fought numerous youth safety lawsuits this year, now faces a $25 billion penalty for violating New Mexico's consumer protection laws. The order, made Wednesday by a New Mexico judge, is the latest development in a lawsuit filed against Meta by the state in 2021.

The case stemmed from the 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which the U.K.-based data firm employed by Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign exploited Facebook features to harvest and misappropriate the personal data of more than 50 million users.

New Mexico's lawsuit argued that Facebook generally misled consumers about its data privacy practices, as well as its efforts to moderate misinformation and hate speech. Last month, a New Mexico jury found Meta liable for nearly 44 million violations of the state's consumer protection statute.

The jury found that Facebook's unfair and deceptive practices extended to messaging shared by its executives, including Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook's then-chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg.

"Facebook continued making public representations concerning users' control of data, third-party data misuse, misinformation, hate speech, and equal enforcement after employees, researchers, and senior personnel had internally identified that Facebook could not make good on its public promises," Judge Francis J. Mathew wrote in his decision.

Meta said the decision and penalty make it "all but impossible" to do business in New Mexico, according to a statement obtained by Yahoo! Finance.

"At its core, this lawsuit seeks to impose a tax on speech to enforce new rules for what people can say online," said C.J. Mahoney, Meta's chief legal officer. "We are confident we will prevail on appeal."

In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission separately levied a record $5 billion penalty against Facebook for violating consumers' privacy.

In August, Meta made a $17 billion settlement with states that sued the company for allegedly designing addictive platforms. Earlier that month, a separate New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay nearly $1 billion in a different case about youth mental health and data privacy.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said in a statement that the consumer privacy lawsuit made clear that companies must abide by the state's consumer protection laws.

"This case has always been about more than one company or one scandal," Torrez said. "It is about whether corporations can mislead consumers about what happens to their personal information without facing meaningful consequences."

One of the most influential RPG developers of all time is no more. And just like that, another beloved gaming studio is closing its doors for good.

Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that powerful video game publisher Electronic Arts is shutting down RPG studio BioWare, which had been around in some form or another since 1995. This move came as part of a wider layoff of around 400 employees. According to reporter Jason Schreier, BioWare's headcount at the end was around 50.

Minutes after Bloomberg broke the news, the BioWare X account shared a heartfelt message with gamers:

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Whether or not you've ever played a BioWare game, you've most likely heard of them or played something inspired by them. The studio made its name in the late 90s and early 2000s with hit RPGs like the original Baldur's Gate, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Neverwinter Nights. All of those games, as well as the studio's later works, helped pioneer and popularize storytelling that was shaped by player choices.

BioWare arguably hit the apex of its popularity in the late 2000s and early 2010s with the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series. Both franchises saw massive success early on before waning a bit with controversial entries like Andromeda and Veilguard, but you do not have to look far on the internet to find people who love every single game BioWare made. A new Mass Effect was in the works at BioWare when the studio was shut down, but that title has been canceled, per Bloomberg.

Some gamers will argue that this development was inevitable given the events of the past few years. As Variety and Bloomberg reported last year, after the release of Veilguard, EA laid off some BioWare employees. EA was recently acquired by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. Cuts were always a possibility after a big acquisition like that, and BioWare evidently found itself in the crosshairs once more.

If you're buying the new iPhone Duo, Apple's first-ever foldable, the first thing you should do is marvel at its opening animation. The very next thing you should do is get a case for it. Not only is the Duo an expensive phone, but it's also a slippery one, according to Mashable's Stan Schroeder.

Since regular iPhone cases won't fit its passport-style design, you'll have to buy a brand-new protective case for your Duo. Below, I've rounded up over a dozen of the best iPhone Duo cases available ahead of its release on Friday, Oct. 23, including options from popular brands like OtterBox and Casetify with kickstands, MagSafe, and/or hinge protection. Prices range from $30 to $129.

If you haven't locked in your iPhone Duo preorder yet, you can save up to $1,200 with various carrier offers. Just know that it might be a couple weeks until yours arrives: The Duo sold out almost instantly when preorders opened on Oct. 16, and it's currently on backorder pretty much everywhere.

The best iPhone Duo cases so far

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Credit: Apple

Apple iPhone Duo Case

$79 at Amazon

 

Shop Now at Amazon

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Credit: Apple

Apple iPhone Duo Folio with Kickstand

$129 at Amazon

 

Shop Now at Amazon

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Credit: Casetify

Casetify iPhone Duo Impact Case

$88 at Casetify.com

 

Shop Now at Casetify.com

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Credit: Casely

Casely iPhone Duo Bold Flex Case + MagSafe

$80 at Casely.com

 

Shop Now at Casely.com

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Credit: dbrand

dbrand Grip Case with MagSafe for iPhone Duo

$54.90

 

Shop Now

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Credit: kate spade new york

kate spade Protective iPhone Duo Case with MagSafe

$64.99 at Best Buy

 

Shop Now at Best Buy

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Credit: OtterBox

OtterBox iPhone Duo Lumen Series Case

$69.99 at Best Buy

 

Shop Now at Best Buy

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Credit: OtterBox

OtterBox Foldable iPhone Duo Defender Series Pro XT Case

$89.99 at Amazon

 

Get Deal at Amazon

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Credit: Pitaka

Pitaka iPhone Duo Edge Case

$49.99 at Amazon

 

Shop Now at Amazon

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Credit: Torras

Torras Ostand Q3 VegSkin for iPhone Duo

$71.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $18

 

Get Deal at Amazon

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Credit: Speck

Speck Presidio Perfect-Clear Fold MagSafe iPhone Duo Case

$64.99 at Amazon

 

Shop Now at Amazon

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Credit: Spigen

Spigen Nano Pop MagFit Case for iPhone Duo

$29.99 at Amazon

 

Shop Now at Amazon

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Credit: Spigen

Spigen Ultra Hybrid Pro MagFit Case or iPhone Duo

$39.99 at Amazon

 

Shop Now at Amazon

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Credit: Spigen

Spigen Slim Armor Pro MagFit Case for iPhone Duo

$69.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $20

 

Get Deal at Amazon

If some of your usual websites aren’t working today, their operators may have temporarily shut them down to keep hackers out.

Two serious security flaws have been discovered in PHP, a programming language that helps websites run. On vulnerable servers, those flaws could allow hackers to run their own commands or access sensitive information. Because PHP is used across so many different websites, the same security problem has left operators around the world scrambling to protect their systems.

A fix became available on Oct. 21, but releasing it doesn’t automatically secure every affected site. Website operators and hosting providers still need to install the update on their servers. Some have taken sites offline or restricted features while they do that work, creating disruptions for visitors along the way.

From gaming services to government websites

Those precautions have disrupted everything from online forums to gaming services. 4chan switched to read-only mode while awaiting a PHP security update, while Wikimedia, the organization behind Wikipedia, took supporting tools offline until they could be safely patched. In a statement to Mashable, the Wikimedia Foundation confirmed its recent downtime was related to the PHP security issues.

Fur Affinity, Pinboard, and Miraheze also announced precautionary shutdowns, while games including Umamusume: Pretty Derby, Granblue Fantasy, and Princess Connect! Re:Dive announced maintenance to address PHP vulnerabilities.

Government websites have taken similar precautions. Reuters identified the Port of Rotterdam, Dutch football association KNVB, government portal Overheid.nl, and the Dutch National Cyber Security Centre among those taken offline. Finnish government public web services, Belgian foreign ministry websites, French prefecture websites, and several German federal websites also underwent preventive shutdowns. Taking these services offline doesn’t necessarily mean they were hacked — it can help prevent that from happening.

Other disruptions haven’t been publicly linked to PHP. Pokémon Sleep, Pokémon HOME, and Pokémon Champions underwent emergency maintenance, but a PHP connection remains unconfirmed. GOG also announced maintenance without specifying a cause, while Duolingo reported increased errors without mentioning the vulnerability. In addition, DownDetector users are reporting problems with popular tools such as the Internet Archive and Asana, though those issues couldn't be directly linked to the PHP security update.

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This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Here’s what we know about the PHP-related disruptions and the other outages happening alongside them.

Which websites are affected by the PHP security update?

The following sites and services have announced PHP-related restrictions or shutdowns, or have been reported to have taken them. These disruptions occurred at different points on Oct. 21, so some services may have returned as operators completed their updates.

• OpenStreetMap’s wiki and secondary services: Its operations team temporarily shut down several supporting services, including its wiki. The announcement concerns those services, rather than the main map.

• Choice of Games: The interactive fiction publisher announced an overnight shutdown of its website while awaiting the security update.

• GrapheneOS forum: The project temporarily took its discussion forum offline. This concerns the forum, rather than the GrapheneOS phone operating system.

• Umamusume: Pretty Derby: The game’s maintenance notice identified a PHP vulnerability on its servers, according to Dexerto.

• Something Awful: The forums posted a maintenance notice linking their temporary shutdown to the PHP vulnerability. The forum homepage was accessible during our check.

• 4chan: The imageboard switched to read-only mode while awaiting an urgent PHP security update, according to reporting quoting its notice. That limits posting without necessarily preventing people from reading existing threads.

• Wikimedia supporting services: The organization behind Wikipedia took services including Toolforge and Cloud VPS offline. Wikimedia also warned that users might encounter wiki outages during the work. (Its announcement does not describe a complete shutdown of Wikipedia.)

• Fur Affinity: The art community announced it would take its site offline until it could apply a patch, citing the PHP vulnerability.

• Miraheze: The wiki hosting service said it was taking all services offline to protect its systems while awaiting a PHP patch.

• Pinboard: The bookmarking service said it had taken itself offline to protect users' data until patches became available.

• Granblue Fantasy: The game issued a maintenance notice related to the PHP vulnerability.

• Princess Connect! Re:Dive: The game also announced maintenance to address the PHP issue.

• Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond: The game underwent emergency maintenance that Japanese technology outlets linked to the PHP security issue.

• CHUNITHM: The rhythm game’s international account announced emergency maintenance following reports of a PHP vulnerability.

• Pokémon Sleep, Pokémon HOME, and Pokémon Champions: The games underwent emergency maintenance, though a direct connection to the PHP vulnerabilities has not been confirmed.

• Port of Rotterdam: Its website was taken offline as a precaution.

• KNVB: The Dutch national football association’s website was taken offline.

• Overheid.nl: The Dutch government portal was taken offline.

• Dutch National Cyber Security Centre: The cybersecurity agency took its public-facing website offline as a precaution.

• Finnish government public web services: State IT provider Valtori shut down the services as a precaution.

• Belgian foreign ministry: The ministry temporarily took its websites offline.

• French prefectures: The Interior Ministry temporarily took local administrative offices’ websites offline.

• German federal websites: Federal IT provider ITZBund temporarily deactivated several websites as a preventive measure.

When will affected websites be back?

There’s no single restoration time. Each operator needs to update its affected systems and make sure its services can safely return.

That process can be more complicated for organizations hosting tools managed by different people. Wikimedia, for example, said some volunteer-run services require their individual owners to make changes before they can come back online, potentially extending their downtime.

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Before O'Neil Thomas had millions of followers, he had a third-grade Christmas production and a serious case of stage fright.

But the nerves didn’t last past curtain call. Watching family members, faculty, and staff stand and applaud, he knew he wanted to keep performing. "I felt something really warm in my heart," Thomas tells Mashable. "I was like, 'I think this is something I want to do for the rest of my life.'"

By high school, he was studying performing arts, writing scripts, and filming YouTube sketches between classes and auditions. And as new platforms arrived, he kept finding new places to perform, learning what audiences responded to and how his comedy could work differently on each app.

Over the past decade, Thomas, 29, has grown his audience to more than six million across social media platforms, with fans following his social commentary, comedy sketches — like his YouTube series Shady Family — and viral recreations, including his take on Beyoncé's Grammy-award-winning album Cowboy Carter's cover art (which earned a shoutout from her team). But his latest project brings that work back to the passion that started it all: acting.

His vertical "microdrama", the 7:33 minute Investigator, Investigator, was selected for New York's inaugural Alza Film Festival, held Oct. 16–18, where he also joined a conversation aptly titled "What Does Creator Even Mean" to discuss the increasingly blurred lines between creators, filmmakers, actors, and producers, especially as the vertical series boom is getting bigger.

For Mashable's Creator Playbook, Thomas sat down with deputy editor Olivia Tauber ahead of the festival to explore his beginnings as a performer, how he brings an actor's approach to content creation, the comedians who inspire him, and how he gives viewers a reason to keep coming back.

Credit: O'Neil Thomas/Mashable

Mashable: You started out as an actor before becoming a creator. What drew you to acting, and how did that transition happen?

O’Neil Thomas: Honestly, it all started in the third grade. That’s when I found my calling for acting. I was in our first-ever Christmas production, and it was my first time ever onstage. I was terrified when I was first doing it.

But something about doing the lines, getting off the stage, and then, at the end, for curtain call, where all the cast and crew are on the stage, and I see all the family, the faculty, staff just standing up and clapping — I felt something really warm in my heart. I was like, "I think this is something I want to do for the rest of my life."

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