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Terminal-based apps are awesome, but if you’ve ever tried to use them, you’re probably already aware of their biggest annoyance: you have to open a terminal and type a command every time. They don’t show up in your dock or app launcher the way regular desktop apps do. Thankfully, there’s a quick and easy fix for that. It’ll hardly take a few minutes, and you’ll be able to give your terminal apps their own icons and entries in your application launcher.

Hot on the heels of Apple’s HomeView launch, Amazon has unveiled a massive 16-inch Echo Show and updated the Echo Studio with a built-in camera. Both devices are worth your attention as they aim to make Alexa more useful around the home, whether you want to manage connected gadgets, monitor your living room, or keep your daily schedule organized. The new Echo Studio and Echo Show lean on the latest Alexa with natural conversations and the ability to handle complex, multistep requests.

A rainy weekend stuck indoors is the perfect excuse to put your 3D printer to work on the house itself. While it hums along, you can line up new cabinet pulls without eyeballing them, replace that broken clip nobody sells anymore, and finally get the junk drawer under control. None of these projects need a garage full of tools, and by Sunday night something in your home will actually work better than it did on Friday.

My RTX 3080 now spends most of its life switched off, and that’s exactly how I want it. For years, I’ve wanted my mini PC to game like a desktop without bringing back a desktop’s heat, noise, and footprint, and USB4 finally makes that practical. Ugreen’s LinkStation eGPU Dock puts a full-size graphics card on the end of a single cable, and after a few weeks of plugging it in only when it’s time to play, it’s become my favorite PC gaming accessory.

If your favorite green tool is broken or no longer works the way it should, don't toss it out and drop a bunch of cash on a replacement. A cheap spare part might be all you need, and you don't have to scroll through eBay to find it. Did you know Ryobi has a website where you can buy spare parts and accessories?

TL;DR: The Amazon Echo Show 16 is available for preorder for $399.99 (normally $499.99) at Amazon when you click the on-screen coupon. That's a $100 discount on a smart display that doesn't even release until Dec. 16.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Show 16 $399.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $100   Preorder at Amazon

Amazon just launched a new lineup of smart home tech, including an Alexa Photo Frame, an upgraded Echo Dot, and the Echo Show 16 — Amazon's "most advanced" Echo Show yet.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best Amazon Echo devices for 2026

Right now, you can preorder the Amazon Echo Show 16 for $399.99 at Amazon. Its sticker price is $499.99, so if you want to get it on sale before the holidays, now's your chance. This $100 discount is a limited-time introductory offer (via an on-screen coupon), and we don't expect it to last much longer after its official launch on Dec. 16.

The Echo Show 16 features a 16-inch display (10 percent larger than the Echo Show 15), Alexa voice remote, and built-in Fire TV. You can access thousands of apps, including your fave streaming platforms, manage your calendar, and order groceries, all with the touch of a button or Alexa+.

It also acts as a smart home hub, featuring a new Alexa Home Map that lets you scan your house with an iPhone to create a virtual layout of your devices. (I mean, IDK if that's a great idea, but if you're fully invested in the ecosystem, it makes controlling your lights and cameras pretty seamless.) It even comes with a wall mount right in the box, though you'll have to buy a stand separately if you prefer keeping it on the counter.

TL;DR: Pokémon GO kicked off its two-part Halloween 2026 event on Oct. 27, featuring top-hatted Zubat, cape-wearing Pikachu, the debut of Shiny Greavard, and up to 3× Candy and Stardust via the Halloween GO Pass through Nov. 5.

If you noticed PokéStops and Gyms looking a little more festive than usual this week, you aren't imagining things. Pokémon GO has officially kicked off its two-part Halloween 2026 celebration, running through Nov. 5.

Alongside seasonal map decor and the classic Lavender Town theme music remix playing in the game every night, the event packs costume debuts, massive resource multipliers, and a brand-new shiny ghost dog into a tidy schedule.

Part I kicked off Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. and runs through Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. local time. The initial stretch focuses on fresh seasonal costumes and map bonuses:

• Zubat wearing a top hat — Spawns in the wild, with a possible Shiny encounter.

• Pikachu wearing a hat and capelet — Featured in one-star raids, with a Shiny chance.

• Sinistea wearing a bow — Appears in one-star raids alongside Pikachu, also eligible to be Shiny.

• Themed wild spawns — Duskull, Piplup wearing a Halloween Mischief costume, Drifblim wearing a Halloween Mischief costume, and more will appear in the wild.

• Spooky map surprises — Mischievous Pokémon leave behind objects on the overworld map; tapping them triggers encounters or awards Pikachu, Zubat, Sinistea, or Rare Candy.

Credit: The Pokémon Company

Part II picks up on Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. and ends on Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. local time. The second half shifts focus toward a new Shiny debut and battle upgrades:

• Shiny Greavard debut — Available for the first time in Pokémon GO, appearing in the wild, through Field Research tasks, and via the GO Pass.

• Themed wild spawns — Litwick, Rowlet wearing a Pokémon Halloween costume, Gengar wearing a Spooky Festival costume, and others will spawn in the wild.

• Super Max Level Mega Sableye — You can raise Mega Sableye's Mega Level to Super Max Level.

• Night Shade+ Charged Attack — Unlocking Super Max Level lets eligible Mega Evolved Pokémon learn a second Charged Attack, granting Sableye the move Night Shade+.

Credit: The Pokémon Company

Running across both halves of the event is the GO Pass: Halloween 2026. By completing pass tasks and collecting GO Points to rank up, you'll unlock passive resource multipliers at major milestones:

• Tier 1 (Rank 10) — Unlocks 2× Catch Candy, which bumps to 3× Catch Candy if you pick up the GO Pass Deluxe.

• Tier 2 (Rank 20) — Unlocks 2× Catch Stardust, which jumps to 3× Catch Stardust on the GO Pass Deluxe.

• Free GO Pass rewards — Ranking up grants encounters with event-themed Pokémon, themed Candy, Rare Candy, and Ultra Balls.

Every reward unlocked along your GO Pass must be claimed before Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. local time, or it disappears for good.

Clear out your item bag, crank up the in-game audio for the Lavender Town vibes, and get hunting — you only have until Nov. 5 to make the most of this year's haunted haul.

Adobe Creative Cloud offers some of the best applications for creative jobs. The only drawback? You have to pay up to $70 a month—or about $840 per year—to access them. There are first-year promotions available, but even those add up to about $740 per year. That is a big commitment, especially considering the annual subscriptions come with hefty early termination fees.

TL;DR: Krispy Kreme’s limited-edition All Jacked Up Dozen is currently live for $13 in shops, at drive-thrus, and online — running now through Thursday, Oct. 29.

If you’ve walked into a bakery lately, you already know holiday-themed treats usually come with a holiday-themed markup. Krispy Kreme seems to be going the other direction this week, quietly selling a full Halloween-themed box for roughly what you’d pay for a plain dozen.

The chain's limited-time All Jacked Up Dozen has dropped for $13, though you won’t have long to catch it. The promotion is only scheduled through Thursday, Oct. 29.

Thankfully, nobody tried to reinvent the wheel with artificial pumpkin glazes here. It’s just the classic melt-in-your-mouth pastry dressed up in a loud Halloween costume with a handful of playful toppings:

• Jack's Original Glazed Doughnuts (9) — The standard melt-in-your-mouth glazed ring, tinted festive orange with an extra drizzle of icing.

• Mummy Jack Doughnut (1) — An orange Original Glazed dipped in icing, piped with white vanilla buttercreme "bandages," and finished with a green iced stem.

• Jack O' Doughnut (1) — An orange-glazed base detailed with chocolate frosting to look like a mini carved jack-o’-lantern.

• Monster Jack Doughnut (1) — Topped with orange icing, crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, piped chocolate stitches, and a green stem.

You can grab one at participating shops, through the drive-thru, or via the app for pickup and delivery — just keep in mind that once Oct. 29 ends, the $13 run is done.

John Ternus has been busy since taking over as Apple's new CEO on Sept. 1. Two weeks after the company's "Welcome Home" smart home launch, the company is hosting the "Pro and Tell" event in Los Angeles today. Apple is widely expected to release a new MacBook Pro model with an OLED touchscreen at the event, and Ternus is teasing it on X.

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However, Apple surprised the tech world by announcing a bunch of new products ahead of the event, including a new iPad Mini, M6 Mac devices, and updates to Apple Creator Studio, the company's subscription bundle of creative apps.

While we await the rumored MacBook Pro OLED model, here's everything Apple has announced around its "Pro and Tell" private event so far.

14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 Credit: Apple

• Price: Starts at $1,999

• Release date: Pre-order starting Oct. 28, ships Nov. 6

The headline product is the 14-inch MacBook Pro, which gets M6's 12-core CPU. Apple says M6 features the world’s fastest CPU core. Apple claims the 12-core GPU is up to 30 percent faster for graphics and up to 25 percent faster for AI workloads than the M5, while the Neural Engine is up to 1.9x faster. Owners of an M1 model could see bigger jumps: Apple cites up to 11x faster graphics and up to 13x faster AI performance.

Apple's AI benchmarks are the more telling numbers. It says LLM prompt processing delivers a first token up to 1.3x faster than the M5 model, with similar gains in Blender rendering and Xcode builds.

Battery life is rated at up to 24 hours, which Apple calls the longest ever in a Mac, and fast charging reaches 50 percent in 30 minutes with a 96W adapter. Memory starts at 16GB and tops out at 32GB. Wireless connectivity upgrades to WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and the laptop supports up to two external displays.

Speaking of displays, the MacBook Pro has a Liquid Retina XDR display (with up to 1,600 nits of peak HDR brightness and a nano-texture option), a 12MP Center Stage camera, six speakers, and the same ports, including HDMI, MagSafe 3, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, and an SDXC slot.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 starts at $1,999, or $1,899 with education pricing, and comes in space black and silver. Apple Upgrade leases start at $38.99 per month for 36 months. Pre-orders open Wednesday, Oct. 28, in the U.S. and 34 other countries and regions, with availability beginning Friday, Nov. 6.

iMac with M6 Credit: Apple

• Price: Starts at $1,499

• Release date: Pre-order starting Oct. 28, ships Nov. 6

The iMac skips M5 entirely, jumping from M4 straight to M6. Apple says the CPU and GPU each gain two cores, with configurations offering up to 12 cores apiece and delivering up to 2x faster graphics than the M4. Again, Apple’s big claim is that the iMac can run AI locally. The company says the iMac runs on-device AI up to 5x faster than M4, including prompt processing in LM Studio. For anyone still on an Intel iMac, Apple reports an overall performance gain of up to 18x.

Connectivity gets some of the more practical upgrades. WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6 come standard, available 2.5Gb Ethernet is up to 2.5x faster than before, and Apple says SSD speeds have doubled. Up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports support two 6K external displays.

The rest of the iMac is unchanged, including the 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera, color-matched accessories, and seven colors: blue, green, pink, yellow, purple, orange, and silver.

The iMac with M6 starts at $1,499 ($1,449 for education) with a 10-core CPU and GPU, and $1,699 ($1,599 for education) with a 12-core CPU and GPU. That base price matches what the M4 iMac currently sells for after a $200 increase in June, according to MacRumors. Apple Upgrade leases start at $28.99 per month for 36 months. Pre-orders open Wednesday, Oct. 28, with availability beginning Friday, Nov. 6.

Apple Creator Studio Credit: Apple

• Price: $12.99 per month or $129 per year

• Release date: Apple says it "will be available on the App Store this November"

Apple also gave its new Macs more AI software to run. Apple Creator Studio adds intelligent assistants (in beta) to Logic Pro for Mac and to Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. Notably, Apple says those assistants are built on a combination of its own models and OpenAI’s. Keynote, Pages, and Numbers also gain Model Context Protocol (MCP) support, which lets third-party AI agents read documents, make edits, and run automated actions inside the apps.

Elsewhere, Final Cut Pro for Mac now includes MotionVFX's library of effects, transitions, and templates, and Pixelmator Pro adds Generate Fill, which lets you edit selected parts of an image using text prompts. Logic Pro's Stem Splitter can now separate drums.

The Creator Studio updates arrive in November at no additional cost for existing subscribers. The subscription costs $12.99 per month or $129 per year, with education pricing of $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year.

iPad mini with A20 Pro Credit: Apple

• Price: Starts at $699

• Release date: Pre-order starting Oct. 28, ships Nov. 6

Apple's week of Pro and Tell announcements technically started Monday with the new iPad mini, which Apple calls the tablet's "biggest update ever." The headline change is a larger 8.5-inch OLED display that fits in the same footprint, thanks to 24 percent thinner bezels. Apple says peak brightness reaches 1,200 nits, more than double that of the previous model, and a nano-texture option is available.

The A20 Pro chip follows the same local AI script as the M6. It has Neural Accelerators in each GPU core, and Apple claims up to 4.5x faster AI performance than the previous generation. The tablet is also thinner, at 5.4mm, and adds IP67 water and dust resistance, a 12MP front camera on the landscape edge, and Apple's N1 wireless and C2 cellular chips.

The iPad mini starts at $699 for WiFi and $849 for WiFi + Cellular (education pricing starts at $649), and comes in midnight and starlight. Pre-orders open Wednesday, Oct. 28, with availability beginning Friday, Nov. 6.

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 best early Black Friday deals under $25: best Amazon device deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $19.99 (save $40 with Prime-exclusive on-page coupon) Get Deal best apple deal Apple AirTag (2nd gen) $23 (save $6) Get Deal best toy deal Play-Doh Blooms Rosy Petite Flower Bouquet $18.74 (save $6.25) Get Deal best home deal Blink Mini 2K+ $16.99 (save $33) Get Deal

Working with a smaller budget this holiday season? You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to pick up a great gift for White Elephant or treat yourself to something awesome. Believe it or not, you can grab plenty of deals for less than $25 during Black Friday sales.

Technically, Black Friday is still a few weeks away, but there are already lots of inexpensive items available. To point you in the right direction, we've rounded up some of our favorite deals we've spotted so far.

As with every major sale, we'll be keeping an eye on all the best deals leading up to and during Black Friday 2026. We'll update this list with any new budget friendly steals that pop up. For now, here are the best early Black Friday deals under $25.

Best early Black Friday deal under $25 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2026) $19.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $40 with Prime-exclusive on-page coupon Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Every Fire TV Stick was hit with a price increase this year, but we're still seeing drastic discounts ahead of Black Friday. For instance: the brand-new Fire TV Stick 4K (just released last month) is on sale for just under $20 for Prime members, thanks to an on-page coupon. This recent release effectively replaces the 4K Select, though it just came out last year. Amazon heard the cries of customers over the 4K Select's limited app store and added over 2,000 more apps (including Spotify, Xbox, VLC, and a range of VPNs). It also comes with the Vega 2.0 OS, 8GB of storage, a quad-core 1.7GHz processor, support for WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, HDR10+, HLG, Alexa+, and a redesigned remote.

More early Black Friday deals under $25

• Anker USB-C to USB-C Cable (2-pack) — $9.99 $12.99 (save $3)

• Play-Doh Blooming Flower Garden Playset — $14 $23.99 (save $9.99)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select — $14.99 $49.99 (save $35 with on-page code SELECT4K)

• Blink Mini 2K+ — $16.99 $39.99 (save $33)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick HD — $17.99 $39.99 (save $22 with on-page code HDFTV)

• Play-Doh Blooms Rosy Petite Flower Bouquet — $18.74 $24.99 (save $6.25)

• Play-Doh PD Blooms Wildflower Petite Bouquet — $18.74 $24.99 (save $6.25)

• Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10)

• Yeti Rambler Travel Bottle (22-ounce) — $21 $28 (save $7)

• Apple AirTag (2nd gen) — $23 $29 (save $6)

• Blink Wired Doorbell 2K+ — $23.99 $49.99 (save $26)

• Anker Nano Power Bank — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)

• Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go — $23.99 $34.99 (save $11)

• Yeti Rambler Ceramic Lined Mug (10-ounce) — $24 $30 (save $6)

• Bluey Cruise Ship Playset — $25 $59.99 (save $34.99)

SAVE 75%: Proton VPN's Black Friday sale drops its two-year VPN Plus subscription down to $2.49 per month (billed as $59.76 for 24 months) — save 75% off the standard monthly rate.

Opens in a new window Credit: Proton VPN Proton VPN (2-Year Plan)   Get Deal at Proton VPN

If you have been putting off getting a VPN because you didn’t want to add another expensive monthly bill to your plate, this is the time to pounce. Proton VPN has rolled out its biggest sale of the year for Black Friday, slashing 75% off its two-year VPN Plus plan. That brings the price down from the regular $9.99 per month to just $2.49 per month (billed all at once as $59.76 for the first 24 months).

The biggest hesitation most people have with VPNs is simple: can you actually trust the company with your private browsing?

With Proton, the answer is built into the foundation. Unlike many providers that keep your data behind closed doors, Proton’s software is completely open-source, so independent security experts can inspect the code at any time. It runs on a strict no-logs policy, so whatever you search, stream, or click never gets tracked, stored, or sold off to advertisers.

Of course, solid privacy doesn't mean much if your connection grinds to a halt every time you try to stream a show. Proton solves that by giving you unlimited bandwidth with zero speed throttling across a massive network of over 20,000 high-speed servers in more than 140 countries. Thanks to its VPN Accelerator, which boosts speeds up to 400%, you can stream movies while traveling without annoying lag or buffering.

Plus, a single subscription covers up to 10 devices at once, keeping your phone, laptop, tablet, and smart TV protected under one login. Besides keeping prying eyes off your traffic, it actively cleans up your daily web experience. The built-in NetShield feature acts as an automatic bodyguard, wiping out annoying pop-up ads, trackers, and malicious phishing sites before they even have a chance to load.

SEE ALSO: How to protect yourself from AI scams — McAfee+ combines AI-powered scam protection, antivirus, VPN, and more

If you're still on the fence, you may as well take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee to see how it handles your daily browsing. Just keep in mind that once those initial 24 months wrap up, it rolls into a yearly renewal at $83.88 unless you turn off auto-renew.

Grab the two-year plan for $2.49 a month while the lowest price of the year is still live.

There's a common thing that happens with tech enthusiasts where, instead of being a means to an end, the actual technology becomes their hobby.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Play Booster Box is on sale for $139.99 at Amazon, down from its $207.95 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Play Booster Box $139.99 at Amazon
$207.95 Save $67.96 Get Deal at Amazon

Just when it seemed like Magic: The Gathering's The Hobbit Play Booster Box couldn't get any cheaper, Amazon has surprised us with another major price drop. Less than a week after the 30-pack display fell below $160 for the first time, this Middle-earth-themed box is now almost $20 cheaper again.

As of Oct. 28, the Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Play Booster Box costs just $139.99 at Amazon. Compared to the $207.95 list price, that's a staggering $67.96 in savings after a 33% discount, bringing the cost of each of the 30 included packs down to $4.67. Better still, Amazon is handling both the sale and shipping — with free delivery set for Nov. 2, or as soon as Oct. 30 for Prime members.

Amazon isn't the only retailer offering this price. Walmart has matched the $139.99 deal, although its listing is sold by Cataclysm Games and fulfilled by Walmart.

SEE ALSO: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box is close to market price at Amazon — save over $70

You'll get 30 Play Boosters containing 14 cards apiece, plus an exclusive traditional foil Middle-earth Box Topper featuring a special reprint from The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth. 

Every pack also includes at least one foil card and one to three rare or higher-rarity cards, with chances to uncover special alternate-art and borderless versions of characters from Bilbo's classic adventure in the original tale of The Hobbit book.

Most people only ever plug a charger into the USB-C port on their iPhone, but the interface is compatible with so many more devices. These can help you work or play, circumvent limitations, and get more done when you’re away from a “proper” computer.

At the first signs of fall, I'm getting cozy. As the leaves turn and temperatures drop, you'll find me under a pile of blankets with a warm beverage in hand. I relish getting into bed every night and getting under the covers with a good book, but there's nothing worse than cold hands. That's the appeal of a page-turning remote so you can turn the pages on your e-reader with your hands under the covers.

The market for e-reader remotes is incredibly popular. There are plenty of cheap ones being sold on Amazon, which inspired Kobo and Boox to make remotes to pair natively with their e-readers. Amazon has finally caught up with the release of its Kindle Click. I was more excited about the first Kindle remote than I was about the new Kindles, and I'm pleased to report it doesn't disappoint.

What to know about the Kindle Click The Kindle Click lets you turn the page and adjust the brightness on your Kindle. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Kindle Click is a page-turning remote that connects to Kindle devices. It comes with two buttons that turn the page forward or back, and you can customize which does what in your Kindle settings. It also has two buttons on the side to adjust the screen brightness on your Kindle.

It connects to your device via Bluetooth. Pair it with your device by holding down any button until the light flashes blue, then find the device in your Kindle's Bluetooth settings. The remote stays connected, but you will need to wake it by pressing any button.

It's USB-C rechargeable and connects to all Kindles released in 2024 and onward. It costs $34.99 and is available to purchase on Amazon.

It's a breeze to use, with no screen obstruction

Plenty of people have gotten creative with page-turning remotes being sold on Amazon. The off-brand models usually have two components: one to tap the screen and another that operates as the remote. Having tested these, they work perfectly fine, except that they can't turn the page backward, and the screen clip obstructs the screen.

The Kindle Click is a much more sophisticated option as it connects via Bluetooth. It's just one remote, no screen-tapping clip required, aka no screen obstruction. It's also lightweight and easy to navigate by touch. The buttons have a nice tactile feel, so you can tell where the buttons are without looking. An optional wrist lanyard comes with the device, which I do find helpful as someone who has both a tendency to doze off while reading and a proclivity for losing remotes in blankets.

If I had any complaints about the Kindle Click, I do wish it had a slight curve, like the Kobo remote, to make it more ergonomic.

The brightness buttons are genius Adjust the brightness on your Kindle with the Kindle Click and your hands stay cozy under the covers. Credit: Samanta Mangino / Mashable

I would have been totally pleased if the Kindle Click came as is with its two page-turning buttons, but what absolutely blew me away was the inclusion of buttons to adjust the screen brightness. When you have your hands tucked under the covers, you don't want to reach for anything, but the other setting I most commonly adjust is screen brightness.

Every time I use the remote, I find myself needing to adjust the brightness, and those buttons are such a nice touch. It's not something I'd think to ask for, but I'm so glad it's there.

I wish it worked with more Kindles

Amazon is known to phase out Kindles, but plenty of models are still supported. That's why it's such a bummer that the Kindle Click only works with 2024 and 2026 Kindles. Since the 10th generation of the Kindle Paperwhite was released in 2018, the devices have included Bluetooth, allowing you to connect headphones to listen to audiobooks. Since the Kindle Click connects via Bluetooth, I'd think any Kindle with Bluetooth could pair with it. That is not the case, excluding many Kindle users.

So if you want to use a Kindle Click, you'll need to own or upgrade to a 2024 or 2026 Kindle.

Is the Kindle Click worth it? While you technically don't *need* the Kindle Click, it's nice to have. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

If you own a 2024 or 2026 Kindle, you should absolutely scoop up a Kindle Click. It's only $34.99, which is $5 more than Kobo's remote and slightly more expensive than the cheaper remotes you can find elsewhere, but it can do more. You can customize which buttons turn the page and adjust the screen brightness on the remote. It's well-designed and lightweight in your hand, with tactile buttons that make it easy to navigate by touch.

Sure, you don't need the Kindle Click, but it will level up your cozy evenings spent reading.

Kindle Click $34.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

I'm the first to say you don't always need the newest product, but these new Kindles make it hard to resist. When Amazon revealed the new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, it popped with its new colorful aluminum finish, but with most of its changes on the outside, I had to see just how much impact it would have on the e-reader's overall performance and value.

But the upgrades aren't just superficial. After Amazon raised prices across its devices, there's added pressure to make sure the tech measures up to its higher price. After a few weeks with the new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, Amazon did a phenomenal job on its new e-reader, making it worthy of the increased price.

What's new in the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition? The new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition has an aluminum case and compatibility with all of Amazon's new accessories. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The changes between the 2024 and 2026 Kindle Paperwhite Signature Editions are visible. With a new aluminum casing, it feels more like an iPad Mini than it does the previous Kindle. But it still has the same matte paper-like display with adjustable brightness and warmth. The power button on the e-reader was moved from the bottom to the side of the device, a welcome change.

A big draw on the new Paperwhite Signature Edition is the compatible accessories. Amazon also released the Kindle Click, its first page-turning remote. While the Click is compatible with all 2024 and 2026 Kindle e-readers, Amazon's new Page Turn Cover is exclusively compatible with the 2026 Paperwhite Signature Edition and Colorsoft Signature Edition.

What's the difference between the Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Edition?

In the past, the Paperwhite has been Amazon's flagship e-reader, with the Paperwhite Signature Edition being the more luxe option. However, with the 2026 redesign, it seems like the script has been flipped, with Amazon pushing the Signature Edition while the standard Paperwhite takes a back seat.

Plenty remains the same between the devices. They have the same 7-inch screen with 300 ppi resolution and adjustable warmth and brightness. Both are waterproof with IPX8 ratings and 12-week battery life. The new devices also have easy-to-open back panels to make replacing the battery that much easier.

The Paperwhite is the cheaper option at $199.99, but it comes with only 16GB of storage (which, to be fair, is still plenty) and is available in graphite with a plastic casing. The Signature Edition is more expensive at $249.99, but comes with 32GB of storage and is available in the aluminum finish in seaglass green and graphite. Beyond its nicer finish, it also has an ad-free lockscreen, automatic front-light adjustment, a rotating screen, and wireless charging. The real perk of the Paperwhite Signature Edition is its compatibility with the Page Turn Cover, which adds page-turning buttons to your Kindle.

It feels as expensive as it is The aluminum casing makes the Paperwhite Signature Edition feel like a tablet rather than an e-reader. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The aluminum case on the Paperwhite Signature Edition is nearly enough to justify its $250 price tag. The Paperwhite Signature Edition is about the same size as the previous generation, but it's about one millimeter thinner and 10 grams lighter. Compared to the previous generation, it has squared edges and an aluminum case, making it feel more like a tablet or smartphone.

The pogo pins on the back of the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition connect to Amazon's Page Turn Cover. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Plus, it comes in a neutral graphite, but the seaglass green is a vibrant alternative that's really dazzling. It now feels like more sophisticated tech, which is enough for me to justify its price tag.

Its performance is great, but is it really better?

One thing I feel certain about Kindles is that they're fast — easily the quickest e-readers we've tested. Every time a new Kindle is released, Amazon touts that they're some percentage faster than a previous generation; that's the case with this year's base Kindle, which Amazon says is 30 percent faster. However, that claim is missing on the Paperwhite Signature Edition.

This year's Paperwhite Signature Edition still has quick processing time, but it doesn't seem faster than the previous generation. Before trying the 2026 model, I read with the 2024 Paperwhite Signature Edition daily, and I didn't notice any changes in processing speed between the two e-readers. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, as it was already a zippy e-reader.

With a rotating screen, the page-turn cover is a must Screen rotation lets you use the Page Turn Cover buttons on the right... Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable ...or left side of the device. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Since Amazon discontinued the Kindle Oasis, Kindle users have been shouting from the rooftops that they want a Kindle with page-turning buttons. As reported by The Verge, Amazon has said it won't be making Kindles with buttons, but it's offering something in between. The new Kindle Page Turn Cover now magnetically attaches to Signature Edition Kindles and lets you turn the page by pressing the buttons on the case.

The case works seamlessly, and Amazon added a key feature to the Paperwhite Signature Edition — a rotating screen. The rotating screen is key when using page-turning buttons. That way, when you're reading in bed and want to roll over and switch sides, you can rotate the device to use your preferred hand, and the screen rotates too. The only downside is that you have to buy the cover separately for $79.99.

The Kindle pulldown menu on the Paperwhite Signature Edition now includes a screen rotation lock. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

We initially had a problem with the screen rotation, as the unit we were testing didn't support it. This appeared to be a glitch, and Amazon replaced the model. On the Paperwhite Signature Edition, the screen rotation worked seamlessly. In the pull-down menu, there's an option to lock the rotation too, if you don't want your screen to rotate while in use.

Is the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition worth its price? With an upgraded aluminum case, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition feels expensive and earns its price tag. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Yes, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is worth its $249.99 price tag. In fact, I think it's the first Signature Edition to really be worth the upgrade. It has the same perks as before, like 32GB of storage and automatic brightness adjustment, but what puts it a step above is its finer casing materials. It feels like a more advanced piece of tech, so while it's still the same reliable Kindle platform, it has a more sophisticated build.

Not to mention, its rotating screen and compatibility with the Kindle Page Turn Cover make it the most versatile and functional Kindle yet.

If you're ready to upgrade your e-reader, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is the absolute best one you can buy. If you want something more budget-friendly but equally colorful, go for the standard Kindle. But if you're wondering if the Paperwhite Signature Edition is worth its price, without a doubt, it is.

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $249.99 at Amazon
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When I heard that new Kindles were coming, there was one thing I wanted above all else — page-turning buttons. Few e-readers have them, which is why I love the Kobo Libra Colour so much. Unfortunately, Amazon isn't reviving the Kindle Oasis, but it did introduce the next best thing: the Kindle Page Turn Cover.

The new accessory is compatible with the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and Colorsoft Signature Edition e-readers, and, in addition to protecting your Kindle, it adds buttons to it. While testing the newest Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, I tried the new cover, and it's the perfect e-reader companion.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Page Turn Cover $79.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon How does the Kindle Page Turn Cover work? The case connects to the device through pogo pins. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Kindle Page Turn Cover has no battery and doesn't need to be charged. To set up the cover, all you need to do is place your Kindle (Signature Edition models only) into the case, and it's ready to use. The cover connects via pogo pins that press into the port on the back of the Kindle.

You can customize the buttons of the cover in the settings of your Kindle. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The case has two buttons that you can customize to go back or forward in your Kindle's settings. Plus, when you rotate your Kindle to use the opposite hand, it preserves which button turns the page forward or back. The cover snaps shut magnetically. It wakes the screen or puts it to sleep, and you can fold it over while in use so it stays flat.

It couldn't be easier to use In addition to page-turn buttons, this case also has an automatic wake/sleep cover. Credit: Samatha Mangino / Mashable

The appeal of accessories like AirPods for iPhone users is their seamless connectivity. Kindle has essentially done its own version of that with the Kindle Page Turn Cover. It works perfectly with the Kindle Signature Edition models, and I was so pleased at how quickly I could start using it. Once it's in, the buttons work immediately.

Adjusting the settings is a breeze too. There's now an accessories tab in the Kindle settings where you can adjust which button turns the page forward or back. Once I had mine set up, I tucked in for a cozy night of reading.

The Kindle Page Turn Cover works no matter what hand you read with. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The best part is that when I was lying in bed reading, if I rolled over to swap hands, I rotated the device and the screen followed suit. Plus, the button orientation stays the same when rotated.

It's so unbelievably easy to use that anyone, no matter how tech-savvy, can use it. With no battery in the case, you never have to worry about charging it either.

It's perfectly designed — with extremely limited compatibility

From the outside, the Kindle Page Turn Cover isn't normally what I'd go for in a case. It's a little plain, and I usually like a MagSafe case over a sleep cover case. But I can't deny how perfectly it's designed. It's slim and sturdy without adding any bulk to the device.

The Amazon Kindle Page Turn Cover adds a seven-millimeter edge to your e-reader. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The case adds a seven-millimeter edge to the screen, with two well-placed buttons you can easily tap. Since it's so thin, I thought the edge wouldn't provide enough grip, but it ended up being totally comfortable for hours of reading.

What really impresses me is how well the cover folds flat. With the magnetic closure, it snaps tightly to the back of the cover and stays totally out of the way, so you're not dealing with a cover flapping around while you're trying to binge-read the latest Sarah J. Maas.

When folded, the Page Turn Cover is still exceptionally thin. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

But here's the bummer of the cover. It only works with two Kindles: the Paperwhite Signature Edition and the Colorsoft Signature Edition, meaning the basic Kindle and Paperwhite don't work with it.

Take it to the pool or beach because it's waterproof, too

The Kindles that are compatible with the Page Turn Cover are both waterproof, and luckily, so is this case. It's made from plant-based leather (primarily composed of corn and viscose fiber) and has a plush microfiber interior screen. The case has an IPX8 rating, which covers splashes and rain, and is the same IP rating as Kindle Signature Edition e-readers.

I don't love its price

My least favorite thing about the Kindle Page Turn Cover is its price. At $79.99, that's an incredibly expensive case, since you can find plenty on Amazon for under $15. Yes, this case does a lot more than a typical protective case, but $80 is still a lot, especially when you factor in the cost of the e-reader.

This case only works with the 2026 Paperwhite and Colorsoft Signature Editions, meaning if you're buying this case, you're also buying a new e-reader. The Paperwhite Signature Edition costs $249.99, while the Colorsoft Signature Edition is $319.99. That means for both a new Kindle and e-reader you're paying over $300 and in the case of the Colorsoft, nearly $400.

Is the Kindle Page Turn Cover worth it? If you're buying the new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, the Page Turn Cover is an essential accessory. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

As much as I don't like the price of the Kindle Page Turn Cover, I think it's an exceptional accessory. If you miss the buttons on Amazon's now-discontinued Kindle Oasis, this cover fills the void. There's practically no setup, and it works seamlessly. The design is a marvel, too, as it's fully waterproof and comfortable for your next reading marathon.

For me? It's definitely coming along with me as I dive into A Court of Splintered Harmony.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Page Turn Cover $79.99
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Motion sensors are popular smart home devices. They're relatively cheap and simple to set up, but often people only use them for basic automations such as turning on the lights when you walk into a room. With the right automations, there's a lot more you can do using motion sensors.

Amazon has made several new product announcements this year — including the exciting new Kindle lineup. The retail giant is back with another round of updates; this time in the smart home space. Amazon unveiled the new Echo Dot, Echo Studio with Home Camera, Echo Time, Echo Show 16, and Alexa Photo Frame.

All but the Echo Show 16 are available beginning Oct. 28 — the Echo Show 16 is available for preorder today, shipping later this year.

I got an early first look at the devices, so let's dig into what's new:

Echo Dot The new Echo Dot comes in graphite, glacier white, agave green, and coral pink. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

The new Echo Dot's focus is two-fold: Better music listening and more advanced smart capabilities. It features a full-range driver for more back volume, delivering clear vocals and 50 percent more bass than the previous generation.

The smart speaker is powered by Amazon's AZ3 custom silicon, which enables advanced on-device processing for faster, more natural conversations through Alexa+. It's equipped with four microphones, up from the previous gen's three, which helps Alexa better hear you as you move around the room and determine who's speaking to personalize the experience.

Echo Dot users likely have other smart devices, and the new Echo Dot serves as a smart home hub with built-in support for Zigbee, Matter, and Thread, enabling them to control thousands of devices straight out of the box.

Arguably the coolest feature of the new Echo Dot is its ability to act as an eero WiFi extender, which adds up to 1,000 square feet of coverage to an existing eero network. The Echo Dot retails for $99.99 and is available in graphite, glacier white, agave green, and coral pink colorways.

Amazon Echo Dot (2026) $99.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Echo Studio with Home Camera Amazon's best-sounding speaker now comes with even more smart capabilities. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

Remaining Amazon's best-sounding speaker, the Echo Studio with Home Camera got updated with, you guessed it, an onboard camera. It features Dolby Atmos sound that fills the room with spatial audio — the new Advanced Room Adaptation senses your space and automatically adapts the room's acoustics.

The camera expands Alexa+'s capabilities. It can tell who's who, meaning each household member can ask Alexa to play music, and it'll pull from their individual playlists. You can also drop into a room in the Alexa app if you need to check in on a pet or make sure you've turned off the lights before leaving home. And you can hold up items in front of the camera, and Alexa will help you with myriad questions or tasks. Alexa can tell you the rules to a board game you hold up or help visually impaired people determine what's in their hands.

If you have a Fire TV (or Fire TV Stick), you can pair the Echo Studio with the Home Camera to make video calls on the big screen.

In terms of privacy, the camera doesn't record; it just streams live. And there are indicators when the camera is active. Like all Echo devices, there's a dedicated button to turn the microphones and cameras on/off.

The Echo Studio with Home Camera retails for $249.99 and is available in graphite.

Amazon Echo Studio with Home Camera (2026) $249.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Echo Time The Echo Time is super customizable. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

The Echo Time builds on what Amazon did with the Echo Spot and has even more reasons to earn a place on your nightstand. Amazon's team designed it to be a clock first — they didn't want it to feel like an on-your-face digital asset. It doesn't have a camera, and the clock face screen is the main feature. You can personalize the clock face and choose different widgets, such as date and time or weather, to display on it.

With Echo Time, you can customize your wind-down or wake-up routines. The device has sensors that monitor your breathing and detect when you're in lighter sleep. It wakes you at your optimal sleep stage within 10 to 60 minutes of your set alarm, helping you wake up feeling less groggy. It's not like the Hatch Sleep Clock, which fully tracks your sleep stages, but there are some similarities.

The display adapts throughout the day to mimic natural sunlight, dimming and reducing blue light at night. If you have smart lights, you can pair the two to wake you up together with a sunrise and gentle sounds.

There's also a kids' version of the Echo Time, which has more fun designs and engaging clock faces. The Amazon Kids Echo Time features support for Amazon Kids+ and Sleep Studio. The latter turns the device into a complete bedtime system, with curated sleep content from Headspace, Calm, and Moshi.

While the standard Echo Time is geared more toward waking up, the kids' version is designed to aid bedtime and help kids sleep better.

Amazon Echo Time (2026) $199.99 at Amazon
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Echo Show 16 The Echo Show 16 is a comprehensive smart home hub. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

The Echo Show 16 is Amazon's most powerful Echo Show yet. It features three new Screen Styles, so your home screen can act either as a smart home hub, family organizer, or digital photo frame. It also comes loaded with the full Fire TV experience, so you can watch your favorite shows and movies while you cook (or wherever you place your device).

The new Echo Show has 10 percent more viewing area than the Echo Show 15, is 40 percent thinner with a sleek aluminum frame, and can be wall-mounted or placed on a stand. It's equipped with eight custom micro woofers and two tweeters for full sound no matter where it's placed.

Amazon heavily considered what the UI of AI should feel and look like. So, they've redesigned Alexa conversations. Rather than just a list of transcripts, your conversations now appear as cards grouped by category or ask. You can tap into the cards, and a rich conversation unfolds. In addition to your back-and-forth with Alexa, you'll see suggested next steps, related videos, and more.

So, for example, let's say you've asked Alexa about planning a trip to hike and see fall foliage in New York. Alexa will create a card, and once you tap in, you might find suggested hikes from AllTrails, YouTube videos of peak foliage times, and suggestions of other excursions to do while you're there.

Left: Your conversations appear as cards. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable Right: Tap into one and you'll get a comprehensive conversation with Alexa. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

Within the smart home hub on the Echo Show 16, you'll be able to access the new Alexa Home Map, which lets you virtually map your home to control all of your smart devices room by room. To set it up, enter your address, then walk through your home, scanning each room with a compatible iPhone. Once the map is created, you can place your devices where they sit in your home. The map is interactive, so if you turn on a smart light in real life, you'll see it glow on the map as well. It also integrates with Ring cameras, so you can get a comprehensive view of what's happening in and around your house.

The Echo Show 16 is available for preorder today, but won't ship until closer to the holidays. It retails for $499.99 for a standard display, or $569.99 with a Nanomatte display. However, if you preorder the device, you'll get an introductory price that's $100 off MSRP.

Amazon Echo Show 16 (2026) $499.99 at Amazon
  Preorder at Amazon Alexa Photo Frame The Alexa Photo Frame blends in with your home decor with black, birch, and walnut finishes. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

Digital photo frames are not new technology, but Amazon is bringing Alexa to a digital frame, making it one of the smartest options in the category. The Alexa Photo Frame has a 10-inch anti-glare touchscreen display. It syncs with the Amazon Photos app, which provides unlimited storage with a Prime membership. Again, the team didn't want this product to scream "digital asset," and, having seen it in person, it blends in incredibly well with printed, framed photos.

It does more than just cycle through your camera roll. Alexa intelligently groups images based on people, places, and activities. And to avoid black bars on the sides of portrait-mode images, Alexa will place two vertical photos side by side, grouped by context. So, you might find two photos from your trip to Japan side by side, or an image of your kid at 6 years old next to a photo of them graduating from college (Alexa's gunning for the waterworks). You can also ask Alexa to show you specific images, like "Show me all the photos of our trip to Japan," and Alexa will cycle through that specific photo set.

Within the Alexa Photos app, you can also attach voice notes to individual photos. This adds a touch of sentimental value and acts as the writing on the back of a printed photo, explaining when and where it was taken.

The Alexa Photo Frame would be an awesome holiday gift, especially for parents. I know my mom would absolutely love one. And Amazon knows that, too. These are actually set up to be extremely giftable. You can buy a frame for somebody else, and you'll get a link to collaborate and fill their Photo Frame with images from your library. And you can add a special touch with voice notes.

The Alexa Photo Frame starts at $199.99 in the black finish, and costs $229 for the real birch or walnut wood frames.

Amazon Alexa Photo Frame $199.99 at Amazon
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