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Adaptations are a tricky endeavor. Many filmmakers and showrunners run into problems when adapting source material from, say, a book. While it can be helpful to have a blueprint for a movie or show, adaptations create numerous problems, especially when it comes to satisfying fans loyal to the book. One minor change to the book can cause an uproar. Just ask Benioff and Weiss about how fans reacted to their decisions in Game of Thrones.

Once every hour, the Raspberry Pi sitting on my desk checks the weather and then plays a song about it. It is a bit like a cuckoo clock, except it tells me the weather instead of the time.

G2A.COM may be best known for video games, but the marketplace offers much more than gaming. Alongside games, users can find a wide range of digital software offers, often at competitive prices across different platforms.

There's no denying that using a custom DNS server is a better choice than sticking with the one provided by your ISP, but the catch is that you shouldn't opt for the first DNS provider you find positive reviews of online, or the one everyone recommends on Reddit. There's a way to test which DNS server works best for you that only takes about a minute of your time, and it'll give you better results than blindly choosing from the most popular options.

October is on the horizon, which means new movies will be hitting streaming this week. Tyler Perry's latest directorial effort and one of Christopher Nolan's underrated movies hit Netflix. Meanwhile, Ari Aster's folk-horror movie heads to Hulu.

TL;DR: Watch Belgium vs. France in the Nations League for free on TF1. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League provides plenty of opportunities to see top international sides battle it out. We've been blessed by a number of high-profile matchups since the competition restarted last week, and the action continues with Belgium vs. France.

Belgium began this campaign with an impressive 2-0 victory over Italy. France secured three points with a narrow win over Turkey. Now the top two sides face each other at the King Baudouin Stadium.

If you're interested in watching Belgium vs. France in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Belgium vs. France?

Belgium vs. France in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 28. This fixture takes place at the King Baudouin Stadium.

How to watch Belgium vs. France for free

Belgium vs. France in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on TF1.

TF1 is geo-restricted to France, 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 France, meaning you can live stream Belgium vs. France for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Belgium vs. France for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for 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 France

4. Visit TF1

5. Watch Belgium vs. France for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only 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 Belgium vs. France without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for TF1?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on TF1, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including France

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is 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 Belgium vs. France for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The best early October Prime Day TV deals: Best budget TV deal Amazon Ember 55-inch 4-Series 4K TV $279.99 (save $180) Get Deal Best art TV deal Amazon Ember 55-inch Artline QLED 4K TV $499.99 (save $400) Get Deal Best QLED TV Deal Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini-LED Hi-QLED 4K TV $847.99 (save $652) Get Deal Best Roku TV deal Roku 65-inch Plus Series QLED 4K TV $449.99 (save $200) Get Deal Best small TV deal Amazon Ember 43-inch 4-Series 4K TV $199.99 (save $130) Get Deal BEST OLED TV DEAL LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,499.99 (save $1,200) Get Deal Another great OLED TV deal Samsung 65-inch S90H OLED 4K TV $1,697.99 (save $1,002) Get Deal

Another Amazon Prime Day is upon us. Well, kind of. Prime Big Deal Days, which runs from Oct. 6 through Oct. 7, isn't quite as massive as Amazon's flagship summer sale, but it serves as an unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season.

Casually called October Prime Day, the fall sale features deals on all sorts of tech — just like Prime Day proper. TVs, in particular, tend to see pretty big price drops now that new models have been on the market for about six months. In other words, if you're in need of a new TV, you can find a 2026 model for a steal during October Prime Day.

We've rounded up the best early October Prime Day TV deals from brands like LG, Hisense, Samsung, and Amazon Fire TV that you can shop now, including several options already under $500. But be sure to check back as the official Prime Big Deal Days sale nears for even more hefty discounts.

Best budget TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Ember 55-inch 4-Series 4K TV $279.99 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $180   Get Deal Why we like it

As much as we might drool over Sony's new flagship Bravia 7 II True RGB TV, when it comes time to actually add a TV to our shopping cart, we often have to lower our expectations. The good news: TVs are among the few tech products that have gotten cheaper over the past five years, and even budget TVs offer fairly impressive displays and sound.

The Amazon Ember 4-Series is a good starter TV if you're on a budget, and that's why it's one of the best October Prime Day TV deals we've found so far. Despite clocking in at under $300, this 55-inch TV has a 4K HDR10+ display, WiFi 6 support, a speedy quad-core processor, and doubles as an Alexa smart speaker. If you're already in the Amazon ecosystem and OLEDs aren't in your budget, don't overthink this one.

Best OLED TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,499.99 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $1,200.00   Get Deal Why we like it

OLED TVs are known for their elite contrast and often extreme price tags. However, the LG C6 is what Mashable's TV expert calls the "best affordable OLED TV," compared to competitors' prices. It's also her top pick for an OLED TV for most people. It features inky blacks, stark contrast (of course), improved audio, peak brightness, and a higher refresh rate than its predecessor, and overall, incredible picture quality. At just under $1,600, the 65-inch model is over $1,000 cheaper than its list price ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. We've actually seen it drop even lower before, so we'll be keeping an eye out as the official sale nears.

Best QLED TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini-LED Hi-QLED 4K TV $847.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $652   Get Deal Why we like it

The Hisense U7 series delivers Mini-LED performance you'd expect on higher-priced models. It packs a 165Hz refresh rate, 2.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos audio, a Google TV with a Gemini interface, and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. Its backlighting features full-array local dimming as well, which means clusters of tiny LED bulbs precisely control brightness levels within specific sections of your screen for more accuracy and depth. The U7 is a step up from our favorite budget TV of 2026, but with this massive price drop, it's actually a much better deal. At $847.99, the 65-inch model is already $2 cheaper than it was on Prime Day proper back in June.

Best art TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Ember 55-inch Artline QLED 4K TV $499.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $400   Get Deal Why we like it

If you want an aesthetic TV that doubles as artwork on your wall, but don't quite have the budget for Samsung's The Frame, Amazon's new Ember Artline TVs are a solid alternative. The 55-inch model is on sale for less than $500 ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, which is 44% off and its best price on record. While Amazon's art TV isn't quite as impressive in the specs department as Samsung's, it does offer a free art gallery and a wide selection of frame options at no extra cost. It's not our top pick at full price, but at $400 off? It's hard to pass up.

Best Roku TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku 65-inch Plus Series QLED 4K TV $449.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $200   Get Deal Why we like it

Not everyone is a fan of the Fire TV ecosystem, and we get it. I'm a Roku fan, and this deal on the 65-inch Roku Plus Series TV shaves $200 off ahead of October Prime Day. While I do think we could see an even better price as the official sale nears, this is still a solid discount that puts a 65-inch Mini-LED QLED in your living room for less than $500. Mini-LED backlighting and local dimming enable finer tuning of the bright, detailed 4K QLED display. It also features Dolby Atmos sound, Roku Smart Picture, and a delightfully simple interface.

More early October Prime Day TV dealsUnder 50-inch TV deals

• Insignia 40-inch F40 HD TV — $99 $119.99 (save $20.99)

• Roku 43-Inch Select Series 4K TV — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70)

• Amazon Ember 40-inch 2-Series HD TV — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70)

• Amazon Ember 43-inch 4-Series 4K TV — $199.99 $329.99 (save $130)

• Sony 48-inch Bravia 6 OLED 4K TV — $1,098 $1,299.99 (save $201.99)

50 to 55-inch TV deals

• Insignia 50-inch F50 4K TV — $159.99 $299.99 (save $140)

• Samsung 55-inch M70H Mini-LED 4K TV — $299.99 $347.99 (save $48)

• Hisense 55-inch E6 Hi-QLED 4K TV — $299.99 $429.99 (save $130)

• Amazon Ember 55-inch Omni Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $449.99 $819.99 (save $370)

• Hisense 50-inch E7 Mini-LED Hi-QLED 4K TV — $449.99 $699.99 (save $250)

• Amazon Ember 55-inch Omni QLED 4K TV — $489.99 $589.99 (save $100)

• Amazon Ember 55-inch Artline QLED 4K TV — $499.99 $899.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 55-inch The Frame LS03F QLED 4K TV — $747.99 $1,097.99 (save $350)

• Hisense 50-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $797.99 $1,299.99 (save $502)

• LG 55-inch LX7B Gallery Mini LED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,299.99 (save $400)

65-inch TV deals

• Insignia 65-inch QF Series QLED 4K TV — $299.99 $349.99 (save $50)

• Roku 65-inch Plus Series QLED 4K TV — $449.99 $649.99 (save $200)

• Hisense 65-inch E7 Mini-LED Hi-QLED 4K TV — $597.99 $999.99 (save $402)

• Amazon Ember 65-inch Omni QLED 4K TV — $709.99 $849.99 (save $140)

• Amazon Ember 65-inch Artline QLED 4K TV — $799.98 $1,099.99 (save $300.01)

• Amazon Ember 65-inch Omni Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $799.99 $1,089.99 (save $290)

• Toshiba 65-inch G700 ArtVision QLED 4K TV — $1,097.99 $1,999.99 (save $902)

• LG 65-inch LX7B Gallery Mini LED 4K TV — $1,099.99 $1,799.99 (save $700)

• Hisense 65-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $1,197.99 $1,999.99 (save $802)

• Samsung 65-inch S85H OLED 4K TV — $1,397.99 $1,999.99 (save $602)

• TCL 65-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $1,697.99 $2,499.99 (save $802)

• Sony 65-inch Bravia 8 II QD QLED 4K TV — $2,498 $3,299.99 (save $801.99)

75-inch TV deals

• Samsung 75-inch M70H Mini-LED 4K TV — $547.99 $729.99 (save $182)

• Amazon Ember 75-inch Omni QLED 4K TV — $989.99 $1,199.99 (save $210)

• Amazon Ember 75-inch Omni Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $999.99 $1,499.99 (save $500)

80 to 85-inch TV deals

• Hisense 85-inch U6 Pro Hi-QLED Mini-LED 4K TV — $1,297.99 $1,999.99 (save $702)

• Amazon Ember 85-inch Omni Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $1,759.99 $2,099.99 (save $340)

• Hisense 85-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $1,998.99 $3,999.99 (save $2,001)

Over 85-inch TV deals

• Hisense 100-inch E7 Mini-LED Hi-QLED 4K TV — $1,996.97 $2,999.99 (save $1,003.02)

• Hisense 100-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV — $2,497.99 $2,999.99 (save $502)

• TCL 98-inch QM7L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

SAVE $200: As of Sept. 28, the 85-inch TCL QM6K Series Mini-LED 4K TV is on sale for $897.99 at Amazon. Down from its typical price of $1,097.99, that's its best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 85-Inch Class QM6K Series Mini LED QLED 4K HDR TV $897.99 at Amazon
$1,097.99 Save $200   Get Deal

If you have been waiting to turn your living room into a private movie theater, Amazon just dropped a record-low deal on a massive screen. The 85-inch TCL QM6K Series Mini-LED 4K Smart TV is currently marked down to $897.99 from its typical $1,097.99 price tag. That is an 18% discount that knocks $200 off, bringing this latest-model display down to its best price ever.

Getting an 85-inch screen under the $900 mark is already a steal, but what makes this deal special is that TCL didn't skimp on picture quality to keep the price low. Instead of using old-school giant backlights that make dark scenes look washed-out and grey, this model packs thousands of microscopic LEDs directly behind the glass. Because these tiny lights can dim or brighten independently, bright objects stay sharp while dark backgrounds remain genuinely dark, preventing bright light from leaking into the dark corners of the screen.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime in time for the next Prime Day

It is also built to handle fast movement without turning into a blurry mess. The screen can refresh its picture up to 144 times every second, which means fast-moving footballs, racing cars, and current-gen video games stay buttery smooth. Whatever you choose to watch, the TV automatically adjusts its picture settings to match the exact movie or show format you are streaming, making sure colors pop without looking fake or overly harsh.

Rounding out the package is built-in Google TV software, which means all your favorite streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube are on one easy-to-use home screen. You can control the TV using the included voice remote with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa commands, and the onboard speakers are tuned by audio brand Onkyo with spatial surround sound built right in, so dialogue stays clear without requiring an immediate soundbar purchase.

Head to Amazon to score TCL's massive 85-inch Mini-LED 4K TV at its record-low price before it sells out.

TL;DR: Watch Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly for free on Network 10. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Nations League action continues this week with a number of interesting fixtures, but there's another high-profile fixture taking place on the other side of the world. Australia are facing off against Brazil for the second time in a week, just days after they drew 1-1 at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

If you're interested in watching Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Australia vs. Brazil?

Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly kicks off at 6 a.m. ET on Sept. 29. This fixture takes place at the Suncorp Stadium.

How to watch Australia vs. Brazil for free

Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly is available to live stream for free on Network 10.

Network 10 is geo-restricted to Australia, 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 Australia vs. Brazil for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Australia vs. Brazil for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for 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 Network 10

5. Watch Australia vs. Brazil for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only 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 Australia vs. Brazil without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Network 10?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Network 10, 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 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 Australia vs. Brazil for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: According to reports, Pokémon cards will return to McDonald's Happy Meals from Nov. 5. Each Happy Meal order will include a four-card booster pack, with 15 cards available to collect in total.

It looks like Pokémon cards are officially returning to McDonald’s Happy Meals in the U.S. Mark your calendars for Nov. 5, because collectors have got a month to complete the latest 15-card set.

According to reports from PokéBeach, the limited-time promotion will run through Dec. 9. Each Happy Meal order will include a four-card booster pack featuring three standard cards and one guaranteed holofoil. It's going to be chaos.

Here's everything we know about the upcoming drop, what to expect in the packs, and how to score the cards.

When do Pokémon Happy Meals drop at McDonald's?

If reports are true, the U.S. promotion will run from Nov. 5 to Dec. 9. If Target's recent Pokémon event was anything to go by, expect high demand from launch.

What will the Pokémon Happy Meal booster packs include?

We don't expect McDonald’s to change a winning formula. As usual, each Happy Meal will contain three regular cards and one foil card. There will be 15 cards to collect, including six holo cards printed on confetti holofoil. Unfortunately, we don't know which cards will be featured just yet.

How to get the cards (without feeding the scalpers)

If you are trying to complete a full 15-card binder set without buying 50 Happy Meals, keep these tips in mind:

Ask to buy extra booster packs separately

Some locations allow you to purchase additional Happy Meal toy/card packs individually at the register (typically around $1.99 to $2.99 each) without purchasing a full meal, though rules vary by location.

Avoid third-party reseller markups

Complete 15-card sets and individual holos usually flood secondary markets hours after launch, often dropping significantly in price after the initial opening-weekend hype cools down.

Shop online alternatives

If in-person stock dries up, official Pokémon 30th Anniversary TCG sets are actively restocking online. In fact, you can find Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Boxes for under market price right now at Amazon.

Many self-hosted services require a powerful CPU, lots of storage, or a dedicated GPU, but many of my favorite apps don't. In fact, most of the services I run daily would run acceptably on any PC made in the last 10 to 15 years. If you want to try self-hosting but don't feel like spending a month's rent on a new PC, break out your old laptop that has been collecting dust in your closet instead—it'll do just fine.

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale is just around the corner — and so are some excellent Apple deals, no doubt. This 48-hour "October Prime Day" serves as Amazon's kickoff to the Black Friday/holiday shopping season, which is the best time to find discounts on popular Apple devices, among many other tech products. This year, it will double as some year-end relief from RAMageddon price increases.

While the sale isn't scheduled to begin for a few more weeks, Amazon is already rolling out some early October Prime Day deals on select gadgets, including most AirPods, Apple Watches, iPads, and MacBooks. That raises the question: If you're thinking about upgrading from an older Apple device to a newer model, should you start adding items to your cart now or hold off for a bit?

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces dates for Prime Big Deal Days, its 48-hour 'October Prime Day' sale

The answer depends on the exact product you're eyeing. Having covered Amazon's sales for years now, I think most of its current Apple deals will get much better on Oct. 6 and 7, when Prime Big Deal Days is officially live. However, a couple of the deals are worth grabbing immediately. In fact, you might miss out if you wait too long.

Read on to find out which six Apple deals I'd add to my cart ASAP, and which others I'm hoping to see once Prime Big Deal Days starts. I've come up with some October Prime Day discount predictions for every current Apple product based on their pricing histories and Amazon's deal patterns. I'm also keeping an eye on rivaling retailers like Walmart and Best Buy to see if they can one-up their offers. (Check back for updates as we get closer to the sale.)

The only Apple deals I'd shop before October Prime Day Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Walmart
$129 Save $30   Get Deal

Apple's last-gen earbuds are getting harder to find in stock following this month's launch of the AirPods 5. Amazon's $99 deal on new pairs is gone, leaving only used options starting at $84.55.

If you're after the base model, your best move right now is Walmart, where new pairs are still available for $99 (normally $129) — matching their lowest price of the year. However, if active noise cancellation is a priority, you can get the ANC version for $129.99 at Best Buy.

While the standard version lacks ANC, misses out on Live Translation, and doesn't sound quite as refined as its successor, it's still a great option for budget shoppers who want a reliable set of wireless earbuds without paying full price.

Read Mashable's review of the Apple AirPods 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) $389.99 at Amazon
$399 Save $9.01   Get Deal

Apple's latest flagship smartwatch hit shelves in mid-September alongside the AirPods 5, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and iPhone 18 Pros. It has an upgraded chipset and sensors that support better heart rate monitoring, a new Readiness feature, and new Audio Intelligence tools. Amazon is currently selling it for $389.99, which is almost $10 off its usual sticker price of $399. That discount isn't huge, but it's probably not going to get any bigger once Prime Big Deal Days starts. Its predecessor, the Series 11, was also only $10 off during its first Prime Big Deal Days.

Check out our breakdown of all the differences between the Apple Watch Series 12 and Series 11.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 4 (GPS + cellular, 49mm) $779.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $19.01   Get Deal

Similarly, the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 4 isn't heavily discounted but probably won't get any cheaper than it currently is, if history repeats itself. Last year, during Prime Big Deal Days, the last-generation Apple Watch Ultra 3 was marked down to $779.99 (normally $799). Ahead of this year's sale, the Ultra 4 is already matching that. Its upgrades include a faster processor, a longer battery life, and a new heart rate monitoring system; it has the same new health and fitness features as the Series 12.

Read Mashable's review of the Apple Watch Ultra 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 11-Inch (M4, WiFi, 2TB, nano-texture glass) $1,899 at Amazon
$2,099 Save $200   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) $1,299 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $200   Get Deal

Amazon still has a couple of older M4 iPad Pros in stock and on sale at deep discounts. One is an 11-inch model with a nano-texture (matte) display and 2TB storage; the other is a 13-inch model with Apple's standard display and 512GB of storage. They're marked down to $1,899 and $1,299, respectively, which is a $200 savings either way. (For reference, they were $250 off and $100 off during Prime Big Deal Days 2025.) They're significantly cheaper than their newer M5 counterparts right now, so I can see them selling out well before this year's October Prime Day.

Read Mashable's review of the 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M4).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $3,499 at Amazon
$4,099 Save $600   Get Deal

This beefy MacBook Pro, powered by Apple's most powerful laptop chip, is ideal for advanced users like professional video editors and developers. MacBooks don't normally get discounts of more than $300 to $400 during Amazon's Prime events, so at $600 off, this one's a no-brainer buy. I should also mention that this exact configuration cost $3,599 before Apple raised its MacBook prices in June — this discount negates that and then some.

October Prime Day AirPods deals to watch

• Apple AirPods 5: The latest flagship AirPods debuted in mid-September, and they're currently stuck at full price. (The standard models retail for $129, while the ones with a wireless charging case cost $149.) They should get cheaper next month, but not by much. The AirPods 4 only saw a small $10 discount during their first Prime Big Deal Days in 2024, so I think they'll probably go for $119 and $139, respectively.

• Apple AirPods Pro 3: The AirPods Pro 3 have better ANC than the regular AirPods 5, plus a longer battery life, an added heart rate sensor, and an exclusive Hearing Aid mode. They're down to $234 right now — a 6% savings — but there's a strong chance they'll dip even lower for October's festivities. Amazon could revive its record-low price of $169, which last appeared right before June's Prime Day sale.

• Apple AirPods Pro Max 2: Apple's over-ear headphones are currently on sale for $479 (or $70 off their $549 MSRP), but I'd wait. We saw them fall to $399 a couple of months ago on Prime Day — an impressive 27% savings.

Read our reviews of the AirPods 5, the AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods Max 2. Plus, find out where they ranked on our guides to the best wireless earbuds and the best noise-canceling headphones.

The best early October Prime Day AirPods deals for now: Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30 at Walmart) Get Deal Apple AirPods 5 $129 Shop Now Apple AirPods 5 with wireless charging case $149 Shop Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 (save $50) Get Deal Apple AirPods Pro Max 2 $479 (save $70) Get Deal October Prime Day Apple Watch deals to watch

• Apple Watch SE 3: Normally $249, Apple's budget smartwatch has been as cheap as $189.99 before — a savings of just under $60. It's definitely not worth buying now at $239, or only $10 off.

The best early October Prime Day Apple Watch deals for now: Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $239 (save $10) Shop Now Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) $389.99 (save $9.01) Get Deal Apple Watch Ultra 4 (GPS + cellular, 49mm) $779.99 (save $19.01) Get Deal October Prime Day MacBook deals to watch

• Apple MacBook Neo: The cheapest MacBook hasn't gotten any major discounts at major retailers since its March release. (Its current sale price of $689 on Amazon, or $10 off, is its all-time low there.) There's no world where Amazon matches the Apple Store's $100 student discount for Prime Big Deal Days, IMO, but maybe we'll see it hit $649 for the first time next month. It's due for better deals now that it's more than six months old.

• Apple MacBook Air: Two variants of the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air were ~$100 off at the time of writing, but don't add them to your cart yet. Both sizes of last year's M4 MacBook Air were $200 off during Prime Big Deal Days 2025. If Amazon matched that offer in the coming weeks, it would erase the M5 Air's recent price hike. For reference, the 13-inch one usually starts at $1,299, while the 15-inch size typically starts at $1,499; snag them as soon as you catch them at $1,099 and $1,299, respectively.

• Apple MacBook Pro: The 14-inch, M5-powered base model with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is also $150 off right now, but I think Amazon might sell it for $1,799, or $200 off, come Prime Big Deal Days. That's the discount its equally configured predecessor got last fall. (It wouldn't fully cancel the MacBook Pro's recent $300 price increase, but it would be a welcome deal regardless. We haven't spotted it on sale for less than $1,849 since June.)

Read our reviews of the Apple MacBook Neo, the M5 MacBook Air, and the M5 MacBook Pro. Plus, find out which MacBook is best for you.

The best early October Prime Day MacBook deals for now: Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $689 (save $10) Get Deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,449 (save $150) Get Deal Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,399 (save $100) Shop Now Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,839 (save $160) Get Deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $3,499 (save $600) Get Deal October Prime Day iPad deals to watch

• Apple iPad: Apple's flagship tablet is on sale for $427 in the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days (usually $449), which is a skip. Wait to see if Amazon matches or beats its $70 discount from last year's sale, which would bring it down to just $379.

• Apple iPad mini: The smallest, most portable iPad was also $70 off during Prime Big Deal Days 2025, so it's worth adding to your cart if you see it drop to $529 or lower next month. It's now on sale for $569 (only $30 off).

• Apple iPad Air: Amazon randomly shifted the list prices for both sizes of the latest M4 iPad Air, so technically, both models are $20 off right now. You can grab the 11-inch version for $729 and the 13-inch version for $929 (down from their original retail prices of $749 and $949). It's a tiny markdown compared to the $100 price cuts we saw recently, but last October, Amazon dropped the previous-gen models by $150 during Prime Big Deal Days. If Amazon replicates that $150 discount off the original list price next month, the 11-inch model would fall to $599, and the 13-inch would drop to $799.

• Apple iPad Pro: The 11-inch base configuration of the M4 iPad Pro was $100 off during last year's Prime Big Deal Days, while the 13-inch base model was $200 off. Amazon isn't matching those offers just yet: The smaller size is now $1,139, only $60 off, while the 13-inch one is now $1,399, or $100 off (not bad, but it could be even better). Ideally, they'll soon hit $1,099 and $1,299 or less.

Read our reviews of the iPad mini, the M4 iPad Air, and the M5 iPad Pro. Not sure which iPad to buy? Allow us to offer some guidance.

The best early October Prime Day iPad deals for now: Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $427 (save $22) Get Deal Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) $569 (save $30) Get Deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB $729 (save $20) Get Deal Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) $929 (save $20) Get Deal Apple iPad Pro, 11-Inch (M4, WiFi, 2TB, nano-texture glass) $1,899 (save $200) Get Deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) $1,299 (save $200) Get Deal Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $1,139 (save $60) Get Deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $1,399 (save $100) Get Deal October Prime Day Apple accessory deals to watch

• Apple AirTags (4-Pack): Currently on sale for $89 (normally $99). We frequently see this 4-pack drop to $69 or $79 during major Amazon events, so it's worth holding off a few more weeks to save an extra $5 or $10.

• Apple Pencil Pro: Down to $99 (normally $129). This $30 discount is a pretty good deal. The lowest we've ever seen Amazon let it go for was $89.99 in Oct. of 2024.

• Apple MagSafe Charger: On sale for $39.99 (normally $49). It doesn't usually drop below $29 (though we did see it at $28 in June), so the current price is reasonable if you need a wireless charger right away, though a slightly better deal is likely during the sale.

Watch for Apple Gift Card bundles: Keep an eye out for gift card promos as we get closer to Oct. 6. Target and Best Buy frequently run deals where buying a $100 Apple Gift Card gets you a $15 credit back. It's essentially free money if you already plan on paying for iCloud, Apple Music, or future hardware upgrades.

You won't have to wait much longer to try Boox's take on a pocket eReader. The company has started taking pre-orders for the Picco ahead of an October release date, and promises to give its rival Xteink some stiff competition.

If you own some Ryobi power tools and battery packs, there's a good chance you have one of its fans. Ryobi makes all sorts of extremely useful tools to keep you cool, but the internet's favorite model is the clamp fan. Here's why, and several creative ways to use this affordable little gadget.

TL;DR: Through Sept. 29, Krispy Kreme is celebrating National Coffee Day with a new limited-edition Original Glazed Coffee Flavored Doughnut. Plus, you can score a dozen Original Glazed or Coffee Flavored doughnuts for just $5 when you buy any regular-priced dozen, stacked with a free coffee offer on Sept. 29.

National Coffee Day is here, and Krispy Kreme is combining two morning staples into a single limited-edition treat. Through Sept. 29, the chain is rolling out the new Original Glazed Coffee Flavored Doughnut.

This limited-time menu addition takes Krispy Kreme’s iconic melt-in-your-mouth glazed doughnut and infuses it with a smooth, subtly bold coffee flavor. To mark the launch and the holiday, Krispy Kreme is running two stacked promotions across participating locations.

How to get a $5 dozens

If you are picking up doughnuts for the office or family, you can grab a second dozen for a steep discount. When you buy any full-priced dozen on Sept. 29, you can add a second dozen of either the new Original Glazed Coffee Flavored Doughnuts or classic Original Glazed Doughnuts for just $5.

• In-shop and drive-thru — You can redeem up to two $5 dozens per guest at participating locations.

• Online and app orders — Use the promo code COFFEE at checkout when ordering for pickup or delivery through the Krispy Kreme app or website (limit one $5 dozen per online order while supplies last).

Free coffee on National Coffee Day

If you visit a participating Krispy Kreme shop on Tuesday, Sept. 29, you can score a free small or medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase. This offer is limited to one free drink per guest in-store or through the drive-thru.

Head over to your local Krispy Kreme or open the mobile app and use code COFFEE to grab your $5 dozen before the deal ends on Sept. 29.

On Friday, Sept. 25, Taylor Swift released four new songs as part of her expanded album The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore. The internet has since spent the weekend listening, evaluating, and searching the tracks for hidden meanings. So far, many listeners have concluded that Swift's new songs leave a lot to be desired, with even die-hard Swifties struggling to defend her artistic choices.

SEE ALSO: Who is Taylor Swift’s 'Patient Zero' about? Swifties have a theory.

Swift's original Life of a Showgirl album was released nearly a year ago on Oct. 3. Consisting of 12 tracks such as "The Fate of Ophelia," "Opalite," and "Elizabeth Taylor," the album was partially inspired by Swift's relationship with her now-husband, football player Travis Kelce.

Life of a Showgirl received middling reviews, with listeners criticising the album for its perceived lack of artistry and emotional depth. One of the most disparaged songs was "Wood," in which Swift sang about Kelce's penis through lyrics such as "His love was the key that opened my thighs" and "The curse on me was broken by your magic wand."

Despite the mixed reactions, Swift has expanded The Life of a Showgirl with The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore. The deluxe edition adds four songs: "Patient Zero," "Cleveland!," "Pink Clouding," and "Babylon." However, it hasn’t been the return to form some fans hoped for: The new songs have drawn an even poorer reception than Swift’s original album.

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Much of the criticism has focused on "Patient Zero" and "Cleveland!." Some listeners have criticised Swift for flatly speaking over a beat on both tracks, saying they sound like trite royalty-free stock music or AI-generated tunes. A viral edit by X user @sweetenerpacket played "Cleveland!" over a 5-Minute Crafts video to illustrate the point, with several viewers noting that they hadn’t immediately realised the audio had been changed. Meanwhile, another edit by TikTok user @fae.laughs.a.lot likened "Cleveland!" to the opening theme for The Office.

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"Cleveland!" has also drawn attention for its unromantic take on love. In it, Swift insists that she’s happy in her relationship regardless of outsiders’ opinions, while setting a surprisingly low bar for romance with lyrics such as "You only need to find one person in this entire world / Who doesn’t find you completely insufferable." That’s a far cry from her 2019 song "Lover" in which Swift sang, "With every guitar string scar on my hand, I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover."

Yet while Swift's husband apparently doesn't consider her "completely insufferable," the same can't be said for listeners' thoughts on her latest lyrics.

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Some listeners have also noted that while Swift's previous relationships inspired her to pen songs such as the sweeping 10-minute ballad "All Too Well," her husband Kelce has so far mostly sparked a "buncha songs about dick and Ohio."

"it is so fucking funny that she’s written like 3 songs about her husband that are all like 'isn't it so awesome how he plays football and has a podcast?' and then writes dozens of incredible songs abt her situationship from 3 years ago," wrote X user @theIesbianqueen in a post that has gained 38,000 likes. "never change diva."

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Even some of Swift’s most ardent fans have had difficulty finding much to praise in The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore. Reactions from big-name fan Swiftologist and YouTube channel Chats & Reacts have gone viral, with the former stating that "it’s so hard to to be the Swiftologist at a time like this."

"The 'fuck the haters, I love my man' stuff doesn’t land as well when the music is horrible," said the Swiftologist, describing "Cleveland!" as a "very petulant, petty 'Wood' part 2."

"I really hope that Showgirl doesn't get a nomination for album of the year, because I think she's living in a delusional world. I really think that she thinks that this is a great album and she did a great job. And it's not, and she didn't."

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Meanwhile, Chats & Reacts have drawn attention for their positive and expressive reactions to "Patient Zero" — a response many online commenters believe is either forced or insincere.

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As of writing, The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore has a score of 39 on Metacritic, making it one of the worst album ratings on the website. Some X users have compared its performance to Katy Perry’s widely derided 2024 album 143, which scored two points lower at 37.

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Despite the generally negative response to The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, some Swifties remain adamantly defensive of Swift’s new content. Even in the songs themselves, Swift proudly declares that she’s happy in her relationship and doesn’t care what anyone else thinks. That may serve her well, because this extended album was an encore few seem to have been asking for.

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If you have an older iPhone lying around your house collecting dust, you may be sitting on a (digital) gold mine. Even if you moved on to the latest iPhone model, a spare phone can come in handy in unexpected ways.Any old, functioning device can be used in many different ways, so before you give up on your spare iPhone, here are a few ways in which you can repurpose it that don't involve passing it along to somebody else.

Five years ago, we reported that wired earbuds were making a comeback with Gen Z. Our own reporter replaced her AirPods Pro with wired EarPods. But there's been a gap in the wired earbuds market: Active noise cancellation is not standard in wired options.

Bose might be changing the game. The brand just introduced its new Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds. They retail for $99, come in three colors, and yes, feature active noise cancellation. The earbuds are available for preorder today and will begin shipping on Oct. 15.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds $99 at Bose
  Pre-order Here Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds at a glance

Bose's new wired earbuds connect via USB-C, which is also how they draw power. So, you don't ever need to charge the buds. That does mean, however, that you can't use an adapter if you're still rocking a Lightning port.

There's no app or Bluetooth pairing necessary — just plug into compatible USB-C phones, tablets, or computers, and you're good to go.

The remote buttons control volume up, volume down, play/pause, skip, and the noise cancellation modes. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

"Technology has come a long way since our last wired earbuds, allowing us the opportunity to bring our latest advancements to the category and set a new standard for what wired earbuds can be," Raza Haider, president of Bose Premium Consumer Audio, said in a press release.

Here's a look at the Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds' specs and features:

• Listening modes: Quiet (ANC), Aware, and off (straightforward wired listening with no ANC)

• Colors: Black, white smoke, dewdrop mint (limited edition)

• Button controls: Volume up, volume down, play/pause, skip, noise cancellation modes

• Cable length: 4.2 feet

• Microphones: Dedicated microphone in remote; two microphones in each earbud for ANC

• Waterproofing: IPX4 water resistance

• Sizing: Three eartips, two wingtips

Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds: First impressions

I got to try out the Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds for a few days before their launch, and I think they're going to dominate the wired earbuds market. The earbuds will be familiar if you're a Bose user — they have swappable eartips and stability wings, and look similar to Bose's QuietComfort wireless earbuds. I received the limited-edition dewdrop mint color and love the look of it.

I tried out the buds in my office by plugging them into my MacBook. After firing up an episode of Good Hang, I learned that I had to select the earbuds as the audio output in my laptop's settings for the sound to come through. My deskmates got to hear a little snippet of Amy Poehler. After that initial connection, audio automatically plays through the buds when I plug them in.

SEE ALSO: Press play: 5 celeb-creator interviews the internet loved this week (Sept. 25)

As for the noise cancellation, it's as good as any wireless ANC bud I've tried. Obviously, it will never be as good as over-ear headphone noise cancellation — you simply can't get the same passive noise-cancellation seal. I was working in my home office, listening to Taylor Swift's new songs in my own world with quiet mode on, and my boyfriend walked in and scared the absolute shit out of me. Apparently, he had been talking to me for almost a minute, and I didn't hear a thing.

The Bose ANC wired earbuds are compatible with USB-C phones, tablets, and computers. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

At one point, I had a small fan running near my desk, and I could hear a slight hissing noise with ANC turned on, but I could really only hear it during quiet moments in my music. I live above a vet and could hear a couple of the really loud dog barks come through, but for the most part, the earbuds quieted the commotion coming up through the floor.

On the price, $99 is an incredible deal for noise-cancelling buds from a premium brand. Bose's most affordable wireless ANC buds retail for $179, and Apple's new ANC AirPods 5 start at $129. Bose just created the new standard in wired earbuds.

I bought my Galaxy Watch thinking it’d make me more productive. I could keep up with my messages, get reminders to move if I’d been sitting for too long, and stay accountable with all my to-dos just a wrist raise away — basically, I could stay on top of all the crucial information without having to reach for my phone and get distracted by everything happening on that big screen.

TL;DR: The Tribit StormBox Max is available on Amazon for $129.99. This portable Bluetooth speaker delivers 60W of power, an IP68 waterproof design, a physical bass adjustment knob, and up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tribit Tribit StormBox Max $129.99 at Amazon
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If you need a portable speaker that can crank the volume without weighing down your beach bag, Tribit has a new option for your setup.

The audio brand just launched the StormBox Max, a 60W Bluetooth speaker built to deliver room-filling sound in a portable footprint. Available now on Amazon for $129.99, the StormBox Max strikes a balance between loud output and easy travel.

Despite weighing under 3 pounds and including a built-in silicone carrying handle, the StormBox Max packs a solid punch. The internal layout pairs a 30W woofer with four 7.5W silk-dome tweeters for a total output of 60W, delivering deep bass, clear voice tracks, and sharp high notes across a frequency range of 53Hz to 20kHz.

SEE ALSO: Early Prime Day deals on speakers are live: Score huge discounts on Beats, Bose, and more

Instead of limiting you to a single audio setting, Tribit added a physical XBass 2.0 dial directly to the body. This setting lets you turn the low end up or down with a five-step control depending on what you are listening to. An onboard EQ button lets you flip between "Tribit Signature" and "Outdoor" sound profiles, with extra custom tuning available through the free Tribit smartphone app.

The speaker is built to handle rough weather and messy environments. It carries a top-tier IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating, so it can take beach sand, poolside splashes, or sudden rain showers without skipping a beat.

Battery life is another big highlight. The dual 5,000mAh batteries give you up to 20 hours of playtime at 50% volume using the standard EQ profile. It recharges over USB-C in about four hours, and the USB-C port doubles as a power bank to charge your phone if your battery runs low mid-party.

Thanks to its Bluetooth 6.0 chip, you get an extended wireless range of up to 45 meters from your phone. If you want a wider soundstage, you can pair two units for dedicated left/right stereo, or use onboard Auracast technology to link more than 100 compatible speakers simultaneously for large gatherings.

Head over to Amazon to grab the Tribit StormBox Max before your next weekend getaway.