IT General

Windows is Microsoft's operating system, but that doesn't mean Microsoft gets all the credit for shaping the PC experience. Over the years, independent developers created apps that changed how people browsed the web, listened to music, watched videos, played games, and even interacted with Windows itself. These five did more than add another program to your PC: they changed what Windows users came to expect from it.

What do modern Android phones and the classic "Weebles" toys from the '70s have in common? They wobble. It's an epidemic of chunky, off-center camera bumps, and I'm trying to fix it. My first attempt was pretty good, but I'm back with a new and improved solution.

SAVE $300.09: As of Oct. 30, the Samsung SSD 990 PRO 4TB is on sale for $799.90 at Amazon. That's a 27% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung SSD 990 PRO 4TB $799.90 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $300.09   Get Deal at Amazon

Upgrading your PC's storage can make a noticeable difference to how it runs. No more sluggish performance or waiting forever for games, files, or downloads to load. Not to mention, it'll give you plenty of extra room for downloading more.

As of Oct. 30, one great internal storage option is on sale at Amazon: the Samsung SSD 990 PRO 4TB. Normally $1,099.99, it's currently on sale for $799.90. Of course, like pretty much every SSD, the base price for this product has soared in recent months, so this deal is a great way to beat the price hikes and upgrade your storage for a little less.

The 990 PRO is also available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, both of which are reduced at Amazon. The 1TB version is down from $319.99 to $259.99, and the 2TB model has fallen from $639.99 to $406.39.

The 4TB model is designed for seriously fast performance, delivering read speeds up to 7,450 MB/s and write speeds up to 6,900 MB/s. According to Samsung, random performance is improved by over 55% compared to the previous 980 PRO, alongside up to 50% greater performance per watt.

Head to Amazon to grab this deal now.

The best early Black Friday gaming monitor deals: best budget gaming monitor deal Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 QHD Monitor (G50F) $169.99 (save $110) Get Deal best LG gaming monitor deal LG 27-inch Ultragear OLED monitor (27GS93QE) $499.99 (save $400) Get Deal best ASUS gaming monitor deal ASUS 27-inch ROG Strix 4K Monitor (XG27UCG) $329 (save $120) Get Deal best Acer gaming monitor deal Acer 27-inch Nitro QD-OLED Monitor (VG277U) $269 (save $80.99) Get Deal best Samsung gaming monitor deal Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 OLED Monitor (G61SH) $399.99 (save $200) Get Deal

Gaming is an expensive hobby (especially in the age of RAMageddon), so any time you can save some money on hardware is a good day. If you're looking to boost your refresh rate or enhance your visual experience, Black Friday is the perfect opportunity to snag gaming monitors at steep discounts.

While we don't expect the absolute best discounts to arrive until closer to Black Friday, there are several live deals worth shouting out early. If you'd rather get some holiday shopping out of the way early or you want to upgrade your gaming setup before the official release of GTA 6, we've gathered the best gaming monitor deals worth adding to your cart.

If you don't quite see what you're looking for yet, stay tuned as we dive deeper into the Black Friday season. We'll be updating this list as things heat up.

Best early Black Friday gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 27-inch Ultragear OLED monitor (27GS93QE) $499.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $400   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

For those looking to switch to an OLED setup, the LG Ultragear 27GS93QE monitor is back at its record-low price at Amazon ahead of Black Friday. With a 27-inch QHD Wide 1440p OLED display that boasts an elevated color spectrum and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400, you'll enjoy stunning on-screen visuals with rich colors and deep contrast. The 240Hz refresh rate, instantaneous 0.03ms response time, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro technology, and NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility equate to smoother scenes with less lag or ghosting and all-around seamless gameplay.

More early Black Friday gaming monitor deals

Classic gaming monitors

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 QHD Monitor (G50F) — $169.99 $279.99 (save $110)

• Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 QHD Monitor (G50F) — $209.99 $349.99 (save $140)

• ASUS 27-inch ROG Strix 4K Monitor (XG27UCG) — $329 $449 (save $120)

• LG 27-inch Ultragear evo GM9 5K Hyper Mini LED Monitor (27GM950B) — $888 $1,199.99 (save $311.99)

OLED gaming monitors

• Acer 27-inch Nitro QD-OLED Monitor (VG277U) — $269 $349.99 (save $80.99)

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 OLED Monitor (G61SH) — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 QD-OLED Monitor (G60SF) — $699.99 $999.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 OLED Curved Monitor (G91SD) — $849.99 $1,299.99 (save $450)

Ultra-wide and curved gaming monitor deals

• Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 Ultra-Wide Gaming Monitor (G55T) — $249.99 $399.99 (save $150)

• Alienware 34-inch QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3425DW) — $699.99 $799.99 (save $100)

Early Black Friday iPad deals: Best budget iPad deal Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $399 (save $50) Get Deal Best iPad mini deal Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) $545 (save $54) Get Deal Best iPad Air deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) $699 (save $50) Get Deal Best iPad Pro deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) $1,424.99 (save $74.01) Get Deal

Black Friday sales are dropping early this year, and shopping now comes with benefits. You're less likely to run into shipping delays, and the selection might be better if you're on board with shopping weeks before turkey dinner.

Since everything feels more expensive these days, shopping sales can help ease the pain. Apple products (including the iPad lineup) saw price increases this summer, in part thanks to RAMageddon, but some deals bring iPads back into a range we're used to seeing.

Comparing these early Black Friday deals to what we saw during October Prime Day helps us decide what's actually worth buying. We have the green light on the standard iPad with the A16 chip, which is sitting at the same sale price we saw during Prime Day. But if you're shopping for the iPad Air or iPad Pro, you might want to hold off.

We saw a $100 discount on the Air and a $200 price cut on the iPad Pro during Prime Day, and neither of those is showing up right now. It's possible waiting a few more weeks will see larger discounts, but nothing is promised with tech in 2026.

We'll keep this page updated if we see better price drops in iPads.

Best budget iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $399 at Amazon
$449 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Mashable's favorite iPad for budget shoppers is the iPad with an A16 chip, which is on sale for $399, matching the same discount we saw during October Prime Day. Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino wrote, "It's great for someone who wants a portable screen for streaming, playing games, and reading." Given its lower price point, it's also a nice option for kids.

Best iPad mini deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) $545 at Amazon
$599 Save $54   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Apple just announced the 8th Gen iPad mini with big upgrades, but if you're interested in an older (and less expensive) model, the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip is already on sale. The 7th Gen iPad mini is a great option if you're looking for a versatile tablet that's great for streaming shows and catching up on emails. It's also the best iPad if you're looking for a model that'll double as an e-reader, thanks to its compact size.

It's worth mentioning we saw this model drop to $499 during October Prime Day. But with tech price hikes, it's possible this is the lowest we'll see during the 2026 holidays.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Gift Bundle is on sale for $93.99 at Amazon, down from its $109.86 typical price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Gift Bundle $93.99 at Amazon
$109.86 Save $15.87 Get Deal at Amazon

It wasn't that long ago that Magic: The Gathering's The Hobbit Gift Bundle was struggling to drop below $150, but Amazon has now brought the Middle-earth collection under $100, the lowest price since the summer. 

As of Oct. 30, the Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Gift Bundle is available for just $93.99 at Amazon, cutting $15.87 off its typical $109.86 price. It has dropped considerably since the bundle dropped to $158 in September. This is not only $64 cheaper but also the lowest price seen for The Hobbit Gift Bundle since July (confirmed by the price tracker camelcamelcamel).

SEE ALSO: Magic: The Gathering's The Hobbit Play Booster Box is down to a new all-time low price — save nearly $70

Listings at TCGplayer are currently going as low as $91.68. That's under the bundle box’s $93.01 estimated market price. 

Magic’s Hobbit Gift Bundle gives you nine 14-card Play Boosters and one 15-card Collector Booster, the latter containing five Rare or higher trading cards and a small chance of pulling a Headliner Mythic.

Alongside those 10 boosters, there's an exclusive alternate-art Traditional Foil promo, four Surge Foil full-art Seasonal Hobbit lands, 10 full-art Middle-earth Journey lands, 20 basic lands, an oversized Spindown life counter, and a foil storage box.

TL;DR: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Oct. 26-30. Get Spooked, hosted by Indie Author Collective, offers thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, and horror books for Kindle and Kobo users.

Stuff Your Kindle Day provides an awesome opportunity for bookworms to add to their TBR list without any guilt.

We're blessed with a pretty busy Stuff Your Kindle Day schedule in 2026, including romance, thriller, and young adult giveaways. Now that it's officially spooky season, Get Spooked has launched with 100s of free thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, and horror books.

Get Spooked, hosted by Indie Author Collective, is aimed at Kindle and Kobo users. Everything you download is yours to keep forever, so you can go wild.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is giving away the 2026 Motorola Razr for free — how to qualify

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Get Spooked takes place from Oct. 26-30. This five-day giveaway doesn't carry the same stress as a 24-hour event. You can consider your options and take your time. You could dip into the selection today and come back later in the week.

Which books are free?

Get Spooked is offering a huge selection of thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, and horror books. The helpful hub page has filters for price, retailers, e-reader, representations, and genres. Play around with the filters and find exactly what you want to read. Chances are you'll find something for free.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep forever, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time, so what's holding you back?

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + Kindle Unlimited (3 Months) $149.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Why we like it

These popular e-readers let you take your entire library on the go, with weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display. Plus, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free with your purchase for a limited time.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box is on sale for $90.16 at Amazon, down from its $98.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box $90.16 at Amazon
$98.99 Save $8.83 Get Deal at Amazon

It's been a while since we've spotted a worthwhile Amazon discount on Magic: The Gathering's Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box, but the retailer has finally shaved almost $10 off the 24-pack display.

As of Oct. 30, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box has dropped to $90.16 at Amazon. Compared to its typical $98.99 price, you're getting a 9% discount of $8.83, bringing each of the 24 boosters down to $3.76.

For clarification, while there are only six boxes available from third-party seller reVend at that price, you can buy more from seller TOYSandmore for just two cents more at $90.18.

According to the price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is the first time the Jumpstart Box for the Avatar expansion has dropped into the $90 range since August. While it may not be its lowest-ever price, it's still a better price than you'll find at other go-to trading card sites right now. 

SEE ALSO: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel's Spider-Man Play Booster Box is close to market price — save $15 at Amazon

TCGplayer, for instance, against its estimated market price of $93.20, has its cheapest sealed listings starting at $94.22, including shipping. Walmart, meanwhile, is asking for even more at $102.49, putting Amazon's offer over $12 ahead.

Inside the box are 24 Jumpstart Boosters, each packing 20 Avatar-themed Magic cards. Unlike traditional deckbuilding, Jumpstart keeps things simple by letting you shuffle any two boosters together to form an instant playable deck, complete with the necessary Land cards.

With 46 different themes featuring familiar characters, moments, and elemental powers from the animated series, there's a good variety of combinations to try. You can even mix these with boosters from other Jumpstart sets if you're after more ways to play.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection (Lucario) is on sale for $49.95 at Amazon, down from its typical price of $61.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection $49.95 at Amazon
$61.95 Save $12   Get Deal at Amazon

Amazon's prices for the Pokémon TCG's 30th Celebration collections have been jumping around throughout October, but the triple pack with a promo card and bonus stickers has slipped to the lowest price we’ve ever seen at the retailer.

As of Oct. 30, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection (Lucario) costs just $49.95 at Amazon, cutting $12 from its typical $61.95 price with a 19% discount. That's also three cents cheaper than the $49.98 offer we spotted at the beginning of October, bringing this particular box to the cheapest we’ve ever covered from Amazon.

Although third-party seller Bigg Time Sales is handling the sale directly, it’s still Amazon handling the shipping, with free delivery landing between Nov. 11-21 at the time of writing. 

SEE ALSO: Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Booster Bundle preorders are 25% off at Amazon — save nearly $20 ahead of launch

That said, there’s an even bigger offer price of $34.95 going on right now at Walmart, if you’re hoping to spend as little as possible, even if that means going beyond Amazon for your trading card fix — which is only about 40 cents above the estimated $34.55 market price by dedicated trading card marketplace TCGplayer. The cheapest listings there only go as low as $35.99 after shipping. 

The Tech Sticker Collection contains three 30th Celebration booster packs, a foil Lucario promo card, and a themed sticker sheet featuring Lucario alongside Pikachu and Mewtwo.

Every booster holds five foil cards, a foil Basic Energy, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. There's also a guaranteed Pikachu rare card in each pack, with 30 different versions to collect across the expansion.

I've owned countless portable power stations, and cold weather or outdoor adventures always bring them to their knees. Charging slows, the battery drains faster, and you run low sooner than expected.

SAVE $400: As of Oct. 30, the Eufy E25 robot vacuum is on sale for $599.98 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: eufy Eufy E25 Robot Vacuum $599.98 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $400.01   Get Deal at Amazon

Imagine putting your feet up while someone else takes care of the vacuuming and mopping. That's the appeal of a robot vacuum that handles both jobs and even takes care of much of its own maintenance. And that's exactly what you get with the Eufy E25 robot vacuum. This impressive vacuum does it all, and as of Oct. 30, it's on sale at Amazon for 40% off the list price.

It has 20,000 Pa of suction, so the E25 is really designed to tackle everything from everyday dust and dirt to pet hair. Its DuoSpiral brushes help prevent hair from getting tangled, and the CornerRover arm extends its reach along edges and into awkward corners where dust tends to build up. It can also clean across different floor types, so it's a great choice if you have carpets, hard floors, or rugs.

Mopping is handled by Eufy's HydroJet system, which uses self-washing roller mops that clean themselves every two seconds while in use. Then the all-in-one docking station takes care of the rest, automatically emptying dust, washing the mops, refilling the water tank, and drying the rollers with hot air. There's basically nothing for you to do.

If you're sold on the idea, this robot vacuum is currently down from $999.99 to $599.98. Not only is that a $400 savings, but it's the best-ever price for this vacuum. Get this deal from Amazon now.

TL;DR: Through Nov. 1, fans dressing as historical American Girl dolls for Harry Styles' "Harryween" shows can get $40 off a Historical Character doll at the American Girl NYC flagship by showing photo proof of their costume.

When Harry Styles dropped his track "American Girls," he was probably singing about classic romance. His fans took the title dead literally anyway, showing up to his shows dressed from head to toe as actual historical American Girl characters.

Naturally, the trend exploded on TikTok. Fans traded cowboy hats for Samantha Parkington’s Edwardian velvet coats, Kirsten Larson’s prairie aprons, and Kit Kittredge’s Great Depression-era newsboy caps.

Now, with two massive (and very costume-heavy) "Harryween" concerts hitting New York City this weekend, American Girl is leaning all the way into the bit by giving fans a very real discount for their efforts.

If you dress up as a historical American Girl character for the concerts, you can score $40 off any Historical Character doll at the brand's NYC flagship store. Considering full-size historical dolls rarely see steep discounts and normally cost up to $175, knocking $40 off is a nice break for collectors and nostalgic fans.

How to claim the $40 discount

You don't need a voucher code, but you will need to head into Manhattan in person. Here is what to know:

• Where — In-store only at the American Girl New York City flagship store (located at 75 Rockefeller Plaza).

• When — Valid only on Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1.

• How to redeem: Just show an employee photo proof of your historical American Girl costume at checkout.

• The fine print — The $40 discount applies exclusively to Historical Character dolls, is limited to one per customer, and runs only while supplies last.

Whether your look channels Victorian tea parties or frontier pioneer grit, your concert fit can finally pay for itself. Just snap your photo at the arena, hit Rockefeller Plaza before Saturday ends, and grab your doll before stock runs dry.

SAVE $70: As of Oct. 30, Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $129.95 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $99.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $100.00   Get Deal at Amazon

There's no need to hold off until Black Friday to save on a pair of Beats headphones. The Beats Solo 4 are currently reduced to $129.95 at Amazon, saving you $70 on the list price. The deal covers all colorways, so you can choose from black and gold, cloud pink, slate blue, and more.

These headphones have updated drivers and custom acoustic architecture, which are designed to produce fuller, more detailed sound. They also support Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for a more immersive experience.

They're designed to be comfortable. The headphones have a lightweight design, a flex-grip headband, and adjustable, angled ear cups to help give you a secure fit. The UltraPlush ear cushions also give additional padding for longer listening sessions.

Battery life is another strong point. You can get up to 50 hours of playback on a single charge, and the Fast Fuel feature gives you up to five hours of listening time from just 10 minutes of charging.

Normally $199.95, you can buy these Beats headphones for $129.95 for a limited time at Amazon.

For three seasons of Adam Ruins Everything, comedian Adam Conover educated audiences on everything from Facebook and fatbergs to the justice system to how children's toys became gendered. But did educating through comedy heal the world? It did not, and in his new comedy special Big Divorce Energy he digs into that and much more.

Sitting down in the Say More studio with Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko, Conover shared how his comedy has changed from the heady Obama era of Adam Ruins Everything to the Trump era we find ourselves in now. The two talk about millennial disillusionment, how to operate on social media while being well aware of its pitfalls, and how Conover is rediscovering himself through sex and dating.

If you loved Adam Ruins Everything, you won't want to miss Big Divorce Energy, where Conover sheds his cartoony persona for a franker and more fierce approach to comedy and political commentary.

Big Divorce Energy is now streaming on YouTube.

Spooky season means wild decorations, even wilder costumes, and surprisingly, free food promos from a wide range of popular chains.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is still giving away the Apple iPhone 17 for free — how to qualify

Halloween falls on October 31, but plenty of promotions are already live. You can find BOGO offers, limited-edition drops, steep discounts, and genuinely free giveaways at this time of year. And we're not talking about impossible-to-claim offers buried in the small print. We're talking about huge brands like Chipotle, Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, and Wendy’s shouting about their special Halloween deals.

Check out some of our favorites below:

Halloween 2026 food deals7 Brew

On Oct. 31, pick up the Fill-A-Tray bundle to snag four medium drinks for $17. If you're dropping by earlier in the week, the seasonal lineup features the Frankenchai Matcha Latte ($5.20), Original Pumpkin Blondie Breve ($4.95+), Rocky Road Mocha ($4.55+), Nightshade 7 Energy ($5.25+), Boo Raspberry Blue Pom Smoothie ($5.65+), and Drizzled Apple 7 Fizz ($3.30+).

7-Eleven

On Oct. 31, save $10 on a 7NOW delivery order of $20 or more with promo code TREAT at in-app checkout.

Andy’s Frozen Custard

Kids aged 12 and under who visit in costume on Halloween can score a free small sundae with one topping in-store.

Applebee’s

Kids aged 12 and under who wear a costume can get a free meal with the purchase of an adult entree at select locations on Halloween.

Baked by Melissa

Through Oct. 31, take 20% off any 100-pack of bite-sized cupcakes with promo code TRICK20 at online checkout. Additionally, purchasing a Hocus Pocus 50-pack automatically adds a free Boo Crew 6-pack directly into your digital cart.

Baskin Robins

Rewards members can mix and match three treats for $15 through Oct. 31.

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s

Kids aged 12 and under wearing a costume get a free kids' meal with the purchase of an adult entree on Halloween.

Biggby Coffee

Kids in costume can claim a free kids' drink through Oct. 31.

Blue Bunny

Score a BOGO free deal on frozen dairy desserts when ordering via DashMart on DoorDash from Oct. 29 through Nov. 4.

Bojangles

Save 20% on the Halloween Bite Box by applying promo code 20BITEBOX in the mobile app. You can customize it with six, nine, or 12 Bo Bites, plus a biscuit, a side, a drink, and a dipping sauce (select stores also include three doughnut Bites with salted caramel dip).

Buffalo’s Cafe

Kids aged 12 and under wearing a costume get one free kids' meal item with the purchase of an adult entree on Oct. 31 (dine-in only).

Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings is giving vampires something to fear this spooky season with the new Fright Feast Menu — a lineup of bold, garlic-loaded flavors.

Burger King

Royal Perks members can unlock a digital BOGO Whopper Jr. coupon on Oct. 31 via the BK app or website. You can also grab the limited-time $3.59 Vampire’s Bite Strawberry & Sprite, which comes with an edible Sour Punch candy straw (or add it to any Game Day meal for an extra $0.50).

California Pizza Kitchen

Grab $5 CPKids Jack-O-Lantern Pizzas through Oct. 31 for dine-in, takeout, or delivery, available either fully baked and ready-to-eat or as build-your-own kits.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

The Cellar’s Glow Halloween Wine Dinner runs Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. local time, offering a structured four-course meal with wine pairings for $65 per person (online RSVP required).

Carvel

Snag seasonal ice cream cakes like the Crunchie Munchie Monster Cake or Carvelanche and get free delivery on orders placed through Oct. 31.

Chipotle

On Oct. 31, wear a costume and get a $6 entree in-restaurant from 3 p.m. until closing, local time. Scan your in-app rewards card at checkout. Limit one per member.

Chuck E. Cheese

Through Oct. 31, buy one large Build Your Own one-topping pizza and get the second at 50% off with promo code BOGOLarge at checkout.

Church’s Texas Chicken

Real Rewards members can open the app through Oct. 31 and tap the mysterious door to reveal weekly surprise perks through the "Chick or Treat" promotion.

Cold Stone Creamery

Seasonal scoops available through Oct. 31 include the Treat or Treat creation ($7.99+), Witches’ Boo Shake ($6.99), and Boo Batter Ice Cream Taco ($7.99+).

Corner Bakery

Kids visiting in costume on Oct. 31 get a free bakery cookie.

Dairy Queen

The Spellbound Series runs through Nov. 1, spotlighting the Bubble Brew Sparkler, Enchanted Oreo Blizzard, and Ghost Pepper Sauce alongside a 4-piece Chicken Strip Basket. You can also add a $4 mystery Blizzard Buddy plush keychain to any order through Oct. 31, with a shot at pulling a rare Goldie plush for free Blizzards for a year.

Dave & Buster’s

Advance-ticketed Halloween parties run on Oct. 31. The family-focused Boo Bash (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) starts at $21 and includes a breakfast banquet, $10 Power Card, three hours of unlimited gameplay, and a costume contest. The 18+ Moonlight Mixer (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.) starts at $24.99 and packs a dinner banquet, unlimited soda, three hours of gaming, and a costume contest.

Dave’s Hot Chicken

Grab limited-edition Dave’s Slashers for $5.99, drizzled with blood-red wildberry puree and poured into a themed cup with a "bloodied" straw.

Del Taco

Del Yeah! Rewards members score an in-app BOGO Free deal at The Del Taco, running Oct. 28-31.

Denny’s

Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree on Oct. 31 when dining in (limit one kids' meal per adult entree, maximum two per ticket).

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Get a free Big Yellow Cup with any purchase when you wear a costume. Plus, get a free kids’ meal with an adult purchase of $15 or more.

Dog Haus

Rewards members bag 31 bonus points with any purchase on Halloween (register by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 30 to qualify).

Dunkin’

Rewards members can earn 3x points on half-dozen or dozen donuts and 25- or 50-count Munchkins treats from Oct. 30-31.

Eastern Standard Provisions

Save 25% on select soft pretzel gift boxes with promo code GETBOOD at checkout, featuring boxes priced under $50 and free shipping.

Eddie Merlot’s

Save $20 on online orders of $60 or more from Oct.30 through Nov. 1 with promo code SPOOKY at checkout.

Einstein Bros. Bagels

Rewards members can pick up six fresh bagels for $7 by activating the Spooky Deal reward in the app through Nov. 3.

Farmer Boys

Kids visiting in costume can grab a free Spooky Face Hot Cake and a free giant carving zucchini from 7:00 a.m. to noon on Oct. 31 (in-store only, no purchase necessary).

Fazoli’s

Wear a costume to the counter or drive-thru on Oct. 30 for National Breadstick Day to claim six free breadsticks (no purchase necessary).

First Watch

Seasonal breakfast features include the $5.95 Blazing Dragon juice and the $14.95 Godfather Breakfast Bowl.

Fresh Brothers

Preorder a pumpkin-shaped pizza for Oct. 31 and take 15% off with promo code FBSPK15 at checkout, online or in-app.

Friendly’s

Kids get a free kids' meal on Halloween with the purchase of a full-price adult entree.

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop

The limited-run Halloween menu runs through Nov. 8, serving the Draco Taco II ($4.69), Draco’rrito ($10.25), Drac a ‘Rita ($9.25), Midnight Matador ($11.69), and $5 Modelo draft beers.

Harry Potter Shops (New York and Chicago)

Visit the Butterbeer Bar in costume from Oct. 29-31 to receive a free pumpkin-shaped sugar cookie.

Hot Head Burritos

Kids aged 12 and under in costume receive a free kids' meal and a Leroy paper mask with an entree purchase on Oct. 31 (in-store only).

Huddle House

Score a free kids' meal with an adult entree purchase of $8 or more from Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 (dine-in only; beverage not included).

Hurricane Grill & Wings

Kids under 12 in costume get one free kids' meal item on Oct. 31 (dine-in only, no adult purchase required).

Jack in the Box

Grab two oversized Monster Tacos for $3 for a limited time. You can also pick up the $14 Simpsons "Treehouse of Horror" Munchie Meal, which bundles a Double Krusty Burger of Terror or Double Chicken Sandwich of Terror with two tacos, curly fries, a drink, Spooky Simpsons Sauce, and one of six glow-in-the-dark cups.

Jamba

Take 31% off orders placed on Oct. 31 using promo code SPOOKY (excludes catering). October's mystery sip is the Berry Boo-st smoothie topped with coconut whip.

KFC

On Oct. 31, get 50 KFC Nuggets for just $20.

Krispy Kreme

Wear a costume from Oct. 3031 to get a free Original Glaze or Classic Ring doughnut. No purchase necessary.

Marie Callender’s

Take home whole bakery pies and cheesecakes with tiered savings throughout October: $5 off one, $10 off two, $20 off three, $25 off four, $30 off five, or $40 off six when ordering online for pickup.

McAlister’s Deli

Rewards members can score a $5 regular sandwich from Oct. 30 through Nov. 3. For office or party spreads, take $45 off catering orders of $300 or more with code OCT2026, or order the Halloween Catering Bundle featuring a gallon of Witch’s Brew and 52 assorted mini cookies and treats.

McDonald’s

Collectible Disney Villains Boo Buckets (featuring Maleficent, Ursula, Cruella de Vil, Jafar, and Scar) are available alongside Happy Meals through Oct. 31, while supplies last.

Mellow Mushroom

Order the limited-time Wicked Wizard cocktail at participating bar locations through Oct. 31.

MOD Pizza

Kids aged 12 and under in costume get a free kids' meal with the purchase of any regular-size pizza or salad on Oct. 31 (in-restaurant only).

Moe’s Southwest Grill

From Oct. 31 through Nov. 1, rewards members can get a BOGO entree on Halloween, including burritos, bowls, quesadillas, three tacos, salads, nachos, and stacks.

Noodles & Company

Rewards members who buy any regular entree can take 50% off regular-size Ramen dishes on Oct. 31.

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Bundtastic Rewards members earn 100 bonus points on delivery purchases from Oct. 30-31.

Original ChopShop

Stop by on Oct. 31 for an in-store pumpkin hunt to find hidden vouchers good for $15, $25, $50, or $100 toward your order.

Papa Johns

Grab a festive Jack-O’-Lantern pizza for $11.99+ (regularly $16.99) through Oct. 31 online, in the mobile app, or for carryout.

Papa Murphy’s

Large take-and-bake Jack-O Pizzas are $10 through Oct. 31 (family size or dairy-free cheese adds $3). If you want dessert included, pick up the $15 Scream of a Deal bundle paired with chocolate chip cookie dough.

Paris Baguette

PB Rewards members get a free pastry with any beverage purchase on Oct. 31.

Parlor Doughnuts

Grab individual Candy Classics doughnuts for $3.65 each through Oct. 31, or pick up the Classroom Cravings dozen for $31.80 (saving $1 per doughnut).

Peter Piper Pizza

Order a large, one-topping pumpkin-shaped pie online for $16.47+ through Oct. 31.

Pizza Hut

Grab the $6.99 My Haunt Box through October, which packs a Personal Fang Pizza alongside your choice of seasoned fries or four boneless wings.

Pluckers

Dine in on Oct. 31 to get $1 bone-in wings all day long (costumes encouraged).

Pokeworks

Get a free dessert or Spam Musubi with any entree purchase when you enter promo code TREAT at checkout from Oct. 26 through Nov. 1 (valid online, in the app, and in-store).

Qdoba

Rewards members get a Buy One Entree and Drink, Get One Entree Free coupon on October 31 and November 1 (Gold Status members unlock early access on Oct. 30). Valid online, in the app, or in-restaurant.

QuickChek

QC Rewards members unlock $3 smoothies, shakes, and lattes after 3:00 p.m., or can grab any size iced coffee (including Witch’s Brew) for $1.99.

Rainforest Cafe

Kids ages 10 and under wearing a costume get a 99¢ kids' meal with each adult entree purchase through Oct. 30 (mention the offer to your server; excludes Las Vegas and Disney theme park locations).

Raising Cane’s

Score a limited-edition Halloween cup for $1.49 with the purchase of any combo or 32-ounce drink, while supplies last.

Red Lobster

Kids eat free from Oct. 30 through Nov. 1. Score up to two free kids' meals per table with one full-price adult dinner entree when kids dine in costume. For takeout, use promo code SPOOKY26 at online checkout for one free kids' meal per adult entree.

Red Robin

Kids under 11 wearing costumes can get a free kids sundae with a kids meal purchase from Oct. 30th through Nov. 1. Dine-in only and limit one per child.

Rita’s Italian Ice

Zombie’s Blood Italian Ice (a rich sweet cherry flavor) is back through Halloween. If you're new to the app, signing up and making a first purchase earns a free small ice, custard, or Gelati.

Round Table Pizza

Loyalty members can order a $29.99 Halloween Bundle (large Double Play Pepperoni Pizza, one shareable appetizer, and a 2-liter soda) on Oct. 30-31.

Shake Shack

Use promo code SCARYGOOD online or via the Shack App to receive a free ShackBurger with any order of $10 or more through Oct. 31 (redeemable once per day).

Shipley Do-Nuts

Take $5 off orders of $25 or more through Nov. 1 using promo code JustTreat5 online.

Sonic

Pick up $0.50 Corn Dogs all day on Oct. 31 at participating drive-ins (no app or coupon code needed).

Stan’s Donuts

Stan’s Perks members score a BOGO free donut after 3 p.m. every Wednesday in October.

Starbucks

The limited-run, grande-only Black Cat Frappuccino starts at $6.45+ (featuring chocolate cake flavor and dark cat ears), accompanied by the $5.45 Venti Black Night Cookie loaded with dark chocolate and caramelized white chocolate swirls.

Stoner’s Pizza Joint

Grab a pumpkin-shaped pizza through Oct. 31 at participating locations.

Subway

Sub Club members unlock BOGO Footlongs when ordering online or through the Subway app through Nov. 8.

Sullivan’s Steakhouse

Take $20 off online orders of $60 or more from Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 by entering promo code SPOOKY at checkout.

Tabanero

Save 20% on hot and BBQ sauces with promo code SPOOKY20 at checkout through Nov. 1.

Teriyaki Madness

Enjoy free delivery on all app and online orders on Oct. 31 with no minimum spend required.

TGI Fridays

Sip on a $10 Dracula’s Kiss Dragon Fruit Margarita served in a festive "blood bag," or grab the $10 Creepy-Crawly Brownie Obsession sundae for dine-in through Oct. 31.

The Brass Tap

Show up in costume on Oct. 31 to receive 50% off your first drink (limit one per customer).

Tim Hortons

Pick up a 31-piece Timbits Trick-or-Treat Bucket for $11.99 (bucket refills run $6 while supplies last).

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Try the seasonal Fanta Phantom Smoothie (starting at $9.09), blended with vanilla-flavored popping boba.

Wendy’s

Pick up a $1 Boo! Book through Nov. 1, packed with five coupons for free Jr. Frosty treats and one coupon for a $1.99 Kids’ Meal with purchase (Frosty vouchers remain valid through Dec. 31).

Whataburger

Rewards members unlock an exclusive in-app BOGO 9-piece Whatawings deal on Oct. 31.

White Castle

Craver Nation Rewards members can snag five Original Sliders for $3 or a BOGO free Crispy Chicken Slider in restaurants through Oct. 31. You can also grab 12-piece Chicken Rings for $4.99 through Nov. 1 and check the app for a Halloween Mystery Offer running Oct. 29 through Nov. 1. New app sign-ups receive $5 off their first in-app order of $8 or more for their first 30 days.

Best early Black Friday tablet deals at a glance Best Apple iPad deal Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $399 (save $50) Get Deal Best Amazon fire tablet deal Amazon Fire HD 8 $79.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best Samsung tablet deal Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 $899.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best TCL deal TCL TAB A1 Plus $299 (save $50 with on-page coupon) Get Deal

We all have a phone that we rely on to survive. Most of us also have a laptop, whether we use it for work, school, or booking flights. But a tablet is the perfect middle ground between the two. It's larger than a phone but usually more portable than a laptop. Plus, many can double as a great e-reader.

Well ahead of the official Black Friday date, we're already seeing tablets on sale. They range from budget Amazon models to top-tier Apple iPads.

If you're shopping for a new tablet before the holidays, check out our favorite deals below.

Best Apple iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $399 at Amazon
$449 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Mashable's favorite budget iPad is already on sale well before Black Friday. And in even better news, it's down to the same sale price of $399 that we saw during October Prime Day. The 11-inch Apple iPad is powered by the A16 chip and has 12MP cameras on the back and front, which is great news if you'll be using the tablet for FaceTime over the holidays.

Best Amazon tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 $79.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Mashable's rating of the best tablets lists the Amazon Fire HD 8 as the top pick for an Amazon Fire tablet. Between the compact display size of eight inches, clear resolution, and incredible sale price, it's hard to go wrong with the Amazon tablet. The $79.99 sale price applies to the model with 64GB storage, which gives you space to download movies, shows, and music for upcoming holiday travel.

Best Samsung tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 $999.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

It's not the newest model, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is still well worth considering. The generous 11-inch display size could be awesome for watching movies in bed, and the AMOLED display offers impressive crispness. If you'll be out in the sun with the tablet, rest assured it can reach up to 1,600 nits of brightness. Plus, there's a microSD slot for increasing onboard storage. Samsung also includes the S Pen with the tablet.

Having good taste is expensive. Alas, it has always been thus.

But $200 for a clock is pushing it, even for a snob like me.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Time smart alarm $199.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

That's unfortunate, because I love the design of Amazon's new Echo Time smart alarm.

The new Echo Time is really sleek looking. Credit: Amazon

Earlier this week, Amazon launched a bunch of new Echo smart home devices, and Mashable was there for the unveiling. The new Echo devices have less of a Death Star vibe, and the Echo Time stands out to me for its friendly design. It's exactly the kind of product I can imagine installing on my nightstand.

I really do love the design of this smart alarm. It doesn't have quite the same appeal as the new Apple HomeView for me (I'm not a huge fan of the knitted fabric cover on Amazon smart devices), but the round shape and pleasant, customizable clock faces work extremely well together. I even like the optional stand.

You have the option to add a matching stand to your Echo Time. Credit: Amazon The Echo Time is available in graphite, coral pink, and glacier white. Credit: Amazon

Why does everything have to be so expensive right now? Whether you're booking a hotel, ordering food, buying a phone, or looking for an alarm clock to break your morning phone habits, prices are painful. Amazon's last smart alarm, the Echo Spot, was priced at a much more reasonable $79.99. That is, until Amazon raised prices on the Echo Spot to $109.99 in August. Now, the company is asking us to pay even more.

The Echo Time isn't even the only pricey alarm clock I'm lusting after in 2026. Stylish, Instagram-famous analog alarms like the Nanu Arc Alarm Clock cost even more, at $299.

The $299 Nanu Arc is even worse for my wallet. Credit: Nanu

This is why I play the lottery.

The Echo Time: What you get for the money

The Echo Time does work really hard to justify the price tag. And, for the record, I really wouldn't be mad about getting this as a Christmas gift this year. I just don't know that I can justify the money myself.

Billed as "your Alexa smart clock," the Echo Time has hundreds of clock faces for its 3.2-inch circular touchscreen, and with the AI-powered Alexa+, you can even use it to control smart lights, set the perfect sleep temperature, or open your blinds. The Echo Time also doubles as a noise machine, playing soothing sounds as you fall asleep at night or meditate in the morning. Amazon says its built-in speaker offers lossless high-definition audio for listening to music.

SEE ALSO: Hatch introduces new Sleep Clock, an alarm clock that tracks your sleep

The Echo Time also comes in a kid-friendly version. More importantly, your privacy is also considered with the Echo Time, which is "built with multiple layers of privacy controls, including a microphones enable/disable button."

Customize your clock screen on the Echo Time. Credit: Amazon

I've long since learned that having good taste is expensive, but in 2026, having any kind of taste is expensive. This, despite the fact that President Donald Trump promised to bring down prices at the pump, grocery stores, and beyond, telling crowds, "Starting on day one, we will end inflation and make America affordable again." Obviously, that's not what happened. Tech companies, in particular, keep raising prices as they pass along the higher costs of the memory squeeze spurred by the AI industry.

So, you'll have to decide if your budget can bear a $199.99 smart alarm.

My verdict: Wait for Black Friday and see how much the Echo Time is going to cost when it inevitably goes on sale.

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. 

NASA's farthest spacecraft gave mission control a scare when it inexplicably went silent and missed two days of planned check-ins. 

The nail-biting incident happened just two weeks ago, when the Deep Space Network didn't receive a call from Voyager 1 on either Oct. 18 or 19. But before the agency could send repair commands, the spacecraft, now outside the solar system, signaled back on Oct. 20. No communication outages have happened since. 

Engineers still don't know what caused the problem. So far, the team has discovered that one set of thrusters shut down, leaving a backup set to take over. The thrusters are small engines that point and steady the spacecraft. Voyager 1's computers do this automatically whenever they detect an issue with the active thrusters to ensure the spacecraft is in a safe mode. 

"This is the first time we've seen the spacecraft do something like this, but we are also at a point in the mission where we have to expect the unexpected," said Kareem Badaruddin, Voyager mission manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in a statement. "We're relieved to be back in contact with Voyager 1 and are eager to understand what happened."

Voyager 1's trouble adds to a growing list of signs that NASA's longest-running mission is winding down. Its plutonium power source loses about four watts every year, forcing engineers to turn off two science instruments to conserve power. On Nov. 18, the spacecraft is expected to reach a historic milestone of one "light-day" from Earth. That distance, roughly 16.09 billion miles away, measures how far light travels over 24 hours.

SEE ALSO: Scientists think they've just discovered a new dwarf planet like Pluto

Voyager 1 has traveled farther than any other human-made object and is racing through space at 38,000 mph.

Launched in 1977 to survey the outer planets, the spacecraft and its twin Voyager 2 have explored four planets — Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus — 48 moons, and a host of planetary magnetic fields and rings.

In August 2012, Voyager 1 was the first to enter interstellar space. The two remain the only spacecraft ever to leave the solar system, though New Horizons is trying to make its escape as well.  

Both Voyagers run on radioisotope thermoelectric generators, which are power units that turn heat from decaying plutonium into electricity. In September, NASA engineers stretched their shrinking power supplies by turning off three instruments on each and replacing them with three lower-powered alternatives — a plan they nicknamed "the Big Bang." The devices involved in the swap also help keep the spacecraft warm enough to work in the freezing cold of space, so the swaps had to happen at the same moment to spread heat evenly.

That strategy should keep their Cosmic Ray Subsystems, Magnetometers, and Plasma Wave Subsystems running for at least one more year, according to NASA. The devices measure high‑energy particles, the local magnetic field, and ripples in charged gas around the spacecraft.

Once Voyager 1 passes one light day, a radio message from Earth will take 24 hours to reach it, and its reply will take another 24 hours to come back.

"If you want to say 'hello' to Voyager, you send your message and then you go home and you wait two days before you finally get a response," said Suzanne Dodd, Voyager project manager.

TL;DR: Babbel’s lifetime subscription includes all 14 languages for just $159 (reg. $299) with StackSocial’s code LEARN, available for a limited time.

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

Your next trip deserves more than a confidently delivered “hello” followed by frantic pointing. For a limited time, you can get lifetime access to all 14 Babbel languages for just $159 (reg. $299) with the StackSocial code LEARN — a one-time purchase that gives your language goals room to grow.

Developed by more than 100 expert linguists, Babbel offers over 10,000 hours of language education. You can start with Spanish, explore Italian before a trip, or give Norwegian a turn when curiosity strikes. All 14 languages are included, so choosing one today doesn’t lock you into it.

Lessons run about 10 to 15 minutes, making it easier to build a routine around the time you actually have. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced options help you find a useful starting point, whether you’re learning from scratch or revisiting a language you haven’t practiced in years.

The topics are practical: ordering dinner, asking for directions, shopping, making friends, and navigating business conversations. Speech recognition helps you work on pronunciation, while personalized review sessions reinforce what you’ve learned.

There’s also an AI conversation partner to practice expressing yourself in real time. It adds another opportunity to put words together and keep a conversation moving as you learn.

You can use Babbel on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Download courses, lessons, and review items beforehand, and offline access lets you keep studying without WiFi.

Short sessions now, another language later, and lifetime access through one purchase.

Get an all-language lifetime subscription to Babbel for $159 with the StackSocial code LEARN while this limited-time offer is available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Windows 11 Pro is only $9.97 (reg. $199) through Nov. 1 for a lifetime, non-transferable license on one compatible PC.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $9.97
$199 Save $189.03   Get Deal

Your PC already has a job. Give it the tools to do more with Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, now $9.97 (reg. $199) through Nov. 1. That’s a one-time purchase for a lifetime license on one compatible PC, with no subscription or recurring fees.

The reason to go Pro comes down to what you actually need from your computer. Beyond the core Windows experience, this version adds tools for business, development, and IT work.

BitLocker provides full-disk encryption to help protect your data. Hyper-V lets you run virtual machines, while Windows Sandbox gives you an isolated environment for testing apps without affecting your main operating system. Azure AD support handles business identity and access management. For professionals who need those capabilities, that’s a practical reason to choose Pro.

The everyday features get their moment, too. Snap layouts help organize your multitasking, so your screen can keep up when your workload gets busy. Biometric login supports facial recognition or fingerprint sign-in, backed by TPM 2.0 hardware security. And when the workday ends, DirectX 12 Ultimate supports gaming graphics.

Before buying, though, give compatibility a proper check using Microsoft’s PC Health Check app. This version is intended for PCs that need a new Windows license and meet Windows 11’s minimum requirements. A Windows 10 PC that cannot receive the free Windows 11 upgrade through Windows Update will not be able to install this version.

The license is non-transferable, and delivery is digital. For a compatible PC that needs a license — and a user who’ll put those Pro features to work — Windows 11 Pro for just $9.97 makes this a well-timed purchase through Nov. 1.

StackSocial prices subject to change.