IT General

The best (and only) Xbox Series X Cyber Monday deal weve seen: Get a free $100 gift card with purchase

Mashable - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 22:09

Save $100: While the $649.99 Xbox Series X itself is not on sale, you can get a $100 gift card when you buy one from Best Buy.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Xbox Series X (1TB) $649.99 at Best Buy
Get a free $100 Best Buy gift card with purchase Get Deal

Now that Cyber Monday is here, you’re scouring for deals on the internet. Best Buy is running a deal on the Xbox Series X, where if you buy the console, you’ll also get a $100 gift card. This can be used on anything at Best Buy, such as buying a video game or two. It can also be used on non-gaming items, of course.

The Xbox Series X has a plethora of games to play, and its main selling point is Xbox Game Pass. The subscription service has hundreds of games to try out for a monthly price, so it’s well worth your time and money. Games like The Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Call of Duty are all available through Xbox Game Pass to download through its Ultimate tier, and you don’t have to pay a dime upfront for them.

Not only that, but the Xbox Series X is also backwards compatible with older games. This means all of your Xbox One games and select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games can be played on it, giving it even more value.

So put that $100 gift card to good use when you buy the Xbox Series X for $649.99 at Best Buy. Be sure to check out our Best Buy Cyber Monday and gaming deals, too.

Still looking for more deals? Check out Best Buy's full Cyber Monday sale, or see the biggest discounts at Amazon’s epic Cyber Monday sale and save up to 70% on popular gifts, gadgets, and more goodies.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How I create a viral word game in Excel

How-To Geek - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 22:00

I love using Excel for things outside boring accounting. Building a fully functional, reusable, and shareable Wordle clone is one of these things. What's more, it's a fun, unique way to master fundamental Excel tools.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hidden gems from Amazons Cyber Monday sale: Prime Video add-ons, Kindle Unlimited, and more

Mashable - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 21:46

Alas, Amazon's Cyber Monday sale is here. Black Friday featured a boat load of record discounts and Cyber Monday is full of epic deals as well. Some are even better than Black Friday. All of the top brands — Apple, Samsung, and Amazon itself — and top categories — TVs, laptops, Kindles, headphones — are covered. If you haven't started shopping yet, now's as good of a time as any.

It's hard to miss some deals, as Amazon shoves them in your face right when you log on. But others aren't quite as visible, though they're still very much worth adding to your cart. We've rounded up a few of those deals below — hidden gems, if you will — so you don't miss out on the Cyber Monday savings.

Psst: While Amazon Prime memberships themselves aren't on sale, it's still a great time to sign up. If you haven't been a member in at least a month, you'll likely be eligible for a free trial. With a trial, you can secure Cyber Monday deals and get free, fast shipping — among other things.

Hidden gems from Amazon's Cyber Monday salePrime Video subscription add-ons

They might not jump out at you when you log into the Amazon app, but many of the best Cyber Monday streaming deals in 2025 are also available as Prime Video add-ons. You'll still get access to each streamer's entire library, but it will live inside of your Prime Video account. That means you won't have to open another app to access even more shows and movies. A few of our favorites are the Apple TV+ streaming deal, which gets you an entire year of streaming for just $5.99 per month, and the HBO Max Basic deal, which gets you a year of ad-supported streaming for only $2.99 per month. We've rounded up the best Prime Video subscription add-on deals below, but be sure to check out my full curated list of Cyber Monday streaming deals.

  • AMC+ with ads — $1.75/month for 2 months $6.99/month (save $5.24/month)

  • AMC+ Premium — $2.50/month for 2 months $9.99/month (save $7.49/month)

  • Apple TV+ — $5.99/month for 6 months $12.99/month (save $7/month)

  • BET+ Essential — $1.50/month for 2 months $5.99/month (save $4.49/month)

  • BBC Select — $1.50/month for 2 months $5.99/month (save $4.49/month)

  • BritBox — $2.75/month for 2 months $10.99/month (save $8.24/month)

  • Crunchyroll Mega Fan — $2.99/month for 2 months $11.99/month (save $9/month)

  • Fox One — $9.99/month for 2 months $19.99/month (save $10/month)

  • Hallmark+ — $2/month for 2 months $7.99/month (save $5.99/month)

  • HBO Max with ads — $2.99/month for 12 months $10.99/month (save $8/month)

  • MGM+ — $1.99/month for 2 months $7.99/month (save $5/month)

  • MGM+ and AMC+ bundle — $3.25/month for 2 months $12.99/month (save $9.74/month)

  • MovieSphere+ — $1.25/month for 2 months $4.99/month (save $3.74/month)

  • PBS Kids — $1.25/month for 2 months $4.99/month (save $3.74/month)

  • PBS Masterpiece — $1.75/month for two months $6.99/month (save $5.24/month)

  • Starz — $2.75/month for 2 months $10.99/month (save $8.24/month)

  • Wonder Project — $2.25/month for 2 months $8.99/month (save $6.74)

Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Prime Video subscription add-ons Save on HBO Max, Apple TV+, AMC+, and more Shop Now 3 free months of Amazon Music family plan

Amazon Music's family plan gives you unlimited listening across six different accounts. That means six family members can listen across multiple devices at the same time, with personalized recommendations on each. For Cyber Monday, you can sign up for three months for free — usually $19.99 per month. Don't need six accounts? You can also snag an individual Amazon Music Unlimited plan for free for three months.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Music Amazon Music Unlimited Family Plan free for 3 months, then $19.99/month Get Deal Kindle Unlimited for 99 cents

The Kindle Unlimited Black Friday deal is still live for Cyber Monday and it's one of our favorites. Usually $11.99 per month, you can score three months for only 99 cents. That's $35.97 in savings. Kindle Unlimited unlocks instant access to millions of books across all genres, including soon-to-be major motion pictures Regretting You by Colleen Hoover and The Housemaid by Freida McFadden. It also includes thousands of audiobooks and magazine subscriptions for all types of readers. You don't even need a Kindle device to access Kindle Unlimited (although we suggest grabbing one while they're at record-low prices) — just download the Kindle app and read on any device.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Unlimited Kindle Unlimited $0.99 for 3 months (save $35.97) Get Deal Rare Sonos speakers discounts

Sonos makes some of the best speakers on the market, but they don't go on sale very often. The deals also aren't glaringly obvious when you browse Amazon's Cyber Monday collection. If you're in the market for a new home, outdoor, or Bluetooth speaker, don't sleep on the Sonos deals up to $160 off — our favorite smart home speaker, the Move 2, is down to just $399 for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos speakers save up to $160 Get Deal Smart Plugs for your holiday decorating

It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you're Cyber Monday shopping, but smart plugs could be a real asset this holiday season. Use them to keep your Christmas lights on a schedule or turn them into voice-controlled smart lights. Several options are on sale, but we like this GE Cync smart indoor plug on sale for $11.23 (reg. $14.99) or this two pack of Kasa smart plugs for only $14.16 (reg. $19.99)

Opens in a new window Credit: Kasa Kasa smart plugs (2-pack) $14.16
$19.99 Save $5.83   Get Deal Audible Premium Plus subscription

Every year, Amazon runs a deal on its Audible Premium Plus subscription around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. And every year, I re-sign up. This year's deal is for three months of Premium Plus for 99 cents per month, plus a $20 credit to use on Audible.com. Typically $14.95 per month, you'll save about $41.88 total and can cancel before the three months are up (or not — I'm not the boss of you). Premium Plus unlocks access to the Premium selection on Audible, which includes all of those best-sellers and BookTok gems. Each month, you'll get a credit to use on one of those premium titles. So if you sign up for the three-month promotion, you'll get to "buy" three titles with your credits. Plus, with that extra $20 credit, you can purchase as many other titles as you please.

Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible Premium Plus 3 months for $0.99/month + get a $20 Audible credit (save $41.88) Get Deal Shutterfly personalized gifts

So, technically this isn't specifically a Cyber Monday deal, but it's a hidden gem for sure. An Amazon Prime membership gives you all sorts of perks (like the famous
Grubhub Amazon Prime deal), but one of the lesser known ones is for Shutterfly. Prime members that link their account can get 45% off regular priced items at Shutterfly, plus get free shipping on orders over $35. The holiday season is the perfect time to finally take advantage of this hidden Prime benefit.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shutterfly Shutterfly personalized gifts Get 45% off regular priced items + free shipping on orders over $35 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Cyber Monday deals on Ninja: Creami, Crispi, and Slushi all on sale

Mashable - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 21:23
The best Cyber Monday Ninja deals at a glance Best Ninja air fryer deal Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer $143.99 plus get a free spatula and Crispi container (save $36 with code CYBER plus $48 worth of free items) Get Deal Best Ninja Creami deal Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl 13-in-1 Ice Cream and Soft Serve Maker $251.99 (save $98 with code CYBER) Get Deal Best Ninja Slushi deal Ninja Slushi $242.99 (save $107 with code CYBER plus $50 worth of free items) Get Deal

Just about every major retailer got in on the Ninja appliance deal action for Black Friday — and not gonna lie, the deals were pretty mid. But SharkNinja's official website has swooped in with an absolutely phenomenal Black Friday sale that's extending into Cyber Monday. Not only are big-name Ninja gadgets like the Ninja Slushi, Ninja Crispi, and Ninja Luxe Café on sale at record-low prices, but SharkNinja is throwing in free gifts with some of them.

It's not just some shoddy free $15 accessory, either. From insulated margarita glasses and travel mugs to a whole Ninja blender for free, these free gifts are all between $48 and $148 in value. (Shark vacuums and Shark hair tools come with awesome free stuff too, BTW.) All this being said, as of Cyber Monday, there are fewer gifts available than we saw during Black Friday and over the weekend. However, SharkNinja is offering an extra 10% off most of their sale section if you use the code CYBER. In short, they're still beating Amazon's prices.

SEE ALSO: What time Black Friday sales start for Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and more

Though there's no question that the actual SharkNinja website is the best place to buy Ninja products on sale for Cyber Monday, there are still an overwhelming number of deals to keep track of. We've pulled out the very best Ninja Cyber Monday deals as of Dec. 1 for super easy comparison. We’ve tested most of these products, so we know when a price drop is genuinely worth your money.

Best Ninja air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer $143.99 at SharkNinja
$179.99 Save $36 Use code CYBER. Comes with a free spatula and Crispi container ($48 value). Get Deal Why we like it

It's been tricky to find a deal on the unique portable Ninja Crispi air fryer. The best we were getting was a measly $20 off (just an 11% discount) at Amazon — that is, until SharkNinja sweetened the deal by matching that sale price, and throwing in a free spatula and extra glass Crispi container for free. That's a $48 value for free, plus the $20 from the actual discount. For Cyber Monday, Amazon upped the ante by taking an additional $5 off, for a total of 15% off, but it still doesn't match the value you can find on Shark's website — especially with the Cyber Monday code taking an additional $16 off the price.

The Ninja Crispi is a Mashable fave and unlike any air fryer you've seen before. Rather than making you dump your fried food out from a basket or off of a tray, the Crispi air fries food directly in a grab-and-go glass container (just add a lid). The six-cup container is designed for personal meals (and can cook them in about seven minutes), while the four-quart container is large enough to cook a four-pound chicken and veggies in one go.

Fun bonus: The SharkNinja website has more color options than Amazon. Our favorite is Mango Clouds.

Best Ninja Creami deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Creami Scoop and Swirl ice cream amker $251.99 at SharkNinja
$349.99 Save $98 save $98 with code CYBER Get Deal Why we like it

Mashable shopping reporter Sam Mangino has tested just about every popular Ninja kitchen appliance that pops into your head. So take it from the expert when she declares the Ninja Swirl to be better and more fun than the original Creami. Even Oprah put it on the 2025 list of her favorite things.

The Swirl makes ultra-creamy yogurt-like soft serve and doesn't require re-spins like the Creami, which primarily makes more hand-scooped-like ice cream. But any seasoned sweet toother could be in the mood for either depending on the day, making this Scoop and Swirl combo deal pretty unbeatable.

Thanks to SharkNinja's Cyber Monday deal, you'll save an additional $28 than you would buying the Creami at Amazon, where it's still on sale for $279.99.

SEE ALSO: Testing the Ninja Slushi by making a frozen version of every drink I can think of More Cyber Monday deals on Ninja appliancesAt SharkNinjaAt Amazon
Categories: IT General, Technology

75+ Cyber Monday outdoor deals: Yeti, Jackery, LifeStraw still at record lows

Mashable - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 21:11
The best Cyber Monday outdoor deals still live: Best large power station deal Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 $679 (save $820 at Amazon) Get Deal Best outdoor speaker deal JBL Charge 6 $129.95 (save $70 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Yeti deal Yeti Tundra 45 $260 (save $65 at Yeti) Get Deal Best Black Friday essential deal LifeStraw Personal Water Filter $9.99 (save $9.96 at Amazon) Get Deal Best camping deal Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket $74.96 (save $24.99 at Amazon) Get Deal Best tent deal Coleman Skydome Tent (4 Person) $91.99 (save $58 at Amazon) Get Deal Best portable power station deal Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station $349 (save $100 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Bluetooth cooler deal Igloo Kool Tunes Retro Bluetooth Boombox Cooler $83.99 (save $56 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Outdoor Apparel Deal Arc'teryx Thorium Down Hoody $350.09 (save $149.91 at REI) Get Deal Best Soft Cooler Deal Yeti Hopper M Series Portable Soft Coolers $199 (save $101 at Amazon) Get Deal

Black Friday has come and gone, but the savings live on in the form of Cyber Monday sales. That means there's still time to save on everything from portable power stations and outdoor speakers to coolers and hydration essentials.

Whether you want to gear up for cold-weather adventures, stock up for spring and summer camping, or grab some holiday gifts for great prices, 'tis the season to score outdoor deals. We're tracking all of the best Black Friday outdoor deals below as we head into Cyber Monday, so check back for the latest deals.

Some popular favorites got the real deal treatment for Black Friday — like LifeStraw personal water filters, Coleman tents and camping gear, and action cameras from DJI and GoPro. Thankfully, for all you procrastinators out there, most of those deals are still live as we head into Cyber Monday. We've even spied some deals on outdoor apparel from Arc'teryx on sale.

Be sure to follow along with Mashable's coverage of every category in our Black Friday and Cyber Monday hubs.

Best Black Friday outdoor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 $679 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $820   Get Deal Why we like it

A solid mid-range power station, the small and mighty Explorer 2000 v2 is lightweight enough (under 40 pounds) to carry with you on camping trips, boating, tailgating, and other outdoor adventures. It's also equipped with 2,042Wh capacity, which makes it powerful enough to serve as a home battery backup in emergencies as well. That's enough power to keep your fridge running for over a day, heat up a meal in the microwave, and brew plenty of cups of coffee. It packs three AC outlets, one USB-A port, and two USB-C ports, as well as a built-in light and super-charge emergency mode on board for a variety of needs. It dropped to a record-low $699 for Black Friday — $800 off its $1,499 list price — and we didn't think it could get any lower. But somehow, post-Black Friday, it dropped another $20. In this case, procrastinating paid off.

Note: Amazon has deflated its list price, which sells this deal short. It's usually listed for $1,499, making it a much more impressive 55% in savings.

Best outdoor speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Charge 6 $129.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

A quality Bluetooth speaker makes a great companion in the great outdoors and the JBL Charge 6 is our favorite. It's powerful enough to be used for an outdoor party, but still lightweight enough at just 2 pounds to tote around. It even comes with a handy removable strap for ultra portability. Plus, as its name suggests, it can charge other devices via USB-C. We don't love that it's $20 more than its predecessor at $199.95, but this Black Friday deal dropped it to a more palatable $129.95 at both Amazon and Best Buy. And thankfully, the deal is still live post-Black Friday if you missed out.

Best Black Friday cooler deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix EverFrost 2 (40 liter) $598.49 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $301.50   Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Anker Solix EverFrost 2 electric cooler.

Instead of dealing with the hassle of melting ice, upgrading your outdoor adventures with an electric cooler is one of the most convenient luxuries. The powerful Anker Solix EverFrost 2 electric cooler is easy use and transport, and you can set the temperature as a freezer or refrigerator. Not only will the cooler keep your foods perfectly chilled for days, the battery that powers up the electric cooler can also recharge your phone at the campground.

Best outdoor apparel deal Opens in a new window Credit: Arc'teryx Arc'teryx Thorium Down Hoody $350.09 at REI
$500 Save $149.91 Deal ends Dec. 1 Get Deal Why we like it

Over at REI, you can score bargains on all your favorite outdoor equipment, including gorpcore legends like Arc'teryx. The men's Thorium Down Hoody is currently 29% off, and you'll pay just over $300 for this comfy cozy hoodie. With 750-fill-power goose down inside, you'll stay warm even in the most bitter cold, and without compromising your movement. You can find even more Arc'teryx discounts at the REI Black Friday sale.

Black Friday portable power station dealsBlack Friday cooler dealsBlack Friday electric cooler dealsBlack Friday hydration dealsBlack Friday outdoor speaker dealsBlack Friday outdoor tech dealsBlack Friday backpacking dealsBlack Friday portable projector dealsMore Black Friday outdoor deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

163 deals from Best Buys Cyber Monday sale that arent cheaper anywhere else: AirPods Max to QLED TVS

Mashable - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 21:04
Best Buy's best Cyber Monday deals at a glance: Best Apple deal AirPods Max (USB-C) $399.99 (save $149.01; paid my Best Buy members earn $25 in bonus rewards) Get Deal Best Windows laptop deal Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $749.99 (save $550) Get Deal Best TV deal Hisense 50-inch QD6 Series QLED 4K Fire TV $199.99 (save $130) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Headphones $159.99 (save $199.01) Get Deal Best portable speaker deal Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $59.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best fitness tracker deal Fitbit Inspire 3 $69.95 (save $30) Get Deal Best gaming deal "Red Dead Redemption 2" (PS4/PS5) $14.99 (save $45) Get Deal Best vacuum deal Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum $148 (save $151.99) Get Deal Best beauty tech deal Shark FlexStyle (Straight & Wavy Hair, Indigo Rush) $159.99 (save $120) Get Deal

Best Buy's monthlong marathon of holiday deals ends today, the final day of its extended Cyber Monday sale. I've spent the past couple weeks digging through its listings and cross-checking them with other retailers to identify all the products that are worth buying there — stuff that isn't cheaper anywhere else, even by a cent or two.

SEE ALSO: Expert-picked Cyber Monday deals: We found record prices on AirPods, Kindles, Legos, and PS5 consoles

At this point, things have remained relatively steady since Best Buy's Black Friday sale began all the way back on Nov. 20. The only categories that have seen some deals turnover in the past 48-ish hours are Apple devices, Windows laptops, and robot vacuums. Best Buy is featuring some of the Apple ones as daily doorbusters, so paid My Best Buy members get a $5 bonus rewards for every $50 they spend on them — up to $25 total. I've marked them with a door emoji (🚪) in my current list of Best Buy's top Cyber Monday deals, which you'll find below.

If something you purchased at Best Buy after Oct. 31 is now cheaper there, you can request a price adjustment for it through Jan. 15 under the retailer's holiday price match guarantee.

Best Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) 🚪 $399.99 at Best Buy
$549 Save $149.01 Paid My Best Buy members earn $25 in bonus rewards. Get Deal Why we like it

Apple's over-ear headphones have worse specs than other noise-canceling headphones we've tested and loved, but they're certainly some of the most stylish cans you can buy. (And as of this spring, they finally support lossless audio.) Best Buy is the only place where you can still find them on sale at their record-low Black Friday price of $399.99, or 27% off, and it throws in $25 worth of bonus rewards for paid My Best Buy members.

More MacBook dealsAirPods dealsApple Watch dealsiPad dealsBest Windows laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $749.99 at Best Buy
$1,299.99 Save $550 $50 cheaper than Black Friday. Get Deal Why we like it

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is the Windows laptop I think most people should buy if they want a machine with a gorgeous OLED touchscreen display. It has a sharp 3K resolution, a decent 90Hz refresh rate, and an impressive maximum brightness of 1,000 nits. Impressively, it also boasts a great battery life: It lasted 20 hours on a single charge in my testing. The base configuration with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is on sale for just $749.99 during Best Buy's Cyber Monday sale (or 42% off), which beats its Black Friday price there by $50.

More Windows laptop deals2-in-1 laptop dealsGaming laptop dealsBest TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 50-inch QD6 Series QLED 4K Fire TV $199.99 at Best Buy
$329.99 Save $130   Get Deal Why we like it

QLED TVs are brighter and more detailed than your average LED displays, and Mashable's Leah Stodart, our resident TV expert, recommends them for people who watch a lot of sports during the day. She named this $199.99 Hisense model the best mid-sized QLED TV deal of Cyber Monday 2025, noting that it was $40 pricier just a few weeks ago during Amazon's October Prime Day sale. (It's currently sold out there.) A sub-$200 QLED 4K TV is such a classic Cyber Weekend bargain.

43-inch TV deals50 and 55-inch TV deals65-inch TV deals70- and 75-inch TV dealsDeals on 77-inch TVs and biggerBest headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Headphones $159.99 at Best Buy
$359 Save $199.01 $39.01 cheaper than Black Friday. Get Deal Why we like it

After falling to $199 on Black Friday, Bose's black QuietComfort headphones are now just $159.99 at Best Buy for Cyber Monday — an impressive 55% savings. (Amazon is price-matching them if they happen to sell out.) Shopping reporter Samantha Mangino gave them the runner-up spot on her list of the best Bose headphones, praising their comfy fit, long battery life, great sound quality, and "phenomenal" ANC.

More headphones dealsEarbuds dealsBest portable speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $59.99 at Best Buy
$99.99 Save $40.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The pudgy little UE Wonderboom 4 is our favorite portable speaker under $100. (And right now, it's almost half that price at Best Buy and Amazon.) According to our reviewer, "it's a powerhouse for its size and price ... anyone who wants a no-frills speaker that sounds good will be happy with this one." Take your pick from five colorways.

More portable speaker dealsBest fitness tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Inspire 3 $69.95 at Best Buy
$99.95 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

Can't splurge on a shiny new Apple Watch SE 3 or Oura Ring 4? While both wearables are on sale for Cyber Monday, neither is as cheap as the Fitbit Inspire 3 (now just $69.95, or 30% off). It's our No. 1 fitness tracker for shoppers on a budget. According to our experts, "It has a comprehensive suite of health and fitness tracking features, a slim, low-profile design, and a straightforward user interface."

More smartwatch and fitness tracker dealsBest gaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Rockstar Games "Red Dead Redemption 2" (PS4/PS5) $14.99 at Best Buy
$59.99 Save $45   Get Deal Why we like it

RDR2 was a 2018 Game of the Year finalist, and it remains one of the most gorgeous and immersive open-world games ever made. (It's actually a prequel to the original Red Dead game from 2010, which is coming to PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, iOS, and Android on Dec. 2.) Best Buy and Target are the only retailers matching the PlayStation Store's 75% discount on PS4/PS5 copies this Cyber Monday. The Xbox version is $14.99 on Amazon, though; it's sold out at Best Buy.

Video game dealsGaming console dealsVR headset dealsBest vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum $148 at Best Buy
$299.99 Save $151.99   Get Deal Why we like it

This cordless number from Shark is our favorite budget stick vacuum for pet hair — it's a much better buy than Dyson's V8 or V9 models, said Stodart. (In addition to covering TVs, she's also our in-house vacuum guru.) Best Buy is matching Amazon's Cyber Monday discount on it, which brings it down to an all-time low price of $148. That's a 51% savings.

More stick vacuum dealsRobot vacuum dealsBest kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer $279.95 at Best Buy
$349.95 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

Breville's Smart Oven Air Fryer is "the Ferrari of both air fryers and convection ovens," per our reviewer. It has 11 cooking functions and a huge interior that can fit a full 13-inch pizza, and it heats food fast and evenly to boot. Best Buy has it on sale for $279.95 right now, which is 20% off its usual sticker price of $349.95. It's hit $259.95 before, but you won't find it anywhere that cheap this Cyber Monday. Amazon, Williams Sonoma, and Breville itself are all price-matching Best Buy's deal.

More coffee maker and espresso machine dealsAir fryer dealsKitchenAid stand mixer dealsBest beauty tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FlexStyle (Straight & Wavy Hair, Indigo Rush) $159.99 at Best Buy
$279.99 Save $120 $30 cheaper than Black Friday. Get Deal Why we like it

Shopping for a multi-styler? After testing them both, Mashable's Bethany Allard recommends the Shark FlexStyle over the Dyson Airwrap. It "offers nearly everything the Airwrap does, and then some extras that the Airwrap doesn't, for half the price," she writes. This navy blue FlexStyle bundle comes with four attachments for straight and wavy hair, and it's only $159.99 during Best Buy's Cyber Monday sale (or 43% off). It was $30 more expensive to buy on Black Friday, and it's currently $40 pricier on Shark's website.

More hair tool dealsSkincare tool deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop waiting for a price drop: Why you should buy a GPU right now

How-To Geek - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 21:01

Let's face it: This wasn't the best year to buy a GPU. It's not been quite as bad as 2021, but it was still bad.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My favorite webcam light is only $49 today

How-To Geek - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 20:52

A light is the best upgrade you can make for your webcam, and the Logitech Litra Glow is a great option for all computer and desk setups. Now you can get one for $49 at Amazon as a Cyber Monday deal, which is an all-time low price for the light.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Cyber Monday kitchen deals are actually piping hot — save big on Ninja, Our Place, and Le Creuset

Mashable - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 20:45
Best Cyber Monday kitchen deals at a glance Best coffee and espresso deal Ninja Luxe Café Pro Espresso and Coffee Machine $599.95 (save $150.04) Get Deal Best countertop oven deal Our Place Wonder Oven Pro $275 (save $50) Get Deal Best frozen treat deal Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl Ice Cream and Soft Serve Maker $279.99 (save $70) Get Deal Best composter alternative deal Mill Food Recycler (Mashable Choice winner) $799 (save $200) Get Deal Best KitchenAid deal KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer (select colors) $297.49 (save $150.04 plus an extra $52.46 at checkout) Get Deal Best kitchen cookware deal Caraway 12-piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set $446.25 (save $358.75) Get Deal Best blender deal Vitamix Propel Series 510 $299.95 (save $200) Get Deal Best air fryer deal Ninja Crispi Air Fryer (cyberspace, stone, pink, or sage green) 159.99 (save $20 plus get a free spatula and Crispi container (extra $48 value)) Get Deal Best Instant Pot deal Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker $59.99 (save $80) Get Deal Best water filter deal Culligan ZeroWater 12-cup Water Filter Pitcher $25.89 (save $11.10) Get Deal

Nothing will make you realize you need to upgrade your kitchenware more than cooking Thanksgiving dinner. If you realized your blender's motor kicked it, or your nonstick pans are flaking into the food, it'd be wise to upgrade during Cyber Monday sales.

We're seeing tons of Black Friday kitchen deals stick around throughout Cyber Weekend this year. Ninja is still the star of the now-called Cyber Monday kitchen deals, with its buzziest appliances, like the Creami, Slushi, and Crispi, all on sale. While a handful of these stellar Ninja deals are available at the likes of Amazon or Walmart, the SharkNinja website itself has proven to be a super competitive destination this season. It's been bundling high-value free gifts with appliances already on sale — take the knife set that's $150 off that comes with a free Ninja blender, for example.

SEE ALSO: The Mill food recycling bin is the easiest indoor composter alternative, and my all-time favorite appliance

If you're looking to finish out Black Friday shopping with some kitchen upgrades, these are the best deals we've spotted as of Dec. 1, including several KitchenAid, Ninja, and Nespresso gadgets that have gotten even cheaper since Black Friday.

Best coffee and espresso deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Luxe Café Pro Espresso and Coffee Machine $599.95 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $150.04   Get Deal Why we like it

While testing the best Ninja appliances, I fell totally in love with the Ninja Luxe Café Pro Espresso machine. It's a dual espresso and coffee maker that does single servings without the pods. It bridges the gap between amateur and pro at-home baristas, automating the coffee-making process so it's easy to make the perfect coffee or latte. It's a new release, but just hit its lowest price ever at $599.95, saving you $150 off its list price for 20% savings.

More coffee and espresso machine dealsBest countertop oven deal Opens in a new window Credit: Our Place Our Place Wonder Oven Pro $275 at Our Place
$325 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

My Our Place Wonder Oven is the hero of my kitchen, so I was thrilled to see the debut of the brand's Wonder Oven Pro. It's a bigger, multi-tasking oven that now has a digital screen for more precise cooking. It's $50 off during Our Place's Black Friday sale, bringing it down to $275, for 15% off.

Best frozen treat deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl Ice Cream and Soft Serve Maker $279.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

In Mashable's testing of the best Ninja appliances, the Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl was the overall favorite version of the Creami. Thanks to SharkNinja's Black Friday event, the machine that will bring constant joy to your kitchen is down to a new record low price of $279.99. This appliance will give you unlimited soft serve, milkshakes, frozen yogurt, ice cream, gelato, and plenty more. What's not to love?

More Cyber Monday kitchen dealsFood recyclers and electric compost bin alternativesCountertop appliance dealsCookware and bakewareKitchen tools, water filter pitches, and more

Looking for Cyber Monday deals in more categories? See the biggest discounts at Amazon’s epic Cyber Monday sale and save up to 70% on TVs, vacuums, headphones, and more tech, plus popular gifts.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Windows 11 update made your games slower? NVIDIA might have the fix

How-To Geek - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 20:38

NVIDIA has released a critical hotfix driver, version 581.94, that fixes the severe performance drops when you run Windows 11 after the mandatory October 2025 cumulative update. Even though Microsoft hasn’t actually acknowledged the problem yet, we have a real solution.

Categories: IT General, Technology

30+ of the best Cyber Monday Pokémon deals: Savings on Mega Evolution Booster Bundle, Pokémon Legends games, and more

Mashable - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 20:27
The best Cyber Monday Pokémon deals at a glance: Best Pokémon TCG deal Mega Evolution Booster Bundle $44.99 (save $15) Get Deal Best Pokémon Game Deal Pokémon Legends: Arceus $49.99 (save $10) Get Deal Funko Pop! Moments Deluxe: Pokémon Starters $48.33 ($21.66) Get Deal Best Pokémon Squishmallows deal Squishmallows Jumbo Eevee $35.49 (save $14.5) Get Deal Best Pokémon Toy deal Pokémon Battle Figure 8 Pack $26.04 (save $10.95) Get Deal Best Pokémon Plushie Deal Pokémon Bulbasaur Sleeping Plush - 18-Inch Premium Plush in Sleeping Pose $39.99 (save $2.60) Get Deal Best Mega Pokémon deal Mega Pokémon Charmander Evolution Set with 313 Pieces (with Charmeleon & Charizard) $31.99 (save $3.64) Get Deal Best for collectors Phantasmal Flames Booster Box $254.99 (save $44.01) Get Deal

Even with Black Friday in the history books, the Pokémon deals are still going strong as of Cyber Monday, which means you can still save serious cash on Pokémon TCG, the most popular Nintendo Switch Pokémon games, Mega building sets, and all the Pokémon toys, Squishmallows, Plushies, and Funko Pops your heart desires.

SEE ALSO: 10 Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday: Samsung's The Frame and the M4 MacBook Air

At Mashable, we've scanned through everything on offer at retailers like Amazon and dug up the ideal Pokémon deals for you live during Cyber Monday. We'll continuously update this guide to keep you informed on new deals as they drop, along with any price changes on what's already listed. Note: most Cyber Monday deals are likely to end tonight, so it's worth grabbing any deals that stand out to you.

Best Cyber Monday Pokémon TCG deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Booster Bundle $44.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $15   Get Deal Why we like it

This is one of the most anticipated Pokémon TCG products of this year, which is now at the same price as TCGplayer, meaning this is currently at market value at Walmart (and currently sold out at Amazon).

More Pokémon TCG dealsBest Cyber Monday Pokémon game deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon Legends: Arceus $49.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $10   Get Deal Why we like it

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a great ride (more so on Switch 2), but Legends: Arceus kicked off the experimental mainline series that turned long-standing Pokémon game mechanics on their heads. While Arceus isn't optimized for Nintendo Switch 2, it's still such a great game. With a cheeky discount for Cyber Week thrown in, you should see what you've been missing out on.

More Pokémon game deals Pokémon Violet $45.99 at Walmart
$59.96 Save $13.97   Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! $49.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy Best Cyber Monday Pokémon Funko Pop! deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Funko Funko Pop Moments Deluxe: Pokémon Starters - Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle $48.33 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $21.66   Get Deal Why we like it

What's better than one classic starter? Three classic Gen One starters, with an extra markdown thanks to a coupon code. Pick up a Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle for less than $50.

More Pokémon Funko Pop! deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ceruledge Pokémon Funko Pop! $13.49 at Amazon
$14.99 Save $1.50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Funko Pokemon Slowpoke Funko Pop! $11 at Amazon
$14.99 Save $3.99   Get Deal Best Cyber Monday Pokémon Squishmallow deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Jazwares Squishmallows Jumbo Eevee $35.49 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $14.50   Get Deal Why we like it

It's rare to see significant discounts on Squishmallows, and Pokémon is even more infamous for dodging price cuts. But there are plenty of Pokémon Jumbo Squishmallow deals still live, such as this cute Eevee. They're so soft, make perfect cuddle buddies, and work as a gift for just about anyone who loves the franchise.

More Pokémon Squishmallow deals Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Squishmallow Belibolt 20-inch Pokémon Squishmallow $23.60 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $26.39   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Squishmallow Chansey 14-inch Pokémon Squishmallow $14.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $10.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Squishmallows Squishmallows Original Pokémon 10-inch Pikachu $12.99 at Amazon
$15.99 Save $3   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Jazzwares / The Pokémon Company Torchic 20-inch Pokémon Squishmallow $42.74 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $7.25   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Squishmallows Squishmallows Pokemon 14-Inch Teddiursa $16 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $8.99 with on-page coupon Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Squishmallows Pokémon Pikachu Squishmallows Original Clip $9.99 at Amazon
$12.99 Save $3   Get Deal Best Cyber Monday Pokémon toy deal Opens in a new window Credit: Jazzwares / The Pokémon Company Pokemon Battle Figure Arcanine, Charmeleon & Cyndaquil Exclusive 3-Inch Mini Figure 2-Pack $22.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $2 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're wondering what would go down well for the Pokémon fan in your life, this is a safe bet that won't break the bank before the Cyber Monday sale ends. Cyndaquill, Charmeleon, and Arcanine are all fan-favorite fire-type Pokémon, and this is one of the better 3-inch figure sets I've seen.

More Pokémon toy deals Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon Battle Figure Toy Set $34.99 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $10   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon Proxy Battle Figure 10 Pack $34.99 at Amazon
$37.18 Save $2.19   Get Deal Best Cyber Monday Pokémon plushie deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon 5-inch Sleeping Squirtle, Charmander, Bulbasaur Starter Plush 3-Pack $34.99 at Amazon
$36.99 Save $2   Get Deal Why we like it

Sleeping Pokémon plushies are life, and these are by far some of the most popular. It's not a huge discount, but anything with the Kanto generation starter Pokémon is popular, and these are so fluffy. They're not huge either, so it's a perfect stocking filler.

More Pokémon plushie deals Pokémon Paldea First Partner Plush 3 Pack $33.56 at Amazon
Get Deal at Amazon Pokémon Charmander Select Velvet Plush $17.99 at Amazon
$18.96 Save $0.97   Get Deal at Amazon Best Cyber Monday Mega Pokémon deal Opens in a new window Credit: MEGA/Pokemon ​MEGA Pokémon Charmander Evolution Set $31.99 at Amazon
$35.66 Save $3.67   Get Deal Why we like it

The news that Pokémon is finally making the jump to Lego next year is ridiculously awesome, but there's already plenty of seriously cool Mega Pokémon sets to build. This Charmander evolution set is a good balance of price and variability in the build, with over 300 pieces and characters.

More Mega Pokémon deals Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Mega Pikachu MEGA Pokémon $11.49 at Amazon
$18.89 Save $7.40   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / MEGA Water-Type Trainer Team $20.42 at Amazon
$32.39 Save $11.97 Use on-site coupon Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon MEGA Pokémon Pixel Pokeball $19.99 at Target
$24.99 Save $5   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon MEGA Pokémon Emolga and Bulbasaur's Charming Woods $8.49 at Target
$16.99 Save $8.50   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Cyber Monday tablet deals: Apple, Amazon, Samsung, Lenovo, and more at record lows

Mashable - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 20:10
Best Cyber Monday tablet deals Best iPad deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, 128GB, WiFi) $449 (save $150) Get Deal Best Android tablet deal Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 (256GB, WiFi) $379.99 (save $170) Get Deal Best Amazon Fire tablet deal Amazon Fire Max 11 $139.99 (save $90) Get Deal

Cyber Monday is, without a doubt, one of the best times to buy tech. Prices drop on laptops, TVs, and tablets, which is perfect timing with the holidays fast approaching. If you're getting ready to buy the latter, a tablet, now is a great time. We just spent the past few months re-evaluating our guide to the best tablets, meaning these portable devices are front of mind. And most importantly, they're now on sale just in time for Cyber Monday.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday 2025: Get live updates on the latest sales, doorbusters, and deal drops

There are a lot of tablets on sale, and even better, there are more than just iPads discounted. You can find devices from Samsung, Lenovo, and Amazon all on sale for hundreds off. Plus, we're pleased to see our very favorite Android tablet is on sale, too. These are the best tablet deals for Cyber Monday.

Best Cyber Monday iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, 128GB, WiFi) $449 at Amazon
$599 Save $150   Get Deal Why we like it

Most iPads are discounted ahead of Cyber Monday, but the best deal is on the iPad Air with the M3 chip. We determined it's the best iPad for most people, with a superior processor to the basic iPad, allowing you to do any work task you'd do on a computer. But at $449, it's a fraction of the price of a laptop. It's currently $150 off of its $599 price tag, making it 25% off, one of the biggest discounts you'll find on any iPad for Cyber Monday.

More Cyber Monday iPad dealsBest Cyber Monday Android deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 (256GB, WiFi) $389.99 at Lenovo
$549.99 Save $160   Get Deal Why we like it

Perhaps my favorite discovery of 2025 is the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3, which convinced me that iPads aren't the only tablets worth buying. This small tablet is made for gaming, but it does an extremely good job at streaming in high definition and is the perfect size for travel. For Cyber Monday, it's down to $389.99, saving you $160 for a total of 29% off.

More Cyber Monday Android dealsBest Cyber Monday Fire tablet deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 $139.99 at Best Buy
$229.99 Save $90   Get Deal Why we like it

Having tested my way through the latest tablets, I won't lie, Amazon Fire tablets are not my favorite. I think they fall behind the crowd in terms of processing power, plus Amazon's app store pales in comparison to Apple's or Google's. That being said, if you want a cheap tablet, look at the Amazon Fire tablet. There are bigger discounts to be had on Amazon's tablets, but I think the best tablet to shop from Amazon is the Fire Max 11, which offers the best speed and processing.

More Cyber Monday Fire tablet deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Who actually uses Facebook Dating? I signed up to find out.

Mashable - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 20:10

Facebook Dating, Meta's dating service that launched in 2019, apparently boasts a whopping 21.5 million daily active users as of November, a spokesperson told Mashable. On top of that, the U.S. leads the pack with the most daily active users and a surprisingly large 1.77 million of those between the ages of 18 and 29, which suggests the platform is becoming pretty popular among the cool kids.

However, these numbers prompted a major eyebrow raise from me. Who are these people? Anecdotally, no one in my social circle of Gen Z and Zillennials has ever touched Facebook Dating, which is an extension of the existing Facebook app. When I told a few friends I planned to try it, I was met with dramatic eye rolls. Sure, some of that reaction tracks with my history of serial dating and app reviewing, but still, given this reaction, is Facebook Dating really that popular among young adults?

SEE ALSO: Meta adds AI 'dating assistant' to Facebook Dating

Tinder has 50 million users who use it every month, according to its Newsroom, while Hinge has around 15 million, the CEO of Match Group — which owns Tinder, Hinge, and a slew of other apps — shared on LinkedIn. While daily active users and monthly active users are different metrics, Facebook Dating's numbers suggest that it stands among these titans. So, as any journalist would, I made an account to see what the hype was about, and the results were honestly surprising in a "I can't believe I spent my week on this" kind of way.

The Facebook Dating experience

First, the pros. Facebook Dating is not a standalone app. It's part of the Facebook app alongside other popular services like Marketplace and Reels. That makes it incredibly easy to create an account since you're already logged in, similar to how Meta launched Threads as an extension of Instagram.

Like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, it also mirrors many of the same profile-building features. When setting up your profile, you can add a bio, answer prompts, select music that matches your vibe, and fill in your religious beliefs, work experience, education, and more. The most interesting tool is an AI-generated bio based on the info you've entered. I tested it, and it gave me: "Chicago transplant, gym rat, and trivia buff seeking a partner in crime." Honestly, not the worst bio I've ever had.

Why yes, that is me falling down a sand dune while visiting White Sands. Credit: Screenshot: Facebook / Chance Townsend

The standout feature of Facebook Dating is that there's no monetization of the experience at all. All filters are free to use, although there is a daily swipe limit of approximately 70-80 likes, and once you hit it, you have to wait until the next day to swipe again. It also helps that Meta's "family of apps" (Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp) generated over $162 billion in revenue in 2024, so perhaps there's no need to monetize these features like other apps do when the venture capital runs out. (Meta didn't respond to Mashable's request for comment before publication time.)

Curious about the 18 to 29 claim, I set my age range to that bracket within 0 to 5 miles of my area, which is a dense hub of several universities and thus a lot of young adults. Yet, my queue leans heavily toward the older end of the twenties rather than the younger. In fact, it's pretty slim pickings if you're 18 to 23 on the app (in my area, at least). As a 27-year-old man edging closer to 30, I'm not looking to date anyone younger than 24, anyway, but I was surprised given Facebook Dating's user stats.

Now, the cons. Facebook Dating offers dating preferences that you can set in your profile, including making them hard preferences, similar to Hinge. But they don't work.

Credit: Screenshot: Facebook / Chance Townsend

Even with my dating preferences set to prioritize profiles within 10 miles of me and an age range of 24 to 100, it's not uncommon to see potential matches who live nowhere near Chicago. I've seen profiles from Colombia, Quebec, deep in Georgia, and even a few hundred miles away in Wisconsin. In fact, while writing this sentence, I opened the app and my suggested match lives in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin — 130 miles from me. I'm unsure whether that's a glitchy app issue that struggles to find exact matches for me or simply a lack of active users.

There are users on Facebook Dating, and if you're over 40, it seems like the place to be. Between combing through Reddit threads and scrolling through the numerous profiles the app served up, it's pretty clear that the 35+ crowd shows up far more often than anyone in the 18 to 29 bracket. At the very least, those profiles popped up in my suggested matches much more consistently.

And statistically, it tracks. More than 57 percent of Facebook's entire user base is 35 or older as of June 2025, according to Statista, so it's no surprise that this demographic will also dominate the dating side. But based on the stats Meta sent Mashable earlier, being known as the go-to spot for over-40s doesn't seem to be the vibe the company is aiming for.

More annoyingly (and super embarrassingly), I received zero matches or likes in the almost two weeks I've had a profile open on Facebook Dating. I'm not exactly blaming the app for that, but as a somewhat average-looking 20-something (to be humble), I at least got matches on Raya. So maybe it's a case of effort in, effort out, since my profile is just the standard six photos and my AI bio, along with the usual fillers like work, education, and religious beliefs.

All in all, it was a very uneventful experience. From my experience with Facebook Dating, as someone in the target age range of 18 to 29, this was not the dating app for me. It's a great place for older online daters, which, you know, is good for them. That makes me happy, but glitchy filters do not. Guess I'll see what's happening on Feeld.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 genuinely good Netflix movies to watch this week (December 1 - 7)

How-To Geek - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 20:00

It's the final month of the year, and one that is perfect for watching movies. No matter how you choose to watch—perhaps on your phone while commuting or on your TV in the evening—Netflix is a good streaming service thanks to its wide selection of old and new hits.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Gift Lab

Mashable - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 19:45
Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple is adding new products to its obsolete list

Mashable - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 19:37

Legacy Apple owners, your time is now. The Cupertino tech giant has quietly tossed more of its aging gadgets onto the Obsolete List. This time around, the original iPhone SE has officially joined the "trash bin," alongside a handful of 2nd-gen iPad Pros, the Nike and Hermès variants of the Apple Watch Series 4, and the Beats Pill 2.0.

The iPhone SE was Apple’s first true budget phone. Launched in 2016 alongside the iPhone 7, the SE arrived with a bargain-bin (by today’s standards) price tag of $399. To be fair, even the iPhone 7 debuted at just $679, a number that feels almost mythical now compared to the current price of an iPhone 17.

SEE ALSO: The best Cyber Monday Apple Watch deals: Record-low prices are live on top models

The SE represented Apple’s compromise for fans who didn’t want to shell out for the increasingly pricey flagship models and who preferred the compact size of older phones. Borrowing the design of the iPhone 5, it sported a 4-inch display, a Touch ID home button, and that classic aluminum-and-glass frame with chamfered edges. Under the hood, it packed the A9 chip from the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

Fast-forward nearly a decade, and the SE line is effectively discontinued. After the third-gen SE was released in 2022, the lineup disappeared until the introduction of the iPhone 16E in February 2025.

As a reminder, Apple labels products as "obsolete" seven years after they are no longer sold. That’s why only the Nike and Hermès editions of the Apple Watch Series 4 made the cut this round; the standard Series 4 is on the Vintage list — reserved for products that haven’t been sold for at least five years.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 ways to repurpose an old iPhone

How-To Geek - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 19:30

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My futuristic Xreal AR glasses are now $170 off for Cyber Monday at Amazon

Mashable - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 19:30

I've been procrastinating on writing a review of the Xreal One Pro AR Glasses because I'm very ambivalent about them. But there's no denying a simple fact: These high-tech smart glasses absolutely make me feel like I'm living in the future.

As Mashable's tech editor, I get to test products like this as part of my job. I honestly don't know that I'd pay $769 — their usual price — or even $599 for these smart glasses, but if you're an early adopter who's itching to try all things AR/VR, then this is your chance to grab them on sale.

Today, you can buy the Xreal One Pro AR Glasses for $170 off their usual price, part of Amazon's Cyber Monday sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Xreal Xreal One Pro AR Glasses $599 at Amazon
$769 Save $170   Get Deal What I like about the Xreal One Pro smart glasses

I also appreciate the fact that Xreal isn't trying to disconnect you from the real world and immerse you in some type of metaverse. So, rather than virtual reality, these smart glasses fall firmly in the augmented reality category. The Xreal One Pro connect to your laptop, PC, or tablet and project an extra monitor into the air around you.

The author wearing the Xreal One Pro glasses as he writes this article. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable SEE ALSO: I tried XREAL's new One Pro AR glasses at CES

This can be extraordinarily useful. As a manager, I often need to keep one eye on Slack and email in case one of my reporters is dealing with an urgent problem. When I can't be at my desk, with its two-screen setup, or at the Mashable office, where I can spread out my tabs across three screens, my MacBook's single, solitary screen is extremely limiting.

When I put on the Xreal glasses, I can fix my Slack or email directly above or to the side of my laptop. While I work, I just need to glance up, and I can instantly see all my messages. There's something undeniably futuristic about the effect, even if the glasses are giving major Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2: Judgement Day vibes.

The virtual display is surprisingly sharp and lifelike, though the fact that you have to remain tethered to your device by USB-C cable obviously isn't ideal. I expect future generations of AR glasses to solve this problem, but we're not there yet.

Again, I have mixed feelings about these glasses. Personally, I preferred the experience of the Apple Vision Pro, but until Apple brings the price down by about $3,000, this is a much better entry point to AR for most people.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The legendary Paprika recipe app is up to 50% off right now

How-To Geek - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 19:26

We’ve never had more recipes at our fingertips, but when it’s time actually to cook something, it can still feel overwhelming. There is a better way to organize every recipe you love, and for a few days, the best app for the job is on sale. It’s time to buy Paprika.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Is Kim Kardashian Neuralinks next ambassador? The internet thinks so.

Mashable - Mon, 12/01/2025 - 19:24

The Kardashians' reality TV show — which was rebooted in 2022 and is already on its seventh season — has documented a lot of personal moments for the powerful Hollywood family. Several marriages, divorces, and births were recorded for millions to watch at home, along with a harrowing overdose, and even an armed robbery.

In a recent episode, however, the program broke new ground, revealing that Kim Kardashian, the wealthiest of the bunch, has holes in her brain.

SEE ALSO: 'Rage bait' named word of the year

Speaking to celebrity psychologist Dr. Daniel Amen, the billionaire learned that initial scans showed "low activity" in parts of her brain, pointing out what he described as holes in her frontal lobe that could be caused by chronic stress. Kardashian, who plays a lawyer in new Hulu show All's Fair, has famously been attempting to pass the California Bar exam, and was recently diagnosed with a small brain aneurysm. She reported feeling excessive sleepiness to Amen.

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

Kardashian, later calling her brain beautiful, was incredulous at the news: "I got to get on a plan to really figure this out because I have shit to do this summer." In the lead up to the Nov. 27 episode, Kardashian had encouraged fans to tune in out of concern for her health, telling them via an appearance on Good Morning America that "everything works out."

Kardashian has promoted wellness products and preventative health practices for years, including non-FDA approved drugs, cognitive nootropic supplements, stem cell treatments, and controversial full- body MRI scans.

But this time, fans and onlookers didn't think the brain scan was an introduction to a new consumer product or Kardashian business venture. They theorized something more nefarious — and futuristic — was going on.

"Kim Kardashian is about to attempt to sell us at the most sinister end of the spectrum brain chips/neuralink at the least sinister some sort of ashwaganda gummy. All this 'i’m so stupid my brain don’t work good me can’t pass no bar' is a rollout i can’t be fooled," wrote one X user.

"My money is on her using this to set the stage for getting a NeuroLink [sic], telling everyone how much better she is, and then immediately passing the bar to 'prove' it works," wrote another.

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

Neuralink is the brainchild (pun intended) of fellow billionaire and co-founder Elon Musk, which publicly launched in 2017 and published its first research in 2023. The company has committed to ushering in a new era of super intelligence based on implantable brain–computer interfaces (BCIs). In 2024, Musk said that the company had "successfully" implanted a chip into the brain of a human subject — the beginning of long-rumored human trials that began with 29-year-old Noland Arbaugh. In a June update from the company, Neuralink's co-founders said they were trialing a "consensual telepathy tool" that would let people trade information in the blink of an eye and another that could restore partial vision in people who are blind.

There are other brain chip companies trialing the tech, too, like the U.S.-based Synchron and Blackrock Neurotech, and research projects, such as BrainGate housed at Brown University. Regulators like the FDA have been hesitant to approve chip tests, while a growing number of individuals and neuroscience companies have made a pitch that implantable computer chips are the future of medicine.

What better way to speed up adoption, suggests the internet, than getting one of the wealthiest celebrities alive to try it first?

In addition to the suggested profit motives, several users suspected that Kardashian's brain activity could be an un-admitted side effect of long COVID. They suggested that rather than admit to the still-unknown repercussions of the mass disabling event and invest in evidence-backed science, she may be veering in a more experimental direction, like some other celebrities and politicians have done. "We don’t need another billionaire vanity project," wrote one such user. "We need someone with 'F-you money' who’s willing to burn their old script, walk away from the nonsense, and actually help humanity."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Categories: IT General, Technology
Syndicate content

eXTReMe Tracker