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PEORODER ON OCT. 28: The new Apple iPad mini will be available for preorder starting at 10:10 a.m. PT on Oct. 28. Prices start at $699, and Apple has the launch date set for Nov. 6.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini $699 at Apple
preorders go live on Oct. 28 at 10:10 a.m. PT Learn More at Apple

Apple has a slew of new products to keep us happy as we head into the finale of 2026. We have the foldable iPhone Duo, a new Apple smart speaker, and now we get to look forward to a new iPad mini. If you loved the old iPad mini or you're looking for a tablet that isn't gigantic, here's how to get your hands on the new iPad mini.

The new Apple iPad mini launches on Nov. 6 and preorders go live at Apple on Oct. 28 at 10:10 a.m. PT. Prices start at $699 for the 128GB version with standard glass. You can also go with more storage and get the 256GB model or max out at 512GB. Apple is also offering the iPad mini with a nano-texture glass which starts at $899 for the 256GB model, the smallest offering with the upgraded glass.

SEE ALSO: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is (almost) free before Black Friday — how to claim

The iPad mini is the perfect tablet for anyone who wants a model that's easy to hold and travel-friendly. The 8.5-inch display is larger than the previous model, but the tablet itself is the same size. Apple simply thinned the bezel to make this possible.

In Mashable's review of the previous model, the iPad mini 7th Gen, Senior Tech Editor Stan Schroeder wasn't impressed with Apple's decision to use the A17 Pro chip instead of the A18 Pro. But that's no longer a concern with the new model, because the 2026 iPad mini has the A20 Pro chip.

The OLED display on the new iPad mini 8th Gen has over two times the peak brightness compared to the 7th Gen, reaching up to 1,200 nits. Additionally, the 12MP center camera will be great for video calls this holiday season. Plus, it's water and dust resistant.

In Mashable's review of the best iPads, the 7th Gen iPad mini earned the top spot as the best for reading.

Set an alarm in your phone for Oct. 28 at 10:10 a.m. PT to preorder the 8th Gen iPad mini. Given its small size and portability, it'll be the perfect companion for upcoming holiday travel.

Apple's newest iPad Mini debuted on Monday.

The company started the week with a press release announcing the new eighth-generation iPad Mini. The device features several noteworthy upgrades over the previous model, released in 2024, including a larger display, a relocated front camera, a more powerful chip, and more.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best tablets of 2026: Comparing iPad, Samsung, and Lenovo iPad Mini 2026 price and release date

Pre-orders for the new iPad Mini start on Wednesday, with general availability starting on Nov. 6. The new iPad starts at $699 in the United States, which is the only real bummer about this whole deal, as that's a $200 jump from the original starting price of the last iPad Mini. Blame RAMageddon.

It comes in two colors, as well: Midnight and Starlight.

iPad Mini 2026 specs

As for what you actually get for $699, here are the base specs for the new iPad Mini:

• Processor: A20 Pro

• Display: 8.5-inch OLED display

• Storage: 128/256/512GB

• Cameras: 12MP wide and front cameras

• Battery: Rated for up to 10 hours

• Water and dust resistance: IP67

There's a lot that's new here. The display is two-tenths of an inch bigger than before, and as a fun bonus, it is an OLED panel now instead of LCD. The A20 Pro chip will also be a big step up over the A17 Pro chip that graced the last iPad Mini, fully unlocking all of the Apple Intelligence features you could want, including Siri AI.

One note about the processor, though: The 512GB variant has an A20 Pro chip with more GPU cores than the 128/256GB variants. It's unclear how or if this will impact everyday use just yet.

IP67 water and dust resistance is also new, giving it a degree of protection against the elements that you didn't get with previous iPad Mini models. Naturally, Apple Pencil support is still built in, so if you're a stylus user, you should be all good here. Other odds and ends include a new landscape edge placement for the front camera, an audio system that eliminates the standard speaker grilles, and support for WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

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Remember when phone chargers were straight up garbage? The Micro-USB standard defined a generation of devices, but it was notorious for both its fragility and its toxic "hey, I just bent your phone's pins, now I'm the only charger that'll ever work with it" attitude.

The cold, harsh winter months are quickly approaching, and snow is on the way, which means it's time to get out or upgrade your winter tools. There's no need to manually shovel snow from the driveway when it's freezing, especially when cordless options exist. With that in mind, here are a few cordless winter tools you should buy before winter.

There's always a lot of fuss made about Starbucks Red Cup Day. Devoted followers of the brand are always desperate to find out when the launch will drop. People actually book the day off work to get their hands on these festive holiday cups. You might think it's madness, but there's going to be more chaos this season.

Forget Red Cup Day, because Starbucks has officially confirmed the return of the viral Bearista Glass Cold Cup for the 2026 holiday season. Rather than dropping everything alongside the holiday menu rollout on November 5, Starbucks is staggering the return of its most viral mascot across two dedicated drops in November and December.

In 2026, Starbucks is splitting the release into two phases:

• Nov. 10: Starbucks is introducing the Glass Bearista Cold Cup — Surprise Box Edition, a mystery blind-box collection

• Dec. 1: The classic, viral Bearista Glass Cold Cup officially returns to select coffeehouses for a holiday restock.

Starbucks is introducing a mystery blind-box collection. Credit: Starbucks

Both drops arrive in strictly limited quantities, while supplies last. That makes them standout pieces for collectors. But you knew that anyway, didn't you?

The reality is that coffeehouses are likely to sell out within 30 minutes of opening.

If you want to secure either the Nov. 10 or Dec. 1 drop without camping on a chilly sidewalk, we suggest targeting licensed Starbucks kiosks inside grocery stores and big-box retailers when doors open. These kiosks tend to receive independent stock shipments and see significantly lighter foot traffic. This tactic does not guarantee success, but you've got to do what you've got to do.

I use Google Assistant when I’m driving, planning my day, or trying to remember something before it slips my mind. I can ask it to message someone, find an answer, or remind me about a task without breaking my flow.

If your morning routine revolves around seasonal espresso shots and viral coffee tumblers, mark your calendar: Starbucks’ 2026 holiday menu officially launches on Nov. 5, bringing back fan favorites and fresh treats.

That's exciting news, but it's not the main draw for seasoned coffee lovers and cup collectors. The Peppermint Mocha is great and all, but it's not Red Cup Day. This is arguably the biggest day on the coffee lovers' calendar. Starbucks hands out a free, limited-edition red reusable cup with every qualifying handcrafted holiday beverage order on this special day. And you guessed it: fans and collectors go wild.

Starbucks has officially confirmed the date for Red Cup Day 2026: You can score a free reusable holiday cup on Nov. 17.

How to score a free reusable cup

Getting your hands on the free collectible cup is pretty straightforward, but we should note that supplies run out notoriously fast.

To get your free cup, buy any handcrafted holiday or seasonal beverage (hot, iced, or blended) in any size. The promo applies across in-cafe purchases, drive-thru orders, mobile orders on the Starbucks app, and delivery via Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub. Once you have your reusable red cup, bringing it back on future visits saves you $0.10 per drink.

Just be prepared for heavy app delays and long drive-thru lines on launch morning — mobile ordering at least 20 minutes ahead is non-negotiable if you want to dodge the rush.

So, you've finally caved and decided to buy an OLED.

SAVE $250: As of Oct. 26, the 16.2-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro, 24GB, 1TB SSD) is on sale for $2,749 on Amazon. That's down from its $2,999 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 2026 M5 Pro MacBook Pro $2,749 at Amazon
$2,999 Save $250   Get Deal at Amazon

Between the ongoing RAM squeeze and Apple raising hardware prices across the board, finding any break on a high-spec Mac is a big deal. Right now, Amazon is shaving $250 off the 16.2-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip, dropping it to $2,749 from its usual $2,999 list price.

This laptop is built for people who push their computers to the limit, like video editors slicing through 4K footage, 3D artists, programmers compiling heavy code, and creators playing with local AI tools. The M5 Pro chip packs an 18-core CPU and a 20-core GPU, paired with a generous 24GB of unified memory and a 1TB SSD. Whether you're running local AI models with Apple Intelligence or rendering heavy motion graphics, it delivers the exact same fluid speed whether plugged in at your desk or running on battery power at a coffee shop.

SEE ALSO: Early Black Friday 2026 deals: See holiday gift guides from Amazon, The Home Depot, Nordstrom, Ulta, and more

Any dedicated Apple fan will instantly fall for the hardware polish. The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is simply gorgeous, delivering vibrant colors and blinding peak brightness that make HDR video and photo editing pop off the screen. The upgraded 12MP Center Stage camera automatically keeps you centered during video calls, while a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio pumps out rich, room-filling sound that easily rivals standalone desktop speakers.

Longtime Mac devotees will also love seamless ecosystem touches like iPhone Mirroring, which lets you view and control your phone on your laptop screen.

When it comes to plugging into a desktop setup, you won't need to hunt down annoying dongles. The chassis houses three ultra-fast Thunderbolt 5 ports, a dedicated HDMI out, a full-size SD card slot for quick camera dumps, a headphone jack, and trusted MagSafe 3 charging.

Grab Apple's loaded 16-inch workstation on Amazon to pocket the $250 savings today.

TL;DR: Get Clearafi AI Tier 1 lifetime access for $49.99 (reg. $299) for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Clearafi Clearafi AI Tier 1 Plan: Lifetime Subscription $49.99
$299 Save $249.01   Get Deal

An AI answer can sound convincing before you’ve had a chance to question it. Clearafi AI Tier 1 lifetime access is $49.99 (reg. $299) for a limited time, giving you a way to compare responses without pasting the same prompt into several chatbots.

Each consensus search uses two to three models from a lineup that includes Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT, Mistral, Kimi, and Cohere. You can review their answers side by side, alongside a synthesized response that brings together areas of agreement.

Clearafi also assigns a Consensus Score from 0 to 100 percent. Visual indicators show which claims receive agreement, partial support, or conflicting responses. That makes it easier to identify the parts of an answer worth investigating further.

Agreement between models isn’t proof that an answer is correct. The useful feature is transparency — seeing different responses and knowing where closer human review may be needed.

Beyond comparisons, the platform includes research and web search tools, writing assistance, image creation, and document features. You can work with PDFs, translate documents, generate presentations, and export verification reports in formats including PDF, Word, and CSV.

The Tier 1 allowance is 120 consensus queries per year, estimated using three-model searches, for the life of the product. That makes the plan worth considering for selected questions where multiple perspectives would help, rather than unlimited daily comparisons.

This offers a more visible review process with one upfront cost.

Get Clearafi AI Tier 1 lifetime access for $49.99, and make room for another perspective before relying on the first answer.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

There’s something undeniably cool about the way Hollywood portrays hackers at work. In fact, it’s actually one of the reasons I gravitated toward Linux in the first place. Of course, real-world hacking rarely looks anything like the movies, and Linux doesn’t magically turn your PC into a cybercrime command center. That said, if you want to recreate that cinematic techno vibe on your desktop, there are a few tools that can help. Here are five of my favorites.

HP’s first RTX Spark laptops are here, and I've spent the past two weeks with the 32GB OmniBook Ultra 16. It really is a fantastic laptop in almost every way. I was able to game on it with basically no issues, and both its keyboard and OLED screen are among the best I’ve used. Then I asked it to do the thing NVIDIA is pitching hardest: run AI agents locally. With only 32GB of memory, that’s where this laptop hits a wall.

TL;DR: Pokémon is rolling out exclusive free promo cards featuring Kyogre, Groudon, and Giratina at major retailers across the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

Sound the alarm. It's rare to get any sort of deal on Pokémon cards right now, so the prospect of getting free cards is hard to believe. Yes, there are some hoops you need to jump through. But this is Pokémon. You'd do anything to get your hands on free promo cards, right?

For a limited time, you can score three of the franchise’s most iconic legendary Pokémon without paying premium prices.

To celebrate the launch of the upcoming Mega Evolution Delta Reign expansion on Nov. 6, Pokémon is rolling out exclusive free promo cards featuring Kyogre, Groudon, and Giratina at major retailers across the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Each card is stamped with the commemorative Pokémon 30/What's Your Favorite foil logo, making it a unique addition to any collection.

Each promo card is tied to a specific store, so you can target the exact card you want:

• Kyogre: Available at Hot Topic, Barnes & Noble, Five Below, and Macy’s (U.S.)

• Groudon: Available at GameStop (U.S.) and EB Games (Canada, Australia)

• Giratina: Available at Best Buy (U.S.) and Toymate / Mr Toys (Australia)

To walk away with one of these promos, you must spend $15 or more on qualifying Pokémon TCG products at participating retailers starting Nov. 6. Grabbing three booster packs or a collection tin easily clears the $15 minimum threshold, making this a free value-add if you were already planning on ripping Delta Reign packs on launch day.

As always, the real hurdle will be inventory. Supplies will be limited in-store and online. GameStop and Best Buy promo cards routinely vanish within hours on expansion mornings as local card shops and scalpers clear out cash registers. If you want the full trio, order online for in-store pickup right when doors open on Nov. 6 rather than strolling in later in the day. You know the drill by now.

There have been plenty of fun skits with the celebrity hosts on SNL UK so far, but Cynthia Erivo's pop song parody may just have topped them all.

In the clip above, the actor and singer is joined by cast member Annabel Marlow for a hilarious musical number that's made even more impressive by the fact it's live.

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts.

TL;DR: Owala is dropping two new striped colorways, Sweet Talk (pink) and Punch Line (red/burgundy), across six models, including the FreeSip, FreeSip Sway, and SmoothSip Slider. Prices range from $29.99 to $39.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Owala Owala Sweet Talk and Punch Line Collection   Shop Now

At this point, we will buy any colorway Owala throws at us. We've tried the Nalgenes, the Hydro Flasks, and every plastic or glass bottle in between, but nothing quite compares to the Owala FreeSip. It is, as Mashable's Samantha Mangino put it, "the water bottle to end all water bottles" — and truly the ultimate emotional support accessory.

Between the FreeSip spout that lets you sip through a straw or chug when you're extra thirsty, the leak-proof cover that keeps germs off your mouthpiece, and insulation that keeps ice jingling for 24 hours, it has earned every bit of its viral TikTok hype. So yes, whenever Owala drops new shades, we are first in line.

The latest collection is easily one of their prettiest yet, bringing a sophisticated, seasonal twist with vertical stripes. The drop features two gorgeous new colorways: Sweet Talk, a soft, sweet blend of pink stripes, and Punch Line, a bold and rich red/burgundy striped combo. This new Owala drop delivers the exact cozy, moody-chic aesthetic your fall rotation has been missing.

Credit: Owala

Both of these new striped colorways are available across six different models and sizes, so you can grab your exact favorite silhouette:

• FreeSip 24oz — $34.99

• FreeSip 32oz — $39.99

• FreeSip Sway 18oz — $31.99

• FreeSip Sway 30oz — $39.99

• SmoothSip Slider 12oz — $29.99

• SmoothSip Slider 20oz — $34.99

Between all-day ice-cold FreeSips, the travel-ready FreeSip Sway, and the hot-drink-friendly SmoothSip Slider, there's a striped option for whatever you're drinking. The drop is officially live, so snag your favorite colorway before the limited-edition run disappears.

TL;DR: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is $1,000 off when you switch and bring your number on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan. The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is also $1,000 off when you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 18 Pro   Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max   Shop Now

The iPhone Duo has officially launched, but Apple's first-ever foldable has hit the market with some issues. Not convinced by this groundbreaking tech? Perhaps you should revisit the Apple iPhone 18 Pro?

And it's a good time to do so, because T-Mobile has dropped a couple of tempting deals on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in the build-up to Black Friday.

We've checked out everything on offer, and these are the best iPhone deals live right now:

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — under $200 when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number to the Experience Beyond plan

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max — $1,000 off when you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan

The full savings are distributed as monthly credits over a 36-month payment plan. If you leave T-Mobile before the end of the three-year commitment, you will be charged the remaining balance. You also need to pay local sales tax on the phone's full retail value upfront, plus a standard $35 device connection fee per line at checkout.

Get the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for under $200 this week with T-Mobile.

I used to think Excel was just about putting data into rows and columns and doing a few calculations. But once you start using it regularly, you realize how much time you waste doing things manually that Excel can handle in seconds.

Adobe Acrobat is a go-to PDF tool for many people, but you don't necessarily need a subscription to handle everyday tasks. Free alternatives like PDFgear on Windows and Preview on Mac can handle many common PDF tasks.

SAVE $80: As of Oct. 26, the Marshall Monitor III is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a 29% savings on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Marshall Monitor III $199.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $80   Get Deal at Amazon

Looking for a new pair of headphones? The Marshall Monitor III headphones have dropped by $80, bringing them to their best-ever price. They normally cost $279.99, but for a limited time you can buy them for $199.99. You can even choose between the two colorways: black or cream.

The Marshall Monitor III headphones are a great choice if you want seriously good sound and noise cancellation.

With these, you'll get up to 70 hours of wireless listening with active noise cancellation switched on, or up to 100 hours with it off. Plus, the upgraded active noise cancellation uses technology that continuously measures ambient noise and offers three levels to choose from. You'll also get a transparency mode that lets you hear more of your surroundings when you need to stay aware of what's happening.

Marshall's signature sound is well known and is enhanced by Dynamic Loudness, which adjusts the bass, mids, and treble to suit different volume levels. Plus, these headphones support Soundstage spatial audio, creating a wider, more immersive listening experience.

And to top it off, the foldable design makes them easy to pack away in the included hard case, and soft ear cushions help keep them comfortable during longer listening sessions.

Find this headphones deal at Amazon now.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box is on sale for $129.99 at Amazon, down from its $209.70 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box $129.99 at Amazon
$209.70 Save $79.71 Get Deal at Amazon

After spending much of September closer to $150, Magic: The Gathering's biggest box of packs for the popular Marvel Super Heroes expansion has finally given trading card collectors a sizable discount on Amazon.

As of Oct. 26, the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box costs just $129.99 at Amazon. With this 38% price cut, that’s an overall saving of $79.71 versus its $209.70 list price, working out to approximately $4.33 per pack.

It's also $17.99 below the $147.98 deal we covered on Sept. 11, and as confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest price we’ve seen since the box skyrocketed in price back in August. 

Amazon is handling both the sale and delivery. Free shipping is currently estimated for Oct. 31, or as early as Oct. 27 with Prime. 

SEE ALSO: The Magic: The Gathering Reality Fracture Bundle is down to a record-low price at Amazon — save nearly $10

Each display contains 30 Play Boosters with 14 cards apiece from the hit expansion — giving you the chance to pull Marvel favorites like Iron Man, Hulk, and Doctor Doom to add to your Magic collection. 

Each pack includes a guaranteed Traditional Foil and one to four rare-or-higher cards. There's also a less than 1% chance of pulling a Foil Borderless Mythic Rare.