IT General

Sometimes the right tool for the job is whatever is within arm's reach, like a utility knife that's always in your pocket. While Milwaukee is most known for its wide array of M12 and M18 power tools, the company also makes some great hand tools, including this Milwaukee multi-function utility knife.

One of the downsides of Home Assistant is that, because it can do so much, it's all too easy to completely miss some of the most useful features. You may never have ventured into the "Developer tools" section, for example. If so, you're missing out, as it holds some incredibly useful tools.

TL;DR: Live stream Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns in the NBA Cup for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NBA Cup quarter finals promise some really interesting matchups, including Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns. The vibes are pretty great with the Suns this season, but vibes won't help you beat the Thunder. This could be a historic season for SGA and co.

If you want to watch Thunder vs. Suns in the NBA Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Thunder vs. Suns?

Thunder vs. Suns in the NBA Cup starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 10. This game takes place at the Paycom Center.

How to watch Thunder vs. Suns for free

Thunder vs. Suns in the NBA Cup is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the U.S., but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

5. Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Learn More

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA Cup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NBA Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

You may have noticed people discussing GitHub alternatives recently. In particular, several projects have migrated to a competitor called Codeberg. Having investigated further, I’m convinced it’s a solid alternative, and it’s not the only one.

Spotify is rolling out what could be a game-changing feature for new and loyal users after years of waiting. With this new integration, Spotify will be eliminating a major point that has proved an obstacle for users of other music platforms from finally making the switch.

YouTube Rewind may have ended back in 2019, but it seems like YouTube has finally put the nail in the coffin by just unlisting every single one of its annual recap videos.

On Tuesday evening, YouTube users in the r/YouTube community on Reddit noticed something odd. YouTube's official channel had marked every single one of its previous YouTube Rewind videos as "unlisted." This basically means that unless you have the actual link to the specific video, the YouTube Rewind videos are now much harder to find on the YouTube platform. They do not show up on the channel page or in YouTube search results, though we did find a user playlist with links to all of the Rewind videos.

Reddit

Why did YouTube do this? It's unclear, especially given that it's been six years since the last YouTube Rewind. However, YouTube creators have been speculating about the change. 

Spotify reinvented the yearly recap with Spotify Wrapped, which gives each individual user a highly personalized look back at their year on the app. Other apps, like YouTube, have since followed that path and provide users with their own personal year-in-review.

However, way back in 2011, YouTube arguably started the whole social media recap trend with its annual series of highly-produced annual recap videos called YouTube Rewind. The last YouTube Rewind video was in 2019, with the company opting not to make one in 2020. 

From 2011 to 2018, YouTube Rewind videos looked back at the biggest memes, videos, creators, and anything else that defined YouTuber culture that year. The company produced original content for these videos with breakout YouTube stars celebrating the year in YouTube. 

While the videos were popular for a time, the 2018 edition of YouTube Rewind became the most disliked video on the platform at the time after blowback from YouTube users. Many popular and somewhat controversial YouTube creators were not included in the recap, which included more mainstream YouTube stars. 

The company dropped its long-running format in 2019, instead creating a countdown montage of the year's top moments, before dropping YouTube Rewind completely.

In response to a question from Mashable, a YouTube spokesperson provided the following statement regarding the company unlisting its YouTube Rewind videos.

"As our 20th birthday year comes to a close, we've decided to blow out our Rewind candles," YouTube said. "It was a great tradition, but we have new ways to close out the year in style."

But there's also speculation online regarding the timing of YouTube's change.

Former YouTuber turned Twitch streamer Ryan ‘NigaHiga’ Higa recently shared on a stream that YouTube had previously "lied" to him regarding his involvement in a YouTube Rewind video he took part in. He was originally asked to dance in a YouTube Rewind video, which he turned down. YouTube still brought Higa in to film other segments, but then, according to Higa, the company tried to pressure him into performing the dance once he was on set. Higa says he walked out on the shoot at the time. Higa last posted on YouTube in 2020, leaving behind his more than 20.8 million subscribers to stream daily on Twitch to his 860,000 followers.

UPDATE: Dec. 10, 2025, 4:31 p.m. EST This article has been updated with a statement from YouTube.

In a rare piece of good news for streaming subscribers, HBO Max is actually getting cheaper for certain Verizon customers who currently use the service as an add-on perk. Seeing a price cut in the streaming world is almost unheard of these days, but this price cut is rolling out now.

Instagram has begun automatically generating headlines and descriptions for users’ posts that appear in Google Search results — often without users’ knowledge and, in some cases, with misleading or inaccurate framing, according to reporting from 404 Media.

The issue first surfaced after author Jeff VanderMeer noticed that one of his caption-less Instagram posts — a simple video of a bunny eating a banana — appeared in Google search results with a clickbait-style headline that he did not write. Other posts, including one from a Massachusetts public library, were similarly given promotional headlines unrelated to the original content.

Google has included more social media content in its search results over the years. Starting on July 10, Instagram made public posts from professional accounts searchable in Google.

SEE ALSO: Instagram's AI can now Restyle your Stories — text, video, and all

404 Media confirmed that this behavior affects multiple users. In another example, a cosplayer’s video appeared in search results with a headline about discovering cosplay locations in Seattle, despite the user never writing anything resembling that description. Google informed 404 Media that it is not generating these headlines and instead pulls the text directly from Instagram.

Meta, in a statement to the outlet, later confirmed that Instagram has recently started using AI to generate titles for posts shown in search engines, stating that the feature is intended to help people better understand content, while acknowledging that the titles are not always accurate. The company directed users to a Help Center page that explained how to opt out of search engine indexing.

Experts cited by 404 Media say the headlines appear to be generated specifically for search bots and are embedded in the page’s title tags, meaning regular visitors don’t see them on Instagram itself. Users and creators have criticized the practice for stripping their posts of context, misrepresenting their work, and contributing to low-quality, spam-like search results.

The reporting raises broader questions about how AI-generated metadata could distort online content and impact creators' reputations.

BEST PRICE: As of Dec. 10, the Magic: The Gathering deal: Edge of Eternities Commander Deck Bundle is on sale for $132.24 on Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price for this set.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Magic: The Gathering Store Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Play Booster Box $132.24 at Amazon
$179.96 Save $47.72   Get Deal

Another day, another record-low price on trading cards. We're keeping tabs on the trading card market because something new seems to drop every day. We're finding a bunch of deals on Pokémon, but this time, the focus is on Magic: The Gathering.

As of Dec. 10, the Magic: The Gathering deal: Edge of Eternities Commander Deck Bundle is on sale for $132.24 on Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price for this set. The price has been steadily falling since November, but we've never seen anything like this. And it couldn't be better timed, because you can order well ahead of Christmas.

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This bundle includes four items, with two Edge of Eternities World Shaper Commander Decks and two Edge of Eternities Counter Intelligence Commander Decks. Every Edge of Eternities Commander Deck includes two Traditional Foil Legendary Creature cards featuring Borderless art and each deck introduces 12 never-before-seen Commander cards.

Get the best-ever price on the Magic: The Gathering deal: Edge of Eternities Commander Deck Bundle at Amazon.

Picking between the 2025 Kia K4 and K5 can feel like choosing between siblings—same family, but very different personalities.

SAVE $60: As of Dec. 10, get the DJI Neo three-battery combo for $229 at Amazon. That's a discount of 21% and the lowest price we've ever seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Neo (3-Battery Combo) $229 at Amazon
$289 Save $60   Get Deal

The future may be uncertain for DJI drones, especially with the U.S.'s potential drone ban this month due to trade and security issues. That means it's been tough to find or purchase any DJI drones in the country, with supply that's less than simple to locate. If you're still on the lookout, however, you can nab a DJI model today for an all-time low price.

As of Dec. 10, get the DJI Neo three-battery combo for $229, down from its usual price of $289. That's $60 off and a discount of 21%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station is at its lowest price ever — almost half off

The DJI Neo is a portable drone that's perfect for taking on the go and for lightweight, easy excursions. But it's no slouch in the content creation department. It's outfitted with a 4K UHD camera and comes with a three-battery combo so you should be able to stay in the air much longer than usual.

It's feature-rich beyond that as well, with the option for palm takeoffs, stable subject tracking, and voice control, all of which make it great for beginners as well as drone experts.

Of course, none of that is as important as the fact that it's in stock and very affordable right now. You'll want to go ahead and grab it while you can at this price, because you'll want to lock in your drone purchase as soon as possible.

There's an overwhelming number of file managers on the Google Play Store, but a good chunk of those are riddled with ads, proprietary, or both. File managers have access to the entire user file system, so you want to be sure you can trust them with all your data. Here are four open-source, privacy-friendly file managers you can try.

SAVE UP TO $30: Amazon has a selection of both physcial and e-gift cards on sale for up to 20% off including Fandango, Eddie Bauer, Spafinder, and more.

Best gift card deals at Amazon Best dining deal Bloomin' Brands eGift Card $42.50 (save $7.50) Get Deal Best entertainment deal Fandango at Home eGift Card $42.50 (save $7.50) Get Deal Best clothing deal Eddie Bauer eGift Card $42.50 (save $7.50) Get Deal

'Tis the season to freak out about last-minute gifts. But thanks to our modern world, you actually might still be in great shape for holiday gifting, so long as you pick an item that'll arrive soon. Gift cards always make for nice presents or stocking stuffers and Amazon is coming through with a 20% sale on a great variety. You'll be able to snag a savings on a gift card for those who love to go to the movies, book a spa day, or shop for a new wardrobe.

This sale applies to both physical and e-gift cards. Just be sure to double check with method of delivery you're going with. If it's physical, take a second to make sure it's estimated to arrive on time. If you prefer the e-gift card route, most options give you the ability to select a delivery date and whether you want it to go to the recipient's email or phone via text message.

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Keep in mind this might be a great opportunity to snag one for yourself. Since all of these options are on sale, you're essentially getting free money, and that's a blessing in 2025.

More gift card deals at Amazon

• California Pizza Kitchen $50 physical gift card — $40 $50 (save $10)

• Chuck E. Cheese $50 physical gift card — $40 $50 (save $10)

• Cracker Barrel $50 e-gift card — $40 $50 (save $10)

• IHOP $50 e-gift card — $40 $50 (save $10)

• Lazy Dog Restaurants $50 physical gift card — $40 $50 (save $10)

• Rubio's $50 e-gift card — $40 $50 (save $10)

• White Castle $50 physical gift card — $40 $50 (save $10)

• Aeropostale $50 e-gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50)

• Bloomin' Brands $50 physical gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50)

• inKind Restaurant e-gift card — $70 $100 (save $30)

• Tommy John $100 e-gift card — $85 $100 (save $15)

Privacy seems elusive in today's world, especially pertaining to our most sensitive information. If you watch porn, you probably want to shield yourself from prying eyes of advertisers, your internet service provider — or even your government.

As of November 2025, around half of the United States and several countries, including the UK and France, have enacted age-verification laws. Typically, these laws require visitors to sites containing explicit content to input personal data (like a government ID or facial scan) to access that material. To get around these laws, many people are using VPNs — if spikes in searches for them in areas that passed these laws are to be believed.

A VPN, or virtual private network,  masks your current location, and there are plenty available, free or paid, as apps or browser extensions. 

These networks are easy to use, but should you use a VPN to watch porn? The answer is complicated. 

SEE ALSO: The impact of age verification: VPN use doubles, porn traffic plummets

VPNs aren't "an anonymity cloak," said Yael Grauer, investigative tech reporter at Consumer Reports, despite what their marketing may say. The reality is, some scenarios are best suited for other web security tools — and it's actually possible that a VPN can weaken your safety.

How do VPNs work?

Rindala Alajaji, a legislative activist at the digital civil liberties nonprofit, Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), compares VPNs to a P.O. box. If you send a letter and put a P.O. box as the returning address, the recipient won't know exactly where it came from. Similarly, if you visit a website using a VPN, that website won't know exactly where you are.

VPNs are a privacy and security tool that protects you in three key ways according to Haych Li, former vice president at ExpressVPN. 

One is that VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and data. When this information is unencrypted, anyone in the chain between you and the destination (say, a porn site) can potentially see it. An example is the owner of a WiFi hotspot you use at a coffee shop. With a VPN, however, your traffic can't be seen by that intermediary. 

Secondly, VPNs encrypt DNS (Domain Name System) requests. Li compared DNS to a phonebook. A DNS request is like looking up a number in the phonebook — you're asking your computer to find something, like a website.

SEE ALSO: Tech-savvy travelers will geek out over this VPN router

The third tactic is that VPNs mask your IP address, which is a unique number connected to your device and linked to your location. Computers need IP addresses in order to communicate with each other and know "where" to send information. When using a VPN, you replace your actual IP address with the VPN's address.

"A VPN concentrates on hiding your real IP address," explained Chris Hauk, consumer privacy champion at online privacy blog Pixel Privacy, "while also encrypting your internet connection so third-parties can't easily track you simply by monitoring your connection.”

Is VPN safe for private browsing?

Know that any VPN won't make you totally anonymous. Sites can track you in ways besides your IP address. For example, a site's cookies (a file on your computer that tracks your activity) or other trackers will still be there even if you use a VPN, said Jon Callas, former director of technology projects at EFF.

Further, some VPN companies have reported to log their user traffic, a cybersecurity expert focused on data privacy for high-profile executives told Mashable. This is typically done by "free" VPNs that generate revenue by selling traffic data to targeted media companies. "Most higher-end, paid VPNs are safe and have a 'no logging' policy, which is vetted by third parties in some cases," the expert said.

Browser fingerprinting is yet another way you can be followed online. This method logs data like your browser, operating system, screen resolution, and language. 

Further, your browsing history will still exist if you use a VPN, Callas explained. If you paid for anything, the site has your payment information as well.

When choosing whether to use a VPN, ask yourself what you want to protect yourself from, said Grauer. This is to discern whether a VPN is actually the best option.

Here are two instances Grauer said they could be useful for porn viewing: 

• To bypass a firewall (say, on hotel WiFi that blocks porn sites)

• If you're worried about your ISP (internet service provider) seeing and potentially selling your data, as VPNs hide your info from your ISP

Grauer herself isn't concerned with the latter point. "There's a lot of people that look at porn," she said, "so personally, I don't feel the need to hide that I look at it…from my internet service provider."

What about snooping family or roommates? Clearing your browser history may be your best bet — or even investing in a screen filter so no one physically around you can see what you're browsing. Using an Incognito window, which doesn't log history, may help too, but keep in mind that sites can still track you.

If loved ones or your building management have access to your WiFi and are savvy enough, however, they can potentially access your data. In that case, a VPN could help, Li explained, as it reroutes your traffic. 

Callas agreed. "If the threat is 'I don't want my apartment building to know what porn I watch,' a VPN works," he said.

VPNs enable free speech in some areas as well, said Li. Should you live in a country where queer sex and thus queer porn is illegal, a VPN could mask your IP from the government. Grauer wouldn't rely on one in these severe instances, however, as VPNs can fail. She recommended people in these circumstances instead contact human rights organizations to figure out what security steps to take, as technology, laws, and government practices are ever-changing.

If the specific VPN you use doesn't have a "kill switch," which shuts off your internet connection if it's not working, then authorities — or whomever else — could potentially see your traffic. Check if your VPN has a kill switch either in the features rundown on the company's website, or in the VPN settings.

Is using a VPN illegal in the U.S.?

No, VPNs are legal in the U.S. and many other countries. This isn't the case everywhere, though. ExpressVPN has a list of countries where VPN use is illegal.

In Wisconsin and Michigan, however, bills have been introduced to ban VPNs. The children's commissioner for England said that VPNs were a "loophole" to the area's age-verification law that "needs closing."

In an EFF blog post about VPN bans, Alajaji wrote about Wisconsin's proposed demand to "block VPN users" from the state — and how that's technically impossible.

"The technology just doesn't work that way," she wrote. "Websites subject to this proposed law are left with this choice: either cease operation in Wisconsin, or block all VPN users, everywhere, just to avoid legal liability in the state."

Due to age-verification laws, Pornhub has ceased operation in 22 states as of this publication. Should VPNs become banned in Wisconsin or elsewhere, a similar domino effect could take place.

VPNs and age-verification laws

Different experts offer varying advice on whether to use VPNs when in a location with age-verification laws that require submitting personal data to view complying porn sites. (And none of this is legal advice.)

"As a cybersecurity professional, I will not help anyone, including a client, bypass the law," founder and CEO of Solace Truly Personal Cybersecurity, Paul Pioselli, told Mashable. "From a privacy perspective, however, I do encourage clients to understand the risks they face when visiting sensitive websites, including the trail of data that their Internet Service Provider, ad networks, and data brokers can collect about them."

"While using a VPN can help obscure an individual's location and improve privacy, no tool, including a VPN is a magic shield against the law," Pioselli continued. 

Data privacy expert and CEO of Privacy Bee, Harry Maugans, however, told Mashable that using a VPN is an option. In his view, the internet is supposed to be a free domain for people to go wherever they want and use it how they want to use it — and that these laws shouldn't exist.

"If people need to use a VPN to bypass a law that probably shouldn't be legal in the first place, I think more power to them," Maugans said. "They absolutely should."

Not all VPNs are made equal 

"Some [VPNs] are more trustworthy than others," said Grauer, who tested 16 VPNs along with her team in 2021. In its evaluation, Consumer Reports focused on characteristics like whether a VPN company conducted third-party security audits, and whether the company itself held customer information — as opposed to ease of use and cost. This takes into account what security experts look for in a platform.

Grauer found that most VPN companies fell short in terms of exorbitant ad claims (like that they provide "military-grade encryption," which isn't a real term or standard of protection) and poor privacy practices such as selling user data. A few, however, had truthful marketing and better policies like security checks by outside companies: IVPN, Mozilla VPN, and Mullvad VPN.

Hauk doesn't recommend free VPNs as they sometimes sell data, or even insert their own tracking cookies into a user's browser settings. If your goal is to stop your ISP from seeing and selling your data, a free VPN could do exactly what you're trying to prevent.

Each VPN is different, so when looking for one, check if and how they collect user data. 

What should you not use a VPN for?

"VPNs can be used as a security tool, a privacy tool, or in some niche cases such as an investigative report, obfuscating digital signature," the anonymous cybersecurity expert explained.

Here are some examples where a VPN isn't necessary, according to the expert:

• If an employer has a corporate VPN for individual use, a secondary VPN isn't needed.

• In your own home. "Some experts might disagree with this, but if the home has a secure network with no unknown devices, the VPN has little use as a security tool," the expert said. "However, if there are privacy concerns regarding what websites can see your IP address and general location, then using a VPN has [a] benefit."

Helpful privacy measures besides VPN

A VPN isn't the end-all of security; other tools could better help with various issues. 

If you're worried about advertising trackers on porn sites following you throughout the web, Grauer recommends a tracker blocker like Privacy Badger, created by EFF, or uBlock Origin.

Should you be concerned about malware, try one of the many malware removal and protection services on the market.

Another tool is a privacy-focused browser. Brave is Hauk's favorite, as it blocks third-party tracking cookies and ads by default and randomizes your fingerprint, along with similar protections.

Additionally, Hauk singled out the latest versions of Apple's Safari as it offers privacy and anti-tracking features alongside the introduction of macOS Monterey, like tracker blocking.

Opera also has excellent protections, said Hauk, like its own VPN. "Users should keep in mind though that the Opera VPN only protects the user's in-browser activity," he noted. "The rest of your online activity, such as from apps like P2P torrenting apps, is still left out in the open."

Grauer mentioned Google Chrome, as Google has a robust security team, though you need to specifically opt out of Google tracking your data.

So, should you use a VPN to watch porn?

Are you concerned about your internet service provider, housemates, or building manager accessing your data? Then yes — a VPN would help. Furthermore, if you're in a hotel or somewhere that has a firewall up for porn sites, a VPN can also circumvent that.

Remember, however, that not all VPNs are the same. Take a look at their fine print to see if they're going to collect or sell your data. If a privacy policy doesn't explicitly state that the company won't sell your data, that could be a red flag.

Read specific porn sites' terms of service and privacy policies to see how exactly they'll track you, too, Grauer said. According to Pornhub's privacy policy, for example, the site tracks IP addresses and sets cookies, which have the potential to collect information about your site usage. If your VPN works properly, your IP address will be hidden — but you'll need another tool to take care of the cookies.

Ultimately, a VPN won't make you invisible to porn sites nor others. There are, however, additional services like tracker blockers that can make your experience that much more private.

Our top 3 VPN picks: Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN Best overall choice   Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: CyberGhost Best value   Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: NordVPN Best for power users   Learn More

Learn more about the best VPNs for staying anonymous on the web.

Update: This article was originally published in 2022 and updated in November, 2025, amid the enaction of age-verification laws in the U.S. and other countries. It contains interviews from 2022 as well as 2025.

Home Assistant and Nabu Casa released the ZBT-2 adapter back in November, which adds Zigbee, Thread, and Matter to any Home Assistant server. Now you can buy one right on Amazon.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is the hottest video game console of the 2025 holiday season... or so we thought. Recently, Nintendo has been facing some competition from an unexpected source — a brand called Nex.

Recent sales data show that a "new" entrant has overtaken heavyweights like the PlayStation 5 in the U.S. market. Specifically, we're talking about the Nex Playground, a little box that, according to games industry analyst Mat Piscatella on Bluesky, outsold the PS5 in late November in the U.S. The Switch 2 bundle with Mario Kart World was the top overall seller, but the Nex Playground made its mark and raised a lot of eyebrows by showing up on the list at all, especially since it launched back in 2023.

One important note: Piscatella's sales numbers break down sales by SKU, and PlayStation 5 consoles are sold under multiple SKUs based on the type of console (digital or disc), whether it's part of a bundle, and internal memory. Still, Nex's numbers are much higher than expected.

US best-selling hardware SKUs for week ending Nov 22, 2025, ranked on units sold: 1) NS2 Mario Kart World Bundle 2) NEX Playground Interactive Gaming System 3) PS5 Slim Digital 1 TB So that's neat. Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service

— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) December 3, 2025 at 5:25 PM SEE ALSO: The 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025: Find unique gift ideas you'd never think of on your own What is the Nex Playground?

So, what the heck is a Nex Playground? Put simply, it's a spiritual successor to the old Xbox Kinect, which used the motion generated by players' bodies for input instead of a traditional controller. Nex Playground appears to be hyper-targeted at kids and families, and that seems to be working, based on sales data. According to IGN, it has a bunch of games based on properties like How to Train Your Dragon and Peppa Pig, as well as some more adult-oriented fitness games.

Where to buy the Nex Playground

If that sounds appealing to you, you can get one for $249.99 at basically every major retailer. However, the Nex website notes that stock is limited at Target, and we found limited availability at Amazon as well. If you want to find the Nex Playground console in stock, it seems like Walmart and Best Buy are your best bet at the time of publication.

I have to admit that, even as someone who covers video games for a living, I had no idea the Nex Playground existed. If I had kids, though, I'd definitely consider getting one.

Nex Playground $250 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy See It at Walmart

In general, most Chromebooks (especially modern ones) are whisper-quiet. So it can be a little surprising to hear the fans on your laptop spin up. In particular when there's no obvious reason for it. The good news is that sometimes a laptop needs extra cooling and it doesn't mean something is wrong. In some cases, you do however need to do something about it.

SAVE $11.80: The Brick is on sale for just $47.20 as of Dec. 10. That's 20% off its usual price of $59, a discount normally reserved for students.

Opens in a new window Credit: Brick The Brick $47.20 at getbrick.app
$59 Save $11.80   Get Deal

I live in Chicago — which is to say, I know how depressing winters can be. An infinite, dopamine-inducing TikTok FYP or Instagram Reels feed becomes a salve when the sun starts setting at 4 p.m., and before you know it, your daily screen time numbers are hitting the double digits. If you're having trouble breaking free from your smartphone's clutches, allow me to introduce you to the Brick.

The Brick is a palm-sized device that blocks certain apps until you tap your phone to it. It creates a physical separation between you and your restricted apps — you actually have to get up and go to the device to unlock them — so it's more difficult to bypass than digital screen time tools. After using it for a few months, Mashable Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino found that it cut her screen time in half.

SEE ALSO: The Brick taught me how to be bored again

"With all my most distracting apps blocked, I'm finally bored again," said Mangino. "When I have some downtime, rather than defaulting to scrolling, it motivates me to spend more time reading or finally tackle those errands I've been putting off."

The Brick is normally 20% off year-round for students, but right now, that discount is open to everyone for the holidays. It's usually priced at $59, but you'll pay just $47.20.

Note that shipping is free if you buy two Bricks (otherwise it's $7.99) — one for you and one for someone on your holiday shopping list. It makes a great stocking stuffer or gift idea under $50 for any TikTok junkies you know.

AVAILABLE NOW: As of Dec. 10, get the Virtual Boy for Nintendo Switch 2/Nintendo Switch for $99.99 from Nintendo. You must be a Nintendo Switch Online member to purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Virtual Boy for Nintendo Switch 2/Nintendo Switch $99.99 at Nintendo
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Looking to play games like Telereboxer and Galactic Pinball on the Virtual Boy? That may be an odd question to ask modern-day gamers, but these are exciting times for retro enthusiasts. You can now get the Virtual Boy for Nintendo Switch 2/Nintendo Switch from Nintendo's digital storefront to do just that. Yes, in the year 2025, you can buy a brand new Virtual Boy accessory for your Switch or Switch 2. It truly is a great time to be a gamer.

As of Dec. 10, get the Virtual Boy for Nintendo Switch 2/Nintendo Switch for $99.99 at Nintendo's online shop. You must be a Nintendo Switch Online member to purchase. There's a limit of one per purchase.

SEE ALSO: All 2025 Nintendo Switch 2 game releases confirmed with preorder details

During a Nintendo Direct in September, Nintendo announced that select Virtual Boy games would be coming to the Nintendo Classics section for Nintendo Switch Online members. Those games require Joy-Con or Joy-Con 2 controllers and the special Virtual Boy accessory, made to look exactly like the original system that supports stereoscopic 3D. So if you want to play classic Virtual Boy titles like Mario's Tennis, this is a peripheral you're going to need. Alternatively, there will be a cardboard version available in the future.

This add-on accessory is only available for anyone with a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. You'll need a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership if you want to access the games as well when they debut alongside the Virtual Boy itself on Feb. 17, 2026. You'll also need a standard Switch or Switch 2, as the Nintendo Switch Lite cannot be used with this replica.

If you're ready to jump in when February rolls around, order your Virtual Boy now so you can get started when the games become available.

SAVE $250: As of Dec. 10, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + Cellular) has dropped to a new all-time low price of $549 at Amazon. That's 31% or $250 off its list price of $799.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + Cellular) $549 at Amazon
$799 Save $250   Get Deal

Now that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 has arrived, you can score its predecessor for a new record-low price. And in the era of iterative upgrades, you won't be missing out on much by grabbing an older model.

As of Dec. 10, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + Cellular) is down to only $549 at Amazon for the first time. That's 31% or $250 cheaper than its regular list price of $799 — and therefore, $250 cheaper than buying the new Ultra 3. That's also $50 cheaper than it was on Black Friday.

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While it may no longer be the latest and greatest Apple Watch on the market, the Ultra 2 is still one of the best choices. It's better than the basic Series 9 and the Series 10, with a more durable titanium case, a programmable action button the side, built-in LTE, a depth gauge and water temperature sensor, an emergency siren, and twice the battery life at up to 36 hours (up to 72 in low power mode). If you're into hiking, running, swimming, or diving, it packs more advanced features the basic Apple Watches lack. Of course, those more advanced features also come in a bulkier and more rugged case.

The biggest difference between the newer Ultra 3 and the Ultra 2 is about six more hours of battery life. Whether those six extra hours are worth another $250 is up to you to decide.