IT General

When I visited IFA 2025 in Berlin, I came across a company called Elegoo that makes 3D printers, which are also available on Amazon. As much of a nerd as I am, I never got into 3D printing. There are a number of reasons for that, but most predominantly, it seemed vaguely out of reach. There just seemed to be so much that went into it — CAD, filaments, slicing, balancing, and the like; I was frankly too intimidated to even try.

Enter Elegoo. This company makes the Centuri Carbon 3D printer, which it says can print right out of the box. It has a full auto calibration cycle that basically levels and calibrates itself, freeing the user from technical tasks that, to be frank, I don't have time to master.

Opens in a new window Credit: Elegoo Elegoo Centauri Carbon 3D Printer $339.99 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $40 Get Deal

So, is it that easy? That's what I wanted to find out, and I'm going to teach you some things I've learned about 3D printing along the way. Elegoo sent over a Centauri Carbon and a roll of grey filament for me to test and see if it could make me a 3D printing pro right out of the box, and the answer is yes and no.

I was pretty new here Credit: Elegoo

I had dabbled with 3D printing over the years, through my local library, which will print models you send them for the cost of the filament, which is usually $10 or less, depending on the build. I have printed playing card holders, phone holders, and a few other things over the years. My teenage son had as well. 

Because of this, I already had a few models I wanted to print, including a nifty multiple phone holder that is great for holding open book-style foldables when not in use. I opened the box, I set up the printer, and let it run through its calibration and self-leveling processes. I loaded the phone holder onto a USB stick and tried to print it. It didn't go well. I tried again — same results. So I took a step back and tried printing a pre-loaded file that came with the printer. This one was of the Eiffel tower, and lo and behold, it went off without a hitch. As I quickly realized, my file was to blame.

Next, I tried downloading other files that looked neat, and I found out there are a number of file types, including a popular .STL file, that 3D printers can't work with — until they go through a slicer program. Basically, a slicer program takes a 3D model and slices it up to what it'll look like layer by layer, which is how most 3D printers operate. Only after the slicing program has done its work can the 3D printer do anything with your file.

Off to the races! Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

I tried three slicers before I finally gave in and asked Elegoo which one to use. The answer was the completely unsurprising, and appropriately named Elegooslicer. Who knew? This app is pretty great, because it's one-stop shopping for all of your slicing and printing needs. With this app you can set up prints, import print files, position them on the tray, and start prints. You can even monitor the print as it happens by watching a camera that is built into the printer.

Left: Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Right: Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

This was the final hurdle I needed to clear. I've been printing almost constantly since I got set up with the right slicer. I've printed playing card holders, pen holders, phone props, and a few other things for Halloween. It's been a lot of fun, and I feel like I wouldn't have gotten this far without getting over that initial setup hurdle. I still had to learn a lot along the way, and reach out to Elegoo for some help as well, but still, I really feel like this is a good solution to those who are interested in trying out 3D printing, but feel similarly intimidated.

Credit: Adam Doud / mashable Here's what you get

So, let's talk about the machine itself. The thing I like most about it is it's an entirely self-contained device. Everything happens within the confines of the enclosed printer. I've seen several models of printers that are basically just a table with an extruder over it, and those wouldn't do well in my house. I need everything to be inside an enclosure.

There's a door that opens on the front and a top that comes off. I'm not 100 percent sure why the top comes off, except I read in the instruction manual that if you leave the top on during prints, it may get too hot inside the machine. OK, that's fair enough.

Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

The machine has a fairly large footprint of 16" x 16" x 20". On the inside, you have a printable area of 256mm x 256mm x 256mm or roughly 10" x 10" by 10". This printer only handles a single filament at a time, so there's no automatic switching of colors — everything I've printed is grey so far. There's a USB-A port on the front of the machine and a touchscreen control panel that you can use to browse files and set up prints. I prefer to use the slicing software myself.

All of that comes at a fairly friendly sub-$400 price point on Amazon, or even less if you shop directly at Elegoo, where the printer starts at $299 when it's on sale.

Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Is the Elegoo 3D printer worth it?

I've seen cheaper 3D printers on the market, but this feels like a nice, contained, all-in-one solution that can help give you that push to get started. For me, that's worth the extra money.

I'm sure there are more advanced models for hardcore 3D printing hobbyists. But when I consider that my entire journey from unboxing the printer to printing 24/7 happened over less than a week, I'm impressed both with Elegoo for making an idiot-friendly 3D printer that even I could understand, and with myself for finally embracing a new category of tech that I had previously thought beyond my abilities.

Top offers on Elegoo 3D printer AMAZON Elegoo Centauri Carbon 3D Printer $339.99 (save $40) Get Deal ELEGOO Elegoo Centauri Carbon 3D Printer $299.99 (save $80) Get Deal

In the past years, AI has taken on an unsettling number of new roles, from virtual boyfriends to educational tutors. But what if it became judge, jury, and executioner?

That's the premise of the upcoming film Mercy, starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson.

SEE ALSO: 2025 fall movie preview: Every upcoming film you ought to know about

Pratt plays Chris Raven, a detective who helped champion a new, AI-powered justice system: the Mercy Capital Court. Under Mercy, defendants sit before an AI judge and must plead their case until their guilt falls below a certain threshold.

Since Detective Raven was a staunch supporter of the creation of the Mercy program, he's stunned when he winds up facing AI judge Maddox (Ferguson) on charges of murdering his wife. Faced with almost certain execution, Detective Raven has 90 minutes to prove his innocence. From the Mercy Capital Court, he has access to all the video feeds, security footage, and documents he may need to discover the truth about what happened to his wife. Unfortunately, he accesses all of these helpful elements virtually from his chair in the Mercy court, and the effect is not unlike Ice Cube's predicament in 2025's widely panned War of the Worlds.

To watch Pratt and Ferguson square off in an AI-fueled showdown, check out the full trailer for Mercy above.

Mercy also stars Kali Reis, Annabelle Wallis, Chris Sullivan, and Kylie Rogers.

Mercy hits theaters Jan. 23, 2026.

We're fast approaching the end of the year, and as it's usually the case, we're starting to see the stuff that will power our hardware next year. Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 is finally here, and there's a few things you should know.

ChatGPT helped authorities zero-in on the alleged arsonist who started the deadly Pacific Palisades Fire, which tore through the Los Angeles area in January.

Authorities arrested 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht this week, and ChatGPT provided some of the key evidence in the case. Most notably, authorities pointed out that Rinderknecht had the AI chatbot render a strange, dystopian image that could hint at his potential motivations.

The prompt for ChatGPT read, according to court documents published online by Deadline and other outlets:

“A dystopian painting divided into distinct parts that blend together seamlessly. On the far left, there is a burning forest. Next to it, a crowd of people is running away from the fire, leading to the middle. In the middle, hundreds of thousands of people in poverty are trying to get past a gigantic gate with a big dollar sign on it. On the other side of the gate and the entire wall is a conglomerate of the richest people. They are chilling, watching the world burn down, and watching the people struggle. They are laughing, enjoying themselves, and dancing. The scene is detailed and impactful, highlighting the stark contrast and the direct connection between the different parts of the world."

The image in question appears in court docs.

The AI-generated images from Rinderknecht's prompt. Credit: ChatGPT / Court documents via Deadline

The Palisades Fire was incredibly destructive. It killed a dozen people, destroyed more than 6,000 homes, burned 23,000 acres of land, and ultimately led to $150 billion in damage.

Authorities believe the fire was originally sparked by buried embers from the earlier Lachman Fire, which began on New Year’s Day.

Authorities allege that Rinderknecht's location was pinpointed to a hidden, hilltop trail-clearing where and when the fire began on Jan. 1. Rinderknecht was in that area on New Year's Eve working as an Uber driver, according to a Justice Department press release. The complaint against him alleges that he delivered passengers around midnight on Dec. 31, then drove to the Skull Rock Trailhead, where the fire began just minutes after midnight.

Phone data allegedly showed he attempted to call 911 around this time but was unsuccessful for a while due to bad reception. ChatGPT was further involved in the case, too. Officials say that around the same time, Rinderknecht asked ChatGPT, "Are you at fault if a fire is lifted [sic] because of your cigarettes?"

Investigators alleged that Rinderknecht "wanted to preserve evidence of himself trying to assist in the suppression of the fire and he wanted to create evidence regarding a more innocent explanation for the cause of the fire."

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

EcoFlow has announced a recall of its Delta Max 2000 power stations, due to a problem that caused some units to “overheat and ignite.” You don’t have to return or mail the power station, though—you just need to install a firmware update.

If you're not shopped out after Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, Best Buy is running a competing "Techtober Sale" through Sunday, Oct. 12. I've spent several hours combing through its listings, and while Amazon's deals were/are far more competitive, there are a few dozen Best Buy gems still worth considering.

Best Buy's best Techtober deals at a glance: Best Windows laptop deal Asus Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $579.99 (save $420) Get Deal Best TV deal TCL 65-inch QM5K 4K QD-Mini LED QLED TV $449.99 (save $450) Get Deal Best vacuum deal Shark Matrix RV2320S $299.99 (save $200) Get Deal Best gaming deal "Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut" (PlayStation 5) $29.99 (save $40) Get Deal

For reference, Amazon has been hosting a two-day fall savings event for members of its Prime program every year since 2022 — and every year since 2022, Best Buy has held its own concurrent sale. (Previously, it came in the form of a 48-Hour Flash Sale.) Best Buy also times a savings event to run alongside Amazon's big flagship Prime Day sale in July, so this sort of counter-programming is par for the course.

Amazon was especially aggressive in price-matching or one-upping Best Buy's Techtober deals during Prime Big Deal Days, and that continues to be the case. Many discounts from the sale are still live even though it technically ended on Wednesday. (The differences between the two retailers' deals get as small as three cents, which is honestly just kind of petty.)

SEE ALSO: 200+ October Prime Day deals still live: Savings on Apple, Kindle, Sony, Ninja, and Lego

As of Thursday, Oct. 9, Best Buy was beating a post-Prime Day Amazon deal on only one product — an Ecovacs robot vacuum, dropped from $1,099.99 to $545.99 — but it came with an extra $16.98 shipping fee. Meanwhile, Amazon was selling it for 30 cents more with free shipping. Better luck on Black Friday, I suppose.

That said, I wouldn't snub Best Buy completely this week. Below, I've identified 56 deals there that you can't get on Amazon right now, either because the product is sold out there, unavailable in new condition, or because Amazon never carried the product to begin with. (Their inventories are very similar, but not identical.) That includes a metric boatload of Windows laptops, a really nice 65-inch TV, the best budget-friendly Shark robovac we've tried, and one of our favorite video games of 2020. I actually bought the latter myself.

None of the deals are exclusive to members of Best Buy's My Best Buy program, but folks who have signed up for the paid Plus and Total tiers do get extra bonus rewards with certain purchases.

Best Windows laptop deal

My Best Buy Plus and Total members get a $50 bonus reward when they spend at least $499 on select Windows laptops.

Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $579.99 at Best Buy
$999.99 Save $420 Get Deal Why I like it

The ultrathin and feathery light Asus Zenbook A14 is my favorite ultraportable. It's the fastest sub-$1,000 Windows laptop I've tried, and its svelte 2.4-pound frame (0.3 pounds lighter than a 13-inch M4 MacBook Air!) houses a good mix of ports and a vibrant OLED display. Plus, it lasts almost 22 hours per charge. Best Buy's massive Techtober discount turns it into a great option for budget buyers: The Zabriskie beige base model with a Snapdragon X Plus chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage is only $579.99, or 42% off. It's never been cheaper, and Amazon doesn't carry it.

More Windows laptop deals

• HP OmniBook 5 16 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)

• HP OmniBook X 17 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $879.99 $1,349.99 (save $470)

• Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, 16-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $899.99 $1,449.99 (save $550)

• Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,799.99 $2,399.99 (save $600)

2-in-1 laptop deals

• HP OmniBook 5 Flip 14 (Intel Core 7 150U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $549.99 $799.99 (save $250)

• Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 16 (AMD Ryzen AI 5 340, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $599.99 $999.99 (save $400)

• Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 14 (AMD Ryzen AI 5 340, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $649.99 $1,049.99 (save $400)

• HP OmniBook X Flip 16 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $699.99 $1,099.99 (save $400)

• Dell Plus 2-in-1 14 (AMD Ryzen AI 7 350, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250)

• Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $899.99 $1,099.99 (save $200)

• Microsoft Surface Pro 11, 13-inch (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) + Keyboard Bundle — $999.99 $1,349.99 (save $350)

• HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,599.99 (save $500)

Gaming laptop deals

• Lenovo LOQ (AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 12GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $549.99 $879.99 (save $330)

• HP Victus 15 (Intel Core i7-13620H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,049.99 $1,369.99 (save $320)

• Asus TUF Gaming A16 (AMD Ryzen 9 270, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,349.99 $1,699.99 (save $350)

• Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16 (AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,399.99 $1,659.99 (save $260)

• Alienware 16X Aurora (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 32GB RAM, 1TB SDD) — $1,399.99 $1,799.99 (save $400)

• Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070Ti, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,599.99 $1,899.99 (save $300)

• MSI Stealth A16 AI+ (AMD Ryzen AI R9-365, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,199.99 $2,929.99 (save $730)

• HP Omen Max 16 (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $2,599.99 $3,159.99 (save $560)

Chromebook deals

• Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 (MediaTek Kompanio 838, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) with keyboard — $249 $399 (save $150)

• Acer Chromebook Plus 516 (Intel Core i3-1315U, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) — $299 $479 (save $180)

• Acer Chromebook Spin 312 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) — $319 $449 (save $130)

• HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 256GB UFS) — $399 $629 (save $230)

• Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (Intel Core i5-1335U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $479 $599 (save $120)

• Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus (Intel Core 3 100U, 8GB RAM, 256GB UFS) — $599.99 $749.99 (save $150)

Best TV deal

My Best Buy Plus and Total members get a $50 bonus reward when they spend at least $499 on TVs.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-inch QM5K 4K QD-Mini LED QLED TV $449.99 at Best Buy
$899.99 Save $450 Get Deal Why I like it

At 50% off, Best Buy's discount on this oversized mini-LED QLED TV is the kind of deal I wouldn't expect to see until Black Friday really gets underway. Mini-LED TVs are great if you care about stark contrast but don’t have an OLED-level budget. The variety of dimming zones you get from a mini-LED TV make it better at showing deep blacks and sharp, dark details than your average QLED display. This particular TCL model comes with built-in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and it's not sold on Amazon (though a newer model is $547.99 there, down from $999.99 — ignore its deflated MSRP).

43-inch TV deals

• Hisense 43-inch QD6 QLED 4K Fire TV — $189.99 $299.99 (save $110)

50- to 58-inch TV deals

• TCL 55-inch F35 4K LED TV — $199.99 $329.99 (save $130)

• Samsung 50-inch U7900 4K TV — $229.99 $299.99 (save $70)

• TCL 58-inch S5 4K Fire TV — $229.99 $379.99 (save $150)

• Hisense 55-inch QD6 QLED 4K Fire TV — $259.99 $379.99 (save $120)

• Samsung 55-inch U7900 4K TV — $259.99 $379.99 (save $120)

• LG 55-inch UA77 AI 4K TV — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100)

65-inch TV deals

• TCL 65-inch F35 4K Fire TV — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100)

• LG 65-inch 70A QNED AI 4K TV — $449.99 $579.99 (save $130)

Deals on 75-inch TVs and bigger

• Samsung 75-inch U7900 4K TV — $479.99 $649.99 (save $170)

• TCL 75-inch QM5K 4K QD-Mini LED QLED TV — $599.99 $1,199.99 (save $600)

• LG 75-inch 70A QNED AI 4K TV — $649.99 $899.99 (save $250)

• LG 77-inch B5 OLED AI 4K TV — $1,599.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,400)

Best vacuum deal

My Best Buy Plus and Total members get a $15 bonus reward with every $150 spent on floor care (up to $75).

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Matrix RV2320S $299.99 at Best Buy
$499.99 Save $200 Get Deal Why I like it

Shark's Matrix robovacs excel at spot cleaning, and the self-emptying Matrix RV2320S is our favorite model for shoppers on a budget. It "cleans circles around any cheap Roomba I've tried," said my colleague, Leah Stodart, who deemed it "a great contender for a first-time robot vacuum purchase." Stodart has seen the Matrix RV2320S drop to $249.99 at Best Buy before (normally $499.99), but at $299.99, its Techtober deal is still saving you a good chunk of cash. Over on Amazon, it's only available in refurbished condition through a sketchy third-party seller.

More robot vacuum deals

• Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 RV2610WA — $349.99 $699.99 (save $350)

• Dreame GoVac 300 — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)

• Dreame GoVac 500 — $549.99 $1,099.99 (save $550)

Stick vacuum deals

• Dyson V11 Plus — $529.99 $629.99 (save $100)

• Dyson V15 Detect Extra — $599.99 $849.99 (save $250)

Best gaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment "Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut" (PlayStation 5) $29.99 at Best Buy
$69.99 Save $40 Get Deal Why I like it

Ghost of Tsushima was our second-favorite game of 2020, a year packed with huge releases like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Hades, and Spider-Man: Miles Morales. (Suffice to say, that's quite a feat.) To quote our review, it "shines with an enthralling story, stunning environments, and slice-em-up melee combat innovations." This particular edition is the director's cut, which includes a story expansion and a multiplayer mode, among other extras that the original lacked. The PS5 version is only $29.99 at Best Buy, or 57% off its $69.99 MSRP — a deal so good, I had to buy it myself. It's 99 cents away from its previous all-time low on Amazon, where it's currently sold out.

Read Mashable's full review of Ghost of Tsushima.

More PS5 games on sale

• Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora — $19.99 $39.99 (save $20)

• Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection — $19.99 $49.99 (save $30)

• Star Wars Outlaws — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Assassin's Creed Shadows — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)

• College Football 26 — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)

• Madden NFL 26 — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)

Xbox Series X/S games on sale

• Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora — $19.99 $39.99 (save $20)

• Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

• Assassin's Creed Shadows — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)

• College Football 26 — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)

• Madden NFL 26 — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)

Nintendo Switch 2 games on sale

• Madden NFL 26 — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)

HBO's upcoming fantasy series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms took to the stage Thursday at New York Comic Con, where showrunner Ira Parker, co-creator and author George R.R. Martin, and stars Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell discussed the Westeros-set series.

In addition to releasing the show's trailer, the panel also revealed several intriguing details about what viewers can expect from the show, with Martin perhaps revealing a bit too much about some of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' key plot twists.

SEE ALSO: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' trailer transports us back to Westeros for an epic tournament

From big battles to cast Mario Kart competitions, here's what we learned at the Knight of the Seven Kingdoms NYCC panel.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will feature spectacular jousting sequences.

Based on Martin's novella The Hedge Knight, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set a century before the events of Game of Thrones, and long after the last Targaryen dragons have died out. The series introduces audiences to new knight Ser Duncan the Tall (Claffey), also known as "Dunk." After the death of his former hedge knight master, he heads to a tournament at Ashford Meadow to earn some coin.

Jousting is among the challenges Dunk will face at Ashford Meadow, and for Martin, those sequences were the most important to get right.

SEE ALSO: George R.R. Martin says he'll write about 'everything that's gone wrong' with 'House of the Dragon'

"I set [the show's team] a challenge, which I think Ira and people have delivered," Martin said at the panel. "I said, 'Let's do the best jousting sequences that have been ever put on film.' A modest little challenge for Ira and this group."

Martin cited 1952's Ivanhoe as the golden standard for jousting scenes before telling the audience, "You guys can judge how well we did, but I think we did pretty well."

Parker added: "We also did something hopefully no one's ever seen before, which is a tournament at night, which just looks badass."

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is "one big violent therapy session" for Dunk. Brandon Davis moderates the "Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" panel with Ira Parker, Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, and George R.R. Martin. Credit: Lily Kartiganer / Mashable

Throughout the panel, Parker emphasized that the show's perspective was entirely that of Dunk, a member of the smallfolk with little affinity for the politicking and backstabbing on display in Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon. Because of that, the tone is very different from that of HBO's other Westeros shows.

"Following Dunk on this journey should be a very grounded, gritty, earthy, ground-up feel," Parker said. "We've never had this perspective before. Somebody who grew up in the slums of King's Landing as an orphan, who came up in this world. [He] didn't have a name, didn't have an inheritance, didn't have any money, doesn't have the best training in the whole world, and he's just trying to make it. He's trying to go out and do something hard that he's never done before. He's out of his comfort zone. And hopefully a lot of that will resonate with a lot of our audience."

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 3: Here's what happens next, according to 'Fire and Blood'

For Claffey, playing Dunk meant playing someone who was learning to embrace all parts of himself, even his lowly background.

"He tries to put away or extinguish that side of him that he wants to forget, that young boy in Flea Bottom just trying to survive. [He was] almost half-human, half-dog, roaming the streets," Claffey said. "But it serves him to know that that is who he is in certain situations towards the end of our story. It serves him to have that personality, that 'never give up' and 'fight tooth and nail' sort of characteristic. So I think he gets to sort of accept himself. It's one big violent therapy session."

Dunk and Egg's actors bonded over Mario Kart.

Dunk is only half of the duo at the center of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The other half is his squire Egg (Ansell), a bald young boy determined to serve Dunk at Ashford Meadow.

The pair's chemistry is key to Martin's Dunk and Egg novellas — could Claffey and Ansell's chemistry measure up?

According to the panel alone, we're in good hands. Claffey and Ansell share the same teasing dynamics on display in the novellas, especially when it came to discussing one thing in particular: Mario Kart.

SEE ALSO: The 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 finale, explained

During filming, Claffey and Ansell would go to an arcade to play Mario Kart, where they racked up a ton of tickets. (For what? "A PS5," Ansell said.)

"One of my favorite ways to decompress after set, because we had so much work to do, was to come back and kick Dexter's ass in Mario Kart," Claffey said.

"I kept winning!" Ansell retorted.

If Dunk and Egg found themselves in 2025, you could imagine their discussions sounding a lot like that.

Episode 5 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will feature a massive action sequence. Brandon Davis moderates the "Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" panel with Ira Parker, Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, and George R.R. Martin. Credit: Lily Kartiganer/Mashable

When panel moderator Brandon Davis asked Parker, Claffey, Ansell, and Martin what episode they were most excited for audiences to see, all four had different answers. For Parker, it was episode 6, because that meant the audience will have seen the entire show. Claffey said that episode 4 "hits the hardest," while Ansell said he loves the third episode.

But it was Martin who divulged the most, calling episode 5 "very potent, because that's the big action episode."

According to Martin, episode 5 features a Trial of Seven, which readers of The Hedge Knight will recognize as a trial by combat with seven champions on each side of the battle, instead of just one. It's a pivotal moment in The Hedge Knight, and revealing that it happens in episode 5 might have been more of a spoiler than HBO was prepared to give months before the show's Jan. 18 debut. But that wasn't the only spoiler moment from the panel.

Did George R.R. Martin spoil A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' twist at New York Comic Con?

Huge, huge spoiler warning for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms incoming for anyone who hasn't read The Hedge Knight.

Early interviews and trailers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms have kept details about Egg vague beyond him just being Dunk's sassy squire. But book readers know that he is actually Aegon V Targaryen, a prince in disguise.

Martin alluded to this during the NYCC panel, telling Ansell, "You're not smallfolk. You'll always be a Targaryen, and you have royal blood in you."

At that point, nervous giggles arose from the audience and even the panel, who likely didn't expect the cat to be out of the bag less than an hour after the trailer's release. But to learn why Egg disguised himself and what role he and Dunk have to play in the wider history of Westeros, you'll have to watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. (Or check out The Hedge Knight to prepare!)

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres Jan. 18 2026 on HBO Max.

The time has finally come to replace your old TV. You've checked every spec down to the nit count, but have you thought about the remote? Is it missing essential features, or is it so feature-packed that you're left fumbling to find that one rarely-used yet super-important button? Is it compatible with the rest of your entertainment system? How easy will it be to replace if you don't want an aftermarket duplicate?

YouTube's most infamous figures will soon be reappearing to subscribers.

The company has officially launched a pilot program designed to streamline the reinstatement of previously banned creators, following a public announcement that the platform felt it was pressured by the Biden administration to remove accounts that were actively spreading COVID-19 misinformation. YouTube's decision came following an investigation by the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee into the site's moderation practices, specifically the removal of known conservative figures.

SEE ALSO: Apple bans app that logged videos of ICE

For now, the company says the pilot program will specifically apply to a select group of "qualified creators," who will begin to see an option to apply for a new channel when they log into their YouTube Studio account. YouTube explained that neither old subscriber lists nor previous content will be carried over to new channels, and at least a year must have passed since their channel was terminated.

In selecting which banned creators qualify for reinstatement, YouTube says it considered "whether the creator committed particularly severe or persistent violations of our Community Guidelines or Terms of Service, or whether the creator’s on- or off-platform activity harmed or may continue to harm the YouTube community." Channels that had copyright infringement violations will not be eligible.

Currently, creators can appeal bans for up to one year. However, the company explains, most bans are upheld after review. "We know that our long-held approach of enforcing lifetime terminations can be difficult for creators. We’ve heard loud and clear from our creator community that they want more options to return to YouTube," the company wrote in a blog post. If creators are approved to return, they must then apply for monetization separately.

According to the company, more than 3 million creators are part of YouTube's monetized creator program, raking in around $100 billion over the last four years. The platform has loosened some of its monetization policies over the last several years, as well, including ones that demoted creators who use profanity. Simultaneously, YouTube has tried to crack down on accounts that post AI-generated videos en masse, many of which spread harmful misinformation.

Researchers have found that YouTube's more controversial pages — including those that spread misinformation and conspiracies on public health, climate change, and the electoral process — are making big bucks from subscriber ad revenue. A 2024 report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate, for example, found that popular climate change denialists make around $13 million per year. Popular right-wing YouTubers and their high-dollar accounts have also played a key role in recent political swings and the radicalization of young male viewers, analysts have found. Many, including those who were previously banned and will participate in YouTube's reinstatement pilot, now hold key roles in the Trump administration.

The future is here: You can get your prescription drugs at a vending machine now. An Amazon vending machine, specifically.

Amazon announced this week that it's putting vending kiosks at some One Medical clinics in the Los Angeles area, operated by Amazon Pharmacy.

The intention, according to Amazon, is to make the process a bit simpler — visit your doctor, have the prescription sent to Amazon Pharmacy, use your phone to check out in the Amazon app, and then pick up your prescription right in the doctor's office vending machine.

"We know that when patients have to make an extra trip to the pharmacy after seeing their doctor, many prescriptions never get filled," Hannah McClellan, the vice president of operations at Amazon Pharmacy, said in an Amazon blog post. "By bringing the pharmacy directly to the point of care, we're removing a critical barrier and helping patients start their treatment when it matters most—right away."

The kiosks will stock a range of the most commonly prescribed medications, like antibiotics, inhalers and blood pressure treatments, according to CNBC News.

Amazon's FAQ states that the machies won't contain "controlled substances such as Adderall, medications requiring refrigeration such as Wegovy, needles, except for Epipens, and certain other medications."

"As clinicians, we see firsthand how delays in starting medication can impact treatment outcomes," Dr. Andrew Diamond, the chief medical officer at One Medical, said in the Amazon blog post. "The ability to know a patient is leaving our office with their medication in hand—especially for conditions requiring immediate treatment like infections—can make a meaningful difference in their care journey."

The kiosks will be available starting in Dec. 2025, and the company said it would expand to additional locations "soon after."

This isn't the first piece of medical tech from Amazon. In New York City, Amazon operates hand scanners that allow patients to check in for appointments by scanning their palm at select medical offices.

The search bar on the Windows 11 taskbar allows you to quickly search for apps and files available on your device. If you're connected to the internet, you will also notice a small icon in the taskbar's search bar that changes every day. If you're like me and prefer the search bar to be free of any such icon, there are a few ways to disable it.

Don't miss out on these last-minute deals!

The FCC has just dropped a huge, 69-page draft ruling that directly tackles the fight against Digital Rights Management (DRM) on over-the-air television. Honestly, it's surprising that a draft rulemaking was released at all, considering the US government is currently shut down.

SEE WICKED: FOR GOOD EARLY: Thanks to Amazon's partnership with Universal Pictures, Prime members have the chance to see Wicked: For Good at an exclusive early screening on Nov. 17, 2025. Tickets are now available — secure yours while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Universal Pictures Get tickets for 'Wicked: For Good' exclusive early screening Learn More

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are back in action in Wicked: For Good as the green-skinned, magically gifted Elphaba and her pink-loving polar opposite bestie, Glinda. The highly anticipated conclusion to the global cinematic phenomenon arrives in theaters on Nov. 21, but Prime members have the opportunity to see it in theaters four days early.

Thanks to Amazon's partnership with Universal Pictures, Prime members can score exclusive tickets to an early screening of Wicked: For Good on Nov. 17 in select theaters nationwide. Tickets are available now through Fandango — you can head over to OzOnAmazon now to secure yours. You'll be prompted to sign into your Amazon Prime account, then redirected to Fandango to purchase the tickets. Depending on the theater, there are options to see the film on a standard screen, digital 3D, or IMAX.

The early screening will only take place at select theaters throughout the U.S., and tickets will be first-come, first-served. In other words, secure your tickets as soon as possible if you want to be one of the first to see the new movie.

Credit: Universal Pictures / Amazon

Directed by Jon M. Chu once again, Wicked: For Good continues the story from last year's Broadway musical adaptation and box office hit Wicked. Having been unjustly labeled as the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba now lives in hiding while trying to fight the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). Glinda, on the other hand, has become a symbol of good as well as a public figure. The second act will follow Dorothy's adventure from the perspective of Elphaba.

Catch up on the first film by streaming it on Peacock, then book your exclusive tickets for Wicked: For Good on Nov. 17. Not a Prime member? Be sure to sign up ASAP to gain access to the early screening.

Best October Prime Day headphone deals Best overall Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling headphones $250 (save $149.99) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Max $429 (Save $120) Get Deal Best Budget Headphones Deal Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones $38 (save $31.99) Get Deal Best Bose deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra $299 (save $130) Get Deal

Although Amazon's October Prime Day event has technically ended, it seems that the headphones listings didn't get the memo. A day after the sale concluded, some of the best headphones deals from top brands like Bose, Sony, and Apple are still live. One of our favorite options is actually cheaper, somehow.

Considering that a new pair of headphones — if you prefer the latest and greatest, that is — could cost you $450, we think it's definitely worth taking advantage of these discounts while they're still around.

SEE ALSO: The 25 best October Prime Day tech deals still live today, hand-picked by a tech editor

If you missed out on the two-day Prime Big Deal Days shopping extravaganza, but you're in the market for some new headphones, we've rounded up the best deals still live after the event. Your next shot at price drops this impressive won't be until Black Friday, so weigh your options thoughtfully.

Note: Deals marked with a 🔥 denote an all-time low price.

Best headphones deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling headphones $250 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $149.99 Get Deal Why we like it

There's no denying that Sony's latest flagship headphones, the WH-1000XM6s, are impressive. They're our top pick for sound quality amongst all brands of headphones, but even on sale, they're over $400. If you can't fathom dropping that much money on a pair of headphones, the previous generation WH-1000XM5s are super similar. "The WH-1000XM5s retain many series hallmarks, including ANC, battery life, sound, and special features," one of our reviewers noted. The biggest downfall is they don't fold up, though we're certainly willing to overlook that flaw to save $178. The headphones dropped to $298 during Prime Day, but amazingly, they're even cheaper after the event: grab a pair in black for only $250. That's 37% in savings and just one cent away from their best-ever price.

Best budget headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-CH520 🔥 $38 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $31.99 Get Deal Why we like it

More budget-conscious shoppers who don't require noise cancellation should check out the basic Sony WH-CH520s. You'll still get Sony's audio quality, multipoint connection, hands-free calling, a comfortable and lightweight design, customizable EQ, and a battery life of up to 50 hours. Not to mention they come in fun colors like butter yellow and pastel pink. At only $38, they're an incredible value and the cheapest they've ever been in some shades (a few colors have dropped to $33 previously).

More post Prime Big Deal Days headphones deals

• Sony WH-CH720N — $98 $179.99 (save $81.99) 🔥

• JBL Tune 770NC — $99.95 $149.95 (save $50)

• Marshall Major V — $99.99 $169.99 (save $70) 🔥

• JBL Live 770NC — $119.95 $199.95 (save $80)

• Beats Solo 4 — $129.95 $199.95 (save $70)

• Beats Studio Pro — $169.95 $199.95 (save $30)

• Sony WH-1000XM4 — $188 $349.99 (save $161.99) 🔥

• Bose QuietComfort — $199 $359 (save $160) 🔥

• Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $229.95 $449.95 (save $220)

• Sonos Ace — $298.99 $399 (save $100.01) 🔥

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra — $299 $429 (save $130) 🔥

• Sony WH-1000XM6 — $428 $449.99 (save $21.99) 🔥

• Apple AirPods Max — $429 $549 (save $120)

The best October Prime Day kitchen deals still live at a glance: Best small appliance deal Ninja Crispi $159.94 (save $20.05) Get Deal Seasonal Savings Staub Petite Pumpkin Ceramic Dish $29.99 (save $20) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Keurig K-Mini Single Serve $42 (save $57.99) Get Deal Best drinkware deal Yeti Rambler tumbler (42-ounce) $31.50 (save $13.50) Get Deal Best Le Creuset Deal Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, 7.25 qt. $480 (save $44.95) Get Deal Best KitchenAid Deal KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender with Accessories $119.99 (save $40) Get Deal

Amazon’s gifted us with a second Prime Day event of the year, officially dubbed “Prime Big Deal Days,” and though the sale is technically over, tons of the best kitchen deals are still live.

As of Oct. 9, we're still seeing October Prime Day savings on rarely discounted items like the Ninja Crispi and Ninja Creami. Impressively, some items have even dropped lower in price, like the Magic Bullet Blender. Also still live are plenty of deals on coveted cookware, Breville espresso machines, KitchenAid appliances, reusable water bottles, and slow cookers. See also: markdowns on foodie-favorite brands like Le Creuset, Our Place, and Vitamix.

Here are the best October Prime Day kitchen deals still live after the sale.

Best small appliance deal Ninja Crispi $159.94 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $20.05 Get Deal Why we like it

The Ninja Crispi finally went on sale during October Prime Day, and luckily, its discount price is holding after the sale's end. We’ve been watching the price of this little air fryer since its release last September, and Amazon’s been stingy with discounts. But right now, you can get it for $159.94, the lowest price we’ve tracked so far.

The Ninja Crispi is one of Mashable’s favorite small kitchen appliances. Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino says its compact size makes it ideal for on-the-go meals or prepping smaller portions for the week. “Plus, it actually works,” she writes as it delivers crispy on the outside, moist on the inside meals.

Best post-Prime Day kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Keurig Keurig K-Mini Single Serve $42 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $57.99 Get Deal Why we like it

If you need a new single-serve coffee maker, but you’re not willing to shell out a ton of cash, the Keurig K-Mini Single Serve is a budget-friendly option that’ll get the job done without compromising on convenience or quality. Its compact design is perfect for smaller kitchens, dorm rooms, or office spaces, and it can brew six to 12-ounce servings in seconds with the touch of a button. And right now, you can get it for the super-low price of $42, even post-Prime Day. That's its best price ever.

More October Prime Day Kitchen deals

Kitchen appliances

• KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer — $44.99 $59.99 (save $15)

• Ninja Foodi Smart XL Indoor Grill — $189.99 $279.99 (save $90)

• KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer — $379.95 $499.99 (save $120.04)

Air fryer and toaster deals

• Ninja Air Fryer 4-in-1 Pro — $89.99 $129.99 (save $40)

• Our Place Wonder Oven — $155 $175 (save $20)

• Ninja XL Air Fryer & Toaster Oven — $229.99 $349.99 (save $120)

Blender and food processor deals

• Magic Bullet Blender — $37.30 $49.99 (save $12.69)

• Nutribullet Personal Blender — $47.49 $71.99 (save $24.50)

• KitchenAid KFC3516ER 3.5-Cup Food Chopper — $54.99 $69.99 (save $15)

• KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender with Accessories — $119.99 $159.99 (save $40)

• Ninja Blender & Food Processor Combo — $149.99 $259.99 (save $110)

• Vitamix Explorian E310 Blender — $329.95 $379.95 (save $50)

Beverage, coffee, and tea deals

• Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine — $399.95 $499.95 (save $100)

• Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine — $549.95 $699.95 (save $150)

• Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine — $799.95 $999.95 (save $200)

Cookware deals

• Staub Petite Pumpkin Ceramic Dish — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Our Place Perfect Pot (2.5-quart) — $89 $115 (save $26)

• Our Place Always Pan — $99 $125 (save $26)

• Our Place Perfect Pot (5.5-quart) — $109 $140 (save $31)

• HexClad Nonstick 12-inch Frying Pan — $169 $199 (save $30)

• HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 5.5-QT Deep Sauté Pan — $178 $209 (save $31)

• HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 6-Piece Pot Set — $322 $379 (save $57)

• Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, 7.25 qt. — $480 $524.95 (save $44.95)

• KitchenAid 7-QT Bowl Lift Stand Mixer — $549 $649.99 (save $100.99)

Drinkware deals

• Stanley Quencher H2.0 — $27 $45 (save $18)

• Yeti Rambler tumbler (42-ounce) — $31.50 $45 (save $13.50)

Ice cream deals

• Ninja Creami — $179.99 $219.99 (save $40)

• Ninja Slushi — $299.99 $369.99 (save $70)

Kitchen tool deals

• KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Pot Holders — $10.48 $20.99 (save $10.51)

• KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitts — $12.81 $15.99 (save $3.18)

Multicooker and slow cooker deals

• Crock-Pot 7-QT Manual Slow Cooker (SCV700-S-BR) — $35.99 $59.99 (save $24)

• Instant Pot Duo (3-quart) — $57.74 $89.99 (save $32.25)

• Instant Pot Pro (6-quart) — $99.99 $169.99 (save $70)

• Our Place Dream Cooker — $165 $199 (save $34)

SAVE $150: As of Oct. 9, get the GoPro HERO13 Black Ultra Wide Edition for $329.99, down from its usual price of $479.99. That's a discount of 31% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon GoPro HERO13 Black Ultra Wide Edition $329.99 at Amazon
$479.99 Save $150 Get Deal

Looking for a reliable way to capture all the action you're getting up to? Maybe you did some sick skateboarding tricks and want the world to see. Or maybe you want a way to record your runs or hikes. Whatever the case may be, an action camera is an easy option. If you're looking to save some cash on one before taking the plunge, however, now is the time to buy thanks to this Amazon deal on a great GoPro bundle.

SEE ALSO: GoPro unveils new action cameras with 360-degree video and inbuilt light

This waterproof action camera boasts 5.3K60 video with 27MP photos, and includes a boosted 177-degree FOV with compatibility with HB-Series lenses. It can shoot in pro quality, but thanks to its special ultra wide lens, you get more to view in your lens with up to 36% wider and 48% taller than the standard GoPro option.

Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth awarded the Mashable Choice Award to the standard GoPro Hero 13 Black, praising it for its "insanely good motion stabilization", and "impressive lens mods", including the ultra wide option.

Don't miss this sale while it's still live post-Prime Day, and get out there and record all those exciting exploits.

SAVE UP TO $20: Staub ceramic pumpkins are on sale at Amazon for as low as $24.99 (0.5 quart) and some varieties are up to 40% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Staub Staub ceramic pumpkin (0.75 quart, burnt orange) $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Staub Staub ceramic pumpkin (0.5 quart, matte black) $24.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal

Welcome to spooky season when the neighborhood gets filled with 12-foot skeletons and it's cool to turn your lawn into a graveyard. but if you're also interested in the creepy Halloween decor, Amazon has the perfect deal in store.

As of Oct. 9, several Staub ceramic pumpkins are sale at Amazon for as low as $24.99 (0.5 quart) and some varieties are up to 40% off, which takes a nice $20 off the price. This deal went live during October Prime Day, but it's still hanging on so we'd recommend buying sooner rather than later to make sure you score the savings.

SEE ALSO: The Home Depot's comically large Halloween decorations are up to 50% off today only

It's hard to go wrong with adding a Staub ceramic pumpkin to your fall kitchen collection or Halloween decor. The ceramic pumpkins are both oven and stove safe up to 572 degrees Fahrenheit, so they can serve as either a baking dish or a delightful candy dish. They would also make the perfect host gift for Thanksgiving.

While they're still on sale, scoop up some versatile and adorable Staub ceramic pumpkins from Amazon.

Apple has taken down more community-generated apps meant to document and hold Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents accountable, according to a report by 404Media.

In addition to apps that track ICE movements in live time, the tech giant banned an app that lets users anonymously record ICE agents and then archive the content for safekeeping. Users can also store news and advocate reports, social media posts, and other digital evidence of ICE operations in public spaces.

SEE ALSO: For Trump officials, social media is war

Called Eyes Up, the app was developed to organize information that may be hard to source but necessary to reference in the future, such as witness accounts of raids for later court proceedings. It also maintains a historical record of escalating immigration operations.

"The sole purpose of Eyes Up is to document and preserve evidence of abuses of power by law enforcement, which is an important function of a free society and constitutionally protected," the app's administration told 404Media. All content is manually verified by the app's administrators before being stored on the app. It's then pinned on a searchable map, intended to make finding evidence easier for those impacted — Eyes Up's desktop version is still operating.

Apple has recently faced growing pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on apps that support community organizing around ICE.

Last week, Apple banned a popular app that let communities track the movement of ICE officers and the locations of reported raids. The ICEBlock app, along with its developer, Joshua Aaron, had previously faced threats from federal officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Bondi said the Trump administration would attempt to prosecute Aaron for the risks it posed to ICE agents, with Noem arguing apps like this are an "obstruction of justice."

But Eyes Up, which only archives publicly posted materials after the clandestine operations of ICE have taken place, does not appear to carry the same "real time security risk" to immigration operations that Noem and Apple described. "Our goal is government accountability. We aren’t even doing real-time tracking,” the administrator said. Apple provided the same removal reasoning for both ICEBlock and Eyes Up, alleging they violate the company's objectionable content guidelines.

Following an appeal to the marketplace host, arguing that the app's map is significantly delayed by a manual review process and is not a safety threat, Apple told Eyes Up's administrators that the ban would remain in place.

Creating programming projects is great. But if it has a graphical interface? Even better! Building a GUI application has many perks. You end up with something even non-techie friends can appreciate. That's why we're going to make a Python GUI application and learn the Tkinter library in the process.