Technology

The 50 best tech gifts of the year, hand-picked by professional gadget nerds

Mashable - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 23:31

The coolest tech gifts may look like the most boring box in the present pile... until they're unwrapped. But in a second, you'll both unlock a new favorite memory: They get to gush over owning one of the most sought-after gadgets of the year, and you get to watch their face light up.

Our tech gift guide for 2025 includes some of the best new releases of the year from Apple, Nintendo, Shark, Razer, and GoPro, most of which we personally reviewed. We're obviously loving the latest upgrades, like the AirPods Pro 3 and the long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2. But even if you're not shopping for an early adopter, we've still found some awesome under-the-radar gadgets that'll speak to their niche interests. The skincare enthusiast on your list may not care about the new fleet of Echos that Amazon just announced, but they will freak over the Shark LED face mask.

To find the best holiday gifts for the techies in your life, Mashable's tech and shopping reporters have come together to curate a guide to our favorite gift-worthy gadgets of the year — the true 'I can't believe you got this for me' gifts. So, whether you're splurging on an iPad or searching for stocking stuffers, here are the best tech gifts for 2025.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I found 7 DJI deals worth shopping for Black Friday

Mashable - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 23:25
Best DJI deals Best mic deal DJI Mic Mini $79.99 (save $89.01) Get Deal Best drone deal DJI Mini 4K Drone Combo $309 (save $80) Get Deal Best pocket camera deal DJI Osmo Pocket 3 $529 (save $270) Get Deal

When Black Friday rolls around each year, I always keep my eye out for significant discounts on premium tech. Black Friday may not officially begin until Nov. 28, but since the start of the month, we've been seeing a wide range of early-access deals on big brands like DJI. If you're looking for premium, DJI is a good place to start.

DJI features heavily in Black Friday sales, especially with the sale just a few days away. So far, I spotted discounts on the DJI Mic Mini, the DJI Osmo 360 camera, and the DJI Air 3 drone, just to name a few popular products. As Mashable has reported, a total ban on DJI drones in the United States could be implemented by the end of the year. With that uncertainty floating in the air, heavy discounts on DJI are needed now more than ever.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday 2025: Live updates on the latest deals from Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more

I've tracked down seven DJI deals that have caught my eye for Black Friday. Check out my top picks below:

Editor's note: Currently, many DJI products are unavailable in the United States through official retailers, which is why we've included deals from third-party sellers at Amazon.

DJI Mic Mini

The DJI Mic Mini is a product that Mashable's tech editor, Timothy Beck Werth, considers to be among the best early Black Friday tech deals available right now. This wireless mic, which is a huge hit with content creators, has a helpful magnetic attachment that can be clipped onto a shirt. Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard also tested out the mic, and determined, "If you need any degree of portability with your mic setup, the DJI Mic Mini offers a lot of versatility, and for a great value. That makes it a solid option for making vlogs and TikToks, and for anyone who feels less than confident with their tech skills — once I plugged the receiver into my phone, the mics connected easily and started working with the camera app automatically."

This particular offer comes as a bundle which includes two DJI Mic Mini TX, one RX, and a charging case with a few other accessories. The charging case offers up to 48 hours of battery life to keep you going for a couple of days without a recharge. At the time of writing, it's sold out at Amazon and DJI, but it is in stock at Best Buy for $79.99 — besting Amazon's sale price when it was in stock by about $20.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) $79.99 at Best Buy
$169 Save $89.01   Get Deal DJI Osmo 360 Camera

If you're a content creator looking to add an action camera to your setup, this discount on the DJI Osmo 360 is well worth a look. Whether you're capturing footage during the day or night, it can support 8K/30fps videos for up to 100 minutes and offers plenty of space to hold everything (105GB of built-in storage, to be exact). Plus, it launched just earlier this summer, making this nearly $200 markdown especially impressive. (It's also out of stock on DJI's website.)

It even has a waterproof and cold-resistant design that's built to handle a variety of elements, so you don't have to worry about it getting damaged on shoot. This bundle comes with the Osmo 360 camera, an Osmo Action Extreme Battery Plus (1950 mAh), a protective pouch, a lens cleaning cloth, a USB-C to USB-C PD cable, and a rubber lens protector.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo 360 Camera Standard Combo $357.49 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $192.50   Get Deal DJI Mini 4K Drone Combo

Drone deals are something the Mashable team is keeping a close eye on over Black Friday, and DJI is no exception. One of the best we spotted so far is on the DJI Mini 4K Drone Combo.

Mashable's team had hoped to see the Mini 4K drone go on sale, and while it did briefly drop down to $239, it has since gone back up to $299. However, if you're able to invest a bit more, the combo set is $80 off for Prime members, and comes with a shoulder bag, two batteries, and a propeller holder, making it more convenient to take on the go (and giving you an additional 31 minutes of battery life over the non-combo version). You'll also get access to the same 4K video and three-axis gimbal stabilization you would on the cheaper drone.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 4K Drone Combo $309 at Amazon
$389 Save $80   Get Deal DJI Osmo Action 4

If you're looking for a cheaper action camera than the one listed above, the DJI Osmo Action 4 is also on sale right now at Amazon. It features a 155-degree FOV that supports up to 4K/60fps video recording and also features a durable build that's waterproof up to 18 meters and can handle cooler temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit). No matter where you decide to take it, this little camera is ready for the adventure.

This Standard Combo will set you up with the DJI Osmo Action 4, a battery, a quick-release adapter mount, a horizontal-vertical protective frame, a curved adhesive base, an Osmo locking screw, a Type-C to Type-C PD cable, a lens hood, an anti-slip pad, and a DJI logo sticker.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Action 4 Standard Combo $209 at Amazon
$299 Save $90   Get Deal DJI Power 2000 Portable Power Station

A good portable power station can go a long way, and this is one of our favorites. We consider the DJI Power 2000 to be the best portable power station for content creators, as it "proved its worth as a multi-tasker, charging up a phone and camera battery and cooking dinner in the air fryer at the same time." It is currently sporting a nice coupon on Amazon, so you can save during Black Friday.

It's normally listed for $1,299, but this Black Friday deal shaves its price nearly in half, bringing it down to $699 (which amounts to a 47% discount). If you're a content creator or someone looking to have backup power at home or on the go, this powerhouse is a worthy pickup with its 15 ports and expansion up to 22.5kWh.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 2000 Portable Power Station $699 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $600   Get Deal DJI Osmo Pocket 3

For content creators shopping around over Black Friday, this is another camera deal to check out before the main event. The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 vlogging camera features a one-inch CMOS sensor that can record up to 4K resolution videos at 120fps. It even features a touchscreen that can be rotated so you can choose to shoot horizontally or vertically.

There's a lot in this bundle to get you started. The camera comes with a protective cover, wrist strap, a handle with a 1/4-inch thread, and a Type-C to Type-C PD cable.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Vlogging Camera $529.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $269.01   Get Deal DJI RS 4 Mini Gimbal Stabilizer

If you're filming frequently, it's important to keep the camera you're using steady as you capture. The DJI RS 4 Mini Gimbal Stabilizer can help with that, and it's currently discounted at Amazon for Black Friday. This stabilizer can support mirrorless cameras, vlog cameras, and phones up to 2kg/4.4lbs. It also comes with everything you need to get started, including the DJI RS 4 Mini gimbal, a tripod, a quick-release plate, an L-shaped multi-camera control cable, a USB-C charging cable, and a screw kit.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI RS 4 Mini Gimbal Stabilizer $305 at Amazon
$369 Save $64   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

This stunning LG Ultragear gaming monitor has hit its best-ever price for Black Friday — save over $800 at Amazon

Mashable - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 23:00

SAVE OVER $800: The 45-inch LG Ultragear gaming monitor is on sale for $896.99 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's over $800 off and the lowest-ever price for this model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon LG 45-inch Ultragear OLED Gaming Monitor $896.99 at Amazon
$1,699.99 Save $803   Get Deal

You expect to see Apple products, big-screen TVs, and robot vacuums dominating the conversation around Black Friday, but we can't help but shout about the deals we're seeing on gaming monitors. We've seen so many huge discounts on top brands like Samsung and LG.

We thought this eye-popping deal on the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 monitor was our favorite from Black Friday, but the 45-inch LG Ultragear gaming monitor deal is forcing us to reconsider. For a limited time, the 45-inch LG Ultragear gaming monitor is on sale for $896.99 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's over $800 off and the lowest-ever price for this model.

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This huge 45-inch monitor boasts an 800R curve with a peak brightness of up to 1,300 nits. The 240Hz refresh rate with a 0.03ms response time ensures that your games are fast and smooth without lag. It's also compatible with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync, so you get improved frame sync on both PC and consoles.

There honestly isn't much to complain about with this monitor, beyond the regular list price. $1,699.99 is outrageously expensive, even for the most dedicated of gamers. And $896.99 is still a lot of cash. We get that, but if you truly want the best this Black Friday, this deal is tough to turn down.

Save over $800 on the 45-inch LG Ultragear gaming monitor this Black Friday.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Watch Disneys new AI-powered Olaf robot wander around Arendelle

Mashable - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 22:56

The magic that powers Disney parks around the world is getting an AI upgrade.

The entertainment giant's parks division has released the first look at a new, AI-powered Olaf animatronic in a series of social media posts and a short YouTube documentary, showcasing the robot's ability to independently navigate around the park, move its limbs and facial expressions, and engage in Frozen-themed banter with guests.

SEE ALSO: What to know before you buy an AI toy

In promotional videos of the new robot, Olaf waddles through Disneyland Paris' World of Frozen land at a quick pace as the park's experts explain how he works. At one point, the animatronic stops between them, looks up, and, waving his stick arm, says a bright "Hello!"

Disney's crafty Imagineers designed the new generation animatronic using a form of artificial intelligence called reinforcement learning, allowing the self-propelling robot to mimic motions and navigate and interact with its environment independently. Disney partnered with NVIDIA and Google DeepMind to build a new open-source simulation framework called Newton and an accompanying simulator called Kamino to power the robotics.

The robot's nose and arms are also removable, just like in the films, and iridescent fibers were embedded across it's body to mimic magical snow. With additional AI powering its ability to speak and respond to guests on its own, Disney has called it the most expressive and true-to-life characters it's ever built.

"This debut marks a new chapter in Disney character innovation, one where technology, storytelling, and collaboration come together to bring screen to reality," the company wrote in a blog post, noting it plans to expand to the line of robots in the future. "The BDX Droids, self-balancing H.E.R.B.I.E., and now Olaf represent increasing levels of performance and innovation in bringing Disney characters to life. The speed at which we can create new characters and introduce them to guests is unprecedented."

The Olaf robot will start interacting with guests at Disneyland Paris soon, according to Disney, and will make limited appearances at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Watch Disney's latest episode of "We Call It Imagineering," it's behind-the-scenes YouTube show, to see more:

Categories: IT General, Technology

Pebble cuts through the noise and goes 100% open source

How-To Geek - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 22:43

There’s been a bit of drama in the Pebble community lately, but it seems we’re heading in the right direction. Today, Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky shared an update on the future of the Pebble Store—and it's very good news.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 3 shows in Netflix's top 10 actually worth watching this week

How-To Geek - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 22:36

Netflix's top 10 lists are a good way to see what's popular with other viewers, though they aren't necessarily an indicator of quality. You might want to watch everything on the list so that you're not left out of any watercooler discussions, but that's going to be time-consuming.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Don't rely on Google Photos—pick up a NAS during UGREEN's Black Friday sale

How-To Geek - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 21:42

When you look at the prices for cloud storage, a NAS is probably a recurring thought for you. Sure, it's more money up front, but it's a one-time purchase—and more importantly, it's yours, and not someone else's. If the price has been a turn-off, you can currently save a decent amount of money on UGREEN's best NASes this Black Friday.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google's ChromeOS replacement has a new name and more revealed details

How-To Geek - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 21:34

ChromeOS is getting replaced by... Android. We've known for a while that Google's eventual goal is to merge ChromeOS into Android and replace that with an Android-based desktop operating system. It won't be quite Android, though. And now, we have a few details on how this OS might be shaping up.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Affordable Japanese hybrid that delivers 50 mpg and it's not a Prius

How-To Geek - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 21:00

Shoppers hunting for maximum fuel savings in 2025 don’t have to spend luxury-car money to get it. While hybrid technology keeps advancing, a few models still stand out for delivering exceptional efficiency at an attainable price point. And among today’s Japanese hybrids, one in particular has become a go-to choice for buyers who want genuine 50-MPG performance without sacrificing comfort or practicality.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Uber One adds family sharing just in time for the holidays

How-To Geek - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 20:20

Uber One members can now share their subscription benefits with their family at no extra charge, just in time for the busy holiday travel season. Uber is rolling this out alongside a wave of seasonal perks, including complimentary ride upgrades and exclusive deals.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Chilis Wicked margaritas are all over TikTok

Mashable - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 20:14

Wicked: For Good has hit theaters — and it's perhaps the biggest movie moment of the year. But TikTok may have fallen in love with the musical's branded margaritas at Chili's as much as the movie itself.

If you've not seen the margaritas, they're kind of exactly what you'd expect from Wicked-branded margaritas from Chili's. (And that is said with deep respect and admiration.) One is an unnaturally neon green, the other pink — to match main characters Elphaba and Glinda, respectively — and you'll often see TikToks with the drinks served in pint glasses. You know, standard practice for margaritas. Some folks even chug down the margs simultaneously with two straws. (Don't do that, drink responsibly.)

But people are loving the margaritas, chatting about maybe having too many of them, and generally getting in the Wicked spirit with some wicked-looking spirits.

This is just another instance of Chili's somehow becoming the internet's favorite chain restaurant. It has undergone a complete revival as the internet has fallen in love with its Triple Dipper platter and iconic mozzarella sticks. And now the internet is back at Chili's — but this time for drinks.

Categories: IT General, Technology

What Xs new country based in feature tells us about fake accounts

Mashable - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 19:47

Your suspicions about the user you're arguing with on Elon Musk's X being a fake might just be true.

That's an experience that many users on X, formerly Twitter, are sharing since the platform's new "About this account" page went live with its "Account based in" feature. Basically, each X profile now discloses the country of origin a user is posting from. 

The feature, which X head of product Nikita Bier first teased last month, was originally rolled out on Friday night. Hours later, X removed the feature with Bier claiming there were some changes that needed to be made to address users that utilized VPNs to hide their location. However, by Saturday night, X had once again made the country of origin feature live for each account.

SEE ALSO: X's location revealing feature is live. Here's how to make it less precise.

There are ways to obscure your location in X's settings. Users can choose to only show a general region like North America or Europe instead of the specific nation like the United States or Germany. While this might protect users who are afraid of being doxxed or need to be more private living under an oppressive regime of a more authoritarian country, these settings don't really affect how fake accounts are revealed.

For example, X users discovered that the account @American, complete with a U.S. flag and bald eagle in their avatar, was not in fact a user from the United States but someone posting from "South Asia."

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Another account called "Mariana Times" presented themselves as a U.S. citizen who spoke out about wanting to deport New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani because "we want a nation" and not "foreigner" who has not "assimilated into American culture." While their avatar had an Israeli flag with an AI-looking woman standing in front of it, X's new feature revealed that Mariana is actually posting from India.

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Many social media users have long wondered if foreign actors have been behind prominent anonymous political accounts that use the platform to sow discord or even just make easy money through monetization schemes. It's unclear just how large the scale is, but X's new location feature certainly confirmed the suspicion that this is happening.

In addition, it shows that Elon Musk's goal to "defeat the bots" on X has largely been a failure. In fact, studies have shown that the bot and fake account problem on X has been even worse since Musk took over and made changes to the platform that made it easier for these type of fake accounts to prevail.

However, with X's latest change, spearheaded by the newly-hired Bier, at least users will now get a good idea if they are arguing with one of these fake accounts. And more transparency is always a good thing.

So, that "Make America Great Again" themed account that you've been duking it out with online for years? You may just now find out that the user claiming to be from the U.S. is actually from Russia, Nigeria, India, or elsewhere.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

7 monitor specs that are officially too old in 2025

How-To Geek - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 19:30

We don't often think of our monitors as something that holds the rest of our computer back, but your monitor is the component you use as a window into your computer. It's one of the peripherals you spend the most time using, by far. So when certain specs and missing features start limiting what your PC can offer you, whether for work or play, then it's probably time to start looking for a new screen as your most important upgrade.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Gemini 3 vs ChatGPT: How they compare

Mashable - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 19:29

In the battle to improve the capabilities of artificial intelligence, Google and OpenAI have both released new versions of their flagship chatbots: Gemini 3 and GPT-5.1. Google calls Gemini 3 its "most intelligent model yet," while OpenAI pitches GPT-5.1 as "smarter" and "more conversational."

When you compare the two, it really comes down to what you want from your environment-killing chatbot. On the AI side, both Gemini 3 and GPT-5.1 feel like real sequels instead of point upgrades. Google says its Gemini 3 model builds upon the agent-y, multimodal ideas from Gemini 2 and 2.5, fusing them into a single model that is better at reasoning, handling long-context multimodal work, and planning ahead. It also now powers features like Google's new Antigravity developer platform and a Deep Think mode for genuinely challenging problems.

SEE ALSO: White House pulls back on AI laws executive order

GPT-5.1, meanwhile, reportedly keeps the raw intelligence of GPT-5 but makes it way more direct and enjoyable to talk to. Instant and Thinking both adjust how much they "think" based on the question; they follow instructions more consistently, and they let you dial in the exact tone and personality you want across every chat.

So, to be as useful as possible, here's a short breakdown of the key differences between the two models.

Gemini 3 versus GPT-5.1: Price

When it comes to cost, the two models occupy different price points. GPT‑5.1 from OpenAI has API pricing at about $1.25/ 1 M input tokens and $10.00/ 1 M output tokens. Meanwhile, the Gemini 3 Pro from Google lists token-based tiers at roughly $2.00 input / $12.00 output per million tokens for contexts of up to approximately 200,000 tokens, and about $ 4.00 and $18.00 for much larger contexts beyond that.

On the consumer subscription side, Gemini 3 offers a Pro tier at around $19.99 / month and an Ultra/Enterprise tier with custom pricing (reported to be up to ~$250/month for full features), while GPT-5.1-related consumer plans fall in the approximately $20/month and up range, depending on workflow needs.

Gemini 3 versus GPT-5.1: Model rankings

According to the latest LMArena rankings, Gemini 3 is sitting at the very top of the board with a score of 1324, making it the current fan favorite across thousands of votes. It’s not just edging out the competition, either. The next closest model is Gemini 2.5 Pro at 1249, which means Gemini 3 is leading by a meaningful margin.

GPT-5.1, listed on the board as GPT-5-chat, comes in further down with a score of 1222, placing it solidly in the upper tier but clearly behind Gemini 3’s surge. What’s interesting is the company GPT-5.1 has in those rankings: it’s surrounded by previous GPT generations and models, such as o3 and Claude Opus, all clustered tightly in the low 1200s.

Gemini 3, meanwhile, is the only model that breaks out of that pack entirely. The vibe from LMArena voters is pretty unmistakable. Gemini 3 is the model to beat right now, while GPT-5.1 is respected and well-liked but not commanding the same kind of top-of-the-charts energy.

Gemini 3 versus GPT-5.1: Key features

When it comes to multi-modal and long-context capabilities, Gemini 3 clearly outperforms. According to Google, it supports massive contexts (hundreds of thousands of tokens), handles images, text, and code with seamless transitions, and introduces a Deep Think mode for higher-order reasoning and planning across domains.

Meanwhile, GPT‑5.1 focuses more on conversational quality and reliability. The chatbot maintains strong performance in pure text generation and instruction following, with tone adjustments and personality fine-tuning built in. However, tests conducted by Tom's Guide indicate that it doesn’t yet match Gemini 3’s breadth in modality or long-form reasoning.

In terms of accessibility and feature set for typical users, GPT-5.1 offers familiar workflows, including chat-based input, strong coherence over shorter contexts, and a refined interface for controlling tone, style, and persona. OpenAI says this makes it great for writing, Q&A, and interactive assistance.

On the other hand, Gemini 3 is built to scale for grander tasks — including multimodal inputs, more complex planning, and longer spans of context — which gives it the edge when tackling multi-step workflows, combining visuals and text, or generating highly technical outputs.

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Black Friday deals on unlocked phones

Mashable - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 19:16
Best Black Friday unlocked phone deals at a glance Best Google Pixel deal Google Pixel 10 (256GB) $699 (save $200) Get Deal Best Samsung deal Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 $1,599.99 (save $200) Get Deal Best Motorola Deal Motorola Moto G Stylus $284.99 (save $115) Get Deal

If you've been limping along with a sad phone that will no longer hold a charge, it's time to make the upgrade. Even if you try to limit the amount of time spent looking at your phone, it's a necessary piece of tech these days. An unlocked phone allow you the ability switch plans, carriers, or swap to a new phone if you'd like. Plus, they're excellent for installing an e-sim for international travel.

While Black Friday isn't officially here yet, the major retailers aren't waiting and they're packed with great deals on unlocked phones. Options include basic budget models that are perfect for kids or anyone who doesn't need fancy features. Or you can go with some of the latest and best designs. Keep in mind iPhones tend to be the exception here, and it's not common to find a great deal on an unlocked iPhone. Carriers tend to offer the best value for those.

Before we fill up on pie later this week, shop these unlocked phone deals before they disappear.

Best Black Friday unlocked phone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 10 $699 at Amazon
$899 Save $200   Get Deal Why we like it

Google's lineup of Pixel phones rarely disappoints. Instead, they offer a great value for those aren't tied to iOS. The Pixel 10 comes with all the essentials we've come to love about Pixel phones like solid battery life, a bright display, and a telephoto camera lens. In Mashable's review of the Pixel 10, Tech Reporter Alex Perry noted it's a great upgrade if you current phone needs an update and he was able to get about 26 hours of life before it asked for a recharge, not including time spent sleeping. The $699 sale price applies to the 256GB version, which is $200 off and matches the record-low. But you can also go with less storage and spend $599 on the 128GB Pixel 10 which is also $200 off the normal.

More unlocked phones on sale for Black Friday
Categories: IT General, Technology

Heres how to get a free Nintendo Switch before Black Friday

Mashable - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 19:05

SCORE A FREE DEVICE WITH VERIZON: New customers who sign up for an eligible Verizon Fios or 5G/LTE Home Internet plan can choose one high-value device for free: a Nintendo Switch console, a Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G tablet, or a 43-inch Samsung Q7F TV.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Free Nintendo Switch Sign up for an eligible Verizon Fios, 5G Home Ultimate, or LTE Home Plus internet plan and instantly qualify for a free Nintendo Switch console. Get Deal

Black Friday shopping usually means scoring deals on tech and appliances, but some of the best savings are the ones that bundle a product you want with a service you need. If you've been looking for a reason to finally upgrade your home internet, Verizon is handing out a news-worthy incentive: the choice of a free Nintendo Switch, a Samsung TV, or a tablet.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday 2025: Live updates on the latest deals from Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more

As of Nov. 24, you can sign up for an eligible Verizon Fios, 5G Home Ultimate, or LTE Home Plus internet plan (which start as low as $35 per month) and instantly qualify for a free Nintendo Switch console, valued at $339.99. If you're not a gamer, the deal is just as good, as you can opt instead for a free Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G tablet or a 43-inch Samsung Q7F 4K TV, valued at $399.99. But you need to act fast: this deal ends tomorrow, and supplies are limited.

Signing up for an eligible plan will also get you a five-year price lock guarantee on your service, but you'll need to commit. According to the fine print, new customers must keep their account active for 14 days. If you cancel your internet service within 180 days, Verizon will charge you the full retail value of the promotional device (whichever one you chose).

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Categories: IT General, Technology

These 6 Nano Banana Pro prompts are wild with the Gemini 3 upgrade

Mashable - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 19:02

Google’s Nano Banana has been a hit with AI image generation fans since its release in early August. Even the free version comes with tons of ways to create images, and it’s also pretty easy to use. Google is keeping the hype train rolling with its release of Nano Banana Pro, which is built on Gemini 3. 

The purpose of Nano Banana Pro is the Pro part. Google says that Gemini 3 and Nano Banana Pro are capable of making or editing images with “studio-quality levels of precision and control.” In layman's terms, it’s basically going to do what Nano Banana already does, but better since it’s powered by Gemini 3 instead of Google’s Gemini 2.5 Flash Image model like the regular Nano Banana. 

In theory, that should result in more realistic images with better, more accurate reasoning. Google has also wasted no time getting Nano Banana Pro integrated into other services, like Adobe’s Firefly, which gives users more avenues to try out the latest update. 

If you’re curious what it is capable of, here are some fun prompts you can try that will make full use of Nano Banana Pro. 

Credit: Google Infographics

Both Google and Adobe’s blog posts for Nano Banana Pro leaned heavily on the fact that the new AI can make infographics with cleaner text. It’s also one of the easiest ones to make. You pop an image into Nano Banana Pro and ask it to make one for you. In the example above, the input image was a basic photo of the String of Turtles houseplant. For the prompt, Google says it used “create an infographic about this plant focusing on interesting information.”

Nano Banana Pro then correctly identifies the plant as a String of Turtles house plant, and creates an infographic about its growth habits, care, origin, and leaf pattern. This is actually really cool because if Nano Banana Pro can identify the image on its own, you don’t need to give it complicated instructions. It’ll go out and find the thing and make an infographic for it. 

This is useful for a variety of purposes, but the one that most quickly came to mind was for a school project. Students using it for this purpose should double check to make sure the information is accurate, of course, but the image Nano Banana Pro spit out is better than anything I could’ve drawn in middle school.

Credit: Google Storyboards

To be honest, I would have never thought of storyboards on my own, but it’s a really neat concept. Like the infographics, you feed Nano Banana Pro an image and ask it to create a storyboard. Per Google, the prompt for the above image was “create a storyboard for this scene.” The AI’s image included an establishing shot, a medium shot, a close-up, and a POV shot.

Storyboarding is a job, and some people spend their whole careers doing it. The thing is, for a very small film crew, a beginner, or, again, a college student, hiring a storyboarder may not be in the cards, and doing it manually is kind of a pain. So, for low-end professional use cases, having AI help you with a storyboard isn’t a bad idea. You can also change up the prompt to have it make storyboards with different shots or ideas.

Credit: Google Combining loads of things into a single image

A fun thing you can already do with image generators is combine multiple objects into a single image. I’ve done it, and it’s pretty easy to do, but there are some limitations. I once inserted myself into a picture with my dog and had to try a few times to get things right. One of the things Google says that Nano Banana Pro does well is adding a bunch of elements into a single image while maintaining consistency. 

In the above example, Google fed Nano Banana Pro 14 unique fluffy characters and asked Nano Banana to sit them all on a couch, facing a TV. Nano Banana Pro not only did that, but made the fuzzy characters consistent as it stuffed them all into the same scene. The prompt for this is kind of ridiculous, so we’ll post it in its entirety below before moving on. 

“A medium shot of the 14 fluffy characters sitting squeezed together side-by-side on a worn beige fabric sofa and on the floor. They are all facing forwards, watching a vintage, wooden-boxed television set placed on a low wooden table in front of the sofa. The room is dimly lit, with warm light from a window on the left and a glow from the TV illuminating the creatures’ faces and fluffy textures. The background is a cozy, slightly cluttered living room with a braided rug, a bookshelf with old books, and rustic kitchen elements in the background. The overall atmosphere is warm, cozy, and amused.”

Credit: Google Photorealistic scenes

I’ve always admired AI’s ability to make realistic stuff, some of which is so good that it’s nearly indistinguishable from real life. It turns out that Nano Banana Pro is one of the best AI image generators for this. Google has a guide for making realistic images with some prompt ideas that you can try. They can get around medium length, so it’s a good intermediate prompt to try yourself. 

Per Google, the key here is detail. When generating a prompt, you want to mention everything you can, like lighting, camera angle, and even camera lens type if you’re knowledgeable about that kind of thing. Describing the subject as best as you can also increase the odds of getting something that you want. Don’t forget the background as well. As you can see with the example above, the background really helps bring the whole thing together. 

Credit: Google Translate words on an image to another language

Considering that half the words I’ve ever tried to have AI include in an image have been total gibberish, the idea that Nano Banana Pro can take words off of an input image, translate them, and put them back to be rather impressive. This can be useful for a variety of things, but I imagine businesses would get the best use by having their products translated into another language for a social media post aimed at a different region. 

The prompt for this one is pretty simple too. Per Google, the above image was put in and for the prompt, it’s simple, “translate all the English text on the three yellow and blue cans into Korean, while keeping everything else the same.” You can swap out that noun for basically any other noun and it looks like it’ll work the same way. Very cool. 

Credit: Google Change any doodle into a product

Many of us have been in a position where we draw or create something cool and then wondered what it’d be like if it were on a t-shirt or a coffee mug. Nano Banana Pro lets you do this pretty easily. The input image is your cool little design. You can get by just having Nano Banana Pro slap it onto a t-shirt, and call it a day. 

However, you can also add in tons of details to get a very specific product. In the above example, Google’s prompt (which is very long) includes telling the AI to use 1960s and 1970s aesthetics with a color palette that “reinforces the vintage feel” and has an effect of “whimsical nostalgia and clever graphic design.” Like many of the others, the images will get better the more detail you add, so the world is your oyster if you want to see your design on a piece of clothing. 

AI for days

On top of the above prompts, all of the usual Nano Banana stuff works. Viral prompts like turning yourself into a claymation character a la Robot Chicken or combining two elements in two photographs together still work as intended. Really, what you’re getting with Nano Banana Pro is refinement, with more power and overhead to fix many common problems (like words) that users may have struggled with while using regular Nano Banana. In short, it’s not a new product, just a better product.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Facebook doesn’t make you use your real name anymore in Groups

How-To Geek - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 19:00

Before Facebook exploded in popularity, it wasn’t super common to use your real, legal name on social media. Now, Meta is taking a tiny step in the opposite direction and attempting to make Facebook Groups a bit more like forums.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Kobo Libra Colour is finally on sale for Black Friday and its now under $200

Mashable - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 18:39

SAVE $30: As of Nov. 24, the Kobo Libra Colour is now down to $199.99 ahead of Black Friday. That saves you $30 off its list price of $229.99, saving you 13% off. That brings the e-reader back down to the same Black Friday price we saw last year.

Kobo Libra Colour $199.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $20   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Amazon

Here's the thing about e-readers: Amazon usually makes the best ones. I've tested a lot of e-readers and Kindles are fantastic, speedy little devices that makes reading on the go all the better. But that's not great news if you really hate Amazon. Luckily, there's an alternative: Kobo e-readers. While I prefer Kindles, Kobo e-readers still rock. In fact, I actually think if you're looking for a color e-reader, you should go for a Kobo. Even better, our favorite color e-reader, the Kobo Libra Colour, is now on sale ahead of Black Friday.

As of Nov. 24, the Kobo Libra Colour is down to $199.99, returning to its sale price we saw during Black Friday 2024. Normally, $229.99, this is a rare $30 discount on the Kobo Libra Colour. While the device is now 13%, this might not seem that impressive compared to the 20 to 30% off Kindles during Black Friday, it's still a great deal if you're looking for a non-Amazon e-reader.

The Kobo Libra Colour is one of our favorites here at Mashable. It's normally a bit of splurge at $229.99, however, it earns its price tag. Not only does it comes with color displays, it has writing capabilities, page-turning buttons, and an internal gyroscope so you can read from any angle. It won the top spot in our guide to the best color e-readers thanks to all those great features, as its an annotator's day dream. When paired with the Kobo Stylus 2, you can write notes in the margin, journal, and highlight passages on the Kobo Libra Colour.

But it's not the only color e-reader on sale. The Kindle Colorsoft is finally on sale and even cheaper than the Kobo Libra. It's normally $249.99 but during Black Friday, it's down to $169.99. While I think that's an incredible deal, I still say you should consider the Kobo Libra. Having tested both, the Libra Colour and Colorsoft are equally matched on resolution and color quality, but I think the Libra shines for its writing capability and better ergonomic design.

Plus, coming Dec. 2, is the Kobo Remote, which lets you turn the page on the device without having to hold it up. It's really going to be the 'it' accessory for cozy winter reading sessions.

If you're looking for an Amazon-free e-reader, shop the Kobo Libra Colour for just $199.99 and save $30 during Black Friday.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to score a luxury vacation for cheap this Black Friday

Mashable - Mon, 11/24/2025 - 18:26
Best Black Friday travel deals as of Nov. 24: Best deal overall Get up to 40% off hotels when you book through the Tripadvisor app. save 40% Get Deal Best flight deal Get up to $450 off select flight and hotel packages when you book through JetBlue Vacations save $450 Get Deal Best mileage hack Earn 4X miles per dollar spent when you purchase $400 or more in Delta Gift Cards. save $400 Get Deal Best hotel deal Get up to 55% off stand-alone hotel rates and up to 70% off Fiesta Americana Travelty Collection (FATC)package deals. save 70% percent Get Deal Best hotel deal for families and fans Get up to 60% off tickets and up to 60% off Ticket + Room packages at Legoland Resort Florida. Plus, you can save up to $124 on Annual Passes. save 60% Get Deal

For most shoppers, Black Friday means snatching up the best deals on small kitchen appliances, robot vacuums, and tech before the prices skyrocket back to their pre-sale values. What many bargain hunters don’t realize, though, is that you can actually find tons of Black Friday discounts on travel if you know where to look.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday 2025: Live updates on the latest deals from Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more

Airlines, hotels, and even one-of-a-kind experiences typically go on sale right before the holiday season, so you can book, save, and travel later. Sure, there are blackout dates, and some deals may require advance booking or have other restrictions, but if you do it right, you can get a luxe vacay for a fraction of the cost.

Below, I’ve rounded up the best Black Friday travel steals to help you plan your next trip without breaking the bank.

Best travel deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Tripadvisor Tripadvisor Black Friday deal Tripadvisor is offering up to 40% off hotels when you book through the app. You’ll also get a $50 welcome offer that’s good to use on experiences when you sign up for the free Tripadvisor Rewards program. Get Deal Why we like it

Starting tomorrow, Tripadvisor is offering up to 40% off hotels when you book through the app. You’ll also get a $50 welcome offer that’s good to use on experiences when you sign up for the free Tripadvisor Rewards program.

With every hotel and experience you book through the Tripadvisor app, you’ll get 5% “Trip Cash” back that you can use for future bookings. (It's basically free money you can immediately put toward your next trip.) You’ll also be able to book directly within the app, whether you’re booking a hotel for the night, dinner reservations, or an experience. Plus, Tripadvisor is one of the most legit travel apps around — all the reviews and photos are 100 percent user-generated, which means there’s no fake marketing attached, and you can make an informed decision based on real customer reviews.

The fine print: This Black Friday offer officially runs from November 25 through Dec. 1. If you download the app and sign up today (November 24), you’ll get a $30 off “Things to Do” offer instead of the $50 bonus. If you miss this main Black Friday/Cyber Monday window, keep an eye out for Travel Deals Tuesday on Dec.2, where they’ll host a separate sale with up to 40% off various hotels and domestic and international travel destinations.

Best flight deal Opens in a new window Credit: JetBlue JetBlue Black Friday deal Right now, you can get up to $450 off select flight and hotel packages when you book through JetBlue Vacations. Get Deal Why we like it

Right now, you can get up to $450 off select flight and hotel packages when you book through JetBlue Vacations.

JetBlue doesn’t get enough credit, if you ask me. They give you little cookies, their seats are larger (in my opinion), and sometimes, they have the little TVs. This package deal is huge because you only need a low deposit of $99 per person to lock in your trip. JetBlue also offers perks like free airport transfers (at select destinations), a Price Match Guarantee if you find a lower price elsewhere, and your first change is free. It’s the perfect way to secure a 2026 tropical getaway now.

The fine print: This deal is an early Black Friday offer and must be booked by Nov. 25 (tomorrow). Travel dates are valid from Jan. 1, 2026, through Oct. 15, 2026. The max $450 discount requires a minimum spend of $4,000 on specific packages like Atlantis Paradise Island (use code PRESALE450). Other packages offer $300 off with a minimum $3,000 spend (use code PRESALE300).

Best mileage hack Opens in a new window Credit: Delta Delta Black Friday deal Earn 4X miles per dollar spent when you purchase $400 or more in Delta Gift Cards. Get Deal Why we like it

Earn 4X miles per dollar spent when you purchase $400 or more in Delta Gift Cards.

This is a low-commitment hack for SkyMiles members who know they’ll be flying Delta next year. If you plan on spending $400 or more on Delta flights anyway, buying a gift card now is basically free miles that you can use toward future travel benefits. Just purchase the gift cards now, earn the miles, and use the card balance later when you're ready to book your actual trip.

The fine print: This offer is valid through Dec. 3, 2025. You'll need to purchase $400 or more in one transaction. Be patient: the bonus miles will be added to your account approximately 30 business days after the promotion ends.

Best hotel deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fiesta Americana Travelty Collection (FATC) Fiesta Americana Travelty Fiesta Americana Travelty Collection (FATC) is offering up to 55% off stand-alone hotel rates and up to 70% off package deals. Get Deal Why we like it

Fiesta Americana Travelty Collection (FATC) is offering up to 55% off stand-alone hotel rates and up to 70% off package deals.

The discount applies across this entire luxury portfolio, which includes resorts like Live Aqua and Grand Fiesta Americana. The savings potential is massive, especially since the majority of their properties are all-inclusive. (This means your biggest cost is getting there, and you just secured your biggest saving!) The best part is the travel window: you can book today and travel all the way up to Dec. 31, 2026. That kind of future flexibility makes this Black Friday purchase a no-brainer.

The fine print: This deal is available to book through Dec. 3. Like most great travel sales, blackout dates apply, so be sure to check those before finalizing your dates.

Best hotel deal for families and fans Opens in a new window Credit: Legoland Legoland Florida Resort Black Friday deal Legoland Florida Resort is offering up to 60% off tickets and up to 60% off Ticket + Room packages. Plus, you can save up to $124 on Annual Passes. Get Deal Why we like it

Legoland Florida Resort is offering up to 60% off tickets and up to 60% off Ticket + Room packages. Plus, you can save up to $124 on Annual Passes.

This is the true "gift" deal of the season. Not only are you saving up to 60% on tickets and packages, but this sale is also the perfect time to commit to a pass if you live nearby or plan on repeat visits, as you can save up to $120 on an Annual Pass. The savings cover tickets to Legoland Florida, Sea Life Florida, and the Peppa Pig Theme Park, making it perfect for families with kids of different ages.

The fine print: This deal runs through Dec. 2, 2025. The travel window for packages is valid for stays from Nov. 30, 2025, through May 21, 2026 (blackout dates apply).

Even more Black Friday travel deals
  • Saint Lucia Hotels: Get up to 65% off across two dozen hotels and resorts, including Sandals and Windjammer Landing. Dates: Deals cover Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday.

  • Priceline: Offers up to $650 off bundles (hotel + flight or car) with code BUNDLEBIG on Travel Tuesday. Other daily deals include up to 60% off packages, up to 30% off hotels, and up to $2,000 cruise cash. Dates: Sale runs Nov. 10 – Dec. 2, 2025.

  • Club Med: Get up to 50% off select all-inclusive resorts (including Cancún and Punta Cana), plus up to $500 instant savings per person/week. Dates: Book Nov. 18 – Dec. 1, 2025. Travel Dec. 6, 2025 – Jun. 19, 2026.

  • Legoland California Resort: Get up to 50% off Ticket + Room packages. Also, save up to $120 on Annual Passes. Dates: Book Nov. 18 – Dec. 2, 2025.

  • The Mining Exchange Hotel (Colorado Springs, CO): Get up to 45% off stays. Dates: Book Nov. 18 – Dec. 1, 2025. Travel Nov. 18 – Dec. 30, 2025.

  • Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort (Aruba): Get 40% off rooms plus a complimentary welcome drink. Dates: Book Nov. 18 – Dec. 3, 2025. Travel Nov. 18, 2025 – Dec. 30, 2026 (Min 4-night stay).

  • Davenport Hotel Collection (Spokane, WA): Get 40% off upgraded rooms. Dates: Book Nov. 28 – Dec. 1, 2025.

  • Nobu Hotel Miami / Eden Roc Miami Beach: Get up to 40% off stays for May 4 – Oct. 31, 2026. (Other dates are up to 30% off).

  • Nobu Hotel Los Cabos: Get up to 35% off stays, plus a $1,000 spa credit on three-night bookings. Dates: Book now and travel through Dec. 18, 2026. Travel Nov. 4, 2025 – Dec. 18, 2026.

  • Wyndham Rewards: Members save 30% or more on four+ nights. Dates: Book Nov. 20 – Dec. 5, 2025. Stay by May 29, 2026.

  • Ko'a Kea Resort (Hawaii): Get 30% off stays, 50% off the resort fee, and a $30 daily resort credit. (Min four-night stay) . Dates: Book Nov. 3 – Dec. 3, 2025. Travel Dec. 1, 2025 – Dec. 1, 2026.

  • Paséa Hotel & Spa (Huntington Beach, CA): Get 30% off stays, a waived resort fee, and a $30 daily resort credit. Dates: Book Nov. 3 – Dec. 3, 2025. Travel Nov. 3, 2025 – Dec. 31, 2026.

  • Hotel Viata (Austin, TX): Get 30% off stays, a waived destination fee, and a $30 daily resort credit. Dates: Book Nov. 3 – Dec. 3, 2025. Travel Nov. 3, 2025 – Dec. 31, 2026.

  • The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club (Waikiki, HI): Get up to 30% off best available rates, plus waived amenities and pet fees. Dates: Book Nov. 1 – 30, 2025. Travel Nov. 1, 2025 – Dec. 31, 2026.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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