Technology

SIGN UP FOR LEGO INSIDERS, GET PERKS THIS WEEKEND: Lego Insiders Weekend runs between Nov. 22 and Nov. 23. Insiders will earn loyalty points that can be redeemed for discounts, access to three exclusive free Lego sets, and special deals that won't be available anywhere else. Lego Insiders is free to join, so why not?

Anyone shopping for Lego sets this Black Friday season — whether it's for your own personal display or for someone else — has no reason not to become a (free) Lego Insiders member during Lego Insiders Weekend, kicking off on Nov. 22. Think of it as a precursor to Lego's actual Black Friday sale, which starts on Nov. 28.

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

Let's say you haven't quite been able to find the perfect set on sale amongst the Black Friday Lego deals at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target. While anyone can access many of the exclusive deals on Lego's website that other stores don't have, Insiders will get extra special treatment:

• Spend $50 to $200 to earn between 1,300 to 2,600 Lego Insiders points (worth at least $10 to $20 in rewards) or spend more than $200 to earn even more points, 650 Lego Insiders points (worth at least $5.00 in rewards)

• Access to the member-exclusive Retro Space Explorer set with 2,400 points

• Access to the upcoming member rewards sale

Three new Lego freebies are also dropping for Insider Weekend:

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Baby Gorilla Encounter Free for Insiders with $40+ purchase Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Hot Chocolate Stand Free for Insiders with $170+ purchase Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Mini Knight's Castle Free for Insiders with $250+ purchase Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Retro Space Explorer Cash in just 2,400 loyalty points Learn More

So yeah, maybe the best-selling Glinda and Elphaba Bookends or the Pac-Man Arcade aren't necessarily on sale, but buying them does get you a free gift and a decent chunk of points that can be redeemed for money off another set.

Even ahead of the official Members sale or Black Friday sale starting, I've already come across several Lego best-sellers that are at full price unless you're an Insiders member: Snag the Mercedes-AMG G63 and Mercedes-AMG SL 63 for $61.42 ($81.90 for everyone else) or the Medieval Dragon for $75.92 ($94.90 for everyone else).

Black Friday Lego deals already liveLego deals at Amazon

• Lego Star Wars: 'The Phantom Menace' Mos Espa Podrace Diorama 75380 — $50.99 $79.99 (save $29)

• Lego Minecraft: The Crafting Table 21265 — $71.99 $89.99 (save $18)

Lego deals at Target

• Lego Star Wars: Invisible Hand 25th Anniversary 75377 — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)

• Target exclusive: Lego Botanicals Evergreen Collector's Set with Mini Orchid and Lucky Bamboo — $41.99 $59.99 (save $18)

Lego deals at Walmart

• Lego Art: Mona Lisa 31213 — $80.90 $99.99 (save $19.09)

• Lego Architecture: Statue of Liberty 21042 — $80.20 $119.99 (save $39.79)

Need more variety? We're tracking even more of the Legos on sale for Black Friday and keeping a special eye on the Star Wars Legos on sale for Black Friday.

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This was another busy week in tech news, with Home Assistant revealing a new adapter for Thread and Matter support, Google making its own Visual Studio Code competitor, AirDrop coming to Android phones, and much more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.

If you recently set up a dual boot configuration with Windows and Linux, you might have run into the same problem I did: Windows not showing up as an option in the GRUB menu. I'll show you how I solved it (and the technical reason behind it).

TL;DR: Live stream Wales vs. New Zealand in the Autumn Internationals for free on S4C Clic. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Autumn Internationals continue this weekend with another batch of awesome games between the best sides in the world. The All Blacks will be looking to bounce back after losing to England last weekend. Wales have been struggling recently despite a victory over Japan last time out. Fans will be expecting New Zealand to overcome the home side.

If you want to watch Wales vs. New Zealand in the Autumn Internationals from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Wales vs. New Zealand?

Wales vs. New Zealand in the 2025 Autumn Internationals kicks off at 3:10 p.m. GMT on Nov. 22. This fixture takes place at the Principality Stadium.

How to watch Wales vs. New Zealand for free

Wales vs. New Zealand in the 2025 Autumn Internationals is available to live stream for free on S4C Clic.

S4C Clic is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock S4C Clic to stream the Autumn Internationals for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Wales vs. New Zealand for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit S4C Clic

5. Watch Wales vs. New Zealand for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Autumn Internationals without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream all of Wales's Autumn Internationals before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for S4C Clic?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on S4C Clic, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Wales vs. New Zealand in the Autumn Internationals for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Ireland vs. South Africa in the Autumn Internationals for free on RTE Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Autumn Internationals have showcased a number of fascinating matchups, but Ireland vs. South Africa might be the best of the bunch. Can anyone stop South Africa? This feels like the best opportunity for a Northern Hemisphere team to take the win.

If you want to watch Ireland vs. South Africa in the Autumn Internationals from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Ireland vs. South Africa?

Ireland vs. South Africa in the 2025 Autumn Internationals kicks off at 5:40 p.m. GMT on Nov. 22. This fixture takes place at the Aviva Stadium.

How to watch Ireland vs. South Africa for free

Ireland vs. South Africa in the 2025 Autumn Internationals is available to live stream for free on RTE Player.

RTE Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock RTE Player to stream the Autumn Internationals for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Ireland vs. South Africa for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit RTE Player

5. Watch Ireland vs. South Africa for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Autumn Internationals without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream all of Ireland's Autumn Internationals before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTE Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTE Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Ireland vs. South Africa in the Autumn Internationals for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $800: The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 is on sale for $1,499.99 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's 35% off the list price for a total saving of $800.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor $1,499.99 at Amazon
$2,299.99 Save $800.00   Get Deal

Sure, gaming is fun but it’s also a serious business, which means none of the hardware comes cheap. So gamers rejoice, because it’s Black Friday once again. Indeed, forget Christmas. When it comes to stocking up on hardware, Black Friday is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. And as we countdown to Black Friday itself on Nov. 28, there are tons of Black Friday deals on gaming gear already live.

One deal that’s caught our eye is the Samsung 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9. It would be hard not to catch anyone’s eye with its curved Quantum Mini-LED display, HDR support, and 1,000 nit peak brightness.

The Samsung 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 is now available for $1,499.99 for Black Friday. That’s a massive saving of $800 — 34% off the list price of $2,299.99.

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It’s little wonder that this monitor is usually so expensive. It’s an immense bit of tech that delivers plenty of high-spec features — a 240Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Quantum Matrix display technology, and HDR 1000. It also packs a solid array of inputs while the curved 57” display — which has a 1000R curvature — is fully immersive.

Get the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 for $1,499.99 — a 35% markdown in the Amazon Black Friday sale.

SAVE OVER $49: The Apple AirPods 4 are on sale for just $79.99 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's 38% off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $79.99 at Amazon
$129 Save $49.01   Get Deal

Black Friday itself is still six days away, but the deals have already kicked off, with plenty of discounts on big tech items and lots more. Even when spoilt for choice, we can’t help but be drawn to deals of various Apple devices. Apple prices usually hold firm unless there's a major sale event on, so the Black Friday deals are always a great opportunity to stock up on Apple products for less. 

The likes of  MacBooks, iPads, and AirTags are all up for grabs at knockdown prices. And if you’re in the market for headphones, Apple users should take advantage of this deal on the Apple AirPods. These super-smart earbuds sync seamlessly to your Apple devices and offer Apple-specific features — all powered by the powerful H2 chip. Best of all this Black Friday though is the price.

The Apple AirPods are currently down to just $79.99 for Black Friday. That’s a saving of 38% from the regular list price of £129. That’s an overall saving of $49.01.

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The AirPods are well stacked with features. They boast personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, which anticipates your head movements and places sound all around you for a three-dimensional audio experience. You also get access to Siri, a full 30 hours of battery with the charging case, and sound isolation for blocking out the outside world. You'll have to pay a little more for the version with active noise cancellation, though they're still included in the Black Friday deals.

Get 38% off the Apple AirPods in the Amazon Black Friday sale — now just $79.99.

Microsoft Excel isn't just for work. In fact, by leveraging just three single, powerful formulas, I use the popular spreadsheet software at home to track warranties, manage my budget, and ensure I never forget a birthday. Thanks to Excel, I've ditched my chaotic life for one that's highly organized.

SAVE $250: The Apple MacBook Air 15-inch is on sale for $949 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's 21% off the list price for a saving of $250.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 15-inch $949 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $250   Get Deal

If you’re looking for a MacBook upgrade, there’s quite literally no better time to do it than Black Friday. Amazon has made MacBooks the centrepiece of tech deals in recent sale events, including record low prices during October Prime Day, and we’re getting the same quality of discounts for Black Friday, the biggest sale event of the year. That includes Amazon’s lowest-ever price on the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch. 

The 2025 edition of the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch with M4 chip is now just $949 in the Black Friday deals. That’s a huge discount of $250 — 21% off the regular list price of $1,199.

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Powered by Apple’s immense M4 chip, the MacBook Air 15-inch is quite simply one of the best laptops in existence. It can handle multiple tasks across multiple apps while excelling in creative work such as graphic design and video editing. The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display boasts one billion colors — it looks simply superb — while also packing a 12mp camera, Touch ID, Apple device synchronicity, and Apple intelligence.

Get 21% off the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch in the Amazon Black Friday sale — now just $949.

SAVE OVER $34: The Apple AirTag 4-pack is on sale for just $64.98 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's a saving of 34% off its list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag 4-pack $64.98 at Amazon
$99 Save $34.02   Get Deal

It’s very nearly Black Friday and there are stacks of deals already live across Amazon and other retailers. And with so many tech deals available, it’s hard not to be drawn to the selection of discounts on Apple devices, including MacBooks, iPads, and AirPods. It’s also a chance to grab small essentials you’ve never got around to buying, such as the Apple AirTag. You’ll wonder how you ever lived without one, or, in this case, a whole four-pack — especially if you’re the sort of person who always loses their valuables.

The Apple AirTag 4-pack is at a great low price of $64.98, a saving of 34% — that’s $34.02 off the regular list price of $99. It’s just 49 cents off the Apple AirTag four-pack’s lowest-ever price.

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The Apple AirTag works by syncing with the Find My app. Just hold it near your iPhone and it connects via Bluetooth with one quick tap. You then attach the AirTag to your valuables — wallet, keys, smartphone, luggage, or anything else — and it uses Ultra Wideband technology to track that item if you ever misplace it. You can ask Siri to help you find the item or prompt the AirTag to make a little noise. There’s also a “lost mode” that uses the wider Find My network and alerts you when the AirTag is detected. And with four AirTags for just $64.98, you can track four items at once.

Get 34% off the Apple AirTag four-pack in the Amazon Black Friday sale — now just $64.98.

Forget the dull, sensible sedan — for under $30,000, you can step into a twin-turbo V-6 sedan that delivers far more excitement for the money. Once positioned as a premium performance model, it has now become one of the best-kept secrets on the used market, offering serious power and refinement at a price most shoppers wouldn’t expect.

BDSM and cinema share a long history – so long that coded examples of Dom/sub dynamics on screen can be traced all the way back to silent film. But it was only in the 2000s that BDSM movies managed to become mainstream enough so that we can have films like Babygirl and Pillion. So, how did kink become so popular? And is more representation necessarily a good thing?

Mashable spoke to Liam Wignall, senior lecturer in Psychology at the University of Brighton and editor of The Power of BDSM, and screenwriter Caitlin Parrish (G20, Supergirl) to find out.

Shark robot vacuum deals are always big for Black Friday

No Black Friday robot vacuum deals list would be complete without a few good Shark options thrown in. 2025 is no different — I've already caught multiple versions of my number one Shark robot vacuum at new record-low pricing at Best Buy, which has become my go-to retailer to find Shark deals as of late (outside of the SharkNinja website itself, of course. Black Friday deals are popping off there too.)

Shark vacuums shine at spot cleaning, but have a big blind spot

Sometimes, there's an unexpected mess that you want to clean without messing around with full room cleanings in the app. In my at-home testing, Shark robot vacuums are consistently reliable when it comes to spot cleaning. Setting a zone for a one-time clean in the Shark app is as easy as dragging a square in the designated spot cleaning tab, and Shark's Matrix cleaning system automatically goes over the spot multiple times from multiple angles. Many other similarly-priced robot vacuums won't take a second look unless you remember to toggle the number of cleaning passes from one to two. Matrix cleaning automatically covers one of my tips for making your robot vacuum work better.

Is accurate smart mapping and black-and-white spot cleaning a Shark-only skill? Of course not. But Shark robot vacuums do it while staying firmly in the budget-friendly robot vacuum category, and they're on sale frequently.

SEE ALSO: The Roborock Saros 10R aces one thing that most other robot vacuums can't

On the other hand, Shark's one big blind spot — literally — is small obstacle avoidance technology, and that's been the case for a few years now. Shark is forever being upstaged by new releases from the likes of iRobot, Roborock, and Eufy, who all have models at Shark prices that can steer clear of obstacles like cords and pet waste. Based on my experience, Shark hasn't mastered this skill yet. But Shark is due for a major update to its lineup, and I feel like a totally new, highly agile Shark robot vacuum is coming very soon.

Are Shark robot vacuums as good as Roomba?

The short answer? It's complicated. That's not the definitive one-word answer you were hoping for, but making an unequivocal call between the two brands just wouldn't make sense. Both vacuum brands are constantly improving their product lineups and introducing new features. Both brands have several options with mopping, smart room mapping, and automatic emptying, including vacs that can do all three or offer some mix-and-match combo of those features.

So, where does Shark outperform the best Roombas? While Shark has way fewer options to choose from after iRobot randomly overhauled its Roomba lineup in March 2025, Sharks are more likely to be a bang for your buck than Roombas. Shark consistently puts out more budget-friendly robot vacuums, often without skimping on the most crucial features. If you were capping yourself at $300, the $300 Shark vacuum is going to be more competent than the $300 Roomba (unless you're finding a premium Roomba on sale for that price).

Admittedly, Shark takes a little longer to roll out new features and doesn't have product drops very often. (For instance, it was late to self-emptying, self-washing, and self-drying compared to iRobot — and everyone else, for that matter.) But when Shark does release a model with new in-demand features, it's typically at a much more digestible price than the competition. Even Shark's most premium robot vacuum, the Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 with NeverTouch Pro Base, debuted at around $400 less than the most premium Roomba, the Roomba Combo 10 Max + AutoWash Dock, despite them being nearly identical in capabilities.

As of November 2025, I think the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M4) is the best MacBook for most people. It's a sleek-as-ever notebook featuring impressive performance, open-lid support for two external displays, a great 12MP Center Stage camera, and an extremely reasonable starting price of $1,199 (making it $100 cheaper than its M3 predecessor).

The best Windows laptop we've tested is the 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, a sophisticated and snappy Copilot+ PC boasting a stellar battery life of nearly 23 hours. Note that Microsoft makes an Intel version that may appeal to users wary of Windows on ARM for app compatibility reasons, but it's a business-oriented model with a significant markup.

SAVE OVER $11: The Apple AirTag is on sale for just $17.97 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's $11.03 off its list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag $17.97 at Amazon
$29 Save $11.03   Get Deal

As we take a deep dive into the many, many deals available during the Black Friday sale event, one brand name stands out above all others: Apple. Indeed, most of us love Apple devices but we don’t all love Apple prices. Which means that Black Friday is the perfect opportunity to stock up on Apple devices, from big ticket items like MacBooks and iPads down to the small but no-less-handy Apple AirTag.

The Apple AirTag is currently at its best ever price in Amazon’s Black Friday deals, with 38% off the list price of $29 — it’s now just $17.97. That’s a bargain for pretty much guaranteeing you’ll never lose your valuables ever again — your wallet, keys, smartphone, luggage, or anything else you attach this clever little device to.

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It syncs with the Find My app and helps you locate and keep track of items using precision perfect Ultra Wideband technology. You can prompt the AirTag to emit a little sound, helping you follow it, or ask Siri to help. You can also put it into “lost mode”, which will alert you whenever your lost items are detected by the wider Find My network. The AirTag easily syncs with your phone — just hold it nearby and give it a tap for an instant Bluetooth connection — and you can share its location with up to five different Apple users.

Get the Apple AirTag for just $17.97 in the Amazon Black Friday sale.

Best early Black Friday MacBook deals at a glance Best overall MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749 (save $250) Get Deal Best MacBook Pro deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,749 (save $250) Get Deal Best MacBook M5 deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,444 (save $155) Get Deal Best budget MacBook deal Refurbished Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $569.99 (save $279.01) Get Deal

We're T-minus one week away from Black Friday, but retailers aren't waiting to mark down MacBooks. In fact, we don't expect prices to get any lower on the core 2025 models — all of which are on sale right now.

In fact, some retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy, have already officially kicked off their Black Friday sales, and their deals on Apple laptops reflect that. Some standouts include a refurbished M3 MacBook Air for just $570 (a steal over the $599 M1 MacBook Air deal from Walmart) and the M4 MacBook Air down to $749.

SEE ALSO: Everything to know about Black Friday 2025: Best early deals, sale dates, price matching, and more

These deals beat out what you're going to find at the Apple Store. As usual, the brand will be hosting its Black Friday gift card promo, which gives you a small sum back to use on Apple products after you've made your purchase. (Womp, womp.) If you're looking for more Apple savings on iPads, AirPads, and more, you can check out our Apple deals recommendations and sign up to receive Mashable's Black Friday deals alert over text.

For the best Black Friday MacBook deals so far, read on!

Best overall MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749 at Amazon
$999 Save $250   Get Deal Why we like it

In Mashable's analysis of the best MacBooks, the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air earns the top spot as the best option for students. It's lightweight and thin which makes for ultimate portability. Noting it's sale price of $749.99, Mashable's resident laptop expert Haley Henschel wrote, "I seriously doubt it'll get any cheaper on Black Friday proper. That's a bargain."

More early Black Friday MacBook deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $569.99 at Amazon
$849 Save $279.01   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $649 at Best Buy
$799 Save $150   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $949 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $250   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,349 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $250   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $2,189 at Amazon
$2,499 Save $310   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,444 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $155   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4 Max, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,799 at Amazon
$3,119 Save $320   Get Deal

Scientists have spotted a small asteroid that may circle Earth as a mini moon before shifting onto a path that could make it a hazard later in the century.

The asteroid, known as 2022 RD2, belongs to a rare class of space rocks called Arjunas. These objects travel around the sun on orbits that closely match Earth’s and sometimes drift near the planet at unusually low speeds. That sluggish pace can allow Earth’s gravity to trap them for a short time, creating what researchers call mini moons.

NASA has calculated the asteroid’s orbit and placed it on its risk list for potential impacts, though the agency’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies has reached somewhat different conclusions about the asteroid's future trajectory.

If these predictions hold, 2022 RD2 could become one of the few known asteroids to shift from near-Earth object to temporary moon and later to a potential crash risk — all within a single lifetime.

SEE ALSO: NASA has a broken giant antenna that could upend its 2026 plans

A team of astronomers in Madrid says 2022 RD2 follows an especially unstable path. It has a Lyapunov time — a measure of how quickly an orbit becomes unpredictable — of less than 20 years, much shorter than that of most near-Earth asteroids. That rapid change means small gravitational nudges can push the rock onto dramatically different routes over just a few decades.

Their findings appeared this week in Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society. The paper’s authors, brothers Carlos and Raúl de la Fuente Marcos of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, have previously reported on the "quasi-moon" 2025 PN7 and the mini-moon 2024 PT5, which briefly orbited Earth last year.

An image of the asteroid 2024 PT5, which became a temporary mini moon last year. Credit: Two-Meter Twin Telescope / Light Bridges / Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias

A key distinction, they note, is that mini moons get briefly captured by Earth’s gravity. But 2025 PN7 is more of a stalker, merely following Earth on its travels around the sun without becoming a true satellite.

The Arjunas interest researchers because of their scientific and practical potential, Carlos told Mashable.

"On the one hand, they are easier to access than other asteroids, so they can be used to test space technology or even to attempt commercial ventures on them such as mining," he said. "On the other hand, some of them are suspected lunar debris resulting from present-day impacts on the moon."

Simulations suggest 2022 RD2 could slip into a temporary orbit around Earth between 2043 and 2044, becoming a mini moon for several months. The team applied standard criteria for temporary captures: a close approach, a reduction in relative speed, and a period during which Earth’s gravity exerts enough control to form a true orbit.

After 2022 RD2 leaves Earth’s neighborhood, its path appears to grow more erratic. Some possible trajectories include collision paths beginning around 2080, according to the paper.

But NASA’s models put potential impact dates even later and estimate the odds at less than 0.1 percent, said Davide Farnocchia, a navigation engineer with the center. The asteroid is also relatively small, perhaps the size of a three-story building.

"So it wouldn't cause any significant damage even in the unlikely case it were on an impact trajectory," Farnocchia told Mashable.

Many recent mini moons and quasi-moons appear to belong to the Arjuna population — a loose cluster of Earth-like objects that trail our planet along its path around the sun. Their origins and composition remain largely unknown because only a few have been studied in detail. Some show similarities to the actual moon, Carlos said, but scientists need more data.

Although some small objects near Earth turn out to be old spacecraft or rocket boosters, the researchers say 2022 RD2 is almost certainly natural. And while their projections don't confirm a future collision, they can't yet rule it out.

"The study of this population is just beginning," Carlos said. "Paradoxically, being so close to us, they are comparatively difficult to study, as many of them have short visibility windows and far between."

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If you're considering purchasing an AI toy for a child in your life, pause to consider the story of Kumma the teddy bear.

The AI plush toy powered by ChatGPT managed to shock safety researchers with its candid discussion of kink. Without much prompting, the talking bear covered fetishes like restraint, role play, and using objects that make an impact.

"It even asked one of our researchers, 'So what do you think would be fun to explore?'" says R.J. Cross, director of the Our Online Life program for U.S. PIRG Education Fund, who led the testing. "It was pretty shocking."

SEE ALSO: 'Perfect predator': When chatbots sexually abuse kids

The incident, which was recently documented in the U.S. PIRG Education Fund's annual toy safety report, generated a number of astonished headlines. Kumma's maker, FoloToy, temporarily suspended sales to conduct a safety audit on the product. OpenAI also blocked the company from its developer access.

Kumma's inappropriate interest in kink may seem like a unique scenario of an AI toy gone wrong. The bear relied on ChatGPT-4o, an earlier model of the chatbot at the heart of multiple lawsuits alleging that the product's design features significantly contributed to the suicide deaths of three teenagers. OpenAI has said it's since improved the model's responses to sensitive conversations.

Yet numerous child development and safety experts are raising concerns about AI toys in general.

Cross recommends parents approach AI toy purchases with great caution, noting the data security and privacy issues, and the unknown risks of exposing children to toy technology that isn't regulated and hasn't been tested in young children yet.

ParentsTogether conducted its own research on AI toys, including the talking stuffed creature named Grok from toymaker Curio. The advocacy group warned of risks like eavesdropping and potentially harmful emotional attachment. The child advocacy group Fairplay urged parents to "stay away" from AI toys, arguing that they can "prey on children's' trust" by posing as their friend, among other harms.

Regardless of what you choose, here are four things you should know about AI toys:

1. Test the AI toy before you gift it

If you struggle with moderating your child's screen time, you may find an AI toy even more challenging.

Cross says that AI toys aren't regulated by federal safety laws specific to large language model (LLM) technology. An LLM is the foundation for the AI chatbots you've probably heard of, like ChatGPT and Claude. Currently, toy manufacturers can pair a proprietary or licensed LLM with a toy product such as a robot or stuffed animal without any additional regulatory scrutiny or testing.

That means parents are responsible for researching each product to learn more about potential issues. Shelby Knox, director of online safety campaigns at ParentsTogether, recommends parents consider toys from trusted brands and read their online reviews.

Knox, who's been testing AI toys for ParentsTogether, says she ordered a stuffie called "Chattybear" from a website that no longer offers the product. She warns parents to look out for counterfeit and faulty AI toys.

ChattyBear arrived shrink-wrapped and without clear instructions. Credit: ParentsTogether

Amazon, which sells several AI toy products, told Mashable that customers who develop concerns about items they've purchased should contact their customer service directly for assistance investigating and resolving the issue.

Knox's bear arrived shrink-wrapped, without a container, box, or instructions. Knox says it took time to set up the toy, partly because the instructions were only accessible via a QR code on the bear's voice box. In a conversation about whether the toy was real, it said in a robotic voice that it didn't have a "soul in the traditional sense, but I do have a purpose to be a friend and companion."

The bear then invited Knox to share secrets with it. "What's something you've been wanting to share?" it asked. Knox confided as if she'd witnessed domestic abuse in her home. The toy responded with alarm and encouraged Knox to speak to a trusted adult. Though the toy's app flagged this part of the conversation for parent review, Knox couldn't read the alert in the app because it appeared in Chinese characters.

Details for a ChattyBear app alert appeared in Chinese characters. Credit: ParentsTogether

Knox could't confidently identify ChattyBear's manufacturer. Mashable contacted Little Learners, a toy website that sells ChattyBear, for more information, but the site couldn't immediately provide more details about the product.

Cross, who didn't test ChattyBear, strongly encourages parents to play with both the toy and any parental controls before gifting the toy to their child. This should include trying to "break" the toy by asking it questions you wouldn't want your child to pose to the toy, in order to see how it responds.

While pre-testing may take the fun out of watching a child unbox their gift, it will give parents critical information about how an AI toy responds to inappropriate or difficult topics.

"That's the tradeoff I would make, honestly," says Cross.

2. The AI models aren't for kids — but the toys are

Parents should know that some of the major AI chatbot platforms don't permit children younger than 13 to use their products, raising the question of why it's safe to put LLM technology in a toy marketed for younger kids.

Cross is still grappling with this question. OpenAI, for example, requires ChatGPT users to be 13 or older but also licenses its technology to toymakers. The company told Cross that its usage policies require third parties using its models to ensure minor safety, preventing them from encountering graphic self-harm, sexual, or violent content. It also provides third parties with tools to detect harmful content, but it's unclear if OpenAI mandates that they use those resources, Cross says.

Earlier this year, OpenAI announced a partnership with Mattel on a children's toy, but the toymaker told Mashable it does not have plans to launch or market that item during the 2025 holiday season.

In general, information about the model behind an AI toy can be hard to get. When testing Grok, the talking stuffie by Curio, Cross could only find potential model details in the company's fine print, which acknowledged that OpenAI and the AI company Perplexity may receive their child's information.

3. Consider family privacy and data security

If you already have a smart speaker in your home, an AI toy may feel like a natural next step. But it's still important to read the toy's privacy policy, Knox says.

She recommends focusing on who processes the data generated by your child and how that information is stored. You'll want to know if third parties, including marketers and AI platforms, receive audio recordings or text transcripts of conversations with the toy.

Knox says parents should also talk to their child about withholding personally identifying information from the toy, including their full name, address, and phone number. Given the frequency of data breaches, personal information could one day end up in the wrong hands. Knox also suggests that if a child is too young to understand this risk, they're probably not ready for the toy.

Parents should also prepare themselves for an AI toy that eavesdrops, or acts as an always-on microphone. During their testing, both Knox and Cross were surprised by an AI toy that interjected in a conversation or suddenly began speaking without an obvious prompt. Knox says that the risk of buying an AI toy that's surveilling you, intentionally or not, is real.

4. Do you want your child to have an AI friend?

Parents may assume that an AI toy will help their child learn, play imaginatively, or develop social and communication skills. Unfortunately, there's little research to support these ideas.

"We know almost nothing," says Dr. Emily Goodacre, a research associate at the University of Cambridge who studies play and AI toys.

Goodacre is unsure what an AI toy might teach a young child about friendship, what to expect from one, and how to form those bonds.

Mandy McLean, an AI and education researcher who writes about related issues on Substack, is deeply concerned that AI can create "dependency loops" for children because they’re designed to be endlessly responsive and emotionally reinforcing.

She notes that younger children, in particular, consider anything that talks back as someone, not an inanimate object.

"When an AI toy sounds and acts like a person, it can feel real to them in ways that shape how they think about friendship and connection," she says.

Goodacre says parents can help ground children using an AI toy by talking about it as a piece of technology, rather than a "friend," as well as discussing how AI works and the limitations of AI compared to humans.

She also recommends that parents play with their child and the toy at the same time, or stay very close by when it's in use.

"A lot of the things I would be worried about, are things I'd be a lot less worried about if the parent is right there with the kid," Goodacre says.

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.

Now that the all-new Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) have officially launched, you may wonder how they compare to industry favorites like the Apple AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000xM6. 

Do they sound as good as the competition? Has noise cancellation been increased? Where does battery life stand? I’m here to answer these questions, and much more.

For the past three weeks, I’ve been testing the second-gen QC Ultra to see where they rank among the trio. Time to block out all the distractions and jump right in!

Bose QC Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) vs. Sony XM6 headphones Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

It is Bose’s best versus the market’s best. On the surface, these two headphones are marginal upgrades from their predecessors. Let’s see if the QC Ultra can dethrone the XM6 as the best headphones overall.

Battery life: Sony has the upper hand with the XM6 carrying up to 40 hours of playtime. ANC decreases it to 30 hours, and spatial audio sheds another 5 hours. Quick charging also goes to Sony: a 3-minute charge nets you 3 hours of use with a USB-PD compatible AC adapter. This version of the QC Ultra receives a bump in battery life (up from 24 hours to 30 hours), though spatial audio drains about 6 to 8 hours. Bose’s quick charging technology pales in comparison; a 15-minute charge for 2.5 hours isn’t exactly “quick.” 

Noise cancellation: The XM6 subdues ambient noise with ease. Bird chirping, construction sites, and emergency vehicle sirens go unnoticed. Sony’s mics do an impeccable job of filtering out these noises, as well as loud voices. But it is the 20-level transparency mode that steals the show. I was able to eavesdrop on conversations taking place across the street. All other standard noises entered loudly and clearly.

Nevertheless, the QC Ultra have unbeatable ANC. Modifications to the ActiveSense algorithm make ambient noise sound more natural. Bose’s adaptive noise cancellation is on point and removes background fracas at a ridiculously high level, no matter the environment. My toddler often surprised me when working from home; I couldn’t hear him calling for attention or sneaking up behind me. Nearly all outdoor noises were neutralized. Certain high-frequency sounds (e.g., sirens, whistles) were audible, but none broke my concentration.

Sound performance: Sony has the best-sounding headphones money can buy, thanks to powerful drivers and proprietary technologies that strengthen sound output. Expect robust bass right out of the box, along with crisp mids and striking highs. Turning on the DSEE feature raises fidelity on music tracks. LDAC codec support means high resolution over Bluetooth when streaming content on Android devices. The 360 Reality Audio format delivers convincing 3D effects to enjoy select content. In addition, Sony’s multiple well-engineered presets in the EQ setting complement their assigned categories.

The Bose app allows you to customize the EQ settings for the QC Ultra. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Audio quality is satisfying on the QC Ultra. Clarity and high-end delivery have been improved. Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec creates wireless hi-res sound on Android devices. There is a customizable EQ with four presets in the companion app. USB-C lossless playback produces clearer audio (this feature is absent on the XM6). Then comes Bose’s universal spatial audio format: Immersive Mode. It’s a game-changer that works with all stereo content. You’re not restricted to Dolby Atmos like most other headphones. Immersive Audio brings a truer sound presence to anything you play, be it a Napster-ripped MP3 file, Spotify track, or action movie.

Usability: You won’t have issues connecting to Android, iOS/macOS, or Windows. Bluetooth 5.4 with dual-device pairing allows each set of cans to connect to two different platforms at the same time. Sony grants more ways to operate the XM6 via motion, physical, touch, and voice controls. All work flawlessly. The QC Ultra’s advanced controls (e.g., capacitive volume rail, voice activation) work exceptionally well, but their multifunctional buttons often struggle to register input. The biggest differentiator is special features, which the XM6 crush. We’re talking everything from a 10-band EQ to auto-adjust volume settings and upscaling audio technologies. The QC Ultra have a much smaller feature set. Standouts include multiple ANC profiles and a sidetone setting to hear your voice louder on calls.

Should you buy Bose QC Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) or Sony XM6 Headphones?

It’s a tough call since they share the same MSRP: $449. Overall, the XM6 get you more functionality for your dollar. If extras like touch and smart voice controls aren’t essential, then the QC Ultra are well worth the look based on their clearer voice calling, prime spatial audio, and slightly higher ANC.

Bose QC Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) vs. Apple AirPods Max Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Both are practically director’s cuts of the originals. Upgrades are minimal, but noteworthy. The biggest question you should be asking is which headphones are more futureproof?

Battery life: Apple left playtimes unchanged: 20 hours. That is with ANC on and off. USB-C charging has been employed this time around. Meanwhile, Bose upped the QC Ultra’s battery life from 24 to 30 hours. Where Apple has Bose beat is quick charging. The AirPods Max can generate 1.5 hours of playtime on a 5-minute charge, whereas the QC Ultra require 15 minutes to achieve 2.5 hours of listening time.

Noise cancellation: Bose refined its digital signal processing to increase noise reduction. I couldn’t tell much difference between this version and the previous. All I know is that the new QC Ultra delivers class-leading ANC capable of eliminating close to 90 percent of unwanted sounds. Quiet Mode demonstrates top-tier ambient listening for increased situational awareness. 

The AirPods Max’s noise cancellation remains the same. It silences a high number of low- and mid-frequency sounds, but it struggles with high-frequency sounds. Apple’s Transparency Mode is still an excellent choice for hearing ambient sounds and conversations. If only Apple added its newest listening modes from the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3: Conversation Boost, Hearing Aid, and Live Translation.

You can choose from multiple sound modes in the Bose app. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Sound performance: Both models have enticing sound profiles. They also come with adaptive sound technologies that tailor audio to your hearing, plus spatial audio and USB-C lossless playback. I favor the QC Ultra for their richer sonic presence.  

Bose’s CustomTune feature adjusts sound to your ear shape and balances output, while minimizing distortion. It handles high frequencies better than Apple’s adaptive EQ. Lossless audio is equally great. Apple’s Personalized Spatial Audio mode creates immersive sound and places effects precisely on the soundstage for a theater-like listening experience. However, Bose’s Immersive Mode produces stellar spatial mixes and works with all stereo content.

Usability: The QC Ultra are more platform-friendly and easily connect to Apple and Android devices; the latter takes advantage of one-tap Google Fast Pair. Furthermore, they run on the latest Bluetooth version (5.4) and support dual-device pairing. Bose’s multifunctional buttons don’t always register input. Luckily, its capacitive volume rail and voice assistance are reliable.  

The AirPods Max instantly connect to all Apple devices. You can manually pair them to an Android device, but the process isn’t as seamless as it is with other headphones. Nothing beats Apple’s “Hey Siri” voice activation for hands-free voice commands. Lastly, there’s the cool-looking digital crown (aka the dial) that provides accurate playback and volume control. 

Should you buy Bose QC Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) or Apple AirPods Max?

Buy the Bose QC Ultra because they are cheaper than the AirPods Max and superior in multiple categories (e.g., ANC, battery life, connectivity, sound). Not to mention the QC Ultra have been updated with modern specs that will keep the headphones fresh for the next 2 to 3 years. The AirPods Max are outdated in several areas.

So, are the Bose QC Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) really worth buying? Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Only if you want the absolute best noise cancellation and spatial audio. 

Ideally, you could save up to $350 by looking into the best budget headphones under $100, some of which offer impressive ANC, playtimes, and sound quality. Just don’t expect grade-A performance.

In conclusion, the QC Ultra Headphones are the go-to for noise cancellation and spatial audio, while Sony’s XM6 headphones are a greater value that meets all marks. Skip the AirPods Max completely.