Technology

As we start the new year, it’s time to look at some fun Raspberry Pi projects. Whether you want a digital photo frame to upgrade your garage with some smart features, here are three Raspberry Pi projects for you to tackle this weekend.

SAVE $500: The Bluetti Pioneer Na(Sodium) portable power station is on sale for $799, down from the list price of $1,299. That's a 38% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Pioneer Na(Sodium) portable power station $799 at Bluetti
$1,299 Save $500   Get Deal

Winter temps are not for the weak. Spending time outdoors during winter months in some part of the country requires special gear. We layer up with merino wool, down jackets, and windproof hats to help combat the chill, but our tech can also suffer. Your phone's battery is likely to diminish quicker if you're outside in super cold temps while other devices simply aren't meant to be operated in the severe cold. That's true for most portable power stations, but Bluetti has a new model that's cool with a chill, and it's on sale today.

As of Jan. 2, the Bluetti Pioneer Na(Sodium) portable power station is on sale for $799, down from the list price of $1,299. That's a 38% discount that shaves $500 off the price.

While most portable power stations are not designed to operate or recharge in super cold temps, the Bluetti Pioneer Na(Sodium) is meant to work in temps as long as -13 degrees and be able to safely recharge in temps as low as 5 degrees. That means this is the perfect model if you'll be heading out for winter camping, ice fishing, or taking a power station along to the jobsite this winter.

Bluetti used sodium-ion battery cells in this model which gives it the ability to be unphased in cold temperatures. For comparison, the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 portable power station (one of my absolute favorites) is only safe to operate in temps as low as -4 degrees and can only recharge if the temperature is at least 32 degrees. That means the Bluetti has a huge advantage in both operating and recharging in the cold.

SEE ALSO: Outdoor deals at Amazon include a 45% discount on the Garmin inReach Messenger

Overall, the Bluetti Pioneer Na packs in 1,500Wh of power. With the Bluetti app, you can activate Power Lifting Mode which gives you the ability to get up to 2,250W of power for operating kettles, space heaters, or an electric blanket.

Of course, you can also put the Bluetti Pioneer Na to good use at home during a power outage. You'll be in line for keeping the refrigerator on for almost 20 hours or the WiFi router on for almost 44 hours.

Before your next outdoor job or ice fishing adventure this winter, get equipped with the cold-weather friendly Bluetti Pioneer Na(Sodium) portable power station. You'll be able to save $500 by taking advantage of this early 2026 sale price.

If you're like me, you get excited when it's time to finally replace your old phone with a shiny new one. In the excitement of browsing new phones, you might come across the option to trade in your old phone.

SAVE $50: As of Jan. 2, get Assassin's Creed Shadows (PS5) for $29.99 at Best Buy, down from its usual price of $69.99. That's a discount of 57% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Assassin's Creed Shadows $29.99 at Best Buy
$69.99 Save $40   Get Deal

The new year is here, and if you snagged a PlayStation 5 console or have some fresh gift cards to spend after the holidays, now's the time to get some shopping in. You can get some great deals in, especially if you want to pick up a few video games here and there. Case in point: the PS5 edition of Assassin's Creed Shadows, a 2025 release that you might have been thinking about adding to your backlog.

As of Jan. 2, get Assassin's Creed Shadows (PS5) for $29.99 at Best Buy, down from its usual price of $69.99. That's $50 off and a discount of 57%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The 11 best video games of 2025

Set in feudal Japan, this installment of the long-running Assassin's Creed series focuses on the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order, both organizations at odds with fighting for peace through their own very different means. This entry has dual protagonists once more: kunoichi Fujibayashi Naoe, and samurai Yasuke, both with different types of play styles.

This action RPG is a lot like the rest of the games in the Assassin's Creed series, but the first to fully delve into this time period and location, rewarding players with an open world to explore, tons of different non-linear missions to tackle, and the new ability to crawl and go prone as well as "Observe" mode to glean information about potential targets.

If you're ready to tackle a new gaming challenge, don't sleep on this deal and grab it while it's still available at Best Buy.

SAVE $178.95: As of Jan. 2, the Bose QuietComfort headphones are down to just $170.05 in the sandstone shade at Amazon. That's 51% in savings and their lowest price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort headphones $170.05 at Amazon
$349 Save $178.95   Get Deal

If you want above-average noise-cancelling headphones that you can wear all day and that won't cost you a few hundred bucks, the Bose QuietComfort headphones check all the right boxes. And as of Jan. 2, they're down to their best price ever.

You can pick up the Bose QuietComfort headphones for only $170.05 in the sandstone shade at Amazon. That's over half off and their lowest price on record in this color. We saw this same deal pop up in mid-December, then immediately disappear. So we recommend adding it to your cart ASAP if you want to secure the savings.

While the QuietComfort Ultras are the best noise-cancelling headphones we've ever tested, their more basic sibling — the QuietComforts — are still pretty awesome. They're currently also $229 cheaper in the same shade, for what it's worth. You'll still get impressive noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, rich audio, and up to 24 hours of battery life. The only drawbacks are that the app doesn't include those next-level AI features and they don't offer spatial audio.

"For the person looking for great sound, these fit the bill. While the audiophile might miss not having spatial audio, the average person will be more than satisfied with the headphone's full, rounded sound," Mashable's reviewer Sam Mangino writes. If you want to save a bit of money, they certainly won't disappoint.

If you have a large media collection in your Plex server and you're running out of space, figuring out what to delete can be an annoying process. Now, a developer has come up with a potential solution inspired by Tinder.

SAVE $20: The Kindle (16GB) is on sale for $89.99 at Amazon, down from the list price of $109.99. That's an 18% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle (16GB) $89.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $20   Get Deal

A new year means a fresh start to work on health habits. If you're looking to cut down on time spent scrolling, you've got tons of options. Many of us turn to activities like puzzles, working out, cooking, or reading to help put the phone down. You can even enlisting the help of The Brick. But if your number one goal is 2026 is to read more, check out this deal.

As of Jan. 2, the Kindle (16GB) is on sale at Amazon for only $89.99, marked down from the standard price of $109.99. That's an 18% discount that takes $20 off the usual price.

In Mashable's review of the best Kindles, the original Kindle earns the spot as the best budget model. Mashable Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino likes this version because of its compact size, affordable price, and ample storage space of 16GB. It gets bonus points as being the lightest Kindle.

SEE ALSO: All 6 of the books that inspired "Heated Rivalry" are over half off at Amazon

In Mangino's full review of the basic Kindle, she wrote, "If you're shopping for an e-reader on a budget, the Amazon Kindle is the answer. It has 16GB of storage and a great display." The six-inch display screen is perfect for packing along on you next trip or for people with smaller hands.

Keep in mind the basic Kindle does lack a few elements that we love on most other Kindle models. Notably, it's not waterproof which means this isn't the right model if you like to read in the bathtub or plan to take it poolside. The battery life is also less impressive compared to other models. However, Mangino notes the six-week battery life is still solid.

If you're looking for the most affordable e-reader, you can't go wrong with the Amazon Kindle. Now that it's on sale for $89.99, go all-in on your 2026 reading goals. Remember to snag free e-books via the Libby app and take advantage of Stuff Your Kindle sales.

When buying parts for a new PC, most people have a tendency to go overboard and overspec their computer so it's "future-proof." This can manifest in many different ways, but often you'll see insane amounts of RAM, an overkill CPU, or an overpowered graphics card.

SAVE 22%: As of Jan. 2, you can get the Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Cooking System (FN101GD) for just $139.98, down from $179.99. That's a 22% discount or $40.01 savings.

Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Cooking System (FN101GD) $139.98 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $40.01   Get Deal at Amazon

If your 2026 goal is to eat more home-cooked meals and use fewer takeout containers, this deal is for you.

As of Jan. 2, the Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer is on sale for $139.98, down from $179.99, at Amazon. That's a 22% discount and the lowest price we've tracked on this model. While it hit this record low on Dec. 2, 2025, it beats out the $159.95 price we saw during the peak of Black Friday.

SEE ALSO: We tested the most popular Ninja appliances in our own kitchens. Here's what we found.

The Crispi is essentially a portable air-fryer lid that turns the included glass storage containers into a full cooking system. You can air-fry, bake, or reheat directly in the four-quart or six-cup glass containers. Once you're done, you just pop on the leak-proof storage lid and put it in the fridge. It’s the ideal kitchen gadget for meal preppers because it eliminates the "I don't want to wash another pan" excuse that usually leads to ordering a pizza.

The PowerPod delivers the heat of a full-sized air fryer in a unit that fits in the palm of your hand. Borosilicate glassware is thermal shock-resistant, meaning it can go from the freezer to being crispy in minutes. Plus, the containers, adapters, and lids are all dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.

Starting your programming journey is exciting, but it’s easy to fall into traps that slow down your progress. By understanding the common mistakes new programmers make, you’ll set yourself up for success right from the start. Here are five mistakes I made that you can learn from.

SAVE $38.03: As of Jan. 2, the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro is down to a new best-ever price at Amazon. Get it for just $60.97 in the light green colorway — a savings of 38%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro $60.97 at Amazon
$99 Save $38.03   Get Deal

Nobody was as surprised as we were that a sub-$100 smartwatch dominated the competition in 2025. Nothing's CMF Watch 3 Pro, which earned a near-perfect rating in our testing, is easily one of the best smartwatches of last year. And as of Jan. 2, it's hit a new record-low price.

An excellent value at its full cost of only $99, you can pick up the CMF Watch 3 Pro to kick off the new year for a best-ever price of $60.97 at Amazon. That's 38% in savings and even cheaper than it was earlier this week. The only catch? You'll have to go with the light green colorway (which is arguably the best choice anyways).

When Mashable Contributor Lauren Allain tested the watch for herself, she said it "looks, feels, and functions like a smartwatch that costs hundreds more." Not only can it last over two weeks on a charge, blowing the Apple Watch out of the water, but it is also packed with features like blood oxygen monitoring, stress tracking, and precise heart-rate monitoring. Runners will love the included running coach feature, while athletes of all kinds will appreciate the dual-band GPS tracing, which is so precise it can tell which side of the road you're on. The Watch 3 Pro's only drawbacks are that it's a little bulky for smaller wrists and that the ChatGPT integration only works if you also have a Nothing phone.

If you're not a fan of the light green, you can also grab the watch in dark gray, orange, or ash gray. While none of those colorways are quite as discounted as the green, they're all still on sale as of Jan. 2. You'll pay less than $90 no matter which option you choose.

For years, Intel Optane seemed destined to reshape how we store data in computers. It promised to bridge the gap between blazing-fast RAM and practical storage, with latency and consistency that traditional SSDs simply couldn't match. Then, in 2022, Intel quietly announced it was killing the entire product line—writing off over half a billion dollars in inventory in the process.

GET $100 CREDIT: Sign up at Samsung for free to receive $100 in Samsung Credit toward select 2026 products.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Free $100 Credit Use toward select 2026 Samsung tech. Get Deal

It's finally 2026, and that means plenty of new tech is on the way. CES 2026 is around the corner, and as usual you'll be able to sample some of the latest and greatest from companies like Samsung. And because the newest gadgets are going to likely be pretty pricey, Samsung wants you prepped and ready to buy with a special deal of its own you can lock in now.

Right now, you can sign up at Samsung for free to receive $100 in Samsung Credit toward select 2026 products. All you need to do is provide your name, email, optional cell number, state, and zip code. In return you'll receive email updates from Samsung, and you'll be eligible to receive up to $100 off qualifying Samsung tech, all of which can be verified as eligible here.

SEE ALSO: What to expect from Samsung at CES 2026

Whether you're a regular Samsung die-hard or you just plan on picking up some new tech now that we're finally in 2026, a $100 credit is hard to beat, especially when you don't have to do much to get it.

Be sure to grab your qualifying signup as soon as possible, as CES 2026 is happening in just a few days, from Jan. 6 to Jan. 9. There, you'll get a look at some of the best Samsung will have to offer, and you'll be rest assured that at least some of it can be yours for up to $100 off. These days, as you're likely well aware, every little bit helps.

When people think “reliable car,” Japanese brands usually come to mind first—and for good reason. Honda, Toyota, and Nissan have spent decades building vehicles that just keep going, even on the luxury side with Acura and Lexus.

SAVE 35%: As of Jan. 2, you can get the Beats Solo 4 for $129.95, down from $199.95. That's a 35% discount or $70 in savings.

Beats Solo 4 $129.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $70   See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy See It at Walmart

Whether you’ve actually started going to the gym (on Jan 2?! Good on you!) or you just need a way to block out the world so you can focus on your first deadlines of the year, a solid pair of headphones is basically a self-care requirement at this point.

SEE ALSO: We tested the best headphones and earbuds for working out

As of Jan. 2, the Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $129.95, down from $199.95, at Amazon. That's a 35% discount or a $70 price cut. While this isn't an all-time low (we saw them priced at $99.99 during Black Friday), $70 is still a decent discount on a top-notch pair of headphones. Even without the discount, the Beats Solo 4 are our favorite budget Beats headphones for their balance of performance and value.

The Beats Solo 4 are built for a more immersive listening experience; thanks to their re-engineered 40mm transducers and Personalized Spatial Audio, you should feel like your music is surrounding you rather than just blending into a single baseline. You'll get up to 50 hours of listening time on a single charge, which is literally double the battery life of the much more expensive AirPods Max. If you're heading out and realize you're low on power, a quick 10-minute charge will give you an additional five hours of playback. They're also ultra-lightweight and have plush ear cushions, so they won't feel like they're crushing your skull during a long work session.

2025 marked the return of one of the original modern indie tech brands, and Pebble is continuing its resurgence in the new year. One of the most stylish—and thinnest—smartwatches of the past decade is making a comeback: meet the Pebble Round 2.

When trying to save a website for offline use, your first instinct might be to hit the 'save webpage' button in your browser. That works great, but only for single web pages. If you try to save the entire website, you'll have to open every single webpage, save it manually, and then (when you need to access the website) look for individual HTML files and open them one by one. There's a better way to do this.

SAVE $196.39: The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar (Graphite) is on sale at Amazon for $253.60, down from the usual price of $449.99. That's a 44% discount and a record-low price at Amazon. But act quick, as this is a limited-time Lightning Deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Instinct 2X Solar (Graphite) $253.60 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $196.39   Get Deal

Now that we're officially in 2026, some people are thinking about resolutions. Fitness goals are always some of the most popular, and if you fall into that category, you probably want a fitness tracker to keep better tabs on your progress. Garmin makes some of the most versatile models, and there's a massive discount today at Amazon.

As of Jan. 2, the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar (Graphite) is on sale for $253.60 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $449.99. That's a major 44% discount that takes $196.39 off the price. It's also a new record-low price at Amazon.

Some tech advancements make so much sense that it feels silly we went without them for so long. In this example, I'm talking about a watch face that serves as a way to recharge via solar. It just makes so much sense. Garmin claims that the Instinct 2X Solar produces 50 percent more energy through the Power Glass lens compared to its predecessor. When exposed to three hours of sunlight each day, you'll be in line for never-ending battery life.

SEE ALSO: 5 fitness apps to help with your 2026 New Year’s resolutions

The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar will help top up the battery while you're outside on a run, dog walk, or simply out running errands. But more than that, it's a tough and durable fitness tracker that's ready to accompany you on adventures.

Garmin packed the Instinct 2X Solar with features you'll want on the trail, like 24/7 health tracking, a three-axis compass, a barometric altimeter, a built-in flashlight, and even an SOS strobe mode. Of course, you also get more standard features like heart-rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and a pulse oximeter.

Keep in mind this is an Amazon Lightning Deal, and at the time of writing, it was 89 percent claimed. If the sale on the Graphite colorway sells out before you get to it, toggle over to the Whitestone colorway option, which is also on a nice 36% discount. It's not quite the 44% discount on the Graphite, but it's still well worth it.

Before your 2026 trail runs, swims, or off-grid hikes kick into full throttle, upgrade to the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar while it's on sale for a record-low price at Amazon.

Are you frustrated with the limitations of current MagSafe (Qi2) accessories? Tired of seeing the same boring magnetic charging stands and wallets? Me too—and here are five Qi2 accessories that desperately need to exist for people like us.

Dating Sunday is almost here. 

Landing in the sweet spot between the winter holiday season and Valentine's Day, Dating Sunday — typically the first Sunday of the year — is when eager singles emerge from hibernation to swipe on dating apps in droves. The term traces back to 2016, when apps took notice of the post-New Year's Day frenzy. In 2020, Match's chief dating expert Rachel DeAlto went so far as to call the day the "Super Bowl of dating apps."

When is Dating Sunday this year?

With this kind of marketing, it's easy to have high expectations for Dating Sunday, which falls on Jan. 4, 2026. As a seasoned veteran of both the day and dating apps in general, however, I'm here to tell you that those hopes may not be met. You may not find the love of your life on Dating Sunday — and that's OK.

SEE ALSO: Our 5 predictions for dating in 2026

To the apps' credit, there are stats behind the hoopla: OkCupid typically sees a 70 percent increase in user activity on Dating Sunday. Tinder estimates that 10 percent of all January swipes occur on that date as well.

The reasoning behind it also makes sense. People may take time off dating during the holidays to focus on family, yet the time can remind us of our singleness; December is "proposal season," after all. Plus, January is often seen as a "fresh start," and daters may have newfound optimism to go out and find a partner. Throw in the close proximity to Valentine's Day, and it's totally logical that our thumbs are a-swiping. 

One day — or even a month — of swiping won't determine what the rest of the year will be like. 

Liubomyr Pivtorak, chief product officer at Hily dating app, says Dating Sunday isn't just about an increase in traffic to the apps. "We see a sharp increase in matches and conversations, with people replying faster and sustaining longer exchanges than usual," says Pivtorak. "It's the moment when motivation is still high and everyone’s giving dating a real try, right before that drop-off kicks in.”

I understand why Dating Sunday falls when it does, but I believe starting out the year with it could be detrimental. If you fail to find a match on Dating Sunday, you may think it's somehow a sign of what's to come during this year, that 2026 is doomed to be like last year and the year before. 

This isn't true. One day — or even a month — of swiping won't determine what the rest of the year will be like. The most popular apps (like Tinder and Bumble) have millions of users, and they'll be active well beyond Dating Sunday. There will be more opportunities beyond the first two Sundays of the year. Perhaps the days in between may be lucrative too! Or the days, weeks, and months afterwards.

The danger is treating it like a sprint, when dating is really a marathon.

"If you’re not careful, you can burn out before you’ve even started," says Sylvia Linzalone, dating expert at UK-based dating app Wisp. "The danger is treating it like a sprint, when dating is really a marathon."

SEE ALSO: 5 ways dating changed in 2025

"Dating Sunday isn’t about finding ‘the one’ in 24 hours," Linzalone says. "It’s about starting the year with clarity. Use the energy of the day to set better habits – whether that’s messaging with more intention, meeting sooner, or being clearer about what you want." 

Remember: How Dating Sunday shakes out won't be a predictor for the rest of the year. Don't participate if you don't want to; you can find love another time. Those excited singles won't vanish when Monday rolls around.

You want a potential match that puts in the effort, so you should do so too.

If you do want to put your best foot forward, however, by all means do it. On Dating Sunday, experts recommend that you complete your bio and include at least three photos of yourself. You want a potential match that puts in the effort, so you should do so too.

I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir in terms of managing expectations. Just remember what Linzalone says: it's a marathon, not a sprint.

This article was first published in 2022 and republished in 2026.