Technology

While SSDs are the preferred storage medium today, hard drives are far from obsolete. They're still the best way to store data that doesn't benefit from SSD speed, and of course people use them for cold data storage too. Something SSDs aren't suited for.

Amazon's Eero routers are among the best when it comes to mesh networking. But there's one small problem with them—they're expensive, even compared with other comparable routers. If you want to check them out now, the Eero 7 routers are currently heavily discounted.

Toyota has built its whole reputation on cars that last. They may not always be the most exciting choice, but they hold up and usually hold their value too.

SAVE $10/MONTH: The ESPN and Fox One bundle deal is now live. Get both sports streaming apps for just $39.99 per month instead of $49.98 per month. That's a savings of 20% for the best streaming lineup in sports.

Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN / Fox One ESPN + Fox One bundle $39.99/month (save $9.99/month) Get Deal

Watching live sports in the streaming age has become such a headache. Two new services joined the mix this year, and they're teaming up to bring us the best streaming lineup in sports.

In August, ESPN redesigned its streaming service to offer two separate tiers: the existing ESPN+ as ESPN Select and a new ESPN Unlimited tier. ESPN Unlimited brings the suite of ESPN networks and services to sports fans in a direct-to-consumer subscription, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network — in addition to ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX. On its own, the direct-to-consumer Unlimited tier costs $29.99 per month.

The same day, Fox launched its first-ever streaming service called Fox One. Like ESPN Unlimited, it brings the entire Fox TV portfolio (live and on-demand) to viewers in one app. That includes Fox News, Fox Sports, Fox Weather, FS1, FS2, Fox Business, Fox Deportes, Big Ten Network (B1G), local Fox stations, and Fox Network. It costs $19.99 per month as a standalone service.

Each streamer is great on its own, but earlier this month, they joined forces to bring sports fans the best deal in live sports streaming. You can now get both ESPN Unlimited and Fox One for just $39.99 per month, which saves you $9.99 per month. That includes over 50,000 live events and over 100,000 hours of live event coverage.

Once you sign up for the bundle deal via ESPN, you'll be prompted to activate your Fox subscription on the confirmation screen. You'll also receive an email confirmation with an activation link.

With ESPN Unlimited, you'll be able to watch Monday Night Football, tons of college football, NBA and WNBA games, college basketball, and NHL games live without cable. That's already a well-rounded live sports lineup in itself. Add the Fox One portfolio into the mix, and you'll also be able to tune into the NFL's NFC games on Sunday afternoons, Big Ten college football games, international soccer, and the MLB World Series.

In the past, you would need a cable alternative like YouTube TV or Fubo to watch ABC, ESPN, and Fox networks live without cable. These services cost between $80 and $90 per month. So, while $39.99 per month might seem steep to some folks, it's actually the best value for your money — and the best streaming deal in sports.

If you have physical media, and you like making backups of those media to your own personal server using a NAS, then you may have noticed something a little odd when it comes to file sizes.

The next wave of Google's AI rollout is in the process of happening right now.

Earlier this month, Google announced a bunch of Gemini-powered smart home devices, but several existing ones are also getting Gemini support this week. Specifically, users who have requested Early Access via the Google Home app should have gotten the ability to use Gemini on compatible devices on Tuesday.

SEE ALSO: How to use Google Meet's new AI makeup tool This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

You might be wondering: Which devices are compatible with Gemini right now? It's not a super long list, but here it is, courtesy of Android Authority:

• Google Home (2016 model)

• Google Home Mini (2017 model)

• Google Home Max (2017 model)

• Nest Mini (2019 model)

• Nest Audio (2019 model)

• Google Home/Nest Hub (2018 model)

• Nest Hub Max (2019 model)

• Second generation Nest Hub (2021 model)

It should be noted, also per Android Authority, that there is a smaller list of models that support Gemini Live, the more advanced, conversational version of Gemini. You also need to pay for Google Home Premium to use Gemini Live. Here are the supported devices:

• Nest Mini (2019 model)

• Nest Audio (2020 model)

• Nest Hub Max (2019 model)

• Second generation Nest Hub (2021 model)

If you've got one of those, you're golden. If not, well, the new one is coming out next year.

SAVE $50: Amazon has both sizes of the new Apple iPad Pro (M5, WiFi, 256GB) on sale as of Oct. 29. Get the 11-inch model for $949 (normally $999) or the 13-inch variant for $1,249 (usually $1,299).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $949 at Amazon
$999 Save $50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $1,249 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $50   Get Deal

At this point, I'm starting to feel bad for anyone who preordered Apple's new M5 iPad Pro: Amazon hasn't stopped lowering its price since launch.

As of late October, both sizes of the supercharged tablet are on sale for $50 off at Amazon. The 11-inch base model is marked down to $949, while the 13-inch version has fallen to $1,249; both include 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Those prices beat last week's release-day discounts by up to $35, making them cheaper than ever before.

(Cheaper is all relative here, of course. If you don't need the latest specs and just want the cheapest iPad available, check out Walmart's current deal on the standard iPad from 2022 — it's only $242.)

SEE ALSO: Review: The new M5 iPad Pro is a victory lap for Apple

ICYMI, the M5 iPad Pro is our new favorite iPad for creative professionals. It retains the same beautiful tandem OLED design as last year's M4 version but tacks on extra horsepower, blowing past competitors like the 13-inch Microsoft Surface Pro 11 with the powerful Snapdragon X Elite chip.

"For the average user, it's overkill," wrote Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth. "That being said, if you like to run AI models on your device, you're a professional illustrator or designer, or you need to deliver professional-quality video, the new iPad Pro is up for the job." Read his full review.

Last I checked, both sizes of the M5 iPad Pro are still full price at Best Buy and in the Apple Store.

On-screen keyboards are pretty great these days thanks to gesture typing and all sorts of autocorrect and next-word suggestion features. Things can always improve, which is why Google Keyboard, also known as Gboard, just got a nifty feature that'll help you type faster.

If you’ve spent any time with open-source software, you know the terrible feeling that comes when a project you depend on suddenly goes dark. One week it’s humming along with new updates, fixes, and community activity, and the next, it’s a ghost town.

Microsoft has announced that Formula by Example, an intuitive tool that generates formulas based on patterns in your Excel spreadsheet, has arrived in Excel for Microsoft 365 on Windows. Before now, this feature was only available in Excel for the web, so it's a welcome extension if you prefer using the desktop version of the spreadsheet software.

Disney and Fubo have officially completed a new deal that combines Fubo and Hulu + Live TV into one powerhouse. This should help the company better compete with YouTube TV and other rivals.

GET HALLOWEEN CANDY IN AN HOUR: Waited too long to buy Halloween candy? A Walmart+ membership ($98/year) can get it delivered from a local store in about an hour, and it also includes perks like gas savings and a free streaming service.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Annual Walmart+ Membership $98
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Halloween is just a couple of days away, and if you're just now realizing your candy bowl is empty, you're probably not alone. The thought of going to a store right now and fighting over the last bags of fun-size candy sounds... awful. Luckily, if you have a Walmart+ membership, you might be able to save the day from your couch.

One of the big perks of Walmart+ is free, fast delivery from your local store. On its Halloween candy page, Walmart is showing delivery times like "as soon as 26 minutes." This means you can get those giant variety bags of Haribo, Nerds, Tootsie Rolls, or M&M's delivered in about an hour, all without having to put on real shoes.

SEE ALSO: We found all of the stores with the best Halloween clearance sales so far

If you're not a member and this last-minute candy rescue sounds tempting, a Walmart+ membership costs $12.95 per month or $98 for the year. In addition to dodging the crowds in the checkout line, you'll get savings on gas (10¢ off per gallon at over 13,000 stations), free returns from home (no more post office lines), and a free subscription to a streaming service — you can choose between Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential. So, it's a pretty good deal for procrastinators, but it's an even better deal if you'll actually use the other perks, too.

Has your Chromebook been freezing more and more lately? The good news is, it's likely not broken. There are several reasons why it might freeze up, so here are a few things to check before you consider a new machine.

Anker makes some of the best phone accessories available out there. But some of its stuff can be in the pricier side compared to the hardware by other companies. This Anker 200W charging station is pretty good, and right now, it's just $50—the price of most other high-end regular charging bricks.

A massive, slow-moving hurricane is making its way through the Caribbean.

After slamming through Jamaica and causing extensive damage, according to The Guardian, Hurricane Melissa has hit Cuba. The news outlet reports that this is the strongest category 5 storm to hit Jamaica since it began recording storms in 1851, but has slowed to a category 3 over Cuba. Still, it will continue to cause destruction as it likely moves into the Bahamas.

The storm is remarkable in that its speed (very slow, moving at 7 miles per hour) and strength (up to 180mph winds) create the ultimate environment for destruction.

Videos of the storm and its impact are all over social media.

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The most shocking and viral videos on X of the hurricane are from @FlynonymousWX, aka the Tropical Cowboy of Danger, an anonymous U.S. Air Force hurricane hunter who posted videos from Hurricane Melissa's eye. (Since @FlynonymousWX is anonymous, it is difficult to confirm the authenticity of the videos, but they do seem to be real and the account has a history of posting this sort of content.)

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But, of course, AI videos have also gone viral, which pop up during natural disasters with remarkable frequency. Take this video of a shark in someone's pool. It is not real.

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A good rule of thumb in times of natural disasters with regards to AI-generated videos is to follow what agencies like the National Hurricane Center are posting — and to not believe everything you see.

SAVE $107: As of Oct. 29, the 10th-generation Apple iPad (A14 Bionic, WiFi, 64GB) is on sale for just $242 at Walmart. That's a 31% discount and its lowest price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (A14 Bionic, WiFi, 64GB) $242 at Walmart
$349 Save $107   Get Deal

The brand-new M5 Apple iPad Pro is awesome — and overkill for most people, between its high price and laptop-beating power. For a cheaper Apple tablet that gets the job done, we recommend the standard iPad, which has a super lightweight design and a 10.9-inch display that's great for doodling and note-taking.

If current-gen performance isn't high on your priority list, consider getting the 10th-generation iPad from 2022: It's on sale for just $242 at Walmart as of late October. That's 31% off its usual sticker price of $349 and a new all-time low that beats its 2024 Black Friday deal by $17. (Walmart's price only applies to the silver model, by the way.) Its product page notes that stock is low, so don't dawdle.

SEE ALSO: The 4 best iPads of 2025 put other tablets to shame (to shame!)

For reference, the 2022 iPad features the same design as its predecessor but older, pared-down internals. Instead of the A16 chip, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, you get the A14 Bionic chip, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. That's going to make it a tad slower and leave you with less room for storing photos and documents, but you can always put your savings toward an external hard drive down the road if necessary. (It may not be, if you're a very casual user.)

The most important spec tidbit is that this iPad supports iPadOS 26, which means you'll get access to all of Apple's latest tablet features. See: the Liquid Glass design update, Live Translation, and a laptop-like windowing tool.

The 10th-gen iPad was also on sale at Best Buy the last time I checked, but it was $38 pricier. It was only available refurbished from a random third-party seller on Amazon (at a $37 premium to boot).

Robotics company 1X officially launched its humanoid NEO Home Robot this week, opening up pre-orders for customers who want to live in a robot-assisted future.

"Humanoids were long a thing of sci-fi...then they were a thing of research, but today — with the launch of NEO — humanoid robots become a product. Something that you and me can reach out and touch," 1X CEO and founder Bernt Børnich said in a blog post announcing NEO's launch.

SEE ALSO: 1X has launched NEO, a humanoid household robot. Here's how to preorder.

Understandably, people are a bit skeptical that a $20,000 robot will actually help them. (To be fair, the company also says there will be a $500 monthly subscription option for a robot.)

The videos we've seen thus far have shown, let's say, mixed results.

Here's 1x's own video about the robot, which includes it performing chores like answering the door or doing laundry.

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The reality of the NEO robot, however, is that it struggles to do basic things on its own. The Wall Street Journal published a video testing it, and almost everything required a skilled, remote operator taking control of the robot. So that means the robot, as it stands, is often a remote, human-controlled butler with someone who has to look into your home to complete tasks.

On its own, the robot took five minutes — including some comically awkward bending — to poorly load three items into a dishwasher.

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Here's the full WSJ video, which discusses the experience of testing the NEO robot in more depth.

Here's the robot doing the 6-7 trend — will it ever die? — while being controlled by a human.

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Here it is dancing, again controlled by a human.

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So yes, you can buy a humanoid helper as if it were the future. But it's not quite the fully autonomous robot you might've expected.

Tesla's Cybercab was originally envisioned as an autonomous taxi without a steering wheel or pedals, but it might be a lot more like a regular car at launch.

Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm spelled it out quite clearly in an interview with Bloomberg. "If we have to have a steering wheel, it can have a steering wheel and pedals," she said.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk wants $1 trillion to control Tesla's 'robot army'

This is in contrast with what Tesla CEO Elon Musk originally wanted for the Cybercab. "If you try to make a car that is essentially a hybrid, manual, automatic car, it's not going to be as good as a dedicated autonomous car," Musk said during Cybercab's unveiling. "So, yes, Cybercab is just not going to have steering wheels and pedals."

The reason for the company's change in attitude towards steering wheels and pedals are likely regulations. U.S. regulators currently do allow manufacturers to produce passenger cars without a steering wheel or pedals, but only in a limited capacity.

Featured Video For You I took a ride in a robotaxi: How close are we to a driverless future?

During the company's earnings call last week, Musk said the Cybercab is launching in Q2 2026, and added that it will be the company's "single biggest expansion in production." During the same call, Musk reiterated that the Cybercab won't have a steering wheel or pedals, saying that the idea is to "minimize cost per mile of operation."

Tesla's main problem here is the fact that the company simply hasn't solved fully autonomous driving just yet. Even its Model Y-based Robotaxis in the San Francisco Bay Area aren't actually autonomous; there's currently a human present behind the steering wheel during rides. The company will likely have to either postpone the launch or make the tough decision to make the Cybercab a lot more like a regular car, and then get rid of the steering wheel and pedals later.

SAVE 15%: As of Oct. 29, the NordicTrack T Series 9 treadmill is $806.64 at Amazon, down from $949. That's a 15% discount and a $142.36 price cut.

NordicTrack T Series 9 Treadmill $806.64 at Amazon
$949 Save $142.36   Get Deal at Amazon

If you're thinking about finally getting a treadmill for home (especially with the weather getting colder), the biggest hurdle is usually the space. A treadmill is a massive piece of equipment to permanently park in a living room or bedroom, but you could always get a foldable model.

As of Oct. 29, the NordicTrack T Series 9 treadmill is on sale for $806.64 at Amazon, down from $949. That's a 15% discount and a $142.36 price cut. It's also the best price we've seen on this model yet.

SEE ALSO: I've tested a lot of smartwatches, but the Versa 4 is the only Fitbit I'd recommend

The T Series 9 comes with a tilting 10-inch touchscreen so you can follow along with iFIT interactive workouts (membership sold separately). It has a speed range of up to 12 MPH (fast enough for a five-minute mile pace) and an incline range up to 12 percent. There's also its adjustable SelectFlex cushioning that gives you the choice between a softer, more joint-friendly surface or a firmer one that mimics the road.

One of the biggest pluses for home users is the foldable design. When you're done with your workout, all you have to do is fold it up and roll the treadmill away to save space.

SAVE $40: As of Oct. 29, get the DJI Mic 2 for $139, down from its usual price of $179 at Amazon. That's a discount of 22% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mic 2 $139 at Amazon
$179 Save $40   Get Deal

You may know DJI primarily for its drones, but it's much more than that. The brand also boasts a variety of affordable and reliable microphones that TikTok creators have come to swear by. Unfortunately, a potential ban for the company still looms, but if you're looking to take advantage of its other products while they're still in stock, you've got some time to do so. And now's an especially good time to jump on board, since one of DJI's best mics is on sale for its lowest price yet.

As of Oct. 29, get the DJI Mic 2 for $139, down from its usual price of $179 at Amazon. That's $40 off and a discount of 22%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Score your own DJI Mic Mini bundle while you still can for its lowest price yet

With this bundle, you get one transmitter, one receiver, a clip magnet, a windscreen, a carrying pouch, and additional goodies that make it easy to get set up and start recording. DJI proudly proclaims it offers "pro-level audio," so whether you're recording interviews or just vocal tracks, you get the best sound possible. Plus, it offers 18 hours of battery life to keep you going.

It's super portable at just 28 grams, and has a range of 820 feet. And if you're worried about additional sound creeping onto your track, leverage its noise-canceling features to make sure what you're recording sounds great, since it will lessen the sound of wind or other unfortunate additions that sometimes creep into recordings.

Since this mic is finally back in stock, you'll want to grab it while you can. Make sure you scoop it up if you're interested.