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Updated: 32 min 15 sec ago

Stranger Things Season 5 review: Im already exhausted, but cant wait for more

Thu, 11/27/2025 - 02:01

At some point throughout its five-season, nine-year run, Stranger Things decided it didn't really want to be a TV show anymore.

The shift began as early as Season 2, when the show dropped the word "season" from its marketing. Stranger Things Season 2 simply became Stranger Things 2, the change positioning the new season less as a TV continuation and more as a tentpole sequel in the vein of a Marvel movie. The shift continued in the three-year wait between Seasons 2 and 3, a ludicrous timeline that has now unfortunately become a norm for a medium where the standard was once one season per year.

SEE ALSO: 'Stranger Things' Season 4 recap in 60 seconds

By the time Season 4 rolled around, the de-TV-ification of Stranger Things was complete. Creators the Duffer Brothers delivered a blockbuster season chock-full of epic battles, new Upside Down mythology, and supersized episodes. Every installment was over an hour long, two crossed the 90-minute mark, and the finale was a taxing two-and-a-half-hour affair. As gripping as the season was — we all remember where we were when Max (Sadie Sink) escaped Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) with the help of Kate Bush — it felt too big, too unwieldy to truly be called TV.

Those maximalist urges are once again on full display in Stranger Things' fifth and final season, which I can only sum up as "gargantuan." That scale can often be frustrating, bordering on exhausting, as Stranger Things has moved light-years beyond its more intimate, sleeper hit beginnings. But even with all the flaws that come with overstuffing a season, I can't help but admit that Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 1 signals the beginnings of an effective send-off for the characters (and actors) we've watched grow up over the last nine years.

What's Stranger Things Season 5 about? Credit: Netflix

When last we left the town of Hawkins, it had been split apart by an apocalyptic rift to the Upside Down. In the year since, however, the citizens of Hawkins have settled into a new normal — under military quarantine, that is.

However, the Stranger Things squad isn't taking their tentative safety lightly. They know Vecna is still out there, and every so often, they set out on elaborate "crawls" through the Upside Down to find him. These are all-hands-on-deck operations, meaning everyone, from the Hawkins high schoolers to adults like Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Hopper (David Harbour), is in on the plan.

SEE ALSO: There are way too many Demogorgons in the 'Stranger Things' Season 5, Volume 1 trailer

The involvement of everyone is both refreshing and tiring. Refreshing, because in the past, Stranger Things has tended to split its cast into groups with varying levels of information. While it's been fun to watch these disparate crews piece together different elements of each season's big mystery, it's sweet to watch everyone banding together and getting something to do from square one. Yet it's also tiring to watch Stranger Things spin tens of plates from the get-go. There's little to no time to ease back into the world of Hawkins. Instead, it's all systems go, right from the jump, which can be tough when you're adding new main characters to focus on in addition to all the Stranger Things mainstays.

The most egregious example of this is the character of Holly (Nell Fisher), the younger sister of Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Mike (Finn Wolfhard). In prior seasons, she's been a toddler mostly confined to a high chair. Now, all of a sudden, she's 10 years old and extremely central to the plot. Fisher is immediately endearing, bringing the plucky sweetness of her turn in 2024's indie gem Bookworm to the massive new stage of Stranger Things. Yet the intense focus on Holly, especially in the first episode, had me groaning, "Great, there's more?"

Stranger Things Season 5 is TV maximalism at its most dangerous. Millie Bobby Brown in "Stranger Things." Credit: Netflix

That sentiment of "Oh man, more?" permeates the entirety of Stranger Things Season 5, as the Hawkins squad goes from convoluted plan to convoluted plan to... you get the idea. Yet those plans are as fun as they've always been, especially an early season highlight that calls to mind Home Alone booby traps and the Nancy, Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), and Steve (Joe Keery) Demogorgon takedown from Season 1. Is it strange to be nostalgic for an episode of TV from only nine years ago? Maybe! But Stranger Things is a series built on nostalgia, and during its marathon run, that nostalgia has also become self-reflexive.

The trap scenes also highlight the effectiveness of Stranger Things' more grounded action scenes, ones that are just a bunch of kids against one monster, as opposed to psychic showdowns in the sinister tentacle-palooza of the Upside Down. There's quite a lot of that this season, which brings car chases, helicopters, and even full military bases into the Upside Down. On the "dumb-cool" continuum, these skew more towards "dumb," especially as the overly murky Upside Down begins to lose its mystique the more time we spend in it.

SEE ALSO: Netflix drops 'Stranger Things' Season 5's first 5 minutes

It also loses more of its mystique as the Duffer Brothers further expand it and Vecna's mythos. Case in point: a five-minute cold open that returns us to Will's (Noah Schnapp) time in the Upside Down in Season 1, when Vecna apparently encountered him. Frankly, I preferred it when Season 1 was just about a boy and the monster chasing him, and when the Upside Down was just a spooky, mysterious place. Sometimes, less really is more.

The case against Stranger Things' growing maximalism lies, once again, in the real-world scenes, especially the return of the flashing Christmas lights that came to be one of the defining visuals of Season 1. Their comeback here is glorious (and yes, a case of that self-reflexive nostalgia), but also proof that Stranger Things' simplest tricks are often more effective than the several massive set pieces set in another dimension.

I still can't get enough of Stranger Things' characters. Winona Ryder in "Stranger Things." Credit: Netflix

But what Stranger Things can never give me enough of is the myriad distinct relationships across its ever-expanding cast of characters. And thankfully, we get that in spades this season.

Much of the focus here is on the Stranger Things mainstays, like Hopper and Eleven's (Millie Bobby Brown) father-daughter bond, or Mike, Will, Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), and Dustin's (Gaten Matarazzo) tight-knit adventuring party. It's moving to just see where their arcs have brought them: Eleven, training her powers harder than ever, is basically a full-fledged action hero. In grieving Eddie (Joseph Quinn), Dustin has basically become his mini-me, alienating himself from his friends, including Steve. Lucas is similarly brought low by grief, routinely sitting by Max's hospital bedside and playing her Kate Bush in the hopes she'll wake from her coma, a scene that's a real twist to the heart. The internet often jokes about how much older the child actors are now than when they started, and it does take several heaping tablespoons of disbelief to accept them as high schoolers. Yet their visible maturity weirdly ends up working to their advantage, emphasizing how much the Hawkins kids have had to grow up before their time.

Stranger Things Season 5 also fleshes out new partnerships this season. Will finds an ally in Robin (Maya Hawke), who endeavors to be his queer mentor. Jonathan and Steve, so often vying for Nancy's affections — a storyline that I cannot wait to die — get some surprising heart-to-heart time. And any chance for more Nancy and Mike sibling sleuthing is a welcome one. The effectiveness of each combination proves that whatever Stranger Things loses in its attempts to outdo itself on an "epic" level, it wins back a hundredfold in its focus on character.

Ultimately, that's what resonates most about Stranger Things Season 5's first four episodes. The flashy battles and lore bombshells can get the blood pumping, but it's the characters who have kept viewers coming back for many, many years. Knowing we'll be saying goodbye to them only makes these episodes sweeter, exhaustion be damned.

Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 1 is now streaming. Volume 2 premieres Dec. 25 at 8 p.m. ET, and the series finale premieres Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Scammers blast Black Friday shoppers with AI-made text messages, emails

Thu, 11/27/2025 - 00:10

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the biggest shopping days of the year — and prime season for scams. Now in 2025 scammers are more emboldened than ever, thanks to AI.

According to research from cybersecurity company Guardio, there has been a 30x increase in shopping-related scams and fraudulent text messages over the past month. November is already the top month for online scams in 2025, even before Thanksgiving weekend.

Guardio has also seen a rise in the number of unique email addresses promoting Black Friday-related campaigns in the past week — by more than 500 percent.

What's driving the rise? The company points to research from earlier this year from the organization Anti-Phishing Working Group that found that 76 percent of phishing websites now use AI-generated content. 

AI isn't just helping scammers create content for their schemes, its also aiding scammers in carrying out more convincing fraud.

The usual telltale signs of a scam — spelling or grammatical errors, a lack of familiarity with the company and its products it's trying to imitate — are on their way out. With AI, scammers can perfectly replicate entire websites for their phishing campaigns.

AI-generated voices and videos can also provide scammers with convincing impersonations of company employees. In short, AI helps scammers appear authentic. 

Bad actors targeting Black Friday shoppers have focused on a few popular brand names over the past few months, Guardio's research found. Those brands include AT&T, Amazon, Apple (virtual and brick-and-mortar stores), Loews, Verizon, Costco, Walmart, and Kroger. 

An example of a scam text message format utilized by bad actors. Credit: Guardio

Why target Black Friday and Cyber Monday? It's not just because there are more consumers spending online over that period. The usual holiday distractions, combined with the urgency of getting limited time deals, results in consumers becoming more vulnerable to scams.

The most common scam tactic, Guardio says, is the "urgent account alert." These are text messages that inform targets that their Amazon account has been suspended, say, or their Verizon bill payment was declined. Recipients may be more inclined to fall for these scams as they seek to fix the issue in time for the holidays.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), U.S. consumers lost more than $432 million in online shopping scams in 2024 — and 2025 will likely see those losses rise.

One of the easiest ways to avoid being scammed is not to click any links received via email or text message. Go directly to these companies' websites from your web browser, or via their official mobile apps, instead.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Jackery HomePower 3000 power station has never been cheaper — save over $1,500 this Black Friday

Thu, 11/27/2025 - 00:00

SAVE OVER $1,500: The Jackery HomePower 3000 is on sale for $1,423 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's a 53% discount and the lowest-ever price for this model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery HomePower 3000 $1,423 at Amazon
$2,999 Save $1,576   Get Deal

Amazon's Black Friday sale is very much up and running, with big offers on just about anything you could imagine. Are you imaging portable power stations right now? Good, because you can secure the lowest-ever price on the Jackery HomePower 3000 at Amazon.

The Jackery HomePower 3000 is on sale for $1,423 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's a 53% discount and a better price than we saw over October Prime Day. So if you've been patiently waiting for the right time to "add to cart," this is it. What are you waiting for? Whole home backup awaits.

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The Jackery HomePower 3000 has an impressive 3,600W output (7,200W surge) and a 3,072Wh capacity, meaning it can power your fridge, fan, WiFi router, lights, and more for hours in an emergency. You can also charge multiple devices at once thaks to the AC, USB-C, USB-A, and DC ports, including dual 100W PD ports for your smartphones, iPads, and drones.

Jackery is one of the biggest names in the power station game, but there are other options out there if this doesn't tick your boxes. We've lined up the best Black Friday deals on Bluetti's range of power stations, so check that out before you commit.

Get the best-ever price on the Jackery HomePower 3000 in the Amazon Black Friday sale.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Give the gift of more time with these Microsoft Office apps for less than $3 each

Thu, 11/27/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Give the gift of improved productivity with Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows, on sale now for just $19.97 (reg. $229).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows $19.97
$229 Save $209.03   Get Deal

There’s nothing more priceless than time, and now you can get some back for just $20. This Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows license does just that — giving you a much-needed productivity boost with seven essential apps.

Gift your PC (or a loved one’s) this Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 license for just $19.97 (reg. $229).

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Whether you’re trying to soar through a workday or you need tools to tackle your homework, Microsoft Office is there for you. It has been helping people get things done for decades, and this Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows license gives your PC seven power-packed apps to work with.

Draft documents with Word, build budgets with Excel, and perfect your presentations with PowerPoint. You can also tackle communication with Outlook, take digital notes with OneNote, manage databases with Access, and design professional documents with Publisher.

If the year of this edition gives you pause, don’t worry. The apps have been redesigned and are packed with enhanced features like new analysis capabilities in Excel, new presentation tools in PowerPoint, and updated email and contact management features in Outlook. You’ll also enjoy improved cloud connectivity.

After purchasing, you’ll receive an instant delivery and download. If you run into any issues, you’ll have access to free customer service.

Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows for only $19.97 (reg. $229) just in time for the holidays.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Pay $15 and access free entertainment for life with this unique tool

Thu, 11/27/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Cut the streaming cord and enjoy free content for life thanks to a lifetime subscription to BitMar Streaming Content Finder, now only $14.97 (reg. $150) until Jan. 11.

Opens in a new window Credit: BitMar BitMar Streaming Content-Finder: Lifetime Subscription $14.97
$150 Save $135.03   Get Deal

Good entertainment doesn’t always have to come with a monthly bill. If you’re tired of shelling out a small fortune month after month on multiple streaming services, it’s time to meet BitMar Streaming Content Finder. This game-changing platform helps you discover free movies, shows, music, and more from all around the world.

Right now, you can pay just once and enjoy a lifetime subscription to BitMar Streaming Content Finder for only $14.97 (reg. $150) through Jan. 11.

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Sick of bouncing between streaming apps only to end up with nothing to watch? BitMar Streaming Content Finder offers a much more affordable option that serves up endless options from around the globe — all for free. You pay once for this AI-powered tool and get to enjoy the benefits for life.

BitMar Streaming Content Finder uses a Bing-powered search engine to find free entertainment, like full movies, TV shows, channels, videos, and songs. And not only does it not cost you anything — it’s ad-free, even when you pick something like a YouTube video. It also ensures you’re only routed to secure websites.

You can use this lifetime subscription on up to five devices, from smartphones to tablets, laptops, and smart TVs. If you’re curious how you unlock a lifetime of content for $15, it’s because you’re paying for the platform, not the content. Creators still earn revenue, as they can monetize the free traffic BitMar sends them through its DMCA-compliant platform.

Score a lifetime subscription to BitMar Streaming Content Finder for just $14.97 (reg. $150) until Jan. 11.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Dyson Black Friday deals: Our favorite stick vacuum, air purifier, and hair tool are on sale

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 23:49
The best Black Friday deals on Dyson products at a glance Best stick vacuum deal Dyson V12 Detect Slim $399.99 at Walmart (Save $330 at Walmart) Get Deal Best hair tool deal Dyson Supersonic $299.99 (Save $150 at Dyson) Get Deal Best air purifier deal Dyson HushJet $297.49 at Amazon (Save $50 at Amazon) Get Deal

Dyson deals are hit or miss during the two Prime Days of the year (Amazon seems to have a wonky relationship with Dyson vacuums deals, specifically). Like always, there are way better Black Friday deals on Dyson vacuums in 2025, and we're seeing a return of some rare Dyson hair tool deals like $150 off the Airwrap i.d. This is your best chance to shave a few hundred dollars off of the brand known for being expensive.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday: SharkNinja is giving away high-value free gifts just for buying these Shark or Ninja gadgets on sale

Dyson.com's Black Friday sale easily has the best variety of hair tool deals and cordless stick vacuum deals, including a few exclusive deals that other retailers don't have. But Walmart's Black Friday sale does include the same stellar deal on Mashable's favorite stick vacuum, and Amazon is in the mix, too. Several vacuums and hair tools have even gotten cheaper by $10 to $40 since we first saw them on sale last week.

I've rounded up all of the best Dyson Black Friday deals as of Nov. 26, and will add any noteworthy ones that pop up (or disappear) throughout Cyber Monday. Still debating opting for a robot vacuum instead? I'm also tracking the best Black Friday robot vacuum deals.

Best Dyson vacuum deal Dyson V12 Detect Slim $399.99 at Walmart
$549 Save $149.01   Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it

Any time my favorite vacuum ever gets several hundred dollars cheaper, it's going to be the first deal I recommend. The Dyson V12 Detect Slim is currently the most affordable Dyson with the green laser, now less than $400 compared to its usual $729.99. The laser, which illuminates tiny specks and hair that aren't super visible to the naked eye, should be an immediate selling point for any household with pets and a lot of hard floors. You have no idea how dusty your floors get within even 24 hours.

I've used the V12 Detect Slim almost daily for well over three years now, and it's still kicking — as long as you clean it properly, this purchase should last you quite a while. When I'm not using it on the floor in those daily sessions, I'm switching it to handheld mode to clean fur off the couch with the mini motorized attachment or clean out my car with the crevice attachment. It's compact and lightweight enough to comfortably hold with one hand (I can't say the same about the massive Gen5 series Dysons). Though I've tested countless cordless vacuums, the V12 Detect Slim's user-friendliness just can't be beat.

More Dyson vacuum dealsBest Dyson hair tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic $299.99 at Dyson
$449.99 Save $150   Get Deal Why we like it

The original Dyson Supersonic has dropped to $299.99, which matches the sale price that Amazon had last week on the Supersonic Origin — the simplified version that only comes with one attachment. (That has now sold out, but be glad you weren't one of the people who accidentally settled for fewer attachments.) Grabbing this deal at Dyson essentially gets you the diffuser and wide tooth comb attachments for free, on top of the styling concentrator.

While we'd recommend the Shark FlexStyle over the Dyson AirWrap for a multistyler, it's hard to say that there's a better hair dryer out there than the Dyson Supersonic. Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter (and resident hair tool expert) Bethany Allard has tested the Supersonic against a handful of solid Supersonic dupes, and her main gripe with Dyson has steadily been the price — but with this Black Friday deal, the Supersonic is in the same price range as its best budget-friendly alternatives.

More Dyson hair tool dealsBest Dyson air purifier deal Dyson HushJet $297.49 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $52.50   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it

Allergies or not, your body will thank you for running an air purifier all the time. I can confirm that the Dyson HushJet is as "hushed" as the title implies, making it the rare actually-quiet air purifier that you won't mind running 24/7. Within a day of bringing the HushJet home, it took the air quality in my living room from "very poor" to "good," as shown through a particle sensor breakdown in the app. The coolest part? After your initial purchase, you won't have to spend money on new filters every six months. The HushJet's high-tech filter should last for five years.

More air purifier dealsDon't fall for this one Dyson deal

For all of the Dyson deals I recommend, there's one Dyson deal you should avoid: The 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum on sale for $399.99. Though the drop from its MSRP of $999.99 seems killer on its face, the vacuum itself is going to kill your faith in robot vacuums (it would have for me if I didn't test a million others for a living). The 360 Vis Nav's strong suction power can't make up for the fact that it doesn't self-empty, doesn't mop, and doesn't have small obstacle avoidance technology. There are much better robot vacuums on sale for under $500 this Black Friday, and Dyson is releasing a new robot vacuum in 2026, anyway.

Categories: IT General, Technology

If your Black Friday TV budget is $500, I fully back the TCL QM6K after getting one for myself

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 23:30

SAVE 50%: If you're looking for the best TV under $500 this Black Friday, I recommend the TCL QM6K. All sizes are at new record-low prices, but the 55-inch and 65-inch models are the best deals at 50% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 55-inch QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV $399.99 at Best Buy
$799.99 Save $400 65, 75, 85, and 98-inch models also at record-low prices Get Deal

If you're still rocking a plain ol' LED TV that's at least half a decade old, I'm not going to roast you — that was also me up until a month ago. I finally swapped my 2018 Sharp Roku TV for a 55-inch TCL QM6K mini LED, and every person in my household commented on the difference within the first few days.

Take this as your sign that 2025 is your year to finally upgrade, too: The QM6K is majorly on sale at Best Buy and Amazon for Black Friday, with the 55-inch and 65-inch models both being a full 50% off. You can go as big as 65 inches without spending more than $500, or up to 85 inches without spending more than $1,000.

SEE ALSO: If dark scenes are too dark on your TV, play around with these settings

Yes, my old TV was 4K, and 4K is the current standard for most TVs nowadays. But 4K is only referring to screen resolution, which determines how pixelated or not the picture is. It's the "LED" part that's probably making sports and colorful movies look dull, or what's making it feel impossible to see the screen when the sun's out.

Not to get too in the weeds about TV specs (I break that down in a separate TV buying guide), but the TCL QM6K is better than traditional LED in two ways. As a QLED TV, it sandwiches a layer of quantum dots (tiny light-reflecting nanocrystals) in between the screen and the backlight panel. This expands the number of shades the TV can produce, makes those colors more vivid, and boosts brightness by a long shot.

SEE ALSO: Streaming just got cheaper: Score Black Friday deals on HBO Max, Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and more

As a mini LED TV, the TCL QM6K's backlight panel has way more lightbulbs than a regular LED panel. The bulbs are also much smaller, making for much more precise variation in contrast across every inch of the screen. I remember the weird little white ring that my old TV would put around bright objects, which ruined a ton of dark scenes. But with the QM6K, small clusters of bulbs can dim or brighten as needed in that scene without messing with the contrast elsewhere. As someone who needs The Price is Right to be as colorful as possible in the daytime but who also watched a scary movie almost every night in October, the TCL QM6K has been such a worthwhile upgrade.

If you do end up making the swap, here's your reminder that most Best Buy locations will recycle your old TV for free.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save $1,000 on the LG 65-inch G5 OLED 4K TV at Amazon — score the best-ever price for Black Friday

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 23:00

SAVE $1,000: The LG 65-inch G5 OLED 4K TV is on sale for $1,996.99 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's the lowest-ever price for this model.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 65-inch G5 OLED 4K TV $1,996.99 at Amazon
$2,996.99 Save $1,000.00   Get Deal

We're keeping a close eye on the best TV deals to drop over Black Friday. We've found new low prices on OLED and QLED TVs from top brands like Samsung, Hisense, and TCL, but what if the best deal was staring at us all along?

The LG 65-inch G5 OLED 4K TV is on sale for $1,996.99 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's $1,000 off and the lowest-ever price for this model. This low price was actually live before Black Friday. Should we ignore it in that case? Absolutely not. This record-low price is still really impressive for a TV that offers so many advanced features.

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The LG 65-inch G5 OLED 4K TV offers Brightness Booster Max technology that magnifies each individual pixel for luminous quality that shines whether you're streaming your favorite show or watching live sport. You get personalized, crisp picture and sound no matter what you watch thanks to AI Picture Pro and AI Super Upscaling, and the 0.1ms response time and up to 120Hz refresh rate ensures a lag-free gaming experience.

Score the best-ever price on this stunning LG TV in the Amazon Black Friday sale.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Pretty much every pair of Loop earplugs are on sale for Black Friday

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 22:28
Best Black Friday Loop earplug deals Best for concerts Loop Experience 2 $26.95 (save $8) Get Deal Best for sleep Loop Dream $39.96 (save $9.99) Get Deal Best for focus Loop Quiet 2 $14.49 (save $6.46) Get Deal

Whether you've looked into how to enjoy a concert without a side helping of tinnitus or how to get some quiet while you sleep, chances are you've come across Loop earplugs.

The reusable earplugs have become a popular choice with everyone from festival goers to folks prone to overstimulation from sounds. They work well, are reusable, and have a cute, yet low-profile design. Their main drawback? They're a good deal more expensive than disposable foam earplugs, which can be off-putting for an initial purchase. However, Loop earplugs reliably go on sale during shopping holidays, and Black Friday 2025 is no different. At the time of writing, every single type of Loop earplugs are on sale.

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

Considering Loop has a pair of earplugs for pretty much every situation you'd want to lower the volume (trust me, I've tested them), these deals are worth checking out. For your convenience, we've gathered them below. (Note: most of the below deals are found at Amazon, but many of them are price matched on the Loop website).

Best Loop earplugs deal Opens in a new window Credit: Loop Loop Experience 2 $26.95 at Amazon
$34.95 Save $8.00   Get Deal Why we like it

While the best Loop earplug deal does depend on the reason why you're looking for a pair of earplugs in the first place, the Experience 2 target the reason the brand's founders created Loop in the first place — protecting concert goer's ears. Mashable's Haley Henschel tested out these earplugs in possibly the best environment she could — Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour — and had nothing bad to say about her experience. They silenced the crowd without making the music hard to hear, wore comfortably, and had a convenient keychain case for storing away before and after the show.

As I wrote in our Loop guide, typically these earplugs drop down to $27.95 during shopping holidays, but if you want to save the absolute most money possible, the rose gold pair are on sale for an additional dollar off, at $26.95.

More Loop earplugs deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Black Friday MacBook deals live right now: Record-low prices on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M5 chip

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 22:02
Best 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) $1,399 (save $155) Get Deal

Black Friday is officially here, and retailers are serving up significant discounts on 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.

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 the M4 MacBook Air down to $749 and the very latest MacBook Pro with M5 chip getting its biggest discount yet, saving you $200.

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.) But as far as discounts go, Apple will be bereft of discounts like those you can find elsewhere. Here's the good news, though. 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 Black Friday 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, 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 Black Friday MacBook deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $549.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $100   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) $1,399 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $200   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4 Max, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,699 at Amazon
$3,119 Save $420   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Black Friday 65-inch TV deals are so good this year — The Frame and TCL QM8K are 50% off (or more)

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 21:32
A quick look at the Black Friday deals on 65-inch TVs Cheapest 65-inch QLED TV deal Insignia 65-inch QF QLED 4K Fire TV $299.99 at Amazon (Save $200) Get Deal Cheapest 65-inch Mini LED TV deal TCL 65-inch QM5K QLED 4K TV $449.99 (Save $450 at Best Buy) Get Deal Best 65-inch Mini LED TV you can buy right now TCL 65-inch QM8K Mini LED QLED 4K TV $899.99 (Save $1,600 at Best Buy) Get Deal Best 65-inch OLED TV deal Samsung 65-inch S95F OLED 4K TV $2,299.99 (Save $1,000 at Best Buy plus get a free $100 gift card) Get Deal Best 65-inch art TV deal Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV (2024) $999.99 (Save $1,000 at Best Buy) Get Deal

If you're already set on the size of TV that you want to buy this Black Friday, there's no need to wade through the miles-long general list of all of the best Black Friday TV deals. 65 inches seems to be the sweet spot for most people — it's not so small that it looks like a monitor in your living room, but not so obnoxiously big that it barely fits on the TV stand. But typing "65-inch TVs on sale" into the search bar is the most chaotic way you could go about it — especially since I've already done the chaotic part for you.

SEE ALSO: The best Black Friday streaming bundle has arrived: Get Disney+ and Hulu for only $4.99/month

I sifted through all of the 65-inch TVs on sale across the major retailers to compile a list of the best 65-inch TV deals most worth your money. You have serious options: Every single TV named in Mashable's list of the best 65-inch TVs of 2025 is at record-low pricing. I'm also blown away by the number of ultra-affordable QLED TVs under $500 this year.

Regardless of your budget, there are a ton of opportunities to bring a 65-inch home for what you'd normally pay for a way smaller screen at another time of the year. Here are the best Black Friday 65-inch TV deals live as of Nov. 26:

Best Black Friday 65-inch QLED TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-inch QM8K Mini LED QLED 4K TV $899.99 at Best Buy
$2,499.99 Save $1,600.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Amidst all of the fancy QLED TVs that Samsung, LG, and Sony offer, the internet pretty unanimously agrees that the TCL QM8K Mini LED TV is the best QLED TV for most people. It's incredibly bright — even brighter than last year's QM8 version, which was consistently regarded as the brightest TV of 2024.

While we can thank the quantum dot layer over the backlight for much of that brightness, it's the actual mini LED backlight itself that makes the QM8K's picture so punchy. The full-array local dimming offers much better lighting precision and stark contrast than non-Mini LED QLEDs, and TCL's anti-halo effect really works in dark scenes.

Camelcamelcamel confirms that this is indeed a new record-low for this TV, hitting more than 50% off at Best Buy and Amazon for Black Friday.

SEE ALSO: What is camelcamelcamel? Just our secret weapon for finding the lowest prices on Amazon. Best Black Friday 65-inch OLED TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch S95F OLED 4K TV $2,299.99 at Best Buy
$3,299.99 Save $1,000 Comes with a free $100 gift card Get Deal Why we like it

The LG C5 OLED being our pick for the best OLED TV you can buy in 2025 doesn't automatically mean it's the best Black Friday OLED TV deal you can buy in 2025. Yes, the $1,399.99 sale price on the 65-inch C5 is a steal — but it's not exactly a special Black Friday price, considering this model has been $1,399.99 at Amazon since October (according to camelcamelcamel's price history tracking).

We think the best authentic Black Friday-exclusive sale on a 65-inch OLED TV is the 65-inch Samsung S95F. Its wickedly good reflection handling in bright rooms makes it our runner-up pick for the best OLED TV to buy this year, and its $1,000-off discount actually does bring it to a new record-low price of $2,299. You'll also get a free $100 gift card just for buying it at Best Buy.

More 65-inch TVs on sale at Best BuyMore 65-inch TVs on sale at AmazonMore 65-inch TVs on sale at Walmart
Categories: IT General, Technology

Prices have dropped again on Black Friday speaker deals — shop Bose, JBL, Sony, Ultimate Ears

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 21:10
The best early Black Friday speaker deals at a glance: Best overall JBL Charge 6 $129.95 (save $70) Get Deal Best soundbar deal Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus $149.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best party speaker deal Bose Soundlink Max $299 (save $100) Get Deal Best home speaker deal Amazon Echo Studio $189.99 (save $30 with on-page coupon ECHOSTUDIO30) Get Deal

'Tis the season for blasting Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You", and you can't do that without a quality speaker. Fortunately, as we're officially in Black Friday season, you can grab plenty of speakers at their best prices of the year.

While Black Friday technically falls on Nov. 28 this year, retailers' sales are here for a head start on holiday savings. Speaker discounts from brands like Bose, JBL, Sony, and Amazon are already pretty impressive. We're still waiting on some heavy hitters from Sonos and Ultimate Ears to get the deal treatment, but we expect those to drop within the next week.

We'll be tracking the best speaker deals throughout Black Friday and Cyber Monday and updating this page with the latest and greatest prices.

Best early Black Friday speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Charge 6 $129.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $70 Lowest price ever🔥 Get Deal Why we like it

While Mashable's shopping team has tested a lot of Bluetooth speakers, the JBL Charge 6 reigns supreme as our top pick for most people. At just 2 pounds, it's lightweight enough to tote around just about anywhere. It even comes with a handy removable strap for ultra portability. But don't let its size fool you — this baby is powerful enough to be used for an outdoor party. And as a bonus, it can even charge your other devices via USB-C (hence the name). The only downside is that its list price is $20 more than its predecessor. Fortunately, this early Black Friday deal at Amazon and Best Buy drops it down to a more budget-friendly price of $129.95.

Best early Black Friday Soundbar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus $149.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $100 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Why we like it

If your TV's picture and sound aren't quite on the same level, Amazon's Fire TV Soundbar Plus is an affordable way to give things a boost. While Amazon's basic Fire TV Soundbar wasn't anything to write home about, the Soundbar Plus really steps things up with three full-range speakers, three tweeters, and two woofers that pump out sound in every direction. It supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS TruVolume, and features a dedicated center dialogue channel to keep voices crisp and clear. You can also use it as a home Bluetooth speaker when your TV is off. At $149.99, it's $100 off for a 40% discount and its lowest price on record.

More early Black Friday speaker deals Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Go 3 $29.95 at Amazon
$39.95 Save $10.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Go 4 $39.95 at Amazon
$49.95 Save $10   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $59.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $40.00 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill x Kim Kardashian $79
$99.95 Save $20.95   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Field 1 $86.95 at Amazon
$98 Save $11.05   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Marshall Emberton II $89.98 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $90.01   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill $99.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $50.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Boom 4 $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Dot $31.99
$49.99 Save $18.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Studio $189.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $30 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get $10 Amazon credit with on-page coupon. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Soundlink Max $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony SRS-XP700 $348 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $201.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung HW-B650/ZA 3.1ch Soundbar $199.99 at Best Buy
$399.99 Save $200   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Bar 500MK2-5.1ch Soundbar System $449.95 at Amazon
$649.95 Save $200.00 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Even more Black Friday speaker dealsPortable Bluetooth speakersHome speakersParty speakersSoundbars
Categories: IT General, Technology

OpenAI denies allegations in teen death lawsuit

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 21:07

OpenAI vigorously denied allegations against the company that it was responsible for the suicide death of Adam Raine, according to a new response filed in court Tuesday.

Raine died in April 2025, following heavy engagement with ChatGPT that included detailed discussions of his suicidal thinking. The 16-year-old's family sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman in August, alleging that ChatGPT validated his suicidal thinking and provided him explicit instructions on how he could die. It even proposed writing a suicide note for Raine, his parents claim.

In its first answer to the Raine family's allegations, OpenAI argues that ChatGPT didn't contribute to Adam's death. Instead, the company pinpoints his behavior, along with his mental health history, as the driving force in his death, which is described in the filing as a "tragedy."

SEE ALSO: Experts: AI chatbots unsafe for teen mental health

OpenAI claims that Raine's complete chat history indicated that ChatGPT directed him more than 100 times to seek help for his suicidal feelings, and that he failed to "heed warnings, obtain help, or otherwise exercise reasonable care." The company also argues that people around Raine didn't "respond to his obvious signs of distress."

Additionally, Raine allegedly told ChatGPT that a new depression medication heightened his suicidal thinking. The unnamed drug has a black box warning for increasing suicidal ideation amongst teens, according to the filing.

OpenAI alleges that Raine searched for and found detailed information about suicide elsewhere online, including from another AI platform. The company also faults Raine for talking to ChatGPT about suicide, a violation of the platform's usage policies, and for trying to circumvent guardrails to obtain information about suicide methods. OpenAI, however, does not shut down conversations about suicide.

"To the extent that any 'cause' can be attributed to this tragic event, Plaintiffs' alleged injuries and harm were caused or contributed to, directly and proximately, in whole or in part, by Adam Raine’s misuse, unauthorized use, unintended use, unforeseeable use, and/or improper use of ChatGPT."

Jay Edelson, the lead attorney in the Raines' wrongful death lawsuit, described OpenAI's response as "disturbing."

"[O]penAI tries to find fault in everyone else, including, amazingly, by arguing that Adam himself violated its terms and conditions by engaging with ChatGPT in the very way it was programmed to act," Edelson said in a statement.

He noted that the company's response doesn't address various claims in the lawsuit, including that the previous GPT-4o model, which Raine used, was allegedly released to the public "without full testing" for market competition reasons, and that the company altered its guidelines to allow ChatGPT to engage in discussions about self-harm.

The company has also admitted that it needed to improve ChatGPT's response to sensitive conversations, including those about mental health. Altman publicly acknowledged that the GPT-4o model was too "sycophantic."

Some of the safety measures OpenAI cites in its filings, including parental controls and an expert-staffed well-being advisory council, were introduced after Raine's death.

In a blog post published Tuesday, OpenAI said it aimed to respond to lawsuits involving mental health with care, transparency, and respect.

The company added that it was reviewing new legal filings, which include seven lawsuits against it alleging ChatGPT use led to wrongful death, assisted suicide, and involuntary manslaughter, among other liability and negligence claims. The complaints were filed in November by the Tech Justice Law Project and Social Media Victims Law Center.

Six of the cases involve adults. The seventh case centers on 17-year-old Amaurie Lacey, who originally used ChatGPT as a homework helper. Lacey eventually shared suicidal thoughts with the chatbot, which allegedly provided detailed information that Lacey used to kill himself.

A recent review of major AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, conducted by adolescent mental health experts found that none of them were safe enough to use for discussing mental health concerns. The experts called on the makers of those chatbots — Meta, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google — to disable the functionality for mental health support until the chatbot technology is redesigned to fix the safety problems identified by its researchers.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat. Here is a list of international resources.

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best early Black Friday Samsung deals: The Frame TV, Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy S25 Ultra, and more

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 20:53
The best October Prime Day Samsung deals at a glance: Best tablet deal Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (256GB, WiFi) $569.99 (save $180) Get Deal Best monitor deal Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 OLED gaming monitor $749.99 (save $250) Get Deal Best TV deal Samsung 65-inch The Frame Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV $1,597.99 (save $500) Get Deal Best wearable deal Samsung Galaxy Ring $249.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best phone deal Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked) $1,019.99 (save $400) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth) $279.99 (save $70) Get Deal

Black Friday is in full swing. While the annual shopping event doesn't technically start until Nov. 28, plenty of retailers like Amazon and Best Buy's sales kicked off the savings early in 2025 and have already delivered the lowest prices of the year. Samsung deals are particularly delivering, with all-time lows on several Galaxy phones, tablets, and watches, monitors, TVs, and more. This is hardly surprising, though, as Samsung is one of the brands we regularly see big discounts on during major shopping events.

On Black Friday proper, we're still hoping for some larger price drops on Samsung's foldables and earbuds, most categories already have standout discounts on hot ticket items. For instance, the 2025 Frame and Frame Pro TVs are at record lows, as is every iteration of the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Tab S10 Lite, S10 FE, and S10 FE+, and Galaxy Tab S11.

Read on for a rundown of the best Samsung deals live ahead of Black Friday, and stay tuned as the season unfolds. We'll update this list with any new discounts that pop up

Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best early Black Friday Samsung Galaxy phone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked) $1,019.99 at Amazon
$1,419.99 Save $400 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Why we like it

One of the top dogs of the Samsung Galaxy phone lineup, the S25 Ultra with 512GB of storage, has dropped to a new best price ever for Black Friday. If you're already sporting an S24 model, you probably can skip this upgrade, but if you're rocking an older handset and want to catch up with the times, this 2025 release is a great choice. It's a bit heavy on the AI, but it's got a lot of other perks, including a nearly 27-hour battery life that keeps you from being tethered to an outlet. It features an incredibly powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a new 50 MP ultra-wide lens, a fun "Now Brief" widget and other S25 Ultra-exclusive AI features, and new curved edges and a lighter build. Grabbing an unlocked model at Amazon saves you the trouble of coordinating a trade-in or data plan at a specific carrier. Plus, it's a lot cheaper at $1,057.91.

Best early Black Friday Samsung computing deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 OLED gaming monitor $749.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $250 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Why we like it

Samsung released the new Odyssey G6 OLED monitor over the summer — the first-ever gaming monitor with a 500Hz refresh rate. And for Black Friday, you can get it for its best price yet. Besides its wildly fast refresh rate, it also features a QHD resolution (2,560 x 1440) with a 16:9 aspect ratio, an ultra-quick 0.03ms response time, a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, support for both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync, and a QD-OLED panel that's glare-free and Pantone Validated. It also has plenty of ports for your peripherals, including two HDMI 2.1 ports, three USB ports, and a single DisplayPort 1.4 port. You can find the Black Friday deal on the 27-inch monitor (the only size it comes in) at both Amazon and Best Buy. At the time of writing, it's $50 more at Samsung's own website.

Samsung Galaxy phone dealsSamsung Galaxy tablet and laptop dealsSamsung monitor dealsSamsung TV dealsSamsung Galaxy watch dealsMore Samsung deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

2025 Black Friday ads: Best deals from Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Kohls, Target, Home Depot, and more

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 20:49

Black Friday is fast approaching, but the reality is that it's already here in a big way. You can find discounts on hot products like MacBooks, AirPods, Lego, Pokémon, and so much more. It's the single best time of the year to secure a deal, with heavy discounts on offer from all the leading retailers.

The biggest retailers are always looking to get ahead of the competition by launching early-access deals, with savings-packed Black Friday ads that include a snapshot of what shoppers can expect. We recommend that savvy shoppers take some time to check out everything that's showcased in these ads, but if that sounds like far too much work, we can help you out.

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

We've checked out all the best deals from the Black Friday ads of leading retailers. We're talking about the likes of Best Buy, Walmart, Home Depot, and Target. Amazon doesn't release a traditional Black Friday ad, but we've still gone ahead and pulled the best deals that you can already shop. Aren't we helpful.

These are the best Black Friday deals from Black Friday ads that you can already buy online.

Best Black Friday deals from AmazonBest Black Friday Apple deals

AirTags

Apple Watch

iPads

iMacs

Mac Minis

Macbooks

Headphones

Best Black Friday Lego dealsBest Black Friday power station dealsBest Black Friday headphones dealsBest Black Friday smartwatch dealsBest Black Friday gaming dealsBest Black Friday robot vacuum dealsBest Black Friday deals from Best BuyBest Black Friday TV dealsBest Black Friday laptop dealsBest Black Friday earbuds dealsBest Black Friday portable speaker dealsBest Black Friday vacuum dealsBest Black Friday kitchen dealsBest Black Friday unlocked phone dealsBest Black Friday deals from Home DepotBest Black Friday cordless power tool dealsBest Black Friday tool dealsBest Black Friday home dealsBest Black Friday deals from Kohl'sBest Black Friday tech dealsBest Black Friday fitness tracker dealsBest Black Friday home dealsBest Black Friday robot vacuum dealsBest Black Friday headphone dealsBest Black Friday deals from Lowe'sBest Black Friday tool dealsBest Black Friday grills and outdoor cooking dealsBest Black Friday garden dealsBest Black Friday holiday decoration dealsBest Black Friday kitchen dealsBest Black Friday deals from TargetBest Black Friday gaming dealsBest Black Friday toy dealsBest Black Friday kitchen dealsBest Black Friday Lego dealsBest Black Friday floor care dealsBest Black Friday headphone and earbud dealsBest Black Friday speaker dealsBest Black Friday holiday prep dealsBest Black Friday holiday prep dealsBest Black Friday deals from WalmartBest Black Friday TV dealsBest Black Friday Apple dealsBest Black Friday fitness tracker dealsBest Black Friday gaming dealsBest Black Friday laptop dealsBest Black Friday robot vacuum deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich online for free

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 20:26

TL;DR: Live stream Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a number of really exciting Champions League matchups this week, including Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich. This fixture can claim to be the "game of the round." Both teams are top of their respective domestic leagues and tied at the top of the Champions League standings after winning every game. Something has got to give when they come together in London.

If you want to watch Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich?

Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Nov. 26. This fixture takes place at the Emirates Stadium.

How to watch Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich for free

Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media 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 Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich 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 Virgin Media Player

  5. Watch Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich 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 Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media 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 Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Plex’s remote streaming will cost you money starting this week

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 20:17

Media server Plex announced in March that it would put an end to free remote streaming, but hasn't yet put the new changes into effect. That changes this week as Plex plans to pull the plug on free remote streaming from the Roku app first, with the rest of its supported platforms coming in early 2026. 

The change impacts people who use the company’s personal media servers. Until now, a person could set up a server, set it to stream remotely, and access that server from anywhere. In addition, that person could give their credentials to friends and family members and they could stream from the remote server as well. This was all free of charge. 

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Nov. 21, 2025)

Under the new system, people can still do all of the above, they just need to have a subscription in order to do it. Customers have two subscriptions to choose from. The first is the typical Plex Pass subscription, which just saw a price increase in April to $6.99 per month. Plex’s second option was made just for this occasion. It’s called the Remote Watch Pass, and it costs $2 per year.

For the Remote Watch Pass, each person who wants to access the remote server needs to have one. Thus, if you’re sharing your personal server with four people, each of those four people need a Remote Watch Pass. Remote streaming from within your home network is still free, so you can still set up a server on your PC and stream it to your phone from across the house. 

“This price increase will ensure that we can keep investing dedicated resources in developing new features, while supporting and growing your favorites,” Plex said in a blog post

The inclusion of a subscription may chase away some users who used Plex for the free personal media server. For those folks, your best bet at a replacement is Jellyfin. It’s a free, open-source media server that you can stream remotely, but it does take a little extra configuration than something like Plex. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch college football for $1 over Thanksgiving weekend: $1 day passes from Sling TV

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 20:00

PAY $1 FOR A DAY OF ESPN, FREEFORM, OTHER CHANNELS WITHOUT CABLE: For Black Friday, Sling TV has slashed the price of its Orange package day passes from $5 to $1 between Friday, Nov. 28 and Sunday, Nov. 30.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling TV Orange Day Pass $1
$5 Save $4   Get Deal

YouTube TV and Disney may have squashed their beef, but it's no secret that a decent number of frustrated YouTube TV subscribers ditched their subscriptions when Disney-owned channels went missing. If you're one of those people — or you just don't care to pay for many streaming services in general — we have a really cheap Black Friday streaming deal for you: Sling TV day passes are $1 instead of $5 for Friday through Sunday of Cyber Weekend.

SEE ALSO: 50+ of the best Black Friday TV deals in 2025: Score huge savings on Samsung, TCL, and Hisense

The humble Sling TV daily pass went a little viral as an affordable way to watch Monday Night Football on ESPN during the Disney blackout on YouTube TV. The $1 Sling pass isn't helpful for MNF on Dec. 1, as the deal expires on Dec. 1 at 1 a.m. MT. However, there's still some major live college football streaming and holiday movie watching to be done through the 30+ Sling TV Orange package channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, AMC, and Freeform. The $1 Sling day pass covers all Orange channels for the full 24 hours.

College football games to watch with a $1 Sling TV day pass this weekend
  • Utah @ Kansas — 12 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 28, ESPN

  • Temple @ North Texas — 3:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 28, ESPN

  • Texas Tech @ West Virginia — 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 29, ESPN

  • Houston @ Baylor 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 29, TNT

  • UCF @ BYU — 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 29, ESPN2

  • Vanderbilt @ Tennessee — 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 29, ESPN

  • Florida State @ Florida — 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 29, ESPN2

  • Virginia Tech @ Virginia — 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 29, ESPN

  • SMU @ California — 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 29, ESPN2

  • Notre Dame @ Stanford — 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 29, ESPN

Movies to watch with a $1 Sling TV day pass this weekend

Aside from football, channels like TBS, AMC, and Freefrom have a solid lineup of classic movies slated for the weekend. Let's say you've been itching to watch Elf, but don't have an HBO Max subscription — you can pay $1 to watch it on TNT on Saturday. Here are a few upcoming holiday or generally cozy options:

  • Four Christmases — 4 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 28, TBS

  • The Polar Express — 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 29, TNT

  • Elf — 8 and 10 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 28, TBS

  • Cars, Cars 2, and Cars 3 — starting at 1 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 28, Freeform

  • Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas — 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday. Nov 28, Freeform

  • A Christmas Story — 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 29, TNT

  • Wonka — 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 29, TBS

  • Finding Nemo — 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 29, Freeform

  • National Lampoon Christmas Vacation — 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 29, TNT

  • Christmas with the Kranks — 5, 7, and 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 30, AMC

  • Coco — 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 30, Freeform

Categories: IT General, Technology

Thanksgiving air travel: Track flight statuses, delays, and cancellation trends online

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 19:39

Well, folks, it's that time of year. Holiday cheer, a big ol' bird on the table, walking the tightrope of polite conversation, and, most horrifyingly, praying to high heavens that your Thanksgiving air travel plans go off without a hitch.

If you're one of the projected 82 million Americans traveling domestically this week, you're in luck. So far, according to USA Today, flight cancellations are low this week, despite general fears that the recent government shutdown would lead to travel woes. This comes a few weeks after the U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy ordered a 10 percent cut in flights at 40 U.S. airports due to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Thousands of air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration agents went to work without pay for over a month, Reuters reported at the time. But thankfully, after 43 long days, the shutdown ended just in time for Thanksgiving travel.

But the government shutdown isn't the only thing that might cause a bump in your holiday travel. The FAA expects this to be the busiest Thanksgiving travel week in 15 years, and typical weather and mechanical issues are sure to arise, particularly with winter storms moving into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region — sorry, Chicago travelers.

How to check your flight status online

This is something you should absolutely do before you leave for the airport. There's not much worse than zipping up your suitcase, locking up your house, making the trek to the airport, and finding your way through security and to your gate only to find out you could have stayed in pajamas the whole time. Before you head to the airport, always check the airport website or your airline's website.

We also recommend downloading your airline's app, which makes it easy to check for updates on the fly. Finally, to check on a specific flight or route, you can use sites like Flight Aware and Flight Tracker. If the plane you're taking to Wichita is delayed on its way into Atlanta, these tools can help you anticipate likely delays.

Thanksgiving flight cancellation trends so far

Overall, flight cancellations are on the low side this year, according to a CNN report, but that can change fast.

Flight Tracker has a tool called the Misery Map, which shows which airports are experiencing the most delays and cancellations. As of Wednesday, Nov. 26, Chicago O'Hare International Airport has far more issues than any other airport, per Flight Tracker. The airports with the most delays and cancellations so far include:

  • Chicago O'Hare (ORD)

  • Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)

  • Los Angeles (LAX)

  • Minneapolis–Saint Paul (MSP)

  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

  • Denver (DEN)

  • La Guardia New York City (LGA)

  • Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)

  • George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston (IAH)

  • Boston Logan (BOS)

So, your flight was canceled. Now what?

If your flight is canceled, congratulations: You now have the perfect complaint to make over Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone will agree with you when you say something like, "Traveling during the holidays, am I right?"

Now you need to get to work. If you're still at home when you find out your flight is canceled, head to the airport website or your airline's website. Check if you're owed a refund or other types of compensation. Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Transportation has a dashboard that shows you exactly what airlines owe you in the event of a cancellation. Check the DOT's Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard to make sure you get everything you're entitled to.

Next, you've got to figure out your next move. Can you take a train to your destination, or rent a car? Is there another airline you can switch to? Or are you going to take your refund, head back home, and order dinner in lieu of navigating travel? Move quickly in situations like this, as rental cars and other flights can fill up quickly.

As always, no matter what travel issue ails you this holiday season, be nice to the people airline workers trying to get you across the country. And you just might want to show up at the airport a bit earlier than usual to wade your way through the inevitable lines.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Computer components like RAM are surging in price

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 19:32

Being a consumer has been challenging over the past few years. Between a global pandemic and sweeping tariffs, wallets have taken repeated hits — but for PC hobbyists right now, it might actually be the worst moment to start building a rig.

New reporting from Ars Technica lays out just how dire the situation has become, showing that prices for essential PC components, such as RAM and SSDs, have skyrocketed. The culprit is the ongoing AI boom, with data centers reportedly consuming the world’s supply of memory and storage hardware, driving prices straight into the stratosphere.

SEE ALSO: The best SSD for gaming

Take the Patriot Viper Venom 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR5-6000 kit, which increased from $49 to $110 — a 124.5 percent rise — between August and November 2025. Or the Team Delta RGB 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5-6400, which skyrocketed from $190 to $700, a staggering 268.4 percent spike. At the time of this writing, the Team Delta RAM kit priced has "dropped" with its highest recent retail price topping out at a jaw-dropping $1,049 just a week ago.

SSD prices have crept upward, too, though they haven’t entered panic territory yet. RAM, however, is a different story. If you’re eyeing an upgrade, you may want to sit tight for a bit.

As Ars Technica points out, memory and storage shortages are notoriously difficult to manage because chip manufacturing depends on years of advance planning. The supply we’re dealing with today is the result of production decisions made long before the current AI-driven surge in demand. That inherent lag makes the memory market especially prone to violent price swings.

The pandemic offered a perfect example. Manufacturers were blindsided by the sudden, massive spike in demand for PCs and consumer tech in 2020 and 2021, only to watch that demand crater once buying habits normalized. PC sales soared, plummeted, then stabilized — all within a few years. Volatility like that makes long-term planning almost impossible for memory suppliers.

Until the supply of RAM catches up to the appetite of data centers and AI developers, anyone looking to boost their RAM is probably best off waiting for the market to cool down rather than paying the current premium.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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