Mashable

SAVE UP TO $30: As of Oct. 14, both the Ninja UltraCrush Professional and Ninja Professional Plus Premier Series Blenders are on sale at Amazon for $79.96 (reg. $109.99) and $101.99 (reg. $119.99). That's up to 27% in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja UltraCrush Professional (BP201) $79.96 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $30.03   Get Deal at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Professional Plus Blender (BN701BLBRN) $101.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $18   Get Deal at Amazon

Whether you're trying to extend frozen margarita season into the cooler months, add more health-forward smoothies to your diet, or make more adventurous soups and sauces this fall, a good blender will make light work of a tough job. While there's no shortage of excellent picks on the market, we're big fans of Ninja's range. They perform well, are affordably priced, and you can often find them on sale — like today.

As of Oct. 14, the Ninja UltraCrush Professional (BP201) is on sale at Amazon for just $79.96, down from its usual $109.99. That's 27% in savings and matches its best price on record. Another great option, the Ninja Professional Plus Premier Series (BN701BLBRN), is also down to $101.99 from $119.99 — a savings of 15%.

Both blenders include a 72-oz. Total Crushing Pitcher with Ninja's innovative Total Crushing Blades, which deliver consistently smooth results every time. Where they differ is the base. The UltraCrush has a 1,000-watt motor with simple manual controls: low, medium, high, and pulse. The Professional Plus is a bit more powerful at 1,400 watts and features Auto-iQ technology designed to take any guesswork out of drink making. It offers three Auto-iQ presets: smoothie, ice crush, and milkshake. Each preset combines pulsing, blending, and pausing patterns that take on the work for you to create the optimal consistency.

Soup season is calling your name. If you're looking for a blender to elevate your culinary creations, either option will get the job done (and save you some money).

PREORDERS LIVE: Following Apple's major smart home reveal, Amazon preorders for the brand-new Apple HomeView Smart Display ($289.99) and the 4th-Gen Apple TV 4K ($299) are now live ahead of shipping on Nov. 13.

Apple is officially pivoting hard into your living room. Following last month's big iPhone launch, the tech giant returned with a sweeping update to its smart home ecosystem. The new hardware lineup includes the long-awaited HomeView tabletop display, the HomePod mini 2, and collaborative smart home gear built with partners like LG and Schneider Electric.

If you're looking to gear up your ecosystem outside of Apple's direct storefront, Amazon preorders are officially live for two of the lineup's biggest stars: the Apple HomeView Smart Display and the 4th-generation Apple TV 4K.

Apple HomeView Smart Display Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple HomeView $289.99 at Amazon
  Preorder at Amazon

Serving as Apple’s first dedicated smart display and its biggest hardware release since the Vision Pro, the Apple HomeView is built to keep your whole household connected, entertained, and organized from one central spot. It mounts a sharp 7-inch Liquid Retina display onto a domed, HomePod-style speaker base using a stainless steel hinge, so you can easily tilt the screen to get the right angle on a kitchen counter, desk, or nightstand. Powered by the A18 chip and Siri AI backed by Apple Intelligence, it handles hands-free requests natively while keeping your personal data secured on-device.

Using built-in face and voice recognition, it identifies up to six different people and automatically flips to their personal profile — showing your specific calendar, text messages, and reminders the moment you walk up to it.

When you aren't managing your day, the display pumps out rich, room-filling Spatial Audio for music and podcasts, handles hands-free FaceTime calls with Center Stage, and lets you broadcast Intercom messages to other Apple devices around the house. When it's sitting idle, you can deck out the screen with custom clock faces like Snoopy, cycle through your favorite memories via the Photos face, or monitor up to nine security camera feeds simultaneously.

Apple TV 4K (4th Gen) Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple TV 4K $299 at Amazon
  Preorder at Amazon

If you're upgrading your home theater, the 4th-generation Apple TV 4K keeps its familiar black-box design while getting a big internal glow-up. Driven by the A19 chip, it streams buttery-smooth 4K Dolby Vision and HDR10+ with deep contrast and vivid colors that pop on your big screen. Audio gets a massive upgrade, too — Dolby Atmos wraps spatial sound around your living room, and the new Enhance Dialogue feature pulls voice tracks forward so you can actually hear quiet whispers without cranking the volume.

Having Siri AI integrated into the box means searching for content is way smoother, drawing on your personal context and world knowledge so finding a movie or kicking off a playlist takes zero effort. Apple also packed far-field mics right into the box, so you don't even have to reach for a controller — just call out from the couch to pause a movie, check the weather, or dim your smart lights hands-free.

When you do pick up the Siri Remote, it now has Find My with Precision Finding built right in, so you can make it play a loud chime when it inevitably gets swallowed by the couch cushions. Between Apple Fitness+, Arcade, Photos, and FaceTime, it doubles as a total entertainment hub for the whole family.

Ready to upgrade your living room? Hit Amazon to claim your HomeView or Apple TV 4K before launch day.

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

The Champions League is back this week with a number of fascinating matchups. LASK vs. Liverpool is probably not the biggest game on the schedule, but we're expecting an exciting matchup between two sides that need a win. LASK lost their opening fixture, and Liverpool are looking to bounce back after a humbling defeat to Man City at the weekend.

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

When is LASK vs. Liverpool?

LASK vs. Liverpool in the Champions League kicks off at 12:45 p.m. ET on Oct. 14. This fixture takes place at the Raiffeisen Arena.

How to watch LASK vs. Liverpool for free

LASK vs. Liverpool 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 LASK vs. Liverpool for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend 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 LASK vs. Liverpool for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 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 LASK vs. Liverpool (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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream LASK vs. Liverpool in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $60: As of Oct. 14, get the DJI Neo for $139 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $199. That's a discount of 30%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Neo $139 at Amazon
$199 Save $60   Get Deal at Amazon

October Prime Day may have come and gone already, but that doesn't mean Amazon isn't still serving up some great deals here and there. If you're still looking for a good reason to pick up a new drone, for example, now's a great time to do so with this excellent DJI discount.

As of Oct. 14, get the DJI Neo for $139 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $199. That's $60 off and a discount of 30%.

SEE ALSO: The FCC banned foreign routers, drones, robots: What it means for you

The DJI Neo is back to its record low Prime Day pricing, and it's well worth scoring while you can. It's a lightweight, compact beginner-friendly drone that's perfect for anyone to start with, even those with no drone experience.

It's just 135 grams, which means you need no FAA registration to fly, and it's compact and small enough to toss in a bag and go. It's self-flying if you prefer to avoid controlling its flight path, and it can capture crisp 4K video with stabilized recording, quick shots, and more.

It's capable of producing some absolutely fantastic footage, even if you've never messed with a drone before in your life. And if you just want to use it to explore your surroundings with a bird's-eye view, it's good for that too. If you're wanting to grab it for yourself or even as a great early holiday gift, now's the time to scoop it up while it's still available for this price.

Do you like sweet treats? Of course you do. Do you like sweet treats that are free or heavily discounted? Now we're talking.

National Dessert Day takes place on Oct. 14, and you can celebrate by visiting popular spots like The Cheesecake Factory, White Castle, and Baskin-Robbins to score free giveaways, limited-edition products, special offers, and so much more. We recommend taking a breather between visits.

These are our favorite National Dessert Day deals:

7-Eleven

For a limited time, get 7-Select Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Bites, 7-Select Pumpkin Cheesecake Snack Pies, 7-Select Pumpkin Cheese Danish, or 7-Select Pumpkin Donut Holes.

Baskin-Robbins

Through Oct. 31, Rewards members can mix and match three select treats for $15, including Double Scoops, Small Smoothies, Small Mangonadas, and Creature Creations.

Jason’s Deli

From Oct. 14-18, score a free Strawberry Shortcake with any entrée purchase. This offer is valid for one-time use per customer.

Kroger

Log in to your Kroger account online or the Kroger app to get $30 off your first online order of $75 or more. This offer is valid until Oct. 20 at select Kroger locations for your first pickup or delivery order only.

McAlister’s Deli

On Oct. 14, Rewards members can get a free dessert with any entrée purchase. Limit one per member.

MilkShake Factory

On Oct. 14, get a buy one, get one free deal on all milkshakes, sundaes, floats, and molten cups in-store.

MOD Pizza

Try the seasonal Pumpkin Spice Cake Pop for $2.99 or get the CinnaMOD dessert for $6.99.

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Bundtastic Rewards members can earn bonus points on select purchases throughout October. From Oct. 14-16, you can earn 100 bonus points on a single Bundtlet Tower, 200 on a double tower, or 300 on a triple tower.

Portillo’s

Try new limited-time OREO menu additions, including the OREO Shake, OREO Cake, and OREO Cake Shake. Plus, until Oct. 18, Perks members can score a slice of OREO Cake for $1 with any purchase of $5 or more (limit one per transaction).

Tender Greens

On Oct. 14, loyalty members get a free dessert with any order of $15 or more.

The Cheesecake Factory

Through Oct. 25, get a $10 bonus eCard for every $50 spent on gift cards online. Bonus eCards are redeemable in-store or online from Oct. 26 to Nov. 22.

Tocaya

On Oct. 14, loyalty members can grab a free dessert with any purchase of $15 or more.

White Castle

From Oct. 14-19, Craver Nation Rewards members can get a free Dessert-on-a-Stick with any combo purchase using promo code DESSERT at online checkout.

AVAILABLE NOW: The brand-new camera-free Ray-Ban Meta Audio Glasses in the Clubmaster and Burbank styles are officially available to buy at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Meta Meta Ray-Ban Audio Clubmaster $349 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Meta Meta Ray-Ban Audio Burbank $349 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

Remember when Meta first teased its camera-free audio frames back at Connect? The idea was simple: drop the camera lens that makes people uncomfortable in public and build a sleek pair of glasses focused entirely on music, calls, and voice AI. Following that initial debut, the Ray-Ban Meta Audio Glasses have officially launched and are available to buy on Amazon starting at $349.

Removing the camera hardware allowed Meta to shave the frames down to its slimmest, lightest AI eyewear to date — while packing in double the battery endurance of previous generations. The collection brings that tech into two distinct, classic Ray-Ban shapes that look and feel just like standard analog frames.

Credit: Meta

Wearing them means keeping your phone tucked away in your pocket. Directional open-ear speakers with Spatial Audio beam music and podcasts straight to your ears without closing you off from ambient street noise, while an upgraded 6-microphone array cancels out over 90% of background noise so calls sound crisp on WhatsApp or Messenger.

You can use the touchpad on the temple or press the assignable action button to trigger Meta AI — to ask for flight reminders, check your Gmail or Outlook calendar, get turn-by-turn walking directions, or tap into real-time translation across 20 languages.

If you prefer a clean, rectangular silhouette, the Burbank is the lightest frame in the entire lineup, starting at just 43 grams. It sits naturally on your face with full-frame coverage, offered in timeless finishes like Matte Black with clear lenses, Shiny Black, Havana, and a seasonal Transparent Sky Blue.

To make sure they stay comfortable through long days, the Burbank includes three swappable nose pads right in the box, along with adjustable temple tips that an optician can easily custom-fit to your ears.

For a bolder retro look, the Clubmaster brings that same hands-free audio experience to a classic browline design. You can grab it in Shiny Black on Gold with green lenses, Transparent Iron Grey, or Transparent Orchid, complete with adjustable gooseneck metal nose pad arms and over-extension hinges that relieve pressure against the sides of your head.

Whichever style you pick, both frames pack Meta's longest battery life yet. You get up to 12 hours of mixed-use power on a single charge — or 6 hours of non-stop audio playback — plus an additional 48 hours stored in the included slim charging case. A quick 22-minute rest inside the case gets you back up to 50% battery. Both frames support a full range of clear, sun, polarized, and Transitions lenses, as well as prescription compatibility spanning −12.00 to +6.00.

Head over to Amazon to pick up your pair in Burbank or Clubmaster, starting at $349.

Razer x Pokémon gaming headsets: Razer Kraken V4 X (Sylveon Edition) $109.99 at Target Shop Now Razer BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed (Charizard Edition) $119.99 at Razer Shop Now Razer BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed (Lucario Edition) $139.99 at Target Shop Now

Pokémon's 30th anniversary celebrations are bringing a fresh wave of themed gaming gear, with Razer stepping up to expand its popular collection. Following fan favorites like the viral Gengar headset, the brand is back with three special-edition designs featuring Sylveon, Charizard, and Lucario.

Gamers building a soft, pastel setup can lean into the Razer Kraken V4 X Sylveon Edition. The wired USB-C headset is built around a dreamy pink-and-blue aesthetic inspired by Sylveon's signature bows and ribbon-like feelers, and pairs them with customizable Razer Chroma RGB lighting.

It uses 40mm TriForce drivers to deliver detailed highs and punchy bass, alongside 7.1 surround sound for clear positional awareness in games. A retractable HyperClear cardioid mic captures voice while reducing background noise, and the hybrid fabric-leatherette memory foam ear cushions keep ears comfortable during long streams or play sessions.

If you prefer wireless freedom and a fiery look, the Razer BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed Charizard Edition switches up the vibe with black-and-red flames accented by bright orange lining. Built as a lightweight 270g esports frame, it offers low-latency 2.4GHz HyperSpeed Wireless, Bluetooth, and wired USB connectivity, so you can switch between PC, PlayStation, handhelds, and mobile setups.

It packs 50mm TriForce Gen-2 drivers for balanced game audio, a detachable 9.9mm HyperClear mic, and a massive battery life of up to 70 hours on a single charge.

Carrying those exact same wireless esports specs over to a calmer, battle-ready design, the Razer BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed Lucario Edition channels the Aura Pokémon with vibrant blue earcups, ink-style graphics, and black accents. You get all the performance benefits of its Fire-type counterpart — including 50mm drivers, 70-hour battery stamina, PS5 Tempest 3D Audio, and PC 7.1 surround support — packaged into an ultra-light 270g frame with breathable memory foam cushions.

Pick your partner Pokémon and grab your special-edition headset today.

Nintendo is closing out its 2026 Switch 2 first-party release calendar with a full remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and everyone has something to say about the way it looks. But what about the way it sounds?

I got to play around an hour of the upcoming remake, which launches on Nov. 5, at a recent press event. While there's plenty to say about the visuals and gameplay, I wanted to take a moment to focus on the soundtrack. Just like with the Switch 2 Star Fox remake that released earlier this year, perhaps my most anticipated aspect of this take on Ocarina is the prospect of having a fully orchestral version of every song on Ocarina's brilliant, timeless musical score.

I'm glad to say that, based on what I heard, this is exactly what I wanted.

Ocarina of Time's new soundtrack is gorgeous

In the demo, I got to check out four areas that have notably memorable themes in the original game:

• Kokiri Forest

• Hyrule Field

• Hyrule Castle Town

• The Forest Temple

Each theme in the remake was true to the original, as Nintendo swapped out the synthesized instruments for their real-life counterparts. So far, none of the music I've heard has strayed too far from the direction of the original, so don't expect a sudden burst of electric guitar in the boss fights or anything like that. That said, the Castle Town theme did have an added layer of ocarina, which is appropriate. What's here is both respectful of the original vision and, frankly, sounds a little better to my ears, as a guy who prefers real instruments to their MIDI variants.

Hyrule Field's theme, which you can hear in the embedded trailer, is particularly triumphant and adventurous. Meanwhile, the Forest Temple is still creepy as hell, with the music contributing to a haunting atmosphere that shines through just as well in the remake as it did in 1998. I'd also like to shout out the iconic, understated title screen theme, which you can hear on the Nintendo Music app right now. It's still just as quietly confident as ever, a sure aural sign that you're about to experience greatness, but this time with real instruments.

Now Nintendo just needs to release the full remade Gerudo Valley theme, and I'll be happy forever.

As fun as it is to be an iconoclast at times, one of my most basic opinions is that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo 64 is one of the all-time greats.

There is, of course, a rose-colored tint to that take. Seeing the vast, explorable world of Ocarina for the first time as a child is basically why I love video games now. I was so taken with the idea of looking out onto an expansive horizon and knowing that anything could be out there that I became obsessed with the medium and, well, now I play video games for work. It hit me at just the right time in my life to make a permanent impression on me, and I'm still chasing the high of the first time you step out onto Hyrule Field to this day.

All of that is to say I should, in theory, be as scrutinous as anyone regarding the upcoming Ocarina of Time remake for Switch 2. But after playing it for about an hour at a recent Nintendo press event, I came away confident that there is a vision here beyond just "let's remake an old Zelda game so we have something to market alongside the upcoming movie."

The Ocarina of Time remake feels tangible and hand-crafted That's not what hallways are supposed to do. Credit: Nintendo

Nintendo's chosen visual style for this Ocarina remake has been divisive among fans. It's undeniably an impressive technical showcase for the Switch 2 hardware, featuring many advanced graphical techniques at a ridiculously smooth frame rate that the original Switch could never have dreamed of. However, it ditches the mildly anime-coded look of the more recent open-world entries in favor of exceptionally high levels of detail across nearly every texture, juxtaposed with characters who resemble puppets or action figures more than people.

It's admittedly an odd look at first, but after seeing it running natively on a TV in front of me rather than through a YouTube window, I see what they're going for. Nintendo is taking what is, by contemporary standards, a very small video game world and filling it with as much detail as possible, as opposed to the less-defined look of the huge open-world games. It's not dissimilar to Yakuza, a series known for tiny open worlds that feel impressively real and lived-in.

The end goal, I think, is to take a fantasy world originally rendered in the foggy, blurry form on Nintendo 64 hardware, and make it feel tangible and believable. It's not photorealistic, but it does look like something that could exist in a very high-quality puppet diorama. Link's wooden Deku Shield looks like something you can reach out and touch, for example, while his green tunic looks like a bunch of forest children wove it using plant fibers.

Seriously, the texture on that shield is nuts. Credit: Nintendo

To me, this brings the player a little closer to the world than they might be otherwise. Going back to believability, the artists have reimagined parts of the world to operate less on dreamy video game logic. One example is the game's very first dungeon puzzle, which involves using a slingshot to drop a ladder down so you can exit the room. Originally, the ladder was just fixed to the ceiling, and you shot it with the slingshot to change that. Now, you shoot a switch to activate a stone-based mechanism to drop the ladder.

Acknowledging that basic physics exists in a fairy-tale world is not strictly necessary, but I do appreciate the thinking behind it. Other details I enjoyed included some cleaning supplies sitting outside the Temple of Time, because, of course, some guy's job is to make sure the temple grounds are presentable. NPCs are also impressively reactive here, as I noticed the denizens of the densely packed Hyrule Castle Town wincing in horror as Link was being attacked by chickens after I provoked them with my sword.

At this point, I'm in favor of the art style in this remake, even if I get other people's misgivings about it. If nothing else, though, there's absolutely zero room in my mind for accusations of it "looking like AI" or otherwise being lazy or thoughtless. It's very clear upon inspection that many people spent a lot of time thinking very carefully about all of this, and the result is a look that Zelda has never really had before.

But there are some changes I'm not sure about The tree talks now. Credit: Nintendo

I haven't spent much time in this preview talking about gameplay because, well, this new Ocarina is more or less the same game as it was in 1998. It's not a total 1:1 recreation of the original; I noticed some topographical changes in Kokiri Forest and Hyrule Field, as well as at least one building in Kokiri that was present in the original but not present in the remake, as far as I could tell. But basic area layouts and puzzle solutions remain nearly identical to what they were nearly three decades ago.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo The Legend of Zelda™: Ocarina of Time $69.99 at Amazon
  Preorder at Amazon

The changes Nintendo did choose to make were hit-or-miss for me in the demo I played. Including a sprint button to reduce the need to somersault everywhere is fine, especially since the sprint itself is not that fast, thereby maintaining the original game's pace. Adding a jump button, on the other hand, strikes me as a bit odd. Maybe it's because I'm just used to the way it worked before, where Link would automatically jump a set distance off any ledge the player ran towards, but I found myself wanting that mechanic instead of having to remember to jump myself every time.

Some cutscenes have also received voice acting, which, by and large, sounds pretty cartoony and a tad cheesy. I don't hate it, but I'm not sure this game needed that, either.

A couple of minor misgivings aside, I really enjoyed my brief time with the Ocarina of Time remake. These dungeons and puzzles are all still great, and seeing everything rendered anew in a somewhat bizarre but gorgeous style is exciting to me. It isn't the same as a brand new Zelda for Switch 2, but it'll do until the time comes.

SAVE $50: As of Oct. 14, the Bissell Little Green Max Pet portable carpet cleaner is discounted to $99.99 at Amazon. That's $50 off its full price of $149.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bissell Bissell Little Green Max Pet Portable Carpet Cleaner $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal at Amazon

If you're a pet owner, you probably know all too well how frequently messes pop up. It's why carpet cleaners are such helpful items to have around the house. If you've been thinking it's time to buy, the Bissell Little Green Max Pet is one option to consider, especially now that Amazon's knocked $50 off its price tag.

As of Oct. 14, this discount has brought the Bissell Little Green Max Pet portable carpet cleaner down from $149.99 to $99.99. It's only available at this price for a limited time, so act fast to add it to your shopping cart.

SEE ALSO: Dyson’s slimmest wet floor cleaner just got a huge upgrade and its own self-cleaning dock — where to buy

From muddy paw prints to dirt and more, the Bissell Little Green Max Pet delivers strong suction and scrubbing power to lift stains on soft surfaces. It can also tackle fur embedded in the carpet with the included pet hair removal tool, and it even comes with an 8 oz. trial-size bottle of Bissell Pet Pro Oxy Spot and Stain solution, which helps remove stains, eliminate odors, and protect against future messes.

There's also a Self-Cleaning Tough Stain Tool included with the cleaner that removes excess residue and dirt with just a touch of a button. That certainly makes clean-up a breeze. Plus, the cleaner's lightweight and portable design makes it easy to move around the house.

This limited-time deal won't be available for long, so be quick to grab the Bissell Little Green Max Pet portable carpet cleaner while it's still on sale at Amazon.

TL;DR: Daily Red is a free, daily Pokémon battle game where everyone gets one chance a day to defeat Red on Mt. Silver. Red's team stays the same, but your lineup is randomly generated every 24 hours — forcing you to win with whatever random squad you're dealt.

If your morning browser routine already includes Wordle or the Mini Crossword, there is a new fan-made puzzle game making the rounds among Pokémon fans. Daily Red takes the ultimate end-game boss fight from the top of Mt. Silver and turns it into a daily tactical challenge.

Instead of spending weeks raising your personal dream team, the game drops you straight into a Level 100 showdown against Red. The catch? You do not get to pick your party. Every 24 hours, every player worldwide is handed the exact same randomly generated lineup of six Pokémon. Your job is to figure out how to pilot whatever unusual, bench-warming team you've been dealt to victory.

Is Daily Red an official Pokémon game?

No. Daily Red is an unofficial, free-to-play fan project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Nintendo, Game Freak, or The Pokémon Company. It runs entirely in your browser with no microtransactions, ads, or sign-ups required.

How to play Daily Red

Getting started takes zero downloads and no account registration. Here is the step-by-step breakdown:

1. Head to the site — Go to daily-red.com on your mobile device or desktop browser.

2. Inspect your squad — Click to begin your daily match at the peak of Mt. Silver. Once the fight starts, inspect your six assigned Level 100 Pokémon — checking their movesets, abilities, and type coverage — before locking in your first move against Red's lead Pikachu.

3. Outsmart Red — Defeat all six of Red's classic Level 100 Pokémon before he wipes your party out.

4. Share and track — Copy your spoiler-free results grid to share with friends, then return the next day to protect your streak.

Your win streaks and battle stats are saved directly to your browser's local cache. If you want to keep a long streak going, stick to the same device and browser for your daily battles. 

In terms of structure, Daily Red borrows the exact loop that made Wordle a daily habit: everyone battles with the exact same randomized team each day, your wins are tracked through an ongoing streak, and you can share a spoiler-free visual grid of your results without giving away the winning strategy.

Knowing your enemy: Red's fixed team

While your party changes every single night, Red's team remains completely static. Knowing who he brings to the fight lets you plan your strategy before making your first move:

• Pikachu (Level 100 — always his starting lead)

• Espeon (Level 100)

• Snorlax (Level 100)

• Venusaur (Level 100)

• Charizard (Level 100)

• Blastoise (Level 100)

Because Red always leads with Pikachu, your first big tactical decision happens the second the match loads. Check your six assigned Pokémon to see who has the best matchup or immunity against an electric lead, then plan how you'll handle his bulkier threats like Snorlax later in the match.

The daily battle resets every night at midnight in your local time zone. A live countdown timer at the top of the site tracks how much time remains in the current window. Once the clock strikes midnight, everyone receives a brand-new randomized party to take on Red all over again.

SEE ALSO: Pokémon x Beats: Where to buy Pokémon collab that turns the Beats Pill into a Pikachu-themed speaker

Whether you get blessed with a legendary or stuck trying to beat a Level 100 Snorlax with a Luvdisc, it’s easily the most addictive five-minute brain teaser for Pokémon fans right now.

TL;DR: The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is available to live stream for free on 7plus. Access these free livestreams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is officially kicking off in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, and if you are looking to catch every big hit, try, and high-stakes knockout match without spending big on a subscription, you're in luck.

Fans in Australia can watch every match live and free via Channel 7 and 7plus. Fans from other countries don't have it so easy, but there are some simple steps you can take to secure access to all the action without spending anything.

If you want to watch the 2026 Rugby League World Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Rugby League World Cup?

The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league competition contested by senior men's national teams. The latest edition of the Rugby League World Cup will be jointly hosted by Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.

The defending champions are Australia.

When is the 2026 Rugby League World Cup?

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is the 17th edition of the competition. This year's tournament starts on Oct. 15 and runs until the final on Nov. 15.

How to watch the 2026 Rugby League World Cup for free

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is available to live stream for free on 7plus.

7plus is geo-restricted to Australia, 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 Australia, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Rugby League World Cup from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend 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 Australia

4. Visit 7plus

5. Watch the 2026 Rugby League World Cup 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 leading VPNs do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the tournament before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 7plus?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 7plus, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Australia

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 Rugby League World Cup for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: The Champions League is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player, Virgin Media, tabii, and Prime Video. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The top club competition in the world of football has to be the Champions League. There is nothing else that brings the very best teams in the world together in a battle for footballing immortality. Winning your domestic league is great, but winning the Champions League is on another level.

PSG are looking to secure an incredible third consecutive title. That's going to be a mammoth task in the face of giants like Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, all desperate to lift the iconic trophy.

If you want to watch the 2026-27 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Champions League?

The Champions League is an annual club football competition organized by UEFA and contested by top-division European clubs. This year's tournament begins with a 36-team round robin group stage to determine which sides qualify for the double-legged knockout rounds, followed by a single-leg final.

The defending champions are PSG.

When is the 2026-27 Champions League?

The 2026-27 Champions League is the 72nd edition of the competition (and the 35th since it was renamed the Champions League). This season's tournament starts on July 7 and runs until the final on June 5.

How to watch the 2026-27 Champions League for free

It is possible to live stream the 2026-27 Champions League for free on the following streaming platforms:

• Ireland — RTÉ Player and Virgin Media

• Turkey — tabii

• UK — Prime Video (free trial)

These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026-27 Champions League by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend 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 a location with free coverage of the Champions League

4. Visit RTÉ Player, Virgin Media, tabii, or Prime Video (free trial)

5. Watch Champions League fixtures 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 leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the 2026-27 Champions League without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, the fact is you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Champions League?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

PREORDER NOW: Preorder the 4th generation of Apple TV 4K. Shop now for $299 so it arrives on its Nov. 19 release day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple TV 4K $299 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

Apple is turning its attention to the home. After last month's unveiling of new iPhones, Apple is back with tech for the home, including the HomeView smart display, the HomePod mini 2, LG smart security products, and the 4th generation of Apple TV 4K.

The latest Apple TV looks quite familiar to the previous generation, still the standard black box with silver remote. The difference is on the inside, according to Apple, as it's "supercharged by Siri AI." No longer do users need to pick up the remote to interact with the AI assistant. Instead, the new Apple TV recognizes your voice even when something is playing.

The 4th generation of Apple TV 4K is powered by the A19 chip, the same one used in the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air. It's also equipped with Find My and plays a sound to find your misplaced remote, a sweet feature for those of us with a tendency to lose our remote in the cushions (guilty).

Where to buy the Apple TV 4K

The Apple TV 4K (4th generation) is now available for preorder from Apple and Amazon. It costs $299 and will be released on Nov. 19.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple TV 4K $299 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

SAVE $200: As of Oct. 14, the Meraki Dual Boiler Espresso Machine is down to $1,799 at Amazon when you clip the on-page coupon, down from $1,999 — a 10% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Meraki Meraki Dual Boiler Espresso Machine $1,799 at Amazon
$1,999 Save $200   Get Deal at Amazon

If you’ve been dreaming of turning your kitchen counter into a full-blown specialty cafe, now might be the time to make it happen. The Meraki Dual Boiler Espresso Machine with Grinder and Built-In Dual Scales is listed at $1,999 on Amazon, but clipping the $200 on-page coupon drops the final price at checkout to $1,799. Just keep in mind that this coupon is only valid through Oct. 16, applies to a single unit at checkout, and won't combine with other active promos.

The Meraki runs an independent dual-boiler system — a 350 ml brew boiler paired with a 550 ml steam boiler — so you can pull shots and texture milk at the exact same time. Driven by a commercial rotary pump with PID temp control and a heated grouphead, it delivers steady 9-bar extractions and controlled pre-infusion.

Built-in dual scales track both your ground coffee dose and espresso liquid output with a stated accuracy within 0.2 grams. Paired with an espresso-tailored burr grinder featuring 45 marked settings, micro-adjustments, anti-static technology, and near-zero retention, you get predictable, repeatable shots without cluttering your counter with extra scales and dosing gear.

Plus, it features a full-sized 58mm E61-compatible portafilter. Stepping up from those narrow, entry-level baskets means you're using the same size as actual coffee shops, making it super easy to add third-party accessories like precision baskets, dosing funnels, or a bottomless portafilter as your barista skills grow.

Grab the Meraki Dual Boiler Espresso Machine on Amazon with the $200 coupon clipped before the deal ends on Friday.

SAVE OVER $100: As of Oct. 14, the Shark FlexStyle has returned to its lowest-ever price of $199.99 at Amazon. That's $114.01 off its typical price of $314.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FlexStyle $199.99 at Amazon
$314 Save $114.01   Get Deal at Amazon

If you're hoping to achieve salon-quality hair styling at home without paying the cost of actually going into the salon, the Shark FlexStyle is worth looking into. This multi-styler and dryer is our favorite Dyson Airwrap dupe, and it's currently on sale at Amazon for over $100 off.

As of Oct. 14, the Shark FlexStyle is on sale for $199.99, $114.01 off its typical price of $314 and marking a return to its lowest-ever price. Unfortunately, the copper model is the only color available at this low price.

SEE ALSO: We tested the most popular Ninja appliances, and these are our favorites

This styling tool is designed for all hair types, offering high-speed airflow to dry your hair and different attachments for styling. When it comes to the former, the FlexStyle is designed with intelligent heat control to minimize heat exposure to your hair while you're styling. And as for the attachments, it comes with auto-wrap curlers, an oval brush, and a concentrator attachment for more targeted styling.

Mashable's Bethany Allard reviewed it and wrote that while it's "not an absolute essential hair styling tool," it's worth it "if you're looking to switch to hot air styling to help your hair out for regular styling". Ultimately, she found that "You can get the Dyson Airwrap experience for a fraction of the price in the Shark FlexStyle."

Act fast to save on the Shark FlexStyle at Amazon.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) and Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon) are available to preorder now on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokemon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) $699.89 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon) $699.89 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

If you thought Pokémon TCG collectors were already losing their minds over 30th Celebration Booster Bundles and Elite Trainer Boxes, Amazon just opened preorders for the crown jewel of the anniversary expansion: the 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collections.

Both high-end boxes are currently available for preorder at Amazon for $699.89 ahead of their official Nov. 6 release date.

As the ultimate flagship products for the 30th Celebration set, both Ultra-Premium Collections come packed with 29 30th Celebration booster packs, one Classic Collection booster pack, custom metal coins, deck boxes, card sleeves, and damage-counter dice. Of course, the real driver behind the hype comes from the exclusive promo cards:

• Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon): Includes the exclusive Espeon ex promo card with a Daytime Pikachu ex promo card and an Espeon playmat.

• Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon): Includes the exclusive Umbreon ex promo card with a Futuristic-rarity Pikachu ex promo card and an Umbreon playmat.

The big question with buying trading cards on Amazon is whether or not you're actually getting value for money. Amazon is a reliable pick for finding stock, but you often pay above market price.

TCGplayer's market price for the Day Box is currently $561.50, so there's a decent markup from Amazon here. The market price for the Night Box is $690.23, so the convenience of Amazon actually makes sense in this case.

Elon Musk put his billion-dollar (no longer trillion-dollar) bank account and his AI agent Grok Bot to work after giving the worst financial advice ever this week.

After telling X users wanting to shop online with his AI agent to "take a picture of your credit card, drop it in the chat" to have Grok research and order items for you, despite xAI's explicit warning for users "not to include personal information in prompts," Musk showed his seemingly successful use of the feature.

SEE ALSO: Does 'Carrie' contain a sneaky dig at Elon Musk?

On Sunday, the X owner posted on his social media platform that he'd asked Grok "to research the most fun Lego Star Wars kits for young kids and order them."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

On Tuesday, Musk added an update, claiming that Lego sets bought for him by the AI agent had indeed arrived in the mail (though he posted only screenshots of his conversation with Grok, not photos of the delivered items).

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

The order consisted of five Star Wars Lego sets totaling $241.34, including Smart Play items, and was placed through Lego's website with free shipping.

In screenshots of Grok's updates, it appears the Lego sets were sent via UPS, delivered to a house in Austin, then once the order was complete, Grok Bot turned off the shipping and tracking checks.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Remember, the richest man in the world's disposable budget and ownership of the technology mean there's little risk to Musk's bank balance from providing credit card information to an AI bot, possibly within the chat itself. However, consumers should be very cautious about personal financial details online, especially in a chat with an AI agent — the memes aren't completely bonkers.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts.

Featured Video For You 'No Other Choice' skewers the job market. Here's why Park Chan-wook made it.

SAVE $152: As of Oct. 14, the TCL 65-Inch QM6K Series QD-Mini LED 4K TV is marked down at Amazon. Snag this stunning TV for $647.99, down from $799.99 — a 19% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-inch Class QM6K Series 4K HDR TV $647.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $152   Get Deal at Amazon

If you've been tolerating an aging flat-screen that turns dark movie scenes into a black blob, you don't have to blow thousands of dollars on a high-end OLED to get a massive upgrade. The TCL 65-Inch QM6K Series QD-Mini LED 4K Smart Google TV is marked down to $647.99 at Amazon. That shaves $152 off its regular $799.99 list price — a 19% discount on our hands-down pick for the best 65-inch TV for most people.

Earning a 4.5/5 rating and a Mashable Choice Award, the QM6K hits the absolute sweet spot for "happy medium" shoppers. It combines Quantum Dot colors with Mini LED technology, using 500 local dimming zones to deliver punchy brightness and surprisingly deep contrast. Whether you're watching afternoon college football games in a sun-drenched living room or streaming dark horror movies with the lights off, this panel punches way above its weight class.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy the new Apple TV 4K — how to preorder the 4th generation of Apple TV

In her hands-on review, Mashable shopping reporter Leah Stodart noted that the QM6K easily conquered notoriously dim content like Game of Thrones' infamous darker scenes, rendering crisp shadow details where older TVs only show muddy reflections. Gamers win here too: with a native 144Hz refresh rate, VRR, and ultra-fast response times, plugging in a PS5 or Xbox Series X gives you buttery-smooth gameplay without awkward motion blur. That's you sorted for GTA 6, then.

On the software side, Google TV is built right in for fast, painless app navigation, while Onkyo audio with Dolby Atmos support keeps the built-in sound surprisingly robust. While its screen isn't completely matte, the sheer punch of the Mini LED backlight easily overpowers ambient glare from nearby windows.

If you want a serious home theater upgrade without the steep price tag, head over to Amazon to grab this top-rated 65-inch screen while the deal lasts.

SAVE $119.01: As of Oct. 14, the 2026 Apple Mac mini (M6, 16GB, 256GB) is marked down to one of the lowest prices we've seen. Snag one from Amazon for $779.99 — a 13% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple 2026 Mac mini M6 $779.99 at Amazon
$899 Save $119.01   Get Deal at Amazon

If you’ve been eyeing Apple’s latest desktop hardware refresh, you don’t have to wait around for Black Friday to pick up a solid discount.

As of Oct. 14, the brand-new Apple 2026 Mac mini (M6 chip, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is marked down to $779.99 at Amazon. That is a clean 13% off its usual $899 list price, and one of the best prices we've seen on this model.

Don't let the ultracompact five-by-five-inch box fool you — this tiny desktop lives large on performance. Driven by Apple's M6 chip with a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, it delivers up to 4.8x faster AI performance thanks to a Neural Accelerator packed into each GPU core, faster unified memory, and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine.

Whether you're flying through everyday creative tasks or running demanding AI workflows, like LLMs, locally on device, everything feels super responsive on macOS. Plus, if you already use an iPhone, features like iPhone Mirroring and universal copy-paste make it feel like pure magic on your desk.

It also comes stacked with modern connectivity, so you can wire up your entire setup without needing an ugly hub. Apple kept the port selection practical: the front features two USB-C ports and a headphone jack for your everyday plug-ins, while the rear houses three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, and a 2.5Gb Ethernet jack (supporting up to three external displays). Wireless connectivity gets a huge boost, too, thanks to the N1 chip, which brings WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

SEE ALSO: Surprise! New Macs Before iPhone Event — What’s Going On?

With 16GB of fast unified memory (featuring 170GB/s bandwidth) and a 256GB SSD, this M6 Mac mini is easily one of the best value-for-money entry points into Apple's ecosystem right now.

Snag the 2026 Mac mini at Amazon before the deal disappears.