Mashable

Halloween is just around the corner this year, but frights have been going on all year thanks to raising tech prices.

Shopping Black Friday earbuds deals is a good way to mitigate the worst of the price raises, and though we're not quite in the depths of the sale season, you can already find some savings. It does take some digging, so I used my knowledge as a deals expert and one of Mashable's headphones and earbuds testers to find the best possible earbuds deals you can shop already.

SEE ALSO: 11 headphones and earbuds deals you can pick up ahead of Black Friday sales

The result: this list of 18 earbuds deals, live ahead of Black Friday. Check them out:

Best earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort earbuds $129 at Amazon
$179 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Bose's QuietComfort earbuds may not be the newest release from the brand, but they do give you great cancellation and sound quality without the $200 or $300 price tag. Once you find the right positioning, the ear and wing tip combo provides a great seal on these buds, and the battery life is hard to run down quickly. They're a great pair of all around earbuds, and at $129, they're also at an impressively low price for the brand.

Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort earbuds.

More earbuds deals

• CMF by Nothing Buds 2 — $29 $49 (save $20)

• JBL Vibe Beam 2 — $29.95 $49.95 (save $20)

• Nothing Ear (a) — $59 $79 (save $20)

• Sony WF-C710N — $78.99 $129.99 (save $51)

• Nothing Ear (3a) — $79 $99 (save $20)

• Apple AirPods 4 —  $99 $129 (save $30)

• Beats Studio Buds + — $99.95 $169.95 (save $70)

• Bose QuietComfort earbuds — $129 $179 (save $50)

• Marshall Motif II — $129.99 $219.99 (save $90)

• Refurbished Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds — $149 $299 (save $150)

• Beats Powerbeats Fit — $169.95 $199.99 (save $30.04)

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — $199.95 $249.95

• Refurbished Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) — $279 $299 (save $20)

Best open earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: CMF by Nothing CMF by Nothing Clip Pro $69 at Amazon
$99 Save $30   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

I was wowed by CMF's Clip Pro open earbuds back when they launched over the summer, and they remain one of my favorite releases of the year. They feature the same on-ear tactile controls as Bose's $300 open earbuds, great sound quality, and impressive battery life at 10 hours per charge. They're a bargain at full price — for $30 off, they're an absolute steal.

More open earbuds deals

• Shokz OpenFit 2 — $139.95 $179.95 (save $40)

• Refurbished Bose Open Ultra — $149 $299 (save $150)

• Bose x Kendra Scott Ultra Open earbuds — $199.99 $349.99 (save $150)

Best early Black Friday speaker deals at a glance: Best speaker deal overall JBL Charge 6 $149.95 (save $50) Get Deal Best budget speaker deal Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go $22.99 (save $12) Get Deal

If you haven't noticed, we're covering Black Friday deals earlier than ever. Of course, it's way too early for Amazon to call any of these official Black Friday discounts. But we're already tracking potential price cuts and keeping tabs on MSRPs to spot inflated list prices, so you know you're getting the best bang for your buck.

SEE ALSO: Early Black Friday noise-cancelling headphones deals are here: Get Sony headphones for under $90

We aren't seeing October Prime Day-level prices on speakers just yet. That makes total sense considering we are still weeks out from the actual holiday. But since we're starting so early, we'll be here to catch those price drops the second they happen.

Prices are going to bounce around a lot between now and Nov. 27, so whether you want to hold out for a record low or you just want to get your holiday shopping out of the way right now, we'll be updating this list all month long to reflect the best current deals.

Best early Black Friday speaker deal so far Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Charge 6 $149.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Why we picked this

As of Oct. 26, the JBL Charge 6 is on sale for $149.95 at Amazon, down from $199.95. That's a 25% discount ($50 in savings) and the lowest price we've seen on this model to date.

We already named the Charge 6 our top-rated Bluetooth speaker for most people (which you can read all about in our official portable speaker guide), so seeing it hit a record low this early in the game is a pretty big deal. It's lightweight, has superior sound quality, and doubles as a power bank to charge your other devices while it plays music.

More early Black Friday speaker deals

• Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go — $22.99 $34.99 (save $12)

• Anker Soundcore 2 — $29.98 $44.99 (save $15.01)

• Sony SRS-XB100 — $53 $64.99 (save $11.99)

• Ultimate Ears Miniroll — $49.99 $79.99 (save $30)

• Sony ULT Field 1 — $108 $139.99 (save $31.99)

• JBL Flip 7 — $129.95 $149.95 (save $20)

• Beats Pill — $99.95 $149.95 (save $50)

• Ultimate Ears Boom 4 — $114.99 $149.99 (save $35)

• JBL Partybox Encore Essential — $299.95 $329.95 (save $30)

Whether you've gotten your hands on an iPhone Duo or not, the main thing on most people's minds regarding Apple's new foldable device is just how much stress it can withstand before breaking.

That's what our friends at CNET (Note: Mashable and CNET are both owned by Ziff Davis) are trying to find out from Monday until they know the answer. A YouTube livestream will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET, in which a specially built phone-folding robot will take the iPhone Duo to its limits and beyond. As of late Monday morning, the robot had already accomplished 55,000 folds before the cameras even started rolling. The idea is to see how many folds it takes before the screen buckles, if it ever does.

This stream serves a sort of scientific purpose, of course, but it'll also make for nice background noise as you try to soldier through another Monday. It's worth noting that some iPhone Duo owners have allegedly already experienced screen issues within just a few days of launch, so we'll see if the folding robot is able to recreate any of that.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters or get Mashable push alerts today. 

Early Black Friday home improvement deals at a glance Best cordless power tool deal DeWalt 20V Max Drill and Impact Driver $129 (save $110) Get Deal Best robot lawn mower deal Segway Navimow i105N Robot Lawn Mower $669 (save $130) Get Deal Best smart lighting deal Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 (100 feet) $279.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best smart home deal GE Smart Shades Motorized Roller Shade (38 inches wide) $270.74 (save $99.25) Get Deal Best space heater deal Dreo Whole-Room Heater (725) $71.97 (save $8.02) Get Deal Best home security deal Philips WiFi Keypad Deadbolt with Handle $109.98 (save $60.01) Get Deal Best outdoor power equipment deal Greenworks 24V Mini Chainsaw $94.99 (save $65) Get Deal

Early Black Friday is shaping to be a perfect time to make home improvements. We're seeing great sale prices on everything from cordless power tools to robot lawn mowers to Christmas lights that never need to be taken off the house.

Shopping early means you'll get to avoid any shipping delays and start on those home improvement projects before holiday guests arrive. We've gatherer our favorite home improvement deals below that are ready to shop before Black Friday. Check back as we keep this page updated with fresh deals.

Best cordless power tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: DeWalt DeWalt 20V Max Drill and Impact Driver $129 at Amazon
$239 Save $110   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Every home needs a cordless drill. Even if you don't consider yourself to be espeically handy, having a cordless drill around will be endlessly useful for various projects that crop up. The DeWalt 20V Max combo set gives you both a compact drill driver and impact driver. Both have onboard LED lights to make the job easier, and they're designed to fit into small spaces. The bundle comes with the two cordless tools, two 20V Max batteries, a compact battery charger, and a convenient contractor case to keep everything stored.

Best robot lawn mower deal Opens in a new window Credit: Segway Segway Navimow i105N Robot Lawn Mower $669 at Amazon
$799 Save $130   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

A robot lawn mower is the ideal home improvement upgrade if you dislike the yard-care task or you have allergies. The Segway Navimow i105N is designed to mow lawns that measure up to an eighth of an acre while operating at a quiet 58 decibels. Segway equipped this model with the smarts to automatically detect and avoid over 150 types of obstacles like ground lights, rocks, barbecues, and more.

More robot lawn mower deals

• Dreame LiDAR Robot Lawn Mower A3 AWD — $1,304.99 $1,599.99 (save $295)

• Ecovacs Goat O1000 LiDAR Pro — $1,425.89 $1,499.99 (save $74.10)

• Mammotion LUBA mini 2 — $1,799.99 $1,999.99 (save $200)

• Roborock RockMow X130H — $1,999.98 $2,499.99 (save $500.01)

Best smart lighting deal Opens in a new window Credit: Govee Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 (100 feet) $279.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Every year, just as the weather gets frigid and wet, someone has to climb onto the roof to get the Christmas lights up. Instead of doing this every year, upgrade to the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 and make this the last trip onto the roof in sketchy weather.

With the Govee app, the RGBIC lights are capable of displaying 16 million colors. If that feels like an overwhelming number of options, go with one of Govee's preset holiday options. Keeping lights up year-round means you get to be the cool house on the block that has a great display for every holiday and sporting event.

Best smart home deal Opens in a new window Credit: GE GE Smart Shades Motorized Blackout Roller Shade (38 inches) $270.74 at Amazon
$369.99 Save $99.25   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Nothing will make you feel like you live in a smart home more than upgrading to motorized window coverings. The GE Smart Shades Motorized Roller Shade can be controlled either with the included remote or via Matter-compatible smart home systems like Alexa.

Fall is a great time to make the home improvement move to motorized shades since sunset is creeping into the 4 p.m. hour soon. They're also a great option for those with limited mobility or injuries that make it hard to operate standard window coverings.

Best space heater deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dreo Dreo Whole-Room Heater (725) $71.97 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $8.02   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Tis the season to finally get the space heater for that chilly office or corner bedroom. Instead of dealing with frozen toes for another year, the Dreo Whole-Room Heater is already on sale ahead of Black Friday. Dreo designed the space heater to provide 360-degree heating power while operating at a super quiet 25 decibels, so you won't notice it's there.

Of course, the Dreo comes with safety features like tip-over protection and a child lock. Plus, the included remote control glows in the dark.

More space heater and air purifier deals

• Vornado VH10 Space Heater — $64.99 $79.99 (save $15)

• Levoit Air Purifier — $69.99 $89.99 (save $20)

• Blueair Blue 511i Max Air Purifier — $112.99 $139.99 (save $27)

• Vornado VHeat Vintage Metal Space Heater — $123.34 $169.99 (save $46.65)

• Shark NeverChange Detect iQ Compact Pro — $179.98 $229.99 (save $50.01)

Best home security deal Opens in a new window Credit: Philips Philips WiFi Keypad Deadbolt with Handle $109.98 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $60.01   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Available in a matte black or satin nickel, the Philips WiFi Keypad Deadbolt is great for busy families. With the ability to store up to 50 fingerprints, everyone who should have access to the front door will have instant unlocking power. You can also use codes on the touchpad. From the app, you'll get real-time notifications and a log of past events for ultimate peace of mind. It's a great home upgrade to snag before holiday travel.

Best outdoor power equipment deal Opens in a new window Credit: Greenworks Greenworks 24V Mini Chainsaw $94.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $65.00   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

For plants, trees, and bushes that need maintenance during dormant seasons, now's the time to get pruning. The Greenworks 24V Mini Chainsaw is perfect for trimming the yard without gas fumes or lugging around a massive power tool. It's both easy to start and easy to store thanks to the compact size. Plus, it recharges in 60 minutes with the included charger.

CapCut is coming to ChatGPT.

The ByteDance-owned video editor announced a ChatGPT plugin on Oct. 24 at CapCut World in Los Angeles, an event for creators and partners. The plugin isn’t available yet; CapCut says it will arrive in the coming months.

According to CapCut, creators will be able to develop a video idea in ChatGPT and have CapCut put together a rough first cut. From there, they can keep tweaking it by chatting. CapCut’s examples include holding a shot for longer, making captions more readable, or keeping music playing quietly under a voiceover.

SEE ALSO: FBI warns against foreign mobile apps like CapCut in new PSA

Creators aren’t limited to prompts, either. CapCut says users can make hands-on changes themselves, and ChatGPT will take those edits into account as the conversation continues.

CapCut shared a demo of the plugin on X. In the video, a user uploads clips from a sports game and asks ChatGPT, "@capcut turn these clips into a 12-second highlight reel." The plugin generates the reel, and the user then refines it, including asking ChatGPT to add on-screen text.

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

"Creators across the Americas are showing us that a great idea can begin anywhere," Xiaoqi Fu, CapCut’s global head, said in a statement. Fu added that the company’s new tools aim to keep the creator’s own imagination and judgment at the center of the process.

The plugin was one of several AI features CapCut announced at the event. This includes new generative AI features for its web and mobile apps, as well as an AI agent for CapCut that'll be tested in the coming months.

CapCut also says it labels AI-generated content and uses watermarks and C2PA Content Credentials, an industry standard for tracking how media was made. It is also testing a tool that lets anyone upload a file to see whether it was made with AI tools from CapCut or its sister apps, Dreamina, Pippit, and Hypi.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

TL;DR: Domino’s and Minecraft Dungeons II are launching a block-shaped pizza collab with free game giveaways.

Do your weekend plans involve grinding through local co-op dungeons with a slice of pizza in hand? Domino’s and Minecraft just dropped the ultimate collab for you.

Starting Oct. 26, Domino’s is teaming up with Minecraft Dungeons II for a limited-time nationwide partnership. Order a new block-shaped pizza to unlock collectible character boxes, digital in-game cosmetics, and a chance at claiming a free digital copy of Minecraft Dungeons II.

How to score a free game code and digital loot

We showcase a lot of these free giveaways from major brands, and it's always a little disappointing when you have to jump through a million hoops to qualify for the promotion. That's not the case here. It's refreshingly straightforward.

Customers who purchase a Domino's block-shaped pizza will receive one of six boxes, each featuring a different Minecraft Dungeons II character: Corrupted Creeper, Prime Enchanter, Valorie, Zombie, Pig, and Creeper.

Domino's Rewards members who purchase a Domino's online can also unlock one of three exclusive, randomly awarded in-game items to use in Minecraft Dungeons II. The order automatically generates a promo code in your "My Rewards" tab redeemable for one of the random items: the Domino’s Skin, the Slice Slayer Cape, or the Cheesy Cube Pet.

Credit: Domino's / Minecraft

That's exciting, but the real draw of this collab is the free game giveaway. Between Oct. 26 and Nov. 4, purchase a pizza and submit your receipt at dominos.com/minecraft-dungeons-ii for a chance to win one of 20,000 free Minecraft Dungeons II game codes (2,000 codes awarded daily for PC and Xbox).

We love the characters, and the in-game items are cool, but giving away 20,000 full-game downloads turns a brand collab into a genuinely high-value opportunity. With 2,000 game tokens up for grabs daily across the 10-day sweepstakes window, your odds of scoring a free PC or Xbox copy are surprisingly solid if you submit proof of purchase early in the day.

Just note that game codes are only valid on PC and Xbox, so PlayStation or Nintendo Switch players can only redeem cosmetic item codes.

Best early Black Friday beauty tech deals at a glance: Best hair tool deal Shark FlexStyle, Air Multi-Styler & Drying System $249.99 (save $120) Get Deal Best red light therapy mask deal Wavytalk Red Light Therapy Mask $109.99 (save $69.01) Get Deal Best hair laser hair removal device deal Braun IPL Pro 5 (2 Heads, Pouch, Venus Razor) $349.94 (save $70) Get Deal

Black Friday is still weeks away, but we're hard at work covering potential beauty tech deals way before the sale even starts.

Whether you want to test out the red light therapy trend or you're finally ready to try at-home laser hair removal, we're checking price history and tracking MSRPs to spot inflated list prices. That way, you can beat the holiday rush and know you're getting an actual bargain on the good stuff.

Here are the best early Black Friday beauty tech deals we've spotted so far.

Best hair tool deal Shark FlexStyle, Air Multi-Styler & Drying System $249.99 at Amazon
$369.99 Save $120   Get Deal at Amazon Why we picked this

Black Friday is usually the time to buy the coveted Dyson Airwrap — the i.d. Multi-Styler is on sale right now for $534.49. That's a 25% discount, or $175.50 in savings. But it's still pretty expensive, even with the attachments and storage box.

If you want a similar experience for a more affordable price, the Shark FlexStyle is on sale for $249.99, which is a lot easier to swallow. This specific deal doesn't include a storage case or serum, but you can spend a little more ($385 total) if you actually need those things.

More hair dryer and multistyler deals

• Conair Double Ceramic 1-inch Curling Iron — $18.97 $21.99 (save $3.02)

• Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus Hair Dryer and Styler — $45.24 $65.99 (save $20.75)

• Drybar The Baby Brush Crush Mini Heated Straightening Brush — $41.29 $59 (save $17.71)

• Mythsight StyleVibe 6-in-1 Air Styler, Hair Dryer & Blow Dryer Brush — $93.38 $132.99 (save $39.61)

• Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow-Dryer — $118.15 $139 (save $20.85)

• Dyson Airwrap i.d. + Chitosan Post-Style Serum bundle — $534.49 $709.99 (save $175.50)

Best red light therapy mask deal Wavytalk Red Light Therapy Mask $109.99 at Amazon
$179 Save $69.01   Get Deal at Amazon Why we picked this

Red light therapy is officially a thing in 2026. (I mean, if Paris Hilton's Chihuahua allegedly lived to be 25 because of it, I'm all ears.) There's also tons of actual science backing up its effectiveness, but not all red light devices deliver the same results. And since Black Friday is still weeks away, we aren't seeing the best deals on these gadgets just yet. (At least, not at Amazon.)

Our top pick for the best red light mask overall is the Shark CryoGlow. We awarded it a Mashable Choice Award and a 4.5-out-of-5-star rating, but it unfortunately isn't on sale right now.

What is on sale is the Wavytalk Red Light Therapy Mask in pink, which is marked down to $109.99 from $179.99. (The white mask is also $109.99, but that's full price.) I just started testing this mask myself and will definitely report back on the long-term results, but so far, it's super easy to use and comfortable to wear. The packaging was also well done (I'm a sucker for organized packaging), and it comes with everything you need to get started — minus a USB wall adapter.

Best laser hair removal device deal Braun IPL Pro 5 (2 Heads, Pouch, Venus Razor) $349.94 at Amazon
$419.94 Save $70   Get Deal at Amazon Why we picked this

The fact that we can undergo laser hair removal at home has me gagged. Actual sessions cost hundreds of dollars and require multiple visits, but with an at-home device, you just pay the upfront cost and do it on your own schedule — provided you shave first. I just got the Wavytalk Bare It IPL Hair Removal Device myself (on sale for $149.99, down from $195 at Amazon OR $134.99 with code HALLOWEEN on the Wavytalk website), and I'm excited to see how well it works.

But I chose the Braun IPL Pro 5 Kit as the best deal in this category based on reviews and the overall value you get for the price. Right now, you can get the Pro 5 device, two heads, a pouch, and a Venus razor for $349.94, down from $419.94. If you don't need the extras, you can just get the device with one head and a storage pouch for $279.94.

More laser hair removal device deals

• INNZA IPL Hair Removal Device — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

• Bare It IPL Hair Removal Device — $149.99 $199 (save $49.01)

• Dreame Nova IPL Hair Removal Device — $179.98 $249.99 (save $70.01)

• Braun IPL Pro 5 — $279.94 $319.99 (save $40.50)

• Ulike Air 10 IPL Hair Removal Device — $284 $359 (save $75)

• Nood Flasher Pro — $299 $399 (save $100)

• Philips Lumea 8000 IPL Hair Removal Device — $349.95 $499.95 (save $150)

The best early Black Friday noise-cancelling headphones deals: Best headphones deal Sony WH-CH720N headphones $88 (save $91.99) Get Deal best earbuds deal Soundcore P42i earbuds $59.99 (save $20) Get Deal best Bose deal Bose QuietComfort earbuds $129 (save $50) Get Deal best AirPods deal Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) $119.97 (save $59.03) Get Deal

Whether you're a frequent flyer, a commuter, a remote worker, or just someone who often needs to turn down the volume of the outside world, noise-cancelling headphones are a must. And we're heading into the best season to snag a pair at a discount.

While we're technically still a month out from Black Friday, we're already seeing deals flutter in on some noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds that we love. None of the latest flagship options from Sony or Bose are discounted quite yet, but plenty of budget picks are.

We suspect all of our top picks will get the deal treatment as we inch closer to the official sale, so we'll be keeping a watchful eye out in the weeks ahead. Until then, we've rounded up the best early Black Friday noise-cancelling headphones deals worth grabbing.

Best early Black Friday noise-cancelling headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-CH720N $88 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $91.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Since Sony just dropped a newer version of these headphones, you can grab a pair for an extremely low price. The Sony WH-CH720N are some of our favorite budget headphones, with surprisingly good ANC and overall audio quality. Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti wrote that the sound is "near-flagship" level, with the ability to tweak it further to your liking. So if you're a Sony fan looking to spend less than $100, these are your best bet. Of course, you won't get some of the premium features like hi-res LDAC codec support and a foldable body, but for $88? We can look past that.

Read our full review of the Sony WH-CH720N.

More noise-cancelling headphones deals

• Soundcore Q20i — $44.99 $69.99 (save $25)

• JLab JBuds Lux ANC — $64.99 $79.99 (save $15)

• Sony WH-CH720N — $88 $179.99 (save $91.99)

• Nothing Headphone (a) — $129 $199 (save $70)

• Soundcore Space One Pro — $139.99 $199.99 (save $60)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $449 $549 (save $100)

Best early Black Friday noise-cancelling earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore P42i $59.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

These Soundcore earbuds are wallet-friendly, but they definitely don't skimp on features. We named them our favorite budget earbuds overall, with nods to their multi-level noise-cancellation, impressive battery life, and overall excellent audio quality. They also include more premium features like a Fit Test, multi-device connectivity, wearing detection, Game Mode, and AI integration. "If you don't want to drop $150 on AirPods or Bose wireless earbuds, these are a great all-around pick under $100," Mashable's reviewer writes. This early Black Friday discount brings them down to their best price to date.

More noise-cancelling earbuds deals

• Soundcore P30i — $26.99 $49.99 (save $23)

• JBL Vibe Beam 2 — $39.95 $64.95 (save $25)

• JBL Tune Flex 2 — $59.95 $109.95 (save $50)

• Sony WF-C710N — $78.99 $129.99 (save $51)

• EarFun Air Pro 4+ — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20 with on-page coupon)

• Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) — $119.97 $179 (save $59.03)

• Bose QuietComfort — $129 $179 (save $50)

• Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — $199.95 $249.99 (save $50.04)

How tough is Apple's first-ever foldable phone?

JerryRigEverything, the YouTube channel that made a name for itself by putting phones through a series of very tough stress tests, has now done the same to the iPhone Duo.

The tests included scratching the phone's surface with a scalpel, burning it with a lighter, covering it with dirt, and bending it the wrong way to see how much force its hinge mechanism can absorb.

The iPhone Duo passed some of the tests fairly well; for example, the minor scratches on its display appeared to magically heal. However, when Jerry covered it with sand and dirt, some of it appeared to enter the Duo's hinge mechanism, which is concerning. Also, the phone failed the most brutal test: it was bent until its screen broke, rendering the Duo nearly useless.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone Duo review: This changes everything

To be fair, most of these tests go way harder than normal use, and most phones ultimately fail several of them. However, compared to some other foldable phones, the iPhone Duo seemed a tad more fragile. The message is clear: Don't bend, scratch, or burn this one, folks.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters or get Mashable push alerts today. 

Four years after embarking on an official Farewell Tour that fooled absolutely no one, McDonald’s is resurrecting its most polarizing creation well ahead of schedule. Yes, you guessed it: From Oct. 27, the McRib will begin rolling out to select McDonald’s restaurants across the U.S.

Love it or hate it, the McRib isn't going anywhere. First introduced in 1981, the sandwich features a seasoned, boneless pork patty shaped like a miniature rack of ribs, drenched in tangy barbecue sauce, and layered with onions and pickles on a toasted homestyle roll.

Rather than executing a nationwide launch, McDonald’s confirmed early availability across six hubs:

• Los Angeles

• Chicago

• Miami

• Atlanta

• Philadelphia

• Dallas

By staging a regional rollout instead of a nationwide release, McDonald's is deliberately feeding into that scarcity dynamic that we see in other areas like Pokémon. And because availability varies by region, blindly driving to your local drive-thru is a recipe for disappointment.

Instead, we recommend checking the McDonald’s App and the McRib Locator website to plan your attack

PEORODER ON OCT. 28: The new Apple iPad mini will be available for preorder starting at 10:10 a.m. PT on Oct. 28. Prices start at $699, and Apple has the launch date set for Nov. 6.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini $699 at Apple
preorders go live on Oct. 28 at 10:10 a.m. PT Learn More at Apple

Apple has a slew of new products to keep us happy as we head into the finale of 2026. We have the foldable iPhone Duo, a new Apple smart speaker, and now we get to look forward to a new iPad mini. If you loved the old iPad mini or you're looking for a tablet that isn't gigantic, here's how to get your hands on the new iPad mini.

The new Apple iPad mini launches on Nov. 6 and preorders go live at Apple on Oct. 28 at 10:10 a.m. PT. Prices start at $699 for the 128GB version with standard glass. You can also go with more storage and get the 256GB model or max out at 512GB. Apple is also offering the iPad mini with a nano-texture glass which starts at $899 for the 256GB model, the smallest offering with the upgraded glass.

SEE ALSO: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is (almost) free before Black Friday — how to claim

The iPad mini is the perfect tablet for anyone who wants a model that's easy to hold and travel-friendly. The 8.5-inch display is larger than the previous model, but the tablet itself is the same size. Apple simply thinned the bezel to make this possible.

In Mashable's review of the previous model, the iPad mini 7th Gen, Senior Tech Editor Stan Schroeder wasn't impressed with Apple's decision to use the A17 Pro chip instead of the A18 Pro. But that's no longer a concern with the new model, because the 2026 iPad mini has the A20 Pro chip.

The OLED display on the new iPad mini 8th Gen has over two times the peak brightness compared to the 7th Gen, reaching up to 1,200 nits. Additionally, the 12MP center camera will be great for video calls this holiday season. Plus, it's water and dust resistant.

In Mashable's review of the best iPads, the 7th Gen iPad mini earned the top spot as the best for reading.

Set an alarm in your phone for Oct. 28 at 10:10 a.m. PT to preorder the 8th Gen iPad mini. Given its small size and portability, it'll be the perfect companion for upcoming holiday travel.

Apple's newest iPad Mini debuted on Monday.

The company started the week with a press release announcing the new eighth-generation iPad Mini. The device features several noteworthy upgrades over the previous model, released in 2024, including a larger display, a relocated front camera, a more powerful chip, and more.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best tablets of 2026: Comparing iPad, Samsung, and Lenovo iPad Mini 2026 price and release date

Pre-orders for the new iPad Mini start on Wednesday, with general availability starting on Nov. 6. The new iPad starts at $699 in the United States, which is the only real bummer about this whole deal, as that's a $200 jump from the original starting price of the last iPad Mini. Blame RAMageddon.

It comes in two colors, as well: Midnight and Starlight.

iPad Mini 2026 specs

As for what you actually get for $699, here are the base specs for the new iPad Mini:

• Processor: A20 Pro

• Display: 8.5-inch OLED display

• Storage: 128/256/512GB

• Cameras: 12MP wide and front cameras

• Battery: Rated for up to 10 hours

• Water and dust resistance: IP67

There's a lot that's new here. The display is two-tenths of an inch bigger than before, and as a fun bonus, it is an OLED panel now instead of LCD. The A20 Pro chip will also be a big step up over the A17 Pro chip that graced the last iPad Mini, fully unlocking all of the Apple Intelligence features you could want, including Siri AI.

One note about the processor, though: The 512GB variant has an A20 Pro chip with more GPU cores than the 128/256GB variants. It's unclear how or if this will impact everyday use just yet.

IP67 water and dust resistance is also new, giving it a degree of protection against the elements that you didn't get with previous iPad Mini models. Naturally, Apple Pencil support is still built in, so if you're a stylus user, you should be all good here. Other odds and ends include a new landscape edge placement for the front camera, an audio system that eliminates the standard speaker grilles, and support for WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

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There's always a lot of fuss made about Starbucks Red Cup Day. Devoted followers of the brand are always desperate to find out when the launch will drop. People actually book the day off work to get their hands on these festive holiday cups. You might think it's madness, but there's going to be more chaos this season.

Forget Red Cup Day, because Starbucks has officially confirmed the return of the viral Bearista Glass Cold Cup for the 2026 holiday season. Rather than dropping everything alongside the holiday menu rollout on November 5, Starbucks is staggering the return of its most viral mascot across two dedicated drops in November and December.

In 2026, Starbucks is splitting the release into two phases:

• Nov. 10: Starbucks is introducing the Glass Bearista Cold Cup — Surprise Box Edition, a mystery blind-box collection

• Dec. 1: The classic, viral Bearista Glass Cold Cup officially returns to select coffeehouses for a holiday restock.

Starbucks is introducing a mystery blind-box collection. Credit: Starbucks

Both drops arrive in strictly limited quantities, while supplies last. That makes them standout pieces for collectors. But you knew that anyway, didn't you?

The reality is that coffeehouses are likely to sell out within 30 minutes of opening.

If you want to secure either the Nov. 10 or Dec. 1 drop without camping on a chilly sidewalk, we suggest targeting licensed Starbucks kiosks inside grocery stores and big-box retailers when doors open. These kiosks tend to receive independent stock shipments and see significantly lighter foot traffic. This tactic does not guarantee success, but you've got to do what you've got to do.

If your morning routine revolves around seasonal espresso shots and viral coffee tumblers, mark your calendar: Starbucks’ 2026 holiday menu officially launches on Nov. 5, bringing back fan favorites and fresh treats.

That's exciting news, but it's not the main draw for seasoned coffee lovers and cup collectors. The Peppermint Mocha is great and all, but it's not Red Cup Day. This is arguably the biggest day on the coffee lovers' calendar. Starbucks hands out a free, limited-edition red reusable cup with every qualifying handcrafted holiday beverage order on this special day. And you guessed it: fans and collectors go wild.

Starbucks has officially confirmed the date for Red Cup Day 2026: You can score a free reusable holiday cup on Nov. 17.

How to score a free reusable cup

Getting your hands on the free collectible cup is pretty straightforward, but we should note that supplies run out notoriously fast.

To get your free cup, buy any handcrafted holiday or seasonal beverage (hot, iced, or blended) in any size. The promo applies across in-cafe purchases, drive-thru orders, mobile orders on the Starbucks app, and delivery via Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub. Once you have your reusable red cup, bringing it back on future visits saves you $0.10 per drink.

Just be prepared for heavy app delays and long drive-thru lines on launch morning — mobile ordering at least 20 minutes ahead is non-negotiable if you want to dodge the rush.

SAVE $250: As of Oct. 26, the 16.2-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro, 24GB, 1TB SSD) is on sale for $2,749 on Amazon. That's down from its $2,999 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 2026 M5 Pro MacBook Pro $2,749 at Amazon
$2,999 Save $250   Get Deal at Amazon

Between the ongoing RAM squeeze and Apple raising hardware prices across the board, finding any break on a high-spec Mac is a big deal. Right now, Amazon is shaving $250 off the 16.2-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip, dropping it to $2,749 from its usual $2,999 list price.

This laptop is built for people who push their computers to the limit, like video editors slicing through 4K footage, 3D artists, programmers compiling heavy code, and creators playing with local AI tools. The M5 Pro chip packs an 18-core CPU and a 20-core GPU, paired with a generous 24GB of unified memory and a 1TB SSD. Whether you're running local AI models with Apple Intelligence or rendering heavy motion graphics, it delivers the exact same fluid speed whether plugged in at your desk or running on battery power at a coffee shop.

SEE ALSO: Early Black Friday 2026 deals: See holiday gift guides from Amazon, The Home Depot, Nordstrom, Ulta, and more

Any dedicated Apple fan will instantly fall for the hardware polish. The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is simply gorgeous, delivering vibrant colors and blinding peak brightness that make HDR video and photo editing pop off the screen. The upgraded 12MP Center Stage camera automatically keeps you centered during video calls, while a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio pumps out rich, room-filling sound that easily rivals standalone desktop speakers.

Longtime Mac devotees will also love seamless ecosystem touches like iPhone Mirroring, which lets you view and control your phone on your laptop screen.

When it comes to plugging into a desktop setup, you won't need to hunt down annoying dongles. The chassis houses three ultra-fast Thunderbolt 5 ports, a dedicated HDMI out, a full-size SD card slot for quick camera dumps, a headphone jack, and trusted MagSafe 3 charging.

Grab Apple's loaded 16-inch workstation on Amazon to pocket the $250 savings today.

TL;DR: Get Clearafi AI Tier 1 lifetime access for $49.99 (reg. $299) for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Clearafi Clearafi AI Tier 1 Plan: Lifetime Subscription $49.99
$299 Save $249.01   Get Deal

An AI answer can sound convincing before you’ve had a chance to question it. Clearafi AI Tier 1 lifetime access is $49.99 (reg. $299) for a limited time, giving you a way to compare responses without pasting the same prompt into several chatbots.

Each consensus search uses two to three models from a lineup that includes Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT, Mistral, Kimi, and Cohere. You can review their answers side by side, alongside a synthesized response that brings together areas of agreement.

Clearafi also assigns a Consensus Score from 0 to 100 percent. Visual indicators show which claims receive agreement, partial support, or conflicting responses. That makes it easier to identify the parts of an answer worth investigating further.

Agreement between models isn’t proof that an answer is correct. The useful feature is transparency — seeing different responses and knowing where closer human review may be needed.

Beyond comparisons, the platform includes research and web search tools, writing assistance, image creation, and document features. You can work with PDFs, translate documents, generate presentations, and export verification reports in formats including PDF, Word, and CSV.

The Tier 1 allowance is 120 consensus queries per year, estimated using three-model searches, for the life of the product. That makes the plan worth considering for selected questions where multiple perspectives would help, rather than unlimited daily comparisons.

This offers a more visible review process with one upfront cost.

Get Clearafi AI Tier 1 lifetime access for $49.99, and make room for another perspective before relying on the first answer.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Pokémon is rolling out exclusive free promo cards featuring Kyogre, Groudon, and Giratina at major retailers across the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

Sound the alarm. It's rare to get any sort of deal on Pokémon cards right now, so the prospect of getting free cards is hard to believe. Yes, there are some hoops you need to jump through. But this is Pokémon. You'd do anything to get your hands on free promo cards, right?

For a limited time, you can score three of the franchise’s most iconic legendary Pokémon without paying premium prices.

To celebrate the launch of the upcoming Mega Evolution Delta Reign expansion on Nov. 6, Pokémon is rolling out exclusive free promo cards featuring Kyogre, Groudon, and Giratina at major retailers across the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Each card is stamped with the commemorative Pokémon 30/What's Your Favorite foil logo, making it a unique addition to any collection.

Each promo card is tied to a specific store, so you can target the exact card you want:

• Kyogre: Available at Hot Topic, Barnes & Noble, Five Below, and Macy’s (U.S.)

• Groudon: Available at GameStop (U.S.) and EB Games (Canada, Australia)

• Giratina: Available at Best Buy (U.S.) and Toymate / Mr Toys (Australia)

To walk away with one of these promos, you must spend $15 or more on qualifying Pokémon TCG products at participating retailers starting Nov. 6. Grabbing three booster packs or a collection tin easily clears the $15 minimum threshold, making this a free value-add if you were already planning on ripping Delta Reign packs on launch day.

As always, the real hurdle will be inventory. Supplies will be limited in-store and online. GameStop and Best Buy promo cards routinely vanish within hours on expansion mornings as local card shops and scalpers clear out cash registers. If you want the full trio, order online for in-store pickup right when doors open on Nov. 6 rather than strolling in later in the day. You know the drill by now.

There have been plenty of fun skits with the celebrity hosts on SNL UK so far, but Cynthia Erivo's pop song parody may just have topped them all.

In the clip above, the actor and singer is joined by cast member Annabel Marlow for a hilarious musical number that's made even more impressive by the fact it's live.

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts.

TL;DR: Owala is dropping two new striped colorways, Sweet Talk (pink) and Punch Line (red/burgundy), across six models, including the FreeSip, FreeSip Sway, and SmoothSip Slider. Prices range from $29.99 to $39.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Owala Owala Sweet Talk and Punch Line Collection   Shop Now

At this point, we will buy any colorway Owala throws at us. We've tried the Nalgenes, the Hydro Flasks, and every plastic or glass bottle in between, but nothing quite compares to the Owala FreeSip. It is, as Mashable's Samantha Mangino put it, "the water bottle to end all water bottles" — and truly the ultimate emotional support accessory.

Between the FreeSip spout that lets you sip through a straw or chug when you're extra thirsty, the leak-proof cover that keeps germs off your mouthpiece, and insulation that keeps ice jingling for 24 hours, it has earned every bit of its viral TikTok hype. So yes, whenever Owala drops new shades, we are first in line.

The latest collection is easily one of their prettiest yet, bringing a sophisticated, seasonal twist with vertical stripes. The drop features two gorgeous new colorways: Sweet Talk, a soft, sweet blend of pink stripes, and Punch Line, a bold and rich red/burgundy striped combo. This new Owala drop delivers the exact cozy, moody-chic aesthetic your fall rotation has been missing.

Credit: Owala

Both of these new striped colorways are available across six different models and sizes, so you can grab your exact favorite silhouette:

• FreeSip 24oz — $34.99

• FreeSip 32oz — $39.99

• FreeSip Sway 18oz — $31.99

• FreeSip Sway 30oz — $39.99

• SmoothSip Slider 12oz — $29.99

• SmoothSip Slider 20oz — $34.99

Between all-day ice-cold FreeSips, the travel-ready FreeSip Sway, and the hot-drink-friendly SmoothSip Slider, there's a striped option for whatever you're drinking. The drop is officially live, so snag your favorite colorway before the limited-edition run disappears.

TL;DR: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is $1,000 off when you switch and bring your number on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan. The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is also $1,000 off when you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 18 Pro   Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max   Shop Now

The iPhone Duo has officially launched, but Apple's first-ever foldable has hit the market with some issues. Not convinced by this groundbreaking tech? Perhaps you should revisit the Apple iPhone 18 Pro?

And it's a good time to do so, because T-Mobile has dropped a couple of tempting deals on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in the build-up to Black Friday.

We've checked out everything on offer, and these are the best iPhone deals live right now:

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — under $200 when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number to the Experience Beyond plan

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max — $1,000 off when you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan

The full savings are distributed as monthly credits over a 36-month payment plan. If you leave T-Mobile before the end of the three-year commitment, you will be charged the remaining balance. You also need to pay local sales tax on the phone's full retail value upfront, plus a standard $35 device connection fee per line at checkout.

Get the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for under $200 this week with T-Mobile.