Mashable

Holiday party invitations have a way of raising more questions than they answer. What exactly counts as "festive attire"? Is a sweater enough for the office party? And does "cocktail attire" mean you need to dig out a suit and tie?

The trick is to match your outfit to the occasion, then build around a few versatile pieces you can wear long after the decorations come down. A merino sweater and collared shirt can work for a family dinner, while adding a sport coat gives you a more polished look for the office. For dressier gatherings, a dark suit is a reliable choice.

From comfortable sweaters to tailored suits, Men’s Wearhouse has the pieces to help you dress for any holiday gathering without overthinking it.

What should a guy wear to a holiday party?

It depends on the occasion, so start by checking the invitation for a dress code. An office party usually calls for business casual: Try a sport coat over a dress shirt with chinos and leather shoes. For dinner with friends and loved ones, a merino sweater layered over a collared shirt and dark trousers strikes a comfortable balance. 

If the invitation specifies cocktail attire, play it safe with a dark suit, dress shirt, and dress shoes. A tie is a good idea if you’re unsure how formal the gathering will be. 

For a casual get-together with friends, dark jeans, a quarter-zip sweater, and clean leather sneakers should do the trick. 

Holiday party dress code ideas for men .mw-dress-table-wrap { width: 100%; max-width: 100%; margin: 1.5em 0; overflow-x: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .mw-dress-table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.95em; line-height: 1.45; color: inherit; text-align: left; } .mw-dress-table caption { position: absolute; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); white-space: nowrap; } .mw-dress-table th, .mw-dress-table td { padding: 0.75em 0.9em; border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; vertical-align: top; } .mw-dress-table thead th { background: #1f2a44; color: #ffffff; font-weight: 700; } .mw-dress-table tbody th { font-weight: 700; } .mw-dress-table tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: #f5f6f8; } /* Stack each row as a card on narrow screens */ @media (max-width: 640px) { .mw-dress-table thead { position: absolute; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); } .mw-dress-table, .mw-dress-table tbody, .mw-dress-table tr, .mw-dress-table th, .mw-dress-table td { display: block; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; } .mw-dress-table tr { margin-bottom: 1em; border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; } .mw-dress-table tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: transparent; } .mw-dress-table tbody th { background: #1f2a44; color: #ffffff; border: none; } .mw-dress-table td { border: none; border-top: 1px solid #e4e4e4; } .mw-dress-table td::before { content: attr(data-label); display: block; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 0.2em; } } Holiday party dress code ideas for men Holiday gathering Typical Dress Code What it means What to wear Casual holiday party or get-together with friends Festive casual Relaxed, with room for a seasonal touch Dark jeans or chinos, a merino sweater or quarter-zip, clean leather sneakers Office holiday party Business casual Usually business casual, unless the invite says otherwise Sport coat, dress shirt, chinos or wool trousers, leather shoes Family holiday dinner Smart casual Comfortable but a little dressed up Merino sweater over a collared shirt, dark trousers, loafers or dress shoes Holiday cocktail party Cocktail attire Dressier than business casual, but not black tie Navy or charcoal suit, dress shirt, leather dress shoes; tie and pocket square recommended What does cocktail attire mean for men at a holiday party?

For men, cocktail attire at a holiday party generally means a dark suit, dress shirt, and leather dress shoes. A tie isn’t always required, but it’s a good idea if you’re unsure how formal the event will be. (Worst-case scenario, you take it off and put it in your jacket pocket, no biggie.)

Cocktail attire falls somewhere between business casual and black tie. A navy or charcoal suit is a reliable choice, while a patterned tie or pocket square can add a little holiday flair without going overboard. You don’t need a tuxedo, but jeans and sneakers are usually too casual. For colder evenings, a wool overcoat looks more appropriate over a suit than a casual puffer jacket, and a scarf adds warmth without sacrificing the dressier look. 

Other dress codes can be harder to decipher. "Business casual" typically means a sport coat or sweater with a collared shirt, chinos or dress trousers and leather shoes. According to the Emily Post Institute’s dress-code guide, “festive attire” generally means cocktail-party clothing with a seasonal touch, such as a colorful tie or pocket square. "Festive casual" is more relaxed, allowing for dark jeans, sweaters, and seasonal colors. 

When the invitation is vague, consider the venue and who’s hosting. A New Year’s Eve party at an upscale restaurant may call for a dark suit, while a casual Christmas gathering at a friend’s house might require nothing dressier than a sweater and chinos. When in doubt, it’s usually better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.

Is a merino sweater dressy enough for a holiday party?

A merino wool sweater is dressy enough for most office Christmas parties, family holiday dinners, and casual New Year’s gatherings, especially when paired with a collared shirt and tailored trousers. It’s a comfortable alternative to a suit that still looks polished enough for the occasion.

Merino wool comes from merino sheep and is prized for its soft feel, breathability, and ability to help regulate body temperature. A fine-knit merino sweater looks more refined than a chunky knit, making it easy to dress up or down. A crewneck layered over a dress shirt is a reliable choice, while a quarter-zip (a sweater with a short zipper at the neck) offers a slightly sportier look.

If you’re wondering whether to wear a sweater or a blazer, consider the setting. A sweater on its own works well for family gatherings and casual office parties, while adding a sports coat makes the outfit more appropriate for dressier events. For cocktail attire, however, a suit is generally the safer choice.

Men’s Wearhouse Merino Shop includes crewnecks and other styles that can be worn on their own or layered under a jacket.

Can you wear sneakers with a suit to a holiday party?

Yes, you can wear sneakers with a suit to a holiday party, provided the event isn’t too formal. The combination works particularly well for festive casual gatherings and office parties where a more relaxed look is appropriate.

Stick with clean, minimalist leather sneakers in white, black or another neutral color. Avoid running shoes, chunky sneakers or anything visibly worn. A navy or charcoal suit with a simple dress shirt and understated sneakers can look polished without feeling overly formal.

For cocktail attire, an upscale dinner or a more traditional office party, leather dress shoes are the safer bet. Oxfords and loafers both work, depending on the occasion. When in doubt, consider the venue and dress code. Sneakers may work at a casual office celebration, but not at a formal holiday banquet.

Whether you're dressing for a casual Christmas party or a dressier New Year's Eve celebration, Men's Wearhouse has the sweaters, sport coats, suits and shoes to help you put together an outfit that fits the occasion.

FAQsWhat should men wear to an office holiday party?

For most office holiday parties, a sport coat over a dress shirt with chinos or wool trousers and leather shoes is a safe choice. If your workplace is more casual, a merino sweater and dark trousers may be enough. For a cold-weather holiday party, a wool overcoat is a natural choice over a suit or sport coat. Check the invitation and consider what your colleagues typically wear to company events.

How can men dress up for a holiday party without wearing a full suit?

Pair a sport coat with dress trousers and a collared shirt for a polished look without a matching suit. Alternatively, layer a fine-knit merino sweater over a dress shirt and finish with leather shoes.

Can I wear a quarter-zip sweater to a Christmas party?

Yes, a quarter-zip sweater works well for casual Christmas parties, family dinners, and many office celebrations. Choose a fine-knit style in a neutral or seasonal color, and wear it over a collared shirt with chinos or dress trousers.

Does Men's Wearhouse sell merino wool sweaters?

Yes, Men’s Wearhouse carries merino wool sweaters in its Merino Shop. You can find styles suitable for layering over a shirt or wearing under a sports coat.

Do I need to wear a tie to a holiday party?

A tie is optional for most business casual and festive casual parties, but it's a good idea for more traditional cocktail events. If the invitation specifies formal or black-tie attire, follow that dress code rather than treating it as an ordinary holiday party.

What's a good holiday gift for a man who likes to dress well?

A merino wool sweater is a practical gift because it works for both casual and dressier outfits. Other options include a scarf, leather gloves, or a dress shirt, especially if you know his preferred size and style.

TL;DR: Buy an eligible new Windows 11 Home PC or gaming handheld by Dec. 31, and Microsoft will give you 25 digital Xbox games (a $500+ value) for free. Claim them in the Microsoft Store app by Feb. 12, 2027.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft: 25 free digital Xbox games   Get Deal

Microsoft is celebrating a massive milestone by giving away a ready-made PC gaming library to anyone picking up hardware this holiday season. To mark Xbox's quarter-century mark, Microsoft named this promo the "25 Years of Xbox Bundle" and loaded it with 25 titles spanning classic franchise roots, Bethesda RPGs, and modern multiplayer staples.

Buying and activating an eligible new Windows 11 PC or handheld in the U.S. lets you claim the entire bundle for free. Sold in the Microsoft Store, these games retail for $569.99 combined. These are permanent digital ownership licenses that stick to your personal account — no Xbox Game Pass subscription is required to keep or play them, and 16 of the games feature Xbox Play Anywhere support, so you can also run them on your console.

The fine print

The single biggest catch in Microsoft's terms comes down to your operating system: the bundle is strictly limited to consumer machines running Windows 11 Home and qualifying gaming handhelds.

Standard Windows 11 Pro PCs are barred from the promotion, with the only allowed Pro exception being qualifying NVIDIA RTX Spark devices. So, if you buy an office laptop or business workstation loaded with standard Windows Pro, you walk away empty-handed.

You also have to purchase and activate your PC from an authorized U.S. retailer between Nov. 2 and Dec. 31. Devices must be brand new from the factory; refurbished units, open-box specials, display models, and marketplace reseller purchases do not qualify.

Once your new PC is up and running, the offer will appear in your Microsoft Store library no later than Nov. 30, and you must officially claim it by Feb. 12. The bundle is limited to one claim per Microsoft account; licenses cannot be transferred or split among friends, and it is advised to redeem an account set to 18 or older so Windows family filters do not lock you out of M-rated games like Skyrim or Fallout.

Hardware requirements also swing wildly across the list. While retro classics like Quake and Fuzion Frenzy will run on practically anything, heavier titles like Fallout 76 require dedicated graphics power. If your handheld or laptop cannot run a specific game smoothly right now, don't worry; the license remains permanently tied to your account so you can install it on a more powerful rig down the line.

How to claim your games

Once you boot up your new machine and sign in with your primary Microsoft account, claiming the bundle takes just a couple of minutes:

1. Open the Microsoft Store app pinned to your taskbar.

2. Click the Library icon on the bottom-left sidebar.

3. Select the Included with device tab.

4. Locate the 25 Years of Xbox Bundle.

5. Verify that you are logged in to the right account, then hit Claim. All 25 games will immediately drop into your Microsoft Store and Xbox app libraries, ready to install.

Every game in the 25 Years of Xbox bundle

• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

• Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary

• Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

• Minecraft Dungeons

• Gears of War: Reloaded

• Call of Duty: WWII

• The Elder Scrolls Online

• Fallout 76

• DOOM

• DOOM II

• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition

• Age of Mythology: Retold

• Quake

• Quake II

• Wolfenstein: The New Order

• The Outer Worlds

• Rise of Nations: Extended Edition

• As Dusk Falls

• Battletoads

• Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

• Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection

• Fuzion Frenzy

• Gears Tactics

• Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge

• BLINX: The Time Sweeper

Go grab your Windows 11 PC before the year wraps up, and you won’t have to spend another dime on games for years.

TL;DR: 7-Eleven rolled out a limited-time Flavors of Korea menu featuring $5 Bibigo dumplings, Gochujang wings, and K-BBQ taquitos through Jan. 5, 2027, along with an in-app discount K-drama mini-series on TikTok.

Late-night convenience store runs in South Korea are legendary for good eating, and 7-Eleven is bringing that energy stateside. The retailer launched its limited-time Flavors of Korea menu across participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores, remixing iconic grab-and-go staples with gochujang, kimchi, and sweet Korean barbecue glazes.

The chain teamed up with Korean food giant Bibigo to introduce branded items alongside house-made creations across both the hot bar and the cold grab-and-go cases. And if you don't feel like driving to your local store at midnight, the entire lineup is also available for on-demand delivery via the 7NOW app.

What’s on the Flavors of Korea menu

The limited-time menu runs through Jan. 5, 2027 (and Jan. 6 at Raise the Roost spots):

• Bibigo Spicy Chicken Dumplings — 10 bite-sized dumplings filled with chicken, glass noodles, cabbage, and soy sauce.

• Bibigo Korean BBQ-Style Pizza — Personal pizza with beef, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, green onions, cheese blend, and sweet bibigo BBQ sauce.

• Gochujang Boneless Wings — Eight boneless wings glazed in a spicy-sweet mix of gochujang, garlic, ginger, and chili paste.

• Korean-Style BBQ Taquito — Roller-grill taquito stuffed with chicken, onions, and K-BBQ sauce.

• Korean-Style BBQ Seasoned Sausage — Pork sausage on the roller grill seasoned with brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.

• K Town Chicken Salad Sando — Cold chicken salad sandwich spiced with gochujang and sesame oil on fire-and-milk marble bread.

• K Noodle Salad — Cold sōmen noodles mixed with kimchi, veggies, and spicy gochujang dressing.

• Seoul Style Sweet Heat Chicken Sandwich (Raise the Roost only) — Crispy tenders in sweet-heat sauce with bacon, pepper jack, slaw, and BBQ aioli on brioche.

For rewards members, 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards accounts can add any 20-ounce Coke or Pepsi bottle for $1 when buying two pizza slices, an order of bibigo dumplings, gochujang wings, or a deli sandwich through Jan. 6, 2027.

The K-Drama mini-series

To accompany the menu, 7-Eleven produced an original vertical mini-series airing exclusively on its official TikTok and Instagram channels (@7eleven and @speedwaystores).

Directed by filmmaker Danny Lee, the seven-episode drama follows two classmates whose relationship unfolds during midnight convenience store runs. Sixty-second episodes air every Monday and Thursday through Nov. 23, leaning into classic K-drama romantic tropes, dramatic camera zooms, and convenience store dining.

Each episode release also unlocks a limited-time discount in the 7-Eleven app for the menu item that takes center stage in the storyline.

Head to your local store before early January to grab some $5 dumplings, and see if convenience store K-BBQ lives up to the drama.

SAVE OVER $50: As of Nov. 4, the 512GB Samsung P9 Express microSDXC card is on sale for $99 at Amazon. That's $50.99 off its full price of $149.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung P9 Express microSDXC 512GB $99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.99   Get Deal at Amazon

After a year filled with memory-related price hikes, the upcoming Black Friday sales are an excellent opportunity to track down memory cards on sale.

If you're hoping to boost your Nintendo Switch 2's storage, particularly if the Ocarina of Time remake is calling to you, Amazon can help you out ahead of the sales. As of Nov. 4, the retailer is offering 34% off a 512GB Samsung P9 Express microSDXC card.

This discount has brought the cost of this memory card down from $149.99 to $99, saving you $50.99 overall. It won't be available for long, since it's marked as a "limited-time deal." Be quick to act on it and upgrade your Switch 2's storage ahead of the holidays.

SEE ALSO: The 65+ absolute best stocking stuffers for 2026

With a 512GB capacity, this Samsung P9 Express microSDXC card offers plenty of space to fill with your favorite games. It works quickly, offering sequential read speeds up to 800 MB/s. Plus, its Dynamic Thermal Guard helps prevent overheating, so your games run smoothly and quickly on your Switch 2.

It's not just the Switch 2 that's compatible with this card, either. It also works with other microSD UHS-I devices, such as tablets, drones, and cameras.

No need to wait for Black Friday sales to save. If a new memory card is on your holiday wishlist, treat yourself to this 512GB Samsung P9 Express microSDXC card deal on Amazon.

Think your rendition of "Wonderwall" is ready for the big stage? Well, with the new Apple Music feature called Selfie Sing, you can now record yourself singing along and share it with the world.

The feature launched in the first developer beta of iOS 27.3, made available late on Tuesday, so most people won't see it just yet. It popped up in Apple Music for me as soon as I updated to the new version, and I can report that it works, though it's pretty limited at the time.

The idea is simple: Choose your karaoke song, press the record button, and sing along into your phone's camera and mics. You'll see the song lyrics on the display and the original vocals will be audible but just barely, allowing you to show off your vocal prowess. After the recording is done, you can apply some simple effects onto the vocals, and export the video to your phone's photo library.

The feature comes with several caveats. First, you can only choose songs from a fixed playlist containing 49 songs. It's a pretty decent karaoke selection, including hits by Oasis, Whitney Houston, Cindy Lauper, Bonnie Tyler, Men at Work, The Goo Goo Dolls, Madonna, and Marvin Gaye, to name a few.

The bigger issue is video length, which is currently limited to one minute; not nearly enough to do a full rendition (or even just one verse-chorus bit) of any of the songs on the list.

SEE ALSO: iOS 27.3 beta: Everything new in Apple's latest iOS beta release

Given that Selfie Sing is only available in iOS 27.3 developer beta, it's very probable that the limitations will get removed or at least reduced in the future.

I've tried the feature out on an iPhone Duo, so I can confirm it's available and fully functional on that device, too.

To see other new features in the iOS 27.3 developer beta, check out our overview here.

SAVE OVER $20: As of Nov. 4, the Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Purple Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $149 at Amazon. That's $31.99 off its typical price of $180.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Purple Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Set $149 at Amazon
$180.99 Save $31.99   Get Deal at Amazon

In a sweet early Black Friday treat for Pokémon fans, Amazon's dropped the price of the Pokémon TCG Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box. Normally, it's priced at $180.99, but those who add it to their cart now can snag it for $149, saving $31.99.

This deal price isn't too far above TCGplayer's market price of $120.32, so it's definitely worth grabbing while it's on sale. There's every chance it could sell out fast, so act quickly. It's also worth noting that this box is sold by a third-party seller on Amazon (J & M COLLECTIBLES), and they have a very positive 100% rating over the last 12 months of business, so your purchase seems to be in very good hands.

SEE ALSO: The 65+ absolute best stocking stuffers for 2026

This is a stacked box as well. Here's everything you'll get with it: one shiny Eevee promo card, nine booster packs, 65 Eevee card sleeves, 45 energy cards, six damage marker dice, a coin-throw die, two special state markers, a game guide, and a collecting box with dividers.

Don't wait too long to pick up this Pokémon TCG Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box on sale at Amazon.

If you're on the lookout for even more trading card deals, Amazon has some other great options to look through ahead of Black Friday. Want more Pokémon TCG? The 30th Celebration Poster Collection has hit a new low at the retailer. There's also the KPop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards (Classic Edition) on sale.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Play Booster Box is on sale for $149.99 at Amazon, down from its $207.95 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Play Booster Box $149.99 at Amazon
$207.95 Save $57.96 Get Deal at Amazon

While you might be thinking about MTG’s upcoming Marvel Darkhold Destiny Arcanum Bundle, Amazon has given trading card collectors another chance to get 30 packs of The Hobbit expansion at a major $50+ saving. 

As of Nov. 4, the Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Play Booster Box can be picked up for $149.99 at Amazon, a $57.96 price cut against the typical $207.95 price. With 28% off, you’ll effectively be paying only $5 per pack.

Keep in mind that this new lower price comes from listings by third-party sellers Buzz City Games and Hoboken Game Lounge rather than Amazon directly, but you can still get delivery as soon as Nov. 10. If you want to buy directly from Amazon, there’s the retailer’s own $154.03 option with free delivery as soon as Nov. 6 for Prime members.

SEE ALSO: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel's Spider-Man Play Booster Box is close to market price — save $15 at Amazon

Walmart has once again undercut Amazon with an even cheaper listing at $139.99 via third-party seller PokeGram. However, TCGplayer is the closest to the box’s $129.75 market price, with its lowest price of $133.99 with shipping. 

The money you’re spending gets you 30 Play Boosters with 14 cards each, plus a traditional foil Middle-earth Box Topper containing a special reprint from The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth. There's at least one foil card and between one and three rare or higher-rarity cards in every pack, alongside the possibility of finding alternate-art and borderless versions of characters from The Hobbit.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $115.88 at Amazon, down from its $138.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box $115.88 at Amazon
$138.99 Save $23.11   Preorder at Amazon

We're almost at the finish line for the Pokémon TCG's Delta Reign expansion, and while trading card collectors only have a couple of days left before its Nov. 6 debut, Amazon has a welcome last-minute saving on the set's Elite Trainer Box.

As of Nov. 4, the Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box can be preordered for $115.88 at Amazon, taking $23.11 off its regular $138.99 price. That works out to a 17% reduction, leaving you with a little extra money to put towards other Pokémon cards. Considering Amazon’s preorders first opened up at $140 back in early October, that’s a hefty $24.12 saving by comparison. This new $115.88 price is about $12.88 per pack before you consider all of the ETB’s extras. 

Keep in mind that these lower prices are currently offered by third-party sellers like reVend and BetterShopping4You, but you can still get free delivery as of Nov. 12 (at the time of writing).

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box is close to market price — save nearly $30 at Amazon

The Delta Reign ETB grants you nine booster packs from the upcoming Mega Rayquaza-centered Mega Evolution expansion, a full-art foil Kyogre promo, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, seven dice, a plastic coin, six dividers, a collector's box, a player's guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.

Apple wants to make sure dating apps and AI companions with "sexual or romantic content" are only for people over 18, with new restrictions coming Nov. 16.

Though most dating platforms like Tinder, Hinge, Bumble are already strictly for users over 18, Apple's updated policy requires all apps that include dating and relationship features to have a minimum 18+ age rating in App Store Connect, Apple's command centre for developers managing iOS apps. Devs will also have to disclose whether their app enables real-time location sharing.

Mandatory age rating is a rather incremental update for dating apps, which as mentioned, are usually restricted to users over 18 by the developers themselves. However, as TechCrunch rightly points out, one of the more indeterminate impacts of Apple's policy could be that on minors' use of AI companions.

SEE ALSO: What would ethical age verification look like online?

Artificial intelligence companions from the likes of Replika, Nomi, and the now bankrupt Character.AI, have been widely used by teens for years. As Mashable's Rebecca Ruiz reports, they're platforms specifically designed for emotional intimacy; a 2025 survey of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 found that 52 percent regularly use AI companions, and 33 percent use them for social interaction and relationships, including friendship, role-playing, emotional support, and romantic interactions.

However, experts have long said AI companions aren't safe for teens under 18, with researchers at Common Sense Media (a U.S. nonprofit providing technology analysis and guidance for parents) rigorously testing Character.AI, Nomi, and Replika for a major 2025 report.

James P. Steyer, the nonprofit's founder and CEO, said in a statement at the time, "Social AI companions are not safe for kids. They are designed to create emotional attachment and dependency, which is particularly concerning for developing adolescent brains. Our testing showed these systems easily produce harmful responses including sexual misconduct, stereotypes, and dangerous 'advice' that, if followed, could have life-threatening or deadly real-world impact for teens and other vulnerable people."

In the study, researchers found that "safety measures are easily circumvented," including age gates and terms of service restrictions on teen use. Common Sense Media has since published more research criticising AI companion platforms for relying on "ineffective self reporting for age assurance."

Featured Video For You My awkward first date with an AI companion

Replika CEO Dmytro Klochko told Mashable in 2025 that the platform is intended only for users over 18 — and the company's Terms of Service confirms this — but as Ruiz writes, "Klochko acknowledged that some users attempt to bypass 'strict protocols' for preventing underage access."

Whether Apple's new policy will adequately address such concerns is yet to be determined, as all apps must complete the declarations by Jan. 12, 2027.

Meanwhile, the global debate over age verification remains one of the major topics concerning Big Tech and teens today — along with social media bans, of course.

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.

With Avengers: Doomsday landing in theaters on Dec. 18, Dunkin’ has officially launched a nationwide campaign starring Channing Tatum as Gambit.

To celebrate the nationwide launch, Dunkin’ is debuting “MUNCHKIN Incursion,” a new ad featuring Channing Tatum reprising his role as Gambit alongside H.E.R.B.I.E., the Fantastic Four’s beloved robotic companion.

But that's far from all. The ad campaign accompanies an extensive in-store rollout: a multi-item themed menu, four flagship store takeovers, and a merchandise collection headlined by a $14.99 collectible Doctor Doom 25-count Munchkins tin.

Store takeovers

From Nov. 17, four Dunkin’ restaurants will transform into immersive destinations inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe:

• Los Angeles (Nov. 17): A Fantastic Four-themed restaurant at 6201 Hollywood Blvd.

• Chicago (Nov. 17): An X-Men-themed experience at 10 West Chicago Ave.

• New York City (Nov. 18): An Avengers-inspired takeover at 102 8th Ave.

• Boston (Nov. 18): A Doctor Doom takeover at 209 N Harvard St. in Allston.

Avengers: Doomsday menu and collectible merch

You've got a little wait for the store takeovers to go live, but the Dunkin’ Avengers: Doomsday lineup is available now at participating restaurants nationwide. The limited-edition menu features beverages, treats, and limited-edition collectibles inspired by the film’s heroes and villains:

Superpowered Sips

• Iced Captain’ccino: Espresso, caramel flavor, and coffee milk, lightly blended and served over ice.

• Clobbered Cloud Latte: Espresso, whole milk, and toasted white chocolate flavor topped with Cookie Butter Cold Foam and crumbles.

• Wakandan Daydream Refresher: Berry Clementine Refresher, raspberry flavor, and oat milk, topped with Purple Marshmallow Cold Foam.

• Optic Blast Lemonade: Sweet-tart lemonade charged with blue raspberry flavor.

• Doom’s Orders Energy: Green Apple Dunkin' Zero, sparkling water, and Purple Marshmallow Cold Foam.

• Doom Cloud Latte: Espresso, whole milk, mocha swirl, and vanilla flavors topped with Sweet Cold Foam and cocoa powder.

Credit: Dunkin Heroic Treats

• Doomsday Donut: Brownie Batter Donut returns with chocolate icing and green and chocolate sprinkles.

• Avenging Donut: A cotton candy-filled donut topped with vanilla-flavored icing and red, yellow, and blue sprinkles.

• Doomsday & Avenging MUNCHKINS: Glazed Chocolate and Buttermilk MUNCHKINS get villain- and hero-inspired treatments.

Collectibles

• Doctor Doom 25-Count MUNCHKINS Tin ($14.99): Collectible tin is available with any 25-count MUNCHKINS purchase, while supplies last.

• Avengers: Doomsday-Themed Tumblers ($24.99): Designs inspired by Doctor Doom, the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. 

• Avengers: Doomsday-Themed Color-Changing Mug ($14.99): A black mug that transforms to reveal film and Dunkin’ branding.

• Avengers: Doomsday-Themed Glove Cup Sleeves ($19.99): Collectible designs inspired by Doctor Doom, Black Panther, Mister Fantastic, and Captain America.

• Avengers: Doomsday-Themed Character Cup Sleeves ($8.99): Artwork inspired by Doctor Doom, the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four.

Credit: Dunkin

Pumped for Doomsday to hit theatres? Dunkin’ is giving Marvel fans plenty of ways to celebrate the upcoming release.

The best early Black Friday PlayStation deals: Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred (Standard Edition) $29.99 (Save $10) Shop Now Astro Bot $39.59 (Save $20.40) Shop Now Silent Hill: Townfall $39.99 (Save $10) Shop Now NBA 2K27 (Deluxe Edition) $44.99 (Save $55) Shop Now Marvel’s Wolverine Digital Deluxe Edition $59.99 (Save $20) Shop Now

If you were planning to wait until the end of the month to pad your console library, Sony just pulled the trigger early. The PlayStation Store launched its official Black Friday 2026 sale on Nov. 4, bringing discounts of up to 75% across thousands of digital games, DLC packs, and expansions for PS5, PS4, and PS VR2.

The entire promotion runs through Nov. 30 at 11:59 p.m. local time, with Sony scheduling a mid-sale lineup refresh on Nov. 16. Just keep an eye on individual store listings before you buy: several early deals, including high-profile editions of Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred, NBA 2K27, and Silent Hill: Townfall, are scheduled to expire early on Nov. 20 before rotating out.

To save you from combing through thousands of digital store pages, here are our top picks worth grabbing before their limited-time launch prices rotate out.

Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred (Standard Edition) Opens in a new window Credit: Blizzard Entertainment / PlayStation Store Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred (Standard Edition) $29.99 at PlayStation Store
$39.99 Save $10.00   Shop Now at PlayStation Store

Grabbing the Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred Standard Edition is easily one of the best values in the entire sale. The bundle packages both major storyline chapters — Vessel of Hatred and Lord of Hatred — into a single release, pitting you directly against Mephisto across the ancient Skovos region with two long-awaited playable classes: the holy Paladin and demon-binding Warlock.

Alongside substantial endgame reworks, transmutation crafting, and gear set bonuses, picking it up grants instant access to an extra stash tab, two bonus character slots for fresh seasonal builds, and three exclusive World of Warcraft decor items.

Astro Bot Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment Astro Bot $39.59 at PlayStation Store
$59.99 Save $20.40   Shop Now at PlayStation Store

Picking up Astro Bot during the sale is an absolute no-brainer for anyone who owns a PS5. When Astro’s mothership gets ambushed, and its crew gets scattered across the cosmos, you set off across more than 50 inventive planets to rescue stranded bots and patch the ship back together.

It serves as a love letter to console history — pairing you with iconic PlayStation legends — while also serving as the gold standard for DualSense immersion. Handcrafted power-ups like spring-loaded boxing gloves, booster rockets, and an oversized sponge turn every stage into a playground of creative platforming.

Silent Hill: Townfall Opens in a new window Credit: Konami / PlayStation Store Silent Hill: Townfall $39.99 at PlayStation Store
$49.99 Save $10   Shop Now at PlayStation Store

Grabbing Silent Hill: Townfall on sale gives psychological horror fans a fresh, claustrophobic spin on the franchise. Set against the rain-soaked backdrop of 1996 Scotland, it marks the series' first full-length entry played entirely in first person as you explore the fog-covered town of St. Amelia.

Survival leans on tense evasion, desperate melee scraps, and the CRTV — a pocket television that replaces the classic radio to decode eerie static signals and reveal hidden story clues. Backed by a reactive Pilotpriest soundtrack and branching endings, it delivers pure analog dread from start to finish.

NBA 2K27 (Deluxe Edition) Opens in a new window Credit: 2K / PlayStation Store NBA 2K27 (Deluxe Edition) $44.99 at PlayStation Store
$99.99 Save $55.00   Shop Now at PlayStation Store

The NBA 2K27 Deluxe Edition solves the mode's biggest barrier to entry: the slow, brutal grind to make your custom baller competitive. Dropping 100,000 Virtual Currency (VC) into your balance lets you instantly soup up your MyPLAYER's key attributes, whether that's locking down perimeter defense or draining deep threes, without playing dozens of frustrating, underpowered games.

The included MyCAREER care package keeps that momentum rolling with 25 bundles across six skill boosts, 25 triple-pack Gatorade stamina boosts, a two-hour 2XP coin, and wearable Victor Wembanyama and Caitlin Clark jerseys. If you also like piecing together fantasy lineups in MyTEAM, the five Series 1 packs, Full '27 team selection, and Free Agent pack give you a competitive roster right out of the box.

SEE ALSO: First look: Lego’s 1,911-piece PlayStation set is the ultimate retro gaming flex Marvel’s Wolverine Digital Deluxe Edition Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment / PlayStation Store Marvel’s Wolverine Digital Deluxe Edition $59.99 at PlayStation Store
$79.99 Save $20.00   Shop Now at PlayStation Store

Grabbing Marvel’s Wolverine Digital Deluxe Edition on sale gives PS5 players the definitive way to experience Insomniac’s brutal, globe-trotting mutant epic. Logan’s journey pulls him back into Team X to stop Bolivar Trask’s mutant-hunting Reavers, slicing through incredible set pieces across Canada, Tokyo, and Madripoor alongside iconic rivals like Omega Red.

The combat lets you build up sheer Rage momentum to shred enemies with fluid adamantium claw strikes and swappable Techniques. Going with the Deluxe Edition loads you up right out of the gate: you get five exclusive suits (including Age of Apocalypse and Savage), five custom claw variants, four bonus Technique Points to kickstart your skill tree, and early unlocks for Logan’s classic brown suit and reflective claws.

More early Black Friday PlayStation deals

• Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition — $11.99 $19.99 (save $8)

• Valheim — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)

• Mortal Shell II — $37.49 $49.99 (save $12.50)

• 007 First Light — Deluxe Edition — $39.99 $79.99 (save $40)

• The Sinking City 2 — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

• Beast of Reincarnation — $44.99 $59.99 (save $15)

• PRAGMATA Deluxe Edition — $55.99 $69.99 (save $14)

• SAROS Digital Deluxe Edition — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)

• The Blood of Dawnwalker — Eclipse Edition — $63.99 $79.99 (save $16)

• UFC 6 Ultimate Edition — $69.99 $99.99 (save $30)

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $150.81 at Amazon, down from its $179.95 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box $150.81 at Amazon
$179.95 Save $29.14   Shop Now at Amazon

Ascended Heroes has become the white whale of the Pokemon TCG when it comes to finding a reasonable price, but rare Amazon price drops like this are a limited-time chance to get these hard-to-find boxes closer to market price.

As of Nov. 4, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box can be picked up for $150.81 at Amazon, saving you $29.14 compared to its typical $179.95 price with a 16% discount. From third-party seller Midwood Soles, free delivery is scheduled for Nov. 12 at the time of writing. If this one happens to run out, there’s also another go-to from CTY Market at $150.82, also with free shipping. 

For comparison, we last covered this ETB at $183.41, but thanks to a steady decline in market price since then, we’re now back to the lowest price we’ve seen for this Ascended Heroes box in months — confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel.

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection hits new record low price on Amazon — save nearly $10

Walmart currently has it listed at $127.92, while TCGplayer offers unopened boxes starting at $124.97 with shipping included, just $1.84 above its $123.13 market price.

As for what’s in the Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box, each contains nine titular booster packs of trading cards, an exclusive full-art foil N's Zekrom promo card, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, dice, a player's guide, a collector's box, and other accessories.

If it’s any particular chase cards from the expansion you’re after — like the now-$650+ SIR Mega Gengar ex, $580+ SIR Pikachu ex, and $420+ SIR Mega Dragonite ex — you can buy any single Ascended Heroes card on TCGplayer. 

Nintendo has audaciously remade The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for a modern audience, and I love thinking about the fact that a bunch of people at Nintendo had to get together and try to nail down exactly what made the game such a monumental success.

Upon its release in 1998, Ocarina of Time for Nintendo 64 was far from the first 3D action-adventure game. It didn't invent lock-on targeting, cinematic storytelling, labyrinthine 3D level design, or any of the other features it's often credited for. What made it special at the time, at least in my view, is that it was arguably the first game to do all of those things really well, at the same time, as part of a cohesive, unforgettable experience.

In trying to capture that magic, Nintendo chose a relatively safe approach in developing this remake. Ocarina of Time for Switch 2, which finally launches on Nov. 5, is strikingly similar to the original on an experiential level. If you've played through the N64 version recently, as I did about six months ago, you might find a somewhat disappointing lack of surprises here.

But I think I can live with a remake that disappoints only because it's a little too much like the original. This is supposed to be a nostalgia trip, after all. I do have some quibbles about the new Ocarina of Time that I'll get to shortly, but broadly speaking, this is a visually brilliant reimagining of one of the most important games ever made. What it lacks in surprise, it makes up for by faithfully and respectfully translating Ocarina into something a bit more modern without compromising what made it great.

SEE ALSO: Early Black Friday gaming deals on Samsung monitors, Nintendo Switch, and comfortable chairs are live The new Ocarina is a lot like the old Ocarina

As has been clear since Nintendo first started showing off this love letter, the remake does not rock the boat. This is Ocarina of Time, almost exactly as you remember it, but with new visuals and some small revisions along the way.

That means the story, the player's general objectives, dungeon layouts, and boss fights are mostly recreated in a near one-to-one capacity. A few boss fights have been mildly remixed, as have some dungeon puzzles, but having played the N64 release earlier this year, there really weren't very many moments in the remake that felt all that novel. Nintendo's philosophy is clearly that Ocarina was not a game that needed reinvention on a design level.

As thrilling as it would be to see a Final Fantasy VII Remake-level re-interpretation, Ocarina's world, dungeon, and puzzle design were huge parts of what made it so awesome in the first place, so I understand wanting to (mostly) retain those elements.

It's a respectable, if a little boring, approach.

You can let go of any lingering fears that the remake sanded down the wacky tone of the original. When it's different, it's mostly in an exciting way Sheik's new design is very cool. Credit: Nintendo

When playing Ocarina of Time for Switch 2, I found myself getting excited every time I encountered something Nintendo did change.

Most prominent, of course, is the visual overhaul. As I explained in a preview last month (before being backed up by an interview with the developers), this version of Ocarina was inspired by and evokes high-end puppetry. Character faces are cartoonish and stylized almost exactly as they were in the N64 original, but their hair and clothing feature extreme levels of realistic detail, as do most of the game's environments.

It's a really neat look that especially pops when you play it on a nice TV rather than watching it in a YouTube window. Individual character personalities, even from minor players like Ingo the ranch-hand or the creepy windmill musician guy, shine through just as much as they did in 1998. You can let go of any lingering fears that the remake sanded down the wacky tone of the original.

If anything, some of the NPCs or monsters are even creepier than before. Wait until you see the remade Happy Mask Salesman, for example. I also enjoy this remake as a demonstration of what the Switch 2 hardware is capable of. Water ripples and fog dissipate based on player actions in a believable manner, texture quality is almost scarily high, and sunlight scatters beautifully on the grass in Hyrule Field. The best part is that it all runs at a near-perfect 60 frames per second.

Threads of Time is handy, but not game-breaking. Credit: Nintendo

Nintendo also made some thoughtful alterations to the way Ocarina plays. Namely, Link's movement controls are much snappier and more responsive than they were on N64. The much-talked-about new jump button reduces the likelihood of accidentally launching yourself off a ledge in the wrong direction, and a sprint feature eliminates the need to somersault everywhere without being fast enough to trivialize traversal.

Combat feels juicier and more satisfying, too. The spirit of encounters hasn't changed much; you're still locking on and waiting for an opening before getting in a few strikes. But outstanding hit animations do a lot of work to make those hits feel more impactful.

I'm a little more mixed about how items work in this remake. In the N64 original, you could map three usable items onto the N64's C-buttons, a controller feature that the Switch 2 does not share. Accordingly, Nintendo chose to make it more like Breath of the Wild, with the ability to map one item at a time to a universal "use item" button. The compromise here is that you can open up a quick-swap menu and switch between items fluidly, but it does make enemy encounters that require the use of more than one item in quick succession a little awkward.

The Temple of Time rocks. Credit: Nintendo

I also appreciate the addition of Threads of Time, which functions like a quest log in a contemporary game. In the original Ocarina of Time, players had to rely more on Navi the fairy constantly telling them what to do. Now, you can just open a menu and see all main story and side activities laid out cleanly, with hints on what to do next in each thread. Notably, this does not include objective markers on the map or anything like that, so it feels to me like the information that was already there is being presented in a friendlier way, rather than the game holding the player's hand too much.

As a nice bonus, that means Navi doesn't interrupt exploration nearly as often as she did in the original.

Musically, Ocarina's wonderful score has been fully re-recorded with real instruments and a tasteful smattering of some of the same digital samples that defined the original work. Sprinting across Hyrule Field while an even more triumphant version of that legendary music hits hard, even nearly three decades later. And yes, the new version of the Gerudo Valley theme is fantastic.

SEE ALSO: The most exciting part of the 'Zelda: Ocarina of Time' remake has nothing to do with playing the game But not all changes are welcome, and there could stand to be more Love the Water Temple. Credit: Nintendo

As you'd expect, not every alteration Nintendo made to Ocarina is for the best.

While they aren't outright bad, necessarily, I fail to see the need for fully voice-acted cutscenes at critical junctures in the story. In practice, it makes certain sequences longer than they would be if I could button through text at my own pace. I never really felt that the voice acting brought me closer to the events on screen. If anything, because the acting is so cartoony, it took me out of the story at times.

Ocarina has never been known as a particularly difficult game to finish (let's not forget it was designed for kids), but Nintendo redistributed some of the gameplay friction in different directions, resulting in an adventure that's, like, 10 percent easier than it used to be. A small handful of puzzles have been slightly simplified, while enemies don't hit that hard. I was never in danger of hitting a game over screen, but your mileage may vary if you don't have an encyclopedic knowledge of the original game like I do.

It's just kind of a strange decision to make Ocarina easier when more recent entries like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are, by Nintendo standards, pretty mean games. I should note, though, that this isn't exactly an across-the-board change. For instance, Great Fairies now ask for large sums of money before they'll give Link upgrades, and since wallet enhancements are tied to finding hidden collectibles, it's now really inadvisable to ignore those. I do like that change, FWIW.

While I greatly enjoyed most of my time with the Ocarina of Time remake, and find most of its changes refreshing in one way or another, there is no denying that just a little more novelty would've made it a better experience. Even just a couple of new NPCs or side quests would've gone a long way.

The verdict: The new Ocarina of Time is still a legendary adventure

Even with those misgivings, Nintendo's Ocarina of Time remake for Switch 2 is a sharp and beautiful reminder of what a great game it's always been. The word "resplendent" came to mind when exploring Hyrule.

Dungeons like the Forest Temple and Water Temple still shine as brilliant examples of early-ish 3D level design, and are just as fun to get lost in today as they were in 1998. Most boss battles still provide an excellent closing argument for each dungeon, and it is admittedly nice to play a Zelda game that revolves around using hookshots, boomerangs, and other gadgets and gizmos to complete puzzles again.

I would just recommend creating some distance between yourself and the original N64 version (or its 3DS remaster) before jumping in. The less vivid your memories are, the better a time you'll have.

"The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (digital copy) $59.99 at Amazon
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TL;DR: Hasbro’s new $49.99 adult Blooms by Play-Doh craft kit lets fans sculpt a 15-flower ACOTAR centerpiece complete with a book-cover vase and Truth-Teller dagger. Preorders are live at Amazon ahead of its Jan. 2027 release.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hasbro Play-Doh Blooms ACOTAR $49.99 at Amazon
  Preorder at Amazon

If you are still daydreaming about starlit skies and shadowed mountain courts, your bookshelf is about to get a major upgrade. Just a week after the arrival of A Court of Splintered Harmony, Hasbro is giving Sarah J. Maas readers a whole new way to step into Prythian: an adult floral craft kit under its new Blooms by Play-Doh line, designed specifically for ACOTAR fans.

Aimed at crafters 17 and up, the all-in-one set lets you build an entire 15-flower arrangement from scratch — no glue guns, wire clippers, or sculpting experience needed. Everything you need comes in the box, making it easy to spend an evening decompressing without staring at a screen.

Rather than classic neon clay, the kit uses a moody, Night Court–inspired color palette packed with enough compound to build 12 large blooms alongside three smaller, hand-formed accent flowers.

Putting the entire bouquet together is surprisingly simple, guided by an illustrated booklet filled with full-color photos and tips. You place the compound into the blooming tool, press down, and watch the petals open up automatically as you shape them. Once the sculpted petals dry, you can mount them onto the included wire stems and weave in artificial greenery sprigs to fill out the volume.

Credit: Hasbro

A light mist of the included finishing spray seals the compound to prevent cracking, fading, or drooping on your shelf over time. The completed arrangement slots directly into a clear display vase styled after the series' book covers, topped off with a miniature Truth-Teller dagger pick that slides between the stems for a sharp fantasy accent.

Whether you are looking for a weekend craft project, a centerpiece for your next book club meetup, or an activity for a bachelorette party, locking in a pre-order is the safest bet to dodge the inevitable sellouts that usually hit Maas merch.

Preorder the kit today to guarantee your arrangement lands on your shelf this January.

TL;DR: New and eligible returning subscribers can lock in three months of Audible Standard for just $0.99 per month and pocket a free $20 Audible promotional credit to spend on audiobooks before Jan. 31, 2027.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Audible: $0.99 per month   Get Deal at Audible

Pretending you are going to plow through a towering stack of physical books this winter is a noble goal, but audiobooks are what actually get finished while you are commuting or running errands. If you want to stock up on audiobooks before winter travel kicks in, Audible is discounting its Standard membership to $0.99 per month for your first three months and adding a $20 promotional credit.

That saves you over 80% on the normal price, bringing your total to less than $3 for three full months. With the $20 credit included, you're getting way more value back than what you pay to sign up.

How Audible Standard Works

The Audible Standard plan works a little differently than the pricier Premium Plus tier. Normally running $8.99 per month, Standard lets you pick one audiobook every month from Audible’s massive catalog of bestsellers and brand-new releases. You also get unlimited streaming access to a wide library of bingeable podcasts, all playable on your phone, tablet, or web browser.

Your monthly audiobook selections remain in your library to enjoy for as long as your membership is active. The one detail to remember is that Standard does not roll over unused monthly selections. You will want to pick your title each month before your billing date refreshes, or that month’s pick evaporates.

SEE ALSO: YouTube could be coming for Spotify and Audible's audiobook listeners How the $20 bonus works

The $20 promotional credit is credited to your Audible account within 48 hours of payment verification, followed by a confirmation email. It cannot be redeemed for cash or gifted to someone else, but it applies directly toward cash purchases of audio titles sold on Audible.

Unlike your monthly Standard picks — which stay tied to an active subscription — any audiobooks you buy using this cash credit are yours to keep permanently, even after canceling.

The credit, however, does have an expiration date: you must spend it by Jan. 31, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. PT. You qualify as long as you don't currently have an active Audible account or trial, and haven't used more than two Audible promos in the last 14 months.

Once your three discounted months end, the plan automatically renews at the regular rate of $8.99 per month plus tax. You can cancel online at any time on your Account Details page before the fourth billing date to avoid regular charges.

Remember, changing your credit card on the final payment screen can accidentally invalidate the promo code. If the price jumps back to the normal price after you update your card info, customer service can help you reapply the $0.99 rate and credit it before you buy.

The offer runs through Dec. 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Trade three loose dollar bills for three months of listening and pocket a free $20 bonus before time runs out.

SAVE $200: As of Nov. 4, the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air is on sale for $1,099 at Amazon ahead of Black Friday. This deal saves you $200 compared to paying its full price of $1,299.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13-inch $1,099 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $200   Get Deal at Amazon

November is officially here, and you know what that means... Black Friday sales are nearly upon us. Some retailers are even starting up early, with Apple devices among the many deals popping up right now. This includes the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD), currently on sale at Amazon.

As of Nov. 4, eager shoppers can scoop up this M5 MacBook Air for $1,099 instead of its full price of $1,299. Ultimately, this deal saves you $200 on this laptop before Black Friday sales officially start and matches its price during October Prime Day. If you're a student looking for a new laptop, this is a model we highly recommend.

SEE ALSO: The 65+ absolute best stocking stuffers for 2026

The 13-inch model may be our top pick for college students, but its larger 15-inch model is our favorite pick for most people, so it's certainly worth every cent. This model boasts 16GB of Unified Memory and a 512GB SSD, to boot. Plus, it offers 18 hours of battery life and features the M5 chip for a solid performance boost.

Mashable's Timothy Beck Werth said this MacBook "might be too powerful for its own good" in his 4.6/5 review. He continued on to say that it has "a premium design, great speakers, a bright and sharp display, and the user-friendly macOS 26 Tahoe." Overall, it "offers fantastic performance for the value."

If you can't wait to get your hands on it, don't wait for Black Friday; save $200 on the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD) today at Amazon.

SAVE $110.01: As of Nov. 4, the Ruko F11PRO 2 drone is on sale for $239.98 at Amazon. That's a 31% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ruko Ruko F11PRO 2 Drone $239.98 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $110.01   Get Deal at Amazon

Early Black Friday deals are starting to land at Amazon, and there are already some pretty tempting deals for anyone looking to buy a drone.

As of Nov. 4, the Ruko F11PRO 2 drone has dropped by $110, bringing the price down from $349.99 to $239.98. This is the lowest-ever price for this drone, according to camelcamelcamel.

The Ruko F11PRO 2 is built for shooting seriously impressive aerial footage, with the ability to shoot 6K photos and record 4K video. Its image sensor captures fine details and vivid colors, and it has a three-axis brushless gimbal that helps keep footage steady when the wind picks up. The drone also comes with two batteries in the box, so you'll get up to 70 minutes of combined flight time.

And if you're a beginner when it comes to using a drone, this model is a great starting point. It has GPS-assisted flight modes that make getting started much less complicated. As well as this, you can use orbit mode to capture shots from different angles, or cruise control and waypoint mode to help guide your flights. So there's no need to feel out of your depth; this drone helps you along the way.

Find this deal at Amazon right now. However, note the "limited time" stamp. We don't know how long this price will stick around, so don't wait too long if you're interested.

SAVE $79.71: As of Nov. 4, the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box is on sale for $129.99 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Marvel Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box $129.99 at Amazon
$209.70 Save $79.71   Get Deal at Amazon

Marvel's heroes and villains are stepping into the world of Magic: The Gathering.

The Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box brings iconic characters from the Marvel Universe into the collectible card game, giving fans the chance to build their dream team and discover their favorite characters in card form. And as of Nov. 4, you can pick up this booster box for less, with a $79.81 saving on the usual list price of $209.70 at Amazon.

This Booster Box lets you build a team of iconic heroes and villains, equip them with recognizable gear, and unleash their abilities. Each booster contains 14 cards, including at least one Traditional Foil card and one to four cards of Rare rarity or higher, with the chance to find special borderless alternate-art designs.

Play Boosters are made for both collecting and playing, whether you want to find new cards, build decks, or enjoy Limited games with friends. The box contains 30 Play Boosters, so there's plenty to open, trade, or add to your collection.

Find this deal at Amazon right now.

The fitness tracker world is crowded, and researching the best model is now a major task. If you're not looking to spend a ton of money, Google has a new Fitbit that might be perfect.

The Fitbit Edge feels rightfully placed between the minimalist Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 5. Not only does the $179.99 price fit in the middle of the two, but its functions land somewhere in the middle. It adds elements missing on the Fitbit Air like onboard GPS and an altimeter. But it lacks features you’ll find on the Pixel Watch 5, like Google Wallet for contactless payments.

Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

I’ve been wearing the Fitbit Edge for the last few weeks, testing out its comfort and functions. While it has tons of features that will be great for some people, I’m still more excited about the Fitbit Air compared to the Edge. 

Functions on the Fitbit Edge are great for all levels of fitness

Google has gone back to a screen with the Fitbit Edge after giving us the faceless Fitbit Air. The Edge’s display is still quite small when compared to most Garmins or an Apple Watch, but it packs in features.

The Google Health Coach is one of my favorite aspects about the Fitbit lineup. It takes just a few minutes to come up with a detailed fitness plan. The “coach” checks in, but not in a badgering way. Instead, I find the reminders helpful to get a snapshot of what type of movement would be best based on other metrics like sleep and heart rate. 

Google's impressive sleep stats are easy to understand. Credit: Google Health screenshot A daily readiness score helps determine the best activity for the day. Credit: Google Health screenshot

Nutrition tracking is also a main feature with Google’s Fitbit platform. You can scan barcodes into the app or even take photos of food to enter it into your daily intake. 

What I like about the Fitbit Edge

Function aside, I like the looks of the Fitbit Edge. It’s simple, sleek, and doesn’t look massive on my wrist. Google ships the Edge with a silicone Active Band in two sizes. I’ve found this to be the most comfortable option from the few I’ve tested.

I also like the Magnet Band, but I found it fiddly to get the right fit. For a fancier look, the Metal Links Band looks snazzy. The $149.99 price, however, is kind of scary considering the Edge itself doesn’t cost much more. I haven’t tested it, but I suspect my favorite band would be the Performance Loop Band since that’s my preferred option on the Fitbit Air. But the point stands that Google has plentiful options for bands that make the tracker feel more customized to your liking.

The Fitbit Edge comes with the Active Band (left), and the metal band (center) and magnet band (right) are add-on accessories. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

Like the Fitbit Air, the Edge is beyond impressive when it comes to battery life. I’ve been getting about a week of wear before I need to recharge. When it does need a recharge, it takes less than 90 minutes to top out at 100 percent. I also found Google’s claim to be true that a five-minute recharge earns you about a day of battery life.

Compare that to the Apple Watch 11, which Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder found to get about 24 hours on one charge when testing, and there’s a clear winner. If you value long battery life, you’re better off with the Fitbit Edge.

On top of the battery life, Google has made the Edge with a replaceable battery, a first for the brand. Should the battery crap out in a handful of years, pop a new one in, and you’ll be back to new.

Comfort earns big points, but the Air wins

Up until the Fitbit Edge arrived on my doorstep, I had been wearing the Fitbit Air for over four months almost 24/7. The Air remains the most comfortable fitness tracker I’ve ever worn. I wouldn't consider the Edge to be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t go unnoticed on the wrist like the Air. After a week or so, I got more accustomed to the feel of the Edge and noticed it less often, but it doesn’t disappear like the Air does.

I like the Fitbit Edge but not as much as I like the Fitbit Air with the Metal Mesh Band. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

Pair this slightly less comfortable fit with the new Fitbit Air Metal Mesh Band that I love, and I’m still more excited about the Air compared to the Edge. I should mention I have petite wrists, so your comfort with the Edge will vary.

Fitbit Edge: Who it’s for

The Fitbit Edge is perfect for those who want an uncomplicated fitness tracker that doesn’t come with a shocking price tag. It has great fitness tracking metrics and impressive sleep monitoring. It’s also pretty comfortable on the wrist, and the week-long battery life is a major benefit.

If you’re looking for something without a watch face or you want to barely notice you’re wearing a fitness tracker, I think the Fitbit Air is a better option. However, if you want a watch face to glance at the time or you like to track stairs climbed, you’ll want the Fitbit Edge. On the flip side, if you’re looking for a fully functional smartwatch and fitness tracker in one device, I think the Pixel Watch 5 wins over the Fitbit Edge.

Fitbit Edge $179.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

Anyone else reading A Court of Splintered Harmony on their Kindle? The e-book is far easier to carry around than the hardcover, which is great because I've been toting my Kindle around everywhere to finish Sarah J. Maas's latest installment. But as much as I'm imagining reading it, the experience isn't quite the same as reading the physical book since it's not as easy to flip between pages — and at the beginning of A Court of Splintered Harmony, there's a map that I keep wanting to refer back to.

That's why this video from @melissaclausrealtor came at just the right time.

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A post shared by Melissa Claus 🏡 Realtor San Antonio + New Braunfels (@melissaclausrealtor)

In the video, Claus shows how to pin an image in the Kindle book you're reading and then reference back to it later in the book. Perhaps some fantasy readers had already figured out this great Kindle feature, but it was a revelation for me.

How to pin an image or text on your Kindle

Pinning an image or text is unbelievably easy. Go to the page you want to pin and then press to highlight your desired text or image. A menu then pops up, and you'll find a little pin. Click on the pin and it's automatically added to all of your pins.

Highlight either an image or text within your e-book to pin it. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The pins then appear along the footer of your screen. Click on the pin and all of your pins will appear.

The pin decal on the footer of an e-book. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

You can even zoom into images on your pin. As always with e-readers, temper your expectations with images on your device. The resolution on a Kindle is 300 ppi, which is low compared to smartphones, which usually have a resolution of 460 ppi. The image will appear slightly blurry, but turning up your brightness does help increase the contrast for a better picture.

You can pull up your pins anywhere in the book to reference it. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable When viewing your pin, you can zoom into images and text, too. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

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