Mashable

An Australian lawsuit against Microsoft over its subscription pricing has highlighted a way to get access to Microsoft 365 for cheaper, so long as you don't need access to the company's AI offerings.

The lawsuit, from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, accused Microsoft Australia and Microsoft Corporation of allegedly misleading customers over subscription price changes. In October 2024, the commission argues, Microsoft told its subscribers that Copilot would be integrated into the Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans and that subscribers would have to accept the integration and pay more money for it or they'd have to cancel their subscription altogether, according to TechSpot.

"The Microsoft Office apps included in 365 subscriptions are essential in many people's lives and given there are limited substitutes to the bundled package, cancelling the subscription is a decision many would not make lightly," the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission said, TechSpot reported.

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission argued that this is misleading and deceptive because there is a third, secret option. While Microsoft would prefer everyone uses its AI, users can still, of course, use the Microsoft 365 Personal or Family Classic plans.

If you already have Microsoft 365, want to save a few bucks, and aren't particularly interested in AI, there's a way to do that. Simply sign into your Microsoft account, navigate to your subscriptions page and select "Manage," then click "Cancel subscription." You'll be prompted to downgrade to another plan with fewer features, according to Microsoft. Select Microsoft 365 Personal Classic or Microsoft 365 Family Classic, or another plan that works for you.

SAVE $120: As of Oct. 28, the 50-inch Pioneer 4K Xumo TV is on sale for $129.99 at Best Buy, down from its usual $249.99. That's almost 50% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pioneer Pioneer 50-inch 4K Xumo TV $129.99 at Best Buy
$249.99 Save $120   Get Deal

We've been clocking late October as one of the best times of year to find a TV on sale for a while now — the lead up to Black Friday is no joke. Best Buy's Deal of the Day on Oct. 28 is one of the best examples so far this year: A 50-inch 4K TV from Pioneer is on sale for $129.99, slashing nearly 50% off its $249.99 MSRP.

For reference, $129.99 was the sale price of the smaller 43-inch version of this same exact TV during Best Buy's Black Friday sale last year. And the cheapest 50-inch TV we saw during October Prime Day at Amazon was $189.99. If you've been waiting in the wings for a good budget-friendly TV deal this year, this is the one to make a move on.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Oct. 24, 2025)

No one's expecting a cheap 4K TV to match the brightness of QLED or the shadow depth of OLED. But nearly 2,000 customers who already bought this TV at Best Buy are impressed by its picture quality for the price.

With your purchase, you'll also unlock a free month of FuboTV if you're a new subscriber (clutch for watching live sports) and two free months of Apple TV+ for new and some returning subscribers (catch up on Severance or end horror season with a bang).

Livestreams can be unpredictable, which is part of the fun, right? Not so much for risk-averse brands considering sponsoring a livestream on Twitch, Kick, or YouTube. A new AI product launching today promises to relieve that advertiser anxiety by yanking ads when livestreams go off the rails.

LiveGuard, from streamer-centric NexTide Media, analyzes advertiser-flagged words, weighing context, language, topics, tone, and emotion. Using those clues, the AI decides whether the content is ok or objectionable and, if the latter, yanks the brand mentions from the stream.

"Brands can fully contextualize their guardrails, choosing to avoid or allow categories such as NSFW discussions, political content, profanity, or other sensitive topics, creating total control over where and how their campaigns appear,” according to a statement from NexTide.

SEE ALSO: This $20 tool lets you livestream your earwax removal in HD

LiveGuard is pitched as novel since it operates live and in-stream, and can make decisions fast.  

Minecraft streamer JeromeASF touted the patent-pending AI tool in a statement: "LiveGuard gives creators and advertisers the confidence to collaborate safely, protecting the live experience without limiting creativity.”

Focused on live media advertising, LiveGuard creator Nextide says its services have been utilized by State Farm, the NFL, and the BET Awards.

Livestreams have a long track record of going awry — there’s a whole Reddit page devoted to live fails. Even Elon Musk was burned by a livestream in August, when he "rage quit" after being continuously cyberbullied. 

SAVE $9.99: As of Oct. 28, new and returning AMC+ subscribers can score a 30-day trial of AMC+ Premium (no ads) for free with the code AMC30FT4. That's a $9.99 value.

Opens in a new window Credit: AMC+ AMC+ Premium free 30-day trial with code AMC30FT4 (save $9.99) Get Deal

The last thing any of us wants is to spend more money on streaming. Nearly every streamer has raised its prices over the past few months — Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock — which is why we recommend jumping on any streaming deal that pops up. While it may not be the most popular option around, AMC+ is running a deal that will cost you zero dollars. It doesn't get much better than that.

New and returning AMC+ subscribers can score a 30-day trial of AMC+ Premium (no ads) for free using the code AMC30FT4 at checkout. That saves you $9.99 and unlocks a massive streaming library for an entire month. If you recently cancelled your other subscriptions after the price hikes, this is a good way to satisfy your craving for new content without spending a cent.

You may know AMC as the home of The Walking Dead universe, but it has a lot more to offer than just your favorite post-apocalyptic zombies. It's also the home to shows like Mad Men, Portlandia, and Killing Eve, and movies like Late Night with the Devil (one of our favorite films of 2024), Clown in a Cornfield, and Good Boy (coming soon). The library also unlocks access to the entire Shudder, Sundance Now, BBC America, and IFC Films libraries, making it an excellent choice for horror freaks, British TV fans, and indie movie lovers alike.

As of now, AMC+ is pretty chill about password sharing, unlike most other streamers, meaning you can share your free month of streaming with your pals. It's really a no-brainer if you're seeking new content. Just remember to cancel your subscription before the month is up if you want to avoid charges.

SAVE 48%: The Bluetti AC200PL portable power station with the Charge 1 alternator charger is on sale at Amazon for $1,199, down from the normal bundle price of $2,299. That's a record-low price at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti AC200PL portable power station with the Charge 1 alternator charger $1,199 at Amazon
$2,299 Save $1,100   Get Deal

If you're into the camping scene, you already know everyone is buying portable power stations. They're perfect for taking on outdoor adventures to keep your essential tech charged up. Plenty have great recharging options but not all of them can recharge via your car's alternator. If you're looking for a way to charge up while on the road, check out this bundle deal at Amazon.

As of Oct. 28, the Bluetti AC200PL portable power station with the Charge 1 alternator charger is on sale for $1,199 at Amazon, marked down from the standard bundle price of $2,299. That's a record-low price with a 48% discount that shaves a major $1,100 off the price.

On its own, the Bluetti AC200PL offers 2,304Wh of capacity with a max output of 3,600W that puts it in line as a great option for both RV trips and home backup during outages. The TT-30 port option means this model is RV-friendly. Plus, it has major expansion ability. Should you want more power, the Bluetti AC200PL can connect with Bluetti batteries for a maximum of 8,448Wh.

SEE ALSO: The newly-launched Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 portable power station is already $700 off at Amazon

Today's bundle deal also includes the Bluetti Charger 1 alternator charger. This gives you the ability to charge via your car's alternator, delivering a maximum of 560W of power. The brand mentions this is six times faster than using the standard cigarette lighter in the car to recharge. The necessary DC input cable also comes with the Charger 1, so you'll be ready to roll. Bluetti says the Charger 1 can get a 1,000Wh portable power station back to 100 percent in 2.5 hours.

If your fall or winter plans involve taking off on a road trip in the RV or van, jump on this bundle deal to get the Bluetti AC200PL portable power station with the Charge 1 alternator charger while it's on sale for $1,199. Keep in mind this is an Amazon lightning deal which means it could sell out quickly.

The best Way Day deals at a glance Rugs Save up to 80% Shop Now Kitchen and dining room furniture Save up to 65% Shop Now Mattresses Save up to 60% Shop Now Christmas trees Save up to 40% Shop Now Mirrors, pillows, and decor Save up to 65% Shop Now

Leave it to Wayfair's biggest sale of the year to get me in the holiday spirit when I'm strictly trying to milk the last few days of spooky season. But Christmas trees and whimsical outdoor decor are hardly the only home deals participating in Way Day.

Yes, Way Day is back — it kicked off on Oct. 26 and runs through Oct. 29. Kind of like Wayfair's version of Prime Day, the mega home retailer typically one of these sales in the spring and one in the fall. The first one of 2025 was in April, but the fall version's timing just hits differently. You could buy a better mattress to smooth your transition away from daylight saving time on Sunday, Nov. 2, refresh your kitchen or dining room ahead of hosting guests, try a machine washable rug before paying Ruggable prices, or actually snag holiday decor on sale before the holidays — not at the after-Christmas sales.

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

Whatever you're eyeing, it'll be nice to get some of those big deliveries out of the way before Black Friday. Here's a broader look at the biggest deals categories this fall Way Day:

• Up to 80% off area rugs

• Up to 65% off kitchen and dining furniture

• Up to 65% off mirrors, pillows, and decor

• Up to 60% off mattresses

• Up to 60% off TV stands and coffee tables

• Up to 60% off living room seating

• Up to 60% off bedroom furniture

• Up to 60% off entryway furniture

• Up to 40% off Christmas trees

• Up to 40% off outdoor seasonal decor

Oh yeah, and enjoy free shipping on just about everything.

SAVE $500 + FREE ITEM: As of Oct. 28, the EF EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 is on sale for $3,599, down from $4,099, at Amazon. That's a 12% discount. Plus, get a free portable solar panel or portable power station with purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon EF EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 $3,599 at Amazon
$4,099 Save $500   Get Deal

If you find yourself needing to charge your phone or other devices often, a small portable power station is ideal. But if you need to handle more long-term power outages or even go off-grid for a while, you need something decidedly more beefy. That means splurging on a backup power system that can handle just about any of your electricity needs. And you can get one for a great price right now at Amazon.

As of Oct. 28, the EF EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 is on sale for $3,599, down from $4,099, at Amazon. That's a 12% discount and $500 off. Plus, get a free portable solar panel or portable power station with purchase.

SEE ALSO: The 5 best portable power stations to stay charged up at home and on the go

The Delta Pro 3, which offers 4kWh of power and an extra 4kWh battery, gives you 8kWh of capacity in all, which means you've got plenty of electricity to keep you going. Power up your devices, run small appliances and even heaters to keep you warm if you're in an emergency. You've got enough power to keep you ready to go for any situation, with 4000W output and 120V and 240V options, which can get you through some hairy situations if needed.

In addition to this beefy battery-powered backup, you also get a free item with purchase, including a solar-powered battery or another smaller power station. All you need to do is add a qualifying item to your cart and go from there. Your discount will automatically be applied at checkout.

Winter is an especially bad time to run out of electricity. So make sure you're prepared with this power station.

If you’ve spent more than five minutes in modern dating, you’ve probably heard whispers about the Are We Dating The Same Guy? Facebook groups. Open only to women who must pass vetting checks to be admitted, they are designed to share information about men they’re dating.  Now, new platforms like The Tea — an app where women can anonymously post and search reviews of men, verify identities with photo checks, and even run background searches — are turning dating whisper networks into something slicker, more searchable, and more permanent.

The Tea has exploded in popularity, climbing to the very top of the Apple App Store charts and reportedly amassing more than four million users. But its rapid rise has been overshadowed by controversy, including two major security breaches and the recent news that the app has been removed by Apple from the App Store in all markets.

SEE ALSO: Are we dating the same guy? This Facebook group might know.

These groups are pitched as a form of protection, where women can warn other women about toxic or dangerous behaviour, or used to post warnings about men they’re dating. Women upload pictures of men they’re seeing and ask: “Anyone else dating him?” The comments flood in, sometimes revealing patterns of cheating or even serious crimes. Other times, the complaints touch more on poor dating etiquette, such as “he never texts back.”

Scrolling on social media, it's not uncommon to see screenshots of dating app message exchanges or TikTokkers live-vlogging their love lives. Dating has moved out of the private realm, becoming more akin to a public trial. 

I can't help but wonder: are these platforms making dating safer, or just making us all more suspicious?

So, let’s take it to court (figuratively, not literally).

The case for

Lalalaletmeexplain, a relationships educator who’s spent years on the frontline of dating discourse, says the groups were built out of necessity. “They were intended to be safe spaces built around sisterhood and solidarity. They exist to stop men from hurting women,” she explains. “And in many ways, that’s exactly what they are.”

She’s seen posts that uncovered men who were secretly engaged while dating multiple other women, men accused of sexual assault, even one man who was caught trying to meet up with a 15-year-old. “These groups have genuinely protected people,” she says. “They’ve saved women from fraud, from abuse, from men who could have seriously harmed them.”

The groups are tightly moderated. Entry requires vetting, rules forbid screenshots of anything you see in the group, and members who breach confidentiality are banned. That structure creates a sense of safety, particularly for women who have been through painful dating experiences. It also fosters community. “You’ll see women giving each other incredible advice,” says Lalala. “They can remind women who feel unworthy for being single that actually, there’s nothing wrong with them. Sometimes these groups even make women feel happier to be single.”

SEE ALSO: 'Are We Dating the Same Guy?' Facebook group lawsuit dismissed

And at their simplest, they save time. Instead of spending months figuring out if someone’s trustworthy, you can post a picture of a man and find out in hours if six other women are also dating him. In a world where dating often feels like a chore, that speed can be reassuring.

Men’s dating coach David Chambers sees that appeal. “We’ve lost the sense of close-knit community where you could vet people,” he says. “In the past you’d meet through friends, work, or at church. Someone could vouch for them. That’s mostly gone now. Everyone’s a stranger.” From his perspective, the justification behind these groups — protecting women — is completely valid. “Poor behaviour by men is a big part of why these groups exist. Anything that’s a good idea will be open to misuse as it grows, but for the most part, they serve a purpose.”

The case against

But noble intent doesn’t mean no collateral damage.

These groups aren’t moderated by trained professionals. A man might be labelled a “red flag” because he took too long to reply to a text or didn’t want a second date. Lalala says she’s seen “awful advice” and “unhinged questions” get posted. “People aren’t always consistent. Should this really be about minor quirks, or about serious red flags?”  Lalala adds: “One woman’s long-term ex was posted with comments about him being patronising. That wasn’t her truth. But it became the narrative.”

She’s also noticed racist and fetishising language, homophobia, and misogyny in some groups. “I’ve seen Black men discussed in really objectifying ways,” she says. And while the goal is safety, sometimes the effect is the opposite. 

Featured Video For You How to Avoid Online Dating Scams

Posts are subjective by design. They rely on the feelings and interpretations of the woman posting them, and people can be messy, emotional, or vengeful. “I’ve seen men falsely accused of being married, or of serious crimes,” says Lalala. Conflating poor dating etiquette with abusive behaviour could prove devastating when reputations are at stake. Media lawyer Mark Stephens says, “If someone is identifiable, posts could be defamatory. I’ve seen wealthy men use libel laws to silence allegations, even when they may be true. But for ordinary people, defending yourself is expensive. If false claims spread, the damage is done before you can fight back.”

Even if a man does consider suing for libel, invasion of privacy or harassment, it’s rarely worth the cost. “The law is a blunt instrument,” says Stephens. “It’s often better to tackle these things interpersonally. But that’s not easy when the accusations are public.”

Chambers points out that people post about behaviour like ghosting or poor communication without context. “Maybe that person was going through something. Maybe they were actually a good communicator who didn’t meet that individual’s expectations. It doesn’t account for people changing or growing. We want to outsource our judgment because we don’t trust our own. But judging character is something we need to learn to do ourselves.”

He warns these spaces can even encourage paranoia. “People who are more anxious can lack trust in their own decisions, often because they’ve been hurt. They seek out others’ opinions, but that can make dating feel more unsafe than it really is.”

So while the groups aim to protect women, they can also breed fear, misinformation, and mistrust.

Expert testimony

So what’s the path forward?

Stephens believes we need clearer lines between criminal behaviour and what he calls “moral opprobrium” — essentially, publicly shaming people for being a bad date. “There’s a big difference between criminality, where there’s public interest in disclosure, and just bad behaviour. The impact of conflating the two is disproportionate.”

Chambers agrees. “If I were dating, I wouldn’t be worried about being posted, I believe I behave with integrity,” he says. “But I could still be misrepresented. These platforms don’t account for growth or context. They villanise people in the worst version of someone else’s story.”

Even Lalala, who sees their value, thinks there need to be stronger guardrails. “If this is about sharing information about men, then the women contributing need to be vetted too. And it should be about serious red flags — not just someone being a bit flaky.”

The verdict

As a man, it’s hard not to feel conflicted about all this.

I’ve behaved badly at times when I’ve dated. I’ve gone through periods in my life when dating has felt overwhelming and I’ve decided to take a step back, without communicating well. If I’d been posted in one of these groups back then, it might have looked damning. But it wouldn’t have been the full story. People are complicated. We make mistakes. 

I’ve heard stories of women disclosing medical details on these groups, outing the fact the person they’re dating has an STI like Chlamydia, the sharing of which is deeply unethical. 

SEE ALSO: Cuffing season here! Best dating apps for serious relationships

And yet, I can’t ignore that these groups exist because men cause real harm. Men can (and do)  cheat, lie, assault, and manipulate. Women deserve to protect themselves from that. 

What worries me is what happens next. When reputations are on trial in real time, judged by a jury of strangers, subjectivity gets treated as fact. Trust between men and women feels like it’s already incredibly fragile, and the presence of these groups is only ever going to create more of a disconnect.  

We should be creating systems to protect people from genuine harm, not platforms that invite us to treat every ex or bad experience as evidence. Dating will always carry risk, but if every misstep becomes a public trial in the court of public opinion, we move from accountability into paranoia — and ultimately that means men and women will pull back from dating altogether. 

OpenAI's ChatGPT will soon have a digital wallet built into it, courtesy of Paypal.

CNBC exclusively reported the news on Tuesday, noting that people will be able to purchase goods, and companies will be able to sell on the AI platform.

"We've got hundreds of millions of loyal PayPal wallet holders who now will be able to click the 'Buy with PayPal button' on ChatGPT and have a safe and secure checkout experience,” PayPal CEO Alex Chriss told CNBC.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI just launched its own AI browser. Here's how to try ChatGPT Atlas.

There has been lots of recent news for OpenAI and ChatGPT. The company last week debuted its own AI browser, ChatGPT Atlas. The idea is that ChatGPT's memory of your interactions and the chatbot's capabilities are included in the browser. There are also concerns, naturally, about the accuracy of results, considering AI tools have a tendency to to spit out confidently incorrect information.

It seems like not that long ago chatbots were just an interesting curiosity. But now they're attempting to become the primary tool for navigating the web and building out the ability to drain your cash at the click of a button.

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

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 Paris Masters for free on France.tv. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Paris Masters is showcasing some incredibly interesting matchups. It's not a Grand Slam, but it feels like it.

There are a number of fascinating contests for fans to enjoy in the early stages of the tournament, including Alcaraz vs. Norrie. All eyes will be on the Spaniard as he looks to build on his success at the U.S. Open.

If you want to watch Alcaraz vs. Norrie in the 2025 Paris Masters for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Norrie in the 2025 Paris Masters for free

Alcaraz vs. Norrie in the 2025 Paris Masters is available to live stream for free on France.tv.

France.tv is geo-restricted to France, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in France, meaning you can unblock France.tv from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Alcaraz vs. Norrie for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in France

4. Visit France.tv

5. Watch the 2025 Paris Masters for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can live stream the 2025 Paris Masters before recovering your investment. If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for France.tv?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including France

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Alcaraz vs. Norrie in the 2025 Paris Masters for free with ExpressVPN.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been a huge sales success since its launch in June, and people are starting to buy games to go along with the new console.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A launched simultaneously on Switch and Switch 2 couple of weeks ago and is knocking it out of the park, sales-wise, according to a couple of different sources. The first is The Pokémon Company itself, which claimed in a press release (via GameSpot) that the game sold 5.8 million copies within a week of launch. That's not horribly surprising, but analyst Mat Piscatella of Circana also pointed out on Bluesky that the game had the biggest physical retail launch of any video game in the U.S. in at least two and a half years.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo is bringing back the reviled 'Virtual Boy' as a Switch accessory

For context, Piscatella said the last video game to do as well as Legends: Z-A is doing at brick-and-mortar stores was The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, another Nintendo exclusive, in May of 2023. Again, that doesn't even factor in digital sales, which make up a huge portion of all modern video game purchases. Piscatella didn't provide specific numbers, but as GameSpot pointed out, Tears of the Kingdom sold 10 million units (across physical and digital) in three days. Suffice it to say, Pokémon is doing quite well for itself if it's even remotely in that territory.

The Switch 2's lineup of exclusives is slowly rounding into form now, with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Kirby Air Riders, and Metroid Prime 4 all dropping before the end of the year, too. Those may not all do Pokémon numbers, but expect Nintendo to be sitting pretty by the time its next quarterly earnings report comes out.

SAVE $700: The Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 is on sale at Amazon for $799, down from the normal price of $1,499. That's a 47% discount on the new model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 $799 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $700   Get Deal

Portable power stations come with year-round benefits. They're practically essential to take camping to keep phones charged and they're a lifeline when the power goes out at home. For those who have not yet made the investment in portable power, Anker has a new model that just launched today. Not only is packed with power, it's on a steep intro discount.

As of its launch on Oct. 28, the Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 is on sale for $799 at Amazon, marked down from the list price of $1,499. That's a 47% discount on the new model that saves shoppers $700.

In testing, I've consistently found that Anker makes some top-tier portable power stations. Not only do they offer user-friendly features, the brand is always reaching for offering a smaller portable power station that charges quicker. That's exactly what they've come up with for the C2000 Gen 2.

In overall dimensions, the C2000 Gen 2 with its 2,048Wh LiFePO4 battery is hardly any larger in overall size compared to the Solix C1000 which offers 1,056Wh. When it comes to weight, however, the C2000 Gen 2 is a definitely chunkier. You're looking at 41 pounds compared to the C1000's weight of about 28 pounds. But that's to be expected since batteries are heavy.

SEE ALSO: Record-low price alert: The Anker Solix C800 Plus portable power station is under $350 at Amazon

The C2000 Gen 2 is also an ideal model if you're looking for portable power that can handle a 30amp plug. That could come in handy for those who are planning on winter RV or van adventures. The C2000 Gen 2 can handle sustained power output of 2,400W with a peak clocked in at 4,000W.

In terms of what 2,048Wh looks like IRL, Anker says this will keep your WiFi router online for 105 hours or keep the refrigerator cooling for 32 hours. Both of those are ideal in a power outage. The portable power station has five standard AC plugs, one 30amp, three USB-C ports (maximum 140W), and one USB-A.

Snag this brand new model while it's launching at a discount before the price shoots back to normal MSRP. You'll be saving $700 on the Solix C2000 Gen 2 right off the bat while ensuring the refrigerator can stay on during the next power outage.

SAVE $200: As of Oct. 28, the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air with the M4 chip and 256GB of storage is back down to its best price ever of $999. That's $200 or 17% off its list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $999 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $200   Get Deal

While we love the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air for students and bargain shoppers, we think the 15-inch model is really Apple's sweet spot for most people. Even at full cost, Mashable's Stan Schroeder labeled it "the best-buy Apple laptop, period." But we're certainly not going to argue with a $200 cheaper price tag.

As of Oct. 28, the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air with the M4 chip, 16GB RAM, and 256GB of storage is back on sale once again for just $999 in every color variety. That's 17% or $200 off its list price and aligns with its best price on record in most colors. The sky blue option very briefly dipped even lower to $969 once before, but it's the only color to ever see that extreme price drop.

The 15-inch Air isn't just our favorite MacBook for most people. It's also one of our favorite laptops of 2025, period. As Mashable's resident laptop expert Haley Henschel put it, "it's beautiful, long-lasting, unexpectedly peppy, and priced very fairly, making it super easy to recommend for basically anyone wanting a near-perfect ultraportable." Its power alone is seriously impressive. It notched a multi-core score of 14,992 in Geekbench 6's CPU test, our primary speed benchmark. That's less than two percent slower than the M4 MacBook Pro (and about 17 percent slower than the M5 Pro). For a non-Pro device, that's pretty wild. Our reviewer called it "almost overkill."

Besides the excellent price and processing power, the M4 Air also includes an improved 12MP FaceTime camera and open-lid support for two external displays, so you can still use its own screen when it's hooked up to monitors.

For creative professionals running intense editing apps and software regularly, we still recommend the MacBook Pro. For everyone else, we say go with the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air — especially while it's on sale for $200 off.

SAVE $84.99: As of Oct. 28, get the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro for $165, down from their usual price of $249.99. That's a discount of 34%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro $165 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $84.99   Get Deal

Ready to pick up a new pair of earbuds but don't know which ones to get? If you need help picking some out and don't want to spend all day comparing options, you can head to Amazon for an excellent deal on Samsung Galaxy Buds that you'll love using for the foreseeable future.

As of Oct. 28, get the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro for $165, down from their usual price of $249.99. That's $84.99 off and a discount of 34%.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best earbuds to buy in 2025, selected by Mashable audio experts

These impressive earbuds are, much like Apple's lineup, stem-based, with an attractive chrome finish that extends to their charging case. They're also some of Samsung's smartest and most capable pairs to date. They can adapt to the sound in your environment and automatically filter out noise if you need to focus and enhance audio when you need to pay attention. They can also adjust audio based on how the buds fit in your ears.

Beyond their fantastic baseline audio prowess, they also have a special interpreter mode that you can use to get real-time translations directly in your ear. That includes audio from calls, outside sources, and real-time conversations if you need it.

With crisp audio, lengthy battery life, and a comfortable, custom fit in your ears, these buds offer a premium experience that you'll love using. If that sounds like something you're looking for, grab them at this price and don't look back.

The latest Mac Security Survey found that most Mac users no longer believe their Mac is safe from hackers. They want more support and believe security software has become necessary. 

The company behind the survey, MacPaw, listened to macOS users’ concerns and launched a new app, Moonlock. MacPaw has been developing macOS and iOS software for over 17 years.

Moonlock challenges the old ways of cybersecurity with an app designed to be more human. It empowers users with knowledge and control, replacing anxiety with clarity. Here's how it works.

Hackers often succeed by tricking users  

Whether it be SMS phishing campaigns like the new toll scam, malvertising lures, fake sites, malicious downloads, or social media scams, the majority of threats that can currently breach a Mac rely heavily on tricking users.

These evolving tactics, combined with daily breaking news on cybersecurity threats, are the reasons why a majority (68 percent) of Mac users want to talk to someone qualified on online safety, the security survey found. But 32 percent said they believe it’s difficult to find a reliable source.

The Moonlock app, through its System Protection and Security Advisor features, fills in this gap.

System Protection and Security Advisor are like having a macOS expert by your side Credit: Moonlock

Once Moonlock is installed, its real-time protection will automatically start looking for active malware on the machine. This is when the app will recommend that users open the System Protection and Security Advisor features.

System Protection takes a snapshot of the user's system settings and guides them on what can be improved, from privacy permissions to sharing settings to encryption. Using this feature, any user, no matter how tech-savvy they are, can turn risky settings off and enable built-in macOS settings that protect them but are not enabled by default.

Then there's Security Advisor, a culmination of years of trial and error in human cybersecurity. The feature is a collection of simple but powerful tips for good digital practices. Examples include "how to recognize a real encrypted messaging app" or "why old user accounts might increase exposure to cyber threats."

Credit: Moonlock

Both features add much-needed explanations and guidance for Mac users, leaving behind anxiety and gaining confidence by knowing exactly what your security software is doing. 

Software that keeps up in an evolving macOS threat landscape 

Mac stealer malware like AMOS, which saw a 300 percent jump in detections in August, can bypass Apple's built-in antivirus for Macs, steal user data, and empty their e-wallets. Despite this threat being on the rise, it is far from being Mac users’ primary concern.

Nearly half of Mac users (46 percent) feel the need for additional security software that can keep up with online threats. Their top concerns? Personal data breaches, account and password hacking, and identity theft.

Moonlock’s real-time protection will watch over every file users interact with, and can detect and move to Quarantine any malware that reaches a Mac through suspicious links, phishing sites, and fake Apple security alerts.

Credit: Moonlock

Using the Malware Scanner feature, users can perform deep, quick, or customized scans for threats. It also allows for automated scans on a schedule, which helps users maintain good security habits by regularly checking for malicious files.

The Moonlock app also comes with a built-in VPN and a Network Inspector coded to mitigate excessive data collection and data transferring. This extra layer of security provides enhanced privacy to users, whether they are browsing or on social media.

Try Moonlock for yourself today 

The Moonlock app takes a new approach to cybersecurity by combining malware scanning features with tools that help protect users against social engineering scams. Mac users say they are concerned about security; Moonlock gives users the technology they need to take control and ownership of their digital lives.

Ready to take control of your Mac’s security? Start your seven-day free trial of Moonlock today at macpaw.com. Several pricing options are available when you're ready to subscribe.

Samsung's tri-folding phone may actually be real, folks.

The rumored device was shown in the flesh by Samsung at the K-Tech Showcase event ahead of the APEC Summit (via Chosun/Digitaltrends).

As expected, the phone unfolds vertically twice, extend from a fairly regular-sized smartphone into a decent-sized tablet.

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As is often the case with these early teasers, the audience that was fortunate enough to see the phone was not allowed to touch it or view it up close as it was placed in a glass display case.

It also appears that Samsung didn't share any additional details about the phone.

It's not even that thick when fully folded. Credit: Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Samsung TriFold phone (as it may or may not be called) has been the subject of rumor mills for a while, though it now certainly looks a little more real. Expected specs include a 6.5-inch cover display, a 10-inch interior display (when fully unfolded), a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a powerful, 200-megapixel camera with 100x digital zoom.

SEE ALSO: Samsung TriFold phone: Everything we know SEE ALSO: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is back at its lowest-ever price — save almost $500

We might find out more about the phone during the APEC Summit, an event held in South Korea from October 31 to November 1, 2025.

Even if you have a very capable smartphone and a nice laptop, a tablet can still be worth adding to your tech arsenal. A touchscreen that can be carried anywhere makes for a portable studio for creatives, a crucial sidekick for frequent travelers, and an e-reader for book lovers. These days, tablets are basically just laptops anyway.

Whether you're looking for a kid-friendly tablet or a compact laptop replacement, there are plenty of excellent options out there. If you're not exactly sure which tablet you should buy, we've got one simple question to help narrow down your search: Are you an Apple person? We tested the entire iPad lineup, and though iPads are our preferred tablets in 2025, we also love some of the best tablets from Samsung and Microsoft. So, whatever your preferences, we've got a tablet to recommend.

UPDATE: Oct. 28, 2025, 5:00 a.m. EDT We're in the midst of retesting our favorite tablets. For now, we've updated this guide to include our favorite iPads, the new Microsoft Surface 11, and Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3.

Recent additions to this guide:

• October 28, 2025: After our tech editor reviewed the new iPad Pro (M5), we've added it to this guide thanks to its speedy processor and the many benefits of iPadOS 26 and Liquid Glass.

• October 28, 2025: We've added the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 tablet to this guide; it's an excellent Android gaming tablet.

Days out from the 2025 New York City mayoral election, candidate Zohran Mamdani sat down with Jon Stewart on The Daily Show for an anticipated interview.

Stewart asked the 33-year-old New York State Assembly member and democratic socialist about his election campaign, as he, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa vie to replace Mayor Eric Adams. The Daily Show host brought up Mamdani's viral campaign walk of the length of Manhattan and the 90,000 volunteers helping him canvas and knock on doors across New York City.

SEE ALSO: How NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani won over the internet

Their discussion ranges from Mamdani's campaign promises and platforms including housing and affordability in New York, to how he views political endorsements and the strategies of engaging younger voters.

"After the presidential election, there were all these obituaries written about the Democratic Party’s ability to motivate young votes," Mamdani said. "There’s just this condescension in the language that we use about young people. I can just tell you that what we found in this campaign is that young people have been at the heart of believing that something could be more than this. "

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a fan of pop culture.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 24, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Played out

• Green: In the loop

• Blue: Used when watching TV

• Purple: Famous musicians

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Banality

• Green: In the know

• Blue: Remote control buttons

• Purple: One-named singer plus starting letter

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #870 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Banality: CHESTNUT, CLICHÉ, PLATITUDE, TROPE

• In the know: AWARE, HIP, SAVVY, WISE

• Remote control buttons: BACK, HOME, MENU, SELECT

• One-named singer plus starting letter: GUSHER, KENYA, OCHER, PELVIS

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 24, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a writer.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 17, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 24, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: The write stuff

The words are related to writing.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a writing utensil.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Pencil Me In.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 28

• Graphite

• Cedarwood

• Eraser

• Pencil Me In

• Sharpener

• Refill

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.