Mashable

TL;DR: Pay just $84.97 (reg. $159.99) to get a retro gaming console packed with thousands of classics, dual operating systems, 4K output, Wi-Fi, and easy plug-and-play fun for long winter nights.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator & Streaming Console $84.97
$159.99 Save $75.02   Get Deal

When winter eventually feels draggy, here’s a fun — and shockingly affordable — way to speed things up: the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro is just $84.97 through Jan. 11, and it’s basically a nostalgia machine disguised as a streaming box.

Plug it into your TV, and boom — thousands of pre-loaded retro and 3D games appear at your fingertips, spanning multiple generations of gaming.

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It’s powered by the S905X2 chip, Mali-G31MP2 GPU, and a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU up to 1.8GHz, which is tech speak for “your old favorites will run smoother than you remember.” The console even outputs in 4K UHD, giving classics a crisp upgrade. And because it supports 2.4G + 5G Wi-Fi, downloading extra 3D games or adding wireless controllers is effortless.

One of the coolest perks? You get two systems in one — Android 9.0 for apps and streaming, plus EmuELEC 4.5 for dedicated gaming. That means more flexibility, more entertainment, and more things to do when the weather says “stay inside.”

Multiplayer support also makes this little console a crowd-pleaser: break out Mario-style platformers, retro racing titles, fighting games, puzzlers, and more for instant living-room fun. And if you ever want to expand your library, the microSD slot lets you load even more games.

Whether you need a boredom buster, a nostalgic gift, or a winter hobby that doesn’t involve shoveling snow, this all-in-one retro powerhouse should be a contender.

Get the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro for just $84.97 (reg. $159.99) through Jan. 11 with free shipping.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Character.AI and Google have settled several lawsuits filed against both companies by parents of children who died by suicide following lengthy conversations with chatbots on the Character.AI platform. Their exchanges allegedly included concerning discussions of the teens' mental health and well-being.

Character.AI said it could not comment further on the settlement, the details of which must still be finalized by the court, according to The Guardian. Representatives for the plaintiffs did not respond immediately to a request for comment from Mashable.

The most prominent case involved the 2024 death of 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III, who became secretly obsessed with a Character.AI chatbot based on the popular Game of Thrones character Daenerys Targaryen.

SEE ALSO: 'Perfect predator': When chatbots sexually abuse kids

Setzer's mother, Megan Garcia, only became aware of his Character.AI account when alerted by a police officer following his death, because the app was open on his phone. Garcia read messages in which Setzer behaved as if he were in love with the chatbot, which allegedly role-played numerous sexual encounters with him. The chatbot used graphic language and scenarios, including incest, according to Garcia.

If an adult human had talked to her son similarly, she told Mashable last year, it would constitute sexual grooming and abuse. 

In October 2024, the Social Media Victims Law Center and Tech Justice Law Project filed a wrongful death suit on behalf of Garcia against Character.AI, seeking to hold the company responsible for the death of her son, alleging that its product was dangerously defective.

The filing also named as defendants the Google engineers Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas, Character.AI's cofounders.

Additionally, the lawsuit alleged that Google knew of concerning risks related to the technology Shazeer and De Freitas had developed before leaving to found Character.AI. Google contributed "financial resources, personnel, and AI technology" to Character.AI's design and development, according to the lawsuit, and thus could be considered a co-creator of the platform.

Google eventually struck a $2.7 billion licensing deal in 2024 with Character.AI to use its technology. Part of that agreement brought Shazeer and De Freitas back to AI roles at Google.

In fall 2025, the Social Media Victims Law Center filed three additional lawsuits against Character.AI and Google, representing the parents of children who died by suicide or allegedly experienced sexual abuse in the course of using the app.

Additionally, youth safety experts declared Character.AI unsafe for teens, following testing that yielded hundreds of instances of grooming and sexual exploitation of test accounts registered as minors. 

By October 2025, Character.AI announced that it would no longer allow minors to engage in open-ended exchanges with the chatbots on its platform. The company's CEO, Karandeep Anand, told Mashable the move was not in response to specific safety concerns involving Character.AI's platform but to address broader outstanding questions about youth engagement with AI chatbots. 

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

Every now and then, you'll come across a new piece of tech at CES that just immediately clicks, and you'll think to yourself, "This is actually genius."

CES 2026 was filled with robotics, AI, and other futuristic tech, yet one of the most impressive things I found was a pair of headphones that turn into speakers called Neo from a company called TDM.

TDM's CES 2026 booth Credit: Mashable

Or are they speakers that turn into headphones? TDM is going with the former by calling the Neo headphones first, but they are, in fact, both.

TDM Neo Hybrid Headphone Speakers are a pair of high-quality over-ear headphones that transform into speakers by simply bringing the two headphone sides together and twisting them until they snap into place. From there, your personal audio experience becomes one that can be shared by everyone around you.

TDM Neo Hybrid Headphone Speakers as headphones Credit: Mashable

The implementation of transitioning from headphones to speaker and vice versa was so simple, and more importantly, felt seamless. It worked with audio playing in your ears, and then automatically switched to the external audio source with a twist.

Twisting the TDM Neo Hybrid Headphone Speakers Credit: Mashable

Sometimes a two-in-one product looks natural in one form but odd in its alternative one, but that's not the case with the Neo headphones. The Neo looks stylish as both headphones and a speaker. Not to mention, they sounded great in both modes, too.

As an additional bonus, TDM realized that you may want to use the Neo in speaker form to store the device, making it more compact. The Neo can be programmed to pause all audio, in addition to other programmable options, when twisted in the speaker form.

Twisting the TDM Neo Hybrid Headphone Speakers as speakers Credit: Mashable

TDM states that the Neo can last for more than 200 hours in headphone mode and 10 hours in speaker mode on a full charge before needing to be plugged in.

Personally, the instant use case I thought of for the Neo headphones is when you want to share music with friends. Sometimes, you'll want to introduce a buddy to a new song or artist, so you share earbuds or hand over your headphones. But, with the TDM Neo headphones, you'd be able to twist your device into a speaker and experience the song — and their reaction — in real time with them.

Twisting the TDM Neo Hybrid Headphone Speakers look really slick Credit: Mashable

The TDM Neo Hybrid Headphone Speakers will go on sale later this month for $249, with black and white color options available.

When it comes to the best things that Mashable saw at CES, TDM’s Neo headphones are definitely up high on my personal list.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

There's a second acronym constantly looming above the floor of any CES: TBD. That's the most info we have about a good chunk of products announced at CES 2026 so far. "Coming soon" could mean next month to some brands and next year to others. Sometimes, we don't even know if these debuted products will ever make it out of the prototype phase.

SEE ALSO: CES 2026: This AI bartender called me old, but it makes one hell of a drink

While no one is asking for LG's laundry-folding robot to be sold at Target or anything, a few more tangible gadgets with no waiting period would be nice. As of Jan. 9, the last official day of CES, several of our favorite new gadgets are already available to buy (or at least preorder). More recent announcements could go live for purchase in the days following the event, so we'll be updating this list through the weekend.

1. TCL X11L SQD-Mini LED TV

TCL's big TV announcement wasn't just another RGB TV like we were expecting from all of the major TV brands. That doesn't mean the new TCL TV isn't going to give Samsung or LG's Micro RGB TVs a run for their money. The TCL X11L is an SQD-Mini LED 4K TV, SQD standing for Super Quantum Dot: a pure white light strewn across an advanced layer of quantum dots instead of the true red, green, and blue light sources used in RGB TVs. The goal is the same: to produce ultra-high peak brightness, typically only possible with QLED and mini-LED panels, and pristine black levels and contrast, typically only possible with OLED panels, all at the same time.

The TCL X11L is available in 75, 85, and 98 inches, but only the $7,999.99 85-inch model is available to add to your cart to preorder at TCL's website. (The other two have prices, but are "out of stock.")

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 85-inch X11L SQD-Mini LED 4K TV $7,999.99 at TCL
  Shop Now 2. DuRoBo Krono e-reader

A major player has entered the e-reader villa, and it's speaking directly to people who really value portability. DuRoBo unveiled its 6.1-inch Krono e-reader at CES 2026, and several specs make it a worthy Kindle or Kobo alternative. Despite its pocket-sized build (that's smaller than the basic Kindle), the Krono packs 128GB of storage compared to the 32GB e-readers typically have. It also has Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in speaker, and a 300 ppi resolution HD display. Shopping reporter Samantha Mangino says "it bridges the gap between a tablet and e-reader and, with black and white displays, potentially makes it less tempting to scroll."

The Krono e-paper device is available for $279.99 on DuRoBo's website.

Opens in a new window Credit: DuRoBo DuRoBo Krono e-reader $279.99 at DuRoBo
  Shop Now 3. Dell XPS laptops

Dell is back to its XPS roots after trying to make "Dell Premium" happen for the past year, and select 14-inch and 16-inch configurations are already available for purchase. (The same can't be said for Dell's new Alienware gaming laptops, which we know nothing about except for the fact that they exist). The 2026 XPS PCs are Dell's thinnest ever at these sizes, with the XPS logo cemented on the lid of each. Other upgrades include three modular Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports and a long-awaited function row with physical keys.

As of Jan. 6, you can find the Dell XPS 14 starting at $2,049.99 and the Dell XPS 16 starting at $2,199.99. More variants priced under $2,000 are slated to launch in February.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Dell XPS 14 and XPS 16 $2,049.99 at Dell
  Shop Now 4. Soundcore Sleep A30 Special sleep earbuds

It's only been since August that Soundcore released the Sleep A30 earbuds, which were the first sleep earbuds with true active noise cancellation at the time. Lead shopping reporter Bethany Allard referred to them as the gold standard for premium sleep earbuds after testing them, her only real complaint being the nine-hour battery life (six and a half with Bluetooth on). That's what Anker set out to fix with the "Special" version — you'll get an additional hour of juice (plus Calm app integration) at a lower price point than the OG $229.99 pair.

The Soundcore Sleep A30 Special sleep earbuds can be pre-ordered for $199.99 in four colors: mist lilac, lunar white, moonlit white, or mist green.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Sleep A30 Special $199.99 at Soundcore
  Pre-order Here 5. Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete robot vacuum

Dreame dropped most of its new flagship vacuum lineup in August, but the one Dreame robot vacuum held for CES is more exciting for several reasons. Compared to the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller, which has been available for a few months, the X60 Max Ultra is now tied with new Roborocks for the strongest suction power of any robot vacuum (35,000 Pa vs. the Aqua10's 30,000 Pa). Somehow, the extra juice didn't require a bigger body — the X60 Max Ultra is significantly less clunky, measuring just over three inches tall.

The most fun upgrade, though, is a front-facing blue light that's said to illuminate debris and spills on the floor in front of it and then vacuum or mop accordingly. The new Dyson robot vacuum, allegedly set to release in 2026, is reportedly equipped with a similar light and reactive cleaning technique, but its release is taking forever.

Through Jan. 25, the X60 Max Ultra Complete can be preordered from Dreame's website for special early bird pricing of $1,359.99. That's $340 off its $1,699.99 MSRP, plus $410 in free gifts.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete $1,359.99
$1,699.99 Save $340 save $340 plus $410 in gifts with early bird access Shop Now 6. A vibrating chef's knife

The CES home tech arena has quite the range, from smart lights and ever-evolving robot vacuums to concepts for straight-up robot butlers. Kitchen tech is somewhere on that spectrum. Last year, it was the Electric Salt Spoon. This year, Seattle Ultrasonics is aiming to streamline at-home meal prep with the C-200 Ultrasonic Chef's Knife. The 8-inch blade is already quite sharp on its own, but with the press of a button, 30,000 sonic vibrations per minute make the knife feel sharper than it physically is. Allegedly, the amount of effort required on your end should be chopped in half, even on tricky ingredients like bread or winter squashes.

Senior shopping reporter Haley Henschel got to try it firsthand on the ground at CES, noting that it sliced like a dream. "I had no trouble getting it to cut paper-thin pieces of tomato with a light touch. Seattle Ultrasonics' rep likened it to riding a bike versus pedaling an e-bike in that it makes your experience more effortless."

The C-200 UltraSonic Chef's Knife is available to pre-order for $399 at Seattle Ultrasonic's website.

Opens in a new window Credit: Seattle Ultrasonics C-200 Ultrasonic Chef's Knife $399 at Seattle Ultrasonics
  Shop Now 7. Xreal 1S glasses

Xreal debuted the Xreal One Pro AR glasses at CES 2025, but they were pretty impossible to come by until they finally became available at Amazon and Best Buy at the end of August. Just months later, there's already another new (and more affordable) pair from Xreal on the market. The Xreal 1S glasses can convert 2D games and videos to 3D using 3D spatial technology, plus the help of boosted specs over older Xreal models. These include a 500-inch spatial screen (compared to 147 inches on the Xreal One) and 1200p HD resolution (compared to 1080p on the Xreal One and One Pro).

Despite all of the improvements and a fun new cobalt color option, the Xreal 1S glasses are cheaper than both other pairs. They're available to buy for $449 at Xreal's website.

Opens in a new window Credit: XREAL Xreal 1S $449 at Xreal
  Shop Now 8. Dreamie phone-free sleep device

If you dig the concept of cutting your screen time with the Brick, then this anti-doomscrolling sleep device might be another to add to your list. It's a sunrise alarm clock like Hatch — but unlike Hatch, which is extremely dependent on the corresponding app to set up sleep sounds, calming lights, and wakeup times, you don't need a phone to program Dreamie alarms or sleep audio at all. (It's also Bluetooth compatible, if you prefer headphones before bed.) In the morning, Dreamie will gently wake you up with a gradual glow aimed to mimic sunrise.

After a successful Kickstarter campaign, the Dreamie is available for purchase at helloambient.com for $249.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ambient Dreamie $249.99 at helloambient.com
  Shop Now 9. Skylight Calendar 2

Still feel chaotic despite religious use of your phone's calendar app? Let Skylight's CES launch convince you to switch to a WiFi-connected calendar on your counter or desk — the original is a Mashable Choice Award winner for a reason. The Skylight Calendar 2 comes with interchangeable magnetic frames and an adjustable, tilt-able tabletop stand, and is thinner than the last 15-inch model. It also has rounded edges like the Calendar Max.

Right now, you can grab a limited-edition brass frame version (a collab with Joanna Gaines' brand, to be exact) of the Calendar 2 at Target for $339.99, or wait until February for the $299.99 standard version.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skylight Credit: Target Skylight Calendar 2 Antique Brass - Hearth & Hand with Magnolia $339.99 at Target
  Shop Now 10. Shokz OpenFit Pro open earbuds

Lead shopping reporter Bethany Allard already thought that Shokz's OpenDots One were the best open earbuds for most people. Then, Shokz introduced a completely new pair at CES, and these ones are the first Shokz pair to feature open-ear noise reduction. The Shokz OpenFit Pro earbuds are estimated to be able to quiet external noise by about 12 to 16dB at the default setting of 50 percent power (but that can be adjusted in the app). The OpenFit Pro are also equipped with two Dolby Atmos speakers per ear for an even better listening experience.

The OpenFit Pro can be preordered at Best Buy and the Shokz website for $249.95 and will be available for purchase from Amazon in March.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shokz Shokz OpenFit Pro $249.95 at Best Buy
  Shop Now 11. Samsung Movingstyle portable 4K TV and monitor

Samsung showcased two really unique, completely different TVs at CES 2026: An absurd 130-inch Micro RGB TV and... a much more practical option. The Samsung Movingstyle is a wireless 4K display that can work as a TV or monitor, depending on the type of screen you need that day. It can be wheeled between rooms on its rolling base or transported by the handle, then propped up on the most convenient flat surface with the built-in kickstand. Imagine a YouTube workout or DIY recipe video on a screen bigger than your phone.

There are two versions of the Movingstyle, both of which have quietly been available for purchase since November. The 32-inch non-touchscreen model is on sale for $579.99 (regularly $699.99) at Samsung's website, and the $1,199.99 27-inch touchscreen model has been in and out of stock during the week of CES.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Movingstyle M7 (32-inch) $579.99 at Samsung
$699.99 Save $120   Shop Now Honorable mention: Birdfy Bath Pro

Though we were first introduced to the Birdfy Bath Pro at CES 2025, it still made an appearance at Birdfy's CES 2026 booth — complete with a sign showcasing its 2026 Innovation Award. So while we wait for Birdfy's 2026 smart hummingbird feeder and its slow-motion 4K video to come out, it's worthwhile to refresh your memory about this other delightful staple for any bird-friendly backyard setup. The solar-powered Bath Pro also has a camera and garnered ridiculously positive reviews during its first year on the market. It would make a great gift for mom or dad (or a gift for pets who like to watch out the window).

You can buy the Birdfy Bath Pro on sale for $299.99 at Birdfy's website, saving you $50 off its original $349.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Birdfy Birdfy Bath Pro $299.99 at Birdfy
$349.99 Save $50   Shop Now