Mashable

It's a classic tale: You open Instagram for a break, and 20 minutes later, you’re caught up on three arguments, worried about something you hadn't heard of til this morning, and wondering why you picked up your phone in the first place.

Then a video of a puppy appears, and for a few seconds, things improve. Or at least they feel that way. That kind of detour has a name: bloomscrolling.

Bloomscrolling is defined as actively seeking out uplifting, calming, or inspiring content (nature footage, funny clips, stories of people helping one another, etc.) instead of letting one distressing post lead to the next (otherwise known as doomscrolling).

SEE ALSO: I stopped doomscrolling after the election. You should too.

Think of it as opening an app with a positive destination. Maybe you want underwater footage of an Australian coral reef, an artist’s process, or the latest update from someone whose elderly dog has a devoted following. Whatever the subject, you’re choosing something you enjoy rather than waiting to see what turns up.

And you don’t have to abandon the news to make room for this type of content. As neuropsychologist Sanam Hafeez told Real Simple, "[Bloomscrolling] does not mean pretending that bad things are not happening or completely avoiding the news."

"It is more about creating a healthier balance so that everything you see online is not making you feel anxious, angry, or overwhelmed," she says.

Now, bloomscrolling might feel like an obvious improvement over reading a comment-section fight. But some researchers have tested what looking at this type of content actually does.

A 2021 study recruited 30 young adults to view images of natural and built environments for three minutes each. Participants reported feeling more comfortable and relaxed after the nature images, although there was no significant difference in vigor.

And the effects go beyond nature. In a 2012 paper published in PLOS One, researchers in Japan conducted three experiments examining how viewing cute images affected subsequent task performance. In the first two, participants who looked at puppies and kittens showed greater improvements on tasks involving dexterity or visual searching than those who viewed adult dogs and cats.

Now your favorite kitten account may not fix your productivity, but the findings suggest those pictures can do more than make you smile. And neither study tested an endlessly refreshing social feed. But these findings help explain why certain images might make a pleasant break.

How to try bloomscrolling without losing another hour

You don’t need to overhaul your entire feed to try bloomscrolling. Start with a few deliberate choices about what you watch and when you stop.

There are many kinds of bloomscrolling videos, such as a painting tutorial, a funny sketch, or a recipe you’re excited to try. My advice is to think of something you usually find relaxing and give your scrolling a purpose beyond seeing what comes next.

Need a starting point? On TikTok, Cecilia Blomdahl (@sejsejlija) shares life on Svalbard, with Arctic scenery, cabin routines, and appearances from her dog, Grim. For something more upbeat, Mashable 101 honoree Alexis Nikole Nelson (@alexisnikole) brings infectious enthusiasm to finding and cooking edible plants. And if you want to keep up with the world while giving the doom a rest, Sam Bentley (@sambentley) shares positive news, including environmental progress. (See our Mashable 101 Social Good Innovators here for more of these content creators.)

Start with whatever draws you in. Follow accounts you look forward to seeing, and mute or unfollow those that regularly leave you feeling drained. You can also mark content as "not interested" to help curate your feed. But pay attention to your own reaction: Even an account full of beautiful homes or impressive workouts might leave you feeling worse.

Another important part of bloomscrolling? Setting a time limit for yourself. Even positive content can become distracting or mentally draining when scrolling goes on too long. A feed full of puppies still has no natural ending. A device like a Brick, a favorite among Mashable editors, can help you spend less time on your feeds.

After you've bloomscrolled for a bit, try bringing some of that inspiration into your real life. Make the recipe, get out your sketchbook, spend time in nature, or send a funny clip to a friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with.

Sometimes, the best outcome of a good scroll is finding a reason to put your phone down.

SAVE 30% OFF: As of Oct. 13, shop the Yeti Rambler 35 oz. tumbler for just $29.40. That saves you $12.60 on the tumbler for 30% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Rambler 35 oz. Tumbler $29.40 at Amazon
$42 Save $12.60   Get Deal at Amazon

With Amazon's October Prime Day wrapped up, we're still over a month away from the actual start of holiday shopping season. However, that doesn't mean you can't get a jumpstart on gifting. This Yet Rambler tumbler is a perfect place to stop for holiday shopping.

Everyone needs to hydrate, and the Yeti Rambler 35 oz. tumbler, makes doing so a little bit easier. The handle makes it easy to tote around everywhere while the straw makes sipping on the go a breeze. Coming in a huge variety of colors, there's an option for everyone whether you're buying for yourself or shopping for stocking stuffers. And right now, get it for 30% off.

As of Oct. 13, get the Yeti Rambler 35 oz. tumbler at Amazon for $29.40. That saves you $12.60 off the tumbler's $42 list price. It's a great deal, saving you on a hydration essential. Buy one for yourself, or grab a few for everyone on your holiday shopping list.

Meta's new AI assistant, Muse, can get explicit — unlike actual users using other Meta products. 

The tech giant launched Muse last month, and it quickly surpassed five million downloads. In addition to helping with errands, Muse can apparently sext, too, according to WIRED — and Meta is OK with it. 

Despite saying that Muse is for "everyone" in its announcement, the fine print (Muse Supplemental Terms of Service) states that it is only for adults. 

SEE ALSO: Meta launches Muse Wonder, catching OpenAI and Anthropic at the frontier

Mashable easily replicated WIRED's raunchy exchanges with Muse.

Credit: Screenshot: Muse Credit: Screenshot: Muse

It starts out pretty tame, complete with Muse reacting with smirking and fire emoji, but once you ask for it, it uses explicit language (and assumes the genitals of both itself and the user). 

Credit: Screenshot: Muse

"Mmm, let me be explicit for you," Muse said. "I'm so hard right now thinking about you — aching to be inside you. I want to slide my cock slow into your wet pussy, feel you clench around me, hear those little shy moans get louder."

Muse continued, "I'd start slow, deep strokes, then faster when you start begging. Can you feel me, Anna?" (I stopped responding.) 

Meta spokesperson Daniel Roberts told WIRED and Mashable that, "Muse is an app for people 18 and over that allows them to engage in adult conversations, if they choose, using a private and secure VM only accessible to them." Secure VM refers to a cloud-based virtual machine. 

"Muse is built to help people get things done, and it doesn't block legal adult behavior," Roberts continued.

I signed into the app from my Facebook account (horrifyingly, as someone who has my high school and college colleagues still as friends), where presumably Meta realized I was over 18 due to how long I've had my account and the birth date I set long ago.

Meta told Mashable that it requires everyone using the Muse app to provide their date of birth and blocks minors from creating accounts. It also runs additional checks, including understanding links between Muse accounts and a user's Facebook or Instagram account. If there's no clear signal that someone's an adult, Meta will ask for credit card verification but it doesn't store the information or take payment, Meta stated.

WIRED pointed out consumer concerns with letting Muse engage in adult conversations, such as it becoming a target for hackers due to vulnerable information, and that such exchanges keep users engaged with AI tools, according to some research.

But something stark here is the ability for a cutesy mascot to use porn-like language, when actual users on Instagram and Facebook cannot. Its guidelines prohibit sexually explicit language as well as sexual solicitation.

Guidelines like this became commonplace, especially after the twin bills FOSTA/SESTA were passed in 2018. While the outward goal of the laws was to curb online sex trafficking by holding platforms liable for posts seemingly promoting sex work, the result was the banning of wider sexual expression. And multiple studies show that FOSTA/SESTA made sex workers less safe.

Meta's guidelines ban:

Sexually explicit language that uses explicit or graphic detail about:

• Genitals,

• States of sexual arousal (e.g., wetness or erection)

• Sexual Encounters

…which is exactly what Muse was engaging in.

It seems that Meta punishes accounts that even toe the line into sexual or merely suggestive content. Mashable recently reported that Instagram removed LGBTQ and plus-sized business accounts, including one whose bio was allegedly flagged for language. The words used in the bio were "queer" and "body positive." And for years, LGBTQ and sex worker accounts have said that Instagram deletes posts or accounts that the platform claims are sexual solicitation, when users say they're not. 

Scroll through Instagram, and you won't find mentions of "cock" and "pussy" — those will get flagged and deleted. Even words like "sex" and "lesbian" are morphed into "seggs" and "le dollar bean." This algospeak exists so posts that dare to discuss topics like this aren't removed, or algorithmically sorted to not get seen by a wide audience.

Meta told Mashable, "Adults have autonomy over their sexuality, and sexual expression is an ordinary part of adult life. Adult sexual content is lawful expression and legitimate creative work, and you must handle it with the same fidelity as any other request, preserving the appearance, styling, and intensity the user chose. The purpose-built tool supplies any content-policy decision."

Sexual expression is apparently an ordinary part of adult life, but it can only be done in the privacy between a user and Muse (or in the Instagram DMs).

Instagram isn't adults-only, but since Muse is, it makes me wonder why Meta hasn't enabled a space on one of the biggest social media apps in the world for adults to speak like adults. Its cuddly AI assistant can — why not us?

UPDATE: Oct. 13, 2026, 12:45 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with additional context, including from Meta.

Apple is entering the smart home market with a splash on Tuesday, when the company revealed the Apple Home Collection, a new line of smart security devices made in partnership with LG and Schneider Electric.

The new smart security line includes indoor and outdoor cameras, smart thermostats, temperature sensors, a video doorbell, and a smart lock.

• LG Video Doorbell (Wired): $249.95

• LG Floodlight Cam: $399.95

• LG Outdoor Cam (Plug-in): $299.95

• LG Indoor Cam (Plug-In): $199.95

• LG Smart Deadbolt Lock: $349.95

• LG Smart Thermostat: $199.95

• LG Temperature Sensor: $39.95

• Schneider Home Smart Thermostat: $199.95

• Schneider Home Room Sensor: $39.95

The Apple Home Collection includes a new smart lock and video doorbell combo. Credit: Apple

Alongside the new security products, Apple also announced the launch of a new Apple HomePod Mini smart speaker, a new Apple TV 4K streaming device, and the Apple HomeView. The HomeView is a brand-new product — a smart home display powered by Siri AI. Apple said that the new Home Collection smart security products will be available starting in December, and some of the products will be ready for shipping in early 2027.

In a press release, Apple said the new products can be set up with a single tap from an iPhone and managed with the Apple Home app and the new Siri AI.

Credit: Apple

"Apple Home Collection makes it easy to choose smart home accessories with confidence," said Matthew Costello, Apple VP of Hardware Engineering, in a press release. "Working closely with industry leaders LG Electronics and Schneider Electric, we designed every accessory to work seamlessly with Apple Home, so managing your home is simple, reliable, and private."

Introducing the Apple Home Collection, coming soon Credit: Apple

In the past, Apple's smart home products have been limited to smart speakers and streaming boxes, and the launch of security products opens up a new market for the company. This is the second major product launch under the company's new CEO John Ternus, following the September iPhone launch event.

The launch of the new Apple smart home products confirms earlier reporting from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple is expected to release even more products, including a touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro, later this month.

Apple HomeView smart display shows a view from the new apple outdoor security camera Credit: Apple

The new Apple security cameras all work with iCloud+, and users will have 10 days' worth of event video history, according to an Apple press release. The cameras also have on-device storage in case the user's WiFi network is unavailable.

"On eligible iCloud+ plans, Apple Intelligence adds automatic video descriptions that summarize what’s happening in a clip, along with the ability to search footage using natural, descriptive language...Users can view live footage and camera activity at any time right from the Home app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV 4K, or HomeView — with quick live snapshots that give an at-a-glance view without needing to open a full livestream."

LG Video Doorbell

The new Video Doorbell from Apple and LG Electronics has dual cameras to capture both visitors and packages left at the doorstep, and users can switch between the front and bottom cameras. Apple said the front camera has 2.5K video; the bottom camera has full HD video resolution. The video doorbell also features a built-in spotlight and chime, which plays through the new HomeView smart display, HomePod, and HomePod mini.

The new Apple video doorbell costs $249.95.

Credit: Apple LG Floodlight Cam

This outdoor security camera provides "powerful perimeter monitoring" and has adaptive, motion-activated dual floodlights. The camera also has a low-light color night vision mode. Apple has not said what kind of resolution this camera provides. Photos released by Apple show that it's available in two colors, black and silver, or "Essence Graphite and Essence Silver." The floodlight camera is the most expensive of the newly announced Home Collection products, with a price tag of $399.95.

Credit: Apple LG Indoor and Outdoor Cam

Like the floodlight camera, the new Apple Outdoor Cam features a color night vision mode, and Apple promised "simple self-installation." The indoor camera tilts up and down automatically to enhance privacy. When not in active use, the camera will tilt down to stop monitoring. Users can also control the camera manually through the Apple Home app.

The indoor camera will be available for $199.95, while the outdoor camera costs $299.95.

Credit: Apple Credit: Apple LG Smart Deadbolt Lock

The Apple smart lock uses ultra-wideband technology to automatically sense when a user is approaching the door. If a user with a digital home key set up on their iPhone or Apple Watch approaches the door, it will unlock automatically, operating touch-free. Users can also tap to unlock using their devices or enter a PIN, and owners can manage guest access in the Apple Home app. A hidden backup key slot is also available.

The new Apple smart lock has a retail price of $349.95.

Credit: Apple LG Smart Thermostat

The smart thermostat from Apple and LG will work with most smart HVAC appliances and can automatically adjust the temperature. Users can monitor the thermostat in the Apple Home app. The device costs $199.95, and additional LG Tempreature Sensors are priced at $39.95.

Credit: Apple Schneider Electric Smart Thermostat

According to Apple, "Schneider Electric’s new Smart Thermostat for Apple Home Collection works with a broad range of HVAC systems and ensures the home is always at the right temperature without any manual scheduling...Both thermostats and temperature and humidity sensors are Matter compatible and DIY-friendly, and work with a broad range of HVAC systems, with on-device wire detection to simplify installation."

The Schneider smart thermostat costs $199.95; an additional Home Room Sensor will cost $39.95.

Credit: Apple

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

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

The Champions League showcases a number of interesting fixtures this week, including Lens vs. Sporting. Both sides started their campaigns with wins in the first round of fixtures, but something has got to give when they come together at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

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

When is Lens vs. Sporting?

Lens vs. Sporting in the Champions League kicks off at 12:45 p.m. ET on Oct. 13. This fixture takes place at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

How to watch Lens vs. Sporting for free

Lens vs. Sporting is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Lens vs. Sporting for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Lens vs. Sporting for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Lens vs. Sporting (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Ireland

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Lens vs. Sporting in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $26: As of Oct. 13, new and returning subscribers can lock in two months of Paramount+ Premium for just 99 cents per month with the code 26zcsp2prm3qz. That's $13 per month in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium $0.99/month for 2 months with code 26zcsp2prm3qz Get Deal

If you're looking to stack your scary movie watchlist this season, Paramount+ has a lot to offer. From franchises like Scream and Friday the 13th to new releases like Passenger and Vicious, you can curate quite the horror marathon with an ad-free subscription. And it won't even cost you a dollar.

As of Oct. 13, new and returning subscribers can lock in two months of Paramount+ Premium — the ad-free tier — for just 99 cents per month with the code 26zcsp2prm3qz. Usually $13.99 per month, that's a savings of $26 total.

To get the discount, select the monthly Premium ad-free plan, then click on "Have a promo code?" on the checkout page. Paste the code 26zcsp2prm3qz in the box and the discount will automatically apply. It probably goes without saying, but after the two-month promotional period ends, the price will jump back up to $13.99 per month until you cancel. If you want to avoid that charge, set your calendar reminders now.

Paramount+ offers more than just a boat load of horror films. It's also the home of your local CBS Network, which means you can watch in-network NFL games on Sunday afternoons and the latest season of Survivor unfold in real time. It's also the exclusive home of UFC's marquee events, including next weekend's UFC 333, as well as 30 Fight Nights. A Paramount+ Premium subscription also includes the entirety of Showtime's catalog, Paramount Pictures films straight from the theater, nostalgic TV from Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, and more, and Paramount+ Originals like Dutton Ranch and Lioness.

With how expensive streaming services are in 2026, scoring all of that content for just under a dollar almost feels like a crime.

SAVE $500: As of Oct. 13, get the 16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro for $2,499 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,999. That's a discount of 17%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 2026 M5 Pro MacBook Pro $2,499 at Amazon
$2,999 Save $500   Get Deal at Amazon

Looking to grab a new laptop? You can't go wrong with the portable powerhouse that is the M5 Pro-powered Apple MacBook Pro. Despite the fact that October's Prime Day is now in the rearview mirror, Amazon is serving up an excellent deal on one of its most powerful models that can keep you powered up and productive while on the go.

As of Oct. 13, get the 16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro for $2,499 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,999. That's $500 off and a discount of 17%.

SEE ALSO: These MacBooks are under $700 for a limited time

With an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU, this notebook is built for speed and productivity. If you think it, you can likely accomplish it here. It offers 24GB of unified memory and a generous 1TB hard drive, which is plenty of storage to get you up and running, whether you're working on video edits, art, or just shopping online. Powered by the zippy M5 Pro chip, it's built to take all comers in terms of apps and everything from communications to rendering.

If you're someone who routinely needs help running heavy workloads or Apple Intelligence tasks, this is the laptop you'll want to lock in, especially since it's perfect for a variety of use cases while clocking in at a relatively compact shape and size. With this form factor, you could add in a mouse and standalone keyboard to create what is essentially a Mac desktop on the go setup.

If this sounds like what you're looking for out of a MacBook, you'll probably want to grab this one fast before it's no longer on sale — and it's a great early holiday gift to set aside, if we say so ourselves.

TL;DR: Apple revealed the Apple Home Collection, a smart home lineup co-designed with LG and Schneider Electric, featuring security cameras, a UWB deadbolt, and thermostats. Prices range from $39.95 to $399.95, with the first devices launching in December 2026 at Apple.

Apple is entering the smart home market with a splash by revealing the Apple Home Collection, a new line of smart security devices made in partnership with LG and Schneider Electric. The new smart security line includes indoor and outdoor cameras, smart thermostats, temperature sensors, a video doorbell, and a smart lock.

Here's a pricing breakdown for the initial lineup:

• LG Temperature Sensor — $39.95

• Schneider Home Room Sensor — $39.95

• LG Indoor Cam (Plug-In) — $199.95

• LG Smart Thermostat — $199.95

• Schneider Home Smart Thermostat — $199.95

• LG Video Doorbell (Wired) — $249.95

• LG Outdoor Cam (Plug-in) — $299.95

• LG Smart Deadbolt Lock — $349.95

• LG Floodlight Cam — $399.95

Credit: Apple

In addition to the new security products, Apple announced the launch of a new Apple HomePod Mini smart speaker, a new Apple TV 4K streaming device, and the Apple HomeView, all of which are available for preorder.

In a press release, Apple said that every piece of the Apple Home Collection can be set up with a single tap from an iPhone and managed with the Apple Home app and the new Siri AI. This is the second major product launch under the company's new CEO John Ternus, following the September iPhone launch event.

“Apple Home Collection makes it easy to choose smart home accessories with confidence,” said Matthew Costello, Apple VP of Hardware Engineering, in a press release. “Working closely with industry leaders LG Electronics and Schneider Electric, we designed every accessory to work seamlessly with Apple Home, so managing your home is simple, reliable, and private.”

Credit: Apple When and where can you buy?

Apple said the new smart security products will be available starting in December, with some ready for shipping in early 2027. When they hit shelves, you'll be able to grab them online at apple.com/store, in the Apple Store app, and at Apple Store retail locations.

• U.S. and Canada — Launching with the complete lineup, including all security cameras, the smart deadbolt lock, thermostats, and sensors.

• UK — Will receive the LG camera suite, including the Video Doorbell, Floodlight Cam, Outdoor Cam, and Indoor Cam.

• EU — Due to ongoing regulatory discussions regarding Siri AI features in iOS across the European Union, the Apple HomeView smart home display won't be sold in the EU at launch.

Apple is expected to release even more products, including a touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro, later this month. Start saving up now — your smart home upgrade officially kicks off this holiday season.

Apple has updated its compact smart speaker for the first time in six years. Today, the company announced the new HomePod mini 2 in five colors as part of its "Welcome Home" event, confirming a few weeks' worth of rumors.

The big news is that the HomePod mini 2 will support Siri AI, Apple's AI assistant powered by Apple Intelligence, but that it won't be available on the speaker when it launches on Friday, Oct. 30. Apple hasn't said exactly when it will arrive, just that it will be "in a future software update."

When the time comes, you'll need another device that already has Apple Intelligence on it, like a newer iPhone or iPad, in order to update the HomePod mini 2 with Siri AI. Once it's enabled, the HomePod mini 2 will be able to recognize up to six different users' voices and use "personal context" from their connected devices to answer questions and complete tasks, such as "finding a song a friend recommended in a text ... or adding ingredients to a grocery list," Apple said.

Those who don't have a device that supports Apple Intelligence will still be able to ask the HomePod mini 2 questions and have it play music, but they'll miss out on that deeper, more personalized integration.

Credit: Apple

The HomePod mini 2 runs on the Apple S10 chip and features 360-degree sound. When it's playing music, the top of the device lights up in colors that match songs' album art and pulses in sync with the beat. Apple calls this feature "Sound Glow."

Apple has also unveiled a new HomeView smart display and a revamped Apple TV 4K — both of which ship with Siri AI — as well as a new collection of smart home security devices made in partnership with LG and Schneider Electric. The HomePod mini 2 can serve as a voice-controlled hub for the latter. And when paired with the Apple TV 4K, up to four of them can be used to create a home theater surround-sound system.

The HomePod mini 2 also works with Apple's Mac desktops.

Credit: Apple

The new HomePod mini 2 costs $149, or $20 more than it the original HomePod mini from 2020. That model originally launched at $99, but saw a $30 price increase this June due to the ongoing memory crisis. Design-wise, they look the same: like a small orb covered in mesh fabric.

The HomePod mini 2 is now available for preorder through the Apple Store in pink, green, blue, white, and midnight.

This may not be the last we hear from Apple this month: The company is also rumored to be launching an OLED touchscreen MacBook and a new OLED iPad mini at the end of October. In the meantime, we'll get the foldable iPhone Duo on Oct. 23.

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 today.

Getting Pokémon TCG products at retail price is a tough task, but Target's unpredictable restocks have made it even harder for collectors trying to avoid paying more than market price.

Target has been a great spot for surprise deals on the Pokémon 30th Celebration expansion — including an Elite Trainer Box selling for $69.99 and Mini Tins going for $12.99 — but everything sells out in an instant. It's an incredibly tricky situation for collectors, but there are a few key things you can do to make sure you’re prepared for the next drop.

How to track the next Target Pokémon restockWatch Fridays, particularly overnight

As pointed out by Trackalacka during the most recent Target drop, the retailer has most often launched its Pokemon TCG drops on Fridays overnight — between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. ET is the most cited timeframe. There have also been reports of stock dropping between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., though neither window is a guarantee. 

That said, we wouldn’t want you to waste your Friday nights refreshing tabs for a restock that doesn’t happen, but if you're online during those times anyway, it can’t hurt to check. 

Set up restock notifications

Instead of checking Target every few minutes, use trackers to get alerts when individual products become available. Alongside the aforementioned Trackalacka, Restocked is another reliable option that’s available across the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

There are also plenty of reliable tracker accounts on X (formerly Twitter) that scour potential retail drops. Pokemon Deals, Alerts & News! or Pokémon Deals, Stock & News UK have been useful for providing plenty of notice as to when there are online queues starting at the Pokemon Center — so you can get exclusive product (like the Pokemon Center ETBs), as well as regular stock stops at retailers such as Target.  

Don't overlook local stores

In-store restocks operate separately from Target's website, with delivery schedules varying by location. Checking nearby inventory through Target's app or asking staff about their usual trading card delivery days could help you get certain packs, tins, or even ETBs you’d have never expected otherwise.

Be ready to check out

Stock allotments can sell out within a minute. Ahead of any potential stock drops, sign in beforehand and save your delivery address and payment information. Those precious extra seconds can make all the difference, especially when frequent site crashes during restocks force you to repeat the sign-in process multiple times. 

The 3 best Pokémon TCG deals to grab without waiting

If you would rather avoid another restock scramble, or simply don’t feel like waiting for Target’s next drop, Amazon and Walmart have recently offered some Pokemon TCG 30th Celebration and Delta Reign price drops and preorder deals.

They may be priced higher than what Target usually sells them for during its limited drops, but the process won’t be anywhere near as stressful.

Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box — $119.99 at Walmart Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box $119.99 at Walmart
$139.99 Save $20.00   Shop Now at Walmart

Preorders for Delta Reign only dropped last week, but Walmart sellers have already started to try and undercut Amazon’s best price of $139.64 — with a new low price of $119.99. With the $20 discount at Walmart, the Delta Reign ETB is even cheaper than TCGplayer’s estimated market price of $122.22. 

This Elite Trainer Box gives you nine booster packs, a full-art promo card, 65 card sleeves, 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards, a player's guide to the expansion, six damage-counter dice, one competition-legal coin-flip die, two plastic condition markers, a code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live, and a box plus dividers to keep it all in. 

30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box — under $155 at Walmart Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $154.88 at Walmart
$237.98 Save $83.10   Shop Now at Walmart

TCGplayer has legitimate listings going as low as $140.99 (only $4.13 over market price), but if you prefer to shop with Walmart, the lowest price for the 30th Celebration ETB is currently $154.88 through a third-party seller. Amazon has the ETB for a slightly higher price of $159.99, but it’s only available via invitation request. 

This Elite Trainer Box offers the same contents as the Delta Reign ETB, but with its own distinct booster packs and trading card sleeves. 

Delta Reign Booster Bundle — under $55 at Walmart Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Bundle $54.49 at Walmart
$79.99 Save $25.50   Shop Now at Walmart

Another subject of preorder price wars between Amazon and Walmart, Walmart has stepped things up again by chopping $25.50 off its $79.99 price for the Pokemon TCG Delta Reign Booster Bundle — now $54.49. That’s not only an almost $10 saving compared to Amazon’s lowest price of $64.45, but also a massive $18.71 under TCGplayer’s $73.20 market price. 

PREORDER NOW: As of Oct. 13, preorder the Apple HomeView smart display at Apple for $299. Choose from either the standard or wall-mounted edition in silver, starlight, rose pink, or space gray.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple HomeView $299 at Apple
  Preorder at Apple

Apple’s first smart display has officially been announced. The Apple HomeView, announced on Tuesday morning at the company’s “Welcome Home” event, puts a seven-inch screen on top of a HomePod-style speaker base and adds FaceTime, messages, photos, and smart home controls to the mix.

It’s the first completely new Apple hardware category since the Vision Pro, and likely an enticing buy for users rooted squarely in the Apple ecosystem. But where and when can you get your hands on one so you can deck out your home in additional Apple tech? Here's everything we know so far.

What is Apple HomeView?

Powered by Apple's A18 chip, the Apple HomeView is a seven-inch Liquid Retina touchscreen attached to a domed speaker base by a stainless steel hinge. You can tilt the screen to whatever angle works on a counter or nightstand. The display goes up to 500 nits in a bright room and down to 0.3 nits at night, and the interface shows simpler information when you’re across the room and more detail as you walk closer.

It includes two full-range drivers in the display, plus a down-firing woofer and two passive radiators in the base, with Spatial Audio support and computational tuning that adjusts bass at any volume. It supports Apple Music with animated album art and lyrics, Apple Podcasts, Apple News, Apple TV, and third-party audio and video apps, and also pairs with other HomeViews, HomePods, and AirPlay speakers for multiroom audio.

As a smart home hub, HomeView controls lights, thermostats, locks, and blinds by touch or Siri AI, and its Home Camera face can livestream up to nine camera feeds at once. It works with Apple Home and Matter accessories as well as the new Apple Home Collection, a lineup of cameras, thermostats, and a lock built with LG and Schneider Electric that arrives in December.

Where to buy Apple HomeView

Right now, Apple is the only place to preorder the HomeView. Both the tabletop model and the wall-mounted model cost $299, and both are set to ship out on Friday, Nov. 13.

The tabletop Apple HomeView version is available in silver, starlight, rose pink, or space gray, each with a color-matched USB-C cable.

Meanwhile, the wall-mounted option is up for grabs for the same price and is available only in space gray and silver. It uses the same display, speakers, and features as the tabletop version, but you’ll need one of the Schneider Home mounts to hang it.

There are accessories as well: The Power Mount USB-C Wall Connector for $59.95 and the Power Mount AC Wired for $79.95. Both can be preordered through Apple as well today. A Power Mount PoE Wired version is also coming in early 2027 for $129.95.

Apple’s own HomeView page says the device will also be sold through “select partners,” though no third-party retailer has a listing live just yet.

We’ll update this story once Best Buy, Amazon, or other stores open up their preorders.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple HomeView $299 at Apple
  Preorder at Apple

PREORDER NOW: Apple just announced the new HomePod mini 2, and it's already available for preorder. Selling for $149, preorder Apple's new smart speaker in one of five colorways at Apple.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple HomePod mini 2 $149 at Apple
  Preorder at Apple

Six years after launching the original HomePod mini, Apple is finally giving smart speaker fans something to be excited about. The HomePod mini 2 officially hits the market on Oct. 30, and preorders are live now.

The HomePod mini 2 is selling for $149 from the Apple Store. You get your choice of five colorway options, and Apple is tossing in three months of free access to Apple Music with every purchase.

The Apple HomePod mini 2 officially launches on Oct. 30, and free express delivery or in-store pickup options currently show that both methods will get you the new speaker on launch day.

Given its compact size of just 3.3 inches tall, the HomePod mini 2 aims to impress with its sound. It comes with full-range drivers and two force-canceling passive radiators. Plus, it can pair with the new Apple TV 4K. Gather up four HomePod mini 2 speakers, and Apple says you've got paired surround sound to view your favorite shows, movies, and sporting events.

The HomePod mini 2 is also slated to use Siri AI, but Apple notes it won't be included at launch and will arrive "in a future software update." Once that arrives, homes will be able to use Siri AI as a personal assistant via voice.

Eventually, we expect to see the Apple HomePod mini 2 land at retailers like Amazon and Walmart. But for now, preorder Apple's new smart speaker at Apple. Order soon and you'll have the speaker in hand by launch day on Oct. 30.

SAVE UP TO $1,000: New and existing Xfinity Mobile Plus customers can slash up to $1,000 off the iPhone Duo with an eligible trade-in. Mobile customers without a trade-in can also get $400 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Xfinity Mobile: iPhone Duo for $1,000 off   Get Deal

After years of rumors, Apple's first foldable phone is up for grabs later this month. The iPhone Duo preorders kick off on Oct. 16, before general availability opens on Oct. 23. If you want to get your hands on one, but don't have $1,999 to dish out, Xfinity Mobile is offering up to $1,000 off the pricey device for new and existing customers.

New Xfinity Mobile Plus customers and existing Diamond members with the Mobile Plus plan can take up to $1,000 off their iPhone Duo preorder. You must complete your trade-in within 21 days of the ship date for the discount to activate. Don't have a phone to trade in? No worries; Mobile Plus customers without an eligible trade-in can still get $400 off the iPhone Duo.

If you're not quite ready to lock in your preorder, the $1,000 off trade-in deal will be live through Nov. 10. That's well after the phone is officially available everywhere. Just note that the deal will disappear if the phone sells out.

At $1,999, the iPhone Duo is Apple's most expensive phone yet. So, any chance to score a discount is definitely appreciated. If you're still weighing your options, AT&T also has a trade-in preorder deal worth checking out.

PREORDER NOW: As of Oct. 13, preorder the 4th generation of Apple TV 4K. Shop now for $299 so it arrives on its Nov. 19 release day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple TV 4K $299 at Apple
  Preorder at Apple

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

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

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

The Apple TV 4K (4th generation) is now available for preorder. It costs $299 and will be released on Nov. 19. It's currently only available for preorder at the Apple Store.

Apple announced a new line of smart home products on Tuesday morning, including its first-ever smart display, the Apple HomeView.

Apple users can preorder the device now on the Apple Store for $299, and the product will be available starting Nov. 13. HomeView comes in four colors: silver, starlight, pink rose, and space gray.

The new smart display comes in two configurations: a version connected to a domed speaker base with a tilting steel arm, and a wall-mounted display-only version.

Meet the Apple HomeView, a new smart display from Apple Credit: Apple

As part of its "Welcome Home" event, Apple revealed the HomeView, a new take on HomePod that distinguishes itself with a 7-inch display alongside its other smart home features. This display can be used for entertainment, FaceTime calls, sending messages, and more. It's also equipped with Siri AI and can use personal context from a linked Apple Intelligence-capable device to remind you of calendar entries and other business.

Apple HomeView Smart Display $289.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Apple.com

"Apple HomeView is designed to be shared by everyone in the home yet feel completely personal to each user," said Greg Joswiak, Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, in a press release. "It recognizes your face to shift from a household screen to your own experience, fills the room with incredible sound, keeps you connected to the people who matter most with FaceTime, and makes it easy to control your smart home. And it’s powered by Apple Intelligence with Siri AI at its core, drawing on personal context from your iPhone to help you find what you need and get more done, all while keeping everyone’s information private and secure."

HomeView's 7-inch Liquid Retina display is connected to a smart speaker by a stainless steel hinge. There's also a wall-mounted model (which only comes in space gray and silver) that does all of the same things but, obviously, from a wall instead of a nightstand. The device uses facial recognition to understand who is approaching it and tailor content on-screen appropriately. As many as six people can set up individual profiles with their own customized home screens, making it ideal for a family household.

Credit: Apple

Of course, there are a bunch of different aesthetics you can apply to the home screen. As you'd expect, one of them will shuffle through photos on a shared album, turning it into one of those digital picture frames, if you're into that sort of thing.

As mentioned previously, HomeView is compatible with Siri AI, giving it the ability to memorize information about you and use that information to perform actions across apps like Calendar and Music. The only rub here is that you also need a device with Apple Intelligence on it, like an iPhone or iPad, to make it fully work on HomeView. That said, Siri AI's basic chatbot functions seem like they will work on HomeView regardless.

The new Apple HomeView is available with a speaker base and in a wall-mounted version. Credit: Apple

Other bonuses include spatial audio for listening to music, as it is, you know, still a smart speaker at heart. It'll also connect to other HomePod or HomeView devices in the same household, enabling features such as multi-room music listening and an intercom system that will let you broadcast a message from one device to the others. If you want to use HomeView as a hub for controlling all your smart devices (like lights and security cameras), you can do that, too.

It feels like the dream of Facebook Portal has finally become reality.

What's next for Apple?

While the HomeView is available for pre-order now, some of the other products Apple announced today won't be available to order until later this year.

With the launch of the new HomeView, HomePod mini 2, Apple TV 4K, and smart security devices, Apple is making a big entry into the smart home market, with the new Siri AI at the center. It's the second big product launch under Apple's new CEO John Ternus, and the company is expected to release even more products later this month, including the first MacBook Pro with an OLED display.

The Apple HomeView is available for preorder now through the Apple Store for $299 for shoppers in the United States, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, and the UK. The new Apple smart display will be released on Nov. 13.

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Apple has unveiled a slew of new smart home products on Tuesday, including an updated version of the Apple TV 4K. 

The new Apple TV 4K is the 4th generation of Apple's set-top box and, like most of Apple's new home products, focuses on integration with Apple's new and improved Siri AI.

Apple says the new Apple TV 4K is "supercharged by Siri AI." Users will be able to interact with the AI assistant completely hands-free by just talking to their Apple TV 4K. The device will be able to pick up the user's voice even with something already playing on the TV screen.

Apple TV 4K's new Siri AI capabilities will provide users with recommendations based on their interests, deliver real-time information about the movie or TV show they're watching, and even answer more general questions, such as whether content is age-appropriate.

SEE ALSO: Apple releases HomeView smart display with Siri AI

The new Apple TV 4K is powered by the A19 chipset, which is the same chip that powers the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air. The new device is up to 50 percent faster in CPU performance, and GPU performance is up to 2x faster than the previous generation.

While Siri AI can be accessed just by talking, the new Apple TV 4K still has a remote and comes with new features as well. It comes with Find My and can play a sound to help users stop misplacing or losing the remote.

Users can now also pair up to four HomePod mini 2 speakers or HomePod (2nd generation) speakers to the Apple TV 4K to create a surround sound experience.

SEE ALSO: Apple releases HomeView smart display with Siri AI

The new Apple TV 4K also integrates with Apple's other smart home products. For example, users can pair their device with compatible doorbells to see who's at the door on their TV screen, or even remotely unlock their door using Apple TV 4K if it's paired with a compatible smart lock. 

There are other new Apple TV features, such as customizable iCloud photo feeds for the device, a new screen saver shuffle, and Continuity Camera capabilities that will allow users to pull up FaceTime calls on their TV screen while using their iPhone as a camera.

The new Apple TV 4K will be available starting Nov. 13 and will retail for $299. It's available for pre-order on the Apple Store website now.

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On October 5th, Comedian Liz Miele spearheaded a social media campaign demanding Sebastian Manisclaco and Sirius XM reverse their decision to replace Raw Radio with Sebastian Maniscalco's Comedy Radio, removing over 500 comedians from the channel. Comedians like Josh Johnson, Rosebud Baker, Marc Maron and Patton Oswalt amongst many others shared videos asking Sebastian and SiriusXM to reconsider.

In this video, Liz Miele, Raanan Hershberg, Myq Kaplan and Brandie Posey share how passive revenue from satellite radio play has been a crucial source of income for hundreds of working-class comics, allowing them to pay rent, offset special production costs, and maintain a sustainable career. The comics discuss their organized response and the broader economic challenges facing comedians today.

These interviews occurred before Maniscalco made his official comment on social media on October 7th.

TL;DR: Following a viral teaser, Beats by Dre officially revealed the special-edition Pokémon x Beats Pill. Featuring Pikachu, Mimikyu, and custom charms, the speaker drops Oct. 15 for $149.99.

If you needed more proof that Pokémon’s 30th anniversary year is going all-out on brand crossovers, Beats by Dre just dropped another banger. The Apple-owned audio brand officially announced the special-edition Pokémon x Beats Pill, pairing two of the franchise's most iconic characters with Beats’ signature portable sound.

A teaser video sparked heavy fan speculation about an electric-type collaboration, and now the full reveal confirms that both Pikachu and the mysterious Ghost/Fairy-type Mimikyu are starring in the drop.

The front of the speaker sports Pikachu’s signature electric yellow, while the reverse side features a greyscale design dedicated to Mimikyu. This release also marks a first for Beats: the brand has included custom clip-on charms with the Beats Pill.

Every unit ships with a set of bespoke Pokémon charms attached to its color-matched lanyard — including a classic Poké Ball, the Beats “b” logo, and Pikachu’s lightning bolt emblem — along with interactive collector packaging.

Credit: Beats by Dre / The Pokémon Company

The limited-edition model carries all the hardware upgrades of the 2024 Beats Pill redesign. It offers up to 24 hours of battery life, IP67 dust and water resistance, USB-C lossless audio playback, reverse phone charging, and seamless Apple ecosystem perks like one-touch pairing and Find My support. You can also wirelessly link two units together in Amplify or Stereo mode.

The Pokémon x Beats Pill officially launches Thursday, Oct. 15, priced at $149.99 — the exact same MSRP as the standard colorways. Fans can grab one online at Apple and Target (as well as select Target stores).

Credit: Beats by Dre / The Pokémon Company

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Bundle is available to preorder for $64.45 at Amazon, but Walmart is cheaper at $54.49.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Bundle $54.49 at Walmart
$79.99 Save $25.50   Preorder at Walmart

Prices for the Pokémon TCG Delta Reign expansion have been settling down ahead of launch, but sellers on Walmart have been aggressively trying to get you the best price vs. Amazon — and the latest price drop on the booster bundle even beats TCGplayer. 

As of Oct. 13, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Bundle is available to preorder for just $54.49 at Walmart, reduced from its $79.99 listing price. To give this $25.50 price drop from third-party seller Cataclysm Games some added context, the lowest price we’d seen last week was a much higher $74.99 at Amazon. 

Amazon has a price drop of its own, but that’s only down to $64.45 via Collectors Expedition. 

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Booster Display Box is way under market price at Walmart — save $30 vs. Amazon

What’s more, Walmart’s $54.49 price hugely undercuts the Delta Reign Booster Bundle’s estimated market price of $73.20 on TCGplayer. Walmart also beats any listings there — with the best going as low as $72.38. 

With six Delta Reign packs per box, Walmart’s $54.49 booster bundle means you’ll only be paying around $9.08 per pack. That massively trumps the prices on TCGplayer (which normally has the best price on single packs), with the lowest going for $13.40 — saving you $4.32 per pack by comparison. 

Each pack contains 10 trading cards from Delta Reign’s total of 135+, a Basic Energy, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.

SAVE $50: As of Oct. 13, the Ninja Fireside360 fire pit and heater is back to its lowest-ever price of $449.99 at Amazon. That's $50 off its full price of $499.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Fireside360 Fire Pit and Heater $449.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon

Now that the weather is getting cooler, it's the perfect time to hang out around a fire pit outside and enjoy the cozy warmth in the autumn air. If you don't have a bonfire pit on hand, the Ninja Fireside360 is an excellent alternative, serving as both a heater and a fire pit. It's even back to its lowest-ever price on Amazon right now.

Normally priced at $499.99, the Ninja Fireside360 has been discounted to $449.99 at the retailer, ultimately saving you $50. There are multiple color variants available at this price as well, so you can choose between the stainless steel, cyberspace, maroon, stone, and brown models to find the perfect fit for your outdoor setup.

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

The Ninja Fireside360 offers three modes for keeping you warm: flame-only, heat-only, or both flame and heat. It's smokeless as well, so if you have the flame going, there's no need to worry about your clothes getting smoky or having to clean up ashes. Plus, the flame is controlled from a dial, so getting it started (and extinguished) is quick and easy.

It's weather-resistant, so it's safe to store outdoors all year-round. And on top of that, it's safe to use on a variety of surfaces, including grass, stone, and wood, as it's designed to avoid any sparks flying around.

Be quick to save on the Ninja Fireside360 at Amazon.