Mashable

SAVE $200: As of Oct. 27, the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air with the M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage is on sale for only $999 at Amazon. That's $200 or 17% off its usual cost of $1,199. That's the lowest price on record for most colors.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $999 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $200   Get Deal

If you're looking to upgrade your laptop for cheap, the M4 MacBook Air is an incredible value — even at full price. When it debuted earlier this year, its price tag made us do a double take. In a world where everything — especially tech — is getting more expensive, the base model M4 MacBook Air is $100 cheaper than its predecessor. And as of Oct. 27, you can get it for even cheaper.

The upgraded M4 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage usually goes for $1,199, but right now, it's down to only $999 in every color. That's $200 or 17% off its list price and matches the lowest price on record for most colors. Not to mention, it's the same cost as the base model with 256GB of storage when its not on sale. In other words, you'll get double the storage for the same sub-$1,000 price.

Besides the ultra-low cost, we love the M4 MacBook Air for its impressive processing power, improved 12MP FaceTime camera, and open-lid support for two external displays, meaning you can still use its own screen even when it's hooked up to monitors. It's earned a top spot on our list of the best laptops for 2025, best MacBooks, and best cheap laptops. So long as you don't need the more advanced specs of the MacBook Pro for things like video editing or graphic design work, the M4 Air will treat you wonderfully.

As Mashable's resident laptop expert Haley Henschel writes, "This is a no-brainer recommendation for budget-conscious Apple users in need of a fast and portable laptop for everyday tasks."

Once again, Walmart has decided that a 24-hour Black Friday sale just isn't enough. Today, the big-box retailer announced its plans to host two Black Friday Deals events starting in mid-November. Walmart+ members will get first dibs on the deals, as per tradition.

"We’re dropping up to 60% off top brands and offering thousands of deals under $20," John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., said in a press release, adding that the company aims to help shoppers have their "most budget-friendly holiday yet."

Walmart's first Black Friday sale will run online and in stores from Friday, Nov. 14, through Sunday, Nov. 16. Paid (non-trial) members of its Walmart+ membership program will get five hours of early access to the deals online beginning Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. ET.

The top deals from that first sale will include a 98-inch TCL QLED 4K TV for $998 (was $1,798), the Dyson V12 Detect Slim vacuum for $399.99 (was $729.99), a Keurig iced coffee machine for $44.97 (was $79), and a Lego Speed Champions two-pack set for $25 (was $44.98).

Credit: Walmart

Shoppers will have just over a week to relax before Walmart's second Black Friday Deals event, which runs from Tuesday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 30. (Early access for paid Walmart+ members opens on Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. ET.) That sale will be shoppable exclusively on Walmart.com for the first 72 hours; on Nov. 28, aka Black Friday proper, the deals will be available both online and in stores.

A Walmart rep couldn't confirm whether its stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 27), which has been the company's policy since 2020.

Walmart's festivities will wrap up with an online-only Cyber Monday sale on Monday, Dec. 1. Paid Walmart+ members will, of course, get five hours' worth of early access the evening before.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ membership $98/year Learn More

According to the company's press release, all three holiday sales will include giftables from Walmart's toys, electronics, home, fashion, and beauty departments. The release named brands like Apple, Dyson, Lego, De'Longhi, and Barbie.

Walmart is the second major retailer to announce its plans for Black Friday 2025, following Best Buy. For its part, the tech retailer will start rolling out some early Black Friday deals on Halloween — sooner than ever before.

Happy Monday and welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 18, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 18, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 27 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add to 3. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add to 3. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 27 Pips

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add to 9. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this green space must add to 5. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 27 Pips

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed vertically; 1-2, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this red space must add to 4. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add to 1. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this red space must add to 4. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally.

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love a good drink.

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: To emit

• Green: Just a bit

• Blue: Found in alcoholic drinks

• Purple: A quartet

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: Emanate

• Green: In the slightest

• Blue: Cocktail garnishes

• Purple: ___ Four

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 #869 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Emanate: BRANCH, FAN, RADIATE, SPREAD

• In the slightest: JUST, MERELY, ONLY, SIMPLY

• Cocktail garnishes: CHERRY, MINT, OLIVE, TWIST

• ___ Four: CONNECT, FAB, FANTASTIC, PETIT

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 believe in magic.

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: Witch way?

The words are related to magic.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe the supernatural.

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 Wizardry.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 27

• Potion

• Amulet

• Cauldron

• Wizardry

• Wand

• Charm

• Incantation

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you have a good nose.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. 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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 24, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Foul-smelling.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

FETID

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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 Wordle.

Based on everything we know about Derry, the town at the centre of Stephen King's IT novel and HBO's new IT: Welcome to Derry prequel series, it's pretty much the last place in the world you'd want to visit.

But could you actually visit it, if you chose to? Is Derry a real town? We've broken down everything that's known about Pennywise's base of operations below.

SEE ALSO: When does Pennywise show up on 'IT: Welcome to Derry?': Episode 1's clues collected Is Derry in IT: Welcome to Derry a real town?

The short answer is no. Derry is, thankfully, a fictional place created by King — but if you wanted to visit its inspiration, you'd need to go to Bangor, Maine in the U.S.

This is the town where the horror master was living when he wrote his novel — a note at the end of IT says King started writing the book in Bangor in 1981 and finished a little over four years later. The author has also confirmed in interviews that Derry is essentially a fictionalised version of the Maine town.

"Bangor became Derry," King has said. "There is a Bangor in Ireland, located in the county of Derry, so I changed the name of the fictional town to Derry. There is a one-to-one correlation between Bangor and Derry."

As such, various locations in Bangor will be immediately familiar to people watching IT: Welcome to Derry, including the town's Paul Bunyan statue and the Thomas Hill Standpipe.

Featured Video For You Cooper Hoffman and 'The Long Walk' cast compete for ultimate Stephen King film knowledge Does Derry feature in other Stephen King stories?

It certainly does. The town is also the setting for King's novels Insomnia and Dreamcatcher, and it's mentioned in a large number of his other books and short stories as well.

Like King weaving connections between his books, the prequel series is littered with Stephen King Easter eggs — and judging by the "weeks ahead" trailer, there's going to be more where that came from in the upcoming episodes.

IT: Welcome to Derry episodes land on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple AirPods 4   Shop Now

AirPods are one of those items we all flock to during major sales events. Prime Day, Memorial Day, Black Friday, we want to see AirPods reduced. They're arguably one of the most popular earbuds on the market, especially for iPhone users (big up that Apple integration), so we're hoping for some impressive deals this Black Friday, especially on the AirPods 4.

Why we love the AirPods 4

I recently added the AirPods 4 to my seemingly never-ending bid to immerse in the Apple ecosystem. It wasn't the intention, but when they came as an added extra with my new MacBook, how could I resist? I'd never used AirPods until this pair, so I was relatively unprepared for what to expect. After a few days of use, I quickly understood the hype. The sound quality really is as good as they say, and you really feel the benefit of the H2 chip. Music sounds much clearer and more detailed, while the Personalized Spatial Audio makes everything feel like it’s happening all around you. Even calls sound noticeably crisper thanks to Voice Isolation, and my voice notes come through crystal clear, even on windy days.

And while we're on integration, they really do connect seamlessly with your other Apple devices. In fact, they connect as soon as you are near. The in-ear detection also knows when you’ve taken them out and pauses audio automatically, and if you have your phone and Mac out at the same time, you can easily switch between which device you want to listen on.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. Sony WF-1000xM5: Which noise-canceling earbuds are better?

I've tried many earbuds with noise cancellation features, but none come close to the AirPods 4. If you choose the right setting, you can genuinely block out most of your surroundings. A big plus if you need total silence to focus.

Working out with these AirPods has been a nice surprise, too. I've always gravitated towards designs that promise to stay in your ear, but as it turns out, there was no need. They’re lightweight and fit comfortably, even during runs and high-intensity sessions. They are also IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistant, and I can attest to this fact after several rainy workouts.

Battery life is always something I'm going to be fussy about, and while these aren't as long lasting as my Beats Fit Pro, I've still been suitably impressed with the five hours of continuous listening they promise. When stored in the charging case, that extends to around 30 hours of total listening time, so there's plenty to keep you going for a few days without charging.

Black Friday deal we hope to see on the Apple AirPods 4

We're confident we'll see some sort of Black Friday deal on both the ANC and non ANC versions of the AirPods 4. Based on recent prices during the October Prime Day, we'd hope to see the regular earbuds as low as $89, and the ANC earbuds priced at $119. Both versions have been on sale in the weeks after Octber Prime Day, but we think we'll see something better during Prime Day. Keep an eye on big retailers for early discounts, including Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon.

Pennywise lives, with everyone's least favorite clown emerging from the sewers once more with the arrival of IT: Welcome to Derry.

But given we've already had two IT movies that largely covered the events of Stephen King's famous novel, what is HBO Max's new series about?

We've seen from the trailer and the very first episode that Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) is back, and that a bunch of new kids will be banding together to face him — but how exactly does this tie in with the movies and book? We've broken down everything we know so far below, without spoilers.

SEE ALSO: 'IT: Welcome to Derry': All the Stephen King Easter eggs in episode 1 Is IT: Welcome to Derry based on Stephen King's book?

Without getting into the events of the first episode — if you've seen it, we have those deep dives for you — our biggest clues as to the basis of IT: Welcome to Derry came courtesy of the official HBO Max trailer and logline, along with some helpful interview quotes from executive producer Andy Muschietti himself.

"Set in the world of Stephen King’s IT universe, IT: WELCOME TO DERRY is based on King’s IT novel and expands the vision established by filmmaker Andy Muschietti in the feature films IT and IT Chapter Two," reads the logline.

So, the show is based on the novel — but which bit? Well, for that we can turn to a Spanish interview Muschietti gave to Radio Tu earlier in the year, which has been translated by Bloody Disgusting (Mashable hasn't translated the original interview).

SEE ALSO: Is Derry in 'IT: Welcome to Derry' a real town?

"It's a story that's based on the interludes of the book," Muschietti said. "The interludes are basically chapters that reflect Mike Hanlon's research. They're fragments of his research. For 27 years, it's the guy trying to figure out what it is, what did it, who did it, who saw it, and all that stuff."

If you've read King's novel IT, you'll already know who Mike Hanlon is (and get ready for a wave of Stephen King Easter eggs in the show). If you haven't read it, Mike Hanlon is the one member of the Losers' Club who stays behind in the town of Derry after the kids defeat the monster the first time around. The novel has five interludes that are essentially diary entries written by Mike in which he compiles a history of Derry, chronicling the town's darker chapters that coincide with the cycles in which Pennywise awakens to feed.

"So they talk about catastrophic events from the past, like the fire in the Black Spot... the massacre of the Bradley Gang, a gang of bank robbers in the '30s... and the explosion of the Kitchener Ironworks," Muschietti said.

These chapters of Derry's history form the basis for IT: Welcome to Derry.

"IT: Welcome to Derry" takes place in 1962, but the show is planning to delve deeper into the town's history. Credit: HBO How is IT: Welcome to Derry related to the IT movies?

Although Muschietti's IT movies were based on King's novel, there was one key difference that will have a knock-on effect for the series: While the childhood portion of the books was set in the late 1950s, the childhood section of the movies takes place in the '80s. This means that all the cycles in Muschietti's IT universe are essentially pushed back by one.

We know from the IT: Welcome to Derry trailer that the series takes place in in 1962, which is the cycle before the one shown in the first IT movie. And we know from Muschietti's interview that he's planning three seasons of this new show, each of which will jump back in time.

In the novels, Pennywise's killing cycles are bookended by catastrophic events. The 1930s cycle starts with the massacre of the Bradley Gang and ends with the fire at the Black Spot, while the cycle before that ends with the Ironworks exploding.

So, it seems like the show will bring these key moments in Derry's history to life. All you need to do is make it through the scares.

IT: Welcome to Derry debuts on Sunday, October 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, and will be available to stream on HBO Max. New episodes air weekly.

Featured Video For You Why the scariest part of The Shining isn’t what you think.

SAVE $100: As of Oct. 27, the Amazon Fire TV 43-inch Omni is on sale for $339.99 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV 43-Inch Omni $339.99 at Amazon
$439.99 Save $100   Get Deal

If you've been eyeing up an Amazon TV for a while, don't go anywhere, because the Amazon Fire TV 43-inch Omni is on sale right now for its lowest-ever price. This impressive model is a perfect choice if you want the Fire OS as well as great quality. And as of Oct. 27, you can get it for $100 less at its new price of $339.99.

This TV boasts a 4K Quantum Dot (QLED) display, so movies, shows, and sports all look bright and colorful. This alongside the Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive makes everything you watch seem sharp and lifelike. It also benefits from Adaptive Brightness, a feature that makes the screen automatically adjust to the light in your room. Perfect for sun glaze or less than ideal lighting conditions.

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

The Fire TV Ambient Experience is a nice touch too, and a bonus if the likes of a Frame TV is out of budget. This feature can turn your TV screen into a canvas for artwork, personal photos, Alexa widgets, and more.

And with any Amazon TV, you'll get access to over 1.5 million movies and TV episodes through streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. And you can control the TV hands-free, find shows, or even control other smart home devices with Alexa, so you never need to leave the couch.

Get this stellar TV deal from Amazon now.

Save $4.66: As of Oct. 27, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box is $87.98 at TCGPlayer — that's over 12% cheaper than Amazon's $99.99 listing.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box $87.98 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $12.01   Get Deal

Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames have the Pokémon community in a frenzy right now, but it's still possible to get the top sealed product for market value. Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Sleeved Booster Packs are $8.29 at TCGPlayer, that's 43% cheaper than Amazon's $12.95 pricepoint.

Elite Trainer Boxes are really popular, and it's their exclusive promo Illustration Rare, 65-themed card sleeves, dice, and card storage box that makes it a unique offering. Of course, the eight Mega Evolution Booster Packs help sweeten the deal.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Pokémon Trainers can look forward to snagging a promo Alakazam Illustration Rare in the Mega Gardevoir box, but the other Promo in the Mega Lucario ETB, Riolu Illustration Rare, can be bought seperately so you're not missing out.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

If you're buying up Elite Traiwner Boxes to try and find chase cards, it's probably going to cost more than just buying the cards themselves. It might not seem like it at first glance, but buying a Mega Evolution Booster Box, Elite Trainer Box, and a Booster bundle equals the cost of some of the top chase card of the set:

1. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $490
   Market price: $541.61
   Most recent sale: $420

2. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $499.98
   Market price: $542.29
   Most recent sale: $525.50

3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $257.99
   Market price: $265.01
   Most recent sale: $255

4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $273.50
   Market price: $281.51
   Most recent sale: $275

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $190.01
   Market price: $194.58
   Most recent sale: $191.30

MY BLACK FRIDAY BET: Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution sealed product has been near market value on Amazon for a while now, and I think we'll see it drop below for Black Friday.

Looking for your Mega Evolution fix? Given that Phantasmal Flames is just around the corner, it's hard to keep up with new Pokémon TCG expansions. But Black Friday is just around the corner, and we know how big box retailers such as Amazon like to turn it into a month-long event.

I'm hedging my bets on Mega Evolutions ETBs, Booster Bundles, Booster Blisters, and more to drop below market value for Black Friday this year. After over a year's worth of ridiculously high price points on Pokémon TCG at Amazon, why would I think this is going to happen?

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

I track Pokémon TCG pricing daily, and I've noticed that Mega Evolution products keep dropping to near market value when compared to TCGplayer. This speaks volumes to me, as it means trainers and collectors aren't biting anymore. I think these constant price fluctuations is Amazon trying to shift more units and may have more stock to shift than usual. Let's go into more detail:

Mega Evolutions Elite Trainer Box Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolutions Elite Trainer Box (Mega Gardevoir)   Shop Now

This Mega Gardevoir ETB dropped to $92.48 on Amazon just a couple of days ago, which was nearly on the money for market value at TCGplayer. So if this is getting a reasonable price drop during normal play, I think it's pretty much a dead cert that we'll grab a bargain over Black Friday.

Mega Evolution Booster Bundle Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Booster Bundle   Shop Now

Again, the Mega Evolutions Booster Bundle dropped to $52.94 at Amazon on Oct. 22. This was a similar price on TCGplayer. This is a cheaper product than the ETB and has six Mega Evolution Booster Packs inside, so this will likely be one of the most popular Mega Evolution items during Black Friday 2025.

Mega Evolutions Mega Latias ex Box Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolutions Mega Latias ex Box   Shop Now

After going for an insane $40.59, the Mega Latias ex box is slowly coming down towards market value $29.99. I'm waiting for this to get to the $29.99 mark or below, which would be a solid possibility for Black Friday 2025 considering big box Pokémon TCG products don't sell as much as Booster Bundle, Booster Boxes, and ETBs.

Mega Evolutions Three Booster Blister Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolutions Three Booster Blister   Shop Now

Three Booster Pack Blisters are a quick way to get your Mega Evolution fix, with a cheeky promo card for your trouble. Once again, this is coming down to near market value, which is $27 on TCGplayer. So once again, I reckon this is prime for a drop to market value or below in Amazon's Black Friday event.

Mega Evolutions Mega Heroes Mini Tin Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolutions Mega Heroes Mini Tin   Shop Now

Another reduction worth noting is on the Mega Evolution tin, which is now creeping towards the $19.75 market value. Given that the two booster pack tins aren't the biggest products, I imagine these will be a top candidate for a cheeky Black Friday discount.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Of course, it's always easier and sometimes cheaper to just buy the single chase cards you're seeking. Let's take the Mega Gardevior ex Gold Rare, which is one of the most valuable Mega Evolution cards right now at around $500. The chances of pulling this after buying a couple of booster boxes for around $260 each is slim, and we're talking ripping 72 Mega Evolution booster packs. There's a chance you could pull it and some other valuable cards, but ultimately that's the risk trainers and collectors take.

Here's the top 10 most valuable Mega Evolution cards right now, including where to buy them and current value data:

1. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $503.99
   Market price: $564.49
   Most recent sale: $499

2. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $537.99
   Market price: $553.53
   Most recent sale: $530.10

3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $279.99
   Market price: $305.92
   Most recent sale: $285.94

4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $294.97
   Market price: $298.44
   Most recent sale: $387.90

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $164
   Market price: $202.49
   Most recent sale: $187.70

6. Mega Latias ex - 181/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $503.99
   Market price: $155.67
   Most recent sale: $155

7. Mega Absol ex - 180/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $99
   Market price: $104.16
   Most recent sale: $106.30

8. Mega Kangaskhan ex - 182/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $101.98
   Market price: $90.86
   Most recent sale: $84.99

9. Bulbasaur - 133/132 (Mega Evolution Stamped)
   Near Mint Holofoil: $34.98
   Market price: $27.73
   Most recent sale: $27.49

10. Marshadow - 146/132
    Near Mint Holofoil: $29.99
    Market price: $30.97
    Most recent sale: $31.07

Save $4.66: As of Oct. 27, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Sleeved Booster Pack is $8.29 at TCGPlayer, saving you 43% compared to Amazon's $12.95 listing.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Sleeved Booster Pack $8.29 at Amazon
$12.95 Save $4.66   Get Deal

Mega Evolution is on every trainers hitlist right now, with the Mega Charizard X ex-focused Phantasmal Flames preorders and release not far behind. If you're after the cheapest point of entry, Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Sleeved Booster Packs are $8.29 at TCGPlayer — that's 43% cheaper than Amazon's $12.95.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Sleeved booster packs are preferred by collectors as they protect the cards in the booster pack, meaning the chase cards have a higher chance of fetching higher graded values. Everyone wants near mint or mint condition cards in their collection, and this is a good way to do it. Although if you want to open a lot of packs, I'd suggest getting something like a Mega Evolutions booster box and save some Pokédollars. That works out at $7.75 per booster pack.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

If you don't want to spend that kind of money on a gamble, how about a dead cert? Chase cards from Mega Evolutions and other Pokémon TCG sets are available now at TCGPlayer. Yes, some prices are very high, but there's no guarantee you'll pull a Mega Lucario Gold rare out of a couple of booster boxes sadly:

1. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $490
   Market price: $541.61
   Most recent sale: $420

2. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $499.98
   Market price: $542.29
   Most recent sale: $525.50

3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $257.99
   Market price: $265.01
   Most recent sale: $255

4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $273.50
   Market price: $281.51
   Most recent sale: $275

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $190.01
   Market price: $194.58
   Most recent sale: $191.30

SAVE $150: As of Oct. 27, the Dyson Airwrap Origin is on sale for $399.99 at Amazon. That's a 27% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airwrap Origin $399.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $150   Get Deal

The Dyson Airwrap is one of the most coveted hair styling products of recent years, and for very good reason; a salon-worthy blow out at home? Yes, please. However, it's not exactly known for being budget-friendly, but right now you can get it on sale. As of Oct. 27, the Dyson Airwrap Origin is reduced to $399.99, a saving of $150 on list price. That's also its lowest-ever price.

This model is ideal if you don't need lots of different attachments. The Origin comes with the classic long barrel, volumizing brush, and the smoothing dryer. It still delivers the same powerful drying force, with its Digital Motor V9, which spins up to 110,000 rpm. This is enough to create the Coanda effect that styles your hair using air.

SEE ALSO: I found 5 Dyson Supersonic dupes that are almost as good as the real thing

With any styling product, heat damage is a worry, but the Dyson Origin comes with intelligent heat control. It checks the airflow temperature over 40 times a second to make sure your hair doesn’t get damaged. You’ve got three airflow speeds, three heat settings, and even a constant cold shot.

And for getting to know your product, plus style inspiration down the line, the MyDyson app has you covered. Use it to find tips and tutorials from Dyson’s style experts, plus get hair ideas.

Get this Airwrap deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $490: As of Oct. 27, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is on sale for $729.99 at Amazon. That's a 40% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge $729.99 at Amazon
$1,219.99 Save $490   Get Deal

If you're buying a new phone outright, you want to find the best deal possible. Parting with that amount of cash in one go can be painful, but much less so when you save a few hundred dollars. And that's exactly what you'll get right now with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

Normally priced at $1,219.99, as of Oct. 27 it is on sale for $729.99. That's almost $500 ($490, to be exact) saved. It's also one of our top five smartphones of 2025 so far, so we really approve this deal.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy XR vs Apple Vision Pro: Comparing specs and price

This is a cleverly designed phone that packs a whole lot of punch. Powered by Samsung's Snapdragon Elite 8 processor, you can expect super fast performance from this smartphone. If you juggle a lot of apps at once, this phone will more than keep up. And it's not just powerful, Samsung says this is its slimmest design yet, designed to neatly fit in your pocket. But if you're habitually clumsy, don't fret, it is built with strong materials including titanium and Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2.

It also benefits from some fancy Galaxy AI features, particularly for photo editing. When taking images, it will automatically adjust lighting and tones for more natural images. And if you’re hunting for a specific photo, just describe it and the phone will find it for you.

This is a limited time deal at Amazon, so we don't know how long it'll hang around. If you're interested, act fast so you don't miss out on the $490 savings.

SAVE $70: As of Oct. 27, Beats Solo 4 headphones are on sale for $129.95 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $129.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $70   Get Deal

The Beats Solo 4 headphones are back on sale at Amazon, so if you've been shopping around for a new pair of top-quality cans, this deal isn't something to skip. As of Oct. 27, you'll save $70 with the new price of $129.95. This price is available across all color options too, so choose between black/gold, matte black, cloud pink, metallic pink, and slate blue.

There's lots of things that make these headphones worth the spend. With this set, enjoy Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, upgraded drivers, and rebalanced acoustics. Beats products always wow when it comes to sound quality, and this pair is no different.

SEE ALSO: Possible OnePlus 15 price and specs leak ahead of impending launch

Other top features include the 50-hour battery life, complemented by the fast fuel option that lets you enjoy five hours of listening time with just a 10-minute charge. They also connect perfectly with both Apple and Android devices, and are charged via USB-C. And if you're going to listen for hours, the UltraPlush ear cushions will keep you feeling comfortable, designed to keep your ears happy.

This deal has a limited-time stamp on it, so it might not stick around for long. Get it from Amazon now, while you still can.

MARKET VALUE: As of Oct. 27, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Three Booster Blister is $55.01 at Amazon, a rare instance of Pokémon TCG selling for market value compared to TCGplayer.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Three Booster Blister $29.89 at Amazon
  Get Deal

Mega Evolution is off to an explosive start, with the Mega Charizard X ex-fronted Phantasmal Flames serving as the first expansion and setting the bar for hype. But there's still plenty of opportunities to score Mega Evolution sealed product at a great price. Amazon is now at market value for the Mega Evolution Three Booster Blister at $29.89, a little over current listings at TCGplayer for $28.88.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

The Blister pack is simple enough — three booster packs and either a Psyduck or Golduck promo card. It's one of the cheapest options out there to rip packs and there's every chance you'll find a ridiculously awsome Mega ex Pokémon. I love using Mega Venusaur ex and Meganium together in decks, which allows Meganium to double Mega Venusaur ex's energy count and hit fast (one of Venusaurs major downsides).

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Better yet, I'm seeing big drops in Mega Evolution chase cards. So why not save your money busting packs open long-term and just buy your favorite chase card right now?

1. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $490
   Market price: $541.61
   Most recent sale: $420

2. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $499.98
   Market price: $542.29
   Most recent sale: $525.50

3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $257.99
   Market price: $265.01
   Most recent sale: $255

4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $273.50
   Market price: $281.51
   Most recent sale: $275

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $190.01
   Market price: $194.58
   Most recent sale: $191.30

MARKET VALUE: As of Oct. 27, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Booster Bundle is $55.01 at Amazon, a rare instance of Pokémon TCG selling for market value compared to TCGplayer.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Booster Bundle $55.01 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $4.98   Get Deal

Trainers and collectors are going mad for Mega Evolution. There's even people queing up at brick and mortar retailers just to preorder Phantasmal Flames. If you're like me and still chasing that Lucario ex SIR with Mega Venusaur battling it out, you're still looking for a good deal on Mega Evolution sealed product. The good news is Amazon is now at market value for the Booster Bundle for $55.01, a little over current listings at TCGplayer for $52.97.

Working out at roughly $8.65 a pack, this is a good deal considering it's rough trying to find Mega Evolution for MSRP right now. Mega Evolutions mechanics have changed since the X and Y days, replacing normal ex variants of Pokémon to Mega ex cards. So that would mean Bulbadsaaur evolved into Ivysaur then Mega Venusaur ex.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

There's some basic Mega ex cards too, such as Mega Latias ex and Mega Absol ex which flip battles on their head, but there's some great deck strategies out the gate too. Mega Venusaur ex and Meganium is my current favorite as Meganiums Wild Growth ability doubles the value of grass energy, making it a piece of cake building up energy-hungry Pokémon like Venusaur ex to land decisive blows quickly.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

It looks like price drops are affecting single cards too, meaning those ridiculously priced Mega Gardevoir and Mega Lucario ex gold rares are now under $500. We're seeing drops of up to $50 compared to last week, so if you want to save on ripping hundreds of booster packs to pull your chase card, now is a good time to just buy them and save some money:

1. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $490
   Market price: $541.61
   Most recent sale: $420

2. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $499.98
   Market price: $542.29
   Most recent sale: $525.50

3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $257.99
   Market price: $265.01
   Most recent sale: $255

4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $273.50
   Market price: $281.51
   Most recent sale: $275

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $190.01
   Market price: $194.58
   Most recent sale: $191.30

Did the opening episode of IT: Welcome to Derry disturb you? Well, strap in.

Shortly after episode 1 aired (complete with that shocking ending), HBO Max dropped its trailer for what to expect in the "weeks ahead" — and it looks like there are going to be plenty more gory scares to come.

In the two minutes above we see glimpses of Pennywise, get a hint of what the air force is really doing in Derry, and are teased another pretty big Stephen King crossover.

If the trailer is anything to go by, the warning we posted before episode 1 is probably going to apply to the entire season.

IT: Welcome to Derry airs Sundays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, and is available to stream on HBO Max.

Apple is introducing ads to Apple Maps as soon as next year.

This is according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who initially predicted it a few years back and doubled down on the prediction early this year.

According to Gurman, this will be exactly what you'd expect: Restaurants and other businesses will be able to pay Apple to have their locations featured more prominently in Maps. The company will also leverage AI to make sure the results remain relevant.

The difference in the new report is that we now actually have a possible date for this change; Gurman claims it could happen as early as next year.

Ads in maps can be done tastefully, though Apple is risking quite a bit here given that its chief competitor, Google Maps, is significantly more popular already.

SEE ALSO: Review: With the new MacBook Pro (M5), Apple is just showing off

The effort is part of Apple's wider plan to better monetize iOS, meaning that ads in Maps is just one step towards this goal. The report doesn't reveal, however, which Apple app or service might be next to get ads.