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Google Fi promo gives you 75% off plans—here's how you qualify

How-To Geek - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 18:37

Google Fi is now trivially inexpensive, provided you take advantage of a rare deal. Google has a limited-time promotion that cuts 75% off plan prices for a year, but only if you meet certain conditions.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 modular 3D-printed projects to build and customize this weekend (Sep 25 - 27)

How-To Geek - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 18:30

Modular 3D-printed models are designed with customization and future expansion in mind. By adding additional modules or printing just the parts you need, you can expand on a project in the future or make something that feels tailored to you.

Categories: IT General, Technology

We found rare October Prime Day TV deals on TCL, LG, and Samsung: Save up to $1,000

Mashable - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 18:28
The best early October Prime Day TV deals: Best TCL TV deal TCL 85-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $2,497.99 (save $1,502) Get Deal Budget Pick Amazon Ember 40-inch 2-Series Fire TV $179.99 (save $70) Get Deal BEST LG TV DEAL LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,599.99 (save $1,100) Get Deal Best Hisense TV Deal Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV $847.99 (save $652) Get Deal Best Samsung TV deal Samsung 65-inch S90H OLED 4K TV $1,697.99 (save $1,002) Get Deal

Another Amazon Prime Day is upon us. Well, kind of. Prime Big Deal Days, which runs from Oct. 6 through Oct. 7, isn't quite as massive as Amazon's flagship summer sale, but it serves as an unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season.

Casually called October Prime Day, the fall sale features deals on all sorts of tech — just like Prime Day proper. TVs, in particular, tend to see pretty big price drops now that new models have been on the market for about six months. In other words, if you're in need of a new TV, you can find a 2026 model for a steal during October Prime Day.

We've rounded up the best early October Prime Day TV deals from brands like TCL, LG, Hisense, Fire TV, and Samsung that you can shop now, but be sure to check back as the official Prime Big Deal Days sale nears for more.

Best TCL TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 85-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $2,497.99 at Amazon
$3,999.99 Save $1,502   Get Deal Why we like it

Mashable's TV expert is a big fan of TCL's QM8L SQD-Mini-LED TVs. She named it our favorite QLED TV for most people, highlighting its "superb peak brightness, detailed picture quality, and fantastic glare handling" in her review. It's one of the brightest TVs you can buy in 2026, period, which is thanks in part to its "super quantum dot mini LEDs" (aka the SQD part of its name). On a normal day, the 85-inch model costs $3,999.99, but ahead of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, it's down to $2,497.99. That's its lowest price on record.

Best LG TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,599.99 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $1,100.00   Get Deal Why we like it

OLED TVs are known for their elite contrast and often extreme price tags. However, the LG C6 is what Mashable's TV expert calls the "best affordable OLED TV," compared to competitors' prices. It's also her top pick for an OLED TV for most people. It features inky blacks, stark contrast (of course), improved audio, peak brightness, and a higher refresh rate than its predecessor, and overall, incredible picture quality. At just under $1,600, the 65-inch model is over $1,000 cheaper than its list price ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. We've actually seen it drop even lower before, so we'll be keeping an eye out as the official sale nears.

Best Hisense TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV $847.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $652   Get Deal Why we like it

The Hisense U7 series delivers Mini-LED performance you'd expect on higher-priced models. It packs a 165Hz refresh rate, 2.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos audio, a Google TV with a Gemini interface, and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. Its backlighting features full-array local dimming as well, which means clusters of tiny LED bulbs precisely control brightness levels within specific sections of your screen for more accuracy and depth. The U7 is a step up from our favorite budget TV of 2026, but with this massive price drop, it's actually a much better deal. At $847.99, the 65-inch model is already $2 cheaper than it was on Prime Day proper back in June.

Best Samsung TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch S90H OLED 4K TV $1,697.99 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $1,002.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The S90H is the mid-range OLED from Samsung's 2026 lineup and just a step down from our favorite OLED of the year (the S95H). Compared to last year's model, the S90H gets a brightness bump and an upgraded anti-reflection display. It also supports 4K at 165Hz, NVIDIA G-SYNC, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

Usually pretty pricey at $2,699.99 for the 65-inch model, you can shave over $1,000 ahead of October Prime Day and pick it up for just $1,697.99. That's only $100 shy of its all-time low. The stock at Amazon is running low, so I suggest grabbing it ASAP. Otherwise, Best Buy has the same model for just $2 more.

Best budget TV deal

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Ember 40-inch 2-Series Fire TV $179.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

As much as we might drool over the LG C6 OLED TV or Sony's new flagship Bravia 7 II True RGB TV, when it comes time to actually add a TV to our shopping cart, we often have to lower our expectations. The good news: TVs are one of the only tech products that have gotten cheaper over the past five years, and even budget TVs offer fairly impressive displays and sound.

The Amazon Ember 40-inch Fire TV is a good starter TV if you're on a budget, and that's why it's one of the best October Prime Day TV deals we've found so far. Despite costing less than $200, this TV has a high definition, HDR10+ display and doubles as an Alexa smart speaker. If you're already in the Amazon ecosystem and OLEDs aren't in your budget, don't overthink this one.

More early October Prime Day TV dealsUnder 50-inch TV deals50 to 55-inch TV deals65-inch TV deals75-inch TV deals80 to 85-inch TV dealsOver 85-inch TV deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon has the Lego Disney Princess Advent Calendar on sale for $10 off

Mashable - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 18:19

SAVE $9.99: The Lego Disney Princess Advent Calendar is on sale at Amazon for $35, down from the list price of $44.99. That's a 22% discount and the lowest price we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Disney Princess Advent Calendar $35 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $9.99   Get Deal

We're all gearing up for Amazon's October Prime Day event, but it's never too early to start thinking about the holiday season. If you like to celebrate with an Advent Calendar, check out this shockingly good deal at Amazon.

As of Sept. 25, the Lego Disney Princess Advent Calendar is on sale at Amazon for $35, marked down from the list price of $44.99. That's a 22% discount and the lowest price we've seen at Amazon.

If you have a Disney princess fan in your home, the Lego Advent Calendar is a slam dunk. It contains 290 pieces spread out over 24 days of surprises. Some of our favorite princesses are included in the 2026 version, like Ariel, Cinderella, Moana, and Mulan. Of course, some of their sidekicks are also in on the celebration, like Sebastian, Pua, and little Gus Gus decked out in reindeer antlers.

SEE ALSO: Don't wait for Lego deals: We found early Prime Day deals on Lego Star Wars, Lego Pokémon, and more

Not only does this serve as an Advent calendar, but the Disney Princess version of the Lego calendar also doubles as a board game. The buildable spinner allows for up to eight players to take part in a Disney Lego game.

While it's sitting at a record-low price, get ready for the holiday season with the Lego Disney Princess Advent Calendar.

Categories: IT General, Technology

20+ of the best early October Prime Day deals: We found live deals on Apple, Nintendo, and Garmin

Mashable - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 18:03
Early October Prime Day Deals at a glance: Best headphone deal Beats Studio Pro $169.95 (save $180.04) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 (save $50) Get Deal Best Amazon device deal Amazon Fire HD 10 $72.99 (save $82) Get Deal Best TV deal Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV 847.99 (Save $652) Get Deal Best power station deal Bluetti Elite 100 V2 499 (Save $400) Get Deal Best SSD deal Samsung SSD 990 PRO 2TB PCIe 4.0 $389.99 (Save $250) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Garmin Vivoactive 5 $181.97 (save $118.02) Get Deal Best toys and gaming deal Nintendo Switch Pro Controller $55.97 (Save $24.02) Get Deal Best for Prime members Audible $0.99 per month for 4 months Get Deal

Amazon's next Prime Day is officially on the horizon. Its fall savings event, Prime Big Deal Days (aka "October Prime Day") is coming Oct. 6 and 7, with competing festivities at Target and Walmart.

Prime Big Deal Days will be an opportunity to get a head start on your Black Friday wishlist — and to get some relief from the RAMageddon price hikes impacting the tech industry this year. For its part, Amazon increased the prices of nearly two dozen Kindles, Fire TV Sticks, Echo smart speakers, and eero routers this summer because of rising component costs. Its upcoming seasonal deals should cancel out some of those markups.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime in time for the next Prime Day

As we gear up for fall, Amazon is already dropping early October Prime Day deals, and we've rounded up the best ones below. Savings are fluctuating quickly; for example, Fire Sticks were heavily discounted last week and are now full price. We're still holding out for more deals, considering Amazon Echo devices and Kindle e-readers have yet to go on sale.

Finally, a word of warning: We do expect prices to drop even lower on select Apple products when the sale starts Oct. 6, so you might want to hold out until then. In the meantime, we'll be regularly updating our picks in the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days.

Products marked with a ✅ were personally tested and recommended by a member of the Mashable team.

Best headphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro ✅ $169.95 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $180.04   Get Deal Why we like it

Ahead of October Prime Day, you can save 51% on the Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones. Usually, $349.99, the premium headphones are now just $169.95. Beats is all about audio, and these cans provide support for lossless audio. Similar to AirPods, Beats products also offer seamless connectivity to iOS devices.

More headphone dealsBest Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 ✅ $199 at Amazon
$249 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

The basic AirPods just got an upgrade with the new AirPods 5, and last year's Apple AirPods Pro 3 are back on sale. Ahead of October Prime Day, shop the Apple AirPods Pro 3 for $199, a $50 discount. The earbuds have ANC, a more comfortable fit, and bring live translation to the AirPods experience. They're perfect for commuters and even measure your heart rate, which is great for athletes who love a good workout playlist.

More early Prime Day Apple deals

AirPods

iPads

Apple Watch

MacBooks

Accessories

Best Amazon device deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 (32GB) $72.99 at Amazon
$154.99 Save $82.00   Get Deal Why we like it

It's no surprise that the best early October Prime Day deals include plenty of Amazon's own gadgets. Case in point: you can grab this HD tablet with 32GB of storage for 50% off. In the midst of a global memory crisis, a $73 tablet sounds pretty appealing to us. This 10-inch tablet has a lightweight design, a decently long battery life, and a crisp, colorful display. According to the Amazon price-tracking site camelcamelcamel, it's never been this cheap before.

More Amazon device deals

Fire tablets

Echo devices

Fire TVs

Blink cameras

Smart home

Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV $847.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $652   Get Deal Why we like it

"The Hisense U7 series delivers Mini-LED performance you'd expect on higher-priced models. It packs a 165Hz refresh rate, 2.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos audio, a Google TV with a Gemini interface, and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. Its backlighting features full-array local dimming as well, which means clusters of tiny LED bulbs precisely control brightness levels within specific sections of your screen for more accuracy and depth. The U7 is a step up from our favorite budget TV of 2026, but with this massive price drop, it's actually a much better deal. At $847.99, the 65-inch model is already $2 cheaper than it was on Prime Day proper back in June." — Christina Buff, Mashable Contributor

More TV deals

Under 50-inch TV deals

50 to 55-inch TV deals

65-inch TV deals

75-inch TV deals

80 to 85-inch TV deals

Over 85-inch TV deals

Best power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $499 at Amazon
$899 Save $400   Get Deal Why we like it

"Ahead of Prime Day, this Bluetti power unit has $400 off the list price. It comes with a 1,024Wh capacity and 1,800W output, with 11 ports so you can charge multiple devices at once. It can also fully recharge in about 70 minutes with TurboBoost AC charging, making it a great option for last-minute use.

The 10-millisecond UPS (uninterruptible power supply) means this is a great model for plugging into your workstation or the WiFi router at home when a storm threatens to take out grid power. A 10 UPS means the Ecoflow will take over providing power within 10 milliseconds of losing wall power." — Lois Mackenzie, Mashable Contributor

More power station dealsBest SSD deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung SSD 990 PRO 2TB PCIe 4.0 $389.99 at Amazon
$639.99 Save $250   Get Deal Why we like it

"The Samsung 990 PRO delivers top-tier sequential speeds up to 7,450 MB/s, effectively maxing out what a PCIe 4.0 slot can process. That translates directly to faster boot times, near-instant game loading on PC or PS5, and smooth handling of large 4K video renders. It also runs more power-efficiently than its predecessor, so it stays stable under heavy continuous workloads. With a solid five-year warranty and a huge price drop, it’s one of the best value-for-money storage upgrades you can buy right now." — Soumya Kumar, Mashable Contributor

More SSD and hard drive deals

MicroSDs

Portable SSDs

Portable HDDs

Internal hard drives

Best fitness tracker and smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Vivoactive 5 $181.97 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $118.02   Get Deal Why we like it

Many runners believe Garmin is the gold standard of smartwatches and fitness trackers. And ahead of Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, you can grab the Garmin Vivoactive 5 for just $181.97. That saves you over $118 off its retail price.

The Vivoactive 5 features an AMOLED display and up to 11 days of battery life, so you can wear it around the clock. It provides energy monitoring and a sleep score, so you get personalized tips to improve your sleep. Plus, it has 80 built-in types of sport tracking.

More fitness tracker and smartwatch dealsBest toys and gaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch Pro Controller $55.97 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $24.02   Get Deal Why we like it

The Nintendo Customer Appreciation Sale is a great chance to save on Switch games and accessories, and it runs through Sept. 26. Amazon is undercutting Nintendo, Walmart, and Best Buy by a whopping $0.02 with this deal, but we're not complaining.

This wireless controller offers better controls for many types of games (on both Switch 1 and Switch 2) than the standard Nintendo Joy-Con controllers, and this is your chance to grab it at its lowest-ever price.

More deals on toys and gamesBest streaming and subscription deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Audible $0.99/month for four months Get Deal Why we like it

Right now, Prime members can save 80% on four months of Amazon's audiobook service, paying just $0.99 for their first four months. Your membership lets you download one title per month. including classics, new releases, and BookTok faves like the ACOTAR series. And if 99 cents feels a little high, you can also sign up for a 30-day free trial.

More Amazon subscription deals

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Switching to a dual-mouse setup is the best thing I’ve done this year

How-To Geek - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 18:01

After almost two decades of using gaming mice, I switched to an ergonomic mouse about a month ago. The move is already paying dividends because my Logitech MX Master 3S is super comfortable to use, but I still decided to keep my Logitech G305 and switch to a dual mouse setup. Here’s why.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Turkey vs. France online for free

Mashable - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 18:00

TL;DR: Watch Turkey vs. France in the Nations League for free on TF1. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League is back with a stacked schedule of high-profile matchups, including Turkey vs. France. The hosts had a hugely disappointing 2026 World Cup, dropping out in the group stage. At one stage, it looked like France were going to dominate the competition, but they eventually fell to Spain at the semi-final stage.

Zinedine Zidane is now in charge of the national team. It's going to be fascinating to see how France's team of stars responds to his leadership.

If you're interested in watching Turkey vs. France in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Turkey vs. France?

Turkey vs. France in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 25. This fixture takes place at the Kocaeli Stadium.

How to watch Turkey vs. France for free

Turkey vs. France in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on TF1.

TF1 is geo-restricted to France, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in France, meaning you can live stream Turkey vs. France for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Turkey vs. France for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

  4. Visit TF1

  5. Watch Turkey vs. France 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 they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Turkey vs. France without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for TF1?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on TF1, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries, including France

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is 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 Turkey vs. France for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Shop the best early Prime Day deals on Pokémon, including 30th Celebration trading cards for under market price

Mashable - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 17:59
The best early Prime Day Pokémon deals: Best TCG deal Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $89.99 (save vs. market price) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Pokémon Eevee (72151) $47.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best video game deal Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Nintendo Switch 2) $53.99 (save $16) Get Deal Best book deal Pokémon Deluxe Character Guide (Pokemon Pikachu Press) $41.98 (save $18.01) Get Deal

Amazon’s October Prime Day may still be on the horizon, but there are already plenty of Pokémon discounts to score on trading cards, Nintendo Switch games, books, and much more. Collectors everywhere have been focused on buying the 30th Celebration expansion, but this kind of sale is the perfect way to catch up on past collections.

SEE ALSO: Lego's Pokémon Eevee is close to its best-ever price at Amazon — save $12 before October Prime Day

Prime Day will run from Oct. 6-7, so be sure to keep this page bookmarked for plenty of other deals in the build-up to the sale going live. In the meantime, these are my favorite early Pokémon Prime Day deals you can buy right now.

Best Pokémon TCG deal Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $89.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it

After temporarily jumping back up to $200+ due to low supply, the Pokémon TCG’s 30th Celebration ETB is back at $89.99 — still a massive $168.94 under TCGplayer’s estimated market price of $177.93. 

The catch is availability, as Amazon is selling the box through its invitation system. You need to hit "request invite" rather than buy it immediately. If Amazon selects your request, you'll receive a limited window to complete the purchase. 

If you’re successful, you’ll get this glorious box including nine 30th Celebration booster packs, a full-art foil Nidorina promo, 16 foil Basic Energy trading cards, 65 sleeves, dice, a coin, dividers, a collector's box, a player's guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code. 

More Pokémon TCG dealsBest Pokémon Lego deal Lego Pokemon Eevee Building Set (72151) $47.56 at Walmart
$59.99 Save $12.43   Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The 587-piece Lego Pokémon Eevee set is a posable display piece designed for adult builders. Unlike static figures, the ears, head, limbs, and angled tail are fully adjustable, so you can change up how it sits on your shelf. While $47.99 isn't a huge drop from its $50 retail price, it's just a few cents off its all-time low of $47.95, making it a good excuse to grab it now rather than waiting to see if it drops further during the main sale.

(Note: Eevee is currently the only set in the Lego Pokémon lineup receiving a discount ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, but we've listed the most popular sets below so you can keep an eye on them if Amazon drops prices during the event.)

More Pokémon Lego dealsBest Pokémon Nintendo Switch game deal Pokémon Legends: Z-A $0 at Amazon
  Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Set within Lumiose City, Pokémon Legends: Z-A lets you issue commands on the fly, compete in the nightly Z-A Royale tournament, and use the returning Mega Evolution mechanic to take down rampaging rogue Pokémon. At $53.99, a 23% discount on a major Nintendo Switch 2 title makes this an easy choice to pick up now rather than paying full retail.

More Pokémon Nintendo Switch game dealsBest Pokémon book deal Pokémon Deluxe Character Guide (Pokemon Pikachu Press) $41.98 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $18.01   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

For a hardbound, 336-page reference book celebrating 30 years of the franchise, a 30% markdown makes this a reasonable grab for collectors. It features a foreword from The Pokémon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara and covers characters across every region in numerical order with artwork from the games, anime, and trading card game. It works well as a coffee table display piece with its color-it-yourself cover, or just as a quick reference guide so you don't have to keep an online wiki open on your phone.

More Pokémon book deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

20+ of the best early Prime Day deals on trading cards: Pokémon TCG, Magic: The Gathering, One Piece, and more

Mashable - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 17:40
The best early Prime Day trading card deals: Best Pokémon TCG deal Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $89.99 (save vs. market price) Get Deal Best MTG deal Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Bundle $59.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best one piece deal One Piece Card Game Final Battle OP-16 Booster Box (Japanese) $119.74 (save $17.24) Get Deal Best Disney Lorcana deal Ravensburger Disney Lorcana TCG 2-player Starter Deck $19.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best Kpop Demon Hunters deal Kpop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards Energy Edition $50.99 (save $3) Get Deal

Prime Day might not have started yet, but trading card discounts are already piling up at Amazon — with plenty of offers in the Pokémon TCG, Magic: The Gathering, One Piece Card Game, Disney Lorcana, and even KPop Demon Hunters card markets.

We’ve also found plenty of dedicated Pokémon deals, but if you’re a card collector who’s out to save money on Oct. 6-7, keep this page bookmarked as Mashable will be updating the latest deals in the build-up to the main event.

Here are the best early Prime Day trading card deals we’ve found so far. 

Best trading card deal Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Bundle $59.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it 

Magic: The Gathering's The Hobbit Bundle is a great way to explore the newer Middle-earth set, and this all-time low price (which we uncovered last week) represents incredible value ahead of Prime Day.

Now $59.99 instead of its $69.99 list price, saving you $10 at Amazon (its lowest-ever price, confirmed at price tracker camelcamelcamel). This box is below market price — with dedicated trading card marketplace TCGplayer still estimating it at exactly $61. What’s more, actual listings on the site only go as low as $63.58 plus shipping.

For that price, you're getting nine 14-card The Hobbit Play Boosters alongside an alternate-art Traditional Foil promo, 34 Land cards, an oversized Spindown life counter, two reference cards, and a storage box. That works out to about $6.67 per booster before even counting all of those extras, making this a strong all-in-one option if you've been waiting for a cheaper way to jump into The Hobbit expansion. 

More early Prime Day trading card deals

Pokémon TCG

Magic: The Gathering

One Piece Card Game

KPop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards

Disney Lorcana TCG

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop stressing over dual-channel RAM: Why a single stick is fine while prices are high

How-To Geek - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 17:30

Skyrocketing, unprecedented RAM prices have changed the entire way we have to think about RAM for our PCs. When RAM was cheap, I would always recommend buying a matched pair and installing them in a dual-channel configuration. You get double the memory bandwidth, after all. So why not?

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best early October Prime Day gaming deals: I found PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox deals worth grabbing now

Mashable - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 17:26
The best early Prime Day gaming deals: Best video game deal Starfield (Standard Edition PS5) $29.99 (save $20) Get Deal Best console deal Nex Playground + 12-Month Play Pass Bundle $354.87 (save $33.13) Get Deal Best gaming monitor deal Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 (G50F) Series QHD Gaming Monitor $199.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best gaming headset deal HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset $49.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best gaming keyboard deal Razer BlackWidow V4 X Mechanical Gaming Keyboard $99.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best gaming mouse deal Razer Basilisk V3 (Wired) $34.98 (save $35.01) Get Deal

Amazon’s October Prime Day is getting closer, and the retailer’s early gaming deals are now stretching well beyond discounted PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox games. We’re also seeing price cuts on gaming monitors, headsets, mice, keyboards, and other setup upgrades ahead of the main sale on Oct. 6-7.

SEE ALSO: Lego's Pokémon Eevee is close to its best-ever price at Amazon — save $12 before October Prime Day

With that in mind, we’ve expanded this guide to cover the best gaming tech alongside the console deals already worth shopping. As always, we’re sticking to products with genuine reductions against their listed or typical prices, and we’ll keep updating our picks as more early Prime Day offers go live.

Best video game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Starfield (Standard Edition PS5) $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Starfield only made the jump to PS5 in April, and the Standard Edition is already nearly half price. The game is currently listed at $47.33 (usually $49.99), but an on-page coupon drops it to $29.99 at checkout. That $20 savings marks the lowest price this version has ever seen on Amazon. This is the full base game rather than a trimmed-down edition, giving you Bethesda’s huge sci-fi RPG with deep character customization, ship building, and over 1,000 planets to explore.

More early Prime Day video game deals

PS5 games

Nintendo Switch games

Xbox games

Best console deal Nex Playground + 12-Month Play Pass Bundle $354.87 at Amazon
$388 Save $33.13   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Don't write this off as just a kids' toy. Mashable freelancer Tabitha Britt bought one a couple of years ago for Christmas, when it was sold out everywhere — she literally had to special-order it and wait two weeks for it to ship — and says it's still one of the most genuinely fun active setups you can buy. It's kind of like a Wii, but it uses an AI camera to track your movements, so you don't need a handheld controller to play.

(Note: Standard PS5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch systems are still at their full retail price, so we haven't included them here. We're keeping a close eye on console prices and will update this section the second actual markdowns go live.)

Best gaming monitor deal Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 (G50F) Series QHD Gaming Monitor $199.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $150   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Finding a 32-inch 1440p panel from a top-tier brand under $200 is a steal. You're getting a 180Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, plus G-Sync and FreeSync support to keep fast-paced action smooth and free of screen tearing. It also comes with a height-adjustable ergonomic stand right out of the box, so you can pivot, tilt, and swivel to your setup's needs — a practical feature most budget displays cut to trim costs.

More early gaming monitor deals Best gaming headset deal HyperX Cloud II Headset $49.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it

The HyperX Cloud II has been around for years because the basic design just works. For $50, you get 53mm drivers, hardware-driven 7.1 virtual surround sound, and an aluminum frame built to take a beating. The memory foam ear pads stay comfortable during long gaming sessions, and the detachable noise-canceling mic keeps voice chat clear without getting in the way when you just want to listen to music.

More early gaming headset deals Best gaming keyboard and mouse deals Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer BlackWidow V4 X Mechanical Gaming Keyboard $99.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer Basilisk V3 $34.98 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $35.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Getting a top-tier wired mouse at half off makes the Razer Basilisk V3 an easy pick. It has 11 programmable buttons, a smart scroll wheel that toggles between tactile clicks and free-spin scrolling, and a thumb rest shaped for long gaming sessions.

If you're upgrading your keyboard too, the Razer BlackWidow V4 X has real tactile mechanical switches instead of those squishy membrane keys. It includes six dedicated macro keys, custom RGB lighting for each key, and a physical volume roller right above the number pad, so you don't have to tab out of your game to tweak audio.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

Starlink satellites are becoming a barometer for Earth’s atmosphere

Mashable - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 17:25

Starlink satellites are usually discussed in terms of what they’re doing to the sky. Astronomer Tony Phillips has found a way to use them to learn something about it.

Phillips, who runs SpaceWeather.com, has turned the orbital data of hundreds of Starlink satellites into a daily measure of changes in Earth’s upper atmosphere. He calls it a "planetary barometer," though it tracks air density rather than pressure. His planetary barometer relies on an ingenious observation, which Phillips explained in a blog post (as reported by The Register).

Here’s how a satellite becomes a weather instrument: Even hundreds of miles above Earth, there’s enough atmosphere to create drag. When energy from the sun heats the upper atmosphere, it expands, putting more particles in a satellite’s path. More drag means a satellite would lose altitude faster if it weren’t using its thrusters to stay in orbit.

Phillips analyzes publicly available orbital records to estimate that effect. His daily "sink rate" asks how many meters a typical Starlink satellite at about 480 kilometers (roughly 300 miles) up would lose in a day with its thrusters off. So far in 2026, that figure has ranged from 19.7 meters on a quiet day in August to 127.6 meters during a major geomagnetic storm in January. That doesn’t mean Starlink satellites actually plunged that far on either day; the number is a way to show how much the atmosphere changed.

And Phillips isn’t relying on Starlink alone. He checks the pattern against satellites from Planet Labs, Amazon’s Kuiper network, and Eutelsat OneWeb. Planet’s SuperDoves are particularly useful because they have no thrusters: Their actual descent offers a check on the Starlink estimate. The index has limits, including orbital data that can blur sudden changes over several days.

Scientists have studied atmospheric drag using Starlink data before. Phillips’s contribution is a public number updated daily, offering a running look at conditions that matter for satellite orbits. Starlink’s crowded presence overhead remains a concern for astronomers. For this one purpose, though, all those satellites make it possible to watch the atmosphere change without launching anything new.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Microsofts new Surface laptops get rid of Copilot+ PC branding

Mashable - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 17:13

Microsoft's AI-branded Windows laptops are dead.

At Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit 2026 this week, Microsoft Surface CVP Brett Ostrum told news outlet Windows Central that it will no longer use the "Copilot+ PC" branding for its Surface PCs going forward.

As Windows Central points out, none of the Surface laptops that launched this year used the Copilot+ PC branding, and it appears none of Microsoft's upcoming products will use it either.

Copilot+ PCs were launched in mid-2024 as Microsoft went full throttle with its AI push. The Copilot+ branding was derived from its AI chatbot assistant Copilot, which the company released the previous November.

Microsoft called Copilot+ PCs "the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs ever built" and said they were "the most significant change to the Windows platform in decades," when they were launched. These computers were basically new Surface PCs with processors specifically built for AI processes, like pre-built AI PCs.

However, it seems like Copilot+ PCs weren't as successful as Microsoft had hoped. In fact, the company has been reconfiguring its entire approach to AI more broadly, too. 

Last month, Microsoft retired the animated mascot Mico that it had created to represent the Copilot brand. And now, just today, Microsoft unveiled a revamped version of the Copilot AI assistant, too.

With OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude, Google's Gemini, and other AI companies carving out their niche in the AI market, Microsoft is still trying to figure out theirs. One thing seems sure, though: Copilot+ PCs won't be part of Microsoft's AI plans.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get to the task at hand faster with the SpeakON AI Communicator

How-To Geek - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 17:13

Everyone is short on time these days, and typing on your phone screen isn't exactly fast. Managers, founders, product specialists, and those who need to communicate a lot throughout the day are often short on time. Stopping to switch or find the right app, or work through the process manually, can really slow things down.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I found 13 early October Prime Day earbuds deals that are worth buying from Bose, Apple, Beats, and more

Mashable - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 17:07
Early October Prime Day earbuds deals at a glance Best Apple deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30.99) Get Deal Best Bose deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) $249.99 (save $49.01) Get Deal Best open earbuds deal Shokz OpenDots One $139.95 (save $60) Get Deal Best sleep earbuds deal Soundcore Sleep A30 Special + get a free Anker Soundcore Eye Mask $199.99 (save $30) Get Deal

It's leaf-peeping season, and that means it's time for another massive sale event at Amazon. This year, October Prime Big Deal Days is a two-day sale, spanning Oct. 6 and 7. While we're still a couple of weeks away from the sale kicking off, Amazon is already packed with great offers. That's especially true if you're in need of fresh earbuds.

Many of us depend on earbuds like we depend on water. On the checklist before walking out the front door, we need a wallet, phone, keys, and earbuds. They're with us all the time, from a morning walk with the dog to pre-bedtime YouTube streaming. If your current pair is not up for these tasks, early October Prime Day deals will come to the rescue.

SEE ALSO: 12 expert-sourced deals on headphones and earbuds ahead of October Prime Day: Shop Beats, AirPods, and Sony

From incredibly comfortable Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd gen) to the Soundcore Sleep A30 Special, we're seeing plenty of great early deals on earbuds, and I've rounded up the best options below. Keep an eye on Mashable's Prime Day coverage as we start to see more delas rolls in ahead of the sale.

Best Apple earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Walmart
$129.99 Save $30.99   Get Deal Why we like it

Down to the affordable price of $99, the Apple AirPods 4 are on sale at Walmart. Redesigned for comfort, the AirPods 4 come with a massive 30-hour battery life with the included charging case. And good news on that front, because Apple made the case smaller and compatible with USB-C recharging.

Keep in mind that the base model of the Apple AirPods 4 does not come with active noise cancellation. If that's a priority, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 with ANC are on sale for $199.

SEE ALSO: The 5 headphones deals we want to see on sale during October Prime Day Best Bose earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) $249.99 at Amazon
$299 Save $49.01   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for the most comfortable earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) are a top pick. Mashable's analysis of the best earbuds notes that the Bose buds are unmatched for comfort and well worth the investment. "With spatial audio and some of the best ANC we've encountered, these earbuds deliver immersive sound that envelopes you in your music," wrote Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard.

Best open earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shokz Shokz OpenDots One $139.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $60   Get Deal Why we like it

If you'll be wearing earbuds while running or working out at the gym, open earbuds might be the best option. The design focuses on solid sound quality while also allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings. The Shokz OpenDots One are one of Mashable's favorite open earbuds models, and they're already on sale for under $140 ahead of Prime Day. Need more convincing? They're also Mashable's top choice for running earbuds.

The sale price of $139.95 is the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon. Given that pricing history, you probably don't need to wait for Oct. 6 to buy this pair.

Best sleep earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Special $199.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30 get a free Anker Soundcore Eye Mask Get Deal Why we like it

If you struggle to sleep on account of environmental noise, sleep earbuds might be a great solution. Instead of using earbuds that hurt when sleeping on your side, sleep earbuds are specially designed for comfort, no matter which sleeping position you prefer. Mashable's favorite sleep earbuds are the Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Specials, and they're already on sale for $199.99 ahead of October Prime Day.

In Mashable's review of the Sleep A30 Specials, Allard wrote, "Soundcore's quick upgrade to the recently released Sleep A30 earbuds is a welcome one, delivering a longer battery life and lower price point, making a great pair of sleep earbuds even better."

If you're searching for solutions to get better sleep, consider these sleep earbuds while they're on sale. Plus, they come with a free Anker Soundcore sleep mask.

More earbuds deals

Categories: IT General, Technology

The new Microsoft Copilot talks to Office—and keeps working after you leave

How-To Geek - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 17:01

Microsoft is making it easier to have AI do your drudge work — even when you're not there. The company has launched a redesigned Copilot app that finally ties into Office and streamlines the whole experience, including the do-it-while-you-sleep Autopilot feature.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 excellent Netflix documentaries to watch this weekend (September 25-27)

How-To Geek - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 17:00

Fall is officially upon us, and as September winds down and we prepare for the changing of the leaves, Netflix's flashy conveyor belt of new documentaries and series has slowed. But that's OK, a couple of great series are still going strong on the Netflix U.S. charts—Death of the Pastor's Wife and I Survived a Serial Killer—and, as we're about to get into, it's not over yet.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to burn your own movies on Blu-ray in Windows 11

How-To Geek - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 16:30

Blu-ray discs remain one of the few ways to keep high-quality home movies on physical media you control. Windows 11 barely includes basic support to make a playable one, though — which might surprise some of you, considering native burning tools for formats like DVD have been a staple on Windows for almost 20 years now. Here's the hardware and software you need, how burning works, and whether it's all worth the effort.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Our favorite early Prime Day deals on iPads: Live deals on the iPad Air and iPad Pro

Mashable - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 16:06
The best early Prime Day iPad deals: Best iPad Deal Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4, 128GB, WiFi) $649 (save $100) Get Deal Best budget iPad deal Apple iPad (A16, 128GB, WiFi) $399 (save $50) Get Deal Best iPad Pro deal Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5, 256GB, WiFi) $1,139 (save $60) Get Deal

Fall has just begun, and the holiday shopping season is already heating up. No longer do things kick off on Black Friday. With Amazon's annual Prime Big Deal Days running Oct. 6-7, it's your first chance to start shopping and saving this holiday season.

SEE ALSO: You can now get free Amazon Prime delivery on other websites, no Amazon login required — how it works

Leading up to Amazon's October Prime Day event, we're tracking all the early deals on the biggest brands. We've already spotted savings on Apple products, including iPads. The deals are nowhere near the best we've ever seen. There are some minor savings to enjoy ahead of the event. But considering Apple products (including iPads) have all seen price hikes in the past year, even the meager savings now are something to celebrate.

Here are the best iPad deals to shop ahead of Amazon's October Prime Day.

Best iPad Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4, 128GB, WiFi) $649 at Amazon
$749 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

Luckily, the best deal on iPads is on our favorite iPad. The Apple iPad Air comes with an M4 chip, making it as capable as any laptop. It has stellar performance and extensive battery life, plus with upgraded iPadOS, you can now navigate multiple windows at once.

Normally $749, the Apple iPad Air is marked down $100. That brings it down to $649, for 13% off its list price. While it's not the cheapest it's ever been, these savings bring it closer to its pre-price-hike rate.

Read our full review of the M4 Apple iPad Air.

More iPad deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Off-brand power tool batteries are fine for homeowners—here's 4 times when they're not

How-To Geek - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 16:00

I've seen plenty of posts online saying you absolutely need to buy a name brand, but they always assume you're running tools all day on a job site. If you're not, that advice doesn't apply, and following it will cost you money you don't need to spend. Off-brand power tool batteries have a bad reputation that made more sense when third-party manufacturing was less reliable than it is now. You need to consider whether your situation actually calls for a name-brand battery.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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