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SAVE $10: As of Sept. 22, Amazon dropped the list price of Apple's brand-new AirPods Pro 3 to $239 instead of $249. That's the first-ever discount for the earbuds, which hit shelves just a few days ago.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $239 at Amazon
$249 Save $10 Get Deal

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 have only officially been on shelves for three days, but thanks to Amazon, you can already find them at a discount.

As of Sept. 22, the AirPods Pro 3 are on sale for $239 at Amazon. Although it's not listed as a deal on the product page, that's $10 off their actual list price and cheaper than you'll find them at any other retailer. Sure, it's not the biggest discount in the world, but it's their first discount ever. And $10 is $10 — especially in this economy.

SEE ALSO: Every Apple product announcement we still expect in 2025 and beyond — AirTags, Macs, and HomePod

One of the biggest announcements from Apple's annual September event, the AirPods Pro 3 are a much-needed upgrade. The last time the Pros got an update was in 2023 and it wasn't much to write home about, with Apple only adding a USB-C port to the 2022 rendition. This time around, Apple delivered the goods. The Pro 3s feature better noise cancellation that's supposedly twice as effective as the second-generation earbuds, as well as better battery life (eight hours with ANC, 10 hours in transparency mode). They also added the heart rate monitoring tech from the Powerbeats Pro 2, Fitness app compatibility, and new foam-infused eartips that fit more snugly in your ears, making the new AirPods Pro a solid contender to overtake our favorite workout earbuds. Apple also finally jumped on board the live translation train (Samsung Galaxy Buds and Google Pixel Buds already have this feature).

In a world where everything is getting more expensive, the most surprising aspect of the AirPods Pro 3 is the price tag. The new earbuds retail for the same price as the previous earbuds: just $249. And for some reason, Amazon already has them on sale for $10 off.

Combining two or more arrays in an Excel workbook used to be a complicated and tedious task. However, the introduction of the VSTACK and HSTACK functions in late 2022 was a game-changer that made this process much easier.

It’s officially that time of year when watching The Holiday on a Sunday huddled under a blanket on the sofa is not only acceptable but compulsory. There's a chill in the air, which means one thing: cuffing season is here. Your Instagram feed will soon be awash with couples cosying up at festive markets, and festive soirées together, it can feel like everyone apart from you has done the unthinkable and found someone to love. 

What is cuffing season?

So, what exactly is cuffing season? And is it a real thing, or merely a marketing slogan designed to get singletons swiping while they lie under a blanket watching Gilmore Girls for the 10th time? If you, like me, reside in the camp of single, flirty and (mostly) thriving, you may find this time of year either overwhelming or mentally strenuous. Cuffing season typically starts in mid-October and ends after Valentine’s Day, with the term originally coined in 2011 when it began appearing in college newspapers. The term comes from African-American Vernacular English (AAVE), stemming from the term "cuffed" which means you’re dating someone. This was around the time it was entered into the Urban Dictionary, too. 

Dating app Bumble told Mashable that this time of year sees an influx of users logging in and swiping to find a match. So if your dating app profile is suddenly popping off, this could be why. 

What's behind this sudden surge in swiping? This need to couple up and find a mate in the colder months comes down to our biology, too, with a drop in serotonin levels causing us to seek out connection. In the northern hemisphere, our days are getting shorter, nights are longer, and temperatures are dropping. Historically, the colder seasons are when humans would be looking for an additional mate or people to spend that time with, as strength came in numbers to forage for food and get through the tough months with. 

SEE ALSO: Welcome to the 'Lover Girl' dating era. It's time to embrace romance.

The shift in seasons can also trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) for some people, a type of depression people experience when the seasons change due to the colder, darker weather. This change in weather and temperature can influence how we feel, due to the fact that our serotonin and melatonin levels change. Serotonin is the ‘happy’ chemical our body produces, so a lack of this could mean we feel lonelier and thus pursue more companionship or physical touch from others. Researchers think that this drop in serotonin could be linked to why we go in search of a mate, and why cuffing season has become commonplace in modern dating. 

Whilst using apps to date and find a match has become the most common method of meeting someone, that doesn’t mean it’s made it any simpler. Eimar Draper is a dating coach and believes this time of year can see us run the risk of settling for situations that don’t serve our true needs and desires. 

"If you're looking for something serious, don’t deviate from that path," Draper says. "It's tempting to agree to just hook up with someone new for the sake of getting to know them, but if you know it’s not what you want long term, then your emotional and mental capacity for handling something casual potentially isn’t quite there."

SEE ALSO: Is Seasonal Affective Disorder impacting your sex life? Here's how to cope. Avoiding situationships during cuffing season

If you’ve been in the dating sphere for the last few years, you’ll know all too well either through lived experience or watching friends go through it that it’s very easy to find yourself a situationship — whether that's what you're looking for or not. With the language of heartbreak more focused on that of people coming out of long-term relationships, the pain of post-situationship heartache is something that doesn't get the validation it deserves. 

In fact, almost 65 percent of singles surveyed by the dating app eharmony admitted to having their heart broken from a short-term relationship or situationship, with 56 percent sharing that their situationship heartbreak was equally or more painful than what they experienced after ending a longer, committed relationship.

SEE ALSO: How to move on after a situationship ends

Draper believes this is due to the fact that we allow things on our deal-breaker list to fall by the wayside when we enter dynamics that lack clear boundaries and expectations. "Sometimes if you're entering into a situationship with the hope of it turning into commitment, you’re not really living in alignment with your values," she says. "I think going against what our needs and wants are from a relationship creates quite a bit of shame for us, which is a difficult emotion to process and one we’re reluctant to honestly share."

Why do we seek connection during the colder months?

So, why does this time of year cause us to seek out and form attachments that perhaps don’t fully serve our needs emotionally? "It's ingrained in us to seek that human connection, but there’s also loads of different societal pressures in the world of dating now, too," Draper explains. "I feel like there's a lot of pressure on women especially now to stand strong in their independence and claim they don't need anybody, and at the same time, there’s an equal pressure for them to be okay with something casual and surface level. Yet, we’re still slut-shamed and judged for doing so."

"It's ingrained in us to seek that human connection, but there’s also loads of different societal pressures in the world of dating now, too."

Open communication and spending time with yourself, she believes, is key to making a healthy and happy relationship dynamic come to fruition. "Spend some time with yourself to figure out and get clear on what it is that you expect out of a relationship," she says. "Unpacking that will naturally give you the boundaries that you are going to need or want to achieve."  

Boundaries also go beyond what you expect from someone face-to-face. Placing digital boundaries is also key to forming a healthy connection. Caitlin Begg is a sociology researcher, with a vested interest in how our communication and digital lives impact our relationships. 

"The way we communicate now is over-saturated and blurs the lines between real life and hyperreality," she says. "Hypercommunication is the notion that the amount of excess inbound and outbound comms we consume is impacting our brains and social behaviours. Which in turn, impacts how we navigate our relationships, too."

SEE ALSO: It's time to reclaim singledom as a symbol of power

Begg’s work has led her to believe that the excessive way we connect now has put our dating timelines in reverse. "Take dating in the '60s, let's say. You had maybe two channels maximum to communicate with someone — the telephone, or through a letter," she says. "Now, there are so many different channels to do so that we’ve fallen into cycles of overcommunication. This causes us to form attachments and ideas of a person before we even meet them, rather than getting to know them in person first and then figuring out their digital communication pattern."

Cuffing season, Begg believes, is a time of year where we collectively focus on the expectations, thinking ahead to how the relationship we form will end up, rather than staying focused on the connection with the individual.

"The way we speak to one another when it comes to dating has changed so much thanks to the advancement of technology," she says. "We need to be careful about how much we let our online presence and perceptions intercede our relationships in real life. Don’t let notification culture force you to project something private that you’re still figuring out into the public sphere just to be seen as successful."

Dating with intention

Cuffing season isn’t just for flings and surface-level connection, though. There’s still an opportunity to seek out a match who’s looking for the same thing as you. Dr. Caroline West, Bumble's sex and relationships expert, believes the low pressure and focus on the fun of the season could see us ending up with a genuine connection, no matter how long it lasts. 

"If you’re dating with intentionality, this time of year is a great opportunity to date and meet new people without the pressure of making it a long-term thing," she says. "Even short-term relationships can be a fulfilling and positive experience, so if you can, I’d recommend trying to see breakups in a new light."

Whilst short-term flings can be fun and serve a purpose, this time of year also brings with it a suddenly very heavily laden social calendar. From family events to work Christmas parties, sometimes the time to date and pursue multiple people is actually hard to find. 

"The pressure to not be seen alone at these events can lead people to enter into situationships, just so they don’t feel embarrassed in front of loved ones."

"People can feel pressured around this time to have a plus one, and having a consistent partner — no matter how long they’ve been on the scene — can make them easier to navigate," West says. "The pressure to not be seen alone at these events can lead people to enter into situationships, just so they don’t feel embarrassed in front of loved ones."

But being alone doesn’t hold the same negative connotations the romcoms would lead you to believe. Recent research from Bumble reveals that many people are now embracing a "Consciously Single" mindset when it comes to dating, with over half of them (53 percent) realizing that it can be empowering to be alone after a breakup.

Regardless of what your goals are for dating right now, the most important thing is to remember that nobody will see you as "less than" if you rock up to the pub solo for festive drinks. Your great aunt at the family Christmas party is only asking if you’ve met someone because she’s curious about your life away from home, and your friends who are coupled up and in love aren’t showing off, they’re just happy. So don’t let the green-eyed monster or fear of being alone lead you down the path of forced connections and half-baked intimacy with someone new for the sake of getting cuffed.

This article was first published in 2023 and republished in 2025.

SAVE 37%: As of Sept. 22, you can get the Eufy Omni S1 Pro robot vacuum-mop combo for $949.99, down from $1,499.99, with an on-screen coupon at Amazon. That's a 37% discount and a $550 savings.

Eufy Omni S1 Pro $949.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $550 Get Deal

Amazon’s second Prime Day is just around the corner, and this year the retail giant isn’t holding back on the early deals (you can literally find “Early Prime Deals” in the main shopping menu right now). One of the craziest pre-Prime Day deals I’ve found so far is on the Eufy Omni S1 Pro robot vacuum and mop combo.

As of Sept. 22, the Eufy Omni S1 Pro robot vacuum-mop combo is selling for $949.99, down from $1,499.99, with an on-screen coupon at Amazon. That's a 37% discount and a $550 savings. This is a new all-time low price and an even better price than it was during last year's Prime Big Deal Days October event.

SEE ALSO: Will the laser-equipped Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai solve Dyson's robot vacuum problem?

What makes this robovac worth the splurge is its advanced cleaning system. The S1 Pro has an "Always-Clean Mop" feature that continuously washes its roller mop with purified water while it's cleaning your floors. It keeps the clean and dirty water in separate tanks on the robot itself, so it's not just dragging a dirty pad around your house. The all-in-one base station handles everything from emptying the dustbin to refilling the water take and uses ozone to purify the water and sterilize the mop, which is some next-level stuff (especially for under $500).

With a powerful 8,000Pa of suction and an advanced obstacle avoidance system, it’s a top-tier cleaning machine for anyone ready to make a serious upgrade without spending a fortune.

The iPhone Air is arguably Apple's thinnest iPhone to date. And despite the fact that there are some shortcomings compared to other iPhones, it's thin and surprisingly sturdy, which is the whole point of it. As it turns out, the thinness actually means this iPhone is more repairable than usual.

Can't choose the best power bank for your use? I was also in your shoes. There are so many things in the specifications. Which ones matter most? After careful research, I found my perfect power bank. Here are the qualities I searched for when buying.

If you're a longtime Samsung Galaxy user who recently switched to a Google Pixel, you likely noticed that stock Android doesn't let you customize the on-screen navigation buttons. While many manufacturers have switched to gesture controls, three-button navigation is still a thing. And now, it looks like Android 16 will finally match Samsung and let you flip the back button to the other side of the screen.

In the promising and rapidly evolving field of genetic analysis, the ability to accurately interpret whole genome sequencing data is crucial for diagnosing and improving outcomes for people with rare genetic diseases. Yet despite technological advancements, genetic professionals face steep challenges in managing and synthesizing the vast amounts of data required for these analyses. Fewer than 50% of initial cases yield a diagnosis, and while reanalysis can lead to new findings, the process remains time-consuming and complex. 

To better understand and address these challenges, Microsoft Research—in collaboration with Drexel University and the Broad Institute​​—conducted a comprehensive study titled AI-Enhanced Sensemaking: Exploring the Design of a Generative AI-Based Assistant to Support Genetic Professionals (opens in new tab). The study was recently published in a special edition of ACM Transactions on Interactive Intelligent Systems journal focused on generative AI.  

The study focused on integrating generative AI to support the complex, time-intensive, and information-dense sensemaking tasks inherent in whole genome sequencing analysis. Through detailed empirical research and collaborative design sessions with experts in the field, we identified key obstacles genetic professionals face and proposed AI-driven solutions to enhance their workflows. ​     ​We developed strategies for how generative AI can help synthesize biomedical data, enabling AI-expert collaboration to increase the diagnoses of previously unsolved rare diseases—ultimately aiming to improve patients’ quality of life and life expectancy.

Whole genome sequencing in rare disease diagnosis

Rare diseases affect up to half a billion people globally and obtaining a diagnosis can take multiple years. These diagnoses often involve specialist consultations, laboratory tests, imaging studies, and invasive procedures. Whole genome sequencing is used to identify genetic variants responsible for these diseases by comparing a patient’s DNA sequence to reference genomes. ​​Genetic professionals use bioinformatics tools such as seqr, an open-source, web-based tool for rare disease case analysis and project management to assist them in filtering and prioritizing  > 1 million variants to determine their potential role in disease. A critical component of their work is sensemaking: the process of searching, filtering, and synthesizing data to build, refine, and present models from complex sets of gene and variant information.  

​​The multi-step sequencing process​​​ typically takes three to 12 weeks and requires extensive amounts of evidence and time to synthesize and aggregate information ​​to understand the gene and variant effects for the patient. If a patient’s case goes unsolved, their whole genome sequencing data is set aside until enough time has passed to warrant a reanalysis​​. This creates a backlog of patient cases​​. The ability to easily identify when new scientific evidence emerges and when to reanalyze an unsolved patient case is key to shortening the time patients suffer with an unknown rare disease diagnosis. 

The promise of AI systems to assist with complex human tasks

Approximately 87% of AI systems never reach deployment ​simply because they solve​​​ the wrong problems. ​​Understanding the AI support desired by different types of professionals, their current workflows, and AI capabilities is critical to successful AI system deployment and use. Matching technology capabilities with user tasks is particularly challenging in AI design because AI models can generate numerous outputs, and their capabilities can be unclear. ​To design an effective​​​ AI-based system​, one needs to identify​ ​​tasks AI can support, ​​determine​​​​​​ the appropriate level of AI involvement, and ​​design​​​​​​ user-AI interactions. This necessitates considering how humans interact with technology and how ​​AI can best be incorporated into workflows and tools.

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Listen now Opens in a new tab Study objectives and co-designing a genetic AI assistant

Our study aimed to understand the current challenges and needs of genetic professionals performing whole genome sequencing analyses and explore the tasks where they want an AI assistant to support them in their work. The first phase of our study involved interviews with 17 genetics professionals to better understand their workflows, tools, and challenges. They included genetic analysts directly involved in interpreting data, as well as other roles participating in whole genome sequencing. In the second phase of our study, we conducted co-design sessions with study participants on how an AI assistant could support their workflows. We then developed a prototype of an AI assistant, which was further tested and refined with study participants in follow-up design walk-through sessions.

Identifying challenges in whole genome sequencing analysis

Through our in-depth interviews with genetic professionals, our study uncovered three critical challenges in whole genome sequencing analysis:

1. Information Overload: Genetic analysts need to gather and synthesize vast amounts of data from multiple sources. This task is incredibly time-consuming and prone to human error.
2. Collaborative Sharing: Sharing findings with others in the field can be cumbersome and inefficient, often relying on outdated methods that slow the collaborative analysis process.
3. Prioritizing Reanalysis: Given the continuous influx of new scientific discoveries, prioritizing unsolved cases to reanalyze is a daunting challenge. Analysts need a systematic approach to identify cases that might benefit most from reanalysis.

Genetic professionals highlighted the time-consuming nature of gathering and synthesizing information about genes and variants from different data sources. Other genetic professionals may have insights into certain genes and variants, but sharing and interpreting information with others for collaborative sensemaking requires significant time and effort. Although new scientific findings could affect unsolved cases through reanalysis, prioritizing cases based on new findings was challenging given the number of unsolved cases and limited time of genetic professionals.

Co-designing with experts and AI-human sensemaking tasks

Our study participants prioritized two potential tasks of an AI assistant. The first task was flagging cases for reanalysis based on new scientific findings. The assistant would alert analysts to unsolved cases that could benefit from new research, providing relevant updates drawn from recent publications. The second task focused on aggregating and synthesizing information about genes and variants from the scientific literature. This feature would compile essential information from numerous scientific papers about genes and variants, presenting it in a user-friendly format and saving analysts significant time and effort. Participants emphasized the need to balance selectivity with comprehensiveness in the evidence they review. They also envisioned collaborating with other genetic professionals to interpret, edit, and verify artifacts generated by the AI assistant.

Genetic professionals require both broad and focused evidence at different stages of their workflow. The AI assistant prototypes were designed to allow flexible filtering and thorough evidence aggregation, ensuring users can delve into comprehensive data or selectively focus on pertinent details. The prototypes included features for collaborative sensemaking, enabling users to interpret, edit, and verify AI-generated information collectively. This ​​approach not only ​underscores​​​ the trustworthiness of AI outputs, but also facilitates shared understanding and decision-making among genetic professionals.

Design implications for expert-AI sensemaking

In the shifting frontiers of genome sequence analysis, leveraging generative AI to enhance sensemaking offers intriguing possibilities​​. The task of staying ​​current​​​​​​, synthesizing information from diverse sources, and making informed decisions ​​is challenging​​​​​​.  

Our study participants emphasized the hurdles in integrating data from multiple sources without losing critical components, documenting decision rationales, and fostering collaborative environments. Generative AI models, with their advanced capabilities, have started to address these challenges by automatically generating interactive artifacts to support sensemaking. However, the effectiveness of such systems hinges on careful design considerations, ​​particularly in how they facilitate distributed sensemaking, support both initial and ongoing sensemaking, and combine evidence from multiple modalities. We next discuss three design considerations for using generative AI models to support sensemaking.

Distributed expert-AI sensemaking design

Generative AI models can create artifacts that aid an individual user’s sensemaking process; however, the true potential lies in sharing these artifacts among users to foster collective understanding and efficiency. Participants in our study emphasized the importance of explainability, feedback, and trust when interacting with AI-generated content. ​​​​​​​​​​Trust is gained by​​​​​​ viewing portions of artifacts marked as correct by other users, or observing edits made to AI-generated information​​. ​​Some​​​​​​ users​, however,​ cautioned against over-reliance on AI, which could obscure underlying inaccuracies. Thus, design strategies should ensure that any corrections are clearly marked ​​and annotated​​​​​​. Furthermore, to enhance distributed sensemaking, visibility of others’ notes and context-specific synthesis through AI can streamline the process​​. 

Initial expert-AI sensemaking and re-sensemaking design

In our fast-paced, information-driven world, ​​it is essential to understand a situation both initially and again when new information arises.​​ ​​Sensemaking is inherently temporal, reflecting and shaping our understanding of time as we revisit tasks to reevaluate past decisions or incorporate new information. Generative AI plays a pivotal role here by transforming static data into dynamic artifacts that evolve, offering a comprehensive view of past rationales. Such AI-generated artifacts provide continuity, allowing users—both original decision-makers or new individuals—to access the rationale behind decisions made in earlier task instances. By continuously editing and updating these artifacts, generative AI highlights new information since the last review, supporting ongoing understanding and decision-making. Moreover, AI systems enhance ​​transparency​​​​​​ by summarizing previous notes and questions, offering insights into earlier thought processes and facilitating a deeper understanding of how conclusions were drawn. This reflective capability not only can reinforce initial sensemaking efforts but also equips users with the clarity needed for informed re-sensemaking as new data emerges. 

Combining evidence from multiple modalities to enhance AI-expert sensemaking

​​​The​​​​​​ ability to combine evidence from multiple modalities is essential for effective sensemaking. Users often need to integrate diverse types of data—text, images, spatial coordinates, and more—into a coherent narrative to make informed decisions. Consider the case of search and rescue operations, where workers must rapidly synthesize information from texts, photographs, and GPS data to strategize their efforts. Recent advancements in multimodal generative AI models have empowered users by incorporating and synthesizing these varied inputs into a unified, comprehensive view. For instance, a participant in our study illustrated this capability by using a generative AI model to merge text from scientific publications with a visual gene structure depiction. This integration ​​could create​​​​​​ an image that contextualizes an individual’s genetic variant within the ​​context​​​​​​ of documented variants. Such advanced synthesis enables users to capture complex relationships and insights briefly, streamlining decision-making and expanding the potential for innovative solutions across diverse fields. 

Sensemaking Process with AI Assistant Figure: Sensemaking process when interpreting variants with the introduction of prototype AI assistant. Gray boxes represent sensemaking activities which are currently performed by an analyst but are human-in-the-loop processes with involvement of our prototype AI assistant. Non-gray boxes represent activities reserved for analyst completion without assistance by our AI assistant prototype. Within the foraging searching and synthesizing processes, examples of data sources and data types for each, respectively, are connected by dotted lines. Conclusion

We explored the potential of generative AI to support​​ genetic professionals​ ​in diagnosing rare diseases​​. By designing an AI-based assistant, we aim to streamline whole genome sequencing analysis, helping professionals diagnose rare genetic diseases more efficiently. Our study unfolded in two key phases: ​pinpointing​​​ existing challenges in analysis, and design ideation, where we crafted a prototype AI assistant. This tool is designed to boost diagnostic yield and cut down diagnosis time by flagging cases for reanalysis and synthesizing crucial gene and variant data. Despite valuable findings, more research is needed​​. Future research will involve testing the AI assistant in real-time, task-based user testing with genetic professionals to assess the AI’s impact on their workflow. The promise of AI advancements lies in solving the right user problems and building the appropriate solutions, achieved through collaboration among model developers, domain experts, system designers, and HCI researchers. By fostering these collaborations, we aim to develop robust, personalized AI assistants tailored to specific domains. 

Join the conversation

Join us as we continue to explore the transformative potential of generative AI in genetic analysis, and please read the full text publication here (opens in new tab). Follow us on social media, share this post with your network, and let us know your thoughts on how AI can transform genetic research. If interested in our other related research work, check out Evidence Aggregator: AI reasoning applied to rare disease diagnosis. (opens in new tab)  

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The post Using AI to assist in rare disease diagnosis appeared first on Microsoft Research.

The Google Messages app comes with many exciting features, one of which is the ability to pin important conversations to the top of the timeline. Here's when you should use this feature and how to use it.

Star Wars series The Mandalorian makes the leap from the small screen to movie theaters in the upcoming film Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. The movie marks the first Star Wars theatrical release since 2019's The Rise of Skywalker.

Directed by The Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian and Grogu continues the adventures of Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his apprentice (and adopted son) Grogu, aka Baby Yoda. According to the film's official logline, the fan-favorite pair have been recruited by the fledgling New Republic in order to hunt down the last Imperial warlords scattered around the galaxy following the fall of the Empire. Favreau co-wrote the film with Lucasfilm chief creative officer Dave Filoni.

SEE ALSO: John Oliver reacts to Kimmel's suspension with a direct message to Disney's CEO

The film's teaser trailer doesn't reveal too much more about Mando and Grogu's extra important mission, but it does offer up some pretty tantalizing glimpses of what's to come, starting with the casting of science fiction icon Sigourney Weaver, who plays New Republic pilot and colonel Ward. The Mandalorian and Grogu's teaser sees Grogu trying (and failing) to use the Force to steal some of Ward's snack. You're going to have to do better than that if you're going to one-up Ripley, Grogu!

The Mandalorian and Grogu also stars The Bear's Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt, son of Jabba the Hutt himself. The teaser shows off a glimpse of Rotta celebrating a victory in a fighting pit, which even Din deems, "impressive."

Other moments of note in the trailer include the return of Star Wars Rebels character Garazeb “Zeb” Orellios (voiced by Steven Blum), who made his live-action debut in The Mandalorian Season 3, and some high-octane space battles. Check out the full trailer above.

The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters May 22, 2026.

SAVE $19.54: As of Sept. 22, the Pokémon TCG White Flare Elite Trainer Box is down to $84.95 at Amazon. That's cheaper than Walmart and undercutting TCGplayer.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company White Flare Elite Trainer Box $84.95 at Amazon
$104.49 Save $19.54 Get Deal

Pokémon TCG’s Scarlet & Violet White Flare Elite Trainer Box has just seen a healthy price drop at Amazon, with the retailer currently listing it at $84.95, down from its original $104.49. That makes it notably cheaper than Walmart’s $99.95, and it even undercuts TCGplayer, where sellers are listing the box for around $103.96 plus shipping.

With the market average hovering around $78.16, Amazon’s new price may still be sitting higher than what it ideally should be, but this is still the best price going compared to other retailers with steadily available stock. For Pokémon card collectors hoping to secure this fiery expansion at a fair price, this is one of the better opportunities you’re likely to find.

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

Similar to the Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box, White Flare’s ETB comes packed with everything both collectors and competitive players might want: nine White Flare booster packs, a full-art Tornadus promo card, themed card sleeves, 45 Energy cards, dice, counters, and a player’s guide. That’s along with the collector’s box itself, which also comes with four dividers to sort everything in, and a code for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live.

It’s an ideal way to get a handful of packs to pull some of the high-priced chase cards below. Additionally, it's an excellent entry point into this special set that's solely based on Unova region Pokémon from Generation V. Expect to see familiar faces such as Reshiram ex, Victini, and Keldeo ex, while starters like Tepig and Oshawott can evolve up to their powerful final forms, Emboar and Samurott.

The most valuable Pokémon TCG cards in White Flare Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Just like with Black Bolt, White Flare continues the Unova celebration with a fiery line-up of cards, blending legendary Pokémon and striking illustration rares that will turn heads in any collection. For those who care as much about market value as they do about beautiful artwork being added to their binders and toploaders, these are the standout pulls commanding the highest prices right now:

1. Victini – SV: White Flare 172/086

   Near Mint Holofoil: $999.99

   Market price: $423.28

   Most recent sale: $410

2. Reshiram ex – SV: White Flare 173/086

   Near Mint Holofoil: $499.99

   Market price: $372.56

   Most recent sale: $369.95

3. Reshiram ex - SV: White Flare 166/086

   Near Mint Holofoil: $209.99

   Market price: $192.33

   Most recent sale: $178

4. Hydreigon ex - SV: White Flare 169/086

   Near Mint Holofoil: $199.99

   Market price: $75.93

   Most recent sale: $76.99

5. Hilda - SV: White Flare 171/086

   Near Mint Holofoil: $80.52

   Market price: $62.72

   Most recent sale: $62.79

6. Keldeo - SV: White Flare 167/086

   Near Mint Holofoil: $64.99

   Market price: $58.04

   Most recent sale: $55.19

Honda’s usually known for reliable, fuel-sipping cars you can count on, not flashy luxury rides. But over the years, the brand has quietly amped up the swank factor in some of its mainstream models.

Work getting you down? Or maybe your friends and family are stressing you out? If so, you might need a bit of good, old-fashioned escapism. And if you’re anything like me, the best way to do so is to watch a movie at night and disappear into the fictional world of the finest feature film. Fortunately, Prime Video has more than a few great movies to help you take your mind off things.

If you're a Paramount+ subscriber, you're probably aware of all the great movies and shows that have landed on the service this month. Its TV series are great, but sometimes you just want to throw on a low-commitment flick during the week, relax, and hit the hay.

SAVE OVER $30: As of Sept. 22, the Lego Ideas Hocus Pocus The Sanderson Sister's Cottage set is on sale at Amazon for $195.49. That's 15% off its list price of $229.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego LEGO Ideas 'Hocus Pocus' The Sanderson Sister's Cottage $195.49 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $34.50 Get Deal

We're inching closer to October, and that means Halloween is coming up soon. If you can't wait to get in the spooky spirit, Amazon's offering a sweet deal on the Lego Ideas Hocus Pocus The Sanderson Sister's Cottage set that's perfect for piecing together while watching the classic Halloween movie this year.

Normally the Lego Ideas Hocus Pocus The Sanderson Sister's Cottage set is listed for $229.99, but it's currently marked down to $195.49. This saves you $34.50 off its list price and even marks its lowest-ever price according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. There's truly no better time to scoop it up and build it ahead of spooky season.

SEE ALSO: Our 15 favorite Lego sets, sourced from actual Lego fans

The Lego Ideas Hocus Pocus The Sanderson Sister's Cottage set is recommended for adults aged 18 and up and comes with 2,316 pieces. These come together to create a detailed version of The Sanderson Sister's cottage from the movie alongside a gate and graveyard. It also comes with six minifigures: Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson along with Max and Dani Dennison, Allison Watts, and a Thackery Binx cat figure.

Score the Lego Ideas Hocus Pocus The Sanderson Sister's Cottage set at its best price right now before October officially starts. And if you're looking for even more Halloween goodies to pick up this year, check out Amazon's Halloween Shop.

SAVE $50: As of Sept. 22, the Fitbit Sense 2 is on sale for $199.95 at Amazon. This is 20% off its list price of $249.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Sense 2 $199.95 at Amazon
$249.95 Save $50 Get Deal

If you're kicking off your fall fitness routine and looking for a fitness tracker to keep up, the Fitbit Sense 2 is one that's well worth a look. What's even better is it's currently on sale at Amazon, well ahead of the retailer's big Prime Big Deal Days sale event at the start of October.

The Fitbit Sense 2 usually retails for $249.95, but right now you can pick it up for $50 off that price, down to $199.95. This discount applies to multiple colors as well, so you can choose between the shadow grey/graphite model, lunar white/platinum, or blue mist/pale gold to find the tracker that best suits your personal tastes.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

The Fitbit Sense 2 offers multiple different forms of tracking, from sleep to activities to stress. When it comes to the latter, it features all-day stress detection and a daily Stress Management Score alongside irregular heart rhythm notifications and more. It can even help you with forming good sleeping habits with the help of its Sleep Score and daily sleep stages.

There's plenty for fitness-focused individuals to utilize as well, including all-day activity tracking, 24/7 heart rate tracking, 40+ exercise modes, and a built-in GPS. And with a battery life that lasts over six days, you won't have to worry about charging it up too frequently.

Don't miss out on $50 off the Fitbit Sense 2 at Amazon. It's not the only Fitbit deal to cross our radar either, as you can also save on the Fitbit Versa 4 right now at Amazon.

John Oliver joined other late night hosts showing support for Jimmy Kimmel on Sunday after Jimmy Kimmel Live! was "indefinitely suspended" by ABC, following comments the host made about the right's reaction to Charlie Kirk's murder.

Oliver starts by going through exactly what happened and criticising the tactics used by Trump-appointed FCC chair Brendan Carr, who threatened to punish ABC and parent company Disney over Kimmel's comments during a podcast appearance shortly before the suspension.

To conclude, Oliver speaks directly to Disney CEO Bob Iger, encouraging him to stand up to bullies and "draw a line."

"Hi Bob," says Oliver. "We haven't met, but you probably know me as America's third favourite Zazu. Congratulations on recasting that role by the way, it was a fun thing to learn about after the fact. Anyway, one day the history of the time we're living through is going to be written. And when it is, I'm not sure it's those in this administration who are even going to come off the worst. Now don't get me wrong, they're going to come off terribly, but history's also going to remember the cowards who definitely knew better, but still let things happen — whether it was for money, convenience, or just comfort.

"I know this is something of a tough sell, and it can be a bit of an anathema to risk-averse business leaders. But I will say this: If we have learned nothing else from this business administration's second term so far — and I don't think we have — it's that giving the bully your lunch money doesn't make him go away, it just makes him come back hungrier each time. They are never going to stop, they literally said that openly. After Kimmel's suspension, Trump posted: 'That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!' And Carr has hinted that The View might be next. The fucking View.

"Look at some point, you're going to have to draw a line. So I'd argue, why not draw it right here? And when they come to you with stupid, ridiculous demands, picking fights that you know you could win in court, instead of rolling over why not stand up and use four key words they don't tend to teach you in business school? Not 'OK, you're the boss,' not, 'Whatever you say goes,' but instead the only phrase that can genuinely make a weak bully go away, and that is: 'Fuck you. Make me.'"

SAVE $400: As of Sept. 22, the Shark Matrix Plus robot vacuum is on sale for $349.99 at Amazon. That's a 53% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Matrix Plus Robot Vacuum $349.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $400 Get Deal

Robot vacuums have come a long way since their inception many years ago. We were once impressed that they could move on their own, but now they respond to voice activation, pick up hair, self-clean, and the best even mop your floors. If you're looking for a model with this level of impressiveness, look no further than the Shark Matrix Plus.

This model is as good as it gets, and a far cry from the robot vacuums of the past. It vacuums, it mops, it self-empties, and does so much more. And right now, you can get it on sale for more than half off at Amazon. As of Sept. 22, it is now priced at $349.99. That's $400 off, and the lowest-ever price.

SEE ALSO: The Roborock Q7 M5+ robot vacuum and mop has dropped to its best-ever price at Amazon — save over $100

One of the standout features of this model is the sonic mopping, promising to clean hard floors 100 times per minute. And if that still isn't enough for any deep mess, initiate the "matrix mop" for 50% better cleaning, as well as targeted stain removal.

This vacuum cleans in a precision matrix grid. If you have pets, it'll more than impress. It has a self-cleaning brushroll, so the vacuum will pick up pet hair and get rid of any stuck-on pet messes. No more pulling hairs out of the carpet.

But what really sets a robot vacuum apart from the rest is its maintenance, and this vacuum is about as easy as it gets. It holds up to 45 days of dirt, and the base is bagless, so you won't need to remember to buy vacuum bags. It also recharges itself, without being told. If it starts to run out during cleaning, it will recharge and then pick up the cleaning where it left off.

Get this great robot vacuum deal from Amazon now.

SAVE OVER $150: As of Sept. 22, the Roborock Q7 M5+ robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $259.99 at Amazon. This is 40% off its list price of $429.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Q7 M5+ Robot Vacuum and Mop $259.99 at Amazon
$429.99 Save $170 Get Deal

If you're spending a bit more time inside now that the weather is turning and you're realizing that the house is a total mess, a robot vacuum is worth investing in. Thankfully, with Prime Big Deal Days right around the corner, there are some great discounts popping up on various models at Amazon. The Roborock Q7 M5+ robot vacuum and mop is one that's caught our eye, as it's down to its best-ever price.

The Roborock Q7 M5+ robot vacuum and mop is currently discounted to $259.99. This saves you $170 off its original list price of $429.99, but it's currently marked as a limited-time deal at Amazon. This means it might not last for long, so now's your chance to grab it at this low price.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

With the help of 10,000Pa HyperForce suction, the Roborock Q7 M5+ can clear your floors of any dirt, debris, or hair that's dropped. When it comes to the latter, it even features a dual anti-tangle design through the main and side brush that prevents hair from getting caught up inside it, allowing this little robot vacuum to keep moving without delays.

The Roborock Q7 M5+ also comes with a PreciSense LiDAR Navigation System, which helps it to map out your home and get an efficient clean through every room. It can even go up to seven weeks before its 2.7 litre dust bag needs to be emptied, so you can go about your day without worrying about it too frequently.

Score the Roborock Q7 M5+ robot vacuum and mop down to its best price right now at Amazon. And if you're curious what other robot vacuums are worth a look right now, check out our breakdown of the best robot vacuums to see some of our top picks.

SAVE $50: As of Sept. 22, the Apple Magic Keyboard is on sale for $199 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Magic Keyboard $199 at Amazon
$249 Save $50 Get Deal

Apple's Magic Keyboard is back on sale at Amazon — we think it's the perfect accessory to turn your iPad from play to work.

The Magic Keyboard is a really useful item, connecting to your iPad and allowing you to type and navigate much more easily. It essentially turns your iPad into a laptop. If you're often working on the go, this really is a godsend accessory.

SEE ALSO: Every Apple product announcement we still expect in 2025 and beyond — AirTags, Macs, and HomePod

And right now (as of Sept. 22), you can get it for less, with a $50 discount taking the price down to $199. It's available in different languages too, including Arabic, British English, Chinese (Pinyin and Zhuyin), Danish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish (Latin America and Spain), Swiss, Ukrainian, and American English.

Despite being an attachment to your iPad (that attaches magnetically), it has the same comfortable typing experience you'd expect from a high-end laptop. This is thanks to features such as the trackpad and the 14-key function row.

And the best part is there is no charging or pairing needed. It just attaches to your iPad, and that's you all set — just start typing. The back panel also has an adjustable stand, which is handy for different viewing angles and working surfaces.

If you work a lot on the go, this Magic Keyboard is a must. Get the deal from Amazon now.