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Krispy Kremes $13 Halloween dozen is officially live — how to claim through Oct. 29

Mashable - 5 hours 42 min ago

TL;DR: Krispy Kreme’s limited-edition All Jacked Up Dozen is currently live for $13 in shops, at drive-thrus, and online — running now through Thursday, Oct. 29.

If you’ve walked into a bakery lately, you already know holiday-themed treats usually come with a holiday-themed markup. Krispy Kreme seems to be going the other direction this week, quietly selling a full Halloween-themed box for roughly what you’d pay for a plain dozen.

The chain's limited-time All Jacked Up Dozen has dropped for $13, though you won’t have long to catch it. The promotion is only scheduled through Thursday, Oct. 29.

Thankfully, nobody tried to reinvent the wheel with artificial pumpkin glazes here. It’s just the classic melt-in-your-mouth pastry dressed up in a loud Halloween costume with a handful of playful toppings:

  • Jack's Original Glazed Doughnuts (9) — The standard melt-in-your-mouth glazed ring, tinted festive orange with an extra drizzle of icing.

  • Mummy Jack Doughnut (1) — An orange Original Glazed dipped in icing, piped with white vanilla buttercreme "bandages," and finished with a green iced stem.

  • Jack O' Doughnut (1) — An orange-glazed base detailed with chocolate frosting to look like a mini carved jack-o’-lantern.

  • Monster Jack Doughnut (1) — Topped with orange icing, crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, piped chocolate stitches, and a green stem.

You can grab one at participating shops, through the drive-thru, or via the app for pickup and delivery — just keep in mind that once Oct. 29 ends, the $13 run is done.

Categories: IT General, Technology

15+ early Black Friday deals under $25 that dont suck

Mashable - 5 hours 44 min ago
The best early Black Friday deals under $25: best Amazon device deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $19.99 (save $40 with Prime-exclusive on-page coupon) Get Deal best apple deal Apple AirTag (2nd gen) $23 (save $6) Get Deal best toy deal Play-Doh Blooms Rosy Petite Flower Bouquet $18.74 (save $6.25) Get Deal best home deal Blink Mini 2K+ $16.99 (save $33) Get Deal

Working with a smaller budget this holiday season? You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to pick up a great gift for White Elephant or treat yourself to something awesome. Believe it or not, you can grab plenty of deals for less than $25 during Black Friday sales.

Technically, Black Friday is still a few weeks away, but there are already lots of inexpensive items available. To point you in the right direction, we've rounded up some of our favorite deals we've spotted so far.

As with every major sale, we'll be keeping an eye on all the best deals leading up to and during Black Friday 2026. We'll update this list with any new budget friendly steals that pop up. For now, here are the best early Black Friday deals under $25.

Best early Black Friday deal under $25 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2026) $19.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $40 with Prime-exclusive on-page coupon Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Every Fire TV Stick was hit with a price increase this year, but we're still seeing drastic discounts ahead of Black Friday. For instance: the brand-new Fire TV Stick 4K (just released last month) is on sale for just under $20 for Prime members, thanks to an on-page coupon. This recent release effectively replaces the 4K Select, though it just came out last year. Amazon heard the cries of customers over the 4K Select's limited app store and added over 2,000 more apps (including Spotify, Xbox, VLC, and a range of VPNs). It also comes with the Vega 2.0 OS, 8GB of storage, a quad-core 1.7GHz processor, support for WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, HDR10+, HLG, Alexa+, and a redesigned remote.

More early Black Friday deals under $25
Categories: IT General, Technology

Proton VPN kicked off Black Friday early with a massive 75% discount — get it for $2.49 per month

Mashable - 5 hours 47 min ago

SAVE 75%: Proton VPN's Black Friday sale drops its two-year VPN Plus subscription down to $2.49 per month (billed as $59.76 for 24 months) — save 75% off the standard monthly rate.

Opens in a new window Credit: Proton VPN Proton VPN (2-Year Plan)   Get Deal at Proton VPN

If you have been putting off getting a VPN because you didn’t want to add another expensive monthly bill to your plate, this is the time to pounce. Proton VPN has rolled out its biggest sale of the year for Black Friday, slashing 75% off its two-year VPN Plus plan. That brings the price down from the regular $9.99 per month to just $2.49 per month (billed all at once as $59.76 for the first 24 months).

The biggest hesitation most people have with VPNs is simple: can you actually trust the company with your private browsing?

With Proton, the answer is built into the foundation. Unlike many providers that keep your data behind closed doors, Proton’s software is completely open-source, so independent security experts can inspect the code at any time. It runs on a strict no-logs policy, so whatever you search, stream, or click never gets tracked, stored, or sold off to advertisers.

Of course, solid privacy doesn't mean much if your connection grinds to a halt every time you try to stream a show. Proton solves that by giving you unlimited bandwidth with zero speed throttling across a massive network of over 20,000 high-speed servers in more than 140 countries. Thanks to its VPN Accelerator, which boosts speeds up to 400%, you can stream movies while traveling without annoying lag or buffering.

Plus, a single subscription covers up to 10 devices at once, keeping your phone, laptop, tablet, and smart TV protected under one login. Besides keeping prying eyes off your traffic, it actively cleans up your daily web experience. The built-in NetShield feature acts as an automatic bodyguard, wiping out annoying pop-up ads, trackers, and malicious phishing sites before they even have a chance to load.

SEE ALSO: How to protect yourself from AI scams — McAfee+ combines AI-powered scam protection, antivirus, VPN, and more

If you're still on the fence, you may as well take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee to see how it handles your daily browsing. Just keep in mind that once those initial 24 months wrap up, it rolls into a yearly renewal at $83.88 unless you turn off auto-renew.

Grab the two-year plan for $2.49 a month while the lowest price of the year is still live.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I stopped 3D printing "clever" projects, and now my prints actually save me money

How-To Geek - 6 hours 9 min ago

There's a common thing that happens with tech enthusiasts where, instead of being a means to an end, the actual technology becomes their hobby.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Magic: The Gatherings The Hobbit Play Booster Box is down to a new all-time low price — save nearly $70

Mashable - 6 hours 35 min ago

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Play Booster Box is on sale for $139.99 at Amazon, down from its $207.95 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Play Booster Box $139.99 at Amazon
$207.95 Save $67.96 Get Deal at Amazon

Just when it seemed like Magic: The Gathering's The Hobbit Play Booster Box couldn't get any cheaper, Amazon has surprised us with another major price drop. Less than a week after the 30-pack display fell below $160 for the first time, this Middle-earth-themed box is now almost $20 cheaper again.

As of Oct. 28, the Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Play Booster Box costs just $139.99 at Amazon. Compared to the $207.95 list price, that's a staggering $67.96 in savings after a 33% discount, bringing the cost of each of the 30 included packs down to $4.67. Better still, Amazon is handling both the sale and shipping — with free delivery set for Nov. 2, or as soon as Oct. 30 for Prime members.

Amazon isn't the only retailer offering this price. Walmart has matched the $139.99 deal, although its listing is sold by Cataclysm Games and fulfilled by Walmart.

SEE ALSO: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box is close to market price at Amazon — save over $70

You'll get 30 Play Boosters containing 14 cards apiece, plus an exclusive traditional foil Middle-earth Box Topper featuring a special reprint from The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth. 

Every pack also includes at least one foil card and one to three rare or higher-rarity cards, with chances to uncover special alternate-art and borderless versions of characters from Bilbo's classic adventure in the original tale of The Hobbit book.

Categories: IT General, Technology

13 things you can connect to your iPhone's USB-C port

How-To Geek - 6 hours 39 min ago

Most people only ever plug a charger into the USB-C port on their iPhone, but the interface is compatible with so many more devices. These can help you work or play, circumvent limitations, and get more done when you’re away from a “proper” computer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Review: With the Kindle Click, reading has never been cozier

Mashable - 7 hours 10 min ago

At the first signs of fall, I'm getting cozy. As the leaves turn and temperatures drop, you'll find me under a pile of blankets with a warm beverage in hand. I relish getting into bed every night and getting under the covers with a good book, but there's nothing worse than cold hands. That's the appeal of a page-turning remote so you can turn the pages on your e-reader with your hands under the covers.

The market for e-reader remotes is incredibly popular. There are plenty of cheap ones being sold on Amazon, which inspired Kobo and Boox to make remotes to pair natively with their e-readers. Amazon has finally caught up with the release of its Kindle Click. I was more excited about the first Kindle remote than I was about the new Kindles, and I'm pleased to report it doesn't disappoint.

What to know about the Kindle Click The Kindle Click lets you turn the page and adjust the brightness on your Kindle. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Kindle Click is a page-turning remote that connects to Kindle devices. It comes with two buttons that turn the page forward or back, and you can customize which does what in your Kindle settings. It also has two buttons on the side to adjust the screen brightness on your Kindle.

It connects to your device via Bluetooth. Pair it with your device by holding down any button until the light flashes blue, then find the device in your Kindle's Bluetooth settings. The remote stays connected, but you will need to wake it by pressing any button.

It's USB-C rechargeable and connects to all Kindles released in 2024 and onward. It costs $34.99 and is available to purchase on Amazon.

It's a breeze to use, with no screen obstruction

Plenty of people have gotten creative with page-turning remotes being sold on Amazon. The off-brand models usually have two components: one to tap the screen and another that operates as the remote. Having tested these, they work perfectly fine, except that they can't turn the page backward, and the screen clip obstructs the screen.

The Kindle Click is a much more sophisticated option as it connects via Bluetooth. It's just one remote, no screen-tapping clip required, aka no screen obstruction. It's also lightweight and easy to navigate by touch. The buttons have a nice tactile feel, so you can tell where the buttons are without looking. An optional wrist lanyard comes with the device, which I do find helpful as someone who has both a tendency to doze off while reading and a proclivity for losing remotes in blankets.

If I had any complaints about the Kindle Click, I do wish it had a slight curve, like the Kobo remote, to make it more ergonomic.

The brightness buttons are genius Adjust the brightness on your Kindle with the Kindle Click and your hands stay cozy under the covers. Credit: Samanta Mangino / Mashable

I would have been totally pleased if the Kindle Click came as is with its two page-turning buttons, but what absolutely blew me away was the inclusion of buttons to adjust the screen brightness. When you have your hands tucked under the covers, you don't want to reach for anything, but the other setting I most commonly adjust is screen brightness.

Every time I use the remote, I find myself needing to adjust the brightness, and those buttons are such a nice touch. It's not something I'd think to ask for, but I'm so glad it's there.

I wish it worked with more Kindles

Amazon is known to phase out Kindles, but plenty of models are still supported. That's why it's such a bummer that the Kindle Click only works with 2024 and 2026 Kindles. Since the 10th generation of the Kindle Paperwhite was released in 2018, the devices have included Bluetooth, allowing you to connect headphones to listen to audiobooks. Since the Kindle Click connects via Bluetooth, I'd think any Kindle with Bluetooth could pair with it. That is not the case, excluding many Kindle users.

So if you want to use a Kindle Click, you'll need to own or upgrade to a 2024 or 2026 Kindle.

Is the Kindle Click worth it? While you technically don't *need* the Kindle Click, it's nice to have. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

If you own a 2024 or 2026 Kindle, you should absolutely scoop up a Kindle Click. It's only $34.99, which is $5 more than Kobo's remote and slightly more expensive than the cheaper remotes you can find elsewhere, but it can do more. You can customize which buttons turn the page and adjust the screen brightness on the remote. It's well-designed and lightweight in your hand, with tactile buttons that make it easy to navigate by touch.

Sure, you don't need the Kindle Click, but it will level up your cozy evenings spent reading.

Kindle Click $34.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon
Categories: IT General, Technology

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition finally justifies its price tag

Mashable - 7 hours 10 min ago

I'm the first to say you don't always need the newest product, but these new Kindles make it hard to resist. When Amazon revealed the new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, it popped with its new colorful aluminum finish, but with most of its changes on the outside, I had to see just how much impact it would have on the e-reader's overall performance and value.

But the upgrades aren't just superficial. After Amazon raised prices across its devices, there's added pressure to make sure the tech measures up to its higher price. After a few weeks with the new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, Amazon did a phenomenal job on its new e-reader, making it worthy of the increased price.

What's new in the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition? The new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition has an aluminum case and compatibility with all of Amazon's new accessories. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The changes between the 2024 and 2026 Kindle Paperwhite Signature Editions are visible. With a new aluminum casing, it feels more like an iPad Mini than it does the previous Kindle. But it still has the same matte paper-like display with adjustable brightness and warmth. The power button on the e-reader was moved from the bottom to the side of the device, a welcome change.

A big draw on the new Paperwhite Signature Edition is the compatible accessories. Amazon also released the Kindle Click, its first page-turning remote. While the Click is compatible with all 2024 and 2026 Kindle e-readers, Amazon's new Page Turn Cover is exclusively compatible with the 2026 Paperwhite Signature Edition and Colorsoft Signature Edition.

What's the difference between the Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Edition?

In the past, the Paperwhite has been Amazon's flagship e-reader, with the Paperwhite Signature Edition being the more luxe option. However, with the 2026 redesign, it seems like the script has been flipped, with Amazon pushing the Signature Edition while the standard Paperwhite takes a back seat.

Plenty remains the same between the devices. They have the same 7-inch screen with 300 ppi resolution and adjustable warmth and brightness. Both are waterproof with IPX8 ratings and 12-week battery life. The new devices also have easy-to-open back panels to make replacing the battery that much easier.

The Paperwhite is the cheaper option at $199.99, but it comes with only 16GB of storage (which, to be fair, is still plenty) and is available in graphite with a plastic casing. The Signature Edition is more expensive at $249.99, but comes with 32GB of storage and is available in the aluminum finish in seaglass green and graphite. Beyond its nicer finish, it also has an ad-free lockscreen, automatic front-light adjustment, a rotating screen, and wireless charging. The real perk of the Paperwhite Signature Edition is its compatibility with the Page Turn Cover, which adds page-turning buttons to your Kindle.

It feels as expensive as it is The aluminum casing makes the Paperwhite Signature Edition feel like a tablet rather than an e-reader. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The aluminum case on the Paperwhite Signature Edition is nearly enough to justify its $250 price tag. The Paperwhite Signature Edition is about the same size as the previous generation, but it's about one millimeter thinner and 10 grams lighter. Compared to the previous generation, it has squared edges and an aluminum case, making it feel more like a tablet or smartphone.

The pogo pins on the back of the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition connect to Amazon's Page Turn Cover. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Plus, it comes in a neutral graphite, but the seaglass green is a vibrant alternative that's really dazzling. It now feels like more sophisticated tech, which is enough for me to justify its price tag.

Its performance is great, but is it really better?

One thing I feel certain about Kindles is that they're fast — easily the quickest e-readers we've tested. Every time a new Kindle is released, Amazon touts that they're some percentage faster than a previous generation; that's the case with this year's base Kindle, which Amazon says is 30 percent faster. However, that claim is missing on the Paperwhite Signature Edition.

This year's Paperwhite Signature Edition still has quick processing time, but it doesn't seem faster than the previous generation. Before trying the 2026 model, I read with the 2024 Paperwhite Signature Edition daily, and I didn't notice any changes in processing speed between the two e-readers. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, as it was already a zippy e-reader.

With a rotating screen, the page-turn cover is a must Screen rotation lets you use the Page Turn Cover buttons on the right... Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable ...or left side of the device. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Since Amazon discontinued the Kindle Oasis, Kindle users have been shouting from the rooftops that they want a Kindle with page-turning buttons. As reported by The Verge, Amazon has said it won't be making Kindles with buttons, but it's offering something in between. The new Kindle Page Turn Cover now magnetically attaches to Signature Edition Kindles and lets you turn the page by pressing the buttons on the case.

The case works seamlessly, and Amazon added a key feature to the Paperwhite Signature Edition — a rotating screen. The rotating screen is key when using page-turning buttons. That way, when you're reading in bed and want to roll over and switch sides, you can rotate the device to use your preferred hand, and the screen rotates too. The only downside is that you have to buy the cover separately for $79.99.

The Kindle pulldown menu on the Paperwhite Signature Edition now includes a screen rotation lock. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

We initially had a problem with the screen rotation, as the unit we were testing didn't support it. This appeared to be a glitch, and Amazon replaced the model. On the Paperwhite Signature Edition, the screen rotation worked seamlessly. In the pull-down menu, there's an option to lock the rotation too, if you don't want your screen to rotate while in use.

Is the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition worth its price? With an upgraded aluminum case, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition feels expensive and earns its price tag. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Yes, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is worth its $249.99 price tag. In fact, I think it's the first Signature Edition to really be worth the upgrade. It has the same perks as before, like 32GB of storage and automatic brightness adjustment, but what puts it a step above is its finer casing materials. It feels like a more advanced piece of tech, so while it's still the same reliable Kindle platform, it has a more sophisticated build.

Not to mention, its rotating screen and compatibility with the Kindle Page Turn Cover make it the most versatile and functional Kindle yet.

If you're ready to upgrade your e-reader, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is the absolute best one you can buy. If you want something more budget-friendly but equally colorful, go for the standard Kindle. But if you're wondering if the Paperwhite Signature Edition is worth its price, without a doubt, it is.

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $249.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon
Categories: IT General, Technology

Add buttons to your Kindle with Amazons new Page Turn Cover: Our review

Mashable - 7 hours 10 min ago

When I heard that new Kindles were coming, there was one thing I wanted above all else — page-turning buttons. Few e-readers have them, which is why I love the Kobo Libra Colour so much. Unfortunately, Amazon isn't reviving the Kindle Oasis, but it did introduce the next best thing: the Kindle Page Turn Cover.

The new accessory is compatible with the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and Colorsoft Signature Edition e-readers, and, in addition to protecting your Kindle, it adds buttons to it. While testing the newest Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, I tried the new cover, and it's the perfect e-reader companion.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Page Turn Cover $79.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon How does the Kindle Page Turn Cover work? The case connects to the device through pogo pins. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Kindle Page Turn Cover has no battery and doesn't need to be charged. To set up the cover, all you need to do is place your Kindle (Signature Edition models only) into the case, and it's ready to use. The cover connects via pogo pins that press into the port on the back of the Kindle.

You can customize the buttons of the cover in the settings of your Kindle. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The case has two buttons that you can customize to go back or forward in your Kindle's settings. Plus, when you rotate your Kindle to use the opposite hand, it preserves which button turns the page forward or back. The cover snaps shut magnetically. It wakes the screen or puts it to sleep, and you can fold it over while in use so it stays flat.

It couldn't be easier to use In addition to page-turn buttons, this case also has an automatic wake/sleep cover. Credit: Samatha Mangino / Mashable

The appeal of accessories like AirPods for iPhone users is their seamless connectivity. Kindle has essentially done its own version of that with the Kindle Page Turn Cover. It works perfectly with the Kindle Signature Edition models, and I was so pleased at how quickly I could start using it. Once it's in, the buttons work immediately.

Adjusting the settings is a breeze too. There's now an accessories tab in the Kindle settings where you can adjust which button turns the page forward or back. Once I had mine set up, I tucked in for a cozy night of reading.

The Kindle Page Turn Cover works no matter what hand you read with. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The best part is that when I was lying in bed reading, if I rolled over to swap hands, I rotated the device and the screen followed suit. Plus, the button orientation stays the same when rotated.

It's so unbelievably easy to use that anyone, no matter how tech-savvy, can use it. With no battery in the case, you never have to worry about charging it either.

It's perfectly designed — with extremely limited compatibility

From the outside, the Kindle Page Turn Cover isn't normally what I'd go for in a case. It's a little plain, and I usually like a MagSafe case over a sleep cover case. But I can't deny how perfectly it's designed. It's slim and sturdy without adding any bulk to the device.

The Amazon Kindle Page Turn Cover adds a seven-millimeter edge to your e-reader. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The case adds a seven-millimeter edge to the screen, with two well-placed buttons you can easily tap. Since it's so thin, I thought the edge wouldn't provide enough grip, but it ended up being totally comfortable for hours of reading.

What really impresses me is how well the cover folds flat. With the magnetic closure, it snaps tightly to the back of the cover and stays totally out of the way, so you're not dealing with a cover flapping around while you're trying to binge-read the latest Sarah J. Maas.

When folded, the Page Turn Cover is still exceptionally thin. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

But here's the bummer of the cover. It only works with two Kindles: the Paperwhite Signature Edition and the Colorsoft Signature Edition, meaning the basic Kindle and Paperwhite don't work with it.

Take it to the pool or beach because it's waterproof, too

The Kindles that are compatible with the Page Turn Cover are both waterproof, and luckily, so is this case. It's made from plant-based leather (primarily composed of corn and viscose fiber) and has a plush microfiber interior screen. The case has an IPX8 rating, which covers splashes and rain, and is the same IP rating as Kindle Signature Edition e-readers.

I don't love its price

My least favorite thing about the Kindle Page Turn Cover is its price. At $79.99, that's an incredibly expensive case, since you can find plenty on Amazon for under $15. Yes, this case does a lot more than a typical protective case, but $80 is still a lot, especially when you factor in the cost of the e-reader.

This case only works with the 2026 Paperwhite and Colorsoft Signature Editions, meaning if you're buying this case, you're also buying a new e-reader. The Paperwhite Signature Edition costs $249.99, while the Colorsoft Signature Edition is $319.99. That means for both a new Kindle and e-reader you're paying over $300 and in the case of the Colorsoft, nearly $400.

Is the Kindle Page Turn Cover worth it? If you're buying the new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, the Page Turn Cover is an essential accessory. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

As much as I don't like the price of the Kindle Page Turn Cover, I think it's an exceptional accessory. If you miss the buttons on Amazon's now-discontinued Kindle Oasis, this cover fills the void. There's practically no setup, and it works seamlessly. The design is a marvel, too, as it's fully waterproof and comfortable for your next reading marathon.

For me? It's definitely coming along with me as I dive into A Court of Splintered Harmony.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Page Turn Cover $79.99
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Categories: IT General, Technology

5 powerful smart home automations that require nothing but a motion sensor

How-To Geek - 7 hours 39 min ago

Motion sensors are popular smart home devices. They're relatively cheap and simple to set up, but often people only use them for basic automations such as turning on the lights when you walk into a room. With the right automations, there's a lot more you can do using motion sensors.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon introduces a host of new smart home devices: Meet the updated Echo line

Mashable - 8 hours 8 min ago

Amazon has made several new product announcements this year — including the exciting new Kindle lineup. The retail giant is back with another round of updates; this time in the smart home space. Amazon unveiled the new Echo Dot, Echo Studio with Home Camera, Echo Time, Echo Show 16, and Alexa Photo Frame.

All but the Echo Show 16 are available beginning Oct. 28 — the Echo Show 16 is available for preorder today, shipping later this year.

I got an early first look at the devices, so let's dig into what's new:

Echo Dot The new Echo Dot comes in graphite, glacier white, agave green, and coral pink. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

The new Echo Dot's focus is two-fold: Better music listening and more advanced smart capabilities. It features a full-range driver for more back volume, delivering clear vocals and 50 percent more bass than the previous generation.

The smart speaker is powered by Amazon's AZ3 custom silicon, which enables advanced on-device processing for faster, more natural conversations through Alexa+. It's equipped with four microphones, up from the previous gen's three, which helps Alexa better hear you as you move around the room and determine who's speaking to personalize the experience.

Echo Dot users likely have other smart devices, and the new Echo Dot serves as a smart home hub with built-in support for Zigbee, Matter, and Thread, enabling them to control thousands of devices straight out of the box.

Arguably the coolest feature of the new Echo Dot is its ability to act as an eero WiFi extender, which adds up to 1,000 square feet of coverage to an existing eero network. The Echo Dot retails for $99.99 and is available in graphite, glacier white, agave green, and coral pink colorways.

Amazon Echo Dot (2026) $99.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Echo Studio with Home Camera Amazon's best-sounding speaker now comes with even more smart capabilities. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

Remaining Amazon's best-sounding speaker, the Echo Studio with Home Camera got updated with, you guessed it, an onboard camera. It features Dolby Atmos sound that fills the room with spatial audio — the new Advanced Room Adaptation senses your space and automatically adapts the room's acoustics.

The camera expands Alexa+'s capabilities. It can tell who's who, meaning each household member can ask Alexa to play music, and it'll pull from their individual playlists. You can also drop into a room in the Alexa app if you need to check in on a pet or make sure you've turned off the lights before leaving home. And you can hold up items in front of the camera, and Alexa will help you with myriad questions or tasks. Alexa can tell you the rules to a board game you hold up or help visually impaired people determine what's in their hands.

If you have a Fire TV (or Fire TV Stick), you can pair the Echo Studio with the Home Camera to make video calls on the big screen.

In terms of privacy, the camera doesn't record; it just streams live. And there are indicators when the camera is active. Like all Echo devices, there's a dedicated button to turn the microphones and cameras on/off.

The Echo Studio with Home Camera retails for $249.99 and is available in graphite.

Amazon Echo Studio with Home Camera $249.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Echo Time The Echo Time is super customizable. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

The Echo Time builds on what Amazon did with the Echo Spot and has even more reasons to earn a place on your nightstand. Amazon's team designed it to be a clock first — they didn't want it to feel like an on-your-face digital asset. It doesn't have a camera, and the clock face screen is the main feature. You can personalize the clock face and choose different widgets, such as date and time or weather, to display on it.

With Echo Time, you can customize your wind-down or wake-up routines. The device has sensors that monitor your breathing and detect when you're in lighter sleep. It wakes you at your optimal sleep stage within 10 to 60 minutes of your set alarm, helping you wake up feeling less groggy. It's not like the Hatch Sleep Clock, which fully tracks your sleep stages, but there are some similarities.

The display adapts throughout the day to mimic natural sunlight, dimming and reducing blue light at night. If you have smart lights, you can pair the two to wake you up together with a sunrise and gentle sounds.

There's also a kids' version of the Echo Time, which has more fun designs and engaging clock faces. The Amazon Kids Echo Time features support for Amazon Kids+ and Sleep Studio. The latter turns the device into a complete bedtime system, with curated sleep content from Headspace, Calm, and Moshi.

While the standard Echo Time is geared more toward waking up, the kids' version is designed to aid bedtime and help kids sleep better.

Amazon Echo Time $199.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

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Echo Show 16 The Echo Show 16 is a comprehensive smart home hub. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

The Echo Show 16 is Amazon's most powerful Echo Show yet. It features three new Screen Styles, so your home screen can act either as a smart home hub, family organizer, or digital photo frame. It also comes loaded with the full Fire TV experience, so you can watch your favorite shows and movies while you cook (or wherever you place your device).

The new Echo Show has 10 percent more viewing area than the Echo Show 15, is 40 percent thinner with a sleek aluminum frame, and can be wall-mounted or placed on a stand. It's equipped with eight custom micro woofers and two tweeters for full sound no matter where it's placed.

Amazon heavily considered what the UI of AI should feel and look like. So, they've redesigned Alexa conversations. Rather than just a list of transcripts, your conversations now appear as cards grouped by category or ask. You can tap into the cards, and a rich conversation unfolds. In addition to your back-and-forth with Alexa, you'll see suggested next steps, related videos, and more.

So, for example, let's say you've asked Alexa about planning a trip to hike and see fall foliage in New York. Alexa will create a card, and once you tap in, you might find suggested hikes from AllTrails, YouTube videos of peak foliage times, and suggestions of other excursions to do while you're there.

Left: Your conversations appear as cards. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable Right: Tap into one and you'll get a comprehensive conversation with Alexa. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

Within the smart home hub on the Echo Show 16, you'll be able to access the new Alexa Home Map, which lets you virtually map your home to control all of your smart devices room by room. To set it up, enter your address, then walk through your home, scanning each room with a compatible iPhone. Once the map is created, you can place your devices where they sit in your home. The map is interactive, so if you turn on a smart light in real life, you'll see it glow on the map as well. It also integrates with Ring cameras, so you can get a comprehensive view of what's happening in and around your house.

The Echo Show 16 is available for preorder today, but won't ship until closer to the holidays. It retails for $499.99 for a standard display, or $569.99 with a Nanomatte display. However, if you preorder the device, you'll get an introductory price that's $100 off MSRP.

Amazon Echo Show 16 $499.99 at Amazon
  Preorder at Amazon Alexa Photo Frame The Alexa Photo Frame blends in with your home decor with black, birch, and walnut finishes. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

Digital photo frames are not new technology, but Amazon is bringing Alexa to a digital frame, making it one of the smartest options in the category. The Alexa Photo Frame has a 10-inch anti-glare touchscreen display. It syncs with the Amazon Photos app, which provides unlimited storage with a Prime membership. Again, the team didn't want this product to scream "digital asset," and, having seen it in person, it blends in incredibly well with printed, framed photos.

It does more than just cycle through your camera roll. Alexa intelligently groups images based on people, places, and activities. And to avoid black bars on the sides of portrait-mode images, Alexa will place two vertical photos side by side, grouped by context. So, you might find two photos from your trip to Japan side by side, or an image of your kid at 6 years old next to a photo of them graduating from college (Alexa's gunning for the waterworks). You can also ask Alexa to show you specific images, like "Show me all the photos of our trip to Japan," and Alexa will cycle through that specific photo set.

Within the Alexa Photos app, you can also attach voice notes to individual photos. This adds a touch of sentimental value and acts as the writing on the back of a printed photo, explaining when and where it was taken.

The Alexa Photo Frame would be an awesome holiday gift, especially for parents. I know my mom would absolutely love one. And Amazon knows that, too. These are actually set up to be extremely giftable. You can buy a frame for somebody else, and you'll get a link to collaborate and fill their Photo Frame with images from your library. And you can add a special touch with voice notes.

The Alexa Photo Frame starts at $199.99 in the black finish, and costs $229 for the real birch or walnut wood frames.

Amazon Alexa Photo Frame $199.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon
Categories: IT General, Technology

I switched from Flathub to a Linux app store that doesn't allow AI slop

How-To Geek - 8 hours 9 min ago

Flathub spent five months refusing AI-generated apps, but sadly gave in to the inevitable reality of vibecoded apps. And while I'm personally not against vibecoding in general (and I've even vibecoded some stuff), I'm still very careful about what I install on my PC—and a lot of lazy slop is going to start flowing into Flathub.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Preorders for the Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box are cut on Amazon — save vs. Walmart

Mashable - 8 hours 12 min ago

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $116.40 at Amazon, down from its $139.64 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box $116.40 at Amazon
$139.64 Save $23.24   Preorder at Amazon

With less than two weeks until the Pokémon TCG's Delta Reign expansion arrives, Amazon sellers are continuing to bring down the cost of its Rayquaza-themed Elite Trainer Box. After initially launching preorders at $140 earlier this month, the retailer is now offering one of its biggest discounts yet, even edging below Walmart's latest listing.

As of Oct. 28, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box is available to preorder for just $116.40 at Amazon. That's $23.24 knocked off its typical $139.64 price, giving you a 17% discount and bringing the cost of its nine booster packs down to $12.93 each before counting the extras.

Coming from third-party seller BetterShopping4You, this deal’s currently set for a Nov. 12 delivery, six days after the expansion’s Nov. 6 release date. 

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box is below market price on Amazon — save $130 with rare deal

Surprisingly, that undercuts Walmart’s lowest listing of $118.77 by $2.37.

Whichever site you buy the Delta Reign ETB from, you’ll get exactly the same contents: nine titular booster packs, an exclusive full-art foil Kyogre promo card, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, seven dice, a plastic coin, six dividers, a collector's box, a player's guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.

Categories: IT General, Technology

De’Longhi’s all-in-one coffee and espresso machine gets a fresh upgrade — where to buy

Mashable - 8 hours 22 min ago

TL;DR: De’Longhi just launched its redesigned All-in-One Combination Coffee and Espresso Machine for $349.95, with a 20% smaller footprint, quick cold brew, six drip-brew sizes, and a dedicated cold-foam frother.

Opens in a new window Credit: De'Longhi De'Longhi All-in-One Combination Coffee and Espresso Machine $349.95 at Best Buy
  Shop Now at Best Buy

Finding one coffee maker that can please everyone in a home is rarely simple. Some mornings call for a classic pot of drip coffee, while afternoons and evenings demand a double espresso, an iced latte, or a matcha topped with protein cold foam. De’Longhi has spent the last decade building a reputation around hybrid brewing, and the brand has given its flagship All-in-One Combination Coffee & Espresso Machine a complete, modern redesign to keep up with how much daily drink routines have shifted.

The redesign trims the machine’s overall counter space by 20% while expanding its brewing capacity. On the drip side, you can choose from six sizes, ranging from a quick 8-ounce cup or a 20-ounce travel tumbler to a half carafe or a full 12-cup glass carafe. Beyond standard Classic and Bold strengths, there is an Over Ice setting and a rapid Cold Brew mode that extracts a smooth, chilled cup in a few minutes, skipping the typical overnight steep.

SEE ALSO: Best early Black Friday coffee machine deal: Save over $30 on the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ at Amazon

The espresso system relies on a 15-bar Italian pump with single- and double-shot presets, paired with a fast-heating Thermoblock system and electronic temperature control to keep extraction flavors balanced. The milk frothing setup is split into two specialized tools. An adjustable two-setting steam wand handles dairy and plant-based alternatives like oat or almond milk, creating everything from silky steamed milk to dense microfoam for latte art. For cold drinks, there's a built-in, retractable cold frother engineered specifically to whip milk into velvety cold foam for chilled favorites.

Operating the machine is handled through a front-facing digital touchscreen that replaces mechanical switches with programmable controls. De'Longhi also included an adjustable dual-shelf system, featuring a fold-away cup platform that fits everything from small demitasse cups to tall latte glasses and travel mugs. A generous removable water reservoir sits in the back for easy refilling, and the machine is designed to cover the full spectrum of a coffee shop menu on a single countertop.

The redesigned All-in-One is now available for $349.95 on De'Longhi's website and at major retailers nationwide. Getting this all-in-one coffee machine feels like a fair trade to keep a classic drip lover and an iced-latte fan satisfied from the same counter.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 old computer features I'd put back in every PC today

How-To Geek - 8 hours 39 min ago

Computers have improved drastically year over year. With these changes, we've also lost some things along the way. Many of them are just legacy connectors and features that we honestly don't have much use for in mainstream PCs in 2026, like bulky parallel ports or floppy disk drives.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The SNL cast taking each other on in Hot Ones Versus is hilariously chaotic

Mashable - 8 hours 54 min ago

Hot Ones Versus is always a chaotic affair, but when you have five SNL stars competing things really ramp up a notch.

In the video above Tommy Brennan, Kam Patterson, Ben Marshall, Veronika Slowikowska, and Jeremy Culhane take turns in what is essentially an elaborate truth or dare game, where the punishment is eating a very spicy wing.

The entire thing is filled with laughs, bickering and chaos, culminating in an amusingly competitive game of musical chairs.

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Claude is the best security software you aren't using

How-To Geek - 9 hours 9 min ago

Most of us download and install new apps and self-hosted services without a second thought, but if you do anything important on your PC, it can be a significant security risk.

Categories: IT General, Technology

T-Mobile’s new T-Mix plans: How to get Netflix, Apple TV, Xbox Game Pass, and more for free

Mashable - 9 hours 15 min ago

TL;DR: T-Mobile is overhauling its unlimited plans with T-Mix — starting at $55 a month with AutoPay — trading traditional bundled perks for customizable "Picks" and slightly lower single-line pricing.

T-Mobile is shuffling its lineup once again. After nudging rates upward over the past couple of years, the carrier is introducing T-Mix, a trio of plans built around an à la carte menu of digital freebies.

Instead of baking the same streaming bundle into everyone's account, T-Mobile gives you a monthly allotment of Picks that you can redeem for entertainment apps, food delivery perks, airline miles, or connectivity upgrades.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is giving away the latest Motorola Razr for free — how to qualify

The lineup lands in November and comes in three tiers (all assuming AutoPay with a debit card, bank account, or T-Mobile Visa, with taxes and government fees billed separately):

  • T-Mix Standard ($55/month for one line) — Comes with 50GB of premium data, 480p standard-definition streaming, zero high-speed mobile hotspot (you're throttled to basic 3G speeds), and 1 Pick.

  • T-Mix More ($75/month for one line) — Bumps you to unlimited premium data, 4K streaming, 60GB of high-speed mobile hotspot, solid international roaming (15GB in Canada/Mexico, 5GB abroad), and 2 Picks.

  • T-Mix Loaded ($95/month for one line) — Delivers unlimited premium data, 4K streaming, a massive 250GB mobile hotspot allowance, hefty roaming data (30GB in Canada/Mexico, 15GB abroad), and 3 Picks.

Adding extra lines also grows your pool of Picks. Lines two and three add the same allotment as your base plan, while a fourth line adds one extra Pick on Standard and More, and two on Loaded. Discounted versions will also be available for seniors (55+), military and veterans, first responders, and college students.

How the Picks actually work

T-Mobile gives you a set monthly allowance of credits to spend on a menu of add-ons. Basic services cost one Pick, while pricier ad-free plans and gaming passes cost more:

  • 1-Pick freebies — Ad-supported Netflix, ad-supported Hulu, Apple TV (for a limited promotional window), Paramount+ Essential, DoorDash DashPass, Google AI Plus, Pandora Plus, SiriusXM app access, YouTube Premium Lite, 500 Delta SkyMiles each month, or T-Satellite roaming (via Starlink).

  • 2-Pick freebies — Ad-free YouTube Premium, Apple Music Individual, Google AI Pro, Pandora Premium, or Xbox Game Pass Premium.

  • 3- to 4-Pick freebies — Higher-tier upgrades like Netflix Standard (ad-free) or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for 3 Picks, and ESPN Unlimited or Netflix Premium for 4 Picks.

You are not stuck with your choices forever, either. You can swap your partner perks four times a year — during three dedicated change windows plus an “Annual Remix” window — while network-level add-ons like T-Satellite can be toggled whenever you want.

All tiers still include standard weekly discount drops through T-Mobile Tuesdays. You can also bank one to three Picks per line to unlock discounted pricing or trade-in deals when upgrading your phone.

Will T-Mix actually save you money?

It depends on how many lines you need and how willing you are to strategize over subscription vouchers. If you only need one or two lines, T-Mix More and Loaded can actually come in lower than previous Experience and Go5G equivalents. If you already pay cash out of pocket for perks like DashPass or YouTube Premium, the bundled value adds up quickly.

Families, however, have good reason to pause. Because older setups frequently leaned on third-line-free promotions, accounts with three or four lines could easily pay more under T-Mix than on legacy plans.

Don't forget about extra fees, either. Unlike classic Magenta and Go5G setups that rolled regulatory surcharges and taxes straight into the advertised rate, T-Mix bills them on top, so your final credit card charge will inevitably run several dollars higher than the sticker price.

SEE ALSO: Best family phone plans of 2026 — how to add lines without adding to the bill

T-Mobile says existing subscribers will not be forced off their current plans right away, but the carrier is pulling older options from its website and moving them to in-store-only sales.

If you are happy with what you are paying and already use the freebies tied to your account, the smartest move right now is to do absolutely nothing.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon just dropped the 55-inch LG C6 OLED TV to under $1,000 — act fast to save $400

Mashable - 9 hours 22 min ago

SAVE $400: The 55-inch LG C6 OLED 4K TV is down to $999.99 at Amazon, saving you $400 off its regular $1,399.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 55-inch C6 evo AI OLED 4K TV $999.99 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $400   Get Deal at Amazon

Finding a current-year flagship OLED from LG for under four digits usually requires waiting for holiday doorbusters, but Amazon is jumping ahead of the calendar.

The 2026 55-inch LG OLED evo AI C6 4K Smart TV is down to $999.99, shaving a clean $400 off its usual $1,399.99 sticker price. The C6 packs over 8.3 million self-lit pixels, delivering the pure, ink-black contrast and vibrant colors OLED is famous for, backed by LG’s Brightness Booster to keep highlights punchy.

Running the entire show behind the panel is the new a11 AI Processor Gen 3. Compared to the older A9 chip, this silicon jump brings 5.6 times the AI neural processing power, 50% faster overall performance, and a 70% graphics boost. In simpler words: menus fly, upscaling looks remarkably clean, and AI Director Processing ensures films look balanced rather than artificially blown out.

SEE ALSO: The best early TV deals to shop if you can't wait until Black Friday

The TV comes fully equipped with Dolby Vision for dynamic HDR rendering and Dolby Atmos for spacious room-filling sound. You also get Filmmaker Mode paired with Ambient Light Technology, which smartly reads the lighting in your living room and fine-tunes brightness and color temperature so you see movies exactly as directors intended — whether you are watching in a sunlit afternoon room or a pitch-black den.

If you plan on hooking up a console or a PC rig, the C6 pulls double duty as an elite gaming monitor. It serves up an ultra-quick 0.1ms response time and pushes refresh rates up to 165Hz, backed by NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) to completely eliminate screen tearing and input lag. For everyday streaming, LG’s webOS platform has you covered with Google Gemini intelligence built right in, plus instant access to more than 400 free LG Channels.

Grab this top-rated OLED at Amazon before the price jumps back over four digits.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Best early Black Friday fitness tracker deal: The Garmin vívoactive 5 is over $100 off

Mashable - 9 hours 33 min ago

SAVE $108.99: As of Oct. 28, the Garmin vívoactive 5 is on sale for $191 at Amazon. That's a 36% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin vívoactive 5 $191 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $108.99   Get Deal at Amazon

You don't have to wait until Black Friday to score a deal on a Garmin fitness tracker. The Garmin vívoactive 5 is already discounted by $108.99 at Amazon, bringing the price down from $299.99 to just $191.

It packs in plenty of fitness tracking, health monitoring, and everyday wellness features, all in a sleek design. However, there is a small catch: this deal only applies to the ivory-colored watch. For the navy watch, you'll need to pay $3 more, and for the orchid and slate options, you'll need to pay around $10 and $20 more.

For fitness tracking, enjoy more than 30 indoor and GPS sports apps covering activities such as walking, running, cycling, and HIIT. The vívoactive 5 also has a wheelchair mode that tracks pushes rather than steps and gives you tailored workouts and activities, including strength and cardio.

Garmin's health and recovery tools are another highlight. These include Body Battery which estimates your energy reserves throughout the day, sleep tracking with a sleep score, personalized sleep coaching, and heart rate variability (HRV) status. You'll also get heart rate tracking, stress monitoring, morning reports, fitness age, and menstrual cycle tracking.

Head to Amazon to grab this Garmin deal while it's still available.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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