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Microsoft is looking to shed a massive number of workers.

In a Monday blog post, the Windows and Xbox maker announced a voluntary buyout plan for its employees in Canada, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. While the blog post doesn't provide a specific number, reporting from CBS News and other outlets indicates that about 60,000 employees (roughly a quarter of Microsoft's global workforce) will receive the offer. That doesn't mean all 60,000 will accept the offer, but it is a surefire sign that Microsoft feels the need to greatly reduce its human workforce.

"The Voluntary Exit Offer is new for us. We’ll learn from it," Chief People Officer Amy Coleman wrote in the blog post. "At the same time, we’ll keep helping people focus on the work that matters most, build new skills and, where it makes sense, find new opportunities across Microsoft."

SEE ALSO: Microsoft president warns AI is less regulated than milk and washing machines

As CBS News noted, this comes at the same time Microsoft is expected to spend $175 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026 alone, signaling the company is not exactly lacking in funds at the moment. Whether or not that AI infrastructure will adequately replace human labor remains to be seen.

It hasn't been a good couple of years for Microsoft in terms of generating positive headlines. The company has laid off thousands of workers across divisions, including multiple rounds of cuts at Xbox. That coincides with increasing AI creep in the Windows operating system and new, fairly strict limits on Xbox game streaming, to say nothing of Microsoft's prominent place as a BDS boycott target due to its partnership with the Israeli military.

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Accessories are a big part of owning tools and using them regularly. I've been a big fan of Ryobi tools for a very long time. They're not only decent, budget-friendly tools, but they often do the job just as well as some higher-end ones. I'm mostly a hobbyist and maintainer of things, though, so I'm not necessarily using them for professional reasons. Either way, I found several accessories that make my Ryobi tools better. Here are a few cheap accessories that completely transformed my Ryobi tools and the way I use them.

The International Space Station has a new skate spot.

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir posted a clip on X showing herself doing tricks on a fingerboard, a tiny Tech Deck-style skateboard, aboard the ISS. In the video, she rolls the mini board along the station’s blue equipment panels and metal rails, skating around Velcro patches and rolls of tape.

SEE ALSO: China is coming for the moon. NASA's answer: a faster, leaner plan

"Space skate!" Meir wrote, calling the clip a tribute to the skaters in her life back on Earth. She dedicated it to her brother, her husband, and their daughter, whom she called a "little ripper." Then she called out the GOAT himself and tagged skateboarding legend Tony Hawk to ask what trick he’d try in orbit.

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Meir is now back on solid ground. She commanded NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission, which spent 235 days on the ISS before splashing down in the Pacific off Southern California. The crew completed four spacewalks during the mission. It was Meir’s second long stay on the station, following 205 days in orbit from 2019 to 2020.

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Every time a new Wi-Fi standard comes out, there’s pressure from every side to upgrade. Wi-Fi 8 is on the horizon, and I feel that Wi-Fi 7 has barely had time to settle. But, do you really need to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 8? There’s a good chance your old Wi-Fi router is still perfectly fine.

How to choose a red light face mask: Look at wavelength first

There are some ways to tell that a red light face mask won't be effective before you buy it and use it for a few months.

Wavelength is the first factor anyone will tell you to consider. You want to find products that emit light within the therapeutic window, or the range of wavelengths that can be effective when treating common skin conditions. There is now an abundance of evidence that specific wavelengths of red light can be effective for:

• Reduction of fine lines, dark circles, and crow's feet

• Improving skin texture

• Fighting wrinkles

• Boosting collagen production

• Reducing inflammation and redness

To be effective, the light coming from the mask must penetrate different layers of your skin. There are optimal wavelengths for each type of light a face mask emits, and any reputable brand will put their mask's wavelengths front and center in the listing. These carefully chosen ranges are strong enough to penetrate your skin, but gentle enough to avoid over-activating delicate face skin.

Red light does its work in the middle layer (dermis) of your skin, requiring wavelengths between 630 and 633 nm to reach past the top layer. There, red light stimulates cells to produce rejuvenating proteins like collagen and elastin, evening out surface redness, and preventing scarring or post-pimple red spots.

The Shark CryoGlow's Better Aging routine combines red and near-infrared light. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The Shark CryoGlow's Skin Clearing routine uses a special sequence of red, near-infrared, and blue light. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Most red light masks also use near-infrared red light therapy, which requires longer wavelengths to travel further than regular red light. Near-infrared light between 830 and 850 nm reaches into tissue under the dermis to further stimulate cell turnover, firm skin, and heal deep-seated spots or stubborn dark circles.

What about blue light therapy?

Blue light is often used to target acne, and some of the best red light masks use a combination of blue and red light therapy.

Blue light operates on the top layer (epidermis) of your skin, so its ideal wavelength is shorter than either red light standard. Blue light at 415nm has an antimicrobial effect, ideally killing the bacteria that cause acne before a breakout starts. If hellbent bacterial acne makes it past the blue light phase — or if you're also dealing with hormonal or cystic acne not caused by bacteria — red light swoops in to neutralize inflammation and speed up the healing process.

The thing is, most mainstream LED face masks hit those wavelength marks. So, how do you choose between masks if their wavelength numbers are all the same?

The importance of irradiance

Irradiance is another major element that determines whether or not a red light mask actually works. While wavelength refers to the length the light can travel, irradiance refers to the amount of light energy that's actually reaching your skin per session (not just the intensity of light being generated at the bulb). If wavelength numbers are correct but irradiance is low, the mask will still be kind of a dud.

Bulb placement is one of the key factors we considered in our test. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Comfort is another key factor, as consistent use is key to results. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

Irradiance is officially expressed as milliwatts per square centimeter. The optimal irradiance range for a red light face mask is pretty wide (anywhere between 30 and 100 mW/cm²), though many brands don't directly provide that number.

Most brands do note the length of each session, which is one way to quickly gauge irradiance without getting into calculations. Dr. Mamina Turegano sums it up best on her YouTube account: "Higher irradiance means more effective energy delivery per minute of use." Longer sessions don't automatically mean that results will be more powerful — a mask with sessions that last for less than 10 minutes has higher irradiance than a mask with sessions that last for 20 to 30 minutes. Since a mask with lower irradiance needs to sit on your face for longer, you might be less likely to keep up with wearing it.

Are bulb count and bulb placement a big deal?

The number of bulbs and the placement of bulbs inside the mask can also impact efficacy, especially if you're expecting results in a specific area of your face. Masks with more bulbs packed evenly across the face will provide more even coverage across every inch of your face than masks with more sporadically placed bulbs.

Some masks also provide more light sources overall by emitting both red and blue light simultaneously from every single bulb, like the Shark CryoGlow. This would be a better option for full-face acne prevention than masks with blue and red LEDs only concentrated in certain spots, like the Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite.

What red light masks worked for us?

Of course, you probably didn't come here for a science lesson. You want to find the best red light masks Mashable's testers used and loved.

After trying out 11 different products, we ultimately found six that we can recommend. These masks delivered visible results for our product testers.

Remember: Consistency is essential for the best results (or any results)with LED face masks. You'll need to wear your mask consistently for at least one to two months.

Power tools are a modern marvel that anyone who has tried working with human-powered drilling or sanding will tell you we too easily take for granted. But while these tools are compact and powerful, they aren't that smart for the most part.

Jay-Z is heading to the Super Bowl, only this time he'll have a microphone. After years of helping shape the halftime show from behind the scenes (and a week of speculation), the rapper will headline it himself in 2027.

The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation announced the news Monday, Oct. 26, confirming that Jay-Z will perform at Super Bowl LXI on Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The game will air on ESPN, ABC, and Disney+.

The announcement arrived during Monday Night Football with a black-and-white video featuring Jay-Z sitting in a stadium surrounded by goats — yes, actual goats — soundtracked by "Public Service Announcement" with the accompanying caption "GOAT's out of the bag." Doesn't quite roll off the tongue, but I digress.

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It's a familiar venue for the rapper, who just played two shows at SoFi over the weekend as part of a concert run celebrating the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. Now, he’ll return for a performance that brings his role in the NFL's entertainment operation full circle. His company, Roc Nation, has helped produce the halftime show since 2019, with headliners including Rihanna, Usher, Kendrick Lamar, and Bad Bunny.

SEE ALSO: Bad Bunny's halftime show sparked emotional reactions across the Americas

The announcement follows weeks of speculation about who would take the stage. Puck reported that Jay-Z had emerged as the pick over fellow contenders Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber, while TMZ had named Harry Styles among the frontrunners.

But alongside the excitement about which songs he might perform, many people online were quick to point out the unusual arrangement at play.

"jay finally approved his own application," one user wrote. "Announced himself you mean!" added another, while one user joked that "Jay-Z really pulled a Katniss," invoking The Hunger Games heroine's decision to volunteer.

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Those jokes had already been circulating for a week. After Puck reported that Jay-Z would headline, an r/Music thread titled "Jay-Z Picks Jay-Z to perform halftime show for Super Bowl LXI" drew thousands of comments. One Redditor imagined the boardroom pitch: "Jay Z presents…. Jay Z." Another offered a revised lyric: "He's got 99 problems but being in a powerful position of influence regarding the Super Bowl Halftime Show ain't one."

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The NFL, for its part, framed the choice as a longtime ambition. "When we first reached an agreement with Roc Nation to produce the show, I had just one request: that Jay-Z take the stage himself one day, whenever the moment felt right to him," Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. Apparently, that moment has arrived.

Some listeners, however, questioned whether that moment had passed. Some Reddit commenters debated whether a show built around his decades-long catalog would feel exciting in 2027. His most recent solo album, 4:44, came out in 2017.

"Pretty lame choice. Jay hasn't had a hit or been relevant in years," one commenter wrote. Others suggested younger pop stars or called for a rock band to headline instead.

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But for fans welcoming the announcement, the back catalog is precisely the appeal. "I ain't mad at it! Perform Izzo, Encore, & Otis," one fan wrote on Reddit. One X user called it a "rare announcement that actually lives up to the hype."

Former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce was similarly enthusiastic during Monday Night Football’s coverage. "He's got more stadium-ready hits than most artists have songs, period," he said.

There's also excitement around who might join him. Jay-Z's anniversary concerts featured a rotating roster of guests, including Rihanna, Eminem, Nas, Alicia Keys, and Beyoncé, giving fans plenty of material for their Super Bowl predictions. None have been confirmed for the halftime show, but that hasn’t stopped people from submitting requests.

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"Imagine he brought Ye out with him for this, at least for the sake of the culture," one user wrote on X. On Reddit, others floated Linkin Park, which teamed up with Jay-Z on Collision Course, and "Empire State of Mind" collaborator Alicia Keys. Unsurprisingly, Beyoncé was also high on the wish list. "He's coming with his wife (for sure)." Another user wrote, "The only reason people are going to watch is for Beyoncé," said another.

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But the prospect of famous guests didn’t win everyone over. "Other tagalongs who haven't been relevant in a decade either? Neat," one Redditor wrote. "She already did a half time show. We need something fresh," another wrote about Beyoncé, who headlined in 2013 and returned in 2016 as a guest during Coldplay's set alongside Bruno Mars.

Jay-Z appeared to address some of the criticism during his second SoFi show on Oct. 24, questioning the gap between what people were posting and what concertgoers could see for themselves.

"People will tell you that nobody was in here tonight, but you got eyes, you can see. People will tell you that the music wasn’t great, but you got ears," he told the crowd, before urging fans to "question everything in this world of AI."

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We’ll see whether Jay-Z wins over the skeptics on Feb. 14. At least he won’t have to worry about impressing the guy who picked him.

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PREORDER ON OCT. 28: Preorder the new Apple iMac with M6 starting on Oct. 28 so it arrives on its Nov. 6 release day. Prices start at $1,499.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iMac (M6) starting at $1,499 Preorder

If you've been looking for the right time to upgrade your desktop computer, Apple just dropped a new iMac for the first time since 2024. While Apple's "Pro and Tell" event technically doesn't kick off until tomorrow, the company has launched the new desktop, as well as a new MacBook Pro and iPad mini before the event even begins.

The new iMac skips the M5 chip altogether and opts for the outrageously fast M6 chip. "Everything feels extra snappy and responsive for families managing busy calendars, students putting the finishing touches on a project, and small business owners running their companies," Apple writes in a press release.

As for how speedy it actually is, here's the breakdown:

• Up to 2.5 times faster performance in apps like Microsoft Excel compared to M1 iMac, up to 1.5 times faster than M4 iMac

• Up to 3.3 times faster graphics performance compared to M1 iMac, up to 2 times faster than M4 iMac

• Up to 12 times faster AI performance compared to M1 iMac, up to 5 times faster than M4 iMac

• Up to 2 times higher gaming performance compared to M4 iMac

Aside from the addition of the M6 chip, the new iMac also has the Apple N1 wireless networking chip, alongside Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 on the base model. Otherwise, it's not all that different from the previous M4 iMac from 2024. It still features a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, a 12MP Center Stage camera, up to four USB-C ports, and the ability to connect up to two 6K external displays.

The M6 iMacs start at $1,499 for the 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU configuration, while the 12-core CPU and GPU model starts at $1,699. In the age of RAMageddon, these prices come as no surprise. The M6 iMac comes in the same shades of green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and standard silver as the M4 iMac.

Where to buy the Apple M6 iMac

The new Apple M6 iMac is available for preorder from Apple starting at 1:10 p.m. ET on Oct. 28. Other retailers like Amazon and Best Buy will likely join the fray shortly after. The desktop computer will be fully available in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers on Friday, Nov. 6.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iMac (M6) starting at $1,499 Preorder

PREORDER NOW: The updated Apple Creator Studio arrives on the App Store in November as a free update for current subscribers. New subscribers pay $12.99 per month or $129 per year, and Apple includes a one-month free trial.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Creator Studio $12.99 at Apple
  Get Deal at Apple

Apple had more than a set of new Macs to show off on Tuesday. The same morning it introduced the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 and a new iMac, the company also announced a sizable update to Apple Creator Studio, the $12.99-a-month subscription that bundles Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage with a slew of additional premium features in Keynote, Pages, and Numbers.

Apple calls it the biggest update since Creator Studio launched in January. In addition to adding the MotionVFX plug-in library directly into Final Cut Pro, it also brings additional stock video to Apple’s Content Hub, the Generate Fill tool to Pixelmator Pro, and puts the spotlight on AI assistants built on Apple models and OpenAI inside Logic Pro, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers.

This mega update is set to arrive on the App Store in November as a free update for current subscribers. New subscribers pay $12.99 per month or $129 per year, with a one-month free trial available to take it for a test drive.

What’s new in Apple Creator Studio

The biggest addition to Apple Creator Studio that's worth upgrading for is MotionVFX. This third-party library of titles, transitions, graphics, and effects now comes built into Final Cut Pro and Motion. Final Cut Pro is also getting the Content Hub, with Apple’s stock video, photos, and backgrounds you can use to drop straight into a timeline.

Pixelmator Pro can also add in Generate Fill, which lets you circle part of an image, describe what you want changed, and have the app fill it in while matching textures, colors, and backgrounds around it.

Logic Pro is also getting a significant Liquid Glass redesign as well as a new assistant in beta that can start a song or set up a vocal track from a single prompt. There's a redesigned browser addition that will also keep loops, instruments, effects, and a Splice library together in one place, too.

Finally, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers both get an assistant that can "understand" the documents you’re working on, along with stock video in the Content Hub and new templates and themes to choose from.

Where to buy Apple Creator Studio

Apple Creator Studio is only available through the App Store, but your single subscription works across Mac, iPad, and iPhone. It costs $12.99 per month or $129 per year if you aren't already subscribed, and if you are, you'll simply get the update for free. New subscribers get a one-month free trial, and Family Sharing lets up to six people use it without having to pay extra.

You can save with an educator's discount on Apple Creator Studio. It's just $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year for students or teachers, but verification is required.

There's another way to try out all the new additions as well. If you buy a new Mac or a qualifying iPad from Apple or an authorized reseller, you get three months of Apple Creator Studio for free.

So if you're ready to give it a try, now's the time to prep for its November release, though there's no specific date to watch out for just yet.

Following the release of the OLED iPad Mini yesterday, Apple has now announced updated MacBook Pro and iMac models. The brand’s all-in-one desktop is arriving almost two years after the M4 model that debuted back in 2024. In between, the M5 generation never made it to the iMac, so the latest jump is bigger than the version number suggests.

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.

PREORDER ON OCT. 28: The new 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro goes live for preorders at 10:10 a.m. PT on Oct. 28 at Apple. Apple's latest MacBook is set to launch on Nov. 6 with prices starting at $1,999.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple M6 MacBook Pro $1,999 at Apple
  Learn More at Apple

The kids are excited about costumes and candy this week, but if you're an Apple fan, we have something that's equally special for you. There's a new MacBook Pro launching early next month, and it's equipped with the M6 Chip.

Preorders for the new 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro go live at Apple on Oct. 28 at 10:10 a.m. PT. Prices start at $1,999 for M6 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and a standard display. Going with more RAM, storage, or upgrading to the nano-texture display are all options during preorder. Apple has the launch date set for Nov. 6.

For creatives who need top performance but also want portability, the the new MacBook Pro with M6 chip could be awesome. In Mashable's lineup of the best MacBooks, the previous M5 MacBook Pro won the award as being the best model for artists, content creators, and casual gamers.

SEE ALSO: Apple just announced a new iPad mini with an 8.5-inch OLED display — how to preorder

The upgrade to the M6 chip in the 2026 model means this machine is even more powerful. And as a bonus, the new M6 MacBook Pro didn't see a price hike compared to the M5 MacBook Pro. Both start at $1,999.

In great news, Apple says the M6 MacBook Pro can get up to 24 hours of battery life. While we haven't tested that, a true all-day battery life would be a major benefit for creators, students, or busy business people.

The base model of the M6 MacBook Pro comes with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD, but you can make upgrades and go with the 24 or 32GB RAM and increase to up to 4TB SSD. An additional $150 gets you the nano-texture display which Apple says helps reduce glare and might be ideal for those who work outdoors often.

Get ready to preorder the powerful new M6 MacBook Pro on Oct. 28 at 10:10 a.m. PT. The new MacBook officially launches next Friday, Nov. 6.

Almost everything I do on my PC happens inside the browser, to the point that I feel like my operating system is basically a bootloader for my browser. Now, when you have an app that’s so central to your workflow, it’s natural to get a bit picky about it. Thankfully, Firefox has been more than enough as my daily driver for over a decade. Sure, I occasionally experiment with other browsers to see what’s out there, but I’ve always returned to Firefox — that is, until now.

SAVE $801.99: As of Oct. 27, the 65-inch Sony Bravia 6 OLED 4K HDR Smart Google TV is on sale for $1,198 at Amazon. That's down from its typical $1,999.99 list price — a 40% discount and its best price since launch.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony Bravia 6 $1,198 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $801.99   Get Deal at Amazon

Movie fans and console gamers looking for a flagship living room centerpiece just got a huge early holiday price break.

The 65-inch Sony Bravia 6 OLED 4K HDR Smart TV is on sale for $1,198 at Amazon, slashing $801.99 off its regular $1,999.99 list price. That steep 40% markdown marks the best price since launch for this fresh release.

The screen relies on over eight million individually calibrated, self-illuminating pixels to deliver pure blacks and striking contrast without backlight glow. Colors look remarkably natural and rich thanks to Sony’s Triluminos Pro technology, which unlocks a palette of over a billion shades. Built-in light sensors automatically adjust panel brightness to match the room, whether it is sunny midday or pitch-black midnight, while OLED's expansive viewing angles keep image quality consistent no matter where you are sitting on the couch.

SEE ALSO: Early Black Friday deals from Samsung include gaming monitors, TVs, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra

Film lovers get complete cinema support with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X, delivering expansive, theater-grade sound and imagery to your living room. The TV also comes loaded with the Sony Pictures Core app, which includes 5 free movie credits and a 12-month subscription to stream from a massive library of IMAX Enhanced classics. Google TV now features built-in Gemini, letting you chat naturally to track down shows, ask questions, and run connected smart home gadgets without digging through endless nested menus.

Gamers are also well-covered here. Sony equipped the set with four full HDMI 2.1 ports, enabling 4K playback at 120Hz with VRR, ALLM, and SBTM support for lag-free console play. The physical frame keeps things minimal with a flush, narrow bezel, while the two-way adjustable stand lets you raise the display to easily slide a soundbar underneath without blocking the picture.

Snag the 65-inch Sony Bravia 6 OLED 4K TV while it's over $800 off.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Play Booster Box is on sale for $122.95 at Amazon, down from its $132.99 typical price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Avatar Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Play Booster Box (30 Packs) $122.95 at Amazon
$132.99 Save $10.04 Get Deal at Amazon

If you've been holding off on getting into Magic: The Gathering's Avatar The Last Airbender expansion, Amazon has brought its 30-pack Play Booster Box down to a new low. 

As of Oct. 27, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Play Booster Box is available for just $122.95 at Amazon. That knocks $10.04 off its typical $132.99 price, giving you an 8% discount and bringing the cost down to $4.10 per pack.

That is this 30-pack box’s lowest price so far — confirmed by price tracker camelcamelcamel. What’s more, that’s only $2.20 above its estimated market price on dedicated trading card platform TCGplayer.

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

Inside this massive display are 30 Play Boosters containing 14 cards apiece, giving you 420 cards altogether. Each pack includes at least one Traditional Foil card and between one and four cards of Rare rarity or higher, with a chance of pulling special borderless alternate-art cards.

Alongside familiar characters like Aang, Zuko, and Katara, the expansion brings the show's elemental bending abilities into iconic TCG’s gameplay. Whether you're building new decks, organizing a draft night with friends, or simply opening packs to expand your collection, there's plenty of themed content from the hit franchise to explore.

October and November are the best months to buy a TV

Unlike virtually every other piece of consumer technology, the best flatscreen TVs have actually gotten less expensive in recent years. It's actually pretty incredible how affordable these devices have gotten. That being said, a new flagship TV can still cost upward of $3,000. Fortunately, you don't have to pay full price.

During October and November, retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target all offer aggressive discounts on TVs. Starting on Oct. 6 with Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale, and continuing through Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you'll soon be able to save up to $1,200 on new TVs.

In addition, you can find big discounts by shopping directly with the manufacturers themselves. Samsung, in particular, hosts good sales during the fall and winter seasons.

SEE ALSO: The best October Prime Day TV deals, according to our experts: Shop best-ever prices ahead of the sale Recent TV news: TCL and Sony are going halvesies now

Sony has long been revered as one of the best TV brands, and its Bravia TVs have been no strangers to lists of the best TVs across the internet. But Sony as a TV brand is about to look a lot different.

As of January 2026, TCL is in charge of Sony's home entertainment business, which spans TVs and home audio. The "Bravia" family of TVs isn't going anywhere, at least as far as branding and picture processing — but TCL will be behind much of the manufacturing and pricing. Sony TVs often toe the line of being so premium that they're too expensive for the average person to consider. But paired with TCL's budget-friendly expertise, they could make a wicked pairing come 2027.

SEE ALSO: Comparing the best art TVs: How to decide between The Frame and its growing list of competitors

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Three-Booster Blister Pack is on sale for $36.98 at Amazon, down from its typical price of $41.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign 3-Pack Blister $37 at Amazon
$41.95 Save $4.95   Get Deal at Amazon

Preordering one of Pokemon’s upcoming Delta Reign Display Boxes costs over $200 for 30 packs, but the blister containing three boosters is a solid way to get into the Mega Rayquaza ex-themed expansion at a modest price compared to market value — and an Amazon seller has dropped theirs to the lowest price we’ve seen.

As of Oct. 27, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Three-Booster Blister Pack can be preordered for just $36.98 at Amazon. That's a $4.97 cut from its typical $41.95 price. Keep in mind that rather than being sold and shipped by Amazon, this is being sent from third-party seller Collectors Expedition, with free delivery currently estimated for Nov. 13 — seven days after the expansion's Nov. 6 release.

SEE ALSO: Walmart has dropped the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration ETB closer to market price — save over $100

This price is a nice undercut on Walmart (where the same Delta Reign blister is still priced at $39.99), where sellers on this platform usually try to beat Amazon on modern Pokemon TCG releases. 

TCGplayer is the cheapest place to buy, offering unopened Three-Booster Blisters for $33.29, including shipping, which is $1.28 below its estimated market price of $34.57.

Each blister comes with three Delta Reign booster packs containing 10 cards each, along with a promotional Seel card. That works out to approximately $12.33 per pack at Amazon before factoring in the extra promo.

The Apple news just keeps coming.

With just one day to go before the "Pro and Tell" event in Los Angeles, Apple is dripping out smaller announcements as appetizers. One of the announcements on Tuesday morning was the unveiling of a brand-new iMac with a more powerful M6 chip, a wide range of color options, and plenty of other features that might make it a very appealing all-in-one option for AI lovers.

Apple M6 iMac: Price and release date

Obviously, because it's a computer in the age of RAMageddon, the iMac is not going to be especially cheap. There are two versions: one with a 10-core CPU and GPU, and one with a 12-core CPU and GPU. The former starts at $1,499 and the latter at $1,699.

The device is available for pre-order starting Wednesday and will be generally available on Nov. 6. Your color options this time around are blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, green, and silver.

Apple M6 iMac: Specs and features Look at that thing. Credit: Apple

Here are the specs you can expect when you pick up one of these:

• Display: 24-inch 4.5K retina display with 4480x2520 resolution and 500 nits peak brightness

• Processor: Apple M6

• RAM: 16/24GB

• Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB

• Ports: Up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports

Apple is positioning this as a one-stop shop for all your AI vibe coding needs, claiming the M6 chip delivers 5x faster on-device AI performance than the M4 chip. The whole Apple Intelligence and Siri AI suite is supported here, of course, while up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports provide enough flexibility with external displays to create a very large workspace for yourself.

It should also be a very powerful machine for non-AI applications. Apple claims it has up to 2x higher gaming performance than M4, and the SSD read and write performance is faster, too. Most importantly, it comes in pink, which is just great.

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Smart rings monitor your health in a tiny, inconspicuous package. At first glance, they look like any other piece of jewelry, a simple gold or silver ring. But with tiny sensors, these rings track biometrics through your finger. Yes, they'll track your step count and calories burned, but more advanced technology allows them to track sleep and stress levels, all detected through heart rate and variability.

After extensive testing — including some epic marathon training — we selected the best smart rings of the year so far. This year, Oura debuted the Oura Ring 5, which is an exceptional ring for comfort, design, and overall health tracking. While it takes the top spot in our guide, we tried plenty more options.

This guide compares the top options for fitness-minded tech users who want a low-profile health tracker. To compare the rings, we dug into what actually separates these rings: design, battery life, health features, price, subscription costs, and device compatibility.

SEE ALSO: I ran the NYC Marathon wearing 7 fitness trackers and they all watched me throw up

Latest updates to this guide

As of August 2026, we've replaced the Oura Ring 4 with the Oura Ring 5. Yes, it's the latest model, but its smaller size has greatly improved its comfort, making it the best Oura Ring but also the best overall smart ring.

We've also removed the Evie Ring from this list as it appears to be out of stock. The website for the Evie Ring appears to be unavailable, and the product is no longer listed for sale. We've reached out to Evie for comment on whether the ring is officially discontinued and the status of the company.

We're in the process of testing the RingConn Gen 2 Air for inclusion in this guide. Currently, we've included the Ultrahuman Air in this guide, which is no longer being made but is still available for purchase. We'll update this guide with the Ultrahuman Ring Pro once we've completed testing.

What's the best smart ring?

The smart ring market is ever-growing, with new models debuting each year. Samsung launched a smart ring in 2024, and while Apple doesn't have a smart ring on the market yet, we're sure it will be here in a matter of time. But smart rings are synonymous with the Oura Ring, a leader in the field, and for good reason. Having tried multiple Oura rings (the Oura Ring 4 and Oura Ring 5), testing their hype, and comparing them to other devices, we can confidently say Oura makes the best smart ring in 2026.

Oura offers the most expansive biometric tracking, monitoring your health around the clock. It focuses on daily and long-term health goals more holistically than other rings.

However, the Oura Ring has downsides, like a monthly subscription fee. If you're not down for a monthly fee, we tested some popular alternatives to Oura rings.

Why should you buy a smart ring? So you think you want a smart ring? Here's what you need to know about the latest tech wearable. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Smart rings are not just another fitness tracker. Yes, they do track your activity, steps, and calories burned. However, they're really meant to offer a more holistic view of your health so you can gain deeper insights into your sleep habits, cardiovascular health, and more.

You're a good candidate for a smart ring if you hate the look of a smartwatch or fitness tracker with LED screens, which are categorically not cool. Smart rings are posed as a discreet option, looking like a regular piece of jewelry. However, to be frank, they don't blend in that well. In my weeks of testing, while wearing the rings during hangouts, someone would inevitably ask me, "What's that?"

Since a smart ring doesn't have a screen, you have to pull out your phone and open an app whenever you want to track activity. That's certainly not the end of the world, but if you convert from a smartwatch, you'll miss the convenience of tapping your wrist. That being said, I actually find a smart ring most useful when paired with a smartwatch. I ran all my testing while simultaneously wearing an Apple Watch, and I appreciated the smart rings that were compatible with my watch so I could receive push notifications.