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Trackers like the Apple AirTag are great, but they rely on Bluetooth connectivity and a mesh network of devices to be found. T-Mobile already made a tracker that uses LTE, and now the second-generation model has arrived.

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has published specifications for the updated Matter 1.4 open standard. It could simplify managing homes based on multiple software platforms like Apples HomeKit, Amazons Alexa, and Googles Home.

Spotify has announced new integrations with TikTok and Instagram. This is to make it easier for users to share music, podcasts, and audiobooks from Spotify.

ROSÉ felt the heat during 'Hot Ones' but found a great coping strategy: a stress ball.

Nobody plans on dropping their phone, but it happens. If you want to protect your iPhone 15, the easiest way to do so is with a case.

Robert Downey Jr plays an acclaimed novelist with an unhealthy relationship with Artificial Intelligence in 'McNeal'. Projectionist and designer, Jake Barton, was tasked in creating the visually immersive element of the play to not only harness the essence of AI, but utilize it within the art itself.

Govee just issued a voluntary recall for six models of smart space heater, citing a fire and burn risk. Customers with a recalled space heater may receive a full refund for their purchase.

The best deals to watch 'Deadpool & Wolverine' at a glance: BEST FOR MOST PEOPLE Disney+ Premium annual subscription (no ads) $159.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal BEST BUNDLE DEAL Disney Bundle Duo Basic (Hulu and Disney+ with ads) $10.99 per month (save 44%) Get Deal BEST FOR FIOS CUSTOMERS Disney+ Premium (no ads) Free for 6 or 12 months with eligible Fios internet accounts (save up to $159.99) Get Deal BEST FOR VERIZON WIRELESS CUSTOMERS Disney Bundle: Disney+ Premium (no ads), Hulu, and ESPN (with ads) $10 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan (save $11.99 per month) Get Deal BEST WAY TO GET DISNEY+ FOR FREE Disney+ Premium (no ads) Free with the Total by Verizon $60 plan (save $15.99 per month) Get Deal BEST NON-STREAMING OPTION Buy 'Deadpool & Wolverine' on Prime Video $19.99 Get Deal

Marvel Studios' Deadpool & Wolverine reunited the star power of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman this summer, attempting to save us from chronic superhero fatigue. It quickly became the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time — and now it's headed to the small screen.

If you missed out on Marvel's most outrageous superhero's latest shenanigans in the theater, now's your chance to catch the movie from the comfort of your couch. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Deadpool & Wolverine at home.

What is Deadpool & Wolverine about?

Directed by Shawn Levy, (Free Guy, Night at the Museum), Deadpool & Wolverine uses a bit of reconning to situate its narrative after the events of Deadpool, Deadpool 2, and Logan. It follows Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool (Reynolds), whose existence is threatened when the Time Variance Authority interferes with his life. To save his universe, he hijacks the TVA to call upon a non-dead Wolverine (Jackman) for help. But, as Mashable's Film Editor Kristy Puchko wrote it in her review, "things go from team-up to trouble when Deadpool and his kidnapped Wolverine are pitched into the TVA's wasteland."

Get a sneak peek in the trailer below.

Is Deadpool & Wolverine worth watching?

Second to only Disney-Pixar's Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine's domestic, international, and worldwide box office numbers make it the biggest theatrical release of the year. But, as you probably know, numbers don't always tell the whole story. In this case, audiences not only showed up for the film, but came out of the theaters loving it. On Rotten Tomatoes, it's currently sitting at a 94 percent audience score. Critics, on the other hand, are slightly less enthused. The sequel has just a 78 percent critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Our own reviewer criticized the Disney-fying of Marvel's most outrageous superhero, writing, "It seems without a big studio franchise to fight against or parody, Deadpool becomes another cog in the Marvel machine." However, she also adds that "Levy and his team pack so much entertainment into this chaotic movie that it's easy to overlook its rough bits as you're watching."

Is it going to save superhero movies? Probably not. But as Puchko noted, "It's just really fucking fun."

Read our full review of Deadpool & Wolverine.

How to watch Deadpool & Wolverine at home Credit: 20th Century Studios / MARVEL

A little over two months after Deadpool & Wolverine's explosive theatrical debut, it became available to watch at home via video-on-demand sites like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home (Vudu). You can purchase the film for your digital library for $19.99. It will also be available to rent at a later date. If you'd rather stream Deadpool & Wolverine, keep scrolling to learn more.

As of Oct. 1, you can purchase the film at the following retailers:

• Prime Video — buy for $19.99

• Apple TV — buy for $19.99

• Fandango at Home (Vudu) — buy for $19.99

• YouTube — buy for $19.99

• Google Play — buy for $19.99

When is Deadpool & Wolverine streaming?

Deadpool & Wolverine is set to make its streaming debut on Nov. 12 on Disney+. It's a bit surprising that an R-rated film will join the library on the family-friendly streamer instead of Hulu (where most R and PG-13 films produced by Disney subsidiaries appear), but since Disney+ is the home to all the other films and shows in the MCU, it only makes sense that Deadpool & Wolverine join them.

Not yet a Disney+ subscriber? Subscriptions start at $9.99 after a price hike last month, but we've rounded up a few of the best ways you can save some money on the streaming service below.

The best Disney+ streaming dealsBest Disney+ deal for most people Opens in a new window Credit: Disney+ Disney+ Premium annual subscription (no ads) $159.99/year (save 17%) Watch Now

Disney+ recently hiked its prices up from $7.99 to $9.99 with ads and $13.99 to $15.99 without ads, which is a mega bummer. Fortunately, though, you can still save some money on a subscription by signing up for a year upfront. With an annual plan without ads, you'll pay $159.99 per year, which breaks down to just $13.33 per month. That's about 17% in savings each month.

Best Disney+ bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Disney Bundle Duo Basic (Hulu and Disney+ with ads) $10.99 per month (save 44%) Watch Now

If you already subscribe to Hulu and you don't mind a few ads here and there, you can bundle Hulu with Disney+ for just $10.99 per month. That's basically like getting Disney+ for just $1 per month, saving you 44% compared to paying for each separately. You can also take things a step further and add Max (with ads) into the mix for a grand total of $16.99 per month. Or, if you're more into sports, sub Max for ESPN+ for just $14.99 per month for all three. Even though you have to deal with ads, it's a hard deal to beat. To watch without ads, you'll have to pay an extra $9 per month for the Disney+ and Hulu bundle and an extra $13 per month for the trio bundle with Max.

Best Disney+ trial Opens in a new window Credit: Verizon Disney+ Premium (no ads) Free for 6 or 12 months with eligible Fios internet accounts (save up to $159.99) Watch Now

Verizon Fios home internet users on the 2 Gig Streaming or 2 Gig Complete package can score a free year of Disney+ Premium (no ads), while those on the 1 Gig Streaming or 1 Gig Complete package can sign up for six free months. Check your plan and read about eligibility terms over on the Verizon website to activate the offer. Either way, your trial should give you plenty of time to stream Deadpool & Wolverine for free.

Best Disney+ deal for Verizon Wireless customers Opens in a new window Credit: Verizon / Disney+ Disney Bundle: Disney+ Premium (no ads), Hulu, and ESPN (with ads) $10 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan (save $11.99 per month) Watch Now

Verizon Wireless customers can get a stellar deal on Disney+ through Verizon myPlan. Just add a Disney Bundle to your account through myPlan, which includes Disney+ Premium (no ads), Hulu (with ads), and ESPN (with ads). All three would usually cost you $37.97 per months separately, but by signing up through this myPlan deal, you'll only pay $10 per month. With the recent price increase of all three streamers, the Verizon myPlan deal hasn't changed, making it an even better deal.

Best way to get Disney+ for free Opens in a new window Credit: Total by Verizon Disney+ Premium (no ads) Free with the Total by Verizon $60 plan (save $15.99 per month) Watch Now

If you're a Total Wireless customer on the $60/month prepaid unlimited plan, you get Disney+ Premium (no ads) for free. No terms or trial periods. Just keep your account in good standing and you get Disney+ included with your account. If you cancel or switch your plan, your subscription will end as well. If you're on the $50/month prepaid unlimited plan, you can also score six free months of Disney+, which is plenty of time to watch Deadpool & Wolverine. Want to extend your trial? Just upgrade to the $60/month plan.

Microsoft's veteran Notepad app is getting the generative AI treatment. On Wednesday, Microsoft announced a new feature for Notepad called Rewrite, which lets users edit their text using an AI model. With Rewrite, users can adjust the tone, rephrase, and modify the length of their text.

Windows Notepad has been around since 1983 as a text editor for users to jot down notes and create simple text documents. Being the barebones application that it is, Notepad hasn't received much attention until recently. Just last March, Microsoft added spellcheck and autocorrect, which made us wonder why it took so long. But integrating generative AI editing and summarization skills is a fitting and more timely upgrade for the text editor.

SEE ALSO: Windows 11 replicates Apple's 'handoff' feature How to use the Notepad Rewrite tool

To use Rewrite for Notepad, highlight the text you want to change, right-click and select Rewrite. A window will pop up, giving you options to change the length, tone, or format of the text. Make your selections and click Replace. Rewrite will generate three options.

You can also copy the text, refine the results, or cancel your selection. Previous versions are saved, so you can easily revert back if you want to. Rewrite can also be disabled in your app settings.

The barebones Notepad app can now edit text with generative AI. Credit: Microsoft

To access Rewrite for Notepad, you'll have to be signed in to your Microsoft account since it runs in the cloud.

In the same announcement, Microsoft also introduced new generative AI features for another OG app, Paint. With the latest Windows 11 update, users can use generative fill to expand or edit an image — and generative erase to remove certain objects.

Rewrite for Notepad is launching in preview to Windows 11 users in United States, France, UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany. Generative Fill is initially available to Windows Insiders testers with Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, and Generative Erase is available to all Windows 11 PCs.

SAVE OVER 80%: Hundreds of audiobooks are on sale at Amazon, with some discounted by over 80%.

Best audiobook deals at Amazon Best mystery audiobook deal 'The Charity Shop Detective Agency' by Peter Boland $5.99 at Amazon (save $27.91) Get Deal Best historical fiction audiobook deal 'The Good Wife of Bath' by Karen Brooks $6.99 at Amazon (save $28.10) Get Deal Best travel-inspired audiobook deal 'Burma Sahib' by Paul Theroux $7.99 at Amazon (save $17.20) Get Deal

Now that we're dealing with early sunsets and cooler temps, settling in with a good audiobook for the evening has a special kind of appeal. Or if you're not one to sit still for long, following along with an audiobook on a walk, during the morning commute, or while doing chores around the house is a great addition. Pop in your earbuds and you'll be whirled off to a new world, on new adventures, or heading deep into learning mode.

If you're in the mood to save some money for Black Friday sales but are still on the lookout for new audiobooks, Amazon has some great titles on sale today. Here are a few of our top picks:

Best mystery audiobook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Podium Audio 'The Charity Shop Detective Agency' by Peter Boland $5.99 at Amazon
$33.90 Save $27.91 Get Deal Why we like it

Dogs Need Nice Homes, the local charity shop, has lost a favorite customer. Sarah Brown, an 86-year-old who frequented the shop, was murdered under suspicious circumstances. She held a domino in her hand with a name sketched into it upon her death. Not long after, another death occurred, also with a domino in the hand of the deceased.

The ladies who work at Dogs Need Nice Homes take it upon themselves to solve the mystery of the unidentified serial killer and find unlikely allies with the Cats Alliance across the road.

Help the charity shops solve the case with the audiobook version of The Charity Shop Detective Agency by Peter Boland. The audiobook typically costs $33.90, but thanks to Amazon's sale price, you can download the audiobook for just $5.99, which means you'll save a massive 82%.

Best historical fiction audiobook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Harper Audio 'The Good Wife of Bath' by Karen Brooks $6.99 at Amazon
$35.09 Save $28.10 Get Deal Why we like it

The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks takes us to the Middle Ages to meet Eleanor. Married off at just 12 years old to an elderly farmer, Eleanor realizes her life isn't going well. But her knack for business and a thankfully kind husband leads Eleanor to turn the tables on her fate. Follow along as the novel moves through her life's adventures, marriages, pilgrimages, and more.

With an impressive listening time of almost 20 hours, The Good Wife of Bath is a great pick if you're ready to spend some quality time with an audiobook over the holidays.

Best travel-inspired audiobook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Podium Audio 'Burma Sahib' by Paul Theroux $7.99 at Amazon
$25.19 Save $17.20 Get Deal Why we like it

From acclaimed writer Paul Theroux, Burma Sahib takes a glimpse into the life of Eric Blair, a conscript who's less than pleased about his assignment as a servant to the British Empire in Burma. Adjusting to a new life mixed with fellow British and the language, culture, and people of Burma prove to be a challenge for Blair. Clashing with superiors means Blair is in for quite the adventure in his new home.

Those who are fans of George Orwell books might be particularly interested in Burma Sahib, since Eric Blair chose then pen name of George Orwell.

An Amazon editor's pick, the audiobook version of Burma Sahib is on sale for just $7.99, down from the list price of $25.19 which means you're in for a 68% discount.

More audiobook deals at Amazon:

• Inside These Halls by Adrian J. Smith — $5.99 $33.90 (save $27.91)

• The Black Swan of Paris by Karen Robards — $5.99 $33.29 (save $27.30)

• The Last Boleyn by Karen Harper — $6.99 $38.69 (save $31.70)

• On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin — $7.99 $46.79 (save $38.80)

• The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy — $7.99 $46.79 (save $38.80)

• The Stories of Paul Bowles — $7.99 $46.79 (save $38.80)

SAVE $101.99: As of Nov. 7, you can get the Sony INZONE H9 Wireless Gaming Headphones for $198. That's 34% off the original price, or $101.99 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony INZONE H9 wireless gaming headphones $198.00 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal

Wade into the game with total immersion, with the Sony INZONE H9 Wireless Gaming Headphones. Whether you’re an esports champ or a co-op player signing on to the next Warhammer Space Marine 2 session with your pals, these headphones provide better audio with 360 spatial sound.

SEE ALSO: Where to pre-order the PlayStation 5 Pro

Spatial audio puts you into the action, creating a sonic panorama that tells you exactly where the action is happening on the battlefield and where you are in relation to it. Whether you’re investing in your own gaming war chest, or looking for a gift for a game aficionado, this headphone set is a great pick.

As of Nov. 7, the INZONE H9 wireless gaming headphones are available for $101.99 off. Get them for $198 and save 34%.

Tip-top sound doesn’t have room to shine unless you’re also able to eliminate distractions, and the Sony INZONE H9s do just this with noise cancellation. Passing sirens or barking dogs get mixed out of the world, allowing you to tune out distractions and focus on the game. An Ambient Sound Mode is also available, which will mix in nearby sounds so that you remain aware of your surroundings.

These wireless gaming headphones aren't only designed to tune the real world out. Bluetooth keeps them seamlessly locked into the action, but this 2.4GHz Bluetooth connection also means you'll be able to dial into other tech. Take calls from your phone or voice chat through software mid-game. 

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Nov. 7: OUR TOP PICK Fitbit Inspire 3 $69.95 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal BEST HOME DEAL Google Nest Cam 2-pack (2nd gen, indoor/outdoor) $229.99 (save $100) Get Deal BEST SMARTWATCH DEAL Samsung Galaxy Watch FE (40mm, Bluetooth) $152.99 (save $47) Get Deal BEST SSD DEAL Samsung T9 portable SSD (4TB) $299.99 (save $250) Get Deal ANOTHER FITNESS TRACKER DEAL Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 (save $60) Get Deal

All you holiday shopping early birds will be pleased to know there are tons of deals you can already shop at Amazon. Weeks ahead of Black Friday, you can start checking off your shopping list (or treating yourself to a few things). We've rounded up some of the best discounts we could find at the mega retailer on Nov. 7, including brands like Fitbit, Google, and Samsung.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If you don't see anything that catches your eye, take a look at our picks from Nov. 5 and Nov. 6. Many of those deals are still live, including the new Bose Smart Soundbar's first price drop and a $700 (!) discount on the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Inspire 3 $69.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $30.00 Get Deal

Both Prime Day and October's Prime Big Deal Days event left a lot to be desired in the Fitbit department, so we're pretty surprised to see this deal on the Inspire 3 on Nov. 7 — weeks before Black Friday. We're big fans of the Fitbit Inspire 3's intuitive design impressive app suite, workout insights, and sleek and slim build. "For anyone new to fitness or any dedicated gym rat, the Fitbit Inspire 3 gets you more than you pay for," our reviewer writes, giving it the Mashable Choice award honor. Usually $99.95, it tops our fitness tracker roundup as our favorite budget-friendly option, but as of Nov. 7, you can get it for only $69.95 and save 30%. That matches its record-low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch FE (40mm, Bluetooth) $152.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $47.00 Get Deal

If you're looking for more than just a fitness tracker, but don't want to break the bank, Samsung's Galaxy Watch FE is a solid budget-friendly smartwatch just released this past summer. We haven't had the honor of testing it out, but our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) have and were big fans, giving it the coveted Editors' Choice award. It may only come in one size and is missing the Galaxy AI holistic health insights, but otherwise it offers almost the same lifestyle and wellness features as the flagship Galaxy wearable. Those include body composition measurements, continuous blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring, detailed sleep and snore tracking, and more. Usually only $199.99, you can save 24% on Nov. 7 and pick up the pink or blue Watch FE at Amazon for just $152.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung T9 portable SSD (4TB) $299.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $250.00 Get Deal

Samsung's just throwing deals at us on Nov. 7. Here's another impressive price drop: the Samsung T9 portable SSD with 4TB is down to just $299.99 from $549.99 at Amazon. While not quite its lowest price ever, it's a savings of 45% and gives you a massive 4TB of storage space in a lightweight little box. Our sister site PCMag awarded it a 4.5-star "outstanding" rating, crediting its blazing throughput speeds, huge capacity, drop-proof design, and useful Samsung Magician software. If you're sick of deleting all of your old content to make space for new stuff, this portable SSD has enough to last you for years, if not forever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $60.00 Get Deal

Another Fitbit model that never got a discount on October Prime Day, the Fitbit Charge 6 is back down to its all-time low price from last Black Friday, just $99.95. That's a savings of 38%. With a seven-day battery life, 40+ exercise modes, heart rate, step, sleep, and stress tracking, it's a solid choice if you're looking to improve your health and habits. Plus, it comes with six months of Fitbit Premium to help you kickstart your fitness routine.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Nest Cam 2-pack (2nd gen, indoor/outdoor) $229.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

One of our top picks for a home security camera, the Google Nest Cam is a slick, waterproof camera you can place inside or outside to catch 24/7 live HD video with 6x digital zoom. It'll act as your eyes and ears when you're away and allow you to share your stream with anyone using a public or password-protected link. You can even add a Nest Aware plan (for an extra fee) and enjoy more perks like intelligent alerts, continuous video recording, clip sharing, emergency alerts, and beyond. A two-pack of these cameras is on sale for just $229.99 at Amazon as of Nov. 7. That's a savings of 30% and just $20 shy of its lowest price to date.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

TL;DR: Live stream Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League for free on Tabii. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are some really interesting Europa League fixtures taking place this week, including Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur. Both sides are unbeaten in this year's competition, with Spurs winning every game they've played.

We're expecting a close game between two strong sides. If you want to watch Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur?

Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. GMT on Nov. 7. This fixture takes place at Rams Park.

How to watch Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur for free

Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur is available to live stream for free on Tabii in Turkey.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock Tabii. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Turkey, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Europa League from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur on Tabii by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

4. Sign in to Tabii

5. Watch Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Europa League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur (plus more Europa League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Tabii?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Turkey

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $80: As of Nov. 7, you can get Apple AirPods Pro 2 for just $169.99. That's 32% off the original price or $80 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169.99 at Best Buy
$249.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal

AirPods Pro 2 are your go-to for listening to podcasts or music while walking around town. With exceptional Bluetooth connectivity and an extremely comfortable ergonomic design, they stay connected even during strenuous exercise or busy subway rides and sound great doing it.

SEE ALSO: Walmart just leaked more of the best deals from its first Black Friday sale

With AirPods Pro 2, innovation happens internally. These look similar to past AirPods Pro, but they have new features like Adaptive Transparency, improved active noise cancellation, and a juicier battery.

With a redesigned audio driver and custom amplifier, these earbuds sound even better than the first generation. They sound just as great on nuanced live performances as bassy electronic music.

Right now you can get Apple AirPods Pro 2 for just $169.99 — that’s 32% off or $80 in savings. And just $1 off from their Prime Big Deal Days pricing.

The Adaptive Transparency feature reduces noise while keeping you in contact with the world, inserting sounds from the outside world into the mix. When you only want to hear the music, the improved active noise cancellation eliminates the world, quieting even loud street sounds so effectively that we were in awe.

AirPods Pro are exceptional earbuds for an on-the-go lifestyle. With their case, AirPods Pro will give you upwards of 30 hours of charge.

The video game industry made several surprise announcements this week.

In the midst of the U.S. presidential election, news broke that the Nintendo Switch 2 would be backwards compatible. A few days later, Death Stranding shadow launched on Xbox and the Windows PC game store, with a time-limited sale price of $20. That's a bit shocking because, for the last five years, Death Stranding has been a PlayStation console exclusive.

It did get a Steam release a while back courtesy of 505 Games, but as far as anyone knew, it wouldn't come to Xbox because PlayStation had published the game originally.

Tweet may have been deleted

That's not the case anymore. According to IGN (Disclaimer: IGN and Mashable are under the same parent company, Ziff Davis), Death Stranding developer Kojima Productions has seized control of the Death Stranding IP from Sony. Death Stranding is now theoretically open to a wider range of platforms. However, it’s worth noting that the upcoming sequel is being published by Sony and will launch exclusively on PS5, although it may not remain exclusive indefinitely.

If you never played Death Stranding, the perfect time was in 2020 when everyone was locked up inside, but the second best time is now. It's about a post-apocalyptic deliveryman braving the wastes of a ruined United States to bring people pizza and other basic goods. Death Stranding is equally as likely to provoke thoughts about isolation, emotional availability, and the gig economy as it is to make you laugh because you stumbled down a hillside.

There's nothing else like it, for better or worse.

SAVE UP TO 40%: Fitbit trackers are on sale at Amazon for up to 40% off, including the Fitbit Inspire 3 — a Mashable favorite.

Fitbit deals at Amazon Best overall Fitbit deal Fitbit Versa 4 $119.95 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal Best budget-friendly Fitbit deal Fitbit Inspire 3 $69.95 at Best Buy (save $30) Get Deal Best Fitbit deal for varied workouts Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal

Somehow we're just a handful of weeks away from 2025. If you have fitness goals in mind for either the holidays or for the new year, a fitness tracker is a great companion for keeping tabs on your progress. You don't have to have super ambitious fitness goals to get good use out of a tracker. Even starting a new walking routine calls for a tracker since it's the perfect way to count steps, keep records of your activity, and monitor sleep. Plus, it's really nice to have the time just a quick glance away on your watch, instead of reaching for your phone.

Fitbit has always been one of the leading brands in fitness trackers, and their tech has only improved since Google acquired the brand in 2021. Instead of waiting for Black Friday sales, you can snag a Fitbit tracker at Amazon for up to 40% off today, which mean you'll be well on your way to tracking fitness by the time 2025 rolls around. Here are some of our top recommendations if you're in the market for a new Fitbit.

Best overall Fitbit deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Our pick: Fitbit Versa 4 $119.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Whether you're training for a 5k, a marathon, or going on the occasional hike, the Fitbit Versa 4 has ideal functions. Compatible with both iOS and Android devices, the Fitbit Versa 4 gets up to 6 days of battery life while tracking your workouts and sleep. Choose from over 40 exercise modes and get your daily readiness score each morning to help determine the best level of activity for the day ahead. The Versa 4 also gives a daily stress management score.

The Waterfall Blue, Pink Sand, and Black models are all included in the sale price at Amazon of just $119.95 which works out to a 40% discount off the normal price of $199.95.

Best budget-friendly Fitbit deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Our pick: Fitbit Inspire 3 $69.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

A Mashable favorite, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is down to just $69.95 at Amazon which means you'll be saving a sweet 30% off the typical price of $99.95.

When it comes to the best fitness trackers, Mashable lists the Fitbit Inspire 3 as the best budget-friendly option. Sam Stone's review of the Inspire 3 for Mashable mentions major pros include intuitive functions, workout insights, and its wide range of included apps.

Stone writes, "It sits easily on the wrist, and compared to other wearables it’s relatively small. The watch counts steps, tracks heart rate, and measures calories burned, among other metrics, and, in combination with Fitbit app, converts all that information into data you can use to inform your workouts." All that for under $70 mean is a great deal, and you'll get both a small and large size band with the watch, so you can find a comfortable fit.

Best Fitbit deal for varied workouts Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Our pick: Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're one to go for a run on Monday, take a HIIT class on Tuesday, and head off for a bike ride on Wednesday, the versatile Fitbit Charge 6 could be great. With over 40 exercise modes, the tracker is designed to keep tabs on all your varied activities. It also includes advanced health tools like a heart rate monitor that can detect irregularities and a sleep score.

The Fitbit Charge 6 also has convenient Google integrations like Google Maps and Google Wallet for paying on-the-go.

"Dear Santa" premieres Nov. 25 on Paramount+.

Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East star in this A24-produced horror film, out Nov. 8.

Australia is set to ban social media for kids under 16, in a stated attempt to minimise "harms that are being caused to young people" through the platforms.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the measures on Thursday, after a decision by his government on Monday.

"Social media is doing harm to our kids and I'm calling time on it," Albanese said in a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. "I've spoken to thousands of parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles. They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online."

"We don't argue that the changes that we will be legislating will fix everything immediately," he added. "We have laws such as people can't buy alcohol if they're under 18, and from time to time that can be broken. But those laws set what the parameters are for our society and they assist in ensuring the right outcomes."

SEE ALSO: Teens feel burnt out. Social media can make it worse.

Albanese said the law will not allow exemptions for users under 16 who have parental consent, nor will it accept "grandfathering arrangements" for young people already on social media.

The government intends to put "the onus will be on social media platforms" instead of parents and teens. Big tech companies are making slow progress in this space — for example, Instagram recently added Teen Accounts, a more restricted way for teens under 16 to use the app.

Most social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat don't let users under 13 make accounts, with varying levels of restriction for users under 16 and 18. However, in August, the U.S. Justice Department sued TikTok for allegedly violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), for allowing kids to create accounts without parental consent and collecting personal information from children under 13. It's one of several lawsuits across the U.S. against TikTok on the grounds of child safety.

Studies around teens, mental health, and social media aren't in short supply. In his address, the prime minister specifically called out campaigns run by Australian media organisations around the legislation, in particular the debated "Let Them Be Kids" campaign run by NewsCorp. Social change initiative 36Months, who have campaigned to ban social media for under-16s in Australia, were also present at Parliament House on Wednesday.

So, what's the timeline on Australia's social media ban?

The Australian government will determine the details of the law in a virtual national cabinet meeting on Friday, the legislation will be introduced to Parliament in two weeks time, and will come into force 12 months after passage. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said "social media companies have been put on notice", and emphasised there is a one-year lead time before the law would be implemented.

The law's new definition of age restriction on social media will be adapted from Australia's current Online Safety Act. Passed in 2021, it's the country's online harms protection law, much like the UK's version. The eSafety Commissioner, Australia's independent regulator for online safety, will "provide oversight and enforcement" by issuing regulatory guidance for social media platforms.

OK, which social media platforms will be covered under Australia's ban?

When asked about specific social media platforms, Rowland clarified, "In terms of the services that will be covered, there will be a definition in the Act. But I think it is commonly understood that those definitions of what constitutes social media include ones such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X. YouTube would likely fall within that definition as well."

How will the social media ban be enforced in Australia?

In a nutshell, it's currently unclear exactly how the social media ban will be regulated, as the prime minister said "there will be no penalties for users." When asked about age restrictions and the practicalities around it (how identification will work etc), Rowland said an "age assurance trial" would happen over the next year, with the government examining the platforms' individual measures and whether they're enough.

"There will need to be measures put in place to ensure that reasonable steps are being taken by the platforms to ensure that that age limit is complied with," she said.

"These platforms know their users better than anyone. These platforms understand their habits, their capabilities, what sort of content should be driven to them and what their behaviours are. So in this year that we will take in terms of implementation, that will be the key focus."

For more on internet safety for kids, Mashable's got you covered.

This beastly 16-inch MacBook Pro, packed with Apple's new herculean M4 Pro chip, is not designed for amateurs like myself — people who think "intensive" means opening 100 Google Chrome tabs and praying one's laptop doesn't self combust.

No ma'am.

This mammoth of a laptop is, instead, for professional power users. I'm talkin' 3D designers, seasoned animators, skilled video editors, and veteran music producers — folks who need a powerhouse that can handle heavy workloads without a single stutter.

However, thanks to the 16-inch MacBook Pro's eye-popping power efficiency, I'd argue that normies can splurge on the 16-inch MacBook Pro, particularly if they prefer laptops with Energizer Bunny-like endurance. (And I mean, who doesn't?)

You won't believe how long the 16-inch MacBook Pro lasted on a charge. It doesn't quite beat the record-breaking Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, but it's pretty darn impressive.

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) price and specs

The 16-inch MacBook Pro in this review costs a whopping $3,649, and it comes with the following:

• M4 Pro chip

• 14-core CPU

• 20-core GPU

• 48GB of RAM

• 2TB of storage

• Nano-texture display

Ouch! My wallet is screaming just looking at that price tag. Luckily, the cheapest 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro has a more palatable cost of $2,499. Although it's still pricey, there's less sticker shock. This configuration comes with the same M4 Pro chip, but knocks you back down to 24GB of memory and 512GB of SSD storage.

If you’re a video editor, or any other professional handling massive files, you might need to bite the bullet and upgrade to at least 1TB of storage.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) $2,499.99
Shop Now Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) design

I mean, it's a 16-inch laptop, so don't expect it to be a featherweight. It weighs nearly five pounds and it's 0.66 inches thick.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Compared to its last-generation counterpart (i.e., 16-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro), the new model is pretty much the same when it comes to design. It still sports a 100% recycled aluminum enclosure and that shiny, tell-tale logo on the lid that yells, "Yes, I'm an Apple laptop!"

It comes in Space Black and Silver.

My review unit sports the Space Black colorway. With a name like that, I was expecting the deepest, darkest black — think inky, onyx, obsidian vibes. After all, isn’t space, as in the vast, empty void beyond Earth, pitch dark? Apparently, I was wrong. Not to get all nerdy, but NASA says that “space isn’t absolutely black; the universe has a faint, suffused glimmer.”

Space Black is quite dark to the naked eye, but under bright lighting, it has a deep gray hue.

This colorway diminishes fingerprints, but it doesn't completely fend them off. Keep a microfiber cloth handy.

Other than that, the M4 Pro shares the same design as its predecessor. In fact, it's got the same design as far back as the 2021 model, But I can't blame Apple; consumers love it. The MacBook Pro continues to be a solid and sturdy dream machine.

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) display

This configuration comes with a new nano-texture display option.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

This doesn't come with the laptop. You have to pay an extra $150 to snag one. Is it worth it? It depends. Do you work in a sun-drenched office? Are you always working outdoors? If you answered yes to either of those questions, you'd benefit from a nano-texture display, as it's designed to handle challenging lighting situations while still providing decent visibility for users.

I couldn't wait to take the MacBook Pro outside in my backyard to test the nano-texture display, and I must say, I'm impressed!

The Apple laptop remained crystal clear, even as dappled sunlight attempted to wash out the screen. I didn't have to squint, adjust angles, nor play hide-and-seek with shadows — the display stood its ground, refusing to surrender to the sun’s relentless glare.

If you’re someone who spends a lot of time working in bright, unpredictable lighting, this nano-texture display might just be the unsung hero you didn’t know you needed.

Plus, compared to the last generation, the M4 Pro MacBook Pro's screen is brighter. It can hit a peak SDR brightness of 1,000 nits, up from 600 nits. The HDR brightness score continues to be 1,600 nits.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro, like the previous model, features a 16.2-inch, 3,456 x 2,234-pixel resolution display with ProMotion technology (i.e., up to 120Hz refresh rate). As expected, the display looked gorgeous while I feasted my eyes on the new Squid Game 2 trailer. It's rich, vibrant, and pure visual eye candy.

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) ports

The M4 Pro MacBook Pro now has Thunderbolt 5 ports, an upgrade from the previous generation's trio of Thunderbolt 4 ports. Thunderbolt 5 offers double the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 4 at 120Gb/s, which means faster data transfer speeds for your peripherals.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Over Thunderbolt, the 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro supports up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz.

You'll also get an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, a 3.5mm headset jack, and a MagSafe 3 port.

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) audio

If music were a dish, the 16-inch MacBook Pro would be a gourmet apple pie, straight out of grandma’s oven — piping hot, golden, and worth every sinful calorie.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Packed with a high-fidelity, six-speaker sound system (with fore-cancelling woofers), Era Istrefi's "Bonbon" sounded delicious to my ears. Yum!

The MacBook Pro is one of the most recommended laptops for music producers — and I see why. The laptop perfectly captured the gritty, exotic undertones and the pulsating, driving beat.

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) keyboard and trackpad

I'd describe my typing experience on the 16-inch MacBook Pro in two words: snappy and responsive. Plus, it's got enough key travel to make typing comfortable over long periods of time.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Just make sure you're not sitting next to someone who prefers piece and quiet. The keyboard emits some loud clacks.

Apple’s glass-covered Force Touch trackpad is, as always, a pleasure to use. It's spacious, responsive, and perfectly balanced between smoothness and resistance. Every swipe and click feel effortless.

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) benchmarks and performance

Somebody call the coroner because the M4 Pro chip inside the 16-inch MacBook Pro has obliterated the competition.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

On Geekbench 6, which tests CPU prowess, the 16-inch MacBook Pro delivered a multi-core score of 22,758. For reference, the entry-level M4 MacBook Pro notched a score of 15,199 on the same test.

This is the best Geekbench 6 score we've seen at Mashable for a laptop. Coming in close second is the Razer Blade 18, which sports an Intel Core i9-14900HX. So yeah, the MacBook Pro just torched a gaming laptop.

Here are some other scores:

Cinebench R3 - 23,336 (multi-core)

Blender GPU test - 2,533.57

Once again, for reference, the entry-level M4 chip notched scores of 13,891 and 1,065, respectively, for Cinebench R3 and Blender. The M4 Pro chip is fast!

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) webcam

The M4 Pro MacBook Pro’s 12MP webcam is a step up, delivering sharper video quality with less artifacting in various lighting conditions. FaceTime calls looked great, and my fiancé was quick to notice the improvement in clarity.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Desk View is the real star, allowing a top-down perspective of your desk setup using only the built-in webcam. I assumed I’d need a secondary camera, but the 12MP webcam handles it all on its own. Whether you’re presenting or demoing, Desk View is a clever addition that’s both fun and functional.

The updated webcam also supports Center Stage, which may be familiar to those who own iPads. For the uninitiated, Center Stage ensures that you're kept in frame at all times, even if you lean a little bit to the left or shuffle over to the right.

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) battery life

The 16-inch MacBook Pro lasted an eye-popping 20 hours and 51 minutes in our video rundown test. In other words, this laptop nearly lasts 21 hours on a single charge.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

As mentioned at the outset, it doesn't quite beat our reigning champ (i.e., Microsoft Surface Laptop 7), but it's nipping at its heels.

Is the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) worth it?

The 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro didn't come to play. With jaw-dropping performance, impressive battery life, and a gorgeous nano-texture display option, this laptop is geared for professionals who need powerhouse specs and are willing to pay for them. If you’re a video editor, a 3D designer, or someone who needs serious firepower, this MacBook is as good as it gets.

Even if you're just an internet surfer and a Netflix browser, get it for the 20-hour+ battery life — if you have the money to blow, of course.

Either way, the M4 Pro is a future-proof machine that won’t leave you disappointed, as long as you’ve got the budget for it.