Blogroll

My iCloud Bill Kept Rising, Here’s How I Took Back Control

How-To Geek - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 17:15

For as long as I can remember, I have been the unofficial tech support guy for my family. Part of that responsibility is maintaining the photos and videos of me, my wife, and my mother-in-law. We’ve all been on the iPhone platform for years, and built up a pile of photos and videos in iCloud, and over time the monthly bill has crept up as I upgraded to larger storage plans. Sure, it’s convenient, but these little monthly subscriptions add up over time, and I wanted something more sustainable.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My Secret Santa trailer: Its a reverse Mrs. Doubtfire.

Mashable - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 17:05

For too long, playing Santa for the holidays has been man's work. But that stops with My Secret Santa. Alexandra Breckenridge plays the jolly gift-giver in red in this daffy Netflix romantic comedy whose trailer begins by channeling Mrs. Doubtfire.

Yes, in that much-loved Robin Williams movie, a father of three sought to get closer to his kids — and pay his bills — by masquerading as a warm and British nanny named Euphegenia Doubtfire. In My Secret Santa, screenwriters Carley Smale and Ron Oliver gender-bend this premise with a Christmas-y twist for some fresh fun.

When a single mom (Breckenridge) needs some extra work to get her teen daughter the gift she wants most, there's only one solution: becoming a Santa for a luxury ski resort. With the help of prosthetic make-up, a white wig and matching beard, and a seasonal make-over, she's ready to brave the crowds of kids and parents to make her holiday wish come true. But what she couldn't have predicted is a handsome bachelor catching her eye, and complicating this unusual double life.

From Mike Rohl, director of The Princess Switch trilogy, My Secret Santa is sure to delight fans of holiday rom-coms — especially those who loved Mrs. Doubtfire and even the flirting in Disney's Mulan. Ryan Eggold, Tia Mowry, Madison MacIsaac, and Diana Maria Riva co-star in this nutty offering, coming soon.

My Secret Santa debuts on Netflix on Dec. 3.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I Made Browsing Netflix Tolerable by Changing One Setting

How-To Geek - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 16:30

I'm always browsing Netflix looking for the next best thing to watch. I don't think Netflix's interface makes discovery as easy as it could, especially with the recent update, but it gets the job done. However, there's one feature that I simply had to disable to make browsing tolerable: autoplay previews.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Score the M3 iPad Air with cellular connectivity and boosted storage for its best price ever

Mashable - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 16:29

SAVE $249: As of Oct. 17, the 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M3, 512GB, WiFi + Cellular) is on sale for just $999.68 in the starlight colorway at Amazon. That's 20% off its list price and the lowest price on record for this model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, 512GB, WiFi + Cellular) $999.68 at Amazon
$1,249 Save $249.32   Get Deal

The M3 iPad Air — one of our favorite tablets of 2025 — saw some impressive discounts earlier this month for Prime Big Deal Days. But most of those record-lows were on the WiFi-only models. If you were hoping to score the M3 iPad Air with WiFi and cellular connectivity, as well as beefed up storage, your patience has been rewarded with a new price drop.

As of Oct. 17, you can get the 13-inch Apple iPad Air in starlight with the M3 chip, 512GB of storage, and WiFi and cellular connectivity for only $999.68. Not only is that 20% savings and the first time it's dipped below $1,000, but it's the lowest price on record. That's also cheaper than the list price of the 256GB configuration.

Besides an upgrade in processing power from the M2 to the M3 chip, the 2025 iPad Air has a boosted battery life (over 14 hours), a more advanced Magic Keyboard (optional add-on), and pass-through charging. While it's not a major upgrade from the previous generation, that's not necessarily a bad thing. We loved the M2 Air as well.

While the M4 iPad Pro (and undoubtedly the new M5 iPad Pro) is also great, it's a bit overkill for the majority of folks. The M3 Air hits the sweet spot for streaming, reading, creative projects, work, and more. We think it's the best iPad choice for most people, especially now that you can pick up one with boosted storage and cellular connectivity for under $1,000.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Meta unveils new parental controls for its AI companions

Mashable - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 16:28

Meta has unveiled its plan to address teen use of its AI characters: More content guardrails and expanded parental oversight.

In addition to new moderation controls designed to reflect PG-13 movie ratings, announced earlier this week, parents will be able to access summaries of teen chat use, limit their children to specific AI avatars, or block their child from interacting with AI companions completely.

Teen Accounts will still be allowed to interact with Meta's AI assistant if they are blocked from conversing with AI avatars, the company noted.

SEE ALSO: Instagram Teen Accounts: Is it just PR?

In August, Meta announced a temporary lockdown on its AI avatars after an investigation by Reuters found that the company's chatbots were able to engage young users in "romantic or sensual" conversations, impersonate celebrities in flirtatious exchanges, and generate sexually suggestive images. At the time, Meta spokesperson Stephanie Otway told TechCrunch the products were being trained not to engage in conversations about self-harm, suicide, disordered eating, or potentially inappropriate romantic conversations. Meta formalized the guardrails a month later, drawing a line between allowing a subject to discuss a subject — such as abuse or intimacy between fictional characters — and the chatbot's ability to "describe, enable, or encourage it."

OpenAI announced similar controls for ChatGPT that same month, with additional limits on the bot's voice chat, chat memory, and image generation. Both approaches to teen AI oversight require young users to sign up for supervised accounts and parents to proactively monitor their children's chat use.

"We believe AI can complement traditional learning methods and exploration in a way that feels supportive, all with the proper age-appropriate guardrails in place," the company wrote in a blog post. "We recognize parents already have a lot on their plates when it comes to navigating the internet safely with their teens, and we’re committed to providing them with helpful tools and resources that make things simpler for them, especially as they think about new technology like AI."

The new AI companion controls won't be available to supervising accounts until early next year, and will roll out exclusively to Instagram accounts in the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia before expanding to other countries and Meta platforms.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Roborock Qrevo S5V is back to its lowest price ever

Mashable - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 16:20

SAVE 39%: As of Oct. 17, you can get the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop for $549.99, down from $899.99, at Amazon. That's a 39% discount and $350 in savings.

Roborock Qrevo S5V $549.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $350   Get Deal at Amazon

As the proud (and tired) owner of two beagles, my floors are in a constant state of chaos. Between the shedding, the muddy paw prints, and whatever treasures they decide to drag in from our walks, keeping things clean is a full-time job. A robot vacuum and mop combo has always been on my wishlist, and this deal on the Qewvo S5V might be the thing that finally gets me to commit.

SEE ALSO: What's the best robot vacuum and mop combo? After testing at home, I have 5 picks that actually scrub.

As of Oct. 17, you can get the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop for $549.99, down from $899.99, at Amazon. That's a 39% discount and $350 in savings. While this isn't a new deal (we saw it at this price around mid-September), it's still a really solid price if you're looking for a high-end robot vacuum that can actually mop, not just drag a wet cloth around.

The Qrevo S5V has dual spinning mop pads that mimic hand-mopping and features a little extendable arm (the FlexiArm) to get right into corners and along edges — places most robot mops miss. Plus, it lifts its mops 10mm when it detects carpet, so you don't end up with soggy rugs.

For vacuuming, you'll get 12,000Pa suction and a zero-tangle brush system that's certified to handle pet hair (without clogging). And the all-in-one dock is truly hands-off: it empties the dustbin, washes and dries the mops, and refills the water tank automatically.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get ready for your next adventure and save $90 on the Jackery Explorer 300 power station

Mashable - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 16:16

SAVE $90: As of Oct. 17, shop the Jackery Explorer 300 portable power station for just $169. That's the power station's lowest price ever, saving you $90 for 35% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 300 $169 at Amazon
$259 Save $90   Get Deal

Even if the colder months are slowing down your outdoor adventures, it doesn't mean you're not thinking about the next trip. In fact, fall and winter is a great time to take stock of your equipment and upgrade where needed. If you find yourself in need of a new power station, let us point you in the direction of the Jackery Explorer 300.

Right now, the Jackery Explorer 300 power station is down to $169. According to Camelcamelcamel, that beats its previous low price of $189. This deal saves you $90 off its $259 MSRP, bringing it to 35% off. But what's so special about the Jackery?

This portable power station is truly portable, weighing just seven pounds and measuring nine inches long and seven inches tall. It has 300 watts of power and can recharge to 80% in just two hours. For outlets it includes two AC outlets, one PD 60W USB-C port, one fast-charge 3.0 port, one USB-A port, and 1 DC car port. All of those ports and the power it stores can charge up to six devices. Not to mention you can recharge the power station with solar.

Shop the Jackery Explorer 300 power station now for just $169 at Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Listen in style with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones for their lowest price yet

Mashable - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 16:12

SAVE $100: As of Oct. 17, get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones for $329, down from their usual price of $429. That's a discount of 23% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Bose QuietComfort Ultra $329 at Amazon
$429 Save $100   Get Deal

Ready to grab a new pair of headphones? There are tons of options out there, but in our opinion, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra cans are some of the best, especially from Bose. They're on sale now for an excellent price, and it would be a good idea to lock in a pair before they go back up.

As of Oct. 17, get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones for $329, down from their usual price of $429. That's $100 off and a discount of 23%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: We tested the best headphones and earbuds for working out

These headphones come with thick, plush ear cups, a comfortable band that doesn' dig into your head, and some of the best noise cancellation you'll find in a pair of over-the-ear headphones. They also support Bose Immersive Audio, which is spatial audio support that makes you feel like you're right in the middle of your favorite song. There's also CustomTune tech, which can calibrate sound to fit your ears specifically.

In terms of noise-cancelling, they support three modes: Quiet, Aware, and Immersion, so you can choose how much of the real world you want to let in while you're listening: a little, or a lot. Plus, the built-in mic sounds great while making calls in addition to the audio from taking them. And with a 15-minute charge topping you up to 2.5 hours of playtime, you can listen to your heart's content before having any interruptions.

If you're ready for a comfortable and practical pair of headphones, take the plunge with this Bose model. It's a decision you'll be glad you made.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How I Built My Own Wolfram Mathematica-like Engine With Python

How-To Geek - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 16:00

I've always liked the idea of math, but doing it by hand has been another matter. My mental CPU seems to go to 100% during hand calculation. Hand calculators are good but Python libraries are even better for my quantitative explorations.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Nissan Is Making a Comeback With the Redesigned Murano

How-To Geek - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 15:30

The Murano entered a brand-new generation for the 2025 model year, with Nissan completely rehauling the mid-size SUV. Before entering the new generation, the Murano was among the oldest new cars that you could buy and was feeling extremely outdated. While there are still some kinks to be ironed out, the new model is much better and is poised to seriously compete with its rivals.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 Mac Security Changes You Should Make Right Now

How-To Geek - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 15:00

Most of us believe we are doing everything we can to keep our devices safe, but some of the best security features aren’t enabled or present on your Mac by default, and others require that you make a change and review your operational security from time to time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 Obscure but Cool Linux Apps to Install This Weekend (October 17 - 19)

How-To Geek - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 14:15

It's the weekend again, which means it's time to break out those Linux workstations and use them as computers were intended: solving problems and having fun. I've found a few more native Linux applications that range from practical to niche in usecase.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Throw Your Stinky Watch Band in the Washing Machine

How-To Geek - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 14:00

Your smartwatch is a part of you in a way that not even your phone can match. It’s always out there in the open air, and the band soaks up sweat, dead skin, and all the general nastiness of daily life. The answer to keeping your watch bands pristine is a lot simpler than you might think.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Izzy Roland reveals what its like to make an independent movie with your family

Mashable - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 14:00

Izzy Roland's independent film D(e)ad is truly a family affair.

An actor and comedian known for her work with Dropout and The Sex Lives of College Girls, Roland wrote D(e)ad based on an idea from her mother, Claudia Lonow. Lonow, who starred in Knots Landing and was the showrunner for projects like Showtime's Rude Awakening, went on to direct the film. The mother-daughter pair also stars alongside Roland's grandparents and Lonow's parents, Mark Lonow and JoAnne Astrow; Roland's stepfather and Lonow's husband, Jonathan Schmock; and Roland's husband, Brennan Lee Mulligan.

SEE ALSO: 'Good Boy's dog, Indy, and filmmakers play Choose Your Squad

The family focus behind the camera extends to the actual plot of D(e)ad. Roland plays Tillie, a young woman working through a complicated relationship with her father, Daniel (Craig Bierko). When Daniel passes away unexpectedly, his ghost pops up in the mirrors of everyone in his family. Everyone, that is, except for Tillie. What follows is a charming portrait of a dysfunctional family, and the many different ways in which its members work through the grief that literally haunts them.

In a Say More interview with Mashable Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards, Roland delved into the process of making D(e)ad alongside her mother, starting with Lonow giving her the idea in the first place.

"This was originally an idea for a TV show that was about this mother character whose husband dies, and then she's haunted by him — just her — in the mirrors. She called it My Crappy Soulmate," Roland explained. "I thought that idea was really cool, and thankfully we have a relationship and she was working on something else where she was able to be like, 'Yeah, sure, write it.'"

As for actually making a film alongside her family and close friends, Roland described the experience as completely rewarding — and not far off from her usual creative process.

"I am friends with the most talented people in the entire world, thankfully, so that is a place that I feel pretty comfortable," Roland said. "It's not without its complications, but it's definitely somewhere that I like to be."

Watch our full Say More video to learn more about Roland's experience writing and filming D(e)ad, why she decided to go the independent film route, and what Real Housewives taglines each of D(e)ad's characters would have.

You can find a list of upcoming D(e)ad screenings on the film's website, where you can also request a screening near you.

D(e)ad will also play at the Lower Manhattan and Downtown Los Angeles Alamo Drafthouse locations from Nov. 14 to Nov. 20.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 17, 2025

Mashable - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 13:30

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you have a sweet tooth.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 17, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Illustrating a point

  • Green: Mementos

  • Blue: Fictional characters

  • Purple: Outdoor jargon

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Used during a presentation

  • Green: Items in a souvenir shop

  • Blue: Folktale characters

  • Purple: Weather terms

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #859 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Used in a presentation: CLICKER, LASER POINTER, PROJECTOR, SLIDES

  • Items in a souvenir shop: FIGURINE, KEY RING, MAGNET, POSTCARD

  • Folktale characters: CHICKEN LITTLE, JACK, THUMBELINA, TOM THUMB

  • Weather terms: BEAUFORT SCALE, DEWPOINT, HEAT INDEX, WIND CHILL

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 17, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for October 17, 2025

Mashable - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 13:30

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you know a lot of fun facts.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 17, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 17, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Gait keeping

The words are related to a movement.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things to amusing locomotion.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Silly Walks.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 17
  • Scuttle

  • Caper

  • Cavort

  • Prance

  • Silly Walks

  • Traipse

  • Galumph

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 17, 2025

Mashable - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 13:30

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you've seen Mean Girls.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 17, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Unpleasant.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter S appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

GROSS

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 17, 2025

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save $2.80 on Pokémon TCG White Flare Binder Collection at TCGPlayer vs. Amazon

Mashable - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 13:18

SAVE OVER $2: As of Oct. 17, the Pokémon TCG White Flare Binder Collection is $49.98 at TCGPlayer, compared to $52.78 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company White Flare Binder Collection $49.98 at TCGPlayer
$52.18 Save $2.20   Get Deal

The White Flare Binder Collection is perfect for kicking off your Unovan Illustration Rare and Secret Art Rare collection, which is a long road by the way. Each Pokémon found in Pokémon Black and White 1 and 2 has either one or the other, so everyone is getting the full art treatment. Imagine how amazing your binder will look with a collection like that?

Whilst Black Bolt and White Flare is a stunning end to the Scarlet and Violet Pokémon TCG era, everyone has their eyes on Mega Evolution / Phantasmal Flames. I'm focusing on Black Bolt and White Flare right now, which has some of the highest value cards in the Scarlet and Violet era which you can pull or buy separately right now (see below).

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

The White Flare Binder Collection is a Reshiram-themed soft binder with six pockets on each page with five booster packs. At this price it's worth it if you're after a unique-looking binder, and even if you're not, it's still not a bad price when thinking about the single booster pack prices at the moment.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

If you're just interested in pulling the big guys in this set, it's going to cost you hundreds of dollars if you're lucky. Don't get me wrong, some people have ridiculous mythical powers and could pull a Black-White Rare on their first pack, but don't bank on that happening. Buying singles is a good way to hedge your bets against ripping boosters.

Here's the top chase cards in Black Bolt and White Flare alongside their market value, current pricing, and last sold price to give you a bigger picture:

  1. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
    Near Mint Holofoil: $431.98
    Market price: $446.04
    Most recent sale: $549.99

  2. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
    Near Mint Holofoil: $390
    Market price: $432.16
    Most recent sale: $400

  3. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
    Near Mint Holofoil: $378.27
    Market price: $398.49
    Most recent sale: $377

  4. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
    Near Mint Holofoil: $367.95
    Market price: $369.17
    Most recent sale: $353.21

  5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
    Near Mint Holofoil: $210.99
    Market price: $208.89
    Most recent sale: $200

  6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
    Near Mint Holofoil: $180
    Market price: $178.19
    Most recent sale: $175

Categories: IT General, Technology

These Are My 12 Favorite Uses for the iPhone Action Button

How-To Geek - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 13:00

The iPhone’s Action Button is now a staple feature of Apple’s smartphone lineup. In its default state, it does exactly what the ringer switch it replaced does: toggle silent mode on and off.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save over $5 on the Pokémon TCG Black Bolt Binder Collection at TCGPlayer vs. Amazon

Mashable - Fri, 10/17/2025 - 12:48

SAVE OVER $5: As of Oct. 17, the Pokémon TCG Black Bolt Binder Collection is $50.89 at TCGPlayer, compared to $55.94 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Black Bolt Binder Collection $50.89 at TCGPlayer
$55.94 Save $5.05   Get Deal

Every Unovan Pokémon from the fifth generation of Pokémon games (Black and White 1 and 2) either has an Illustration Rare, Special Illustration Rare, or a ridiculously rare Black White Rare. My 10-year old Pokémon League-rocking self wouldn't believe what I was seeing with so much stunning artwork in one set.

Black Bolt and White Flare is a stunning end to the Scarlet and Violet Pokémon TCG era. Everyone has their eyes on Mega Evolution / Phantasmal Flames, but I'm focusing on Black Bolt and White Flare right now, which has some of the highest value cards in the Scarlet and Violet era (more on that below).

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

In this Black Bolt Binder Collection trainer will find a Zekrom-themed soft binder with six pockets on each page with five booster packs. It's a cheap and cheerful way to start collecting the set in style.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

If you're looking to collect the higher-end cards of this set, all the luck in the world to you. The problem is the top chase cards are rarer than usual due to how many Illustration Rare cards are in Black Bolt and White Flare, so it might work out cheaper to just buy the single Pokémon cards you'd like. Here's the top chase cards in Black Bolt and White Flare to get you started:

  1. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
    Near Mint Holofoil: $431.98
    Market price: $446.04
    Most recent sale: $549.99

  2. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
    Near Mint Holofoil: $390
    Market price: $432.16
    Most recent sale: $400

  3. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
    Near Mint Holofoil: $378.27
    Market price: $398.49
    Most recent sale: $377

  4. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
    Near Mint Holofoil: $367.95
    Market price: $369.17
    Most recent sale: $353.21

  5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
    Near Mint Holofoil: $210.99
    Market price: $208.89
    Most recent sale: $200

  6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
    Near Mint Holofoil: $180
    Market price: $178.19
    Most recent sale: $175

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