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In iOS 27.2, Apple’s Health gets a redesign that includes a series of tests to measure your health against your actual age. Bridget Carey walks (and squats) through her Health Age test and offers tips on what to expect.

Read more about iOS 27 and its best new features: iOS 27 is officially here. Check out the iPhone 18 Pro's new AI features (and a few surprises)
Best iOS 27 tricks to try now (even with an old iPhone)

Timecode chapters
0:24 New Apple Health app for iOS 27
1:07 Apple Health longevity movement assessment demos
1:58 Core and strength tests
2:46 Flexibility tests
2:59 VO2 Max tests
3:53 Adding your lab results to Apple Health
5:06 Adding nutrition and mental health data to Apple Health
5:53 Apple Health personal summaries powered by Apple Intelligence
6:14 Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Health Readiness Score
6:36 Look out for Apple Health Age in iOS 27.2

Video credits
Host: Bridget Carey
Scripted by: Bridget Carey
Producer: Carly Marsh
Camera: Carly Marsh, John Schwartz, Bridget Carey
Video editor: Carly Marsh
Thumbnail designer: Tharon Green

It used to be that picking a Linux distro mostly came down to which desktop you liked and which package manager you preferred. That is less true today. The distros getting attention now are built to do a specific job, whether that's ensuring ta thousand PCs are identical, surviving a bad update, or playing Windows games on your TV.

PCMag's Joe Osborne and CNET’s Josh Goldman break down Apple's latest Mac desktop lineup in this Lab Report. From the base Mac mini M6 with its huge performance gains and upgraded Apple Intelligence to the workstation-class M5 Pro mini and Mac Studio options with M5 Max and M5 Ultra, we analyze whether the recent price hikes are justified for creators, power users, and everyday Mac fans, and how to navigate them.

Explore more coverage of Apple's new Mac desktops: Surprise! New Macs Before iPhone Event — What’s Going On?
Apple announces new $899 M6 Mac mini and $5,499 M5 Ultra Mac Studio

Timecode chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:13 Mac mini M6 overview and pricing
1:42 M6 performance vs. PC mini PCs
4:19 Mac mini design and connectivity
6:17 AI workloads and RAM requirements
9:32 Mac mini with M5 Pro
10:48 Memory bandwidth and future-proofing
14:13 Who should buy the M5 Pro?
17:42 Mac Studio M5 Max and M5 Ultra
20:48 Gaming on Apple Silicon
21:30 Verdict and recommendations

Video credits
Host: Joe Osborne, Josh Goldman
Scripted by:
Producer: Numidas Prasarn
Camera: Numidas Prasarn
Video editor: Dillon Lopez
Thumbnail designer: Zooey Liao

The best early Prime Day MicroSD, portable SSD, and internal SSD deals: Best SSD deal Samsung SSD 990 PRO 2TB PCIe 4.0 $389.99 (save $250) Get Deal Best Rugged SSD deal SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD $245.99 (save $54) Get Deal Best Internal SSD deal Samsung Internal SSD 990 2TB NVMe $369.99 (save $160) Get Deal Best MicroSD deal SanDisk 512GB microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 $159.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best Travel-Friendly SSD deal Samsung T7 2TB Portable SSD $379.99 (save $170) Get Deal

Thanks to the global memory crisis known as "RAMageddon," prices on memory products like internal drives, external SSDs, and high-capacity flash storage have continued to climb. It’s been a relentless up, up, and up trajectory as enterprise demand squeezes consumer supply.

That makes finding genuine discounts during Prime Big Deal Days — Amazon's 48-hour fall savings event kicking off on Oct. 6 and 7 — all the more crucial.

High-speed NVMe drives, rugged external SSDs, microSD cards, and hard drives are Prime Day staples that matter more than ever amid RAMageddon. We did some digging and found the best early Prime Day deals in the solid-state category right now. If you've been waiting to expand your PC build, give your PS5 some breathing room, or secure your off-site backups, now is the time to take advantage of these SSD offers from top-tier brands like Samsung, SanDisk, and more.

SEE ALSO: Our top 5 hacks for evaluating Amazon deals ahead of Prime Big Deal Days Best SSD deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung SSD 990 PRO 2TB PCIe 4.0 $389.99 at Amazon
$639.99 Save $250   Get Deal Why we like it

The Samsung 990 PRO delivers top-tier sequential speeds up to 7,450 MB/s, effectively maxing out what a PCIe 4.0 slot can process. That translates directly to faster boot times, near-instant game loading on PC or PS5, and smooth handling of large 4K video renders. It also runs more power-efficiently than its predecessor, so it stays stable under heavy continuous workloads. With a solid five-year warranty and a huge price drop, it’s one of the best value-for-money storage upgrades you can buy right now.

Best rugged SSD deal Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD $245.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $54   Get Deal Why we like it

Pocket-sized, ridiculously fast, and virtually indestructible, the SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD is engineered for harsh travel conditions that would destroy standard desktop drives. It nearly doubles the speed of previous generations, so you can back up thousands of photos in less than a minute, while offering full weather resistance to rain and spills, and hardware encryption to keep your private documents locked down tighter than a vault.

Best travel-friendly SSD deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung T7 2TB Portable SSD $379.99
$549.99 Save $170   Get Deal Why we like it

The Samsung T7 is built for life on the move. Weighing under two ounces and barely larger than a credit card, it slips into a pocket or backpack pouch without taking up space in your carry-on. Its solid aluminum unibody design handles the bumps of travel with ease, featuring shock resistance that withstands drops from up to 6 feet. With transfer speeds up to 1,050 MB/s, you can offload massive 4K travel footage, photo backups, or offline media libraries in seconds. You can even plug it directly into an iPhone 15 Pro (or newer) to record high-res video straight to the drive while on location.

More SSD and hard drive deals

MicroSDs

• SanDisk 32GB Ultra microSDHC — $20.47 $22.65 (save $2.18)

• SanDisk 128GB High Endurance Video microSDXC — $36.99 $60.99 (save $24)

• PNY 64GB Elite-X microSDXC Flash Memory Card 3-Pack — $39.99 $42.99 (save $3)

• Amazon Basics 512GB microSDXC Memory Card — $93.17 $109.62 (save $16.45)

• SanDisk 512GB Extreme microSDXC Card — $133.21 $139.99 (save $6.78)

Portable SSDs

• SanDisk 500GB Portable SSD — $109.99 $128.99 (save $19)

• SanDisk 500GB Extreme Portable SSD — $144.99 $185.99 (save $41)

• Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB — $229.88 $274.99 (save $45.11)

• Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB — $981.92 $1,144.99 (save $163.07)

Portable HDDs

• UnionSine 500GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive — $35.49 $39.43 (save $3.94)

• Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive — $119.99 $149.99 (save $30)

• WD 5TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive — $215 $284.99 (save $69.99)

• Western Digital 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive — $235.49 $274.99 (save $39.5)

• WD 6TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive — $259.95 $319.99 (save $60.04)

Internal hard drives

• Western Digital 1TB WD Blue Mobile Hard Drive — $129.99 $144.99 (save $15)

• Samsung 2TB SSD 990 Pro — $389.99 $639.99 (save $250)

There are plenty of free, self-hosted services that can replace popular paid subscriptions. All you need is the hardware to run them on. I paid $200 for my mini PC, and by self-hosting just five services, I save more than $670 every year, based on the monthly subscription prices.

SAVE $100: As of Oct. 5, the iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) is on sale for $499 at Amazon. That's $100 off its full price of $599.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) $499 at Amazon
$599 Save $100   Get Deal

Before its Prime Big Deal Days sale starts tomorrow, Amazon's been sneaking in some early deals for shoppers to check out. This includes a variety of discounts on Apple devices. Even the iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) has been discounted, dropping to $499 for a limited time.

If this iPad model has been on your radar, this is a great opportunity to snag it for $100 off its usual full price ($599). Plus, you get to enjoy up to three free months of Apple Arcade, Fitness+, and News+ with your purchase as well.

SEE ALSO: We've scoured hundreds of sales to find the 35+ best early October Prime Day deals: Bose, Lego, Apple

If you're looking for an iPad mainly for reading, the iPad mini is the one we'd recommend, per our roundup of the best iPads of 2026. It has a compact size, which is very helpful if you're bringing it along on vacations or casual outings, with an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display. Its A17 Pro chip also offers speedy performance and graphics, plus its all-day battery life can keep you busy in a favorite book for hours.

The iPad mini has a very nice camera, too. It comes with a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera for video calls and selfies, and a 12MP Wide back camera for detailed photos and videos. And if you're curious about how much storage you'll have for all these photos and videos, along with the many apps you're hoping to download, this particular model comes with 128GB to fill.

If this tablet has your attention, be quick to save on the iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) at Amazon before Prime Day tomorrow.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Fire Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $49.99 (save $32)

• AirPods Pro 3 — $179 $249 (save $70)

• Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 — $319 $359 (save $40)

• iPad mini — $499 $599 (save $100)

• MacBook Air M5 — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)

SAVE $17: As of Oct. 5, the Ugreen Nexode Pro 10,000mAh mini power bank is down to $37.97 at Amazon. That’s a 31% savings on a limited-time deal that ends on Oct. 5

Opens in a new window Credit: Ugreen Ugreen Nexode Pro 10,000mAh Mini Power Bank $37.97 at Amazon
$54.99 Save $17.02   Get Deal

If your phone is perpetually hovering at 5% by mid-afternoon, you'll want to grab this fast. Amazon just knocked $17 off the Ugreen Nexode Pro 10,000mAh 45W Mini Power Bank, dropping it to $37.97 — a 31% savings off its usual $54.99 price tag. This power bank is tiny — measuring over 60% smaller than an iPhone 17 Pro Max — and slides effortlessly into a pocket or bag.

Despite its mini cylindrical shape, it packs 45W max fast charging through its built-in 8.7-inch braided USB-C cable (which doubles as a wrist strap), capable of boosting an iPhone 17 Pro Max to 66% or a Galaxy S25 Ultra to 65% in just 30 minutes. It also features a Smart TFT display showing real-time battery stats, temperature, and health, packs a 10,000mAh capacity, and has three output ports (two USB-C and one USB-A) to power up three devices at once.

SEE ALSO: 30+ of the best Anker deals live before Prime Day: We love these deals on power banks, speakers, earbuds, and more

Ugreen has nailed the sweet spot between raw speed and portability with this model. The real draw here is the 45W output: while most mini power banks cap out at 20W or 30W, 45W delivers full-speed fast charging for phones, tablets, or even emergency battery top-ups for a MacBook Air without forcing you to carry a heavy brick.

The built-in braided cable means you'll never have to scramble around your backpack for a spare cord, and the smart display takes the guesswork out by showing your exact battery percentage and health status. Getting a 45W charger from a reliable brand for under $38 is an absolute steal — just make sure you grab it before the timer runs out.

Grab the Ugreen Nexode Pro for 31% off today.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Fire Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $49.99 (save $32)

• AirPods Pro 3 — $179 $249 (save $70)

• Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 — $319 $359 (save $40)

• iPad mini — $499 $599 (save $100)

• MacBook Air M5 — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)

SAVE OVER $549: As of Oct. 5, the DJI Power 2000 portable power station is available for $749.99 at Amazon. That's a total saving of $549.01 from the regular list price of $1,299.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 2000 $749.99 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $549.01   Get Deal

If you do one thing this October Prime Day, we recommend prioritizing big-ticket tech devices that are ordinarily too expensive. You know, things like power stations, which are super practical — essential, you could argue nowadays — but are just too pricey to justify most of the time.

Prime is now just a day away, officially running Oct. 6-7, but we're already feeling electrified by the early deals, including — yes — a super deal on this DJI Power 2000 portable power station.

As of Oct. 5, the DJI Power 2000 portable power station has been marked down from $1299 to $749.99, for a total savings of $549.01.

This power station is built for outdoor adventures, road trips, and general off-grid living. It recharges via the mains or through solar power, and comes equipped with multiple charging points for a variety of devices at any one time. It delivers 300W of power and can power appliances such as a fridge for up to 40 hours.

Get a super deal on a supercharger before Prime Day has even begun, with the DJI Power 2000 portable power station down to $749.99 — a massive saving of over $500.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Fire Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $49.99 (save $32)

• AirPods Pro 3 — $179 $249 (save $70)

• Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 — $319 $359 (save $40)

• iPad mini — $499 $599 (save $100)

• MacBook Air M5 — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)

SAVE $70: As of Oct. 5, the AirPods Pro 3 are on sale for $179 at Amazon ahead of Prime Day. That's $70 off their full price of $249.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179 at Amazon
$249 Save $70   Get Deal

Discounts on Apple products are already popping up on Amazon ahead of its Prime Big Deal Days event, including the AirPods Pro 3. As of Oct. 5, these earbuds are $179 at Amazon, which isn't far from their lowest-ever price of $169.

We saw them hit that low point just before June's Prime Day sale, but this offer is still mighty close if you've been hoping to grab them for a low price. Compared to paying the full $249, this deal saves you $70 overall, but it's only available for a limited time. There's no telling just how long that will be, so don't wait too long to scoop them up on sale.

SEE ALSO: We've scoured hundreds of sales to find the 35+ best early October Prime Day deals: Bose, Lego, Apple

While new AirPods may be out in the wild, we still have a lot of love for the AirPods Pro 3. They remain on our list of the best wireless earbuds as our favorite pick for Apple users, as their "sound profile is robust and clear, the noise cancellation truly silences the world around you, and they pair easily to Apple devices."

For those with a more active lifestyle, they also feature built-in heart rate sensors. With these, you can track your heart rate and calories burned while you're working out, which our reviewer Adam Doud said "worked perfectly." They also offer a strong battery life that can last you up to 8 hours with ANC on, or up to 10 in Transparency mode.

This deal is well worth grabbing before Prime Big Deal Days. Don't miss out on $70 off the AirPods Pro 3 right now at Amazon.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Fire Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $49.99 (save $32)

• AirPods Pro 3 — $179 $249 (save $70)

• Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 — $319 $359 (save $40)

• iPad mini — $499 $599 (save $100)

• MacBook Air M5 — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)

It's been far too long since we saw the agents of Michael & Eagle Lettings together, but thankfully SNL UK has now corrected this.

In the clip above from the show's "Weekend Update" segment, anchor Ania Magliano chats to Jamie Demetriou and Al Roberts, both in character as Stath Lets Flats agents Stath and Al.

The conversation is every bit as chaotic and hilarious as you'd expecting, with the highlight being a song about playing football in America.

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts.

SAVE $46: As of Oct. 5, the Kindle 16GB (2024) is priced at $103.99 at Amazon. That's 31% off on the list price of $149.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle 16GB (2024) $103.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $46.00   Get Deal

Just a day out from the official launch of October Prime Day, and Amazon continues to stack up the early deals. That includes discounts on the retailer's own devices, including this Kindle 16GB (2024).

This discount is doubly appealing because Kindle prices have surged due to the tech crunch known as RAMageddon. If you're looking for a new Kindle but don't want to pay top dollar for the latest model, this is a superb deal.

As of Oct. 5, the Kindle 16GB (2024) is marked down to $103.99, which gives you $46 off the regular list price of $149.99.

This particular model is light, bright — 25% brighter than previous versions, in fact — and gives you access to a near-endless supply of books when you sign up for the free Kindle Unlimited subscription.

With Kindle prices skyrocketing, grab the Kindle 16GB (2024) while you can save an impressive $46. Available now for just $103.99.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Fire Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $49.99 (save $32)

• AirPods Pro 3 — $179 $249 (save $70)

• Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 — $319 $359 (save $40)

• iPad mini — $499 $599 (save $100)

• MacBook Air M5 — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)

SAVE $50: As of Oct. 5, the Insignia 65-inch Class QF LED 4K QLED TV is down to its lowest-ever price of $299.99 at Amazon. That's $50 off its list price of $349.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 65-inch Class QF Series LED 4K UHD QLED Smart Fire TV $299.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $50   Get Deal

Prime Big Deal Days officially kicks off tomorrow, but if you're hoping to buy a new TV, there's no need to wait.

Amazon has some fantastic early deals live, including a price cut on the Insignia 65-inch Class QF LED 4K QLED TV. As of Oct. 5, this smart TV is already down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

For a limited time, you can snag this screen for $299.99. That's a $50 discount from its usual list price of $349.99. It's only available for a limited time, so you will likely need to shop before the end of Prime Day (Oct. 7).

SEE ALSO: We've scoured hundreds of sales to find the 35+ best early October Prime Day deals: Bose, Lego, Apple

This Insignia model is among our favorite early Prime Day TV deals. Its 65-inch screen boasts sharp 4K Ultra HD resolution and QLED technology, delivering stunning colors and brightness on screen. With a Direct LED backlight, you'll also enjoy rich contrast in what you're watching, so movies, TV shows, and games can really shine with a high-quality picture.

Even the sound quality is a treat, with the TV also supporting Dolby Atmos Audio. This spatial audio technology makes the sounds in your show or movie feel as if they're coming from all around you, making the experience even more immersive as you watch. And on top of all that, it's also a smart Fire TV, so you can easily access your favorite streaming apps.

No need to wait for Prime Day to save on this Insignia 65-inch Class QF LED 4K QLED TV. Grab it for $50 off right now at Amazon.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Fire Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $49.99 (save $32)

• AirPods Pro 3 — $179 $249 (save $70)

• Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 — $319 $359 (save $40)

• iPad mini — $499 $599 (save $100)

• MacBook Air M5 — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Star Trek Play Booster Box is on sale for $165.61 at Amazon, down from its $209.70 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Star Trek Play Booster Box $165.61 at Amazon
$209.70 Save $44.09 Pre-order Here

Amazon has once again pushed its Star Trek Play Booster Box preorder down ahead of launch, with the latest price now more than $34 below the previous low we flagged in September. 

As of Oct. 5, the Magic: The Gathering Star Trek Play Booster Box is available to preorder for $165.61 at Amazon. That's a sizeable $44.09 saving against its $209.70 list price. With this new record-low price (confirmed via the price tracker camelcamelcamel), this works out to roughly 21% off, bringing each of the 30 included Play Boosters to about $5.52 apiece.

Sold and shipped by Amazon directly, this box also comes with the retailer’s preorder price guarantee, so you’ll automatically pay the lowest Amazon price offered between ordering and its release on Nov. 13. 

SEE ALSO: The 30+ best early Prime Day deals on trading cards: Pokémon TCG, Magic: The Gathering, One Piece, and more

Themed around Magic’s venture into the iconic space-faring franchise (drawing from 60 years of the Star Trek franchise, including special treatments), you’ll get 30 Star Trek set packs — each containing 14 cards. 

Packs include seven commons, three uncommons, a wildcard of any rarity, a Traditional Foil, a rare or mythic rare, a land, and a non-foil double-sided token. What’s more, stardate cards can also replace a common in one out of every 25 boosters. 

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Fire Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $49.99 (save $32)

• AirPods Pro 3 — $179 $249 (save $70)

• Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 — $319 $359 (save $40)

• iPad mini — $499 $599 (save $100)

• MacBook Air M5 — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)

The best wireless earbuds range anywhere from $10 to $1,000, especially if you're going for professional-grade studio earphones. And if you care about active noise cancellation, you can easily spend $300 — that's the price of peace and quiet. You can also get hyperspecialized models like sleep earbuds, bone-conduction earbuds for working out, and open earbuds for transparency.

SEE ALSO: I replaced my $249 AirPods Pro with $19 wired EarPods

In 2026, our top picks for earbuds are the Sony WF-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen), and Panasonic Technics AZ100s, which provide outstanding sound quality and ANC. But keep in mind that these models will run you $299 to $329. While we stand by the value of everything on this list, we know that spending over $300 on a pair of earbuds is a lot to stomach. That's why we've also included more budget-friendly wireless earbuds under $100 that still deliver excellent performance.

Ready to start shopping now? Here are our favorite wireless and noise-cancelling earbuds as of October 2026.

Types of earbuds

There are two overarching types of earbuds: wireless and wired. While those descriptors are self-explanatory, let's get into the specifics of both.

Wireless

Wireless earbuds connect to devices via Bluetooth for cordless usage. These earbuds range from $20 budget models to high-end models with active noise cancellation. While they don't require a wire to connect to a device, some wireless earbuds still have a wire that might go around the back of the neck to connect the buds.

While earbuds traditionally don't provide the passive noise cancellation of over-the-ear headphones, wireless models often feature ANC, which electronically blocks out background noise. With wireless headphones, you need to consider the battery life. Most models should have an eight-hour or more battery life before they need to be recharged.

Wired

Wired earbuds are the original model: two buds connected by a wire to your audio source. While they once felt high-tech, they're pretty basic now. Wired earbuds with active noise cancellation are basically non-existent, and you won't find any on our list.

The biggest positive to wired headphones is that they don't need to be charged. They're a great backup option to keep in your bag in case your usual wireless headphones or earbuds run out of charge.

Newer additions to this guide

After extensive testing, Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard rounded up the best sleep earbuds. You can read her full guide, but as of February 2026, we've added the Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Special to this guide, which Allard says are the best sleep earbuds for most people. Also in February 2026, we added the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds as our top pick for the best overall earbud, and removed the previous generation, the WF-1000XM5, as the best Sony earbud.

Latest earbuds news

Bose recently announced two new open earbuds: the Ultra Open (2nd gen) and Sport Open. We'll best testing them out to see how they compare to the Shokz earbuds on this guide.

What are the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds?

If you're just looking for a pair of everyday wireless earbuds, all but one of the models in this guide will check that box. (We formerly included the Marshall Mode earbuds for folks who preferred a wired option, but have since removed them from our guide as the version we tested is difficult to find in stock these days.)

If you're looking for the highest quality wireless earbuds, you can't go wrong with the Sony WF-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Apple AirPods Pro 3, and Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds, our most recent recommendation in 2026. Both of these wireless earbuds feature elite noise-cancellation, stellar sound, long battery life, and a comfortable fit for extended wear.

Rocky is such a truly iconic film that it's easy to forget its very existence is a miracle. I Play Rocky is the story of how that miracle was built by the blood, sweat, and tears of an unknown actor and aspiring screenwriter named Sylvester Stallone. 

Peter Gamble's screenplay begins with the future Hollywood star going by Mike Stallone (Anthony Ippolito), hitting auditions with his brawny shoulders and distinctive accent, and getting cast as thug #2 if he's lucky. At this point, he's living on the streets, finding comfort in a stray puppy he's taken in, and doing some light sex work to keep them both fed. But all he needs to start the path to Rocky is one person to believe in him. 

Enter Sasha Czack (AnnaSophia Robb), a smart and dedicated young woman who pushes Mike not only to write the roles he wants to play but to make a mark with his real name, Sylvester Stallone. Together, they move from the cold streets of New York to the sunny hills of Los Angeles. He writes out script after script by hand, then she types them up so he can hopefully sell them. When Rocky finally catches the attention of respected producers, it might seem like a happy ending. But there's one catch that Sly lays down: "I play Rocky." 

Stallone, as an unknown, fought tooth and nail to be the center of the movie he dreamed up to make him a star. But at every step, a new challenge presented itself. His underdog story reflects Rocky's — sometimes literally recreating scenes from the Oscar–winning sensation. But as successfully entertaining and heart-warming as I Play Rocky is, will it be able to stand out to the Academy in this year of extraordinary cinema?

What's I Play Rocky got in its corner?  Anthony Ippolito plays Sylvester Stallone; Stephan James plays Carl Weathers in "I Play Rocky." Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

Well, for starters, director Peter Farrelly previously won over the Academy with Green Book, which scored Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali, Best Original Screenplay (for Farrelly and his co-writers), and Best Picture. That too was a feel-good film inspired by true events. And to its credit, I Play Rocky is less likely to earn the backlash that Green Book did, as it doesn't engage in problematic racial stereotypes. 

What I Play Rocky does offer is a cast that absolutely crackles onscreen. Ippolito takes on a difficult role as Stallone, because even a casual movie fan can recognize this A-lister's signature cadence and tone. To his credit, Ippolito is terrific in the role. Not only does his take on Stallone feel familiar, but he also avoids the trap of making it feel like an impression. This becomes clearer when he's tasked with re-enacting classic Rocky scenes, where the physicality of Stallone demands to be even more in sync with the man himself. 

Beyond getting the feel of Stallone right, Ippolito has an easy charisma that sparks chemistry with every scene partner, be it his onscreen lover Robb, a pair of bickering producers (P. J. Byrne, Toby Kebbell), his dynamic Rocky co-star Carl Weathers (Stephan James), or his lumbering dog, Butkus. Ippolito's Sly is radiant with life and determination, a screen presence that Stallone brought to Rocky. 

And around him, he's bolstered by terrific supporting players. Byrne and Kebbell prove a terrific comedy duo, turning exposition about movie deals into entertainment. Robb shines, despite being in a role that is an achingly cliched Supportive Wife with no complexity. (As presented here, Sasha has no desires beyond what makes Sly happy.) James is electric, an unapologetic scene-stealer who becomes Sly's ally. Tracy Letts is solidly sneering as an antagonistic studio exec, and Jay Duplass is brightly funny as self-proclaimed asshole director John G. Avildsen. 

Together, they craft a fish-out-of-water showbiz comedy slash underdog drama that is undeniably rousing and wonderful. So, why won't that be enough for I Play Rocky to be a contender? 

I Play Rocky will be an underdog at the Oscars.  Anthony Ippolito plays Sylvester Stallone in "I Play Rocky." Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

On the ground at the Toronto International Film Festival, when I Play Rocky made its World Premiere, the buzz was thunderous and immediate. Following its first screening, the press lined up in a massive theater for the press-and-marketing-screening to see for themselves if this movie could live up to the hype. For those who've never been, that's a tough crowd, almost daring filmmakers to impress them. And adding to the difficulty, this screening was at 8:30 AM on a Sunday, when most sane people would prefer to be in bed. I was in that audience, and frankly dubious I'd enjoy Farrelly's latest, as I tend to think his best film is Dumb & Dumber. (I said what I said.) To my surprise and delight, I roared with laughter and cheers, as did the hundreds around me. Speculation sparked that this movie would win the festival's audience award, hands down. And the People's Choice Award out of TIFF can often be a bellwether for Oscar success. According to Awards Radar, since 2000, 33 People's Choice winners have gone on to become Best Picture nominees at the Academy Awards, with nine of them winning — including Green Book. But despite the buzz, I Play Rocky didn't win this honor.

The People's Choice Award went to La Bola Negra, a Spanish drama by directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi that explores queer identity over 85 years in Spain. That film, while extraordinary, is not a crowd-pleaser. It's 159 minutes long, interweaves multiple narratives, and is inspired by four pages of a play written by poet Federico García Lorca before he was assassinated by a fascist government. It's tragic, romantic, and cerebral. And it has all that in common with the International People's Choice winner, Elsinore, which focuses on Scottish actor Ian Charleson's performance of Hamlet as he was dying of AIDS. 

Where I Play Rocky had brilliant buzz on its debut, it was a runner-up at the end of the festival. And as award season heats up, there's a trend emerging, favoring tragedies over feel-good stories. Another example: TIFF opened with the inspiring docudrama Being Heumann, helmed by Sian Heder, director of the Best Picture winner CODA. While this follow-up has been praised for its representation of people with disabilities in telling the story of disability advocate Judith Heumann, the praise for the movie itself has been muted. 

SEE ALSO: 'CODA' review: A feel-good family story that's worth the Oscar hype

Meanwhile, Calvo and Ambrossi are gathering buzz for the Best Director honor, and Andrew Scott seems a frontrunner for his heart-wrenching performance in Elsinore. And then of course, there's the big wooden horse in the room: The Odyssey. 

Being both an unadulterated hit with critics and a box office smash that not only brought audiences back to theaters, but also sold out IMAX theaters across the country, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is going to be hard to beat this Oscar season. He brought together a sprawling cast, shot on location, and used practical effects to extraordinary ends to reimagine Homer's Greek epic for a modern, mainstream audience. It is a collision of poetry, craftsmanship, and performance that is absolutely astounding. The Odyssey showed succinctly why movies still matter, connecting a story that's centuries old to contemporary politics without feeling like it was talking down to its audience. 

There, I Play Rocky falls short. While it is a movie about the importance of cinema, which the Academy loves, it's a look back that feels more a celebration of Stallone than it does a story urgent to now. And in the final act, Farrelly gets carried away in recreating Rocky, pulling in one scene after another to diminishing returns. While his film is still a sensational experience, its final act leans too heavily into the audience's presumed love of Rocky, instead of trusting in their interest of the story being told. And hey, in another year, that might not have been a fatal flaw; it might not even be one that will keep I Play Rocky from some big nominations. But even though I'd argue I Play Rocky is a better movie than Green Book, I wouldn't bet Farrelly's film has a fighting chance against its TIFF peers, much less Nolan's epic. 

I Play Rocky was reviewed out of the Toronto International Film Festival. It opens in limited release on Nov. 6, before going nationwide on Nov. 20. 

TL;DR: Stop worrying about how you’re going to keep your files safe with this 20TB Scramble Cloud Storage lifetime subscription, on sale now for just $314.95 (reg. $1,440) through Oct. 11 with code CLOUD.

Opens in a new window Credit: Scramble Cloud Scramble Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription (20TB) $314.95
$1,440 Save $1,125.05   Get Deal

The best storage solution is one you don’t have to think about all the time. Scramble Cloud Storage serves up just that — allowing you to pay once and secure an ample 20TB of space for life.

Right now, you can even lock in that 20TB Scramble Cloud Storage lifetime subscription for just $314.95 until Oct. 11 with coupon code CLOUD.

If you’re tired of paying a small fortune in cloud storage fees year after year, it’s time to check out another option. Scramble Cloud Storage lets you own your space outright —offering long-term file freedom and peace of mind for a fraction of the price you’ve been paying to rent it.

This deal secures you 20TB of space, a high-capacity option designed for serious storage needs. Save your photos, videos, important files, and more right in the cloud without a second thought — for less than you’d pay to rent 6TB of iCloud storage for a year.

Aside from offering a more affordable option, Scramble Cloud Storage also provides peace of mind by using the Advanced Encryption Standard before uploading to the cloud. It also offers zero-knowledge architecture, so you’re the only person with access to your content.

An easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface ensures you can start using Scramble Cloud Storage right away. It has a familiar folder layout and works via a desktop client, WebDAV, CLI, or web app.

You can preview files instantly, share links, stream videos, and view Word and Excel files right in your browser.

Snag your lifetime subscription to 20TB Scramble Cloud Storage for just $314.95 until Oct. 11 with coupon code CLOUD.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get seven apps with this Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows license for only $14.97 (reg. $229) through Oct. 11.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows $14.97
$229 Save $214.03   Get Deal

If it’s been a while since you took advantage of the wonders of Microsoft Office, consider it time to reintroduce yourself. Whether you’re knocking out essays in college, crafting presentations for work, or just building the family budget, there are tools to help you tackle even the most eclectic to-do list.

Right now, you can lock in a lifetime subscription to Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for just $14.97 through Oct. 11.

Give your PC a total fall refresh with Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows. This license even allows you to pay once and keep the apps for life, unlike the usual way of accessing Microsoft tools by paying month after month.

For less than the cost of lunch, you can give your PC the keys to seven apps. You’ll have old classics like Word for documents, Excel for spreadsheets, Outlook for emails, and PowerPoint for presentations.

This version includes three newer favorites as well — OneNote for note-taking, Publisher for professional document creation, and Access for large database management.

Don’t let the year on this Microsoft Office license give you pause — it includes updates and redesigns, such as improved cloud connectivity and enhanced inking across all Office programs. You’ll also have new analysis capabilities in Excel, new presentation tools in PowerPoint, and updated features in Outlook.

Quick note: make sure your device is running Windows 10 or Windows 11 prior to purchase.

Lock in your own Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows license for just $14.97 (reg. $229) now through Oct. 11.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

We're all hungry for savings amidst all of the price hikes this year, so Prime Big Deal Days, aka October Prime Day, has arrived just in time.

Prime Big Deal Days event takes place Oct. 6 and 7, and Amazon's major sales offer lots of legitimately good discounts worth adding to your cart. But there are also a number of not-so-amazing deals floating around the internet. Not to mention, with the RAMageddon price increases, it's hard to gauge whether a deal is actually considered good anymore. How do you sort out what's worth your money and what to avoid?

Mashable's shopping team knows a thing or two about finding the best deals. And we're going to let you in on some of our secrets. Your first line of defense should be your gut. If a deal seems too good to be true, there's a pretty good chance it is. But if you need to know for sure, here are a couple of ways to get the scoop.

SEE ALSO: 15 early October Prime Day tech deals, hand-picked by our gadget experts Verify the MSRP on the brand's website

We've seen product list prices fluctuate, which can make discounts look steeper than they really are or downplay how good a deal actually is. A good rule of thumb before you buy is to cross-check the listing with the actual manufacturer's website. If you can't seem to find the exact product on the brand's website, you can also cross-check the price with competing retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, or Target, which will give you some insight into the MSRP. These retailers will sometimes match (or even beat) Amazon's prices.

Take the Anker Solix power station below, for example. Amazon lists the MSRP at $1,199, highlighting a 43 percent discount. However, a quick search on Anker's website shows the MSRP for the same power station is actually $999.99. While the sale price is the same on both websites, the discount isn't quite as steep as it seems.

Left: Amazon's listing for the Anker Solix S2000 power station inflates the MSRP to $1,199. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon Right: A quick cross-check on Anker's website shows that the MSRP is actually $999.99. Credit: Screenshot: Anker Check price-tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel

Our secret weapon, particularly during sales like Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days, is the Amazon price-tracking tool CamelCamelCamel.

This free tool can help you determine whether a product's sale price is actually a great deal or if it's an everyday occurrence. You plug a product's Amazon listing into the search bar at the top of the website or use the Camelizer browser extension and get insight into the product's price history over the last weeks, months, or even years. It can sometimes miss short-term discounts and Lightning deals, but it's pretty accurate for the most part.

Walmart offers a similar tool called Camelmart, if you choose to shop its fall savings event or compare prices.

Camelcamelcamel shows the Kindle's price history. Credit: Screenshot: CamelCamelCamel Use Alexa for Shopping for insights

Amazon has put some work into its Alexa for Shopping feature this past year, so don't be afraid to utilize it. The tool is available on the app, website, and Echo Show devices and combines Amazon's AI assistant Rufus with Alexa+. The personalized AI assistant is designed for your shopping needs, so you can ask it direct questions about products. That includes viewing up to a full year of price history for specific items. If you're eyeing a certain product, you can also set price alerts to notify you when a good deal pops up.

You can ask Alexa for Shopping directly about a specific product's price history for up to one year. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon You can also choose the pre-written prompt for the price history when you're on a specific product listing page. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon Follow Mashable's shopping experts' Prime Day coverage

Mashable's shopping team has been covering Prime Big Deal Days since its inception, and it's our job to know what deals are actually worth adding to your cart.

Our Prime Day hub can save you from wasting time skimming websites on your own. If there's a great deal you need to know about, we've got you. Head over to the hub for links to all of our coverage, including a regularly updated guide to the best October Prime Day deals, the latest fall sales at Walmart and Target, as well as category-specific shopping guides for TVs, Apple products, home improvement, and headphones.

We'll be updating all of these lists regularly before, during, and after the sale, so keep checking back for all the latest and greatest deals that drop.

Check if the product is Shipped and Sold by Amazon

Amazon is home to thousands of third-party sellers. Some of these third-party sellers are perfectly legit, and others are operated directly by brands themselves. However, some of these sellers have not-so-great reviews, which is why Mashable tries to recommend products shipped and sold directly by Amazon whenever possible.

You can check this information on a product page, though the text is easy to miss.

Look directly under the "Buy Now" button or search the page for the phrases "Ships from" or "Sold by" to see the actual seller.

For instance, Samsung recently raised prices on its Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphones, but these phones are listed with discounts at Amazon. However, check the "Sold by" section, and you'll see the seller is actually an entity called ReNew Pros (We Record Serial Numbers). Many people shopping this deal might not realize they're not buying directly from Amazon. This seller only has a 78% positive customer rating at Amazon, which is useful information if you're considering a purchase.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $173.99 at Amazon, down from its $198.98 typical price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Scarlet and Violet Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box $173.99 at Amazon
$198.98 Save $24.99   Get Deal

Prismatic Evolutions remains one of the pricier Scarlet & Violet-era Pokémon TCG expansions to buy sealed, but Amazon now has an Elite Trainer Box listing below $175 — going far cheaper than the last notable deal we saw on the box. 

As of Oct. 5, the Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box is available for $173.99 at Amazon through third-party seller Non_StopGaming. Along with a saving of $24.99, you’ll also get free delivery — estimated for Oct. 19 at the time of writing.

That said, Amazon isn’t the only online retailer going for deals on this ETB right now. Walmart also lists the Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box for $157.99, down from $199.99 and with free shipping. Meanwhile, legit listings on TCGplayer are going for $140.20 at the cheapest — only $4.27 above its estimated market price of $135.93. 

SEE ALSO: The best early Prime Day deals on Pokémon, including Perfect Order Booster Bundle for under $45

The box packs in nine Prismatic Evolutions booster packs, one full-art foil Eevee promo trading card, 65 Eevee card sleeves, 45 Energy cards, dice, condition markers, a player’s guide, a collector’s box with four dividers, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. 

If there are any particular singles you’re after from the expansion (including the $1,300+ SIR Umbreon ex), you can buy individual Prismatic Evolution cards from TCGplayer.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Booster Bundle is on sale for $88 at Walmart, down from its $99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Booster Bundle $88 at Walmart
$99 Save $11   Get Deal

The 30th Celebration expansion has seen some fluctuating prices since launch, and a Walmart seller has taken a new swing in the price war on the Booster Bundle. 

As of Oct. 5, the Pokémon TCG’s six-pack 30th Celebration Booster Bundle now costs $88 at Walmart, shaving $11 from the current $99 listing price. Marketplace seller PhTCG handles the order, with free shipping currently included and an estimated arrival of Oct. 10. 

With Walmart’s new offer, you’ll only be paying about $14.67 per 30th Celebration pack — with the expansion featuring hit cards for Mewtwo ex, Mew ex, Umbreon ex, Salamence ex, Greninja ex, and plenty more. Plus, each pack contains one of 30 different rare Pikachu cards spread across the collection.

SEE ALSO: Shop the best early Prime Day deals on Pokémon, including 30th Celebration trading cards for under market price

That puts Walmart ahead of Amazon, where the same Booster Bundle goes as low as $93.88 through third-party seller AIGDistributionLLC — making Walmart $5.88 cheaper at the time of writing. 

TCGplayer is once again the site with the lowest price altogether. Against its estimated market price of $75.09, you can find plenty of listings under $80 — with the lowest currently sitting at $73.99. 

Speaking of TCGplayer, the trading card marketplace is also the go-to for single cards, as you can buy almost any individual 30th Celebration Pokemon card online right now.