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The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection (Lucario) is in stock and under $50 at Amazon

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 17:54

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection (Lucario) is on sale for $49.98 at Amazon, saving you $20.01 from the regular list price of $69.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection (Lucario) $49.98 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $20.01   Get Deal

The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration continues with more packs from this new expansion — and we're seeing price cuts already, which is a good incentive for trading card collectors to get started on this particular line.

As of Oct. 1, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection (Lucario) is $49.98 at Amazon, a reduction of $20.01 from the regular list price of $69.99. 

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

This Tech Sticker Collection includes three Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration booster packs, a Lucario foil promo card, and a matching tech sticker sheet. And there's an Alolan Exeggutor variant of this collection, also marked down to $49.98 right now — not to mention plenty more Pokémon deals as Amazon gets ready to launch October Prime Day.

Alternatively, you can grab single 30th Celebration cards on TCGplayer if you're looking for something specific.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Here we go again: Samsung raises Galaxy S26 smartphone prices

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 17:37

It's a new fact of life in 2026: If a gadget has memory, it's going to get a price increase eventually.

And on the first day of October, PhoneArena noticed that Samsung had raised prices by $100 or more on its latest-generation flagship smartphones in the U.S., the Galaxy S26 line. Samsung opened the new phone release season when it released the Galaxy S26 in March, and since then, we've documented price increases from Apple, Acer, Google, HP, Motorola, Lenovo, Nintendo, Sony, and Xbox.

Because of a multi-trillion-dollar AI infrastructure spending spree, the memory components that are necessary for laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles, and other tech products are in short supply.

The Galaxy S26 price hikes hurt even more because the S26 and S26 Plus were already more expensive at launch than their S25 counterparts.

The new prices are:

  • Galaxy S26, 256GB — $999.99

  • Galaxy S26 Plus, 256GB — $1,199.99

  • Galaxy S26 Ultra, 256GB — $1,399.99

Prices vary depending on the storage option you choose, but in general, all the S26 phones are now $100 more expensive. As PhoneArena noted, the 1TB version of the S26 Ultra received a $200 increase.

We do have some good news, however.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE, announced on Sept. 3, is unaffected by the price increases; you can still preorder that phone for a starting price of $699, and it's set to be released on Oct. 5.

In addition, you can still find some deals on the Galaxy S26. Amazon is selling the Galaxy S26 Ultra in the white colorway for over $100 off, letting you cancel out the price increase; you can also buy the base model S26 for its original price in select colors, also at Amazon. Finally, mobile carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile will often offer up to $1,000 off new phones if you switch, trade in an old device, or sign up for a specific plan.

SEE ALSO: Is Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE still a good value at $700? Top deals of the day:
Categories: IT General, Technology

The 6-month-old Galaxy S26 series is now $100 more expensive

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 17:37

The Galaxy S26 line might be half a year old, but its official price is going up. Samsung has raised prices across the core series by at least $100, with steeper increases at the high end.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I ditched my whole-home network wiring plan after realizing one cable was enough

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 17:30

Sometimes I wonder: Am I just a big fan of Ethernet, or do I dislike Wi-Fi? The answer is probably "yes." My home is full of various devices, and I try to wire them up as often as possible, as I find that ditching Wi-Fi for Ethernet brings great results 99% of the time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on October 1, 2026

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 17:23

Wondering what the Moon will look like tonight? Its shape and brightness change throughout the month, so there's always something slightly different to see on its surface. Here's the lunar phase for tonight, plus what you might be able to see.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Thursday, Oct. 1, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waning Gibbous phase, with 75% of its surface visible.

Without any visual aids, tonight you can see the Copernicus Crater, Oceanus Procellarum, and the Kepler Crater. If you have binoculars, you can also spot the Clavius, Alphonsus, Gassendi Craters. Finally, if you have access to a telescope, you'll see the Apollo 11 and 15 landing spots, plus the Descartes Highlands.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on October 25 or 26, depending on your timezone.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon takes around 29.5 days to orbit Earth, and as it moves through this cycle, we see different amounts of its sunlit side from here. That's what creates the Moon's different phases, from a thin crescent through to a half Moon and, eventually, the Full Moon. Once it reaches the Full Moon, the cycle starts over again. NASA explains that the phase we see depends on the Moon's position in relation to Earth and the Sun.

The eight phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it's not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Greece vs. Netherlands online for free

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 17:15

TL;DR: Watch Greece vs. Netherlands in the Nations League for free on NPO. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League continues to entertain this week with a number of interesting fixtures, including Greece vs. Netherlands. The Dutch have looked pretty slick so far. They were unlucky to draw against Germany and then followed that up with a convincing win over Finland.

Now Xavi Hernández's team visits Greece for another tough matchup.

If you're interested in watching Greece vs. Netherlands in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Greece vs. Netherlands?

Greece vs. Netherlands in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Oct. 1. This fixture takes place at the Stadio Toumbas.

How to watch Greece vs. Netherlands for free

Greece vs. Netherlands in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on NPO.

NPO is geo-restricted to the Netherlands, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the Netherlands, meaning you can live stream Greece vs. Netherlands for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Greece vs. Netherlands for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

  4. Visit NPO

  5. Watch Greece vs. Netherlands for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Greece vs. Netherlands without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for NPO?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries, including the Netherlands

  • 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 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Greece vs. Netherlands for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new Netflix movies to watch in October

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 17:00

It's October, which means we have officially entered the fourth quarter of 2026. This month is made for horror fans, as Halloween rapidly approaches. You can always find some horror movies to watch on Netflix. However, Netflix's new releases this month are more geared toward fans of thrillers and comedy.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Germany vs. Serbia online for free

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 16:52

TL;DR: Watch Germany vs. Serbia in the Nations League for free on GE TV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League has not started well for Germany. They were lucky to draw against the Netherlands, but then lost to Greece. Jürgen Klopp has got his work cut out. He'll be desperately hoping for a positive result at home to Serbia.

If you're interested in watching Germany vs. Serbia in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Germany vs. Serbia?

Germany vs. Serbia in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Oct. 1. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.

How to watch Germany vs. Serbia for free

Germany vs. Serbia in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on GE TV.

GE TV is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can live stream Germany vs. Serbia for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Germany vs. Serbia for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

  4. Visit GE TV

  5. Watch Germany vs. Serbia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Germany vs. Serbia without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for GE TV?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

  • 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 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Germany vs. Serbia for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I reclaimed a terabyte of Plex storage without deleting anything, thanks to this Docker container

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 16:30

With storage drives going up considerably in price over the last year, it's getting harder to justify wasting space on stuff you don't actually need.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save $82 on Amazon's Fire HD 10 tablet during its early-access Prime Big Deal Days

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 16:26

While the highly anticipated Prime Big Deal Days are nearly upon us, you don't have to wait around until Oct. 6–7 to start saving huge, as Amazon has already started posting some of its early-access deals, and there are numerous, noteworthy opportunities. Among the countless products, one that truly stands out as a worthy purchase with your hard-earned cash is this Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet—and it's over $80 off.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon's redesigned Kindle eReaders include its first color Scribe

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 16:22

Amazon has revamped its entire Kindle lineup, and there are reasons to take notice even if you're happy with your old model. All of them are easier to carry and more colorful, but the highlight is the company's first color Kindle Scribe.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection is under $50 on Amazon — you save over $15

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 16:19

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection is on sale for $49.98 at Amazon, saving you $20.01 from the regular list price of $69.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection $49.98 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $20.01   Get Deal

If you're in the market for Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration merch, we're keeping an eye on one expansion’s smaller collections. This deal, however, isn't a small one — it's a significant markdown that should tempt trading card collectors to get involved with this latest expansion. 

As of Oct. 1, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection (Alolan Exeggutor) is $49.98 at Amazon, down $20.01 from the $69.99 list price. That's a 29% discount overall. 

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

The Tech Sticker Collection is more expensive at Walmart, where it's currently listed for $51. With Walmart, you receive either the Alolan Exeggutor or the Lucario variant at random, whereas at Amazon, you can choose which one you receive (the Lucario version is priced at $49.98). At Amazon’s price, it works out to around $16.66 per booster pack.

This Tech Sticker Collection includes three Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration booster packs, an Alolan Exeggutor foil promo card, and a matching tech sticker sheet.

Alternatively, you can pick up single 30th Celebration cards on TCGplayer right now if there's something you really need.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 early Prime Day iPhone deals: Shop the new iPhone 18 Pro for free

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 16:09
Best early Prime Day iPhone deals: Best iPhone deal overall iPhone 18 Pro (256 GB) $0 (save $1,199.99) Get Deal Best iPhone 17 Pro deal iPhone 17 Pro (256 GB) $0 (save $1,299.99) Get Deal Best unlocked iPhone deal iPhone 16e (128GB) $539.99 (save $60) Get Deal Best refurbished iPhone deal Refurbished iPhone 14 (128 GB) $399.99 (save $20) Get Deal

Amazon hasn't released its latest early Prime Day iPhone deals page yet. (Right now, it's just filled with iPhone 16s that aren't on sale.) We don't usually see iPhone deals worth buying on Amazon unless they're "renewed," so if you're hoping to find a discount on a brand-new, unlocked iPhone from Bezos, you probably won't.

But that doesn't mean you can't find a good deal during the sale — it just won't be on Amazon. Right now, T-Mobile is offering new and existing customers a chance to get the iPhone 18 Pro for free (if you don't mind signing a contract). If you'd rather not be tied to a carrier, Best Buy and Amazon offer discounts on unlocked "refurbished" and "renewed" models.

SEE ALSO: The best iPhones to buy in 2026: Our top pick might surprise you

Now that you've heard my spiel, here are the best early Prime Day iPhone deals you can shop right now, and you can check out our Apple guide for discounts on AirPods and MacBooks.

Score Apple's brand-new $1,200 flagship for $0

Getting a $1,200 phone for nothing is a hard deal to pass up. Right now, T-Mobile is covering the full cost of the iPhone 18 Pro through 36 monthly bill credits. To get this deal, you'll need to either switch to an Experience Beyond 2.0 plan or trade in a relatively recent device, like an iPhone 16 or 15 Pro, on an eligible plan.

While T-Mobile says it accepts trade-ins in any condition, older phones like the iPhone 14 or 13 will bump you down to the $930 or $500 credit tiers. You'll also still have to pay the local sales tax on the full pre-credit retail price upfront, along with a $35 device connection fee. But if you're already planning to stick with T-Mobile for the next three years, it's an easy way to upgrade without paying full price.

Read our review of the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 18 Pro (256 GB) $0 at T-Mobile
$1,199.99 Save $1,199.99   Get Deal Trade in an older phone to grab the 17 Pro completely free

If you're not worried about having the latest and greatest, T-Mobile is giving away the iPhone 17 Pro using that exact same 36-month bill credit promo. You just need to switch to an Experience Beyond 2.0 plan or trade in an older phone.

The best part? Since last year's Pro model costs less upfront, trading in an older device like an iPhone 14 or 15 nearly covers the entire cost.

Read our review of the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 17 Pro (256 GB) $0 at T-Mobile
$1,299.99 Save $1,299.99   Get Deal Save $60 on an unlocked iPhone 16e — no contract required

Best Buy has the unlocked iPhone 16e marked down to $539.99 — a $60 discount. It comes with 128GB of storage and Apple Intelligence built right in. It's not a flagship Pro model, but it is one of the only brand-new, unlocked iPhones seeing an outright cash discount ahead of October's sale events.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 16e (128GB) $539.99 at Best Buy
$599.99 Save $60   Get Deal Snag a like-new unlocked iPhone 14 for under $400

If you want a reliable, no-nonsense iPhone without spending top-dollar, going refurbished is the smartest route. Best Buy has the unlocked 128GB iPhone 14 in "Refurbished Excellent" condition marked down to $399.99. It gives you a clean OLED display, solid camera setup, and long battery life for under $400 — no carrier sign-ups or monthly commitments attached.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished iPhone 14 (128 GB) $399 at Best Buy
$419.99 Save $20.99   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

October Prime Day Apple deals guide: What to buy now and what we think you should wait for

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:45

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale is just around the corner — and so are some excellent Apple deals, no doubt. This 48-hour "October Prime Day" serves as Amazon's kickoff to the Black Friday/holiday shopping season, which is the best time to find discounts on popular Apple devices, among many other tech products. This year, it will double as some year-end relief from RAMageddon price increases.

While the sale isn't scheduled to begin until Oct. 6, Amazon is already rolling out some early October Prime Day deals on select gadgets, including most AirPods, Apple Watches, iPads, and MacBooks. That raises the question: If you're thinking about upgrading from an older Apple device to a newer model, should you start adding items to your cart now or hold off for a bit?

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces dates for Prime Big Deal Days, its 48-hour 'October Prime Day' sale

The answer depends on the exact product you're eyeing. Having covered Amazon's sales for years now, I think most of its current Apple deals will get much better on Oct. 6 and 7, when Prime Big Deal Days is officially live. However, a couple of the deals are worth grabbing immediately. In fact, you might miss out if you wait too long.

Read on to find out which six Apple deals I'd add to my cart ASAP, and which others I'm hoping to see once Prime Big Deal Days starts. I've come up with some October Prime Day discount predictions for every current Apple product based on their pricing histories and Amazon's deal patterns. I'm also keeping an eye on rivaling retailers like Walmart and Best Buy to see if they can one-up their offers. (Check back for updates as we get closer to the sale.)

The only Apple deals I'd shop before October Prime Day Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Walmart
$129 Save $30   Get Deal

Apple's last-gen earbuds are getting harder to find in stock following this month's launch of the AirPods 5. Amazon's $99 deal on new pairs is gone, leaving only used options starting at $84.55.

If you're after the base model, your best move right now is Walmart, where new pairs are still available for $99 (normally $129) — matching their lowest price of the year. However, if active noise cancellation is a priority, you can get the ANC version for $129.99 at Best Buy.

While the standard version lacks ANC, misses out on Live Translation, and doesn't sound quite as refined as its successor, it's still a great option for budget shoppers who want a reliable set of wireless earbuds without paying full price.

Read Mashable's review of the Apple AirPods 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) $389.99 at Amazon
$399 Save $9.01   Get Deal

Apple's latest flagship smartwatch hit shelves in mid-September alongside the AirPods 5, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and iPhone 18 Pros. It has an upgraded chipset and sensors that support better heart rate monitoring, a new Readiness feature, and new Audio Intelligence tools. Amazon is currently selling it for $389.99, which is almost $10 off its usual sticker price of $399. That discount isn't huge, but it's probably not going to get any bigger once Prime Big Deal Days starts. Its predecessor, the Series 11, was also only $10 off during its first Prime Big Deal Days.

Check out our breakdown of all the differences between the Apple Watch Series 12 and Series 11.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 4 (GPS + cellular, 49mm) $779.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $19.01   Get Deal

Similarly, the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 4 isn't heavily discounted but probably won't get any cheaper than it currently is, if history repeats itself. Last year, during Prime Big Deal Days, the last-generation Apple Watch Ultra 3 was marked down to $779.99 (normally $799). Ahead of this year's sale, the Ultra 4 is already matching that. Its upgrades include a faster processor, a longer battery life, and a new heart rate monitoring system; it has the same new health and fitness features as the Series 12.

Read Mashable's review of the Apple Watch Ultra 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 11-Inch (M4, WiFi, 2TB, nano-texture glass) $1,899 at Amazon
$2,099 Save $200   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) $1,299 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $200   Get Deal

Amazon still has a couple of older M4 iPad Pros in stock and on sale at deep discounts. One is an 11-inch model with a nano-texture (matte) display and 2TB storage; the other is a 13-inch model with Apple's standard display and 512GB of storage. They're marked down to $1,899 and $1,299, respectively, which is a $200 savings either way. (For reference, they were $250 off and $100 off during Prime Big Deal Days 2025.) They're significantly cheaper than their newer M5 counterparts right now, so I can see them selling out well before this year's October Prime Day.

Read Mashable's review of the 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M4).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $3,499 at Amazon
$4,099 Save $600   Get Deal

This beefy MacBook Pro, powered by Apple's most powerful laptop chip, is ideal for advanced users like professional video editors and developers. MacBooks don't normally get discounts of more than $300 to $400 during Amazon's Prime events, so at $600 off, this one's a no-brainer buy. I should also mention that this exact configuration cost $3,599 before Apple raised its MacBook prices in June — this discount negates that and then some.

October Prime Day AirPods deals to watch
  • Apple AirPods 5: The latest flagship AirPods debuted in mid-September, and they're currently stuck at full price. (The standard models retail for $129, while the ones with a wireless charging case cost $149.) They should get cheaper next month, but not by much. The AirPods 4 only saw a small $10 discount during their first Prime Big Deal Days in 2024, so I think they'll probably go for $119 and $139, respectively.

  • Apple AirPods Pro 3: The AirPods Pro 3 have better ANC than the regular AirPods 5, plus a longer battery life, an added heart rate sensor, and an exclusive Hearing Aid mode. They're down to $234 right now — a 6% savings — but there's a strong chance they'll dip even lower for October's festivities. Amazon could revive its record-low price of $169, which last appeared right before June's Prime Day sale.

  • Apple AirPods Pro Max 2: Apple's over-ear headphones are currently on sale for $479 (or $70 off their $549 MSRP), but I'd wait. We saw them fall to $399 a couple of months ago on Prime Day — an impressive 27% savings.

Read our reviews of the AirPods 5, the AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods Max 2. Plus, find out where they ranked on our guides to the best wireless earbuds and the best noise-canceling headphones.

The best early October Prime Day AirPods deals for now: Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30 at Walmart) Get Deal Apple AirPods 5 $129 Shop Now Apple AirPods 5 with wireless charging case $149 Shop Now Apple AirPods Pro Max 2 $509.99 (save $39.01) Get Deal October Prime Day Apple Watch deals to watch
  • Apple Watch SE 3: Normally $249, Apple's budget smartwatch has been as cheap as $189.99 before — a savings of just under $60. It's definitely not worth buying now at $239, or only $10 off.

The best early October Prime Day Apple Watch deals for now: Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $239 (save $10) Shop Now Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $349.99 (save $50) Get Deal Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) $389.99 (save $9.01) Get Deal Apple Watch Ultra 4 (GPS + cellular, 49mm) $779.99 (save $19.01) Get Deal October Prime Day MacBook deals to watch
  • Apple MacBook Neo: The cheapest MacBook hasn't gotten any major discounts at major retailers since its March release. (Its current sale price of $689 on Amazon, or $10 off, is its all-time low there.) There's no world where Amazon matches the Apple Store's $100 student discount for Prime Big Deal Days, IMO, but maybe we'll see it hit $649 for the first time next month. It's due for better deals now that it's more than six months old.

  • Apple MacBook Air: The sky blue 13-inch M5 MacBook Air was ~$150 off at the time of writing, but don't add it to your cart yet. Both sizes of last year's M4 MacBook Air were $200 off during Prime Big Deal Days 2025. If Amazon matched that offer in the coming weeks, it would erase the M5 Air's recent price hike. For reference, the 13-inch one usually starts at $1,299, while the 15-inch size typically starts at $1,499; snag them as soon as you catch them at $1,099 and $1,299, respectively.

  • Apple MacBook Pro: The 14-inch, M5-powered base model with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is $160 off right now, but I think Amazon might sell it for $1,799, or $200 off, come Prime Big Deal Days. That's the discount its equally configured predecessor got last fall. (It wouldn't fully cancel the MacBook Pro's recent $300 price increase, but it would be a welcome deal regardless. We haven't spotted it on sale for less than $1,849 since June.)

Read our reviews of the Apple MacBook Neo, the M5 MacBook Air, and the M5 MacBook Pro. Plus, find out which MacBook is best for you.

The best early October Prime Day MacBook deals for now: Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $689 (save $10) Get Deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,449 (save $150) Get Deal Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,399 (save $100) Shop Now Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,839 (save $160) Get Deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $3,499 (save $600) Get Deal October Prime Day iPad deals to watch
  • Apple iPad: Apple's flagship tablet is on sale for $427 in the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days (usually $449), which is a skip. Wait to see if Amazon matches or beats its $70 discount from last year's sale, which would bring it down to just $379.

  • Apple iPad mini: The smallest, most portable iPad was also $70 off during Prime Big Deal Days 2025, so it's worth adding to your cart if you see it drop to $529 or lower next month. It's now on sale for $569 (only $30 off).

  • Apple iPad Air: Amazon randomly shifted the list prices for both sizes of the latest M4 iPad Air, so technically, both models are $20 off right now. You can grab the 11-inch version for $729 and the 13-inch version for $929 (down from their original retail prices of $749 and $949). It's a tiny markdown compared to the $100 price cuts we saw recently, but last October, Amazon dropped the previous-gen models by $150 during Prime Big Deal Days. If Amazon replicates that $150 discount off the original list price next month, the 11-inch model would fall to $599, and the 13-inch would drop to $799.

  • Apple iPad Pro: The 11-inch base configuration of the M4 iPad Pro was $100 off during last year's Prime Big Deal Days, while the 13-inch base model was $200 off. Amazon isn't matching those offers just yet: The smaller size is now $1,139, only $60 off, while the 13-inch one is now $1,399, or $100 off (not bad, but it could be even better). Ideally, they'll soon hit $1,099 and $1,299 or less.

Read our reviews of the iPad mini, the M4 iPad Air, and the M5 iPad Pro. Not sure which iPad to buy? Allow us to offer some guidance.

The best early October Prime Day iPad deals for now: Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $427 (save $22) Get Deal Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) $569 (save $30) Get Deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB $729 (save $20) Get Deal Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) $929 (save $20) Get Deal Apple iPad Pro, 11-Inch (M4, WiFi, 2TB, nano-texture glass) $1,899 (save $200) Get Deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) $1,299 (save $200) Get Deal Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $1,139 (save $60) Get Deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $1,399 (save $100) Get Deal October Prime Day Apple accessory deals to watch
  • Apple AirTags (4-Pack): Currently on sale for $89 (normally $99). We frequently see this 4-pack drop to $69 or $79 during major Amazon events, so it's worth holding off a few more weeks to save an extra $5 or $10.

  • Apple Pencil Pro: Down to $99 (normally $129). This $30 discount is a pretty good deal. The lowest we've ever seen Amazon let it go for was $89.99 in Oct. of 2024.

  • Apple MagSafe Charger: On sale for $39.99 (normally $49). It doesn't usually drop below $29 (though we did see it at $28 in June), so the current price is reasonable if you need a wireless charger right away, though a slightly better deal is likely during the sale.

Watch for Apple Gift Card bundles: Keep an eye out for gift card promos as we get closer to Oct. 6. Target and Best Buy frequently run deals where buying a $100 Apple Gift Card gets you a $15 credit back. It's essentially free money if you already plan on paying for iCloud, Apple Music, or future hardware upgrades.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:43
The best early Prime Day Pokémon deals: Best TCG ETB deal Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $89.99 (save vs. market price) Get Deal Best Booster Bundle deal Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle $44.99 (save $15) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Pokémon Eevee (72151) $47.95 (save $12.04) Get Deal Best video game deal Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Nintendo Switch 2) $50.99 (save $19) Get Deal Best book deal Pokémon Deluxe Character Guide (Pokemon Pikachu Press) $39.84 (save $20.15) Get Deal Best TCG display box deal Pokémon Card Game MEGA Expansion Pack 30th Celebration Display Box (Japanese) $288 ($31.90) Get Deal

Amazon’s October Prime Day is getting closer, and the early Pokémon deals are getting even better. There are fresh price cuts across the Pokémon trading card game, Nintendo Switch games, Lego sets, and books, including several offers that have either returned to previous lows or dropped even further since we last checked.

SEE ALSO: Lego's Pokémon Eevee is close to its best-ever price at Amazon — save $12 before October Prime Day

Prime Big Deal Days runs from Oct. 6-7, but there’s no need to wait for the main event to start saving. We're seeing the Perfect Order booster bundles below $45 plus more than $19 off Pokémon Legends: Z-A on Switch 2, and even discounts on Pokémon Lego.

These are the best early Pokémon Prime Day deals available right now.

A 30th Celebration Display Box at over $30 off Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon Card Game MEGA Expansion Pack 30th Celebration Display Box (Japanese) $288 at Amazon
$319.95 Save $31.95   Get Deal

If you're the type of Pokémon collector who just wants to appreciate the artwork instead of playing with the cards, this deal on the Japanese version of the expansion's display box is for you.

There's $31.90 knocked off the original $319.90 price, and with 20 packs per box, you'll save an extra $68.80 compared to buying 20 English packs on TCGplayer.

Perfect Order Booster Bundles now under $45 Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle $49.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $10   Get Deal

Perfect Order is one of the Pokémon TCG expansions that's been fluctuating in price in recent months, but this early Prime Day deal has it under the $45 mark across various sellers. You can now buy the six-booster pack box for as low as $44.63 from third-party sellers, or spend an extra 26 cents on the Amazon listing to get yours delivered a day earlier.

At the lowest price, this means you'll be paying just $7.49 for every Perfect Order booster pack. Single boosters cost $9.99, but buying the Booster Bundle saves an extra $2.50 per pack.

More Pokémon TCG dealsThe only Pokémon Lego set on sale Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO Lego Pokémon Eevee (72151) $47.95 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12.04   Get Deal

The 587-piece Lego Pokémon Eevee set is a posable display piece designed for adult builders. Unlike static figures, the ears, head, limbs, and angled tail are fully adjustable, so you can change up how it sits on your shelf. This is now back to its all-time low price for listings directly from Amazon (confirmed by the price tracker camelcamelcamel), making it a good time to grab it now rather than waiting to see if it drops further during the main sale.

(Note: Eevee is currently the only set in the Lego Pokémon lineup receiving a discount ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, but we've listed the most popular sets below so you can keep an eye on them if Amazon drops prices during the event.)

More Pokémon Lego deals$19 off Legends: Z-A on Switch 2 Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Pokémon Legends: Z-A $50.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $19.00   Get Deal

Set within Lumiose City, Pokémon Legends: Z-A lets you issue commands on the fly, compete in the nightly Z-A Royale tournament, and use the returning Mega Evolution mechanic to take down rampaging rogue Pokémon. A $19 discount on a major Nintendo Switch 2 title makes this an easy choice to pick up now rather than paying full retail.

More Pokémon Nintendo Switch game dealsBest Pokémon book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Alex Irvine/Pokemon Pikachu Press Pokémon Deluxe Character Guide (Pokemon Pikachu Press) $39.84 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20.15   Get Deal

For a hardbound, 336-page reference book celebrating 30 years of the franchise, the 34% markdown puts the Pokémon Deluxe Character Guide at its lowest Amazon price ever (confirmed with camelcamelcamel) — making this a must-buy for diehard Pokémon collectors.

This book not only features a foreword from The Pokémon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara but also covers characters from every region in numerical order, with artwork from the games, anime, and trading card game. It works well as a coffee table display piece with its color-it-yourself cover, or just as a quick reference guide so you don't have to keep an online wiki open on your phone.

More Pokémon book deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best early October Prime Day deals on iPads, according to Mashables tech experts

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:36
Early October Prime Day iPad deals at a glance: Best budget iPad deal Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $427 (save $22) Get Deal Best iPad mini deal Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) $569 (save $30) Get Deal Best iPad Air deal iPad Air 11-inch (M4, WiFi) $807 (save $42) Get Deal Best iPad Pro deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) $1,299 (save $200) Get Deal

Fall has just begun, but the holiday shopping season is already heating up. No longer do things kick off on Black Friday: Amazon's annual Prime Big Deal Days on Oct. 6 and 7 will be your first chance to start scoring year-end deals.

Ahead of October Prime Day, Mashable's team of shopping experts is tracking all the best early price drops across top brands, especially Apple. When it comes to iPads, early deals are a bit hit-or-miss. While many baseline models are seeing modest $20 to $30 markdowns, a select few, including the powerful M4 iPad Air configurations and the M5 iPad Pro setups, have dropped low enough to justify hitting "add to cart" before the official event even begins.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day Apple deals guide: Buy now or wait?

Below, we've rounded up the best early October Prime Day iPad deals we could find. We've also made some predictions for the iPad deals we're likely to see next week based on our experience covering Prime Big Deal Days in the past. Decide for yourself if you're willing to wait for them; even the meager savings now are still something to celebrate, considering all iPads got price hikes this summer.

Save up to $30 on the regular iPad

The standard iPad with the A16 chip is our favorite Apple tablet for budget shoppers. "Even though its tech is basic compared to the advanced iPad Air and Pro," writes Mashable's Samantha Mangino, "it's great for someone who wants a portable screen for streaming, playing games, and reading." It's rated for up to six hours of battery life.

Ahead of Amazon's sale, the base iPad with 128GB of storage is $30 off with or without cellular connectivity. It was $70 off last Prime Big Deal Days, so it could dip further to $379 next week (normally $449).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $427 at Amazon
$449 Save $22   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (A16, WiFi + cellular, 128GB) $569 at Amazon
$599 Save $30   Get Deal Take up to $30 off the iPad mini

If you wish e-readers were more powerful, more versatile, and equipped with way more storage, get Apple's smallest iPad instead. The iPad mini's compact size and anti-reflective display make it our favorite tablet for reading.

The iPad mini also saw a $70 discount during Prime Big Deal Days 2025, so we think it will drop to $529 when this year's sale begins on Oct. 6 (typically $599). Right now, the base model is up to $30 off, depending on whether you'd like cellular connectivity.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple ipad mini $569 at Apple
$599 Save $30   Get Deal Skip the pro pricing on Apple's newest M4 power tablet with $42 off

In his 4.5-star review, Mashable’s Timothy Beck Werth called the M4 iPad Air "a tablet that thinks it's an AI laptop," making it a great pick for students, artists, and creators. It has the same super-light aluminum body and bright Liquid Retina screen as last year's model.

Where it wins is speed: the new M4 processor and upgraded smart chip make AI tools like fast voice-note transcription and photo editing happen almost instantly. While Timothy pointed out that it only offers "iterative upgrades over last year's model" and can feel "overpowered for casual users", that is exactly why this price drop makes sense.

Paying full retail for an incremental spec bump can be a hard sell, but catching it on sale makes the extra speed, 256GB of storage, and creator-grade power completely worth the tag.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4, WiFi) $807 at Amazon
$849 Save $42   Get Deal Save $200 on select M4 iPad Pros

If you're a professional creative in the market for an iPad Pro, consider buying last year's M4 model instead of the freshest M5 version, which just has a newer chip and newer wireless connectivity tech (WiFi and Bluetooth). The best early October Prime Day iPad deals we've seen feature $200 discounts on two upgraded M4 iPad Pros: One is a 13-inch model with 512GB of storage; the other is an 11-incher with 2TB of storage and a nano-texture display. Both of them are sitting at some of their lowest prices of the year so far. If anything, they might get $50 cheaper during Prime Big Day Deals... if they don't sell out first.

Prefer an M5 iPad Pro for future-proofing's sake? Amazon's deals on both sizes max out at $100 off right now. Come Prime Big Deal Days, they could be up to $200 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) $1,299 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $200   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 2TB, nano-texture glass) $1,899 at Amazon
$2,099 Save $200   Get Deal More iPad Pro deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Why is it called a terminal "emulator"?

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:30

Once you start to dabble with Linux, you’ll encounter the phrase “terminal emulator” over and over again. You might be familiar with games emulators, but don’t be misled. This is very different.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Are Kindles without lockscreen ads worth it? Were divided.

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:30

When buying an e-reader from Amazon, you don't have to make many decisions beyond which color to go with. But Amazon gives you one other option: Do you want to pay extra for a Kindle without lockscreen ads?

This question is particularly relevant now that Amazon has released all-new Kindles for 2026, some of which are already available for preorder.

If you look closely at the Kindle product page at Amazon, you'll notice there are two options:

Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Amazon
  • Ad-Supported

  • Without Lockscreen Ads

Going ad-free on your Kindle is an upgrade that will cost you $20 more, unless you go for one of Amazon's premium Signature Edition e-readers, which always come without ads. However, Signature Editions also come with a premium price.

But after Kindles saw huge price hikes in August (and as prices everywhere are on the rise), are Kindles without lockscreen ads worth it?

We are a house divided. Mashable's Tech Editor, Tim Werth, says yes, you should 100 percent pay a small fee to go ad-free. But as Mashable's resident Kindle expert, I say absolutely not. Both Werth and I are dedicated Kindle readers who love books, and we're each going to plead our case.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (with ads) $149.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (without ads) $169.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now The case for buying an ad-supported Kindle
  • TL;DR: The Kindle ads aren't obtrusive and can be easily ignored. Save the extra $20!

To be clear, I'm not a fan of ads! I always pay for the premium streaming services so I can avoid them, but I just don't think ads on a Kindle are that big of a deal.

The lockscreen ads market other books in the Kindle library. Generally, I find them pretty unobtrusive and mostly ignore them. To be honest, I don't find them much different from the other generic screensavers that come on the Kindle. The main difference is that the ads are just trying to push a new read on you.

So, I say, save some money and buy the regular, ad-supported Kindle. You can always put the extra money toward the new Kindle Click page turner, which costs $34.99.

The case for buying Kindles without lockscreen ads
  • TL;DR: Ads are super annoying, the Kindle lockscreen artwork is much more visually appealing, and when buying Kindles as gifts, it's borderline rude to get the cheaper, ad-supported version.

Hello — this is Timothy Beck Werth, Mashable's tech editor — stepping in. As much as I respect Sam's opinion on e-readers and Kindles, I have to disagree with her here. I have enough ads in my life, thank you.

I don't need to explain to you why ads are annoying. Unless you're using an ad blocker, you're seeing multiple ads as you read these words right now. (And, please don't use an ad blocker — we're trying to keep the lights on here at Mashable.) Do I really want to see more ads while I'm reading? When I'm trying to disappear into a great book, the last thing I want to see is more advertisements.

Artwork on the lockscreen of the new Kindle Paperwhite. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

I'm also a fan of the E Ink artworks that appear on the Kindle lockscreen. These black-and-white, photograph-style images show close-ups of pencils, letter blocks, and other reading motifs. (Newer Kindles also show more artistic drawings, all created by real human artists.) And because they're E Ink, they're always on. But that means the advertisements are always on, too.

My partner has a Kindle that's ad-supported, and we've never seen an ad for a book we actually wanted to read.

But there's one other case in which I think you should always pay the $20 premium to remove lockscreen ads from a Kindle — when you're buying a gift.

If you're buying a Kindle as a gift, spend the extra cash for the best version of the device.

The good news here? There isn't really a wrong choice.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (with ads) $199.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (without ads) $219.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

20+ early Prime Day deals on MicroSDs, SSDs, and hard drives: Our favorite deals to beat RAMageddon

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:13
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 $269.97 (save $30.02) 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 $129.99 (save $19.01) Get Deal Best Travel-Friendly SSD deal Samsung T7 2TB Portable SSD $389.99 (save $160) 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.

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.

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 $269.97 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $30.02   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 $389.99
$549.99 Save $160   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

Portable SSDs

Portable HDDs

Internal hard drives

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Android launcher turned my phone into the Windows 8 foldable Microsoft never made

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:00

Pick up any Android device or iPhone, and the home screens all essentially look the same: a grid of static icons and some widgets. Most devices in general work like this, but it wasn't always like that. Microsoft experimented with dynamic Live Tiles that combined icons and widgets into one, which hit their peak during the Windows 8 era — and you can still enjoy some of that magic on your phone today.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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