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Start your NAS build with this Synology OS alternative, on sale for Black Friday

How-To Geek - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 21:37

Unraid has just kicked off its annual Cyber Weekend Sale, offering some serious discounts if you are looking to build or upgrade your home server setup. This is the biggest sale of the season, and it runs now through Cyber Monday, giving you a chance to save up to 25% on perpetual licenses.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 reasons people gave up on Linux (and why it’s time to come back)

How-To Geek - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 21:30

Have you tried Linux in the past, but didn’t like the experience? Or are you planning to try Linux but feeling hesitant after hearing about other people’s poor experiences? Here are the five most common reasons why people quit Linux—and five simple ways to address those concerns!

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Black Friday deals on toys and games: Score low prices on Lego and Disney

Mashable - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 21:20
Best Black Friday toy deals at a glance: Best Black Friday Lego Toy Deal Lego Creator 3-In-1 Rhino $41.99 (Save $18) Get Deal Best Black Friday Disney Toy Deal Toy Story Posable Woody Action Figure $19.99 (Save $2.96) Get Deal Best Black Friday Toy Deal For Younger Kids Bluey Game Hide and Seek Electronic Figure $13.08 (Save $1.91) Get Deal

There’s never a better time to stock up on toys and games than Black Friday. It’s the event that kicks off the holiday season, which means anyone buying gifts for kids — or for grown ups who are young at heart — is about to spend a bomb on toys. So why not take advantage of Black Friday, the biggest sale event of the whole calendar year? Now that the big day is finally here, check out some of the biggest Black Friday deals live at Amazon and other retailers.

SEE ALSO: The 17 best Advent calendars to buy in November. Take advantage of early Black Friday sales.

If you need some help with toy and game gift ideas, or perhaps you just need a steer to find the best value items in Black Friday deals, here’s a rundown of the best toys and games that are already available at discounted prices. There’s something for everyone and all ages here: Lego, action figures, board games, dolls, classic toys, preschool learning, and more.

Best Black Friday Lego toy deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Creator 3-In-1 Rhino $41.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $18   Get Deal Why we like it

Lego reigns as the absolute king of all toy brands, with categories and themes for everyone, whether your kids into Star Wars, dinosaurs, or constructing their own cities literally brick-by-brick. But we absolutely love the Creator 3-in-1 series, which offers young builders three awesome models in one box. This set, for instance, can be made into a rhino, a hippo, or a walrus. The upshot is triple the fun, and triple the amount of time your kids will spend occupied by creative, constructive play.

Best Black Friday Disney toy deal Opens in a new window Credit: Mattel Toy Story Posable Woody Action Figure $19.99 at Amazon
$22.95 Save $2.96   Get Deal Why we like it

Thirty years since Toy Story first hit movie theaters, Woody, Buzz, and the gang are still going strong — they’re perennial kids’ favorites and must-have IRL toys. And kids will be going crazy for them all over next year with the release of Toy Story 5. This classic posable Woody figure is a great option for playtime, especially at a discount. See below for more Toy Story characters at discounted prices.

Best Black Friday toy deal for younger kids Opens in a new window Credit: Moose Games Bluey Game Hide and Seek Electronic Figure $13.08 at Amazon
$14.99 Save $1.91   Get Deal Why we like it

Few recent shows have caught the imagination of preschoolers and kindergarten age kids quite like the wholesome, big-hearted Bluey. And this electronic figure is an ideal gift for young Bluey fans. Hide the figure and Bluey giggles to help guide little ones towards her. Bluey also plays music in dance mode when the kids eventually find her, and she doubles up as a regular doll figure. She’s designed to encourage activity and movement — great after a Bluey binge-watch!

More Black Friday board game deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

15 popular Christmas gifts you can buy on sale during Black Friday 2025

Mashable - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 21:08

Black Friday 2025 is in full swing, and it can be so overwhelming to try and sail through the absolute sea of deals. Sure, Black Friday is a great time to restock on essentials you regularly buy or make a big investment on something you've been coveting all year, but for the majority of folks logging on today to shop, it's the time to cross items off your holiday shopping list.

So, if you're searching for the best Black Friday deals on Christmas gifts, this list is for you. The following are some excellent Christmas gift ideas for your loved ones that feature true-blue Black Friday discounts. Everything below is at least 30% off, so you can rest assured you're definitely saving money.

A smart bird feeder

Bird Buddy was a crowdfunding success story, and this product has been a viral hit ever since it launched. It makes a great gift for moms and dads (or anyone who loves the outdoors). This smart bird feeder snaps a picture whenever a backyard visitor appears, sending it straight to the app on your phone. It's at a record-low price for Black Friday, with a cool 37% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Birdbuddy Bird Buddy Pro Smart Solar Bird Feeder $189 at Amazon
$299 Save $110   Get Deal Deluxe home fragrance

Dedcool is such a hot gift idea this holiday season. The chic perfume brand has expanded into markets like laundry detergent and dryer sheets for new ways to experience their fragrances. Their combo set is 32% off this Black Friday.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dedcool frangrance bundle Dedcool Fragrance bundle $142
$207 Save $65   Get Deal Mejuri jewelry

Mejuri, known for its quality gold jewelry at friendly prices, has this bundle on sale for $172.20 for the holidays, down from its list price of $246.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mejuri Mejuri Necklace Bundle $172.20 at Mejuri
$246 Save $73.80   Get Deal Doc Marten's

If someone in your life would benefit from a nice pair of dress shoes, the Adrian loafers from Doc Martens are 40% off this Black Friday.

Opens in a new window Credit: Doc Marten's Doc Marten's Adrian Loafer $90 at Doc Martens
$150 Save $60   Get Deal Luxury Pajamas

Pajamas are such a classic Christmas gift. If you’re curious about the best place to grab a luxury set, look no further than Cozy Earth. Their bamboo pajamas are incredibly soft and supple, yet perfectly temperature-regulated for the season.

Opens in a new window Credit: Cozy Earth Cozy Eath Pajamas $103.46 at Cozy Earth
$140 Save $36.54   Get Deal A retro digital camera

Huckberry is a great place to pick up gifts for men, and as part of its Black Friday sale, you can save on one of our favorite trending brands — Camp Snap. This camera brand makes old-school digital cameras that keep you in the moment while you're making memories. Pick up the Camp Snap Screen-Free Digital camera for just $55.

Opens in a new window Credit: Camp Snap Camp Snap Screen-Free Digital Camera $55 at Huckberry
$65 Save $10   Get Deal Filtered shower head

Canopy has its water-filter shower head on sale for 30% off. That's $105, down from its list price of $150. This is perfect for the person in your life who is really obsessed with hair care and bathing.

Opens in a new window Credit: Canopy Canopy Filtered Showerhead $105 at Amazon
$150 Save $45   Get Deal Kindle

Amazon has a hefty discount on the Kindle Scribe this Black Friday, with a sale price of $279, down from the list price of $419. Read your favorite books on their extra-large display (compared to your average Kindle model) and take notes or make lists to your heart’s desire.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Scribe 32GB $419 at Amazon
  Get Deal Bogg bag

Bogg bag probably takes the cake for the holiday season’s hottest bag. Think of this as the Owala water bottle of bags. It’s perfect for your loved one who lives at the pool or beach or just generally has a lot of stuff to lug around.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bogg Bag Bogg Bag $67.50 at Bogg Bag
$90 Save $22.50   Get Deal Sewing machine

If someone in your life has been wanting to take the plunge on learning to sew or level up their sewing hobby, this Singer heavy-duty sewing machine is the perfect investment.

Opens in a new window Credit: Singer Singer Heavy Duty 4432 Sewing Machine $179.99 at Amazon
$239.99 Save $60   Get Deal Festive Lego sets

Gift someone the fun of LEGO and holiday cheer all in one box with this LEGO wreath that is steeply discounted. The set can be assembled in your classic circular wreath shape or it can be assemble into one long strip for many different decorating opportunities.

Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO wreath LEGO wreath $69.99 at LEGO
$99.99 Save $30   Get Deal Noise-cancelling headphones

If you're looking to gift someone noise-cancelling headphones, you don't have to look further than these Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. They have excellent noise-cancelling technology, super soft ear cups, and are super durable. This is one of the top Black Friday tech deals of the year so far.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000xm5 $248 at Amazon
$399 Save $151   Get Deal Permanent outdoor lights

These permanent outdoor lights from Govee have a deep discount for this Black Friday. The lights connect to an app and allow you to control the color, brightness, and timer all from your phone.

Opens in a new window Credit: GOVEE Govee Permanent outdoor lights $459.99 at Amazon
$759.99 Save $300   Get Deal Drill driver multitool

This Dremel Blueprint 3-in-1 drill driver also comes replete with an integrated stud finder and a laser level. It makes the perfect gift for someone who is always doing DIY projects.

SEE ALSO: Home Depot is giving away free cordless tools for Black Friday — See BOGO offers on DeWalt, Ryobi, Milwaukee, Opens in a new window Credit: Dremel BluePrint Dremel Blueprint 3in1 Drill Driver $49 at Amazon
$99 Save $50   Get Deal A new mattress

This is one of the best mattress deals out there this Black Friday. Casper has their Snow Max Hybrid mattress for 35% off. Give the gift of sleeping in soft, joint-supporting, temperature-regulated bliss.

Opens in a new window Credit: Casper Casper Snow Max $2,595 at Casper
$3,995 Save $1,400   Get Deal Portable jump box

This Noco Boost GB40 is such a lifesaver for a car with a dead battery. Eliminate the need to ask someone for a jumpstart by picking up one of these. It can give you and your loved one some peace of mind, for sure.

Opens in a new window Credit: NOCO Noco Boost GB40 $59
$124.99 Save $65.99   Get Deal A deluxe coffee maker

This Mocha Master is widely regarded as the Mercedes of drip coffee makers. It's a cult-favorite icon among coffee nerds. It’s usually a hefty price ticket at $369, but this Black Friday, Amazon has it listed for $179.

Opens in a new window Credit: Moca master Moca Master Coffee Maker $179 at Amazon
$369 Save $190   Get Deal Hair drying system

Get this Shark Flex air styling hair dryer brush for $199 instead of its typical $349. That’s 43% off one of the hottest hair styling stool on the market this year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Flex air styling hair dryer brush $199 at Amazon
$349 Save $150   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

The affordable SUV offering Lexus-level comfort without the price tag

How-To Geek - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 21:01

In a sea of midsize SUVs that all follow the same script, the Toyota Crown Signia shows up with its own vibe. It’s not chasing size, speed, or off-road bragging rights—it’s chasing comfort and polish.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save up to 20% on select gift cards for Black Friday: Apple, Fandango, Lowes, Applebees, and more

Mashable - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 20:59

SAVE UP TO 20%: Amazon is offering up to 20% off select branded gift cards for Black Friday — including Apple, Fandango at Home, Taco Bell, Petsmart, Google Play, and more.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple / Applebees / Bath & Body Works Select branded gift cards up to 20% off Get Deal

Not sure what to get for someone on your list this year? In this economy, we think anyone and everyone will appreciate the classic gift card. And while scouring the major retailers for the best Black Friday deals, we discovered Amazon is having a branded gift card sale.

As of Nov. 28, aka Black Friday, you can score up to 20% off select branded gift cards at Amazon — including top brands, stores, and restaurants like Apple, Google Play, Fandango, Petsmart, and Applebees. Most gift cards included in the sale are for either $50 or $100. Some offer direct savings, while others offer savings in the form of promotional credits.

One thing to note: Many of these gift card offers are Lightning deals. That means once the little bar that reads "X% claimed" reaches 100, the deal will disappear.

Some of our favorite options include a $15 Amazon credit with $100 Apple gift card purchases, $50 gift cards for $40 from Fandango, Petco, California Pizza Kitchen, Spafinder, and Outback, and $100 Lowe's gift cards for $90. There were also notable deals on Uber Eats and Lyft gift cards, but those already sold out. So, be sure to keep an eye on that Lightning deal ticker and snag the Black Friday savings while you can.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Black Friday iPad deals kind of suck this year. Here are 3 Id shop as a tech editor.

Mashable - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 20:49

We're in the thick of Black Friday season, and this year, the best Black Friday deals include record prices on Apple Watches, Samsung QLED TVs, Kindle e-readers, and PlayStation video games. Unfortunately, we haven't been particularly impressed with this year's crop of iPad deals, which are usually a mainstay of big sales events. Having tested the iPad Air and the new M5 iPad Pro for Mashable, I've been watching and waiting for price drops that just haven't come.

So, what gives?

Apple itself doesn't really do sales, but the big box retailers and Amazon always compete to offer the lowest possible prices on Apple products during events like Prime Day and Black Friday. Overall, there are some great deals on Apple products this year. All the new Apple Watches are on sale. AirPods now start at $69, which feels like someone made a mistake. And even the new M5 MacBook Pro is at a record price.

We were hoping to see one of Apple's older iPads go on sale for $250 for Black Friday, but so far we've been disappointed, and we don't expect any further price drops at this point. Check out our full guide to Black Friday iPad deals to get the download on the lowest price on every model. Or, keep reading to see the few iPad deals I do recommend shopping this year.

If you want the best possible price: 11-inch iPad (A16) for $274

This isn't a bad price for an iPad by any means, but in years past, the older, base iPads would go on sale for $250 during Black Friday, and we were hoping to see that again in 2025. However, $274 is still a fine price for an iPad. The base iPad has a large 11-inch display and comes in a few fun color options. We've had good experiences with this Apple tablet, and it's the right choice for budget shoppers this year. This is actually a record-low price for this iPad, but considering its age, we were hoping for a slightly bigger discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 11-inch (A16 chip) $274 at Amazon
$349 Save $75   Get Deal If you're buying a gift (for yourself or a loved one): 11-inch iPad Air (M3)

The iPad Air is the tablet I recommend for most people. It's thin but powerful, with a zippy M3 chip and 12MP front and rear cameras. It also has TouchID for secure logins. This is a fantastic everyday tablet, but you can do more serious work on it if you like. (Personally, I prefer using tablets for gaming and streaming.) Upgrade to iPadOS 26, and you can enjoy the new Liquid Glass design, improved multitasking, and the ability to move windows around on the display.

The 11-inch version of this tablet is on sale at Amazon for $449, which is also a record price — just not a new record price. If you're buying an iPad as a tech gift (they make great Christmas gifts for moms, just saying), this is the model you should choose.

Read our guide to the best iPad tablets.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3) $449 at Amazon
$599 Save $150   Get Deal If you're a professional: Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5)

The newest iPad Pro is the second-coolest product I tested all year, second only to the new M5-equipped Apple Vision Pro. It's remarkably thin and light. It's even thinner than the iPad Air and iPhone Air. It also features a true HDR-capable OLED display that's truly stunning. Even in direct sunlight, the display is crisp and bright. In fact, this display is so advanced that professional film editors can use it to watch final cuts of their footage.

Of course, the key phrase in the name iPad Pro is "Pro." Its M5 chip will be wasted on the average user. For professional artists, developers, AI professionals, and photo and video editors, it's a dream device.

For Black Friday, you can save $100 on the full retail price, paying just $899. That's actually a decent discount on a product that was just released a couple months ago.

Read my full review of the M5 iPad Pro.

Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Apple iPad Pro 11 inch (M5) $899 at Amazon
$999 Save $100   Get Deal

See all of Amazon's deals on iPad accessories.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Moon phase today: What the moon will look like on November 28

Mashable - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 20:42

It's the First Quarter tonight, which means the Moon is half-illuminated and positioned 90 degrees from the Sun. This phase also marks the midpoint between the New Moon and the Full Moon.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Friday, Nov. 28, the moon phase is First Quarter. This means 53% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

The moon is half full tonight, so there's at least half of it ready to be gazed at. So, what can you see when you look up? According to NASA, without any visual aids you should be able to spot the Vaporum, Tranquillitatis, and Serenitatis Mares. With binoculars you'll also be able to spot the Endymion and Alphonsus Craters as well as the Mare Nectaris. If you have a telescope, pull it out to try and catch a glimpse of the Apollo 15 and 17 landing spots, and the Descartes Highlands.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Dec. 4, which will be the last of three consecutive supermoons. The last full moon was on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are what make up the lunar cycle, a repeating cycle that lasts around 29.5 days. These phases describe how the moon appears from Earth as it orbits our planet. We always see the same side of the moon, but the amount of sunlight illuminating it changes throughout its orbit. That’s why sometimes it looks full, sometimes half, and sometimes disappears entirely. There are eight moon phases:

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

High-risk, manipulated content can remain on Facebook, Meta Oversight Board rules

Mashable - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 20:37

Manipulated videos, including ones related to politicians deemed "high-risk," don't have to be culled from Facebook feeds, according to Meta's Oversight Board — but they should at least be better labeled.

The decision Nov. 25 decision was spurred by a user who appealed to remove a viral video that appeared to show global demonstrations in favor of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Despite using mislabeled, erroneous footage to suggest there was a widespread pro-Duterte movement, Meta did not remove the post via its automated flagging process or further human review.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI denies allegations in teen death lawsuit

While the Oversight Board agreed that the video should have been escalated higher in the fact-checking process and labelled as particularly "high-risk" content, it still sided with Meta's choice to keep the video online because it did not specifically violate the company's political information guidelines. Meta prohibits misleading posts about voting locations, processes, and candidate eligibility.

The board encouraged the company to take concerted, viral misinformation campaigns seriously, writing that it is "imperative that Meta has robust processes to address viral misleading posts, including prioritizing identical or near-identical content for review, and applying all its relevant policies and related tools." Similar to other recent decisions from the board, it recommended Meta add a specific "High-Risk" label to videos with similar "because it contained a digitally altered, photorealistic video with a high risk of deceiving the public during a significant public event."

The decision aligns with the tech giant's shift away from stronger content moderation guidelines. The board has previously written in favor of social media companies using AI-powered, automated moderation to better address an onslaught of misinformation, within reason, and promoted more robust labelling of manipulated or AI-generated content as an additional guardrail. "Platforms should apply labels indicating to users when content is significantly altered and could mislead, while also dedicating sufficient resources to human review that supports this work," the board wrote in a previous blog post.

Meanwhile, Meta has slimmed down its human fact-checking team in favor of a global community notes program.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I’m not proud of this Home Assistant smart lighting hack, but it works

How-To Geek - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 20:30

It’s no secret that smart light switches are better buys than smart light bulbs, but I don’t have any smart switches installed yet. That’s what led me to devise a delightfully devilish hack that still lets me use my existing light switches to turn on my smart bulbs in a pinch.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Black Friday deals on Amazon Fire TV Sticks

Mashable - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 20:28
The best Black Friday Fire TV Stick deals at a glance: Best Fire TV Stick HD deal Amazon Fire TV Stick HD $17.99 (save $17) Get Deal Best Fire TV Stick 4K Select deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $19.99 (save $20) Get Deal Best Fire TV Stick 4K Plus deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $24.99 (save $25) Get Deal Best Fire TV Stick 4K Max Deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $34.99 (save $25) Get Deal

With Black Friday now up and running, there are almost too many deals to get your head around. That’s why we’re here to help by combing through leading retailers to find the best prices and products on offer. Something that always grabs the attention on Black Friday is the abundance of entertainment deals, including Amazon’s range of popular Fire TV Sticks.

If you’ve never used a Fire TV Stick before, it’s super simple. These little sticks hold the key to as much entertainment as you’ll ever need. Just plug the stick into your TV’s HDMI port and you’ll have access to over 1.8 million movies and episodes, with support for all your favorite streamers as well as free ad-supported channels, live TV, and music apps. The Fire TV Stick also comes armed with an Alexa-enabled remote — just tell Alexa which movies, shows, and channels to search for.

Here are the best Fire TV Stick deals in Black Friday 2025.

The best Black Friday Amazon Fire TV Stick HD deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick HD $17.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $17.00   Get Deal Why we like it

If you don't need your films and shows in 4K, the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is the recommended (not to mention cheaper) alternative. At just $17.99 in the Black Friday sale — a 49% saving — it's the most affordable Fire TV Stick in the whole range. It does scale back on features slightly. There are no Xbox games here, for example. But if you're more concerned with just streaming movies and shows in HD, it's an absolute steal. You still get access to all the same streamers, channels, and music apps.

The best Black Friday Fire TV Stick 4K Select deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $19.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is a mid-range option but packs plenty of features from the Max. The Select supports 4K, Xbox game streaming (though that feature is "coming soon"), and AI-assisted searching via Alexa. The downside is that this version has a slower WiFi technology — though WiFi 5 is perfectly acceptable for everyday streaming needs — and the basic storage of 8GB. The Fire TV Select is perfect for most households and is currently marked down by 50%.

The best Black Friday Fire TV Stick 4K Plus deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, which has a full $25 off the usual price right now, gets its name for its plus-sized selection of features, including WiFi 6 support, Xbox games streaming, and superior Alexa search functions. It has half as much storage than the Max but that's really the only thing separating these two Fire Sticks. As with the other versions you'll have access to 1.8 million movies and episodes, which includes 400,000 free movies and episodes through ad-supported channels. You can also get the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus at Best Buy for the same price.

The best Black Friday Fire TV Stick 4K Max deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $34.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $25   Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the premium version of the Fire TV Stick, with support for 4K content, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos audio, and WiFi 6E for smoother streaming. It also has a beefed-up storage of 16GB, which is double the storage of the other Fire TV Sticks. It gives you access to Xbox games, which you can stream without actually needing the console. You can also ask Alexa to search for the kind of thing you want to watch. If you want to watch action or a certain actor, just ask her and she'll find you the perfect movie using AI technology. You can also get the Fire TV Stick 4K Max at Best Buy and Target for the same price.

More Black Friday Fire TV deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Internet-favorite Govee floor lamp is at the lowest price weve seen since last Black Friday

Mashable - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 20:26

SAVE $45: The Govee RGBIC Floor Lamp is on sale for $54.99 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. This is $45 off its regular price, and its lowest price since last Black Friday.

Govee RGBIC Floor Lamp $54.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $45.00   Get Deal at Amazon

Black Friday is finally upon us, and that means we’ve got more deals coming. If you’re an avid Alexa user, you’ll want to check out the Govee RGBIC Floor Lamp. It’s compatible with other devices that work with Alexa, such as the Amazon Echo, so you can add voice controls to make your life more convenient.

You can customize the colors of each lamp segment, and they will all show simultaneously. With over 16 million colors and 85 different scene modes, there’s bound to be a lighting setup that you love. Its slick and minimalist design makes it a great family gift for the holidays.

This particular lamp provides up to 1000 lumens for daily lighting, and reaches 136 centimeters vertically. It comes with four aluminum light pole sections, one aluminum base, one silicone light strip, and a power adapter.

Don’t miss out on the Govvee RGBIC Floor lamp at this low price on Amazon. If you’re also looking for an Amazon Echo to pair it with, be sure to check out our breakdown of Amazon Echo deals this Black Friday.

Shop more of the best Black Friday deals at Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Bird Buddy smart bird feeder is mom-approved and 37% off on Black Friday — new record price

Mashable - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 20:25

SAVE $110: Amazon has the Bird Buddy Pro Solar smart bird feeder on sale for just $189 on Black Friday. That's 37% off its list price of $299 and its best price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Birdbuddy Bird Buddy Pro Solar smart bird feeder $189 at Amazon
$299 Save $110 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal

While scouring the web for the best Black Friday deals, we had to call out Amazon's price drop on the Mashable mom-approved Bird Buddy Pro smart bird feeder. It makes a great gift for practically anyone in your life, and it's on sale for only $189 on Black Friday. That's $110 cheaper than usual, and according to our favorite price-tracking tool, it's the best price it's ever been.

More than your average bird feeder, the Bird Buddy Pro Solar features built-in sensors and an advanced HD+ camera to capture the feathered friends that visit your feeder in vibrant 5MP photos and 2K videos. It connects to an AI-powered birdwatching app that can identify bird species and even individual birds, so you'll know if the same cardinal or chickadee becomes a frequent flyer. It can also detect signs of illness and recognize any other animal visitors that may show up. The app will send alerts in real time when birds visit the feeder and highlight interesting facts about local species. While it doesn't require a subscription, there is one available that unlocks the ability to organize photo collections and share your photos with friends and family.

Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth bought one of these smart bird feeders for his mom last Christmas and noted that it was a hit. We regularly include it in gift guides, as it makes a great gift for family and friends of all ages. If you're at a loss for what to get someone on your list, the viral Bird Buddy smart bird feeder could certainly be a contender — especially at its record-low Black Friday price.

See more Black Friday deals on gifts and outdoor products.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Setting up a Raspberry Pi from scratch just got easier

How-To Geek - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 20:21

Raspberry Pi OS has a new way to set the Wi-Fi network name and password, SSH access, and other options while you install it. The latest update switched to cloud-init, so setting up a Pi from scratch is more like other Linux systems.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The fight for local Windows accounts matters—here's why

How-To Geek - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 20:00

You may have seen some articles in the Windows news (and there's a lot of it these days) talking about Microsoft doing everything it can to remove the option for a "local" account from Windows installations. If you've never had to go hunting for this option, you might wonder what the big deal is. However, even if it doesn't affect your directly, the fight to keep a local account option on Windows is an important one.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Shark FacialPro Glow actually unclogs my skin. If I were you, Id snag it on sale for Black Friday.

Mashable - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 19:55

SAVE $50: The Shark FacialPro Glow skincare device is on sale for the first time ever this Black Friday. Save $50.99 at Amazon and get it for $349.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FacialPro Glow At-Home Hydro-Powered Facial System $349 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $50.99   Get Deal

It's super easy to find a good deal on Shark hair tools this Black Friday. Finding a good deal on a Shark skincare device, however... that's a taller order. While the Shark CryoGlow red light mask bundle that we saw on Prime Day isn't around, I did find one super rare Shark beauty deal in the sea of the best Black Friday deals: The Shark FacialPro Glow on sale for the first time ever, down to $349.

If you struggle with clogged pores, this unique hydro-powered at-home facial device should definitely be in your skincare arsenal — take it from someone who has the FacialPro Glow at home and watched it work on their sebaceous filaments in real time.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday: SharkNinja is giving away high-value free gifts just for buying these Shark or Ninja gadgets on sale

Admittedly, the $50 (13%) discount isn't exactly huge in the grand scheme of Black Friday discounts. But the FacialPro Glow hasn't even been out for two months yet, so I'm kind of surprised that it went on sale at all. That's also $0.99 cheaper than the price at SharkNinja website. And if weekly use of the FacialPro Glow could curb your frequency of in-office facials or extractions, it could pay for itself quickly.

The Shark FacialPro Glow really does mimic the Hydrafacial technique: The water tank and little suction nozzles work together to conduct legitimate deep cleansing through hydro-powered extractions of oil or dirt built up in your pores. The proof of the gunk that was hiding out in your skin is revealed in the second tank, which fills up with floaties made up of dead skin cells, excess sebum, makeup, whatever. The FacialPro Glow worked wonders on my chin and nose specifically, where I've had stubborn little black dots (presumably sebaceous filaments) for years.

The FacialPro Glow nozzle creates suction, then detaches with a little kiss sound. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Imagine how good a metal gua sha straight out of the freezer would feel. That's the DePuffi. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The included Shark DePuffi attachment is such a luxurious daily little treat, too. In the mornings and anytime after I exfoliate, I swap out the extraction attachment and click the Depuffi attachment onto the battery pack. It's like a stainless steel gua sha that can heat up or get really cold in seconds. Not only is the cool setting refreshing when I'm in zombie mode, but now, I don't feel ready for the day unless I snatch my jawline and cheekbones.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Everything to know about Walmart Black Friday 2025: Best deals, end time, and upcoming early access

Mashable - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 19:48

Black Friday is here, and as a consumer, it's totally overwhelming. You're getting inundated with so many deals from every single retailer, and it's hard to stay focused and find the best deals. Right now, we're focusing on one retailer's Black Friday sale: Walmart.

Walmart's best Black Friday deals at a glance: Apple AirPods 4 $69 (save $60) Get Deal Hisense 55-inch H5 Series 4K Roku TV $168 (save $110) Get Deal Magic Bullet Essential Blender $15 (save $24.99) Get Deal PlayStation 5 Digital Fortnite Flowering Chaos bundle (825GB) $399 (save $100.99) Get Deal Fitbit Inspire 3 $69.99 (save $30) Get Deal Apple Watch SE, 2nd Gen (GPS, 40mm) $129 (save $120) Get Deal "Elden Ring" (PS5/PS4 and Xbox) $15 (save $44.99) Get Deal

While Amazon dominates the online space, Walmart is where you go to shop low prices in person. If you prefer to avoid shipping costs and want to go hands-on with products before buying, most Walmart stores will be open until 11 p.m. local time on Black Friday. That said, all of its Black Friday deals are also available online and on the Walmart mobile app, so feel free to shop from your couch instead.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday 2025: Live updates on the latest deals from Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more

Here's everything you need to know about the Walmart Black Friday 2025 sale, including when the sale ends, whether the retailer price matches, and the best deals to shop.

When does Walmart's Black Friday sale end?

Walmart's Black Friday sale runs through Sunday, Nov. 30 at midnight ET. As mentioned, its holiday deals are available in stores, online, and on its mobile app.

On Dec. 1, Walmart will host a 24-hour Cyber Monday sale that takes place exclusively online.

Best Black Friday deals at Walmart

Here are the best Black Friday deals we've spotted at Walmart so far.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $69 at Walmart
$129.99 Save $60.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Fortnite Flowering Chaos bundle (825GB) $399 at Walmart
$499.99 Save $100.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Insect Collection 21342 $40 at Walmart
$79.99 Save $39.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: JLab JLab JBuds Lux Headphones $27 at Walmart
$79.99 Save $52.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Magic Bullet Magic Bullet Essential Blender with To-Go Lid $15 at Walmart
$39.99 Save $24.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD $549 at Walmart
$649 Save $100   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE, 2nd Gen (GPS, 40mm) $129 at Walmart
$249 Save $120   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bandai Namco Entertainment "Elden Ring" (PS5/PS4 and Xbox) $15 at Walmart
$59.99 Save $44.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 55-inch H5 Series 4K Roku TV $168 at Walmart
$278 Save $110   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 85-inch S4 4K Roku TV $498 at Walmart
$698 Save $200   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Series Robot Vacuum and Mop $459.99 at Walmart
$749.99 Save $290   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V12 Detect Slim $399.99 at Walmart
$729.99 Save $330   Get Deal Best Walmart Black Friday ad highlightsTV dealsApple dealsFitness tracker dealsGaming dealsLaptop dealsRobot vacuum dealsHeadphone dealsDeals on good gift ideasDoes Walmart price match Black Friday deals?

No — Walmart won't price-match other retailers' Black Friday deals, and it doesn't offer retroactive price adjustments. However, if something you bought there recently gets cheaper later on during its Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales, you can always just return it and rebuy it. Under Walmart's extended holiday return policy, most items purchased in stores or online from Oct. 31 to Dec. 31 are returnable until Jan. 31, 2026.

Walmart Cyber Monday early access

Paid Walmart+ members got to shop the retailer's Black Friday sale five hours before everyone else, and they'll get the same opportunity ahead of its Cyber Monday sale. The deals will open to Walmart+ members in early access at 7 p.m. ET on Nov. 30.

If you haven't joined the Walmart+ program yet, Walmart has a promotion going on for new members. One-year subscriptions are just $49 (or 50% off) through Tuesday, Dec. 2. A Walmart+ membership comes with tons of other perks besides early access to its biggest sales, including free delivery, free access to either Paramount+ or Peacock, and gas discounts.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ (1-year membership) $49 at Walmart
$98 Save $49   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Proton Mail keeps helpful features you lose when disabling AI elsewhere

How-To Geek - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 19:23

It’s all over YouTube, TikTok, and other social media services—everyone wants to know how to turn off AI features in Google’s Gmail service. People are simply uncomfortable with the idea that an AI model is reading through their mail, training itself on their personal data.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Everything to know about Target Black Friday 2025: Hours, best deals, ad highlights

Mashable - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 19:18

Everyone has a retailer they're loyal to, and often it depends on what's closest to home. If Target happens to be your retailer of choice, then we've got some great news about their Black Friday sale. This year, Target's Black Friday sale kicked off early, bringing major discounts on Apple AirPods and TCL's dupe of The Frame.

Don't hold off too long on shopping — Target's Black Friday sale wraps up on Saturday, Nov. 29. While you can still shop the retailer's Cyber Monday sale online the days following, the in-store Black Friday shopping experience will wind down on Saturday. Here's everything you need to know about Target's Black Friday sale including its opening and closing hours, early access info, and the best deals to shop now.

When exactly is Target's Black Friday Sale?

This year, Black Friday takes place on Friday, Nov. 28, but Target's sale started long before that. Target's Black Friday sale officially runs from Sunday, Nov. 23 to Saturday, Nov. 29. However, Target will drop even more deals Nov. 27-29. After Black Friday wraps up, Cyber Monday starts on Sunday, Nov. 30 and runs through Monday, Dec. 1.

Target Circle 360 Black Friday early access

Like Walmart, Target is offering early access for its Target Circle 360 members. This gives members early access to select deals this shopping season. Here's a glimpse of what deals Target Circle 360 members get to shop before everyone else:

  • Up to 50% off toys including brands like Jurassic World, Squishmallows and FAO Schwarz

  • Up to 50% off sleepwear for all

  • 40% off select Lego sets

  • 40% off Wondershop holiday décor

  • 40% off shoes and slippers for all

  • 40% off beauty sets

  • 40% off sweaters for all

  • 40% off outerwear and cold weather accessories

  • Up to 40% off men's & women's clothing from brands including Cupshe, Land's End, Coofandy and more

What is Target Circle 360? Opens in a new window Credit: Target Target Circle 360 $99.99 at Target
Join Target Circle 360 for $99.99 a year or $10.99 per month. Shop Now

Target Circle 360 is the retailer's paid membership program, unlike it's free Circle membership. Target Circle 360 charges $99 annually or $10.99 a month. Discounts on Circle 360 are available to Circle credit card holders, college students, and government assistance recipients, providing 50% off annual memberships.

Target Circle 360 membership gets you same-day delivery, free shipping, monthly freebies, early access to sales, and an extra 30 days on the return window.

What times does Target open on Black Friday?

Target brought back the in-person shopping experience this Black Friday. All Target stores closed on Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) and reopened today. On Friday, Nov. 28, Target stores opened at 6 a.m. local time and will close at their regular time (typically 10 p.m.). It's best to check your local store's hours ahead of time.

Target made waking at the crack of dawn to shop worthwhile this year, as the first 100 guests in line on Black Friday received a limited-edition iridescent tote filled with giveaways. Among those 100 totes, 10 lucky shoppers got an extra surprise inside, ranging in value from $99 to $350. Surprise gifts include Target Circle 360 membership, $100 Target GiftCard, Laifen Hair Dryer, Ninja Slushie machine or Beats Solo 4 headphones.

Additionally, for stores with Starbucks Cafés inside, customers can enjoy a sample of the new Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate.

Best Black Friday deals at Target

Target's Black Friday sale officially kicked off on Sunday, Nov. 23, meaning you could start shopping deals before the big day arrived. Now that Black Friday proper is finally here, we've rounded up the best deals you can shop at Target.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $69.99 at Target
$129.99 Save $60.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-inch NXTVISION Smart Frame QLED 4K Smart TV $799.99 at Target
$1,399.99 Save $600   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-canceling headphones $399.99 at Target
$459.99 Save $60   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fandango Fandango and Fandango at Home gift cards $80 at Target
$100 Save $20 Save 20% on $25 through $100 gift cards Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Target exclusive Lego Botanicals Evergreen Collector's Set $41.99 at Target
$59.99 Save $18   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: PowerXL PowerXL Vortex Pro air fryer $49.99 at Target
$119.99 Save $70   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Meta Meta Quest 3S (128GB) $249.99
$299.99 Save $50 plus get a free $50 Target gift card Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Charge 6 $129.99 at Target
$199.99 Save $70   Get Deal Best Target Black Friday ad highlights

Gaming deals

Toy deals

Kitchen deals

Lego deals

Floor care deals

Headphone and earbud deals

Speaker deals

Holiday decor deals

Clothing deals

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 Prime Video documentaries you’ll actually want to watch this weekend (November 28 - 30)

How-To Geek - Fri, 11/28/2025 - 19:15

Hopefully, you're extending your Thanksgiving festivities into a nice, long weekend. But whether you are or not, why not sink into a real and enlightening documentary anyway? It takes some digging, but Prime Video is quietly stacked with docs that are just as riveting as any scripted series—from gorgeous nature shows to deep dives into the nooks and crannies of pop culture, sports, and beyond.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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