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We found 45 early Black Friday deals already live: Get $250 off MacBooks, 53% off Bose headphones

Mashable - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 17:36
The best early Black Friday deals: Best Apple Deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,349.99 (save $250) Shop Now Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort noise-cancelling headphones $254.10 (save $104.90) Shop Now Best TV deal TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $1,397.99 (save $1,602) Shop Now Best Amazon device deal Amazon Kindle Bundle (16GB Kindle, Knit Case, Kindle Click) $190.97 (save $34) Shop Now Best kitchen deal Ninja Crispi Air Fryer $159.99 (save $20) Shop Now Best Lego deal Lego Pokémon Eevee $45 (save $14.99) Shop Now

The moment Halloween wraps, we turn to the holiday season. For most people, that means Hallmark holiday specials, planning Thanksgiving, and Christmas music on the radio. But for Mashable's shopping team, it means only one thing: It's time to prep for Black Friday sales. Yes, we know that Black Friday 2026 doesn't technically start until Nov. 27, but that hasn't stopped retailers.

So, we are officially on the hunt for the best early Black Friday deals. And as of this writing, we've found huge $200 discounts on MacBook Air laptops, 53% discounts on Bose noise-cancelling headphones, and 50% savings on award-winning QLED TVs, not to mention discounts on Pokémon Lego sets and other items on our holiday wishlists.

So, if you don't want to wait for Thanksgiving to get your hands on the best gifts of the year, retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Sephora, and Best Buy already have plenty of early deals to entice you. And in a year of relentless price hikes, it's nice to finally get some relief.

How do we choose the best deals? The Mashable shopping team has an encyclopedic knowledge of the latest tech gadgets, gifts, and trending products. We use price-tracking tools, insider knowledge, and our years of experience covering sales like this to search for the best discounts. We're looking for first-ever price drops on new products, steep markdowns on past-gen products, and record-low prices on must-have items from Apple, Ninja, Shark, Dyson, and Lego.

Best early Black Friday Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,349.99 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $249.01   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The Apple MacBook Air is a stunner of a laptop, with the blazing-fast M5 chip. If you have a MacBook that's a few generations behind, you'll instantly notice a difference with the speakers and cameras, not to mention Siri AI. In the weeks before Black Friday, this popular laptop is $250 off, bringing it down to its lowest price in almost six months. It's also the best price we've seen since Apple raised prices over the summer.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple MacBook Air (M5).

More early Black Friday Apple deals

AirPods

iPads

iPhones

MacBooks

Best early Black Friday headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort $254.10 at Amazon
$359 Save $104.90   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The best Black Friday deals always include savings on noise-canceling headphones. And the Bose QuietComfort are not only among the most comfortable headphones in the world (according to our headphones reviewer) but also among the best mid-range headphones you can buy. And when they're marked down 53%? Nothing else comes close. Pick up these ANC headphones while they're marked down to just $169 and thank us later.

More early Black Friday headphones dealsMore early Black Friday earbuds dealsBest early Black Friday TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $1,398.31 at Amazon
$2,999.99 Save $1,601.68   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Black Friday is one of the best times of year to buy a new TV, and you don't have to wait until the end of November. Go ahead and treat yourself to an award-winning 75-inch TCL QLED TV for a cool 50% off the retail price. It comes with built-in Google TV OS, up to 6,000 nits of brightness, and a super-thin design for a modern look. Plus, Amazon is tossing in free delivery and unpacking in the room of your choice.

More early Black Friday TV deals

Under 50-inch TV deals

50- to 55-inch TV deals

65-inch TV deals

70- to 75-inch TV deals

80- to 85-inch TV deals

Over 85-inch TV deals

Best early Black Friday Amazon device deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Bundle (16GB Kindle, Knit Case, Kindle Click) $190.97 at Amazon
$224.97 Save $34   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

We consider ourselves Kindle experts, and we've been eagerly testing all of the new Kindle e-readers Amazon released this fall. Even though the new Kindles just came out, you can already pick up the base model and the new Kindle Click page turner in a discounted bundle. BookTok has been waiting a long time for a proper Kindle page-turner accessory, and we're big fans.

If you're not interested in the Kindle Click, we expect all of the new Kindles to get their first real discounts when Black Friday begins, so you may want to add them to your cart and wait until Nov. 27.

More early Black Friday Kindle deals

2026 Kindle Deals

2024 Kindle Deals

More early Black Friday Amazon Device dealsBest early Black Friday kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Crispi Air Fryer $159.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $20   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

You may have heard that Mashable's gift experts recently named the Ninja Crispi glass air fryer as the best kitchen gift of 2026. This 4-in-1 countertop appliance comes with two glass containers, each sized just right for easy storage. We've had very good experiences with Ninja appliances in recent years, and this particular air fryer has become a favorite among the Mashable team.

More early Black Friday Kitchen dealsBest early Black Friday Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Pokémon Eevee $45.24 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $14.75   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

We love Pokémon. We love Lego. Putting them together just makes sense, especially as we're celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise. Legos are always popular holiday gifts for kids and adults alike, and we're anticipating big Black Friday Lego deals. The pre-Black Friday season is also a great time to order Lego Advent calendars.

More early Black Friday Lego deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

This compact dock makes my MacBook setup as simple as one cable

How-To Geek - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 17:30

There are some pieces of technology that are at their best when they don't stand out. If they're doing the job you need them to do, you'll forget they're even there. The Baseus Spacemate RD1 Plus 14-in-1 (WIN) Docking Station is exactly that type of device.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Julia Fox fronts anti-split-the-bill campaign from Seeking

Mashable - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 17:11

Costs are high, and a recent report found that 1 in 10 young singles actually stopped dating because of money. Perhaps for this reason, the dating platform Seeking has announced an "Anti 50/50 Campaign," fronted by actor Julia Fox.

"I've been on Seeking, my friends have been on Seeking, and I think we need to get over the idea that women should have to justify what they want out of dating," Fox said in a press release shared with Mashable.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best hookup apps of 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt

Seeking was formally named Seeking Arrangement, which made its name as a sugar dating app for "mutually beneficial relationships." Today, however, Seeking claims on its website that transactional relationships are prohibited. Now, its tagline is, "Date People Who Make Life Better"...whatever that means.

It's clear that Seeking still has the aura of trying to level up using a partner, which may also be the ethos behind this anti-split-the-bill campaign. Anti 50/50 is a $50,000 fund to reimburse singles who've been asked to split the bill on a date (up to $50 per person).

Seeking found that 61 percent of Gen Z women have been asked to go dutch on a first date, up from 27 percent of Boomer women. But 75 percent of women apparently prefer men to take the lead on dates, like planning and paying.

"I'm all for women being independent, but that doesn't mean we have to entertain low-effort men who think splitting a check is the height of romance. If you're going to court somebody, COURT THEM," Fox continued. "That's why the Anti 50/50 Fund is so important. Seeking is about being clear on what matters to you in a relationship."

To apply for the $50, you must create a Seeking account, share details about the date, and upload a receipt. The fund will remain open until Feb. 10, 2027, or until $50,000 has been claimed.

Categories: IT General, Technology

GTA 6 on PS5 vs. Xbox: What we know

Mashable - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 17:02

Grand Theft Auto VI is less than two weeks away, which means it's time to sort out which console you're going to play it on at launch, if you haven't already.

The problem there is that Rockstar Games has given us precious little information to go on regarding how the game looks and runs on PS5 versus the Xbox Series consoles. The official marketing spin has been that GTA 6 "plays best" on PS5 for months now, but Rockstar had not greatly expanded on what that means...until now.

SEE ALSO: How to play 'GTA 6' a day before everyone else in the U.S. GTA 6 on PS5 and PS5 Pro: What to expect

In a statement that coincided with the game becoming available for pre-load on Tuesday, Rockstar elaborated a little bit on what to expect from each console version of the game, while also sharing a new 30-second trailer. According to Rockstar, GTA6 will target 30 frames per second on every machine at launch, which is not a surprise given the level of visual fidelity on display.

Rockstar also said the PS5 Pro version will support PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (or PSSR), a special technique the PS5 Pro uses to enhance game resolution. Beyond that, PS5 Pro users will have access to ray-traced shadows, meaning (presumably) that every shadow in the game will react realistically to light sources. No other console version of the game will support this feature, at least not at launch.

We've already seen the base PS5 version running in the big Netflix trailer back in August, but Rockstar elaborated a bit on that version, too. It'll include haptic feedback in the DualSense controller, improved 3D audio, and faster load times, though the wording on the load times bit is a little bit vague. We don't know what the point of comparison is, though one could reasonably assume they're talking about the Xbox version.

GTA 6 on Xbox: What to expect

Unfortunately, Rockstar's post was still extremely light on Xbox details. The post reiterated that the game will be available via Xbox Cloud Gaming for those who like to stream games, and that the streaming build will use the Xbox Series S visual settings. That is, I believe, the first confirmation that the less powerful Series S will have its own visual settings, but Rockstar didn't say anything about what those settings actually entail.

Rockstar also did not mention the Series X version at all. On balance, the Series X is roughly as powerful as a PS5, and most multi-platform games look and run very similarly across both devices. Whether that's entirely a marketing ploy or actually holds some truth to it will become clear on Nov. 19.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 Pixel features my friends wish I'd stop showing off

How-To Geek - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 17:00

While my Pixel 10 Pro doesn’t have the best hardware or cameras around, it packs a slew of cool and unique features that are, at least in theory, perfect party tricks. Some aren’t really that intuitive to show off to your friends, but there are a few I love to show people, especially those who haven’t seen a Pixel phone before (I’m still surprised by just how many people don’t recognize one).

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best early TV deals to shop if you cant wait until Black Friday

Mashable - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 16:55
The best early Black Friday TV deals at a glance: best OLED TV deal LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,399.99 (save $1,300) Get Deal best QLED tv deal TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $1,397.99 (save $1,602) Get Deal Best Budget TV Deal TCL 40-inch Q3CR QLED TV $149.99 (Save $150) Get Deal best small TV deal LG 43-inch 75B Mini-LED 4K TV $279.99 (save $220) Get Deal

TV prices tend to follow a seasonal cycle, where each major sale outshines the previous one. In other words, while October Prime Day brought us plenty of excellent TV deals, we expect Black Friday to deliver even better ones.

The official Black Friday sales event is only a few weeks away. The best of the best discounts are yet to come. Still, if your TV has taken its last breath and you can't wait until the day after Thanksgiving to grab a new one, there are a decent number of TVs already on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. Our favorite OLED TV of 2026 is down to a record-low, and we're seeing smaller budget picks clocking in at fantastic prices.

Our tech experts will be diligently watching TV prices in the lead up to, during, and post-Black Friday to find all the best deals available from top brands like TCL, Samsung, Hisense, Amazon Fire TV, LG, and beyond. Stay tuned as the shopping season heats up.

Need some guidance? Check out Mashable's guide to TV specs for a quick refresh on the difference between QLED, OLED, Mini LED, and RGB displays.

Best early Black Friday TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,399.99 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $1,300.00   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Our favorite OLED TV for most people just keeps getting cheaper. We saw the 65-inch LG C6 OLED TV drop to just $1,499.99 from $2,699.99 during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event, but now it's $100 less as we inch closer to Black Friday. Both Amazon and Best Buy have the same deal, so if one sells out, be sure to check the other.

OLED TVs are expensive, but the C6 is relatively affordable compared to competitors' prices. Thanks to this $1,300 price drop, it's an even more outstanding value. Mashable TV expert Leah Stodart raved about its inky black levels, stark contrast, and "generally impeccable image quality" in our roundup of the best TVs of 2026. It's also worth noting that it has even higher peak brightness, more vibrant colors, better audio, and a higher refresh rate than its predecessor.

Best early Black Friday budget TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy TCL 40-inch Q3CR QLED TV $149.99 at Best Buy
$299.99 Save $150   Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it

A 40-inch QLED TV for this price is an absolute steal, especially if you're looking to outfit one or more of your rooms with another display. TCL’s Q3CR Series pairs a quantum-dot panel with a direct-lit backlight, so colors come through saturated, with Full HD resolution that's plenty sharp at 40 inches. Plus, its built-in Roku streaming functionality means you can toss the streaming stick and use just the TV to watch all your favorite shows and movies, hassle-free.

More early Black Friday TV dealsUnder 50-inch TV deals50 to 55-inch TV deals65-inch TV deals70 to 75-inch TV deals80 to 85-inch TV dealsOver 85-inch TV deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

I imported my Excel project tracker into Airtable and immediately understood the hype

How-To Geek - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 16:30

I'm a big Excel advocate. Whenever I see someone recommending that I replace it with another app, my first reaction is usually the same: what's the point? Excel already does most of what I need. One app I keep seeing recommended, though, is Airtable.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This 50% off Paramount+ Premium discount is the best early Black Friday streaming deal Ive seen

Mashable - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 16:29

SAVE $70: As of Nov. 10, new and returning subscribers can score a full year of Paramount+ Premium for only $69.99 instead of $139.99 with the code saveannual50. That's 50% off ahead of Black Friday.

Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium annual subscription $69.99
$139.99 Save $70.00 with code saveannual50 Get Deal

There's only one streaming deal worth grabbing ahead of Black Friday, but it's a doozy.

As of Nov. 10, new and returning subscribers can lock in an entire year of Paramount+ Premium (the ad-free tier) for only $69.99 with the code saveannual50. Usually $139.99 per year, that's $70 or 50% in savings. Compared to a monthly plan ($13.99 per month), that's an even bigger savings of $97.89.

To secure the discount, select the annual Paramount+ Premium ad-free plan, then click on "Have a promo code?" on the checkout page. Enter the code saveannual50 in the box and the discount should automatically apply if you're eligible. For what it's worth, I cancelled my previous monthly subscription and was eligible for this deal the following day.

Credit: Screenshot: Paramount+

Last Black Friday, Paramount+ offered two months of its Premium subscription for $2.99 per month. So this beats 2025's deal by a landslide. Sure, there's a chance the streamer drops an even crazier deal for Black Friday 2026, but it's unlikely to beat 50% off for a whole year.

As far as streaming services go, Paramount+ has a few major selling points. First, it's the home of live in-network NFL games on Sunday afternoons, as well as UFC marquee events and Fight Nights. For NFL and UFC fans, it's a must. As the streaming hub for your local CBS network, it's also where Survivor, Big Brother, and The Amazing Race fans can watch the seasons unfold in real time. There's also plenty of Paramount+ and Showtime original shows, like Yellowjackets, Landman, and Dexter: Resurrection, and a wide selection of movies straight from the theater. The catalog is surprisingly robust, so you definitely get more than your money's worth.

On a normal day, Paramount+ is one of the more affordable streamers. With the code saveannual50, it's a pretty wild deal.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Keep what the internet knows to a minimum with 70% off Proton VPN

How-To Geek - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 16:15

We’ve all experienced searching for something on the internet only for ads about that thing to follow us around for weeks. It even crosses devices; targeted ads show up on your computer after searching a keyword on your phone. Perhaps it’s just a mild annoyance, but it’s a visible reminder that we’re all tracked across the web.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Score a free Cookie Butter Cloud Latte at Dunkin on Nov. 10 — how to qualify

Mashable - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 16:06

TL;DR: Get a free Cookie Butter Cloud Latte at Dunkin' from 2-6 p.m. on Nov. 10. To claim, make a qualifying purchase at participating locations.

Dunkin' is pretty good to us. We can't think of another brand that consistently offers freebies like Dunkin'. Most of the time, you simply need to use a voucher code in the app to get a genuinely free drink without a qualifying purchase.

This is not one of those occasions, but you can still walk away with a free drink worth $5.99.

On Nov. 10 from 2-6 p.m. local time, customers can get a free medium Iced or Hot Cookie Butter Cloud Latte with a qualifying purchase at participating locations. That qualifying purchase excludes individual Munchkins Donut Hole Treats and cups of water, and this offer is not available on delivery platforms.

Credit: Dunkin'

Dunkin's Cookie Butter Cloud Latte combines espresso, Cookie Butter Syrup, and milk, and is topped with Cookie Butter Cold Foam and cookie butter crumbles. But you know what tastes better than all of that? Getting it for free. Nothing tastes sweeter than a freebie.

The Cookie Butter Cloud Latte is only available for a limited time through the holidays, so this is your best opportunity to try it out without any pressure. It could become your all-time favorite.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Calling all Loons: Heated Rivalry is coming to 4DX

Mashable - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 16:02

In the last year, Heated Rivalry took the world by storm, blowing up on streaming, launching leading men Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, and getting a theatrical release. Now, 4DX is coming to appease the fandom, lovingly known as "loons."

On Tuesday, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Regal Cinemas has partnered with CJ 4DPLEX to screen the final two episodes of Heated Rivalry Season 1 at 59 Regal 4DX auditoriums across the U.S., with additional theaters participating in the UK and Canada.

SEE ALSO: I've lived the dream of 'Wicker' 4DX, and it was phenomenal

The 4DX screenings of these episodes will begin Nov. 16, meaning audiences can experience the romance between professional hockey rivals/secret lovers Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov in a new way.

For some sense of what Heated Rivalry 4DX could entail, I'd recommend reading my review of the Wicker 4DX experience.

Sure, there's the saucy fun of having the motion-enhanced theater bucking seats along to love scenes. But there's also the joyful sense of community that comes from going to a 4DX theater to revel in romance and a bit of gimmicky immersive fun.

Online, fans are X are reacting with jokes and excitement.

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And this one is NSFW:

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Heated Rivalry 4DX tickets will be for sale on Regal's website, where fans can also purchase themed popcorn buckets and soda cups. (Though nothing on the outrageousness level of the Dune popcorn buckets).

Heated Rivalry's full season is now streaming on HBO Max.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to track battery levels in Home Assistant devices

How-To Geek - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 16:00

One of the biggest benefits of Zigbee is that it uses less power than Wi-Fi, so many devices can run on batteries. You can put battery-powered devices almost anywhere without worrying about where the nearest power outlet is, but the downside is that all batteries will eventually run out. There are plenty of ways that you can use Home Assistant to keep track of your batteries so that your devices don't keep dying.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Zelda Switch 2 restock: Live restock updates at Walmart, Target, and Best Buy (Nov. 10)

Mashable - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 15:58
Where to check for Zelda Switch 2 stock: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition $519.99 at Nintendo Shop Now Amazon Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition $519.99 at Amazon Shop Now Walmart Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition $519.99 at Walmart Shop Now Target Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition $519.99 at Target Shop Now Best Buy Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition $519.99 at Best Buy Shop Now GameStop Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition $519.99 at GameStop Shop Now

If your current morning ritual involves violently hitting refresh on a dozen retail tabs, you already know the vibe: finding the Nintendo Switch 2: The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition is turning into an Olympic sport.

Between automated bot armies scooping digital drops, surprise order cancellations at Walmart, and inventory vanishing in seconds on Amazon, this custom black-and-gold console feels like a myth. But while digital storefronts look completely barren, stock is actively circulating behind the scenes.

Where to check for Zelda Switch 2 stock right now

Before getting into the restock details, bookmark these retailer pages to check for surprise drops:

  • Nintendo Store — Out of stock right now, but you can add it to your wishlist to get pinged the second a restock hits.

  • Amazon — Dropping tiny batches of consoles randomly throughout the day.

  • Walmart — Stock exists but only for third-party listings selling at way over market price, so make sure your in-stock email alerts are turned on.

  • Target — Sold out online, but periodic drops have taken place in-store.

  • Best Buy — Sold out online, but select stores ran midnight openings on Nov. 5 with walk-in stock.

  • GameStop — Online orders are off; you will have to walk into a store to find one.

Why is the console selling out so fast?

The feeding frenzy is being supercharged by Nintendo’s staggered release calendar. While the custom Zelda 40th Anniversary hardware dropped first on Oct. 29, the flagship game driving demand — The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 — arrived on Thursday, Nov. 5.

The remake rebuilds the 1998 classic from the ground up with modernized controls, a fully orchestrated soundtrack, reworked dungeon puzzles, and expanded Hyrule environments. Since the $520 console doesn’t include the game, everyone is rushing to lock down a system before launch day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 $59.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon What comes with the Zelda 40th anniversary Switch 2?

The package includes the special-edition Switch 2 system sporting a custom black-and-gold finish, themed Joy-Con 2 controllers, and a matching dock decorated with the gold Triforce emblem. It retains the platform's signature flexibility, letting you switch between TV, Tabletop, and Handheld modes whenever you want.

Inside the themed chassis, you get 256GB of built-in storage (expandable with microSD Express cards), a vivid display in handheld mode, faster load times, and support for up to 4K resolution on compatible TVs when the console sits in the dock.

The magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers add mouse-style tracking in supported games, while the new GameChat hub lets you voice chat and share your screen directly as you play. It also plays your older Switch games and supports standard multiplayer options.

How can you improve your chances of finding stock?

Landing limited-edition Nintendo hardware takes a little prep work, but these battle-tested habits will give you a real edge over the bots:

  • Save your checkout details everywhere — Log in to Target, Best Buy, Walmart, and the Nintendo Store to save your shipping address and default card. Stopping to type a card number or billing zip code during a live drop is how you lose an order.

  • Hands off the refresh button in Best Buy's queue — When an online drop goes live, Best Buy puts shoppers into a randomized waiting line to filter out scrapers. Touching the reload button resets your spot and boots you straight to the back.

  • Watch for Walmart+ early-access paywalls — Walmart frequently locks headline console drops behind paid Walmart+ subscriptions for the first 30 to 60 minutes. If you have a membership, keep that tab signed in; if not, wait for the general public window to unlock.

  • Dodge third-party sellers — Double-check the seller before buying. Marketplace scalpers frequently list units for jacked-up prices; make sure it says "Sold and shipped by [Retailer]" at the standard price.

  • Skip the web wars and head to physical stores — Online checkout bots grab website stock in under 15 seconds. Showing up in person is easily your most reliable path to securing one without paying scalper markups.

Will the Zelda Switch 2 be restocked on Black Friday?

Most likely, yes.

Stores like Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy often hold onto popular gaming hardware to use as headline deals during Black Friday and Cyber Monday week.

With that said, Black Friday restocks are usually the hardest ones to catch. You will be fighting website crashes, gift shoppers, and automated bots all at once. If you can grab a console during the Nov. 5 launch drops at Target or Best Buy, take it. Think of Black Friday as a backup plan, not your main bet.

Console hunting sucks right now, period. But between the surprise micro-drops and Thursday's physical store restocks, you still have real shots at retail price — just be ready to move the second that button turns yellow.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why having a book-shaped phone means I read more books

How-To Geek - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 15:30

When many of us think of ebooks, we think of an Amazon Kindle eReader. But these days, there's another portable piece of tech that is literally shaped like a book—the book-style foldable phone. I carry one in my pocket, and I'm now reading more than ever.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Apples new iOS 27.2.1 fixes critical bugs, and you should install it now

Mashable - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 15:24

Apple's new iOS 27.2.1, released on Monday, doesn't bring any new features, but that doesn't mean you should sleep on it.

In fact, you should install it right away, as it includes patches for numerous bugs, including some critical software vulnerabilities.

SEE ALSO: Apple might turn Siri AI into an agent next year

Apple's official release notes for this release (alongside iPadOS, which was also updated to version 27.2.1) highlight nine separate bugs, including one in which an app could be used to access sensitive user data, one in which an attacker could pair with a user's device without user interaction, and one in which a remote attacker could be able to join an iMessage group chat and receive its messages.

One particularly nasty bug was highlighted on Tuesday by cryptocurrency exchange Binance, which infamously had a massive security breach in late October.

"A vulnerability (worse_query) affecting iOS 26.7.1, 27.0.1, and 27.2 allows malicious apps to read local files from other apps, putting seed phrases, private keys, and login credentials at risk across the entire ecosystem. This is an iOS-level issue, not unique to Binance," wrote Binance in a tweet, urging users to delete apps installed from untrusted sources, and to update iOS and all apps to the latest official versions.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Apple's iOS 27.2.1 is available to iOS users through Settings -> General -> Software Update. Users who haven't switched to iOS 27 should install the latest version of their OS; namely, iOS 26.7.3 or iOS 18.7.12.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best early Pokémon Black Friday deals: Price cuts on 30th Celebration, Delta Reign, and more live now

Mashable - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 15:21
The best early Black Friday Pokémon deals: Best 30th Celebration deal Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $59.99 (save $23.45) Get Deal Best Delta Reign deal Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box $99.64 (save $34.81) Get Deal Best multi-pack deal Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection $39.95 (save $10.05) Get Deal Best Display Box deal Pokémon TCG Perfect Order Booster Display Box $187.28 (save $11.71) Get Deal Best video game deal Pokémon Legends: Z-A $58 (save $8.99) Get Deal

Black Friday is weeks away, but Pokémon fans already have a vast selection of trading card deals to consider. Whether it’s the heavily in-demand 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box or the new Delta Reign expansion you're shopping for, there's something for everyone right now.

Black Friday falls on Nov. 27, but a massive number of price cuts are expected to arrive between now and the main event. The best early deals on Pokémon TCG stock could sell out quickly, so we'll keep this page updated regularly as we move towards the end of the month.

These are the best early Pokémon Black Friday offers we've found on Amazon, including an invitation-only ETB and a 36-pack display box for under $190.

Best 30th Celebration deal: Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $59.99 at Amazon
$83.44 Save $23.45   Get Deal at Amazon

Amazon's $59.99 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box offer remains the go-to deal that’s hard to beat in the Pokémon TCG, especially against its typical $83.44 price. That's $23.45 off nine anniversary booster packs, a full-art Nidorina promo, 16 foil Energy cards, sleeves, and other playing accessories. It’s not only the best price seen on Amazon (confirmed by the price tracker camelcamelcamel), but it's also $54.61 below its estimated $114.60 market price on TCGplayer. 

The expansion also features 30 different Pikachu rare cards, with one included in every booster pack. As we’ve mentioned previously, the catch is that getting an ETB at this price isn’t 100% guaranteed, because you need to hit "Request invite" on Amazon and wait for approval when invitations to purchase are sent out as the retailer gets new stock. Quantities are limited, so selection isn't guaranteed, but requesting access costs nothing.

Best Delta Reign deal: Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box $99.64 at Amazon
$134.45 Save $34.81   Get Deal at Amazon

Shortly after Walmart’s Delta Reign ETBs slipped under $100 last week, sellers have brought the Elite Trainer Box to its lowest-ever price on Amazon (confirmed with camelcamelcamel).

This ETB comes with nine Delta Reign boosters, a full-art Kyogre promo, 65 sleeves, six damage-counter dice, a coin-flip die, a plastic coin, a collector’s box plus dividers to keep everything organized, and a code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live.

Best multi-pack deal: Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection $39.95 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $10.04   Get Deal at Amazon

If you don’t feel like paying three figures for a display box or waiting for an ETB invite, you can still buy into Pokémon’s 30th Celebration expansion with the Tech Sticker Collection — now under $40 via third-party seller TCG & MORE. 

In this particular collection, you get three boosters, a Lucario or Alolan Exeggutor foil promo, and a matching sticker sheet. Plus, camelcamelcamel has shown this is another all-time low from third-party sellers. At a new low price of $39.95, you’ll be paying $13.32 per pack before factoring in the extras. 

Best display box deal: Pokémon TCG Perfect Order Booster Display Box Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Perfect Order Booster Display Box $187.28 at Amazon
$198.99 Save $11.71   Get Deal at Amazon

To get the best per-pack price on Pokémon cards, no matter the expansion, Perfect Order’s Display Box is the best option — starting at $187.28 vs. a typical price of $198.99.

That's the lowest price this box has been since September (according to camelcamelcamel). With 36 packs inside, that's $5.20 per pack before delivery — giving you plenty of chances to pull its go-to chase cards, like Mega Zygarde ex, Mega Clefable ex, and Mega Starmie ex.

Best Pokémon game deal: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Nintendo Switch) $58.99 at Amazon
$66.99 Save $8.00   Get Deal at Amazon

After shooting up in price in October (according to camelcamelcamel), Pokémon Legends: Z-A for Nintendo Switch is back down to $58 through third-party seller Hollow Ridge Supply — saving you $8.99 compared to Amazon's $66.99 featured listing.

If you’ve never had the chance to play since it came out last year, this is an ideal chance to jump into Lumiose City and revel in the game’s introduction of real-time battles and the comeback of Mega Evolution. What’s more, if you’ve got a Nintendo Switch 2 and want to enjoy higher resolution and framerates, you can also buy the digital upgrade pack for $9.99 from Nintendo. 

More early Black Friday Pokémon deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

I turned an old Android phone into a Jellyfin media server that beats any Raspberry Pi

How-To Geek - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 15:00

Jellyfin is a self-hosted media server that you can use to stream your TV show and movie collection to other devices. It's a popular alternative to Plex that many people run on a device such as a Raspberry Pi or a mini PC. However, an old phone can also work, and there are some significant benefits over other options.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Pikmin 4 cemented the Switch 2 as the best console for clearing out my backlog

Mashable - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 15:00

Both as a matter of personal interest and professional obligation, I try to play as many first-party Nintendo releases as I can. But sometimes even the best ones fall through the cracks.

That's what happened to me when Pikmin 4 launched in 2023. I'd never really been able to vibe with the franchise's fascinating blend of plant-based task management and time-limit stress, so even though the fourth entry garnered rave reviews, I never made proper time for it.

I feel like a big old idiot now because, after playing a few hours of the new Switch 2 upgrade, I can see that Pikmin 4 is kind of incredible, even with a fairly modest set of upgrades for Nintendo's new console. My biggest takeaway from this experience, though, is that there really isn't a better current-gen console for catching up on old games and clearing out your backlog than the Switch 2.

SEE ALSO: Review: 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' remake is gorgeous, but plays it a little too safe Pikmin 4 on Switch 2 is beautiful and lovely

There are two things I want to note right off the bat. First, the official title for this release is Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy, which is a comically tedious thing to type out more than once, so I won't be doing that. Second, this is just a $10 upgrade for those who already own Pikmin 4 on Switch 1, and the changes this new version brings are not exactly paradigm-shifting.

As with every "Switch 2 Edition" release of an older game, Pikmin 4 has received a boost in resolution. This was already a gorgeous game on Switch 1, with varied and colorful environments, expressive lighting, and a generally warm and welcoming atmosphere, but the Switch 2 version is sharper and pops even more on a nice TV. Unfortunately, the frame rate, which was capped at 30 frames per second on Switch 1, has not been upgraded at all for Switch 2. That's a bummer, but not a deal-breaker.

Players can also use the Switch 2's microphone to bark voice commands at Oatchi, their loyal space dog friend, and this is a feature. I turned that off almost immediately because it's impossible to hold a conversation with someone while playing the game that way. The beefiest addition is Dandori Academy, a mode with a series of new challenge levels. I haven't had time to really dive in yet, but Pikmin 4 veterans looking for something new to do will probably welcome it.

You'll learn to love these little guys, like I did. Credit: Nintendo

The thing is, aside from the visual boost, I'm not really concerned with what's new in the Switch 2 version of Pikmin 4 because the whole game is new to me. And what a delight it is! Pikmin is all about plucking dozens of cute little plant dudes from the dirt, color-coded according to their unique abilities, and ordering them to do things for you. They can clear obstacles, open up shortcuts, defeat enemies, and most important, carry treasures you find back to your spaceship so you can unlock upgrades and become even more efficient at managing this whole operation.

Strategy games are typically not my cup of tea, but Pikmin scratches a substantial itch for me in that it lets me plant the seeds (literally, in this case) for efficient, automatic processes to play out, and then lets me sit back and observe. It's eminently satisfying to order 10 Pikmin to go open up a shortcut while 10 others defeat an enemy and use the shortcut to carry its corpse back to your ship for harvesting.

And while the decision to give Pikmin 4 no overall time limit might be a detriment to series die-hards, it's a huge boon to me, a guy who stresses out easily. Even after just a few hours, I can see that this is one of the coolest games Nintendo has made in the past five or six years, and the Switch 2 version helped me arrive at that conclusion.

The Switch 2 makes it easier to stop chasing new releases 'Stranger's Wrath' is a weird game from 20 years ago about loading bugs into a crossbow, and it rules on Switch 2. Credit: Oddworld Inhabitants/Steam

Gaming is an expensive and time-consuming hobby, and it can be nearly impossible for anyone who doesn't review games for a living to play most new releases and participate in the zeitgeist around them. What I've come to realize since the Switch 2 came out, though, is that playing older games all the time instead of feverishly speeding through every new release actually kicks ass, and for my money, this is the best current console platform to do that on.

Nothing will ever beat a PC in this regard, but if you don't have one of those, the Switch 2 is your best bet right now. The PS5's ability to play games from before the PS4 generation is limited at best, and while the Xbox Series consoles can play some games from every Xbox generation, Microsoft has more or less stopped adding new old games to the console backwards compatibility list.

Meanwhile, the Switch 2 can play most Switch 1 games, including countless re-releases, remakes, and remasters of games from across all of gaming history. You can play (versions of) almost every mainline Final Fantasy game on Switch 2. You can play many Resident Evil games on Switch 2, and in fact, that's how I finally learned to love Resident Evil 4 earlier this year. Thanks to Capcom's preservation efforts, I can also play basically every Mega Man game on this machine.

I keep meaning to check out 'Tail of the Sun.' Credit: Artdink/Nintendo

That's before you even get into more obscure stuff that's been preserved on Switch, like the Arcade Archives collection, or quality modern ports of weirdo games like Tail of the Sun and Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath. There's just so much to dig into.

A lot of the above is also true of PS5 and Xbox, but those machines lack decades of first-party Nintendo games that exist either as native Switch 1/2 releases, or as part of the Nintendo Classics collection. With Nintendo Switch Online, I can turn on my Switch 2 right now and play dozens of NES, SNES, and Game Boy games. The Expansion Pack adds N64, Genesis, Game Boy Advance, and GameCube games to the mix, and I've greatly enjoyed digging through those libraries since the Switch 2 came out.

All of that, combined with Nintendo's "Switch 2 Edition" releases, which give some Switch 1 games a sorely needed upgrade, has given me my old games mojo back after it went missing for a few years. I realize it sounds strange to recommend a $500 machine on the basis that it's great at playing old games, but, well, here we are.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Matthew McConaugheys Pantalones Tequila made an iPhone case that holds a mini shooter — where to buy

Mashable - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 15:00

TL;DR: Matthew McConaughey's Pantalones Organic Tequila launched the Phone Phlask, a vegan-leather iPhone case designed to strap a 50ml mini-shooter directly to the back of your phone. Shop for $36.99 starting Nov. 10.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pantalones Phone Phlask $36.99 at Pantalones
  Shop Now at Pantalones

Phone cases have spent the past few seasons evolving into wearable utility belts, morphing to hold everything from lip gloss and perfume to card sleeves and kickstands. Matthew McConaughey's spirits label, Pantalones Organic Tequila, is taking that trend into considerably more spirited territory for the holidays.

The Pantalones Phone Flask is an iPhone case engineered to holster a mini tequila shooter on the back of your device. Crafted from vegan leather, the case features pants-inspired stitching and detailing designed to keep your drink locked down on the go.

The case drops alongside the nationwide rollout of Pantalones 50ml minis, which are hitting store shelves for the first time. They look just like shrunken versions of the brand’s regular bottles and come in both organic blanco and reposado.

Credit: Pantalones

As for the case itself, it is made from vegan leather and fits both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro. The back features a functional buckle strap with cheeky "Buckle Up" stitching that holds the bottle in place, but you can also slip your hand through it to use it as a regular phone grip.

Pantalones is selling the whole thing as a holiday bundle. Along with the phone case, you get two 50ml bottles, one Blanco and one Reposado, so you have everything you need right out of the box.

It is ridiculous, completely unnecessary, and guaranteed to be the most popular item in the room. Grab the Pantalones bundle for $36.99.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Clickeez are selling out everywhere: Where you can buy the viral Series 3 and Hello Kitty packs

Mashable - Tue, 11/10/2026 - 14:44
Where to buy viral Clickeez packs before they sell out: Clickeez Series 1 Hello Kitty & Friends 3-Pack $7.99 at Amazon Shop Now Clickeez Series 3 Bubble Pops 5-Pack $9.97 at Amazon Shop Now Clickeez Series 1 Hello Kitty and Friends 7-Pack $15.99 at Amazon Shop Now Clickeez Series 3 Bubble Pops 12-Pack $31.88 at Amazon Shop Now Clickeez Series 3 Deluxe Keychain Bubble Pops $44.61 at Amazon (save $10.34) Shop Now Clickeez Keyboard Mega Pack (Series 3) $57.25 at Amazon Shop Now

Every holiday shopping season brings one runaway toy craze that vanishes from retail shelves overnight, and this year that title belongs entirely to Clickeez. What started as an online obsession with the clicky sound and feel of mechanical keyboards has quickly turned into a massive playground trend. Demand has heavily outpaced supply since launch, turning the hunt for stock into a wild goose chase.

The appeal is simple: satisfying, screen-free fidgeting. Each piece is an individual keycap that clicks and clacks like a real computer keyboard. Kids clip them onto keychains, hang them off backpacks, or trade different characters with friends.

The Sanrio crossover serves as an easy stocking stuffer and an approachable introduction to the craze. The Series 1 Hello Kitty & Friends 3-Pack bundles three character keys featuring favorites like Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, and Hello Kitty herself, alongside a bonus charm, a connector keychain, and a collector guide. There are over 30 Sanrio characters across the series to track down, plus an ultra-rare Golden Hello Kitty keycap with 1-in-10,000 blind-box pull odds.

Credit: Clickeez

Die-hard Sanrio fans who want a broader character roster right away will get much more out of the Series 1 Hello Kitty & Friends 7-pack. Packing seven character keys, a bonus charm, and a connector ring, it is the most practical way to assemble a kawaii collection without gambling on individual blind boxes.

Anyone after the updated rounded keycaps can pick up the Series 3 Bubble Pops lineup, which swaps out the classic sharp clack for a softer popping sound across 70 characters from the Pink Life, Baked Goodies, Magical Glow, and Forest Pals themes. If you just want a starter set, the 5-pack gives you five keys, a bag clip, and a shot at the rare Bubbly Cow chase key.

For kids who want to assemble multiple keychains right away, jumping to the 12-pack is the smarter move — it packs a dozen characters and includes two separate keychains so they can build multiple clips or swap a loaded chain right away.

Tweens who prefer a dedicated backpack accessory over loose keys can check out the Clickeez Series 3 Deluxe Keychain Bubble Pops kit. The set swaps out standard loose chains for a multi-sided fidget cube holder, a lanyard, two clip tags, three logo caps, and four Bubble Pops keys that click, pop, and fidget on the go.

The biggest build in the lineup is the Clickeez Keyboard Mega Pack. Instead of just clipping onto a bag, the set comes with a full set of clicky keys and frames you can snap together into a mini keyboard for a desk or shelf.

Credit: Clickeez

If you want to browse other packs or see what else is in stock, head over to Amazon's Clickeez storefront before the viral clicky keycaps sell out.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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