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The best early Pokémon Black Friday deals: Shop live deals on 30th Celebration, Delta Reign, and more
Black Friday is fast approaching, 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 $93.45 at Amazon$134.45 Save $41.00 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 dealsPokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle — $43.99 $69.99 (save $26)
Lego Pokémon Eevee — $47.85 $59.99 (save $12.14)
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Bundle — $51.08 $59.95 (save $8.87)
Pokémon Legends: Arceus — $54 $59.99 (save $5.99)
Pokémon TCG Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box — $155 $179.99 (save $24.99)
Lego Pokémon Pikachu and Poké Ball — $159.95 $199.99 (save $40.04)
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Display Box — $205.95 $219.95 (save $14)
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Display Box — $237.50 $254.
Adobe isn't the only target: a vibe coder wants to replace Microsoft Office, too
Open-source developers have spent decades proving that powerful software doesn't have to come with a price tag. GIMP, LibreOffice, and Blender started as alternatives to expensive commercial tools and have grown into applications people rely on every day. Now, AI coding assistants are speeding things up, making it possible for a single developer to attempt what once required an entire team. That's good news for anyone tired of subscription fees that can add up to hundreds of dollars a year.
Netflix drops Russell Brand documentary teaser
Netflix is releasing a Russell Brand documentary.
On Thursday, days after the actor and comedian was found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault leading to a 10-year prison sentence, the streamer teased a feature documentary titled Russell Brand: Open Secret.
Directed by Olivia Isaacs (The Other Mrs Jordan) and produced by 72 Films (the Fremantle-owned company who made Netflix true crime documentary Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story), the film does not yet have a release date.
Combining interviews with archive footage, Russell Brand: Open Secret will chart Brand's rise to fame and the Sept. 2023 joint investigation from The Times, The Sunday Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches — this coincided with the broadcast of Channel 4's documentary Russell Brand: In Plain Sight. The reporting prompted the Metropolitan Police inquiry that led to Brand's conviction and prison sentence in Nov. 2026.
If you have experienced sexual abuse, call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or access the 24-7 help online by visiting online.rainn.org.
Google Pixel Tag Review: Basically perfect
Android’s answer to the iPhone’s “Find My” network rolled out a couple of years ago, but it’s struggled to find its AirTag competitor. Google hopes to change that with its own branded Pixel Tag, and it has a few tricks that set it apart from previous Android trackers.
LGs 34-inch UltraGear WQHD gaming monitor hits best-ever price on Amazon — save $120 before Black Friday
SAVE OVER $100: As of Nov. 12, the LG 34-inch UltraGear WQHD curved gaming monitor has returned to its lowest-ever price of $279.99 at Amazon. That's $120 off its full price of $399.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 34-inch Ultragear WQHD Curved Gaming Monitor $279.99 at Amazon$399.99 Save $120 Get Deal at Amazon
This year has been particularly pricey in the world of tech, but Black Friday sales are fast approaching with some very welcome price cuts. If a new gaming monitor is at the top of your shopping list, Amazon already has plenty of early deals. That includes a big discount on the sleek LG 34-inch UltraGear WQHD curved gaming monitor.
As of Nov. 12, this monitor has dropped from $399.99 to $279.99 on Amazon, letting you pocket $120. More importantly, this marks a return to its lowest price, so what better time to grab it?
SEE ALSO: When do Black Friday sales actually start? Official sale times for Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, TargetThis LG monitor's curved 34-inch display offers plenty of screen space for playing your favorite games, but picture quality really shines. This is all thanks to the QHD Ultra Wide 1440p resolution and HDR10 support, which bring out fine details and vibrant colors on screen. It's sure to be a feast for the eyes once GTA 6 launches.
It also features a speedy 160Hz refresh rate and 1ms Motion Blur Reduction, which keep gameplay smooth and minimize blur and ghosting. Plus, it comes with AMD FreeSync Premium, which further reduces screen tearing, stuttering, and input lag.
Amazon currently has it tagged as a limited-time deal, so be quick to snag the LG 34-inch UltraGear WQHD curved gaming monitor ahead of Black Friday.
Daily Shows Desi Lydic reacts to Trump insulting CNNs Kaitlan Collins
Donald Trump's sexist treatment of female journalists has not stopped, with the U.S. president once again insulting CNN's chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins during a press briefing.
Doing her job, the journalist asked Trump about Rep. Thomas Massie's resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The President of the United States responded, "Massey's a loser, just like you're a loser at CNN, just like your ratings are a loser."
The Daily Show's Desi Lydic, who has previously called out the president's continued insults to female journalists, reacted to Trump's latest attack by mocking his response.
"Yeah, your ratings are a loser. Your shirt's a loser. Your hair's a loser. I'm a loser. Oh god, it's just hitting me. I just lost so bad," Lydic said during Wednesday night's show. "By the way, can we just give props to Kaitlan Collins for not even flinching during that tantrum?"
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Walmarts early Black Friday sale is live: Save on Apple AirPods, Hisense TVs, Lego, and more
Walmart's Black Friday sale is arriving in three waves this year, and the first major event is live now, running Nov. 12 through Nov. 15. While ad scans gave shoppers a sneak peek at the lineup earlier this week, the real discounts have officially hit the site.
This multi-day event is just the start, though. The retailer also has its main Black Friday sale planned for Nov. 23-29, followed by a Cyber Monday sale running from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2. Walmart+ members also get early access to select online-only deal drops during the first 24 hours of each event before remaining stock opens to everyone else.
SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Walmart's Black Friday 2026 sale: Store hours, early access, best dealsThere are already plenty of standout deals worth a look while this first wave is live. Check out more of our favorite finds below — or for a deeper dive into everything on sale, our full rundown of early Black Friday deals at Walmart can help you out.
Best Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 at Walmart$249 Save $50 Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it
The AirPods Pro 3 are a solid everyday upgrade, cutting out twice as much background noise as the previous generation, so you can hear your music or calls in loud environments. They come with five ear-tip sizes for a comfortable fit and last up to eight hours on a single charge with noise cancellation turned on. Beyond audio, they can track your heart rate and calories burned across 50 workout types, translate conversations in real-time using Apple Intelligence, and switch automatically between your Apple devices.
More early Black Friday Apple deals at WalmartApple AirTag (2nd gen) 4 pack — $69.99 $99 (save $29.01)
Apple AirPods 4 with ANC — $89.97 $119.97 (save $30)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) — $329 $429 (save $100)
$668 Save $340 Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it
While a budget-priced big screen like this sticks to a standard 60Hz refresh rate and Direct LED backlighting rather than pricey OLED or Mini-LED panels, the Hisense 75-inch H5R1 Series 4K Roku TV still punches well above its price tag with Dolby Vision HDR, DTS Virtual:X audio, and built-in Apple AirPlay support. Plus, the built-in Roku interface is one of the easiest smart TV menus to navigate right out of the box, making this an unbeatable way to turn a living room or basement into a giant home theater for more than half off.
More early Black Friday TV deals at Walmart43 inches
Samsung 43-Inch U8000H Series Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV — $198 $228 (save $30)
LG 43-Inch UA7500ZUA 4K UHD Smart TV — $228 $258 (save $30)
50 to 55 inches
TCL 50-Inch Q6LR Series QLED 4K Smart Roku TV — $268 $349.99 (save $81.99)
65 inches
Samsung 65-Inch M70HB Series Mini LED 4K Smart TV — $378 $478 (save $100)
TCL 65-Inch QM6K Series QD-Mini LED 4K Smart TV — $598 $799.99 (save $201.99)
75 inches
TCL 75-Inch QM51L Series QD-Mini LED 4K Smart TV — $698 $899.99 (save $201.99)
$1,799 Save $500 Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it
The Asus TUF Gaming A16 pairs Nvidia's RTX 5060 graphics card with an AMD Ryzen 7 processor to run modern games smoothly without slowdowns. You get a sharp 16-inch screen with extra vertical space for both games and everyday browsing, backed by 16GB of memory and a 512GB solid-state drive for fast load times. It is also built to survive bumps and travel better than most gaming laptops, though keep in mind that 512GB of storage will fill up fast once you install a few big games.
More early Black Friday gaming deals at WalmartMicrosoft Xbox Wireless Controller, Carbon Black — $49.49 $64 (save $14.51)
MSI Cyborg 15.6-inch 144Hz Gaming Laptop — $799 $1,299 (save $500)
Acer Nitro V (Intel Core 5, 16GB RAM, 512 SSD) — $1,249 $1,399 (save $150)
Alienware Aurora WQXGA (Intel Core 7-240H, NVIDIA RTX 5050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,099 $1,249 (save $150)
Asus ROG Strix G16 (AMD Ryzen 9, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,399 $1,999 (save $400)
$119 Save $50 Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it
At just 7.72 pounds with a slim footprint and a removable 19-ounce water tank, the Nespresso Vertuo Pop by De'Longhi fits easily onto crowded kitchen counters, dorm desks, or office nooks. Despite its small size, it brews five drink sizes — from single and double espressos to 5-, 8-, and 12-ounce coffees, hot or iced — by scanning each capsule's barcode to dial in the extraction for rich crema. It heats up in 30 seconds, automatically ejects used pods, and comes with a complimentary tasting pack to sample its lineup of over 40 coffee blends right out of the box.
More early Black Friday kitchen deals at WalmartKeurig K-Express — $49.47 $68.99 (save $19.52)
Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer (4-Quart, 3-in-1) — $89 $139 (save $50)
Ninja Crispi (4-quart) — $134 $149 (save $15)
Ninja Creami — $149 $169 (save $20)
Ninja Slushi Frozen Drink Machine (72 oz) — $199 $299 (save $100)
$899.99 Save $440 Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it
If you want to hand off both vacuuming and mopping without constantly emptying bins or scrubbing dirty pads yourself, this nearly half-off Roborock deal is tough to beat. Its all-in-one dock handles almost all the maintenance on its own — emptying up to seven weeks of dust, refilling the water tank, washing the mop pads, and drying them with warm air so they do not start to smell. The vacuum packs strong 12,000Pa suction with anti-tangle brushes built for pet hair, an extendable mop arm that reaches into corners, and automatic mop lifting so it will not dampen your rugs when moving off hard floors.
More Black Friday vacuum deals at WalmartBissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner — $74.62 $101.97 (save $27.35)
ONSON 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum — $86.79 $178.88 (save $92.09)
iRobot Roomba 1010 — $158 $198 (save $40)
Tineco iFloor 5 — $149.99 $499.99 (save $350)
Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead Canister Vacuum — $199.99 $379.99 (save $180)
Dreame C30 Plus Robot Vacuum and Mop Cleaner — $219.99 $329.99 (save $110)
Roborock Q10 X5+ — $229.99 $499.99 (save $270)
$79.95 Save $29.95 Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it
The Lego Harry Potter Book Nook: Hogwarts Express packs 832 pieces into a clever shelf display that opens for play with Harry, Ron, Hedwig, and Scabbers, folds shut between books, or splits into matching bookends. Interior mirrors even make the train look deeper than it actually is, making it a fun, compact gift for fans ages 10 and up.
More early Black Friday Lego and toy deals at WalmartLego DUPLO Town Creative Garden & Flowers Building Toy — $10 $19.99 (save $9.99)
Play-Doh Blooming Flower Garden Playset — $14 $23.99 (save $9.99)
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Fun Track Set — $39.97 $54.99 (save $15.02)
Lego Star Wars Acclamator-Class Assault Ship — $49.95 $56.01 (save $6.06)
Lego Harry Potter Privet Drive: Aunt Marge’s Visit — $50 $77.04 (save $27.04)
Disney Junior Minnie Mouse Flipping Fun Pretend Play Kitchen Set — $55 $68 (save $13)
Huffy 12-inch Disney Princess Kids' Bike — $88 $129.99 (save $41.99)
Toniebox 2 bundle with Moana figurine — $109 $149.99 (save $40.99)
Huffy 6V Disney Frozen Ride-On Ice Cream Kart — $138 $229.99 (save $91.99)
Jimmy Kimmel has a scathing response to Trumps memorial arch
Donald Trump is trying to push ahead with plans to build his 250-foot memorial arch by Arlington National Cemetery, despite a lawsuit attempting to stop him.
As Jimmy Kimmel points out in the clip above, the president is trying to frame the arch as something veterans have asked for (veterans have both protested and supported Trump's arch), with White House spokesperson David Dingle saying it will serve "as a visual reminder of the noble sacrifices borne by so many American heroes." And notably, the arch could cost as much as $100 million.
"Hey Dingle, your boss' dumb vanity project is gonna cost us at least $100 million, maybe $200 or $300 million," responds Kimmel. "You know what could use that money? The VA [Veterans Affairs], which is now in worse shape than ever, largely thanks to his big, beautiful budget cuts. Donny bone spurs and his sidekick Elon cut thousands of veteran jobs last year. 28,000 of those jobs were at the VA, including thousands of nurses, psychologists, and social workers. So unless that arch is filled with benefits for the men and women who serve this country, maybe put a sock in it and go play outside with the other kids."
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I turned my smart home into a video game where the puzzles use my real devices
Gaming is great, but it usually takes place in a virtual world on your gaming device of choice. I wondered if it would be possible to create a game that spilled over into the real world. With a cheap handheld and Home Assistant, I was able to do exactly that.
Seth Meyers reacts to reporter calling Trump a loser
Still reeling from the blue wave post-midterms, Donald Trump's media appearances lately have been somewhat subdued.
It's a through-line Seth Meyers picked up on during Late Night on Wednesday, from the president's viral 60 Minutes appearance to his real-time reaction to the election results calling into Fox News.
"The sadder Trump gets, the more emboldened the press gets," said Meyers. "In fact, there's one clip from a few days ago that really sums up the mood at the White House right now."
That clip? Sky News international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn asking Trump, "How does it feel being a loser, Mr. President?" Choosing not to answer, the president can be seen walking quickly away from the group of reporters outside the White House.
"Damn, he was out of there so fast, I thought he was gonna Mary Poppins out of frame," reacted Meyers. "It's so funny to get asked what does it feel like to be a loser and then walk away alone in the rain. How does it feel to be a loser? I'll take my answer non-verbally."
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OLED TV deals at Best Buy: 10 stunning discounts on LG, Samsung, and Sony
Best Buy's early Black Friday sale is officially live, and if an OLED TV is on your shopping list this year, there are some great deals already available.
There's a pretty decent selection to choose from, whether you're looking to replace an aging TV or finally treat yourself to that bigger screen you've been eyeing up for years. OLED TVs tend to come with a hefty price tag, but the retailer has cut prices on models from LG, Samsung, and Sony. From smaller screens to massive TVs that'll take over your living room, we've rounded up the best discounts we've spotted so far.
Best LG OLED TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 48-Inch Class B6 OLED AI 4K $599.99 at Best Buy$1,199.99 Save $600 Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it
The TV comes with a 4K OLED display, a 120Hz refresh rate, and Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for a high-quality viewing experience. Its α8 AI Processor automatically adjusts picture and sound quality based on what you're watching, and it has four HDMI 2.1 ports, NVIDIA G-Sync, and AMD FreeSync Premium, making it a great choice for gamers, too.
More LG OLED TV dealsLG 55-inch Class B6E OLED AI 4K — $799.99 $1,399.99 (save $600)
LG 65-inch Class C6 OLED evo AI 4K — $1,399.99 $2,69.99 (save $1,300)
$2,699.99 Save $1,300.00 Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it
If you really want to level up your movie or gaming nights, this TV is a great choice. Its Glare-Free technology helps reduce annoying reflections, and the NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor upscales lower-resolution content to 4 K resolution. There's also a refresh rate of up to 165Hz, alongside NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for a smoother experience. And for an all-around great experience, you'll get Dolby Atmos audio, plus AI-powered sound settings that let you adjust dialogue, background music, and sound effects.
More Samsung OLED TV dealsSamsung 42-inch Class S90H OLED 4K — $899.99 $1,299.99 (save $400)
Samsung 65-inchClass S84H Series OLED 4K — $999.99 $2,099.99 (save $1,100)
Samsung 65-inch Class S95H OLED 4K — $2,299.99 $3,399.99 (save $1,100)
$1,999.99 Save $799.97 Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it
This Sony OLED TV uses more than eight million self-lit pixels to showcase deep blacks and sharp contrast. It also benefits from Triluminos Pro technology that produces more than a billion colors for a vibrant picture. It runs on Google TV, so you'll get easy access to streaming apps such as Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video. It's well suited to gamers, too, with 4K gaming at up to 120Hz, variable refresh rate support, and HDMI 2.1 features.
More Sony OLED TV dealsSony 77-inch Class BRAVIA XR8B OLED 4K — $1,999.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,000)
Sony 65-inch Class BRAVIA 8 II OLED 4K — $2,499.99 $3,299.99 (save $800)
Hisenses huge 85-inch U6 Pro Series TV is 50% off at Amazon — shop this best-ever Black Friday deal
SAVE OVER $1,000: As of Nov. 12, the Hisense 85-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED ULED 4K TV is down to its lowest-ever price of $997.99 at Amazon. That's $1,002 off its full cost of $1,999.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 85-Inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED ULED 4K UHD HDR Gaming AI Smart Fire TV $997.99 at Amazon$1,999.99 Save $1,002 Get Deal at Amazon
Early Black Friday TV deals are already popping up, which is great news if you're eager to grab a new screen right away rather than waiting for the main sales to start.
If a big TV upgrade is on your wishlist this year, Amazon can help. As of Nov. 12, it has the Hisense 85-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED ULED 4K TV — our favorite budget TV of 2026 — down to a record-low price of $997.99.
This is half off its list price of $1,999.99, saving you a grand total of $1,002. That's a fantastic discount on such a massive display, and one with some mighty impressive specs.
SEE ALSO: The Black Friday 2026 countdown is on: Our top 7 hacks for finding the best dealsThis Hisense TV pairs Hi-QLED technology with Mini-LED backlighting to deliver a stunning picture, with vibrant colors and deep contrast that bring your movies, shows, or games to life. Plus, 4K resolution makes everything look crisp and clear, and its glare-free display helps prevent reflections and light from disrupting your view.
When it comes to on-screen action, from watching live sports to playing a game, it also features a native 144Hz refresh rate that helps reduce blur and keep everything looking fluid and smooth. And to top it off, it boasts high-quality DTS-powered audio and a built-in subwoofer to help you feel fully immersed in what you're watching or playing.
Black Friday sales may be coming up, but this deal is well worth grabbing now. Don't miss out on 50% off the Hisense 85-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED ULED 4K TV at Amazon.
The best console deals for GTA 6: Where to buy PS5 and Xbox ahead of launch day
GTA 6 finally launches on Nov. 19, and if you still need hardware to play, here's the truth: none of the consoles are actually on sale. Between massive launch hype and tight hardware supply, Sony and Microsoft are holding firm at standard retail prices across the board, so your best move right now is simply finding a legitimate system in stock before shelves clear out.
With launch day right around the corner, inventory is already drying up — especially on higher-end models like the PS5 Pro, which is largely sold out at major stores. Because there is no PC version at launch and older systems like the PS4 and Xbox One cannot run the game natively, everyone is scrambling for the handful of current-gen PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S models that are still in stock.
To save you from wading through third-party marketplace listings charging hundreds of dollars above sticker price, we rounded up the consoles that can play GTA 6 on day one — and where you still have a solid shot at grabbing them at regular retail price before they vanish.
Best budget Xbox option Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Xbox Series S (512GB) $499.99 at XboxShop Now at Xbox
If you want to play Grand Theft Auto VI on day one without spending a small fortune, the Xbox Series S is the cheapest brand-new ticket into Vice City. Because it is an all-digital console with no disc drive, you will need to download the game directly from the Xbox Store. Even with simpler graphics settings and a lower screen resolution than the flagship consoles, it still runs the game at the exact same 30 fps as the PS5 Pro and supports quick game-switching, while keeping plenty of cash in your bank account.
Best budget PS5 option Opens in a new window Credit: Sony / PlayStation PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition (825GB) $599.99 at Best BuyShop Now at Best Buy
If you want a PlayStation without paying extra for a disc drive, the PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition is Sony's lowest-priced current-gen console. Because it is a digital-only system, you will need to download Grand Theft Auto VI directly from the PlayStation Store, though its 825GB hard drive gives you plenty of room out of the box. You still get the exact same power and DualSense controller features — including haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and 3D audio — as the disc version, and you can always buy Sony's external disc drive add-on separately later if you change your mind.
Best PS5 for physical game discs Opens in a new window Credit: Sony / PlayStation PlayStation 5 (1TB) $649 at PlayStation DirectShop Now at PlayStation Direct
If you prefer buying physical game discs instead of relying solely on downloads, the standard PlayStation 5 Console is the only current-gen PS5 model with a built-in Blu-ray drive out of the box. Having a disc drive lets you pick up a physical copy of Grand Theft Auto VI at a local store, lend it to a friend once you roll credits, or trade it in later. It also bumps the built-in solid-state drive up to a full 1TB, giving you plenty of storage space, along with the same DualSense controller features, fast load times, and the pre-installed Astro's Playroom game as in the Digital Edition.
Best high-end Xbox console Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft / Xbox Microsoft Xbox Series X (1TB) $799.99 at GameStopShop Now at GameStop
If you want sharper 4K visuals and a built-in disc drive on the Xbox side, the Microsoft Xbox Series X Console is the best model to grab. Unlike the cheaper Series S, it comes with a full 1TB of storage space out of the box, plays physical game discs, and makes Vice City look noticeably sharper while running at the same 30 fps speed as every other console. Outside of Grand Theft Auto VI, features like Quick Resume let you hop back into different games without waiting on loading screens, and it plays older games from four generations of Xbox — including classics like Red Dead Redemption 2, Grand Theft Auto IV, and Halo 3.
Best PlayStation console for top-tier visuals Opens in a new window Credit: Sony / PlayStation PlayStation 5 Pro (2TB) $899 at PlayStation DirectShop Now at PlayStation Direct
If you want the sharpest picture and best lighting possible when exploring Vice City, the PlayStation 5 Pro Console is the system to buy. Even though Grand Theft Auto VI still runs at 30 fps on the Pro just like every other console, Rockstar confirmed it gets exclusive ray-traced shadows and cleaner image upscaling that you will not find anywhere else. It also comes with a massive 2TB solid-state drive that easily swallows the huge game file, leaving plenty of room, though keep in mind it ships without a disc drive — so you will need to download the game digitally or buy Sony's detachable disc drive separately.
Console discounts might be off the table right now, so your best move is to lock down your system at regular retail price before Vice City traffic clears the rest of the shelves.
Whats the cheapest way to play GTA 6 on launch day?
TL;DR: The cheapest way to play Grand Theft Auto VI natively on launch day is pairing the 512GB all-digital Xbox Series S ($499.99) with the standard digital edition of the game ($79.99), bringing your total day-one setup to $579.98.
Buying a brand-new console for a single video game is an expensive pill to swallow, but GTA 6 is forcing that choice. With Rockstar skipping PC at launch, anyone planning to cruise through Vice City on Nov. 19 will need dedicated console hardware.
If you look at the premium options, the price tag is intimidating. The PS5 Pro costs $899.99 before you even purchase software, which pushes a day-one setup past $979. Fortunately, you do not need to spend that kind of cash to be there at launch.
The cheapest way to play GTA 6 on day one is pairing the Xbox Series S with the standard digital edition of the game.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft GTA 6 $79.99 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Xbox Series S (512 GB) $499.99 at Xbox
Shop Now at Xbox
That puts you in Vice City for exactly $400 less than a PS5 Pro setup, and saves you anywhere from $100 to $250 compared to the other current-gen disc and digital consoles.
Opting for the lower-priced console does not mean you miss out on fluid gameplay compared to the rest of the market. Rockstar confirmed that GTA 6 targets 30 frames per second on every system, including base consoles and the PS5 Pro.
Sony's flagship hardware provides higher native resolution and enhanced ray-traced lighting, but it will not run the title at 60 fps at launch. On the Series S, you get lower resolution output and dialed-back graphical settings, but you experience the identical 30 fps gameplay, story missions, and open-world mechanics as every other player.
SEE ALSO: 'GTA 6' on PS5 vs. Xbox: What we know The 212GB storage issueThe biggest compromise with the entry-level Xbox is storage. The baseline Series S comes with a 512GB solid-state drive, which leaves around 364GB of usable space after the operating system takes its share.
With pre-loads confirming Grand Theft Auto VI requires a massive 212GB download, the game will take up over half of your internal drive on day one. You will likely need to clear out other big titles before installing it, but as long as you keep your drive free of excess clutter, you have plenty of room to pre-install and jump into Leonida when servers go live at 1 a.m. ET on launch day.
Just be sure to preorder before Nov. 19. That locks in the Vintage Vice City Pack and a free month of GTA+, while Xbox Smart Delivery guarantees your copy jumps to a Series X for free if you upgrade later.
If clearing out your other games to make room for that 212GB download feels like too much of a compromise, Microsoft also sells a 1TB Xbox Series S for $599.99. Pairing that with the base game brings your total day-one spend to $679.98 — still $300 cheaper than a PS5 Pro, with double the onboard storage.
Why you can skip the Ultimate EditionRockstar also offers a $99.99 Ultimate Edition, but the extra $20 only buys cosmetic items and early vehicles — including the '95 Grotti Cheetah sports car, custom revolvers, and instant access to specialty vehicle and tattoo shops like Rideout Customs.
None of those bonus items affect the core campaign. If you preorder the standard edition before Nov. 19, you still receive the Vintage Vice City Pack and one month of GTA+ included with the Ultimate edition.
The catch with Xbox One cloud streamingIf you still have an original Xbox One from 2013 hooked up to your TV, you don't technically need to buy new hardware. Rockstar and Microsoft confirmed the title will stream via Xbox Cloud Gaming on launch day, running on the Xbox Series S graphics profile.
That sounds like an easy budget win on paper, but it comes with some strings attached. You still have to purchase the standard digital game for $79.99, since it is not included free with Game Pass. You are also subject to Microsoft's cloud playtime limits, which restrict streaming to 5 to 15 hours per month depending on your subscription tier, with additional blocks priced at $4 for every 10 hours.
Plus, Rockstar's cloud agreement blocks streaming to phones, tablets, and PCs entirely. If you own a Series S, though, standard local Remote Play still works, so you can stream your game locally from your console to a phone or tablet over your home WiFi without burning through cloud hours.
Between choppy streams, lag, and launch-night traffic, relying on the cloud is a gamble for a game this big. If you want a smooth, headache-free experience on day 1 without dropping nearly four figures, the $499.99 Series S and the $79.99 base game give you the smartest route into Vice City.
Save the $400 premium for your actual holiday shopping — the entry-level Xbox is more than enough to handle day one.
Read in luxury — these are the 3 best e-readers for the bath
I remember the days when if you dropped your phone in a puddle, you put it in a bag of rice and prayed for the best. Luckily, tech has been waterproofed in recent years, so now your phone and tablet are safe if they get a little wet. E-readers have also been waterproofed, with many holding an IPX8 rating.
But not all e-readers are waterproof, and it's important to know which ones are before you take one to the bath. So if you're buying an e-reader and plan to be a bath time reader, these are the e-readers to look at.
And if you want the most luxurious experience, we recommend checking out e-reader accessories, too.
A free way to make your earbuds sound better? Give them a deep clean.
I say this without judgment: you're likely overdue for an earbud clean.
Earwax, sweat from workouts, dirt, and dust — daily use exposes earbuds to a myriad of ways to get nice and dirty. And when was the last time you spot-cleaned them? Exactly.
"Please don't forget to clean us," - your earbuds, probably. Credit: Bethany Allard / MashableThat's where the deep clean comes in. In addition to the sanitation of it all, cleaning your earbuds periodically can help prevent damage that might impact their use, whether it be causing issues with the charging case, wear detection features, or even how the buds themselves sound. In other words, the less dirt getting into the internals of your buds, the better. Even the best earbuds can start to suffer without proper maintenance. For optimal performance, Bose recommends cleaning your earbuds every two months.
If the idea of cleaning your earbuds makes you worried you'll cause more harm than good, don't fret. It's easier than you think, and you likely have most, if not all, of the supplies already.
Supplies for cleaning earbudsMicellar water (or distilled water, though regular water can also be used in a pinch)
A clean microfiber cloth
Cotton swabs
Optional: A soft-bristled toothbrush
- 5 minutes
- Micellar water
- Clean microfiber cloth
- Cotton swabs
Step 1: Remove the ear tips.
How to do this can vary slightly from model to model, but generally a light pinch and pull will get the job done.
Step 2: Wipe down the earbuds and exterior of the case with a dry microfiber cloth.
Step 3: Check specific earbuds guide for any areas you may need to avoid during cleaning.
For example, Apple's AirPods Pro instructions make clear where to avoid cleaning.
Credit: Apple / ScreenshotStep 4: Apply a very small amount of micellar water to a microfiber cloth, cotton swab, or soft bristled toothbrush. Lightly clean earbuds' mesh for 15 to 30 seconds.
You can repeat this step as many times as needed, but be sure to dry the mesh immediately after with a dry microfiber cloth.
Step 5: Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the interior of the case.
You can use a small amount of micellar water here, but make sure your cloth is damp, not wet. If possible, avoid getting charging pins wet.
Credit: Bethany Allard / MashableStep 6: Wipe ear tips down with microfiber cloth.
In most cases, it's completely fine to also use a damp cloth here. However, if you're unsure, check specific instructions for brands. Sony recommends not getting the XM6 ear tips wet, while Bose and Apple say you can submerge the ear tips in water.
Step 7: Set aside ear tips to dry if necessary.
Tapping the ear tips on a towel to remove any excess moisture can work well here. You'll want to leave them sitting out in a secure, clean space while the rest of your earbuds dry.
Step 8: Dry case and earbuds for at least two hours.
This may seem like overkill (and honestly, in some cases, this probably is excessive), but letting the case dry open and the earbuds sit out on a clean surface guarantees that not a drop of moisture will threaten the performance of your earbuds.
Credit: Bethany Allard / MashableStep 9: Replace the ear tips, and enjoy your newly cleaned buds!
General rules of thumb for earbud cleaningDO: Double-check the specific manufacturer instructions for your earbuds. That might mean actually cracking open the user guide. Oftentimes, guides or specific cleaning instructions will tell you the specific areas to avoid on your earbuds.
Find cleaning instructions for Apple AirPods Pro models, Apple AirPods 4 and 5, Bose earbuds, Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds, and Soundcore earbuds.
DON'T: Put earbuds back into their charging case until both the earbuds and the case are completely dry. You didn't get your earbuds extra clean just to introduce moisture problems.
DO: Be aware of small openings and ports. Minimizing moisture is key, so even when using a lightly damp cloth, it's important to avoid getting liquid into tiny openings, as it could affect the efficacy of the hardware. After using any damp materials for cleaning, dry your earbuds with another microfiber cloth immediately. Do NOT use any heat, such as hair dryers, as they're liable to cause damage.
One of these is better than the other. (Hint: it's not the rubbing alcohol). Credit: Bethany Allard / MashableDON'T: Turn to harsh alcohols for disinfecting. While some brands — Beats and Soundcore included — mention using rubbing alcohol as a cleaning tool, several other brands warn against it. The harshness of the alcohol can degrade earbuds and ultimately affect performance, so relying on water, micellar water, or a dry cloth is ultimately the safest route.
DO: Be careful with cotton swabs and charging cases. Though cotton swabs are a great shape for getting into nooks and crannies, their fibers can easily get caught and lodged into those same nooks and crannies. The best solution is to use a microfiber cloth instead — if you're having trouble maneuvering it, you can always wrap the cloth around the cotton swab to give yourself more dexterity.
The 12 best phones of 2026, tested by experts
If you're in the market for a new phone right now, you should know that it'll cost you more than usual. The best phones were never cheap, but smartphone prices surged in 2026 amid a global RAM shortage driven by the AI boom (commonly known as "RAMageddon"). New AI data centers are hogging supplies of memory and SSD storage chips, driving up their prices. Consequently, consumer tech devices with memory components are also getting more expensive. (RAMageddon price hikes have also taken a toll on laptops and gaming consoles.)
So far, we've seen Apple, Google, and Samsung all raise the prices of their new smartphones at launch. This fall, Samsung implemented another $100 to $200 price hike across its Galaxy S26 lineup, while Apple increased the prices of some older iPhones by $100.
SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone Duo vs. iPhone 18 Pro Max: How to decide between themWith this in mind, it's especially wise to shop around for deals and carrier promotions before buying your new phone. Trading in an older device is the easiest way to save several hundred dollars on an upgrade. Some carriers will give you a new phone for free (in the form of monthly bill credits) if you also sign up for a new line or certain data plans. For example, the new iPhone 18 Pro is free with eligible trade-ins and plans through AT&T and T-Mobile.
Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters or get Mashable push alerts today.
What's new Credit: Stan Schroeder / MashableIn early November 2026, I made some adjustments to this guide after our latest round of testing:
The Apple iPhone Duo is our new favorite foldable iPhone.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is now our top Android foldable.
Last month, I added the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max as picks for photography and battery life, respectively.
What about the iPhone Air? Credit: Stan Schroeder / MashableReleased in fall 2025, the iPhone Air is Apple's thinnest phone ever. Its ultra-sleek design is appealing, but it has worse battery life and inferior cameras compared to the standard iPhone 17 (which runs on the same processor... and costs $200 less). We think it's a very pretty and well-made phone, but not one of the best overall. For more info, check out our iPhone Air review and our dedicated guide to the best iPhones.
Early Black Friday laptop deals are trickling in. Heres what I would buy already.
Black Friday has always been the best time to buy a laptop, and we expect that to hold true in 2026. While the holiday season's top discounts on MacBooks and Windows PCs may not look as great as usual due to industry-wide price hikes — thanks, RAMageddon — they should still be retailers' most competitive offers of the year.
Black Friday laptop deals aren't plentiful just yet, but some of the initial markdowns I've spotted are worth adding to your cart. Amazon is already offering its usual Black Friday discount on certain variants of the MacBook Air, for instance. And Lenovo has several on-sale laptops marked with a "Black Friday Price Guarantee" badge. (That means they for sure won't get any cheaper through Saturday, Nov. 28, the day after Black Friday.)
Meanwhile, HP has fully kicked off its Black Friday Sale already, and it features discounts of up to $550 on one of the best MacBook alternatives I've tested, the OmniBook Ultra 14. Our sister site, CNET, named it their favorite laptop overall.
Check out my running list of the best early Black Friday laptop deals below.
Best MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,349.99 at Amazon$1,599 Save $249.01 Get Deal at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,549.99 at Amazon
$1,799 Save $249.01 Shop Now at Amazon
The Mashable Choice Award-winning M5 MacBook Air boasts "a premium design, great speakers, a bright and sharp display," and incredibly impressive performance, said Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth. He called it "a damn near-perfect machine" — so suffice it to say, it's our top MacBook for most people. As of mid-November, Amazon has 1TB variants of both sizes on sale for $250 off, starting from $1,349.99.
Black Friday MacBook Air discounts have historically peaked around $250, so I don't expect these deals to improve down the road.
Read Mashable's full review of the MacBook Air.
Best Windows laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (Intel Core Ultra 7 356H, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,319.99 at HP$1,819.99 Save $500 Get Deal at HP Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,849.99 at HP
$2,399.99 Save $550.00 Get Deal at HP
HP's latest OmniBook Ultra 14 is a thin, light Windows laptop with a cool modern look, a haptic touchpad, and an amaaazing OLED touchscreen that's super sharp and smooth. HP has Intel and Qualcomm configurations discounted by up to $550 during its Black Friday sale; the former come in black and "silk sand" (beige), while the Snapdragon models are available in a chic "stone blue." (Note that both models are way cheaper than the new MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen.)
More Windows laptop dealsSamsung Galaxy Book4 Edge 15 (Snapdragon X, 8GB RAM, 256GB UFS) — $449.99 $799.99 (save $350)
Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 (Intel Core Ultra 5 226V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $799.99 $1,349.99 (save $550)
Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 16 (AMD Ryzen AI 5 340, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $849.99 $1,399.99 (save $550)
HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (Intel Core Ultra 7 356H, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,319.99 $1,819.99 (save $500)
HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,849.99 $2,399.99 (save $550)
$2,666.99 Save $1,017.00 Get Deal at Lenovo
The Legion Pro 5i is an upper-end gaming laptop with a crisp 240Hz display and an Intel processor. Aside from an RGB keyboard, it's quite subdued for a gaming PC. This model with a powerful Core Ultra 7 251HX chip and RTX 5060 graphics is a whopping 38% off ahead of Black Friday, and Lenovo guarantees that its price won't get any lower through Black Friday.
When is Black Friday 2026? Dates to keep in mind:Black Friday falls on Friday, Nov. 27 this year, but most retailers are starting their holiday sales well before then.
Best Buy will begin its extended Black Friday Doorbusters + Deals event on Thursday, Nov. 19, and it will probably bring us the season's best selection of Windows laptop deals. I also expect Best Buy to start matching Amazon's MacBook Air deals at that point.
Amazon's Black Friday Week sale kicks off the very same day. According to a company blog post, it will feature savings of up to 30% on certain Alienware, Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo laptops and gaming PCs.
Walmart is hosting two Black Friday Deals events from Nov. 12 to 15 and Nov. 23 to 29. While I don't think they'll be packed with on-sale laptops, Walmart is usually good at scrounging up some decent gaming laptop deals.
Acer, Asus, and Dell have yet to announce their Black Friday plans, but I'll update this story as soon as they're made public.
Voyager 1 is about to hit one light-day away. NASAs planning to party.
If you step outside tonight and flick a flashlight toward deep space, that split-second pulse will race through the void at 186,000 miles per second.
The light will continue its journey while you sleep, while you eat, while you go to work. Only when you reach the same time tomorrow could its photons potentially wash over a spacecraft more than 16 billion miles away.
That robotic probe is NASA's Voyager 1, the farthest human-made object in the universe. It will cross the one light-day-away milestone at 5:16 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 18. One light-day is the distance light travels over 24 hours. Radio signals move at the speed of light, so any message from Earth would need a full day to reach the spacecraft. Considering Voyager 1 never stops moving, that communication lag will only increase.
To mark the occasion, the U.S. space agency has a couple of things planned, one of which involves pointing that flashlight toward the sky. The day after the milestone, you can watch the mission team talk about where the spacecraft has been and how it keeps going.
SEE ALSO: China's moon plan mirrors NASA's, except for one big differenceVoyager 1 left Earth in 1977 to explore the giant outer planets. NASA timed the launch to catch a lineup of those planets that comes around only once every 176 years. The probe finished its tour decades ago but kept going at nearly 38,000 mph. In 2012, it left the heliosphere, the protective bubble the sun blows around our solar system, and entered interstellar space.
Its twin, Voyager 2, took a different path past Uranus and Neptune and left the solar system in 2018. But Voyager 2 won't reach a light-day until November 2035, most likely after it has depleted its fuel.
After touring the giant outer planets, Voyager 1 left the solar system in 2012 and entered interstellar space. Credit: Space Frontiers / Archive Photos / Getty Images illustrationThat's the bittersweet reality of Voyager 1's historic achievement: Both probes are dying, nearly tapped out of their nuclear power sources that turn heat from decaying plutonium into electricity. Since 2024, the team has shut off two science instruments on each spacecraft to stretch what's left. Sooner or later, the power will run out, and no one will be able to talk with the twins at all, regardless of time delays.
A long-distance greetingFor now, though, the mission team is only thinking happy thoughts. The first way to get involved comes after sunset on Tuesday, Nov. 17. NASA is asking people around the world to point a light at the sky to spell out VGR, Voyager's call sign, in Morse code. Morse code is an old telegraph language that turns each letter into a pattern of short and long signals.
The easiest way to do this is with a phone or tablet. NASA built an online flasher that blinks the code for you. After sunset, open the flasher in your device's web browser, point the device's screen at the sky, and let it send the signal. (You can bookmark this story to keep the flasher link handy.)
If you'd rather tap it out yourself, grab a flashlight, and switch it on and off or use your hand to block and unblock the beam. Short flashes, called dots, should last less than a second. Long flashes, called dashes, should last about one second.
Then, follow this pattern:
V: Dot, dot, dot, dash.
Pause.
G: Dash, dash, dot.
Pause.
R: Dot, dash, dot.
You can repeat the pattern as many times as you like.
Now, even if you were to point your flashlight in precisely the direction of Voyager 1, the beam would fan out into a cone billions of miles wide, scattering its photons across the void. Because the light is diluted in space, virtually every photon would sail past the tiny 12-foot spacecraft without ever hitting it.
But it's a symbolic gesture for wishing the old mission godspeed. You can tag @NASA on your photos and videos if you post them to X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or other social media.
NASA · Golden Record: Morse Code, Ships A retrospective discussionThe second way to join in the celebration comes at noon ET / 9 a.m. PT on Thursday, Nov. 19. Mission leaders and top NASA science officials will meet at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California to talk about the twins. They'll explain how the spacecraft are holding up, what they're still learning beyond the sun's bubble, and how engineers keep such old hardware running from far away. The public can watch on NASA's streaming service, NASA+, or Youtube.
The team has plenty to talk about. This year, engineers tried a fix they nicknamed the "Big Bang." They turned off three power-hungry devices on each probe that help keep it warm, and at the same time they switched on three lower-power replacements. The swap should keep them running for at least another year.
But at this stage, the team has come to expect the unexpected. Last month, Voyager 1 had a mysterious issue with its thrusters that briefly caused a communication blackout. Engineers are still trying to figure out what caused the problem.
If the distant spacecraft could send you a Morse code message back, perhaps it would say the one recorded on its Golden Record: "ad astera per aspera." In Latin, that means "to the stars through struggles."
Want more science and tech news delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter today.
Rings of Power star Tyroe Muhafidin talks Theos dark side, Witch-king theories, and that heartbreaking death
Tyroe Muhafidin is ready to embrace his villainous side.
The 20-year-old actor plays Theo in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, his first professional role. A young Southlander, Theo has spent the first two seasons of the series caught up in a battle between good and evil that he can barely understand. But in Season 3, Theo hopes to take matters into his own hands, a choice that brings him face to face with Sauron (Charlie Vickers).
Over the course of Season 3's first four episodes, Theo officially joins Sauron's army as a Nazgnagôl, or Ring-servant. Later, in one of the show's heaviest scenes, he kills his former mentor, the elf Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova), at Sauron's command. Between accepting a ring of power and murdering Arondir, Theo's arc has bent entirely toward darkness, especially since the Nazgnagôl will soon become entirely corrupted, turning them into the Nazgûl of The Lord of the Rings.
In a conversation with Mashable, Muhafidin unpacked Theo's turn to the dark side, his final scene with Córdova, and whether Theo may become the Witch-king of Angmar, as the show so heavily implies.
This season, Theo gets up close and personal with Sauron. In the first episode, he and the men of Pelargir head to Mordor for a ring of power. Tell me about how the five years under Númenórean rule have led to this decision from Theo.
In the last five years, I think any of those dwindles of hope that Theo had have now all dissipated. Basically, in the first two seasons, Theo was was very hopeful for a better life, and he really did believe that something good was going to come for his people. Then it just became pain upon pain upon pain, and loss upon loss for him. Five years, especially for a human, is enough time to set in stone for him the idea that those good days weren't ever coming, and if he was ever going to have any life that's different to the one that he's having now, it would be in Barad-dûr.
That fight between the Southlanders for the ring is the most involved combat Theo's been in so far. Walk me through training for that scene and embodying that fight-or-die feeling.
I feel like I've never really done anything where I was the attacker. A lot of the stunty stuff that Theo had done prior was always him running away from something. So I feel like this is the first time, and it's showing that he's grown now, and he can take on battles for himself, full-on, headfirst.
That fight was a bit hectic. It took us a few weeks to choreograph and nail down. Adam [Basil], who's the loveliest guy ever — he's this 6-foot-8 guy, and his name on the call sheet was "Big Farmer" — was absolutely a dream to work with. He's on top of me, and you think that he would be heavy, but he did such a great job at keeping his weight just enough off me that it looked like I was holding all this weight. It was really fun, but it was really grueling to shoot. The conditions in Barad-dûr aren't the most fun. There's fire everywhere and blood everywhere, and it's dark. But I guess that's the exact vibe that Sauron's lair would have!
SEE ALSO: The Dark Wizard's true identity in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' is a Tolkien deep cutSpeaking of Sauron, I'd love to hear more about working with Charlie Vickers this season and establishing that intriguing dynamic between Theo and Sauron.
Working with Charlie was a dream. He'd always had a particular kind of arm around me since the first season. We were all out in New Zealand by ourselves, and he'd invite me around to play FIFA with him a bunch. It was kind of like an uncle relationship, Uncle Charlie. So we already had this dynamic, and now actually working with him, we could actually build upon that kind of big bro energy.
There's been certain moments that they've shared prior, like the moment where Theo held the sword up and said, "Strength to the Southlands." Halbrand, at the time, recognized that. So, I think Sauron had an eye out for Theo. I think the moment that he stepped into Barad-dûr, her knew there was something about this kid.
I love the whole scene where Sauron uses dark magic to invite Theo to commune with his late father. What's running through Theo's mind in that moment as he learns the truth about his father and his ties to Mordor?
At this point, his mind is racing. It's so filled with everything, it would be hard for him to think rationally at all. He just did a complete fight to the death with six other guys, and now he's having to talk to the Dark Lord and meeting his dad all of a sudden, whom he hasn't known for the last 20 years. It's literally the most insane sequence of events, so at this point he's genuinely the most vulnerable, mentally. His brain is at a point now where it will soak up anything that Sauron says to him, and it has left him easy to manipulate.
Finding out who his dad was is a question that he's asked his entire life, and when he learns, it's disbelief and shock. It's one of those things where you've been wondering for so long, so when you find out, you can't believe that it's true anyway. It's this weird, in-between world of knowing now, but still feeling like he doesn't know. I think Sauron can use that uncertainty in his brain, and with the presence of a ring, it was very easy to say what needed to be said.
I have to talk about the Witch-king in the room, because Sauron tells Theo he has it in him to be a sorcerer and a king. Obviously, a very famous sorcerer king with a ring of power in The Lord of the Rings is the Witch-king of Angmar. Are you able to confirm that Theo is going down that path?
[laughs] You could theorize along those lines, maybe, but I guess you'd have to ask [co-creators] J.D. [Payne] and Patrick [McKay] about that one.
SEE ALSO: Did 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' just reveal the Witch-king of Angmar? Tyroe Muhafidin as Theo in "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" Season 1. Credit: Ben Rothstein / Prime VideoTheo puts on the ring and becomes one of the Ring-servants. When did you learn that this darkness was really going to become a part of his arc?
There was always a presence of it from the first season. With the sword hilt, there was already a connection to the dark side, and there was the scene with Waldreg [Geoff Morrell] at the watchtower trying to get him to join him. There've been temptations throughout, and they were planted carefully, so that when it came to the point that he got offered the ultimate question, he'd already been broken down gradually, and let the darkness in so much that it was easy to say yes.
I'd only found out just just before Season 3 I actually get a ring. In the five years prior to that, I'd been poking at J.D. and Patrick saying, "Will I get a ring? Will I get a ring?"
They always flipped it back on me, asking, "Should Theo get a ring?" And I was like, "I don't know. That's too much pressure!"
I did a little bit of sweet talking all the way through, saying it'd be cool to play a villain. Villain arcs are really cool, and there's some cool depth to them. Theo does have a real great sense of depth and reasoning behind his darkness.
Speaking of the rings, they all look different. Did you get a choice in which one you got to put on?
I think I got the coolest. I remember seeing them all and being like, "I hope that one's mine."
Then when I got my costume for the first time, I got to see which ring was mine, and it was exactly the one I wanted. It was my favorite one out of all of them.
SEE ALSO: Who is Khamûl in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power'?We have to talk about the costume, because the image of the Nazgnagôl armor and mask recalls the Nazgûl in Lord of the Rings, and that has a lot of weight for the series. What was it like, stepping into that for the first time?
I'd done a lot of movement workshops and things like that to try and gauge a sense of the power that the Nazgnagôl would have. I'd done it for a few weeks before any kind of costume fitting, but it wasn't until the day that I had my first costume fitting — there was no armor or crown or anything, it was literally just a bunch of black robes — that I immediately could feel the darkness attached to it. You could get a sense of power, even just in the robes. Then at each costume fitting, they introduced more and more to the costume, and then by the last costume fitting, I'd fully felt the power.
I also requested if I could do some movement workshops in the costume, because it was actually really complicated to move in. The crown is essentially an extension of your head, so any movement of your head will be really exaggerated at the end of the crown. We had to figure out how to walk in a way so our heads weren't bobbing a bunch. There was a sense of trying to move like you're floating, because if we didn't do that, the crown would have just made us look goofy.
What's the secret to moving like the Nazgnagôl?
There's a sense of real strength and power, but also a sense of otherworldliness. The Nazgnagôl live in both the mortal life and the immortal life, so we wanted them to move as if they were in between worlds, and they're coming from one world to another. It was very much about moving with a slight bend at the knees, so every time you're moving, it's more of a glide than a walk. I think once the costume's on, though, it does 80 percent of the work for you. You just automatically feel it.
It's very imposing. We've got to talk about the final scene of episode 4, with Arondir's death. Tell me about filming that final scene with Ismael and finding that last connection?
We shot that scene over two weeks, so we'd shot that specific sequence and the stabbing multiple times without getting any close up. We'd done it wide a bunch of times, and every point up until then, we were really light-hearted. We were having fun on set, and then the day came where we were doing our close-ups, and the air just felt cold, and everyone could feel the sad energy. It was so heavily emotional, like for both of us, it was a real bonding and brotherhood moment. We got a lot closer, because we could open up on our feelings. Feeling so deeply at that time in that moment, it really opened up a big space for us to connect. It was fun though. We had a really great time, and it was a really great group of us on set. It was daunting, but it was very fun. It was a big celebration of Ismael and all the hard work that he's put into this job and how awesome Arondir is. I'm so glad that he got to do all this really cool shit at the end.
SEE ALSO: Scarlet Witch's return is everything that's wrong with the MCUWhat was your reaction to first reading that Theo stabs him?
I knew beforehand. I think initially J.D. and Patrick's plan was to wait for me to just get the script and read it, but Charlotte Brandstrom, the first episode director, just blurted it out to me. I was like, "Oh, I guess that was the whole secret they were trying to keep from me."
So, I knew it was coming, but I didn't know how. I knew at some point if I was going to go to the dark side, there would be a confrontation between them, because obviously they're fighting on opposing ends of the war, and they're both frontmen. Reading it, I just didn't imagine it to be as heartfelt as it was. I always thought that it was going to be a lot colder and a lot quicker. So, reading it and seeing how close he was to really accepting Arondir was really heartbreaking. This is actually such a love-filled scene, and that's why it's so tragic and so heartbreaking, because there is so much love between them, and it just disappears in an instant, which leaves a real hollow feeling at the end of the episode.
There's that moment of compulsion from Sauron that makes Theo stab Arondir. What's he thinking at that moment? Is he reevaluating his choice, or is his humanity too far gone?
Theo is definitely someone who's been a product of who his role models are and who is giving him guidance. This is the moment where his two biggest role models in his life at this point are meeting head to head. For the last few weeks, Theo has been under the influence of Sauron. He has been fed however many ideas in his head about the elves. But then when he sees Arondir's face, all those ideas that Sauron had planted disappear, and he's almost ready to accept the hand that's put out in front of him because he can see the the love in Arondir's eyes. That moment when Sauron arrives is him thinking, "Oh yeah, I remember what I'm supposed to be doing now." It flips back into work mode, or servant mode.
Right now we know the Nazgnagôl as Ring-servants, but we know that the final iteration of them is the Nazgûl, who are totally far gone. Assuming Theo stays on this path, what is an element of that transformation that you're most excited to play?
The cool thing about the Nazgnagôl and the Nazgûl is that they have a completely different living experience to anything else in Middle-earth. They are living in between two worlds, and so you're trying to explore what it looks like to be detaching from the mortal world, becoming more spirit-like, and losing a sense of reality while being completely controlled and manipulated. It'll be really interesting because at this point in time, the Nazgnagôl are still men. They have autonomy over themselves and their decisions and what they can do, whereas it'd be great to see them slowly not be able to do that.
The show has such a massive array of locations to visit. Going forward, what is one of the worlds within Middle-earth that you would like to work in?
I would love, love, love to do work in Númenor. The sets are just so magnificent. Everything around it is so glorious and beautiful, and there's a real community vibe. Any time I've been on the sets with the Númenóreans, they all seem to be getting along real well, whereas I've been hanging out with orcs who most of the time aren't that happy. [laughs]
And who is someone from the ensemble you'd love to work with?
I'd love to do work with more or at least more stuff with Leon [Wadham], who plays Kemen. I really wish we had more to do. I love Leon. When we were shooting Season 3, he was actually living above me, so we were constantly just borrowing stuff off each other all the time and just talking about work or whatever. We only ever had two days on set, and it was the last scene of Season 2 and the first scene of Season 3. But I also just think Kemen is not a nice guy.
Every time he's on screen, I'm angry. I don't even care if Theo's on the dark side. He deserves his vengeance a little.
Yeah, I'd love for Theo to face off against Kemen and give him what he deserves.
The interview above was edited for length and clarity.
