Blogroll

Dell's modern Alienware gaming laptops are powerful and cool-looking machines, but they have a reputation of being hefty and expensive. That may soon change. At CES 2026 Monday, the American tech company teased its forthcoming ultra-slim and entry-level gaming laptops set for release later this year.

Mashable saw prototypes of both devices in Dell's private showroom this week, so I can tell you that they exist. However, we couldn't photograph them and we can't disclose any design details beyond what Dell revealed in its announcement blog post.

Neither laptop's category is currently represented in the Alienware lineup. Existing models include the 16-inch Aurora 16 and 16X, two sleek mid-range options, and the 16- and 18-inch Area-51s, Dell's glitzy flagship machines. They start at $1,100 to $2,670, respectively; weigh 5.5 to 7.5 pounds; and measure at least 0.89 inches thick.

The new Alienware 16X Aurora (left) and 16 Area-51 will feature anti-glare OLED displays. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The 16X Aurora and 16 Area-51 are getting updated with anti-glare OLED displays for 2026. The 16X Aurora and both sizes of the Area-51 will have new Intel Core Ultra 200HX processors with Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 series graphics.

The new ultra-slim Alienware laptop will have a more understated look compared to other Alienware models, and it'll be available in 14- and 16-inch sizes, according to the blog post from Dell's PC gaming lead Matt McGowan. It will come in around 0.67 inches thick, making it as thin as last year's 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro.

Dell's new ultra-slim Alienware gaming laptop will come in 14- and 16-inch sizes. Credit: Dell

McGowan said the 16-inch version of the ultra-slim Alienware laptop will be "nearly 50% smaller in volume than our current 16-inch Area-51." Its portability comes at the cost of some power, but it "still delivers serious gaming capability with Nvidia discrete graphics and new highly efficient CPUs," he said. Dell provided one photo of it that appears to reveal an RGB keyboard and a microSD card slot. That's all we're working with right now.

In theory, this model sounds like a direct competitor to the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16, which are popular picks for gamers and creatives who prioritize mobility. Lightweight and aesthetically subtle, they're often likened to MacBook Pros themselves.

The new entry-level Alienware gaming laptop looks pretty thin, too. Credit: Dell

Dell has revealed even less about its mysterious entry-level Alienware gaming laptop. All we really know for sure is that it will be cheaper than any other model in the Alienware lineup. Per McGowarn's blog post, it "delivers strong gaming performance in a clean design at our most accessible price point yet." Given the price of Dell's existing gaming laptops, it'll probably start well under $1,000.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

We were supposed to be holidaying on the moon, driving hover cars, and passing our chores off to humanoid robot helpers by now. Though robotic helpers are closer than ever, the path forward is fraught with doubt, challenges, and serious privacy considerations.

SAVE $37.40: As of Jan. 8, get the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro for $61.60 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $99. That's a discount of 38%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro $61.60 at Amazon
$99 Save $37.40   Get Deal

When it comes to smartwatches, there are tons you can choose from. But have you ever considered adopting one from Nothing's product line? If not, and a smartwatch under $100 sounds like a good idea, we've got a great deal for you.

As of Jan. 8, get the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro for $61.60 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $99. That's $37.40 off and a discount of 38%.

SEE ALSO: My favorite smartwatch for working out is on a major discount ahead of 2026

This watch is an absolute gem, and according to Mashable's Lauren Allain's review, it "looks, feels, and functions like a smartwatch that costs hundreds more." Its long-lasting battery gives you two weeks of use per charge, it has a slew of health tracking and fitness features, and it gives you the same array of options you'd get in a much pricier smartwatch.

The health features include heart rate monitoring, a blood oxygen function, stress tracking, and much more. There's also a GPS functionality if you want to keep an eye on your runs (or your locations) and ways to text and keep in touch with everyone while on the go.

Best of all, this watch is available for less than $100 with all of these niceties intact. It's made even cheaper thanks to the Amazon deal, but even at its normal price it's a stunner that's a great idea for any type of user. If you want some new wrist candy, getting it at its next-to-lowest price yet is a no-brainer.

SAVE $100: The Marshall Monitor III headphones are on sale at Amazon for $279.99, down from the list price of $379.99. That's a 26% discount that matches the record-low at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Marshall Monitor III headphone $279.99 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $100   Get Deal

We're living at the cottage from now on. It's the safest and most comfortable place we've ever been. Plus, the burgers are great and there's that "stupid Canadian wolf bird" to lull us to sleep. Without a doubt, Heated Rivalry has been one of the most popular shows to drop in the last decade. While most of the official merch is sold out and we're still waiting to hear if Team Canada will grace us with Shane's Olympic fleece, there is one way to get a piece of the show in your own hands, and it's on sale today.

As of Jan. 8, the Marshall Monitor III headphones are on sale for $279.99 at Amazon, down from the list price of $379.99. That works out to a savings of $100 thanks to a 26% discount that matches. Today's sale price matches the record-low at Amazon.

Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie, sports the Marshall Monitor III headphones in several episodes of Heated Rivalry, and notably wears them as he slyly leaves the airport, heading to the cottage in the final episode of season one. And some of the specs are spot-on for Ilya's character.

SEE ALSO: All 6 of the books that inspired "Heated Rivalry" are over half off at Amazon

For one, these Marshall headphones get up to 100 hours of battery life, which seems very Ilya to not be willing to deal with constant recharging. If you opt to listen with the ANC, you'll be able to get about 70 hours of life. They're also lightweight and have a compact, foldable design which must have been nice while traveling to the away games and back home to Russia. The carrying case is also great to have included.

Of course, the Marshall Monitor III headphones come with the brand's iconic high-quality sound. They use Marshall's Dynamic Loudness feature which adjusts the treble, base, and mids at every volume.

Tune into the show's soundtrack or rewatch the whole season again (we don't judge) with Ilya's Marshall Monitor III headphones while they're on sale for $100 off at Amazon. And remember, we all deserve sunshine.

Apple's history is replete with hyper-successful hardware ventures. From the Apple II to the M-series processors, the company has amassed a trove of triumphant products. However, there is also a small, exclusive group of Apple hardware products that bombed. Let's check them out.

The KDE team announced today a collection of maintenance updates for KDE Gear, its set of open source apps including the popular video editor Kdenlive and mobile multi-tool KDE Connect. Many other apps are also getting minor updates, improving the KDE experience overall.

In today's fame economy, visibility comes with excavation. Right now, no one understands that more than the stars of Heated Rivalry.

When someone breaks out the way Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams have after Heated Rivalry, fans don't just follow their work — they scroll backward, digging through old usernames, forgotten uploads, and half-formed versions of the person they've just discovered. The internet, after all, never forgets. It just waits.

For Storrie, that excavation led straight to YouTube. A channel he launched a decade ago, when he was just 12 years old and growing up in Odessa, Texas, resurfaced online in the wake of Heated Rivalry's overnight phenomenon. Back then, the motivation was simple: he wanted to be an actor. The videos were earnest and unmistakably the product of a kid trying something out in public.

SEE ALSO: 'Heated Rivalry's Hudson Williams teases Season 2, explains 'c*ck sock' to Fallon

In a new interview with People, Storrie reflected on what it's been like to watch those childhood videos resurface and go viral. "It's weird to see them going viral," he said, explaining that he initially considered taking them down.

A fan even offered to help remove them through a contact at YouTube, and Storrie went through the process. But instead of relief, he felt something closer to resistance. "Honestly, it felt like the end of a sort of self-acceptance ritual," he said.

Rather than erasing them, Storrie chose to leave the videos up. "It felt cool to be like, 'Yep, that was me. And this is me now,'" he explained, framing the decision not as a branding move but as an act of acceptance.

That acceptance has come with time. In a Dec. 26 interview with Variety, Storrie spoke more candidly about his younger self. "I love that little guy. I love him. I used to not like him," he said.

SEE ALSO: 'Heated Rivalry' fans, we've got your next must-see MLM romance

Growing up as "this artist, sissy boy in West Texas that didn't want to play football," Storrie found refuge in imagination instead. "I wanted to play pretend and play dress up and disappear into weird worlds and entertain and try to connect with people that way, and that was just not the norm out there."

If he could offer that young YouTuber any advice now, it wouldn't be to shrink himself. Instead, it would be the opposite. Storrie said he’d tell him to be bigger, bolder, and more proactive in creating his own opportunities instead of waiting to be chosen. "Try putting yourself in your own things," he said.

While announcing the nominations for the 32nd Annual Actor Awards (formerly known as the SAG Awards) on YouTube, Storrie paid quiet homage to his younger self, introducing himself the same way he had more than a decade ago. The delivery was intentional, the smile playful.

As digital footprints are increasingly treated as liabilities, Storrie's response offers a gentler model: not hiding where you started, but standing by it.

SAVE $41.88: Through Jan. 21, new and select returning subscribers can still score three months of Audible Premium Plus for just 99 cents per month (a grand total of $2.97). Typically $14.95 per month, that's a total savings of over $40.

Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible Premium Plus $0.99/month for your first three months (save $13.96/month) Get Deal

If you've ever been the least bit curious about audiobooks, Audible's holiday offer — which is still live for the next couple of weeks — lets you explore that curiosity for less than 3 bucks.

Through Jan. 21, new and select returning subscribers can get three months of Audible Premium Plus for only 99 cents per month for a grand total of $2.97. A Premium Plus subscription usually costs $14.95 per month, so you'll be saving a total of $41.88. Of course, you'll want to be sure to cancel before your three-month promotional period is up to avoid further charges. I suggest setting a calendar alert once you sign up.

I always take advantage of this deal when I'm eligible — so, of course I snapped it up in December. While I am a huge fan of Libby (free with your library card), the wait times for new books can be a drag. Audible's Premium Plus membership allows you to "buy" whatever Premium title you want with zero waiting involved. That means you can easily enjoy 2026 releases, last year's Goodreads favorites, BookTok gems, and more on your own time.

While all Audible subscribers get access to the Plus catalog, which features thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, originals, and more, Premium Plus members also unlock access to the Premium selection. You'll get a credit each month to "buy" one of these Premium titles. So, with this three-month promotional offer, you'll essentially get to "buy" three different audiobooks, plus enjoy other Plus titles and Audible Originals. Occasionally, Audible will also run a 2-for-1 credit sale, where you can purchase two different audiobooks with a single credit.

Whichever way you slice it, three months of audiobooks for less than 3 bucks is a pretty damn good deal. Just be sure to sign up by Jan. 21 to lock it down.

VLC Media Player 3.0.23 'Vetinari' has been released, and despite the minor version number change, the latest update isn't just bug fixes. It has more improvements for the dark theme, which you might not have noticed from the last release.

SAVE $12.03: As of Jan. 8, save $12.03 on the Levoit 2.5L Top Fill Humidifier. It's now 30% off bringing it down to $27.96. That's the humidifier's lowest price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Levoit Levoit 2.5L Top Fill Humidifier $27.96 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $12.03   Get Deal

I'm known as the product girl in my friend group. That means I'm always down to give a product recommendation, but it also means friends come to me with their own recs. That's what happened when I walked into my friend's apartment and she said, "Oh, I have something for you to write about." That something? The Levoit 2.5L Top Fill Humidifier. Little did my friend know, I was already a fan, as this humidifier has saved my parched skin during brutal dry winters. And right now, the Levoit humidifier is on sale.

As of Jan. 8, get the Levoit 2.5L Top Fill Humidifier for $27.96 and save $12.03. That's 30% off its $39.99 list price and according to Camelcamelcamel, its lowest price ever.

The Levoit 2.5L Top Fill Humidifier is a small but mighty device. Despite holding 2.5L of water at once, it's still a fairly compact humidifier; I can easily fit it on my nightstand along with a lamp, alarm clock, and all my other knick knacks. When filled to the brim, the humidifier runs for hours — up to 25 hours to be exact. But even just halfway filled, gives you plenty of hours of runtime. I can fill it up halfway, crank it up to max power when I get into bed at 10 pm, and when I wake up at 6 am, it's still running.

It can handle large rooms and delivers cool mist quiet, providing much needed humidity for skin and sinuses in the dry winter climate. The controls are unfussy, a simple, easy to use knob to adjust the mist flow. Plus, I find that it's easy to clean with not too many nooks and crannies for mold and mildew to hide in.

Get the Levoit 2.5L Top Fill Humidifier for just $27.96 at Amazon and secure it for its lowest price ever.

Dell is reviving the XPS laptop brand just a year after replacing it with the "Dell Premium" line.

As part of its un-rebranding, the American tech company is launching revamped XPS 14 and XPS 16 laptops with thinner-than-ever designs and unrivaled battery lives. Both PCs will have the XPS logo on their lids for the first time and, crucially, a physical function row, scrapping one of their lineage's most controversial features.

SEE ALSO: CES 2026 live updates: See the latest news, surprises, and strange tech from LG, Samsung, Lego, and new startups

Dell announced the return of XPS at CES 2026 Monday, though the news leaked days prior. Select configurations of the XPS 14 and XPS 16 are now available for purchase starting at $2,049.99 and $2,199.99, respectively, with more variants launching in February for under $2,000. The XPS line will continue to expand later this year starting with a cheaper XPS 13.

The Dell XPS 16 (foreground) and 14 are back, and they've both gotten makeovers. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Mashable got to see the new XPS laptops in Dell's private showroom, which was located in a casino's wedding chapel here in Las Vegas — an apt venue given the circumstances. "We're recommitting our love to XPS," a company rep told me.

Who could've seen this coming? (Probably most people.)

Dell rebranded all of its laptops in January 2025 under a new tiered Dell, Dell Pro, and Dell Pro Max naming schema, ditching the well-known XPS, Inspiron, Precision, and Latitude labels it had been using since the 1990s. (The Dell 14 Premium and 16 Premium officially ousted the previous XPS 14 and XPS 16 in June, but the last-gen XPS 13 was still available as of this week.) The move was immediately panned for being confusing and seemingly ripping off Apple's naming structure.

Featured Video For You

At the time, Dell said its new branding aimed to simplify its product lines so consumers better understood which laptop was right for them. It also pushed back against the Apple comparisons, telling Mashable that words like "Pro" were "industry terms" that the MacBook maker didn't originate.

But consumers' loyalties remained strong. During a media presentation in mid-December, Dell executives told members of the press that the company noticed lingering search interest in the line in the months after it was killed off. In other words, people were still looking for XPS machines on Google and Dell's website. This was one of several factors in its decision, they said.

Left: RIP to Dell's old laptop naming schema, 2025-2025. Credit: Dell Right: The XPS brand has a home in Dell's new laptop naming structure for 2026. Credit: Dell

The return of XPS means a shakeup for the rest of Dell's lineup. The company is keeping the just-Dell line for its mainstream portfolio, but XPS is slotting in for the Dell Premium sub-tier to encompass higher-end, minimalist consumer models. Dell will still use the Dell Pro line for its commercial PCs, but it has new sub-tiers for different use cases. (The old Precision name got put to use for the "performance" tier.) The Dell Pro Max moniker is simply donezo.

"I hope it demonstrates our ability to course-correct, to be humble," said Dell COO Jeff Clarke, speaking to the rebranding reversal during last month's presentation.

XPS rides again: New design and specs

The new XPS laptops' redesign is also a direct response to critical and consumer feedback. Swapping the Dell logo for an XPS logo on their top covers isn't just a doubling-down on the rebrand. Apparently, it's "a change that reviewers and XPS fans have been requesting for years," according to a company blog post.

The Dell XPS 14 and XPS 16 will both come in Shimmer (left) and Graphite finishes. The Graphite versions will launch first. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Additionally, Dell has nixed the XPS 14 and XPS 16's divisive capacitive touch function row in favor of a traditional function row with physical keys. The former was a big sticking point in many XPS reviews from 2022 to 2024, and last year's Dell Premium models were often chided for retaining it. The keyboard itself is now removable for repairs, and it has slightly deeper keys.

Another hit-or-miss XPS feature of yore, the seamless glass touchpad, has been etched with very subtle lines on the new models so that users can more easily identify its active area.

The 2026 XPS 14 and XPS 16 both have a stronger unibody design made with aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass. They'll launch in Graphite, but Dell will eventually sell them in a second Champagne-y "Shimmer" finish later this year.

A physical function row! We won!!! Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The company also overhauled their thermal system, making their fans larger and thinner than ever. With a starting thickness of 0.58 inches, the XPS 14 and XPS 16 are the thinnest Dell laptops of their sizes to date. The 14-inch model is quite compact to boot, boasting a smaller footprint than a 13-inch MacBook Air. It weighs as little as three pounds, which makes it well over half a pound lighter than the 2024 XPS 14 and the 2025 Dell 14 Premium.

Meanwhile, the XPS 16 comes in at 3.65 pounds to start — shaving over a pound off its Premium predecessor. Not to bring up Apple again, but both sizes are a hair thinner than the latest 14-inch MacBook Pro and 0.25 to 0.4 pounds lighter.

The new etching around the XPS laptops' touchpad is super subtle. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The new XPS 14 and XPS 16 can both be configured with up to an Intel Core Ultra X7 processor, Intel Arc graphics, 64GB of RAM, and 4GB of SSD storage at launch. Dell will eventually sell Intel Core Ultra X9 variants.

Users can upgrade them with a 2.8K tandem OLED touchscreen, which was previously exclusive to the XPS 13, but know that sticking with their base 2K LCD display has some major advantages. One: It supports a variable refresh rate of 1 to 120Hz, conserving tons of power when you're looking at static content like emails and PDFs. Dell says its new XPS devices are the first laptops available with such technology.

Here's a look at all sizes and colors of the new Dell XPS laptops. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Secondly (and relatedly), the LCD variants are rated for more than a day's worth of battery life. Dell claims they'll offer up to 27 hours of Netflix streaming and more than 40 hours of local video playback per charge. I'm very eager to verify that claim in testing: we got less than 14 hours out of the Dell 14 Premium and the Dell 16 Premium. (Granted, the latter had a Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 GPU. The new models won't be available with discrete graphics because Dell wants them to stay thin, light, and long-lasting.)

The overhauled XPS 14 and XPS 16 will both have an 8MP camera and three modular Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports with a headphone jack; the "modular" part is new for the XPS series. They have two upward-firing speakers right under their keyboards and two bottom-firing speakers.

What's next for XPS Is that an island-style keyboard I see? Credit: Dell

Dell will keep the XPS revival's momentum going with the release of more devices "across different price points and form factors" later this year, according to its blog post. First on the docket is a new XPS 13. Dell says it's "expected to be our thinnest and lightest XPS laptop ever at less than 13 millimeters" (or 0.51 inches), as well as the most affordable. More specs and details will be revealed in the coming months.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

UPDATE: Jan. 5, 2026, 4:41 p.m. PST Dell made a last-minute change to its launch pricing for the new XPS 14 and XPS 16. This story has been updated accordingly.

SAVE $530: As of Jan. 8, get the Samsung Odyssey G8 QD-OLED gaming monitor for $769.99 at Woot, down from its usual price of $1,299.99. That's a discount of 41%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Woot Samsung Odyssey G8 QD-OLED gaming monitor $769.99 at Woot
$1,299.99 Save $530   Get Deal

The new year is finally here, and that means it's the perfect time to try out some new equipment, whether that means a new computer setup entirely or just some peripherals. If you're a gamer, you might want to give a gaming monitor a spin since there are so many excellent titles out right now. We've found one that you can score some significant savings on right now.

As of Jan. 8, get the Samsung Odyssey G8 QD-OLED gaming monitor for $769.99 at Woot, down from its usual price of $1,299.99. That's $530 off and a discount of 41%.

SEE ALSO: CES 2026 live updates: See the latest news, surprises, and strange tech from LG, Samsung, Lego, and new startups

This slimline Samsung monitor boats 32 inches of screen real estate that anyone can appreciate sitting atop their desk. It offers bright, crisp colors and deeper shades of black, with a QD-OLED panel and glare-free tech to improve the way your games and other content looks.

With a 240Hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms response time, it's responsive and quick enough to get you together in terms of screen quality for all those fast, twitch-centric games you might be playing. It also has support for both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro as well as NVIDIA G-Sync.

It's the perfect option for peak performance, the kind you absolutely want out of a gaming monitor, and it's the lowest price it's been right now thanks to Woot. If you want to claim yours, be sure to do it quickly so you can snag one of the best deals we've seen on this particular model.

After spending 2025 satirizing President Donald Trump's administration, South Park kicks off 2026 with a new chapter: a Fortnite collab.

Launching Friday, Jan. 9, and running until Thursday, Feb. 5, Fortnite's South Park: Born in Chaos crossover event ushers in a whole host of new features. Players can don Cartman, Kyle, Stan, Kenny, and Butters mech suit outfits in Fortnite's shop. (Meaning, yes, you can kill Kenny over and over again.) They can also explore a new Point of Interest in Cartman's own personal theme park, Cartmanland.

SEE ALSO: 'South Park' closes Season 28 with a horrifying Jeffrey Epstein twist

In a major development, the South Park crossover introduces Quints, a five-player playlist that lets you add a new member to your squad. That's great news for South Park's Butters, who, in the collab's announcement video, finally gets to play Fortnite with his buddies instead of remain stuck as the fifth wheel.

The event also includes several South Park-themed gameplay items. Cheesy Poofs allow you to restore health, heal allies, or damage enemies, while the one-time use Kenny's Respawn Token lets you reboot automatically after elimination. Plus, if you retrieve the single-use Stick of Truth (from the 2014 video game South Park: The Stick of Truth), you'll be able to control where the Storm goes.

For even more South Park goodies, players can get the free Born in Chaos pass and complete South Park-themed quests to unlock 13 items, like the Cheesy Poofs Rocketship Emote, and a Terrance and Phillip Pickaxe. If you complete all of the quests, you'll earn the Imaginationland Airship Glider.

Towelie will also be available as a sidekick, and you know what they say: If you choose to embark on Fortnite's chaotic new South Park journey, don't forget to bring a towel.

Cron jobs are usually considered to be boring automation for backups, log rotation, and cleanup. I firmly believe that undersells what they are capable of, as with a little creativity, cron can easily become one of the most personal and surprisingly fun parts of your system. They are weird, practical, and just geeky enough to make your homelab and daily workflow feel alive instead of invisible.

SAVE $40: As of Jan. 8, the JBL Endurance Peak 3 earbuds are on sale for just $59.95 at Amazon. At 40% off their list price, they're down to their best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Endurance Peak 3 earbuds $59.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $40   Get Deal

Premium audio brand JBL announced a slew of new headphones and earbuds at CES 2026 — from a variety of open earbuds to new upgrades to its iconic Endurance line. Among the many new additions is the Endurance Peak 4, which means the last-generation Endurance Peak 3 just dropped in price. Don't you love how that works?

As of Jan. 8, the JBL Endurance Peak 3 earbuds are on sale for only $59.95 at Amazon. That's 40% off their list price of $99.95 and the lowest price on record. For what it's worth, the new Peak 4 earbuds (set for release this month) will retail for $129.95. That's more than double the cost of opting for the previous generation.

JBL's Endurance line is built for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, and the Peak earbuds are designed for the most demanding active lifestyles (and for anyone who just can't keep normal earbuds in their ears). The bendable TwistLock ear hook enhancer offers a secure and comfortable fit that actually stays put. I personally own the even older Peak 2s and can confirm these things do not move once they're in place. The Peak 3s also feature up to 50 hours of playback (10 in each earbud, 40 in the case), rich JBL Pure Bass Sound, and an IP68 dust and waterproof rating. Sweaty runs or dusty bike trails? No problemo.

Ambient Aware and Talk Thru modes also ensure you can stay alert to your surroundings without removing your headphones and make and hear calls anywhere. While there's no noise-cancellation feature (the Peak 4s will feature that for the first time), there doesn't really need to be. These earbuds are built for being active out in the world, where you need to stay aware.

Whether you simply can't wait for the new JBL earbuds to drop to buy a new pair or you'd rather save some cash, the JBL Endurance Peak 3s on sale for $59.95 certainly won't disappoint.

Bose is open-sourcing the API documentation for its SoundTouch smart speakers. When a company decides to retire a product line, that's generally the end, but not in this case. This means the hardware won't become useless when cloud support officially ends on May 6, 2026.

Samsung has some new phones to show off, and by all accounts, we'll see them pretty soon.

The Korean tech giant just got done showing off its vision for an AI-powered future at CES 2026, but it isn't done. Rumors are swirling around about an upcoming Unpacked showcase that will theoretically focus on at least the new Galaxy S26 phones. There's just one big question, though: When exactly is the Samsung Unpacked showcase for early 2026?

Let's dig in and find out.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold hands-on: I'm excited, but it's got quirks Samsung Unpacked 2026 rumors: When is it? This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This question is (seemingly) pretty easy to answer because one of the more reliable tipsters in the realm of phone rumors has nailed down a supposed date for Samsung Unpacked. In this case, it's Evan Blass, who has a pretty sterling record of being right on this stuff. On X, Blass corroborated some Korean media reporting that the event would take place on Feb. 25, saying that date is "100 percent correct."

In the absence of any contradictory reporting from other sources, all we can do is assume the showcase will take place on that date or close to it right now. It's a bit odd because that's a full month after when Samsung typically does its early-year Unpacked events, but if it were happening in January this year, we probably would've heard about it by now. For the time being, let's just operate under the assumption that it's happening in late February.

Samsung Unpacked 2026 rumors: What will be shown?

The question of what will be shown at this Unpacked event is also fairly easy to answer based on precedent from previous years. In short, expect a lot of information about the Galaxy S26 phones. Just like in previous years, there will be three of them: A base Galaxy S26, a middle-ground Galaxy S26 Plus, and a premium Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Recent reports point to a pretty incremental refresh of the Galaxy S line this year, which is interesting because there were rumblings several months ago that Samsung would shake things up in 2026. The company was allegedly going to replace the Plus model with a new ultra-thin Edge phone, but Apple's success with the iPhone 17 strategy of putting pro-level features in the base phone without raising the price reportedly caused Samsung to pull back and just go with what has worked in previous years this time.

Last year's early Unpacked event was almost entirely focused on Galaxy phones and AI features for said phones, with a very brief surprise appearance by Samsung's XR headset at the end. I would expect this year's showcase to be similarly focused on Galaxy S26 phones, but the fact that the Galaxy TriFold is also set to launch in early 2026 in the United States could justify some time being given to that phone, as well. Samsung has already shown off that device in Korea and at CES, though, so maybe it gets a quicker mention with a price and release date instead of a full, blown-out debut.

At any rate, we've apparently got several weeks to sit and think about it.

The tech world is seeing one of its most exciting weeks right now at the annual CES in Las Vegas. We've already seen fresh launches like an Acer monitor with a 1000Hz refresh rate, upgraded Soundcore sleep earbuds, and new robot vacuums, of course (spoiler: there's another grabby arm). But if you're all-eyes on portable power solutions to take camping, on RV trips, or for keeping the home online when the power goes out, Bluetti brought exciting new launches to the massive consumer electronics show.

Bluetti is a front-runner in the great world of improving battery power, making some of the industry's top models for whole-home backup and RV life. Not to mention, Bluetti is the brand if you want a colorful portable power station. But at this year's CES, Bluetti debuted four new portable power solutions. These will especially appeal to those with RVs or anyone who's live out the van life. Plus, some models are already available to purchase. Here are all the details of what Bluetti showcased at CES 2026.

Bluetti Charger 2

In an industry first, the Bluetti Charger 2 harnesses both solar power and car alternator power. Recharging via a cigarette lighter socket is notoriously slow, so Bluetti set out to change how quickly we can recharge batteries while driving. The Charger 2 system uses alternator and solar power at the same time to output up to 1,200W, which Bluetti says will recharge batteries 13 times quicker compared to traditional car outlets.

The new Bluetti Charger 2. Credit: Bluetti

This one-and-done setup will be great for RVs, vans, overlanders, and digital nomads. Plus, Bluetti made this model capable of reverse-charging. If your van or RV battery dies, the hub Charger 2 can enter an emergency jumpstart mode. It'll also ensure trickle charging is activated, never allowing your vehicle battery to drop below 100W while parked in a long-term storage situation.

You can already purchase the Bluetti Charger 2 from Amazon or Bluetti's website. It usually sells for $599 but it's on sale during its initial launch period for only $349 which is a massive 43% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Charger 2 $349 at Amazon
$599 Save $250   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Charger 2 $349 at Bluetti
$599 Save $250   Get Deal Bluetti Elite 100 V2 Bio-Based Edition

Without sacrificing durability, the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 Bio-Based Edition uses bio-circular plastics in the power station's chassis. Boiled down, this leads to a 25% reduction in carbon emissions during production. But it still maintains Bluetti's UL94 V-0 flame retardancy and a 10-year expected lifespan. The Bio-Based Edition also has a fresh colorway of Earth Deep Blue and it's labeled with a green leaf icon.

The Bio-Based version of the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 comes with the same specs and the standard version, meaning you're in for 1,024Wh of battery capacity that are excellent for camping or when the power goes out. Its weight of about 25 pounds means it's a highly portable model with four AC ports, two USB-A, and two USB-C with a max a 140W max.

You can already buy the new environmentally-friendly Bluetti Elite V2 at both Amazon and Bluetti's website. It comes with a standard list price of $799 but we're already seeing discounts on this new model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 200 V2 Bio-Based Edition $409 at Bluetti
$799 Save $390   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 200 V2 Bio-Based Edition $459 at Amazon
$799 Save $340   Get Deal Bluetti Elite 300 and Elite 320

More power means a larger size. Not only do portable power stations increase in physical size with larger battery capacity, they get heavier. Bluetti says the new Elite 300 has a smaller footprint compared to other models that offer a 3000Wh capacity. That will be especially important for those taking it in the RV, camping, or in the van where extra space is in short supply. There's also a 30amp plug and a 10 millisecond UPS for an unnoticeable switch from grid power to the Bluetti Elite 300.

The Bluetti Elite 320 is a new wheeled portable power station that's designed for home backup should the power cut out. Its 3,200Wh capacity will be ideal for larger appliances like the keeping the refrigerator cooling while also using the espresso machine or a hair dryer. The wheels make this model especially ideal for homes where you'll want to take the power station from room to room.

Bluetti has yet to release launch dates or pricing details for both the Elite 300 and the Elite 320. We'll keep this page updated once we have that info.

Additional Bluetti showcases at CES 2026

In addition to these new launches, Bluetti packed some of the brand's favorites to showcase at CES. Now that we're in January, it's a great time to consider the Bluetti Pioneer Na(Sodium) portable power station which is ideal for extra cold temps. This is the model you'll want if you're going ice fishing or camping in the snow this winter. Bluetti launched the Pioneer Na(Sodium) this past September at IFA in Germany.

The Bluetti FridgePower is another great innovation which offers a slim profile to keep your refrigerator cooling in the event of a power cut. You can mount the FridgePower either vertically next to the fridge or horizontally. It offers 2,016Wh of power with a maximum pull of 1,800W.

The Bluetti FridgePower can mount horizontally above a fridge. Credit: Bluetti

No word yet on when we'll be able to purchase the Bluetti FridgePower or pricing. We'll update this page as soon as we hear more about availability.

CES is most often associated with new product announcements, but every now and then, you can find some fantastic CES specials on slightly older tech as companies make way for the new products. Sometimes, if you’re really lucky, you just might find discounts on brand-new tech.

USB ports come in many variants, but it's easy to assume that essentially, USB is USB. If it plugs in, it'll work equally well across every device. Unfortunately, that couldn't be further from the truth, and using your laptop as a way to quickly recharge your devices is a mistake in more ways than one. Here's why.