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Do you know someone who basically lives at the local climbing gym? Are you friends with a person whose only personality trait is taking their dog hiking? Or maybe your partner is obsessed with the idea of living in a van (#vanlife) and traveling the country?

If any of these groups sound like you or someone you know, you've been exposed to the granola lifestyle. Similar to gorpcore, folks who fit the granola aesthetic are typically into camping, hiking, and kayaking, and have probably talked about moving to Colorado one day (guilty). They love to be outdoors, sip craft beer, and of course, wear Patagonia fleece sweaters.

Outdoorsy folk have taken to TikTok with the hashtags #granolagirl, #granolaboy, and #granolacheck over the last few years to show off their adventurous, outdoor-oriented lifestyles. For many, getting into nature was a direct response to feeling cooped up during the lockdowns of the early pandemic. But that trend is here to stay.

How to shop for an outdoorsy gift

For people who are unsure about adventure gear themselves but still want to find the perfect granola gift this holiday season, we chatted with outdoor expert and REI soft goods Lead and Virtual Outfitter Mike Kreis for some outdoor gear shopping tips.

SEE ALSO: The best camping gear for dogs: We've tried (and loved) these 8 products

Kreis suggests that you consider how long your giftee has been into their activity, whether it's hiking, skiing, camping, or climbing. "The longer they have been doing the activity, the more gear they will have," he says.

If your gift recipient already owns some gear, Kreis says it's best to go for nonessentials. "I always like to go with items that aren't necessarily needed for the activity, as they most likely have that," he says. So opt for a portable charger, a cozy outdoor blanket, or extra camp cooking gadgets. Really, anything that can make outdoor life more comfortable will make a great gift.

If you find yourself shopping for the outdoorsy person in your life, look no further. We've rounded up 30 of the best presents out there, whether their version of adventure is having a picnic in the park or roughing it in the back country.

I remember when I was a child, the TV in the kitchen sat on the counter, not on the wall. It was small, portable, and had a charm that made it feel like part of the room rather than an electronic device taking up space on an already too-crowded counter.

Kai Cenat had barely gotten his hands on Apple's new iPhone Duo before another foldable caught his attention. The surprise? It was a Samsung.

During a livestream from Japan that accumulated millions of views, the streamer spotted a fan's folding phone and asked, "Is that the iPhone Duo?" When the owner explained that it was a Samsung, Cenat responded with a startled "What!"

"Wait, they been had this? I might have to switch to Samsung," he says in a viral clip.

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For Samsung users watching, the answer to that first question was an emphatic yes. And they were more than happy to catch him up.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone Duo review: This changes everything

"Apple fans watching Kai discover Samsung features that have existed for years are about to have a rough day" one user wrote on X. "It’s crazy how ignorant normies are," another wrote, while one user said, "everyone starting to realize Apple is washed and overpriced; Samsung actually feels like an upgrade worth the value and the features alone make it worth it."

"Just imagine when he finds out they have a trifold," another user pointed out.

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The snark comes with some history. Samsung unveiled its original Galaxy Fold in February 2019 and put it on sale that September, seven years before Apple’s first foldable arrived. Both follow the same basic idea — a phone with an outer screen that opens like a book to reveal a larger, tablet-like display, with room to run apps side by side. Samsung’s first Fold could already display three apps at once, while the iPhone Duo supports two side by side, with picture-in-picture video available too.

Samsung has released several generations since then, with its current lineup including the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Comparing the Duo with the standard Fold 8, Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth noted that Samsung's phone is thinner, lighter, and $100 cheaper at its starting price. Cameras were his biggest complaint about the Samsung, particularly its 10MP selfie camera. But after testing the Duo, Senior Editor Stan Schroeder found that Apple’s under-display FaceTime camera produced heavily processed, smudgy selfies, too.

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Apple introducing more people to foldables could actually benefit Samsung, and Cenat's viral interaction is a prime example of how. Samsung says European sales of its Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra rose 45 percent compared with a year earlier, while Google search interest in Samsung foldables jumped 260 percent between Sept. 6 and 12 — the week Apple announced the Duo.

SEE ALSO: The iPhone Duo could be boosting Samsung Galaxy foldable sales

Whether Cenat actually switches remains to be seen. For now, he’s given Samsung fans something almost as satisfying as a new customer: an iPhone owner asking what he's been missing.

Apple is giving the public a taste of its new AI features and powerful devices ahead of tomorrow's "Pro And Tell" event.

The tech giant already announced a new M6-powered, 14-inch MacBook Pro and a new iPad Mini 8, complete with an OLED screen and an internal A20 Pro chip.

And for creators, Apple is sprucing up its Creator Studio to bring more integrated editing tools and even AI assistants to its creative app lineup.

SEE ALSO: The new Apple M6 Macbook Pro is live — how to preorder Apple adds MotionVFX to Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro will be getting a major upgrade with the addition of MotionVFX, a library of effects, templates, graphics, and tools for rotoscoping, tracking, and color grading, the company announced. Users will be able to access the Content Hub directly in Final Cut Pro, including "Apple-curated stock videos, photos, and backgrounds to fill gaps, add polish, or spark new ideas without leaving their workflow."

Final Cut Pro's workflow will be streamlined, too, including new keyframe editing options and the ability to combine edit sessions across multiple apps.

Logic Pro gets Liquid Glass, AI tools

Apple will bring its new Apple Intelligence model to its suite of creative apps, including Pixelmator Pro's new Generate Fill, which allows users to generate automatic edits and content fills with text-based prompts.

Music editors in Apple's Logic Pro should prepare for a new Liquid Glass interface and an OpenAI collaboration introducing a music-intelligent AI assistant.

The AI, a combination of Apple and OpenAI models, "automatically analyzes, classifies, and tags added sounds so creators can easily search their entire collection or drag in a loop to surface matching audio," Apple explains. There's a new Browser tool to match that centralizes clips, edits, and effects, as well as a new Voice Memos Studio Sound that automatically reduces ambient noise in iPhone recordings and uploads them to Logic Pro.

Apple is also adding new "Producer Packs" with clips and sounds from famed producers, like Sergio George.

Apple's AI assistant can help with graphic design

The company's AI assistant will also be available on Keynote, Pages, and Numbers to help design and animate slides, draft and edit written content, and build custom charts or graphs.

Credit: Apple

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Out of all the kitchen products we've put to the test, these 12 are the ones we'll always recommend — over and over again. Here's why we love them.

I’ve been dual-booting Linux and Windows for more than 10 years, and my current machine runs four different operating systems side by side. Over the years, I’ve made plenty of mistakes and seen newcomers and enthusiasts make many of the same ones. As such, to help you avoid these common pitfalls, here are three of the most common mistakes people make when setting up a Linux-Windows dual-boot PC.

Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Denis Villeneuve will bring his epic trilogy to a conclusion this December with Dune: Part Three. And the final trailer gives fans an intense look at Villeneuve's bold adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novels. Based on Dune Messiah, the film follows Timothée Chalamet's Paul Atreides as he confronts the consequences of becoming Emperor.

Mashable's resident Dune expert Belen Edwards wrote of the film's previous trailer, "Dune: Part Three takes place 17 years after the end of Dune: Part Two, which saw Paul become Emperor, meet his future wife Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh), and lose his lover Chani (Zendaya). In a huge deviation from Frank Herbert's novels, Chani fled into the desert after witnessing Paul's brutality, setting up a major rift between the two."

In the trailer above, Paul attacks Irulan, who confesses Chani is involved in an assassination attempt. The footage also features Robert Pattinson as Scytale, "a shape-shifting Face Dancer from the genetically altered Bene Tleilax order." Anya Taylor-Joy returns as Paul’s sister Alia, now grown up with powers of her own.

But that’s not all. Dune: Part Three promises pulse-pounding action, heart-wrenching drama, and a confrontation between former lovers that could change the future of their universe.

Dune: Part Three hits theaters and IMAX Dec. 18.

Apple is currently in the midst of releasing brand-new iPads and new Macs. Looking to upgrade to a new tablet or computer now? Then you're in luck.

Apple just bumped up the trade-in values for previous generations of iPads and Macs, as first noticed by MacRumors.

This week, just as Apple launched the new iPad mini, M6 MacBook Pro, and M6 iMac, the company also increased how much consumers could get back when trading in their old devices. Is Apple trying to sweeten the deal for customers in order to sell more new iPads and Macs? Possibly, though Apple hasn't said whether that factored into the higher trade-in offers.

But this is good news for Apple fans looking to upgrade.

So, how much can you get for trading in your current iPad or Mac model now? Here's a list of the previous and new maximum valuations for each device below. (Your actual offer depends on your device's model and condition.)

Macs

Macs and MacBooks received the largest increases in maximum trade-in value. Here's what you can get now.

• MacBook Pro: From up to $1,315 to up to $1,435

• MacBook Air: From up to $705 to up to $795

• iMac: From up to $385 to up to $440

• Mac mini: From up to $620 to up to $645

• Mac Studio: From up to $1,460 to up to $1,700

• Mac Pro: From up to $2,195 to up to $2,560

The iMac Pro remains the only listed Mac model unchanged, with a maximum trade-in value of $340.

iPads

The iPad trade-in values didn't increase by as much as those for Apple's computers. However, there was an increase in trade-in value nonetheless.

• iPad: From up to $280 to up to $300

• iPad mini: From up to $320 to up to $340

• iPad Air: From up to $510 to up to $525

• iPad Pro: From up to $905 to up to $915

As a general reminder, Apple's trade-in program is mostly about convenience. Even with the increase in trade-in value, you may be able to resell your device on resale marketplaces for a higher payout.

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. 

Pixel phones built their reputation on photos that looked better than their hardware should allow. Five years after the Pixel 6 Pro, that edge feels thinner, so it’s worth asking whether Pixel cameras are actually slipping or the competition simply sprinted ahead.

For years, Windows 11 has handled camera and microphone access for desktop apps like a master key—flip the switch and every program gets in, or none do. Microsoft is finally working on a solution for the latest Windows 11 Insider build. The new privacy controls allow you to decide which desktop apps get to use your camera and microphone, one at a time. If you use an Android phone, you'll find the per-app permission settings feel familiar. This matters because camera and microphone access can reveal more than you might expect across varied software.

Subway is attempting to hijack your midday break with an aggressive dose of 2014 nostalgia.

To celebrate National Sandwich Day (Nov. 3), Subway has officially launched a BOGO Footlong deal running until Nov. 8. Alongside this generous promo, Subway is resurrecting the cult-favorite Fritos Chicken Enchilada Sub. I've probably eaten at Subway a couple of times in my life, but free subs are enough to convince me to make a return.

The BOGO promo applies across most standard Footlong builds, including the returning Fritos Chicken Enchilada Sub. If you missed the original 2014 run, this viral sandwich packs rotisserie-style chicken drenched in enchilada sauce, melted Monterey Cheddar, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, a drizzle of smoky Baja Chipotle sauce, and a generous layer of crunchy original Fritos corn chips.

Credit: Subway

Qualifying for the BOGO deal is straightforward: Sub Club members can score a free Footlong of equal or lesser value with the purchase of another Footlong. You just need to order through the Subway app or online, and the offer will be automatically added to your app wallet.

The BOGO discount is only triggered on digital orders placed through the Subway app or Subway.com. If you turn up at a store expecting the free sub, you'll walk away disappointed.

Best early Black Friday Lego deals Best Lego Advent Calendar deal Lego Disney Princess Advent Calendar $30 (save $14.99) Get Deal Best Lego Icons deal Lego Icons Poinsettia $42.99 (save $7) Get Deal Best Lego Pokémon deal Lego Pokémon Eevee $47.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best Lego Botanicals deal Lego Botanicals Succulents $32.99 (save $17) Get Deal Best Lego stocking stuffer deal Lego Snowman Ornaments $10.28 (save $2.71) Get Deal Best Lego Star Wars deal Lego Star Wars Anzellan Starship $45.49 (save $29.50) Get Deal

Listen up, builders. We still have weeks to go before Black Friday, but Legos are already on sale. From Pokémon builds to stunning floral arrangements, there's something for everyone in the world of Lego.

SEE ALSO: Early Black Friday home improvement deals save big on power tools, smart lights, home security, and more.

If you've shopped for Legos in the past, you understand sales can vanish quickly, as does availability. Before prices and stock change, check out our favorite deals below.

Best Lego Advent calendar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Disney Princess Advent Calendar $30 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $14.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

It's time to grab Advent Calendars for 2026. If you have a Lego princess in your life, snag the Lego Disney Princess Advent Calendar while it's on sale for just $30. This year's calendar comes with adored princesses like Moana, Cinderella, and Mulan.

More Lego Advent Calendar deals

• Lego Friends Advent Calendar — $25 $34.99 (save $9.99)

Best Lego Icons deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons Poinsettia $42.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $7   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

During Prime Day in October, we all got treated to a great discount on the Lego Icons Project Hail Mary build. Consider yourself lucky if you managed to snag that deal before it went out of stock. While that set is currently sitting at full price, we do have the festive Lego Icons Poinsettia on sale as an early Black Friday treat.

The holiday centerpiece is a great Thanksgiving project for kids and adults that'll look great on display throughout the holiday season. The potted poinsettia measures about eight inches in height and width and about 6.5 inches deep.

More Lego Icons deals

• Lego Icons Tranquil Garden — $103.99 $109.99 (save $6)

• Lego Icons Tropical Aquarium — $446.82 $479.99 (save $33.17)

Best Lego Pokémon deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Pokémon Eevee $47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The Lego Pokémon collab only launched in early 2026, but we already have discounts. The undeniably adorable Lego Pokémon Eevee is the perfect holiday gift for any fan of building with small bricks who also loves Pokémon. That's probably something like 90% of the global population.

The Lego Pokémon Eevee is designed for more advanced builders, and Lego recommends it for those over the age of 18. It's also available for one to three builders to work together via the Lego Build Together feature.

More Lego Pokémon deals

• Lego Pokémon Pikachu and Poké Ball — $183.18 $199.99 (save $16.81)

Best Lego Botanicals deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Succulents $32.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $17   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Featuring nine succulents and buildable pots for each, the Lego Botanicals Succulents is a cheery addition to any space. Keep them all together or spread them around the house, the set has 771 pieces in total. One of Lego's most popular Botanicals builds, the set is on sale for the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon, and we're still well ahead of Black Friday.

More Lego Botanicals deals

• Lego Botanicals Rocking Plants — $19.97 $22.99 (save $3.02)

• Lego Botanicals Flowering Cactus — $27.95 $34.99 (save $7.04)

• Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower — $55.95 $69.99 (save $14.04)

• Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement — $62.04 $109.99 (save $47.95)

Best Lego stocking stuffer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Snowman Ornaments $10.28 at Amazon
$12.99 Save $2.71   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

For those who aren't looking for a giant build or something small that's perfect for a stocking, the Lego Snowman Ornaments are on sale for $10.28. The duo of snowmen are perfect for Lego beginners that can either hang on the Christmas tree or sit on a fireplace mantle as part of the holiday display. Since the set is small and not too spendy, it's already a great gift exchange item.

Best Lego Star Wars deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Anzellan Starship $45.49 at Amazon
$74.99 Save $29.50   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Down the to the best price we've ever seen at Amazon, the Lego Star Wars Anzellan Starship build is the perfect decor for any fan of the franchise. The 701-piece build is meant for kids (or adults) ages nine and up. Three Lego Star Wars mini figures will hop into the Starship and take flight.

More Lego Star Wars deals

• Lego Star Wars AT-RT Attack — $35.99 $44.99 (save $9)

• Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Mos Eisley Cantina — $53.99 $79.99 (save $26)

• Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter — $55.99 $69.99 (save $14)

• Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Millennium Falcon — $79.95 $99.99 (save $20.04)

• Lego Star Wars Grogu (Mandalorian Apprentice) — $103.99 $129.99 (save $26)

I'm the last person to defend Windows. There's no doubt in my mind that it's a bloated, slow, and unreliable mess of an operating system. The only thing I use Windows for anymore is as a dedicated gaming PC that never has a single mission-critical job.

The latest Colleen Hoover adaptation has arrived with a bang. After grossing $162 million in theaters, psychological thriller Verity is making its way into living rooms just in time for Halloween.

How to watch 'Verity' at home: Buy or rent 'Verity' at Prime Video $19.99 or $24.99 Shop Now Buy or rent 'Verity' at Fandango $19.99 or $24.99 Shop Now Buy or rent 'Verity' on Apple TV $19.99 or $24.99 Shop Now Stream 'Verity' at a later date starting at $7.99/month Shop Now

Adapted from Colleen Hoover's extremely popular 2018 novel of the same name, Verity stars Dakota Johnson and Anne Hathaway in what Mashable's entertainment editor calls her "wildest performance of 2026."

Critic reviews are mostly harsh, with the film only holding a 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, but audiences are loving the adaptation, leading to its box office success. Whether you're a Colleen Hoover fan waiting to compare the book with the film or you're just seeking a fun psycho-sexual thriller to watch this season, Verity is now available to watch at home. Here's everything you need to know.

What is Verity about?

Verity follows writer Lowen Ashleigh (Johnson) after she's hired as a ghostwriter by best-selling author Verity Crawford (Hathaway) to complete her book series. While staying at the Crawford home, Lowen discovers a disturbing manuscript revealing some of Verity's darkest secrets.

Peep the full trailer below.

How to watch Verity at home Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

As of Oct. 27, you can officially watch Verity at home one of two ways: rent it or buy it. A streaming option is still to come at an unknown date. See the details below.

Buy or rent it on digital

Verity will make its at-home debut on digital retail sites like Prime Video and Fandango at Home on Oct. 27, 2026. You can buy it forever at any of the retailers below or rent it for 30 days. If you choose the rental option, just note that once you start watching, you'll only have 48 hours to finish.

• Prime Video — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• Apple TV — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• Fandango at Home — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

Stream it on MGM+ (at a later date)

While no official streaming date has been announced yet, we know that as an Amazon MGM Studios film, Verity will likely make its streaming debut on Amazon's niche streaming service MGM+.

Previous Amazon MGM Studios films like Is God Is and Project Hail Mary graced MGM+ first before finally expanding to Prime Video. It is likely that as a box office success, Verity will follow the same formula.

The good news is that you likely won't have to wait too long. We'll update this story with new streaming information once Amazon MGM Studios makes the announcement.

Are there any MGM+ deals?

If you're new to MGM+, then you can score a seven-day trial and watch Verity for free once it's released. If not, there are a couple of ways to save on a subscription.

MGM+ annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: MGM+ MGM+ annual subscription $61.99
$95.88 Save $33.89   Get Deal

On any given day, the annual MGM+ subscription plan will save you about 35% or nearly $34. It costs $61.99 for a full year of streaming, which breaks down to $5.17 per month instead of the usual $7.99 per month. You'll have to pay up front, but the savings are ultimately worth it.

MGM+ Prime Video add-on Opens in a new window Credit: MGM+ MGM+ (Prime Video add-on) $1.99/month for 2 months Get Deal

You can also opt to sign up for MGM+ through Prime Video (if you're a Prime member or Prime Video subscriber). The prices for the monthly or annual subscription add-on are the same as subscribing directly from MGM+, but there are often deals that'll get you the streaming service for as low as 99 cents.

The current deal gets you two months of MGM+ for just $1.99 per month, but it's set to expire on Oct. 28. There's a good chance another discount will pop up around Black Friday, so stay tuned.

Trends among teenagers are an ever-changing hellscape, and finding the best gifts for teen girls (that they'll actually use for longer than a month) is a coveted skill. Even millennials — people who are not that old, thank you very much — can have trouble keeping up with the world predominantly ruled by TikTok and content creators.

An important reminder: Don't just wing it. Gen Z girls are clearly loyal to a defined handful of brands and have very specific aesthetic goals. Goals that could be torched by the honest mistake of grabbing generic white earbuds instead of the best AirPods or not realizing that Owala has eclipsed Stanley in the hierarchy of trendy water bottles.

SEE ALSO: Claire's is betting Gen Alpha wants creators, not celebrities

But you know who does know what teenage girls want this year? Other teenage girls. I'm regularly tracking viral TikTok products and compiling the most popular stuff with items that the high schoolers in my own life have mentioned. So even if you don't know what terms like whimsymaxxing mean, you're definitely in the right place to find a gift that a teenager thinks is cool. Whether it's for a birthday, holiday, high school graduation, or just because, here are 35+ unique gifts for teenage girls in 2026.

TL;DR: Get a PlayStation Store $100 Gift Card for $85 with the promo code GTWF2793 at Newegg. You can use that gift card to pick up GTA 6 Ultimate Edition for the best preorder price.

Even if you've already accepted that GTA 6 is going to dominate your winter gaming schedule, dropping $100 on a digital preorder still stings.

You need to cough up $79.99 for the Standard Edition and a steep $99.99 for the digital-only Ultimate Edition. Because Rockstar almost never discounts flagship titles prior to launch, preorder price drops are pretty much nonexistent.

However, for a limited time, you can grab the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition on PS5 for $84.99. That's an extremely solid $15 discount on the most anticipated entertainment release of the decade. There are a few steps you need to take to unlock this discount, but it's worth the hassle:

• Grab a Sony PlayStation Store $100 Digital Gift Card for $85 at Newegg with the promo code GTWF2793 at checkout

• Your digital voucher code typically arrives via email within 10 to 15 minutes

• Sign in to your PlayStation Network account on your console or browser

• Select "Redeem Code"

• Paste the 12-digit key to deposit $100 directly into your PSN wallet

• Head to the official GTA 6 store page and lock in your Ultimate Edition preorder before launch on Nov. 12.

If you plan on playing GTA 6 on launch day and want to lock in this rare preorder price drop, we recommend jumping on this deal.

The best early Black Friday deals under $50 Best Early Black Friday Deal Under $50 Blink Outdoor 4 $26.99 (Save $43) Get Deal Best Early Black Friday Earbud Deal Under $50 JBL Vibe Beam 2 $39.95 (Save $25) Get Deal Best Early Black Friday Speaker Deal Under $50 Anker Soundcore 2 $29.98 (Save $15.01) Get Deal Best Early Black Friday Beauty Deal Under $50 Wavytalk Thermal Brush Blowout Boost $47.48 (Save $21.52) Get Deal Best Early Black Friday Video Doorbell Deal Blink Wired Doorbell 2K $23.99 (Save $26) Get Deal

Looking to get some early holiday shopping done this year? It's time to shop early Black Friday deals right now. Retailers like Amazon have already started cutting prices on everything from earbuds to books, and a good chunk of the best deals under $50 are live right now. That’s the sweet spot for stocking stuffers, a gift for the person whose name you drew in a gift exchange, or a small upgrade for yourself that doesn’t break the bank.

Cheap doesn’t have to mean junk, either. The sub-$50 tier includes tons of goodies that normally sell well above that price, up for grabs for excellent prices before the shopping holiday even begins. Buying early also means you skip the sold-out listings and shipping delays that pile up the closer it gets to Thanksgiving.

But where do you start and which deals are truly worth snagging? We’ve sorted through the early Black Friday sales to highlight the ones worth your money. Here’s what you can pick up right now for less than $50.

Best early Black Friday deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Outdoor 4 $26.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $43   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

This outdoor camera is wire-free, mounts in minutes, and lasts up to two years on two AA batteries. That means you can stick it over the garage or by the back door and forget about it. It features 1080p HD video with a wide 143-degree view, infrared night vision, and two-way audio for talking to whoever’s on the porch. Plus, it has Alexa support if you’d rather pull up the feed on an Echo Show. It’s also IP65 weather resistant, which means rain, snow, and heat won't abruptly knock it offline.

Best early Black Friday earbud deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon JBL Vibe Beam 2 $39.95 at Amazon
$64.95 Save $25   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

These affordable earbuds are a great pick if you want noise cancellation without paying premium prices. They can help to shut out your commute, and feature a Smart Ambient mode that lets you hear what’s around you when you need to. They offer lengthy listening time as well, with 40 hours of battery life and additional charges with the included case. They’re also IP54 rated, so a little sweat or rain won’t bother them.

Best early Black Friday speaker deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Anker Soundcore 2 $29.98 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $15.01   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

This modest yet impressive portable speaker is everything you need to get the party started and keep it up while on the go. It boasts 12W of stereo sound with Anker’s BassUp tech, so it’s got more low end than you’d expect from something the size of a sunglasses case, and plenty of bass to bump your favorite songs. The battery lasts up to 24 hours on a charge, and it’s IPX7 waterproof, so it's even great to use around the pool for when we head back into the warmer months.

Best early Black Friday beauty deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Wavytalk Thermal Brush Blowout Boost $47.48 at Amazon
$69 Save $21.52   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

This heated round brush is meant to be used on dry hair, so you can wrap and comb through, then walk away with a bouncy blowout or soft waves in about 10 minutes. It has a 1.5-inch ceramic tourmaline barrel that heats evenly and sends out negative ions to tame frizz, and five temperature settings that can even suit finer hair. You also get a regular brush and two sectioning clips so you’re ready to go right out of the box.

Best early Black Friday video doorbell deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Wired Doorbell 2K $23.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $26.00   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

This video doorbell hooks into your existing doorbell wiring, so there’s no battery to swap out and no Sync Module to buy. It offers a sharp 2K picture with a 140-degree head-to-toe view as well as two-way talk via the Blink app. There's also a live view option through your Echo Show, and the option to add person and vehicle alerts with a Blink subscription — all this for under $25 while it's on sale ahead of Black Friday.

More early Black Friday deals under $50

• Crock-Pot Manual Slow Cooker (7 quart) — $35.99 $59.99 (save $24)

• Sony WH-CH520 — $38 $69.99 (save $31.99)

• JLab Flex Open Ear Earbuds — $39.99 $52.99 (save $13)

• Anker Soundcore Q20i Hybrid Active Noise Canceling Headphones — $44.99 $69.99 (save $25)

• Amazon Echo Glow (2-Pack) — $47.98 $59.98 (save $12)

Microsoft is looking to shed a massive number of workers.

In a Monday blog post, the Windows and Xbox maker announced a voluntary buyout plan for its employees in Canada, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. While the blog post doesn't provide a specific number, reporting from CBS News and other outlets indicates that about 60,000 employees (roughly a quarter of Microsoft's global workforce) will receive the offer. That doesn't mean all 60,000 will accept the offer, but it is a surefire sign that Microsoft feels the need to greatly reduce its human workforce.

"The Voluntary Exit Offer is new for us. We’ll learn from it," Chief People Officer Amy Coleman wrote in the blog post. "At the same time, we’ll keep helping people focus on the work that matters most, build new skills and, where it makes sense, find new opportunities across Microsoft."

SEE ALSO: Microsoft president warns AI is less regulated than milk and washing machines

As CBS News noted, this comes at the same time Microsoft is expected to spend $175 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026 alone, signaling the company is not exactly lacking in funds at the moment. Whether or not that AI infrastructure will adequately replace human labor remains to be seen.

It hasn't been a good couple of years for Microsoft in terms of generating positive headlines. The company has laid off thousands of workers across divisions, including multiple rounds of cuts at Xbox. That coincides with increasing AI creep in the Windows operating system and new, fairly strict limits on Xbox game streaming, to say nothing of Microsoft's prominent place as a BDS boycott target due to its partnership with the Israeli military.

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Accessories are a big part of owning tools and using them regularly. I've been a big fan of Ryobi tools for a very long time. They're not only decent, budget-friendly tools, but they often do the job just as well as some higher-end ones. I'm mostly a hobbyist and maintainer of things, though, so I'm not necessarily using them for professional reasons. Either way, I found several accessories that make my Ryobi tools better. Here are a few cheap accessories that completely transformed my Ryobi tools and the way I use them.

The International Space Station has a new skate spot.

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir posted a clip on X showing herself doing tricks on a fingerboard, a tiny Tech Deck-style skateboard, aboard the ISS. In the video, she rolls the mini board along the station’s blue equipment panels and metal rails, skating around Velcro patches and rolls of tape.

SEE ALSO: China is coming for the moon. NASA's answer: a faster, leaner plan

"Space skate!" Meir wrote, calling the clip a tribute to the skaters in her life back on Earth. She dedicated it to her brother, her husband, and their daughter, whom she called a "little ripper." Then she called out the GOAT himself and tagged skateboarding legend Tony Hawk to ask what trick he’d try in orbit.

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Meir is now back on solid ground. She commanded NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission, which spent 235 days on the ISS before splashing down in the Pacific off Southern California. The crew completed four spacewalks during the mission. It was Meir’s second long stay on the station, following 205 days in orbit from 2019 to 2020.

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