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Google is all-in on fitness trackers in 2026. In May, we got the Fitbit Air, followed by the Pixel Watch 5 in August. And now, in October, we're welcoming the new Fitbit Edge, a fitness tracker that feels like it lands in a nice middle ground.

Preorders are already live for the newest Fitbit model, but before you decide if you're all-in on the Edge, check out some of the specs below.

Highlights of the Google Fitbit Edge

Unlike the Fitbit Air, Google went with a design that offers plenty of on-display info on the Edge. The AMOLED color display measures 1.34 inches and only weighs 17.7 grams without the band. Google kept it slim with the Edge, which measures just 11.58 mm. Like the Air, it aims to offer a comfortable fit for wear 24/7. The watch face on the Edge marks the largest and brightest ever on a Fitbit.

Credit: Google

Google says the battery can last up to 7 days, with a recharge time of about 90 minutes. A five-minute recharge will earn you an additional day of use. A first for Fitbit, the Edge's battery is replaceable should you wish to extend your watch's lifespan.

While the Fitbit Air was a scaled-back fitness tracker focused on simplicity, the Fitbit Edge adds features I missed with the Air. For one, it has an onboard altimeter, so it'll track the floors climbed and give you elevation info on hikes.

The Fitbit Edge also has onboard GPS for tracking your runs, walks, and bike rides. By comparison, the Air lacks onboard GPS and instead relies on your smartphone's GPS.

The IP68 waterproof rating means this model is swim friendly, won't mind going on a rainy fall run, and you won't have to take it off to shower.

Like the Air and Google Pixel 5, the Fitbit Edge comes with the Google Health Coach. While I'm not one to lean into AI, I enjoy the Google Health Coach's insight. I especially like the sleep tracking metrics that come with Fitbits.

It looks like anything but a fitness tracker

Order the Fitbit Edge, and it'll come with the silicone Active Band, which Google designed to be extra breathable thanks to the large cutouts. But you can also swap out the band for other options like the Performance Loop band, my preferred option on the Fitbit Air. It's a micro-adjustable option that allows for ultimate comfort. And somehow, it's pretty resistant to dirt.

There are also the elevated Metal Links and Magnet bands that make the Edge look much more like a watch and less like a fitness tracker. Google also launched the Fitbit Edge with a special Stephen Curry edition. It comes with a custom basketball watch face and a Rye colorway band, similar to the Stephen Curry edition of the Fitbit Air.

The Stephen Curry edition of the Fitbit Edge has its own custom watch face option. Credit: Google How to preorder the Google Fitbit Edge

The Fitbit Edge is available for preorder at Amazon and Google for $179.99 with a launch date set for Oct. 27. It comes with free access to Google Health Premium for three months. The special Stephen Curry edition of the Fitbit Edge is also available for preorder for $219.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Fitbit Edge $179.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

TL;DR: The Apple iPhone 17e is free when you switch to almost any T-Mobile plan with no trade-in required. The iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 Pro are heavily discounted for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Best deals on Apple iPhones   Get Deal

The 2026 Apple Event feels like it took place a long time ago, but the dust is still settling. Apple announced a wave of new hardware and software, headlined by its first foldable iPhone. We're still digging deep into all the new features and stylistic touches, but we know what you really want — deals.

We know that's the priority after new models launch. With this in mind, we've lined up the best deals this week so you can get your hands on the iPhone 18 Pro (or the iPhone 17) for the lowest possible rate.

These are the best iPhone deals from T-Mobile this week:

• iPhone 17e — free when you switch to almost any T-Mobile plan with no trade-in required.

• iPhone 17 — under $100 when you bring your number on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed)

• iPhone 17 Pro — under $100 when trading in an eligible phone on an Experience Beyond plan.

• iPhone 18 Pro — under $200 when you switch and bring your number or trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.

• iPhone 18 Pro Max — under $300 when you switch and bring your number or trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.

T-Mobile will charge taxes on these deals, as well as a $35 device connection fee.

If you’re still rocking an iPhone 12 or 13, you’re missing out on some genuinely game-changing features. The iPhone 17 is the first base model built specifically to handle Apple’s most advanced AI features. Mashable's Stan Schroeder said it's an "excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter."

Of course, the iPhone 18 Pro takes things to another level. The iPhone 18 Pro features a new A20 Pro chip to better support AI features and Siri AI. This latest model also has major camera upgrades, including a physical variable aperture, smart focus tracking, cinematic video effects, and improved low-light photography.

Get the best deals on Apple iPhones this week with T-Mobile.

TL;DR: Physical preorders for He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction are officially live across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Opens in a new window Credit: Clear River Games / Mattel He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction (Standard Edition) $28 at Clear River Games
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Clear River Games / Mattel He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Dragon Pearl of Destruction (Collector's Edition) $99.99 at Limited Run Games
  Pre-order Here

If you grew up glued to the television on Saturday mornings, waiting to hear He-Man declare that he has the power, this is the exact news your inner child needed to hear. To celebrate He-Man's official birthday, Mattel and retro gaming development specialists Bitmap Bureau teamed up with Clear River Games and Limited Run Games to bring Eternia back to physical media.

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction is an authentic 16-bit 2D side-scrolling arcade brawler launching Feb. 4, 2027, across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Physical preorders are officially open now, giving retro gaming enthusiasts and MotU fans two distinct ways to own a piece of gaming history.

The plot

When the nefarious Skeletor uncovers the ancient Dragon Pearl of Destruction, he pairs up with Evil-Lyn to execute a dark ritual that threatens to plunge all of Eternia into eternal darkness. It’s up to He-Man, Man-At-Arms, and Teela to smash their way through Skeletor's army of minions.

Credit: Mattel

The game blends classic 2-player local co-op arcade beat 'em up combat with high-fantasy theatrics, featuring massive, hand-crafted pixel-art sprites that look like the original 1980s animated series brought to life.

Across 13 action-packed stages, including the Royal Palace, the Vine Jungle, and the dark corridors of Snake Mountain, players will battle iconic villains like Beast Man, Trap Jaw, Evil-Lyn, and Skeletor, along with deep-lore foes like the dark sorceress Shokoti and the Shadow Beasts. The game is region-free and features English voice acting along with multi-language in-game text (English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish).

Credit: Mattel He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction (Standard Edition)

Available through Clear River Games, Limited Run Games, and standard retailers, the Standard Edition is the entry point for players who want a physical copy on their shelf ahead of its Feb. 4, 2027 release. It includes:

• Physical game media — Disc or cartridge for Nintendo Switch, PS5, or Xbox Series X|S.

• Freddie Williams II case art — Custom physical game case featuring original artwork by the comic artist.

• Foiled, embossed slipcover — Metallic, raised outer packaging to protect the case.

• Printed instruction booklet — A retro-style physical manual tucked inside.

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Dragon Pearl of Destruction (Collector's Edition)

Exclusively available through Limited Run Games during an open preorder window ending Nov. 22, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET, the Collector's Edition is region-free with no purchase limits. It includes everything from the Standard Edition plus a massive lineup of retro collectibles:

• Full game and Standard perks — Physical game disc/cartridge, printed booklet, and foiled, embossed slipcover.

• Holographic Collector’s Box — Premium outer packaging designed by CultureFly.

• Plastic lunchbox — 1980s-style lunchbox packaging.

• SteelCase and acrylic standee — Protective metal game display case alongside an acrylic standee featuring He-Man riding Battle Cat.

• Mini Power Sword replica — 4.9-inch Power Sword complete with a dedicated display stand.

• Epoxy pins and Dark Horse comic — Sprite pin badges featuring He-Man and Skeletor, plus an exclusive 12-page mini comic.

• Early preorder bonus — The early fans who preorder score a bonus Masters of the Universe Origins 5.5-inch He-Man action figure (while supplies last).

Grab the Standard Edition via Clear River Games ahead of its official launch, or claim Limited Run Games' exclusive physical editions before their preorder window closes on Nov. 22.

TL;DR: Mint Mobile is celebrating its 10th anniversary by discounting every six-month plan — including Unlimited — to just $10 per month for new customers. That gets you six full months of 5G coverage on T-Mobile’s network for a single upfront payment of $60.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mint Mobile deal Mint Mobile   Get Deal

Can we still call Mint Mobile the new kid on the wireless block now that it's turning 10? Ever since launching in 2016, the carrier has built its reputation on ditching retail stores, skipping activation fees, and avoiding multi-year phone contracts. Instead, it asks you to pay upfront in prepaid blocks to secure drastically lower monthly rates on T-Mobile’s national 5G network.

To mark a decade in business, Mint is rolling out its biggest promotion ever: new customers can score any six-month plan for just $10 per month ($60 total upfront). The anniversary discount applies across Mint’s entire phone plan lineup, so every tier drops to the same flat $10 monthly rate for your first six months:

• 6GB Plan — $10/month $20/month (50% off)

• 17GB Plan — $10/month $25/month (60% off)

• 23GB Plan — $10/month $35/month (71% off)

• Unlimited Plan — $10/month $35/month (71% off)

While light data users get a solid price cut on smaller tiers, the Unlimited Plan is where the value skyrockets. Paying $60 total for six months of unlimited 5G data comes out to less than what major carriers typically charge for a single month of service.

What's the fine print say?

Mint’s Unlimited plan runs on T-Mobile's 5G network without artificial speed caps under normal usage. It includes up to 20GB of dedicated mobile hotspot data, free calls to Canada, Mexico, and the UK, and standard-definition video streaming.

If you happen to cross 50GB of data usage in a single 30-day billing cycle, you may notice temporarily reduced speeds in congested areas until your next cycle resets — a standard network management policy across unlimited prepaid plans.

SEE ALSO: Best family phone plans of 2026 — how to add lines without adding to the bill Set up and renewal

Getting set up is fast and straightforward. If you have an eSIM-compatible phone from Apple, Samsung, or Google, you can activate your service digitally on the same day without waiting for mail delivery. Prefer a traditional setup? Mint will ship a physical SIM kit directly to your door. You can instantly check your device's compatibility with Mint's online IMEI checker before checking out.

Once your initial six-month promotional window ends, you can easily manage or adjust your renewal in the Mint app. Mint's standard pricing model rewards longer commitments: lock in a full 12-month renewal to secure the lowest monthly rate for your tier, or opt for 3-month or 6-month blocks if you prefer more upfront flexibility. You can also switch between data tiers (6GB, 17GB, 23GB, or Unlimited) at any time when renewing.

If you've been waiting for the right moment to slash your cellular bill, head to Mint Mobile to claim six months of wireless coverage for $60 before this anniversary offer ends.

You'll be hard-pressed to find a PlayStation 5 Pro in stock right now. Major retailers, including PlayStation Direct, Best Buy, Amazon (including bundle offers), Target, and Walmart, are sold out. With the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto VI, the reseller market has gotten a little ridiculous (as has everything else).

Why is the PS5 Pro out of stock?

Beyond the obvious hype for Rockstar's next release, Sony is dealing with broader supply chain bottlenecks. The global AI boom is squeezing the semiconductor market, which means Sony can't build consoles fast enough. According to distributor reports, these supply constraints could keep stock tight well into 2027.

Should you buy a PS5 Pro from a third-party seller?

Naturally, scalpers are having a field day. We've seen third-party listings on reseller sites (and even GameStop's official pre-owned page) gouging buyers for $1,300 to $1,500+ for a console that retails for $899. Sony is taking the issue so seriously that in Japan, they're forcing buyers to enter a lottery — and prove they've clocked at least 60 hours of PS4 or PS5 playtime over the last two years — just for a chance to buy a PS5 Pro.

If you absolutely have to buy one today and have money to burn, here's what the third-party market currently looks like:

• GameStop: A pre-owned unit will currently run you $1,329.99.

• Swappa: This is a legitimate, verified marketplace for used tech. However, verified PS5 Pro listings are currently sitting at $1,338.

• StockX: The popular resale bidding site currently has the console hovering around $1,290.

• Macy's and Walmart: Don't be fooled by third-party sellers on major retail sites. A low-rated seller on Walmart is currently asking $1,644.99 (open-box units are already sold out), while a third-party seller on Macy's is asking a staggering $1,749.99.

• Mercari: We found a listing here for $800. Since this is $100 below the official MSRP for a highly coveted, sold-out item, it's almost certainly a scam. Avoid it.

How to find a PS5 Pro in stock before launch

If you're set on securing a Pro before launch day, here's how to play the restock game without burning a hole in your wallet:

• Sign up for stock alerts. Restocks happen in small, sudden waves. Set up notifications through stock-tracking accounts on X (like @PS5StockUpdater) or apps like HotStock to get pinged the second inventory hits.

• Bookmark and refresh product pages. Keep direct product pages saved for PlayStation Direct, Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Walmart. PlayStation Direct in particular occasionally drops invite-only or queue-based stock.

• Check local inventory. Sometimes brick-and-mortar stores (like local GameStops or Target stores) receive small physical allocations that don't always show up online right away. It never hurts to ask an associate in person.

• Preorder the game now. Don't hold your breath for a last-minute GTA 6 PS5 Pro console bundle. Secure your physical or digital preorder now so you're ready to go, no matter which console sits under your TV on day one.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for who watch college basketball.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.

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

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Whoops

• Green: East Coast basketball

• Blue: Tennis manufacturers

• Purple: Soccers stars

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Mistake

• Green: Big East Schools

• Blue: Tennis Ball Brands

• Purple: NWSL MVPs

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #750 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Mistake: BLUNDER, ERROR, FLUB, HOWLER

• Big East Schools: CREIGHTON, DEPAUL, PROVIDENCE, VILLANOVA

• Tennis Ball Brands: BABOLAT, DUNLOP, PENN, WILSON

• NWSL MVPs: CHAWINGA, FISHLOCK, HOLIDAY, KEROLIN

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 13, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 13, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 13 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this purple space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this orange space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this red space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 13 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 13 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you enjoy professional sports.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 12, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Style

• Green: Attach

• Blue: Winning

• Purple: Same first word

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Discernment

• Green: Fasten

• Blue: Sports championship prizes

• Purple: Loose ___

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1220 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Discernment: EYE, FLAIR, SENSE, TASTE

• Fasten: HITCH, LASH, TETHER, TIE

• Sports championship prizes: BELT, CUP, JACKET, RING

• Loose ___: CANNON, CHANGE, ENDS, LIPS

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

So you've found an old CRT PC monitor, or maybe you inherited it from your grandpa. Either way, it's just a heavy old piece of junk, right? Best to just send it off for recycling, because there's no good use for these anymore. Wrong!

A fake cobweb and a few carved pumpkins won't do. Having the best Halloween display on the block means hunting down unconventional and highly interactive pieces that give your neighbors a good scare — or a good laugh. (Let's hope your HOA is a fan, too.)

After covering and monitoring all of the biggest launches of the year so far, we've put together a definitive list of the best Halloween decorations and animatronics of 2026. There's still time to put some up if you haven't already, and as a bonus, many are on sale at this point in the season.

An upgraded 12-foot skeleton Credit: The Home Depot

Skelly can talk now! The Home Depot went high-tech in updating its beloved 12-foot skeleton for 2026. Using a companion mobile app, you can now chat with trick-or-treaters though the animatronic in real time or record up to 30 custom voice lines for it to play. It also has a new moving head, a light-up ribcage, and 20 different eye effects. This marks Skelly's biggest upgrade since it launched with fanfare back in 2020.

This new app-controlled Skelly costs $80 more than the standard version, which continues to be a hit on social media. A video of two Skellies dressed up as characters from the Chicks' song "Goodbye Earl" amassed more than 12 million views on TikTok this fall. Another clip of a fully rhinestoned Skelly is at nearly 2 million views. No bones about it: He's still the reigning king of spooky season.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot 12-foot Giant-Sized Animated LED App-Controlled Skelly $379 at The Home Depot
  Shop Now An even taller headless skeleton Credit: Lowe's

Is there anything scarier than the surveillance state? Lowe's new talking, overall-clad Skeleton Watcher holds its glowing skull in the air for a better view of the neighborhood. (Note: It doesn't actually have cameras in its eyes, but they do light up.) It's the largest Halloween animatronic on the market this year, towering over Skelly at 15 feet tall. This one was on clearance, and on the verge of selling out, at the time of writing.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lowe's Haunted Living 15-foot Talking Lighted Skeleton Watcher Motion-Activated Animatronic $343.20 at Lowe's
$429 Save $85.80   Shop Now A talking zombie parrot Credit: The Home Depot

The Home Depot's new five-foot Rotwing Parrot is an oversized blue-and-gold macaw that fell off the perch. It can say 20 different phrases and answer yes or no questions, sort of like an undead avian Magic 8 Ball. It's one of the most popular items from the home improvement retailer's 2026 Halloween collection, selling out several times over the past few months. It was back in stock the last time I checked, but there weren't many left.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot 5-foot Dead Water Animated LED Rotwing Parrot $179 at The Home Depot
  Shop Now A head-banging skeleton DJ Credit: Lowe's Credit: Lowe's

I think I read somewhere that DJs transport their equipment in protective cases called coffins? Anyway, that's very apt for Lowe's new Bluetooth-enabled DJ skeleton animatronic, which can sync its head-banging to any song on your Halloween party playlist. He's still pretty underground but seems to be on the come-up: A video of him posted on Instagram a few weeks ago has hit almost 2 million views.

The DJ skeleton was out of stock on the Lowe's website in early October, but you might have luck finding it in person at a Lowe's store, or on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lowe's Haunted Living 5.7-foot Motion-Activated Bluetooth DJ Lighted Skeleton Animatronic $299 at Lowe's
  Learn More A salacious singing jack-o'-lantern This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

A crooning pumpkin decoration called Jabberin' Jack went viral on TikTok in September after one perturbed mom pointed out that it included a suggestive song called "Wicked for One Night." (Some lyrics: "How would you like to scream all night? I'll fill you full of fright. / I'll spoil you with my roasted pumpkin seeds." Sir, this is a pumpkin patch.) On second thought, I don't know if I'd necessarily call this one of the "best" Halloween decorations of 2026, but it's definitely one of the most memorable.

The president of Mindscope Products, the company that makes Jabberin' Jack, apologized for the song and told Business Insider that it won't be included on next year's version — so if you want a piece of brief internet history, order one soon. It's currently $5 off on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mindscope Products Jabberin' Jack Talking Animated Pumpkin with 8-inch Screen and Built-in Projector + Speaker $39.99 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $5   Shop Now Honorable mention: Homemade Captain Clark animatronics

Halloween creators Wicked Makers, Terror Hauntz, and Haunted Halloween Guy turned some old zombie props into sick DIY animatronics of the deformed pirate monster from Backrooms, A24's hit horror movie based on creepypasta. You can't buy them anywhere, but mark my words: Big-box stores will be selling some versions of these within a year.

Does it really matter what brand or model of GPU you buy? Regardless of who the board partner is, the GPU on the card still comes from AMD, NVIDIA, or Intel, right? So why are you paying more for a "premium" card?

Brand deals usually pay influencers to post. But Jack Doherty says his latest agreement pays him to stop.

The controversial YouTuber and livestreamer says he signed a contract with cryptocurrency casino Shuffle.com without fully reading it, only to discover that its terms prevent him from posting online. Shuffle co-founder Noah Dummett says the agreement is real and has a six-month term. But without the full contract, the scope of the restriction — and whether it can be enforced — remains unclear.

The arrangement appears to have started with a less-than-friendly exchange on X. In late September, Doherty asked whether he should livestream himself trading meme coins. Shuffle’s official account responded: "At this point we will pay you to shut the f**k up."

For anyone unfamiliar with Doherty, his content revolves around stunts, public pranks, and confrontational livestreams. His videos include titles like "I crashed into a cop car" and "I got banned from Disney." Earlier this year, he was removed from the Phoenix Open after appearing to pay a spectator to shout during a golfer’s pre-shot routine.

Recently, Doherty went looking for sponsors. In an Oct. 7 post, he said his $JACK meme coin wasn’t performing as well as he’d hoped and invited brands to contact him. Shuffle resurfaced its earlier response, adding, "legit offer btw."

By the end of the week, Doherty was telling followers he wanted out.

"Hey guys, I think I actually f**ked up," he wrote in a statement shared on X. "I recently signed a contract with a casino called shuffle.com but I didn't read the contract fully... One of the terms is that I'm not allowed to post online anymore, which I thought was a joke but now they're enforcing it."

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Doherty said he was working with his lawyer to resolve the situation, adding: "This might be my last post for a while, I'll try and be back soon."

Dummett’s response suggested the company had little interest in reconsidering. In an Oct. 10 post, he described the agreement as "money well spent to get this mf off the internet." He also said Doherty’s lawyers were pushing to scrap the contract, but Shuffle intended to stand firm.

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I do a lot of writing on my laptop, but it's far from ideal. The problem is that my laptop is full of distractions that can steal my focus, including access to the entirety of the internet as well as highly addictive games such as Slay the Spire. I decided to turn my old Kindle into a distraction-free writing terminal, and it worked better than I was expecting.

We're getting to the point in October where it's perfectly reasonable to put the tombstones, skeletons, and giant spiders on the lawn in anticipation of Halloween. But if you're like me, you'll still want a couple of comedies on your pre-spooky season movie night list to keep things light before all the horror arrives.

A portable charger is a staple of plenty of travel bags. But a power bank reportedly caught fire aboard an IndiGo flight on Sunday, forcing the plane to change course and make an emergency landing in Hyderabad, India.

IndiGo Flight 6E 6115 was traveling from Delhi to Chennai on Oct. 11 when the fire broke out in an overhead luggage compartment. Around 180 passengers and seven crew members were aboard, according to a statement carried by local outlets. Cabin crew extinguished the fire, and the aircraft landed safely at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

Footage shared online shows passengers responding to the IndiGo power bank fire in midair, as reported by People. The video shows passengers standing in the aisle and attempting to contain the flames in the overhead compartment. No injuries were reported.

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IndiGo said smoke had been detected from a passenger’s "personal electronic device." (Local reports identified that device as a power bank.)

"The cabin crew responded promptly, and the situation was brought under control," the airline said. IndiGo arranged another aircraft to continue the journey to Chennai. Authorities have launched an investigation.

Can you bring a power bank on a plane?

The incident puts a familiar travel accessory — and the rules around packing it — back in the spotlight.

IndiGo’s published baggage policy states that power banks must remain within a passenger’s reach, such as under the seat, in a seat pocket, or on their person. They cannot be stored in overhead compartments or checked baggage. Its cabin baggage guidance also prohibits using, charging, or recharging them during a flight.

Those restrictions are part of a wider push to address battery risks aboard aircraft. In March, the International Civil Aviation Organization introduced new specifications limiting passengers to two power banks and prohibiting passengers from recharging those banks during flights.

For U.S. travelers, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration require power banks to travel in carry-on baggage. If your bag gets checked at the gate, the power bank needs to come out and remain with you in the cabin. Battery terminals also need protection against short circuits. Airline-specific restrictions can be stricter, so check your carrier’s policy before packing.

SEE ALSO: Airlines are cracking down on portable chargers over fire risk concerns Why can power banks catch fire?

Power banks typically use lithium-ion batteries, the same rechargeable battery technology found in phones and laptops. According to the FAA, these batteries can overheat and undergo "thermal runaway," a process in which temperatures rise uncontrollably and can produce gases and flames. Damage and short-circuited terminals can also cause battery fires.

The risks have prompted recalls, too. In June 2025, approximately 1.16 million Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks were recalled in the U.S. because their batteries could overheat. That recall covered model A1263 units with qualifying serial numbers.

Reporting on Sunday’s IndiGo power bank fire did not identify the charger’s brand or model.

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When Valve released the Steam Deck in 2022, it wasn't a cutting-edge device by any means, and that was a deliberate choice. Valve carefully balanced performance, power consumption, and cost to create a machine that was almost perfectly suited for its intended purpose.

I'm a big fan of Docker, especially with apps like Papermerge and Actual Budget. Over time, I've ditched some containers like Wallabag for alternatives that work better for me. While I use it for many different tasks, I often spin down containers for apps I'm not actively using at any given time. However, I run some apps 24/7 on one of my homelab laptops. These apps help me monitor, control, and manage my work every day.

TL;DR: MacPaw has launched Email Cleanup within CleanMyMac to bulk-purge years of Gmail clutter, clear heavy attachments, and unsubscribe from junk mail using metadata alone. Test out the full plan with a 7-day free trial ($3.33/month billed annually).

Opens in a new window Credit: MacPaw CleanMyMac   Get Deal

Nobody actively decides to abandon their inbox to chaos, but it happens anyway as marketing promos, newsletter signups, and old threads stack up over time. It’s the ultimate low-reward task that constantly takes a back seat to actual work, compounding daily until the sheer volume of unread messages feels overwhelming to tackle.

To cut through that noise, MacPaw launched Email Cleanup within CleanMyMac, a smart pre-work filter built exclusively for Gmail at launch that lets you reclaim your inbox and shared Google storage in bulk. Located directly in the My Tools sidebar menu, it scans your inbox and groups clutter into actionable categories such as Newsletters and Promotions, Subscriptions, Spam, abandoned Drafts, Senders, and custom Smart Cleanup suggestions.

Rather than deleting threads one by one, you can mass-clear marketing blasts, archive old conversations, or use a single button to unsubscribe from lists you don't read. In the process, it spots heavy, space-hogging attachments, making it easy to free up gigabytes across your connected Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos accounts.

Total privacy with zero snooping

Because people avoid cleaning out their inbox for fear of accidentally deleting critical files or leaking sensitive data, Email Cleanup relies entirely on metadata analysis rather than inspecting your private correspondence.

It scans headers, file sizes, and dates without reading, storing, or sharing message contents, connecting securely through official Google APIs that you can disconnect at any time. It also supports multiple Gmail accounts simultaneously, letting you manage work and personal inboxes from a single unified space without switching between browser tabs.

You're always in control

You stay in full command of the process, as no emails are ever deleted, archived, or unsubscribed automatically without your explicit confirmation. You can review items by sender, year, category, or file size before taking action, and any deleted messages are routed straight to your standard Gmail Trash, giving you a 30-day window to restore anything cleared by mistake.

You can test the entire feature suite risk-free with a 7-day free trial on CleanMyMac's Annual Plan at $3.33/month ($39.96 billed annually), while those who only need basic on-device Mac cleaning can opt for the budget-friendly Essential Trio tier at $1.66/month ($19.95 billed annually).

Ready to turn your thousand-message Gmail nightmare back into a clean slate? Head to MacPaw to test out CleanMyMac’s Email Cleanup with a 7-day free trial.

Comedian and viral creator Kyle Gordon sits down for an interview with Mashable Executive Producer, Mark Stetson, on Say More to discuss his comedy roots, musical parodies, and creative process. From childhood Chris Farley impressions and Christopher Guest influences to shooting the Mr. Jambo music video in South Africa and Eswatini, Kyle opens up about his journey, live shows, and balancing music with comedy.

Kyle Gordon is Everywhere is now available.

Your grocery store’s dairy aisle might seem like an unlikely place to start a conversation about AI safety. But Microsoft President Brad Smith says it offers a useful comparison for how the technology should be regulated.

Speaking to the BBC’s Big Boss Interview podcast on Oct. 11, Smith called for global AI safety rules, arguing that everyday products like milk face more safeguards than increasingly powerful AI systems.

"Right now, your washing machine is subject to more safety rules than AI. Every carton of milk that you see in the grocery store is subject to safety rules and inspection," Smith said.

His proposed protections go beyond asking companies to promise their technology is safe. Smith wants legal requirements for companies to report safety incidents and notify victims when rogue AI agents breach their systems. He also called for "emergency brakes" that could pause or slow AI systems, alongside rules determining when independent evaluators should review new technology before its release.

"We know how to do this for other products," Smith said. "We should build on that knowledge and think about how to apply it to AI."

Smith's comments echo recent warnings from Bill Gates. The push for stronger AI protections also comes as President Donald Trump has favored industry self-regulation. At a White House meeting in September, major AI companies agreed to voluntary safety standards, including working with independent auditors to assess whether their systems behave as intended.

Smith welcomed that agreement and said Microsoft was happy to sign it. But he argued that voluntary commitments would no longer be enough. "It's a good step, it's a necessary step... But I don't think it's sufficient any longer," he told the BBC.

The problem, in his view, is that responsible companies will follow voluntary rules. Less responsible ones may not.

Who gets to set the rules?

That question has also surfaced in Mashable’s reporting on AI leaders’ calls for stronger safety standards. As Rebecca Ruiz reported in September, experts caution that companies can support safeguards while still seeking control over how those safeguards work.

SEE ALSO: AI leaders say they want safety, but on whose terms?

Pete Furlong, senior manager of policy and research at the Center for Humane Technology, told Mashable that companies’ transparency efforts need to come with expectations beyond those they set themselves.

"It can’t be entirely up to these companies to dictate the terms of their transparency," he said.

Smith suggested the UK could help lead the development of global rules, pointing to the technical expertise of its AI Security Institute. The institute already gets access to major AI models before deployment through voluntary agreements, allowing it to assess their capabilities and risks.

For Smith, the next step is making safety obligations enforceable — including requiring companies to tell people when something goes wrong.

"It's the companies that are not as responsible that you need to worry about," he said.

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