TL;DR: Get more done with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license, now $34.97 (reg. $219.99) until Feb. 22.

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Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License

$34.97
$219.99 Save $185.02

 

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From creating a standout resume to building a budget or drafting an invoice, there are some tasks that are just easier on your PC. If you’re looking to make them even easier, a Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license can help. Now you can own eight powerful Microsoft tools for life for just $34.97 (reg. $219.99) through Feb. 22.

Got an endless to-do list piling up? Knock it out with Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows. This lifetime license gives you eight apps that make life a little easier — from finishing work tasks to answering emails — and there are no subscription fees required. You’ll get these eight Microsoft essentials for less than $5 each with this license, including new and familiar favorites.

Draft documents in Word, manage correspondence in Outlook, put together powerful presentations in PowerPoint, and build budgets in Excel. You can also stay connected to others with Teams, manage large databases with Access, take notes more efficiently with OneNote, and create professional documents in Publisher.

Don’t let the year of this edition give you pause — all the apps have been redesigned to help things work smoothly. There’s a ribbon-based interface so you can access features, tools, and customizations more easily. Just make sure your PC is running Windows 10 or 11 before your purchase, as Windows 7 and 8 won’t support the apps.

Get this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license for only $34.97 (reg. $219.99) now through Feb. 22.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

At present, I think the best Windows laptop for most people is the 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 powered by the Snapdragon X Elite chip. It's a stylish workhorse with enough power to handle demanding workloads and has a premium build as well as an amazing all-day battery life (outdone by just two other models). Even the M4 MacBooks can't keep up. Beyond that, I have other picks for users with different budgets, use cases, and design preferences.

I chose my picks based on hands-on testing conducted by myself and other Mashable staff and contributors. We've reviewed dozens of PCs on the basis of performance, build quality, battery life, and value over the years, and the ones I'm recommending are the cream of recent-gen crops. Most of them scored high enough to secure a Mashable Choice Award, the highest honor we give to the gadgets we review.

New Windows laptops are coming soon — and so are higher prices (maybe)

Every major PC maker announced new Windows laptops at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January. They'll all be powered by new Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm processors, and many of them feature modular or ultra-ultraportable designs. Six of them will succeed some of the current top picks on this list (noted above). We'll be testing as many as possible in the coming months to see what's worthy of our recommendation, so stay tuned.

Relatedly, a word of caution: Next-gen Windows laptops could be significantly more expensive than their predecessors. It's because AI data centers have gobbled up DDR5 RAM and SSDs in recent months, leading to a shortage of such components for laptops and other consumer devices. Experts predict that PCs will get pricier over the coming months or ship with lesser specs, as Mashable's Alex Perry reported.

Very few PC makers have confirmed pricing and availability for their 2026 Windows laptops, so we don't know exactly how the shortage affects them just yet. The good news is that it might be up to a year before we see prices start to skyrocket. In a recent interview with Tom's Guide, a higher-up at Intel said that PC makers have “about nine to 12 months of inventory" on hand as a buffer.

Whether you're buying one of the excellent past-gen models on this list or sticking it out for something newer, I would strongly recommend upgrading your device with as much RAM and storage as your budget allows. You'll add some extra future-proofing while avoiding any potential price hikes down the road.

TL;DR: Block ads for the whole family for life with an AdGuard Family Plan on sale for $40 right now.

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AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription

$39.99
$169.99 Save $130

 

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Ads are frustrating, but you aren’t stuck with them. If you’re sick of every ad you see online advertising the product you Googled a week ago, then try AdGuard. AdGuard is a comprehensive ad-blocking tool that doesn’t charge by the month. Instead, you can get an AdGuard Lifetime Subscription on sale for $39.99 (down from $169.99).

AdGuard focuses on three things at once: blocking ads, protecting privacy, and giving families more control over what shows up on shared devices. Once it is installed, it can hide banner ads, pop-ups, and auto-play video ads in supported browsers and apps, which often makes pages load faster and feel less cluttered.

On the privacy side, AdGuard limits how much advertisers and tracking scripts can follow you from site to site. That reduces the constant feeling that every ad is based on something you clicked days ago. It also checks sites against known malware and phishing lists, giving you another layer of defense against shady links.

The Family Plan adds parental controls that let you restrict adult or other unwanted content on kids’ devices. That is useful if you share tablets or laptops at home and want a simple way to keep younger users away from certain sites. The plan covers up to nine devices across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, so one lifetime license can follow your phones, laptops, and tablets.

Right now, it’s only $39.99 to get an AdGuard Lifetime Family Plan.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office for life on sale now for $99.97.

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Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC Lifetime License

$99.97
$249.99 Save $150.02

 

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You don’t need a Microsoft 365 subscription to get apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint anymore. Microsoft is finally letting users get lifetime access to recent versions of apps that are usually only available through a subscription. Right now, you can get a Microsoft Office Home and Business Lifetime License on sale for $99.97 (reg. $249.99).

Office 2024 Home and Business comes with:

• Word

• Excel

• PowerPoint

• Outlook

• Onenote

You install the apps locally, so you can keep working on documents, spreadsheets, and decks even when you are offline.

Compared with Office 2021, this version focuses on faster performance and smoother workflows. Excel handles large workbooks more efficiently and adds tools like dynamic arrays and AI-driven data insights to make analysis and charting less tedious. Word includes Focus Mode to hide extra toolbars and Smart Compose to suggest text as you type, which can help you draft faster and stay on task.

PowerPoint gets more flexible presentation tools, including the ability to record slides with voice, video, and closed captions, which works well for remote meetings or classes. Across the suite, the Fluent Design interface keeps the look consistent, so switching between apps is less jarring and easier to learn.

Office 2024 also brings updates on the security and accessibility side. Outlook improves search and adds an updated accessibility checker that flags unclear formatting or language, while Excel adds stronger protection around XLL add-ins.

Don’t waste your money on a Microsoft 365 subscription. Get a Microsoft Office 2024 Lifetime License on sale for $99.97. Sale ends Jan. 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Google is leaning harder into generative AI inside its photo ecosystem with the launch of Me Meme, a new feature rolling out in the U.S. that lets users turn themselves into custom memes directly inside Google Photos.

Announced by the Google Photos team this week, Me Meme uses generative AI to insert your likeness into meme-style images using preset templates or user-uploaded visuals. The process is intentionally simple: pick a template, select a photo of yourself, and let the tool generate a meme-ready image that can be saved, regenerated, or shared across platforms.

Unlike third-party meme apps, Me Meme lives entirely within Google Photos, positioning it as less of a novelty add-on and more of an extension of Google’s broader push to make Photos a creative hub, not just a storage locker. It also builds on Google’s growing suite of AI-powered creation tools, which already include photo-to-video effects, AI stickers, and smart editing features.

The feature appears aimed squarely at casual users rather than professional creators. There are no advanced controls, captions, or formatting tools here. Instead, Me Meme focuses on quick, shareable results that require minimal effort. First-time users are guided through a brief intro flow, reinforcing the idea that this is meant to be approachable, not intimidating.

As with most Google Photos features, Me Meme is rolling out gradually, so not everyone will see it immediately. For those who do, it’s a low-stakes way to experiment with generative AI without leaving an app they already use daily.

SAVE $500: The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale at Amazon for $1,099, down from the normal price of $1,599. That's a 31% discount that matches the record low at Amazon.

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DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo

$1,099 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $500

 

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Despite the FCC ban on foreign drones, you can still get yourself a DJI drone. The fine print of the ban explains that any drone already in the country are excluded from the new legislation, which means they're fair game for ownership and operation. However, that means stock is dwindling, so if you're searching for a DJI drone, check out this deal.

As of Jan. 24, the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $1,099 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $1,599. That's a 31% discount that takes a hefty $500 off the price. It also matches the record low at Amazon.

The DJI Mini 5 Pro is a premium drone and the Fly More Combo makes it just that much more appealing. The bundle includes the DJI Mini 5 Pro drone itself, the DJI RC 2 camera-drone remote controller, a set of filters, three DJI Mini 5 Pro Intelligent Flight batteries, three propeller sets, a shoulder bag, and more. Boiled down, this is everything you'd want for an epic drone set-up.

In terms of performance, the DJI Mini 5 Pro is a stellar model. It has a one-inch CMOS camera with 4K HDR filming at 60fps. You can also go with 4K 120fps for slow-motion filming. DJI also made this model especially appealing for night flying thanks to the 360 degree Nightscape Omnidirectional Sensing and Nighttime return-to-home function. DJI's ActiveTrack 360° technology is a must-have feature if you'll be filming moving subjects like a cyclist, skier, or surfer.

While it's still in stock and on sale for a record-low price, snag the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo. The bundle is packed with advanced accessories while still being a perfect model for beginners.

Winter is here, and that means snow! Just how much snow? Well, back in the day, after a big snowfall, you'd need to whip out the ruler or yardstick and actually trek out into the white winter wonderland. And with a huge winter storm set to blanket much of the South and Northeast this weekend (200 million Americans are expected to see snowfall), this isn't a rhetorical question.

Nowadays, thankfully, you don't even have to go outside to see just how long you'll be digging out your car or shoveling your walkway.

There are a few great online resources that can let you know just how many inches — or dare I say feet — of snow fell anywhere in the country. So, whether you're checking up on your adult kids, a distant relative, or your own backyard, here's how to check how many inches of snow have fallen.

NWS Snowmap and NWS Snowfall Analysis

Perhaps the easiest and most straightforward way to find out how much snow fell in your town is directly from the National Weather Service. There's the National Weather Service's Snowmap and the National Weather Service's Snowfall Analysis map. Both maps track how much snow, measured in inches, has fallen and place it on a map of the U.S. in a simple and easy-to-understand way. The Snowmap tracks the snowfall in a specific U.S. city by using circular markers color-coded to match the snowfall amounts, whereas the Snowfall Analysis website maps out the snowfall with a more traditional weather report design. Users can check out how much snow fell in the past hour, the past 24 hours, and the past 72 hours.

It's important to note that the NWS Snowmap and Snowfall Analysis sites only track how much snow has already fallen — they aren't forecasting services.

USA Today Snowfall Accumulation Tracker

If you're looking for a more modern tracker, then perhaps the USA Today Snowfall Accumulation Tracker is for you.

USA Today has built a sleeker tracker that uses the same trusted data from the National Weather Service. The site maps out the snowfall across the U.S. over the past 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours. It even throws in a "Season" toggle so you can see how much snow has accumulated for the entire winter season so far.

Windy: The Windy map and weather forecast

If you're a complete weather head, then Windy.com might be the site for you. Windy maps out weather forecasts of all types — temperature, wind gusts, and, yes, snowfall. Unlike the previous options, Windy will also give you future forecasts of snowfall and not just how much snow is already on the ground.

Windy includes a highly interactive map, but there are also premium options that require a paid subscription, so unless you're a hardcore weather nerd seeking more than just how many inches fell in your hometown, it might just be more straightforward to check out the other platforms.

NCEI's Daily U.S. Snowfall and Snow Depth report

National Centers for Environmental Information's Daily U.S. Snowfall and Snow Depth report will provide the most accurate information when it comes to how much snow fell in your location.

However, the snowfall report will usually come a few days after the snow has already fallen. Why? Because the data is pulled from the Global Historical Climatology Network daily (GHCNd) database, which basically records daily climate summaries from land surface stations around the world.

With more than 100,000 stations, this data is as accurate as you're going to get if you want to know how much snow fell in a specific area.

Color e-readers are the future of the e-reader market. Every brand is coming out with its own iterations — Amazon has a whole slew of Kindles now with color displays. But if you're looking to avoid Amazon, look to Kobo. We already know and love the Kobo Libra Colour, but what about the smaller, more affordable Kobo Clara Colour?

Even after testing dozens of e-readers, I still stand in awe of the occasional e-reader. The Clara took me by surprise, a perfectly handheld e-reader that's an incredible value considering its color display. I've already put the Kobo Clara Colour head-to-head with the Kindle Paperwhite, but today I'm focusing on the Kobo Clara Colour. Is it worth it? And what are the device's downfalls? Here's everything to know about the Kobo Clara Colour.

Kobo Clara Colour price and specs

The Kobo Clara Colour is the same price as the Kindle Paperwhite. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Kobo Clara Colour costs $159.99. It comes in two different colors, black or white, but let's get into what's inside.

• 6-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display

• 300 ppi black and white resolution and 150 ppi color resolution

• USB-C charging port with up to 6 weeks of battery life

• 16GB of storage

• IPX8 waterproof rating can be fully submerged in water for up to one hour

• Night mode available

Why go for a Kobo?

Kindles are by far the most popular e-readers out there, so why should you swing for a Kobo instead? Kindles are Amazon devices, so if you're avoiding shopping on Amazon, you'll need to look elsewhere. Having tested our way through e-readers, we find Kobos equally great. They're just as fast and user-friendly as Kindles, but they're free of Amazon.

Your borrowed Libby books automatically populate on Kobo e-readers. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Another huge perk across Kobo devices is OverDrive integration. If you're using Libby, that's part of Overdrive's system. With Kobo's Overdrive integration, any book you borrow through Libby will auto-populate on your e-reader. While Kindle also has a Libby integration, it's not nearly as smooth as Kobo's.

The most affordable color e-reader

At $159.99, the Kobo Clara Colour is the most affordable color e-reader. It's more expensive than the basic Kindle, which costs $109.99, but it's the same price as the Kindle Paperwhite. Its affordability is key here, as color e-readers are typically expensive, so a price below $200 makes it more budget-friendly.

The Clara Colour is, in fact, colorful but also muted

Expect accurate but muted colors on the Kobo Clara Colour. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

With color e-readers, manage your expectations on just how vibrant they can be. On the Kobo Clara Colour, its colors are accurate but muted compared to a physical book or even an e-book on a tablet. This is the case with most color e-readers, since they have such low color resolution. The Kobo's color resolution is 150 ppi, half its black-and-white resolution. If you're reading a standard book, you won't fault the lower color resolution, but it might be a bummer for those reading graphic novels.

The perfect handheld size

The Kobo Clara Colour is perfectly palm-sized. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

In testing the Kobo Clara Colour, I put away my Kindle Paperwhite for a few weeks and was surprised but how much I didn't miss it. It was refreshing to use a smaller e-reader that truly felt handheld. The six-inch screen is smaller than the Paperwhite's, but I didn't miss the extra real estate. In fact, it was a worthy sacrifice for how comfortable it felt to hold.

Rather than the Kindle Paperwhite's screen that sits flush with the chassis, the Clara's screen is surrounded by a raised edge. This follows the same design as the basic Kindle. The Clara is also the same size as the basic Kindle, which, in my review of the Kindle, I noted would be the perfect e-reader if it were waterproof. Well, the Kobo Clara delivers a near-identical design and is waterproof.

Compatible with the Kobo remote

Kobo is the only e-reader brand with a remote for their devices. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Another reason to love the Kobo Clara Colour is its compatibility with the Kobo remote. Kobo is the only e-reader brand with a native remote. It connects to the Clara via Bluetooth so you can move forward (or backward) in the book with just the press of a button. Just prop up the Clara on a stand, get out the remote, and prepare for the coziest winter reading setup.

It needs better battery life

The biggest issue I have with the Kobo Clara Colour is its battery life. It lasts up to six weeks, which, compared to a phone or laptop, might seem like plenty. The issue is that the bar is high for e-reader battery life, with Kindles lasting up to 12 weeks. In the months I've had the Kobo Clara, I've needed to recharge it twice as often as the Kindle Paperwhite. If Kobo wants to one-up Kindle, it needs to improve the device's battery life.

Is the Kobo Clara Colour worth it?

Want an e-reader but don't want to shop at Amazon? Try the Kobo Clara Colour. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

If you're seeking a new e-reader and want to avoid Amazon, go for the Kobo Clara Colour. It's an incredible value at $159.99, the same price as the Kindle Paperwhite, but the Clara comes with color displays and a better handheld size. It's a worthy competitor to Amazon's Kindles, but there is room for improvement, especially around its battery life.

I'm an iPhone user, but not a ride-or-die iPhone user. When I tested the Motorola Razr Ultra for Mashable last year, it reminded me how much I like some Android features. And with the Samsung Galaxy S26 phones rumored to be coming in late February with One UI 8.5, I'm exactly the kind of person Samsung needs to woo.

Unlike a lot of iPhone users I know, I really would consider ditching my iPhone for an Android handset — if the price (and feature-set) were right.

Samsung phones tend to leak like a faucet ahead of their official launch, and that's exactly what's happening right now. We've already broken down everything we know about the Galaxy S26 line and the next Galaxy Unpacked launch event. Given what we know, these are the rumored S26 features that could convince me to defect from Apple to Android.

Privacy Display

As I wrote yesterday, Privacy Display has all but been confirmed. As you can see in an old video from Samsung leaker Ice Universe, the Privacy Display hides the content on your screen from the people around you. Normally, you have to buy a separate privacy protection screen to achieve this effect.

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As someone who often uses his phone on a crowded subway, this is the kind of innovative feature that appeals to me. And like AI and foldables, Samsung has once again beaten Apple to the punch.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

All S26 phones released in the United States are expected to come with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. And it's supposed to offer noticeable upgrades to battery life, on-device AI computing, graphics, and overall performance. Apple is still king in the laptop world thanks to its M-series silicon, but early tests show that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 really is the "world's fastest mobile system on chip," as Qualcomm has promised.

Free access to Google Gemini

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 launched with an attractive offer: six free months of Google AI One Pro, normally $19.99 per month. That includes expanded access to the latest Gemini tools and cloud storage. I expect Samsung to put forward a similar launch offer for the S26 (as Pixel phones did, with 12 months of access for free).

Because of the global memory shortage, Samsung is rumored to be dropping its usual launch offer, which lets you get double the storage at no extra cost. An improved AI subscription offer would make sense, and I'm hopeful we get a similar or better offer this time. Samsung already features a lot of built-in Gemini AI features, and Apple is clearly losing the AI arms race.

Scam Detection

So far, Google's excellent Scam Detection feature has been exclusive to Pixel Phones, but per Android Authority, that could change with the S26 phones. This AI tool automatically alerts you're talking to a scammer. Unlike the iPhone, it doesn't just flag sketchy phone numbers. It proactively alerts you when the phone detects red flags.

Next-gen Gorilla Glass

Leaker Ice Universe also reports that the S26 line will have a new form of Gorilla Glass that will make screen protectors obsolete. The appeal for a feature like this is obvious, I think.

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Better cameras and image processing

It seems we're unlikely to get significantly improved cameras with the S26 line. However, a few changes are rumored, such as a larger aperture on the main camera (which could improve low-light photography) and a new sensor for the 3x telephoto lens. It's also possible that the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip will offer image processing benefits.

By all accounts, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra are very evenly matched in photography. If Samsung can prove it has gained a significant edge over the iPhone, I would consider switching.

Right now, the latest iPhones have two advantages: It's easier to shoot 4K, HDR video, and they have a better selfie camera. As a tech journalist who takes a lot of photos and videos on a daily basis, that's important to me. Samsung Galaxy phones do offer 8K video, but I think that's more of a gimmick rather than a practical feature. Samsung should stop chasing the shiny new thing (8K video) and focus on matching the iPhone's capabilities here.

A Liquid Glass-like look

I'm not a Liquid Glass hater like a lot of my peers in the tech world. I actually think the new design language looks very attractive. And Samsung seems poised to copy this aesthetic in One UI 8.5, as I've reported previously.

Tranlucent elements already exist in One UI 8. Credit: Samsung

This preview of One UI 8.5 looks very similar to Liquid Glass and iOS 26. Credit: Samsung / Good Lock

While I'd prefer for Samsung to move in a bolder, new direction with its physical phone design and UI (I miss the square corners), as iOS and Android systems come closer together, the switch becomes easier.

What could really make me switch? The Galaxy TriFold

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

We don't know whether we'll get a U.S. release date for the Galaxy TriFold at the next Unpacked event, but I'm crossing my fingers. I got to play around with this device at CES 2026, and I can't stop thinking about it.

TL;DR: Replace Windows 10 with Windows 11 Pro on sale now for $10 (reg. $199).

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Microsoft Windows 11 Pro

$9.97
$199 Save $189.03

 

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If you’re still using Windows 10, your computer is vulnerable. Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 back in 2025, but it’s finally a whole lot cheaper to upgrade. Instead of paying $199, you can now get Windows 11 Pro on sale for only $9.97, but this offer won’t be around for much longer.

Windows 11 Pro gives you a more modern interface and tools that actually help with multitasking. Snap layouts and virtual desktops make it easier to keep work, school, and personal windows organized instead of buried in one crowded taskbar. The start menu, search, and quick settings panel are cleaner, so basic tasks feel less clunky than they did on older versions.

Security gets a noticeable upgrade, too. Windows 11 Pro supports TPM 2.0, BitLocker device encryption, Windows Hello biometric login, and Smart App Control to help block suspicious apps. That matters more now that Windows 10 is out of support and new threats will not be patched for older systems.

If you use your PC for gaming or creative work, Windows 11 Pro supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and newer drivers that can help modern hardware perform at its best. You also get built-in tools like Microsoft Teams and the Copilot assistant, which can help with quick answers, basic writing, or summarizing pages.

This license is a one-time purchase for a single PC, with lifetime access and updates for Windows 11 Pro itself. As long as your hardware meets the system requirements, this is one of the cheapest ways to move off Windows 10 and keep your main computer secure.

Right now, it’s only $9.97 to get Windows 11 Pro, but this offer expires Feb. 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Recent TV news: TCL and Sony are going halvesies now

Sony has long been revered as one of the best TV brands, and its Bravia TVs have been no stranger to lists of the best TVs across the internet. But Sony as a TV brand is about to look a lot different. As of January 2026, TCL is in charge of Sony's home entertainment business, which spans TVs and home audio. The "Bravia" family of TVs isn't going anywhere, at least as far as branding and picture processing — but TCL will be behind much of the manufacturing and pricing. Sony TVs often toe the line of being so premium that they're too expensive for the average person to consider. But paired with TCL's budget-friendly expertise, they could make a wicked pairing come 2027.

New TVs announced at CES 2026

CES 2026 introduced a number of new TVs from the top TV brands, ranging from new and improved OLED and QLED models to first shots at RGB TVs. Upcoming 2026 models include the LG W6 Wallpaper OLED, Samsung Micro RGB, Hisense UR9 RGB, and Amazon Ember Artline QLED. This guide will be updated accordingly as each model officially becomes available for public purchase (and as long as their sizing options include 65 inches). Most CES-announced TVs are typically out by April of that year.

SAVE $350: As of Jan. 23, get the Bluetti AC180 Portable Power Station for $449, down from its usual price of $799. That's a discount of 44% and the lowest price we've seen.

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Credit: Amazon

Bluetti AC180 Portable Power Station

$449 at Amazon
$799 Save $350

 

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A portable power station could be one of the most important purchases you ever make, especially if you find yourself staring down a huge winter storm (like this weekend!). If being prepared for situations where you lose electricity is important to you, you might want to seize this opportunity for being ready for the next time a disaster strikes.

As of Jan. 23, get the Bluetti AC180 Portable Power Station for $449, down from its usual price of $799. That's $350 off and a discount of 44%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

This powerhouse packs a 1152Wh LiFePO4 battery to help you charge up all your stuff. It itself can be juiced back up to full capacity in just an hour as well, so you won't be caught waiting too long to use it again when needed. It has an 1800W output and a massive 11 outlets to use as well, so you don't have to swap out items and wait for them to charge. Use the optional solar charge controller and get up to 500W as well when needed.

All of that makes this portable power station a good option for going off-grid, or just powering everything you need if you happen to lose power in, say, a huge winter storm. It's a good idea to have on hand even if you don't need it too, though. So it's a good idea to get it while it's hot, so to speak, and lock yours in before it's gone.

SAVE 50%: As of Jan. 23, the LG 77-inch Class B5 Series OLED AI 4K UHD Smart webOS TV (2025) is on sale for $1,499.99 at Best Buy. That's basically a 50% discount or a $1,500 price cut.

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Credit: LG

LG 77-inch Class B5 Series OLED AI 4K UHD Smart webOS TV (2025)

$1,499.99 at Best Buy
$2,999.99 Save $1,500.00

 

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If you have the wall space for a cinema-sized upgrade, this is one of the best value-for-money TV deals we've seen in a while.

As of Jan. 23, the LG 77-inch Class B5 Series OLED AI 4K UHD Smart webOS TV (2025) is on sale for $1,499.99 at Best Buy. That's basically a 50% discount or a $1,500 price cut.

The B5 Series features LG's Alpha 8 AI Processor, which uses AI to optimize picture and sound quality in real-time. Because it’s an OLED, you get over 8.3 million self-lit pixels delivering perfect blacks and infinite contrast.

For gamers and sports fans, the native 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth motion without blur. It’s also surprisingly future-proofed with four HDMI 2.1 inputs, support for NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium, and a dedicated Game Dashboard to tweak settings on the fly.

TL;DR: Enjoy a lifetime of cloud storage with this 100TB subscription to Internxt Cloud Storage, on sale now for $974.97 through Jan. 25.

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Credit: Internxt

Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 100TB

$974.97
$9,900 Save $8,925.03

 

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How much would 100TB of cloud storage cost with iCloud? It’s a trick question. The most Apple offers is 12TB, and that will set you back $59.99 a month — that’s $719.88 every single year. Internxt Cloud Storage gives you a better option — own your cloud storage outright for life.

Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription with 100TB to Internxt Cloud Storage for just $974.97, now through Jan. 25.

If you want to invest in a cloud storage solution you can use for life, it’s time to meet Internxt. With Internxt Cloud Storage, you can own your storage outright. This lifetime subscription for 100TB gives you plenty of room for life, and you only have to pay once.

Internxt gives you affordable cloud storage while keeping your data private. End-to-end encryption means that not even Internxt itself can access your data, while other companies not only access your data but also make money from it through targeted ads and data sharing. They’re GDPR-compliant, meaning they comply with strict European laws on user privacy and data security, too.

If you’re already established with another cloud storage company, rest easy knowing the transition will be seamless. Internxt offers easy cross-platform compatibility, and you can access it on all of your devices via the desktop app, web browser app, and iOS/Android app. They’re all user-friendly, making it simple to secure your files.

Get this 100TB subscription to Internxt Cloud Storage, on sale now for $974.97 through Jan. 25.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Bring the best of Microsoft to your Mac with this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license, on sale now for just $49.97 (reg. $219) through Feb. 22.

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Credit: Microsoft

Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License

$49.97
$219 Save $169.03

 

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Apps aren’t cheap these days. In fact, they typically come with endless monthly fees. If you’re looking for some dependable tools for your Mac that won’t set you back a small fortune, you can enjoy the best of Microsoft with this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license.

Right now, this suite of six helpful apps can be yours for just $49.97 (reg. $219) — less than $9 each — through Feb. 22.

If you’re looking for dependable apps to help you tackle both personal and professional tasks, look no further than this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license. It’s packed with six essentials ready to give your Mac a serious productivity boost.

This lifetime license allows you to draft your documents in Word, manage your emails in Outlook, design eye-catching presentations in PowerPoint, and create budgets in Excel. You’ll also have Teams to stay connected with family, friends, and coworkers, and OneNote to improve how you take notes.

Make sure your Mac is running macOS 14 or later for compatibility purposes. After your purchase, you’ll receive an instant delivery and download so you can permanently access these six apps on your Mac for life — no subscription fees, and no cloud connectivity needed.

Upgrade your Mac with this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license, on sale now for just $49.97 (reg. $219) through Feb. 22.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

When U.S.-based TikTok users opened up the app on the morning of Jan. 23, many were met with a fresh pop-up. It was time to read the app's new Terms of Service (ToS) and there was only one option to continue using the app: Agree.

The prompt came along with a change in the platform's ownership, part of extended TikTok negotiations (brokered by President Trump) that spun out a U.S. TikTok entity with a U.S.-majority ownership instead of the continued exclusivity of Chinese company ByteDance. Most of the refreshed ToS comply with national security demands placed on the new TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC entity, in addition to state privacy obligations, like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Washington’s My Health My Data Act.

But some users noticed some concerning language as they reviewed the new document. "NO ONE is talking about Tiktok’s latest update on their terms and services," wrote X user GEEDEE, noting that the terms included tracking immigration status, religious affiliation, race, gender identity, and medical diagnoses. Others spotted language about collecting precise geolocation data.

So what's the deal? Did we all just agree to give more of our personal information to the social media giant as it bows down to its American owners?

TikTok's Privacy Policy

Simple answer: Not really. TikTok's updated Privacy Policy isn't changing the bulk of its existing data collection policies, which previously included collecting data users provide about themselves, including information about sexual and gender orientation, citizenship, and mental health diagnoses. TikTok has reserved the right to scan user-generated content — posts, comments, livestreams, audio messages, and other "virtual items" — to collect this information.

Here's the language from the previous policy, as recorded by the Wayback Machine on Dec. 1, 2025:

While some of the information that we collect, use, and disclose may constitute sensitive personal information under applicable state privacy laws, such as information from users under the relevant age threshold, information you disclose in survey responses or in your User Content about your racial or ethnic origin, national origin, religious beliefs, mental or physical health diagnosis, sexual life or sexual orientation, status as transgender or nonbinary, citizenship or immigration status, or financial information, we only process such information in order to provide the Platform and within other exemptions under applicable law. For example, we may process your financial information in order to provide you the goods or services you request from us or your driver’s license number in order to verify your identity.

And here is the new language as of Jan. 22, 2026:

Information You Provide may include sensitive personal information, as defined under applicable state privacy laws, such as information from users under the relevant age threshold, information you disclose in survey responses or in your user content about your racial or ethnic origin, national origin, religious beliefs, mental or physical health diagnosis, sexual life or sexual orientation, status as transgender or nonbinary, citizenship or immigration status, or financial information. For example, we may process your financial information in order to provide you the goods or services you request from us or your driver’s license number in order to verify your identity. We may also collect precise location data, depending on your settings and as explained below. We process such sensitive personal information in accordance with applicable law, such as for permitted purposes under the California Consumer Privacy Act.

We've bolded lines where the language is slightly different. The most apparent change in the app's data collection practices is that TikTok is now admitting that it will collect precise location data, unless you've opted out, and it explicitly mentions obligations under the CCPA.

Both versions of the privacy policy include a caveat that TikTok can collect this information from any kind of user-generated content. Previously, TikTok noted that it could "collect a version of your User Content that does not include [an] effect," meaning that if you thought you were fully anonymizing your content with a face or voice filter, TikTok could still see past it.

Under the new privacy policy, this practice also applies to generative AI products. And the content doesn't even need to be published, covering content that is in the "pre-uploading" stage, so while users are creating, importing, or editing — this is how TikTok has been able to recommend trending audios or generate hashtags while you're making a post, for example.

Third party advertising

As the New York Times reported, TikTok U.S. has expanded its advertising policies, with more "sweeping" language that allows for "customized ads and other sponsored content" from third parties based on information collected from TikTok users — that includes ads off the app.

Previously, TikTok's policy only mentioned using data for "tailored" in-app advertising and personalized recommendations.

Generative AI rules

TikTok also added a brand new section for content featuring generative AI, aligning the new tech with its existing Community Guidelines. Under the new policy, users cannot use AI-powered bots or interfere with the app's own generative AI tools, for example, and misleading, unlabeled generative AI content is prohibited.

TikTok instituted AI labelling in 2023, and added additional ways to filter out AI content in November.

Some users online have said they'll be leaving the platform under its new ownership, citing concerns about government surveillance and content moderation, following federal scrutiny of the app for its "foreign influences" and data collection. The concerns aren't entirely off the mark, with TikTok's new leadership already announcing it would be retraining and updating the app's content recommendation algorithm with more U.S.-centric aims.

If you've been on the app for a while and still haven't read through its Terms of Service, maybe now is the time.

They call it the Friday news dump — companies posting embarrassing news on a day the media is least likely to bother covering it. But Meta just took the Friday news dump to a whole new level with this announcement: It's disabled its AI characters for teen accounts, at least until the characters can behave themselves.

The news wasn't just dropped on Friday — it was dropped in an update to a blog post from last October.

"We’ve started building a new version of AI characters, to give people an even better experience," the note from Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram and Alexandr Wang, Chief AI Officer, now reads — an upgrade Meta has long promised. Then came the part that would give many kids a very un-Rebecca Black Friday.

"While we focus on developing this new version, we’re temporarily pausing teens' access to existing AI characters globally. Starting in the coming weeks, teens will no longer be able to access AI characters across our apps until the updated experience is ready. This will apply to anyone who has given us a teen birthday, as well as people who claim to be adults but who we suspect are teens based on our age prediction technology."

The Instagram and Facebook maker wants to stress "it is not abandoning its efforts" on AI characters, according to TechCrunch. Still, this is clearly an admission that something has the potential to go very wrong with the current version of its AI characters, where teen safety and mental health is concerned.

Meta isn't alone in this discovery. Character.AI and Google both settled lawsuits this month, brought by multiple parents of children who died by suicide. One was a 14-year-old boy who was in effect groomed and sexually abused, his mother says, by a chatbot based on the Game of Thrones character Daenerys Targaryen.

Blasted by a report from online safety experts, Character.AI shut down all chats for under-18 users back in October, two months after Meta simply decided to start training its teen chatbots to not "engage with teenage users on self-harm, suicide, disordered eating, or potentially inappropriate romantic conversations." Evidently, that training wasn't enough.

This isn't the first time Meta has had to backtrack on its ambitions for AI character accounts. In 2024, it removed AI personas based on celebrities. In January last year, it took down all its AI character profiles after a backlash over perceived racism.

The teen usage problem isn't a small one, either. More than half of teens 13-17 surveyed by Common Sense Media last year said they used AI companions more than once a month. For now, they'll have to do so somewhere other than Meta.

Once upon a time, there was an online video platform called Vimeo that internet users knew as the high-brow alternative to YouTube. If YouTube was known for its vloggers and amateur comedy skits, Vimeo was known as the place for well-produced short films by actual indie filmmakers. It had its own version of YouTube Premium, produced its own originals, and even received an Emmy nomination.

While Vimeo still technically exists, that version of Vimeo no longer does. Last September, Vimeo was acquired by the Italian tech company Bending Spoons. And now Bending Spoons has just laid off a significant number of Vimeo's employees.

Bending Spoons has confirmed the layoffs to TechCrunch but did not disclose just how many employees would lose their job. However, a former senior Vimeo engineer who left the company last month after 13 years, according to his LinkedIn, says the layoffs have nearly cleared out Vimeo entirely.

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

"Reviving this account to say: Almost everyone at Vimeo was laid off yesterday, including the entire video team," Derek Buitenhuis posted to his account on social media platform X. "If you're looking for talented engineers, there are a few on the market."

"Sucks to see something I built killed by private equity in a technology company skin suit," Buitenhuis continued.

Vimeo’s now-former VP of Global Brand and Creative, Dave Brown, also confirmed on LinkedIn that they were part of the layoffs and a "large portion of the company" was impacted.

Vimeo was founded in 2004, and while it never quite reached YouTube's levels of success, it carved out a respectable position as the number two video platform by focusing on artists and the art of filmmaking. However, as TechCrunch points out, in recent years, Vimeo attempted to pivot into artificial intelligence, offering new AI tools to screenwriters and video editors.

In September 2025, Vimeo announced that it was being acquired by Bending Spoons for $1.38 billion.

The name Bending Spoons may sound familiar to you. In 2024, a Bloomberg article described the company as "private equity hipsters" for the app store generation. The company has been on a buying spree over the past few years, acquiring legacy tech brands like AOL, Evernote, MeetUp, and WeTransfer. The company has also acquired other video platforms like StreamYard and Brightcover, too. By now, Bending Spoons is known in the tech industry for buying up underperforming legacy brands, firing employees, hiring cheaper labor, and raising prices, a familiar private equity playbook.

Vimeo as a service continues to exist, providing paid video hosting subscriptions for ad-free uploads. As of now, it's unclear what changes Bending Spoons has in store for the platform.

You might have a dangerous browser extension monitoring your browser history and not even know it.

As the good folks at Lifehacker reported, cybersecurity researchers with LayerX identified 17 malicious browser extensions across Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, with some active for up to five years. (Disclosure: Lifehacker is owned by Ziff Davis, the same parent company as Mashable.) These malware-infected browser extensions are part of the GhostPoster campaign, first identified in December by Koi Security.

The Koi Security researchers originally identified 17 malicious browser add-ons, for a total of 34 dangerous extensions. The extensions are no longer available, but if you've already downloaded them, they remain active and must be manually deleted as soon as possible.

As Koi Security found, the extensions hide "a multi-stage malware payload that monitors everything you browse, strips away your browser's security protections, and opens a backdoor for remote code execution." LaxerX further reports that the malware can weaken websites’ security measures, hijack affiliate traffic, inject iframes and scripts that track users, and inject malicious scripts onto a user’s device.

Here's the full list of extensions, via LayerX and Lifehacker:

• Google Translate in Right Click

• Translate Selected Text with Google

• Ads Block Ultimate

• Floating Player – PiP Mode

• Convert Everything

• Youtube Download

• One Key Translate

• AdBlocker

• Save Image to Pinterest on Right Click

• Instagram Downloader

• RSS Feed

• Cool Cursor

• Full Page Screenshot

• Amazon Price History

• Color Enhancer

• Translate Selected Text with Right Click

• Page Screenshot Clipper

Some of these were quite popular extensions. Google Translate in Right Click, for instance, had more than half a million installs, according to LayerX researchers.

The malware in the extensions is known as GhostPoster, which hides malicious code in the extension's PNG logo. The researchers say the malware campaign relied on sophisticated methods that let it evade detection for years. So if you've downloaded any of these extensions, it's best to delete them right away.

Read more about the GhostPoster campaign at Lifehacker.

SAVE $1,500: As of Jan. 23, the 65-inch TCL QM9K Mini LED QLED TV is on sale for $1,499.99 at Best Buy — a full 50% drop from its usual $2,999.99. All other sizes have significant discounts as well.

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Credit: TCL

TCL 65-inch QM9K Mini LED QLED 4K TV

$1,499.99 at Best Buy
$2,999.99 Save $1,500.00

 

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TCL has already generated some serious buzz in 2026. The TCL X11L was one of the most talked about CES 2026 TVs, and as of Jan. 20, Sony has handed its TV business to TCL. But there was one big TCL announcement from the fall that may have slipped under your radar: TCL quietly released a new mini LED flagship TV, the QM9K, in Sept. 2025. Every single size is at least 40% off at Best Buy now, including a full 50% discount on the 65-inch TCL QM9K. That $1,499.99 price tag looks so much better than the original $2,999.99.

The QM9K is a slight step up from the TCL QM8K, which is also seeing a jaw-dropping discount (60% off) at Best Buy. As our current pick for the best QLED TV for most people, the QM8K clearly gets plenty bright enough for most situations. Yet the QM9K manages to outshine even that, with peak brightness beaming up to 6,500 nits compared to the QM8K's 5,000.

The other big jump happens between the number of dimming zones: The QM9K packs up to 6,000 dimming zones (depending on how big the screen is), while even the largest QM8K maxes out at 3,800 dimming zones. The QM9K also features Bang & Olufsen audio. All of these tweaks add up to quite the immersive HDR and graphically-demanding gaming experience.

The other QM9K sizes on sale include 75, 85, and 98 inches.

SAVE $723: As of Jan. 23, get the LG 39GX90SA-W 39-inch Ultragear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor for $876.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,599.99. That's a discount of 45%.

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Credit: Amazon

LG 39GX90SA-W 39-inch Ultragear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor

$876.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $723

 

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The right gaming monitor can completely change the way you experience your favorite games. So if you can splurge on one that rocks your world, you very well should. Thanks to this deal from Amazon, it's the perfect time to treat yourself and save some money while you're at it.

As of Jan. 23, get the LG 39GX90SA-W 39-inch Ultragear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor for $876.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,599.99. That's $723 off and a discount of 45%.

This immersive 39-inch curved OLED panel is all about keeping you in the middle of the action. It boasts a 3440 x 1440 resolution with deep, satisfying darker hues and eye-popping colors. It has a 240Hz refresh rate that promises smooth motion as well as a 0.02ms response time. Plus, it's compatible with NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, both of which combat screen tearing.

Additionally, the monitor has a built-in WebOS platform that lets you skip the additional streaming device. You can use apps like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and more straight from the screen, so if you prefer simply to watch content on this big boss of a monitor, you can do that with no strings attached.

Whatever you use it for, this is an excellent price for the monitor and you should lock yours in now if you're ready to spend on a gaming monitor that delivers.

SAVE 17%: As of Jan. 23, the Apple Mac mini (M4) is on sale for $499, down from $599, at Amazon. That’s a 17% discount or $100 in savings.

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Credit: Apple

Apple Mac mini (M4)

$499 at Amazon
$599 Save $100

 

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If you want the power of Apple’s latest silicon without the MacBook Pro price tag, the redesigned Mac mini is arguably the best bang for your buck right now. It’s super tiny, surprisingly powerful, and currently on sale. (What more could you want?)

As of Jan. 23, the Apple Mac mini (M4) is on sale for $499 at Amazon, down from $599. That’s a 17% discount or $100 in savings.

The new chassis is incredibly small. At just 5x5 inches, it’s roughly the size of an Apple TV box, making it easy to hide on any desk. Inside, it runs on the M4 chip with a 10-core CPU and GPU. Bonus: It now starts with 16GB of unified memory (double the previous generation's 8GB base), so it's fully capable of handling Apple Intelligence features and heavier multitasking.

Apple also finally added ports to the front for convenience. Just remember that this is a BYOD (Bring Your Own Display) situation — you get the computer, but you'll need to supply the monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

SAVE $29: As Jan. 23, get a like-new Kindle Paperwhite at a major discount. Shop a like-new Kindle Paperwhite at Amazon for just $114.99. That saves you $29 off its $143.99 list price.

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Credit: Amazon

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

$114.99 at Amazon
$143.99 Save $29.00

 

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How are your reading goals going this year? We're just a few weeks into 2026 and if you're finding it hard to fit in reading time, maybe you need a little extra help. A Kindle Paperwhite is an extraordinary device as it basically puts an entire library in your pocket. We love Kindles for their small lightweight design, always easy to carry on the go. And right now, you can get a like-new Kindle Paperwhite at a discount.

As of Jan. 23, like-new Kindle Paperwhites are down to $114.99. That saves you $29 off the usual price of $143.99. A brand new Kindle Paperwhite costs $159.99 so this refurbished model is nearly $50 cheaper. While this isn't the lowest price we've ever spotted, it's still a decent savings of 20% off.

But why go for a refurbished model? These models are basically brand new. They're the latest generation of Kindle Paperwhite, but they that may have previously been returned. However, Amazon's verified their efficacy. Each device has been tested for functionality, battery tested, charged, and software updated.

The Kindle Paperwhite is not only our favorite Kindle, but our favorite e-reader. It's quick, user-friendly. With 16GB of storage, that's enough space to store not just hundreds of books but thousands of them

Shop the like-new Kindle Paperwhite at Amazon for $114.99 and save $29.

SAVE $30: As of Jan. 23, the Amazon Echo Studio is on sale for $189.99 with the on-page coupon code ECHOSTUDIO30. That's a savings of about 14% and drops it down to its record-low Black Friday price.

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Credit: Amazon

Amazon Echo Studio

$189.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $30

with code ECHOSTUDIO30

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Last fall, Amazon launched four new Echo devices specifically built for Alexa+ — including a superpowered Echo Studio smart speaker. Previously debuting in 2019, this is technically the Echo Studio's first update in six years, though it looks and acts quite different. The speaker saw its first discount ever during Amazon's Black Friday sale. And now that same discount has reappeared.

As of Jan. 23, you can pick up the Amazon Echo Studio speaker for $189.99 instead of $219.99. Just enter the code ECHOSTUDIO30 at checkout (or click "redeem" next to the on-page coupon) to shave $30 or 14% off the price.

According to Amazon, you "can't find any smart speaker that sounds this amazing at this size." Despite being 40 percent smaller than its predecessor (it measures 6.1 inches by 5.8 inches), it packs Dolby Atmos and spatial audio support. You can even link up to five Studio (or Echo Dot Max) devices to Fire TV Sticks and get a home theater sound going. Plus, of course, it' s built for Alexa+, the superpowered AI assistant that can do more than ever before.

As for the look, Mashable's tech editor says it resembles the Death Star, with a circular orb design and flat control panel. Whether or not that's a selling point for you, we think it's pretty sleek. It comes in two shades (both of white are on sale): glacier white and graphite.

Apple has been running behind the competition when it comes to built-in AI features on iPhones for a couple of years, but the company may finally be set to change this by the end of 2026.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported this week that Apple is planning a big overhaul for Siri in iOS 27, which would theoretically launch in September alongside the iPhone 18, based on historical precedent. With this update, Siri will finally gets its long-awaited AI makeover and turn into more of a chatbot à la ChatGPT. Apple will reportedly announce this at WWDC in June and deeply integrate the new AI-powered Siri into iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

According to Gurman, users will be able to ask Siri to search the internet, generate AI images, analyze files, and use personal information, such as calendar entries and text messages, to complete tasks in a new chatbot interface. The new AI tool will also be integrated into music, podcasting, and email apps, though it remains to be seen if this is something users can turn off or not.

Apple has been working on an AI-powered version of Siri for a while now, but delays have pushed it to (presumably, based on this report) late 2026, while companies like Google and Samsung already have similar features on their mobile devices. In fact, Apple recently announced that it's using Google's Gemini technology to power the new AI Siri.

When it launches, Apple will face steep competition, as Google, OpenAI, xAI, and Meta have been operating in this space for years. Of course, Apple is also the most popular mobile brand in the world, which givers it a big advantage over its rivals.

SAVE 22%: As of Jan. 23, the Xreal One Pro AR Glasses are on sale for $599 at Amazon, down from $769. That's a 22% discount or $170 in savings.

XREAL One Pro AR Glasses

$599 at Amazon
$769 Save $170

 

Get Deal at Amazon

If you love your Steam Deck or your new iPhone but hate the neck strain that comes from looking down at a handheld screen for hours, Xreal has a pretty futuristic fix.

As of Jan. 23, the Xreal One Pro AR Glasses are on sale for $599 at Amazon, down from $769. That's a 22% discount or $170 in savings. It's also the best price we've seen this year.

Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth recently took these for a spin, and while the required USB-C tether left him with "mixed feelings," the utility was undeniable. He found that being able to float Slack and email windows above his laptop made him feel like he was "living in the future," effectively creating a portable multi-monitor setup wherever he worked.

Sure, the look gives off major "Terminator 2 vibes," but unless you're ready to spend $3,000 on an Apple Vision Pro, this is a much more realistic entry point into AR — especially at this price.

SAVE $370: As of Jan. 23, the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 portable power station is on sale for $429 at Amazon. That's nearly half off its list price.

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Credit: Anker

Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 portable power station

$429 at Amazon
$799 Save $370

 

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Anker is well-known for its lineup of quality tech at budget-friendly prices — and the Solix C1000 Gen 2 portable power station is no exception. Its typical $799 price tag is already relatively low compared to competitors, but Amazon has dropped the price to make it even more affordable.

As of Jan. 23, the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 is on sale for only $429. That's 46% or $370 in savings on a Mashable Choice Award-winning device. You'll notice a progress bar on the shop page below the price — this means it's a Lightning deal at Amazon. You'll have to grab it before that progress bar reaches 100 or before the timer runs out, whichever comes first.

Mashable contributor Lauren Allain spent some time with the second-generation Solix C1000 and called it "the perfect model for taking on a weekend camping trip or keeping around the house for occasional power outages." She credits its respectable 1,024Wh capacity, peak output of 3,000W, zippy 49-minute recharge time, and its convenient array of ports.

Compared to the previous generation, it has a fancier LCD display, charges quicker, and weighs less, plus two of its USB-C ports can now handle 140W (as opposed to 100W). And for what it's worth, the newer model is currently about $40 cheaper if you act fast.

PREORDER NOW: Nintendo is releasing a real life Talking Flower from the Super Mario Bros. Wonder game. Preorder now at Nintendo, before it arrives on March 13, 2026.

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Credit: Nintendo

Nintendo Talking Flower

$34.99 at Nintendo

 

Pre-order Here

For trinket lovers, you can never have enough tchotchkes to showcase all of your passions. With the upcoming launch of Super Mario Bros. Wonder on the Switch 2, Nintendo is bringing some of the game to life with a delightful new talking toy. A hallwark of Wonder are the sweet little talking flowers all along the path, which speak sweet affirmations as you play. If you've thought, "Wow, I need one of these flowers in real life," then this news is for you.

Nintendo is launching the Talking Flower figurine that actually speaks to you and can in ten different languages. Spontaneously throughout the day or whenever you press the Talk Button, the Flower will send you some words of encouragements. It will even comment on the time of day, temperature, and play the occasional background music.

The Talking Flower is available for preorder and will launch on March 13, 2026. Preorder it now at Nintendo for $34.99 and prepare for a springtime treat delivering some much needed affirmations.

Tesla has discontinued Autopilot in the U.S.

As odd as that may sound, given how adamant CEO Elon Musk has been about the importance of autonomous driving, it's more of a pricing reshuffle than an actual removal of any specific feature, but it's still going to annoy many users.

Here's what's happening: If you buy a new Tesla car in the U.S., you will no longer receive the Basic Autopilot set of features, which was previously included with every Tesla. Instead, you're getting Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, which is a feature that maintains set driving speed and slows down when there's a slower vehicle in front of you.

Basic Autopilot, which is no longer available in the U.S., also includes Autosteer, which is an important driving assistance feature as it keeps vehicle centered in the lane. The combination of Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer is what enables you to hit one button (or stalk) and basically have the car drive itself on a highway (with you paying attention, of course).

Sorry, this is your only option now. Credit: Tesla

It's worth noting that Tesla also offers Enhanced Autopilot in some countries outside of the U.S., which is a far more comprehensive set of features, as it includes Autosteer, Navigate on Autopilot, Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control, and Smart Summon.

In the U.S., Tesla configurator now offers just one option: Full Self-Driving (FSD), which costs $99 per month, and is still available as a one time purchase for $8,000, though that option is going away on Feb. 14.

Annoyingly, Tesla's configurator doesn't really mention the change. The word "Autopilot" simply isn't mentioned anywhere on the page.

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The move is likely another (desperate?) Tesla effort to push customers to purchase FSD. But it's a very costly change for users who want Autosteer and don't really care about FSD (which is still beta software and does not offer autonomous driving, despite Musk having promised it for years), as they now have to pay $99 per month to get this feature. Even worse, Musk recently said that the price of the software will "rise as FSD's capabilities improve."

Buyers of Tesla's premium models — the Model S, Model X, and the "Cyberbeast" version of Cybertruck — get FSD for free, so this change doesn't really affect them. For anyone buying a new Model 3 or Model Y, though, it's FSD or (almost) nothing.

Judging by some of the comments on social media, people aren't happy about this change. Some have noted that cheaper, entry-level cars from other companies now come with these basic safety features whereas a Tesla Model 3 or Y doesn't.

Ironically, the situation is better in Europe, where most Full Self-Driving features aren't allowed yet. There, buyers still get Basic Autopilot with every new car, and can also opt for the Enhanced Autopilot, which costs half the price of FSD. This will likely change when (if) FSD gets the green light from European regulators, which, even more ironically, means that Tesla buyers in Europe will likely stop hoping (and petitioning) for it to happen.

Updated on Jan. 23 at 9:43 a.m. ET: Microsoft said it had fully resolved the issues that caused a large-scale Microsoft 365 outage on Thursday, rendering a number of users unable to access their email during a workday.

"We've confirmed that impact has been resolved," Microsoft posted on X at around 1:30 a.m. ET on Friday.

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Microsoft blamed the outage on a problem processing traffic in North America, posting Thursday night that it was seeing "continued improvements in service availability and functionality as a result of our load-balancing efforts." Microsoft 365 customers can also reference the closure communication MO1221364 in their admin dashboard for more details. The communication provides a little more insight, blaming a third-party networking issue for the outage.

Microsoft 365 suffered a major outage on Thursday, leaving some users unable to send or receive emails. That's obviously not ideal in the middle of a workday.

As the afternoon bled into the evening on the East Coast, the company said it was working toward a full resolution — though folks may still see issues — and shed some light on what caused the problem.

The most recent update on Microsoft's 365 status page indicated its infrastructure either mishandled or wasn't able to handle the traffic coming its way.

Under a section labeled "root cause," the status page read, "A portion of dependent service infrastructure in the North America region isn't processing traffic as expected."

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The company also said it was "carefully rebalancing traffic across all affected infrastructure in the region." It added it was "proceeding as quickly as possible and this incremental approach will also help us identify whether any additional actions may be required to ensure longstanding recovery."

We may get further details down the line from Microsoft, but, for now, it appears the company is working toward resolving the issue.

TL;DR: The LG 34-inch UltraGear OLED curved gaming monitor has dropped to $699.99 at Amazon. That's nearly half off its usual $1,299.99 list price.

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Credit: LG

LG 34-inch Ultragear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor

$699.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $600

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The LG UltraGear range of gaming monitors have been seeing some strong price cuts on Amazon, but the latest offer is perfect if you’ve been hunting for an OLED version at a steal. As of Jan. 23, the LG 34-inch UltraGear OLED curved gaming monitor has dropped to $699.99 on Amazon, slashing nearly half off its original $1,299.99 list price.

That’s a serious discount for a monitor that’s firmly aimed at high-end PC gamers, with all the bells and whistles one would expect from a brand like LG. 

The 34-inch OLED panel sports a 21:9 ultrawide aspect ratio with a dramatic 800R curve, wrapping your field of view in a way that flat screens can’t compete with — making it one of the best ways to improve your immersion when gaming. Resolution comes in at WQHD (3,440x1,440), which promises to strike a nice balance between visual sharpness and performance demands.

In terms of specs, speed is one of this monitor’s greatest strengths. You’re getting a blistering 240Hz refresh rate paired with an almost instantaneous 0.03ms response time, making it a great fit for competitive shooters like Fortnite and fast-paced action games like Hades II. Support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync also helps keep things smooth and tear-free, even when frame rates fluctuate.

What’s more, LG has leaned into the OLED advantage with DisplayHDR True Black 400, delivering deep blacks and punchy contrast that shine in darker scenes. Add HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort support, plus a fully adjustable stand, and you’ve got a monitor that works just as well for long gaming sessions as it does for everyday use when working or doing life admin.

As for other brands, you can also grab the 49-inch Samsung curved Odyssey G9 monitor for only $699.99. For more from LG, the 32-inch version of another monitor from the UltraGear range is now only $199.99.

SAVE $550: As of Jan. 23, the Roborock Qrevo CurvX is on sale for $949.99 at Amazon. That's a 37% discount on the list price.

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Roborock Qrevo CurvX

$749.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $750

 

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Our love for robot vacuums has well and truly followed us into 2026, and if you've been looking for a great model that can vacuum and mop your floors, the Roborock Qrevo CurvX is a great choice. And as of Jan. 23, it's on sale for $949.99, taking $550 off the list price.

This robot vacuum is built to tackle all kinds of mess. With a 22,000Pa suction and a zero-tangle design, it can deal with everything from stubborn carpet debris to pet hair. The built-in mop means it can also scrub away at any stains or spills. It’s also the slimmest Roborock yet, so it can get into the low spaces under couches and cupboards where dust is hard to reach.

Part of this vacuum's design is the dock. This is where it charges, empties, and does all its maintenance. The mops are washed here using 80°C hot water, and the dock handles drying, emptying, and refilling automatically. The navigation doesn't need any help from you either. It has obstacle recognition via structured light and an RGB camera, and the AdaptiLift chassis lets it adjust height up to 4cm to get over door thresholds and around furniture.

And it can all be controlled from the Roborock app, including cleaning modes and settings. It even a two-way voice interaction so you can talk to your pet when you're away from home.

Get this robot vacuum deal from Amazon now.

SAVE OVER $400: As of Jan. 23, the Kamrui Pinova P2 Mini PC is on sale for $292.46 at Amazon. Get 10% off and use code 12600KAMRUI at the checkout.

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Kamrui Pinova P2 Mini PC

$292.46 at Amazon
$759.94 Save $467.48

 

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If you're in need of a new gaming setup, but your desk space won't allow it, this deal on the Kamrui Pinova P2 Mini PC is the answer. A small, compact unit, this model is the ideal pick for gamers with not much space to spare. And as of Jan. 23, it's on sale for a new record-low price. You can find it at Amazon right now for $292.46 by stacking the 10% off code and 12600KAMRUI at the checkout.

And despite its size, it's powerful. It's powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12600H processor, giving you up to 4.5GHz turbo performance. It comes with 16GB of dual-channel RAM and a 512GB SSD, with support for up to 4TB storage, so it's more than capable of handling multitasking and heavy gaming without lagging or slowing down.

The mini PC also supports triple 4K displays at 60Hz via HDMI, so you can extend your setup for a more immersive experience. It also includes WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and Gigabit Ethernet for fast connectivity, and has multiple USB ports for connecting extra devices or headsets.

Get this mini PC deal from Amazon.

Tesla now operates Robotaxis in Austin, Texas without human safety monitors in the driver's seat.

While the above sentence is technically correct, the company may have just moved the safety monitors to another car that follows the first one.

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the news on X on Thursday. "Just started Tesla Robotaxi drives in Austin with no safety monitor in the car," he wrote. The official Tesla account on X went a step further, calling the ride "full unsupervised."

One "unsupervised" Robotaxi ride in a Tesla Model Y is detailed in a video by Joe Tegtmeyer, retweeted by Musk and Tesla. At one point, we see that a black Tesla Model Y is following the Robotaxi. "You'll also notice behind the Model Y is a chase car, I think they're using that for validation," Tegtmeyer says. The black car keeps following the Robotaxi throughout the ride.

Neither Musk nor Tesla have explained what the second car is for, so it's hard to make any definitive statement about it. It is, however, very possible that the car carries humans who are ready to intervene if something goes wrong with the Robotaxi ride, which sounds a lot like safety monitors.

We'll see whether Robotaxis in Austin will start making autonomous rides without another Tesla following them. For now, this could just be a cool trick that allows Musk to brag about Robotaxis making autonomous rides with "no safety monitor in the car."

Meanwhile, Tesla's chief competitor Waymo is carrying out fully autonomous rides in six major cities in the U.S., having added Miami to the list just days ago.

SAVE $50: As of Jan. 23, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 have dropped to $199.99 at Best Buy as part of the retailer's Deal of the Day. This is $50 off their list price of $249.99.

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AirPods Pro 3

$199.99 at Best Buy
$249.99 Save $50

 

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Best Buy's Deal of the Day page has quite a nice surprise for Apple fans today. For those who have had their eye on the AirPods Pro 3 — which earned spots on both our lists of the best earbuds and best headphones — the retailer has marked them down to $199.99 on Jan. 23.

This deal saves you $50 off their standard list price of $249.99, but again, it only lasts through the rest of the day. If you've been hoping to pick up these earbuds for a discounted price, now is a great time to do it.

The AirPods Pro 3 are an upgrade well worth considering. Our review from writer Adam Doud called them "a remarkable upgrade in functionality over their predecessors, with better battery life and ANC, as well as a new heart rate sensor." Compared to the Pro 2s, these cancel up to twice as much outside noise, so you can feel fully focused on what you're listening to.

Along with great sound quality, they also boast a battery life that lasts up to eight hours on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation turned on, or up to 10 hours if you're in Transparency mode or using the Hearing Aid feature. If they tick all the boxes for what you've been looking for in new earbuds, now is your chance to grab the AirPods Pro 3 for $50 off at Best Buy.

If you're curious which other earbuds are worth checking out right now, our roundup of the best earbuds can point you in the direction of some more of our favorite picks.

SAVE $34: As of Jan. 23, the Apple Pencil Pro is on sale for $94.99 at Amazon. That's a 26% saving on the list price.

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Apple Pencil Pro

$94.99 at Amazon
$129 Save $34.01

 

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The Apple Pencil Pro is back on sale at Amazon and if you use your iPad for anything more than casual scrolling, this is a solid time to grab one. The Pro is the most advanced in the range, designed for people who regularly write, draw, or do anything creative on their iPad. So if that's you, you'll love this deal. As of Jan. 23, the Apple Pencil Pro is down to $94.99, a saving of $34 on list price.

This Apple stylus is designed for iPads, giving a low-latency performance with tilt and pressure sensitivity for more accurate drawing, writing, and navigation. It even has gesture controls such as squeeze and barrel roll for switching tools or adjusting settings, along with haptic feedback.

There's no cables involved or complicated pairing either, the pencil just attaches magnetically to the iPad for wireless pairing and charging. It also supports Apple Pencil hover on compatible models, a feature that lets you preview marks before actually placing them. And if you're worried about losing it, not to worry, it is compatible with Find My so you can track its location.

Get this Apple Pencil deal at Amazon and save over $30.

FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Jan. 21-24. Play Game, hosted by Indie Author Collective, is offering free sports fiction books for Kindle e-readers.

Welcome back, Stuff Your Kindle Day. We missed you over the festive period.

Play Game, hosted by Indie Author Collective, is offering readers the chance to download heavily discounted or free sport fiction ebooks. And the books that you download are yours to keep forever. So stop what you're doing and take this opportunity to stock up. The Stuff Your Kindle Day schedule is pretty busy in 2026, but we don't see a lot of sports fiction in these giveaways.

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Play Game takes place on Jan. 21-24. Stuff Your Kindle Days often take place over 24 hours, this event runs for four days. That gives you time to check out everything on offer, assess how much you can actually read, and then download a sensible number of ebooks. OK, there's no need to be sensible here.

Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?

One of the great things about Stuff Your Kindle Day is that everyone can participate. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these books for free. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them straight from your phone.

Which ebooks are free?

Indie Author Collective is running the show, and has a helpful hub page for Play Game. This has a bunch of filters for major tropes, spice level, content level, and representation. By utilizing these filters, you camn head directly to what you want to read most.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time, so there's no need to hold back. This is the time to be greedy.

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal

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Kindle (16GB) + Kindle Unlimited (3 Months)

$109.99 at Amazon

 

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Why we like it

These popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. Plus, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free with your purchase.

SAVE $1,320: As of Jan. 23, the Jackery HomePower 3000 Portable with DC-DC Alternator Charger is on sale for $1,499 at Amazon. That's a 47% discount on the list price.

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Jackery HomePower 3000 Portable with DC-DC Alternator Charger

$1,499 at Amazon
$2,819 Save $1,320

 

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There are some great deals on portable power stations at Amazon right now, and if you're looking for a whole home power unit, the Jackery HomePower 3000 Portable with DC-DC Alternator Charge is nearly half off.

As of Jan. 23, this stacked model is down by 47%, now priced at $1,499. That's a saving of $1,320 on list price. And this isn't just for the power station unit on its own. No, this includes an alternator charger, a high-power car charger designed to rapidly recharge compatible Jackery power stations while you’re driving.

The unit itself is designed to power your whole home when required. It has a 3,600W output (7,200W surge) and a large 3,072Wh capacity that can keep all your essentials running during an outage. It can power a home setup for up to 15 hours, or keep a refrigerator running for one to two days. It has a range of outlets too, including AC, USB-C, USB-A and DC ports, as well as dual 100W PD ports for fast charging.

Charging is flexible too, and you won't need days of notice to prepare it. In fact, it can fully recharge in around 1.7 hours using the hybrid AC and DC, 2.2 hours via AC alone.

Get this Jackery deal from Amazon now.

TikTok will officially remain in the U.S. for the foreseeable future. A new, majority U.S.-owned company had been established to continue running the popular video-sharing app in the country, and has announced some very U.S.-centric changes coming to your For You feed.

U.S. politicians pushed for TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance to sell to American owners for years. These lawmakers claim that the Chinese government spies on American users via the app (though there is no evidence that this is actually happening), and accuse TikTok of manipulating its algorithm to present content that is sympathetic to Palestine and China.

Now it seems these politicians have gotten their way. Called TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, the new company will take over ownership of TikTok in the U.S., as well as the American operations of other ByteDance apps such as CapCut and Lemon8.

"TikTok USDS Joint Venture's mandate is to secure U.S. user data, apps and the algorithm through comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity measures," read TikTok USDS Joint Venture's announcement. 

TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is owned by a plethora of different investors, most of which are American. While TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance retains 19.9 percent of the U.S. joint venture, 45 percent is evenly split among three managing investors: U.S. private equity firm Silver Lake, U.S. IT company Oracle, and UAE investment firm MGX. 

A string of predominantly American investors own smaller chunks of the remaining 35.1 percent, including investment firm Dell Family Office and Susquehanna International Group affiliate Vastmere Strategic Investments.

How TikTok's new U.S. owners will impact your For You feed

TikTok USDS Joint Venture stated that U.S. user data will be held in Oracle's U.S. cloud servers, indicating that this will ensure it is secure. TikTok previously did the same, investing $1.5 billion to quarantine U.S. users' data with Oracle in an initiative dubbed Project Texas. Even so, this wasn't enough to reassure U.S. lawmakers and stave off the sale.

TikTok USDS Joint Venture will also use U.S. user data to retrain and update the app's famous content recommendation algorithm, also keeping this new version in Oracle's cloud. Other countries will presumably continue to use the TikTok algorithm without these U.S.-centric updates.

It seems fair to assume that this retraining may attempt to address politicians' aforementioned concerns regarding the type and tenor of content that people in the U.S. see on TikTok. The company further noted that it will "safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem" by taking control of TikTok's U.S. content moderation and trust and safety policies.

Fortunately, these changes don't mean that TikTok users in the U.S. will be completely cut off from the rest of the world. TikTok USDS Joint Venture states that content from U.S. creators will still be shown to users in other countries. However, it remained silent on whether U.S. creators would similarly continue to see content from the rest of the world.

As such, it wouldn't be surprising if U.S. users saw fewer pro-Palestinian TikToks on their For You feeds in the future. 

TikTok U.S.' new owner is led by CEO Adam Presser and CSO Will Farrell (not to be confused with actor Will Ferrell), both of whom previously worked at TikTok. The company will also have a seven-member, majority-American board of directors, including TPG Global senior advisor Timothy Dattels, Susquehanna International Group managing director Mark Dooley, Silver Lake co-CEO Egon Durban, Oracle executive vice president Kenneth Glueck, and MGX chief strategy and safety officer David Scott. Famously Singaporean TikTok CEO Shou Chew will also serve as a director at TikTok USDS Joint Venture.

We've previously learned that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 smartphones would feature an innovative Privacy Display, and now that seems to have been confirmed — by Samsung itself.

Sammy Guru grabbed an animation showing Privacy Display earlier this month. And this week, in an official update on the One UI 8.5 arriving with the new S26 phones, Samsung included a screenshot that clearly shows a Privacy Display mode in the settings menu, all but confirming its official existence.

Mobile insiders have also spotted references to Privacy Display in the code of early versions of One UI 8.5.

Privacy Display is something like a frosted screen protector, blocking other people from seeing what's on your phone's screen. By activating Privacy Display, the Galaxy S26 phones will be able to do this natively, which is a neat trick. iPhones definitely can't do it (yet).

Everything we know about Privacy Display

Veteran Samsung leaker Ice Universe posted a video showing privacy screen technology in action. Filmed at Mobile World Congress in 2024, the video shows a device called the Flex Magic Pixel with the technology. See it for yourself on X.

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In addition, the animation first spotted by Sammy Guru has also started making the rounds on X and Reddit.

"Prevent others from seeing what's on your screen," reads a description of the feature. "Privacy display makes the screen less visible when viewed from a side angle. You can turn it on when you need it or set conditions for turning it on automatically."

Credit: Samsung

Credit: Samsung

Is Samsung copying Liquid Glass for the S26?

With the next Galaxy Unpacked event rumored to take place in late February, we're in the midst of a wave of pre-launch leaks — many of which confirm long-rumored new features such as Privacy Display. The rumor mill also suggested that One UI 8.5, and by extension the whole S26 lineup, will also adopt a more Liquid Glass-like aesthetic.

Liquid Glass is Apple's new design language, and debuted with iOS 26. It features translucent elements, more customization, and animations that bend and refract light. So far, iOS 26 and Liquid Glass have been controversial, with many design nerds criticizing the new look. Nevertheless, it appears Samsung is set to follow suit.

One UI 8 has already features some translucent elements — and a new preview of One UI 8.5 posted to the Samsung-affiliated Good Lock website shows even more Liquid Glass-style features. The widgets screen in particular looks very similar to the widgets screen in iOS 26.

A promo image from Samsung's One UI 8 overview Credit: Samsung

A preview of the widgets screen in One UI 8.5. Credit: Samsung / Good Lock

Is your boss preaching the virtues of AI at work, while you don't actually find AI helps anywhere in your role? Turns out you are not alone.

A new study from AI consulting firm Section surveyed 5,000 white collar employees, and found a major disparity between workers and their managers when it came to AI and productivity.

In the study, 33 percent of company executives said using AI saved them 4 to 8 hours a week. Another 19 percent claimed that they saved more than 12 hours each week thanks to AI. Only 2 percent of executives said AI didn't save them any time at all.

But when it came to non-managerial employees, the sentiment around AI completely flipped.

A whopping 40 percent of workers said using AI in the workplace did not save them any time at all. Another 27 percent of workers said that AI usage saved them less than 2 hours per week, and only 2 percent of employees said AI saved them more than 12 hours each week.

Meanwhile another damning AI report, from software company Workday, suggests even those estimates are overblown. In Workday's survey, 85 percent of employees who said AI saved them time actually wasted that saved time correcting errors made by AI, notes the Wall Street Journal.

AI can certainly be a productivity tool for certain industries. The technology sector has most embraced AI, according to the study. Some software developers have been able to utilize AI to help speed up monotonous coding tasks, even at the risk of making vibe coding mistakes.

Other industries have not seen the same benefits, however. Retail was at the bottom of the list in Section's study. But overall, 85 percent of respondents had either no work-related AI use cases or beginner-level use cases. 

Section's report also found that 40 percent of workers would be fine with never using AI again.

This echoes a warning on AI this week at Davos from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who urged the industry to look at whether the benefits of the technology are filtering down to average users.

"We will quickly lose even the social permission to actually take something like energy, which is a scarce resource," Nadella said, if AI systems "are not improving health outcomes, education outcomes, public sector efficiency, private sector competitiveness across all sectors, small and large."

Now these reports from Section and Workday suggest that social permission is rapidly fading, if AI even ever had it in the first place. And that should certainly be concerning to the companies betting big on AI.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday that several organizers of a recent anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church had been arrested. Soon after, The White House X account shared an image of one of the protesters, attorney and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, being led away by law enforcement officers with tears streaming down her face.

The post quickly received a Community Notes fact-check on X, which stated: "Digitally altered image. See original arrest photo here." The Community Note also included a link to the New York Post, which shows the real version of the image, in which Armstrong is clearly not crying.

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The White House’s X post includes the all-caps caption, “ARRESTED. FAR-LEFT AGITATOR NEKIMA LEVY ARMSTRONG FOR ORCHESTRATING CHURCH RIOTS IN MINNESOTA.”

Meanwhile, the X account of FBI Director Kash Patel released images of Armstrong and other arrested activists; none of them appear to be crying, though. Crooked Media journalist Matt Berg posted on X that he asked White House officials if the crying images were altered and was reportedly told, "the memes will continue."

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

The memeification of serious news events is par for the course on the Trump administration's social media accounts. As Mashable has reported previously, the Trump administration uses X and social media to dehumanize and insult its perceived enemies, often using 4chan-style memes and artificial intelligence in the process.

Bondi also posted about the arrests on X, and the Post reported the protesters have been charged with "conspiracy against rights," which is a federal charge for preventing someone from exercising their constitutional rights. Right-wing commentators have also argued that the protesters violated the FACE Act. Ironically, the FACE Act (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act) is a law signed by President Bill Clinton to stop protesters from blocking the entrance to abortion clinics, but it also protects protesters from blocking the entrances of houses of worship.

The First Amendment does give Americans the right to peacefully protest; however, it does not give protesters the right to enter a church without permission and shut down a religious service. In fact, this type of behavior violates other people's First Amendment right to practice their free religion freely.

Videos of the anti-ICE protest at the Cities Church in St. Paul quickly went viral, with many viewers split between supporting the protesters and attacking them for going too far. Now, videos and photos of the protesters' arrests are going viral in turn.

As more Americans get their news from social media, the Trump administration has grown skilled at turning news into reality TV-style entertainment, with Trump as the star.

Updated at 6:15 p.m. ET on Jan. 22: Microsoft shared a new update on its recovery efforts Thursday evening.

On the Microsoft 365 status page, the company wrote: "We're carefully rebalancing traffic across all affected infrastructure in the region, while monitoring the corresponding health telemetry, to ensure the environment enters into a balanced state as our remediation efforts continue. We’re proceeding as quickly as possible and this incremental approach will also help us identify whether any additional actions may be required to ensure longstanding recovery."

As of this writing, there is still an active alert for Microsoft 365: "Users may be seeing degraded service functionality or be unable to access multiple Microsoft 365 services."

Microsoft 365 services, including Outlook, are experiencing heavy downtime today. Users have been reporting outages since the afternoon on social media and on Downdetector.

"Users may be seeing degraded service functionality or be unable to access multiple Microsoft 365 services," an update on Microsoft's status page reads.

Microsoft has now released a more detailed statement on the issue, letting users know that they are working on fixing the problem and acknowledging which services are facing outages.

"We're investigating a potential issue impacting multiple Microsoft 365 services, including Outlook, Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Purview," reads a Microsoft statement posted on X. 

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"We've identified a portion of service infrastructure in North America that is not processing traffic as expected," the company said in a follow-up statement. "We're working to restore the infrastructure to a healthy state to achieve recovery."

Microsoft's ongoing updates continued to detail that the company was working on mitigating the issues in order to restore the affected services.

"We're continuing to review what actions are required to restore the affected infrastructure to a healthy state and rebalance the service traffic to achieve recovery," Microsoft posted on the official @MSFT365Status X account.

Microsoft's final update seemed to suggest that the underlying issue was fixed, but problems stemming from the outage are currently persisting. 

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"While we've restored the affected infrastructure to a healthy state, further load balancing is required to mitigate impact," Microsoft said. "We're directing traffic to alternate infrastructure to achieve recovery."

Mashable will continue following the Microsoft 365 outage and provide more detailed updates on what happened as we find out.

TL;DR: Refresh your PC with a Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows license, on sale now for just $19.97 (reg. $229).

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Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows

$19.97
$229 Save $209.03

 

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It seems like nearly everything comes with a subscription cost these days. If you’re looking for helpful apps that won’t cost you a fortune month after month, look no further than this Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows license. It gives your computer access to 7 apps for life for just $19.97 (reg. $229).

For less than $3 each, you can permanently outfit your PC with seven essential Microsoft Office apps with this license — no subscription costs required. Some of these tools have been around for decades, while others have recently become new favorites — and you’ll receive all of them for life.

This Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows license lets you draft a document in Word, build out a budget in Excel, keep tabs on emails in Outlook, and design a killer presentation in PowerPoint. You can also upgrade your note-taking with OneNote, manage large databases with Access, and build professional designs with Publisher.

If the year of this edition gives you pause, don’t worry. These apps have been redesigned and include enhanced features such as new PowerPoint presentation tools, new Excel analysis capabilities, and updated email and contact management in Outlook.

You’ll receive instant delivery and download with purchase, so you can install them right on your device and work offline as needed. If you run into issues, free customer service is available anytime.

Get a Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows license for just $19.97 (reg. $229).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Updated on Jan. 22 at 5:31 p.m. ET: Microsoft said it was working toward fixing a 365 outage on Thursday, though noted users may still be experiencing issues.

"We're carefully rebalancing traffic across all affected infrastructure in the region," read a statement on its 365 status page. "We’re proceeding as quickly as possible and this incremental approach will also help us identify whether any additional actions may be required to ensure longstanding recovery."

Microsoft 365 suffered an outage on Thursday, affecting U.S. users going about their workday.

"Users may be seeing degraded service functionality or be unable to access multiple Microsoft 365 services," the company wrote on its 365 status page.

Microsoft users reported being unable to send or receive email through Outlook, and services such as Teams and Defender may also be affected. Ironically, even the Microsoft 365 status page is having trouble loading for some users.

"Users may be receiving a '451 4.3.2 temporary server issue' error message when attempting to send or receive email through Outlook," read the Microsoft status page.

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User-reported issues for Microsoft 365 spiked on Downdetector on Thursday afternoon. The reports appeared to be going down as evening, Eastern time, approached. (Disclosure: Downdetector is owned by Ziff Davis, the same parent company as Mashable.)

Microsoft noted it was working toward restoring services.

"While we've restored the affected infrastructure to a heathy state, further load balancing is required to mitigate persistent impact," read its 365 status page. "We've identified and are implementing additional actions to direct requests and traffic to additional healthy sections of infrastructure to achieve withstanding recovery."

Not being able to send or receive emails is, obviously, a major pain for workers. Lots of folks took to social media to voice their frustrations and, of course, make jokes.

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

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

Microsoft has been no stranger to outages lately. It saw two major outages in October alone, with both 365 and Azure crashing that month. There was also the infamous, massive outage in 2024, ultimately caused by an issue with the cybersecurity provider CrowdStrike.

This story is developing and will be updated as necessary...

The fallout over Kumma the bear, a stuffed toy initially powered by ChatGPT and designed to interact with children, began in November.

A researcher for U.S. PIRG Education Fund tested the product, alongside other AI toys, and published the alarming findings. Sweet, soft Kumma would happily tell its conversation partner how to light a match as well as discuss sexual kink. 

The bear's maker, FoloToy, had licensed OpenAI's technology to program Kumma's responses. FoloToy temporarily stopped Kumma sales to conduct a safety audit. The revelations prompted OpenAI to indefinitely suspend FoloToy's developer access — even though the toy may still be relying on ChatGPT to produce the stuffed bear’s responses.

Meanwhile, ahead of the holiday shopping season, child advocacy groups expressed urgent concern over AI toys. In December, two U.S. senators sent letters to companies inquiring about their designing and manufacturing of AI toys. In January, a California state senator introduced legislation that would put a four-year moratorium on the sale of AI chatbot toys for anyone under 18. On Thursday, Common Sense Media declared AI toys unsafe for children 5 and younger.

As for Kumma, the bear's fate is a complicated tale about what can happen when an AI toy hits the market before families, companies, and regulators have fully considered the ramifications. Legal experts interviewed by Mashable say AI toys exist in unclear and unfamiliar legal territory.

There is no obvious answer — yet — to the question: Who exactly is responsible if a child is harmed when engaging with an AI toy? 

Of course, that assumes toymakers can and will be transparent about the technology their product relies on. OpenAI no longer permits its licensees to publicly disclose that their product uses the company's technology, including ChatGPT, unless they've received "express prior written permission in each instance." 

This concerns R.J. Cross, director of the Our Online Life program for U.S. PIRG Education Fund. Cross was the researcher who discovered Kumma's "failure points." 

"When you have OpenAI specifically saying you can't publicly disclose this without our permission, that's just going to make it harder for everyone — parents, caretakers, regulators – to know what's really happening, and that's not a good thing," said Cross.

How did ChatGPT get into Kumma? 

Consumers who saw the headlines about Kumma might have wondered how ChatGPT, an AI chatbot with more than 800 million weekly users, ended up in a stuffed bear sold online by a company without household-name recognition. 

The explanation might surprise consumers unfamiliar with the licensing agreements that OpenAI makes with developers to access and integrate its large language models into their own products. Such agreements are standard and strategic in the technology industry, particularly for companies looking to scale their business quickly. 

In 2025, OpenAI inked a deal with Mattel, but the toymaker didn't launch an AI product by year's end. The AI companies Perplexity and Anthropic have been previously linked to children's toys designed and manufactured by a third party, according to Cross' research. 

Yet OpenAI's commitment to youth safety is under tremendous scrutiny. The company faces multiple wrongful death lawsuits related to ChatGPT use. Some of the plaintiffs are parents of teens who allege that ChatGPT coached their children to conceal mental health problems and take their own lives in moments of extreme distress. 

"We now know — and we think the lawsuit puts a pretty fine point on the fact — that ChatGPT is not a safe product," said Eli Wade-Scott, a partner at Edelson PC and a lawyer representing parents suing OpenAI for the suicide death of their son, Adam Raine. The company had denied the allegations in that case.   

Cross has struggled to understand why OpenAI licenses ChatGPT to developers who use it in children's products, given that the company's own terms of service prohibit chatbot use by minors under 13. 

OpenAI told Mashable that any developer that deploys one of the company's large language models in products for younger users must obtain parental consent and comply with child safety and privacy law. (Cross said FoloToy now asks for parental consent to collect a child's data via its web portal settings.)

Developers are also required to follow OpenAI's universal usage policies, which include the prohibition of exposing minors to sexual and violent content. OpenAI does run algorithms to help ensure its services are not used by licensees to harm minors, and gives developers free access to its proprietary moderation tools. 

OpenAI told Mashable that its "managed customers" work with the company's sales team on deployment strategies and safety. When OpenAI becomes aware of a user who's developed a toy or product designed for a minor that violates its usage policies, the company either warns or suspends them.

Colleen Chien, a professor of law at U.C. Berkeley School of Law, told Mashable that companies can be more careful when licensing their technology by creating a "vetted partner" program that places key restrictions on the licensee. This process could include requiring licensees to complete certification or training to ensure they're using the technology safely and appropriately.

"You can put into a contract how serious you are about them using it in an ethical and safe way," said Chien, who is also co-director of the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology. "Or you can be much more loose about it." 

With the latter approach, the company might suspend a licensee if it discovers violations of the contract or receives allegations of improper use. 

"At that point, the damage has already been done, and you're not really taking responsibility ex ante for what might happen downstream," Chien said. 

What happens when AI toys harm? 

If a child has a harmful or dangerous experience with an AI toy powered by ChatGPT, OpenAI is very clear about who's to blame. The company told Mashable that its licensees are solely responsible for their product's outputs.

In addition, OpenAI's services agreement appears to absolve the company and its licensees against liabilities, damages, and costs related to a third-party claim. The agreement also prohibits class action lawsuits to resolve disputes, which could include claims related to an AI toy. 

Chien notes that consumer safety law doesn't require companies to sell a "perfectly safe" product. Instead, a company must take reasonable precautions and not subject its customers to outsized risk. Laws requiring a perfect safety record, she said, could stifle innovation, particularly in technology. 

Still, Chien said some liability should probably remain with OpenAI, because its size and resources give the company a clear advantage in detecting and avoiding risks to downstream users, like families who purchase AI toys powered by their technology. 

Either way, she acknowledges that the rapid adoption of large language models in consumer products raise novel issues about who's liable when things go wrong. Product safety laws, for example, currently emphasize physical harm, but what if a child's stuffed AI toy tells her how to lie to her parents or subjects her to conversational sexual abuse? 

Aaron P. Davis, co-managing partner of the commercial complex business and personal injury firm Davis Goldman, said he doesn't believe OpenAI should be responsible for every incident that might have involved consultation with ChatGPT. Yet he does think extra caution regarding AI toys is warranted, given their unique ability to earn the trust of vulnerable users, like a therapist, doctor, or teacher might. 

"This is going to be taken on a case by case basis, and I think that it's sort of a dangerous avenue that we're going down," he said of the product's potential risks. 

Davis, who reviewed OpenAI's services agreement for Mashable, said he wasn't sure whether key clauses related to publicity and liability would be enforceable. 

Prohibiting licensees from sharing that their product incorporates ChatGPT could impinge on fair use law, he noted. Davis was also skeptical of OpenAI's motivation for including this clause. 

"The reason [OpenAI] is doing this is because they don't want people to be able to figure out who made the AI so they get sued," Davis said. 

Confusingly, OpenAI does permit licensees to reference a specific model if their product leverages the company's developer platform.

"I think the conflicting policies underlie the platform's intention to insulate itself from liability while maintaining the utility of the product," he said.

The agreement's clause related to class actions also gave Davis pause. He argued that it effectively prevents a customer who's discovered a product defect from publicizing it widely. 

In general, Davis found the language favorable to OpenAI in ways that could significantly shield it from consumer transparency and accountability. 

What happened to Kumma?

Kumma is available for sale online again, but its return to the market comes with yet more questions.

Larry Wang, FoloToy's founder and CEO, told Mashable that the company's internal safety review led to strengthened age-appropriate content rules and tightened topic constraints, among other safety measures.

Indeed, when R.J. Cross tested Kumma again in December, it deflected the same questions she originally asked about kink and how to light a match. 

"We're glad to see that," Cross said. "It's kind of the bare minimum."

Yet Cross also noticed something inexplicable: Despite FoloToy's indefinite suspension from OpenAI's developer API, users could still select ChatGPT-5.1 and 5.1 Chat from a dropdown menu of large language models to program Kumma's responses.

Wang did not respond to Mashable's questions about whether the company continued to use ChatGPT for Kumma. OpenAI told Mashable it had not reversed FoloToy's suspension, but didn't provide further details about why or how ChatGPT could appear functional for Kumma.

As a researcher, Cross is dependent on transparency from manufacturers. Without it, she can't as easily connect problems with AI toys that rely on the same large language model. But consumers need it too, she argues. 

If a toy uses the model xAI's Grok to respond, for example, a consumer might make a different choice upon learning that the product created sexual abuse imagery using pictures of real women and children. 

"[T]hey deserve to have information available if they do want to look into things more carefully," she said. 

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

The true scale of Grok's deepfake problem is becoming clearer as the social media platform and its AI startup xAI face ongoing investigations into the chatbot's safety guardrails.

According to a report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) and a joint investigation by the New York Times, Grok was able to produce an estimated 3 million sexualized images, including 23,000 that appear to depict children over a 11-day period between Dec. 29 to Jan. 8, amid xAI's supposed crackdown on deepfake "undressing." The CCDH tested a sample of responses from Grok's one-click editing tool, still available to X users, and calculated that more than half of the chatbot's responses included sexualized content.

The New York Times report found that an estimated 1.8 million of 4.4 million Grok images were sexual in nature, with some depicting well-known influencers and celebrities. The publication also linked a sharp increase in Grok usage following public posts by CEO Elon Musk depicting himself in a bikini, generated by Grok.

"This is industrial-scale abuse of women and girls," chief executive of the CCDH Imran Ahmed told the publication. "There have been nudifying tools, but they have never had the distribution, ease of use or the integration into a large platform that Elon Musk did with Grok."

Grok has come under fire for generating child sexual abuse material (CSAM), following reports that the X chatbot produced images of minors in scantily clad outfits. The platform acknowledged the issue and said it was urgently fixing "lapses in safeguards."

Grok parent company xAI is being investigated by multiple foreign governments and the state of California for its role in generating sexualized or "undressed" deepfakes of people and minors. A handful of countries have even temporarily banned the platform as investigations continue.

On Jan. 14, xAI said it was blocking Grok from editing user uploaded photos of real people to feature revealing clothing, the original issues flagged by users earlier this month. However, recent reporting from the Guardian found that Grok app users were still able to produce AI-edited images of real women edited into bikinis and then upload them onto the site.

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In reporting from August, Mashable editor Timothy Beck Werth noted problems with Grok's reported safety guardrails, including the fact that Grok Imagine readily produced sexually suggestive images and videos of real people. Grok Imagine includes moderation settings and safeguards intended to block certain prompts and responses, but Musk also advertised Grok as one of the only mainstream chatbots that included a "Spicy" setting for sexual content. OpenAI also teased an NSFW setting, amid lawsuits claiming its ChatGPT product is unsafe for users.

Online safety watchdogs have long warned the public about generative AI's role in increased numbers of synthetically generated CSAM, as well as non consensual intimate imagery (NCII), addressed in 2025's Take It Down Act. Under the new U.S. law, online publishers are required to comply with takedown requests of nonconsensual deepfakes or face penalties.

A 2024 report from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) found that generative AI tools were directly linked to increased numbers of CSAM on the dark web, predominately depicting young girls in sexual scenarios or digitally altering real pornography to include the likenesses of children. AI tools and "nudify" apps have been linked to rises in cyberbullying and AI-enabled sexual abuse.

UPDATE: Jan. 22, 2026, 3:33 p.m. This story was updated to include more details on the report's timeline and testing dates.

Samsung usually launches its next wave of flagship devices over the winter, and all signs point to an early-ish 2026 launch for the Samsung Galaxy S26 — and hopefully the Galaxy Z TriFold. The Galaxy S25 was released in early February, and the Galaxy S24 before it came in late January. Thus, it stands to reason that the Galaxy S26 will come around the same time in 2026.

While Samsung hasn't announced any upcoming Galaxy Unpacked events, we fully expect the new generation of Samsung phones to make their debut soon (leakers say you should mark Feb. 25 on your calendar). As per usual, ahead of the official launch, we're getting a steady drip of leaks on the new Samsung phones.

So, what do we know so far? A lot, actually. Catch up on the Samsung Galaxy S26's possible specifications, colors, pricing, and release date.

What will the Galaxy S26 phones look like?

Recently, leaker @onleaks posted a gallery and video on X that claims to show dummy units of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. We can't verify the authenticity of the video, but it looks plausible, at least.

Overall, it looks very similar to the S25 Ultra, as expected, with one notable change — it has a camera bump similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 7. As 9to5Google points out, because this bump is on the left side of the phone, it will make the phone wobble when placed down on a table or desk. (The TriFold has the same problem.) In comparison, the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max has a more symmetrical shape and thus no wobble.

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However, we would be a little skeptical of this leak. Android Police recently posted its own alleged S26 Ultra leaks, only without the camera bump.

As for colors, leaker Evan Blass posted what could be the full list of color options on X. The colors are:

• Black

• White

• Silver Shadow

• Sky Blue

• Cobalt Violet

• Pink Gold

Those all sound pretty standard for a Samsung phone, so it doesn't seem like the company is doing anything wildly bold this year in terms of colors. That's either a relief or a disappointment to you, depending on how you felt about the controversial cosmic orange iPhone last year.

What models will be included in the S26 lineup?

We're expecting three phones at the next Galaxy Unpacked event:

• Samsung Galaxy S26

• Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus

• Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Just a few months ago, rumors and leaks pointed to a significant shakeup in the Galaxy S26 line. It was said that Samsung would rename the base model to S26 Pro, drop the Plus model that sat in the middle of the annual lineup for years, and replace that with a new Edge phone modeled after last year's S25 Edge (which was something of a flop). However, that's apparently no longer happening, and you can thank Apple for that, per Korean outlet NewsPim (via 9to5google).

This is the S25 Ultra. Credit: James Martin / Mashable

Due to Apple's success in offering significant year-over-year upgrades to the base iPhone 17 (such as a 120Hz display) without raising the price, Samsung has reportedly dropped the Pro branding for the base model and reverted it back to just the Galaxy S26, which was corroborated by a separate report from SamMobile. According to that report, you can expect a retread of the usual S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra lineup in 2026. That may be disappointing to anyone who was expecting a big shakeup based on previous reporting, but if nothing else, it makes it easier to keep track of what's going on.

As for the previously rumored S26 Edge, it's unclear what's going to happen with that. It might be dead, or it might come out later in the year as a separate release like the S25 Edge did. Given that phone's relative lack of success, it might be smart to assume there won't be an S26 Edge at this point.

Galaxy S26 rumored specs

For specs, the rumors aren't particularly surprising. The Galaxy S26 series is currently rumored to have the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip, which Qualcomm rebranded to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. There is also a rumor that Samsung will equip some S26 models with an Exynos chip, which Samsung fans hope is the Exynos 2600, which has also been making some noise in the rumor mill lately.

In terms of the small stuff, like storage and RAM, there have been some small rumblings. One rumor says that the Galaxy S26 (all models) will feature 16GB of RAM, a 4GB increase from the last few years, and the most a Galaxy phone has had since the Galaxy S21 Ultra. In terms of storage capacity, there are no rumors that anything will change, so the 128GB base (256GB on the Ultra) is likely to remain in place for now, with upgraded storage available as an option. 

Galaxy S26: Is a price hike coming?

We're in the midst of a major global memory shortage, and this has been very bad news for smartphone and laptop shoppers (you can blame the AI industry for hogging all the RAM). And according to leaker @kro_roe, this could not only lead to an S26 price hike, but also the end of a popular launch offer.

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Typically, when Samsung launches a new phone, customers who pre-order or purchase at launch can claim double the storage at no extra cost. But with RAM in short supply, that may no longer be the case. The most recent rumors suggest that Samsung hasn't landed on a final price for the S26 phones, however.

That last part is important because it's very possible that the prices won't change after all. At least one new report suggests Samsung is trying to make sure the prices don't increase from last year, even if that means the company has to eat some of the cost of each unit sold.

Battery and charging

Based on early rumors, this may be one of the most interesting changes coming to the S26 lineup. Samsung has been working on a stacked battery design that would allow for more dense batteries in the same physical space. This could bring a long-awaited bump to battery size. According to early rumors, the S26 Ultra is slated to come with a 5,500 mAh stacked battery, a 10 percent increase from the S25 Ultra.

Samsung reportedly experimented with removing a camera to add even more battery capacity, but that doesn't mean it's certain to happen in the mass-produced model. While the S26 Pro was rumored to have a bigger 4,900mAh battery compared to previous base model Galaxy phones, NewsPim's report claimed that the base S26 (now that it's no longer a Pro device) has been adjusted down to a more modest 4,300mAh cell.

For charging, it’s unlikely that the Galaxy S26 series will get a serious upgrade. Samsung is definitely working on 60W wired charging, but so far, it seems that Samsung will wait for the Galaxy S27 series (or later) to implement it. This could change as we get closer to launch for the S26 series, but for now, it seems that 45W will be around for at least one more year. There are also rumors that wireless charging may see a bump to the Qi2 standard

Galaxy S26: What about the cameras?

The camera system in the Galaxy S26 series may change quite a bit, and there are a few different rumors that say different things. Jumping right in, one older rumor says that the S26 series will have the same megapixel count but will feature a new, as-of-yet unannounced sensor from the same ISOCELL GN series as prior Samsung models. On the Galaxy S26 Ultra, a 200MP camera is rumored, as is a 324MP lens with a 50MP, 3x telephoto lens. It’s more likely that Samsung will do the 200MP with a new sensor, but all leaks are being considered right now. 

S25 Ultra with its five cameras. Credit: James Martin / Mashable

In addition, there are rumors that Samsung will bring back its variable aperture on the main shooter, which Samsung hasn’t included on its camera system since the Galaxy S10 series back in 2019. As previously mentioned, Samsung may be considering dropping the number of cameras to three instead of four, like on prior models, to make space for a larger battery. Other rumors about the camera include a dual periscope design that’ll magnify to 8x, but that is just speculation at this time.

However, many of these rumors come from the time when we thought Samsung was significantly altering the S26 lineup. Newer reports indicate that, at least for the base S26 and S26 Plus, things won't change that much from previous years. According to Korean outlet The Elec, those two phones will have the exact same megapixel count on the triple-lens rear array as previous Galaxy models: a 50MP wide lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens. Those have been the specs going all the way back to the Galaxy S22. If you were hoping for big changes in the cheaper S26 models this year, you have our condolences.

Other features and hardware

Android Police recently alerted us to a very interesting feature that could make its debut with the S26: A new mode called Privacy Display. This rumored feature would make the display resemble a frosted screen protector, except it would be built into the UI. This leak comes from Samsung itself, so it's all but confirmed.

Other details on the Galaxy S26 lineup are pretty predictable. It’ll come with the latest One UI out of the gate with the latest version of Android. That is no surprise, and we don’t need rumors to predict that one. The S26 series will likely get One UI 8.5, which is slated for a rather large redesign along with a host of new features, including the aforementioned privacy screen feature. According to rumor, the redesign emulates Apple’s Liquid Glass in some ways with transparent UI elements. 

The only other piece of hardware we haven’t talked about is the S-Pen. Samsung appears to be set to do something big with the S-Pen. The rumors speculate that the S-Pen is sticking around and will come with some upgrades. The new functionality may have something to do with how magnetic accessories work, and this seems to be linked to the aforementioned Qi2 wireless charging upgrade. 

We'll find out how much (if any) of this is true in just a matter of weeks, going by previous Samsung announcement timelines.

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. However, two big questions remain: When exactly is the Samsung Unpacked showcase for early 2026? And will we get a confirmed U.S. release date for the long-awaited Galaxy TriFold?

Let's dig in and find out.

Samsung Unpacked 2026 rumors: When is it?

This question is (seemingly) pretty easy to answer. We don't have a confirmed date yet, but some of the more reliable tipsters in the mobile world have already nailed down a supposed date for Samsung Unpacked. One of them is Evan Blass, who has a pretty sterling record of being right on the money with this stuff. On X, Blass corroborated some Korean media reports that the next Galaxy Unpacked event will take place on Feb. 25, saying that date is "100 percent correct."

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Another extremely reliable Samsung leaker, Ice Universe, also took to X in late January to offer a more comprehensive product launch timeline. According to Ice Universe, Unpacked will take place on Feb. 25 (just as Blass said). Beyond that, the pre-order and pre-sale periods will reportedly last between Feb. 26 and March 10, with the device hitting store shelves on March 11. That would be pretty late by Samsung standards, but given that it's late January and Samsung still hasn't said a word about Unpacked, it also feels like it could be true. The ongoing global memory shortage could also be a factor here.

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Samsung typically does its early-year Unpacked events in January or early February, but if it were happening in January this year, we would've heard something official by now. For the time being, Feb. 25 is a safe bet.

Samsung Unpacked 2026 rumors: What will be shown?

Expect this year's S26 lineup to look a lot like the S25, pictured here. Credit: Michaela Vatcheva/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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, early leaks suggest there will be three new S26 smartphones:

• A base Galaxy S26

• A middle-ground Galaxy S26 Plus

• 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 — putting pro-level features in the base phone without raising the price — reportedly caused Samsung to pull back and stick to what worked in previous years.

We also have a list of potential color options courtesy of Blass. The leaker said the colors will be Black, White, Silver Shadow, Sky Blue, Cobalt Violet, and Pink Gold. At least two or three of those might be online exclusives, which is what Samsung has done in the past. Finally, some early reports indicate that Samsung is going to try to keep the prices of the phones the same as they were last year, even amidst the ongoing RAM shortage that is threatening to increase tech prices, or in some cases already actively doing so.

Unfortunately, we've also heard that Samsung will no longer offer its usual pre-order offer, which lets early shoppers get double the storage at no extra price.

Are we finally going to get the TriFold?

Mashable went hands on with the TriFold at CES 2026. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

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.

New ways to monitor your teen's phone use are coming to Snapchat, as the app adds new screen time and contact monitoring tools for parents.

Starting today, parents and guardians linked to teen accounts will be able to see a weekly breakdown of the average amount of time users spent on the app, as well as the types of activity the teen engages in on the app, including chatting, taking pictures, or scrolling through their Snap Map. Parents will also be able to view additional details about their teen's new contacts, such as mutual friends lists and the Snap communities they've joined.

Snap launched its Family Center parental monitoring hub in 2022, and has debuted additional safeguards for users, including content and AI restrictions, friends list visibility, and location alerts as it cracks down on inappropriate content and predatory behavior by adult users.

"Family Center is designed to reflect the dynamics of real-world relationships by providing visibility into what teens are doing and allowing parents to adjust key settings, without showing the content of their private conversations," wrote Snap in a press release regarding the new parental controls. "We work diligently to protect teens on our platform while giving parents and caregivers the tools to play an active role in their teen’s experience on Snapchat."

Just yesterday (Jan. 21), the social media giant avoided a trial by jury and settled a lawsuit brought forth by a 19-year-old user who alleged the platform's algorithm — and those of its competitors, including Meta, YouTube, and TikTok — is dangerously designed to foster addictive behavior and mental health issues. Snapchat employees had previously warned of mental health risks to young users, court documents revealed. The case follows a similar pattern found among social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, which have faced an onslaught of lawsuits accusing the companies of not doing enough to protect young users, even when flagged by internal leadership.

Last year, the platform joined other companies, including the embattled Roblox, backing the 2025 Take It Down Act, aimed at providing legal recourse for victims of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) and deepfakes. The company has previously partnered with the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The best Samsung deals this week, at a glance:

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Best Samsung Monitor Deal

Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 Curved Gaming Monitor

$699.99 (Save $300)

Get Deal

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Best Samsung Smartphone Deal

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

$1,129 (Save $287)

Get Deal

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Best Samsung Laptop Deal

Samsung Galaxy Book5 360

$943.82 (Save $406.17)

Get Deal

It's officially over halfway through January 2026, and most of the biggest savings events of the year are still months away. But that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of deals to be found in the interim, especially on some of your favorite Samsung tech.

This early in the year, we're still seeing significant price cuts on some of Samsung's biggest tech, like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra smartphone if you're looking to upgrade, or the massive 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G9 gaming monitor for some serious desk candy.

Whether you're looking to go on a new tech shopping spree or you just want to splurge on some great discounts, we've rounded up some of the best you'll find this week on Samsung tech. Check out some of our favorite picks below and happy shopping!

Best Samsung gaming monitor deal

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Credit: Amazon

Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 Curved Gaming Monitor

$699.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $300

 

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Why we like it

This massive monitor sits at a huge 49 inches. It's a 32:9 curved display that's about the size fo two 27-inch monitors, meaning it gives you some serious desk real estate to work with. It has a Dual QHD resolution of 5120 x 1440 and a 1,000R curve, so when you're working or gaming, you feel the immersion, like you're right in the middle of the action. With a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro as well as VESA DisplayHDR 600, it's perfect for all your favorite games and then some. This is the wraparound monitor experience you've been waiting for.

More Samsung monitor deals

• Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G55C Series QHD Monitor — $273.83 $329.99 (save $180)

• Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G50D Series QHD Monitor — $249.99 $429.99 (save $180)

• Samsung 32-inch Flat Computer Monitor — $199 $149 (save $50)

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 G53F Gaming Monitor — $159.99 $249.99 (save $90)

• Samsung 27-inch Essential Monitor — $119.99 $149.99 (save $30)

Best Samsung smartphone deal

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Credit: Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

$1,129 at Amazon
$1,419 Save $290

 

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Why we like it

One of Mashable's favorite smartphones from 2025, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is still very much a fantastic option if you're looking to lock in a new smartphone. In addition to having crystal clear call quality, it's absolutely loaded with fantastic features, all colored by AI. That includes camera options that'll blow you away, with actions powered by the most powerful processor Samsung has added to a phone yet: the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Plus, it's a good-looking phone, if that matters to you.

More Samsung smartphone deals

• Samsung Galaxy S25 FE — $509.99 $709.99 (save $200)

• Samsung Galaxy A36 5G — $375 $399.99 (save $24.99)

• Samsung Galaxy S21 (Renewed) — $166.10 $267.72 (save $101/62)

Best Samsung laptop deal

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Credit: Amazon

Samsung Galaxy Book5 360

$943.82 at Amazon
$1,349.99 Save $406.17

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

This is a zippy little laptop you'll absolutely love using. It comes packed with a 15.6-inch Full HD display, an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. It offers a 19-hour battery life on a single charge, and when you do deplete the battery, you can use fast charging to get you up to 30 to 35% battery again in under an hour. It can connect to all your other Samsung devices as well, much like Apple products do across the Apple ecosystem.

More Samsung laptop and tablet deals

• Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360— $1,299.99 $1,699.99 (save $200)

• Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 — $269.08 $298.98 (save $200)

• Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go — $251.99 $288.98 (save $37.99)

SAVE $1,300: As of Jan. 22, the Hisense 100-inch U7 Mini LED ULED 4K TV is on sale for $2,197.99 at Amazon. That's a 37% price drop — its biggest discount ever.

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Credit: Hisense

Hisense 100-inch U7 Mini LED ULED 4K TV

$2,197.99 at Amazon
$3,497.99 Save $1,300

 

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It's a big season for sports. Not only is it playoffs for the NFL, with the Big Game a few weeks away, but it's also the second half of the NBA and NHL seasons (where things really start to get interesting), and almost time for the Winter Olympics. If you haven't already replaced your dull TV, it also happens to be one of the best times to upgrade your TV for less.

As of Jan. 22, you can get a massive Hisense 100-inch U7 Mini LED ULED 4K TV on sale for $2,197.99 at Amazon. That's a 37% drop from its list price of $3,497.99 — its biggest discount on record, matching its all-time low from Black Friday.

The U7 Mini LED is Hisense's "ultimate mid-premium" model from 2025, combining Mini LED technology with a 165Hz refresh rate for a smooth, brilliant picture quality. It also features an AGLR-Antiglare low-reflection panel, up to 3,000 nits of brightness, and HDR10, HDR10+ Adaptive, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos. For those who don't speak TV, those specs all help ensure that the massive 100-inch screen looks vibrant, with deep shadows and contrast in any lighting scenario.

Besides the 165Hz refresh rate, gamers will also appreciate the U7's Game Mode Ultra, as well as AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Auto Low Latency Mode and Low Latency MEMC to minimize tearing and lag.

If you want to catch every single play in all its glory, a massive TV is the ticket. Get the 100-inch Hisense U7 TV for its best price ever just in time for this heavy sports season.

A group of hundreds of artists — including big names like Scarlett Johansson, the band R.E.M, and Cate Blanchett — endorsed a campaign against AI slop, railing against "theft at a grand scale" from the major artificial intelligence companies.

The campaign, dubbed Stealing Isn't Innovation, is backed by the Human Artistry Campaign, an advocacy group that works with artists and performers. You can see the full list of signees at the movement's website — but it's an impressive collection of more than 800 folks. Johansson was involved in a famous, public spat with OpenAI over accusations that it improperly used her voice. And funnily enough, rapper/actor Common is on the list after starring in memorable AI commercials for years.

"Driven by fierce competition for leadership in the new GenAI technology, profit-hungry technology companies, including those among the richest in the world as well as private equity-backed ventures, have copied a massive amount of creative content online without authorization or payment to those who created it," a press release reads, via The Verge. "This illegal intellectual property grab fosters an information ecosystem dominated by misinformation, deepfakes, and a vapid artificial avalanche of low-quality materials ['AI slop'], risking AI model collapse and directly threatening America’s AI superiority and international competitiveness."

As we've covered at Mashable, low-quality AI materials — aka slop — have spread widely on social media feeds. And AI companies have used the work of artists to train AI models. The Stealing Isn't Innovation campaign calls for licensing agreements, better enforcement, and the right for artists to opt out of their work being used to train generative AI. The Verge reported the campaign will run ads in news outlets and on social media in an effort to spread its message.

Publishers and content owners have agreed to a number of licensing deals — Disney, for instance, inked a $1 billion deal with OpenAI — but artists still take issue with models training on vast amounts of content online. The AI companies have argued that they're protected by fair use, while artists have said the companies should be required to get permission and pay for using works.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Best portable power station deals at a glance

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Best Jackery deal

Jackery HomePower 3000 with two SolarSaga 200W solar panels

$1,598.99 (save $1,400.01)

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Best Anker Solix deal

Anker Solix C800X with 100W solar panel

$449.98 (save $849.02)

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Best Bluetti deal

Bluetti Elite 10

$113 (save $86)

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If you live in an area that's prone to winter storms, you understand the inconvenience of dealing with power outages. The most traditional solution is to grab a generator to keep your house going. But those pose some problems like being noisy and smelly. Instead, we have the awesome tech of portable power stations.

They're excellent for keeping your gadgets powered up during an outage or for taking along on summer camping trips. Some are large enough to power your refrigerator for days or allow you to run the washing machine. Plus, you can recharge them with solar panels.

In the depths of winter, we're seeing some excellent discounts on portable power stations to keep you online during the next storm. Snag one to keep your food cold, power up the WiFi router, and keep a light on in the bathroom. Here are this week's best deals on portable power stations.

Best Jackery deal

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Credit: Jackery

Jackery HomePower 3000 with two SolarSaga 200W solar panels

$1,598.99 at Amazon
$2,999 Save $1,400.01

 

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Why we like it

Coming with a hefty 3,072Wh of battery capacity, the Jackery HomePower 3000 is a great backup option for when the power cuts out. The brand mentions this power can keep your refrigerator cooling for up to two days or keep the WiFi router online for almost three days. Today's deal on the Jackery HomePower 3000 includes two 200W SolarSaga solar panels to help with recharging the power station. With 400W of solar input, the power station can recharge to 80% in nine hours. If you take the station camping this summer, that means you could be in line for infinite power.

More Jackery deals

• Jackery Explorer 300 — $199 $259 (save $60)

• Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra — $898.99 $1,399 (save $500.01)

• Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus — $1,598.99 $2,799 (save $1,200.01 with on-page coupon)

Best Anker Solix deal

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Credit: Anker Solix

Anker Solix C800X with 100W solar panel

$449.98 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $849.02

 

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Why we like it

If you tend to head out on camping and hiking adventures but like to stay powered up, the Anker Solix C800X is a stellar model. It comes with 768Wh, a built-in lightbar, and a three-mode camping light that neatly nests into the top of the power station. As if we needed more reason to love this model for camping, today's deal at Amazon includes a 100W solar panel that folds up into the size of a standard sheet of printer paper.

On its own, the Solix C800X is on sale for $399 at Amazon. Today's deal that bundles with C800W with the super portable 100W solar panel comes in at $449.98, which means the solar panel costs just $50 more, which is an incredible deal.

More Anker Solix deals

• Anker Solix C300 — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70)

• Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 — $449.99 $799 (save $349.01)

• Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 — $799 $1,499 (save $700)

• Anker Solix F2000 — $849 $1,999 (save $1,150)

Best Bluetti deal

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Credit: Bluetti

Bluetti Elite 10

$113 at Amazon
$199 Save $86

 

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Why we like it

If you're looking for an ultra portable power station to keep your phone charged up during outages or at the campground, the Bluetti Elite 10 is your best friend. It's affordable, lightweight, can recharge via solar, and it comes in a lovely green colorway.

You'll be able to recharge your phone about six times with the 128Wh packed into the Bluetti Elite 10, which weighs just four pounds. Connect it to a 100W solar panel, and you can get a full recharge in just 90 minutes.

More Bluetti deals

• Bluetti X30 CPAP Battery Backup — $279 $399 (save $120)

• Bluetti Elite 100 V2 — $399 $799 (save $400)

• Bluetti AC200L — $749 $1,599 (save $850)

• Bluetti Elite 200 V2 — $899 $1,299 (save $400)

SAVE $70: As of Jan. 22, get the DJI Mic 2 for just $199. That saves you $70 off its list price for 26% in savings. Shop this deal at Amazon now.

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Credit: DJI

DJI Mic 2

$199 at Amazon
$269 Save $70

 

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Whether you're a professional behind the camera or an amateur looking to improve your content, there's one device that can set you apart: an incredible microphone. Good quality audio is essential no matter what you're filming on, whether it's a smart phone or camera. If you're looking to make the upgrade, now is the right time as DJI's Mic 2 just dropped back down to its lowest price ever.

As of Jan. 22, the DJI Mic 2 is down to $199. That's $70 off its $269 list price for 26% off. Historically, that's the device's lowest price ever, according to Camelcamelcamel.

The DJI Mic 2 captures sound wirelessly and is perfect for even beginners. DJI's transmitters and receivers are pre-linked so you don't have to worry about getting things paired when you need to film quickly. Plus, don't fear for lost audio as the microphone lavalier serves as a standalone recorder, too. With a charging case, these microphones will go for hours at a time—up to 18 hours in fact!

Shop the DJI Mic 2 for $199 at Amazon and save $70.

If you ask Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Waymo "never really had a chance" in the robotaxi race.

However, in reality, Waymo is extending its lead over Tesla. The company just launched its autonomous taxi service in Miami, bringing the number of U.S. cities where it operates to six.

Initially, the company will cover a 60-square-mile area of Miami, and Waymo says it plans to expand to Miami International Airport "soon."

Waymo will expand to Miami International Airport soon. Credit: Waymo

Waymo says the service is fully autonomous, and that 10,000 residents have already signed up, with new riders being invited on a "rolling basis."

The company currently operates its robotaxi service in Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, and the San Francisco Bay Area. There is, however, a pretty long list of cities which are getting Waymo next, including Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego, and Washington DC in the U.S., as well as London in the UK.

The company also offers a "driving experience" program in a number of other cities, including Boston, New York, and Seattle in the U.S., and Tokyo in Japan.

Meanwhile, Tesla only offers autonomous Robotaxi rides in Austin; in the San Francisco Bay Area, the rides are only available with human "safety monitors" in driver's seats.

While Waymo is ahead, its autonomous ride-hailing service isn't entirely without issues. Most recently, Waymo cars stalled and caused traffic jams amidst a San Francisco blackout.

Just last week, Google launched a new test feature in its Gemini AI assistant called Personal Intelligence. The feature allowed users to connect four Google apps — Gmail, YouTube, Google Search, and Google Photos — to Gemini so that the AI assistant can pull user data from those services in order to personalize responses.

Now, Google is rolling out a version of that Personal Intelligence feature directly to AI Mode in Google Search. Users will be able to connect their Gmail and Google Photos accounts to AI Mode, and AI Mode, powered by Google's new Gemini 3 model, will use personal context from those apps in order to provide personalized answers and search results. 

In its announcement, Google provided some practical use cases where Personal Intelligence would come in handy for searchers. For example, VP of Product at Google Search, Robby Stein, shared that when shopping for new sneakers, AI Mode was able to use Personal Intelligence to see that he had just made a purchase from a particular brand, and it recommended he check out a new style of sneakers from that same brand.

Personal Intelligence in AI Mode in Google Search Credit: Google

In another example, Google highlighted how Personal Intelligence in AI Mode could utilize a user's Google Photos account to find vacation photos. Then, it could analyze the photos to recommend an itinerary for the user's next vacation.

Google stressed that none of a user's personal data is used for AI training, and that its usage is limited strictly to answering the specific prompts. The feature is also strictly opt-in.

Over the next few days, users in the U.S. will be able to try out the feature under the Google Labs program, Google's hub for experimental AI features. Much like Personal Intelligence in the Gemini AI assistant, the AI mode version of the feature will be limited to paying Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers.

Furthermore, for now, Personal Intelligence is only available for personal Google accounts and not those using Workspace for business, enterprise, or education accounts.

By now, you’ve probably heard that a portable power station is the new must-have item. Unlike plenty of new tech, power stations are, in fact, useful for almost every home. Essentially, they’re a large, reliable battery that’ll keep your gadgets and even appliances operating without standard wall power.

Portable power stations are great to take camping, on van adventures, out on content creator assignments, or to the worksite. If you live in an area that’s prone to power outages, a portable power station can keep your phone charged, your CPAP machine on while sleeping, and some can even power the refrigerator, so you won’t have to worry about food spoilage. 

Portable power stations come in tons of varieties. Some are great for camping, while others weigh hundreds of pounds, powering up an entire house, and really push the limit of what we could consider portable. The market has seen serious expansion in the last few years, and we have tons of great models to choose from these days, so you're allowed to be as picky as you’d like in terms of power provided, port options, and nice extras. Here are Mashable’s favorite portable power stations.

TL;DR: The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Xbox gaming headset is currently on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's down from its usual $199.99 price.

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Credit: Razer

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset

$99.99 at Razer
$199.99 Save $100.00

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Razer doesn’t often slash prices this aggressively, especially on its premium esports-focused gear, which makes this deal on its BlackShark V2 Pro headset stand out all the more. As of Jan. 22, the Xbox-compatible version of the wireless headset has dropped to $99.99 at Amazon, marking a 50% discount on a headset built for competitive play and marathon gaming sessions.

To clarify, this Xbox-compatible version of the BlackShark V2 Pro headset is still fully usable on other platforms — PS5, the new Nintendo Switch 2, gaming PCs, and even Macs. Compared to the PlayStation-licensed model, also on sale for $99.99 and usable on those systems, you’re essentially getting added Xbox compatibility at no extra cost.

Designed with esports in mind, the BlackShark V2 Pro features Razer’s TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers, which separate highs, mids, and lows for clearer positional audio. Whether you’re tracking footsteps in Call of Duty or getting lost in a story-heavy RPG like Baldur's Gate 3, the sound profile promises to stay punchy without overwhelming your ears. The detachable HyperClear Super Wideband mic is another highlight, capturing voice with broadcast-like clarity that makes comms sound crisp rather than compressed.

Comfort has been a big priority of Razer here, too. The closed-back, noise-isolating earcups use ultra-soft memory foam that molds to your head, making the headset easy to wear for hours at a time — even with glasses. 

On the wireless front, Razer’s HyperSpeed 2.4GHz connection should keep latency low, while Bluetooth support adds flexibility across devices. The battery life looks excellent, giving you up to 70 hours on a single charge (or up to 48 hours when used on Xbox).

If you’re also after a visual upgrade to your gaming setup as well, the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 curved gaming monitor is at its lowest-ever price on Amazon. For something more budget-friendly, the LG Ultragear curved gaming monitor is going for $199.

SAVE $50: As of Jan. 22, Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $149.95 at Amazon. That's a 25% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Beats

Beats Solo 4

$149.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $50

 

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If you're an audiophile, you'll know nothing beats great-quality sound. Whether it's music to accompany your morning commute or a great audiobook, a good pair of headphones really makes all the difference. And if you're looking for a great pair of headphones for just about anything, the Beats Solo 4 are currently on sale at Amazon.

As of Jan. 22, you can save $50, bringing the price down to $149.95. This deal is available in all colorways, so choose from matte black, black and gold, metallic pink, cloud pink, and slate blue.

You can never go wrong with a pair of Beats headphones. With the Solo 4, you'll get the signature Beats sound with custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers for a powerful and clear audio. You also get personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking to give you a much more immersive listening experience.

They're designed for all-day use, so comfort is front and center. They have a flex-grip headband and adjustable ear cups so the fit is nice and secure. Not to mention, they have UltraPlush cushions so they'll sit comfortably and snug at all times. The battery life is a big selling point too, promising to last up to an impressive 50 hours. If you forget to charge, plug them in for 10 minutes to get five hours of playback.

Don't settle for bad sound, get this headphones deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $250: As of Jan. 22, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) is down to its lowest-ever price of $549 at Amazon.

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Credit: Apple

Apple Watch Ultra 2

$549 at Amazon
$799 Save $250

 

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For athletic and outdoorsy people, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a big smartwatch upgrade that's packed with features to keep up with whatever you're doing. If you've been hoping to invest, but don't want to pay full price, Amazon has a treat in store: Select models of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) are marked down to the lowest-ever price at Amazon.

As of Jan. 22, a few different models of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 — the rugged titanium cases with a blue and black trail loop, indigo alpine loop, and olive alpine loop — have been marked down to the lowest-ever price of $549. Usually they're listed for $799, so this deal saves you $250 overall.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a smartwatch we consider to be a Dark Horse Pick in our roundup of the best smartwatches. Mashable's Timothy Beck Werth explains this is because there's not a massive amount of difference between it and the newer Ultra 3. He says, "The new Ultra arrived with the most iterative possible improvements." At the time, our resident Apple reviewer called it "a very minor upgrade." So, for our money, we're going with the Ultra 2.

This watch is built to keep up with all of your activities and adventures, boasting features for runners, bikers, swimmers, and more. Some of these include a precision dual-frequency GPS for runners, the ability to see your heart rate and speed while biking, and for swimmers, it also has features like stroke detection and lap count. On top of that, it has a vibrant Superbright Always-On Retina display that allows you to explore its many features whatever the conditions.

Pair those features with an excellent battery life of up to 36 hours (or 72 if you use it in Low Power Mode), and this smartwatch is ready to tackle your adventures in 2026. So why wait? Don't miss out on select models of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) on sale at Amazon.

SAVE $100: As of Jan. 22, the Apple Studio Display is on sale for $1,499.99 at Amazon. That's a 6% saving on the list price.

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Credit: Apple

Apple Studio Display

$1,499.99 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $99.01

 

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Is your home office in need of a little love? If you're still straining your eyes on the same rickety screen you've had for years, it's definitely time to upgrade.

If you're looking for something premium that consistently offers great quality, you can't go wrong with the Apple Studio Display. And as of Jan. 22, it's on sale at Amazon. Normally $1,599.99, right now you can save $100 with the new price of $1,499.99. This price is for the tilt-adjustable stand model with standard glass. You can also add on three years of AppleCare+.

The quality on the Apple Studio Display is next to none. It has a 27-inch 5K Retina display with 600 nits of brightness, P3 wide color support, and the ability to display one billion colors. It has a built-in 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Centre Stage, an Apple feature that keeps you front and center of all video calls. Audio comes from a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio, alongside a studio-quality three-microphone setup.

For connectivity, you'll get one Thunderbolt 3 port and three USB-C ports, with up to 96W of power delivery to charge compatible MacBooks.

Get this Apple deal from Amazon.

SAVE $15: As of Jan. 22, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is on sale for $34.99 at Amazon. That's a 30% saving on the list price.

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Credit: Roku

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

$34.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15

 

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The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is back on sale at Amazon. For a straightforward and slick streaming setup, you can't go wrong with this model. As of Jan. 22, this streaming device is $15 off at Amazon, now down to $34.99.

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K gives you high-quality, 4K streaming with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+. So everything you watch will be in brilliant, sharp quality. It's easy to set up too, just plug it into your TV's HDMI port and get ready for easy access to streaming platforms and live channels. And it works with all the major platforms, including Netflix and Prime Video.

You can even use its single remote as your only TV control. It will control the power, volum, and playback, including voice search, which is great for searching through several platforms at once to find your favorite movie. It's also compact enough to take with you when traveling, so you don't need to sign in on non-personal devices. Just plug in your Roku stick to access your accounts.

This Roku TV Stick deal is available at Amazon now.

SAVE $250: As of Jan. 22, the Eufy E25 robot vacuum is on sale for $649.99 at Amazon. That's a 28% discount on the list price.

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Credit: eufy

eufy E25

$649.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $250

 

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Robot vacuum deals are never something we'll ignore, and if you've been looking for a vacuum and mop combo, check out this latest Amazon deal on the Eufy E25.

As of Jan. 22, the Eufy E25 robot vacuum is on sale for $649.99, a 28% discount. It vacuums up heavy dirt, it mops, and it looks after its own maintenance. What more could you want?

With the Eufy E25, you'll get 20,000Pa of suction, so any dirt that comes in its path doesn't stand a chance. It works across all floor types too, and can pick up dust, dirt, and even pet hair thanks to the DuoSpiral brushes which are built to reduce hair tangling. It also benefits from a CornerRover arm. This allows the machine to clean along edges and into hard-to-reach corners, so no dirt is left untouched.

For mopping, this robot vacuum uses a HydroJet system with self-washing roller mops that clean themselves twice per second during use. It also comes with an all-in-one docking station that handles dust emptying, mop washing, water refilling, and hot-air drying, reducing the amount of manual maintenance it'll need.

Get this eufy robot vacuum deal from Amazon now.

Amid a slew of modern tech designed to be outdated within a few years (a.k.a. planned obsolescence), the Framework Laptop 16 is a welcome innovation. It’s a DIY laptop that you can easily repair and upgrade over time, and it very well could be the last ‘new laptop’ you ever purchase. 

Before you let the concept of a ‘DIY laptop’ scare you away, let me explain. It’s really not that difficult to put together. Framework makes the process superbly easy, so it’s no more difficult than putting together a piece of IKEA furniture… er, scratch that. It’s like putting a simple jigsaw puzzle together with step-by-step images to guide you. 

I love Framework’s mission to “remake consumer electronics to respect people and the planet” immensely, but I was objective when testing and scrutinizing every element of the Framework Laptop 16. I definitely noticed ways in which this laptop could improve, like having more colors to choose from, a lighter chassis, or a more satisfyingly clicky keyboard option. 

But that’s the beauty of an upgradeable, repairable laptop, isn’t it? Any upgrades you want could become a reality eventually, and the Framework Laptop 16 is ready to accept those upgrades if that time comes.

This laptop is pricey, but man, it delivers a lot for that price. I’d consider the Framework Laptop 16 to be one of the best laptops available today, and it’ll likely only get better with time. 

The buildable and repairable laptop is ready for any upgrades you want. Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

Framework Laptop 16 price and specs 

The Framework Laptop 16 can be customized to your heart’s content directly through the Framework website. Our DIY review unit costs $2,961 and comes with the following specs: 

• Mainboard with AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor — $1,499

• Graphics Module with Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 GPU — $650

• 32GB RAM (Two sticks of 16GB RAM) — $120

• 1TB of SN7100 SSD storage — $135

• 16-inch (2560 x 1600) display

• Windows 11 Home OS — $139

• Lavender bezel — $20

• 2nd Gen RGB US English keyboard — $50

• Two Black input modules — $20

• One USB-C input module — $11

• Two USB-A input modules — $22

• One HDMI input module — $22

• One audio input module — $19

• One 250GB Storage Expansion module — $45

• 240W power adapter — $109

If you already have a power cable or any other components, or you want to create a temporary bootable USB with Windows 11 for free, that could save you quite a bit upfront. 

Through the configuration page, Framework says this laptop starts at $1,499, but that’s only if you’re purchasing the mainboard with an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor by itself. To get the Framework Laptop 16 with the minimum specs (Ryzen AI 7 350, integrated graphics, 8GB RAM, 500GB SSD, 6 of the cheapest ports, Windows 11 Home, and a power cable), it’d cost you $1,922. Bumping that configuration up to 16GB of RAM (which should be the minimum, in my opinion), you’d be spending $1,982.

The price may seem steep compared to many pre-built laptops available right now, but you’re essentially paying for a laptop you can perpetually fix and/or upgrade with one of Framework’s DIY models, saving you money in the long run.

Wildly innovative design, though not very portable

If you value repairability (or simply the ability to change up your specs now and then), the Framework Laptop 16 is perhaps the best laptop you can buy right now. 

You can change up pretty much everything besides the display and certain elements of the chassis on Framework’s 16-inch laptop. Externally, this includes the trackpad, the keyboard, the display bezel, the expansion bay (with or without a GPU), and all the ports. Inside, you can add more RAM, upgrade to a bigger SSD or add an extra one, or change up the mainboard if it’s time for a better processor.

The Framework Laptop 16 is super customizable. Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

It's pretty straightforward to build. Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

This PC-building process can be intimidating for beginners, but it’s honestly just like putting a puzzle or a piece of furniture together. Framework does a great job outlining exactly which part you need to install next and how to do it, with pictures to make it even easier. Framework’s Windows 11 installation instructions are simple to follow, but I thought the instructions for Linux were confusing and found it was easier to follow the official Ubuntu/Canonical guide instead.

Despite all its easily swappable parts, the Framework Laptop 16 feels well-built and quite sturdy. The spacers next to the keyboard are a tad rattly when they’re tapped, but unless you’re currently inspecting the build quality of the laptop, it’s not really noticeable. 

The chassis has a CNC aluminum top cover and a magnesium-alloy, thixomolded bottom cover, both of which do a great job resisting fingerprints. At the time of writing, it’s only available in a silver colorway. The Framework Laptop 12 has multiple chassis colors to choose from, but the Laptop 13 and 16 don’t yet. 

Right now, the only colored elements you can customize are the display bezel, the keyboard spacers, and specifically the USB-C ports, which come in a variety of different colors and styles, but no other ports do. 

This laptop’s biggest design downfall is its weight. Without a GPU module, the Framework Laptop 16 weighs 4.6 pounds and measures 14 x 10.6 x 0.7 inches. Expecting a 16-inch laptop to rival an ultralight Chromebook is unfair, but it’d be nice to see it get closer to the weight of one of the lightest large-screen laptops out there, the LG Gram 17, which only weighs about 3.2 pounds.

Our review unit, which has a graphics module at the back with an RTX 5070 GPU inside, is even heavier and larger. It weighs 5.3 pounds and has dimensions of 14 x 11.4 x 0.8 inches, and it’s quite hefty to carry around in a backpack.

I love this laptop’s large, high-res matte display

Framework’s Laptop 16 is equipped with a 16-inch, 2560 x 1600-pixel, anti-glare matte display with a 165Hz refresh rate. I love how much sharp screen real estate this laptop offers, despite its hefty bottom bezel, and its matte, anti-glare properties actually work. Even below its max brightness of 500 nits, I was able to work outside in the sun and easily see my screen.

The screen fared well in bright outdoor light. Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

After streaming Klaus and playing Cyberpunk 2077, I can confidently say colors appear vibrant and accurate, though contrast isn’t the best. Along with many others in the Framework community, I think this laptop would benefit from an OLED display option, as it would greatly help with richer contrast. Hopefully, the company adds this as an optional upgrade in the future.

Craft your own dream port setup

The Framework Laptop 16 comes with six open port slots, and it’s completely up to you to decide which ports you want in the laptop, past at least one USB-C port that you’ll need to charge the laptop.

Our review unit is equipped with a USB-C port, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, an audio jack, and 250GB of extra storage, and because we have the RTX 5070 Graphics Module, there’s also a USB-C port in the back. 

Our review unit's left-side ports. Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

Our review unit's right-side ports. Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

Here are all your available port options for this laptop, as well as their cost: 

• $11 — USB-C port (customizable color), USB-A port

• $19 — DisplayPort (2nd Gen), MicroSD slot (2nd Gen), Audio jack

• $22 — HDMI port (3rd Gen)

• $25 — SD card slot

• $39 — Ethernet port

• $45 — 250GB (2nd Gen) Storage Expansion card

• $125 — 1TB (1st Gen) Storage Expansion card

Each port connects via USB-C to the mainboard, and you can swap any of the ports at any time within a few seconds. 

For laptop speakers, the audio quality is impressive

The speakers on Framework’s Laptop 16 aren’t rivaling any standalone Bluetooth speaker worth its salt, but compared to most other laptop speakers, they’re fantastic — at least, after tweaking the settings a little.

At their default settings (zero across the equalizer), vocals come through crisp, and both music and dialogue sound decent, but not great. After playing around with Windows’ built-in Realtek Audio Console, I was able to amp up the bass quite a bit, which was great for rounding out the songs I was jamming out to and making video games more immersive.

Listening to Kelsea Ballerini’s "Emerald City" after adjusting the settings, I could clearly hear the bass thumps keeping the beat throughout the song. Before, these thumps were nonexistent. The same goes for my go-to testing song "Real" by Unprocessed (ft. Polyphia’s Tim Henson and Clay Gober). After playing with the EQ settings, I could hear the bass guitar plucks and synth sounds crystal-clear in this song. 

A good keyboard and a solid trackpad

Our review unit comes with an RGB US English (2nd Gen) keyboard that tacks an extra $50 onto the purchase price, but there are also blank ANSI and ISO options, an RGB option with clear keys, and plenty of choices in other languages that cost nothing or much less. 

All keyboards are hot-swappable, offer 1.5mm key travel, can run QMK firmware, support NKRO, and any non-RGB options still come with a basic white backlight. Each keyboard also comes with a fingerprint reader that’s compatible with both Windows Hello and libfprint in Linux.  

You can customize the color of the spacers on either side of the keyboard or opt for a 10-key number pad instead, and there’s no need to commit to anything upfront. You can always change your mind later.

You can even customize your keyboard setup. Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

While I love this laptop’s customizability, the actual typing experience is only good, not great. The sound with each keypress isn’t as punchy as I’d like, and the membrane feels slightly mushy under my fingers. 

That said, it’s certainly not the worst keyboard I’ve ever typed on by any means. Plus, there’s always the possibility that when mechanical laptop keyboards become more widespread, Framework could launch its own that you could upgrade to.

The trackpad looks small for such a large laptop like this one, but it measures 4.8 x 3 inches, and it feels great. Its matte glass surface is smooth to operate and highly responsive, clicking feels solid, and there aren’t any big gaps when pushing around the trackpad’s edges or corners.

An alright webcam in a pinch

I don’t know if I’m ever going to expect a laptop to have an exceptional webcam, though the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i does come close. But for the majority of laptops, including the Framework Laptop 16, you’ll need to invest in one of the best webcams available if you want a high-quality picture.

This laptop is equipped with a 1080p webcam with an 87-degree field of view, and it’s slightly above average. 

At first glance, my webcam selfie looks great, but look closer and you'll see some grain and blur. Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

From a distance, my selfie looks great. The red brick wall behind me, my light blue eyeliner, and my complexion come through accurately colored and not overly saturated, and the overall picture looks pretty sharp. But when you zoom in, you can see just how grainy it is, especially around my face, and my hair sort of blurs together.

In its favor, this laptop’s webcam does come with a physical privacy switch that you can cover the camera with. Next to it, there’s a physical privacy switch for the microphone as well.

The laptop is equipped with physical privacy switches. Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

Framework Laptop 16 benchmarks and performance

For daily productivity tasks, the Framework Laptop 16 is a masterful performer. 

With 30 open Chrome tabs (two of which were playing YouTube videos), a running stopwatch in the Clock app, and music playing through Spotify, this DIY laptop and its AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor showed no signs of slowing down. There wasn’t any stuttering or lag when switching apps or loading new pages, and the laptop didn’t get too hot or start noisily spinning its fans.

On the Geekbench 6 performance benchmark, the Framework Laptop 16 notched a score of 13,593. Compared to other laptops in this price range using an Intel processor equivalent, this score is a bit lackluster. However, compared to the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor in MSI’s Stealth A16 AI+ laptop, which earned a score of 14,399, this processor holds its own well. 

Because our review unit came with a Graphics Module featuring Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5070 GPU, we also ran a few gaming tests. Before getting into our results, it’s important to note this laptop isn’t necessarily a ‘gaming’ laptop by design, but its DIY nature with replaceable and upgradeable components inherently draws gamers to it.

On 3DMark’s Time Spy benchmark, the Framework Laptop 16 earned a score of 12,808. Running the Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark at 1080p resolution, High presets, and with DLSS off, it generated 104.9 fps; switching DLSS on bumped that up to 118.1 fps. 

We haven’t tested a gaming laptop with this CPU/GPU pairing yet, but we can compare it to a few other laptops with the same GPU and a different processor: 

I played Cyberpunk 2077 for an hour and, considering the Framework Laptop 16 isn’t technically a gaming laptop, I think it performed beautifully. 

Driving, running, shooting, and everything else felt incredibly smooth at both native and 1080p resolutions. That said, do expect some fan noise and a very hot bottom chassis.

The fan noise is certainly noticeable, especially when it’s plugged in while gaming, but it was never so loud that I couldn’t easily hear the game through the laptop’s speakers, set at only 30 percent volume. 

More concerning than the fan noise is the heat generated while gaming. If you use this laptop to play AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077, you’ll need to have it on a solid surface, like a desk, to maximize its ability to cool itself off. It gets quite hot on the underside, though it never got uncomfortably hot where it mattered most when gaming, like under the keys I needed most frequently.

Unlike more conventional gaming laptops, you can actually unplug the Framework Laptop 16 to help lower fan noise and heat buildup, without needing to worry about it dying for at least an hour or more, depending on the type of game you’re playing.

Framework Laptop 16 battery life

If you opt for Framework’s Laptop 16 with a discrete GPU over a traditional gaming laptop, you’ll be happy with its longer-than-average battery life. The Framework Laptop 16 lasted 6 hours and 52 minutes on our battery test, which involves looping a 1080p video at 50 percent brightness until it shuts off. 

Compared to other modern Windows laptops, like the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition that lasted 23 hours and 34 minutes, the Framework’s battery life doesn’t seem all that great. However, when you compare it to our current median for gaming laptops, which is about 5.5 hours, the Framework Laptop 16’s battery test results instantly become more impressive.

Plus, if you know you won’t need the discrete GPU on an upcoming trip, you could spend an extra $99 to add the default Expansion Bay shell to your order and quickly swap it out before your trip. Without a dedicated GPU, the laptop’s battery will last longer, and it won’t add as much weight to your bag.

Is the Framework Laptop 16 worth it?

The Framework Laptop 16 is absolutely worth it for anyone who wants to invest in an upgradeable, repairable laptop that could easily last a decade or two (or even three, who knows?). Bonus points if you want a laptop you can play AAA games on. 

However, you have to be comfortable enough to make the necessary upgrades when the time comes, or at the very least, know someone who could do it for you. This could include adding more storage, identifying and replacing a bad stick of RAM, upgrading the mainboard when the processor gets sluggish, or swapping out ports that don’t suit your needs anymore.

If you’re on the fence, I’d highly recommend taking a look at the Quick Start Guide for the DIY Edition of Framework’s Laptop 16. You can see just how clearly explained each step is, often complete with multiple photos to ensure that not even beginners are confused.

The only group of people the Framework Laptop 16 isn’t ideal for are those looking for a lightweight laptop that’s easy to travel with. Whether you get a configuration with or without a discrete GPU, this laptop is quite heavy and has a large footprint. That said, I love this laptop so much that I’d travel with it despite its heft.

Ultimately, the Framework Laptop 16 is designed to be the last laptop you ever buy, and that’s an exciting idea to behold in the modern tech world.

Framework Laptop 16 (AMD)

$1,799 at Framework

 

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AI toys say the darnedest things, according to the independent experts who test them for safety.

When researchers from Common Sense Media tried out the popular AI toys Miko 3, Grem, and Bondu, they documented the concerning results in a report published Thursday.

Bondu, a plush dinosaur powered by AI, apparently insisted to a tester that it was as real as in their human friends. "I'm here to have fun and talk with you anytime," the toy said.

The small robot Miko 3 allegedly responded to a tester who said they liked jumping from high places by recommending a tree, window, or roof.

"Just remember, be safe," the robot added.

To learn how AI chatbots like ChatGPT end up in children's toys, read Mashable's latest story on the topic. 

Ritvik Sharma, chief growth officer of Miko, said that the company was unable to reproduce any of the behaviors cited in the Common Sense Media report. Sharma added that the characterizations attributed to Miko 3 seemed "factually inaccurate" and "do not reflect the product’s actual behavior, safeguards, or design." Sharma emphasized that Miko 3 does not make suggestions for unsafe physical activities.

Common Sense Media didn't rate each toy it tested. Instead, the overarching results prompted its experts to declare AI toys as too risky for children ages 5 and younger. The nonprofit advocacy and research organization urges parents to "exercise extreme caution" before buying an AI toy for children aged 6 to 12.

"This is an example of where the technology is outpacing safety standards," said James P. Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media. "Quite frankly, the AI companies and also the toy companies need to be held responsible and accountable for this kind of stuff."

Curio, the maker of Grem, told Mashable in a statement that it appreciated Common Sense Media's "work to raise important questions about children’s safety, privacy, and development in emerging technologies." Bondu did not immediately respond to Mashable's request for comment.

Inappropriate or unsafe responses from AI toys have recently drawn attention from the public and lawmakers. In November, Kumma the bear, a stuffed toy initially powered by ChatGPT, told a researcher how to light a match and discussed sexual kink.

In December, two Congressional senators sent letters to companies inquiring about their designing and manufacturing of AI toys. In January, a California state senator introduced legislation that would put a four-year moratorium on the sale of AI chatbot toys for children under 18. (Common Sense Media supports the bill.)

The headline-generating responses from AI toys, however, can obscure other critical risks. Robbie Torney, head of AI & digital assessments for Common Sense Media, said the organization's assessment of AI toys also included the products' ability to create an emotional attachment, as well as the routine or constant collection of children's data.

"These products are engineered to create companion relationships," Torney said, noting that they can remember past conversations, use a child's name, and try to form emotional bonds with them. Children ages 5 and younger may not grasp that the toy isn't real, even if it purports to be.

AI toys may also collect voice recordings, conversation transcripts, user activity data, and may be in always-on listening mode. Common Sense Media concluded that these privacy "invasions" pose an unacceptable risk to children.

In addition to its report on AI toys, Common Sense Media conducted a nationally representative poll of U.S. parents of children ages 0 to 8. The survey found that while a vast majority of respondents are at least moderately concerned about cybersecurity risks and difficulties setting limits for use, nearly half had purchased or considered buying an AI toy for their child.

Torney said parents should understand the various risks of AI toys, including that they can be glitchy and fail to perform as expected.

"When you think about what parents want, some of their top concerns, some of their desires, their perspectives on data and cybersecurity risks and things like that, we would tell parents better alternatives exist," Torney said.

His recommendation? Traditional toys and in-person socialization and learning, which Torney described as having known benefits without the pronounced tradeoffs of AI toys.

TL;DR: Work with PDFs joyfully thanks to this lifetime license to PDF Converter and Editor, on sale now for just $29.99 (reg. $99.99).

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Want to banish PDF busywork from your to-do list this year? PDF Converter and Editor makes it possible, allowing you to finally make peace with this pesky file format.

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It’s time to learn to live with PDFs. PDF Converter and Editor is an all-in-one tool that lets you process PDFs and other file types with just a few taps — while preserving their original layouts, images, and hyperlinks. From editing a PDF to converting it to another file format, this app makes working with PDFs easier once and for all.

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In a world full of endless specialty devices, do you really need one more thing? For readers, the answer is often yes. E-readers like Kindles and Kobos are devices that bridge the gap between a physical book and a tablet. They're extremely portable, hold thousands of books at once, and are gentle on the eyes. But what if you already have a tablet?

Tablets and e-readers aren't exactly the same — you can do a lot more on a tablet — but both let you read digital books. I've read dozens of books on my iPad and think it makes a perfectly good e-reader — as long as you make a few changes. Here's how to turn your tablet into an e-reader.

Anti-glare screen protectors

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When I first read on my iPad, I experienced some eye fatigue. The glare and bright light of the screen were often too much, even when I turned down the brightness and turned up the display warmth. The solution was easy: a screen protector that adds a matte finish. Paperlike's screen protectors immediately tone down the screen, making it gentler on the eyes. As a bonus, if you're using a stylus or Apple Pencil with a tablet, these screen protectors emulate the feel of writing on paper rather than a slick screen.

Download the essential apps, Libby, Kindle, Apple Books

The essential apps for reading on your tablet. Credit: Google / Libby / Apple / Mashable

To read on your tablet, you'll need access to books. For iPad users, Apple Books comes pre-installed, and for Android users, there is Google Books. The Kindle app is also available across devices, which provides access to all the e-books you've purchased through Amazon.

Probably our favorite reading app is Libby, which connects to your local library and allows you to borrow e-books. Plus, it's totally free, whereas on Apple Books, Google Books, and the Kindle app, you'll have to purchase books.

Turn on grayscale

Color is new to the world of e-readers, and previously, everything was black and white. If that's part of the appeal of an e-reader, you can adjust the settings on your tablet.

To move to grayscale on your iPad, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size. Within Display and Text Size, navigate to Color Filters. In Color Filters, turn on grayscale.

On an Android tablet, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Color and motion > Color correction. Once you're in color correction, you can select grayscale.

Turn on do not disturb

Another perk to e-readers — they're distraction-free. There's no internet to browse or texts to pop up. With tablets, there will be distractions, and the best you can do to avoid them is to turn on do-not-disturb modes, which should be available on most tablets.

Accessorize with a grip, stand, or remote

E-reader users are a devoted bunch who love to personalize their devices, and why shouldn't that be the same with a tablet? Lots of users like a clear case paired with a PopSockets for their e-reader, something you can easily replicate on a tablet.

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Another favorite in the e-reader community? A page-turning remote so you don't actually need to hold your e-reader. Thanks to the world of the endless scroll, there are a variety of page-turning remotes compatible with iPads. Yes, these remotes scroll through your social media, but they also turn the pages on your e-book. Since you don't won't want to hold your tablet either, you'll need a stand, too. This could be as simple as a folio-style case, or maybe you want to go all out with a floor stand.

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FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Jan. 22. The winter edition of the Cozy Mystery Book Blast offers free cozy mystery books for your e-reader.

We know that we literally only just made an announcement that Stuff Your Kindle Day was back for 2026, but we're back to tell you that there are two free giveaways running concurrently right now. Is this too much or are new events always welcome? We'll let you be the judge.

As the name suggests, the winter edition of the Cozy Mystery Book Blast is offering 150+ cozy mystery books for free. And better yet, the books that you download for free are yours to keep forever. We can't think of a better way to spend these winter months. So get comfortable, shut out all the noise, and stock up without spending anything.

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The winter edition of the Cozy Mystery Book Blast takes place on Jan. 22. Unlike the Play Game giveaway running from Jan. 21-24, this book blast is only live for 24 hours. That means participants need to act fast to secure all the free books on their wishlists. Consider yourself warned.

Anyone can participate in Stuff Your Kindle Day. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these books for free. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them straight from your phone.

Which ebooks are free?

The Cozy Mystery Book Blast has a helpful hub page with everything organized into sub-genres. You can find free books grouped into these categories:

• Contemporary cozies

• Historical cozies

• Paranormal cozies

You can find links to the Kindle Store and other popular retailers.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time.

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Why we like it

These popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. Plus, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free with your purchase.

Which MacBook should you buy?

As of January 2026, I think the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air is the best choice for most people. It offers quiet, Pro-level power in a more portable design and at a more reasonable price point. Better yet, it's frequently on sale for under $1,000 at Amazon and Best Buy.

The new 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is the superior pick if you want a nicer 120Hz display, cooler multitasking performance, a better variety of ports, and the best battery life — and you've got some wiggle room in your budget. Its predecessor is still worth considering if you can find it on sale.

Below, I've detailed all of my recommendations for the best MacBooks to buy in 2026, including more options for students, bargain hunters, and creative professionals who can splurge.

What's on deck: Apple's rumored 2026 MacBook lineup

Based on its usual update cycle, Apple's 2026 launches will almost certainly include new MacBook Airs in 13- and 15-inch sizes and new MacBook Pros in 14- and 16-inch variants. The Airs will likely come with the base M5 chip (the same one found in the existing 14-inch MacBook Pro), while the new Pros will probably be powered by high-end M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.

Word has it that we're also getting a brand-new entry-level MacBook that runs on the A18 chip, the same processor that powered the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus from late 2024. This is according to 9to5Mac, which also reports that the device could start at $699 — the same price point as high-end Chromebooks.

Rumors of a redesigned MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen have been floating around for some time, but that probably won't arrive until late 2026 in the M6 generation at the very earliest, per Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Mashable staff and contributors have tested nearly a dozen popular Chromebooks over the course of the past two years, and as of early 2026, there are six I recommend in particular. My top pick for most people is the Lenovo 5i Flex Chromebook Plus, a mid-range convertible with excellent build quality, upper-level performance, and an all-day battery life. It's priced at $599.99 in two configurations, and one is usually on sale for well under $400.

My complete guide to the best Chromebooks includes other picks for budget shoppers, splurgers, kids, and casual gamers, so keep scrolling. (And if you aren't sure whether a Chromebook is right for you, check out my explainer on how they're different from regular Windows laptops and MacBooks.)

What's on deck

Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo all announced new Chromebooks for 2026 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January. None of them have set pricing or release dates for their devices yet, but we plan on testing them as soon as they're available. Here's the full lineup:

• The 15-inch Acer Chromebook 315 will be powered by MediaTek's new Kompanio 540 chip, a lesser version of its powerful Kompanio Ultra 910 chip (as seen in the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 and the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14).

• The Asus Chromebook CM14 and CM15 are clamshell-style models that will come in six color options, though not all of them will be available in the U.S. They'll run on the Kompanio 540 chip, too.

• The Asus Chromebook CM32 Detachable has a 2.5K 120Hz display, a removable keyboard, and that same Kompanio 540 processor. I saw this one in person at CES and thought it looked a lot like an iPad.

• The HP Chromebook 14 and Chromebook Plus 14 are entry-level options with 2K displays and basic Intel processors. The HP Chromebook x360 14 and Chromebook Plus x360 14 are their convertible counterparts. These will probably be some of the cheapest options available.

• Lenovo Chromebook Plus 15 i is a 15-incher with an Intel Core i3 processor (hence the "15 i" in its name). It will have a 2K display, a 5MP webcam, and a fingerprint reader, making it a higher-end variant.

The AI upgrade to Siri, Apple's creaky old voice assistant, has been brewing for some time. Now we have more details, courtesy of a report from Apple super-scooper Mark Gurman.

As expected, the new version of Siri — codenamed Campos — will use a fine-tuned version of Google Gemini for its on-board intelligence. But the bigger claim is how embedded it will be throughout the iPhone experience — and the features it is adding in common with Gemini and its OpenAI rival, ChatGPT.

Here's how Gurman describes what Apple insiders consider the "central feature" of its all-new Siri, apparently set to be unveiled by Tim Cook at WWDC 2026: "A chat-like feel and the back-and-forth conversational abilities of OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini."

If unveiled in June and released in September as reported, all iPhone, iPad, and Mac users will be able to upgrade to ChatGPT-like chatter, courtesy of pressing a button or saying the magic word "Siri." Everything they could formerly do on the ChatGPT app would be directly accessible anytime they're holding their phone.

And oh yes, word to OpenAI (and Google, for that matter) — Apple almost certainly won't include ads, as the free model of ChatGPT is about to add. Apple's business model has long revolved around selling luxury hardware with the least software friction.

What would a ChatGPT-like Siri mean?

If this all turns out to be the case, the result could be earthshaking for the AI business. Here's why:

The iPhone is in the lead, breaking away from Samsung for the first time as of this year. Increasingly, it's the world's bestselling smartphone. If the entire iOS gets a chatbot upgrade baked in, and if ChatGPT doesn't give you anything you can't get via Siri, including the friendly chatty l'il know-all chatbot experience, the question becomes: How many out of the estimated 67 million daily active users of ChatGPT would still want the friction of opening an app?

A mass migration on iOS would come at the worst possible time for Sam Altman, who is reportedly burning through a billion dollars of OpenAI's war chest a month.

And Altman's problems may pale in comparison to Nvidia's if another part of Gurman's report pans out. Google and Apple are discussing hosting those millions of iPhone-based Siri chats on Google servers, using the company's specialized TPU chips — a direct rival to Nvidia's line of GPU chips that have made it, for the moment, the most valuable company in the world.

Apple, currently the third most valuable company in the world, in concert with Google, now the second-most valuable, may be about to turn that around — even before the arrival of a new CEO.

Eleven Labs announced today that it worked with artists such as Liza Minnelli for the Eleven Album, a collection of songs created to promote the company's new AI music generator, Eleven Music.

Many of the songs on the album are now streaming on Spotify in a public playlist. Additional tracks, including the new Liza Minnelli song, "Kids Wait Til You Hear This," can be heard on the ElevenLabs website. An ElevenLabs spokesperson told Mashable all of the songs will be available on Spotify soon.

Spoiler alert: The new Liza Minnelli song is... not great!

Introducing the Eleven Album

ElevenLabs is an AI audio company. It recently partnered with celebrities (including Minnelli) to launch the Iconic Voices Marketplace, which lets users license cloned celebrity voices in commercial or editorial work. The company's new AI music generator, Eleven Music, launched in December.

An ElevenLabs blog post describes the album as "a landmark musical release," but the album feels more like an advertisement for Eleven Music than genuine musical expression. Minnelli and Art Garfunkel are the biggest names on the album, which also features producers, songwriters, and musicians from a variety of genres.

"When you see people get involved in [AI projects], I think the first thing you gotta look at is how much money did they pay them?" said Justine Bateman, a filmmaker and author who has been an outspoken critic of generative AI in the arts, in a phone interview with Mashable. "Nobody is making partnerships with these tech companies — nobody legitimate in the business — is making any sort of partnerships with these tech companies for free. So they pay these people a lot of money, whoever it is, to partner with them, as marketing, to try and legalize themselves to their target audience, which is everyone who is not a filmmaker, or a musician.”

In a press release provided to Mashable, ElevenLabs described the creative process as a collaboration. "Each contributor produced a fully original track that blends their signature sound with the capabilities of Eleven Music, showcasing new creative possibilities without compromising human artistry." The press release also stated that the artists will maintain "full authorship and commercial rights" to the music.

Minnelli is a beloved EGOT-winning icon, though it's not clear how much involvement she had with the actual production of the track credited to her. The 79-year-old artist has largely stepped away from public life in recent years while dealing with health issues.

A quote from Minnelli is included in the blog post:

I’ve always believed that music is about connection and emotional truth. What interested me here was the idea of using my voice and new tools in service of expression, not instead of it. This project respects the artist’s voice, the artist’s choices, and the artist’s ownership. I grew up watching my parents create wonderful dreams that were owned by other people. ElevenLabs makes it possible for anyone to be a creator and owner. That matters.

What does Eleven Album sound like?

Minnelli is known for her alto singing voice, stage presence, and larger-than-life personality, but the new song "Kids Wait Til You Hear This" sounds absolutely nothing like Minnelli's body of work. I was expecting a Broadway-style showtune, but the track is actually an obnoxiously generic EDM song. It sounds to me like the producers were trying to ape the classic 2010 dance song "Barbra Streisand" by Duck Sauce, but if so, they're way off track.

Other songs, such as "Uno, Dos, Tres" by Kai.wav and "She got that fire" by Kondzilla, are painfully derivative, a common problem with AI-generated music. However, some of the tracks could easily be mistaken for music fully created by human beings. Composer Demitri Lerios has an instrumental song on the album, and if you heard the track in a movie score, you'd likely have no idea it was co-created with generative AI.

Personally, I find AI music to be quite soulless, and the album has done nothing to change that impression. As I said, it's really more of an advertisement than anything else, which undercuts any artistic value it's trying to achieve.

Why do so many artists object to artificial intelligence?

AI in music and the arts remains extremely controversial, and many artists take a hard line against the use of AI in any context. Whenever a company uses generative AI in commercials, music, video games, or filmmaking, it faces fierce backlash from AI critics.

Many musicians criticize the AI industry for training audio models on copyrighted works without permission or payment. The industry's environmental impact is also a sticking point among critics. Other artists worry that AI technology will take jobs from artists, actors, musicians, and other creative professionals. And on a creative level, some people passionately believe that AI-generated art is an oxymoron in and of itself.

"If you took three meals that were made by really great chefs and you smushed your hands up into all this food and you mashed it all together, and then you sort of treated it like clay and molded something that looked like a chicken breast and put it on a plate — did you cook that? And are you a chef? That’s what it is," Bateman told Mashable.

"People need to stop talking about AI like it’s some independent entity," the filmmaker said. "It is an algorithm made wholly of — 99.9 percent of the time — made wholly out of completely stolen work, that some human is using to try to approximate what they think will sell. Is that art?"

Of course, the backlash (and lawsuits) from artists hasn't stopped major Hollywood studios, music labels, and advertising agencies from embracing AI technology in various forms.

There are also promising use cases for AI audio technology, such as the ability to translate podcasts or music into any language on the planet. As stated previously, ElevenLabs said the album showcased "new creative possibilities without compromising human artistry."

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Samsung's next batch of flagship smartphones is almost here, and leaked details are coming in hot. A pair of reports this week pointed to possible color choices and price points for the still-unannounced Galaxy S26 lineup.

For starters, prominent leaker Evan Blass took to X to post a list of Galaxy S26 color options, allegedly definitive. They are:

• Black

• White

• Silver Shadow

• Sky Blue

• Cobalt Violet

• Pink Gold

Those are fairly standard colors for a smartphone in this day and age, so anyone expecting something really bold like Apple's orange iPhone last year might be disappointed.

Meanwhile, Korean outlet iNews24 had encouraging news, via a Samsung source, about price points for the Galaxy S26 models. The company is "doing their best" to make sure the price of the Galaxy S26 Ultra (the most expensive model) doesn't exceed 2 million won, the source said.

That converts to roughly $1,360, or about $60 more than the price of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

With a margin that small, Samsung could opt to keep the price of the S26 Ultra the same as last year's equivalent. And that could happen despite rising prices of memory chips amidst a massive RAM shortage.

We still don't know when exactly Samsung will actually show off these phones and put these rumors to rest, but a launch event announcement is expected any day now.

In Jan. 2026, the gap between the haves and the have-nots could hardly be more stark — even in AI world.

On the have-not side, there's OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Long the hype man for imminent digital superintelligence (aka AGI), Altman backtracked and said we're in an AI bubble last year. He's made odd deals to feed the money hog known as ChatGPT; subscriptions ain't paying the bills. Last week, Altman rolled out what in 2024 he called "the last resort" for the company — selling ads on ChatGPT. A popular LinkedIn post this week used an AI image of Altman out in the cold, begging for change with a self-mocking cardboard sign: "AGI = Ads Generate Income."

And then there are the haves in warm rooms in snowy Davos, Switzerland — where the weather report for the AI economy, from the annual World Economic Forum, is just peachy.

Jensen Huang, Nvidia CEO, who rode the company to a $4 trillion valuation on the back of powerful GPU chip sales growth that hasn't quite slowed yet, flipped the script when asked about the AI bubble. "This is the largest infrastructure build-out in human history," Huang said of active and promised data center projects. "And so the AI bubble is, comes about because the investments are large. And the investments are large, because we have to build the infrastructure necessary for all of the layers of AI above it."

Huang wasn't denying the existence of a bubble, exactly — he just suggested it was a misreading of our current economic outlook. Just look at all that infrastructure coming down the pipe! Left unsaid was whether those massive projects would dry up if AI itself continues to not show returns on investment for regular businesses (especially if AI models like DeepSeek can be built with minimal data center usage, the opposite of what made Nvidia successful).

In Nvidia's telling, the tail is now wagging the dog. And the rest of Davos, a popular confab for billionaires, pretty much wagged along in agreement.

"I think there will be big failures, but I don't think we are in a bubble," said Larry Fink, CEO of Blackrock, a top tech investment firm. (Blackrock holds more than $200 billion in Nvidia stock.)

Also at Davos, one Nobel Prize-winning economist described what was currently happening in AI as a "rational bubble", comparing it favorably to the infamous tulip bulb panic of the 17th century. Why? Because with AI, insisted Peter Howitt, economics professor at Brown University, "there's something real out there."

Howitt didn't suggest what that real thing was, but insisted there would be a winner — and their arrival would herald the bursting of the bubble. "At some point, when it becomes a little clearer who the winners are going to be, the values of the other firms are going to start to fall, and that's when the crash will take place."

So who is that winner, other than Nvidia and its circular OpenAI deals? Microsoft, with its own favorable OpenAI deal, might be in a position to "win" the AI economy. Microsoft currently owns a 27 percent stake in the ChatGPT maker. If Altman can't keep the lights on long-term, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella could well ride in to the rescue and snap up OpenAI itself.

Nadella, on the surface, seemed just as optimistic about AI's future as the rest of the titans. And yet in his appearance, the Microsoft CEO also sounded a note of alarm. If the AI economy doesn't root itself in non-tech sectors, it will be a bubble — and soon.

"The real question in front of all of us is how do you ensure that the diffusion of AI happens, and happens fast," Nadella said. "For this not to be a bubble by definition, it requires that the benefits of this are much more evenly spread." (Nadella has been criticized by investors for too much AI infrastructure spending.)

So to summarize the view from the Davos bubble: We're not in an AI bubble, we're in a massive infrastructure investment that will benefit workers. Well, maybe we're in a rational bubble. But we will be in an irrational bubble if everyone doesn't get on board with the AI economy real soon, presumably by sending poor Sam Altman some ad dollars. Got that?

Apple is getting into the AI wearable space with its very own AI pin, according to a new report from The Information.

According to the report, Apple's AI pin could be released as soon as 2027 and would be around the size of a slightly thicker AirTag. The report describes Apple's work-in-progress AI pin as being a "thin, flat, circular disc with an aluminum-and-glass shell." The Apple AI pin will have a single physical button along its edge and a charging interface on the back of the device, much like the Apple Watch.

Crucially, the Apple AI pin will reportedly have two cameras as well, one being a standard lens and the other being a wide-angle lens, on the front of the device. The cameras are designed to capture photos and videos of the user's surroundings. On the audio end of things, the Apple AI pin has a speaker along with three microphones to pick up sound.

Apple has been looking to ramp up its presence in the AI space after being largely absent while companies like Google and Microsoft have focused on getting into the market. Apple recently announced it was partnering with Google in order to power Apple Intelligence and Siri with the search giant's Gemini AI model. Apple has also been working on a complete AI revamp of its voice assistant Siri.

According to the report, Apple is aiming for a 2027 release for its AI pin in order to compete with OpenAI's own mystery AI wearable, which is slated to launch later this year. However, the report also states that development of the AI pin is in the "very early stages" and Apple could potentially cancel the device if it isn't up to par with the company's standards.

AI pins have been a challenge for companies looking to create physical, standalone wearable AI devices. The Humane Pin was probably the biggest example of a failed AI wearable, with the company having raised hundreds of millions of dollars only to launch and sell less than 10,000 units of its much-criticized device. The company closed less than a year after the Humane Pin launched.

If Apple does indeed launch the long-awaited foldable iPhone in September as rumored and the AI pin months later, we're looking at a very interesting timeframe ahead for brand new Apple products.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

SAVE $350: As of Jan. 21, get the Shark AV2501AE AI robot vacuum for $299.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $649.99. That's a discount of 54%.

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Shark AV2501AE AI robot vacuum

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It's 2025. Who's actually spending time pushing around a vacuum anymore? Let a robot vacuum take care of the dirty work and save some money while you're at it. This deal on a fantastic Shark robot vacuum is one that you won't want to miss.

As of Jan. 21, get the Shark AV2501AE AI robot vacuum for $299.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $649.99. That's a discount of 54%.

This robot vacuum can do just about everything, so you get a truly hands-off cleaning experience. With a 120-minute runtime and powerful suction, it can tackle all your most difficult areas with ease. It has a bagless, self-emptying base that can contain up to 60 days of dirt and debris, so you don't have to do anything with it at all. Just let it run and pick up your dirt and whatnot, and empty it much later.

It can map your home effortlessly using 360-degree LiDAR vision, so it can navigate the space without continuously bumping into things. Plus, it has a Recharge and Resume feature that lets it automatically head back to its dock to recharge and return to where it left off all on its own when charged.

Plus, it has support for voice control and other mapping and scheduling options that you can use to have it put together a routine that lets you continue to stay hands-off. Not a bad way to automate your household.

If you're ready to change the way you clean, be sure to pick up this discounted robot vacuum while it's still up for grabs.

TL;DR: GoCable is a compact 8-in-1 charging cable with 100W power, universal connectors, and built-in tools — and it’s on sale for $21.99 (reg. $49.99).

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GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable

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Staying powered shouldn’t require a bag full of cables and adapters. The GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable is designed for busy, on-the-go lives — combining fast charging, universal compatibility, and practical tools into a single, compact gadget that clips right onto your keys or bag.

At its core, GoCable is a 100W-capable charging cable, meaning it can power everything from phones and earbuds to tablets and laptops (with a compatible power source). It supports USB-C to USB-C and Apple Lightning connections, making it easy to switch between devices without swapping cables.

An integrated LED power display shows real-time charging output, so you always know what’s happening.

What sets GoCable apart is everything built around the cable. A magnetic wrap keeps it neatly stored and tangle-free. A carabiner clip makes it easy to attach and grab when needed. There’s even a built-in bottle opener and a safe-proof cutter for quick tasks like opening packages — small features that come in handy more often than you’d expect.

Despite packing eight functions, GoCable stays lightweight at just 40 grams and small enough to disappear into everyday carry. The braided nylon exterior and metal alloy components add durability for daily use.

For travelers, commuters, creators, and anyone tired of juggling cables, GoCable offers a simple idea: carry one smart tool instead of many.

Get the GoCable while it’s on sale for just $21.99 for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: This limited-time bundle gives you lifetime access to Microsoft Office Pro 2021 plus Windows 11 Pro for just $39.99 (reg. $418.99).

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The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle

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Keeping a Windows PC productive usually means juggling multiple upgrades — your operating system on one side, your productivity software on the other. This limited-time bundle simplifies that decision by pairing Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows with Windows 11 Pro for a single one-time payment of $39.97.

Office Professional 2021 includes the tools most people rely on daily: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access.

It’s designed for real work, whether that’s building spreadsheets, writing reports, managing email, or creating presentations. The familiar ribbon-based interface keeps everything accessible, while updates to Excel analysis tools and PowerPoint design features help speed things up without changing how you work.

Windows 11 Pro handles what happens underneath. It introduces a cleaner interface, better window management with Snap layouts, stronger security through features like BitLocker and TPM 2.0, and productivity improvements that make multitasking easier.

For professionals, it adds tools like Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and Azure AD support. For everyone else, it simply makes daily computing feel smoother.

Windows 11 Pro also brings Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant, directly into the OS. It can help summarize content, adjust system settings, generate ideas, and even assist with writing or code — all without leaving your desktop.

Together, these two Microsoft gems cover both what you do and how your PC runs. Instead of paying ongoing subscription fees, this bundle lets you own two core Microsoft tools outright.

Get both Office Pro 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for just $39.99 (reg. $418.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

UPDATE: Jan. 22, 2026, 12:06 p.m. EST This piece has been updated with a statement from Google.

Google's AI assistant Gemini has surged to the top of AI leaderboards since the search giant's latest update last month.

However, cybersecurity researchers say the AI chatbot still has some privacy problems.

Researchers with the app security platform Miggo Security recently released a report detailing how they were able to trick Google's Gemini AI assistant into sharing sensitive user calendar data (as first reported by Bleeping Computer) without permission. The researchers say they accomplished this with nothing more than a Google Calendar invite and a prompt. 

The report, titled Weaponizing Calendar Invites: A Semantic Attack on Google Gemini, explains how the researchers sent an unsolicited Google Calendar invite to a targeted user and included a prompt that instructed Gemini to do three things. The prompt requested that Gemini summarize all of the Google Meetings the targeted user had in a specific day, take that data and include it in the description of a new calendar invite, and then hide all of this from the targeted user by informing them "it's a free time slot" when asked.

According to researchers, the attack was activated when the targeted user asked Gemini about their schedule that day on the calendar. Gemini responded as requested, telling the user, "it's a free time slot." However, the researchers say it also created a new calendar invite with a summary of the target user's private meetings in the description. This calendar invite was then visible to the attacker, the report says.

Miggo Security researchers explain in their report that "Gemini automatically ingests and interprets event data to be helpful," which makes it a prime target for hackers to exploit. This type of attack is known as an Indirect Prompt Injection, and it's starting to gain prominence among bad actors. As the researchers also point out, this type of vulnerability among AI assistants is not unique to Google and Gemini.

The report includes technical details about the security vulnerability. In addition, the Miggo Security researchers urge AI companies to attribute intent to requested actions, which could help stop bad actors engaging in prompt injection attacks.

“We have a number of defenses to protect users from this type of attack," a Google spokesperson said in an email statement to Mashable, who also stressed that the vulnerability from this report had been reported to the company and fixed. "The contributions of the research community are a big help in developing such robust protections — we appreciate the researchers for their responsible disclosure.”

SAVE $30: Amazon has the Dreame Gleam Hair Dryer on sale for just $69.99 as of Jan. 21. That's 30% off its $99.99 sticker price, which is its biggest discount to date.

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Dreame Gleam Hair Dryer

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The Dyson Supersonic is a fast and effective hair dryer, but like most Dyson beauty tech, it suffers from the affliction of Being Way Too Expensive. Fortunately, my colleague Bethany Allard has made it part of her life's work to find the best Dyson Supersonic dupes that replicate its results for $300 or less. Her top budget pick, the Dreame Gleam, manages to do it for just $100 — but if you hustle, you'll pay a fraction of that.

As of Jan. 21, Amazon has the Gleam on sale for just $69.99, or 30% off its usual $99.99 MSRP. (You could buy six of them for the price of one Supersonic.) Data on the price-tracking site CamelCamelCamel shows that this is a match of its record-low price from last September, which hasn't reemerged until now.

Dreame previously offered the same Gleam deal as part of a Black Friday special on its website, but it's currently sold out there.

Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The Gleam dethroned the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium as Allard's top Supersonic dupe under $100 several months ago because its short-nozzle design is a closer match, and because it's easier to find. It has two settings for speeds and three for heat, and it comes with one concentrator attachment. It's available in one shade of pastel pink — very apt for Valentine's Day, I might add.

Allard was impressed by the Gleam's lightweight feel and its effectiveness in taking her long hair from wet to dry in about 15 minutes on the warm setting. "My hair looked shiny and like it hadn't been overblasted with heat," she said. Less impressive: Its highest heat setting feels too hot to use for more than a few seconds, and it produces more frizz compared to some of the other Supersonic dupes Allard tried. Still, "these are minor complaints for a hair dryer under $100," she added.

SAVE $1,700: The EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $1,999, down from the usual price of $3,699. That's a 46% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

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EcoFlow Delta Pro 3

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Winter is the perfect time for home renovations. With no house guests lined up to arrive soon, you're free to make improvements to rooms that have been begging for upgrades. But something that we often overlook is how to power up the necessary tools to make improvements. Instead of running a giant extension cord through the house, opt for the convenience of a versatile portable power station. There's a beast of a model on sale today at Amazon.

As of Jan. 21, the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $1,999, down from the usual price of $3,699. That's a 46% discount that shaves a major $1,700 off the price. It's also the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Unlike smaller models that are perfect for keeping your phone charged during a power outage, the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 is a hefty model that comes with 4,096Wh of battery capacity. That will be incredible for both home renovations and keeping large appliances powered up during outages. EcoFlow says this model can keep a refrigerator cooling for three days.

Since this much battery power comes with significant weight, EcoFlow designed the Delta Pro 3 with durable wheels and a telescoping handle, so you'll be able to roll the power station around the house. It's also quiet, giving off as little as 30 decibels, so you'll be in good shape for using it in the kids room at night or for those who need to sleep with a CPAP.

Before you take on another home project or face a storm that knocks out power, upgrade to the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 portable power station while it's on sale at Amazon for under $2,000. It's ideal to use for home projects, during power outages, and for rolling into the backyard on summer nights for outdoor movies.

Volvo EX60 is probably the most important car for Volvo this decade, and the specifications show it.

Officially unveiled on Wednesday, the Volvo EX60 is a mid-sized electric SUV, positioned in between the smaller EX30 and the big family hauler, the EX90, both of which are already available for purchase.

Volvo says the EX60 is extremely efficient thanks to its aerodynamics, as well as thermal and propulsion efficiency. Credit: Volvo

But the EX60 mimics the company's all-time best-selling model, the petrol-powered Volvo XC60. And while that car has been electrified in the form of the plug-in hybrid, the XC60 Recharge, the Volvo EX60 is the company's first, true mid-size electric SUV.

Given the intense competition in that space, Volvo had to pull out the big guns to stay competitive, and that it did, at least on paper. The Volvo EX60, which is built on Volvo's new SPA3 EV architecture, has a massive 400 miles of range. It also has super-fast charging, ideally taking the battery from 10 to 80 percent in just 19 minutes on a 400kW charger.

You won't mistake the EX60 for a non-Volvo, that's for sure. Credit: Volvo

These figures are for the most powerful variant, the Volvo EX60 P12 AWD, which comes with a 117kWh battery and dual motors for a combined 670hp, propelling the car from 0 to 60mph in 3.8 seconds.

You can also get the EX60 in a slightly weaker, P10 AWD configuration, which has a 95kWh battery and up to 320 miles of range, while the P6 only has a rear motor and up to 310 miles of range.

It's worth comparing that range figure with some competitors, as Volvo claims it's best-in-class. For example, Tesla's Model Y has up to 330 of EPA range, while BMW's recently unveiled iX3 equals the EX60 with up to 400 miles of range.

The infotainment system is powered by Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Google Gemini AI. Note the central screen which is horizontal instead of vertical, as it is on other Volvo models. Credit: Volvo

Volvo also addressed another pain point in many of today's cars: Infotainment. The EX60 is based on HuginCore, Volvo's name for a hardware/software combination of Nvidia and Qualcomm chips, and Google's Gemini AI smarts.

Some amenities you can get in an EX60 include a 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, with Apple Music pre-installed with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio support. The Gemini AI bit means you can have a natural conversation with your car, and the AI isn't just for answering geography and history questions; instead, it should be able to perform a variety of commands without you having to remember specific queries.

We hoped for a 7-seat variant, but Volvo doesn't mention it anywhere. Credit: Volvo

Volvo also says that all this hardware power brings a "no-lag" infotainment experience, in which "screens respond quickly, maps load instantly, voice assistants understand passengers better, and everything feels smooth." It sounds great, but we'll believe it when we see it.

Other highlights include tons of safety tech, as is customary for Volvo, which includes a boron steel-strengthened safety cage. The minimalistic exterior and interior design gently whispers "Scandinavian quality" into your ear. Looking at Volvo's promotional pictures, the most important detail we've noticed is the horizontally oriented central display, which used to be vertical in previous Volvos.

The Volvo EX60 CC is a bit more nature-friendly, but it's not that different from the regular EX60. Credit: Volvo

The company also launched the Volvo EX60 Cross Country, a slightly more rugged variant that shares very similar specs, though it's only available in the P10 AWD and P12 AWD configurations. Differences from the regular EX60 include higher clearance and seating position, air suspension, rugged wheel arches, stainless steel skid plates, and badges that remind you that this is a CC model.

Volvo says that the production of EX60 P6 and P10 variants will begin in April 2026, while the P12 will enter production later this year. As for price, the company says that a "really well-equipped" Volvo EX60 P10 AWD should cost around $60,000.

OpenAI and its popular AI chatbot ChatGPT may have started the current AI craze, but they've recently been losing some ground to Google Gemini in the AI arms race. However, it seems all is not lost for OpenAI and ChatGPT.

A new survey from subscription bundling platform Bango claims that 72 percent of ChatGPT subscribers say they have set the chatbot as their new browser homepage on both desktop and mobile (as reported by Tom's Guide). If true, that would be a big blow to Google's long-time dominance in the search space. Google hasn't faced a true competitor in the search world in decades, and a U.S. federal judged ruled in 2024 that the company illegally maintained a monopoly in online search. (Google is appealing that antitrust ruling.)

Since ChatGPT exploded onto the scene in 2022, Google and OpenAI have become fierce rivals.

Last month, a report found that ChatGPT had lost six percent of its user base after Google launched an upgraded Gemini 3 model. Then, just weeks ago, Google announced alongside Apple that its Gemini AI model would power Apple Intelligence across all of Apple's devices, which in turn would likely further dilute ChatGPT's market share. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reportedly declared a "code red" at the company in response to increased competition.

ChatGPT is still causing problems for Google in one key area

Bango's survey found that a majority of ChatGPT subscribers now use the AI chatbot as their default homepage, according to Tom's Guide. That's potentially hundreds of millions of people who no longer start their online experience with Google.

One of the ways Google has dominated the search engine space for so long has been by becoming the default search engine when users open their web browsers. For example, Google had been paying Apple a whopping $20 billion per year for the privilege of being the default search engine for iPhone users, until the company was barred from doing so as a result of an antitrust lawsuit.

If this survey data is accurate, OpenAI has been able to convince users to switch from Google to ChatGPT, and without paying billions of dollars a year to do so.

Bango reportedly polled 1,400 U.S. ChatGPT subscribers for this survey, so we should note that these are the opinions of a small group of users who regularly utilize ChatGPT. 

ChatGPT subscribers love ChatGPT

The main takeaway from Bango's survey is that while Google has been making gains when it comes to AI, the search giant may have to defend its own turf from ChatGPT.

However, there are other interesting results from this survey that point to another trend: many hardcore ChatGPT users want to do everything within ChatGPT.

The survey also found that 78 percent of ChatGPT subscribers have added the ChatGPT widget to their mobile device's home screen, per Tom's Guide. This means they don't even have to access a web browser to use it. They just want to go directly to ChatGPT.

Once those users are in ChatGPT, they don't want to go anywhere else. The survey found that 74 percent of ChatGPT subscribers want to shop for products within ChatGPT, and 72 percent say they'll use standalone third-party apps like Spotify and Maps less if they can access them within ChatGPT.

In addition, three-quarters of ChatGPT subscribers said they want to perform all their daily digital tasks within ChatGPT without using any other apps or websites.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Lots of people are saying OnePlus is on the verge of shutting down, but OnePlus executives beg to differ.

So, what's going on with OnePlus?

The Chinese smartphone maker is the subject of credible reports alleging that parent company Oppo is planning to end the mobile brand's operations in the near future. It all started with an investigation from Android Headlines, which cited dismal sales numbers and multiple unnamed sources claiming that the company is on its last legs. Android Headlines described the evidence it collected as "damning."

"OnePlus, as you know it, is over," wrote Android Headlines publisher and owner Chris Yackulic. "The brand is being dismantled — wound down and put on life support until it honors its remaining commitments, and by then, no one will remember to ask what happened. That’s not speculation. That’s the playbook, and we’ve watched it run before."

Android Headlines reported that some corporate headquarters have already been closed, and that products like OnePlus's next foldable have been canceled.

However, OnePlus India CEO Robin Liu has strongly denied these claims in a statement on X. He echoed this denial in statements to various mobile outlets.

"Recent unverified reports claiming OnePlus is shutting down are false. OnePlus India’s business operations continue as normal. We urge all stakeholders to verify information from official sources before sharing unsubstantiated claims.”

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In addition, OnePlus's North American branch provided a similar comment to Android Headlines.

“OnePlus North America continues to operate, with full guarantee of users’ after-sales support, software updates, and rights commitments," the company told Android Headlines.

Of course, many struggling companies deny reports like this right up to the moment they shut down in an attempt to stave off a death spiral.

Mashable has reviewed OnePlus phones for years, and if the company does shut down, it would leave a hole in a mobile market that's already dominated by several tech giants (Apple, Google, and Samsung). The calculus is different in Asia, where there are lots of alternative smartphone options, but here in the West, OnePlus is one of the only ways to get out of the Apple-Google-Samsung ecosystem.

The OnePlus 15, released just a few months ago, was one of the very best phones of 2025, with high-end specs at a competitive price.

Netflix is planning to redesign its mobile app (again) amid changing priorities for the streaming giant. And you should expect — like lots of other apps — a shift toward TikTok-style vertical video.

Netflix indicated its plans during an earnings call this week. Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters noted in the call that the planned mobile redesign followed a similar overhaul of its TV user interface.

"Just as you've seen us do with the new TV UI, we're working on a new mobile UI that will better serve the expansion of our business over the decade to come," Peters said in the call. "We're gonna roll this out later in 2026. And just like our TV UI, it then becomes a starting point. It becomes a platform for us to continue to iterate, test, evolve, and improve our offerings."

At the investor earnings call, Netflix's other CEO, Ted Sarandos, also called out Instagram as a competitor to watch.

"TV is not what we grew up on. TV is now just about everything,” he said, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. “The Oscars and the NFL are on YouTube. Networks are simulcasting the Super Bowl on linear TV and streaming. Amazon owns MGM, Apple is competing for Emmys and Oscars, and Instagram is coming next.”

The planned redesign also follows Netflix's recent push into podcasts, a medium that often creates viral vertical videos.

"You can imagine us bringing more clips based on new content types like video podcasts," Peters noted.

The exact details of Netflix's mobile redesign remain undisclosed, but you can expect an app that integrates the many ways in which the streaming giant has infiltrated our lives. That could mean clips from a podcast, an NFL highlight, or the somewhat disappointing end to a hit show.

SAVE $157.26: As of Jan. 21, get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones for $271.74 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $429. That's a discount of 37%.

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Bose QuietComfort Ultra

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A new pair of headphones can fundamentally change the way you enjoy your favorite music. You suddenly start hearing more of the song and even discover things you may not have heard before. And when that happens, it's like hearing a song again for the first time. Treat yourself to some new headphones now with this great deal on one of Bose's best models.

As of Jan. 21, get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones for $271.74 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $429. That's $157.26 off and a discount of 37%.

Mashable Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino called these headphones "the most comfortable" she's ever worn, praising them for their variety of audio settings and noise cancelling abilities, how simple it is to connect to Bluetooth, and their all-day battery life.

"The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones offer exceptional comfort," she wrote. "They cup your ears for a secure fit but won't cause aching ears. If you're wearing headphones from the beginning of your commute, all throughout the workday, and until the moment you get back home, these are a worthy investment for comfort, not to mention battery life."

If you're looking for great sound quality as well as noise cancellation that goes above and beyond, you won't want to miss out on this deal, especially while they're still on sale at this significant discount.

Sony was one of the first companies to champion the idea of open-ear earbuds when it released its first LinkBuds model in 2022, an in-ear design with a distinctive donut-shaped speaker module. Since then, it has stuck to this formula — with a small tweak to 2024’s LinkBuds Open — while most open-ear competitors like Shokz, Bose, and Soundcore have chosen earhook and clip-style designs.

Today, that changes with the debut of the Sony LinkBuds Clip ($229.99), available now in four different colors (lavender, black, green, and greige). At the time of writing, the earbuds are available at Amazon and directly from Sony.

Sony LinkBuds Clip

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The LinkBuds Clip, as its name suggests, follows in the footsteps of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and Shokz OpenDots One, with a U-shaped clip design that wraps around the side of the ear instead of sitting inside it.

Left: The Sony LinkBuds Open have a distinctive donut-style shape. Credit: Sony

Right: The new LinkBuds Clip have a cuff-style shape. Credit: Sony

I got to briefly try the new Sony LinkBuds Clip at a demo ahead of their launch, and I've got all the details on these new wireless earbuds.

Sony embraces a new design for the LinkBuds

Sony says its research revealed that fit and comfort are among buyers’ top concerns in choosing open-ear earbuds. And while Sony stopped short of saying that users found the LinkBuds and LinkBuds Open uncomfortable, the LinkBuds Clip seems like an acknowledgement that not everyone was able to get a comfortable fit with the company’s in-ear models.

A soft, flexible band connects the in-ear speaker pod with a battery module that sits behind the ear. Sony includes a set of small silicone “air fitting cushions” to help users with smaller ears get a secure fit. Like the rest of the LinkBuds family, the new Sony LinkBuds Clips have an IPX4 splash-proof rating.

Credit: Sony

As with the LinkBuds Open, Sony will sell accessory silicone top and bottom covers (with ring carabiners) for the charging case in the same five colors as the earbuds. The tops come with a color-matched set of air cushions, and you’ll be able to mix and match top and bottom colors. They cost $24.99 for a set and will only be available on Sony’s website.

Speaking of the charging case, its size and shape are nearly identical to the LinkBuds Open, with a clamshell design that unfortunately lacks wireless charging.

What else is new with the Sony LinkBuds Clip earbuds?

Sony says it has upped the battery life on the LinkBuds Clip by an hour versus the Open model, claiming a 9-hour per charge play time, and a total of 37 hours when you include the case’s capacity. A fast-charge system promises an additional one hour of play time after just three minutes of charging.

Sound-wise, Sony has added a new voice mode that attempts to keep spoken audio content clear and intelligible in noisy environments, while a sound leakage mode works to prevent your music and voice calls from being heard by others.

The company also says that a future firmware update will bring adaptive volume control, which will sense the noise level of your surroundings and boost or lower the LinkBuds Clip’s volume to match.

Credit: Sony

Credit: Sony

The Clips support Bluetooth Multipoint, along with SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, but unlike the LinkBuds Open, you don’t get LC3 codec support. Perhaps more disappointingly, Sony has no plans to add Bluetooth Auracast.

The earbuds use tap controls instead of physical buttons, but Sony hasn’t included the wide-area tap feature from the LinkBuds Open, which lets you tap near the earbuds instead of directly on them. Moreover, customization of the controls with Sony’s Sound Connect app will be limited to a set of pre-configured control groups.

Call quality, which has always been a big selling point for open earbuds, could see a significant improvement on the LinkBuds Clip. Sony says it has leveraged AI-powered noise reduction, combined with a new bone-conduction sensor, to eliminate background noise during calls. During my briefing, Sony played some example recordings to illustrate the difference these new technologies make, and if they prove to be as effective in real life, the Clips should be excellent for calls.

As a professional headphones tester, the question people around me have asked me the most this past year is some version of: What exactly are open earbuds? That often gets followed up with: Are they better than regular noise-cancelling earbuds?

The (somewhat) short answer to the first part: They're one of the most popular earbuds trends. If you haven't heard of them yet, you might have seen their other names: open-ear earbuds or open-ear headphones. This earbud type is unique in that no part of the earbud sits in your ear canal. Chances are, if you've seen one pair, you've seen the Bose Ultra Open earbuds, which, though great (I recommend them as one of the best open earbuds), are just one option of many on the market.

The Bose Ultra Open earbuds are part earbud, part fashion accessory, and one of the most popular options available. Credit: Bose

In addition the the cuff-designed Bose earbuds that focus on the listening experience first and foremost, there are open buds that use ear hooks to stay in place, designs made for exercise, and even open headphones.

Major audio brands seem to be going all in on the rising popularity of this design. In 2026 alone, JBL announced five new styles of open earbuds at CES, Soundcore revealed an open earbud that can also be used as a noise-cancelling earbud, Shokz introduced noise reduction into the open earbud space, and Sony revamped their donut open earbuds in favor of a pastel clip design.

So to that second question — are any of those options better than in-ear noise-cancelling earbuds? As always, it depends on what you're looking for in a pair of earbuds. So let's start with the basics:

What are open earbuds?

Open earbuds are any earbuds that don't sit directly in your ear canal. Generally, this means they use air conduction to transmit the sound to your ears. Some folks also consider bone conduction headphones, like the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, to be a type of open earbud, as they don't sit in the ear canal and send vibrations to the bones of your head, which then transmit as sound in your inner-ear canal. However, for the purposes of this guide, I'll be speaking primarily about the air conduction open earbuds.

Bone conduction headphones also leave the ear canal open, but use different tech to transmit sound. Credit: Shokz

A significant part of open earbuds' appeal is that they essentially provide a permanent transparency mode, without any annoying hissing or weird amplification of environmental sound. Some folks also find them more comfortable, suited for exercise, and a good alternative to traditional earbuds (if they don't like the feeling of earbuds in their ears).

Do open earbuds offer noise cancellation?

Open earbuds sit outside of the ear canal and don't encompass the ear (like a traditional over-ear headphone), so it's essentially impossible for any open earbuds to provide active noise cancellation.

Instead, open earbuds rely on using music to drown out the world around you, to an extent (though they will be noticeably less effective than a pair of ANC buds). Still, this is the point of an open earbud — they're designed for excellent noise transparency, not noise cancellation.

What exactly does that mean? It means that in the best pairs of open earbuds, you'll find a balance between external sounds and the audio you're streaming. You'll be able to hear a barista calling your name clearly, cars driving along the road next to you, or yourself singing along. Frequently, transparency modes on traditional in-ear earbuds can amplify environmental sounds to an unnatural degree — because the transparency mode is built into the design, open earbuds essentially give you the experience of having your own personal speakers. They're an excellent solution for anyone who frequently finds themselves wearing only one earbud or sliding one ear cup slightly off their ear with over-ear headphones.

If the lack of ANC turns you off from using open earbuds, I wouldn't check out just yet. As I mentioned briefly up top, Soundcore recently introduced a pair of open earbuds that can also be used as ANC buds. Granted, when using the noise cancellation feature, you do wear the earbuds as in-ear buds, but they can be adjusted back to their open wear form. The Shokz OpenFit Pro are another new release that are worn solely as open earbuds, and provide noise reduction — you'll still hear the world around you well, but it will be dampened in an effort to make the audio you stream easier to listen to.

Can other people hear open earbuds?

Ideally, the sound leakage from open ear headphones is minimal to nonexistent, but that's not always the reality. While it won't be like you're actually using small Bluetooth speakers, certain models, especially at higher volumes, might play music clearly enough that someone standing within a couple feet of you might be able to make out the lyrics of what you're listening to.

Though I didn't have a pair on hand to confirm this theory, the sound leakage felt somewhat reminiscent of what you'd experience with the early 2000s on-ear headphones that often came with portable CD players.

The main benefits of open earbuds, summarized

Open earbuds won't appeal to everyone's taste, but anyone looking for their earbuds to give them the following is much more likely to be pleased:

• Comfortable wear: Open earbuds don't obstruct your ear canal, and can generally be much lighter on the ear than traditional earbuds and headphones.

• General awareness: You can still hear the world around you the entire time you're wearing open earbuds, making them great for taking out in public, whether on a run or for a stroll in the park.

• Exercise-friendly: Many open earbuds have IP scores that deem them water resistant or even waterproof, meaning they're okay to sweat in. Awareness of the world around you can come in handy when you're running down the street or want to stay alert at the gym. Finally, the ear hook design can help hold earbuds in place, making them ideal for use during more movement.

Beyond the lack of ANC, open earbuds have two major cons. For one, the audio itself won't sound as robust, because they're sitting outside your ears — hearing finer details or well-rounded bass is less likely across the board, even with the best-sounding earbuds. Some brands may also be prone to more audio leakage, meaning using them in already quiet settings (like studying at the library) could pose some risk of disturbing others.

How to wear open earbuds

How exactly you'll wear an open earbud depends somewhat on the design and the brand. Ear hook designs tend to take a little more finessing to situate comfortably, while ear cuff buds can be more straightforward to put on.

The EarFun Clip earbuds cuff around the ears (and can be worn with an earring stack). Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

However, with both styles, you'll likely spend some time during your first wears adjusting where exactly the earbud sits on your ear. Though this is something you'll do to some extent with all earbuds, it's especially important with open earbuds, as the sound quality can legitimately be affected by where the earbud is situated. Finding the right spot is simple: While playing music, slightly adjust the earbuds until they sit where they sound best.

Our favorite open earbuds

Like regular earbuds, open earbuds can run you anywhere from $25 to $300 — below, I've included tried and tested open earbuds models from across the price spectrum.

Best open earbuds

---

Best budget option

EarFun Clip

$69.99

Shop Now

---

Best ear hook design

soundcore AeroFit 2

$129.99

Shop Now

---

Best for most people

Shokz OpenDots One

$199.95

Shop Now

---

Best upgrade pick

Bose Ultra Open earbuds

$299

Shop Now

Check out Mashable's full roundup of the best open earbuds.

Worried about seeing a bunch of ads in your favorite AI assistant? If you're using Google Gemini, you probably won't — at least not in the foreseeable future.

During an interview in Davos, Switzerland, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis told Alex Heath that the company doesn’t have “any plans” to put ads in Gemini. In contrast, OpenAI is about to start testing ads in ChatGPT, causing outrage from many of its users.

Plans can and do sometimes change, of course, and Google could still integrate ads into its AI assistant one day, but at least we know it's not happening soon. (Though we should note that Google is currently the largest advertising company on the planet; in 2023, the company generated $175 trillion in ad revenue.)

In discussing AI ads at Davos, Hassabis also seemed to take a subtle shot at his chief AI rival, telling Axios he was "surprised" that OpenAI was turning to ads so quickly.

In a tweet, OpenAI said that ChatGPT ads will only show up in ChatGPT free and Go tiers, and explained that ChatGPT's responses will not be influenced by ads and that users' conversations will remain private from advertisers.

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

The company said that its mission is "to ensure AGI benefits all of humanity," and that its pursuit of advertising is "always in support of that mission," as well as "making AI more accessible.

It probably isn't that simple, though. In 2024, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said ads were a "last resort" for the company, and recent reports describe how Altman internally declared "code red," prioritizing efforts to make sure ChatGPT doesn't fall behind competitors, including Gemini.

SAVE $1,502: As of Jan. 21, the TCL 65-inch QM8K Mini LED QLED 4K TV is down to just $997.99 at Amazon. That's 60% in savings based on its full list price of $2,499.99 and just $98 away from its best-ever price from Black Friday.

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Credit: TCL

TCL 65-inch QM8K Mini LED QLED 4K TV

$997.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $1,502.00

 

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Unsure what size TV to get? We think 65 inches is the sweet spot for most people. And our top pick for a 65-incher is TCL's QM8K TV. It's a particularly worthwhile choice when it's on sale and as of Jan. 21, it's more than half off.

Typically listed at $2,499.99, you can grab the TCL 65-inch QM8K Mini LED QLED 4K TV for only $997.99 at Amazon this week. That's more than $1,500 or 60% in savings based on its full list price (Amazon's current list price is deflated). That's also only $98 away from its best-ever price from Black Friday. Best Buy also has a great deal on the TV if you prefer to shop there — it's just $2 more than Amazon.

The internet practically unanimously agrees that the TCL QM8K is the best QLED TV for most folks, thanks to its highly impressive brightness and stellar picture quality, contrast, and shadow detail. "While this intensity of brightness makes the QM8K a solid choice for watching TV in daylight, its more-precise-than-usual backlights keep details crisp in a dark room. The new anti-halo effect is an effective fix for some of the blooming its predecessor experienced," Mashable's Leah Stodart notes.

It's also equipped with a 2.2-channel Bang & Olufsen-designed speaker array with Dolby Atmos spatial audio, a 144Hz native refresh rate with VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, a low 12.9ms input lag, ATSC 3.0, Wi-Fi 6, and plenty of ports for all of your peripherals.

If you're looking to upgrade your TV this season, you certainly won't be disappointed with this pick — and your wallet will be pleased with the price. And BTW: If you're not sure what to do with your old TV, you can recycle it at most Best Buy stores for free.

SAVE UP TO 14%: Select configurations of the Apple MacBook Air (M4) are on sale on Amazon for $200 off as of Jan. 21, with prices starting at $1,199 (normally $1,399). Each variant comes with at least 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

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Credit: Apple

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

$1,199 at Amazon
$1,399 Save $200

 

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Credit: Apple

Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

$1,199 at Amazon
$1,399 Save $200

 

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Amazon puts latest M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $200 off so often, Apple might as well edit their MSRPs. Indeed, data from the price-tracking site camelcamelcamel shows that every configuration was enjoying that discount since the start of the year, up until earlier this week. However, only a few upper-end variants are still holding onto it at the time of writing.

This isn't a sign to panic yet, but the ongoing RAM shortage makes one wonder if sizable discounts on the cheapest base models are going to be rarities going forward. (They're currently just $100 off; Mashable's deals team will be watching them closely.) Regardless, it's never a bad idea to splurge on some extra memory and storage for future-proofing's sake if your budget allows.

As of Jan. 21, Amazon's $200 discount is still live for the following sizes, colors, and configurations:

• 13-inch M4 MacBook Air (24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) in midnight and silver — $1,199 $1,399 (save $200)

• 15-inch M4 MacBook Air (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) in silver — $1,199 $1,399 (save $200)

• 15-inch M4 MacBook Air (24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) in midnight and silver — $1,399 $1,599 (save $200)

Amazon's deals weren't matched anywhere else the last time I checked — including Best Buy, which usually gives the retail giant some competition. All of the aforementioned configurations were still full price there.

I'd steer most people towards the 15-inch model, which has two extra speakers and a GPU with two extra cores (read: it's a little bit better at handling heavier workloads). However, students and those who prioritize portability will be served well by the 13-inch version. Check out my complete guide to the best MacBooks for 2026 buyers if you need more intel.

SAVE 60%: As of Jan. 21, the Starlink Mini Kit AC Dual Band WiFi System is on sale for $199.99 at Best Buy. That's a 60% discount.

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Credit: Starlink

Starlink Mini Kit AC Dual Band WiFi System

$199.99 at Best Buy
$499.99 Save $300

 

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No matter how you feel about Elon Musk, it's hard to deny that Starlink has changed the game for getting online (no matter where you are). Whether you're working from a van or just want Netflix at a remote campsite, this backpack-sized kit is a serious upgrade from trying to find a single bar of 5G.

As of Jan. 21, the Starlink Mini Kit AC Dual Band WiFi System is on sale for $199.99 at Best Buy, down from $499.99. That's a 60% discount or $300 in savings. You can also save an additional 15% (plus 15% off Geek Squad Home Wi-Fi Setup) when you bring in an old router or modem/router combo for recycling.

The "Mini" lives up to its name: It's compact enough to fit in a backpack, yet delivers max speeds over 100 Mbps and features an integrated WiFi 5 router, so you don't need to haul extra gear to get a signal. Plus, it's designed to be plug-and-play. Just set it up with a clear view of the sky, plug it in, and you’re online in minutes.

Just keep in mind that while the hardware is yours, a service plan is required to actually connect, though there are no long-term contracts to lock you in.

SAVE OVER $1,000: The Jackery HomePower 3000 with two SolarSaga 200W solar panels is on sale for $1,598.99 at Amazon. That's down from the standard price of $2,999.

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Credit: Jackery

Jackery HomePower 3000 with SolarSaga 200W SolaPanels

$1,598.99 at Amazon
$2,999 Save $1,400.01

 

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No one loves a power outage. The idea of cozy blankets, no WiFi, no phones, and sitting down with a Lego set or a puzzle seems magical at first, but the joy can wear off quickly. Once you realize the refrigerator is no longer running, things get less magical. Instead of dealing with the inconvenience of no power, a portable power station offers a great solution. There's a solid model on sale today at Amazon that even comes with solar panels to help with recharging.

As of Jan. 21, the Jackery HomePower 3000 with two 200W solar panels is on sale at Amazon for $1,598.99, marked down from the normal price of $2,999. In total, that works out a savings of $1,400.01 from a massive 47% discount.

Like the name suggests, the Jackery HomePower 3000 comes packed with 3,072Wh of battery capacity. In simpler terms, that means you can keep the refrigerator cooling for one or two days, the WiFi router on for 66 hours, or a light on for up to 10 days. All of those will be useful during a power outage. Of course, you'll also be able to recharge your phone, Kindle, or your Nintendo Switch 2 to stay entertained.

Once we get back into camping season, the Jackery HomePower 3000 should get an invite to the campground. You'll be able to pack along the air fryer, lights, projector, and speakers thanks to the portable power of the Jackery.

Since today's deal includes two 200W SolarSaga solar panels, you'll be in great shape for recharging the HomePower 3000. With the 400W combined solar input, Jackery says this model will get back to 100% charged after 11 hours. An 80% charge is possible with nine hours of solar charging.

Useful in all season, upgrade to the Jackery HomePower 3000 this year while it's on sale for a major 47% off. You'll be endlessly thankful during the next power outage when you have a fully charged phone and working refrigerator.

TL;DR: The Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 curved gaming monitor has dropped to $699.99 at Amazon, hitting its lowest-ever price. That’s $300 off its $999.99 list price.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 Curved Gaming Monitor

$699.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $300

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Samsung has been going strong with deals lately, but the latest gaming monitor offer might be the best of the bunch.

As of Jan. 21, the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 (G91F) is down to $699.99 at Amazon, marking a full $300 off its $999.99 list price and its lowest price to date — confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel. For anyone dreaming of an ultra-wide, wraparound setup without juggling multiple screens, this monitor’s truly worth considering.

At a massive 49 inches, the Odyssey G9 is built to dominate your desk; a 32:9 curved display of that size is essentially the equivalent of two 27-inch monitors fused together, minus the annoying bezel gap. With a Dual QHD resolution (5120 x 1440) and an aggressive 1,000R curve, it fills your peripheral vision and pulls you straight into the action, whether you’re racing in Forza Horizon 5, flying in Microsoft Flight Simulator, or exploring open worlds like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

Performance doesn’t take a back seat, either. You’re getting a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, helping fast-paced games like Battlefield 6 stay smooth and tear-free. Add VESA DisplayHDR 600, and darker scenes gain extra contrast without washing out highlights — a noticeable upgrade for cinematic titles and late-night gaming sessions.

Beyond gaming, this monitor shines as a productivity powerhouse for work, too. Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture modes make multitasking easy, while the ergonomic stand lets you fine-tune height and tilt for marathon sessions.

If you’re shopping around across different brands, LG’s 32-inch UltraGear QHD monitor is still $100 off. As for more from Samsung, the OLED version of the G9 monitor is also on sale at almost $400 off.

Elon Musk and Ryanair have been experiencing turbulence of late, but what exactly has occurred?

The billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO has been swapping barbs with Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, with petty insults thrown around by two grown-ass men on public platforms. And it's all about internet on short-haul flights. Here's what's been happening.

Back on Jan. 14, Ryanair ruled out the possibility of installing Musk's Starlink internet tech on its planes, like competitors British Airways and Lufthansa. O'Leary told Reuters, "You need to put antenna on fuselage, it comes with a two percent fuel penalty because of the weight and drag. We don't think our passengers are willing to pay for WiFi for an average one-hour flight."

The following day, Musk sprang into action on his social platform X, claiming O'Leary was "misinformed" and writing, "I doubt they can even measure the difference in fuel use accurately, especially for a one hour flight, where the incremental drag is basically zero during the ascent phase due to high angle of attack," and pairing it all with an AI Grok explainer.

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

Since then, it's been on — and in increasingly lower levels of mature.

When X suffered a major outage on Jan. 16, Ryanair took a jab at Musk on the platform, asking, "perhaps you need Wi-Fi @elonmusk?" Musk fired back, tweeting, "Should I buy Ryan Air and put someone whose actual name is Ryan in charge?"

Then, in a radio interview on Ireland's Newstalk, O'Leary was asked about Ryanair's stance on Starlink. The airline CEO rejected the idea again, not only describing the impact of adding antennas to aircraft — "about a 2 percent fuel drag" and a boosted fuel bill of "$200, $250 million a year...in other words, about an extra dollar for every passenger we fly" — but then targeting Musk directly.

"I frankly wouldn’t pay any attention to anything that Elon Musk puts on that cesspit of his called X," he said. "He was the guy who advocated to getting Donald Trump elected. I would pay no attention whatsoever to Elon Musk. He’s an idiot. Very wealthy, but he’s still an idiot."

Of course, Musk hit back on X, recycling the insult and calling for O'Leary to be fired — a message he's repeated on X since.

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

Since then, there's been a few side-eye barbs on social media — on Jan. 19, Ryanair's official X post retweeted a post responding to a question posted: "what is a propaganda you're not falling for?" The airline's response: ""Wi-Fi on planes."

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Now, Musk appears to be moving into his favoured tactic of controlling the narrative by buying it. Musk responded to the above post asking, "How much would it cost to buy you?" before later calling for O'Leary's firing while using the r-word slur. Then, on Jan. 19, Musk posted a poll to X, asking whether he should "Buy Ryan Air and restore Ryan as their rightful ruler."

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On Tuesday, Ryanair moved things into even more immature territory than Musk (hard to do), with a post on X announcing that O’Leary has called a press conference on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Dublin, suggesting the airline is "launching a Great Idiots seat sale especially for Elon and any other idiots on 'X'." And yes, O'Leary did hold the conference, with Ryanair actually launching that sale.

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

O'Leary thanked Musk "for the wonderful boost in publicity, which has seen our bookings rise significantly," and repeated Musk's r-word slur about himself (not great) during his address.

"The Starlink people believe that 90 percent of our passengers would happily pay for Wi Fi access," he said. "Our experience, sadly, tells us we think less than 10 percent of our passengers would pay for this access, and therefore we can't afford to shoulder costs of between 150 or 250 million a year. If Starlink wants to fit our aircraft and pay for the fuel drive, we'd happily put them on board. But the only way we see Starlink working on board our aircraft on short haul flights is if you give it away for free."

Credit: Paulo Nunes dos Santos / Bloomberg via Getty Images

As the BBC points out, Musk would have a hard time buying Ryanair, as airlines based in the EU must be majority owned by people from the EU, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, or Switzerland.

At this point, can Ryanair get back to draining our wallets with oversized baggage fees and Musk actually address the issue of Grok continuing to created sexualized images despite being banned from doing so?

SAVE OVER $150: As of Jan. 21, the TCL 75-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV is on sale for $479.99 at Amazon. This is $170 off its list price of $649.99.

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Credit: TCL

TCL 75-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV

$479.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $170

 

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Whether you're hoping to catch some of the new shows and films heading to streaming this year, or counting down the days to the Super Bowl, it's worth considering a TV upgrade. If an upgrade has been on your mind for some time, there have been some great discounts popping up lately. Over at Amazon, this includes the huge TCL 75-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV, which has dropped to $479.99.

This discount saves you $170 on this TCL TV's usual list price of $649.99. Considering the quality it offers and how big it is, this is a pretty sweet deal to take advantage of. It likely won't last for long either, since it's marked as a limited-time deal.

This TCL TV offers crisp 4K resolution on its LED display — alongside image enhancing tech like HDR PRO+ with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG — that make every color and detail shine on screen. Pair that with the massive 75-inch display and you're sure to feel fully absorbed in whatever you're watching. Even your ears are in for a treat with Dolby Atmos Audio, which helps you feel truly immersed.

On top of that, it's a Fire TV, so streaming from your favorite apps is simple and easy. If it sounds like the TV upgrade you've been searching for, act fast to grab the TCL 75-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV on sale at Amazon.

If you want an even bigger TV for your home, Amazon's also offering a discount on the massive LG 86-Inch Class QNED 4K TV that's worth checking out.

When training for a specific goal, a smart fitness tracker is an essential. Aside from simply tracking your activities, it can support your training through suggested workouts, fatigue tracking, and health stats that can relay the stages of your recovery. Many of these smartwatches now also offer insights into your training load, providing a readable stat that shows just how your workouts are impacting your body.

This is a popular feature on the Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple's most rugged smartwatch. But is this data actually useful?

What is Apple's training load feature and does it prevent overtraining?

Apple’s Training Load feature helps you see how hard your body is working over time, rather than just how tough a single workout was. It looks at the intensity and duration of your workouts over the last seven days and compares them to your previous 28 days of activity. Using this comparison, it puts your current workout load into categories from "well below" to "well above" your normal level. This gives you a sense of whether your training is sustainable.

Credit: Apple

It's a handy stat to have on hand, but it's also designed to support smarter training decisions, especially when it comes to rest. Now, the biggest indicator is always how you feel. Data can be wrong, so always listen to your body first and foremost. But the training load feature is a nice extra, and it even uses insights like how you slept to provide extra context on recovery. If your watch is telling you that you're overtraining, chances are you could do with another rest day.

The training load feature isn't specific to the Ultra 3. In fact, you can find it on watches like the Series 11, Ultra 2, and Series 10.

Other features of the Apple Watch Ultra 3

Training load is just one of many great features of the Ultra 3, and if you're serious about data and sports tracking, you'll fall in love with this watch. Training features include precision dual-frequency GPS for accurate pace and distance, heart rate zones and running power for more detailed effort analysis, pacer tools for structured sessions, and fully customizable workouts. There's also the Workout Buddy feature which gives you live guidance during sessions.

The design of the watch is impressive too, and it's seriously robust. The titanium case and sapphire crystal display are built to last, and the large, bright screen is easy to read in all conditions, even in direct sunlight. The display also doubles as a bright flashlight. It’s water resistant to 100 meters, so it handles swimming, diving, and any water sports.

This watch is also a great companion for endurance activities and off-grid, multi-day tracking. The battery life won't fail you, lasting up to 42 hours in normal use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. Safety is also covered, as the watch can detect hard falls or severe car crashes and will automatically alert emergency services if needed. If you’re off the grid, it also supports satellite emergency messaging, so you can get help even without cell signal.

Where to buy the Apple Watch Ultra 3

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is available to buy at many major retailers, including, Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 (GPS, Cellular, 49mm, Black Ocean Band)

$779.99 at Amazon

 

See It at Amazon See It at Walmart

What is the best laptop for 2026?

My answer ultimately boils down to your operating system preference: Windows or macOS?

As of January 2026, I think the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M4) is the best MacBook for most people. It's a sleek-as-ever notebook featuring impressive performance, open-lid support for two external displays, a great 12MP Center Stage camera, and an extremely reasonable starting price of $1,199 (making it $100 cheaper than its M3 predecessor).

The best Windows laptop for most people is the 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, a sophisticated and snappy Copilot+ PC boasting a stellar battery life of nearly 23 hours. Note that Microsoft makes an Intel version that may appeal to users wary of Windows on ARM for app compatibility reasons, but it's a business-oriented model with a significant markup.

Need something different? I've selected ten other options that are ideal for strict budgets, ultra-basic workloads, frequent travelers, content creation, PC gaming, and beyond.

A quick note before we get into the full list: Five of my picks received next-gen updates at CES 2026, and while most of their successors don't have official release dates or prices yet, the ongoing memory shortage is expected to make most new laptops more expensive later this year. Because of this, I'd strongly consider buying a last-gen model and springing for a RAM or SSD upgrade if possible. (More on this below.)

If you'd rather roll the dice and see how the latest laptops fare in testing, stay tuned. We'll be putting them through our extensive review process as soon as they start trickling out.

A note about laptop prices

Over the past 12 months, laptop prices have remained largely reasonable and stable despite a tumultuous economic climate. Last spring's tariff-related price increases wound up being minimal, and we saw affected models go on sale frequently throughout the year. In one impressive anomaly, Apple managed to release faster-than-ever MacBook Airs that were $100 cheaper than their 2024 predecessors, and ever since they turned five months old, they've enjoyed regular $200 discounts at major retailers.

Unfortunately, 2026 is probably going to look a lot different. As Mashable's Alex Perry reported, the global surge of AI data centers has created huge demand for DDR5 RAM and SSDs. Laptop manufacturers who put those same components in their PCs are now facing a shortage, and experts say this could lead to significant laptop price hikes or more limited configuration options. (Read: We might be going back to the days of 8GB RAM in mid-range laptops. It's so over.)

Since most manufacturers have yet to confirm price and availability details for the 2026 models they unveiled at CES, we have yet to see exactly how this RAM famine shakes out in reality. For their part, Windows laptops might be fine in the short term. Intel told Tom's Guide that PC makers have “about nine to 12 months of inventory" in stock as a buffer from the shortage. But what happens if it lasts beyond a year, as one Micron exec predicts?

This is all to say that if you're currently in the market for a new laptop, I'd buy one soon and equip it with as much storage and memory as you can afford. For what it's worth, the last-gen models I currently recommend won't feel outdated for years, and they've all held steady at their current prices so far.

SAVE $15: As of Jan. 21, the Amazon Fire Stick 4K is on sale for $34.99 at Amazon. That's a 30% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Amazon

Amazon Fire Stick 4K

$34.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15

 

Get Deal

Looking to give your TV a new lease of life and avoid the need to purchase a whole new TV? Why not try the Amazon Fire Stick 4K. This streaming device can truly transform your streaming setup.

As of Jan. 21, the Amazon Fire Stick 4K is on sale for $15 off. Right now, you can get it for just $34.99 at Amazon. This is specific to the 4K option which includes advanced 4K streaming.

The Fire TV stick plugs into your TV's HDMI port, as well as a wall outlet. It comes with an Amazon remote that will now control all of your TV's functions (including volume and power). When you login to your Amazon account, you'll see all your favorite movies, shows, and streaming apps all in one place. And if you have another Fire TV product elsewhere in your house, they'll all keep in sync so you can move from room to room and pick up where you left off.

This Fire Stick deal is available at Amazon right now.