Technology

YouTube's most infamous figures will soon be reappearing to subscribers.

The company has officially launched a pilot program designed to streamline the reinstatement of previously banned creators, following a public announcement that the platform felt it was pressured by the Biden administration to remove accounts that were actively spreading COVID-19 misinformation. YouTube's decision came following an investigation by the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee into the site's moderation practices, specifically the removal of known conservative figures.

SEE ALSO: Apple bans app that logged videos of ICE

For now, the company says the pilot program will specifically apply to a select group of "qualified creators," who will begin to see an option to apply for a new channel when they log into their YouTube Studio account. YouTube explained that neither old subscriber lists nor previous content will be carried over to new channels, and at least a year must have passed since their channel was terminated.

In selecting which banned creators qualify for reinstatement, YouTube says it considered "whether the creator committed particularly severe or persistent violations of our Community Guidelines or Terms of Service, or whether the creator’s on- or off-platform activity harmed or may continue to harm the YouTube community." Channels that had copyright infringement violations will not be eligible.

Currently, creators can appeal bans for up to one year. However, the company explains, most bans are upheld after review. "We know that our long-held approach of enforcing lifetime terminations can be difficult for creators. We’ve heard loud and clear from our creator community that they want more options to return to YouTube," the company wrote in a blog post. If creators are approved to return, they must then apply for monetization separately.

According to the company, more than 3 million creators are part of YouTube's monetized creator program, raking in around $100 billion over the last four years. The platform has loosened some of its monetization policies over the last several years, as well, including ones that demoted creators who use profanity. Simultaneously, YouTube has tried to crack down on accounts that post AI-generated videos en masse, many of which spread harmful misinformation.

Researchers have found that YouTube's more controversial pages — including those that spread misinformation and conspiracies on public health, climate change, and the electoral process — are making big bucks from subscriber ad revenue. A 2024 report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate, for example, found that popular climate change denialists make around $13 million per year. Popular right-wing YouTubers and their high-dollar accounts have also played a key role in recent political swings and the radicalization of young male viewers, analysts have found. Many, including those who were previously banned and will participate in YouTube's reinstatement pilot, now hold key roles in the Trump administration.

The future is here: You can get your prescription drugs at a vending machine now. An Amazon vending machine, specifically.

Amazon announced this week that it's putting vending kiosks at some One Medical clinics in the Los Angeles area, operated by Amazon Pharmacy.

The intention, according to Amazon, is to make the process a bit simpler — visit your doctor, have the prescription sent to Amazon Pharmacy, use your phone to check out in the Amazon app, and then pick up your prescription right in the doctor's office vending machine.

"We know that when patients have to make an extra trip to the pharmacy after seeing their doctor, many prescriptions never get filled," Hannah McClellan, the vice president of operations at Amazon Pharmacy, said in an Amazon blog post. "By bringing the pharmacy directly to the point of care, we're removing a critical barrier and helping patients start their treatment when it matters most—right away."

The kiosks will stock a range of the most commonly prescribed medications, like antibiotics, inhalers and blood pressure treatments, according to CNBC News.

Amazon's FAQ states that the machies won't contain "controlled substances such as Adderall, medications requiring refrigeration such as Wegovy, needles, except for Epipens, and certain other medications."

"As clinicians, we see firsthand how delays in starting medication can impact treatment outcomes," Dr. Andrew Diamond, the chief medical officer at One Medical, said in the Amazon blog post. "The ability to know a patient is leaving our office with their medication in hand—especially for conditions requiring immediate treatment like infections—can make a meaningful difference in their care journey."

The kiosks will be available starting in Dec. 2025, and the company said it would expand to additional locations "soon after."

This isn't the first piece of medical tech from Amazon. In New York City, Amazon operates hand scanners that allow patients to check in for appointments by scanning their palm at select medical offices.

The search bar on the Windows 11 taskbar allows you to quickly search for apps and files available on your device. If you're connected to the internet, you will also notice a small icon in the taskbar's search bar that changes every day. If you're like me and prefer the search bar to be free of any such icon, there are a few ways to disable it.

Don't miss out on these last-minute deals!

The FCC has just dropped a huge, 69-page draft ruling that directly tackles the fight against Digital Rights Management (DRM) on over-the-air television. Honestly, it's surprising that a draft rulemaking was released at all, considering the US government is currently shut down.

SEE WICKED: FOR GOOD EARLY: Thanks to Amazon's partnership with Universal Pictures, Prime members have the chance to see Wicked: For Good at an exclusive early screening on Nov. 17, 2025. Tickets are now available — secure yours while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Universal Pictures Get tickets for 'Wicked: For Good' exclusive early screening Learn More

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are back in action in Wicked: For Good as the green-skinned, magically gifted Elphaba and her pink-loving polar opposite bestie, Glinda. The highly anticipated conclusion to the global cinematic phenomenon arrives in theaters on Nov. 21, but Prime members have the opportunity to see it in theaters four days early.

Thanks to Amazon's partnership with Universal Pictures, Prime members can score exclusive tickets to an early screening of Wicked: For Good on Nov. 17 in select theaters nationwide. Tickets are available now through Fandango — you can head over to OzOnAmazon now to secure yours. You'll be prompted to sign into your Amazon Prime account, then redirected to Fandango to purchase the tickets. Depending on the theater, there are options to see the film on a standard screen, digital 3D, or IMAX.

The early screening will only take place at select theaters throughout the U.S., and tickets will be first-come, first-served. In other words, secure your tickets as soon as possible if you want to be one of the first to see the new movie.

Credit: Universal Pictures / Amazon

Directed by Jon M. Chu once again, Wicked: For Good continues the story from last year's Broadway musical adaptation and box office hit Wicked. Having been unjustly labeled as the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba now lives in hiding while trying to fight the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). Glinda, on the other hand, has become a symbol of good as well as a public figure. The second act will follow Dorothy's adventure from the perspective of Elphaba.

Catch up on the first film by streaming it on Peacock, then book your exclusive tickets for Wicked: For Good on Nov. 17. Not a Prime member? Be sure to sign up ASAP to gain access to the early screening.

Best October Prime Day headphone deals Best overall Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling headphones $250 (save $149.99) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Max $429 (Save $120) Get Deal Best Budget Headphones Deal Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones $38 (save $31.99) Get Deal Best Bose deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra $299 (save $130) Get Deal

Although Amazon's October Prime Day event has technically ended, it seems that the headphones listings didn't get the memo. A day after the sale concluded, some of the best headphones deals from top brands like Bose, Sony, and Apple are still live. One of our favorite options is actually cheaper, somehow.

Considering that a new pair of headphones — if you prefer the latest and greatest, that is — could cost you $450, we think it's definitely worth taking advantage of these discounts while they're still around.

SEE ALSO: The 25 best October Prime Day tech deals still live today, hand-picked by a tech editor

If you missed out on the two-day Prime Big Deal Days shopping extravaganza, but you're in the market for some new headphones, we've rounded up the best deals still live after the event. Your next shot at price drops this impressive won't be until Black Friday, so weigh your options thoughtfully.

Note: Deals marked with a 🔥 denote an all-time low price.

Best headphones deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling headphones $250 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $149.99 Get Deal Why we like it

There's no denying that Sony's latest flagship headphones, the WH-1000XM6s, are impressive. They're our top pick for sound quality amongst all brands of headphones, but even on sale, they're over $400. If you can't fathom dropping that much money on a pair of headphones, the previous generation WH-1000XM5s are super similar. "The WH-1000XM5s retain many series hallmarks, including ANC, battery life, sound, and special features," one of our reviewers noted. The biggest downfall is they don't fold up, though we're certainly willing to overlook that flaw to save $178. The headphones dropped to $298 during Prime Day, but amazingly, they're even cheaper after the event: grab a pair in black for only $250. That's 37% in savings and just one cent away from their best-ever price.

Best budget headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-CH520 🔥 $38 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $31.99 Get Deal Why we like it

More budget-conscious shoppers who don't require noise cancellation should check out the basic Sony WH-CH520s. You'll still get Sony's audio quality, multipoint connection, hands-free calling, a comfortable and lightweight design, customizable EQ, and a battery life of up to 50 hours. Not to mention they come in fun colors like butter yellow and pastel pink. At only $38, they're an incredible value and the cheapest they've ever been in some shades (a few colors have dropped to $33 previously).

More post Prime Big Deal Days headphones deals

• Sony WH-CH720N — $98 $179.99 (save $81.99) 🔥

• JBL Tune 770NC — $99.95 $149.95 (save $50)

• Marshall Major V — $99.99 $169.99 (save $70) 🔥

• JBL Live 770NC — $119.95 $199.95 (save $80)

• Beats Solo 4 — $129.95 $199.95 (save $70)

• Beats Studio Pro — $169.95 $199.95 (save $30)

• Sony WH-1000XM4 — $188 $349.99 (save $161.99) 🔥

• Bose QuietComfort — $199 $359 (save $160) 🔥

• Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $229.95 $449.95 (save $220)

• Sonos Ace — $298.99 $399 (save $100.01) 🔥

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra — $299 $429 (save $130) 🔥

• Sony WH-1000XM6 — $428 $449.99 (save $21.99) 🔥

• Apple AirPods Max — $429 $549 (save $120)

The best October Prime Day kitchen deals still live at a glance: Best small appliance deal Ninja Crispi $159.94 (save $20.05) Get Deal Seasonal Savings Staub Petite Pumpkin Ceramic Dish $29.99 (save $20) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Keurig K-Mini Single Serve $42 (save $57.99) Get Deal Best drinkware deal Yeti Rambler tumbler (42-ounce) $31.50 (save $13.50) Get Deal Best Le Creuset Deal Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, 7.25 qt. $480 (save $44.95) Get Deal Best KitchenAid Deal KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender with Accessories $119.99 (save $40) Get Deal

Amazon’s gifted us with a second Prime Day event of the year, officially dubbed “Prime Big Deal Days,” and though the sale is technically over, tons of the best kitchen deals are still live.

As of Oct. 9, we're still seeing October Prime Day savings on rarely discounted items like the Ninja Crispi and Ninja Creami. Impressively, some items have even dropped lower in price, like the Magic Bullet Blender. Also still live are plenty of deals on coveted cookware, Breville espresso machines, KitchenAid appliances, reusable water bottles, and slow cookers. See also: markdowns on foodie-favorite brands like Le Creuset, Our Place, and Vitamix.

Here are the best October Prime Day kitchen deals still live after the sale.

Best small appliance deal Ninja Crispi $159.94 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $20.05 Get Deal Why we like it

The Ninja Crispi finally went on sale during October Prime Day, and luckily, its discount price is holding after the sale's end. We’ve been watching the price of this little air fryer since its release last September, and Amazon’s been stingy with discounts. But right now, you can get it for $159.94, the lowest price we’ve tracked so far.

The Ninja Crispi is one of Mashable’s favorite small kitchen appliances. Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino says its compact size makes it ideal for on-the-go meals or prepping smaller portions for the week. “Plus, it actually works,” she writes as it delivers crispy on the outside, moist on the inside meals.

Best post-Prime Day kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Keurig Keurig K-Mini Single Serve $42 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $57.99 Get Deal Why we like it

If you need a new single-serve coffee maker, but you’re not willing to shell out a ton of cash, the Keurig K-Mini Single Serve is a budget-friendly option that’ll get the job done without compromising on convenience or quality. Its compact design is perfect for smaller kitchens, dorm rooms, or office spaces, and it can brew six to 12-ounce servings in seconds with the touch of a button. And right now, you can get it for the super-low price of $42, even post-Prime Day. That's its best price ever.

More October Prime Day Kitchen deals

Kitchen appliances

• KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer — $44.99 $59.99 (save $15)

• Ninja Foodi Smart XL Indoor Grill — $189.99 $279.99 (save $90)

• KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer — $379.95 $499.99 (save $120.04)

Air fryer and toaster deals

• Ninja Air Fryer 4-in-1 Pro — $89.99 $129.99 (save $40)

• Our Place Wonder Oven — $155 $175 (save $20)

• Ninja XL Air Fryer & Toaster Oven — $229.99 $349.99 (save $120)

Blender and food processor deals

• Magic Bullet Blender — $37.30 $49.99 (save $12.69)

• Nutribullet Personal Blender — $47.49 $71.99 (save $24.50)

• KitchenAid KFC3516ER 3.5-Cup Food Chopper — $54.99 $69.99 (save $15)

• KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender with Accessories — $119.99 $159.99 (save $40)

• Ninja Blender & Food Processor Combo — $149.99 $259.99 (save $110)

• Vitamix Explorian E310 Blender — $329.95 $379.95 (save $50)

Beverage, coffee, and tea deals

• Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine — $399.95 $499.95 (save $100)

• Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine — $549.95 $699.95 (save $150)

• Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine — $799.95 $999.95 (save $200)

Cookware deals

• Staub Petite Pumpkin Ceramic Dish — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Our Place Perfect Pot (2.5-quart) — $89 $115 (save $26)

• Our Place Always Pan — $99 $125 (save $26)

• Our Place Perfect Pot (5.5-quart) — $109 $140 (save $31)

• HexClad Nonstick 12-inch Frying Pan — $169 $199 (save $30)

• HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 5.5-QT Deep Sauté Pan — $178 $209 (save $31)

• HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 6-Piece Pot Set — $322 $379 (save $57)

• Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, 7.25 qt. — $480 $524.95 (save $44.95)

• KitchenAid 7-QT Bowl Lift Stand Mixer — $549 $649.99 (save $100.99)

Drinkware deals

• Stanley Quencher H2.0 — $27 $45 (save $18)

• Yeti Rambler tumbler (42-ounce) — $31.50 $45 (save $13.50)

Ice cream deals

• Ninja Creami — $179.99 $219.99 (save $40)

• Ninja Slushi — $299.99 $369.99 (save $70)

Kitchen tool deals

• KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Pot Holders — $10.48 $20.99 (save $10.51)

• KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitts — $12.81 $15.99 (save $3.18)

Multicooker and slow cooker deals

• Crock-Pot 7-QT Manual Slow Cooker (SCV700-S-BR) — $35.99 $59.99 (save $24)

• Instant Pot Duo (3-quart) — $57.74 $89.99 (save $32.25)

• Instant Pot Pro (6-quart) — $99.99 $169.99 (save $70)

• Our Place Dream Cooker — $165 $199 (save $34)

SAVE $150: As of Oct. 9, get the GoPro HERO13 Black Ultra Wide Edition for $329.99, down from its usual price of $479.99. That's a discount of 31% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon GoPro HERO13 Black Ultra Wide Edition $329.99 at Amazon
$479.99 Save $150 Get Deal

Looking for a reliable way to capture all the action you're getting up to? Maybe you did some sick skateboarding tricks and want the world to see. Or maybe you want a way to record your runs or hikes. Whatever the case may be, an action camera is an easy option. If you're looking to save some cash on one before taking the plunge, however, now is the time to buy thanks to this Amazon deal on a great GoPro bundle.

SEE ALSO: GoPro unveils new action cameras with 360-degree video and inbuilt light

This waterproof action camera boasts 5.3K60 video with 27MP photos, and includes a boosted 177-degree FOV with compatibility with HB-Series lenses. It can shoot in pro quality, but thanks to its special ultra wide lens, you get more to view in your lens with up to 36% wider and 48% taller than the standard GoPro option.

Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth awarded the Mashable Choice Award to the standard GoPro Hero 13 Black, praising it for its "insanely good motion stabilization", and "impressive lens mods", including the ultra wide option.

Don't miss this sale while it's still live post-Prime Day, and get out there and record all those exciting exploits.

SAVE UP TO $20: Staub ceramic pumpkins are on sale at Amazon for as low as $24.99 (0.5 quart) and some varieties are up to 40% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Staub Staub ceramic pumpkin (0.75 quart, burnt orange) $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Staub Staub ceramic pumpkin (0.5 quart, matte black) $24.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal

Welcome to spooky season when the neighborhood gets filled with 12-foot skeletons and it's cool to turn your lawn into a graveyard. but if you're also interested in the creepy Halloween decor, Amazon has the perfect deal in store.

As of Oct. 9, several Staub ceramic pumpkins are sale at Amazon for as low as $24.99 (0.5 quart) and some varieties are up to 40% off, which takes a nice $20 off the price. This deal went live during October Prime Day, but it's still hanging on so we'd recommend buying sooner rather than later to make sure you score the savings.

SEE ALSO: The Home Depot's comically large Halloween decorations are up to 50% off today only

It's hard to go wrong with adding a Staub ceramic pumpkin to your fall kitchen collection or Halloween decor. The ceramic pumpkins are both oven and stove safe up to 572 degrees Fahrenheit, so they can serve as either a baking dish or a delightful candy dish. They would also make the perfect host gift for Thanksgiving.

While they're still on sale, scoop up some versatile and adorable Staub ceramic pumpkins from Amazon.

Apple has taken down more community-generated apps meant to document and hold Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents accountable, according to a report by 404Media.

In addition to apps that track ICE movements in live time, the tech giant banned an app that lets users anonymously record ICE agents and then archive the content for safekeeping. Users can also store news and advocate reports, social media posts, and other digital evidence of ICE operations in public spaces.

SEE ALSO: For Trump officials, social media is war

Called Eyes Up, the app was developed to organize information that may be hard to source but necessary to reference in the future, such as witness accounts of raids for later court proceedings. It also maintains a historical record of escalating immigration operations.

"The sole purpose of Eyes Up is to document and preserve evidence of abuses of power by law enforcement, which is an important function of a free society and constitutionally protected," the app's administration told 404Media. All content is manually verified by the app's administrators before being stored on the app. It's then pinned on a searchable map, intended to make finding evidence easier for those impacted — Eyes Up's desktop version is still operating.

Apple has recently faced growing pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on apps that support community organizing around ICE.

Last week, Apple banned a popular app that let communities track the movement of ICE officers and the locations of reported raids. The ICEBlock app, along with its developer, Joshua Aaron, had previously faced threats from federal officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Bondi said the Trump administration would attempt to prosecute Aaron for the risks it posed to ICE agents, with Noem arguing apps like this are an "obstruction of justice."

But Eyes Up, which only archives publicly posted materials after the clandestine operations of ICE have taken place, does not appear to carry the same "real time security risk" to immigration operations that Noem and Apple described. "Our goal is government accountability. We aren’t even doing real-time tracking,” the administrator said. Apple provided the same removal reasoning for both ICEBlock and Eyes Up, alleging they violate the company's objectionable content guidelines.

Following an appeal to the marketplace host, arguing that the app's map is significantly delayed by a manual review process and is not a safety threat, Apple told Eyes Up's administrators that the ban would remain in place.

Creating programming projects is great. But if it has a graphical interface? Even better! Building a GUI application has many perks. You end up with something even non-techie friends can appreciate. That's why we're going to make a Python GUI application and learn the Tkinter library in the process.

2026 is shaping up to be the year of Westeros.

In addition to Season 3 of House of the Dragon, which is tentatively slated for a summer 2026 release date, HBO will also be releasing a third series set in George R.R. Martin's world of Westeros: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

SEE ALSO: Fall TV preview: 25 TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them

Co-created by Martin and former House of the Dragon writer Ira Parker, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is based on Martin's 1998 novella The Hedge Knight, the first of his three Dunk and Egg novellas. The story takes place roughly 90 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and roughly 80 years after the events of House of the Dragon. By this point, the last of the Targaryen dragons are long dead. As a result, the famed dynasty has lost much of its sheen.

However, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' lead character is no Targaryen, nor even a member of the noble houses. Instead, Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), also simply known as "Dunk," is the humble squire to hedge knight Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb). When Ser Arlan dies, Dunk must make his own way in the world as a knight. Hoping to earn some coin, he sets off to a tourney at Ashford Meadow.

Along the way, he picks up a squire in the form of Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), a small, bald boy with a few secrets of his own. Together, the pair will cross paths with the ancestors of many a Game of Thrones character, from Ser Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings) to Prince Baelor Targaryen (Bertie Carvel). And while Dunk may not have a noble name or any great renown, his adventures with Egg will have unlikely impacts on all of Westeros.

According to an Entertainment Weekly interview with Parker, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is less of a sweeping fantasy in the vein of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon and more of a character-focused travelogue. The show's focus is squarely on the Westerosi smallfolk, and it will even forego an epic title sequence in favor of simple title cards, just the way the very non-flashy Dunk would like it. In short, it's a very different Westeros to what fans may be used to seeing, but that could be just what A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms needs to separate itself from the growing pack of Westeros-set shows.

To see what's in store for Dunk and Egg in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, check out the trailer above.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres Jan. 18 2026 on HBO Max.

For its past three seasons, Critical Role's The Legend of Vox Machina has been a reliably great source of fun fantasy hijinks and epic animated battles. Now, Critical Role looks to strike TV gold again with their second series, The Mighty Nein.

Adapting their second live-streamed Dungeons and Dragons campaign, The Mighty Nein returns viewers to the world of Exandria, where they'll fall in love with a brand new party of adventurers.

SEE ALSO: How 'The Legend of Vox Machina' brings a 'Dungeons and Dragons' campaign to life

The show's first trailer introduces the chaotic crew. There's "homeless wizard" Caleb Widogast (voiced by Liam O'Brien), "inebriated goblin" Nott the Brave (voiced by Sam Riegel), "shipwrecked sailor" Fjord (voiced by Travis Willingham), "cocky ringmaster" Mollymauk Tealeaf (voiced by Taliesin Jaffe), "temperamental monk" Beauregard Lionett (voiced by Marisha Ray), and "chaos incarnate" Jester Lavorre (voiced by Laura Bailey). In short, they're not the kind of adventurers you'd expect to save the world, but then again, neither was Vox Machina when they first started out!

The Mighty Nein's (and yes, there's only six of them, don't worry about it) first quest? To prevent war from breaking out after an arcane relic known as the Beacon falls into the wrong hands. Along the way, they'll have to face serious new foes and confront their own past traumas, which will lend the series a much darker tone than The Legend of Vox Machina. The Mighty Nein episodes will also be an hour long, as opposed to The Legend of Vox Machina's half-hour episodes.

Of the main Critical Role cast, The Mighty Nein also stars Ashley Johnson as barbarian Yasha Nydoorin and Matthew Mercer as wizard Essek Thelyss.

Also joining the voice cast are Auli'i Cravalho, Alan Cumming, Nathan Fillion, Jonathan Frakes, Anjelica Huston, Rahul Kohli, Lucy Liu, Tim McGraw, T'Nia Miller, Anika Noni Rose, Mark Strong, and Ming-Na Wen.

The Mighty Nein premieres Nov. 19 on Prime Video.

SAVE $55: The new Blueair Mini Restful Sunrise Clock Air Purifier is on sale at Amazon for $144.99, down from the normal price of $199.99. That's a 28% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Blueair Blueair Mini Restful Sunrise Clock Air Purifier (beige) $144.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $55 Get Deal

Dreary and chilly winter mornings will be here in no time. Of course, we have coffee to look forward to, but if you're interested in waking up gently without the need for your phone to be right next to you, check out this new Blueair device that's on sale.

As of Oct. 9, the Blueair Mini Restful Sunrise Clock Air Purifier is on sale for $144.99 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $199.99. That works out to a savings of $55 from a 28% discount. It's also the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Newly launched on Oct. 2, the adorable Blueair Mini Restful builds on the brand's expertise in air purifiers and adds in a sunrise clock. Blueair makes some of our favorite air purifiers and the Mini Restful is the perfect size for a bedroom nightstand. The included HEPA filter is great at scrubbing the air of potential allergens like dust, dander, and pet hair.

SEE ALSO: My favorite air purifier with heating is down to a record-low price at Amazon ahead of October Prime Day

What makes the Mini Restful unique to Blueair's lineup is the addition of a sunrise clock to the air purifier. From the app, you'll be able to set a wake-up schedule and customize your lighting preferences and the alarm sound. Choose between delightful birds chirping, relaxing rainfall, and many other soothing sounds.

One of the best parts about the Mini Restful is its quiet operation, reaching about 18 decibels when on the low fan speed. That makes it even more friendly for sound sleeping. Blueair's designs are always thoughtful and the brand added in a USB-C port so you can charge up devices from the air purifier while you rest.

Keep in mind the Mini Restful is designed to work best in smaller rooms like a bedroom, nursery, or an office. If you're looking for an air purifier that'll work well in larger rooms, the Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 is 50% off today. Since that model includes a heater and a fan, it's great for using all year-round.

If you're looking for peaceful wake ups this winter and reassurance bedroom air is clean, snag the new Blueair Mini Restful while it's on sale for a record-low price at Amazon. Investing in something you'll use everyday is a great form of self-care.

Vivaldi 7.6 is officially out on mobile platforms, and this update brings some much-needed features to iOS and Android. Vivaldi’s latest release brings in reader mode, better tab management, and that polish under the hood that makes browsing much smoother.

The designers at Canadian audio brand Kanto Audio are best known for building great speakers, so it's no surprise that they've taken the plunge into the vinyl revival. Meet the company's first turntable: the cute and cuddly Obi3.

One common criticism of Android phones, tablets, and other devices is "fragmentation". In other words, the fact that there are many different extant versions of Android, numerous devices with different specifications and abilities and, therefore, a tough job for anyone who wants to support it all.

No one captures social anxiety quite like Tim Robinson.

The comedian has proven adept at converting deeply anxiety-inducing situations into cringe comedy. Take the film Friendship, where Robinson's Craig experiences first-hand the perils of being the odd one out in a group hang. Or the sketch show I Think You Should Leave, which features any number of characters making a major social faux pas, then doubling down on it in the hopes of convincing the people around them that everything's fine. (It never works for them. Case in point: the much-memed hot dog car sketch.) Yes, these characters are often over-the-top and obnoxious, but they also hold up mirrors to our own fears and embarrassments, turning them from simple caricatures into figures we see bits of our worst selves in.

SEE ALSO: Fall TV preview: 25 TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them

That trend carries over into HBO's The Chair Company, co-created by Robinson and Zach Kanin (I Think You Should Leave). The Chair Company's main character, Ron Trosper (Robinson), begins the show as a bit of an everyman, a tad toned-down by Robinson standards. However, his quick descent into a wild world of conspiracy theories echoes all-too relatable feelings about obsession, especially in our online age.

What's The Chair Company about? Sophia Lillis, Lake Bell, Will Price, and Tim Robinson in "The Chair Company." Credit: Virginia Sherwood / HBO

Ron Trosper should be enjoying his life, both professionally and personally. He's in a loving marriage with his wife, Barb (Lake Bell). His daughter, Natalie (Sophia Lillis), is about to get married, and his son, Seth (Will Price), is a high school basketball star. At work, he's been tapped to head up a major project: the construction of a new mall in Canton, Ohio.

Yet when Ron experiences a humiliating accident at work, all those achievements fly out the window. Suddenly, all he can think about is that one particular incident and the nefarious forces that may have conspired against him.

The Chair Company is a surreal tale of obsession. Tim Robinson in "The Chair Company." Credit: Sarah Shatz / HBO

While I can't reveal the particulars of Ron's accident, suffice it to say it's the kind of moment that onlookers will wince at, then refrain from mentioning again in order to be polite. But for Ron, it's a moment that he will replay over and over again. You know the feeling when an embarrassing high school memory resurfaces, unbidden, from your subconscious? Ron's experience is like that, only the memory never goes away.

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But while an awful memory may just elicit full body cringes for you or me, it manages to send Ron down a full-on detective spiral. He does deep dives into vague corporate websites, investigates property deeds, and even trespasses in abandoned buildings. These sequences are a perfect example of Robinson and Kanin's ability to escalate a relatable sentiment — in this case, embarrassment at a horrible past memory — to ridiculous heights.

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Robinson and Kanin's I Think You Should Leave sketch sensibilities come through at various points along Ron's journey as well. A visit to a menswear store leads to a riotous discussion about a seemingly very exclusive member's club. One of Ron's co-workers is obsessed with throwing a sketchy "mistakes" party. At one point, there is a prolonged argument about getting soup on one's sleeve. Each segment builds out Ron's quest for answers, but also provides hilariously idiosyncratic details about Ron's world that only ratchet up The Chair Company's overall absurdist portrayal of anxiety.

The Chair Company plays into the anxieties of online life. Sophia Lillis in "The Chair Company." Credit: Sarah Shatz / HBO

While The Chair Company doesn't explicitly focus on the internet, it still speaks to the anxieties or inconveniences that arise from being online today.

One of the biggest examples comes in episode one, when Ron tries to look into the mysterious Tecca furniture company. Their website doesn't offer much in the way of contacting them. The phone number listed on their site goes to a broader furniture company, and when Ron tries to get an email address from the site's helper bot, it just directs him back to the unhelpful contact page. The frustrating circularity of it all calls to mind purposefully obscured customer sites, but there are elements of the dead internet theory — that most activity on the internet is machine-generated — as well. There's a corporate emptiness to these websites reminiscent of ghost jobs and employment scams, and that emptiness only enrages Ron further.

Elsewhere, The Chair Company taps into ideas of online privacy, from tracking someone's location to stealing their identity. But the biggest connection to online life is The Chair Company's depiction of hyper-fixations on conspiracy theories, with Ron's detective work coming to resemble the misinformation-fueled armchair detective work of online conspiracy theorists. Of course, The Chair Company hints that Ron may very well be onto something, but that doesn't change the fact that his frenzied search for answers has alienated him from his family and his co-workers, in much the same way that conspiracy theories can break families apart.

These parallels to online life add substance to what's already a bizarrely zany ride, full of classic panicked Robinson shouting and a memorable collection of seedy side characters. The result is sure to be a treat for Robinson fans, one that offers up one of his most unfortunately relatable characters yet.

The Chair Company premieres Sunday, Oct. 12 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max, with new episodes weekly.

Elon Musk's social media platform X has settled a $128 million lawsuit with four former Twitter executives over their promised severance package.

On Wednesday, Musk's X settled with the company's former Chief Executive Officer Parag Agrawal, Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal, Chief Legal Officer Vijaya Gadde, and General Counsel Sean Edgett. All four worked at the company when it was still known as Twitter and joined prior to Musk's takeover.

The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.

The four former executives were all immediately fired by Musk after he acquired the company in October 2022. They filed the lawsuit in March 2024. The former Twitter executives claimed in the lawsuit that they were owed a combined $128 million contractually obligated severance package, with Agrawal, Segal, Gadde, and Edgett entitled to $57.4 million, $44.5 million, $20 million, and $6.8 million respectively. The severance included the executives' salary and hundreds of thousands of dollars in stock options, according to the suit.

Musk refused to payout the executives after firing them, accusing them of misconduct. The four claimed the misconduct charges were false and Musk had fired them in retaliation for Twitter's lawsuit forcing Musk to buy the company after he tried to back out from his initial April 2022 offer.

"Because Musk decided he didn’t want to pay Plaintiffs’ severance benefits, he simply fired them without reason, then made up fake cause and appointed employees of his various companies to uphold his decision," the complaint read. "He claimed in his termination letters that each Plaintiff committed 'gross negligence' and 'willful misconduct' without citing a single fact in support of this claim."

The lawsuit also included details from Musk's authorized biography where he was quoted as saying he would "hunt every single one of" the former Twitter executives "till the day they die."

Earlier this year, Musk's X also settled a $500 million class action lawsuit from rank-and-file former Twitter employees who were also denied severance pay by the billionaire.