Technology

Is there anything better than being engrossed in a film? I love dimming the lights, getting comfortable, and losing myself in a different world. If you feel the same, I've rounded up four movies that I think make for perfect viewing this week—with a few spooky selections for Halloween.

Despite U.S. regulators currently investigating Tesla over "Full Self-Driving" traffic violations and safety concerns, Elon Musk's EV company rolled out a new full self-driving (FSD) mode earlier this month, ominously called "Mad Max."

Now, according to a new report from Reuters, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has contacted Tesla to inquire about the newly released "Mad Max" mode. 

"NHTSA is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information," the agency said in a statement. "The human behind the wheel is fully responsible for driving the vehicle and complying with all traffic safety laws."

An NHTSA inquiry would be the first step into a formal investigation of Mad Max mode.

What is Tesla's new Mad Max Mode?

Mad Max is a reference to the film franchise of the same name, which originally starred Mel Gibson but has since been revived with actors such as Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, and Anya Taylor-Joy. In the Mad Max movies, "road warriors" navigate an apocalyptic wasteland, and the movies are famous for their fiery car stunts and chase sequences.

It's an unsettling name for a self-driving car mode, to say the least.

Electrek reported that the Mad Max driver assistance mode allows the vehicle to ignore speed limits and navigate through traffic more quickly.

"Introduced new speed profile MAD MAX, which comes with higher speeds and more frequent lane changes than HURRY," reads the Tesla release notes for the feature, according to Tesla Oracle.

One Tesla owner on X posted a video of their vehicle in Mad Max mode and noted how it is "going to speed like crazy" on an open road. The video also showed the Tesla rolling through a stop sign while in Mad Max mode.

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Another Tesla owner published a YouTube video of their vehicle hitting up to 79 miles per hour in a 50-mile-per-hour zone. They noted that their Tesla was passing all of the other vehicles on the road.

As previously mentioned, Tesla is already being investigated by the NHTSA over vehicles in FSD mode allegedly running red lights and driving the wrong way down roads.

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As the EV news site Electrek points out, Musk teased a version of Mad Max mode back in 2018 when FSD was in its development stage.

"We considered going beyond Mad Max to 'LA Freeway' level, but that’s too loco," Musk said at the time.

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Seven years later, Tesla has decided to publicly release Mad Max mode in the midst of an ongoing safety investigation.

Affordable SUVs don’t always get the attention they deserve, especially when they combine sharp styling, comfort, and modern tech in a budget-friendly package. This small American SUV breaks that mold, offering the kind of refinement and practicality usually reserved for higher-priced imports.

Have you ever wished the TV in your hotel room was better, had a more user-friendly interface, or was similar to what you have at home? If so, you might be in luck. Your next hotel stay might have a TV worth using thanks to DirecTV, which has partnered with Google TV to overhaul its platform in hotels starting in 2026.

The Razer Pro Click Humanscale Wireless Mouse is at its lowest price ever right now. It's on sale for a surprisingly low price of $50 at Woot, down from its original price of $100. This is a massive 50% discount on a great mouse by a trusted name like Razer.

Got a new Apple Watch and wondering what to do with the old one? The most obvious path forward is to sell it. Your new Watch does everything that the old one can, and there’s a decent second-hand market for Apple’s trendy wearable.

The tongue-in-cheek advice "just download more RAM" has been a part of tech circles for as long as the internet has been around, but why can't you download more RAM? It turns out you kind of can, if you're willing to jump through a few hoops. However, there are better options available.

Microsoft Teams might just be the new office snitch, thanks to a feature rolling out soon that can track a worker’s location.

The update, set to arrive in December, will let Microsoft’s communication platform automatically detect when an employee arrives at the office by monitoring their connection to the building’s Wi-Fi. If you’re working on-site and step out, Teams will automatically change your work location once it notices you’ve disconnected.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Copilot’s version of Clippy gets a name

It sounds a little unsettling, but according to Microsoft’s 365 roadmap, the feature will be off by default. However, tenant admins will have the option to enable it and require users to opt in — meaning your boss could still decide how closely Teams keeps tabs on you.

On one hand, it could be convenient for managers who don’t want to wander the office looking for coworkers. On the other, as the return-to-office trend continues, it also gives employers an easy way to see who’s actually showing up. Details on how precisely the feature determines your location are vague, but a similar Amazon policy sparked pushback when employees spoofed their home Wi-Fi SSIDs to mimic the company network. Don’t expect that trick to work this time.

The location tracking tool is just one of several new Teams features rolling out soon, alongside the ability to save messages in chats and customizable keyboard shortcuts.

SAVE $100: As of Oct. 27, the Google Pixel Watch 3 is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon, down 33% from its new list price of $299.99. That's a new record-low price for the 45mm smartwatch with WiFi connectivity.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm, WiFi) $199.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $100   Get Deal

A new Google Pixel Watch debuted a few months ago at the Made by Google 2025 event, which means the previous generation Google Pixel Watch 3 got a huge price drop. The starting price for the third-generation smartwatch in the larger 45mm option is now just $299.99 instead of $399.99. And that's not all. As of Oct. 27, it dropped to a new record-low price at Amazon, making it perhaps the best smartwatch deal we've seen since Prime Day.

You can grab the 45mm Google Pixel Watch with WiFi connectivity for just $199.99 instead of $299.99 for a limited time. That's $100 or 33% in savings and its best price ever by a long stretch.

While the Google Pixel Watch 3 isn't the most revolutionary pick when it comes to smartwatches, we are more inclined to recommend it at this ultra-low price. The third-generation didn't make any sweeping hardware changes compared to its predecessor, but Google did go all out with improving the software — particularly with workout features and more personalized AI enhancements. It also features a brighter display with better clarity in different lighting conditions. "Although I was standing in a brightly lit room with sunlight pouring in, the smartwatch screen was still remarkably clear," Mashable's Kim Gedeon wrote in her hands-on review.

The newer Pixel Watch 4 promises better battery life, faster charging, more advanced health and fitness features, and new color options. However, it'll cost you $399.99. If you'd rather save $200 and can deal with not having the latest and greatest device, we recommend going with the older generation.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4)   Shop Now

Apple MacBooks have been on sale all year at Amazon. Over the last few months, the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air has come down in price on a regular basis, reaching the all-time low of just $799. With Black Friday fast approaching (yep, it's that time of year again), we're hoping for an even better discount.

Why we love the MacBook Air

The MacBook Air has always offered a sleek design, perfect for working on the go, and this latest model is no different. Weighing just 2.7 pounds, the 13-inch version is super lightweight and portable. And it comes in four signature Apple colors: starlight, sky blue, silver, and midnight. It starts with 16GB of memory and has SSD options ranging from 256GB to 2TB, so it's even suited for heavy storage needs.

The current MacBook Air is powered by Apple's M4 chip, so it's faster than previous models. This really comes into its own when you're working across different apps, multitasking through multiple tabs, or editing lengthy videos.

SEE ALSO: Apple M4 MacBook Air review: A really good deal

Display wise, the M4 MacBook Air is stellar. It has a bright Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2560 x 1664 pixels and support for 1 billion colors, so everything looks sharp and vibrant. The 12MP camera with Center Stage is impressive, too, and ensures you always look your best on video calls, automatically keeping you in the center frame. This goes hand in hand with the three studio-quality mics and four speakers with Spatial Audio, so you get a really professional sound at all times. (If you want even better audio quality, upgrade to the 15-inch model, which has six speakers.)

The M4 MacBook Air comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a MagSafe charging port, and a headphone jack. Plus, WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 will make sure you're getting fast, reliable wireless connections. And if you like to extend your screen setup, open-lid support for up to two external displays means you can easily expand. And it has an incredible all-day battery life, promising to last up to 18 hours.

Product integration is a big plus for Apple, and if you're already deep in the eco-system, this MacBook will fit in seamlessly, especially with your iPhone. With Mirroring, you'll be able to control your iPhone directly from your laptop, reply to messages, and use apps. You can even copy text, images, or files on your iPhone and instantly paste them on your Mac, answer FaceTime calls, and send texts straight from your laptop. My favorite feature is being able to share a web page directly from my phone to Mac, handy for filling out forms or tasks that need a bigger screen.

Black Friday deal we hope to see on the MacBook Air M4

The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air M4 has been priced as low at $799 in 2025, but we think Black Friday can do better. Based on recent pricing during October Prime Day, we hope to see this model hit $799 at the very least. If you do see this record-low price (or better), we recommend jumping on the deal and not looking back.

The whole point of Spotify Wrapped has become to show your friends — and, often, the internet at large — that you have impeccable taste in music. The question is: How long does the company track your listening for the super-popular year-end product?

We don't know, exactly, when Wrapped will be released — though we do have a good idea — but there clearly isn't too much time left to affect your top songs.

Unfortunately, Spotify has been tight-lipped about when it stops tracking your listening habits to include them in your Wrapped. The best practice would be to assume Spotify is including your listening up until the day of Wrapped, but we do have more info about when they might actually stop tracking.

SEE ALSO: Why artists are leaving Spotify — and how you can, too When does Spotify stop tracking for Wrapped?

There was a persistent rumor that Spotify stopped tracking listening habits for Wrapped once October ended. The streaming giant outright denied that rumor a few years back, so it feels safe to assume the tracking goes into November.

We here at Mashable have actually asked Spotify about the tracking period and, well, the company is not sharing the exact timeline. It does say, however, that it tries to include as much time as possible.

"We start at the beginning of January with all of your listening that begins right then at the beginning of the year, and it goes all the way through collecting data up until a few weeks before we launch the Wrapped product," Molly Holder, the senior director of product for personalization at Spotify, told Mashable last year.

"We aim to get as much of your year in listening covered as possible," Holder added.

We do know for sure that the period after Wrapped is released and before Jan. 1, 2026, is an untracked no-man's land. So once Wrapped does drop, feel free to fire up your guilty pleasures.

SAVE 20%: As of Oct. 27, the NatureNova Personal Water Filter Straw (1 Pack) is on sale for $10.38, down from a typical price of $12.99, at Amazon. That's a 20% discount and $2.61 in savings.

NatureNova Personal Water Filter Straw (1 Pack) $10.38 at Amazon
$12.99 Save $2.61   Get Deal at Amazon

Having a way to get safe drinking water is a must for any emergency kit or serious hiking trip, and personal filter straws are a pretty popular solution. While LifeStraw tends to dominate the conversation (it's always a top-seller during Prime Day), there are other, often much cheaper, options out there if you're looking to stock up without spending a ton.

As of Oct. 27, the NatureNova Personal Water Filter Straw (1 Pack) is on sale for $10.38, down from a typical price of $12.99, at Amazon. That's a 20% discount and $2.61 in savings.

SEE ALSO: Sip safely with a discounted LifeStraw Go water bottle

For just over $10, this NatureNova straw uses a four-stage filtration system (including hollow fiber membrane, activated carbon, and PP cotton) that claims to remove 99.999999% of tiny contaminants down to 0.01 microns. According to the product page, each straw can filter up to 1,500 liters (or 396 gallons) of water, which is a pretty standard lifespan for these types of filters.

It's designed to be super portable and weighs less than 3.5 ounces, so it's easy to stash in a bag. It also comes with a few handy accessories you don't always get with budget straws: an extension tube so you don't have to get quite so close to the water source, and a backwash syringe to help clear out the filter and potentially extend its life. You can also screw it onto standard water bottles.

There aren't a lot of portable speakers that are as legendary as the Beats Pill is. And right now, you can score a neat price on the latest model.

Samsung just released the Aeotec Smart Home Hub 2, and the best part is that it's designed to keep your smart home running even if your internet drops out. Aeotec has made sure that your automations can continue operating as long as they don't require the internet itself.

Ever seen those screenshots of terminals showing off colorful ASCII art alongside machine specs? Feeling a sense of FOMO? Longing to get in on the game?

November on Paramount+ looks to be an exciting month with all the new titles being added to their mountainous library of video entertainment. Look forward to iconic cinematic hits like Catch Me If You Can, The Godfather, the Indiana Jones franchise, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Planes, Trains and Automobiles, as well as some classic holiday film favorites. The notables, though, are a new series premiere, a new season premiere, a documentary and a film streaming premiere, and a cute little Christmas special for the kiddos.

The main issue you run into when you go for a more uncommon operating system, in general, is app support—the selection of apps is thinner, and the apps that do exist are not as feature-complete as they would be on other platforms. Spotify on Apple TV is finally becoming as decent as it is on other platforms.

SAVE $500: As of Oct. 27, you can grab an LG 83-inch B5 OLED 4K TV for $1,996.99 instead of $2,496.99. That's a savings of 20% and the lowest price to date on this model.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 83-inch B5 OLED 4K TV $1,996.99 at Amazon
$2,496.99 Save $500.00   Get Deal

Upgrading your TV to an OLED display can completely transform your entertainment space. But, as with most tech upgrades, it'll cost you — especially in the age of tariffs. If you're new to the OLED TV world, the entry-level LG B5 model is a good place to start, and as of Oct. 27, you can grab the massive 83-inch version for $500 cheaper than usual.

The LG 83-inch B5 OLED 4K TV is typically $2,496.99, but Amazon has knocked the price down to just $1,996.99. That's 20% in savings and its best price on record since its release earlier this year. FWIW, the upgraded mid-range model, the 83-inch C5 OLED 4K TV (one of our top picks), is over $3,000 on sale.

If you want a vibrant, detailed, and truly immersive viewing experience, OLED TVs are the best choice. And when it comes to OLED TVs, LG is our favorite brand. The B5 is the brand's cheapest OLED in 2025 (as opposed to the mid-range C5 and high-end G5 models), making it an excellent choice for anyone wanting a big screen with the best picture quality and the best price. It features Dolby Vision, 120Hz gaming support, HDR10 Pro, Dolby Atmos and Filmmaker Mode, NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium compatibility, and a host of AI features like Concierge for content recommendations and Personalized Picture & Sound Wizard to tailor your viewing experience.

Whether you're excited to watch the latest theatrical releases or the biggest games of the week, you'll be floored by the difference an OLED TV makes. And with this deal, you don't have to spend a fortune.

After years of litigation, arguments, and presidential administration changes, the U.S. and China have officially struck a deal: the U.S. version of TikTok is finally being sold.

On Sunday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on CBS’s Face the Nation that the two countries have "reached a final deal on TikTok."

"We reached one in Madrid, and I believe that as of today, all the details are ironed out, and that will be for the two leaders to consummate that transaction on Thursday in Korea," Bessent said.

SEE ALSO: President Trump finally inked a $14 billion TikTok deal to keep the app alive

He added that while he is "not part of the commercial side of the transaction," he was responsible for getting the Chinese government "to agree to approve the transaction, and I believe we successfully accomplished that over the past two days."

This comes about a month after President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring that the new TikTok deal met the requirements of the 2024 law that banned TikTok from operating in the U.S. At the time, Vice President JD Vance said the deal values the U.S. TikTok assets at $14 billion, as Deadline reported.

The new deal means that data for U.S. users will be managed by Oracle; the U.S. algorithm would be controlled domestically; and TikTok's U.S. operations would be under the control of a board of directors likely including Oracle's Larry Ellison, Fox Corp, Andreessen Horowitz, and Silver Lake Management, according to TechCrunch.

Calling all Innies and Outies! If you're missing Severance and yearning for some Choreography and Merriment in your life, you're in luck. Mashable has your first look at the premiere physical release of Theodore Shapiro's Severance Season 2 score.

SEE ALSO: 21 burning 'Severance' questions we have after the Season 2 finale

The release comes courtesy of Austin-based pop culture art, music, and collectibles shop Mutant, in collaboration with Lakeshore Records and Severance production company Fifth Season.

Pressed on 140gm exclusive color vinyl, the deluxe edition of Shapiro's Emmy-winning Season 2 score comes in a custom Lumon envelope along with artwork by Greg Ruth, which includes seven double-sided character portraits and a printed inner sleeve.

Great, now I need to rewatch the Season 2 finale for the umpteenth time. Credit: Mutant

On top of that, the release also features "exclusive in-universe ephemera" that any Severance fan will recognize immediately. There's a printout of the "Missing" Gemma (Dichen Lachman) posters that Irving (John Turturro) made, along with his drawing of the dark hallway leading down to the Testing Floor and the note he left Dylan (Zach Cherry). There's also an Innie Resignation Request form and a goat-themed eye chart. Rounding out the ephemera is my personal favorite: a set of postcards styled after the motivational posters Lumon made for the Severed Floor. Sometimes, we really do need reminders to "Grin & Baird It." It's what Kier Eagan would want.

Remember to "Bee Ever Merry!" Credit: Mutant

"The music of Season 2 of Severance is true to what came before in Season 1, while also developing new themes, new sounds, and new variations," Shapiro said in a statement. "The season's bold expansions into new storylines and new locations, along with the incredible filmmaking and performances, provided plenty of inspiration.”

The track list is as follows:

Side One

1. The Ballad of Ambrose and Gunnell

2. Elevator Down

3. The Fourth Appendix

4. Beast With Two Backs

5. The Eternal Dark

Side Two

1. Salt's Neck

2. Three's a Crowd

3. Trains Running

5. The Equator

5. Knock Down Drag Out

6. Together Again

Consider this your perfect soundtrack as we settle in for the (hopefully not too long) wait for Severance Season 3.

The Severance Season 2 soundtrack retails for $50. It is available for pre-order on Mutant’s website starting Thursday, Oct. 30.

Severance Season 2 is streaming on Apple TV.