Mashable

How do you capture what it looks like to fall head over heels? This was the challenge writer/director Nia DaCosta faced in adapting Henrik Ibsen's classic play Hedda Gabler into a steamy and salacious sapphic romance.

Hedda stars Tessa Thompson as the eponymous antiheroine, a woman who hungers for luxury, love, and freedom. And when she doesn't get what she wants, she proves to be a vicious mastermind. So, when Hedda's ex-lover, genderswapped by DaCosta to be Eileen Lovborg (Nina Hoss), turns up at the big party she's throwing with her newly minted husband George Tesman (Tom Bateman), trouble is in the air. But so is love.

SEE ALSO: 'Hedda' review: 'Hedda Gabler' meets 'Saltburn' in Nia DiCosta's sexy, sapphic adaptation

As Eileen enters the ballroom, she is elegant, robust, and sensual, instantly awing the audience and capturing the mercurial Hedda's full attention. In interviews with DaCosta, Thompson, Hoss, and Bateman, Mashable's Entertainment Editor, Kristy Puchko, asked how this scene came together.

DaCosta got technical, sharing the precise details demanded of a camera effect that makes it seem as if Hedda is floating toward Eileen, a moth to the former flame. Hoss shared how it takes a village to make such an impactful moment in film. Bateman provided an insightful comparison between Eileen's entrance and the swagger of Westerns, when a cowboy strides through swinging saloon doors. For her part, Thompson shared the difficulty of playing this moment with grace when you're fully aware of how goofy things look just outside of the frame.

Enjoy this dive into movie magic, then enjoy Hedda — now playing on Prime Video.

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Polymarket. Kalshi. Truth Social? 

It looks like Donald Trump's social network is getting into the prediction market space. On Monday, Truth Social's parent company, Trump Media and Technology Group Corp., announced that the social media platform would be the first such site to launch its own prediction market. 

The prediction market will be called "Truth Predict."

Truth Social announced an "exclusive arrangement" that sees the company partnering with Crypto.com to make the prediction market happen.

“We are thrilled to become the world’s first publicly traded social media platform to offer our users access to prediction markets,” said Trump Media Chairman and CEO Devin Nunes in a statement. "Truth Predict will allow our loyal users to engage in prediction markets with a trusted network while harnessing our social media platform to provide totally unique ways for users to discuss and compare their predictions."

SEE ALSO: Truth Social's new AI search is 'woke' enough to disagree with Trump

Polymarket and Kalshi are currently the two most popular prediction markets. These platforms allow users to place bets on nearly anything, from the results of an election or a basketball game to betting on whether a celebrity will do a specific thing before a set date. Prediction markets circumvent gambling laws and regulations by offering "contracts" with users betting against each other instead of playing against the house. Polymarket and Kalshi do not bet on outcomes and instead make money through fees on each contract sold.

Prediction markets have become increasingly popular in recent years. In the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, many followed what platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi were predicting based on bets being placed over traditional pollsters. Now, even news outlets are sourcing these prediction markets when looking at polling data.

However, prediction markets have gained a much stronger foothold in the U.S. since Trump won the election. For example, Polymarket was unable to even operate in the U.S. from 2022 as a result of a settlement with the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The regulatory agency alleged that Polymarket was running an unregistered derivatives trading market. The FBI even raided Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan's home in 2024 to investigate whether the company was still trying to operate in the country.

Trump's Department of Justice closed the investigation into Polymarket in July of this year, and the company has since been allowed to operate once again in the U.S.

“Prediction markets are poised to be a multi-deca-billion dollar industry,” said Crypto.com co-founder and CEO Kris Marszalek in a statement about the partnership with Truth Social.

And that really gets to the heart of why Trump Media is launching Truth Predict. As Wired points out, the Trump family already has a financial interest in the prediction market space. The President's oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., is currently a strategic adviser at Kalshi. Trump Jr. is also on Polymarket's advisory board as a result of an investment made by the VC firm where he's a partner.

It's already well established that President Trump and his family have no concerns about conflicts of interest and alleged corruption. They have already tested the waters with their various cryptocurrency projects, which have seen the Trump family earn around $1 billion in the past year alone.

If the President of the United States gets involved in essentially an unregulated gambling industry where people place bets on what will happen in politics, business, sports, and more — what can go wrong? Not much for the ultimate insider who can pull the strings in multiple scenarios like Trump.

As for everyone else, though? Just ask the hundreds of thousands of people who lost money investing in Trump's memecoin.

An apparent Microsoft Azure outage on Wednesday took down important parts of the internet.

The tech giant's cloud computing service confirmed it was having issues.

Wrote Azure on its status page:

"Starting at approximately 16:00 UTC, we began experiencing Azure Front Door (AFD) issues resulting in a loss of availability of some services. We suspect that an inadvertent configuration change as the trigger event for this issue.

We are taking several concurrent actions: Firstly, where we are blocking all changes to the AFD services, this includes customer configuration changes as well. At the same time, we are rolling back our AFD configuration to our last known good state."

Azure has since updated that it had "initiated the deployment of our last known good configuration, which is expected to complete within 30 minutes. As this deployment progresses, customers should begin to see initial signs of recovery."

Microsoft wrote that it did not have an estimated time for when it would be fixed.

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User-reported issues on Downdetector indicated people were having issues accessing Microsoft services like Outlook and 365, as well as platforms like Minecraft. (Disclosure: Downdetector is owned by Ziff Davis, the same company that owns Mashable.) User-reported issues were especially high for both Minecraft and Xbox, which means it was quite the tough day for gamers. There were lots of posts complaining about it online.

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By about 2:30 p.m. ET, user-reported issues for some services appeared to be trending downward, but it was still unclear if the issue was fully resolved. The outage comes just days after last week's massive Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage that took down large swaths of the internet.

Azure provides cloud services for lots of companies and platforms, which means it hosts data, websites, and provides key infrastructure for large portions of the internet. Azure actually crashed earlier this month, too, taking down Microsoft services like 365 and Outlook in the process.

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

Lovehoney's pre-Black Friday deals: Best deal overall Lovehoney Couple's Advent Calendar (24 Day) $199 (save $418.77) Get Deal Best vibrator deal Lovehoney Power Play Rechargeable Mini Wand Vibrator $39.99 (save $25) Get Deal Best anal sex toy deal Rocks-Off 7 Speed Ass-Berries Raspberry butt plug $26.99 (save $3) Get Deal

Alright, let’s talk sex toy deals. As Mashable’s resident expert in this area, I see a lot of questionable sales pop up, especially as we get closer to Black Friday. It’s super easy to get swindled online — honestly, places like Amazon and Walmart aren’t the best sources for buying pleasure products thanks to sketchy third-party sellers hawking potentially unsafe knock-offs. My advice? Stick to reputable retailers you trust. That’s why I’m spotlighting Lovehoney today. Its pre-Black Friday sale is totally legit, and the discounts are real and good.

SEE ALSO: Is the male sex toy revolution upon us?

Right now, you can get up to 50% off a pretty wide selection of toys, lingerie, bondage gear, and more at Lovehoney. On top of those markdowns, you’ll also get a free gift if you spend $89 or more (which shouldn’t be too hard to do). Note: This offer excludes Advent calendars.

Sorting through hundreds of discounted nightstand goodies can be overwhelming (especially if it’s your first time), so here are three of the best deals I’ve found so far:

Best deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Lovehoney Lovehoney Couple's Advent Calendar (24 Day) $199 at Lovehoney
$617.77 Save $418.77   Get Deal Why we like it

Even though Lovehoney’s Advent calendars aren’t eligible for the free gift promotion, I still think that Lovehoney Couple's Advent Calendar (24 Day) is the best deal you can get on the site right now. According to the product page, this calendar is only $199 but holds goodies worth over $617 (so you’re saving over $418). Inside, you’ll get 24 items, including the Womanizer Classic 2 and the We-Vibe Sync Lite, and a bunch of other fun little treats. (If you want to know exactly what’s inside, the product page lists each item under the description section, but if you’d rather it be a surprise, I’ve kept this blurb spoiler-free.)

Advent calendars are a quirky and exciting way to celebrate the holiday season, and with a pleasure-focused calendar, you might be able to rekindle a spark with your partner or discover even better ways to love yourself. Like I always say, an orgasm a day keeps the blues away (it'll also give you flawless, glowing skin).

Best vibrator deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lovehoney Lovehoney Power Play Rechargeable Mini Wand Vibrator $39.99 at Lovehoney
$64.99 Save $25.00   Get Deal Why we like it

It’s always hard for me to recommend a vibrator for someone I don’t know (there’s so much that goes into picking a sex toy), but wand vibrators are usually a safe bet. Right now, you can get the Lovehoney Power Play Rechargeable Mini Wand Vibrator for just $39.99 (save $25). It’s waterproof, available in black or purple, has a travel lock, and is small enough to throw in your purse (I’d recommend putting it in a pouch or bag first). There are seven vibration modes, and it’s USB-rechargeable (so you could potentially charge it at the airport or even in your car if you run out of juice).

This little wand has 88 reviews, all of which are pretty positive. Most give it a five-star “orgasm rating” and praise its compact yet powerful design. “My girlfriend and I love to travel, and our usual wand was just too big to bring with us on holiday, so I purchased this little cute thing, and boy did it impress,” one reviewer writes. “So happy with this purchase and so was my partner.”

Best anal sex toy deal Opens in a new window Credit: Rocks-Off Rocks-Off 7 Speed Ass-Berries Raspberry butt plug $26.99 at Lovehoney
$29.99 Save $3   Get Deal Why we like it

Not everyone is into anal, and that’s OK! But, if you are, the Rocks-Off 7 Speed Ass-Berries Raspberry butt plug is only $26.99 right now. Sure, that’s only a $3 discount, but it’s totally worth it for the quality and unique design of this plug. You’ll notice that the head is textured (like a raspberry; you can get as graphic with that as you want) with raised nubs, and the base is super flared out, so there’s no chance this cutie will accidentally disappear during playtime. It also vibrates, which isn’t something most butt plugs at this price point can do (or do well, that is).

With tons of five-star reviews (some as recent as last week), you can’t beat this price. But please, for the love of God, USE LUBE. Do not attempt to play with this toy (or any anal toy) without a generous amount of water-based lube.

SAVE $11.80: As of Oct. 29, students can save 20% on The Brick by proving their educational status. That makes The Brick $47.20, down from its usual price of $59.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Brick The Brick $47.20 at The Brick
$59 Save $11.80 Save 20% off The Brick with a student discount. Get Deal

When you get bored, what's the first thing you reach for? If you said your phone, so you can switch between social media platforms, you may want to give all that a rest. Scrolling fatigue can be real, and sometimes you need a break. The Brick is a device that can help with all that, and right now, students can get a great deal on it.

As of Oct. 29, students can save 20% on The Brick by proving their educational status. That makes it $47.20, down from its usual price of $59. You save $11.80 thanks to the discount.

SEE ALSO: The Brick taught me how to be bored again

To access this discount, you'll need to prove your student status. The Brick website will direct you to create a free Student Beans account, where you'll input all of the required information to set things up. From there, you'll verify your status and can return to The Brick to get a discount code. From there, all you need to do is enter the code at checkout to get The Brick for its sale price.

The Brick is a small gray device that you can use to lock certain apps on your phone. You just tap your phone to the device and it works immediately. It's available for both iOS and Android, and can be a huge help if you're looking to stop mindlessly and aimlessly scrolling. With that in mind, it's a productivity tool and mental health tool that you can use to improve your life.

Mashable's Samantha Mangino reviewed The Brick and praised it as "the only thing that cuts [her] screen time in half." There are a ton of reasons to try it if you're struggling to cut down on your phone use, but being in school and needing to focus is certainly a big one. Luckily, it's even more affordable right now, so you can take it for a test drive.

TL;DR: Live stream Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Newcastle United have been wildly inconsistent in the early stages of the new Premier League season. You could make the same argument for Spurs, but Thomas Frank's team have secured some big results to climb the table and currently sit in third place. Now these two sides meet in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

If you want to watch Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur?

Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Oct. 29. This fixture takes place at St. James' Park.

How to watch Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur for free

Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Carabao Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $100: The Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 indoor grill and air fryer is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon, down from the usual price of $299.99. That's a 33% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 indoor grill and air fryer $199.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $100   Get Deal

Outdoor cooking these days is out. Unless you like frosty fingers, you've probably put the grill away for the year. But if you miss perfectly grilled steaks and vegetables, there's a Ninja appliance that is designed for indoor use and can help ease your pain of missing barbecue. It's also the perfect appliance to help out with holiday food cooking this year. If that sounds appealing, check out this deal.

As of Oct. 29, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 indoor grill and air fryer is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $299.99. That's a 33% discount that shaves $100 off the price.

The Ninja Foodi Smart XL indoor grill and air fryer is the perfect assistant in the kitchen. It's designed with six cooking functions that include air fry, roast, bake, broil, dehydrate, grill, and air crisp. Ninja even mentions you can get frozen protein from a solid chilled brick to perfectly char-grilled in as little as 25 minutes.

SEE ALSO: The coolest kitchen gear and gadgets we'll always recommend

When it comes to holiday meal prep, the Ninja Foodi grill can help out with grilled protein, side dishes, and quick appetizers. The indoor cooker includes a grill grate, an air fryer basket, a cooking pot, a cleaning brush, and a thermometer. This thermometer is the Ninja Foodi Smart Thermometer that takes the guesswork out of deciding when your protein has finished cooking. Just remove the thermometer from its magnetic coil that attaches to the grill, insert it into the meat, set your desired doneness level, and the Foodi will let you know when cooking is complete.

Instead of getting stressed about cooking holiday meals this year, enlist the help of the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 indoor grill and air fryer while it's on sale at Amazon for under $200. Its large capacity makes it ideal for feeding a crowd, whether that's holiday guests or the kids on a busy weeknight.

SAVE $10/MONTH: The ESPN and Fox One bundle deal is now live. Get both sports streaming apps for just $39.99 per month instead of $49.98 per month. That's a savings of 20% for the best streaming lineup in sports.

Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN / Fox One ESPN + Fox One bundle $39.99/month (save $9.99/month) Get Deal

Watching live sports in the streaming age has become such a headache. Two new services joined the mix this year, and they're teaming up to bring us the best streaming lineup in sports.

In August, ESPN redesigned its streaming service to offer two separate tiers: the existing ESPN+ as ESPN Select and a new ESPN Unlimited tier. ESPN Unlimited brings the suite of ESPN networks and services to sports fans in a direct-to-consumer subscription, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network — in addition to ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX. On its own, the direct-to-consumer Unlimited tier costs $29.99 per month.

The same day, Fox launched its first-ever streaming service called Fox One. Like ESPN Unlimited, it brings the entire Fox TV portfolio (live and on-demand) to viewers in one app. That includes Fox News, Fox Sports, Fox Weather, FS1, FS2, Fox Business, Fox Deportes, Big Ten Network (B1G), local Fox stations, and Fox Network. It costs $19.99 per month as a standalone service.

Each streamer is great on its own, but earlier this month, they joined forces to bring sports fans the best deal in live sports streaming. You can now get both ESPN Unlimited and Fox One for just $39.99 per month, which saves you $9.99 per month. That includes over 50,000 live events and over 100,000 hours of live event coverage.

Once you sign up for the bundle deal via ESPN, you'll be prompted to activate your Fox subscription on the confirmation screen. You'll also receive an email confirmation with an activation link.

With ESPN Unlimited, you'll be able to watch Monday Night Football, tons of college football, NBA and WNBA games, college basketball, and NHL games live without cable. That's already a well-rounded live sports lineup in itself. Add the Fox One portfolio into the mix, and you'll also be able to tune into the NFL's NFC games on Sunday afternoons, Big Ten college football games, international soccer, and the MLB World Series.

In the past, you would need a cable alternative like YouTube TV or Fubo to watch ABC, ESPN, and Fox networks live without cable. These services cost between $80 and $90 per month. So, while $39.99 per month might seem steep to some folks, it's actually the best value for your money — and the best streaming deal in sports.

The next wave of Google's AI rollout is in the process of happening right now.

Earlier this month, Google announced a bunch of Gemini-powered smart home devices, but several existing ones are also getting Gemini support this week. Specifically, users who have requested Early Access via the Google Home app should have gotten the ability to use Gemini on compatible devices on Tuesday.

SEE ALSO: How to use Google Meet's new AI makeup tool This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

You might be wondering: Which devices are compatible with Gemini right now? It's not a super long list, but here it is, courtesy of Android Authority:

• Google Home (2016 model)

• Google Home Mini (2017 model)

• Google Home Max (2017 model)

• Nest Mini (2019 model)

• Nest Audio (2019 model)

• Google Home/Nest Hub (2018 model)

• Nest Hub Max (2019 model)

• Second generation Nest Hub (2021 model)

It should be noted, also per Android Authority, that there is a smaller list of models that support Gemini Live, the more advanced, conversational version of Gemini. You also need to pay for Google Home Premium to use Gemini Live. Here are the supported devices:

• Nest Mini (2019 model)

• Nest Audio (2020 model)

• Nest Hub Max (2019 model)

• Second generation Nest Hub (2021 model)

If you've got one of those, you're golden. If not, well, the new one is coming out next year.

SAVE $50: Amazon has both sizes of the new Apple iPad Pro (M5, WiFi, 256GB) on sale as of Oct. 29. Get the 11-inch model for $949 (normally $999) or the 13-inch variant for $1,249 (usually $1,299).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $949 at Amazon
$999 Save $50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $1,249 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $50   Get Deal

At this point, I'm starting to feel bad for anyone who preordered Apple's new M5 iPad Pro: Amazon hasn't stopped lowering its price since launch.

As of late October, both sizes of the supercharged tablet are on sale for $50 off at Amazon. The 11-inch base model is marked down to $949, while the 13-inch version has fallen to $1,249; both include 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Those prices beat last week's release-day discounts by up to $35, making them cheaper than ever before.

(Cheaper is all relative here, of course. If you don't need the latest specs and just want the cheapest iPad available, check out Walmart's current deal on the standard iPad from 2022 — it's only $242.)

SEE ALSO: Review: The new M5 iPad Pro is a victory lap for Apple

ICYMI, the M5 iPad Pro is our new favorite iPad for creative professionals. It retains the same beautiful tandem OLED design as last year's M4 version but tacks on extra horsepower, blowing past competitors like the 13-inch Microsoft Surface Pro 11 with the powerful Snapdragon X Elite chip.

"For the average user, it's overkill," wrote Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth. "That being said, if you like to run AI models on your device, you're a professional illustrator or designer, or you need to deliver professional-quality video, the new iPad Pro is up for the job." Read his full review.

Last I checked, both sizes of the M5 iPad Pro are still full price at Best Buy and in the Apple Store.

GET HALLOWEEN CANDY IN AN HOUR: Waited too long to buy Halloween candy? A Walmart+ membership ($98/year) can get it delivered from a local store in about an hour, and it also includes perks like gas savings and a free streaming service.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Annual Walmart+ Membership $98
  Shop Now

Halloween is just a couple of days away, and if you're just now realizing your candy bowl is empty, you're probably not alone. The thought of going to a store right now and fighting over the last bags of fun-size candy sounds... awful. Luckily, if you have a Walmart+ membership, you might be able to save the day from your couch.

One of the big perks of Walmart+ is free, fast delivery from your local store. On its Halloween candy page, Walmart is showing delivery times like "as soon as 26 minutes." This means you can get those giant variety bags of Haribo, Nerds, Tootsie Rolls, or M&M's delivered in about an hour, all without having to put on real shoes.

SEE ALSO: We found all of the stores with the best Halloween clearance sales so far

If you're not a member and this last-minute candy rescue sounds tempting, a Walmart+ membership costs $12.95 per month or $98 for the year. In addition to dodging the crowds in the checkout line, you'll get savings on gas (10¢ off per gallon at over 13,000 stations), free returns from home (no more post office lines), and a free subscription to a streaming service — you can choose between Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential. So, it's a pretty good deal for procrastinators, but it's an even better deal if you'll actually use the other perks, too.

A massive, slow-moving hurricane is making its way through the Caribbean.

After slamming through Jamaica and causing extensive damage, according to The Guardian, Hurricane Melissa has hit Cuba. The news outlet reports that this is the strongest category 5 storm to hit Jamaica since it began recording storms in 1851, but has slowed to a category 3 over Cuba. Still, it will continue to cause destruction as it likely moves into the Bahamas.

The storm is remarkable in that its speed (very slow, moving at 7 miles per hour) and strength (up to 180mph winds) create the ultimate environment for destruction.

Videos of the storm and its impact are all over social media.

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The most shocking and viral videos on X of the hurricane are from @FlynonymousWX, aka the Tropical Cowboy of Danger, an anonymous U.S. Air Force hurricane hunter who posted videos from Hurricane Melissa's eye. (Since @FlynonymousWX is anonymous, it is difficult to confirm the authenticity of the videos, but they do seem to be real and the account has a history of posting this sort of content.)

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But, of course, AI videos have also gone viral, which pop up during natural disasters with remarkable frequency. Take this video of a shark in someone's pool. It is not real.

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A good rule of thumb in times of natural disasters with regards to AI-generated videos is to follow what agencies like the National Hurricane Center are posting — and to not believe everything you see.

SAVE $107: As of Oct. 29, the 10th-generation Apple iPad (A14 Bionic, WiFi, 64GB) is on sale for just $242 at Walmart. That's a 31% discount and its lowest price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (A14 Bionic, WiFi, 64GB) $242 at Walmart
$349 Save $107   Get Deal

The brand-new M5 Apple iPad Pro is awesome — and overkill for most people, between its high price and laptop-beating power. For a cheaper Apple tablet that gets the job done, we recommend the standard iPad, which has a super lightweight design and a 10.9-inch display that's great for doodling and note-taking.

If current-gen performance isn't high on your priority list, consider getting the 10th-generation iPad from 2022: It's on sale for just $242 at Walmart as of late October. That's 31% off its usual sticker price of $349 and a new all-time low that beats its 2024 Black Friday deal by $17. (Walmart's price only applies to the silver model, by the way.) Its product page notes that stock is low, so don't dawdle.

SEE ALSO: The 4 best iPads of 2025 put other tablets to shame (to shame!)

For reference, the 2022 iPad features the same design as its predecessor but older, pared-down internals. Instead of the A16 chip, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, you get the A14 Bionic chip, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. That's going to make it a tad slower and leave you with less room for storing photos and documents, but you can always put your savings toward an external hard drive down the road if necessary. (It may not be, if you're a very casual user.)

The most important spec tidbit is that this iPad supports iPadOS 26, which means you'll get access to all of Apple's latest tablet features. See: the Liquid Glass design update, Live Translation, and a laptop-like windowing tool.

The 10th-gen iPad was also on sale at Best Buy the last time I checked, but it was $38 pricier. It was only available refurbished from a random third-party seller on Amazon (at a $37 premium to boot).

Robotics company 1X officially launched its humanoid NEO Home Robot this week, opening up pre-orders for customers who want to live in a robot-assisted future.

"Humanoids were long a thing of sci-fi...then they were a thing of research, but today — with the launch of NEO — humanoid robots become a product. Something that you and me can reach out and touch," 1X CEO and founder Bernt Børnich said in a blog post announcing NEO's launch.

SEE ALSO: 1X has launched NEO, a humanoid household robot. Here's how to preorder.

Understandably, people are a bit skeptical that a $20,000 robot will actually help them. (To be fair, the company also says there will be a $500 monthly subscription option for a robot.)

The videos we've seen thus far have shown, let's say, mixed results.

Here's 1x's own video about the robot, which includes it performing chores like answering the door or doing laundry.

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The reality of the NEO robot, however, is that it struggles to do basic things on its own. The Wall Street Journal published a video testing it, and almost everything required a skilled, remote operator taking control of the robot. So that means the robot, as it stands, is often a remote, human-controlled butler with someone who has to look into your home to complete tasks.

On its own, the robot took five minutes — including some comically awkward bending — to poorly load three items into a dishwasher.

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Here's the full WSJ video, which discusses the experience of testing the NEO robot in more depth.

Here's the robot doing the 6-7 trend — will it ever die? — while being controlled by a human.

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Here it is dancing, again controlled by a human.

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So yes, you can buy a humanoid helper as if it were the future. But it's not quite the fully autonomous robot you might've expected.

Tesla's Cybercab was originally envisioned as an autonomous taxi without a steering wheel or pedals, but it might be a lot more like a regular car at launch.

Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm spelled it out quite clearly in an interview with Bloomberg. "If we have to have a steering wheel, it can have a steering wheel and pedals," she said.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk wants $1 trillion to control Tesla's 'robot army'

This is in contrast with what Tesla CEO Elon Musk originally wanted for the Cybercab. "If you try to make a car that is essentially a hybrid, manual, automatic car, it's not going to be as good as a dedicated autonomous car," Musk said during Cybercab's unveiling. "So, yes, Cybercab is just not going to have steering wheels and pedals."

The reason for the company's change in attitude towards steering wheels and pedals are likely regulations. U.S. regulators currently do allow manufacturers to produce passenger cars without a steering wheel or pedals, but only in a limited capacity.

Featured Video For You I took a ride in a robotaxi: How close are we to a driverless future?

During the company's earnings call last week, Musk said the Cybercab is launching in Q2 2026, and added that it will be the company's "single biggest expansion in production." During the same call, Musk reiterated that the Cybercab won't have a steering wheel or pedals, saying that the idea is to "minimize cost per mile of operation."

Tesla's main problem here is the fact that the company simply hasn't solved fully autonomous driving just yet. Even its Model Y-based Robotaxis in the San Francisco Bay Area aren't actually autonomous; there's currently a human present behind the steering wheel during rides. The company will likely have to either postpone the launch or make the tough decision to make the Cybercab a lot more like a regular car, and then get rid of the steering wheel and pedals later.

SAVE 15%: As of Oct. 29, the NordicTrack T Series 9 treadmill is $806.64 at Amazon, down from $949. That's a 15% discount and a $142.36 price cut.

NordicTrack T Series 9 Treadmill $806.64 at Amazon
$949 Save $142.36   Get Deal at Amazon

If you're thinking about finally getting a treadmill for home (especially with the weather getting colder), the biggest hurdle is usually the space. A treadmill is a massive piece of equipment to permanently park in a living room or bedroom, but you could always get a foldable model.

As of Oct. 29, the NordicTrack T Series 9 treadmill is on sale for $806.64 at Amazon, down from $949. That's a 15% discount and a $142.36 price cut. It's also the best price we've seen on this model yet.

SEE ALSO: I've tested a lot of smartwatches, but the Versa 4 is the only Fitbit I'd recommend

The T Series 9 comes with a tilting 10-inch touchscreen so you can follow along with iFIT interactive workouts (membership sold separately). It has a speed range of up to 12 MPH (fast enough for a five-minute mile pace) and an incline range up to 12 percent. There's also its adjustable SelectFlex cushioning that gives you the choice between a softer, more joint-friendly surface or a firmer one that mimics the road.

One of the biggest pluses for home users is the foldable design. When you're done with your workout, all you have to do is fold it up and roll the treadmill away to save space.

SAVE $40: As of Oct. 29, get the DJI Mic 2 for $139, down from its usual price of $179 at Amazon. That's a discount of 22% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mic 2 $139 at Amazon
$179 Save $40   Get Deal

You may know DJI primarily for its drones, but it's much more than that. The brand also boasts a variety of affordable and reliable microphones that TikTok creators have come to swear by. Unfortunately, a potential ban for the company still looms, but if you're looking to take advantage of its other products while they're still in stock, you've got some time to do so. And now's an especially good time to jump on board, since one of DJI's best mics is on sale for its lowest price yet.

As of Oct. 29, get the DJI Mic 2 for $139, down from its usual price of $179 at Amazon. That's $40 off and a discount of 22%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Score your own DJI Mic Mini bundle while you still can for its lowest price yet

With this bundle, you get one transmitter, one receiver, a clip magnet, a windscreen, a carrying pouch, and additional goodies that make it easy to get set up and start recording. DJI proudly proclaims it offers "pro-level audio," so whether you're recording interviews or just vocal tracks, you get the best sound possible. Plus, it offers 18 hours of battery life to keep you going.

It's super portable at just 28 grams, and has a range of 820 feet. And if you're worried about additional sound creeping onto your track, leverage its noise-canceling features to make sure what you're recording sounds great, since it will lessen the sound of wind or other unfortunate additions that sometimes creep into recordings.

Since this mic is finally back in stock, you'll want to grab it while you can. Make sure you scoop it up if you're interested.

SAVE $68: The Monster open-ear AC225 earbuds are on sale at Amazon for $29.99, down from the list price of $97.99. That's a 69% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Monster Monster open-ear AC225 earbuds $29.99
$97.99 Save $68   Get Deal

Dr. Frankenstein might have created a monster, but this Monster deal has a fright level of zero. If your earbuds have gone missing, gone through the washing machine, or you're curious about an open-ear design, you'll want to listen up.

As of Oct. 29, the Monster open-ear AC225 earbuds are on sale at Amazon for $29.99, marked down from their normal price of $97.99. That's a 69% discount that takes a huge $68 off the usual price.

We're focused on the treats side of Halloween this year, and that certainly includes a pair of open-ear headphones for under $30. At this price, it's time to start considering holiday gifts and stocking stuffers because this could be a great option.

SEE ALSO: Score a $70 price drop on the Beats Solo 4 headphones right now at Amazon

Monster says the AC225 have up to 36 hours of battery life with the included charging case, and they have an IPX6 waterproof rating. That means you can use them at the gym or take them on a run in the rain.

The Monster AC225's clip-on design could be great if you don't love the feeling of earbuds that sit in your ear canal or bulky headphones that can get hot.

While they're on sale for under $30 at Amazon, snag the Monster open-ear AC225 earbuds for yourself and those on your holiday shopping list. Amazon lists this sale price as a limited-time offer, so hop on it quickly.

SAVE $28.39: As of Oct. 29, the Magic: The Gathering — Final Fantasy Booster Display is $197.98 at TCGplayer, compared to Amazon's price of $219.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Wizards of the Coast Magic: The Gathering — Final Fantasy Booster Display $197.98 at TCGPlayer
$219.99 Save $22.01   Get Deal

Magic: The Gathering — Final Fantasy isn't only good news for Final Fantasy fans, but for Magic as a TCG. Before Universes Beyond started bringing in some of the most popular franchises worldwide, MTG had this barrier of entry that left new players feeling intimidated. Now new players from different fandoms are picking up boosters and commander decks just to get their hands on their favorite characters and explore the new mechanics they bring to the table.

The Magic: The Gathering — Final Fantasy Booster Display is $197.98 at TCGplayer, compared to Amazon's price of $219.99. The set covers all 16 mainline games from the NES classic to Final Fantasy XVI, and lets you summon the likes of Bahamut, Odin, Knights of the Round, and more. Plus Iconic locations such as Final Fantasy VII's Midgar alongside epic artefacts like Cloud Strifes Buster Sword feature.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Each of the 30 boosters in this display box has 14 cards, ranging from 1-4 rares or mythics, 3-6 uncommons, and 6-9 commons. Looking for the Foil Boarderless Mythic Rares? Yeah, they're only in 1% of all boosters printed, so good luck on that one.

Most valuable Magic: The Gathering — Final Fantasy cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

The biggest chase cards in MTG: Final Fantasy are the Travelling Chocobo Boarderless collection. There's a black Japanese exclusive which is fetching over $7,000 at the moment, with the other Neon Ink Travelling Chocobo cards going for around $2,000 to $2,300. Crazy right? Mythic Boarderless cards are going to be ridiculously hard to pull, so instead of ripping infinite packs, it might be a great idea to focus on just buying these and other Final Fantasy chase cards outright:

1. Traveling Chocobo (Borderless) (Japanese Exclusive) #551
   Near Mint Holofoil: $7,500
   Market price: $5,393.34
   Most recent sale: $6,400

2. Traveling Chocobo (Borderless) (Neon Ink Blue) #551c
   Near Mint Holofoil: $2,299.99
   Market price: $2,347.06
   Most recent sale: $2,499.99

3. Traveling Chocobo (Borderless) (Neon Ink Green) #551d
   Near Mint Holofoil: $1,999.65
   Market price: $2,181.76
   Most recent sale: $2,125

4. Traveling Chocobo (Borderless) (Neon Ink Pink) #551b
   Near Mint Holofoil: $2,299.99
   Market price: $2,008.91
   Most recent sale: $1,901.73

5. Traveling Chocobo (Borderless) (Neon Ink Yellow) #551a
   Near Mint Holofoil: $2,299
   Market price: $1,950.24
   Most recent sale: $2,088.44

Remember when words used to mean something? Well, we had a nice run.

In what might be the final death knell for language as a concept, Dictionary.com announced Wednesday that "67" is its Word of the Year for 2025. Yes, that's right — 67. Or six-seven. Or 6–7. Or "six seeeeeeeven." However you spell it, it's apparently a word now.

If you're mostly offline, you may have been spared the whole six-seven phenomenon. I broke down its origins and meaning for Mashable, but to summarize: It means absolutely nothing. It's an inside joke among teens that spread on TikTok — a sing-song nonsense phrase often paired with a hand motion. It's pure brainrot, and it's made the leap into the real world.

SEE ALSO: What does '6-7' mean? Here's why kids are saying 'six, seven' over and over.

"It's part inside joke, part social signal and part performance," said Steve Johnson, PhD, director of lexicography for the Dictionary Media Group at IXL Learning, in a statement. "When people say it, they're not just repeating a meme; they're shouting a feeling. It's one of the first Words of the Year that works as an interjection — a burst of energy that spreads and connects people long before anyone agrees on what it actually means."

OK, but…is six-seven even a word? It feels more like a phrase. Or maybe a number. Either way, it's nonsense.

Now, I don't have a problem with the whole brainrot meme turned real-life thing. The six-seven trend is fine by me. Kids have been yelling nonsense since forever. And sure, six-seven is undeniably viral. But that doesn't mean it has to be Word of the Year. Plenty of things actually defined 2025. If you're a grown adult seriously bringing up six-seven in that conversation, maybe reevaluate your priorities.

It's not even linguistically interesting! It's just a number that signifies nothing. I could understand choosing meaningful slang — something with cultural or emotional weight. But six-seven? That's empty calories. (And yes, Oxford already gave "brain rot" its moment back in 2024.)

Of course, "Word of the Year" is a made-up award for publicity. And here I am, talking about it. But still. We can do better. Here's to 2026 — may it bring us words that actually mean something.