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The Pitt fans, rejoice! HBO Max's Emmy–winning medical drama returns Thursday, Jan. 8, meaning your favorite doctors and nurses are almost back and ready to tackle every gruesome injury this new shift throws at them.

SEE ALSO: 'The Pitt' Season 2 review: Big changes ahead for Noah Wyle's stellar medical drama

Since The Pitt is such a buzzy show, and since social media is bound to be crawling with spoilers as soon as it airs, we recommend watching live in order to experience The Pitt's twists and turns to their fullest extent. So what time does Season 2 premiere?

The Pitt's Season 2 premiere kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max, after which it will be available for streaming. The rest of the season will follow the same schedule: Each new episode premieres at 9 p.m. ET on Thursdays, with the finale airing April 16.

Season 2 of The Pitt picks up months after the end of Season 1, taking viewers into a very eventful July 4th shift. Not only does the Emergency Department have to contend with some gnarly holiday-related injuries — think of all the ways grilling or fireworks can backfire! — but they're also on the brink of massive change. Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch (Emmy winner Noah Wyle) is about to head out on a three-month sabbatical, and his replacement attending, Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi (Sepideh Moafi), already has new ideas about how to improve the department.

So what does the future have in store for the ED? Tune into The Pitt Season 2 to find out.

The Pitt Season 2 premieres Jan. 8 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max.

CES turns Las Vegas into the epicenter of the tech world every January, bringing together industry giants and scrappy startups alike to debut the ideas that will shape the year ahead. From cutting-edge AI and robotics to TVs, laptops, and some truly weird tech, CES 2026 delivered no shortage of bold claims and ambitious hardware.

Now, we’re excited to announce our official Best of CES 2026 finalists.

Selected on the ground in Las Vegas, these finalists represent the most compelling, innovative, and forward-thinking products at the show. They were hand-picked by more than 40 expert journalists from CNET, Mashable, PCMag, ZDNET, and Lifehacker, with additional input from Ziff Davis sister sites Everyday Health and IGN.

To qualify, products had to be official CES 2026 exhibitors and stand out by introducing a meaningful new idea, solving a real consumer problem, or raising the bar for performance, design, or quality. The result is a finalist list that spans 22 categories, from AI and robotics to wellness, sustainability, and future tech.

Best of CES 2026 Finalist Categories

• Best Age Tech

• Best AI

• Best Audio

• Best Deep Computing Tech

• Best Energy Tech

• Best Future Tech

• Best Gaming

• Best Kitchen Tech

• Best Laptop

• Best Mobile Tech

• Best Parent Tech

• Best Pet Tech

• Best Robot

• Best Smart Home Tech

• Best Startup

• Best Sustainability

• Best Transportation

• Best Travel Tech

• Best TV or Home Theater

• Best Weird Tech

• Best Wellness Tech

• Best Yard or Outdoor Tech

The official Best of CES 2026 winners will be announced live today, Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 4 p.m. PST on the CTA stage at the LVCC Central Hall Grand Lobby.

After the ceremony, we'll update this page with the full list of winners — so check back soon.

With CES 2026 in full swing, we've already seen a slew of product announcements from Taiwanese tech giant Acer. From new laptops to an electric scooter, there's a lot of new tech to look forward to this year from the brand. One thing we're particularly pumped about is the lineup of new gaming monitors.

Acer unleashed three new monitors at CES on Monday to fulfill gamers' needs for speed, precision, performance, and of course, aesthetics. Whether you're seeking the absolute fastest refresh rate, gorgeous imagery, or a mix of the two, the latest releases are sure to satisfy. While none are available for purchase quite yet, we've broken down all the details we know so far — including the price and timeline of when they'll be up for grabs.

Be sure to follow along with Mashable's live CES 2026 updates for the latest and greatest announcements all week long.

Acer Predator XB273U F6 gaming monitor

First up is the Predator XB273U F6, a 27-inch, 2560 x 1440 QHD IPS panel with an ultra-fast 500Hz refresh rate ideal for high-level esports. That refresh rate can jump to an astonishing 1000Hz if you use the Dynamic Frequency and Resolution (DFR) mode, which lowers the resolution to 1280 x 720. Motion blur and ghosting? Never heard of them. Other specs include a 2,000:1 native contrast ratio and 350 nit brightness, two HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4, audio out, and dual integrated 2-watt speakers, an ergonomic and adjustable stand, and a remote control smart dial for convenience.

"With its 500 Hz refresh rate, advanced IPS technology, and 1000 Hz dynamic mode, it delivers both speed and visual fidelity that redefine what competitive gamers can expect from a monitor," said Charles Wang, Senior Manager, Product Management, Digital Displays at Acer.

The Predator XB273U F6 will be available sometime in the spring of 2026 starting at $799.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Predator XB273U F6 gaming monitor starting at $799.99 Learn More Acer Predator X34 F3 curved gaming monitor

For those who prefer their games to physically wrap around them, Acer has announced a new Predator X34 F3 QD-OLED curved gaming monitor. It packs a more modest (but still great) 360Hz refresh rate, a 34-inch curved QD-OLED panel with a native resolution of 3440 x 1440, a 0.03 ms gray-to-gray response time, and an 1800R curvature for breathtaking clarity, lightning-fast responsiveness, and truly immersive gaming. Its ideal for both competitive players and content creators, as the 99% DCI-P3 color gamut, 1.07 billion color support, 500 nit peak brightness, and 1,000,000,000:1 Adaptive Contrast Management (ACM) ratio deliver gorgeous highlights, deep blacks, and vibrant colors all around. Other perks include ergonomic tilt, swivel, and height adjustment, and dual 5-watt integrated speakers.

The Predator X34 F3 will also be available this spring for a starting price of $1,199.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Predator X34 F3 curved gaming monitor Starting at $1,199.99 Learn More Acer Nitro XV270X P gaming monitor

Finally, we have a new Acer Nitro gaming monitor, the XV270X P. This 27-inch IPS monitor combines creator-grade 5K resolution with esports-level 330Hz performance. Sure, that's not as high of a refresh rate as the other newly announced monitors, but it's still a beast of a monitor. And as our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) pointed out, casual gamers probably won't notice a huge difference beyond the 240Hz mark (at least on a laptop). At 5120 x 2880 (5K) resolution, it'll run at 165Hz via HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 1.4 for crystal-clear details and vibrant imagery. When you need fluidity and responsiveness for gameplay, it offers a blazing-fast 2560 x 1440 at 330 Hz.

Other features include AMD FreeSync Premium, a 0.5 ms minimum GTG response time, a 1,000,000,000:1 native contrast ratio, up to 400 nit peak brightness, 95% DCI-P3 color gamut, dual 2-watt speakers, and an ergonomic stand with tilt, swivel, and height adjustments.

The Nitro XV270X P gaming monitor will hit shelves this spring with a starting price of $799.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Nitro XV270X P gaming monitor Starting at $799.99 Learn More

If you're in need of a new gaming monitor and simply cannot wait for the new products to drop, we've also rounded up a few excellent options you can buy right now. Some are even on sale.

Acer gaming monitors you can buy right now: Acer Predator X34 OLED $699.99 Shop Now Acer Nitro XV272U W2 gaming monitor $199.99 (save $100) Get Deal Acer Nitro EDA343CUR V3 curved gaming monitor $269.99 (save $50) Get Deal Acer Predator X27U W1 QD-OLED gaming monitor $544 Get Deal

CES 2026 has been full of big announcements — advances in the chips that power AI, major product launches, and more — but the Vegas tech convention is also known as a haven for weird tech.

We here at Mashable are lovers of weird tech and odd gadgets, and, thankfully, CES 2026 has not disappointed thus far. We've got folks on the ground in Vegas scoping out everything odd on the showroom floor — here are six of the weirdest and most fun things we've seen.

Teeth music

Ever wondered how your music...tastes? Well, you can now find out...kind of. The Lollipop Star is a device that plays music through your teeth. The company sells $9 lollipops that use bone conduction to play music into your inner ear, while you also get a sugar fix.

For less than a ten-spot, you can buy your favorite song and have a little novelty treat. Not a bad deal.

Credit: Lava Brand Brain-sensing headphones

Neurable showed off headphones at CES that measure how fast you think. The idea is that gamers, especially, could track their reaction times and thought processes. Using this data, the company has developed a system that should help you focus better. Mashable's Chance Townsend tested it out and found it pretty cool.

"The feeling afterward was quite pleasant, all things considered," Townsend wrote. "Everything on screen felt slightly slower, but I was reacting more quickly."

Credit: Mashable / Chance Townsend Headphones that twist into speakers

In a bit of old-school gadgetry, new audio brand TDM debuted headphones that can twist into a speaker at CES 2026. It's a neat idea — go from private listening to sharing with one physical movement.

Credit: TDM A vibrating chef's knife

Mashable's Haley Henschel tested Seattle Ultrasonics' C-200 UltraSonic Chef's Knife, which vibrates as you use it to make cutting easier. Though the vibrations are nearly indetectable to the naked eye, the movement helps slice more easily.

Wrote Henschel:

"I had no trouble getting it to cut paper-thin pieces of tomato with a light touch. Seattle Ultrasonics' rep likened it to riding a bike versus pedaling an e-bike in that it makes your experience more effortless."

The $399 knife could prove useful for many home chefs, especially those with disabilities or physical limitations.

Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable Panda companion bots

In a bit of strange-but-sweet tech, Mind With Heart Robotics showed off its AI-powered panda An'An. The idea is the fuzzy little guy will be an interactive companion for elderly folks with cognitive decline or kids working on social skills.

Credit: Mind With Heart Robotics The AI soulmate

Chinese company Lepro displayed its Ami device at CES 2026, a desktop OLED screen that houses an AI "soulmate" to keep you company. And that is not sat...at all.

The company pitched the Ami as a companion that would be empathetic and connect with its users on a deper level. Giving an AI companion a physical form is certainly an interesting choice.

Wrote Mashable's Chance Townsend:

"Most AI companions today live where everything else already lives: your phone, your browser, your notifications. They blur into the same infinite scroll that's already exhausting us. Lepro Ami, by contrast, asks for a dedicated spot on your desk. It doesn’t follow you everywhere. You have to choose to keep it around."

Credit: Mashable / Chance Townsend

CES is always good for some truly wonderful and strange tech — thankfully, 2026 delivered in both regards.

Want to see more of the best in weird tech at CES 2026? The finalists for the Best of CES 2026 awards have been announced. See the nominees and learn when the winners will be announced.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

SAVE $15: As of Jan. 7, get the Anker Nano Charger for $29.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $44.99. That's a discount of 33%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Anker Nano Charger $29.99 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $15.00   Get Deal

If you're tired of trying to find a charger when your phone is dead or you're thinking about one you can use solely for travel, Anker has your back. The company, which has tons of chargers and power stations to choose from, has one particular model on sale right now that's perfect for either situations, and you can get it for a low price.

As of Jan. 7, get the Anker Nano Charger for $29.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $44.99. That's a discount of 33%.

SEE ALSO: The Anker Solix F1500 just dropped back to a record-low price at Amazon

This 100W foldable USB-C charger can help get all your devices back up to 100% in no time, thanks to its fast-charging tech. Despite its small size, it can charge tech like a 14-inch MacBook Pro to 50% in less than 30 minutes.

It's just 4.23 ounces, so it's perfect for stowing in a bag or purse (or even your pocket) and take with you. You never know when you're going to need a charger and an outlet. And with ActiveShield 2.0, which monitors the device's heat and power output, you don't have to worry about any accidents when you forget and leave it plugged in.

With an included USB-C cable, this charger deal is a great option no matter whether you need it for home or travel. But get it while it's still on sale if you want to get the best discount.

When it comes to the fun parts of CES, robotics are rarely boring and are sometimes silly or surprising as well.

That's not to say they aren't useful, of course. But CES isn't necessarily a showcase of purely utilitarian factory floor robots. These are often meant to (eventually, someday) live in people's homes, which means they're often humanized or otherwise given characteristics that make them stand out. Here are four of the weirdest (even if they might be practical) robots we've seen at CES.

SEE ALSO: CES 2026 live updates: See the latest news, surprises, and strange tech from LG, Samsung, Lego, and new startups CLOiD will fold your laundry

LG's CLOiD is admittedly not that weird in the realm of home robots, in the sense that it looks vaguely humanoid and seemingly does things that are actually useful. However, it's still pretty futuristic and out-there to have Rosey from The Jetsons roaming around your house, so it makes the list.

CLOiD is still in the concept stages and may not hit the market for quite some time (if ever). LG did give CES-goers a live demo, though, which included showing off its ability to speak, its two functional arms that each have five digits at the end, and the fact that it can fold your laundry for you. Hopefully you'll be able to send it to the laundromat if you don't have an in-unit washer/dryer combo, otherwise that's a lot of lost value.

Sweekar is barely a robot, but it's still worth a look Adorable. Credit: Takway

Easily the strangest device on this list is Sweekar, courtesy of the company Takway. It's not a robot in the traditional sense; it won't do your chores or anything like that. But it will be your friend, and maybe that's more important.

Sweekar is, essentially, a super advanced Tamagotchi that changes shape over time. It starts as an egg, and as you take care of it, it will gradually hatch out of its shell and form some kind of personality using generative AI. Taking care of it seems to be a game in and of itself, similar to a Tamagotchi, but the gimmick that it grows over time is certainly unique. It's also highly customizable, which is nice.

Switchbot onero H1 looks like a tackling dummy Hit the sleds, boys. Credit: Switchbot

Lastly, Switchbot's onero H1 is in the same category as CLOiD: It might actually be handy to have around, but we're still not used to seeing these sorts of things, so it makes the list.

To its credit, onero H1 does seem like something that could help around the house. It's basically a lanky, rolling robot with a head and two arms that it can use to perform chores. It seems fairly practical, but to be honest, I can't look at it without seeing one of those tackling dummies they use at football practices. It just looks like something you're meant to hit and not something you're meant to rely upon.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

OpenAI is quietly testing its advertising future as it heads into 2026, according to insiders who have heard of revived plans to pilot sponsored content in ChatGPT.

The new rumors stem from comments reportedly made by OpenAI's CEO of applications Fidji Simo, who recently published a breakdown of OpenAI's R&D goals in a post on Substack. Offline, sources say Simo mentioned an additional plan to begin testing ads on internal, employee-only chat models in the new year, reported Alex Heath, journalist and author of blog Sources. Simo has been laying a strong commercial foundation for ChatGPT's advertising future, including partnerships with Walmart, Instacart, Target, and Shopify.

SEE ALSO: Robots at CES: A history in photos

OpenAI has been relatively tight-lipped about its plans to inject public-facing ads directly into chatbot responses or chat windows, despite forward momentum from its competitors like Google and leaked references to ad functionality already being built into the ChatGPT app. In December, user outrage over responses that appeared to read as undisclosed advertisements for products like Peloton exercise bikes and fitness classes, led OpenAI team members to disclose that while the chatbot may make related product "suggestions" to users, there was no monetary advertising model in place. For now.

That same month, CEO Sam Altman told employees that plans for app advertising were on hold while the company entered a "code red" and redefined its priorities for the upcoming year, which included delaying the release of a new personalized assistant model called Pulse.

But the company hasn't fully shelved its ad business goals, which could provide a more stable source of funding for the company (and a profitable use case for the store of personalized user data its compiled). According to reporting by The Information, employees have in recent weeks tested various ad layout mockups and floated disclosures for sponsored responses in ChatGPT conversations, with the goal of creating "a new type of digital ads" that wouldn't immediately turn users away and into the arms of competitors.

"As ChatGPT becomes more capable and widely used, we're looking at ways to continue offering more intelligence to everyone," an OpenAI spokesperson told the publication. "People have a trusted relationship with ChatGPT, and any approach would be designed to respect that trust."

When I was in a band, performing on stage in front of hundreds of people fundamentally changed my relationship with music. It turned it into work. Instead of getting lost in the experience of a concert, I got hung up on the mechanics of playing the music and putting on a show. I lost the excitement a little bit. 

Today, I review phones. I have reviewed every flagship phone launched in the U.S. for the past five years (and many others before that), and it's fair to say it has changed my relationship with phones, making it harder to get excited.

The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, which I got to try at CES 2026, makes me excited.

Book-style foldables have been great up until this point, don't get me wrong. There is a reason I don't walk onto a trade show floor with anything other than a foldable. It's great to be able to see more information at once as you try to navigate the streets of Las Vegas, or the floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center during CES. But previously foldables have always felt like half-tablets. They were never really big enough to give you that full tablet experience. The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is definitely big enough.

SEE ALSO: CES 2026 live updates: See the latest news, surprises, and strange tech from LG, Samsung, Lego, and new startups

This is a phone that fits in your pocket and expands into a full 10-inch display with a roughly 4:3 aspect ratio. That's large enough that it begins to feel like a computer screen, which is just remarkable. You can finally sit down with a phone, bust out a foldable keyboard such as my favored Protoarc XK01 TP Foldable Bluetooth keyboard, and just get some work done. Another key selling point of the Galaxy Z TriFold, beyond the additional screen space, is the fact that DeX can run on the device, giving you a full windowed interface. It's like walking around with a small laptop in your pocket.

How thick is the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold?

Now, let's address the elephant in the room: the phone is extremely thick, though, right? Well, that depends on how you look at it. The Z TriFold is 12.9mm thick when fully closed. That's a lot compared to the 8.9mm Z Fold 7, but still less than the 13.4mm Z Fold 5, which is just two generations old. Users managed that just fine, and there are still people walking around today with the Z Fold 5 in their pocket. So really, the Z TriFold isn't that thick.

Just like the Z Fold 7, the Z TriFold's cover screen measures 6.5 inches. It's very comfortable to use when closed, being wide enough to type on with ease, which isn't something that could be said for any Samsung Galaxy Z Fold prior to 2025. The Z TriFold also uses the same camera setup as the Z Fold 7, including a 200-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide, and 10-megapixel telephoto lens. You can read our full review of the Z Fold 7 to get a sense as to what the camera experience will be like. 

The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold runs on the same Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor featured in the Z Fold 7. Qualcomm has since announced a new generation of mobile processor in September — the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 — but few phones in the U.S. are using it today. The Z TriFold is available with 16GB of RAM along with 512 GB or 1TB of storage. We don't yet know what pricing will look like in the U.S., but it's fair to say it will be north of $2,000 and likely in the neighborhood of $2,500 or higher. Innovation comes at a price.

The Galaxy Z TriFold transforms from phone to workstation 

As far as using the Galaxy Z TriFold is concerned, there is one pain point that seems unavoidable for Samsung, even if some other manufacturers have managed it thus far. 

Other phones which fold like the Z TriFold give you choices. For example, the Huawei Mate XT allows you to use it closed, with one screen open, or with all the screens open, and the operating system dynamically adjusts with how you're using the phone. In contrast, Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold gives you two options — open and closed — and that's it. Depending on your use case, the U-shaped closure of the phone might also not be ideal. 

I'm actually okay with this design decision. I use my foldables while they're closed most of the time, and consider protecting the Z TriFold's delicate inner screen a higher priority.

Credit: Adam Doud

Personally, I see the Galaxy Z TriFold as a phone that expands into a workstation. I'm good with that. 

Others might want that square screen that a current foldable gives you, but that isn't possible here. If you try to open just one screen, nothing happens until you open both. Then, if you try to close the wrong screen first, the phone buzzes and warns you that you're closing it incorrectly. That's a good safety feature, but it also emphasizes that the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is not for the same audience as single-fold phones.

As for using the phone, like most foldables, it takes a bit of an adjustment period to get used to holding it and using it on the screen. The most startling thing about the Z TriFold is how thin and light it is when unfurled. At its thinnest when unfolded it is 3.9 millimeters thick. That is not a typo. It’s ridiculous how thin this phone is.

SEE ALSO: CES 2026: Lollipop Star is a speaker that plays music through your teeth. Yes, really.

The Galaxy Z TriFold is thick when folded, measuring the same as the Z Fold 5, however it has a very usable cover screen that's a comparable width to the X Fold 7. This is still a tad too narrow for my taste, but it’s light years better than Samsung foldables prior to the Fold 6.

As for usability, I'd need a full review period to adequately figure out how the Galaxy Z TriFold integrates into my workflow. Still, the extra screen space is amazing and I can fully buy into using this phone as a sort of mini laptop. The one bummer is that the phone case with the stand is not included in the box, though I’m pleased to report that, at least in overseas models (the only ones currently available), a charger is included. So, that’s a pleasant surprise.

Samsung DeX on the device is really solid. I did not have the opportunity to pair a mouse and keyboard to the device, which in my mind will be the real "killer app" here. But the expansive canvas that you get will make this very close to a laptop experience. What’s more, Samsung gives you the ability to have up to four desktop layouts and switch between them in the multitasking interface. You can have both a productivity layout and a gaming layout, for example.

There are some oddities that I noticed during my time with Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold. Notably, the ability to continue what you were doing from the small screen to the larger one and vice versa is missing. I asked Samsung about that and am awaiting further details— stay tuned for our full review.

Another strange quirk is that Samsung’s own news app would not resize or move into a side-by-side mode because it wouldn’t change the aspect ratio. This seems like a weird miss considering this is Samsung’s app on Samsung’s phone. Not a great look.

Even so, these were the only potential issues I identified during my brief time with the Z TriFold. I desperately want to take this phone out for a spin to find out what it’s capable of, and explore everything that a 90-minute hands on experience won’t reveal. 

Put simply, I am genuinely excited to use the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, and you should be too.

SAVE $300: As of Jan. 7, get the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold for $1,499 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,799. That's a discount of 17%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold $1,499 at Amazon
$1,799 Save $300   Get Deal

New year, new you. If that also extends to your smartphone, it might be time to go ahead and upgrade. Luckily, we've found one that's on sale for a significant discount. And if you're an Android user or plan to become one, you'll want to pounce on this deal.

As of Jan. 7, get the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold for $1,499 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,799. That's a discount of 17%.

SEE ALSO: The Google Pixel 9 is back to its lowest-ever price at Amazon — save $300 right now

This unlocked smartphone is Google's version of the folding device. It boasts the largest and brightest screen of the Pixel lineup at eight inches, and is built to utilize Google's Gemini AI features. It features a high-strength hinge that Google claims will give you up to 10 years of folding, as well as Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 that protects the screen.

It has the Google Tensor G5 processor on board, with an improved TPU and CPU, and a 24-hour battery life with support from Qi2 wireless Pixelsnap magnetic charging. And with its high-quality camera array, you can manage some seriously impressive photos.

Mashable's Alex Perry took the Pixel 10 Pro Fold for a spin and praised its "bigger battery and a stronger chip powering it" in comparison to last year's model. Perry also appreciated its "solid performance".

If it's time for a big smartphone upgrade, it might be time to go ahead and lock in this deal.

SAVE $144: The DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo is on sale at Amazon for $575, down from the list price of $719. That's a 20% discount and the best price we've seen since 2024.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo $575 at Amazon
$719 Save $144   Get Deal

For months now, it's been a struggle to get hold of a DJI drone. The brand that makes content-creator approved drones, mics, and portable power stations, has run into issues with getting product into the U.S., but it's not totally impossible. You can still find models at Amazon from trustworthy third-party sellers. That's the case today but with an added bonus of coming with a great discount.

As of Jan. 7, the DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo is on sale for $575 at Amazon, marked down from the list price of $719. That works out to a savings of $144 from a 20% discount. It's also the best price we've seen since 2024.

The DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo is a great model for both experienced drone fliers and beginners. It comes in at under 249 grams which make it safe to fly without a license in most areas, not to mention making it easy to pack along on adventures.

SEE ALSO: Gear up for winter with the DJI Power 2000 portable power station while it's $500 off

DJI added other great features to the Mini 3 like the ability to transmit video from over six miles away and wind resistance for gusts that measure up to 23 miles per hour. And all of this comes while recording in 4K.

Beginner-friendly attributes include easy one-tap take off and landing, plus a return to home function. You can also take advantage of easy edits, a map that indicates no-fly areas, and a library of beginner tutorials.

The combo includes the DJI Mini 3, three DJI Intelligent Flight batteries, a DJI RC, three spare propellers, a shoulder bag for easy transport, and plenty more. Before this sale price vanishes, get the comprehensive DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo for $575 at Amazon. You'll be on your way to capturing epic footage in no time.

SAVE $20: As of Jan. 7, the Nothing CMF Headphone Pro is down to just $79 at Amazon as a Lightning deal. That's 20% off the $99 list price and matches the best price ever for the noise-cancelling headphones.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing CMF Headphone Pro $79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20   Get Deal

If you're in the market for new noise-cancelling headphones, the Nothing CMF Headphone Pro should be on your radar — especially if you're looking to save some cash.

As of Jan. 7, the CMF Headphone Pro noise-cancelling headphones are down to only $79 at Amazon as a Lightning deal. That's 20% off the usual $99 list price and matches the best-ever price from the holiday season. Lightning deals disappear once all units have been claimed or the deal timer runs out — whichever comes first. So you'll want to add it to your cart ASAP if you want to get the discount.

While we haven't had a chance to test the CMF Headphone Pro, released just a few months ago, we truly adored the British brand's other 2025 releases — like the retro-inspired flagship headphones and the CMF Watch 3 Pro. Why would the Headphone Pro be any different? Like other products from the CMF line (Nothing's budget brand), they have top-notch specs at an absurdly low price point. The CMF Headphone Pro noise-cancelling headphones feature a mighty impressive 100-hour battery life (50 with ANC turned on), up to 40db of adaptive noise cancellation, spatial audio, custom EQ, intuitive on-ear controls, and comfy interchangeable ear cushions.

Typically, specs such as these would cost you well over $100. At only $79, the CMF Headphone Pro wireless cans are honestly a steal. They come in two shades of gray and a fun light green.

SAVE 14%: As of Jan. 7, you can get the 11-inch Apple iPad (A16, 128GB, WiFi) for $299, down from $349, at Amazon. That's a 14% discount or $50 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 11-inch Apple iPad (A16, 128GB, WiFi) $299 at Amazon
$349 Save $50   Get Deal

If you missed out on the holiday tech sales, Amazon is keeping the momentum going with a solid discount on Apple's newest entry-level tablet.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPad Air M3 review: The smallest of upgrades

As of Jan. 7, the 11-inch Apple iPad (A16 chip, 128GB, WiFi) is on sale for $299 at Amazon. That's a $50 discount off its $349 list price. While we saw it hit $274 during Black Friday, this is the best price we've tracked since the calendar turned to 2026.

Apple announced this 11th-generation model in March 2025 as a pretty substantial "freshening up" for the base iPad. It uses the A16 Bionic chip, which Apple says is roughly 30 percent faster than the A14 found in the previous generation. The most practical change, though, is the storage boost. Apple finally killed off the 64GB base model and started this one at 128GB. That alone makes it a much easier recommendation since you won't have to spend your life deleting old photos just to download a movie for a flight.

You'll also get an 11-inch Liquid Retina display and a 12MP front camera that's already positioned on the landscape edge. It still uses Touch ID on the top button and charges via USB-C, so it’ll work with the cables you probably already have lying around.

SAVE 36%: As of Jan. 7, you can get the Star Wars: Unlimited TCG Spark of Rebellion Booster Display (24 Booster Packs) for $76.10, down from $119.76. That's a 36% discount, or $43.66 in savings.

Star Wars: Unlimited TCG Spark of Rebellion Booster Display (24 Booster Packs) $76.10 at Amazon
$119.76 Save $43.66   Get Deal at Amazon

If you’re still trying to fill the holes in your first-edition collection or just want to feel the rush from cracking open a fresh pack, this is your chance to grab a box without paying the usual "out of print" tax.

As of Jan. 7, the Star Wars: Unlimited TCG Spark of Rebellion Booster Display (24 Packs) is on sale for $76.10 at Amazon. That's a 36% discount off the $119.76 list price. For context, the current market value for this display is $80.97, so you're snagging it for about $5 under the going rate.

SEE ALSO: Star Wars goes quiet. How long will the Dark Times last?

Each of the 24 booster packs comes with 16 cards, including a guaranteed foil and a leader card. If the Force is actually on your side, you might even pull a Showcase variant — some of which, like the Leia Organa or Emperor Palpatine cards, have been known to trade for hundreds of dollars.

Since this is the first set in the Unlimited series, supply has been notoriously spotty since it launched. Finding a sealed display box for under $80 is a solid win, especially since prices have been known to creep back up toward the $100 mark whenever stock gets thin.

SAVE $500: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $799, down from the list price of $1,299. That's a 38% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 2000 portable power station $799 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $500   Get Deal

The world of content creation is pretty great. From our couch, we can now join people on a cruise that goes around the world, step into a grocery store in Sweden, or watch incredible drone footage of winter skiing. If you happen to be one of these content creators, you know the struggle of keeping everything powered up, but there's a simple solution in a portable power station. If you're looking for a model that's great for creators, check out this Amazon deal.

As of Jan. 7, the DJI Power 2000 portable power station is on sale for $799 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $1,299. That's a 38% discount that takes $500 off the usual price.

If you're a fan of DJI drones, you'll love the two SDC ports on the Power 2000. In addition, it comes with four AC ports, four USB-A, and four USB-C options (140W max) for recharging everything you'll need to create content. In total, the DJI Power 2000 offers up 2,048Wh of battery life with long-lasting LiFePO4 battery cells.

SEE ALSO: Get ready for the big chill with the Bluetti Pioneer Na(Sodium) portable power station while it's $500 off

DJI mentions this is also a great model for using at home during power outages. You'll be able to recharge a phone, tablet, and a 2100W oven all at the same time with the DJI Power 2000. Other scenarios include keeping the WiFi router on for over 150 hours, or the refrigerator cooling for 40 hours.

Another major benefit of the DJI Power 2000 is its expansion ability. The station can connect with up to 10 DJI expansion batteries, which would offer a grand total of 22,528Wh. In real-life terms, DJI says that can power a whole house for four to six days.

Before you head off on the next content creation project, upgrade to the DJI Power 2000 to ensure your tech can stay charged up. Today's sale price at Amazon means you can save $500 on the station that will also be great at home during power outages.

How does your music taste? Or, perhaps, how does your lollipop sound?

These have just become legit questions as one company just launched a lollipop at CES 2026 that doubles as a loudspeaker.

SEE ALSO: CES 2026 live updates: See the latest news, surprises, and strange tech from LG, Samsung, Lego, and new startups

Called the Lollipop Star and created by Indian company Lava Brand, this unusual combo isn't the type of speaker you buy once and use for years. Instead, they're affordable, quick, sweet bites that play a tune while you eat them.

At nine bucks a piece, these are going to be hard to say no to. Credit: Lava Brand

The company said it's teamed up with global pop icons for the music, and that each Lollipop Star, priced at $8.99, will carry its own beat, flavor and vibe. Examples include a peach-flavored lollipop that plays music from Ice Spice, or a blueberry-flavored one that plays Akon.

So how does it work? Lollipop Star uses bone conduction tech to deliver the sound, with the electronics hidden in the stick. As you bite down on the lollipop, vibrations travel from your jaw to your inner ear. You probably shouldn't expect too much in terms of sound quality, but at nine bucks a piece, it won't break the bank, either. It's the type of product that makes it near impossible to say no to once your kids first encounter it.

Featured Video For You Motorola is entering the wearable AI game

Lollipop Star isn't available yet, but it should launch after CES. If you're interested, you can head on to the company's website and join the waitlist to get updates about the product.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Tarkir Dragonstorm Play Booster Box is on sale for $98.68 at Amazon. That's below market value compared to TCGplayer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Store Magic: The Gathering Tarkir Dragonstorm Play Booster Box $98.68 at Amazon
$164.70 Save $66.02   Get Deal

We're usually content with finding trading cards at close to market value on Amazon, so we're extremely pleased to see something considerably below what the market is willing to pay. It doesn't happen regularly, so we feel the need to make some noise about the fact that the Magic: The Gathering Tarkir Dragonstorm Play Booster Box is under $100 at Amazon.

As of Jan. 7, the Magic: The Gathering Tarkir Dragonstorm Play Booster Box is on sale for $98.68 at Amazon. That's over $60 off and close to the lowest-ever price at the retailer. It's also lower than the market value we're seeing over on TCGplayer, which is really something. Amazon doesn't usually compete with the market, so collectors should take note.

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The Magic: The Gathering Tarkir Dragonstorm Play Booster Box includes 30 play boosters that each contain 14 cards plus a single Token or Art card. Of the 14 cards in each play booster, one will be a shining Traditional Foil card, 1-4 will be "Rare" or better, and you could even pull a Special Guest Mythic Rare. That's not likely, but you could get lucky.

Pick up the Magic: The Gathering Tarkir Dragonstorm Play Booster Box for below market value at Amazon.

SAVE $10: As of Jan. 7, the Lego Botanicals Orchid (10311) is marked down to $39.98 at Amazon. This is $10.01 off its list price of $49.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Orchid (10311) $39.98 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $10.01   Get Deal

The Lego Botanicals collection features a variety of beautiful brick-built floral arrangements that are perfect for grabbing if you want a little extra color in your home. What's even better is some sets, like the Lego Botanicals Orchid (10311), are on sale at the moment.

As of Jan. 7, the Lego Botanicals Orchid is on sale for $39.98 at Amazon, which is just over $10 off its usual list price of $49.99. It's one of our favorite Lego sets — thanks to its "gorgeous" design and the fact that it's "unkillable" — so why not scoop it up now while the deal is still available?

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The Lego Botanicals Orchid is recommended for adults and comes with 608 pieces to create this lovely display piece. It features five leaves at the base, two wandering air roots alongside the blooms, and a blue vase to keep them all in, which can all be customized and rotated so you can find your preferred style for display.

If you're hoping to bring some flower arrangements into your home without having to worry about watering them, this Lego Botanicals Orchid is worth a look, especially while it's discounted. It's not the only Lego Botanicals set on sale right now, either. If you want more, the Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet is also on sale right now.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $88.30 at Amazon. That's over $10 off and close to market value.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box $88.30 at Amazon
$106.89 Save $18.59   Get Deal

The trading card market is, frankly, all over the place. We're desperately trying to keep pace with market fluctuations, but it's hard, OK? Prices climb and fall seemingly without warning, and big box retailers often offer inflated prices disguised as deals.

With all of that in mind, when we find something on Amazon that's actually close to market value, we're pretty pleased. And that's exactly what we've got with the Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box. This popular set is on sale for $88.30 at Amazon. That's over $10 off and close to market value compared to listings on TCGplayer.

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The Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box includes nine booster packs, one full-art foil promo card featuring Charcadet, and 65 card sleeves. This collection also comes with 40 Pokémon TCG Energy cards, a player’s guide to the expansion, six damage-counter dice, one competition-legal coin-flip die, one plastic coin, and a collector’s box with six dividers to keep everything organized.

Get the Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box for close to market value at Amazon.

Roblox, the global youth gaming platform currently under fire for widespread child safety concerns, is rolling out mandatory age checks for all users who want to chat on the platform.

Roblox's site-wide age estimation feature was announced in November, utilizing AI age estimation tech provided by third-party vendor Persona that relies on on-device cameras. The system then assigns users to one of six categories: Under 9, 9–12, 13–15, 16–17, 18–20, and 21+. The tech was initially launched as part of a verified chat tool for users 13-17 years old.

Starting today (Jan. 7), that process will be required for all users in areas where chat functions are available.

SEE ALSO: What would ethical age verification look like online?

"As the first large online gaming platform to require facial age checks for users of all ages to access chat, this implementation is our next step toward what we believe will be the gold standard for communication safety," wrote Matt Kaufman, Roblox Chief Safety Officer, and Rajiv Bhatia, head of user and discovery product, in a blog post.

According to the platform, millions have already completed voluntary age checks since the feature launched. In regions where age checks were already required — Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands — Roblox says more than 50 percent of all users have opted in to age-verified chat.

Roblox says it plans to expand mandatory age estimation to real-time collaboration features in Roblox Studio, and will be updating its Roblox community policies.

Credit: Roblox

The site, which saw 151 million daily users in 2025, is home to nearly half of the entire U.S. population under 16 years old.

Roblox has been systematically overhauling its chat features and bulking up its parental control tools in response to safety concerns, including activity monitoring, expanded blocking options, and chat moderation.

Still, many are skeptical that Roblox's expanded age checks and other safety features will effectively tamp down the proliferation of child exploitation and predators on the platform. Some contend that the technology has too much room for error — developers Persona and Roblox executives say age estimation is accurate within a margin of two years, and works better for younger users.

In addition to multiple lawsuits filed by state attorneys general, Roblox is facing nearly 80 lawsuits by victims and parents that allege the platform did not do enough to prevent child sexual exploitation or warn users of risks. Several of the cases also name Meta, Discord, and Snapchat, sites where victims were directed to continue inappropriate conversations started on Roblox. The cases are set to be centralized before a single district judge in a San Francisco. Roblox has disputed the claims.

SAVE $50: As of Jan. 7, the Soundcore Space Q45 headphones have dropped to $99.99 at Amazon. This is $50 off their list price of $149.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Space Q45 Headphones $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal

If new headphones are on your shopping list for 2026, Amazon has some exciting deals to check out. At the moment, our favorite well-rounded budget headphones, the Soundcore Space Q45 headphones, have dipped below $100 at the retailer, but only for a limited time.

Amazon has dropped the price of the Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 headphones down to $99.99, making for $50 in savings from their list price of $149.99. Considering they're listed as a limited-time deal, it's better to act fast to pick them up at this low price.

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The Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 headphones have quite a lot to offer for under $100. They boast adaptive noise cancelling to help you block out any noises around you while you listen, up to 50 hours of playtime in noise cancelling mode (which is a massive bonus for those wanting headphones for long travel periods), and great sound quality.

When it comes to the latter, our roundup of the best budget headphones — which highlights these as the most well-rounded budget headphones — says "Bass dominates the soundstage in a positive way. Headbangers will salivate over the Space Q45’s boomy and energetic low-end presence. Customized settings (e.g., EQ, music presets) make room for crisp highs and rich mids."

If you're looking for a sleek sound upgrade for the new year, look no further than this deal on the Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 headphones. If you're curious what other options are worth grabbing this year, have a look at our overall roundup of the best headphones to see some of our top picks.