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TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) and Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon) are available to preorder now on Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokemon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) $694.88 at AmazonIf you thought Pokémon TCG collectors were already losing their minds over 30th Celebration Booster Bundles and Elite Trainer Boxes, Amazon just opened preorders for the crown jewel of the anniversary expansion: the 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collections.
Both high-end boxes are currently available for preorder at Amazon for under $700 ahead of their official Nov. 6 release date.
As the ultimate flagship products for the 30th Celebration set, both Ultra-Premium Collections come packed with 29 30th Celebration booster packs, one Classic Collection booster pack, custom metal coins, deck boxes, card sleeves, and damage-counter dice. Of course, the real driver behind the hype comes from the exclusive promo cards:
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon): Includes the exclusive Espeon ex promo card with a Daytime Pikachu ex promo card and an Espeon playmat.
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon): Includes the exclusive Umbreon ex promo card with a Futuristic-rarity Pikachu ex promo card and an Umbreon playmat.
The big question when buying trading cards on Amazon is whether or not you're actually getting value for money. Amazon is a reliable pick for finding readily available stock, but you often pay above market price.
TCGplayer's market price for the Day Box is currently $561.50, so there's a decent markup from Amazon here. The market price for the Night Box is $617.40, so the convenience of Amazon actually makes sense in this case.
TikTok has backtracked on suspending the Musk documentary's advertising account just two days after implementing the suspension.
The account received a suspension on Friday for its ads promoting the documentary, which is critical of the world's richest man and which Musk himself has referred to as a "hit piece" — although Mashable's Matt Binder described it as "brutal and accurate" in his review.
TikTok lifted the suspension on Sunday, informing the documentary's studio, Bleecker Street, and citing an "error," per The Hollywood Reporter.
SEE ALSO: 'Musk' review: Alex Gibney's near 4-hour doc is a scathing look at Elon MuskThis isn't the first promotional issue the four-hour documentary has faced. Last month, it was reported that YouTube and Meta were refusing to run ads for the trailer, before both companies reversed their decisions following a wave of social media backlash (YouTube claimed ads for Musk were "temporarily restricted," while Meta described its decision as an "error").
Alex Gibney's documentary tracks the Tesla and SpaceX founder's rise to power, featuring interviews with his father, former partners, and Tesla founder Martin Eberhard. It opened last weekend before expanding its run this weekend, grossing a little over $300,000 per The Wrap.
Mashable has reached out to TikTok for comment.
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SAVE OVER $90: As of Oct. 19, Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones are on sale for $206.61 at Amazon. That's $93.38 off their full price of $299.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sennheiser Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones $206.61 at AmazonWith the holidays right around the corner, it can be a busy travel period for some. That's where a solid pair of headphones comes in handy for keeping busy with music, podcasts, and more while you're on a flight or a long road trip.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s are among our favorite headphones for travelers for their battery life, and this is a great time to grab them, as Amazon's got the sleek white pair on sale right now.
As of Oct. 19, these white headphones have dropped from $299.99 to $206.61, saving you $93.38 overall. Unfortunately, only the white pair are down to this price right now, but if they're the ones that caught your eye, you're in luck. Your purchase even comes with a bonus 90-day free trial of an Amazon Music Unlimited Individual Plan, which is perfect for testing during long holiday travel periods.
SEE ALSO: Razer just dropped new Pokémon gaming headsets featuring Sylveon, Charizard, and Lucario — where to buyThe Sennheiser Momentum 4 will last a long flight, and then some, as they boast up to 60 hours of battery life. Mashable's Bethany Allard also adds in our roundup of the best noise-canceling headphones for flying that they "feel more thoughtfully designed for travel, with ear cups that have a slightly flatter profile than you'll find on the Sony XM5s, and an included airplane audio adapter in the case."
Allard also notes that while their "ANC doesn't quite match up to Sony's [...] on a plane, we doubt you'll notice a drastic difference, especially if you're listening to audio." And speaking of listening, they offer "incredibly balanced sound quality," so music, audiobooks, podcasts, and more will sound crisp and clear.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones are currently tagged with "limited-time deal," so be quick to save at Amazon.
If your morning routine revolves around seasonal espresso shots and viral coffee tumblers, mark your calendar: Starbucks’ 2026 holiday menu officially launches on Nov. 5, bringing back fan favorites and fresh treats.
That's exciting news, but it's not the main draw for seasoned coffee lovers and cup collectors. The Peppermint Mocha is great and all, but it's not Red Cup Day. This is arguably the biggest day on the coffee lovers' calendar. Starbucks hands out a free, limited-edition red reusable cup with every qualifying handcrafted holiday beverage order on this special day. And you guessed it: fans and collectors go wild.
Starbucks has officially confirmed the date for the holiday menu launch (Nov. 5), but we're still waiting for an announcement on the exact date for Red Cup Day 2026. That's not to say that there aren't rumors.
Based on historical release patterns — which consistently land on the Thursday of the week following the menu rollout — industry insiders and deal trackers are predicting Red Cup Day 2026 to fall on Nov. 12. We're not making any promises, but that's the word on the grapevine.
How to score a free reusable cupGetting your hands on the free collectible cup is pretty straightforward, but we should note that supplies run out notoriously fast.
To get your free cup, buy any handcrafted holiday or seasonal beverage (hot, iced, or blended) in any size. The promo applies across in-cafe purchases, drive-thru orders, mobile orders on the Starbucks app, and delivery via Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub. Once you have your reusable red cup, bringing it back on future visits saves you $0.10 per drink.
Just be prepared for heavy app delays and long drive-thru lines on launch morning — mobile ordering at least 20 minutes ahead is non-negotiable if you want to dodge the rush.
Trump (James Austin Johnson) crashes a meeting between Prime Minister Andy Burnham (George Fouracres) and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Freddie Meredith) in the SNL UK cold open above, and he makes a request to swap jobs.
"I take over the the UK, you take America," says Trump/Johnson. "I tell you that place is a real mess, you're gonna hate it. It's an awful, awful job. It's a terrible place full of disgusting people. I don't know what the hell happened."
After Burnham refuses, Trump turns his attention to Zelenskyy — but the answer is still no. "Trust me, you don't want my job, it's awful," says Zelenskyy/Meredith. "So much of it involves spending time with you."
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Starbucks is teaming up with Disney for a 20-piece Starbucks x Winnie the Pooh collection celebrating 100 years of the Hundred Acre Wood. The limited-edition lineup drops on Oct. 20, delivering honey-drip cold cups, ceramic beehive mugs, and plush Bearista keychains.
It's an incredibly cute collection that is bound to cause a stir, but there's a catch. We hate to break it to you like this, but the collection is exclusive to the Asia-Pacific region.
Credit: Starbucks / Disney What’s in the Starbucks x Winnie the Pooh collection?The 20-piece range mixes aesthetic drinkware with lifestyle accessories:
Hunny Pot Tumblers and Cold Cups: Cold cups with honey-drip lids, golden-yellow straw toppers, and Pooh illustrations.
Ceramic Beehive Mug: A textured, beehive-shaped ceramic mug featuring Pooh stuck in a honey pot entry.
Bearista Costume Keychains and Phone Straps: Collectible Starbucks Bearistas dressed in plush costumes of Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger.
Packable Tote Bag: A reusable Hundred Acre Wood tote that folds into its own matching pouch.
We want everything, but here's where it gets complicated.
How to buy this collection?If you live in North America or Europe, you won't find these on local Starbucks shelves.
On launch day (Oct. 20), the collection will be available at participating Starbucks coffeehouses in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Unfortunately for collectors elsewhere, the secondary market is going to be your best bet.
Exporters will begin listing inventory from Oct. 20, but you should expect a significant markup over retail prices on high-demand pieces like the ceramic beehive mug and plush Bearista straps. Head over to eBay and good luck.
If you desperately want official Disney x Starbucks drinkware without paying reseller markups, the Disney Store regularly stocks collaboration tumblers that ship directly to U.S. and UK addresses. In fact, we've spotted a cute Winnie the Pooh tumbler going for $27.99.
TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Darkhold Destiny Arcanum Bundle is available to preorder for $99.99 at Amazon. That's over $100 below TCGplayer's current $200 market price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Magic:: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Marvel Darkhold Destiny Arcanum Bundle $99.99 at AmazonDarkhold Destiny’s release date is still some time away, but we’re already seeing some major preorder price drops.
As of Oct. 19, the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Darkhold Destiny Arcanum Bundle is available to preorder for just $99.99 at Amazon. That's $100.01 cheaper than TCGplayer's $200 market price, where the cheapest unopened listing is also $200 with shipping included.
Admittedly, this market price almost definitely won’t hold for long, as there are currently only two sellers with just three recorded sellers — meaning it should taper off once more listings enter the market.
That said, the Amazon listing is not through a third party, which means this is very likely the best price we’ll get for the foreseeable future. While Amazon’s standard preorder price guarantee is included, bear in mind that any sales will be final, with no option for returns.
SEE ALSO: Magic: The Gathering's Marvel Super Heroes Draft Night box is under market price — save $30 at AmazonThe Arcanum Bundle comes with eight Darkhold Destiny Booster Packs, one Collector Booster, and three Traditional Foil Mythic Rare promo cards. One of these is a mechanically unique card exclusive to this box. The other two feature special alternate artwork, selected from six possible cards.
There's also a collection of 30 Basic Lands, including 10 full-art versions, split evenly between foil and non-foil cards — with an oversized Spindown life counter and a matching storage box completing the package. What’s more, the included Collector Booster will grant you some added premium card treatments and a chance of finding an ultra-rare Headliner card, although the odds are less than 1%.
The Darkhold Destiny expansion comes out on April 9, 2027, and will bring a more supernatural story to Magic’s Marvel mythos, with heroes like Doctor Strange and Thor going up against Dormammu and Hela.
TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection is on sale for $50.98 at Amazon, down from its $64.98 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection $50.98 at AmazonThe 30th Celebration expansion has been out in the Pokémon trading card market for a while now, but there’s still plenty of discounts worth grabbing as retailers race each other to drop record-low prices.
As of Oct. 19, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection is available for just $50.98 at Amazon, saving you $14 on its $64.98 list price. This 22% discount comes from third-party seller Gem City Supplies, with free delivery estimated between Oct. 23-29. If you want yours as quickly as possible, you can spend $53.98 on BetterShopping4You's listing to get free delivery by Oct. 23 at the time of writing.
The $50.98 price is officially the lowest price Amazon listings have ever offered (confirmed by the price tracker camelcamelcamel).
SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box is close to market price at Amazon — buy for under $140TCGplayer is the cheapest of all, offering a complete, unopened Poster Collection for $38.99, including shipping. That puts it only $2.21 above its estimated $36.78 market price.
The collection gives you three 30th Celebration booster packs, along with foil promo trading cards featuring the legendary Kanto birds Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. There's also a double-sided poster measuring almost 27 by 39 inches, featuring artwork from over 160 Pokémon cards.
Each booster contains five foil Pokémon cards (including a guaranteed rare Pikachu card), a foil Basic Energy card, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.
TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle is on sale for $44.79 at Amazon, down from its $59.99 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle $44.99 at AmazonDespite all the buzz around the 30th Celebration and Delta Reign preorders, there are still deals on other Pokémon TCG expansions to be had. One of the very best right now is for Chaos Rising’s Booster Bundle.
As of Oct. 19, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle is available for $44.79 at Amazon, shaving $15.20 off its $59.99 list price for a 25% discount. This particular listing comes from third-party seller Core TCG, with an additional 20-cent delivery charge bringing the total to $44.99. There are a couple of other third-party listings going for the same price, but Core TCG’s is the best — as it estimates the fastest delivery time (Oct. 26 at the time of writing).
SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Booster Bundle is now on sale at Walmart — save $15With this price drop, you’ll pay roughly $7.50 each for the Booster Bundle’s six included booster packs, saving you 47 cents per pack (currently $7.97 each on Amazon).
Each of these six packs comes with 10 trading cards and one Basic Energy. The expansion’s biggest chase cards (available to buy individually on TCGplayer) include the SIR Mega Greninja ex worth $121, the MHR Mega Greninja ex worth $119, and the SIR Cinccino ex worth $41.
SAVE OVER $20: As of Oct. 19, select colors of the Ninja Crispi glass air fryer are on sale for $152.95 at Amazon. That's $27.04 off their list price of $179.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer $152.95 at AmazonWhen it comes to kitchen appliances, we're big fans of Ninja. The Ninja Crispi is our favorite air fryer from the brand, earning a spot on our list of the best Ninja appliances for delivering "food that's crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside." If it's been on your radar, there's no need to wait for Black Friday. Amazon already has select colors marked down by 15%.
As of Oct. 19, both the navy and sage colors are discounted, dropping from $179.99 to $152.95. If you don't mind spending a tiny bit extra, the stone color variant is also on sale for a few cents more at $152.99. Keep in mind they all have a "limited time deal" tag right now, so the clock is ticking to grab them at this price.
SEE ALSO: The 65+ absolute best stocking stuffers for 2026For those days when you want a quick and easy meal, the Ninja Crispi offers four modes — Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Recrisp — to help you out. Mashable's Samantha Mangino wrote in our roundup of the best Ninja appliances that it's also "made for meal preppers" as its design "allows you to meal prep and store food directly into glass baskets."
And since it uses glass containers for cooking, it doesn't have any PFAS, PTFE, or nonstick chemical coatings to worry about. Plus, the glass containers, crisper plates, adapter, and lids are dishwasher-safe, so cleanup afterward is quick and easy.
This deal may not be live for long, so now is the time to grab the Ninja Crispi while it's still on sale at Amazon.
TL;DR: Cadence launched The Pump ($30), a magnetic travel attachment for its refillable Capsules. Six years in the making, it features a flexible tube that fits Medium and Large sizes, an angled nozzle, and a lock-tight cap that prevents spills in your bag.
Opens in a new window Credit: Cadence Cadence The Pump $30 at CadenceRefilling travel bottles with your favorite skincare or haircare products usually ends one of two ways: either you are stuck digging thick lotion out of a jar with your fingers, or a cheap squeeze bottle bursts inside your luggage. Design brand Cadence is smoothing out that middle ground with its newest release: The Pump.
View this post on InstagramDesigned to attach directly to Cadence’s signature refillable Capsules, the $30 accessory gives you a mess-free way to dispense liquids like sunscreen, lotions, shampoos, and body oils while on the go. Instead of sticking a basic off-the-shelf plastic straw onto a jar, Cadence spent six years testing 1,023 different iterations to get the mechanics right.
The main innovation is a flexible, coiled dip tube. The tube stretches and compresses automatically inside the container, so a single pump head works seamlessly whether you screw it onto a Medium Capsule or a Large Capsule.
Credit: CadenceOperating it is simple: pull off the magnetic cap, give the fluted collar a quick half-turn to raise the pump head, and press. When you are done, twist the collar back down and drop the cap back on.
Seven heavy-duty neodymium magnets lock the cap in place, physically blocking the pump head from rising while packed away. That means no accidental squirts ruining the inside of your bag during transit. Cadence also angled the dispensing nozzle upward, directing product outward so liquids do not collect around the collar and make a mess.
Pricing and where to buyMade from the same durable polypropylene as the original Capsules, The Pump comes in a sand colorway and works with Cadence’s interchangeable, magnetic Label Tiles so you always know what is inside.
As for what you'll pay:
You can also pair it with Cadence's Parcel organizers, which now feature customizable straps with embroidered icons for a completely personalized setup.
Your carry-on will thank you. Grab The Pump from Cadence for $30.
TL;DR: Netflix’s animated movie KPop Demon Hunters is officially joining Toca Boca World on Oct. 27 — bringing exclusive HUNTR/X and Saja Boys stage outfits, characters, and an in-game music player packed with hit tracks like "Golden."
Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters is officially bringing its style, characters, and music to Toca Boca World.
The movie has grown into a massive global phenomenon since its release in June 2025. It stands as Netflix's most popular film of all time, with over 670 million views, and spent 63 consecutive weeks in Netflix's Global Top 10. Starting Oct. 27, the app's nearly 60 million active players will get access to exclusive in-game content inspired by HUNTR/X, the Saja Boys, and other fan-favorite characters from the film.
Outfits and musicThe collaboration blends everyday streetwear with high-energy K-pop stage looks, allowing players to mix and match fashion items to design their own outfits and characters. The update also adds a limited-time in-game music player featuring four chart-topping tracks directly from the movie's soundtrack:
"Golden"
"How It’s Done"
"Soda Pop"
"Your Idol"
Players can run the music player in the background to soundtrack their own stories and custom scenes inside Toca Boca World.
The partnership builds on Toca Boca’s recent pop-culture crossovers — which previously included collaborations with adidas, Conan Gray, KATSEYE, Wicked: For Good, and in-game music from artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Sienna Spiro, and TWICE. According to Spin Master, Toca Boca World players were already recreating scenes and outfits from the film before the official crossover was announced.
Mark your calendar, get your playlist ready, and prepare to give your avatar the ultimate K-pop star makeover when the event goes live.
To help you find the best pair of headphones possible, our experts test headphones year-round, from popular models to new releases to budget picks (you can learn more about our detailed testing standards below). The result of that vetting is this guide, which we keep updated regularly to give you the most accurate and current purchasing information possible.
How to choose the best headphonesWe won't beat around the bush: There's no definitive "best" product here. Sure, elite audio brands put out high-quality products across the board, but even within each of those brands, you'll find different tiers of products. Some will deliver better value, and some will deliver better hardware and active noise cancellation.
All this to say, the best pair of earbuds or headphones largely comes down to personal preference and how you plan to use them. Some listeners swear by over-ear headphones, while others prefer the minimalism of earbuds — one is not necessarily better than the other. Athletes who like to use headphones at the gym will appreciate waterproof materials and the best open earbuds, while frequent fliers will prefer devices with long battery life, comfort, and portability. Finally, music lovers and audiophiles will want to invest in premium features like a custom equalizer, spatial audio, or best-in-class active noise cancellation.
To help you pick your pair, we tested all of the headphones in this guide (and a lot that didn't make the cut). Here, you'll find the top headphones of 2026 for noise cancellation, music, price, and wired connections.
What about wired headphones?We focused primarily on the best wireless headphones for this guide. While wired headphones have their fans, wireless headphones are just more convenient for most of us, though some of us are also fans of Apple's EarPods. With the release of the new noise-cancelling wired earbuds from Bose, we will be keeping our testing pool open to more wired models and will update this guide accordingly, should any earn a spot.
Other headphones we've testedMost recently, we tested the Marshall Monitor III, JBL Tour One M3 headphones, and the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC, and though they had their merits, they fell short of winning the best of the best spot on this guide.
We've also tested the Sonos Ace headphones and Dyson OnTrac headphones. And while we loved them both for sound quality and noise cancellation, they fare in the way of AirPods Max — left out of our recommendations for their high price points.
Recent updates to this guideAugust 2026: Following the release of the second generation Bose QuietComfort headphones, we've added them to our list as the best budget pick from Bose for headphones.
March 2025: We've designated the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds as the most comfortable ANC earbuds and crowned the Sony XM6 earbuds as the new best noise-cancelling earbuds.
December 2025: We replaced the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds, which are no longer available, with the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 sports earbuds.
December 2025: We removed the Marshall Mode wired earbuds, as they're frequently out of stock.
December 2025: We added the Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Canceling Headphones as the best headphones under $100.
December 2025: We added the Sony XM5 headphones, originally released in 2022, as our new honorable mention pick.
August 2026: We replaced the Sennheiser Momentum 4 with the Nothing Headphone (a) as our best battery life pick.
A few major headphone releases happened in September: Sony's mid-range WH-10000XM4C headphones, Sony's budget WH-CH730N headphones, and the Beats 360, the first pair of over-ear headphones from the brand in three years. From Bose, we've also recently seen new wired noise-cancelling earbuds, as well as two new pairs of open earbuds. We'll be comparing them against our current picks to see if they have a spot among our favorites.
So, what is the best e-reader for 2026? I'm regularly testing new e-readers (and tablets) and cycling through different models to stay up to date on the best options available. If you're gearing up to read more books this year, I can recommend a model you'll love.
Note: Amazon just dropped a new collection of Kindles. We're testing out these e-readers as they're released. We've now included the 2026 Kindle in this guide.
Featured Video For You Latest e-reader newsOn Oct. 1, Amazon dropped a redesigned collection of Kindles. We have yet to test Amazon's new e-readers, but will update this guide when we've thoroughly vetted the 2026 devices. You can purchase 6-inch Kindles now, and 7-inch Kindles will be available Oct. 28.
As of September 2026, we've added the Boox Go 6 to this guide, naming it the best Kindle alternative. We also named the Kindle Paperwhite the best e-reader for the beach (in addition to being the best overall) and named the Durobo Krono the best e-reader for audiobooks.
In August 2026, Amazon increased the price of Kindles. Now the basic Kindle costs $149.99 ($40 increase) and the Kindle Paperwhite costs $199.99 ($40 increase).
In July 2026, Boox announced it was releasing a pocket-sized e-reader, the Picco. After IFA 2026, rumors floated that the Boox Picco would be released in November 2026.
Also in July 2026, Xteink dropped the X4 Pro, a new tiny e-reader with a touchscreen.
As of April 2026, we have included the Durobo Krono and the Xetink X4 e-reader in this guide.
In May 2026, Amazon ceased support for e-readers released in 2012 or earlier, which includes the first generation of Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite.
Also in May 2026, Kobo announced its integration with Storygraph, which syncs your on-device reading progress with the Storygraph app.
When picking an e-reader, price is always a consideration. However, almost all e-readers fall into the same price range. Kindle and Kobo e-readers both start around $149.99/$159.99, while the tiny Boox Picco is just $109.99. If you want handwriting capabilities, Kobo and Boox make the most affordable options, as Kindle's Scribes start at $500.
Other e-readers we've tested From left to right: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook GlowLight 4 Plus, Kindle Scribe Credit: Samantha Mangino / MashableRemarkable PaperPro: Whenever you search for e-readers, Remarkable's tablets will always pop up in the search results, but unfortunately, it's hard to obtain ePUB files on the Remarkable. With Remarkable, you can access files within Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. If you have any locked ePUB files — like from Libby — you won't be able to access them on a Remarkable tablet. So, after testing the Remarkable tablet myself, it proved to be a better document reader or digital journal than an e-reader.
Onyx Boox Go 7: While we love the Boox Go 6, we didn't love the Go 7. It's the same size as the Kobo Libra or Amazon Kindle, but it really lags on processing speed. Reading ePUB files from Libby required downloading the Adobe Digital Editions app onto the Boox Go 7, and there was significant lag when opening and closing the app. While it was an easier process than getting library books on a Nook, it was still a major pain compared to Kindle or Kobo's integrations. The Boox Go 7 lagged and took ages to load files. I was most looking forward to testing this Boox because of its page-turning buttons, but unfortunately, I found that they didn't work on my device.
Boox Palma 2: I loved reading on the Boox Palma. It's a really solid palm-sized e-reader with an open Android system, so you can download any reading app from the Google Play store, including Libby, Kindle, and Kobo. Unfortunately, the Palma 2 is being discontinued, and its availability is dwindling, which is why it's not included in this list.
If you're familiar with the Kindle lineup, it may come as a surprise that the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition isn't on this list. Don't get me wrong, it's great, but I think there are better options. The Signature Edition is an upgraded version of the Paperwhite, and we've compared the devices head-to-head. The short version? The Paperwhite is a better value, even with the SE's added features like auto-adjusting brightness and 32GB of storage. Plus, after recent price increases, the Paperwhite SE now costs $249.99. If you are prepared to spend that much on an e-reader, I say skip the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and go for the Kobo Libra Colour.
Where's the Nook on this list?In terms of big-name e-readers, you might notice one omission from this list: the Barnes & Noble Nook. I have tested this e-reader, and it was previously featured on this list. However, after testing more devices, it no longer makes the cut. In comparison to any of the Kindles or the Kobo Libra, the Nook has sloth-like performance, making it frustrating to use.
Plus, getting my library books onto the Nook was a nightmare, as it was a multi-step process that required downloading to a computer before uploading to a Nook. Its only redeeming quality was the buttons on either side of the device, which made page turning a breeze. However, unless you are a loyal buyer of Barnes & Noble books, I recommend steering clear of the Nook.
Where to get e-reader books for freeOnce you get an e-reader, it's time to fill it up with books, and that doesn't necessarily mean spending money. In fact, you can load up your e-reader without spending a dime; you just need to be a bit resourceful.
The best way to read nearly any book — a classic or hot new release — is with Libby. I have read hundreds of free books with the Libby app — I wouldn't have been able to test for this guide without it. It connects with your library card, allowing you to borrow from your local library's digital collection. Plus, both Kobo and Kindle have exceptional Libby integrations.
Another way to build your library is through Stuff Your Kindle Day events. These are 24-hour opportunities led by authors that make books discounted or free.
If you're a fan of the classics or looking to discover a treasure lost to time, an online resource like Project Gutenberg has more than 75,000 books in the public domain that you can download and read on an e-reader.
Pro-Russian accounts targeting Ukrainians on Facebook and Telegram sharply declined after Ukrainian drone strikes on Yandex data centers, according to a new report from a Ukrainian government agency. It’s the most direct evidence so far behind a claim that went viral last week, but it falls well short of proving it.
The report comes from Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), which operates under the country’s National Security and Defense Council. It was published Oct. 15, and United24 Media covered it on Oct. 17. The CCD used software from the Ukrainian security firm Osavul to track accounts it flagged as showing "signs of inauthentic behavior." According to Osavul's website, the firm "builds AI-powered risk intelligence for hybrid threats."
SEE ALSO: Did Ukraine’s strikes on data centers really silence Russian bots?According to United24, the CCD analyzed 22,664 messages from 5,201 accounts posted between Oct. 6 and 12, across 26 topics in Ukraine’s information space. The report found two sharp drops in activity, each following a strike that fully shut down a Yandex facility. On Oct. 8, the day a fire took Yandex’s data center in Sasovo, in Russia’s Ryazan region, offline, messages fell 83.6 percent, from 4,032 to 660.
Ukraine's first data center strike saw a 84% decline in Russian-linked accounts on FB and Telegram. Credit: Center for Countering Disinformation / Mashable screenshotThe number of active accounts fell by a similar share. Activity rebounded past pre-strike levels by Oct. 10, but on Oct. 12, a day after a strike fully halted operations at a Yandex data center in Vladimir, messages fell by 42.6 percent and active accounts dropped by 41 percent.
A smaller group of 98 accounts that posted pro-war propaganda, conspiracy theories, or calls for violence followed the same pattern. The CCD concluded that strikes on data centers can significantly disrupt Russian influence networks, but the effect appears to be short-lived.
Mashable was unable to verify the CCD’s findings independently. Before publication, we emailed Osavul to request the underlying dataset, the criteria it uses to flag inauthentic behavior, and any information about where the accounts were hosted. Osavul did not respond by publication time.
The report never defines "inauthentic behavior." While the term is quite broad, some general signals that researchers typically attribute to bot accounts include newly created profiles, unusually high posting volume, blank or AI-generated profile photos, and activity across many unrelated political narratives. Without Osavul’s criteria, it’s unclear whether these accounts are automated, run by coordinated humans, or a mix of both.
Still, if the numbers hold up, they point to something real. The CCD argues that the drops show strikes on data centers can significantly constrain Russia’s information operations by disrupting the automated networks behind them. However, the agency also acknowledges how quickly the accounts came back, suggesting the disruptions were "substantial but short-lived."
Why it mattersThe findings arrive after a week of overheated claims.
Last week, Mashable looked at viral claims that Ukrainian drone strikes on Yandex data centers had knocked Russia’s bot army offline. The conclusion we and other outlets reached was that the data behind those claims couldn’t support them.
That claim spread like wildfire on social media, amplified by European officials and even backed up by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum, President Zelenskyy said "everyone noticed" a drop in Russian bot activity. Social media users echoed similar observations about the seemingly stark decline in pro-GOP and pro-AfD posts after the strikes.
It was an easy idea to believe, given how platforms like Facebook and X incentivize and reward polarizing political ragebait, and Russia’s online influence operations are well-documented. The claim also seemed to have supporting data. United24 Media, the Ukrainian government-run outlet whose reporting drove much of the conversation, cited an analysis by The Deep Dive of Cloudflare Radar data. That data showed automated traffic from Yandex’s network had nearly vanished by Oct. 11.
As Mashable reported at the time, that data couldn’t support the claim. "Automated traffic" means any request that software, rather than a person, sends to a website, and most of it is mundane. Yandex, often called "Russia's Google," runs the Federation's biggest search engine, so its network constantly sends out crawlers to index the web. Knocking its data centers offline would stop that traffic, whether or not a single troll account went quiet. We found no published evidence tying influence campaigns on social media to Yandex servers, and United24 acknowledged the same limitation.
Cloudflare has since published its own analysis. It said its data doesn’t appear to support claims that the strikes crippled social media manipulation, though it couldn’t rule out a connection. Zelenskyy’s office has also narrowed his remarks. According to BBC Verify, his office said the president was "talking about the atmosphere on social media" rather than a fall in bot activity.
Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for people who like golf
As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Philly players
Green: Rank performance
Blue: Major golf champions
Purple: Genericized trademarks
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: A Philadelphia Athlete
Green: Ways to Show Standings in Different Sports
Blue: U.S Open Golf Winners
Purple: Brand Names Often Used as Generic Terms
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #756 is...
What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?A Philadelphia Athlete: 76ER, EAGLE, FLYER, PHILLIE
Ways to Show Standings in Different Sports: LEADERBOARD, RANKINGS, STANDINGS, TABLE
U.S Open Golf Winners: ELS, KITE, STRANGE, WOODLAND
Brand Names Often Used as Generic Terms: FRISBEE, JET SKI, JUMBOTRON, SPEEDO
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.
Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.
Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.
How to play PipsIf you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 19, 2026The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.
Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:
Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.
Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.
Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.
Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.
Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.
If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 19, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 19 PipsEqual (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.
Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.
Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.
Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed horizontally.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.
Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally.
Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.
Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed vertically.
Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 19 PipsEqual (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (11): Everything in this space must be greater than 11. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 6-2, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.
Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.
Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.
Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.
While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 19, 2026 Alibis meaningA legal defense or piece of evidence showing that a person was in a different place when a crime or event occurred.
Balloon meaningA flexible, nonporous bag that can be inflated with air or lighter-than-air gas.
Escrow meaningA safe arrangement where a neutral third party temporarily holds money, documents or property until two other people finish a deal.
Mohawk meaningA distinct hairstyle with shaved sides and a center strip of hair.
Flurry meaningA brief, light snowfall that causes little to no ground accumulation.
Muffin meaningA quick bread made of batter containing egg and baked in a pan having cuplike molds.
Nuggets meaningBite-sized pieces of battered and fried chicken or fish.
Rib meaningThe curved bones in the human or animal chest that protect internal organs
Boil meaningThe physical process of a liquid turning into vapor through heat,
Fume meaningStrong or toxic air pollution, exhaust, or chemical vapor.
Rave meaningAn enthusiastic review or statement of praise.
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Steam meaningWater in its gaseous, invisible vapor or condensed mist form.
Blather meaningTo speak idly, ramble or run on.
Gas meaningA fundamental state of matter in which particles move freely and have no fixed shape or fixed volume
Hot air meaningAir whose temperature has been raised, causing its molecules to gain energy, move faster and spread further apart.
Wind meaningThe natural horizontal movement of air across the Earth's surface.
Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you have a short fuse.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 19, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Intense anger
Green: All hype
Blue: Fast food favorites
Purple: Take flight
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Here are today's Connections categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Seethe
Green: All talk
Blue: "Mc" things at McDonald's
Purple: Ending in birds
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #1226 is...
What is the answer to Connections todaySeethe: BOIL, FUME, RAVE, STEAM
All talk: BLATHER, GAS, HOT AIR, WIND
"Mc" things at McDonald's: FLURRY, MUFFIN, NUGGETS, RIB
Ending in birds: ALIBIS, BALLOON, ESCROW, MOHAWK
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you like make-believe.
Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 19, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's all Greek to meThe words are related to fables.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe ancient fables.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
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NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Mythological.
NYT Strands word list for October 19Dryad
Satyr
Nymph
Deity
Mythological
Furies
Muses
Fates
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
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