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The state will examine whether xAI, which owns the social media platform X and created the A.I. chatbot Grok, violated state law.

If you're in the market for a new pair of earbuds, we have good news: You have a lot of options. The bad news? You have a lot of options, and your decision can get overwhelming, fast. Wasn't life easier when iPhones came with a free pair of earbuds?

While you can still find wired earbuds that plug in and go (you'll even find a pair on this list), the market is flooded with wireless options. Now, you'll find models with advanced noise cancellation to block out the sounds of busy coffee shops and commutes. Plus, a good pair should have a quality microphone so you can take calls on the go.

SEE ALSO: I replaced my $249 AirPods Pro with $19 wired EarPods

Prices on earbuds range anywhere from $10 to $1,000, especially if you're going for professional-grade studio earphones. And if you care about noise cancellation, you can easily spend $300 — that's the price of peace and quiet. These days, you can even get hyperspecialized models like sleep earbuds. Our guide also includes our picks for the best earbuds for working out and the best open earbuds.

Our top picks for earbuds are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) and Panasonic Technics AZ100s, which provide outstanding sound quality — but keep in mind, both of these models cost $299. While we stand by the value of everything on this list, we know that spending $300 on a pair of headphones is a lot to stomach. That's also why we recommend shopping for earbuds during Black Friday season. As sales start to kick off, the QC Ultra earbuds are down $50 (their lowest price since their September release date). As we approach the actual day of Black Friday on Nov. 28, we expect to see even more markdowns on our favorite earbuds.

Ready to start shopping now? Here are our top earbud picks of 2026.

Types of earbuds

There are two types of earbuds: wireless and wired. While those descriptors are self-explanatory, let's get into the specifics of both.

Wireless

Wireless earbuds connect to devices via Bluetooth for cordless usage. These earbuds range from $20 budget models to high-end models with active noise cancellation. While they don't require a wire to connect to a device, some wireless earbuds still have a wire that might go around the back of the neck to connect the buds.

While earbuds traditionally don't provide the passive noise cancellation of over-the-ear headphones, wireless models often feature ANC, which electronically blocks out background noise. With wireless headphones, you need to consider the battery life. Most models should have an eight-hour or more battery life before they need to be recharged.

Wired

Wired earbuds are the original model: two buds connected by a wire to your audio source. While they once felt high tech, they're pretty basic now. Wired earbuds with active noise cancellation are basically non-existent, and you won't find any on our list.

The biggest positive to wired headphones is that they don't need to be charged. They're a great backup option to keep in your bag in case your usual wireless headphones or earbuds run out of charge.

New additions to this guide

After extensive testing, Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard rounded up the best sleep earbuds. You can read her full guide, but as of May 2025, we've added the Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 to this guide, which Allard says are the best sleep earbuds for most people.

As of August 2025, we also updated the best earbuds for working out to the Powerbeats Pro 2 and added the Shokz OpenDots One as the best open earbuds.

What are the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds?

If you're just looking for a pair of everyday wireless earbuds, all but one of the models in this guide will check that box. (We also included the Marshall Mode wired earbuds as an option for folks who don't want to worry about battery.) If you're looking for the highest quality wireless earbuds, you can't go wrong with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds, our most recent recommendation in 2026. Both of these wireless earbuds feature elite noise-cancellation, stellar sound, long battery life, and a comfortable fit for extended wear.

Still, this guide includes several other earbuds we stand behind. Apple users may prefer the AirPods Pro, while shoppers on a budget may prefer buds from Marshall or Anker Soundcore. If you need help picking the perfect pair, read on.

Starting around noon on Wednesday, many Verizon customers discovered that their phones had gone into SOS mode. Now, Verizon has acknowledged the ongoing outage.

In a statement to Mashable, a Verizon representative said, "We are aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers. Our engineers are engaged and are working to identify and solve the issue quickly. We understand how important reliable connectivity is and apologize for the inconvenience."

SEE ALSO: Verizon outage: Why your phone says SOS, what we know so far

The Verizon Support account on X also shared the same message on Wednesday afternoon, as confused customers took to social media seeking answers.

So far, Verizon has not indicated the cause of the problem or the timeline of a potential fix.

The platform Downdetector categorized the outage as "Very High," describing it as a "massive service outage." (Disclosure: Mashable and Downdetector are both owned by Ziff Davis.)

"The impact is categorized as Very High, with the majority of users reporting Mobile Phone issues (63%) and a complete lack of signal (31%)," reads an update from Downdetector provided to Mashable (emphasis in original). "User feedback frequently cites devices entering 'SOS mode,' indicating a high-severity disruption to cellular connectivity."

When in SOS mode, customers are not able to make or receive phone calls or texts, and data services are also unavailable. However, customers should still be able to make emergency 911 calls via satellite, as per usual.

While Downdetector did receive a spike in user error reports for T-Mobile and AT&T, at this time, Verizon seems to be the only major mobile carrier suffering an outage.

This is a developing story...

Last call: The Kindle, Kindle Scribe, and Kindle Colorsoft are still on sale for up to 31% off through tomorrow morning. Secure your e-reader for a steal while you still can.

Kindle deals at a glance: Kindle $89.99 (save $20) Get Deal Kindle Scribe (32GB) $289.99 (save $130) Get Deal Kindle Colorsoft $199.99 (save $50) Get Deal

Several Kindle e-readers have been chilling at discounts up to 31% off for the past few weeks, but all good things must come to an end. If you want to double down on your reading in 2026, an e-reader is definitely a great choice — and Kindles are at the top of the pack. Mashable's e-reader expert calls them "a true must-have device for avid readers" and I must say, I agree wholeheartedly. While they're not overly expensive, they're not exactly cheap either. That's why we suggest snagging them while they're still on sale.

For those who require zero bells and whistles, the basic Kindle is the way to go. It's my pride and joy and I will rave about it until the cows come home. It's the most affordable option in Amazon's lineup on a normal day at $109.99, but with the current discount, you'll only pay $89.99. That's not quite as good as its Black Friday price, but it's still the only option under $100. It's also the smallest option at only six inches, making it the best pick for one-handed reading and traveling.

If you like to scribble down your thoughts and make annotations in the margins of books, the Kindle Scribe is for you. While there's a newer version on the market, you'll save over $200 by opting for the previous generation while it's on sale. It's a bit bigger than a typical Kindle at 10.2 inches, making it a solid choice for someone with vision issues as well.

Finally, the newest Kindle Colorsoft is on sale for $50 off. It's essentially like the Kindle Paperwhite, but with a color screen. It's waterproof, has adjustable warmth and brightness, a long battery life, and it's just seven inches. Mashable's Kindle expert, Samantha Mangino, said she wouldn't recommend it at full price, but for just under $200, it's a much better buy.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle $89.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $20   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Scribe (32GB) $289.99 at Amazon
$419.99 Save $130   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Colorsoft $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50   Get Deal

Roblox kicked off 2026 by attempting to deal with its most pressing issue: Predators taking advantage of kids playing and socializing on the video game platform. Last week, the company rolled out AI-powered age checks provided by third-party processor Persona for all of its users in order to place them in age-appropriate chats. The age verification process is mandatory if users want to chat on the platform.

Unfortunately, according to a new report from Wired, there have been some real issues with the age verification system, and the result has led to backlash among users, parents, and Roblox developers alike.

However, in a statement to Mashable, Roblox said it was pleased with the implementation of the new AI age verification system so far.

"To suggest that our age check technology isn't working is a fundamental misunderstanding of what it takes to shift safety at scale," said Roblox Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman in a statement to Mashable. "With a global community of over 150 million daily active users, we are pleased with where we are in the roll out process...Expecting the system to be flawless overnight is ignoring the scale of this undertaking."

What's going on?

As mentioned, in order to utilize the chat features on Roblox, users are now required to verify their age. To do so, Roblox users need to either upload a selfie for facial age estimation or provide a government-issued ID. Based on a user's age, Roblox then places the account in a specific age group category in order to help ensure that adults and children can't interact on the platform.

SEE ALSO: Roblox: A parent's guide to keeping your kids safe

However, just a week into the rollout of the age verification system, Wired has found that the AI has been making significant mistakes to the detriment of the platform. The report details how users over the age of 18 are being mistakenly labeled as kids and placed in the wrong age group category. The reverse has occurred as well, with users under 18 being placed in adult age groups.

"ROBLOX AGE FACE SCAN VERIFICATION SAID MY 10 YEAR OLD LITTLE BROTHER WAS 16-17????" posted one user on X.

"I'm 23 (nearly 24) and it's forced me as a 16-17 year old," said another user on X. "I don't want to be chatting with fucking children."

Users under 18 have also posted videos of how they've tricked Roblox's age verification system.

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One user posted a video of a 3D animated avatar they uploaded, which Roblox's system identified as over 18. Another user, a young boy, posted a video of themselves fooling the Roblox' age verification system by drawing a mustache and beard on his face with a marker. The system indicated that it thought he was over the age of 21.

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And in a dark twist, Wired found that there was a black market growing on eBay where sellers were auctioning off Roblox accounts that were already age-verified, providing potential predators with yet another workaround to the system.

Roblox game developers have also complained that the age verification system is hurting their games by decimating their chat activity. One developer shared an analytics screenshot that showed chat activity on their game declining by an average of 50 percent over the last week.

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Roblox is extremely popular with young children and teens. The company has previously said that half of the U.S. population under the age of 16 is on the platform. Because of this, predators have targeted the platform's user base and, as a result, Roblox has been hit with a number of lawsuits regarding child safety over the past year. For the good of both the user base and the platform, it's critical that Roblox gets this right.

Roblox's creator forum has since been filled with complaints regarding the new age verification system. The company responded with its own post on the forum about how it will address some of the issues.

"Roblox may periodically re-check users’ age if fraud is suspected or take appropriate action if there we see signs of potential age misrepresentation," Roblox said in a post. "As part of our ongoing investment in safety, we will also be developing and improving detection for such behavior."

Roblox also added an update to share privacy details regarding the age verification process. For example, Roblox says Persona does not retain any data and deletes a user's image as soon as the age verification process is complete. 

Mashable reached out to Roblox for comment regarding the situation and received a statement from the company's Chief Safety Officer, Matt Kaufman:

“To suggest that our age check technology isn't working is a fundamental misunderstanding of what it takes to shift safety at scale. With a global community of over 150 million daily active users, we are pleased with where we are in the roll out process. It’s a process that will take time, you can’t flip a switch while building something that hasn’t existed before. 

Tens of millions of users have already completed the process, proving that the vast majority of our community values a safer, more age-appropriate environment. Expecting the system to be flawless overnight is ignoring the scale of this undertaking. We’ve already shared updates with our creator community to make this a smoother transition. This technology is the foundation of a new gold standard that limits communication between adults and minors by default. 

We are building for the next decade of the internet, not the next news cycle. We will continue to innovate, continue to require age checks, and continue to lead the industry where others have been too hesitant to go.”

UPDATE: Jan. 14, 2026, 2:15 p.m. EST This story has been updated with a response from Roblox.

SAVE 9%: As of Jan. 14, you can get the Magic: The Gathering March of the Machine Draft Booster Box for $136.83, down from $149.99, at Amazon. That's a $13.16 savings.

Magic: The Gathering March of the Machine Draft Booster Box $136.83 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $13.16   Get Deal at Amazon

If you’re ready to relive the massive finale of the Phyrexian invasion, grabbing an older draft box is a great way to do it without the "new set" price hike.

As of Jan. 14, the Magic: The Gathering March of the Machine Draft Booster Box is on sale for $136.83, down from $149.99, at Amazon. To give you an idea of the value, the current market price for this box is hovering around $132.01, with some recent sales going as high as $145.01. Getting this for under $137 with Prime shipping is a solid deal for anyone looking to host a draft night.

SEE ALSO: CES 2026: Dell teases new ultra-slim and entry-level Alienware gaming laptops

The box includes 36 Draft Booster packs, each with 15 cards. This set was a huge deal when it launched because it introduced the Battle card type, which lets you and your friends fight over different planes for tactical advantages. Every single pack is also guaranteed to have at least one Multiverse Legend — a reprint of an iconic legendary creature with a special showcase frame from its home plane.

You're also looking at one to two cards of rarity Rare or higher in every pack. While the most valuable serialized cards are exclusive to Collector Boosters, you can still find a Traditional Foil Borderless Mythic Planeswalker in about 1 percent of these draft packs.

A major telecommunications outage is unfolding, with a surge of reports pointing to widespread service disruptions across AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. In particular, many Verizon customers are reporting that their phones have gone into SOS mode, though they should still be able to make 911 calls via satellite.

According to Downdetector, user error reports started to spike around 11:55 a.m. ET on Wednesday. (Disclosure: Downdetector and Mashable are both owned by Ziff Davis.) While some users on AT&T and T-Mobile networks have also reported issues, Verizon customers appear to be bearing the brunt of the disruption. On X, "Verizon" quickly began trending as users attempted to figure out what was happening.

With the outage still developing, details remain limited. So far, Verizon is the only carrier to publicly acknowledge the issue.

In a post on X, the company said: “We are aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers. Our engineers are engaged and are working to identify and solve the issue quickly. We understand how important reliable connectivity is and apologize for the inconvenience.”

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

That same message has been repeated in replies to multiple users who tagged Verizon Support seeking help. Mashable reached out to Verizon for comment, and we received the same message that was previously posted on social media.

Downdetector categorized the Verizon outage as "Very High," and the service received a peak of 140,850 error reports within a 15-minute window on Wednesday afternoon. Among Downdetector users, 63 percent reported "phone issues," while 31 percent reported a "complete lack of signal."

Downdetector also reports that Verizon user error reports have spiked in New York City, Houston, Atlanta, and Charlotte in particular.

T-Mobile, meanwhile, has not issued a formal statement. In a response to a user on X, the company stated that it was not currently experiencing any widespread coverage issues on its network.

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There’s been no official comment yet from AT&T.

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

User-reported issues indicated a major problem at Verizon, with folks noting what appeared to be widespread service outages.

User-reported issues spiked at Downdetector around midday, Eastern time on Wednesday. (Disclosure: Downdetector is owned by Ziff Davis, the same parent company as Mashable.)

"Verizon is currently facing a massive service outage with a total of 235,373 reports recorded over the last 24 hours," noted Downdetector.

Some users on social media indicated their phones were in SOS mode.

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

Systems like OpenAI’s GPT-5 are accelerating research in math, biology and chemistry. But there is a debate over whether it can do that work on its own.

UP TO 70% OFF: Lovehoney's Valentine's Day Sale is live. Get up to 50% off select sex toys (including vibrators, male masturbators, and butt plugs), $25 and under lingerie, and a free gift when you spend $89 or more. Bonus: You can still get up to 70% off clearance items.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lovehoney Lovehoney Valentine's Day Sale Get up to 50% off select sex toys and more Get Deal

Valentine’s Day is exactly one month away, and if you haven’t planned anything yet, now’s the time to do it. Tons of sex toy retailers still have New Year’s sales going on, but Lovehoney is getting a head start on V-Day with discounts on vibrators, lingerie, and more.

PSA: You don’t have to have a partner to buy yourself a little treat for V-Day. Valentine’s is for everyone, and sometimes, having a sexy solo date at home is the best way to celebrate.

Here’s the lowdown on how to get the best bang for your buck.

Select vibes are up to 50% off

Lovehoney still has quite a few items that aren’t on sale, but the dedicated sale page and clearance section have hundreds of products available for unbelievable (not to be dramatic) prices. For example, you can get the Lovehoney Romance Gift Set (12 Piece) for just $129 — that’s 60% off the list price and a damn good deal for a 12-piece set that includes heavy hitters like the We-Vibe Jive 2. Or, if you’re looking for something a little more festive, the Lovehoney Rose (with 1,500+ reviews) is only $42.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lovehoney Lovehoney Romance Gift Set (12 Piece) $129 at Lovehoney
$321.88 Save $192.88   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lovehoney Lovehoney Rose Clitoral Suction Stimulator $42.99 at Lovehoney
$59.99 Save $17   Get Deal Lingerie is $25 and under

Believe it or not, lingerie is a super effective way to get in the mood, whether you’re alone or with a partner. An everything shower, some candles, and a new set of sexy lace (or whatever you’re into) is the perfect setup for a saucy evening (or afternoon!).

Right now, Lovehoney has a wide selection of intimate apparel, from teddies to crotchless bodysuits to “wet look” BDSM-inspired sets, all available for $25 and under. I’m literally adding this Escante Stretchy Wet Look Body Set to my cart as we speak.

Get up to 70% off clearance, plus a free gift

The clearance section has even steeper deals. Some standouts include the ROMP Switch for $24.99, the Womanizer Starlet 2 for $39.99, and many, many more. And, if you spend $89 (which shouldn’t be hard to do), you’ll get a free gift. This could be a Lovehoney dildo, G-spot vibrator, bullet, textured stroker, or butt plug. (There are also a few Fifty Shades of Grey items on offer.)

Score free shipping when you spend $59+

One thing to love about Lovehoney is that they keep things low-key. Every order is sent in plain, discreet packaging, so your nosey neighbors won't have a clue what’s inside.

If you're aiming for that Feb. 14 deadline, keep in mind that standard shipping is free when you spend $59 or more. It usually takes about four to six working days to arrive, so ordering now means you won't be sweating it out as the holiday gets closer.

If SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic go public, they will unleash gushers of cash for Silicon Valley and Wall Street.

In a time when everything is done on a screen, we're all craving some fun ways to disconnect from the chaos of scrolling. If you grew up solving the Rubik's Cube (or attempting) and playing the classic Tetris, you're in for a real treat.

Opens in a new window Credit: Rubik's Rubik's Cube Tetris Brainteaser $14.99 at Target
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Rubik's Rubik's Cube Tetris Brainteaser $16.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now

In late 2025, the Rubik’s Tetris Cube dropped, and yes, it's a dreamy as it sounds. Or frustrating, depending on how you feel about solving a Rubik's Cube.

It's a re-worked classic Rubik's Cube that adds an element of Tetris. Instead of maneuvering the cube to line up each color in a three-by-three grid, you'll rearrange the cube into iconic Tetriminos we all know from Tetris.

Twist and shape the cube to create the green S-shape from Tetris, a purple T-shape, a yellow O-shape, and everyone's favorite shape — the red Z, plus a few more. When you've solved the puzzle (or feel done trying), you can display it on the included stand. That'll fit in perfectly on the shelf with your favorite Lego builds.

All the best Tetris shapes, but in a Rubik's Cube shape Credit: Rubik's

Rubik's considers solving the puzzle to be an advanced challenge, rating it as a 4 on the 1 to 5 challenge scale, and the brand recommends the Cube for those ages 8 and older.

The Rubik’s Tetris Cube first launched at Target, both online and in stores, but you can also snag it at Amazon, although it's currently a few dollars more. Rubik's says we can expect availability at Walmart come March.

SAVE $70.99: As of Jan. 14, get the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro gaming mouse for $89, down from its usual price of $159.99. That's a discount of 44%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer Basilisk V3 Pro $89 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $70.99   Get Deal

A great gaming mouse is a must if you're looking to make PC gaming your main setup. If you like twitchy games, having one with a high DPI is important. And if you prefer more precision, it can help make you feel more comfortable with certain games. This Razer mouse that's on sale right now is a great all-rounder pick that can elevate anyone's game time.

As of Jan. 14, get the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro gaming mouse for $89, down from its usual price of $159.99. That's $70.99 off and a discount of 44%. This price is also within a dollar of its lowest price yet.

SEE ALSO: Lenovo debuts a concept 'no-charging' keyboard and mouse combo at CES 2026

This wireless mouse has a 30K optical sensor with 10 programmable buttons so you can customize it to your liking. That gives it fantastic tracking, even on surfaces like glass, to give you improved aim and control. It also has a 90-million click life cycle with 0.2ms actuation, so you have no click delay.

Its hyperscroll tilt wheel makes it perfect for everyday use, as well as its hyperspeed wireless connectivity from Razer, which boasts speeds up to 25 percent faster than other mice of this ilk. And with a lengthy 150-hour battery life, you don't have to worry about charging it often, unlike most wireless controllers.

If you like color, you can add a splash of hues with the 13-zone Chrome lighting option as well, with 16.8 million color combinations to choose from and 150 Chroma-integrated games to make things match.

If you're ready to upgrade to a more fleshed-out precision gaming mouse, this is one to pick up. Just be sure to do so while it's nearly half off.

Euphoria is getting on the time jump train.

Season 3 of Sam Levinson's smash hit picks up five years after the events of Season 2. For everyone keeping track at home, that's just one year more than the real-life wait time between seasons, to which I must quote the immortal words of Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie) and say, "Bitch, you better be joking."

SEE ALSO: 2026 TV preview: All the TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them

Now, though, we finally have a full trailer and an Apr. 12 release date. And based on the trailer, a lot has gone down for Euphoria's protagonists since Lexi Howard's (Maude Apatow) play sent shockwaves through East Highland High School.

Five years after Season 2, Rue Bennett's (Emmy-winner Zendaya) debt to drug trafficker Laurie (Martha Kelly) has finally caught up with her, sending her on an odyssey to Mexico to pay what she owes. Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) and Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney) are engaged and living in the suburbs. There, Cassie is "making content," implied to be for adult sites like OnlyFans. Jules (Hunter Schafer) is attending art school and exploring life as a sugar baby, while Maddy and Lexi are working in Hollywood.

If that sounds like a lot, you'd be right. If that also sounds like more of the same sensitive subject matter Levinson has struggled to portray with nuance in prior seasons of Euphoria and the first (and only) season of The Idol, you'd be right again. With that in mind, will Season 3 be able to stick the landing?

Euphoria Season 3 premieres Apr. 12 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

SAVE $1,200: As of Jan. 14, the Hisense 75-inch U8 Mini LED QLED 4K TV is on sale for $1,299.99 at both Amazon and Best Buy. That's nearly half off its list price of $2,499.99 and only $2 away from its Black Friday price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-inch U8 Mini LED QLED 4K TV $1,299.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $1,200.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-inch U8 Mini LED QLED 4K TV $1,299.99 at Best Buy
$2,499.99 Save $1,200.00   Get Deal

Between the NFL playoffs, awards shows, and all of your favorite TV shows coming back, 'tis the season for staying indoors and watching TV. If your current setup is looking a bit dull, it also happens to be one of the best times to upgrade your TV for less.

As of Jan. 14, the Hisense 75-inch U8 Mini LED QLED 4K TV is on sale for only $1,299.99 at both Amazon and Best Buy. That's nearly half off its list price of $2,499.99 and just $2 shy of its best price ever from Cyber Week.

The 2025 Hisense U8 model is a 4K QLED Mini-LED TV with 5000 nits peak brightness, up to 5,600 local dimming zones, a 165Hz native refresh rate, and support for HDR in Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG. All of that translates to an extra bright and colorful display that's great for watching sports, gaming, or fully immersing yourself in movies and TV. CNET (Mashable's sister site, also owned by Ziff Davis) reviewer Ty Pendlebury called it the brightest TV he's ever reviewed, but noted that "it complements that brightness with excellent contrast and well-saturated colors."

It uses the Google TV smart TV platform, which features a full interface covering all major streaming services. It has Google Cast by default for local streaming from Android devices or Chrome tabs, but Hisense also adds Apply AirPlay for those with Apple devices. Google Assistant is built in for easy, hands-free control of the TV and your smart home devices. You can ask it to search for content, set alarms, check your doorbell camera, and much more.

The 2025 Hisense U8 is slightly more expensive than its predecessor, but now that it's on sale for 48% off, we highly recommend upgrading.

Google Gemini — the tech giant's generative AI video model — is launching the ability to generate social media-ready vertical video. That's all well and good, but it raises the question: Does that mean even more AI slop?

Google Veo is widely regarded as the leading AI video model (different versions of Veo claim the top four spots on LMArena's text-to-video leaderboard), so the answer is almost certainly yes.

Google announced this week that Veo 3.1 — the latest version of Gemini's text-to-video generator — could now generate "social-ready 9:16 videos directly." In other words, the videos are generated with the vertical, scroll-ready format that you see on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels.

"Designed for mobile-first applications, this mode delivers faster results and optimized composition by generating full-frame vertical video rather than cropping from landscape," read a statement from Google.

The online world is increasingly populated by AI-generated vertical video, some of which is the much-maligned slop. Meta, for instance, launched Vibes, a social site entirely dedicated to generating and scrolling AI videos. AI critics call it an "infinite slop machine."

It tracks that Google would give users the ability to generate social-ready video — people want it — but it might not make your scrolling experience any better.

SAVE $649: As of Jan. 14, get the DJI Mavic 4 Pro for $3,999, down from its usual price of $4,649. That's a discount of 14%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mavic 4 Pro $3,999 at Amazon
$4,649 Save $650   Get Deal

Getting your hands on a DJI drone, no matter the model, has been an exercise in frustration for some time now. Though the brand has faced several issues with getting its product into the hands of U.S. consumers, some shipments here and there come from third-party sellers that do occasionally get some models in. If you've wanted to splurge on one of the company's drones for some time now, today's your lucky day as the DJI Mavic 4 Pro is officially in stock as well as discounted.

As of Jan. 14, get the DJI Mavic 4 Pro for $3,999, down from its usual price of $4,649. That's $649 off and a discount of 14%.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Mic 2 just hit its lowest price ever at Amazon

This DJI drone comes with all the bells and whistles you could ask for as a professional or even casual user. This tri-camera unit comes with a 100MP 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera with a 51-minute max flight tme, three batteries, a charging hub, spare propellers, shoulder bag, and more. In short, it has everything you need to not only get off the ground but stay in the air as long as possible and keep your new drone there.

It uses a new gimbal that allows for 360-degree rotation with Dutch angles and other intriguing angles since you can turn the drone while recording, and a top speed of 90kph. There's also a 41km range that's perfect for both taking time lapse and panoramic photos.

In short, this is the drone to get if you're looking to get something that can tackle a wide range of purposes, whether your aim is to do more photography or just see sights. Grab yours now while it's still in stock and discounted to boot.

SAVE $150: As of Jan. 14, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra noise-cancelling headphones are down to $279 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Bose. That's 35% off their list price of $429 and just shy of their best price ever. Inventory is running low, so secure a pair while you can.

Shop Bose QuietComfort Ultra noise-cancelling headphones: Best deal at Amazon Bose QuietComfort Ultra (black, deep plum) $279 (save $150) Get Deal Best deal at Best Buy Bose QuietComfort Ultra (lunar blue) $279 (save $150) Get Deal Best deal at Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra (deep plum) $279 (save $150) Get Deal

We're living in an era of iterative upgrades and the newest version of Bose's flagship headphones are proof. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) headphones look largely the same as their predecessors, but offer improved on-head detection, better battery life, and slightly better noise cancellation. They also cost $449 ($20 more than the first generation), though you can find them on sale as of Jan. 14 for $399.

The 2nd generation headphones are obviously in a league of their own, but if your budget tops out at $300, we still heartily recommend the original QuietComfort Ultras. Especially because they're on sale for just $279 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Bose. That's $150 or 35% off their list price of $429 and just shy of their best price ever.

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Since these headphones have been replaced by the 2nd generation, they won't be on shelves too much longer. Inventory is running low across retailers. Amazon has the largest supply, but only the black and deep plum options are down to $279. Meanwhile, Best Buy only has the lunar blue color in stock and Bose only has the deep plum remaining. So, if you want to secure a pair of the OG Bose QuietComfort Ultra noise-cancelling headphones for $150 less than their retail value, add them to your cart ASAP.

Two of Mashable's shopping reporters tested the QuietComfort Ultras and noted that they can easily be worn all day without earaches, even while wearing accessories. The all-day comfort even pairs with all-day battery life; with noise cancellation turned on, the QuietComfort Ultras headphones will last from 18 to 24 hours per charge. These headphones also deliver pretty good noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, and convenient foldable earcups. "They're still some of the most comfortable and best-sounding headphones we've ever tested," Mashable's Sam Mangino writes.

SAVE 38%: As of Jan. 14, the Bluetti Apex 300 portable power station is on sale for $1,499 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount on list price.

Bluetti Apex 300 $1,499 at Amazon
$2,399 Save $900   Get Deal at Amazon

Living on the east coast of southern Virginia has its advantages. Being minutes from the beach and having actual summers is great, but the "hurricane-prep" lifestyle is very real. One bad gust of wind and the whole neighborhood is in the dark for the foreseeable future, which is why having a way to keep the fridge and AC running is the only way to weather the storm.

As of Jan. 14, you can get the Bluetti Apex 300 portable power station for $1,499, down from $2,399 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount or $900 in savings.

SEE ALSO: Bluetti just launched four new power solutions at CES 2026 — here's how to upgrade

The Bluetti Apex 300 is tiny but mighty, which is exactly why we ranked it best for whole-home backup. It can handle 120V and 240V output at the same time and has enough kick to run a full-sized fridge, an AC unit, or even an EV charger without needing a box full of adapters.

It comes with 2,764.8Wh of capacity built in, and if you’re worried about being off the grid for a few days, you can chain it with extra batteries to get up to 58,000Wh (that's enough to keep an entire house powered for about a week). It also charges from 0 to 80 percent in about 45 minutes, which is huge when you see a storm warning and only have a short window to top things off.

It weighs 84 pounds, so you aren't going to be moving it around on a whim. But with a battery designed to last about 17 years, it’s exactly what you want sitting in the garage when the wind starts picking up.

Harry Lighton's critically acclaimed BDSM romance Pillion hits U.S. theaters just in time for Valentine's Day, and you can get in the mood by watching the latest trailer from A24.

Based on the 2020 novel Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones, who co-wrote the film with Lighton, Pillion stars Harry Melling as introverted parking attendant Colin. A chance encounter leads him to meet his polar opposite in self-assured motorcycle club leader Ray (Alexander Skarsgård), and it's not long before the pair embark on a Dom/sub relationship.

SEE ALSO: 'Pillion' trailer sees Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling enter a Dom/sub relationship

While the confident Ray is engrained in BDSM culture, this is Colin's first sexual relationship. What follows is an exploration of kink that earned rave reviews out of its premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

As Siddhant Adlakha wrote in his review out of Cannes, "Lighton's electric, modern-day British drama explores a master-slave relationship that's as upsetting as it is invigorating. Led by a pair of fine-tuned performances from Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, the movie walks a fragile tonal tightrope with remarkable flair, resulting in one of the finest (and most crowd-pleasing) experiences at this year's Cannes Film Festival."

To see the beginnings of Colin and Ray's unlikely romance for yourself, check out the above trailer, which features a back alley tryst and several awkward scenes of Colin trying to explain his new interests to his parents.

Pillion hits theaters Feb. 6.