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The easiest Apple Watch to recommend is $50 off

The discounted Apple Watch SE 3. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

The Apple Watch SE 3 is the smartwatch that we recommend for most people because it’s affordable, yet packed with most of the features found in pricier versions. We spotted Amazon October Prime Day discounts across the lineup, including both the 40mm and 44mm sizes, and GPS only or cellular options. The Wi-Fi and GPS model is $199 for the 40mm size (matching the lowest price to date), and $229 for the 44m size. If you also want a cellular connection, the 40mm version is $249, and the 44mm version is $279.

Apple Watch SE 3

The Apple Watch SE 3 is a major glow-up, adding an always-on display, wrist-temperature sensor, a more powerful processor, and fast charging. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

When it released in late 2025, the more budget-friendly Apple Watch 3 SE caught up with all the core functionality that had built up on the higher-end models of the time, including the always-on display, wrist flick and double tap gestures, 5G connectivity, and on-board Siri.

Read our Apple Watch 3 SE review.
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The planetary wave headed for California isn’t what you think it is 

An aerial view of equipment moving fresh sand as a jogger passes.
An aerial view of equipment moving fresh sand during an emergency replenishment project along eroding shoreline at North Beach on August 15th, 2024, in San Clemente, California. | Photo: Getty Images

A rather strong "planetary wave" recently slammed into South America and is making its way toward California. In case you're worried about headlines warning of the supposedly "freak" phenomenon "bringing trouble," it's worth understanding what this wave really is and isn't.

Called a Kelvin wave, it's carrying warm water to the Americas that's typically trapped farther west. That's raising sea levels along already vulnerable coastlines. These kinds of waves are common. When they do arrive, they can exacerbate existing problems. And this particular Kelvin wave could have more dramatic consequences than usual.

But "If you're going to be out …

Read the full story at The Verge.

The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL phones are $250 off

The Pixel 11 Pro’s HiLight feature in action.

During Amazon’s October sale, the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL are discounted by $250 or more. The base model Pixel 11 Pro with 256GB of storage is only $849 (originally $1,099), $50 lower than the usual price for the base Pixel 11, while the 256GB 11 Pro XL is $999, a $300 price break.

Even the regular Pixel 11 with 256GB of storage is cheaper, selling at $749, $150 off the normal price. But with the Pro at just a $100 premium over the Pixel 11 right now instead of $200, its superior cameras alone is a pretty convincing reason to spend more.

We praised the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL for their new camera modes, as well as the Magic Capture mode. We liked some of the Gemini-assisted features, like Rambler for smoothing out voice texting, but others, like proactive assistance, felt a bit more narrow.

Read our Pixel 11 Pro review and our Pixel 11 review.
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The Verge’s guide to the best October Prime Day deals

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days (also known as October Prime Day) is here, serving as a precursor to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. There are a ton of good deals, and bundling them all into this package is the easiest way to keep the blast of upcoming coverage under control.

Below, you’ll find every deal that we think is good enough to warrant its own article, and of course, our huge flagship article containing over 100 deals and spanning categories from noise-canceling headphones, e-readers, laptops, gaming gear, and more.

Breakout Tech Deals

Roundups

The best October Prime Day tech deals we found

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days event has begun, and it lasts through 3AM ET on Thursday, October 8th. We’ve spun through the company’s huge list of deals to find products that Verge readers will like (and that we personally like, too). Prime subscribers can get in on plenty of headphone deals, plus some great products in the home entertainment space. Also, the discounts are spectacular on Pixel 11 phones, the A17 Pro-equipped iPad Mini, and the M5 MacBook Air.

We’re changing up how we’re presenting the deals. Usually, these posts are huge and require a lot of scrolling, but we wanted to make it easier to find what you’re looking for. All of the deals are in a table that you can sort by category.

We’ll add more deals as we find them, and we’ll also include links to various category-specific roundups we’ll be publishing throughout the sale.

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iPhone Air

The iPhone Air is Apple’s thinnest iPhone yet at 5.6mm, featuring a 6.5-inch ProMotion display, a 48MP fusion camera, and an 18MP front camera with Center Stage support. But its single rear camera and “meh” battery life mean it’s not for everyone.
iPhone Air on a couch cushion

Where to Buy:

iPhone 16E

The iPhone 16E is the spiritual successor to the iPhone SE, bringing flagship-level performance for less than the standard 16. We really wish it included MagSafe for $599, but those upgrading from older iPhones will probably be satisfied with what’s included.
A hands-on photo of Apple’s iPhone 16E.

Where to Buy:

Belkin Charging Case Pro

While it won’t charge your Switch 2 any faster than the cheaper Belkin option, the clever battery-meets-kickstand with a built-in display simply looks better.

Where to Buy:

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Samsung recently increased the price of all its S26 phones, but you can get the best of the bunch, the S26 Ultra, at one of its best prices of the year. Read our review.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra on a desk

Where to Buy:

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Gen 2

If all you want is great sound, strong noise cancellation, and physical buttons to navigate, you can’t do better than the Bose QC headphones at this price. Read our review.
Gen 2 Bose QuietComfort Headphones sitting on a pale yellow surface next to a USB-C charger and black Bose case.

Where to Buy:

Anker Laptop Power Bank

Anker’s 25,000mAh power bank sports two built-in USB-C cables (one of which is retractable), plus one USB-C and USB-A port. It tops out at 165W when charging two devices simultaneously, or 130W when charging three or four.

Where to Buy:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

The passport-style Z Fold 8 is the closest thing to an iPhone Duo on the Android side, at least in the US. It’s an awesome phone at its biggest discount to date. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro

If you like to yap on the phone, these earbuds yield the best call quality of any we’ve tried (it’s not even close), and they sound great for music, too. Read our review.
The blue Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds sitting next to their open case on a mauve background.

Where to Buy:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

While not as head-turning of a foldable as Samsung’s Z Fold 8, the Ultra delivers better camera quality. It’s cheaper than ever right now. Read our review.
Photo of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra in front of a bookcase, showing the inner display

Where to Buy:

Roku Ultra

Roku’s latest Ultra streamer has built-in ethernet, a rechargeable voice remote with backlit buttons, and AirPlay 2 support. You can also control it with Amazon Alexa through a compatible smart speaker. The Roku Channel app lets you stream over 400 free live TV stations, plus exclusive movies like Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.
Roku's Ultra streaming box and remote on top of a table.

Where to Buy:

Roku Streaming Stick Plus

Roku’s Streaming Stick Plus supports 4K playback and features a slim design, so it won’t block nearby ports. It plugs straight into your TV’s HDMI port and can be powered by your TV’s USB port, so you don’t need an additional plug. It also comes with Roku’s Voice Remote, giving you hands-free control.

Where to Buy:

WiiM Mini

The WiiM Mini makes it easy to wirelessly stream music from your phone, a streaming service, or other local storage to existing speakers you already have. It supports AirPlay 2 and a variety of streaming services.
A WiiM Mini sitting on a wood credenza next to a turntable.

Where to Buy:

Sonos Sub 4

The Sub 4, while not cheap, is the best sub for your Sonos setup. It can sit upright, or you can lay it down to fit under a couch or entertainment system.

Where to Buy:

Sonos Beam (second-gen)

The latest Sonos Beam is a compact soundbar that supports a virtual Dolby Atmos effect and can stream music from a plethora of services. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni

The Omni delivers small, but welcome improvements over the 2022 Nova Pro, most notably a true platform-agnostic design that works with all consoles. Read our hands-on.

Where to Buy:

Samsung Galaxy S26

While the S26 isn’t particularly impressive in any way, it’s one of the most affordable (yet most powerful) flagship phones you can currently get. Read our review.
Photo of white Samsung Galaxy S26 on a wooden table

Where to Buy:

Google Pixel 11

The Pixel 11 recently debuted at $899, but it recently got a whopping $150 price cut for the 256GB version. It’s the cheapest way to try Google’s new software features. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Google Pixel 11 Pro

If you value better picture quality and trust that Google might improve on the HiLight LED feature, the Pixel 11 Pro is the one to get, and it got a big discount for Prime Day. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL

Google’s biggest Pixel 11 Pro got a sizeable price cut, too, making it $300 cheaper than the base iPhone 18 Pro Max model.

Where to Buy:

Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (second-gen)

The best wireless headphones that Bose makes are discounted, and the company recently made them even better. Read our latest coverage.

Where to Buy:

WiiM Amp

Enjoy a big discount on the WiiM Amp, which supports AirPlay 2, as well as several other wireless options. It also hosts a bunch of ports, allowing for passive stereo output, plus optical audio, HDMI ARC, and more. Read our coverage.

Where to Buy:

Apple AirPods Max (second-gen)

Apple’s new iteration of its priciest, most powerful headphones deliver minor updates for first-gen owners. But those who are jumping in will especially appreciate their big, bold sound. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Roku Pro Series 4K TV

Roku’s latest Pro 4K TV has a 120Hz refresh rate, four HDMI ports (two of which are 2.1), full-array local dimming for even brightness, and support for both Dolby Vision IQ and HDR 10 Plus for better color accuracy. It also works with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home, making it easy to integrate into most smart homes.
Roku's Pro Series 4K TV mounted onto a wall.

Where to Buy:

Kindle Scribe Colorsoft

The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is Amazon’s first note-taking e-reader with a color screen. It features an 11-inch display, a slimmer design, an improved interface, an updated stylus, and a new AI-powered search feature that can quickly summarize documents.

Where to Buy:

Kindle Scribe 32GB

The third-gen Kindle Scribe 32GB is even bigger than its 10.2-inch predecessor; it offers an 11-inch display with 300ppi resolution and the same great battery life that Kindles are known for.

Where to Buy:

Kindle Colorsoft (16GB)

Amazon’s last-gen Kindle Colorsoft features a color E Ink screen, offering similar performance to the new 2026 model. It also offers eight weeks of battery life and a 7-inch display that’s great for comics and graphic novels. Read our review.
A photo of a person holding a Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.

Where to Buy:

Kindle Paperwhite

The last-gen Kindle Paperwhite received a nice discount for Prime Day. It has the same screen as the new model, so you aren’t missing out on much. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Beats Powerbeats Fit

A new version of the Fit Pro wireless earbuds, which are upgraded with a redesigned wing tip that Beats says is 20 percent more flexible, a smaller case, and other advantages.

Where to Buy:

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

The latest Powerbeats Pro are a no-brainer for athletes. They pack fantastic sound and thumping bass, along with active noise cancellation, IPX4 water resistance, and heart rate monitoring. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Beats Studio Pro

Despite the familiar design, there were plenty of upgrades in the latest Studio Pro, including noise cancellation, transparency mode, and lossless USB-C audio. Here’s our review.
A product photo of the Beats Studio Pro noise-canceling headphones.

Where to Buy:

Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M5)

Powered by Apple’s new M5 chip, the latest MacBook Airs are more powerful than prior models and offer double the base storage (512GB). They also support faster wireless standards, specifically Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Apple MacBook Air (15-inch, M5, 2026)

For a slightly bigger MacBook Air, the 15-inch version is the one to get. It offers similar performance, but its battery is larger, and it has more speakers.

Where to Buy:

iPad Mini (2024)

The seventh-gen iPad Mini comes with Apple’s A17 Pro chip and support for Apple Intelligence. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and offers faster Wi-Fi and USB-C speeds. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Bose SoundLink Max

Bose’s SoundLink Max improves on the smaller Flex with true stereo sound — and very powerful sound at that. It’s got a removable handle for easy transport, and there’s an aux input for playing audio when you want to listen at a higher quality than what Bluetooth can deliver. Read our review.
A photo of Bose’s light blue SoundLink Max portable speaker.

Where to Buy:

Bose SoundLink Plus

For something between Bose’s SoundLink Flex and the Max, the Plus strikes a good balance with booming bass, loud volume that doesn’t get distorted, and an easy-to-clean design. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Bose Soundlink Flex (second-gen)

The second-gen SoundLink Flex builds on the original with more intuitive controls, including a new play / pause button. It also adds adjustable EQ and support for higher-quality audio via AAC and aptX, while retaining a rugged IP67-rated design and the ability to pair two speakers for stereo sound.

Where to Buy:

Belkin Charging Case for Nintendo Switch 2

The case features an integrated power bank and a small pocket to stow an AirTag (or other similarly sized Bluetooth tracker).

Where to Buy:

Belkin MagSafe 15W 2-in-1 wireless charging dock

A slick 2-in-1 charger that can charge your magnet-friendly iPhone or Pixel at a relatively speedy pace. Its extra charging pad supports AirPods, the Apple Watch, and other Qi-ready accessories.

Where to Buy:

Asus ProArt 27-inch 1440p USB-C monitor

An affordable color-accurate monitor that can easily connect to a MacBook or Windows machine that has USB-C video support. It’s a good price for a fully-featured 1440p monitor.

Where to Buy:

Belkin Qi2.2 25W 2-in-1 foldable charging dock

Slap a recent iPhone onto this charging pad and it’ll charge at fast 25W speeds. It can also charge AirPods, and includes a cord and wall adapter.

Where to Buy:

Xreal xbx A01 Plus

Xreal’s most affordable set of USB-C display glasses yet. They lack three degrees of freedom, but are otherwise an awesome value for gaming or watching movies with your own huge, private screen. Read our hands-on.

Where to Buy:

Nothing Ear 3A earbuds

The Ear 3A are fantastic (and visually-striking) wireless earbuds for iPhone or Android selling at their best-ever price. Read our review.
The Nothing Ear 3A earbuds on a mauve background with their case.

Where to Buy:

Eufy FamiLock S3 Max

Get you a smart lock that has a digital peephole, and that can be unlocked with a wave. This is a nice discount off its original $400 price. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow

Roborock’s first roller-mop robot vacuum, the Curv 2 Flow, features flagship specs at a midrange price, including excellent mopping, a retractable mop cover, 20,000Pa suction, AI-powered obstacle avoidance, and a compact design.

Where to Buy:

Roborock Saros 20

Roborock’s Saros 20 stands out for its ability to climb tall thresholds, avoid obstacles with impressive accuracy, and clean under low furniture thanks to its slim design. It also combines powerful 36,000Pa suction with great spinning mop pads, which is why we recommend it for homes with multiple floor types and tricky transitions between rooms.

Where to Buy:

Aqara Smart Lock U400

This innovative new smart lock uses the U1 ultra-wideband (UWB) chip in many iPhones and Apple Watches to automatically unlock your door as you approach. It will also work with the new Aliro standard and be compatible with Android phones for hands-free unlocking.

Where to Buy:

Aqara Doorbell Camera G400 with chime

The G400 was the first wired-only video doorbell to work with Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video feature. It has solid specs for the price, and includes a chime to sound indoors.

Where to Buy:

Hatch Restore 3

The Restore 3 features more than 50 sleep sounds and 18 adjustable light colors, with access to hundreds more through the optional Hatch Plus subscription, which runs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year.
The Hatch Restore 3 on a nightstand.

Where to Buy:

Kodak Charmera Keychain Digital Camera

Described by our writer Andrew Liszewski as “terrible,” the Charmera is still worth getting if you want a keychain camera that’s a ton of fun to use. Read our coverage.

Where to Buy:

LifeStraw personal water filter

LifeStraw’s basic filter removes unwanted bacteria and microplastics as you drink, giving you a safe way to hydrate no matter where you are.

Where to Buy:

TP-Link Tapo Matter-Certified Smart Plug Mini

A smart plug adds functionality to an existing gadget rather than replacing it. Once the plug is connected to your Wi-Fi network and a gadget, you can turn it on and off using an app. TP-Link’s Tapo smart plug supports Matter, so you can add it to whichever smart home platform you use. 

Where to Buy:

TP-Link Tapo 2K Outdoor pan/tilt wired floodlight camera

A semi-affordable (subscription-free) outdoor security camera that supplies both a floodlight and a pan/tilt design so that you can easily track visitors.

Where to Buy:

Ugreen two-bay DH2300 NAS

If you’re itching to locally host photos, files, videos, and more instead of paying for cloud storage, this entry-level NAS from Ugreen is discounted. You’ll just need to pack it with NAS-ready HDDs.

Where to Buy:

Apple Watch SE 3

The Apple Watch SE 3 is a major glow-up, adding an always-on display, wrist-temperature sensor, a more powerful processor, and fast charging. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

AirPods Pro 3

The AirPods Pro 3 have a new design that improves their fit, superior noise cancellation, better bass, and fairly accurate heart rate sensors. Read our review.
Hands holding the open case for the AirPods Pro 3 above multi-colored books on a wooden table.

Where to Buy:

Anker UFO 3-in-1 Qi2 15W charging dock

While not the fastest wireless charger at this price, Anker’s unique, UFO-styled 3-in-1 charging puck unfolds with pads for a phone, AirPods, and an Apple Watch.

Where to Buy:

Anker Nano 100W universal travel adapter

Anker’s powerful Nano international travel charger is great if you have a lot of USB-C gadgets to keep charged. While it lacks an AC plug, it supplies a screen that shows how much power you’re pushing to each port.

Where to Buy:

Anker Nano 45W charger with display

Anker’s latest single-port USB-C charger offers up to 45W of power, foldable prongs, and a front-facing “smart display” that lets you see the charge level, power flow, and other useful information at a glance.

Where to Buy:

Philips Hue Festavia string lights

These smart lights have beautiful colors, a nice selection of festive scenes, and an easy-to-use app. They are super reliable when paired with a Hue Bridge and also work over Bluetooth. They come in three lengths, work with all the major smart home platforms, and are Matter-compatible.

Where to Buy:

Philips Hue Essential four-pack of bulbs

Philips Hue bulbs can be pricey, which is why the company’s four-pack of Essential A19 bulbs are a great buy. They’re cheaper, costing less now during Prime Day than usual. They have adjustable colors, brightness, and can be controlled with Bluetooth or with a Hue Bridge (sold separately).

Where to Buy:

Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus carpet cleaner

Bissell’s Little Green is handy, but doesn’t cut it for big jobs. If you have pets and a lot of carpet to clean, this is one of the most powerful upright carpet cleaners in its price range.

Where to Buy:

Govee Lightwall

It’s a Lightwall. What more do you need to know? Fine, it’s a curtain of lights that’s 8.5 feet wide and 6.2 feet tall with 1,536 LEDs. You can program them to show anything you want.

Where to Buy:

Govee outdoor lamp post light

The outdoor lamp post light boasts full support for Google Assistant, Alexa, and Matter, so you can easily incorporate the lights into your smart home setup. 

Where to Buy:

Govee Table Lamp 2

The color-changing Govee Table Lamp 2 is an especially great pick for grads looking to make a new space feel like home. With adjustable warmth and brightness, plus lights that sync to music, it’s easy to set the mood for relaxing, focusing, or partying. It can also be controlled with voice assistants or a simple tap for added convenience.

Where to Buy:

Baseus AM52 power bank (with built-in cable)

This 10,000mAh power bank is one of the best ones available at this price. It has a built-in USB-C cable, and it’s MagSafe-ready, supporting up to 25W wireless charging speed for recent iPhones. Read our coverage.

Where to Buy:

The Blood of Dawnwalker

A new third-person adventure game made by several developers responsible for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Dawnwalker is similar in terms of its branching storyline and great side quests, but unique with how vampirism affects gameplay.

Where to Buy:

Elgato Key Light

A 2800-lumen light that can illuminate your desk area for video meetings, close work, and other uses. It includes a desk clamp to make it easy to fix to your working surface.
Elgato Key Light

Where to Buy:

Retroid Pocket 5

One of the most well-rounded Android gaming handhelds you can buy is the Retroid Pocket 5. It has a gorgeous 5.5-inch OLED screen, a PS Vita-like design, and enough power to play games up to the PS2 era thanks to its Snapdragon 865 processor.

Where to Buy:

Google Pixel Watch 5

Google’s latest smartwatch that launched in August has already had a big price drop. While the fourth iteration is cheaper, this model has superior GPS and gesture controls. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Nothing Headphone 1

Nothing’s first pair of over-ear headphones feature a retro transparent design and high-end features like active noise cancellation, spatial audio with head tracking, and plush ear pads. They also feature a paddle button that allows you to control music playback. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Corsair Xeneon Edge screen

The Xeneon Edge is a multipurpose touchscreen for your PC that gives you easy access to controls, various metrics, and widgets of your choosing through Corsair’s marketplace.

Where to Buy:

Lenovo Slim 7i Aura Edition laptop

$1,000 doesn’t usually get you all that much in a laptop these days, but it does during October Prime Day. This model has a 14-inch OLED screen, 16GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a capable Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU.

Where to Buy:

Toniebox 2 music player for kids

A screen-free device for kids that plays songs or stories when you tap collectible Tonie figures on the top of it. It’s for entertainment, but can double as an alarm.

Where to Buy:

Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro wireless mouse

An incredible value if you want one of the most comfortable right-handed wireless mice currently available. This price applies to the black or white versions.

Where to Buy:

Elgato Prompter

A teleprompter is a luxury. They help you make it look effortless to look at your camera as you read from a script or a chat log. Elgato’s option includes a small screen and a mirror, the latter of which allows you to see what you need to look at without breaking eye contact with viewers.
Elgato’s new Prompter hardware on top of a monitor

Where to Buy:

Elgato Stream Deck MK. 2

The MK.2 version of the standard Stream Deck comes with 15 programmable buttons, a swappable faceplate, and a detachable stand.

Where to Buy:

Anker Laptop Wall Charger (140W)

This wall adapter can deliver up to 140W when you’re using just one of its four ports. But even with to four gadgets, it can divvy up 140W so each gets a good amount of power.

Where to Buy:

Samsung Q990F Soundbar System

If you want to bring your home theater to the next level, the Samsung Q990F is the answer. The Q990 series has been at the top of best lists for years, and for good reason. It delivers an excellent Atmos experience with clear dialogue and booming bass to fully immerse you in whatever you’re watching.

Where to Buy:

Sonos Era 300

The hourglass-shaped Sonos Era 300 is designed from the ground up for spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. It supports the same Bluetooth and line-in features as the Era 100.
A photo of the Sonos Era 300 on a bedside table.

Where to Buy:

Acer Aspire Lite 14

Those in need of a capable, compact, and somewhat affordable Windows laptop should consider the Aspire Lite 14. It’s an ARM-based machine with 16GB of speedy RAM, half a terabyte of storage, and a slick design.

Where to Buy:

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

The OpenRun Pro 2 are Shokz’s best bone conduction headphones yet, with better sound and more bass than their predecessor. Our reviewer Victoria Song praised their cozy fit as well as their USB-C charging (goodbye, proprietary charger!). Read our review.
Picture of Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 in front of sneakers

Where to Buy:

Star Wars Zero Company

This XCOM-inspired twist of a Star Wars tactics game is as good as it sounds. Snag the game on its first-ever discount.

Where to Buy:

WiiM Sound Smart Speaker

A smart speaker with a HomePod-like design that’s compatible with many more services. It even has a cool, little screen on the front.

Where to Buy:

Meta Quest 3S

The Meta Quest 3S is a battery-powered standalone VR headset that has the same chipset as the pricier Quest 3, but with the same lenses and screen resolution as the Quest 2. In addition to being able to play many games from the Meta Store, it can also be connected to a gaming PC to play VR games like Half-Life Alyx. Read our review.
A person holding a Quest 3S.

Where to Buy:

Microsoft Surface Laptop (13.8-inch, 2026)

A powerful tablet that can turn into a laptop when you purchase the keyboard+trackpad accessory. This model features an OLED screen, the Snapdragon X2 Elite, 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. Read our coverage.

Where to Buy:

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2

Launched in late July, the Sleepbuds 2 have a small design that’s ideal for side sleepers. They can supply audio with 14 hours of battery life, and even a private alarm that’ll wake you (and not others in bed).

Where to Buy:

Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo

Fujifilm’s stylish Instax Mini Evo is the best instant camera overall. With it, you can choose which photos to print, while also boasting good image quality.
The Instax Mini Evo being held up with a hand against a dark background with cameras that are out of focus.

Where to Buy:

LG C6 OLED TV

While a relatively minor upgrade over the C5 if you’re getting a 65-inch or smaller screen, the 77- and 83-inch C6 utilize an improved Tandem OLED screen with incredible brightness.

Where to Buy:

Microsoft Surface Pro (13-inch, Snapdragon X2 Elite)

The latest Surface Pro is speedy and elegant, with a 13-inch OLED touchscreen and the Snapdragon X2 Elite processor. It doesn’t include a keyboard, though.

Where to Buy:

Apple iPad Air M4

The latest iteration of Apple’s iPad Air features an M4 processor and better connectivity under the hood, resulting in great performance whether you’re gaming or doing AI-related tasks. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Fujifilm Instax Mini 13

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 13 is a fun gift for students starting a new chapter. It prints credit card-sized photos in seconds, and the new self-timer makes it easier to snap group photos with friends.

Where to Buy:

iPad (2025)

Apple’s entry-level iPad is an excellent tablet for casual use, even if it is getting a little long in the tooth. Its high-res screen is great for watching video, and its A16 processor is still fast enough to handle light games and productivity apps. Read our review.
A photo of the 11th-generation iPad on a table.

Where to Buy:

Sony WH-1000XM5

The XM5 deliver better audio and noise cancellation than the XM4 (and even the refreshed XM4C that cost more), though they aren’t as compact. Read our review.
A man wearing Sony’s black WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling headphones outside.

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Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones

Sony made subtle improvements to every facet of the WH-1000XM6, from sound quality to ANC performance, while wisely bringing back the foldable, travel-friendly design last seen on the XM4.

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Sony Bravia 6 OLED TV

The first Sony OLED with four HDMI 2.1 ports. It competes with the LG C6 in terms of brightness and specs, and this is its first big price drop.

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M6 Mac Mini

Apple’s latest Mac Mini is just as small as the last-gen model, but more powerful. The M6 chip is about 20 percent faster than the M4. Read our review.

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Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds

The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds have top-notch noise-canceling performance with excellent, balanced sound, if you can get a good seal in your ears. Read our review.
The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds in both black and grey.

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Nothing Ear 3

Fantastic audio and great design are hallmarks of Nothing earbuds, but the Ear 3 push the boundaries with a case that can record audio. Read our review.

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Apple Watch Series 12

The latest iteration of Apple’s Watch lineup is already discounted at Amazon.

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AirPods 4

Apple’s AirPods 4 are the latest update to the company’s base-model wireless earbuds. The hard, plastic buds feature improved audio over the third-gen model, along with deep iOS integration and spatial audio with head tracking. Read our review.

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Amazon Alexa Plus keeps creepily singing ‘lalala’ for minutes on end

The Amazon Echo Studio with its front blue LED ring illuminated while sitting on a wooden coffee table.
The Amazon Echo Studio is one of the speakers that runs Alexa Plus. | Photo by John Higgins / The Verge

An unsettling Alexa Plus bug has seen some Amazon Echo smart home speakers reduced to saying - and sometimes singing - nothing but "lalala" on repeat for minutes at a time, often in the middle of conversations with users. When quizzed about the behavior, Alexa is apparently entirely unaware of what it's been doing.

The issue has been reported on Reddit repeatedly over the last few weeks, as recently as three days ago, across multiple types of Echo speaker. Multiple users have uploaded videos of the speakers' strange behavior. Here's one that Android Authority uploaded to YouTube:

Amazon is aware of the issue, and told Android Authority in …

Read the full story at The Verge.

This remote-controlled wagon is silly but so very useful

Confession: When BougeRV told me about its remote-controlled wagon with animated lighting, I called it in for a laugh, expecting to eviscerate it in a review. It's ridiculous, to be sure. But the DuneRover also proved very capable, with enough torque to flatten hills even when carrying over 200 pounds of gear. It can also traverse soft sand that defeats conventional wagons.

As someone who regularly uses a variety of wagons to haul all sorts of gear, the DuneRover is an epiphany. But what BougeRV sent me was a Kickstarter prototype - and it shows.

Production units won't ship until February 2027. So, what follows is less of a review and mo …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Gemini Call for Me might tell your mom you’re running late

Google may be expanding its "Call for Me" AI feature beyond business calls so you can use it to send messages to friends and family. Android Authority reports finding a "Gemini Calling" introductory screen in an APK teardown with examples that include "Call Mom and tell her I will be 15 minutes late" and "Call John and ask if he is coming for dinner."

Based on those examples, even with this expansion, Gemini would likely be limited to basic, text message-like calls. While Google's AI might not automate an entire catch-up phone call with your relatives, it could deliver quick messages to people who prefer a phone call, miss texts often, or …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Reverse-engineered games: All the news on video game decomps, recomps, VR and web and 3D ports

A photo collage of a gamer choosing an emulator from a menu of options of different game controllers.

It’s a wild time for retro gaming. Thanks to decompilations and recompilations of classic titles, those games are becoming unshackled from their proprietary code and original hardware to be ported to new devices or updated in ways to completely change the original game. Ever imagined skateboarding in Call of Duty? Or playing the original Halo right in your web browser, complete with multiplayer?  

These are unofficial versions of games, so they may sit in a legal gray area. It seems unlikely that Nintendo, for example, is particularly happy about people finding ways to play The Legend of Zelda on non-Nintendo hardware. Many of these projects are also made with the assistance of AI, which, for some people, is a non-starter given ethical or environmental concerns surrounding the technology.

Below, you’ll find our coverage of gaming decomps, recomps, and all the other ways gamers are reverse-engineering games to go previously unimaginable places.

The Matic is the first robovac to get an FCC ban waiver, not that it needs it

The Matic is our favorite robot vacuum and robo-mop, and it's also now the first to escape the FCC's Roomba ban.

Well, sort of - because the Matic wasn't banned to begin with.

Here's what's actually happening: On October 2nd, the FCC added the original Matic, model 4MA0001, and its charging dock model 4DK0008 to its ban waiver list. That allows the FCC to approve these radio products for import, marketing, and sale.

But the Matic doesn't need a waiver, because its radios were already approved years ago. The FCC's foreign drone, robot, and router bans only keep future products from getting imported into the United States, not existing o …

Read the full story at The Verge.