Now that Thanksgiving is done and dusted, the holiday weve actually been waiting for is here: Black Friday. The biggest shopping event of the year has officially kicked off, folks, and as expected, there is a dizzying array of deals available just about everywhere you look. Thankfully, we at The Verge know a thing or two about how to find the best deals.Many of the writers and editors at The Verge have spent years testing and toying with various gadgets, many of which can be found in our buying guides, reviews, and deal coverage. Our team has also spent more hours than we care to admit sifting through spreadsheets and retailer listings, cross-checking prices and our own recommendations to pull together a list of deals that earn our stamp of approval.Below, youll find deals on everything from Sonos speakers and the PlayStation 5 to Apples latest AirPods Pro, the newest Kindle, and even streaming services like Hulu. Weve also added a few non-tech goodies from our Favorites program, like Hotos electric screwdriver and the AeroPress Original. Well be continuously updating this roundup as more deals drop throughout the day, so keep checking back!RelatedFeatured dealsApple AirPods Pro 2$154$25038% off$154$154$25038% offThe second-gen AirPods Pro improve upon Apples original pair with much better noise cancellation, sound quality, and onboard volume controls. The latest refresh also ships with a USB-C charging case, as opposed to Lightning.Read our review.Hulu (monthly subscription)$1$1090% off$1$1$1090% offUntil December 2nd at 11:59PM PT, youcan get a year of ad-supported Hulufor 99 cents a month or $11.88 for the year. You can also get a Hulu with Disney Plus bundle for $2.99 a month for the next year.$1 at Hulu (with ads) $3 at Hulu and Disney Plus (with ads)UE Miniroll$50$8038% off$50$50$8038% offUltimate Ears latest disc-shaped Bluetooth speaker is small and affordable, with a built-in strap for attaching it to your belongings. It also charges via USB-C and features an IP67 rating against dust and water, along with up to 12 hours of battery life.Kindle Paperwhite (2024)$130$16019% off$130$130$16019% offAmazons latest Kindle Paperwhite features a larger seven-inch display and noticeably faster performance. It also boasts longer battery life than the previous model, retains IPX8 waterproofing, and includes a USB-C port.TheLegend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom$30$7057% off$30$30$7057% offTears of the Kingdom is the latest installment in the Zelda franchise. The storyline and gameplay are similar to Breath of the Wilds, but enough has changed to make Links return to Hyrule plenty special. Read our review.$30 at Walmart (digital)$40 at Best Buy (physical)Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses$239$29920% off$239$239$29920% offDeveloped by both Ray-Ban and Meta, the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses can perform a range of tasks, including playing music and capturing photos and videos. Read our review.Philips Hue Festavia string lights $154$22030% off$154$154$22030% offThese 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 two lengths, work with all the major smart home platforms, and are Matter-compatible.2022 Apple iPad (64GB, Wi-Fi)$250$34928% off$250$250$34928% offApples 10th-gen iPad is the successor to the older ninth-gen model. In exchange for its revised design, landscape-oriented webcam, USB-C port, larger 10.9-inch screen, and faster processor, it ditched the headphone jack and home button. Read our review.Hoto 3.6V Electric Screwdriver Kit$30$7057% off$30$30$7057% offHotos electric screwdriver is perfect for making small to medium-sized repairs around the house. In addition to a USB-C port, the screwdriver comes with a magnetic case and 25 steel bits.Nintendo Switch Pro Controller$50$7029% off$50$50$7029% offThe Switch Pro released alongside the Switch console in 2017, and its a tough controller to beat. It offers an unmatched set of features (HD rumble, motion controls, NFC), and its one of the most comfortable Switch controllers out there.Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra $1100$180039% off$1100$1100$180039% offWith top-notch vacuuming performance, an easy-to-use app, and built-in voice control, the S8 MaxV Ultra is a superb vacuum and good mop. It features Roborocks best obstacle avoidance, innovative features like dirt detection, and a hands-free dock that makes it an expensive but excellent choice.Glocusent book light$18$2218% off$18$18$2218% offGlocuscents book light hangs around your neck to illuminate whatever youre reading, while offering adjustable brightness and warmth settings.$18 at Amazon$56$56$10044% offAnkers MagGo Magnetic Charging Station 8-in-1 is a wireless charging stand capable of delivering Qi2 speeds (15W) of power to newer iPhone models. The magnetic, orb-shaped gadget also features a three-outlet power strip and multiple USB-C and USB-A ports.$56 at Amazon$56 at Anker (with code WS7DV2NMENHH)The best Apple dealsApple AirTag (four-pack)$73$9926% off$73$73$9926% offApples AirTags are unobtrusive, waterproof, and tap into the massive Find My network for out-of-range locating. Read our review.2022 Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) $149$24940% off$149$149$24940% offThe latest SE borrows a few features from the Series 8, including the same chipset and Crash Detection feature, but its an otherwise subtle upgrade from the last-gen SE. Read our review.Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS)$329$39918% off$329$329$39918% offThe Apple Watch Series 10 has a larger, wide-angle OLED display with up to 30 percent more screen area. Its also thinner and lighter than its predecessors. Read our review.You can buy the last-gen iPad with Wi-Fi and 64GB of storage for its all-time low of $199.99 ($129 off) at Best Buy and Target. The 2021 tablet features a smaller 10.2-inch screen than the newer model, a slower A13 Bionic chip, and a Lightning charging port. However, its still snappy enough for streaming, browsing the web, sending emails, and performing other typical tablet tasks, making it great for kids or anybody looking for an affordable tablet. It even features a 3.5mm headphone jack a welcome rarity.If you want the latest and greatest, the new iPad Mini is available at Amazon with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage starting at $459 ($40 off), or at Best Buy for $469 ($30 off). Apples 8.3-inch tablet is pretty similar to the outgoing model from 2021, only it features faster Wi-Fi speeds and support for the newer Apple Pencil Pro. It also leverages the new Apple A17 Pro chip, which allows for various AI-based Apple Intelligence features. Read our review.Verizon is offering up to $1,000 off an iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max and up to $830 off an iPhone 16 when you trade in any phone in any condition, provided youre signed on to a select Unlimited plan. AT&T is also offering $1,000 off the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max or $830 off an iPhone 16 with trade-in. You can get the same Verizon and AT&T deals through Best Buy, in which case youll get a $100 Best Buy gift card with your purchase.13-inch MacBook Air with M2 (2022)$749$99925% off$749$749$99925% offThe 2022 MacBook Air is a thin, lightweight device powered by Apples M2 chip. The M2 model touts an improved 1080p webcam and a better display than its predecessor, while retaining features like long battery life and MagSafe charging. Read our review.$749 at Amazon (256GB SSD, 16GB RAM)$749 at Best Buy (256GB SSD, 16GB RAM)13-inch Apple MacBook Air M3 (2024) $844$109923% off$844$844$109923% offThe MacBook Air M3 is a jack-of-all-trades, with a balanced combination of performance and power efficiency. It also now supports dual displays with the lid closed, and the storage speed is noticeably faster. You dont need to think about if this laptop will meet your needs it just will. Read our review.$844 at Amazon (16GB / 256GB SSD)$849 at Best Buy (16GB / 256GB SSD)If you want a larger laptop from Apple, the 15-inch M3 MacBook Air with base 256GB storage and 16GB of RAM is going for $1,044 ($255 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. Thats matching the lowest price weve seen for Apples larger Air, which sports an excellent display and a couple of extra speakers over the 13-inch that sound great.The M4-powered iMac is on sale starting at $1,149 ($150 off) at Amazon with an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU M4 chip, 16GB of memory, and 256GB of storage when you clip the on-page coupon. Its a shame the base model only comes with four ports, but otherwise, the iMac is a good desktop computer that offers minor upgrades over its predecessor, including faster performance and a better 12MP webcam with support for Apples Center Stage feature. And, of course, the 24-inch display continues to come in a number of fun colors. Read our review.You can buy Apples official iPhone 16 Clear Case with MagSafefrom Amazon starting at$37 ($12 off), which is its best price yet. Apple designed the polycarbonate case so that it works well with the iPhone 16s newCamera Control button. The company also added a glossy scratch-resistant coating, likely after many complained about how last yearsFineWoven casesscratched easily.If you prefer to buy first-party, starting on November 29th,Apple will also be hosting its own rare sales event. You can get up to $200 on select MacBook Airs, while certain iPads will net you $100 in credit. Apple will also give you anywhere between $25- $75 in credit when you purchase select iPhones, AirPods, styli, streaming devices, and more.The best wireless earbuds and headphone dealsBeats Solo 4$100$20050% off$100$100$20050% offWith lossless USB-C audio, 50-hour battery life, Find My, spatial audio, and more comfy ear cups, the Beats Solo 4 gained significant quality-of-life improvements over their eight-year-old predecessors. They still deliver that bass-rich Beats sound, too. Read our review.Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds$229$29923% off$229$229$29923% offWith dynamic, rich sound and the best noise cancellation available in true wireless earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a terrific pick if you want to listen to your music in peace. Read our review.Jabra may have stopped selling consumer earbuds, but that doesnt there arent discounts available on the existing models. Right now, for instance, you can purchase theJabra Elite 10Gen 2 for an all-time low of $199.99 ($80 off) at Amazon and Best Buy.In addition to noise cancellation, the semi-openElite 10 come with an LE Audio charging case, which lets youwirelessly transmit audio from an external device. They also feature physical buttons and support other essentials, including multipoint Bluetooth connectivity.You can also pick up Jabras Elite 8 Active Gen 2 for $169.99 ($60 off) at Amazon and

Every year we round up all the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales for game developers and 2024 is no exception. The follow are the best deals we located for game development software, tools and assets. AssetsUnity Asset StoreUnity have 850+ assets on sale 50% off, as well as daily Flash Deals that are 70% off. Unreal Engine/FabFab (formerly the Unreal Engine Marketplace and SketchFab marketplace) has hundreds of assets 70% off.Ovani Sound Black Friday BundleA massive collection of sound effects, music and audio game engine plugins for just $20. GameDev MarketSave up to 60% off game dev assets.Unreal to Godot ExporterGet this excellent Unreal to Godot (learn more) exporter for 20% off using code rt99t8i at checkout.Leartes Black Friday Unreal Engine BundleUse code BF60 for an additional 60% off the bundle priceLeartes Black Friday Unity Engine BundleUse code BF60 for an additional 60% off the bundle priceSynty AssetsGet Synty assets up to 70% off.3D TotalSave 20% off all items.CG TraderSave up to 70% off 3D models.Flipped NormalsSave up to 50% off on 40,000+ items.TurboSquidSave up to 50% off 3D models.HDRMaps30% off everythingKitBash3DKits and subscriptions on sale for Cyber MonthSound IdeasUp to 50% off sound effect libraries and buy 2 get the 3rd one free.Humble BundlesWhile not technically Black Friday deals, both Humble Bundle and Fanatical are running several bundles of interest to game developers.Humble Bundles:Rust Black Friday (with Bevy)Ultimate Unreal (and Unity) Sci-Fi Assets BundleAward Winning Assets for UnityLearn Unity with GameDevTVGameDev Market: Best of 2024 BundleFanatical Bundles:Build Your Own Game Development Bundle with Unreal & UnityGodot Programming eLearning BundleVarious Game Development AssetsVarious Game Development and Programming BooksSteam Autumn SaleThe annual Steam autumn sale is going on right now as well. There are several game development related applications available on discount on Steam, with the following be a random assortment of interesting programs. Be sure to check Steam for the full list of applications on sale.Aseprite 30% OffPixel FX Designer 33% Off Learn MoreSpriter Pro 35% OffPixel Over 30% Off Learn MoreSoftware3D CoatGet 3D Coat 2024 for 100 off, and 3D Coat Textura for 23 OffAbletonGet Ableton Live, upgrades and packs 25% OffAdobeSubscribe to Creative Cloud for 50% offAffinityAll Affinity Products such as Designer and Photo 50% off.AutodeskBlack Friday/Cyberweek deal still coming soonCascadeurGet 45% off CorelSave up to $210CDN on Corel programs including Corel Draw, Painter, Paintshop Pro and moreDaz3DRotating daily offers plus sales across the catalogEmberGen(Learn More)Get 30% off EmberGen Indie license using code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout.FL StudioSave up to 30% off FL Studio multiple versionsLightwave 3D63% off new licenses and upgrades to 2024 versionMari50% off individual subscriptionsMarmosetGet 20% Off Marmoset Toolbag licensesMaxon25% off Maxon One (Cinema 4D, ZBrush and moreMilo & Silo40% off with code GATHER at checkoutPlasticity20% off indie and studio licenses.RealAllusionSave up to 50% off software and assets.RizomUV30% off with code rizomuv at checkout. (Learn More)Sound ParticlesSave up to 65% off on all products. You can learn aboutSound Particles here.SteinbergSave up to 60% off all products.Toon Boom30% off all Harmony and Storyboard pro subscriptionsThe above links may contain an affiliate code that pays GFS a small commission if used (and thanks if you do).You can learn more about the Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2024 deals for game developers in thevideo(coming soon)below.

Large language models (LLMs) with long-context processing capabilities have revolutionized technological applications across multiple domains. Recent advancements have enabled sophisticated use cases including repository-level coding assistance, multi-document analysis, and autonomous agent development. These models demonstrate remarkable potential in handling extensive contextual information, requiring advanced mechanisms to retrieve and integrate dispersed details effectively. However, the current landscape reveals significant challenges in maintaining consistent performance across complex reasoning tasks. While LLMs have achieved near-perfect accuracy in needle-in-a-haystack scenarios, substantial performance limitations persist when confronting more nuanced long-context reasoning challenges. This variability highlights the critical need for innovative approaches to enhance contextual understanding and reasoning capabilities in artificial intelligence systems.Research in long-context language modeling has emerged as a critical frontier in artificial intelligence, exploring innovative approaches to enhance large language models contextual processing capabilities. Two primary research trajectories have gained prominence: model-centered and data-centric methodologies. Model-centered strategies involve targeted modifications to existing architectures, including subtle adjustments to position embeddings and attention mechanisms. Researchers have also proposed unique architectural designs aimed at improving computational efficiency and contextual comprehension. Simultaneously, data-centric approaches focus on sophisticated data engineering techniques, such as continued pretraining on extended sequences and utilizing expert models or human annotations for refined training data. These multifaceted research efforts collectively aim to push the boundaries of language models contextual understanding and reasoning capabilities, addressing fundamental challenges in artificial intelligence systems.Researchers from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Tencent introduce SEALONG, a robust self-improving methodology designed to enhance large language models reasoning capabilities in long-context scenarios. By sampling multiple reasoning trajectories and employing Minimum Bayes Risk (MBR) scoring, the method prioritizes outputs demonstrating higher consistency across generated responses. This approach addresses the critical challenge of hallucination in language models by identifying and prioritizing reasoning paths that align more closely with collective model outputs. The methodology offers two primary optimization strategies: supervised fine-tuning using high-scoring outputs and preference optimization involving both high and low-scoring trajectories. Experimental evaluations across leading language models demonstrate significant performance improvements, with notable increases in long-context reasoning capabilities without relying on external human or expert model annotations.SEALONG introduces an innovative two-stage methodology for enhancing long-context reasoning in large language models. The approach centers on self-supervision and model fine-tuning, utilizing a robust evaluation technique based on MBR decoding. By generating multiple reasoning trajectories for each input, the method assesses output quality through semantic consistency and embedding similarity. This approach enables the model to identify and prioritize more reliable reasoning paths by comparing different generated outputs. The technique employs a Monte Carlo method to score each trajectory, effectively distinguishing between potentially hallucinated and more accurate responses. Crucially, SEALONG demonstrates significant performance improvements without relying on external human annotations or expert model interventions.This research presents SEALONG, an innovative approach to enhancing large language models long-context reasoning capabilities through self-improvement techniques. SEALONG represents a significant advancement in addressing critical challenges associated with contextual understanding and reasoning in artificial intelligence systems. By demonstrating the models potential to refine their own reasoning processes without external expert intervention, the study offers a promising pathway for continuous model development. The proposed methodology not only improves performance across multiple long-context reasoning tasks but also provides a framework for future research in artificial intelligence. This innovative approach holds substantial implications for the ongoing evolution of large language models, potentially bridging the gap between current AI capabilities and more advanced, human-like reasoning.Check out the Paper and GitHub Page. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. If you like our work, you will love ournewsletter.. Dont Forget to join our55k+ ML SubReddit. Mohammad Asjad+ postsAsjad is an intern consultant at Marktechpost. He is persuing B.Tech in mechanical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. Asjad is a Machine learning and deep learning enthusiast who is always researching the applications of machine learning in healthcare. [Download] Evaluation of Large Language Model Vulnerabilities Report (Promoted)

I've been waiting for another good OLED TV deal to pop up for Black Friday ever since the previous one expired, and Walmart has finally delivered. Right now you can pick up a current 2024 model 65" LG Evo C4 4K OLED Smart TV for only $1,199.85. To get this price you will need to follow two simple steps:You'll need to sign into your Walmart account to see this deal (signing up free)Add the 65" LG Evo C4 4K OLED TV to your cartClip the $63.15 coupon in your shopping cart to bring it down to $1,199.85The LG Evo C4 OLED TV has won top spots in several of our buying guides, including best 4K TV, best TV for gaming, and best TV for the PlayStation 5. This is an especially good choice if you picked up the new PS5 Pro, since the updated hardware will be able to run more games at a consistent 4K @ 120fps.65" LG Evo C4 4K OLED Smart TV: The Best PS5 TVMust be signed in and clip the coupon65" LG Evo C4 4K Smart TVThe C4 is the current generation 2024 model among LG's highly vaunted C-series OLED TV lineup. Compared to traditional LED LCD TVs, OLED TVs offer superior image quality, near-infinite blacks, near-infinite contrast ratio, and near-instantaneous response times. The C4 uses LG's Evo panel, which boasts higher brightness levels than traditional OLED TVs. Because of these advantages, the OLED TV excels at displaying 4K HDR content in all of its intended glory. We prefer LG over other brands of OLED TVs primarily because they've been out for a longer period of time. Every year model is an incremental update over previous years, but it all adds up when you have several generations under your belt. We gave the older LG C2 a near-perfect score when we first reviewed it, for example.The C4 also has all the features you'd want in a gaming TV. It has four HDMI 2.1 ports all capable of up to 144Hz refresh rate at 4K resolution. That's great news for PS5 (and now PS5 Pro), Xbox Series X, and PC gamers, since several games can be played at frame rates of 120fps and beyond. The C4 also supports variable refresh rate (VRR) including Nvidia G-Sync and auto low latency mode (ALLM). When connected to a PC, it supports chroma 4:4:4 for better text legibility.A particularly nice feature that isn't advertised often is the surprisingly light weight of the C4. The 65" TV weighs in at only 36.6 pounds without the stand. That's because the rear cabinet housing is made of a composite fiber that's lighter than the plastics most TVs use. It might not matter much in the long term, but this is a welcome advantage when you are first setting up your TV, especially if you plan on wall mounting.More Black Friday TV DealsMust be signed in and clip the coupon65" LG Evo C4 4K Smart TV65" Samsung S90D 4K OLED Smart TV55" Samsung LS03D The Frame Series 4K TV85" Hisense QD7 4K 144Hz QLED Smart TV55" Hisense U7 Series 4K QLED Mini-LED Google TV75" Westinghouse 4K Roku TV65" Hisense A6 4K UHD Xumo Smart TV48" LG B4 4K OLED Smart TV75" Hisense QD6 4K QLED Google TV55" TCL F35-Series 4K Fire TV98" TCL QM7-Series 4K QLED Mini-LED Google TV77" LG B4 4K OLED Smart TV77" Samsung S84D 4K OLED Smart TV65" Hisense CanvasTV 4K QLED Smart TV65" TCL NXTFRAME 4K QLED Google TV85" TCL Q5 4K QLED Fire TV75" Insignia F50 4K Fire TV50" Pioneer Xumo 4K Smart TV55" LG B3 4K OLED Smart TV55" TCL Q68 4K Google TV55" Samsung Neo QLED QNX1D 4K Mini-LED Smart TV55" Samsung QLED Q60D 4K Smart TV85" Samsung Neo QLED QN90D 4K Mini-LED Smart TV85" Samsung Neo QLED QN85D 4K Mini-LED Smart TV98" Samsung Crystal DU9000 4K Smart TV50" Samsung Crystal DU6900 4K Smart TV75" Samsung DU6950 4K Smart TVWhy Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?IGN's deals team has a combined 30+ years of experience finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and just about every other category. We don't try to trick our readers into buying things they don't need at prices that aren't worth buying something at. Our ultimate goal is to surface the best possible deals from brands we trust and our editorial team has personal experience with. You can check out our deals standards here for more information on our process, or keep up with the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

The best Black Friday AirPods deal has arrived and it's better than I predicted. The Apple AirPods Pro wireless noise-canceling earbuds has dropped to $153.99 at several retailers, including Amazon, Target, and Walmart, which means you have plenty of options to buy from. This is the lowest price I've seen all year long, and it's very unlikely to drop further. This discount brings the price down to the same level as the Apple AirPods 4 with noise cancellation. Between the two, the AirPods Pro is still Apple's best earbuds because it offers better sound quality and better noise cancellation performance.Apple AirPods Pro for $153.99Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB)The AirPods Pro is the best-sounding "truly wireless" earbuds for iPhone users thanks to its passively isolating in-ear design, low-distortion driver and amp, and the newer Apple H2 chip. In addition to being only one of two AirPods earbuds with active noise cancellation, the AirPods Pro has useful features like "Adaptive Transparency Mode" to hear your surroundings without removing the earbuds and "Conversation Mode" that automatically enhances the voices of people you're talking to. The newer second-generation AirPods Pro replaces the Lightning port with a more universal USB Type-C port so you don't have to mix and match cables, and also includes a MagSafe charging case by default.Should you get the AirPods Pro over AirPods 4 with ANC?Normally, I would suggest going with the AirPods 4 ANC because it's usually $70 cheaper. However, if the price is taken out of equation, the AirPods Pro is a superior earbud. Both feature active noise cancellation, but the AirPods Pro produces better sound and more effective noise cancelling because of its design. The AirPods 4 ANC is an open-ear style earbud with non-adjustable tips. They're designed to sit right outside of the ear which while comfortable means you get plenty of sound leakage and ambient noise intrusion. On the other hand, the AirPods Pro is an in-ear style of earbud that sits right inside your ear canal, sealing the passage and passively isolating it from the ambient air. Adjustable tips are included to accomodate different sized ears and ensure you get that proper sealing fit, which is very important to squeeze out the best performance. At this price, the only compelling reason to still go for the AirPods 4 ANC is if you don't like the intrusive nature of in-ear style earbuds in general.This is just one of Apple's Black Friday deals, so check out the rest if you're in the Apple ecosystem. If particular, if you're looking for an iPad, there are plenty of amazing Black Friday iPad deals going on right now. If you're planning to upgrade your smartphone in the near future, the new iPhone 16 is a solid contender. In our iPhone 16 review, Mark Knapp wrote that, "The iPhone 16 performs great, looks good, and snaps nice photos while offering a big discount to the Pro models."The Only "AirPods" That's BetterApple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear HeadphonesThe AirPods Max is the crown jewel of Apple's AirPods lineup, but that quality doesn't come cheap. The wireless headset is normally priced at $550, but for Black Friday, Amazon has dropped the price down to $399. That's a $150 (28%) off and the lowest price we've seen. Unlike its AirPods brethren, the AirPods Max is a more traditional style over-ear headphone. If you're not a fan of earbuds, then the best hi-fi noise cancelling headphones of 2024 might be right up your alley.Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?IGN's deals team has a combined 30+ years of experience finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and just about every other category. We don't try to trick our readers into buying things they don't need at prices that aren't worth buying something at. Our ultimate goal is to surface the best possible deals from brands we trust and our editorial team has personal experience with. You can check out our deals standards here for more information on our process, or keep up with the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

This article is part of the Collectors Digest Holiday Edition powered by: Theres nothing quite like opening presents during the holiday season. The anticipation of ripping wrapping paper to shreds to find out what glorious gift your loved ones gave you is unmatched, but sometimes you can tell whats inside without seeing it. Imagine you pick up a perfectly rectangular box, give it a nice shake, and hear a sound akin to shattered glass mixing around in a wooden bowl. You instantly know what it is: LEGO.The Danish system of interlocking plastic bricks has been a staple of gift-giving for decades, but with the recent influx of adult-based products and nostalgia for classic LEGO sets, the brands popularity has risen to an all-time high.If you want to give the gift of LEGO to a loved one this holiday season, here are our picks for the best LEGO gift ideas, new and old, that you can purchase for yourself on eBay right now!Execute Order 66.These iconic words uttered by the tyrannical Emperor Palpatine shaped the finale of the prequel era of Star Wars. And with the 20th anniversary of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith right around the corner in 2025, there is no better time than now to acquire the LEGO Brickheadz of Clone Commander Cody, the trooper who shot down Obi-Wan on Utapau. This highly affordable 147-piece set brilliantly captures Codys likeness in stylized Brickheadz form, making this set a perfect stocking stuffer come Christmas time.Buy 40675 on eBay hereLEGO Marvel Super Heroes 6866: Wolverines Chopper ShowdownDespite a partnership with Marvel Studios stretching back to the original Avengers movie in 2012, LEGO didnt produce any official set tie-ins with this past summers mega-blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine. The toymaker refuses to touch any IP that doesnt have values suitable for family-friendly audiences, and with Deadpools signature raunchiness making its way into the MCU, its no surprise that LEGO tapped out of products from the film. However, back in 2012, the group made an X-Men set that featured both titular characters of Marvels latest feature, alongside Magneto and a slick-looking helicopter. While fans will have to shell out a pretty penny to acquire this one, its worth it for two of the most iconic superheroes in the Marvel multiverse.Buy 6866 on eBay hereLEGO DC Super Heroes 76274: Batman with the Batmobile vs. Harley Quinn and Mr. FreezeWhile LEGO Marvel has received dozens of new sets every year, LEGO DC feels like the ugly stepchild of comic-based themes. While we wait for the new DCU to kick off with James Gunns Superman next July, LEGO had to improvise and dip their toes into the water of older DC IP for sets this year. This resulted in Batman: The Animated Series finally getting the LEGO treatment with 76274: Batman with the Batmobile vs. Harley Quinn and Mr. Freeze. The angular shaping of the Batmobile is recreated effortlessly here, and minifigures of beloved villains Harley Quinn and Mr. Freeze round out the set nicely. Despite few options from the DC theme in 2024, this set is perfect for hardcore Batman enthusiasts.Buy 76274 on eBay hereLEGO 76989: Horizon Forbidden West: TallneckThe unlikely pairing of LEGO and PlayStations Horizon video game series yielded one of the most beloved gaming sets of all time, the Tallneck. Made from an impressive 1,222 pieces, this design lives up to its name, standing over a foot tall in height. Surrounded by the trademark luscious scenery the game is known for and an excellent figure of Aloy, 76989 is a brilliant centerpiece for any LEGO collection. Additionally, with the release of LEGO Horizon Adventures, the value of the Tallneck set is only expected to go up over the following few years, so get one now while the iron is still relatively cool.Buy 76989 on eBay hereLEGO Star Wars 75192: UCS Millennium FalconA staple of our holiday LEGO gift guides, Han Solos trusty piece of junk ship, the Millennium Falcon, isnt just one of the most famous spaceships in the galaxy far, far away; its one of the most famous spaceships in human history. The iconic vessel has been made many times in LEGO form, most prominently with 75192. Part of the Ultimate Collector Series (UCS) banner, this 7,541-piece behemoth is the largest LEGO Star Wars set ever. Fans can recreate iconic scenes from the Original Star Wars Trilogy but also have the option to swap out the minifigures and radar dish to match characters from the newer Sequel Trilogy. The UCS Millennium Falcon is the ultimate prize for any LEGO collector, a set worthy of its spot in the pantheon of LEGO greatness.Buy 75192 on eBay hereLEGO Star Wars 75252 Imperial Star DestroyerIf you possess the ultimate vehicle for the light side, youre going to want something from the dark side to balance out your collection. Thats where 75252 Imperial Star Destroyer storms in. The 43-inch long, 4784-piece monster will instantly become the intimidating centerpiece of any LEGO Star Wars display. While the beast looks like a lot of gray bricks on the outside, the interior designs provide builders with an intricate array of colorful technic pieces designed to capture the iconic triangular design. The Ultimate Collectors Series Imperial Star Destroyer will have your LEGO Rebel figures shaking in their boots.Buy 75252 on eBay hereLEGO Ideas 21345: Polaroid OneStep SX-70 CameraRetro is in, and what screams the 20th century more than a Polaroid camera? While the LEGO model doesnt actually take photographs, it wonderfully captures the shape of the beloved piece of antique technology. It also has a brilliant incorporated function to spit out a fake piece of film with cartoon renditions of seminal moments in LEGOs history. This 516-set is sure to please any mega LEGO fan, but is also a perfect gift for someone looking for a small and affordable shelf piece.Buy 21345 on eBay hereLEGO Back to the Future 10300: DeLorean Time MachineYou built a (LEGO) time machine? Out of a DeLorean? Over 10 years ago, LEGO made their first version of the DMC car from 1985s Back to the Future in a set that couldnt stay on shelves if it tried. Time travel over a decade later, and a new, much more detailed version has been released. Despite the massive jump in piece count and price, LEGO still cant seem to make enough supply of this set to keep up with demand. You might have to pay a premium for this 1872-piece set this holiday season, but having a piece of cinematic history fly into your LEGO display will be worth it. And with the recent 35th anniversary of Back to the Future Part II, there is no better time to get your hands on this product featuring Marty McFly and Doc Brown in their outfits from the movie sequel.Buy 10300 on eBay hereLEGO Harry Potter 76428 Hagrids Hut: An Unexpected VisitLEGO Harry Potter has been around for years, and a new version of Hagrids Hut always finds its way into the most recent collection. Because of this, it has become difficult for these respective sets to separate themselves from the pack, but 76428 accomplished the impossible. This latest incarnation of the half-giants humble abode is beautifully drawn up with an octagonal shape and rustic aesthetic. Additionally, a barrage of magical creatures helps to round out the scene, including Fang, the dog, and Norbert, the baby dragon. This is a dream set for any fan of the Wizarding World.Buy 76428 on eBay hereLEGO Star Wars 75290 Mos Eisley CantinaThe scummier side of the Star Wars universe is brilliantly represented with the Master Builder Series Mos Eisley Cantina. Complete with 18 minifigures of the craziest alien characters from across the galaxy, this 3,000+ piece rendition of the space-bar is a spectacular display piece for the biggest Star Wars collectors. Recreating beloved moments like the first ever instance of lightsaber combat, the iconic cantina band, and the infamous who shot first? scene cement 75290 as one of the best LEGO Star Wars location builds ever assembled.Buy 75290 on eBay hereLEGO Toy Story 7590: Woody and Buzz to the RescueBelieve it or not, Toy Story is creeping in on its 30th anniversary. The first ever feature-length film to be entirely 3D animated, Toy Story is a timeless classic that has withstood the test of time. While there arent too many LEGO Toy Story sets, the 2010 wave gave us some classics, such as 7590: Woody and Buzz to the Rescue. Based on the climatic final sequence of the original film, this 92-piece set features both of the franchises main characters plus a wonderfully cute RC with a fantastic pullback motor function to make the car fly across your living room floor.Buy 7590 on eBay hereLEGO The Legend of Zelda 77092: Great Deku Tree 2-in-1Sometimes, dreams do come true. Fans of both LEGO and the Nintendo series The Legend of Zelda have been clamoring for a collaboration between the two brands for years, and their wish finally came to fruition in 2024 with the release of 77092: Great Deku Tree 2-in-1. With the ability to build both the versions from Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild, this set has something for everyone. The first-ever Zelda minifigures are also spectacular, giving us LEGO Link, Zelda, and many of the franchises colorful creatures. Fans will continue to yearn for more LEGO Zelda content, but for the holiday season of 2024, this is a fabulous start.Buy 77092 on eBay hereYou can purchase all of these LEGO sets and more on eBay right now.

This article is part of the Collectors Digest Holiday Edition powered by: The thing about being a fan is that, like going on a quest in a fantasy realm, searching for things that you love is part of the fun. Hobbits have to walk a long way to complete their tasks. Luke Skywalker has to find a ship to get him off Tatooine. You get it. Treasure, literal and figurative is foten involved in all the things we love the most. And, around the time of the holidays, you might be wondering what geeky treasures are the best, and also the most elusive.Diving into eBay is a great way to find pop culture treasures from the distant past as well as the hottest things right now. And, when it comes to finding a great gift, its not just that some thing that is really geeky, but also something that is unique. With that in mind, here are a bunch of rare, unique geeky gifts, perfect for yourself, or someone in your life who has to have the thing that nobody every thought to get.1990 Bruce Wayne Quick Change Action Figure (Kenner)One of the greatest things about 80s and 90s action figures was the endless supply of characters rocking outfits they never wore in their respective movies or TV shows. Sometimes it felt like it was easier to find Ice Attack Batman than, say, a regular Batman. However, the Quick Change Bruce Wayne action figure split the difference.With this action figure, Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) is wearing a ridiculous turtleneck, complete with a requisite 80s/90s red little squiggle line. But, because he comes with this Batman suit, you can pop him into that with relative ease.Buy the Bruce Wayne Action Figure Here1998 Dark Empire Princess Leia Jedi Action Figure (Kenner)Kids in the late 1990s were so confused about Star Wars. Many of the Star Wars toys of the time were almost exclusively focused on events that didnt take place in the original trilogy, but instead, focused on characters and specifics from the comics and novels. In 1996, this hit a fever pitch with the various Shadows of the Empire toys, but less discussed are the excellent toys Kenner produced based on the Dark Empire comics from 1991. In 1998, you could get a dark side version of Luke Skywalker, a young cloned Emperor Palpatine, and coolest of all, Princess Leia as a full-blown Jedi.Refreshingly, this comes from a time when Lucasfilm wasnt too fussy about lightsaber color, meaning Leias orange/red saber here doesnt mean anything other than the fact that shes a badass.Buy the Leia Jedi Action Figure Here2023 Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair, Lord of the Rings Foil Cards (Wizards of the Coast)Okay, so you probably know that Wizards of the Coast has turned pretty much every IP known to humankind into playable Magic cards at this point. But, in 2023, you might have missed the fact that as a part of The Lord of the Rings cards for Magic: The Gathering, there were some limited edition Secret Lair cards with art taken directly from the most obscure and weirdest version of LotR ever. These cards sported art from the 1978 Ralph Bakshi version of Lord of the Rings.The coolest of these is arguably the foil of the version of Mirror of Galadriel, which sports a vintage screen pull directly from 1978, featuring the animated version of Galadriel, who was, in that film, voiced by Annette Crosbie.Buy MTG Lord of the Rings Cards Here1999 Phantom Menace Qui-Gon Jinn Lightsaber (Hasbro)There have been various improvements to lightsaber toys since the 1970s, and there are plenty of contemporary lightsaber toys but, its very possible that twenty-five years ago, in 1999, the best lightsaber toy ever was released. Mind you, not the most efficient or most accurate replica, but simply the best toy lightsaber.The Qui-Gon Jinn green-bladed lightsaber from 1999 was longer than many of the ones that were released after, and had a nice dark green blade rather than the nearly transparent ones that were created later. Yes, the red button was in the worst spot for doing that lightsaber-spinning thing, but you can get used to it.Buy the Qui-Gon Jinn Lightsaber Here2009 Star Trek Reboot Phaser Toy (Playmates)Its strange to have nostalgia for 2009, specifically, the first J.J. Abrams Star Trek reboot, but here we are. Its been 15 years since Chris Pine and the gang boldly reimagined the classic Enterprise crew. And, as such, some of the stuff from that era is suddenly feeling a bit vintage. Specifically, the redesigned phaser that Kirk and Spock rocked while taking down Neros Romulan ship in the climax of that now (somehow?) classic film.This phaser design has a feature where the blue setting indicates stun and the red setting indicates well, you can guess what the opposite of stun is. Aspects of this design were incorporated into the Discovery phasers in 2017, so theres a lot of weird Star Trek canon crossing over with itself in this slightly hard-to-find elegant Starfleet weapon.Buy the Star Trek Reboot Phaser Here2022 Lower Decks USS Titan (Eaglemoss)When Eaglemoss went bankrupt in 2022, the popular replica maker was very close to releasing starship models for every single Star Trek incarnation up until that point. And one of the last ships that Eaglemoss made was the Lower Decks version of the USS Titan. Not to be confused with the Titan from Star Trek: Picard Season 3, this is the Titan from Lower Decks Season 1 and Season 2, which is the moment where Riker is very much in command of the ship.This Luna-class USS Titan is pretty slick, and the Eaglemoss version of this ship specifically from Lower Decks is among the harder-to-find Star Trek starship replicas. If theres a white whale of contemporary Star Trek models, its this.Buy the Lower Decks USS Titan Here1982 Tron Action FiguresTron is the most underrated cyberpunk movie of all time, and the precursor to The Matrix and so much more. Thinking about where the world would be without Tron is a frightening thought. That said, collecting original, legit vintage Tron stuff is very difficult. Even the makers of the original toyline, Tomy, seemed to misunderstand the premise of the film, referring to it as a futuristic world.The fact that Tron took place in the present has always been, sneakily, the most compelling thing about it. Right now, vintage Tron figures from 1981 feel like theyre from another world, mostly because many of them are extremely valuable. But if you need a gift thats a bit off the grid, these are the programs youre looking for.Buy Tron Action Figures HereMagic: The Gatherings eagerly anticipated crossover with Marvel doesnt come out until 2025, but fans lucky enough to attend the MTG panel at New York Comic Con 2024 got an early sample. Everyone in attendance was given a limited edition Doctor Strange Counterspell promo card. Suffice to say, Marvels premiere sorcerer casting one of Magics most iconic spells is pretty dang cool. This would be quite the neat gift, especially considering how hard it was to get the other early cards from the Secret Lair Marvel Superdrop.Buy the MTG Doctor Strange Card HereThe One Ring Borderless Poster Magic: The Gathering CardMagic: The Gatherings crossover with Lord of the Rings made headlines last year when the 1 of 1 version of The One Ring card was sold for a staggering $2 million to noted MTG fan and famous music artist Post Malone. While youll probably never be able to afford that version of the card because of its one-of-a-kind rarity, its far more likely you can afford the second most rare version. This gnarly Band Poster variant of The One Ring by artist Justine Jones is quite eye-catching (see what we did there?). Its certainly one of the most unique looking styles that has ever come to MTG, and if you look closely there are lots of little Easter eggs, such as the nine Nazgul along the border. The best part is that itll only set you back a couple hundred dollars instead of a couple million.Buy the MTC One Ring Borderless Poster Card HereUmbreon VMAX Alternate Art Secret Rare Pokemon CardIts common knowledge that Pikachu, Charizard, and Mewtwo are the three most popular Pokemon, and cards featuring those characters tend to have a lot of value to collectors. But it might surprise you to hear that cards featuring a certain black-and-yellow Gen II Eeveelution are just as valuable. Thats right, were talking about Umbreon. The eye-catching Umbreon VMAX Alternate Art Secret Rare card from Evolving Skies, showing a giant version of the Pokemon reaching for the moon, is one of the most in-demand cards on the market, years after its release in 2021. Currently the card goes for about a grand(!) and the crazy part is that the value is still going up. If youre looking to give someone an extremely generous Pokemon TCG gift, one ticket to the Moonbreon hype train looks like an investment that may pay off.Buy the Umbreon VMAX Secret Rare Pokemon Card HereMasterpiece Series: Platinum Dark Magician Yu-Gi-Oh! CardIf youve ever wondered what the most expensive Dark Magician card looks like, then wonder no more. In 2023, Konami released the second card in their Masterpiece Series, the Platinum Dark Magician. Only 1000 of these were made and each bears a unique print number. The card is made of silver and comes in a handsome display case. As far as Yu-Gi-Oh! collectibles go, this is one of the most impressive there is. That is, unless youre more of a Kaiba fan and would prefer to get the Platinum Blue-Eyes White Dragon card from 2021.Buy the Platinum Dark Magician Yu-Gi-Oh! Card HerePikachu with Grey Felt Hat Pokemon x Van Gogh CardYou may have heard the news in 2023 about overeager Pokemon fans causing a riot trying to get their hands on a limited edition card at the Van Gogh Museum. Well, this is it. The Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat card features the Pokemon mascot wearing the same kind of headwear as depicted in Van Goghs classic painting, Self-portrait with Grey Felt Hat. The hype around this card certainly makes it one of the more unique Pokemon cards a collector can own. Even a year after its release, it remains one of the most in-demand Pokemon cards for collectors.Buy the Pikachu With Grey Felt Hat Pokemon Card Here

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is availableon iTunes and Apples Podcasts app,Stitcher,TuneIn,Google Play, or through ourdedicated RSS feedfor Overcast and other podcast players.Sponsored by Roborock: Check out Roborocks incredible Black Friday Deals now.New episodes of 9to5Mac Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as theyre available.Stories discussed in this episode:Listen & Subscribe:Subscribe to support Chance directly with 9to5Mac Daily Plus and unlock:Ad-free versions of every episodeBonus contentodCatch up on 9to5Mac Daily episodes!Dont miss out on our other daily podcasts:Share your thoughts!Drop us a line at happyhour@9to5mac.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

I have an AirTag on my keychain to keep track of my keys, but obviously an AirTag is too big and bulky to fit inside a wallet. Thats what the SwitchBot Wallet Finder is for. (Wallet Finder is currently 30% off for Black Friday, so its an even better deal than normal right now.)Disguised inside a thin, credit-card form factor, the SwitchBot Wallet Finder connects to the Find My app on your iPhone, so you can follow its location, and it even houses a speaker so you can make it beep to help you find your wallet when it inevitably gets lost somewhere in your home.Read on for my review SetupSetup is super simple. Although it ostensibly supports its own app and Android, I have used it solely through the Apple Find My app built into the phone. I didnt even download the SwitchBot app at all. To set up, you open Find My, tap Add Item, and press and hold the button on the Wallet Finder card for a couple of seconds. You then choose a name and emoji icon to identify it later. By default, it suggested Benjamins Keys, but I renamed it to Benjamins Wallet, selected one of the wallet-adjacent available emojis, and pressed Continue and I was done. Then, it just slips into one of the empty card pockets in my wallet.How it tracks locationAs a reminder, Find My accessories do not have GPS. Instead, they broadcast a low-energy Bluetooth signal that nearby Apple devices like iPhones, iPads and Macs pick up on. The location is then transmitted securely and privately to the Find My network, so you can hopefully locate and retrieve your lost item.Even if you are miles away, as long as someone with an Apple device is nearby, the wallet will be locatable on the map in the Find My app.Theres also no ongoing subscription or other costs to worry about (unlike some competitors).As demonstrated by the success of AirTags, the Find My network works really well and the SwitchBot Wallet Finder is just as effective. If your item is stationary, and nearby one of the billion iOS devices in the world, it wont take too long for its location to appear in Find My. If the item is moving, location updates are slightly delayed behind real-time, however.You can also use the Find My app to mark your item as explicitly lost. Then, if someone else finds your wallet and wants to help give it back to its rightful owner, they can use the Identify Found Item feature in Find My which will present your contact information to help arrange returning it to you. The upcoming iOS 18.2 update even adds the ability to make a shareable link to send to others to help assist in tracking down your lost items.Finding nearby using the speakerUnlike an AirTag, the Wallet Finder does not incorporate an ultra-wide band radio. That means it lacks the Precision Finding feature that the AirTag offers when in close proximity.However, the integrated speaker in the Wallet Finder more than suffices for the job of finding your lost wallet. When in Bluetooth range, the card emits a reasonably loud tone. It is slightly less loud than the sound an AirTag makes, and naturally gets a bit muffed when ensconced inside a closed wallet, but it is still audible, more than enough for you to hear it from a good distance away.For the (embarrassingly common) case of when Ive misplaced my wallet somewhere inside my house, I can now just open the Find My app, press Play Sound, and instantly hear which room it is in.Find My also works with the Siri voice assistant, as an added convenience. For example, I can shout wheres my wallet? at my HomePod, and it will start pinging it for me.Safety and trackingJust like AirTags, the Wallet Finder is marketed as a device to help recover lost items. It is not designed to address problems of theft or nefariously track other people. If the card is separated from its owner for a period of time, the speaker will emit a noise to make people aware of its presence. It will also trigger Unknown Item Moving With You alerts on any nearby iPhones in the vicinity.Its also worth pointing out that someone else with the card in their possession can deactivate the Find My connection, by pressing the button in a particular shutdown sequence.ConclusionIf used for its intended purpose, the SwitchBot Wallet Finder is a very effective and great value for money. While obviously designed to be kept inside a wallet, it even has a built-in hole cutout if you did want to slip it on some kind of lanyard or keychain. I highly recommend it.Perhaps the only drawback to be aware of is that the Wallet Finder card has no means of replacing the battery. It is a single use consumable, rated for about 3 years of usage. But the contents of your wallet are valuable enough that it probably makes financial sense to simply buy another when it eventually dies. You just have to be okay with yourself regarding the environmental waste.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

"There's a little bit of disappointment in knowing you miss those things as a father."Lonely at the TopThe dismal failure of Boeing's Starliner spacecraftleft two NASA astronauts stranded aboard the International Space Station this year, meaning they won't be able to return home until this coming February. At that point, their return will be more than half a year overdue.This is something that fellow NASA astronaut Frank Rubio can sympathize with. He too was once left marooned on the orbital outpost, when the Russian Soyuz spacecraft that brought him there couldn't carry passengers on its return trip due to a radiator leak. What was supposed to be a six month rotation turned into longer than a year.It's the price you pay for being the elite of the elite. As a family man, some of the sacrifices Rubio's had to make were especially gut-wrenching, like not being there for his son's high school graduation or his daughter's send-off to college.And don't even think about the holidays: Christmas and Thanksgiving were pretty much a write-off."There's a little bit of disappointment in knowing you miss those things as a father," Rubio told The Washington Post in a new interview.Star StuckOriginally, the currently-stranded NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams were slated for just an eight day mission. But it will now last at least eight months.Their ride, the ill-fated Starliner, sprung helium leaks on the way there, while its thrusters malfunctioned. It was deemed too dangerous to carry any passengers and instead went barreling back to Earth empty-seated.Another Starliner will not be coming to the rescue. That honor will be going to a SpaceX Dragon Crew capsule which is still months away. Unfortunately, Wilmore and William's winter festivities will have to be spent in the confines of the ISS, eating the astronaut equivalent of a TV dinner."I think it's important to acknowledge it's not the ideal situation," Rubio told WaPo. "We're all humans, we all have expectations that kind of set the tone for things. So when you're expecting an eight- to 15-day mission, and you get the news that it's going to be longer, it's always going to be a little bit hard, mostly for personal reasons."Nightmare LayoverLife as an astronaut aboard the International Space Station can be lonely, claustrophobic, tedious, and even grueling.You have to work out two hours everyday to stave off muscle atrophy that comes from living in microgravity. You look at the same "walls of computers, walls of cables," everyday, Rubio described. Your sole respite is the stunning view of Earth from a room called the cupola and that's about it."You only get to look out the cupola for a few minutes a day... so the monotony is something that you fight," he told WaPo. "You almost just block out the fact that it is repetitive and it is monotonous, because it is your job."Yeah, that's rough. To our stranded spacefarers: hang in there.Share This Article