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Today — 7 October 2026Main stream

Teenage Engineering’s CEO says it’ll stop making synths

7 October 2026 at 21:19
A black-and-grey rectangular device standing on its front edge on a wooden table. It has rows of buttons along the bottom half of the front face; the top half has a small LCD screen and several knobs. It’s an electronic musical instrument about half the size of a computer keyboard.

Teenage Engineering founder and CEO Jesper Kouthoofd told Highsnobiety that it plans to stop making synths. And yes, that includes the iconic OP-1, which put the company on the map. TE isn't just a music gear maker; it's also a sought-after design firm. It's collaborated with Ikea, Nothing, and Playdate, among others. But almost everything the company makes itself - the OP-1, the OP-XY, EP-133, TP-7, et cetera - is music or audio-focused. Which makes the supposed decision to abandon the market all the more confusing.

Here's the relevant quote from Highsnobiety:

Kouthoofd tells me that, as part of a reorganization last fall, he announced …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Android’s physical navigation buttons are back on Googlebooks, but not the way you think

7 October 2026 at 20:44
A close-up photo of two Googlebook keyboards.
What year is it, and what dessert name of Android are we up to? | Photo: Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

A common misconception I've seen with Googlebooks is that the Quick Insert and Google logo keys are new. They're not, as they first debuted a couple of years ago on some Chromebooks. But there is something new for Googlebooks that's ripped straight from Android phones circa 2014.

On every Googlebook keyboard, the F1, F2, and F3 keys are the old triangle, circle, and square navigation icons that first debuted on Android 5.0 Lollipop. These were the back, home, and app switcher buttons long before everything went to gesture-based navigation, and they're still built into phones on Android 17 as an alternative. On Googlebook OS, these keys do w …

Read the full story at The Verge.

A Plague Mystery in Siberia

7 October 2026 at 20:40
The death of a Russian lab worker has spawned rumors. Here are the facts.

© Tatyana Makeyeva/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

A hospital in Shelekhov yesterday, where an employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute died.

3 Killed and Dozens Injured in Attacks on Saudi Airports, as Houthis Claim Strikes

7 October 2026 at 20:40
The Saudi government said the dead included two women and a Sudanese man, and that its capital’s airport was hit. A Houthi spokesman said the militia had attacked the airports.

© Mohammed Huwais/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

A poster showing the Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi during a rally to recruit more fighters, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Wednesday.

We found some great October Prime Day deals under $50

7 October 2026 at 20:30
Anker’s 45W charger is less than $50 during Amazon’s October sale. In fact, you can get two for under $50.

Getting in on the Prime Day action doesn’t have to result in an empty wallet. Just as we found a couple handfuls of goodies that are under $25, there are plenty of deals during Amazon’s October sale that are $50 or less, many of which offer a lot of practical value. Everything from chargers to coffee makers are discounted until 3 AM ET on October 8th, 2026, so you only have a few hours to take advantage of some of these deals.

For the full range of deals, make sure to head over to our main roundup, where we’ll keep updating prices and stock into the evening.

LEGO Star Wars The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter

This 412-piece set features the Mandalorian’s reconstructed Naboo starfighter, with minifigs for Din Djarin, Grogu, and Peli Motto.

Where to Buy:

VidaBay NFC E-Paper Fridge Magnet

A tiny magnetic digital photo frame that repurposes a color E Ink screen developed for use as electronic shelf labels.

Where to Buy:

EasySMX S10

The EasySMX S10 is our favorite Switch 2 controller for people who don’t want to spend twice as much on Nintendo’s option. It offers an excellent take on HD rumble, along with amiibo support and the ability to wake the Switch remotely.

Where to Buy:

Ridge Tracker Card

This incredibly slim tracking card is just 1.55 millimeters thick, compatible with both iOS and Android, and recharges wirelessly via MagSafe or Qi.

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HOTO Electric Screwdriver Rechargeable

Hoto’s compact rechargeable electric screwdriver includes 12 magnetic tips. It’s great for quick fixes at home or on the go.
A Hoto mini electric screwdriver repairing a Nintendo Switch.

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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:

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:

Blink Outdoor 4 and Battery Doorbell 2K+

This Blink bundle includes the battery-powered video doorbell with a 2K resolution, and an outdoor camera.

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Loop Quiet 2 earplugs

Attending a live concert? You can protect your hearing with Loop’s Quiet 2 earplugs. They pack up to 24dB (SNR) of noise reduction and come with four eartip sizes, allowing them to accommodate a range of ear shapes.
A product shot of the purple Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs on a purple background.

Where to Buy:

Amazon Echo Dot (Fifth-Gen)

Amazon’s Echo Dot is an affordable way to add a smart speaker to your space. The small, powerful speaker offers surprisingly robust sound, and it’s great for controlling smart home devices, including those compatible with Matter. The Dot also offers faster response times than its predecessor, and it can act as an extender for an Eero Wi-Fi system. Read our review.
The Amazon Echo Dot (fifth-gen) in black floating on a white background.

Where to Buy:

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023)

Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max is noticeably faster than its predecessor, features Wi-Fi 6E, and benefits from twice the storage. It can also showcase widgets and artwork when idle, and continues to offer robust Alexa integration.

Where to Buy:

JBL Go 4

The last-gen JBL Go 4 has been around for a bit, but the pocket-sized Bluetooth speaker still delivers with up to seven hours of runtime, dual device connectivity, and an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. You can also pair it with other Go 4 speakers for bigger stereo sound, if desired.

Where to Buy:

Life360 Tile Tracker

The Tile can help you keep track of your personal belongings from up to 350 feet away, which is 100 feet more than its predecessor. The handy location tracker is also platform-agnostic and can send SOS alerts, though only if you pay for Life360’s Gold subscription ($14.99 a month).

Where to Buy:

Anker Zolo MagSafe power bank (10,000mAh, Qi 7.5W)

This compact 10,000mAh power bank is MagSafe compatible, with both 7.5W wireless and 30W wired charging over USB-C.

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Black & Decker Dustbuster

Black & Decker’s handheld vacuum can help you quickly clean up small messes in your home or car.

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.

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Ring Solar Panel (2nd Generation)

The Ring Solar panel can keep your outdoor cameras or other small devices charged up with up to 4 watts of power via USB-C.

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Goodr OG Sunglasses

Goodr’s classic OG sunglasses have polarized lenses and come in a variety of stylish colors. They’re cheap, durable, and practical.

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Keurig K-Express

The compact Keurig K-Express brews single cups of K-Cup coffee pods, with a 48 ounce reservoir for fewer refills.

Where to Buy:

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the first game in the main series with a real-time battling system instead of the traditional turn-based formula. Its more action-oriented battles and smooth performance on the Nintendo Switch 2 are very welcome.
Pokémon Legends- Z-A box art on a plain white background.

Where to Buy:

Mamdani Draws Anger With Oct. 7 Statement Denouncing Israel’s Gaza Attacks

7 October 2026 at 20:29
After calling the anniversary of the attacks on Israel “profoundly painful,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani denounced Israel’s military action in Gaza, prompting criticism from some Jewish leaders.

© Dave Sanders for The New York Times

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, center, at a vigil in Union Square last year to mark the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. He is expected to attend the same event on Wednesday.
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