Earlier in 2025 we celebrated Prime Day—the yearly veneration of the greatest Transformer of all, Optimus Prime (in fact, Optimus Prime is so revered that we often celebrate Prime Day twice!). But in the fall, as the evenings lengthen and the air turns chill, we pause to remember a much more somber occasion: Black Friday, the day Optimus Prime was cruelly cut down by the treacherous hand of his arch-nemesis Megatron while bravely defending Autobot City from attack. Though Optimus Prime did not survive the brutal fight, the Autobot leader’s indomitable spirit nonetheless carried the day and by his decisive actions the Decepticons were routed, fleeing from the city like the cowardly robots they truly are and giving over victory to the forces of light.

Although Optimus Prime’s death was tragic and unexpected, things are often darkest just before dawn—and so, even though today is called “Black Friday” to remind us of the day’s solemnity, we choose to honor him the way we honor other important historical figures who also laid their lives upon the altar of freedom: we take the day off to go shopping!

Below you’ll find a curated list of the best Black Friday deals that we’ve been able to find. Stand strong in the shadow cast by that long-gone noble Autobot, for by his sacrifice the day was won. Now, as Optimus would say, transform, my friends—transform and buy things.

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Source: Ars Technica.

When the US Fish and Wildlife Service reintroduced 14 gray wolves to Yellowstone National Park in 1995, the animals were, in some ways, stepping into a new world.

After humans hunted wolves to near-extinction across the Western US in the early 20th century, the carnivore’s absence likely altered ecosystems and food webs across the Rocky Mountains. Once wolves were reintroduced to the landscape, scientists hoped to learn if, and how quickly, these changes could be reversed.

Despite studies claiming to show early evidence of a tantalizing relationship between wolves and regenerating riparian ecosystems since the canines returned to Yellowstone, scientists are still debating how large carnivores impact vegetation and other animals, according to a new paper published this month.

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Source: Ars Technica.

Over the past couple of decades, smartphones have become an integral part of our lives. According to the Pew Research Center, about 91% of Americans own a smartphone. Statista reports that the number of global smartphone owners is estimated to reach 6.1 billion in 2029. For many, a smartphone is an always-on internet device that keeps us connected to the world.

But there are also significant downsides to having one. If you’re concerned about how much time you spend on your phone, you aren’t alone: Some people feel addicted to their smartphones, checking their email and social media feeds hundreds of times a day. Perhaps you find yourself doomscrolling through the news or wasting time on mindless apps and games rather than being productive at work or spending quality time with your family. Sure, you could simply limit your screen time, but that takes willpower that you might not have.

This rise in this obsessive behavior toward smartphones explains the resurgence of so-called dumb phones in recent years. Sometimes referred to as feature phones, dumb phones are essentially stripped-down cellular devices that lack the bells and whistles of modern smartphones. Some only let you call and text, while others have a few more features such as a camera or a music player. Dumb phones typically offer only the most basic of features, minimal internet and that’s about it.

If that intrigues you, read on. In this guide, we’ll highlight the different kinds of dumb phones on the market, what you should look for when shopping for one, and whether a dumb phone is even right for you.

There are still basic phones being sold in the US. The Punkt MP02 is one of the more interesting models, thanks in part to its unique slim design and clicky buttons. You can even send messages via Signal with it, though you’ll have to text via the old-fashioned T9 method.

Android dumb phones

This way, you still have access to your “must-have” apps, and might be able to better withstand the temptation of social media because of their tiny size and shape (or at least that’s the theory).

Should you buy an old or used dumb phone? Will it work on a carrier’s 5G network?

There’s nothing wrong with buying an old or used dumb phone, but you should make sure that it works with your cellphone network. Not all phones work with all networks, and certain carriers in the US aren’t compatible with every device, so check their restrictions. AT&T, for example, has a whitelist of permitted devices and you generally can’t use something that isn’t on that list.

As for 5G support, that’s pretty rare when it comes to dumb phones, mostly because they often don’t really need it (they typically won’t see the benefit of faster data speeds, for example). Some, however, do have 5G support, such as the Light Phone 3, the Sonim XP3 Plus 5G and the TCL Flip 4. If 5G support is important to you due to network congestion concerns, then that’s something you can keep an eye out for.

You could also disable and uninstall all your most addictive apps and use parental control tools to limit your screen time. Last but not least, there are several apps and gadgets designed to help you cut back on doomscrolling, like the Brick and the Unpluq tag.

Source: CNET.