Today in Gear: Apple Gives Its Smallest iPad Its Biggest Upgrade in Years
The new iPad mini is thinner, lighter, faster and has an OLED display. Plus, a modular EDC, a miniature Jeep and more.
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Welcome to "Today in Gear," your daily snapshot of the most important releases in style, watches, tech, motoring, fitness, home and the outdoors.
Today in Gear: The most important news in the product world, independently curated by our editors. Catch up on other key releases across all the topics you care about .
Apple iPad mini (2026)
Two years after its last refresh, Apple has released an improved version of its smallest tablet. This 8th-generation iPad mini is the first to feature an OLED display, so that its screen can get almost twice as bright as the previous model (now up to 1,200 nits). It features Apple's A20 Pro chip, just like the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro, promising a "huge leap" in performance. And it's the first iPad mini to have an IP67 rating. Other features include a slimmer and lighter design and improved speakers. The starting price is $699, which is $200 more than its 2024-released predecessor. read more
Chattanooga Whiskey Bad Chattanoogan Tennessee Whiskey
Chattanooga Whiskey's Bad Chattanoogan is thought to be the first whiskey finished with toasted maple wood records. 30 discs were cut from solid sugar maple, toasted for 24 hours, laser-engraved with two original songs, then set inside the barrels for 30 days. The whiskey comes in two vinyl-inspired blends, Side A and Side B, each finished with its own track. The base is a Tennessee high malt whiskey, aged more than four years and bottled at 100 proof. Every 750mL bottle ships with a playable 4-inch Tiny Vinyl hangtag. read more
Ant Design APEX V2
Built from a single Grade 5 titanium body, the Apex V2 takes a modular approach to the humble screwdriver and improves upon the tool's first generation design. Along with better button placement, a smoother magazine release, measuring marks on the body and glow slots on both sides, the Apex V2 features its signature interchangeable modules — including 5- , 8- and 14-bit magazines, a 90°/180° locking position, a titanium level bar and an everlasting pencil bit — that snap in and out of the same chassis, making it a surprisingly versatile carry tool for anyone who values precision hardware that pulls serious duty in the field or at the workbench. Right now the Ant Design campaign is live on Kickstarter, with the Early Bird special on the tool priced at just $79. Estimated delivery is December 2026. read more
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$79 at Kickstarter $129 (39% off)
Axial SCX30 Jeep CJ-7 RC Rock Crawler
Axial's 1/30-scale SCX30 Jeep CJ-7 packs serious crawling credentials into a palm-sized package. It ships with an officially licensed ABS hard body, scale-accurate wheels and tires, functional LEDs and a detailed interior, all on a 4×4 platform. The ready-to-run kit includes a Spektrum SLT2 2.4GHz transmitter, a 2S LiPo battery and a USB charger, so there's nothing left to buy before hitting the rocks. read more
Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather 50th Anniversary Tin
A callback to the first product Nikwax ever made (left), this stocking stuffer-sized 80g anniversary tin packs the iconic UK-based weatherproofing brand's classic leather wax formula into a collectible package. Commemorative nature aside, the solution still waterproofs, conditions and revives breathability on smooth leather boots and shoes, all without PFAS or aerosols. Rub it in by hand, buff to a shine and let it cure overnight. It also replenishes tanning agents to maintain structure and prevent the cracking that comes with repeated soaking. read more
About the Author: Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol's editorial team since 2014. With a passion for consumer tech and hi-fi, he tracks everything from headphones and turntables to smartphones and wearables. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.
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