Blogroll

Narwal’s robot vacuum and mop combo lineup gets major price cuts for Prime Day

How-To Geek - 1 hour 4 min ago

Pet hair, kitchen crumbs, and muddy footprints can make floor cleaning a daily job. A robot vacuum that cleans, mops, and even handles its own mop care can take most of that work off your hands.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get 44% off this Western Digital External Drive on a Prime Day special

How-To Geek - 1 hour 8 min ago

External drives, like the WD Elements, are essential storage devices everyone should have to protect valuable data from crashes or theft. They're also great for storing your movie and music collections because you can take them anywhere and access the offline files without a subscription.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 overlooked Milwaukee tools that save you hours on the job

How-To Geek - 1 hour 34 min ago

We all know that finding the right tool for the job is important, but sometimes it's pretty difficult amid all the outside noise, different tool ecosystems, battery platforms, and endless options scattered across store shelves. Milwaukee makes some extremely popular and common tools everyone enjoys, but it's those "sleeper" tools that are often overlooked you'll love the most.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I tried 3 Linux distros inside Windows for free to see which felt most familiar

How-To Geek - 2 hours 4 min ago

I spend a lot of time behind a computer, and for decades Windows has been my daily driver. Mostly, that's because it's the environment I had to work in at the different companies I've worked for over the years. That said, the gap between Windows and Linux keeps getting smaller for the things I actually do every day. At this point, I can see pretty clearly that Linux can handle my regular workload and workflow without too much compromise.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Replace these 4 popular Docker containers before they become security risks

How-To Geek - 3 hours 4 min ago

Open-source is a promise, not a guarantee. And if you've been homelabbing long enough, there's a good chance that you're running some stale, unmaintained Docker containers. While these containers may be safe to use in the short term, they do pose some long-term risk (or may simply break at some point), so you should disable or replace them as soon as you can.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung is wasting "Conversations," the Android feature I love on my Pixel

How-To Geek - 3 hours 34 min ago

As much as I want to like Galaxy phones, Samsung makes some software decisions that I just don't get. This is particularly true when it comes to notifications. One of my favorite conversation features on Pixel phones is technically present on Galaxy phones, but Samsung broke it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I turned a Raspberry Pi into an automated hard drive testing station that messages my phone

How-To Geek - 4 hours 4 min ago

I got tired of randomly finding out a hard drive I thought was good wasn't actually good, so I built a tool to automatically benchmark and test my drives before I trust them with my data. Here's what I built and how you can use it to make your homelab more reliable.

Categories: IT General, Technology

October Prime Day is here: We found 100+ deals on Apple, Bose, Kindle, Lego, and Samsung favorites

Mashable - 4 hours 6 min ago
The best October Prime Day Deals at a glance: Best headphone deal Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) $319 (save $40) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179 (save $70) Get Deal Best Kindle Deal Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) $149.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best TV deal Samsung 65-Inch S90H Series OLED 4K Smart TV $1,497.99 (Save $400) Get Deal Best Vacuum Deal Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum $149.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best power station deal Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $448.99 (Save $450.01) Get Deal Best Memory deal SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD $209.99 (Save $90) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) $349.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best Deal Under $50 Amazon Echo Dot $39.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best Deal Under $25 Apple AirTag (2nd Gen) $24 (save $5) Get Deal

Another Amazon Prime Day is here. Prime Big Deal Days (aka "October Prime Day") runs Oct. 6 and 7, with competing festivities at Target and Walmart. Deals are underway, delivering major sales across all categories.

October Prime Day deals could be a chance to get some relief from the RAMageddon price hikes impacting the tech industry this year. For its part, Amazon increased the prices of nearly two dozen Kindles, Fire TV Sticks, Echo smart speakers, and eero routers this summer because of rising component costs. Seasonal sales like Prime Big Deal Days (and later Black Friday) could offset some of those markups.

SEE ALSO: Try Amazon Prime for free for 30 days to get access to October Prime Day 2026

We've sifted through hundreds of October Prime Day deals to find the best ones for you. With the sale ramping up, prices are dropping. Kindles are now on sale, and the AirPods Pro 3 are $70 off. We'll be regularly updating our picks throughout Prime Big Deal Days. You can also check out our guide to the top October Prime Day tech deals for more savings.

Deals marked with a ✅ are Mashable editor favorites and award winners. Deals marked with a strikethrough are no longer available.

Best headphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort (2nd Gen) Headphones ✅ $319 at Amazon
$359 Save $40   Get Deal Why we like it

For October Prime Day, we spotted the first deal on the second-generation Bose QuietComfort headphones. Mashable's audio expert Bethany Allard says that the Bose QuietComfort (2nd gen) are the best combination of comfort, noise cancellation, sound quality, and value in headphones right now. Currently, they're $319, down from $359 — a $40 saving that makes them an even better value.

More headphone dealsMore wireless earbuds dealsBest Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 ✅ $179 at Amazon
$249 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

The basic AirPods just got an upgrade with the new AirPods 5, and last year's Apple AirPods Pro 3 are back on sale. They were $234 in the lead-up to October Prime Day, but have since dropped to $179 — $70 off their $249 list price. The earbuds have ANC, a more comfortable, redesigned fit, and support for live translation with a compatible iPhone. They're a good pick for commuters and even measure your heart rate during workouts, which is great for athletes who love a good workout playlist.

More Prime Day Apple deals

AirPods deals

Apple Watch deals

iPad deals

Deals on MacBooks

Deals on Apple accessories

Best Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $169.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $80   Get Deal Why we like it

"If you've been patiently waiting for Kindle deals to drop, the wait is over. The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is my favorite e-reader, the one I use every day. With 32GB of storage, it has space for thousands of books. It also has an auto-adjusting front light and wireless charging. It's exceptionally fast, too, with smooth page turns and quick-loading books in my experience.

"In August 2026, the e-reader's MSRP rose to $249.99 from its previous list price of $199.99. Now, the Paperwhite Signature Edition has dropped back down to $169.99. That's 32% off its new list price, a saving of $80 — or $30 compared with its old list price. I'd typically advise you to buy the standard Paperwhite, but right now, it's more expensive than the Signature Edition.

"Plus, when you buy a new Kindle, check whether you're eligible for three free months of Kindle Unlimited with your purchase. Check the renewal terms before signing up." — Joseph Green, Mashable Global Shopping Editor

More Kindle dealsBest Amazon device deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Dot $39.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $40.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Kindles aren't the only Amazon devices on sale: You'll also find deals on Amazon's Echos, Fire TVs, and tablets. Our favorite deal is on the Amazon Echo Dot, which is down to just $39.99. That's not the lowest price we've ever spotted, but it's still worth a look if you need a compact smart speaker.

It's also compatible with Alexa+, Amazon's AI assistant, which helps you do everything from meal planning to booking dinner reservations.

More Amazon device deals

Echo devices

Fire tablets

Fire TV devices and accessories

Blink cameras

Smart home

Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-Inch S90H Series OLED 4K Smart TV ✅ $1,497.99 at Amazon
$1,897.99 Save $400   Get Deal Why we like it

"While the S95H OLED from Samsung is my personal dream TV, for most people, the 2026 model S90H is the much better choice. It still has an ultra-premium OLED display and an ultra-fast processor to support gaming, upscaling, and smart features. Best of all, it's never been priced this low. Its $400 discount makes this one of the best Amazon Prime Day TV deals I've found so far." — Timothy Werth, Mashable Tech Editor

More TV deals

Under 50-inch TV deals

50 to 55-inch TV deals

65-inch TV deals

75-inch TV deals

80 to 85-inch TV deals

Over 85-inch TV deals

Best outdoor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Limited Edition Tundra 45 Cooler ✅ $243.75 at Amazon
$325 Save $81.25   Get Deal Why we like it

"Yeti coolers are the gold standard of outdoor coolers for a reason: They're strong enough to stand up to a grizzly bear (yes, they're actually bear-tested) and can hold ice for days on end. I've personally tested Yeti coolers, temperature gun in hand, to verify they perform as advertised, and I haven't been disappointed yet.

"These coolers only go on sale during big shopping events like Prime Day and Black Friday, and only in select colorways. This year, you can grab this cool limited edition colorway for 25 percent off its usual price." Timothy Werth, Mashable Tech Editor

More outdoor deals

Cooler deals

Camping deals

Best power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ecoflow Ecoflow Delta 3 Classic with 220W Solar Panel ✅ $659 at Amazon
$1,099 Save $440   Get Deal Why we like it

"One of the major benefits of a portable power station is the ability to recharge using solar power. The EcoFlow Delta 3 Classic bundle with a 220W solar panel is a great choice for October Prime Day. You'll get the 1,024Wh portable power station with a 1,800W output that can power even big appliances like fridges. It has X-Boost providing up to 2,600W for higher-power devices.

With full sun, EcoFlow says the Delta 3 Classic can recharge in about six hours with the 220W solar panel. Of course, you can also recharge using standard wall power or a generator. When plugged into a wall outlet, the EcoFlow can reach 80 percent capacity in just 45 minutes." — Lois Mackenzie, Mashable Contributor

More power station dealsBest vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum $149.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $150   Get Deal Why we like it

"Year after year, this Shark stick vacuum is one of the best Prime Day deals on vacuums, and I'm glad to see it back on sale for Prime Big Deal Days. One of our former reporters swore by this vacuum, calling it a literal 'game-changer' for his dog-hair-filled New York City apartment. It has a brush head that's designed to make pet hair disappear, and you can't go wrong with a 50% discount, can you?" Timothy Werth, Mashable Tech Editor

More Prime Day vacuum dealsBest memory and SSD deals Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD ✅ $209.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $90   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk SanDisk 512GB microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 $139.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $60   Get Deal Why we like it

"SanDisk is a favorite of mine when buying memory products, and I use their Extreme portable SSDs to back up my own photo and video collection. (As a tech editor, I take a lot of photos and videos.) Thanks to RAMageddon, you have to take any opportunity you can find to save on portable SSDs, flash drives, microSD cards, and hard drives. Already, some of SanDisk's most popular memory products are on sale, like their microSD Express card for the Switch 2 and the new version of their popular Extreme drive." — Timothy Beck Werth, Mashable Tech Editor

More SSD and hard drive deals

MicroSDs

Portable SSDs

Portable HDDs

Internal hard drives

Best fitness tracker and smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Vivoactive 5 $181.97 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $118.02   Get Deal Why we like it

Many runners believe Garmin is the gold standard of smartwatches and fitness trackers. And for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, you can grab the Garmin Vivoactive 5 for just $181.97. That saves you over $118 off its retail price.

The Vivoactive 5 features an AMOLED display and up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, so you can wear it around the clock. It provides Body Battery energy monitoring along with a sleep score and personalized tips to improve your sleep. Plus, it has more than 30 built-in sports apps.

Best Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Millennium Falcon $79.95 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20.04   Get Deal Why we like it

"If you've got a Lego Smart Brick on hand, this deal is well worth checking out: Lego's Star Wars SMART Play: Millennium Falcon set has plummeted to its lowest-ever price at Amazon for Prime Big Deal Days.

This Lego set does not come with the Lego Smart Brick, but it is compatible with it. If you already have one that comes included with the All-in-One sets, then you'll be able to enjoy the sounds of the Millennium Falcon and crew from this 885-piece build. As for what crew comes with the set, you'll get SMART Han Solo, SMART Chewbacca, SMART Luke Skywalker, and SMART C-3PO minifigures, alongside four SMART Tags to use with the Smart Brick." — Hannah Hoolihan, Mashable Contributor

More Lego dealsBest streaming and subscription deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Audible $0.99/month for four months + free $20 credit Get Deal Why we like it

Right now, eligible Prime members can get four months of Audible Standard for $0.99 per month — $3.96 total. On top of that, you get a free $20 credit to spend on the title(s) of your choice.

Your membership lets you download one audiobook per month. including classics, new releases, and BookTok faves like the ACOTAR series. And if 99 cents feels a little high, you can also sign up for a 30-day free trial.

More Amazon subscription deals

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best October Prime Day deals: $200 off MacBook Airs and $79 AirPods are now live

Mashable - 4 hours 7 min ago
The best October Prime Day Apple deals at a glance: Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods 4 $79 at Walmart (save $50) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) $349.99 at Amazon (save $49.01) Get Deal Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal Best iPad deal Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi + cellular, 128GB) $649 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal

Prime Big Deal Days sale is here — and so are some excellent Apple deals. This 48-hour "October Prime Day" serves as Amazon's kickoff to the Black Friday/holiday shopping season, which is the best time to find discounts on popular Apple devices (among many other tech products we love). This year, it doubles as some year-end relief from RAMageddon price increases.

With the sale running Oct. 6-7, Amazon has rolled out some great deals on AirPods, Apple Watches, iPads, and MacBooks. Some of them are even better than we expected. If you don't want to wait around to see if they further improve before the sale closes — doubtful, for the most part — read on to see what's up for grabs. (Note: Any items that have been striked through below are either sold out or the deal has expired.)

How we picked the best October Prime Day Apple deals

Mashable tracks Apple prices year-round and has covered Prime Big Deal Days since it started in 2022 (back when it was still called the Prime Early Access Sale). We've reviewed every current Apple device except for the Apple Watch Series 12, which shares all of its new features with the Apple Watch Ultra 4; and the latest Mac desktops, which our sister site PCMag has already tested extensively.

SEE ALSO: The best October Prime Day Kindle deals: My favorite Kindle is on sale, plus get Kindle Unlimited for free

To identify the very best October Prime Day Apple deals, we've compared Amazon's current prices with historical pricing data on camelcamelcamel, a popular price-tracking site, as well as our coverage of past Amazon Prime events. Many of the devices listed below are sitting at their lowest prices in three months. Those that have been cheaper recently have been marked as "deals to watch," while those marked with a 🔥 have fallen to all-time lows (as in, they've never been cheaper before).

I've cross-checked all of Amazon's live Apple deals with other major retailers to make sure no one else has even lower prices. Right now, the only devices I would buy elsewhere are the AirPods 4 with and without ANC: They're sold out on Amazon, but Best Buy and Walmart, respectively, still have them in stock at three-month lows. Stay tuned to see if Amazon brings them back at the same prices as Prime Big Deal Days continues — we'll monitor deals and update this story as the sale progresses.

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $79 at Walmart
$129 Save $50   Get Deal

The entry-level AirPods 4 are now 39% cheaper than the AirPods 5 that Apple announced last month. (They're also only $10 away from their record-low price from last Black Friday.) They lack noise cancellation and don't sound quite as good as their successors, but this deal makes them a very smart pick for budget buyers. Mashable's Bethany Allard notes that "their availability may be limited as we get further into the shopping season," so best grab' em now while you still can.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple AirPods 4.

More AirPods dealsBest Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) 🔥 $349.99 at Amazon
$399 Save $49.01   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS + cellular, 42mm) 🔥 $449.99 at Amazon
$499 Save $49.01   Get Deal

Apple's latest flagship smartwatch got its first proper discount for Prime Big Deal Days: a welcome $50-ish off. (That applies to the base model and the upgraded version with cellular connectivity, by the way.) Compared to the last-gen Series 11, the Series 12 has a faster processor, better heart rate sensors, quicker charging, and more durable glass. It also adds support for features like Readiness and Audio Intelligence tools like Siri Recap. No other retailer was matching Amazon's prices at the time of writing, FYI.

More Apple Watch dealsBest MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $200   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD $1,299 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $200   Get Deal

Finally: The 13- and 15-inch M5 MacBook Air are both $200 off for Prime Big Deal Days, a discount that completely erases their price hikes from late June. Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth called Apple's ultraportable "a damn near-perfect machine" in his review, pointing to its elite design, amazing speakers, and incredibly fast performance. It's a Mashable Choice Award winner, and we think it's the best MacBook for most people who just need a dependable daily driver. If either size sells out on Amazon, look for the same deals at Best Buy.

Read Mashable's full review of the M5 Apple MacBook Air.

More MacBook dealsMac dealsMacBook deals to watchBest iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi + cellular, 128GB) $649 at Amazon
$749 Save $100   Get Deal

The iPad mini is our favorite Apple tablet for reading. Mashable's Samantha Mangino was "delighted by its light weight" when she swapped her regular 10.2-inch iPad for this more compact 8.3-inch model; it only weighs 0.65 pounds. "Plus," she added, "unlike the [current] iPad 11th generation, it has an anti-reflective coating to help you read in any lighting." The 128GB base model with cellular connectivity is marked down to just $649 on Amazon — a $100 savings that negates its own June price increase.

The non-cellular iPad mini is also $100 off, though it was $10 cheaper in July. I would wait see if Amazon revives that deal within the next 48 hours or so.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple iPad mini.

More iPad dealsiPad deals to watch
Categories: IT General, Technology

The Sandisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD gets price cut on October Prime Day: Save $90 with record low

Mashable - 4 hours 23 min ago

TL;DR: The Sandisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD is $209.99 on October Prime Day. This record-low deal saves you $90 on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sandisk Sandisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD $209.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $90   Shop Now

We know a lot of shoppers are seeking deals on Apple tech, Sony headphones, and Switch games over October Prime Day. Savvy shoppers take advantage of these shopping events to buy treats they can't usually justify. But there's another group of shoppers right now who are seeking discounts on SSDs in the fight against RAMageddon. These deals aren't treats. They are absolutely necessary.

Fortunately, we've come across a number of deals on MicroSDs, SSDs, and hard drives to beat price hikes caused by the memory shortage. There are a number of standout deals, but the latest Sandisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD discount is tough to beat. This powerhouse SSD was sitting around $250 before Prime Day, but that price has been cut for a limited time.

The Sandisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD is $209.99 on October Prime Day. This record-low deal saves you $90 on list price.

This portable SSD can transfer 1,000 high-res photos in under 60 seconds at up to 2000 MB/s. It has an IP65 rating and drop protection for up to 3 meters, making it a solid option for travel and shooting on location.

Act fast to save over $190 on the Sandisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD in Amazon's October Prime Day.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

Jimmy Kimmel has a scathing response to Trump promising $5k if Republicans win the midterms

Mashable - 4 hours 38 min ago

Donald Trump has promised every adult American $5,000 if the Republicans win both the Senate and the House in the upcoming midterm elections — but Jimmy Kimmel isn't buying it.

"Well, he's never lied to us before," says Kimmel in the clip above, after playing footage of the president's announcement. "Let me be very clear: Donald Trump is more likely to run a 5k than to give it to us."

Kimmel also makes the point that the money Trump is promising belongs to the American people anyway.

"That's our money," Kimmel says. "You're not giving anyone anything. That's you breaking open Eric's piggybank and going 'Hey dummy, here's your allowance.' That's what you're doing."

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Categories: IT General, Technology

$90 AirPods Pro are live at Amazon — save over $100 with this stunning October Prime Day Apple deal

Mashable - 4 hours 42 min ago

TL;DR: Apple AirPods Pro (1st Gen) are down to $89.99 on October Prime Day. That's over $100 off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro (1st Gen) $89.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $159.01   Shop Now

Walmart has dominated the AirPods market around October Prime Day. Walmart's $79 deal on AirPods 4 has been really tough to beat, but Amazon has now dropped a genuine contender.

For a limited time, you can score the Apple AirPods Pro (1st Gen) for $89.99 on October Prime Day. That's over $100 off the list price and comes with a MagSafe charging case.

We didn't really expect this huge price drop. Our coverage of the best AirPods deals has largely focused on newer models. But if you want the latest AirPods Pro 3, you'll spend $179 on Amazon. That's still a good deal, but if you're trying to protect your budget and spend under $100, this is probably your best bet. We really can't see these popular earbuds dropping any further. This early price drop will likely last for the duration on Amazon's latest event.

Act fast to save over $100 on Apple AirPods Pro (1st Gen) in Amazon's October Prime Day.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Prime Day outdoor deals: Anker power stations, Igloo coolers, and LifeStraws are among our top picks

Mashable - 4 hours 55 min ago
Best October Prime Day outdoor deals: Best portable power station deal Anker Solix C1000 $449.98 (save $150.01) Get Deal Best cooler deal Igloo Trailmate Cooler (50 quart) $99.99 (save $20) Get Deal Best outdoor speaker deal Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $71.23 (save $28.76) Get Deal Best camping deal Coleman 4-Person Instant Cabin $149.99 (save $68.50) Get Deal

If you're like me and prefer to camp in the moderate fall temps instead of sweating it out in the summer, you're in need of some fresh outdoor gear. Luckily, Amazon's October Prime Day has arrived, running Oct. 6 and 7, which kicks off the end-of-year savings. It's a great time to stock up on gear.

I've compiled the best Prime Day outdoor deals if you're searching for upgrades or replacements to your current gear. These deals will get you outside to enjoy fall colors and cooler temps. Be sure to keep an eye on all of Mashable's October Prime Day coverage throughout the event.

Best portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix C1000 $449.98 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $150.01   Get Deal Why we like it

I've tested dozens of portable power stations while camping over the last few years, and the original Anker Solix C1000 remains a top-tier choice. Now that it's on sale for under $450, it's a great time to make the move to camping with power. Keep phones charged, pack the air fryer, or take your laptop workstation into the great outdoors.

The Anker Solix C1000 packs in 1,056Wh of battery capacity and a peak output of 2,400W. Anker included a massive six AC ports, dual USB-A ports, and dual USB-C ports. I also love the onboard lightbar, and it recharges back to 100 percent in under an hour.

More portable power station dealsBest cooler deal Opens in a new window Credit: Igloo Igloo Trailmate Cooler (50 quart) $99.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $20   Get Deal Why we like it

With a giant 50-quart capacity, the Igloo Trailmate cooler is on sale for under $100 for October Prime Day. Without ice, that size can fit up to 81 cans. The foam-insulated walls and lid measure 1.5 inches thick for better ice retention, and the rubberized latches provide added reassurance that the cooler is properly sealed to keep things cold. Igloo also added a built-in bottle opener for those of us who always forget to pack one.

More cooler dealsBest outdoor speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $71.23
$99.99 Save $28.76   Get Deal Why we like it

On Mashable's ranking of the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 earns the top spot as the model that's ready for both outdoor adventures and the shower. Contributor Alex Bracetti's review says, "The rugged mesh exterior prevents moisture and other hazards from damaging both the inside and outside of the speaker. A 14-hour charge is enough for a month of daily shower use."

It's an excellent speaker to bring on the go, and right now, you can grab it for $28.76.

More outdoor speaker dealsBest camping deal Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Coleman 4-Person Instant Cabin $149.99 at Amazon
$218.49 Save $68.50   Get Deal Why we like it

Every great camping trip comes with a home base. The Coleman Instant Cabin is a one-minute setup tent that's also easy to store. For October Prime Day, the four-person tent is on sale for $149.99. To make things even easier at the campsite, the Coleman tent has pre-attached poles that only need to be extended. Plus, the included rainfly is integrated into the design, making assembly simple.

More camping deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best October Prime Day kitchen deals: We found live Ninja and Keurig deals worth grabbing

Mashable - 4 hours 56 min ago
The best October Prime Day kitchen deals: Best air fryer deal Ninja Foodi Air Fryer $149.99 (save $80) Get Deal Best blender deal Ninja Professional Blender 2.0 $79.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best ice cream maker deal Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker $129.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best espresso machine deal De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Automatic Espresso Machine $599.95 (save $300) Get Deal

Cooking at home is supposed to save money, but between grocery prices and the cost of decent appliances, it doesn't always feel that way.

Amazon's October Prime Day, officially Prime Big Deal Days, runs for 48 hours from today — Oct. 6–7 — so if you need a new air fryer, want to upgrade your morning coffee station, or just need to replace a worn-out pan without spending a fortune, now's your moment.

The best deals include the Ninja Foodi 10-Quart DualZone Air Fryer at $149.99, $100 off the Ninja French Door Premier Air Fry Oven, $120 off the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer, and $300 off the De’Longhi Rivelia Automatic Espresso Machine. Prices can move fast during Prime Day, so we’ll keep checking and adding new deals as they go live.

Best kitchen deal Ninja Foodi Air Fryer (10-Quart) $149.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $80   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

At $149.99 (down from $229.99), the Ninja Foodi 10-Quart DualZone is just 99 cents above its all-time low.

Instead of cooking in batches or relying on your oven, it gives you two separate 5-quart baskets that run at different temperatures at the same time. The Smart Finish setting automatically syncs the timers so both baskets finish cooking at the exact same time, while Match Cook lets you duplicate settings across both sides for full 10-quart meals. It also includes six standard functions — air fry, broil, roast, bake, dehydrate, and keep warm — and has enough total capacity to handle about eight pounds of wings.

More Prime Day kitchen deals

Air fryers and countertop appliances

Coffee and espresso makers

Cookware and bakeware

Blenders and ice cream makers

Categories: IT General, Technology

25+ home improvement deals to shop on October Prime Day: Im tracking deals on power tools, yard care, and more

Mashable - 4 hours 56 min ago
The best October Prime Day home improvement deals at a glance: Best outdoor power equipment deal Greenworks 60V Electric Leaf Plower $139.99 (save $110) Get Deal Best power tool deal DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit $149 (save $90) Get Deal Best smart home deal GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier 2 Pro $80.99 (save $49) Get Deal Best robot lawn mower deal Roborock RockNeo Q110H $679.99 (save $120) Get Deal Best outdoor lights deal Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 $279.99 (save $50) Get Deal

Amazon's October Prime Day is now live, running Oct. 6-7, and it's already proving to be a good time to pick up home improvement gear at a discount.

If you want to get ahead on fall yard cleanup, finally replace the drill that barely holds a charge, or add a few smart-home upgrades before the holiday season, there are already worthwhile discounts across tools, outdoor power equipment, robot lawn mowers, lights, air purifiers, and more.

These are the best live deals we have found so far, and we will keep updating this list as prices change and new offers appear through the two-day sale.

Best tool deal Dewalt 20V Max Cordless Drill & Impact Driver Kit $149 at Amazon
$239 Save $90   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it

A good drill is one of those things you don't think about until you need it, and then suddenly it's the most useful thing in the house. This DeWalt combo kit gives you both a compact drill/driver for everyday jobs and an impact driver for the projects that need more muscle, like longer screws, tougher materials, or anything that has you fighting with a manual screwdriver.

It comes with two batteries, a charger, and a carrying bag, so you're not buying a tool only to realize you need to spend more before you can actually use it. Both tools also have built-in LED lights for darker corners, cabinets, and under-the-sink fixes.

At $149, down from $239, this kit saves you $90 and is a much better all-purpose pick for most homeowners than a single specialty tool.

More tool dealsBest outdoor power equipment deal Greenworks 60V 610 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower, 2.5 Ah Battery and Rapid Charger $139.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $110   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Fall yard cleanup is enough work without dragging out an extension cord, mixing gas, or fighting with a pull start. The Greenworks 60V leaf blower is battery-powered, but it has enough power for the usual pile of wet leaves, driveway debris, and whatever else collects around the patio this time of year.

It has a variable-speed trigger, cruise control, and a Turbo mode that reaches up to 130 MPH when you need more power. The included 2.5Ah battery and rapid charger are a big part of why this deal is worth considering, especially if you're not already invested in a battery platform.

At $139.99, down from $249.99, it saves you $110. It's also compatible with more than 75 Greenworks 60V tools if you end up adding a mower, trimmer, or chainsaw later.

More outdoor power equipment dealsBest robot lawn mower deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock RockNeo Q110H $679.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $120   Get Deal Why we like it

Prime members are in line to snag a robot lawn mower at a shockingly good price for October Prime Big Deal Days. Down from the normal price of $799.99, the Roborock RockNeo Q110H robot lawn mower is on sale for $679.99. It's designed to keep a lawn of up to a quarter of an acre freshly mowed and manicured. It comes with auto-mapping and advanced obstacle avoidance, and it's capable of mowing on slopes up to 45 degrees.

This is the lowest price we've spotted at Amazon for the Roborock RockNeo Q110H, so it's absolutely worth jumping on this discount.

More robot lawn mower dealsBest outdoor lights deal Opens in a new window Credit: Govee Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 (100-feet) $279.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

If you like to put Christmas lights on the house before Thanksgiving, October Prime Day deals are your best bet for scoring a great sale price. Now 15% off, the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 can display 16 million colors. If that feels overwhelming, choose between 100 preset modes.

The Govee lights come with an IP67 rating, which means they're safe to leave up year-round and they don't mind the rain. Plus, ordering now means they'll arrive with enough time to make a neighborhood-favorite Halloween display.

More outdoor lights dealsBest smart home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Govee GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier 2 Pro $80.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $49.00 *with extra 10% Prime savings* Get Deal Why we like it

Grabbing an air purifier isn't a bad idea in 2026, considering the quality of the air outside lately. This smart purifier from Govee features three-stage filtration that removes particles like hair, lint, and dust, as well as smoke, VOCs, and harmful gases. Its built-in sensor will alert you to the quality of air in your home and automatically turn on when the levels drop. It's usually $129.99, but with the current discount and extra savings for Prime members, it's just $80.99. That's a total of 38% in savings, and its best price all year.

More smart home deals

Smart home security

Smart lighting

Smart air purifiers and quality monitors

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best October Prime Day Kindle deals: My favorite Kindle is on sale, plus get Kindle Unlimited for free

Mashable - 5 hours 3 min ago
The best October Prime Day Kindle deals: Best Kindle Deal Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $169.99 (save $80) Get Deal Best color Kindle deal Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (16GB) $189.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best Scribe deal Amazon Kindle Scribe (32GB) $379.99 (save $120) Get Deal Best Kindle Kids Deal Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids $169.99 (Save $60) Get Deal

After this year, I am dying for a sale on e-readers. The RAMaggedon is wreaking havoc on tech prices and that includes Kindles. In August, we saw huge price increases on Amazon's e-readers that raised prices on Kindles up to $50. So what does this mean for sale prices?

Prime Big Deal Days has arrived, and Amazon just dropped Kindle prices, but it's a real mixed bag. Only 2024 models are on sale — and only some of them. The coveted Kindle Paperwhite isn't on sale, but its more expensive counterpart, the Paperwhite Signature Edition, is. While sale prices haven't dipped back down to their all-time lows, these are the best deals to shop since their August price increase.

And yes, Amazon just dropped a new collection of Kindles, but none of the 2026 models are on sale, nor do we expect them to be. So if you don't mind buying the 2024 Kindle models, there are plenty of Kindle deals to shop.

Kindle e-reader price history

During Black Friday 2025, the 2024 Kindles dropped to their lowest prices ever. That brought the Kindle to $79.99 and the Kindle Paperwhite to $124.99. But this was before Amazon raised prices on Kindles in August 2026.

The current Kindle Prime Day prices fall somewhere in between previous all-time lows and the device's current prices. However, two Kindles are notably not on sale. The 2024 Kindle Paperwhite is full price, notably the same price as the 2026 model. Plus, the 2024 Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is no longer available for purchase.

All other Kindle models are on sale. The basic Kindle is $103.99, which makes it cheaper than its previous list price ($109.99) but $24 more than its all-time low of $79.99. Kindle Scribe e-readers, however, are on sale for their lowest prices ever, with the Scribe dipping back down to $379.99 and the Scribe Colorsoft dropping to $479.99.

Best Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $169.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $80   Get Deal Why we like it

The best deal to shop is on the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. In August 2026, the e-reader's MSRP rose to $249.99 from its previous list price of $199.99. Now, the Paperwhite Signature Edition has dropped back down to $169.99. That's 32% off its new list price, saving you $80 on the e-reader. I'd typically advise you to buy the standard Paperwhite, but right now, it's more expensive than the Signature Edition.

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is my favorite e-reader, the one I use every day. With 32GB of storage, it has space for thousands of books. It also has an auto-adjusting front light and wireless charging capabilities. It's exceptionally fast, too, as it never stutters when opening books or turning pages.

Plus, when you buy a new Kindle, make sure to include three months of Kindle Unlimited in your purchase because it's totally free (a $35.97 value).

More Kindle deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

We found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness

Mashable - 5 hours 4 min ago

I test new robot vacuums on a regular basis and compare them to the top performers from previous months, with all my evaluations taking place in my own home on various rugs, tile, and hardwood floors. As I test each robot vacuum and tweak its settings for optimal performance, I keep notes on its overall suction power vigor, scrubbing efficacy (if it's a robot vacuum and mop combo), pet hair pickup, the convenience of its automatic emptying and self-washing mopping pads, accuracy of smart mapping and small obstacle avoidance, and the overall user experience. But the final boss here is cost efficiency — I'll be the first one to point out when a cheap robot vacuum actually works well for the price, or when a high-end robot vacuum is actually worth the splurge or not.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has both Recent changes to this guide

July 2026: I added the Narwal Flow 2 as the new pick for best roller mop robot vacuum overall, bumping the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow to the best roller mop robot vacuum under $1,000. The Narwal Flow 2 has stronger suction power and more advanced AI spill detection.

March 2026: I added the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow as the best roller mop robot vacuum, replacing the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller. Though the Dreame has more powerful suction on paper, the Curv 2 Flow demonstrated better edge mopping and comparable vacuuming. I also replaced the Eufy X10 Pro Omni with the Eufy C28 and shifted it to my budget roller mop pick. The X10 Pro Omni is two years old at this point, and the new C28 offers more advanced cleaning and obstacle avoidance.

January 2026: I added the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete as the best robot vacuum right now and shifted the Aqua10 Ultra to the best roller mop robot vacuum. The Roborock Saros 10R, which was listed as the best option for corner cleaning, has been removed from the list. It costs nearly the same amount as the X60 Max Ultra Complete, which has near-identical corner mopping abilities and much stronger suction power.

December 2025: I added a disclaimer to the pick for best Roomba value in light of iRobot's bankruptcy news.

October 2025: I added the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller as the best robot vacuum right now and shifted the Roborock Saros 10R (previously named the best robot vacuum right now) to the option for best corner cleaning.

July 2025: I removed the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 robot vacuum from this guide. While it was a solid budget mopping robot vacuum for its first year or so on the market, it's now a little bit too basic compared to other newer budget robot vacuums.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 10 best e-readers weve ever tested

Mashable - 5 hours 4 min ago

So, what is the best e-reader for 2026? I'm regularly testing new e-readers (and tablets) and cycling through different models to stay up to date on the best options available. If you're gearing up to read more books this year, I can recommend a model you'll love.

Note: Amazon just dropped a new collection of Kindles. We've yet to test these devices. Included in this guide are the 2024 Kindles we have already reviewed.

Featured Video For You Latest e-reader news

  • On Oct. 1, Amazon dropped a redesigned collection of Kindles. We have yet to test Amazon's new e-readers, but will update this guide when we've thoroughly vetted the 2026 devices. You can purchase 6-inch Kindles now, and 7-inch Kindles will be available Oct. 28.

  • As of September 2026, we've added the Boox Go 6 to this guide, naming it the best Kindle alternative. We also named the Kindle Paperwhite the best e-reader for the beach (in addition to being the best overall) and named the Durobo Krono the best e-reader for audiobooks.

  • In August 2026, Amazon increased the price of Kindles. Now the basic Kindle costs $149.99 ($40 increase) and the Kindle Paperwhite costs $199.99 ($40 increase).

  • In July 2026, Boox announced it was releasing a pocket-sized e-reader, the Picco. After IFA 2026, rumors floated that the Boox Picco would be released in November 2026.

  • Also in July 2026, Xteink dropped the X4 Pro, a new tiny e-reader with a touchscreen.

  • As of April 2026, we have included the Durobo Krono and the Xetink X4 e-reader in this guide.

  • In May 2026, Amazon ceased support for e-readers released in 2012 or earlier, which includes the first generation of Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite.

  • Also in May 2026, Kobo announced its integration with Storygraph, which syncs your on-device reading progress with the Storygraph app.

Which are the most affordable e-readers?

When picking an e-reader, price is always a consideration. However, almost all e-readers fall into the same price range. Kindle and Kobo e-readers both start around $149.99/$159.99, while the tiny Boox Picco is just $109.99. If you want handwriting capabilities, Kobo and Boox make the most affordable options, as Kindle's Scribes start at $500.

Other e-readers we've tested From left to right: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook GlowLight 4 Plus, Kindle Scribe Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

  • Remarkable PaperPro: Whenever you search for e-readers, Remarkable's tablets will always pop up in the search results, but unfortunately, it's hard to obtain ePUB files on the Remarkable. With Remarkable, you can access files within Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. If you have any locked ePUB files — like from Libby — you won't be able to access them on a Remarkable tablet. So, after testing the Remarkable tablet myself, it proved to be a better document reader or digital journal than an e-reader.

  • Onyx Boox Go 7: While we love the Boox Go 6, we didn't love the Go 7. It's the same size as the Kobo Libra or Amazon Kindle, but it really lags on processing speed. Reading ePUB files from Libby required downloading the Adobe Digital Editions app onto the Boox Go 7, and there was significant lag when opening and closing the app. While it was an easier process than getting library books on a Nook, it was still a major pain compared to Kindle or Kobo's integrations. The Boox Go 7 lagged and took ages to load files. I was most looking forward to testing this Boox because of its page-turning buttons, but unfortunately, I found that they didn't work on my device.

  • Boox Palma 2: I loved reading on the Boox Palma. It's a really solid palm-sized e-reader with an open Android system, so you can download any reading app from the Google Play store, including Libby, Kindle, and Kobo. Unfortunately, the Palma 2 is being discontinued, and its availability is dwindling, which is why it's not included in this list.

What about the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition?

If you're familiar with the Kindle lineup, it may come as a surprise that the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition isn't on this list. Don't get me wrong, it's great, but I think there are better options. The Signature Edition is an upgraded version of the Paperwhite, and we've compared the devices head-to-head. The short version? The Paperwhite is a better value, even with the SE's added features like auto-adjusting brightness and 32GB of storage. Plus, after recent price increases, the Paperwhite SE now costs $249.99. If you are prepared to spend that much on an e-reader, I say skip the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and go for the Kobo Libra Colour.

Where's the Nook on this list?

In terms of big-name e-readers, you might notice one omission from this list: the Barnes & Noble Nook. I have tested this e-reader, and it was previously featured on this list. However, after testing more devices, it no longer makes the cut. In comparison to any of the Kindles or the Kobo Libra, the Nook has sloth-like performance, making it frustrating to use.

Plus, getting my library books onto the Nook was a nightmare, as it was a multi-step process that required downloading to a computer before uploading to a Nook. Its only redeeming quality was the buttons on either side of the device, which made page turning a breeze. However, unless you are a loyal buyer of Barnes & Noble books, I recommend steering clear of the Nook.

Where to get e-reader books for free

Once you get an e-reader, it's time to fill it up with books, and that doesn't necessarily mean spending money. In fact, you can load up your e-reader without spending a dime; you just need to be a bit resourceful.

The best way to read nearly any book — a classic or hot new release — is with Libby. I have read hundreds of free books with the Libby app — I wouldn't have been able to test for this guide without it. It connects with your library card, allowing you to borrow from your local library's digital collection. Plus, both Kobo and Kindle have exceptional Libby integrations.

Another way to build your library is through Stuff Your Kindle Day events. These are 24-hour opportunities led by authors that make books discounted or free.

If you're a fan of the classics or looking to discover a treasure lost to time, an online resource like Project Gutenberg has more than 75,000 books in the public domain that you can download and read on an e-reader.

Categories: IT General, Technology

A dying star may have birthed a planet right before it croaked

Mashable - 5 hours 4 min ago

A star hundreds of light-years away in space may have spawned a giant Jupiter-size planet from the gas and dust it coughed out with its dying breath.

Astronomers spotted signs of such a planet circling a white dwarf — the leftover core of a medium-size star after it burns through its nuclear fuel — called HS 0209+0832. 

Though a team of researchers used data from NASA's Hubble and TESS telescopes to build a strong case for the planet, no observatory has seen the world itself. For now, it remains a candidate planet. But if the evidence bears out, its discovery would mean stars similar to our sun can launch a fresh round of planet formation after death. 

The findings, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, fly in the face of what astronomers expect from dead stars. Before our sun dies, it will likely swell into a red giant and swallow up Mercury, Venus, and Earth in the process. That late-life stage would mark the end for the inner solar system planets the sun birthed long ago. The potential for a second generation raises new questions about whether planets around dead stars could support life. Until now, scientists had only linked planets like this to pulsars, a different type of collapsed star.

"Rather than the white dwarf stage being a kind of epilogue to the story of a star and its planets, this research points to the systems we are familiar with only being the first chapter of a potentially much longer tale," said Jamie Williams, a doctoral candidate at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom and the lead author, in a statement, "with some new characters showing up." 

SEE ALSO: A new NASA mission plan could capture light no space telescope now sees

The clues came from debris falling onto the dead star. Between 25 to 50 percent of young white dwarfs pull in debris from nearby objects, according to an associated commentary by Zifan Lin, a planetary scientist at Washington University in St. Louis. That rubble leaves chemical fingerprints in the star's light and reveals what it contains.

The fingerprints of most white dwarfs match Earth rock or common meteorites, but this star breaks that pattern. Researchers found almost no silicon or iron, the main ingredients of rocky planets like ours. In fact, the mix matches nothing in our solar system, including Halley's comet. Instead, they detected carbon, nickel, copper, zinc, and niobium — an element that threw a major curveball at the team. 

It was this element that led the scientists to the source. Stars forge most of their niobium late in life and disperse it when they molt their outer layers. Some of those cast-offs may have settled into a flat, rotating disk around the young white dwarf, allowing a gas giant planet to emerge from it. Ordinary rocky debris can't explain the niobium, the extra carbon, or the high ratio of nickel to iron, said Nicholas Stone, a University of Wisconsin theoretical astrophysicist. 

"These heavy elements can only be synthesized in the exotic conditions that briefly emerge inside dying stars," said Stone, a coauthor, in a statement. "The presence of niobium is a signpost of these 'death' throes, and the expulsion of the dying star's innards into space." 

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A companion star may have made the disk possible. Stars near the end of life usually push gas outward evenly in all directions, which leaves little chance for a disk to take shape. But if a small star orbited close by, the swelling giant may have swallowed it. That encounter could have flung the star's outer layers into a rich ring of material.

Scientists hypothesize that HS 0209+0832 aged into a red giant star that sloughed its outermost layers, forming a disk around its core. From this material, a planet may have formed, as the white dwarf tears away some of its atmosphere. Credit: NASA / ESA / Leah Hustak illustration

If this planet truly exists, it could broaden the search for life beyond our solar system. White dwarfs are about the size of Earth, so a planet passing in front of one blocks a large share of its light. That makes an orbiting world's atmosphere much easier to study. For a rocky, Earth-size planet at a comfortable distance from a nearby white dwarf, the James Webb Space Telescope could detect water, carbon dioxide, and possible signs of life in just a few more passes, Lin wrote.

Right now, the gas giant candidate seems to be rapidly losing its atmosphere. Because the white dwarf is only about 5 million years old, it is still very hot and likely blasting the planet with energy that is whisking away its outer material. 

Despite this erosion, the white dwarf will eventually cool and hold a steady temperature, potentially putting the planet in a stable habitable zone for millions of years, according to the research team.

"If the second-generation planet is there, I think it is likely to survive," Williams said.

Categories: IT General, Technology

A Statement review: Star-studded climate change drama is more than just hot air

Mashable - 5 hours 4 min ago

"Do we care?"

That is one of the early questions posed in director Tom McCarthy’s (Spotlight) A Statement, which dramatizes a real-life 1980 meeting between scientists, policymakers, and activists about the issue of climate change. By the end of the conference, participants are expected to have prepared a statement on the problem, and what to do next.

SEE ALSO: 'I Play Rocky' review: Can this crowd-pleaser be an Oscar contender?

At this point, everyone in the room is aware that the world’s rising carbon dioxide levels mean rising temperatures and global consequences. That those present ask whether they even “care” seems preposterous, especially to A Statement’s modern-day viewers, who are bombarded with rising temperatures, worsening floods and storms, and news that we’re set to cross the dangerous 1.5°C warming threshold above preindustrial levels within a few years.

Yet in 1980, few in A Statement’s conference room can fathom these catastrophic effects. Some, like meteorologist John Perry (Jason Clarke), even downplay them. He suggests that when the time comes, America can just move its seat of power to higher ground, like Denver.

The cognitive dissonance between the reality of our climate crisis and the hypotheticals floated in A Statement can at times turn the film into an infuriating experience. “Do something!” you’re tempted to yell, even as so much of what happens at the conference reflects our current moment. Through it all, McCarthy weaves an effective tale of human communication and the struggles of trying to reach consensus. Still, given its subject matter, you can’t help but wish A Statement was just a tad angrier.

A Statement turns a dry transcript into a gripping discussion.

Based on journalist Nathaniel Rich’s book Losing Earth, A Statement checks us into the Don CeSar hotel in St. Pete Beach, Florida, where, for the next 36 hours, the climate change conference will take place. There, moderator Tom Jorling (Paul Rudd) frets over how best to create a constructive dialogue between differing personalities, such as passionate environmentalist Rafe Pomerance (Evan Peters) and pragmatic Department of Energy official David Slade (Paul Giamatti).

For scenes of the conference, McCarthy draws verbatim from the transcripts of the meeting, taken down in the film by stenographer Bernadette (Nina Arianda). Text from the transcripts appears onscreen at the start of each session, both to highlight the film’s accuracy and formally invite us into the official proceedings.

Much of the text is dry — conversations about limiting carbon dioxide levels, debates about specific wording for the statement. Yet McCarthy, his crew, and his star-studded ensemble bring it to intense life. Cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh’s dynamic camera work guides us around the table in an intricate dance, while editor Jane Rizzo turns lengthy scientific explanations into snappy, anxiety-inducing rides. Bryce Dessner’s drum-heavy score ups the urgency, while occasionally bringing some near-farcical levity to the sessions.

SEE ALSO: 'Godzilla Minus Zero' review: The epic monster melodrama fans have been roaring for

Then there's the cast, made up of excellent heavy hitters who are as dialed in as can be. Rudd's nice-guy persona perfectly suits Jorling's mediator role, with an undercurrent of stress slowly ratcheting up by the second. Peters' Rafe is a pent-up flurry of antsy fidgeting and indignation, a perfect contrast to more curmudgeonly veterans of these types of meetings like Giamatti's Slade. While his character first seems like a tired obstacle to progress, a key scene outside the meeting room allows Giamatti to imbue Slade with a deeper humanity and a haunting resignation.

As two of the very few women in the room, Amy Ryan's public health scholar Annemarie Crocetti and Tatiana Maslany's law professor Edith Brown Weiss each get meaty speeches toward the conference's end that they deliver with aplomb, but they are otherwise mostly relegated to the margins. Still, McCarthy emphasizes their smaller presence in the transcript, often holding on their reactions or their raised hands (they are the only people in the room who do so) to emphasize the baggage of speaking up in that male-dominated space.

But the real scene stealer here is John Turturro as David Rose, a professor of nuclear engineering at MIT who's also deeply fascinated by humanity's ability to solve — or not solve — complex, life-threatening problems. Rose becomes a doomsday prophet of sorts, regaling attendees with stories of collapsed civilizations whose citizens saw the end coming and still did nothing to prevent it. Turturro delivers each anecdote with a wry laugh, summoning a darkly humorous cloud to loom over each of A Statement's sessions.

A Statement isn't angry enough.

A Statement falters when it leaves its conference room and veers from the transcript. The difference between dialogue that was on the record and fabricated conversations is immediate: . There are some killer one-liners, but also several overt attempts to gesture toward Big Life Lessons that border on schmaltz. A scene where attendees crash a wedding also taking place at the hotel veers the film into cheesy territory, even if it does gift us Turturro dancing.

The wedding does serve a bigger purpose: forcing A Statement's characters to think about future generations who will be born into a world that bears the brunt of their indecision and eventual inaction. (Generations who will be watching this movie!) A Statement lays out the causes of all this inaction throughout. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions on a significant scale would cost too much. It would require the whole world to work together. It would force people to give up their creature comforts, something they will never accept. And with Ronald Reagan just days away from getting elected, many government attendees wonder whether they'll even have jobs once he's done slashing the budget.

These are all concerns that resonate today, from the arguments about why significant change will never happen right down to a U.S. president who doesn't give a damn about the environment. (President Donald Trump has twice withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris Agreement.) Knowing all this, it's frustrating when A Statement's conclusion is less of an indictment of the patterns of thinking that have kept us in this mess, and more of a shrug about how impossible solving the climate change problem is.

Yes, McCarthy has crafted an engaging deep dive into a very dense meeting, one that surely reflects the kinds of discussions being had at countless other climate change conferences. Yet in the end, like its characters, A Statement doesn't make enough of one.

A Statement was reviewed following its world premiere at the New York Film Festival. It will be released at a later date.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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