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LIVE BLOG: Get the latest news on October Prime Day 2024

If you think deciding which robot vacuum to buy is hard to buy at any random point in the year, the decision fatigue ramps up significantly during a big sale event like Prime Day. Think about it: All the robovacs you've been considering are now cheaper and less daunting of an investment, and a few other models that may have been too expensive before are suddenly in your price range.

SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum

But considering my actual (and very normal) adult job is to test robot vacuums in my own home and then narrow those options down into recommendations for people, my mind subconsciously begins to pull out the two or three best of the best robot vacuum deals during Prime Day to have a concise list at the ready for when a friend or family member inevitably asks me which robot vacuum they should buy.

And as Mashable's resident robot vacuum expert, I'll drop those Prime Big Deal Days suggestions for you here, too. I know everyone is shopping based on different cleaning needs and priorities, so I'll give you three options that vary based on price and things they can do — and yes, I've tested all three in my own apartment.

Best October Prime Day premium robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Master $949.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $650.00 Get Deal Why I like it

This one's my pick for anyone who prioritizes the most meticulous, hands-off cleaning possible and is willing to pay the big bucks for it.

Of the handful of robot vacuums that retail for well over $1,000, most are on sale this Prime Big Deal Days — but the Roborock Qrevo Master stands out to me as the best bang for your buck. Compared to the $1,799.99 Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra that I've also tested (which isn't on sale for Prime Day), the Qrevo Master dishes out the same 10,000 Pa suction power (both of which were as thorough as you could ask from a robot vacuum on my cat hair-covered rugs), washes and dries its own mopping pads, and even has the same pet camera that can livestream whatever the robot vacuum sees as it's cleaning (and even go searching for your pet).

But the main thing that set these two models apart for me was the mopping pad mechanism on each. The Qrevo Master scrubs with two pressurized, spinning mopping pads rather than the large, flat mopping pad of the S8 MaxV Ultra. More importantly, one of those spinning pads can extend out from under the vacuum and reach into corners, reaching several inches further into right angles and detailing walls better than most other hybrid models. (The Qrevo Master also does this with dry vacuuming.) Watching this unfold in the tricky overhang of my kitchen cabinets immediately sold me.

Best October Prime Day self-washing and drying deal (on a budget) Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy X10 Pro Omni $549.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $250.00 Get Deal Why I like it

My number one robot vacuum deal pick from Prime Day in July is back, just with an even better discount this time (by $50). I dubbed the Eufy X10 Pro Omni as the most surprising robot vacuum I've tested all year because it offers the most premium feature in the 2-in-1 robot vacuum market right now — self-washing and drying mopping pads — for hundreds and hundreds of dollars less than many flagship models from other brands. To me, not having to manually attach, detach, and wash the mopping pads every time the vacuum mops is the line between a hybrid robot vac being worth it or not — because I definitely won't use the mopping feature as often as I want to if it makes extra work for me, too.

For more details on its cleaning capabilities, read my full review of the Eufy X10 Pro Omni.

Best October Prime Day Roomba deal Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba j7+ $399.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $400.00 Get Deal Why I like it

I couldn't not make a Roomba recommendation — I know some of you want that Roomba street cred.

While I am pleasantly surprised that the Roomba Combo 10 Max is on sale for Prime Day despite not even being out for six months, I still can't say that it's the best Roomba deal overall. The Eufy model I've recommended above (among several other options) simply does all of that self-washing and drying for much cheaper.

What's far more impressive is the 50% discount on the tried and true Roomba j7+. If your home doesn't have enough hard floors to make mopping a crucial feature, this is absolutely your best bet. It still empties itself, so you won't have to deal with the dust bin for weeks at a time. But its real standout feature compared to any other self-emptiers in the $400 price range is its small obstacle avoidance technology. This is what allows a robot vacuum to scope out obstacles less than three inches tall that would usually cause a problem if they were to be sucked up, like phone chargers, pet waste, or pieces of laundry. It's a rare feature to see in this price range at all, and iRobot's is the most accurate version of it that I've ever experienced.

For more details on its cleaning capabilities, read my full review of the Roomba Combo j7+ (and ignore the parts about mopping, because the j7+ on sale here is just the non-mopping version).

SAVE $100: If you've been eyeing the latest Bose SoundLink Max, now’s the time to strike. This highly-rated portable speaker is 25% off for Prime Day, bringing the price down by $100 — from $399 to $299. Considering its premium performance, this deal is hard to beat.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose / Amazon Bose SoundLink Max $299.00 at Amazon
$399.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

Despite its compact size, the SoundLink Max delivers sound that feels far larger than it looks. Since its release this spring, it’s received glowing praise for its expansive soundstage, impressive stereo separation, and clear, crisp audio. And while its bass is noticeably strong, it doesn’t overpower the mids and highs, making it an excellent all-around performer.

The only downside? Bose is sticking to a limited color palette — black and blue dusk are your only options right now. And for a speaker at this price point, it’s surprising that it doesn’t include smart assistant functionality.

That said, the SoundLink Max makes up for it with a solid 20 hours of battery life and legitimate waterproofing. And we mean legit. This isn't just marketing fluff — Bose has tossed the SoundLink Max into pools to prove it can handle full submersion without skipping a beat.

If you’re in the market for a portable speaker that balances sound quality and durability, this is a Prime Day steal you don’t want to miss.

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is nearing the end of its support lifecycle. Microsoft is releasing a final Android 12 update for the device, which marks the end of software updates for the dual-screen smartphone.

A direct-to-cell service from Starlink and T-Mobile has gone live in Florida in both areas projected to be hit by Hurricane Milton and those previously impacted by Hurricane Helene.

A power failure is more than an inconvenienceit can knock out essential equipment for hours on end. If you have important electronics that have to keep running when the power's out, you'll need an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

Will Google be forced to break up? The search giant may have to if the U.S. Department of Justice has its way.

Over the summer, Google lost a big antitrust lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice that saw the judge overseeing the case, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, deem the search giant a "monopolist."

At the time, the judge did not rule on what would happen to Google as a result of the lawsuit. Google and the DOJ were asked to come up with solutions to remedy the company's antitrust issues.

This week, the DOJ submitted its proposals, with a key one calling for the separation of Google Chrome and Android.

DOJ wants to break up Google

"Plaintiffs are considering behavioral and structural remedies that would prevent Google from using products such as Chrome, Play, and Android to advantage Google search and Google search-related products and features—including emerging search access points and features, such as artificial intelligence—over rivals or new entrants," the DOJ wrote.

The DOJ filing then quotes the court's findings that Google's control of the Chrome browser with Google Search set as the default on Android devices “significantly narrows the available channels of distribution and thus disincentivizes the emergence of new competition.”

As can be seen from the filing, while the DOJ suggests splitting Chrome and Android, it also proposes other additional measures as well.

Potentially, the action with the most meaningful impact to Google would be the DOJ's suggestion limiting Google's agreements with third-parties regarding the search giant's default dominance. Apple, for example, has an agreement with Google to make Google Search the default search engine on iPhone's Safari web browser. In exchange, Google pays Apple a whopping $20 billion per year.

The DOJ says that Google should also provide its search engine "indexes, data, feeds, and models" to competitors through an API in order to ensure fair competition. 

Additionally, the DOJ seeks to impose restrictions on how Google crawls third-party websites and uses their data for AI training and displaying third-party content in search results. Websites should be able to opt-out of this, the filing says.

The DOJ also takes on Google's advertising business and recommends that the company share more data with advertisers that offer them more control over where their ads appear. The DOJ also suggests that Google provides options to have ads run independent from its search engine product as well.

Google responds

Google has already hit back at the DOJ's proposals, with the company's Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Lee-Anne Mulholland penning a public response.

"DOJ’s radical and sweeping proposals risk hurting consumers, businesses, and developers," reads the title of Mulholland's post on Google's official blog.

Mulholland highlights the DOJ suggestion that would appear to have the most ramifications for users than Google the company itself.

"Forcing Google to share your search queries, clicks, and results with competitors risks your privacy and security," she writes, addressing the DOJ suggestion that Google share it's search data with competitors in order to level the playing field. "The search queries you share with Google are often sensitive and personal and are protected by Google's strict security standards; in the hands of a different company without strong security practices, bad actors could access them to identify you and your search history."

However, it should be noted that the DOJ addressed this concern in its filing. The DOJ said it's "mindful" of user privacy concerns and that those should be taken into account, but that private user data should be distinguished from data that just ensures Google maintains its market dominance.

Mulholland also addressed the main DOJ suggestion that Chrome and Android be split up, saying this would cause confusion and making things more difficult for users and third-party developers alike.

"Breaking them off would change their business models, raise the cost of devices, and undermine Android and Google Play in their robust competition with Apple’s iPhone and App Store," Mulholland writes. "In addition: Because Android and Chrome are used by so many developers and device makers across different industries — from cars to fitness devices to TVs to laptops to apps and more — changes could impact many businesses and the people who use their services."

As for the DOJ suggestions to put some limits on Google's use of AI, Mulholland echoed a familiar Silicon Valley stance when AI regulation is mentioned – that such rules would "hamper" innovation.

So, what should users expect? Nothing, for now. Google plans to take its arguments to court, and as with any legal battle, it should take a while before any concrete measures are made.

Prime Day is here (again), and if you've already shopped the big-ticket items you were hoping to snag this time around, it might be time to stock up on the things you actually need now. For instance, you might be running low on trash bags. Or maybe you need some laundry detergent. Prime Day is a great time for grabbing those items, too. In fact, there are tons of deals to be had on these very things. (Head to our live blog to read all the latest live coverage of the event.)

You can find some big price cuts on everything from dishwasher tablets to Clorox wipes and more right now, with additional deals popping up here and there as Prime Day wears on. Sure, they may not be the most glamorous or exciting things to save money on (you'd probably be more hype about bringing home a new gaming laptop) but they're still things you probably need.

Below, find some of our picks for the best deals on home essentials below.

Best home essentials deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Basics 2-Ply Paper Towels $18.45 at Amazon
$22.86 Save $4.41 Get Deal Why we like it

What can we say? These are Amazon-branded paper towels. They're 2-ply and you get 12 of them, with 150 sheets per roll, which makes them comparable to 32 regular rolls. You can get them for less than $20 right now, which already means they're probably cheaper than your local supermarket budget brands. Amazon-branded items are usually comparable to the leading option, and if you need some paper towels to clean up messes large and small, this is a safe bit to stock up on.

More home essential deals at Amazon

• Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Packs — $21.18 $29.74 (save $8.56)

• Finish Quantum Infinity Shine Dishwasher Detergent Tablets — $13.58 $20.99 (save $7.41)

• Glad ForceFlex Tall Kitchen Drawstring Garbage Bags — $16.34 $21.79 (save $5.45)

• Clorox Free & Clear Compostable Cleaning Wipes — $13.33 $17.54 (save $4.21)

• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Variety Pack — $6.29 $8.99 (save $2.70)

• The Pink Stuff Cleaning Paste 3-Pack Bundle — $19.97 $24.99 (save $5.02)

• Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray — $11.64 $17.50 (save $5.86)

• Swiffer Duster Heavy Duty Dusting Kit — $19.97 $24.99 (save $5.02)

• Ziploc Food Storage and Sandwich Bags Variety Pack — $16.05 $25.23 (save $9.18)

If you're itching to connect your Apple AirPods to your PlayStation 5 and fully immerse yourself in that 3D spatial audio experience, you're in luck. While the PS5 doesn't natively support Bluetooth headphones, we’ve found a simple workaround to bridge that gap.

SEE ALSO: How to factory reset a PS4

Here’s everything you need to know to get your AirPods synced up and gaming-ready in just a few quick steps.

How to connect AirPods to PlayStation 5

The first thing you'll need to do to connect AirPods to a PS5 is get a Bluetooth adapter. While picking up a Bluetooth adapter might seem straightforward, it's important to note that not all of them are compatible with the PlayStation 5. You’ll need one with Bluetooth 5.0 or higher for smooth connectivity. Once you've got the right adapter, setting it up is a breeze:

1. Plug the adapter into your PS5's USB-C port.

2. Pop open your AirPods case and press the button on the back to put them into pairing mode.

3. Hit the pairing button on your Bluetooth adapter and wait for the LED lights to flash.

4. Once the lights turn solid, you're good to go—your AirPods are now successfully paired with your PS5.

Connect AirPods w/ SmartTV

If you'd rather skip the Bluetooth adapter gamble, another easy workaround is connecting your AirPods through a Smart TV—an option most people can take advantage of since these TVs are nearly everywhere. And if you're on the hunt for one, we’ve got you covered with a massive list of Prime Day deals for Smart TVs.

Here’s how to set it up (may be different depending on TV manufacturer):

1. Turn on your Smart TV and head to the settings menu. Look for the Bluetooth settings.

2. Put your AirPods in pairing mode by pressing the button on the back of the case.

3. Pair your AirPods with the TV through the Bluetooth menu.

4. Once connected, just make sure your TV's audio output is set to your AirPods, and you're all set to enjoy PlayStation audio wirelessly.

TL;DR: Until October 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get a 1TB portable hard drive and 1TB lifetime cloud storage for $89.97.

Opens in a new window Credit: Supermusic The Complete 1TB (x2) Cloud & Hard Drive Storage Lifetime Bundle $89.97 at Mashable Shop
$341.63 Save $251.66 Get Deal

Files really do build up over time, and some of them are hard to delete. It's impractical to keep ten years' worth of dog pictures on your phone, but it's also not something you may want to delete. That's why it's worth it to invest in long-term storage, whether it's physical or cloud-based. Those files have to go somewhere. 

The Complete 1TB Cloud and Hard Drive Storage Bundle comes with two storage options: You get a 1TB physical hard drive and a 1TB cloud storage with a lifetime subscription. This whole bundle is on sale for just $89.97 (reg. $341.63), but that won't last much longer. 

What's included?

This bundle is a combination of FolderFort, a reliable cloud storage service, and a 1TB portable hard drive, so you can store your data in two places: online and locally.

With FolderFort, you get lifetime access to 1TB of cloud storage, which means you can upload and access your files from anywhere—whether you're at home, at work, or on vacation. The cloud solution is ideal for backing up photos, work projects, or even sharing files with friends or coworkers. It’s protected with encryption, so you don’t have to worry about security breaches, and it works across multiple devices, from phones to tablets to computers.

But relying solely on the cloud can have its limitations, especially if you’re dealing with large files like high-resolution videos or entire photo libraries. That’s where the 1TB portable hard drive comes in handy. You can easily back up your data onto this slim, lightweight external drive and carry it with you anywhere. It’s perfect for times when you need quick, offline access to your files, especially if you’re dealing with slower internet connections or large files that would take too long to upload to the cloud.

Storage you can count on for every situation

Whether you're looking for security or convenience, this file storage double deal has the answer. Get a 1TB lifetime cloud storage plus a 1TB hard drive on sale for $89.97 until October 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

In what may be the biggest leak in Apple's history since the iPhone 4, the yet-to-be-revealed M4 Macbook Pro was recently spotted for sale on a Russian classified ads website.

SEE ALSO: Apple's new M4 Macs are probably coming in November

To recap, within a week, the M4 Macbook Pro was revealed by two Russian Youtubers who mysteriously got their hands on the laptop. The device, which Apple had apparently planned to reveal later this month, has appeared on Avito, Russia’s equivalent of Craigslist, with an asking price of 720,000 rubles, or roughly $7,000 USD. However, at this time, those posts have been taken down for violating the website's policy on selling "nonexistent products."

The existence of an M4-powered MacBook Pro isn't exactly a shocker. Industry insiders, such as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, have long speculated about an upcoming version of Apple’s flagship laptop featuring the M4 chip. According to the unboxing video shared by the YouTubers, the laptop boasts three Thunderbolt 4 ports — an upgrade from the usual two — and comes with a baseline configuration of 16GB of RAM.

What’s truly unexpected, and raises more questions than it answers, is how these devices found their way into Russia. Given that the U.S. has imposed strict sanctions on the country, prohibiting companies like Apple from conducting business there, the presence of multiple M4 MacBooks listed for sale on Avito suggests something far more unusual. As MacRumors notes, it's possible a batch of these laptops, manufactured in China, was intercepted and smuggled into Russia.

Whatever the case may be, the leaked M4 Macbook Pro models still haven't been authenticated as real and Apple hasn't made any statements regarding the laptops.

The best Prime Day movie deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' $8.99 at Prime Video (save $11) Get Deal BEST KIDS MOVIE DEAL 'Despicable Me 4' $14.99 at Prime Video (save $15) Get Deal BEST HORROR MOVIE DEAL Halloween Trilogy (2022) $14.99 at Prime Video (save $5) Get Deal BEST RENTAL DEAL 'The Fall Guy' $2.98 at Prime Video (save $3.01) Get Deal

Prime Day is no longer just a sale on physical goods like headphones and tablets. In 2024, Amazon has expanded its deals to include digital films as well. If you can't fathom signing up for yet another streaming service, but want to catch up on some of the latest and greatest films to grace the silver screen (or maybe relive some older ones), there's plenty of Prime Video deals on Prime Big Deal Days to satisfy your craving.

These film deals are specifically reserved for Prime members and include both digital rentals and purchases (not physical DVDs or BluRays). With rentals, you'll only get 30 days to start watching and just 48 hours to finish once you begin. That's why the prices are much cheaper than buying the film. However, purchasing digital films allows you to watch at your leisure and often gives you access to extras like behind-the-scenes footage and deleted scenes.

We're keeping a running tab on the best Prime Day movie deals below. Time to queue up your next cinematic experience at home.

Best movie deal at Prime Video Opens in a new window Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' $8.99 at Prime Video
$19.99 Save $11.00 buy in UHD Get Deal Why we like it

One of Mashable's top five films of 2024 (so far), Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is one of those rare prequels that gets it right. George Miller's return to the Mad Max wasteland centers around Imperator Furiosa (played first by Charlize Theron, now by Anya Taylor-Joy) after she's kidnapped from the Green Place, the idyllic refuge where she grew up, and taken into the horde of the warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). As Mashable's reviewer put it, "Furiosa is a magnificent, pulse-pounding achievement unlike anything you'll see this year."

Prime members can purchase the film for their digital collection for only $8.99 during Prime Big Deal Days. That's 55% in savings compared to its cost at other VOD retailers and only $3 more than its current rental price.

Best movie deal for kids Opens in a new window Credit: Illumination 'Despicable Me 4' $14.99 at Prime Video
$29.99 Save $15.00 Buy in UHD Get Deal Why we like it

The latest installment in the Despicable Me franchise isn't set to make its streaming debut until Oct. 31. If you and your kiddos can't wait that long, you can add the film to your digital collection for just $14.99 on Prime Day. That's 50% off its retail price and at least $5 cheaper than you'll find it at any other VOD retailer. Despicable Me 4 follows Gru, Lucy, their three girls, the Minions, and new baby Gru Jr. as they adopt new secret identities on the run. We haven't had a chance to review it ourselves, but it currently has an 88% audience score at Rotten Tomatoes, so it seems fans are pleased with the newest sequel.

More Prime Video movie deals

• Host — $1.99 to rent $3.99 (save $2)

• Summer Camp — $1.99 to rent $3.99 (save $2)

• The Fall Guy — $2.98 to rent $5.99 (save $3.01)

• Host — $4.99 to buy $9.99 (save $5)

• Scream (1996) — $4.99 to buy $14.99 (save $10)

• Top Gun: Maverick — $4.99 to buy $16.99 (save $12)

• Joker — $6.99 to buy $7.99 (save $1)

• The Fall Guy — $7.99 to buy $19.99 (save $12)

• Killers of the Flower Moon — $7.99 to buy $14.99 (save $7)

• Harold and the Purple Crayon — $8.99 to buy $14.99 (save $6)

• Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes — $9.99 to buy $19.99 (save $10)

• The Creator — $9.99 to buy $19.99 (save $10)

• Janet Planet — $9.99 to buy $19.99 (save $10)

• The Little Mermaid (2023) — $9.99 to buy $19.99 (save $10)

• Wish — $9.99 to buy $19.99 (save $10)

• Civil War — $11.99 to buy $19.99 (save $8)

• Borderlands — $13.99 to buy $24.99 (save $11)

• Halloween Trilogy (2022) — $14.99 to buy $19.99 (save $5)

• Shrek 4-movie collection — $19.99 to buy $29.99 (save $10)

• Fast & Furious 10-movie collection — $49.99 to buy $99.99 (save $50)

Well, this is awkward: A new HBO documentary thinks it found the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous inventor of Bitcoin — but that guy disagrees.

The new film Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery by documentarian Cullen Hoback — he also made HBO's Q: Into The Storm, which (pretty much) revealed the identity of Q-Anon — posits crypto developer called Peter Todd is the real person behind Satoshi. Here's the rub: Todd has publicly denied that Hoback got it right.

"Cullen is wrong. I am not Satoshi… The truth is Cullen is grasping for straws." he told MarketWatch.

In what some could see as a bit of misdirection — if you were inclined to believe Hoback's hypothesis — Todd suggested it would be impossible to dig up the true identity of the inventor of Bitcoin.

"It's likely that hundreds, even thousands, of people had the right skills to create Bitcoin in 2008," Todd told MarketWatch. "Any one of them might be Satoshi. Unless Satoshi chooses to reveal their identity, we will probably never know who they actually were."

The mystery of Satoshi's true identity has been a central part of Bitcoin's story. Australian computer scientist Craig Wright claimed he was Satoshi — which was widely doubted — and a court ultimately decided he was not. Newsweek famously ran a cover story claiming it found the man behind the cryptocurrency in 2014. That man, Dorian S. Nakamoto, strongly denied he was the inventor. And there have been other guesses — and denials — along the way.

Todd has repeatedly denied being Satoshi on X in the wake of the doc coming out.

Tweet may have been deleted

Money Electric is now available to stream on Max if you want to look at the evidence for yourself.

Best lightning deals from Prime Big Deal Days Best kitchen deal HexClad Hybrid Nonstick Six-Piece Pot Set $303.20 at Amazon (save $76.79) Get Deal Best air purifier deal Levoit Air Purifier $159.99 at Amazon (save $40) Get Deal Best photography deal Kodak Slide N Scan Digital Film Scanner $159.99 at Amazon (save $40) Get Deal Best travel deal HiLIFE Portable Clothes Steamer $24.69 at Amazon (save $21.30) Get Deal

OK, we're going to make this one quick, because you're running out of time. In fact, if you want to skip this whole intro and start buying our top lightning deal picks below, we wouldn't blame you.

If you're still here, though, we're here to tell you about some great lightning deals that are live during the second day of Prime Big Deal Days. If you don't already know what Amazon's lightning deals are, they're basically time-sensitive, limited-stock items that get steep discounts. That means if you want in, you need to be quick because you're not only fighting the clock, but also the other deal-hungry shoppers who want the same stuff as you do.

SEE ALSO: Shop these Roku, Amazon Echo deals under $50 during October Prime Day

So, what are you waiting for? Take a look at our top lightning deal picks below, and check out the lightning deal landing page if you want to see even more offers. Some of the brands included are questionable, to say the least, but if you look hard enough, you’ll find some diamonds in the rough. For even more deals, head to our live blog to read all the latest live coverage of the event.

Best kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: HexClad HexClad Hybrid Nonstick Six-Piece Pot Set $303.20 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $76.79 Get Deal Why we like it

One item you definitely shouldn't cheap out on is your kitchen's go-to pot and pan set. You're going to be cooking your food with these things, so they should be high-quality! This six-piece pot set from HexClad is normally a whopping $379, but during its lightning deal period, it's only $303.20. We know that's still pretty pricey, but a $76 discount on a well-made, nonstick HexClad set is worth the investment.

Best air purifier deal Opens in a new window Credit: Levoit Levoit Air Purifier $159.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you don't already have an air purifier in your home, it's probably time to change that — unless you like breathing in dust and other allergens. Levoit is a trusted air purifier brand, and this model from their lineup is $40 off the usual price as a lightning deal (just $159.99). The HEPA-equipped purifier will keep your air clean and features smartphone support for quick, at-a-glance air quality measurements whenever you want them.

Best photography deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kodak Kodak Slide N Scan Digital Film Scanner $159.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Why get your film photos scanned when you can do it at home? The Kodak Slide N Scan allows you to do exactly that, and lets you see your scans right away thanks to the included LED screen. You can even edit directly on the screen, but you may want to upload them to your laptop so you can use your preferred software for more detailed adjustments. Pick one up while it's a lightning deal and save yourself $40.

Best travel deal Opens in a new window Credit: HiLIFE HiLIFE Portable Clothes Steamer $24.69 at Amazon
$45.99 Save $21.30 Get Deal Why we like it

While the HiLIFE brand may not be synonymous with just about anything, this portable steamer is actually very highly rated and has been on sale during multiple other Prime Day events. If you travel often, we highly recommend having a steamer handy for getting stubborn wrinkles out of your clothes so you can look your best, whether you're traveling for work or pleasure. It's only $24.69 as a lightning deal, which is $21.30 off the original price.

SAVE $829.98: Get a new iPhone 16 for only a penny when you sign up for a Boost Mobile plan that costs $65 per month.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon iPhone 16 with Boost Mobile plan $0.01
$829.99 Save $829.98 Get Deal

Want an iPhone 16 for a penny? It's your lucky day.

You can purchase an iPhone 16 with a Boost Mobile plan for a penny... and $65 per month. The iPhone 16 starts at $799 via Apple's official store. The upgraded model is more durable, lighter, and features Camera Control. According to Apple, the new display glass "Ceramic Shield 2" is 50 percent tougher than the original "Ceramic Shield." Plus it's a full .03 ounces lighter than the iPhone 15. Camera Control allows for more intuitive use of the camera.

This iPhone 16 deal does mean you'll have to switch to Boost Mobile. Make sure to do your research before switching providers. As for iPhone 16, we gave the device 4.5 stars out of a possible 5 in our review.

Wondering how to copy and paste on a Chromebook? This basic function is one of the most foundational features of any computer, so you better learn how to do it as soon as you can.

Chromebooks are nifty and affordable alternatives to Windows and Mac laptops, but ChromeOS is a bit unusual for anyone accustomed to more traditional operating systems. Certain features or commands work differently than you might expect.

Thankfully, however, you don't have to do much learning at all when it comes to copying and pasting. Let's get into it.

SEE ALSO: The best Chromebook deals available on October Prime Day aren't on Amazon How to copy and paste on a Chromebook Easy! Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

The easiest method for copying and pasting on a Chromebook is exactly the same as it is on Windows. Here's how it works:

1. Highlight the text you want to copy

2. Press CTRL + C

3. Place the mouse cursor where you want to paste the text

4. Press CTRL + V

That is, by far, the fastest and simplest way of doing it. If, for some reason, that doesn't work for you, you can also highlight the text and right-click to open up a menu that will have "copy" and "paste" buttons in it. Right-clicking on Chromebooks without a regular mouse can be done in two ways: Holding Alt and clicking, or tapping the touchpad with two fingers instead of one.

Got it? Good. Enjoy your Chromebook!

Best gaming deals from Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale Best PlayStation 5 deal PlayStation 5 Slim Console $449.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best Xbox deal Xbox Series S Console (512GB) $284.99 at Amazon (save $15) Get Deal Best PlayStation storage deal WD_BLACK 2TB SSD Storage Expansion for PS5 $169.99 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal Best Xbox storage deal Seagate 2TB SSD Expansion Card for Xbox Series X/S $199 at Amazon (save $50.99) Get Deal Best controller deal Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller $140 at Amazon (save $39.99) Get Deal Best mobile controller deal Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller $69.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal Best keyboard deal Razer Huntsman Mini Gaming Keyboard $69.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best gaming headset deal Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Gaming Headset $179.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal Best gaming earbuds deal Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Earbuds $159.99 at Amazon (save $40) Get Deal Best bundle deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max + Xbox Core Wireless Controller + 1-Month Game Pass Ultimate Bundle $79.99 at Amazon (save $56.98) Get Deal

Gaming is my favorite hobby, but if I have one big complaint about it, it's that it's just way too expensive. I mean, have you seen the price of the PlayStation 5 Pro? Games are also regularly $70 now. It's wild. That's why I highly recommend taking advantage of sales to stock up on gaming-related items that you maybe wouldn't normally have the budget for. Luckily, Amazon is on the second day of its Prime Big Deal Days sale, and there are a pretty good amount of gaming deals that are live, if I do say so myself.

Below, check out my top picks for the best gaming deals during the sale.

SEE ALSO: More than 300 Amazon Prime Day deals you won't want to miss before the sale ends tonight Best console deals

If you're just getting into console gaming, the October Prime Day event is a perfect opportunity to pick up a PlayStation 5 Slim or Xbox Series S (the Series X isn't included in the sale, but I did find it for $50 off at Best Buy). Both consoles are sitting at decent discounts right now — the PS5 Slim at $50 off, and the Series S at $15 off. It's not the best Xbox Series S deal I've ever seen, but even a few bucks shaved off the already budget-friendly console isn't anything to scoff at. The PS5 Slim deal, however, is an all-time low price. It might be better during Black Friday, but if you're not down to wait until November, I think you should probably just snag this deal now. You can't go wrong with either one, but what I usually tell people who are between the two new-gen consoles is to go with the PlayStation 5 if you're more interested in big-budget, exclusive single-player titles, and go with the Xbox if you want access to a lot of different games at once via Game Pass.

Opens in a new window Credit: PlayStation PlayStation 5 Slim Console $449.00 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $50.99 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Xbox Series S Console (512GB) $284.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal Best storage expansion deals

File this under "annoying but necessary purchase." Unfortunately, the new-gen consoles just don't come with enough built-in storage (at least, not for me). If you're downloading a lot of games, you're most likely going to need over 1TB of storage at some point, and neither of the heavy-hitter options allows for that out of the box. So unless you want to be playing the "storage shuffle" forever (that fun chore of having to choose which games to delete so you can make room for new ones), you'll want to add an expansion card into the mix. These are the best two options on the market, and both of them are on sale — so do your future self a favor and snag them while you can save some cash.

Opens in a new window Credit: Western Digital WD_BLACK 2TB SSD Storage Expansion for PS5 $169.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Seagate Seagate 2TB SSD Expansion Card for Xbox Series X/S $199.00 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.99 Get Deal Best controller deals

The stock Xbox controller that you get with the Series X or S is actually pretty good as is, but if you want to upgrade, you shouldn't look anywhere other than Xbox's Elite series controllers. The Elite Series 2 Core controller is almost $40 off, and comes with a bunch of cool extras like back paddles, hair trigger locks, and a more premium feel overall. If you're more of a mobile or cloud gamer, check out the Backbone One controller, which can plug directly into your smartphone and works way better than using on-screen controls. I just recently played through Grand Theft Auto: Vice City using my Netflix app with the Backbone One, and it was a fantastic experience.

Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller $140.00 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $39.99 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Backbone Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller $69.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Best keyboard deal

Razer's keyboards are my absolute favorite, and the Huntsman Mini is at a huge discount for Prime Big Deal Days — just $69.99, $50 off the usual price. I'm a big fan of mini keyboards because it allows me to still have that amazing mechanical keyboard experience even with minimal desk space. The Huntsman feels amazing to type on and features a ton of cool functions that'll help competitive gamers perform much more efficiently, like Snap Tap strafing. I honestly don't use mine for gaming all that often, but it's great even as a daily driver keyboard for work and other basic tasks. So even if you don't see yourself hopping into Overwatch anytime soon, this keyboard is still a good get.

Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer Huntsman Mini Gaming Keyboard $69.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Best headset deals

Listen, I promise I'm not sponsored by Razer or anything. I just really like their stuff, okay? Sue me! Two of my favorite headsets from them are on sale for Prime Day: the BlackShark V2 Pro and the Hammerhead Pro. The BlackShark V2 Pro is by far the most comfortable over-ear gaming headset I've ever used, but it also sounds great and has crystal-clear microphone output (according to my online gaming buddies, at least). If you're more of an earbud person, the Hammerhead Pro buds are also a great option. I'd describe them as AirPods for gaming, basically.

Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Gaming Headset $179.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Earbuds $159.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal Best bundle deal

This one is hard to pass up. If you don't want to buy a console just yet but are intrigued by cloud gaming, this bundle has everything you need to get started: An Xbox controller, a Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which is basically a massive, Netflix-style library of games that you can download and play from at your leisure. At just $79.99, this is a pretty sweet value. I might even grab this deal myself...

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon / Xbox Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max + Xbox Core Wireless Controller + 1-Month Game Pass Ultimate Bundle $79.99 at Amazon
$136.97 Save $56.98 Get Deal

Have you thanked Beyoncé today?

If you've been on TikTok over the past few days, you've probably noticed users thanking Beyoncé for seemingly anything. While lots of these posts are seemingly pretty innocent, the root of the new trend is not that great.

There's a (completely unhinged) theory that celebrities thank Beyoncé at awards shows because the star wields so much godlike power that they bend to her whim. The conspiracy theory started with the passing of Aaliyah, the "Queen of Urban Pop" who redefined contemporary R&B in the 1990s. Some people argue that her passing gave Beyoncé the space to become the icon she is today. In J. Cole's 2013 song "She Knows," he mentions Aaliyah's death. Some of the more deranged TikTok users connect that song with Beyoncé's friendship with P. Diddy, who has been at the center of conspiracy theories connected to Aaliyah's death. The theory goes like this: Thank Beyoncé or face the consequences.

Celebrities do tend to thank Beyoncé for a lot. Kanye rushing the stage when Taylor Swift beat Beyoncé for album of the year; Adele losing her gourd over Beyoncé when she won album of the year; Britney Spears, Lizzo, Lady Gaga, the list goes on.

The celebrity thanking has reached TikTok, where users are thanking Beyoncé at Thanksgiving, or for their dog not having cancer, or for... nothing?

Yes, Beyoncé uses a lot of religious iconography — and even some nods to the illuminati — in her songs and music videos. But no, Beyoncé is probably not tied to some horrifying cult of celebrities who murder other celebrities if they don't thank her on stage.

Footage captures the surging Hurricane Milton from land, air, and space.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is among the few compact Android smartphones that offer flagship specifications. But how does it compare with the latest iPhone 16, and should you switch to Apple or stick with your Android handset? Let's find out.

Silent Hill 2 is for the sickos. Yeah, I said it.

After that initial launch trailer that had even the die-hard Silent Hill fans biting their nails in worry, the Polish developer Bloober Team actually pulled off something incredible. Who saw that coming? It's not just a solid remake; it’s the kind of shot in the arm this series has been begging for. In a twist of fate, Silent Hill 2 just got its very own Resident Evil 2 Remake moment — an adaptation so well-executed, it might just be what the franchise needed to claw its way back from the fog.

SEE ALSO: 'Metaphor: ReFantazio' review in progress: The 'Final Fantasy XV' I've always wanted

Remakes are a tricky balancing act. On the one hand, they need to stand on their own, offering something fresh and modern. On the other, they’re forever tethered to the original, carrying the weight of fan expectations and nostalgia. The balance must be respected.

Striking that sweet spot is no easy feat, but Bloober Team nails it here. They’ve taken a beloved horror classic and given it a sleek, modern facelift, all while paying serious respect to its roots and the lasting impact it’s had on the genre. It's both a love letter and a fresh chapter — and it works.

Silent Hill 2 plot and characters Credit: Konami / Bloober Team

Disclaimer: I’ve never played the 2001 original Silent Hill 2. First off, I was three when it came out, and second, I used to hate scary video games. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college (thanks, Resident Evil 7) that I finally got over my aversion to horror games. So, with all that said, Bloober Team’s remake absolutely scared the hell out of me at times. And you should know right now — this review isn’t going to nitpick gameplay or story differences compared to the original. This is purely about my fresh experience, and yeah, it was terrifying.

SEE ALSO: 'Resident Evil Village' is the f*cked up fairytale of your dreams

The plot of Silent Hill 2 centers on James Sunderland, a man still reeling from the loss of his wife, Mary, who passed away three years ago. Out of nowhere, James receives a mysterious letter from Mary herself, claiming that she’s waiting for him in their "special place" — a spot in the quiet town of Silent Hill where they once vacationed.

When James arrives, it doesn’t take long for things to spiral into full-blown nightmare territory. The town is drenched in an eerie fog, and it quickly becomes clear that something is very wrong. As James presses on, he finds himself grappling with disturbing, surreal encounters that challenge everything he knows about his sanity, his morality, his memories, and even who he really is. The further he goes, the more Silent Hill turns into a twisted reflection of his deepest fears and guilt.

Along his journey, James encounters a handful of other lost souls who, like him, have been drawn to the fog-choked town of Silent Hill. There’s Angela Orosco, a deeply troubled young woman searching for her missing mother, whose unstable mental state makes her interactions unsettling and tragic. Then there’s Eddie Dombrowski, an insecure man harboring a lot of anger, especially after years of being bullied about his weight. He’s on the edge of breaking — and wandering into Silent Hill isn’t helping.

Credit: Konami / Bloober Team

James also crosses paths with Laura, a strange, seemingly fearless child who has an inexplicable connection to Mary, James’ late wife. And finally, there’s Maria, a woman James meets who bears an uncanny resemblance to Mary, yet with a more provocative, almost unsettling presence. Each character is caught in their own personal nightmare, mirroring James’ dark descent, and adding to the town’s suffocating mystery.

As a character, James can feel like a bit of a wet blanket. He’s barely holding it together, forgetful, and often reckless in ways that make you want to shake some sense into him. But that’s also the point — something is clearly off about him. Luke Roberts brings James to life with a performance that nails the mild-mannered, almost painfully dull nature of the character. There’s a sense that something inside James is broken, and whether that’s from his wife’s death or something far more sinister is part of the mystery. You can never quite tell what’s going on beneath the surface, and Roberts walks that line well.

The rest of the English voice cast is equally impressive, delivering performances that bring out the character's motivations and inner turmoil in a way that keeps you hooked. Every interaction feels purposeful, and the chemistry between characters adds to the tension. There’s a distinct Twin Peaks-esque vibe to the whole thing, with the schlocky, surreal edge working as a kind of dark, twisted relief from the heavier moments. The voice work, paired with Akira Yamaoka’s haunting score, really elevates the atmosphere, giving the game a quirky yet deeply unsettling quality.

Silent Hill 2 gameplay mechanics

Combat in Silent Hill 2 is downright unsettling — not because it’s poorly executed, but precisely because it’s effective. While the game uses a standard third-person action shooter approach, the melee combat feels viscerally uncomfortable, perfectly matching the game’s eerie atmosphere.

I hate hospitals. Credit: Konami / Bloober Team

The physicality of the melee attacks feels sluggish and raw, adding to the game’s unsettling tone, while the firearms give you a brief sense of power — until the next grotesque creature lunges at you. I hope you're not squeamish because the sounds and sheer brutality of James' every stomp on a downed enemy are downright disturbing. Each hit feels savage, with the accompanying sickening crunches, squishes, and wails from James, adding an unsettling layer to his character.

What I love about this is that it’s more than just a gameplay mechanic — it’s a window into the darker side of James. He may deny it, but there’s a violent streak within him, and his brutality hints at deeper, unresolved issues. The fact that many of the enemies he faces are grotesque, feminine figures raises unsettling questions about his views on women and his relationship with his wife.

It's just great storytelling. Here, everything fits — James' inner turmoil, his violent tendencies, and the distorted nature of the enemies all bleed seamlessly into both the narrative and the gameplay.

Mama, that's a bad bad man. Credit: Konami / Bloober Team

That said, combat encounters with the game’s main enemies are thankfully sparse. Most of the time, Silent Hill 2 won’t force you into battles with more than one enemy at a time. But when it does — and it will at key moments — it can be truly frustrating. The combat isn’t designed to handle swarms of enemies, and juggling multiple threats at once feels clunky and awkward. It’s a deliberate choice that amps up the tension, but it also exposes the limitations of the game’s combat system. When you’re cornered by a group of foes, you really feel the pressure, but not always in a fun way.

Enemies in Silent Hill 2 hit hard, and they don’t take kindly to being underestimated. The game has a nasty habit of punishing reckless combat with a surge of aggression from its monsters. Take the Bubble-Head Nurses, for example — they’ll grab your weapon if you’re too overzealous, tossing you aside and leaving you wide open for serious damage. It’s a reminder that you can’t just button-mash your way to safety; strategy and patience are crucial here.

One of my personal favorite enemies is the Mannequin, a bizarre, headless, armless creature with four legs that moves in unsettling, jerky motions. These creepy dummies will hide before jumping out at you, making encounters with them especially tense. The game provides you with a radio that emits static, getting louder as enemies draw near. Mannequins, however, are tricky, as they tend to hide in shadows or behind objects. The static is often faint, giving you just enough warning without a clear idea of where they’re lurking. They’ll pop out from behind tight corners, under beds, or any spot you least expect. To make matters worse, even during combat, they’ll retreat and hide if you move too far away, forcing you to chase them down or risk getting ambushed all over again.

Throughout James’ nightmarish trek, there are eight different combat weapons at his disposal, though players will only have access to six during their first playthrough. These include the Wooden Plank, Steel Pipe, Great Knife, Handgun, Shotgun, and Hunting Rifle. For much of the game, you’ll primarily rely on the Plank, Pipe, Handgun, and Shotgun.

These weapons form the backbone of the combat loop, paired seamlessly with the game's intricate puzzle-solving. Much of your time in Silent Hill 2 will be spent exploring large, central locations like the Wood Side Apartments or Brookhaven Hospital. In these eerie, labyrinthine spaces, you’ll be scouring for keys, codes, and other items that unlock doors, slowly unraveling the path forward. Each of these areas acts as a major hub — solving them opens up new parts of Silent Hill that were previously blocked off by towering walls, sinkholes, or other nightmarish barriers.

Silent Hill 2 sound design and soundtrack Don't go that way. Credit: Konami / Bloober Team

I have to take a moment to talk about the sound design in Silent Hill 2 — it’s incredible. The atmosphere it creates is genuinely unnerving, veering between moments of eerie quiet and bursts of disturbing, otherworldly sounds. It keeps you constantly on edge, and there are times when the silence itself is scarier than the monsters.

That said, if I had one gripe with the sound design, it’s that there are moments where the backing track while exploring feels oddly out of place. Specifically, at times, it makes a sound that’s almost identical to the “you’re about to be caught” music from The Last of Us. It’s loud, overbearing, and makes me think I’m about to get jumped by an enemy, even when there’s nothing around. But not in a way that feels intentional — it’s legitimately distracting. Every time it happens, it pulls me out of the experience, and it’s frustrating when the soundtrack is unintentionally working against you, instead of immersing you further into the game’s world.

Regardless of those minor hiccups, the sound design does a massive job of immersing you in the eerie, fog-filled world of Silent Hill. The haunting soundtrack that accompanies you as you wander through the town is pitch-perfect. There’s a slow, ominous hum that builds tension in the quieter moments, creating an ever-present sense of dread. And when things do get loud, the shift is jarring, ratcheting up the intensity to match the horror on screen.

What really sells the atmosphere, though, is the attention to detail in the environmental sounds. You can hear every squelch of James’ footsteps as he trudges through water or mud, every drip and creak that echoes through the empty halls of dilapidated buildings. It’s these small, unnerving sounds that keep you constantly on edge, reminding you that even in silence, you’re never truly alone.

Silent Hill 2 performance

For the most part, Silent Hill 2 runs like a gem, and that’s saying something given how many games that have come out in the middle of the PlayStation 5’s lifecycle have been plagued with performance issues.

Credit: Konami / Bloober Team

It’s a testament to the work Bloober Team has put in, especially when compared to recent releases like Dragon’s Dogma 2, Final Fantasy XVI, and Black Myth: Wukong — all fun games, but with a tendency to run like absolute crap at times.

That’s not to say Silent Hill 2 is perfect. I did encounter a couple of hiccups. One particularly annoying bug left me stuck on the back of a pickup truck while trying to fight an enemy, forcing me to reload a save. And yeah, there were a few instances of screen tearing, but nothing game-breaking. Overall, the game performs smoothly, which, in this era of day-one patches and constant updates, is a rare treat.

Graphically, Silent Hill 2 looks stunning, but it’s also clear as day that this was made in Unreal Engine. There’s something distinct about Unreal Engine 3D models — they’ve got this particular look with slightly stiff movements and that weird uncanny valley effect in their faces. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it's jarring, to say the least.

Is Silent Hill 2 worth it?

Whether you're a longtime fan of the original or stepping into Silent Hill for the first time, Bloober Team's remake delivers a haunting experience that’s hard to shake.

This is a Laura safe space. Credit: Konami / Bloober Team

From the unsettling atmosphere to the visceral combat and psychological depth, the game excels at drawing you into its twisted world. The storytelling is gripping, with characters like James Sunderland and the cast of disturbing personalities he meets adding layers of complexity that go beyond typical horror fare. The remake respects the source material while modernizing it for today’s audience, and even if you’ve never played the 2001 original, it still stands as a deeply unsettling and rewarding journey.

That’s not to say it’s perfect. The combat, while serviceable, can feel clunky — especially when dealing with multiple enemies — and the occasional technical hiccup can pull you out of the immersion. The sound design, while mostly excellent, has its frustrating moments with an overbearing soundtrack that can confuse more than terrify. And sure, the Unreal Engine's telltale stiffness and uncanny valley visuals might make you feel like you’ve wandered into The Room at times, but it’s a minor distraction in an otherwise gorgeously realized world.

Ultimately, Silent Hill 2 is a love letter to psychological horror fans and a solid step forward for the franchise. With its chilling atmosphere, well-paced story, and genuinely terrifying moments, it’s definitely worth your time.

For more Mashable game reviews, check out our OpenCritic page.