IT General

The Only Living Pickpocket in New York review: John Turturro gets the movie he deserves

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago

John Turturro has a storied career that stretches across 45 years, and boasts unforgettable performances in iconic films like Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing and the Coen Bros' The Big Lebowski and O Brother, Where Art Thou? More recently, he awed streaming audiences with his bittersweet romance as Irving Bailiff in Apple TV+'s Severance, for which he's earned two Primetime Emmy nominations. 

Across more than 100 films and television series, Turturro has played clowns and villains, lovers and bowlers. But in his latest, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, this heralded character actor and celebrated New York City native gets the role that he was born to play.

Writer/director Noah Segan entrusts Turturro with the leading man role in a crime thriller that evokes 1970s classics like Taxi Driver, The French Connection, and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three — movies that predate Turturro's screen career. And yet, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York doesn't feel like a throwback. Instead, this big-hearted and hard-nosed thriller bridges the gap between past and present with a modern awareness of how things change, even for a classic New York character.

The Only Living Pickpocket in New York celebrates its city with every frame. 

It's a cliché to call a movie a love letter to New York. The Only Living Pickpocket in New York is more of a confession of affection scribbled on the back of a way-too-long CVS receipt. It's passionate and a bit grimy, just like the city itself.

Turturro stars as Harry Lehman, an aging Bronx resident who's been a career criminal specializing in pickpocketing for decades. This day begins as any other, lifting a wallet from a finance bro on the subway. But times have changed. The city has moved away from paper money and toward Apple Pay and cryptocurrency. So, it's harder than ever for Harry to provide for his paralyzed wife, Rosie (Karina Arroyave). So, it seems like a boon when he successfully boosts the wallet of a smug 20-something named Dylan (Will Price). But while Harry is fencing the goods to his pawnbroker buddy Ben (a pitch-perfect Steve Buscemi), he learns this mark is practically made. Okay, so he's more of a nepobaby-gangster than a goodfella. But this is still bad news.

Harry's got to hustle to get back what he sold, or else Dylan and his posse of puffed-up Gen Z goons will kill Rosie. In this quest, Harry rides the train from the Bronx to Chinatown, to Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, and up into cozy Queens, where big houses and yards shake up the presumed urban landscape. (Sorry, Staten Island, no time for you!)

In each place, Harry collides with a quintessentially New York figure, be it a no-nonsense neighbor (Echaka Agba), a shop owner (Kelvin Han Yee) more focused on his TV than a pesky customer, a wise-cracking detective (Giancarlo Esposito), a finger-wagging grannie (Lori Tan Chinn), or a slick-fingered could-be protégé (Mark Cayne). Like in classic '70s New York City cinema, each of these folks adds a new texture to this portrait of this messy and magical city. The cinematography by Sam Levy showcases this setting with a understated wonder B-roll of rumbling subways and bustling streets reflects Harry's never-say-die energy, as he strides out of pawn shops, police precincts, and community centers with an easy confidence. Before he dashes off, Levy's camera will zoom in, catching him as if he were a native animal on the run. Or else, a simple pan as Harry pauses to think reflects the big, urban world around him that won't stop for a moment.

This is not the romantic landscape of Manhattan showcased in countless rom-coms. The only view of the skyline or even NYC's rivers in this film is tinged with a sinister tone, as Harry and his detective friend recall an old thief whose head was found "bobbing in the Hudson!" The Only Living Pickpocket in New York instead captures a city that is both repulsive and beautiful, heartbreaking and inspiring. Segan even kicks off with a gut-punch of an opener, playing LCD Soundsystem's "New York I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down" at such an intensity that you can't escape the raw vulnerability in its lyrics or the trembling voice of James Murphy.

Before the title card hits, Segan shows he understands this city like a New Yorker. This is a place that will build you up and knock you down, over and over. And somehow — for those of us who truly love it — it feels like a privilege every time you get back up to try again. 

John Turturro is perfection in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York. 

This is a story of a man who's lived past his prime. A brassy score of trumpets and plinking piano puts Harry Lehman in the space of Travis Bickle, Popeye Doyle, or Transit Police Lt. Zachary Garber. But Segan's film willfully lacks the intensity of these reference points. That's because the Fear City days are behind New York, and Harry's hard edge has softened over the years of caring for his wife.

Harry, Rosie, Ben, and even Detective Warren are relics of a "bad days" era that they miss, because the days were rough, but the wild nights still make them smile. Now, kids half their age are talking about how the only worthwhile terrain for theft is through computers. But Harry doesn't even have a cell phone. A friendly stranger marvels when he knows a phone number "by heart." A crypto-bro chides him for not understanding he's part of "planned obsolescence." Over and over, the youth of this city are telling Harry that is time is over. There's a quiet resignation in his response, but even that doesn't mean he'll go down without a fight.

Turturro, who has famously seethed, snarled, and caterwauled to dramatic and comedic effect, plays closer to the vest here. When not lifting wallets, his long, agile fingers hide in the pockets of his tweed overcoat, its salt-and-pepper herringbone mirroring the color of his silvered, curly hair. Harry strives to not stand out, all the better to ply his craft. But he is coolly dashing. And in that, he has a facade of composure. But cuddled next to his wife, his passion burns. For her, he will coo and dance, showing that this old man still has moves. In front of old friends, he is gruff but caring. To their grandchildren, he is warm and paternal. And when confronted by mercurial thugs, he is alert and patient. Turturro offers a phenomenally nuanced performance that subtly speaks to what it takes to survive decades in this city.

When the Knicks won the NBA Championship this year, Turturro went viral for a dance he did at the celebration parade, candidly caught on camera. I thought of that scene throughout The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, not because his genuine joy in that moment is reflected in the movie, but because in both of these on-camera moments, Turturro succinctly captures what it is to be a New Yorker. It is grappling with grief and joy in the same crazy day. It is making a family of the misfits you treasure. It is embracing this city — and the outer boroughs — with appreciation and respect. It is building a life few can understand, and frankly, they don't need to. This is a space for all kinds of dreams, all kinds of people, and all kinds of ways to lose and win.

As a crime thriller, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York is a solidly entertaining ride, being sharply paced, thoughtfully shot, and stacked with a terrific cast that also includes Tatiana Maslany. But more than just another fun crime movie set in New York City, this one is also resolutely aware of the greats who came before, paying tribute without aping them. And best of all, Turturro offers a turn that showcases his humor, sexiness, pathos, and a cutting subtlety that's absolutely riveting. In a career full of outstanding performances, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York offers one of Turturro's very best. 

The Only Living Pickpocket in New York was reviewed out of the New York Film Festival. It will open theatrically in New York and Los Angeles on Oct. 23, then expand nationwide on Oct. 30.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best early October Prime Day deals on beauty: Shop hair tools, skincare, and red light masks

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago
The best October Prime Day beauty deals: Best Shark hair deal Shark FlexStyle Pro $229.99 (save $140.99) Get Deal Best Dyson hair deal Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler $519.99 (save $130) Get Deal Best red light mask deal Dreame Chrona $209.99 (save $60) Get Deal

This is my fourth year covering Prime Day, so I've learned to be pretty cynical about pre-sale discounts. But looking through the current beauty markdowns, a handful of these early prices actually match — if not beat — the deals we saw during June's Prime Day event.

Amazon's October Prime Big Deal Days sale runs Oct. 6 through 7, but if you want to restock your essentials now, here are the best beauty deals you can shop today, sorted from least to most expensive in every section.

Best beauty deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FlexStyle Pro $229 at Amazon
$369.99 Save $140.99   Get Deal Why we like it

You don't need to drop $400+ on a high-end multi-styler just to get a good blowout at home. The Shark FlexStyle multi-styler system is a great way to do it all at home for much less. As part of an early Prime Big Deal Days sale, Amazon has the system marked down to $229, which is a massive $140.99 savings. The FlexStyle comes with four heat and three airflow settings, in addition to the great accessories. There's a styling concentrator, auto-wrap curlers, oval brush, paddle brush, and diffuser.

Best hair tool and hair care deals Best skincare and makeup deals Best beauty device dealsBest brand-wide sales

  • Anua: Get up to 47% off select gift sets and best sellers.

  • CeraVe: Take up to 33% off select products.

  • Curie: Take 15% off brand favorites.

  • From Labs: Get up to 16% off best sellers.

  • Grace & Stella: Get 15% off when you buy any two items, and get a surprise free gift when you spend $60+. Bonus offer: Get 50% off the Eye Mask Variety Pack with code PRIMEOCT.

  • Joylux: Get up to 20% off select products.

  • Live Tinted: Save on select gift sets, including the Eye Awakening Routine gift set and Juicy Lip Gloss Duo.

  • Nood: Get up to 43% off select products.

  • Sand + Fog: Save on select scents and personal care items at Sand + Fog.

  • Tower 28: Save on select lip gloss gift sets, plus get a free mini pouch on your first order.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago
The best early October Prime Day home improvement deals at a glance: Best outdoor power equipment deal Greenworks 80V 16 in Cordless Electric Chainsaw $219.99 (save $130) Get Deal Best power tool deal Craftsman V20 Cordless Ratchet Wrench $89 (save $50) 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 coming in hot, and it's already proving to be a great time to snag home improvement gadgets at a discount. The sale officially runs from Oct. 6 through Oct. 7, but Amazon rarely plays by the rules, so plenty of deals are already live.

If you want to shop early, I've gathered the best live deals on tools, outdoor power equipment, and smart home devices like smart locks, smart air purifiers, smart lighting, and more. More deals will likely pop up in the days leading up to Prime Big Deal Days, so check back if you've got your eye on something particular.

Best tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: Craftsman Craftsman V20 Cordless Ratchet Wrench $89 at Amazon
$139 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

A ratchet wrench can help you with a ton of different tasks in and around your home — especially if you're into DIY. From putting together furniture to DIY appliance fixes to building a swing set for your kids to changing a car battery, you'll be glad you have this Craftsman V20 cordless ratchet wrench with 40 ft-lbs. of max torque. It features a variable-speed trigger, easily interchangeable anvils, and a built-in LED light to illuminate your work area. At just $89, it's on sale for its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

More tool dealsBest outdoor power equipment deal Opens in a new window Credit: Greenworks Greenworks 80V 16 in Cordless Electric Chainsaw $219.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $130   Get Deal Why we like it

The 16-inch cordless electric chainsaw from Greenworks is a tough deal to beat right now at Amazon. It's down to $219.99 from $349.99, the lowest it's been all year. Despite being battery-powered, it delivers the power of a 50CC gas engine and a speedy 25 m/s chain-cutting speed, efficiently slicing through limbs and logs. It's an ideal pick for homeowners looking to tackle yard projects or storm clean-up on their own without a big learning curve.

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 ahead of 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.

Since this is the lowest price we've spotted at Amazon for the Roborock RockNeo Q110H, it might be worth jumping on the discount before the sale officially begins.

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. Already 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 soon 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

More smart home devices

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best early Walmart Fall Deals to shop before the sale officially starts: We found live deals on Apple, Ninja, and more

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago
The best early Walmart Fall Deals: Best TV deal 65-inch Vizio Class Quantum 4K QLED HDR Smart TV (VQD65R-10) $328 (save $170) Get Deal Best laptop deal HP 14 inch (Intel N150, 4GB RAM, 128GB UFS) $199 (save $60) Get Deal Best headphones and earbuds deal Apple AirPods 4 (ANC) $119.97 (save $59.03) Get Deal Best headphones deal Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones $149 (save $20.95) Get Deal Best gaming deal Super Mario RPG $34.87 (save $24.13) Get Deal Best Lego deal Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds (76419) $136.99 (save $33) Get Deal Best vacuum deal Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum (NV380) $118 (save $61) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Ninja Foodi DualZone Air Fryer (8-quart) $109 (save $40) Get Deal

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days runs Oct. 6-7, which means every other major retailer is currently scrambling to steal your attention with competing sales. (Honestly, in this economy, I definitely don't blame them.)

Walmart is taking on the retail giant with its own "Fall Deals" event that officially kicks off at 12 a.m. ET on Oct. 5 and runs through Oct. 11. The best part about Walmart's event is that you don't have to be a paid member to shop, though Walmart+ members might get first dibs on the discounts. Walmart hasn't officially confirmed early access for Walmart+ members yet, but paid members got a five-hour head start last year.

While the main event hasn't technically started, it's already teasing up to 50% off home goods, 40% off tech, and 30% off toys. Even better, there are a handful of early deals you can add to your cart right now.

SEE ALSO: Target Circle Deal Days also runs Oct. 6-7

A word of caution: If you see a deal that's too good to be true while you're perusing the site, it most likely is. We've found tons of sketchy, third-party sellers selling items with inflated list prices. (Anything you buy should have a little note that reads "Sold and shipped by Walmart.com.") That said, all of the deals in this roundup are legit — it's literally our job to find them for you.

Best Walmart TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Vizio 65-inch Vizio Class Quantum 4K QLED HDR Smart TV (VQD65R-10) $328 at Walmart
$498 Save $170   Get Deal Why we like it

Whether you like sports or not, you can't argue this deal. The 65-inch Vizio Class Quantum 4K QLED HDR Smart TV (VQD65R-10) is currently on sale for $328, down from $498. That's a $170 price cut and a damn good deal for a vibrant QLED display with enhanced Dolby Vision HDR.

More TV deals Best Walmart headphones and earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 (ANC) $119.97 at Walmart
$179 Save $59.03   Get Deal Why we like it

We love a good AirPods deal. Right now, you can get the Apple AirPods 4 (ANC) for $119.97, down from $179. That's $59.03 in savings and a way better deal than what you'll find on Amazon today. (At the time of writing, the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC were sold out at Amazon.)

Looking for more Apple deals? Check out our early Prime Day Apple deals guide.

More headphones and earbuds dealsBest Walmart video game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Super Mario RPG $34.87 at Walmart
$59 Save $24.13   Get Deal Why we like it

Anything Mario Bros-related is definitely worth snagging while it's on sale. If you're looking for something else to play on your Switch (and you haven't experienced the Mushroom Kingdom, Walmart has the Super Mario RPG game on sale for $34.87.

More video game deals Best Walmart Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds (76419) $136.99 at Walmart
$169.99 Save $33   Get Deal Why we like it

The Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds (76419) is a big-ticket holiday gift. It's currently on sale for $136.99, down from $169.99. It's possible this will get cheaper the closer we get to the actual sale, but a $33 isn't too shabby.

More Lego deals Best Walmart vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum $118 at Walmart
$179 Save $61   Get Deal Why we like it

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum (NV380) is ideal for pet owners or parents who need an easy-to-maneuver vacuum for quick cleanups. And, right now, you can get it for $118, down from $179. That's a $61 savings, but stock is low, so this discount may not last until Oct. 5.

More vacuum deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Early Prime Day deals on speakers are live: Score huge discounts on Beats, Bose, JBL, and more

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago
The best early Prime Day deals on speakers: Best speaker deal Beats Pill $99.95 (save $50) Get Deal Best smart speaker deal Amazon Echo Dot 39.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best budget speaker deal Soundcore Select 4 Go $22.99 (save $12) Get Deal

It's officially fall, which means a lot of things: Gilmore Girls rewatches begin, spiced coffees, and of course, the beginning of sales season.

From Prime Big Deal Days to Black Friday to Cyber Monday, the end of summer truly marks the season of discounts. And with Amazon's October Prime Day just around the corner, running Oct. 6 and 7, you can expect to see discounts on everything from portable power stations to Fire TV Sticks.

We've already spotted markdowns on speakers, including premium and budget-friendly options from brands like Beats, Bose, and JBL. Here are the best early Prime Day deals on portable and smart speakers.

Best speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill $99.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $50.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The Beats Pill isn't just beloved for its classic, powerful sound; it's also a powerhouse in design. It's robust, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, so it's ideal for taking to the beach, the pool, or wherever you might not feel comfortable taking a less durable device. For sound, there's a bespoke racetrack woofer that displaces 90% more air volume. You can also easily pair two Beats Pill speakers for a richer audio experience in Amplify or Stereo mode.

Best smart speaker 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

Amazon's Echo devices are officially on sale ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. Right now, grab the Amazon Echo Dot for just $39.99. While that's not the lowest sale price we've ever spotted on the Echo Dot, it's the best price since Amazon increased prices on its devices.

The Echo Dot is a perfectly compact smart speaker. Plus, it's compatible with Alexa+, a smarter home assistant that helps you do everything from meal planning to booking dinner reservations.

Best budget speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Select 4 Go $22.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $12.00   Get Deal Why we like it

When a speaker is priced as low as the Soundcore Select 4 Go, there's little it needs to do to impress beyond just playing your music. But thankfully, this speaker does a little more than that. It has a compact, waterproof design (rated IP67) and up to 20 hours of battery life. It can even be immersed in water up to 3.3 ft deep for up to 30 minutes, so it's ideal for a variety of activities. And despite its compact size, this portable speaker delivers 5W of output for clear, punchy sound.

More early Prime Day speaker deals

Portable speakers

Smart speakers

Categories: IT General, Technology

We picked the best early Prime Day robot vacuum deals: Save on Roborock, Eufy, Dreame, and more

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago
The best Prime Day robot vacuum deals: Best Entry-Level Robot Vacuum Deal Shark Matrix Plus Robot Vacuum and Mop $229.99 (save $220) Get Deal Best Midrange Robot Vacuum Deal Eufy E25 Robot Vacuum and Mop $599.98 (save $400.01) Get Deal Best Premium Robot Vacuum Deal Eufy E28 Robot Vacuum and Mop $629.98 (save $370.01) Get Deal Best Premium Robot Vacuum Deal Roborock Qrevo CurvX Robot Vacuum and Mop $799.99 (save $700) Get Deal Best Budget Robot Vacuum Deal Roborock Q10 S5+ Robot Vacuum $279.99 (save $270) Get Deal

Prime Big Deal Days, Amazon's two-day sale for Prime members, kicks off on Oct. 6, but you don't have to wait until the calendar rolls over to shop some excellent deals. It's a great time to pick up a robot vacuum, and you can start shopping for one right now, in fact.

A robot that's on vacuum or even mop duty can be a massive help when hosting a full house over the holidays, or it can keep your home tidy year-round with regularly scheduled cleaning. It can keep up with crumbs and tracked-in dirt between visits while you deal with the cooking and decorating, or while you're just living your best life.

Robot vacuums come in a pretty wide range. Some models can basically just vacuum on a schedule you set in an app, while others also mop, map each room of your house, and empty themselves into a base that holds weeks of debris. It really just depends on what you're looking for. And right now, robot vacuums of all stripes are discounted.

Amazon adds new deals several times a day, and the best ones can sell out fast, so we'll keep checking prices and updating this list until the sale ends. For now, these are the best robot vacuum deals you can get right now ahead of the sale. Be sure to check back for new deals before and during the big days.

Best entry-level robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Shark Matrix Plus Robot Vacuum and Mop $229.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $220   Get Deal Why we like it

The Matrix Plus may be a more affordable option, but it can pick up debris and mop hard floors with the best of them. It uses a sonic mopping pad that scrubs 100 times per minute to loosen stuck-on stains and maps your home with 360-degree LiDAR, so you can send it to specific rooms, set schedules, and draw no-go zones in the SharkClean app. Its bagless base empties the dustbin and holds up to 60 days of debris behind a HEPA filter that traps dust and allergens as well, all for an affordable price.

Best midrange robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Eufy E25 Robot Vacuum and Mop $599.98 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $400.01   Get Deal Why we like it

This model doesn't just vacuum. It includes a roller mop that gets rinsed with clean water while it cleans, so it can scrub up everything from coffee spills to dried-on sauce without spreading dirty water around your floors. It also has 20,000 Pa of suction and brushes designed to keep pet hair from tangling around them, plus an arm that extends out to reach dirt along baseboards and in corners.

Best premium robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Eufy E28 Robot Vacuum and Mop $629.98 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $370.01   Get Deal Why we like it

The Omni E28 boasts 20,000 Pa of suction, which it automatically boosts when it detects carpet, and its DuoSpiral brushes keep pet hair and long hair from wrapping around them. On hard floors, its roller mop is scraped clean six times per second, so it doesn't spread dirty water from one room to the next. The portable deep cleaner also lifts off the station, too, so you can take it to a coffee spill on the rug, a pet accident on the couch, the stairs, or muddy car seats. All this, and it handles its own cleaning when it's done with your home for the day.

Best splurge robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Roborock Qrevo CurvX Robot Vacuum and Mop $800.47 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $699.52   Get Deal Why we like it

This heavy-duty unit can slip under couches and low cabinets, with a laser sensor on top that lowers itself when needed. Plus, its chassis automatically lifts up so it can climb over thresholds between rooms. It also has 22,000 Pa of suction and brushes that resist hair tangles, which helps when it's pulling pet fur out of carpet. It can sanitize on its own, as well as wash its mops in 176 degree Fahrenheit water and dry them with hot air. That means you can stay hands-off while it handles all the cleaning and refilling.

Best budget robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Roborock Q10 S5+ Robot Vacuum $279.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $270   Get Deal Why we like it

This affordable robot vacuum can handle cleanup all on its own at a great price. It can empty into its dock after each cleaning, and the bag holds up to 70 days' worth of dust and hair. Both of its brushes are designed to keep long hair from wrapping around them, and a LiDAR sensor maps your home so it can plan an efficient route through each room.

More robot vacuum deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

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

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago
Best early 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 $59.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best camping deal Coleman Instant Cabin 4P $149.99 (save $68.50) Get Deal Best backyard grill deal Weber Spirit E-210 Gas Grill $359.98 (save $189.02) Get Deal

On your marks, get set, go — Amazon's October Prime Day is set to kick off on Oct. 6. This year, the sale spans two days, but you don't necessarily need to wait to get a great 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.

I've compiled the best early 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 Mashable's October Prime Day coverage.

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% 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 ahead of 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 $51.44
$99.99 Save $48.55   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. 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."

Since it's already on sale for nearly 50% off, you're in great shape for scoring an excellent deal on the outdoor speaker.

More outdoor speaker dealsBest camping deal Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Coleman Instant Cabin 4P $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. Ahead of 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

I found 10+ early October Prime Day earbuds deals that are worth buying: Shop Bose, Apple, Beats, and more

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago
The best early October Prime Day earbuds deals: Best Apple deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30.99) Get Deal Best Bose deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) $249.99 (save $49.01) Get Deal Best open earbuds deal Shokz OpenDots One $139.95 (save $60) Get Deal Best sleep earbuds deal Soundcore Sleep A30 Special + get a free Anker Soundcore Eye Mask $199.99 (save $30) Get Deal

It's leaf-peeping season, and that means it's time for another massive sale event at Amazon. This year, October Prime Big Deal Days is a two-day sale, spanning Oct. 6 and 7. We're a few days away from the sale kicking off, but Amazon is already packed with great offers. That's especially true if you're in need of fresh earbuds.

Many of us depend on earbuds like we depend on water. On the checklist before walking out the front door, we need a wallet, phone, keys, and earbuds. They're with us from a morning walk with the dog to pre-bedtime YouTube streaming. If your current pair is not up for these tasks, early October Prime Day deals are coming to the rescue.

SEE ALSO: 12 expert-sourced deals on headphones and earbuds ahead of October Prime Day: Shop Beats, AirPods, and Sony

From incredibly comfortable Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd gen) to the Soundcore Sleep A30 Special, we're seeing plenty of great early deals on earbuds, and I've rounded up the best options below. Keep an eye on Mashable's Prime Day coverage as we start to see more deals roll in ahead of the sale.

Best Apple earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Walmart
$129.99 Save $30.99   Get Deal Why we like it

At the affordable price of $99, the Apple AirPods 4 are on sale at Walmart. Redesigned for comfort, the AirPods 4 come with a massive 30-hour battery life with the included charging case. And good news on that front: Apple made the case smaller and compatible with USB-C charging.

Keep in mind that the base model of the Apple AirPods 4 does not come with active noise cancellation. If that's a priority, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 with ANC are on sale for $199.

SEE ALSO: The 5 headphones deals we want to see on sale during October Prime Day Best Bose earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) $249.99 at Amazon
$299 Save $49.01   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for the most comfortable earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) are a top pick. Mashable's analysis of the best earbuds notes that the Bose buds are unmatched for comfort and well worth the investment. "With spatial audio and some of the best ANC we've encountered, these earbuds deliver immersive sound that envelopes you in your music," wrote Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard.

Best open earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shokz Shokz OpenDots One $139.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $60   Get Deal Why we like it

If you'll be wearing earbuds while running or working out at the gym, open earbuds might be the best option. The design focuses on solid sound quality while also keeping you aware of your surroundings. The Shokz OpenDots One are among Mashable's favorite open earbuds, and they're already on sale for under $140 ahead of Prime Day. Need more convincing? They're also Mashable's top choice for running earbuds.

The sale price of $139.95 is the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon. Given that pricing history, you probably don't need to wait for Oct. 6 to buy this pair.

Best sleep earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Special $199.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30 get a free Anker Soundcore Eye Mask Get Deal Why we like it

If you struggle to sleep on account of environmental noise, sleep earbuds might be a great solution. Instead of using earbuds that hurt when sleeping on your side, sleep earbuds are specially designed for comfort, no matter which sleeping position you prefer. Mashable's favorite sleep earbuds are the Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Specials, and they're already on sale for $199.99 ahead of October Prime Day.

In Mashable's review of the Sleep A30 Specials, Allard wrote, "Soundcore's quick upgrade to the recently released Sleep A30 earbuds is a welcome one, delivering a longer battery life and lower price point, making a great pair of sleep earbuds even better."

If you're searching for solutions to get better sleep, consider these sleep earbuds while they're on sale. Plus, they come with a free Anker Soundcore sleep mask.

More earbuds deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

We found the best early Prime Day Apple Watch deal — shop the Apple Watch Series 11 for $50 off

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago

Do you feel that chill in the air? Fall is here, which means so is the holiday shopping season. To kick things off, Amazon is bringing back Prime Big Deal Days.

Running Oct. 6 and 7, the event is essentially Amazon's way of kicking off holiday shopping before Black Friday. We're gearing up for the event and hunting deals on all the top brands, including Apple.

We've been searching for Apple Watch deals, but the selection has been underwhelming. We previously tracked a deal on the Apple Watch SE 3, but the price jumped to $298 — which is actually a dollar over its regular list price.

With that discount gone, your best option right now is the Apple Watch Series 11 for $349.99 (down from $399.99) at Target. Otherwise, we recommend holding off until better Prime Big Deal Days savings go live.

Best Apple Watch Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $349.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

With our previous SE 3 pick back up to $298 (a dollar above list price), Target's $50 discount on the Apple Watch Series 11 is the only real "deal" on the market right now.

We named the Series 11 our favorite smartwatch fitness tracker, and for good reason. It has a bright display, reliable battery life, and high-end health features like sleep scores, ECG readings, and hypertension alerts. You'll also get fall detection, crash detection, and seamless iOS integration.

If you can't wait for Prime Day proper, this is the top Apple wearable deal on the board.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple Watch Series 11.

More Apple Watch dealsMore smartwatch deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

I tracked down the top early October Prime Day MacBook deals: Save up to $500 ahead of the sale

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago
The best early October Prime Day MacBook deals at a glance: Best MacBook Air Deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,449 (save $150) Get Deal Best MacBook Pro deal Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M5 Max, 48GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $4,499 (save $500) Get Deal

Genuinely good MacBook deals have been harder to come by in the wake of Apple's summer price hikes. But I have a feeling that will change during Prime Big Deal Days, Amazon's 48-hour fall savings event for Prime members on Oct. 6 and 7.

"October Prime Day," as the sale is often called, serves as Amazon's unofficial kickoff for the holiday shopping season. Last year, it brought us $200 discounts on the MacBook Air and savings of up to $400 on select MacBook Pros — the same sorts of deals we later saw on Black Friday 2025. If Amazon replicated those offers next week, we'd be seeing our lowest MacBook prices since Apple's markups took effect.

SEE ALSO: 30+ early October Prime Day deals: We found live deals on Bose, Lego, and Apple

In the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days, most MacBooks are already on sale (including the budget MacBook Neo, if only by $10). I wouldn't add most of them to your cart just yet, since they'll probably get bigger discounts once the sale starts. But if you don't want to wait, you can already save hundreds on select models.

Read on for my running list of the best early October Prime Day MacBook deals so far.

The best October Prime Day deal on the MacBook Air (so far) Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,449 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $150   Get Deal

The latest M5 MacBook Air is a Mashable Choice Award winner and one of our top-reviewed products of the year. In his testing, Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth found the M5 chip to be ridiculously powerful (probably more powerful than the average Air customer really needs, TBH). It also has a fantastic display, a great-sounding speaker system, and a sharp Center Stage webcam.

If you need a new MacBook Air, and you need it now, Amazon's best live deal is going to a 13-inch model with 16GB of RAM and a terabyte of storage. Normally $1,599, it's now on sale for $1,449 (or $150 off). That offer wasn't being matched by any other retailer at the time of writing, FWIW.

More MacBook Air dealsThe best October Prime Day deal on the MacBook Pro (so far) Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M5 Max, 48GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $4,499 at Amazon
$4,999 Save $500   Get Deal

The M5 Max chip is Apple's most powerful laptop CPU to date. It's designed to handle the ultra-demanding workloads of "pro users" like "3D animators, app developers, and AI researchers," according to a company press release.

Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, you can save $500 on a beefy 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Max chip, 48GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage. (This is the fanciest MacBook Amazon sells.) It typically retails for $4,999, but you'll pay $4,499 — a 10% savings. That deal isn't being matched anywhere else, either.

As mentioned up top, Amazon's October Prime Day MacBook Pro deals usually max out at $400ish. With that in mind, this is one deal that probably won't improve down the road.

More MacBook Pro dealsMacBook Neo deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

We found 10+ early Prime Day deals for under $25 to add to your cart

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago
Best early Prime Day deals under $25: Best earbuds deal Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds $20.99 (save $19) Get Deal Best smart home deal Govee LED Smart Light Bulbs (2 Pack) $17.99 (save $8) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple AirTag (2nd Gen) $24 (save $5) Get Deal Best Amazon device deal Amazon Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote Pro (newest model) $19.99 (save $15) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Mr. Coffee Mini Brew Programmable (5-cup) $24.99 (save $23) Get Deal

In case you haven't noticed, it's gotten expensive to simply exist. Between astronomical gas prices (it was literally $4.20 a gallon the other day, and I'm in the South!), groceries, and, of course, rent, finding any deal is a win in my book — which is exactly why we're already tracking down the best early Prime Day deals for under $25.

SEE ALSO: I found 3 AirPods deals live ahead of October Prime Day (and 3 to wait for)

October Prime Day, officially known as Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, doesn't officially start until Tuesday, Oct. 6, but a lot of the best under-$25 steals we saw during June's Prime Day are live again right now.

So if you're sticking to a budget, you might want to get these to your cart ASAP before they sell out. And be sure to check back, as we'll be updating and adding new $25-and-under finds as more discounts drop.

Best deal under $25 Opens in a new window Credit: Mr. Coffee Mr. Coffee Mini Brew Programmable (5-cup) $24.99 at Amazon
$47.99 Save $23.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Humanity did something special when it created the programmable coffee maker. This mini Mr. Coffee version is perfect for a one to two-person household, with the compact design taking up minimal counter space. In addition to the programmable brew time, this maker also comes with an auto pause feature so you can grab a cup mid-brew, and an auto-off feature, which turns off the maker after two hours. At $24.99, it's nearly half off its list price of $47.99. It's basic, but it gets the job done — and isn't that exactly what you want out of your coffee experience?

More deals under $25 Opens in a new window Soundcore P20i earbuds $20.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $19.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: LifeStraw LifeStraw Personal Water Filter $14.99 at Amazon
$17.95 Save $2.96   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (2nd gen) $24 at Amazon
$29 Save $5   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: INIU INIU 10000mAh 45W Power Bank $21.59 at Amazon
$23.99 Save $2.40   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote Pro $19.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Mini Orchid $23.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $6   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: JLab JLab Go Air Pop+ Earbuds $24.99 at Amazon
$26.99 Save $2   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Skullcandy Skullcandy Dime 3 Earbuds $24.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $10.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Govee Govee LED Smart Light Bulbs (2-pack) $17.99 at Amazon
$25.99 Save $8   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Rubbermaid Rubbermaid Brilliance BPA-Free Food Storage Containers (3 set) $19.93 at Amazon
$31.65 Save $11.72   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Get a lifetime Adobe Acrobat replacement for Mac — 42% off

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago

TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to PDF Expert Premium for Mac is $79.99 (reg. $139.99), which saves you 42%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Readdle PDF Expert Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription (Mac) $79.99
$139.99 Save $60.00   Get Deal

PDFs are easy to open and hard to change. Fixing one typo in a contract can mean hunting down another app. Sometimes it means paying for another subscription too.

PDF Expert Premium from Readdle handles those jobs on your Mac. For a limited time, a lifetime subscription costs $79.99.

You can edit text directly in a PDF, swap in new images, and add links. Annotation tools let you highlight passages, leave notes in the margins, and stamp documents for review. You can also merge files, split them apart, and rearrange or rotate pages.

The conversion tools work in both directions. PDF Expert can turn PDFs into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, text, and image files. It can also turn JPG, PNG, and Office files into PDFs. On top of that, you can fill out forms, add your signature, and black out confidential details before you send a file.

Scanned documents get help too. Text recognition (OCR) makes scans searchable, so you can highlight and copy text from them. The scan tools can also remove shadows, fix distortion, and split double-page scans into separate pages. If most of your work happens on a Mac, it’s a practical tool to have on hand when you need it.

A few things to know before you buy. This subscription is for new PDF Expert users only, and it requires macOS 12.0 or later. You’ll need to redeem your code within 30 days of purchase. After that, you can use it on an unlimited number of personal Mac devices. Readdle continues to provide support and bug fixes, but some new features may cost extra later on.

If you’d rather pay once than pay per month, this is worth a look. Get a lifetime subscription to PDF Expert Premium for Mac for $79.99 (reg. $139.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

$49.97 gets you Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more for life

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago

TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus is on sale for a one-time $49.97 (reg. $249.99) through Oct. 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows: Lifetime License $49.97
$249.99 Save $200.02   Get Deal

Paying for productivity software every month isn’t the only way to get Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows is currently on sale for only $49.97 (reg. $249.99) through Oct. 4. You get a perpetual license for one compatible Windows PC.

The distinction that matters here is how the license works. Unlike a Microsoft 365 subscription with ongoing fees, this is a one-time purchase. The license is connected to the specific device rather than your Microsoft account, so it’s designed for someone who wants Office on one Windows computer and doesn’t need a transferable license.

You get six core Microsoft applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access. Office 2024 Professional Plus is designed around stability and consistent functionality, without frequent feature changes. That can make it particularly useful for business environments, regulated industries, or anyone who simply prefers software that doesn’t constantly change underneath them.

There are also advanced tools for data analysis and database management, built-in security and compliance capabilities, and an updated interface with dark mode support. The suite is designed to run efficiently across compatible hardware while providing predictable long-term support.

There is one important compatibility detail to check before buying: this license is strictly for Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs. It does not work with Macs or macOS.

For a Windows PC that needs Office for the long haul, Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus is just $49.97 through Oct. 4.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get real linguists behind your language lessons with a lifetime of Babbel

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago

TL;DR: Babbel lifetime access is just $159 (reg. $299) through Oct. 6 with StackSocial code LEARN.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159
$299 Save $140   Get Deal

Language apps can give you plenty of vocabulary drills, but understanding how people actually communicate takes more than memorizing words. More than 100 expert linguists developed Babbel, bringing a distinctly human element to its approach to language learning.

That expertise goes into more than 10,000 hours of online language education across 14 languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Swedish, Dutch, Norwegian, and more. Lessons take about 10 to 15 minutes, making it easier to fit practice into a normal day instead of turning language learning into another major commitment.

More importantly, the material focuses on situations where you’ll actually want to use what you’ve learned. Topics include dining, transportation, shopping, business, directions, and making friends. Babbel also incorporates speech recognition technology for pronunciation, personalized review sessions to reinforce previous lessons, and an AI Conversation Partner for real-time practice.

You can choose beginner, intermediate, or advanced material and move between your smartphone, tablet, and computer while keeping your progress synced. Heading somewhere without Wi-Fi? Courses, lessons, and review items can be downloaded beforehand for offline learning.

And there’s plenty of room to change your mind about what you want to learn. Lifetime access covers all 14 languages rather than locking you into just one.

Get in on the chance to learn for life with a one-time purchase.

For new users in the U.S., Babbel Language Learning Lifetime access is $159 (reg. $299) through Oct. 6 with the StackSocial code LEARN.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Whats new to streaming this week? (Oct. 2, 2026)

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

16. The Widower: 'Til Death Do Us Part

Thomas Randolph is known as a Black Widower, convicted of killing one wife, but suspected of much more. He was previously the topic of The Black Widower: The Six Wives of Thomas Randolph, and now here's his Netflix doc, The Widower: 'Til Death Do Us Part. 

Directed by Tiger King producer Chris Smith, this film not only explores how Randolph hired a man to kill his wife (and then committed a deadly double-cross), but also how Randolph tried to use the media to his favor. For the latter, Smith offers retrospective interviews with American journalist and Dateline producer Dan Slepian. But be warned, as true-crime docs go, this one is surprisingly dull, even with such shocking subject matter. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: The Widower: ‘Til Death Do Us Part is now streaming on Netflix. 

15. Coven Academy

Looking for some witchy YA action to start your October off right? Then check out Coven Academy, about a trio of witches learning to control their powers at an elite New Orleans magic school. Based on the trailer, the show is American Horror Story: Coven for younger audiences, and viewers are in for impressive displays of magic, as well as the promise of a witch-warlock-vampire love triangle. — B.E.

Starring: Malina Weissman, Malachi Barton, Tiffani Thiessen, Louis Thresher, Jordan Leftwich, Ora Duplass, Brendon Tremblay, Swayam Bhatia, Keegan Connor Tracy, and Devon Sawa

How to watch: Coven Academy premieres Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. ET on Freeform, and the full season is available Oct. 2 on Hulu and Disney+.

14. The Sisters Grimm Season 2

Fairy tales come true in The Sisters Grimm, Apple TV's animated children's series based on the best-selling books by Michael Buckley. Sabrina and Daphne Grimm (voiced by Ariel Winter and Leah Newman) are descendants of the legendary Brothers Grimm. When their parents mysteriously disappear, they move to the town of Ferryport Landing, where fairy tale characters live in plain sight. In Season 2, the sisters must investigate a spate of disturbing attacks at their school, which may bring them closer to finding their parents and bringing them home. — B.E.

Starring: Ariel Winter, Leah Newman, Laraine Newman, Abubakar Salim, Billy Harris, and Harry Trevaldwyn

How to watch: The Sisters Grimm Season 2 premieres Oct. 2 on Apple TV.

13. Scrubs Season 2

Check back into Sacred Heart Hospital this week, as the Scrubs revival returns for a second season. The original show's mainstays — J.D. (Zach Braff), Turk (Donald Faison), and Elliot (Sarah Chalke) — are all back and still learning new valuable lessons, all while teaching the next generation of medical students. They aren't the only familiar faces who are back: This season, Scott Foley reprises his role as Sean Kelly. — B.E.

Starring: Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, and Ava Bunn

How to watch: The two-episode premiere of Scrubs Season 2 is now streaming on Hulu.

12. Lego One Piece

Can't wait for the next installment of Netflix's live-action One Piece series? Then relive the magic in this two-part Lego special, which retells the tale of the Straw Hat Pirates from Usopp's (voiced by Jacob Romero) point of view. We're sure he'll be nothing but accurate, right? — B.E.

Starring: Iñaki Godoy, Emily Rudd, Mackenyu, Jacob Romero, Taz Skylar, Charithra Chandran, Mikaela Hoover, Katey Sagal, Jeff Ward, and Callum Kerr

How to watch: Lego One Piece is now streaming on Netflix.

11. The Uprising

Andrew Garfield says "no kings" in The Uprising, the latest from director Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Supremacy). The film tells the story of England's 1381 Peasants' Revolt, with Garfield playing a fictionalized farmer at the center of it all.

While The Uprising's tale of standing up to tyranny is timely, critics found the film's execution lacking. As Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko wrote in her review, "Greengrass gives us a bland, muddy slog with a black-and-white hero and villain, and an ending that is sure to satisfy no one." — B.E.

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Jamie Bell, Stephen Dillane, Tom Hollander, Cosmo Jarvis, Thomasin McKenzie, Jonny Lee Miller, Woody Norman, and Katherine Waterston

How to watch: The Uprising is now available for rent or purchase on digital.

10. Get Jiro!

Anthony Bourdain's 2012 graphic novel, Get Jiro!, has received the Adult Swim treatment, with a new animated series bringing the chef and author's enigmatic protagonist to the screen. And of course, it's set in a world where cooking rules.

Created by filmmakers Alessandro Tanaka and Brian Gatewood, this unashamedly bloody series transports us to a dystopian future where the ruling class is something only Bourdain (and his co-writer Joel Rose) could come up with: chefs.

For more, read my review of the first two episodes, which premiered at SXSW London. — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor, General Assignments

Starring: Brian Tee, David Chang, Eric Ripert, and José Andrés

How to watch: Get Jiro! premieres with two episodes Oct. 3 at midnight ET on Adult Swim, then streams on HBO Max Oct.4.

9. Adventure Time: Side Quests

This Adventure Time spinoff series launched in the summer with 11-minute episodes featuring new adventures with Finn and Jake, Ice King, Marceline the Vampire Queen, Princess Bubblegum, and Lumpy Space Princess. With a softer look, Side Quests won't shake the canon of the show's lore. Instead, its short and sweet episodes are less likely to make you spiral into an existential crisis. (Glob knows sometimes we need that!) 

Whether watching with kiddos or seeking some silliness for a chill night in chilly weather, Adventure Time: Side Quests has you covered. — K.P.

Starring: Sasha Knight, John DiMaggio, Tom Kenny, Olivia Olson, and Hynden Walch

How to watch: Adventure Time: Side Quests is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

8. Tip Toe

Russell T. Davies' (Doctor Who, It's a Sin) new drama Tip Toe comes to Starz this fall after airing in England earlier this year to critical acclaim. The series introduces two Manchester neighbors: gay bar owner Leo (Alan Cumming) and straight electrician Clive (David Morrissey). Over the course of 10 days, their neighborly relationship spirals due to homophobia and online conspiracy theories, resulting in a devastating hate crime. Bleak and brutal, Tip Toe earned praise for its two lead performances and for its unfortunate relevance.* — B.E.

Starring: Alan Cumming, David Morrissey, Jackson Connor, Iz Hesketh, Pooky Quesnel, Joseph Evans, Elizabeth Berrington, Paul Rhys, and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo

How to watch: Tip Toe premieres Oct. 2 on Starz.

7. Kill Jackie

Catherine Zeta-Jones goes on the warpath in Kill Jackie, based loosely on The Price You Pay by Nick Harkaway. The Academy Award winner plays Jackie Price, a luxury art dealer with a criminal past. That past has put her on the kill list of the Seven Demons, a group of deadly assassins. Instead of going on the run, Jackie goes on the offensive, planning to take down the Seven Demons before they can get to her. — B.E.

Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Daniel Ings, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Óscar Jaenada, Hattie Hook, Darci Shaw, Raff Law, Enzo Cilenti, Christine Adams, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Karlis Arnolds Avots, Set Sjöstrand, Tadashi Ito, Sebastian Armesto, Julian Barratt, Gavin Spokes, Jonathan Cake, Bamshad Abedi-Amin, Bill Paterson, and Ron Perlman

How to watch: Kill Jackie premieres Oct. 2 on AMC+.

6. Mononoke the Movie: Chapter Ⅲ - The Curse of the Serpent

The awaited finale of the Mononoke film trilogy hits Netflix this week, with Mononoke the Movie: Chapter III – The Curse of the Serpent.

Following the 2000s TV series and two films — 2024's Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain and 2025's Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II – The Ashes of Rage — it all comes to an end thanks to Studio Kafka, EOTA, and Twin Engine. Directed by Tomoaki Koshida and Kenji Nakamura, and written by Yasumi Atarashi, the franchise follows women in the Ōoku quarters of Edo Castle, with the finale focusing on the Midaidokoro rank. Expect political intrigue, magic, folklore, and incredible animation. — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring: Hiroshi Kamiya, Takahiro Sakurai, Haruka Tomatsu, Tomoyo Kurosawa, Miyu Irinio, Kenjiro Tsuda, Yoko Hikasa, Yoshiko Sakakibara, Atsumi Tanezaki, Miyuki Sawashiro, Fumi Hirano, Mariko Honda, Yukana, and Eiji Takemoto

How to watch: Mononoke The Movie: Chapter Ⅲ - The Curse of the Serpent is now streaming on Netflix.

5. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle I

Did you also hit the cinema at the very first screenings of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle decked out in Tanjiro's ichimatsu haori and hanafuda earrings? You didn’t? Fear not, you can do so in the comfort of your own living room as the film hits streaming this week. The first of three final films saw the gang scaling the impossible architecture of Muzan Kibutsuji's transforming fortress — and audiences absolutely flocking into cinemas to see it. — S.C.

Starring: Natsuki Hanae, Akari Kito, Hiro Shimono, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Reina Ueda, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Takahiro Sakurai, Katsuyuki Konishi, Kengo Kawanishi, Saori Hayami, Kana Hanazawa, Kenichi Suzumura, Tomokazu Seki, Tomokazu Sugita, Mamoru Miyano, Akira Ishida, and Yoshimasa Hosoya

How to watch: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba: Infinity Castle is now streaming on Hulu and Netflix.

4. The Swan: Behind the Mirror

From Erin Lee Carr, the documentarian behind Mommy Dead & Dearest, Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara, and Britney vs. Spears, comes a documentary that is sure to get the internet buzzing. 

Carr is known for intimate interviews with controversial figures, including the "cannibal cop" Gilberto Valle, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, and convicted killer Lois Reiss. So, what secrets might she pry out of the producers of The Swan? From the trailer alone, you can see some folks don't have the sense to hide their inner ugliness. And we can't look away.* — K.P. 

How to watch: The Swan: Behind the Mirror is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

3. East of Eden

Netflix brings John Steinbeck's epic East of Eden to streaming this week, with a cast led by Florence Pugh as the enduring literary villain Cathy Ames.

Written by Zoe Kazan, whose grandfather Elia Kazan directed 1955's James Dean-led East of Eden, this engaging adaptation retells the Biblical tale of Cain and Abel across multiple generations of the Trask family. The film version only adapts the last section of the novel, but the TV version adapts the novel in full, meaning beloved characters like Samuel Hamilton (Ciarán Hinds) and Lee (Hoon Lee) get their due. (The latter far more than the former.)

Looming over it all is the figure of Cathy, presented as a pure monster in the novel. While early internet armchair critics worried that Kazan and Netflix would whitewash Cathy's evil, that couldn't be farther from the truth. As I wrote, Pugh and Kazan have created "a take on Cathy that isn't the aberration early critics expected, but rather a compliment to a formidable literary figure." — B.E.

Starring: Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist, Hoon Lee, Tracy Letts, Martha Plimpton, Ciarán Hinds, Joseph Zada, and Joe Anders

How to watch: East of Eden is now streaming on Netflix.

2. Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma

Director Jane Schoenbrun takes a wildly fun look at the slasher genre in their third feature film, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. Hacks' Hannah Einbinder plays filmmaker Kris, who's been handed the reins to the once great, now floundering Camp Miasma horror franchise. For inspiration, she visits the franchise's original final girl, actor Billy Preson (Gillian Anderson), who happens to live at the camp where the first film was shot. Together, they embark on a journey of sexual enlightenment and dipping sauces. (Yes, really.)

Critics adored Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. As Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko wrote in her review, "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma explores where queerness, self-acceptance, and horror collide. But it's also a hell of a good time. Schoenbrun and their cast embrace the ghoulish delights of slasher slaughters, the titillating fun of their teen sex and death, and the radiant joy of finding pleasure in your own body. All this makes Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma a knockout, from its first kill to its final thrill." — B.E.

Starring: Hannah Einbinder, Gillian Anderson, and Jack Haven

How to watch: Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma hits MUBI Oct. 2.

Best of streaming this week: War

HBO and Sky's new legal series War delivers juicy drama at all levels of the courtroom, from the lawyers to their wealthy clients. The show follows the high-profile divorce between actress Carla Duval (Sienna Miller) and tech mogul Morgan Henderson (Dominic West). As their relationship and lives implode, their two rival law firms play every dirty trick in the book in order to achieve victory at any cost.

As I wrote in my review, what follows is "a flurry of betrayal and backstabbing that's so exquisitely ruthless, it's sure to make War your next drama obsession." — B.E.

Starring: Dominic West, Sienna Miller, Phoebe Fox, James McArdle, Archie Renaux, Nina Sosanya, Pip Torrens, Celia Imrie, Nick Mohammed, Emma Laird, Aran Murphy, Shaheen Jafargholi, Akiya Henry, Honor Swinton Byrne, Miles Jupp, Kartanya Maynard, Alexandra Mardell, Dylan Edwards, Mark Quartley, and Steve Furst

How to watch: War premieres Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max. In the UK, War premieres Oct. 2 on Sky and NOW.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Kids dont need chatbots. Teach them this about AI instead.

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago

The warp-speed deployment of artificial intelligence into nearly every corner of American life has created real problems for K-12 education.

Suddenly, school boards, districts, and teachers are grappling with the role AI should play in students' lives. The consternation is already showing up in classrooms as teachers use AI to plan their lessons and analyze student performance, provide tutoring and emotional support, and offer access to AI-enabled search.

Meanwhile, companies like OpenAI and Anthropic compete to provide chatbots to students. AI supporters worry that students blocked from using chatbots will be left behind, while many alarmed parents support AI bans for a variety of understandable reasons.

Dr. Shuchi Grover, a computer and learning scientist, believes that education is caught in an AI hype cycle.

SEE ALSO: AI drift: The catastrophic risk you're taking but don't realize

Her solution? Help students understand chatbots through safe, sandboxed models and interactive experiences, but don't make those interactions, especially with popular mainstream models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, the dominant way they learn about AI.

Instead, Grover suggests offering computer science instruction so students build a foundational understanding of computing and develop enduring problem-solving skills. The point is for students to view AI as a powerful new technology with many applications.

By contrast, some schools take the approach of, "'Oh let's make kids good prompters,' which really makes me cringe," Grover says.

Why not give students chatbots to learn about AI?

Grover, who researches K-12 computer science education, acknowledges that AI is indeed everywhere but calls the focus on chatbots "misguided."

After all, students encounter AI in their algorithms, self-driving cars, voice assistants, and facial recognition technology, among myriad other commercial products. That's why restricting students' learning about AI to chatbots only makes little sense.

There are also privacy, safety, and bias concerns, plus the risk of anthropomorphizing AI, Grover explains.

Companies may use student conversations with chatbots as training material. Students paired with a chatbot may unintentionally learn, courtesy of their own teacher, how to offload their cognition and creativity to AI. There is no clear evidence yet that providing chatbot access to students improves their learning or academic performance.

Grover also recognizes that AI companies are pushing student adoption of AI for their own reasons: The industry sees an opportunity to make lifelong users out of children and teens, she says.

While Grover generally opposes commercial chatbots in the classroom, she doesn't support an outright ban on them.

How students should learn about AI at school

There is, in fact, guidance for teaching students about AI. This summer, the Computer Science Teachers Association released new standards for AI use in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

While CSTA's standards encompass many concepts, like cybersecurity and physical computing, they integrate AI learning throughout.

Computer science standards and AI

In elementary school, CSTA believes students can start learning about AI through foundational concepts like explaining how a change in an algorithm leads to a different outcome, examining how data is used to train a machine learning model, and training a model to make a classification or prediction.

By middle school, students can analyze AI-written code for accuracy and usability on a specific project, and use an AI tool to generate outputs that help them solve a computational problem. Importantly, student use of an AI chatbot is useful, though not necessary, to complete the latter exercise. Plus, sandboxed chatbots that don't relentlessly engage with students can serve the same purpose.

A set of specialty standards illustrate how high schoolers can engage with AI in ways that truly prepare them for the future. For example, they can examine how data flows through a neural network, a machine learning model that will be critical for the next generations of AI. Or they can integrate a prebuilt AI agent into an app and optimize an AI algorithm's performance for a given problem.

There's more to AI beyond expert prompting

These skills imagine a world far more exciting for students than just being an expert AI prompter.

Instead, Jake Baskin, a former high school computer science teacher and CSTA's executive director, says we should be setting students up to succeed in a society where computation is deeply embedded in everyday life.

"I think we will do a grave disservice to students if we don't prepare them with the foundational understanding of how this technology works and how to create it, so that they'll have agency in deciding when to use or not use it in their lives," Baskin says.

The challenges of teaching students AI

Of course, there are numerous barriers to implementing computer science curriculum in schools.

Not every classroom can meet basic requirements for computer science instruction. While the CSTA standards offer "unplugged" versions of skill-building exercises, computer science classes ultimately need access to working laptops and reliable internet.

Even if students can access the necessary technology, Grover says it's imperative to give them curriculum relevant to their lives and life experiences. The AI4K12 Initiative, a resource hub jointly offered by CSTA and the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, has many free curriculum options, but someone needs to evaluate and decide what's right for the student body in question.

Baskin says states often adopt varying standards for computer science, which are then implemented by individual school leaders. AI instruction at one school may be substantially different from curriculum at another school in a different neighborhood, depending on resources and interest.

Teacher preparation and professional training are also critical. In many instances, a passionate teacher steps up to teach computer science, even if it means learning the skills for the first time themselves.

Education doesn't have to be "caught in the middle"

Grover warns schools against giving in to the temptation of chatbots for students. Instead, she urges decision-makers to pursue computer science education with a focus on AI.

"It's market forces that is pushing these tools into classrooms," she says of commercial chatbots, noting the intense competition between companies to grow their share of users. "Education, for some reason, got caught in the middle of this. It doesn't have to be."

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership

Mashable - 10 hours 25 min ago

Whether you're trying to cut back on subscription fees, avoid auto-renewal after a free 30-day trial, or align your spending more closely with your values, there are tons of reasons you may want to cancel Amazon Prime. We totally get it and make no judgments.

Of course, you might want to keep your Prime membership for October Prime Day (aka Prime Big Deal Days), since Prime members have exclusive access to most of the deals during the shopping event. The fall shopping event falls on Oct. 6 and 7 and promises millions of deals across categories, giving customers a head start on holiday shopping.

Nevertheless, here's a step-by-step guide to bidding Bezos goodbye if and when the time comes to cut ties with the mega retailer. It's never as straightforward as it should be.

How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership in the Amazon app

The process for canceling your Prime subscription via the Amazon app is the same on both iOS and Android.

Total Time
  • 2 min
What You Need
  • Smartphone
  • Amazon mobile app

Step 1: Open the app and tap the button at the bottom that looks like a person.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 2: Tap "Account" from the options along the top.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 3: Scroll down through the list of options to "Memberships and subscriptions."

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 4: Hit "Cancel" under the Amazon Prime subscription.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 5: A browser window will open, prompting you to login once again.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 6: Once logged in, scroll down to the "Review your options" section.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 7: Confirm your cancellation by clicking the yellow button that says "Cancel on [date]."

Make sure the first box is ticked to cancel your membership, rather than pause it. Your membership will officially end once your current billing cycle is over.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership on desktop Total Time
  • 2 min
What You Need
  • Laptop or desktop

Step 1: Log in to your Amazon account on your browser. Hover over "Accounts & Lists" in the upper right hand corner. In the menu of options, click "Prime Membership."

You'll pull up your personal Prime membership page with a collection of plan benefits and options.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 2: Click "Manage Membership" in the top right-hand corner. Click "End Membership."

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 3: Review how many days are left in your current Prime billing cycle. Click the yellow button on the lower-right side of the page that says "Continue to cancel."

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 4: Confirm your cancellation by clicking the yellow button that says "End on [date]."

Your membership will officially end once your current billing cycle is over.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon
Categories: IT General, Technology

30+ of the best Anker deals live before Prime Day: We love these deals on power banks, speakers, earbuds, and more

Mashable - 11 hours 25 min ago
The best early Prime Day deals on Anker: Best speaker deal Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go $22.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Soundcore P40i by Anker $47.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best Smart Home Deal Anker Eufy S220 $139.99 (save $60) Get Deal Best Power Bank Deal Anker Prime $199.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best Robot Vacuum Deal Anker Eufy Omni C20 $339.98 (save $210.01) Get Deal Best Home Entertainment Deal Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser $599.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best Power Station Deal Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $739.99 (save $190) Get Deal

Keeping a dozen screens and gadgets charged every day is exhausting, and nobody has time for it. Luckily, Anker makes some of the best gear to keep your tech powered, organized, and running smoothly.

While most people know Anker as the go-to brand for phone chargers and power banks, they actually make gear for almost every part of your home. Their lineup includes Soundcore for headphones and speakers, Eufy for smart security cams and robot vacuums, and Nebula for portable projectors.

With Amazon’s Prime Day right around the corner, you don't have to wait to start saving. Anker has already slashed prices across its entire family of brands. We combed through the early sales to curate the absolute best Anker deals worth pulling the trigger on.

Best speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go Bluetooth speaker $22.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $12.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Finding a truly rugged outdoor speaker for around $25 is tough, but the Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go checks almost every box. Despite its compact palm-sized frame, it packs punchy sound and an impressive 20-hour battery life that easily outlasts a full weekend trip. Thanks to its IP67 rating, it’s completely waterproof, dustproof, and even floats — so dropping it in the pool or shower won't stop the music. You can also link two of them together for wireless stereo sound — and while it comes in multiple fun colorways, picking the classic black model saves you an extra $2.

More Soundcore speaker dealsBest earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore by Anker P40i $47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12   Get Deal Why we like it

Anker’s Soundcore P40i earbuds already punch well above their weight class, making any discount on them an absolute steal. You get solid adaptive active noise cancellation to block out background chatter, paired with a 6-microphone array that keeps your voice crisp and clear on phone calls. Beyond the 60-hour total battery life with the case, Anker built in a clever design detail: the charging case includes a pop-out kickstand that props up your phone for hands-free video watching on flights or at your desk.

More Soundcore earbuds and headphones dealsBest smart home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Eufy S220 2-Cam Pack $139.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $60   Get Deal Why we like it

The Eufy SoloCam S220 fixes the worst part of home security: charging dead batteries. Its built-in solar panel needs just 3 hours of daily sunlight for continuous power, while 2K resolution keeps night footage crisp. Smart AI filtering ignores blowing leaves, so you only get alerts for people, pets, or cars — and local storage means zero monthly fees.

More smart home dealsBest power bank deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Prime Power Bank (26,250 mAh) $199.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

If you need to work away from an outlet, the Anker Prime Power Bank keeps your setup running without missing a beat. Its massive 26,250mAh capacity holds enough juice to charge a laptop fully alongside your phone, while a huge 300W total output powers demanding notebooks at full speed. Smart digital displays show your exact remaining battery and real-time charging wattage, making it a must-have for travel, remote work, or long flights.

More power bank dealsBest robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop $339.98 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $210.01   Get Deal Why we like it

The Eufy Omni C20 takes the hassle out of floor care by handling both vacuuming and scrubbing without needing constant supervision. It's an all-in-one station that automatically empties dust into a bag that lasts up to 60 days, while washing and air-drying its own mop pads. Pushing 7,000 Pa of suction alongside a pro-detangle comb to keep long hair off the roller brush, it easily lifts embedded dirt from rugs and hard floors.

More robot vacuum dealsBest home entertainment deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser $599.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $150   Get Deal Why we like it

Roughly the size of a 16-ounce soda can, the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser packs 1080p resolution and vibrant laser lighting into a frame that easily slips into a backpack. You can throw up to a 120-inch screen onto any wall or bedsheet, while auto-focus and auto-keystone correction handle image setup in seconds. With Google TV built in and a battery that lasts up to 2.5 hours on a single charge, it's an instant movie night setup for backyard hangouts or camping trips.

More home entertainment dealsBest power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 + 200W Solar Panel $739.99 at Amazon
$929.99 Save $190   Get Deal Why we like it

Whether you're prepping for emergency outages or heading off the grid, the Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 delivers reliable home-grade power in a portable frame. Its 2,000W output handles high-draw appliances across 10 outlets, while the included 200W foldable solar panel keeps you charged using free sunlight. Plus, it recharges from zero to 80% in under an hour from a wall outlet, so you're never left hanging when bad weather hits.

More power station deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Everything you need to know about October Prime Day, according to someone who covers it every year

Mashable - 11 hours 25 min ago

Amazon will host its annual Prime Big Deal Days sale on Oct. 6 and 7. If you're looking to save on fall essentials — or yearning for a break from this year's tech price hikes — the event will be a good opportunity to get some shopping done ahead of the busy holidays.

I've covered Prime Big Deal Days every year since its inception. Here's what you should know about the sale before it starts. (Plus, check out my team's dedicated guide to the best early deals you can score already.)

The best early October Prime Day deals at a glance: Best Prime-exclusive deal Audible (Standard) $0.99/month + free $20 credit with Prime (save $32) Get Deal Best free deal Kindle Unlimited (3 Months) $0/month (save $35.97) Get Deal Best deal under $25 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $17.99 (save $32) Get Deal Best deal under $50 Amazon Echo Dot $39.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) $1,299 (save $200) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) $319 (save $40) Get Deal Best TV deal Amazon 55-inch Ember Artline 4K QLED TV $499.99 (save $400) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement $62.04 (save $47.95) Get Deal Best SSD deal Samsung SSD 990 Pro (2TB) $389.99 (save $250) Get Deal Best gaming deal The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo Switch 2) $59.88 (save $10.11) Get Deal What is Prime Big Deal Days?

Prime Big Deal Days is a 48-hour sale that Amazon has put on every year since 2022 in early October, about a month and a half before Black Friday. (Fun fact: It was originally called the Prime Early Access Sale.) It's often referred to as "October Prime Day" because its deals are exclusively for Amazon Prime members, just like the retailer's flagship Prime Day sale.

Prime Big Deal Days serves as Amazon's unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season.

When does Prime Big Deal Days start?

Prime Big Deal Days 2026 will officially begin at 3:01 a.m. ET (12:01 a.m. PT) on Tuesday, Oct. 6. It will end at 2:59 a.m ET on Wednesday, Oct. 8 (11:59 p.m. PT on Oct. 7).

How is Prime Big Deal Days different from Prime Day?

Prime Big Deal Days is a two-day event in the fall, while Prime Day is a four-day event in the summer. (It's usually in July, but Amazon moved it up to June this year because of the timing of the FIFA World Cup and the U.S. 250th anniversary, a company exec told Reuters.)

What are the best early October Prime Day deals? Credit: Amazon

You don't need to wait until Oct. 6 to start filling your cart. Prime members can score the following deals on Amazon devices and services in the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days:

All shoppers can get three months' worth of Kindle Unlimited for free ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, regardless of their Prime status.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day Apple deals guide: Buy now or wait?

My fellow Mashable reporters and I are also tracking early October Prime Day deals on popular tech gadgets, including Apple devices, headphones, speakers, TVs, laptops, robot vacuums, smartwatches, power stations, and SSDs. Many of those products are on sale already, but keep in mind that their prices will likely drop further once Prime Big Deal Days starts.

What deals will be available during Prime Big Deal Days 2026?

Prime Big Deal Days will feature "millions of deals across fashion, electronics, beauty, toys, and more," according to a company blog post. Some of them will be special, limited-time offers called "Today's Big Deals" that involve discounts of "up to 50% or more" on "trending products and new releases," the retailer said (think $2,000 off a big-screen Sony TV, it added). Today's Big Deals will drop daily at 3 a.m., 11 a.m., and 4 p.m. ET during the sale, so keep a lookout. They're only available while supplies last.

Here are the other sorts of deals you can expect to see once Prime Big Deal Days starts, per Amazon's blog post:

  • Over $500 off select cameras from Canon and Nikon

  • Up to $500 off select Breville espresso machines

  • Up to 50% off select headphones and earbuds from Beats, Bose, and Anker's Soundcore line

  • Up to 40% off select TVs and streaming devices from Sony, TCL, and Toshiba

  • Up to 40% off select PCs and laptops from Asus, Dell, and HP

  • Up to 40% off select floorcare from Dyson, iRobot, and Ninja

  • Up to 40% off select kitchen appliances from Crock-Pot, Keurig, and Ninja

  • Up to 40% off select power tools from Bosch, Craftsman, and Dewalt

  • Up to 40% off select collectibles and toys from Funko and Miniverse

  • Up to 40% off select sensory toys from Kinetic Sand and Play-Doh

  • Up to 40% off select party supplies and decorations

  • Up to 35% off Halloween costumes

  • Up to 30% off select thermostats from ecobee, Honeywell, and Google

  • Up to 30% off select LED lighting and smart plugs from GE, Philips Hue, and TP-Link

  • Up to 30% off toys from Barbie, Hasbro Games, Hot Wheels, and Mattel Games

  • UP to 30% off select building sets from Lego and Magna-Tiles

  • Up to 30% off select cleaning products from Lysol, Scott, and Tide

Which offers better deals, October Prime Day or Black Friday? Credit: Amazon

Black Friday generally features better deals than October Prime Day. There are several reasons for this:

  1. Basically every retailer runs a Black Friday sale, so there's a wider selection of deals available; the festivities aren't limited to Amazon and its immediate competitors (more on them momentarily).

  2. Black Friday deals are open to everyone, not just Prime members.

  3. Retailers really want to clear their shelves of old inventory ahead of the new year, so they're inclined to offer record-low prices during Black Friday.

That said, there is a lot of overlap between October Prime Day and Black Friday deals, especially when it comes to Amazon devices. (Most of the Echo, Kindle, and Fire TV deals we'll see during Prime Big Deal Days will probably pop back up in November.) You should definitely still check out Prime Big Deal Days if:

  1. You're a Prime member who wants to maximize the benefits of your subscription.

  2. You want to avoid the chaos of Black Friday and get your holiday shopping over with.

  3. You're worried about an item on your wishlist selling out before the holidays.

  4. You need an item sooner than late November or early December for gifting purposes.

Will any retailers be competing with Prime Big Deal Days?

Target and Walmart are both planning to run their own sales alongside Prime Big Deal Days. (Target's Circle Deal Days is also set for Oct. 6 and 7, while Walmart's Fall Deals event runs for a whole week from Oct. 5 to 11.) Best Buy previously said that its "[holiday] Savings start in October," but it hasn't confirmed anything yet.

How many times a year is Prime Day? Credit: Amazon

Prime Day technically only happens once a year in mid-summer, but Amazon puts on two other Prime-exclusive events throughout the year that function similarly. One is Prime Big Deal Days in early October; the other is the Big Spring Sale in late March.

Do you need to be a Prime member to shop Prime Big Deal Days?

Amazon's October Prime Day deals are reserved for members of its Prime program, but you don't need to pay for a subscription to participate. Shoppers who haven't had an active Prime membership within the past 12 months can score a free 30-day trial. Just remember to cancel your membership before your trial period ends, or else you'll get charged. (Prime normally costs $14.99 per month or $139 annually.)

If you're between the ages of 18 and 24 or a college student, you're eligible for a free six-month trial via Amazon's Prime for Young Adults program. At the end of your trial period, you can upgrade to a paid membership for 50% off the usual rate.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Prime (30-Day Trial)   Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Prime for Young Adults (6-Month Trial)   Learn More
Categories: IT General, Technology

The internet was wrong about East of Eden

Mashable - 12 hours 24 min ago

When Netflix released the first teaser for its adaptation of John Steinbeck's East of Eden, the reaction was not one of excitement, but rather one of trepidation.

According to Netflix's description of the series, East of Eden, written and executive produced by Zoe Kazan, would focus "new attention on its indelible antihero, Cathy Ames, played by Florence Pugh."

SEE ALSO: 'East of Eden' trailer: Florence Pugh leads Netflix's sprawling John Steinbeck adaptation

For anyone familiar with East of Eden, a multigenerational retelling of the Cain and Abel story set within California's Salinas Valley, calling Cathy Ames an "antihero" is a misread of the character. Steinbeck introduces her with a lengthy passage on how monsters with "malformed souls" can be born to human parents. Throughout the novel, she murders and manipulates. She shoots her husband, Adam (Christopher Abbott), and abandons her newborn twins. In Steinbeck's tale of good and evil, she's about as evil as you can get.

So between the "antihero" description and Pugh's hopes she could bring some "humanity" to Cathy, Steinbeck fans feared the worst: that East of Eden would neuter one of literature's great antagonists and transform her into some misunderstood girlboss. Look at the worried comments under the teaser or the irate Reddit threads writing off the adaptation entirely before having seen it.

But all that worry turns out to be unfounded. While East of Eden does complicate the idea of Cathy as purely evil, she is still a villain through and through, and Kazan's engrossing series does not shy away from that darkness.

Florence Pugh's Cathy Ames is still terrifying. Christopher Abbott and Florence Pugh in "East of Eden." Credit: Netflix

In the series, just like in the novel, Cathy is a malevolent force of nature who's both alluring and off-putting. When Salinas mainstay Samuel Hamilton (a tragically underused Ciarán Hinds) meets her for the first time, he feels a chill, like a goose has walked over his grave — a line that, like much of Steinbeck's dialogue, makes it into the TV show.

Also making it into the show are most of Cathy's most reprehensible acts: her fiery murder of her parents at a young age and, years later, her calculated, drawn-out poisoning of kindly brothel madam Faye (Martha Plimpton). Through it all, Pugh delivers a sensationally sinister performance. As the role of Cathy demands, Pugh dons a mask of nicety when it suits her, but as soon as she doesn't need to put on airs, the mask falls, revealing a dark emptiness. When forced to drink, Cathy's true nature comes out, and Pugh renders that change in all its snarling, beastly glory.

SEE ALSO: 2026 fall TV preview: Every show you should know about Netflix's East of Eden looks for humanity in Cathy — but then again, doesn't the book? Florence Pugh in "East of Eden." Credit: Geoffrey Short / Netflix

Kazan (herself the granddaughter of Elia Kazan, director of 1955's East of Eden film) makes a large change to Cathy's role in the story right at the very start of East of Eden. Steinbeck's novel begins with a lengthy, evocative description of the Salinas Valley before focusing on Samuel, then the Trask family. Cathy does not become a factor until much later. However, Kazan's East of Eden puts her front and center from the start. Kazan skips forward several chapters and drops us into one of the most harrowing moments of Cathy's life. Beaten nearly to death by brothel owner and former lover Mr. Edwards (Josh McConville), she crawls towards the farmhouse of the Trask brothers.

If you hadn't read East of Eden before watching the show, you'd see an image of a beaten, bloody woman and immediately sympathize with her. If you had read the book, the moment immediately complicates your sentiments towards Cathy. Even as you're yelling at the Trask brothers not to let her in, as if she's some monster from a horror film who must be kept out, Kazan invites you to have compassion for her.

So begins one of East of Eden's most fascinating points of tension. Because yes, Cathy is a horrible woman who has done awful things. But people have also done horrible things to her.

Look at some of the things that happen to Cathy on paper, without considering Steinbeck's early assertion that she is a monster. When she is a teenager, an older teacher develops a romantic interest in her. Her former lover, Mr. Edwards, nearly kills her. Adam moves her across the country against her wishes, where she's forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term. The show also implies that Cathy experienced sexual trauma when she was five years old, spurring a habit of dissociating and imagining herself shrinking, Alice in Wonderland-style, out of harm's way.

East of Eden doesn't treat any of these experiences as excuses for Cathy's nasty acts, but more as explanations for why she hunts power and control. If she is to shrink, to diminish herself, she only wants to do so on her own terms.

Later in the novel, Steinbeck writes, "when I said Cathy was a monster it seemed to me that it was so. Now I have bent close with a glass over the small print of her and reread the footnotes, and I wonder if it was true."

The series, then, is approaching Cathy's monstrosity through a similar lens. Like Steinbeck's narrator (himself a fictional version of Steinbeck), Pugh and Kazan scour Cathy's origins to find flecks of humanity, while still acknowledging her inclination to do harm.

Take, for example, a show-only scene at Faye's brothel. Cathy, now going by Kate, learns that a customer has been particularly rough with one of her fellow sex workers. Cathy asks to see him next, with the show setting their encounter up to be a potential revenge fantasy. The worries about the flattening of Cathy rear their head, but they soon go away when Cathy takes the man on as her client and puts in motion her grand plan to turn the brothel into a sadomasochistic den. From there, she can rustle up blackmail about the most powerful men around.

Here, and elsewhere throughout the show, Cathy gets the opportunity to make the right choice, but rarely does. It all ties back to East of Eden's core concept of timshel, meaning "thou mayest," an idea that offers up a choice between good and evil. But since Cathy only sees the ugliness of humanity (and also herself), she only ever opts for the ugly route. There's a tragic quality to that that Kazan's adaptation and Pugh's performance seek to illuminate. They, too, have bent over the character with a glass and have wound up creating a take on Cathy that isn't the aberration early critics expected, but rather a compliment to a formidable literary figure.

East of Eden is now streaming on Netflix.

Categories: IT General, Technology
Syndicate content

eXTReMe Tracker