IT General
The best gifts for moms: Create a treat yourself moment
No matter the gifting occasion, you want to wow your mom. She sacrificed a lot for you, and now you're in a place where you can show her how grateful you are. Part of our larger series dedicated to the Best Gifts for Everyone, this list of gifts for mom attempts to dismantle the played-out tropes that have plagued moms at major holidays for dedicates. When gifting to your mom (or any mom, for that matter) consider hyper-specific things that speak to her unique hobbies or interests. Your mom (or mom figure) should revel in her own glory with gifts that make her feel smart, sophisticated, and valued. Consider what she does when she has no one putting demands on her time — then shop for those moments. And if you get stuck, visit our guide to the best gifts under $50 for even more winning ideas.
Google Is Making It Easier to Automate Your Smart Home (Updated)
Google Home is finally gaining its first Gemini AI integrations, namely the "Help Me Create" automation generator and the "AI Camera Search" function. Plus, you can now control Google Home from the Gemini chatbot app.
OpenAI announces deal with defense startup to create anti-drone tech
OpenAI has entered into its first major defense partnership, a deal that could see the AI giant making its way into the Pentagon.
The joint venture was recently announced by billion-dollar Anduril Industries, a defense startup owned by Oculus VR co-founder Palmer Lucky that sells sentry towers, communications jammers, military drones, and autonomous submarines. The "strategic partnership" will incorporate OpenAI's AI models into Anduril systems to "rapidly synthesize time-sensitive data, reduce the burden on human operators, and improve situational awareness." Anduril already supplies anti-drone tech to the U.S. government. It was recently chosen to develop and test unmanned fighter jets and awarded a $100 million contract with the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and AI Office.
SEE ALSO: Sora reportedly shipping as part of '12 Days of OpenAI' livestream marathonOpenAI clarified to the Washington Post that the partnership will only cover systems that "defend against pilotless aerial threats" (read: detect and shoot down drones), notably avoiding the explicit association of its technology with human-casualty military applications. Both OpenAI and Anduril say the partnership will keep the U.S. on par with China's AI advancements— a repeated goal that's echoed in the U.S. government's "Manhattan Project"-style investments in AI and "government efficiency."
"OpenAI builds AI to benefit as many people as possible, and supports U.S.-led efforts to ensure the technology upholds democratic values," wrote OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. "Our partnership with Anduril will help ensure OpenAI technology protects U.S. military personnel, and will help the national security community understand and responsibly use this technology to keep our citizens safe and free."
In January, OpenAI quietly removed policy language that banned applications of its technologies that pose high risk of physical harm, including "military and warfare." An OpenAI spokesperson told Mashable at the time: "Our policy does not allow our tools to be used to harm people, develop weapons, for communications surveillance, or to injure others or destroy property. There are, however, national security use cases that align with our mission. For example, we are already working with DARPA to spur the creation of new cybersecurity tools to secure open source software that critical infrastructure and industry depend on. It was not clear whether these beneficial use cases would have been allowed under 'military' in our previous policies."
Over the last year, the company has reportedly been pitching its services in various capacities to the U.S. military and national security offices, backed by a former security officer at software company and government contractor Palantir. And OpenAI isn't the only AI innovator pivoting to military applications. Tech companies Anthropic, makers of Claude, and Palantir recently announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services to sell Anthropic’s AI models to defense and intelligence agencies, advertised as "decision advantage" tools for "classified environments."
Recent rumors suggest President-elect Donald Trump is eyeing Palantir chief technology officer Shyam Shankir to take over the lead engineering and research spot in the Pentagon. Shankir has previously been critical of the Department of Defense's technology acquisition process, arguing that the government should rely less on major defense contractors and purchase more "commercially available technology."
Anker’s Bluetooth Speakers Are Catching On Fire: Check This Recall
Anker's quality control hasn't been great this year. Following a recall for batteries that turned into fire hazards, Anker is recalling several Soundcore Bluetooth speakers for similar issues.
Your Year in Asana is a reminder of all the work you did (or didn’t do)
There are some things that I don't need to know, like how much money I've spent on iced oat milk lattes or the sheer number of pens I’ve purchased this year — and how many of them are already lost. (Where do they all go?) And yet, apps keep finding new ways to quantify our lives, presenting us with data we never asked for.
Enter "Your Year in Asana," a feature that turns your 2024 work habits into a highlight reel — complete with task tallies, collaboration stats, and a subtle reminder that you're either crushing it or teetering on the edge of burnout.
SEE ALSO: Don't fall for the productivity aesthetic. It's a scam.Imagine my surprise when I opened Asana today (Dec. 5), only to be greeted by this stark reminder of our capitalistic times.
Credit: Asana"Congrats!" the app says, proudly informing me how many tasks I completed this year (1,914 and counting), how much time I saved (what does that even mean?), and my most frequent collaborators. It felt less like a celebration and more like the kind of progress report you didn’t ask for but can’t ignore—complete with the subtle pressure to do even more next year.
Because, really, do I need a virtual round of applause for checking things off a to-do list? Or a reminder that my "most active day" is Wednesday, as if I need another reason to dread that day of the week? This isn't the first time Asana has launched a year-in-review product, but this year's version looks more like Spotify Wrapped, with sleeker visuals, personalized stats, and a sprinkling of celebratory flair. And the end result feels more like a work report than a playlist of greatest hits.
Credit: AsanaAsana joins apps like Spotify and YouTube that quantify our lives into shareable summaries. But while Spotify Wrapped reminds you of your favorite songs and YouTube tracks your video binges, Your Year in Asana takes a different approach — it turns your work habits into a performance review you didn’t sign up for.
It’s less about what brought you joy and more about what kept you busy, complete with stats that feel maybe a little too revealing.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedI didn’t ask for a glowing pat on the back from an algorithm for simply doing my job, but here it is — turning my work life into something shareable, whether I want it to be or not.
OpenAI announces ChatGPT Pro with a $200 monthly price tag
On the first day of launches, OpenAI gave to thee: ChatGPT Pro for hefty fees.
The new ChatGPT Pro subscription tier, available now, costs $200 a month.
On Thursday, OpenAI announced the new subscription tier as part of its "12 Days of OpenAI" extravaganza. ChatGPT Pro comes with unlimited access to its models, GPT-4o, Advanced Voice Mode, and the full version of o1 which is out of preview as of today.
Tweet may have been deletedOpenAI also unveiled o1 pro mode, which is an exclusive feature for ChatGPT Pro that can handle more compute for complex math, programming, and writing problems. OpenAI says o1 pro mode performs better on machine learning benchmarks for math, coding, and PhD-level science questions. ChatGPT Pro is built for "power users," said CEO Sam Altman. Given the level of complexity for tasks, o1 pro mode will take longer to respond, which is why it will show a progress bar.
The price hike is not entirely unexpected. According to a report from the New York Times, OpenAI is considering raising the cost of the ChatGPT Plus subscription to $44 a month over the next five years. OpenAI has ambitious (some may argue unrealistic) goals of tripling its revenue by next year and $100 billion by 2029. Users can expect to OpenAI to start milking more money out of its products. The ChatGPT maker is also considering an ad model.
As of today, o1 is fully released. The reasoning model which was previously available as a limited preview is now live for ChatGPT Plus and Teams users with Edu and Enterprise users getting access next week.
Tweet may have been deletedOpenAI says the o1 model is 50 percent faster and outperforms o1 preview on "difficult real-world questions" by 34 percent. The o1 model now supports multimodal input, meaning it can understand uploaded images. The company added that they're working on tools for web browsing and file uploads.
Less than two hours before the livestream, the announcement was leaked on X by software engineer Tibor Blaho (per TechCrunch). Blaho discovered of a page of pricing plans with information about ChatGPT Pro including price and features.
Tweet may have been deletedBlaho also leaked another page about the ChatGPT Team plan which included "limited preview of GPT-4.5" as part of its offerings. The reference has since been taken down, but it might be a hint of what's to come over the next few weeks.
Copilot Vision Is Coming To Microsoft Edge
Microsoft has introduced a preview version of Copilot Vision. It's a new AI tool for Microsoft Edge that can look at your current tab and provide answers.
How to Add a Drop-Down List to a Word Document
A drop-down list in a Microsoft Word document lets readers select from a predefined list, handy if you're building a form, quiz, or similar. Adding a drop-down list is fairly easy—here's how.
Samsung's One UI 7 Beta is Finally Here
Android 15 has been out for a while for phones such as the Google Pixel, and yet, there's a notable absence throughout the update rollout news cycle: Samsung. Now, the One UI 7 beta is finally arriving for Samsung phones, and it's packed with a lot of changes.
Why is TikTok suddenly obsessed with covering Mom Jeans Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA?
There's no real way to predict TikTok trends. If you could, you'd be both fabulously wealthy and an out-of-touch, IRL social pariah incapable of integrating into polite society. It'd be impossible to foresee, for instance, that an emo song I enjoyed in 2016 would resurface on my TikTok FYP in 2024. And yet that's exactly what's been happening with Mom Jeans and their nearly decade-old song "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA."
Now if you're unfamiliar with Mom Jeans — the band, not the style of denim slacks — they're an indie, Midwest emo band out of California. I enjoy their music, so my FYP might be a little biased, and I think "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA" is a really good song. Here's the studio version of the track, off of the 2016 album Best Buds.
So, yes, the song is good, but why are people covering an eight-year-old track on TikTok? The best reason I can decipher begins with the fact that the song has a quite nostalgic feel to it. It starts primarily with an acoustic guitar and heartfelt lyrics, then layers in a trombone and loud drums. The song also has great sing-along moments and a distinctive style, all while addressing the ideas of moving on and being content with that. Those facts in mind, the song's been used in a number of TikTok edits made to elicit nostalgia like — randomly enough — a compilation of highlights from former NFL star Todd Gurley.
I've covered the trend of indie rock soundtracking sports highlights — it's not a new trend — but the Gurley clip racked up 2.5 million views, which is an unusually high figure. And a number of recent similarly nostalgic viral videos have used "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA," so much so that there are videos reacting to the very idea of Mom Jeans being viral. I know, I know, it's all very confusing and snake-eating-its-tail, but such is the internet.
So, with the song on lots of folks' FYPs, it tracks that suddenly there'd be lots of people covering the song. And that's how we got the trend of covering a relatively obscure indie rock song from 2016. But the covers rule. My personal favorite comes from the account @pattakerhasnopats, a kid seemingly playing the song during gym class or at a sporting event while sitting in the bleachers. The background din of other teens really adds a nostalgic haze to what's already a great cover.
That cover from @pattakerhasnopats — who has just over 2,000 followers on TikTok — has racked up nearly half a million views, which is effectively an identical number to the views on Mom Jeans' most popular live version of the song on YouTube. In other words, that cover of the song has become as popular as the song itself. And it's far from the only "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA" cover racking up hundreds of thousands of views.
Every TikTok in this article is from the last month or so, and it feels as if the viral moment for the song is hitting its crescendo — basically, the moment the horns come in on "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA."
So if you enjoy this kind of music, you might see covers on your FYP for a bit longer. But soon enough, it stands to reason, you'll be looking back on this moment fondly. If only there were a song for that.
I worked as a barista for over 10 years and these are the coffee maker deals worth buying at Amazon this week
SAVE UP TO 32%: Espresso machine, coffee grinders, and coffee makers are all on sale at Amazon this week that'll save you up to 32% on premium brands like Breville and OXO.
Best coffee deals at Amazon Best espresso machine deal Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine (BES880BSS, Stainless Steel) $693.15 at Amazon (save $306.80) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer (40-ounce, Black) $237.30 at Amazon (save $101.70) Get Deal Best coffee grinder deal OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (Silver) $67.99 at Amazon (save $31.96) Get DealMy love for coffee began in college. Not only did caffeine fuel my studies, I started working as a barista during my sophomore year. I learned a ton about coffee during my time there because not only did we pull creamy espresso shots all day long, we roasted our own coffee beans. Coffee roasting is pretty magical (and precise) art that led me deep into the world of coffee, flavors, and what makes it taste so good.
While I no longer work at a coffee shop, the lessons remain: good coffee requires good equipment. (You'll also need good beans but that's an entire TED talk). Coffee is a particular thing, and while it might seem that all coffee makers and espresso machines could do the job just fine, that's not really the case. If you're looking to make coffee-house quality drinks at home, these are the deals I recommend buying at Amazon this week.
Best espresso machine deal Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine (BES880BSS, Stainless Steel) $693.15 at Amazon$999.95 Save $306.80 Get Deal Why we like it
The perfect coffee equation has several important elements with two of the top being water temperature at extraction and pressure at extraction. That's where the expertise and reliability of the Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine come into play to help take the pressure off you as an at-home barista. The Breville comes with a simple touch-screen interface so you can select your ideal drink like an Americano, latte, flat white, cappuccino, or espresso. The integrated steam wand works to create perfectly foamed milk which Breville says measures a least a million bubbles per milliliter, but we haven't been able to count that ourselves.
The Breville is currently 31% off at Amazon in the stainless steel finish, coming in at $693.15 which is the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon by a long shot.
Best coffee maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Moccamaster Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer (40-ounce, Black) $237.30 at Amazon$339.00 Save $101.70 Get Deal Why we like it
Coffee is very picky about water temperature which is why many drip coffee makers don't do the beans justice. If you're in the mood for some drip coffee that's full of flavor and neither under or over brewed, Moccamaster makes some of the most impressive machines. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, the Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer with a 40-ounce thermal carafe is on sale for $237.30, down from the typical price of $339. That's a 30% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon on this model.
With an impressive 40-ounce brewing capacity, the Moccamaster takes as little as four minutes to brew into the thermal stainless steel carafe. That means if you wake up an hour after someone brewed coffee, you'll still be treated to a hot cup.
The Moccamaster excels when it comes to precise water temperature, using a copper boiling element that heats water to a temperature between 196 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, it automatically shuts off once the water reservoir is empty.
Moccamaster also uses a unique method of coffee extraction that's similar to what you'd get with a pour-over coffee method, which includes an initial blooming of the ground coffee for a better flavor.
Best coffee grinder deal Opens in a new window Credit: OXO OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (Silver) $67.99 at Amazon$99.95 Save $31.96 Get Deal Why we like it
Great coffee beans call for using a great coffee grinder. It's likely the one in your grocery store's coffee aisle isn't all that great. Instead, you'll want a reliable burr grinder which is where the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder comes in handy. While the grinder usually costs $99.95, it's on sale at Amazon for just $67.99 which comes within $3 of the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon. To get this sale price, select the silver colorway.
With 15 grind settings and additional micro-settings, the OXO burr grinder is capable of giving you perfectly ground fresh coffee each day. Go super fine for pulling espresso shots or opt for a coarse grind for the French press. Whichever route you go, the OXO has a large-capacity hopper that can hold 16 ounces of beans. The hopper's UV-blocking tint is also designed to help keep your coffee beans fresh because light is an enemy of roasted coffee beans.
Inside, stainless steel conical burrs work hard to give you a perfect grind that's uniform in size. The one-touch timer ranges from 1 to 30 seconds, which means you can grind the exact amount you'll need.
More coffee deals that are worth your money at Amazon:OXO Brew Single Serve Pour-Over Coffee Maker — $14.39 $17.95 (save $3.56)
AeroPress Original Coffee Maker — $29.95 $39.95 (save $10)
Instant Pot Milk Frother — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)
OXO Brew Rapid Brewer — $31.99 $39.95 (save $7.96)
Bialetti Moka Express (6 cups) — $37.13 $50 (save $12.87)
OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker — $41.59 $51.95 (save $10.36)
Nespresso Vertuo Next — $104.99 $179.95 (save $74.96)
KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine — $899.99 $1,199.99 (save $300)
Hold up, this Playstation 5 controller deal is $20 off
GET $20 OFF: As of Dec. 5, you can get a PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller for just $54.99. That's 27% off the original price or $20 off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Playstation PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller $54.99 at Best Buy$74.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal
Skill at console gaming is all about controller mastery: When you know your controller you succeed, when you don't you fail. The PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller is advanced in every way. Right now you can get it for $20 off at this late Cyber Week Best Buy deal.
No matter if you're a PlayStation fan shopping for yourself, or you're looking for a present for a loved one who's a little game-obsessed, this is a deal you won't want to miss.
SEE ALSO: Give the gift of gaming with three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for under $50PlayStation is a storied system that's home to great unique games like the modern classic AstroBot, as well as cross platform hits. Whether you're into absolute immersion in the most sprawling of RPGs, or you're the teammate always reviving a fallen buddy in twitchy co-op shooters, PlayStation has games for you.
The PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller can handle it all. With two joy pads, adaptive triggers that alter their tension based on in-game actions, and advanced haptics including a gyroscope and accelerometer, this controller bridges the gap between you and the gameplay.
10 Chrome Settings I Always Keep Disabled
Using Chrome with its default settings can hinder your experience, compromise your privacy and security, and use up significant system resources. If you want to optimize your Chrome experience, improve your workflow, and protect your privacy, I recommend turning off the following features.
Tate Moderns Electric Dreams celebrates digital art before the internet
A new exhibition at London's Tate Modern, titled "Electric Dreams", looks at the period between WWII and the invention of the internet to explore the relationship between digital art and technology.
In this Mashable Original, we speak to assistant curator Odessa Warren about how artists in 20th century played with the new, cutting-edge tools that society at the time often feared.
Microsoft Copilot Vision will browse the internet with you and chat about it
Internet browsing is a "lonely experience," says Microsoft. Copilot Vision is your AI companion that can visually process what you're browsing and help you out along the way.
On Thursday, Microsoft announced a preview version of Copilot Vision for Copilot Pro subscribers. Microsoft introduced Vision in October as a solution to the problem that users have to explain what they're seeing to Copilot.
SEE ALSO: Microsoft Copilot can talk now: 3 new features that make it more like ChatGPT and Google GeminiVision sits on the bottom of your Microsoft Edge browser and, when enabled, "it sees the page you're on, it reads along with you, and you can talk through the problem you're facing together."
Vision is one of the first features to debut in Copilot Labs, its testing ground for AI projects. Labs, which has a noticeably softer and warmer look is Microsoft's way of sharing "works-in-progress" geared towards helping users with everyday tasks.
One demo shows Copilot Vision helping a user find the right place to stay, another helps a user make sense of photos of their grandmother's handwritten recipes. It can also help you out in a Minecraft game or with holiday shopping by pointing out the right products on the page.
How Copilot Vision handles privacyIf Copilot Vision reminds you of Windows Recall, Microsoft's "privacy nightmare" tool that consistently takes screenshots of your computer screen, there are several key differences. First, Vision is opt-in, so you can choose if you want to use it. Second, as soon as you end the session, you Copilot conversation is deleted. That said, "only Copilot’s responses are logged to improve our safety systems," read the announcement.
Microsoft has also thought through some of the sticky issues of web browsing when it comes to paywalled and sensitive information. Vision only works with a select set of websites for now, and it is programmed to "to not provide responses based on paywalled content," according to its FAQs page.
Crucially, Microsoft says Copilot Vision does not store or use any publisher content to train its models. Microsoft also says Vision "honors website controls for usage of their content by Copilot," which presumably means sites with robots.txt code that block web crawlers. Mashable has reached out to Microsoft for further clarification of Vision's data controls and will update this story with a response.
Starting today, Copilot Vision is rolling out to a limited set of Copilot Pro subscribers. A Copilot Pro subscription costs $20 a month.
You didnt miss it! This Xbox Series X deal is still live
GET $50 OFF: As of Dec. 5th, you can get an Xbox Series X 1TB All-digital console for $399.99. That's 12% off the original price, or $50 off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Xbox Series X 1TB All-digital Console $399.99 at Best Buy$449.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal
Cyber Monday might be coming to a close, but its not too late to blast some digital cyborgs on your dream console. The Xbox Series X 1TB All-digital is still on sale. Order now and get it for $50 off.
The Xbox Series X offers some of the best game experiences out now. Through the Xbox Store you'll be able to load up on modern classics like Cyberpunk 2077, or subscribe to Xbox Game Pass and run through unlimited titles with your friends online.
SEE ALSO: My favorite LG TV is still on sale after Cyber MondayWhether you're into deep single-player RPGs from studios like Bethesda or online co-op titles like Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, Xbox Series X is packed with content for all ages and play styles.
The All-digital edition downloads titles over your internet connection, however, the 1TB edition should have more than enough space to get started building a game library. If you need more space there are plenty of options for adding storage.
Amazon deal of the day: Slash a rare 30% off the Lego Icons Poinsettia building kit
Cyber Weekend may be gone, but many of the deals remain — especially if you're shopping at Amazon. Don't fret if you missed out on the biggest sale of the season. We've rounded up a few of the best deals still sticking around on Dec. 5.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. Check out our picks from yesterday, Dec. 4, as well. Many of those are still live, including a record-low price on the excellent Sony ULT Wear headphones.
Our top pick: Lego Icons Poinsettia building set Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons Poinsettia building kit $34.99 at Amazon$49.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal
We're huge fans of the Lego Icons Botanical collection, but like most Lego sets, they can get pretty expensive. In other words, when we see a good deal, it's always worth highlighting. As of Dec. 5, the Lego Icons Poinsettia building kit is down to just $34.99 from $49.99. That's 30% in savings and a new low price. The 608-piece set builds out into a realistic Lego interpretation of a Grande Italia poinsettia plant inside a woven basket flowerpot. You can pose the flowers however you desire and use the finished product as a centerpiece for your holiday celebrations. No maintenance required.
Shark SmoothStyle Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark SmoothStyle $69.00 at Amazon$99.99 Save $30.99 + $2.60 in Amazon credit Get Deal
Essentially a fancier version of Revlon's One-Step, the Shark SmoothStyle serves as a round hot air brush that can take your hair from wet to styled without frying it. Starting with your hair wet, you can use the three preset air temperatures to dry and style. Once it's dry, use it like a thermal brush, with one preset heated smoothing comb setting. The comb itself has ceramic-coated plates to prevent damage to your locks. It's typically $100, but you can still get it for $69 at Amazon post-Cyber Monday. That's 31% in savings and its best price ever. Plus, you'll get a $2.60 Amazon credit with your purchase.
Bose SoundLink Flex Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd gen) $119.00 at Amazon$149.00 Save $30.00 Get Deal
The small-but-mighty SoundLink Flex got an upgrade earlier this fall, making the go anywhere portable speaker even better. It features the same rugged texture, waterproof and UV light resistant build, up to 12-hour battery life, and bold sound as its predecessor. However, the latest generation streamlined the controls and offers customizable EQ in the Bose app. It's usually $149, but you can snag it on sale for $119 at Amazon as of Dec. 5. That's a 20% price drop — its first discount since its September release.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet $74.99 at Amazon$139.99 Save $65.00 Get Deal
If you're looking for a no frills tablet to browse the web, watch your favorite shows, answer some emails, or read on the go, the Amazon Fire HD 10 is still sitting at its best-ever Black Friday price. Mashable reviewer SaVanna Shoemaker says it's "lighter and faster than its predecessors, with a long battery life and vivid picture that makes it great for on-the-go entertainment." It's regularly pretty affordable at $139.99, but as of Dec. 5, you can slash the cost by 46% and pick it up for only $74.99.
Check out our full review of the Amazon Fire HD 10.
AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 Opens in a new window Credit: AeroGarden AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 $45.00 at Amazon$89.99 Save $44.99 Get Deal
Want to try growing your own herbs and veggies? The AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 is down to only $45 at Amazon, its lowest price on record, making it 50% more affordable for the curious home gardener. It's just 10.6 inches wide and 16.4 inches tall (including the adjustable light height), so it doesn't demand a ton of counter space. However, it has enough room to grow six different plants using its hydroponic system. You don't need to buy soil or nutrients; it comes with liquid plant food and otherwise just requires water. The second-generation Harvest model also features a one-button control nutrient reminder and a detachable 15W grow light.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
Its still Cyber Week for these vacation deals
It’s Thursday, Dec. 5th, and Cyber Monday is in the rear-view mirror... reflecting off our bank statements. However, if you’re thinking of booking travel, rejoice, because a few deals on hotels and cruises like Wyndham and Royal Caribbean are still live until the end of Friday.
Book quick! Because a few of these deals end today.
Best hotel dealWyndham
Opens in a new window Credit: Wyndham Wyndham Hotels Take up to 30% off hotel bookings of two+ nights and more Get Deal Why we like it:Hotels are expensive worldwide, but Wyndham’s Cyber Week sale drops the price significantly, especially on longer stays. Wyndham members get 30% off on bookings for two or more nights, or 20% off for one-nighters, including stays at vacation clubs. Non-members get something too, with 20% off on two night trips.
Stay in lavish hotels between the United States, Asia, The Middle East, and Europe; just take advantage of the savings before Friday, December 6 comes to a close.
More hotel dealsHilton: Take 20% off through April 21, 2025. Book by Jan. 5 to get the deal.
Hyatt: Get 20% off on hotels in the Americas until April 20, 2025. Book before Dec. 9 and use the code SAVENOW.
A cruise vacation is a vacation for the books, and it’s easy enough to take the whole family. Whether you’re booking a romantic getaway for two, or treating two generations of kids and grandkids to a tour of the seas, cruises are full of excitement and fun.
Book the Royal Caribbean Cyber Week sale now and take up to $750 off on your vacation, with options including Liberty of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, and more.
More cruise dealsAtlas Voyages: Take 20% off and get a $600 credit for use onboard.
Disney Cruises: Get 20% off on select cruises.
Norwegian Cruise Lines: Take 50% off on cruises. Book airfare for one and get the second ticket free. Use code CRUISEFIRST for $250.
Amazon is giving two free Kindle books to Prime members in December
GET TWO FREE KINDLE TITLES: Amazon Prime members who are signed up for the free Amazon First Reads program can select two free Kindle titles during the month of December.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Two free Kindle titles with Prime membership Non-Prime members can purchase one title for $1.99 Get DealEven if you missed Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, we're still seeing some great deals stick around. One of our favorite robot vacuums is still at a great discount, and Amazon still has some awesome sale prices sticking around. If you happen to be a Prime member and love reading, you'll also want to check out this completely free deal.
Until Dec. 31, Prime members can score one free Kindle title from the editor's selections at Amazon First Reads. Non-Prime members are eligible to snag one title for just $1.99. After that, you'll be eligible to score an additional free title from a selection of Kindle favorites. To snag this deal, you'll need to be signed up for the completely free Amazon First Reads program.
SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Snag the Sony ULT Wear headphones while they're still at Cyber Monday pricingEach month, Prime members can browse the selected titles in the First Reads program and select one for free. Non-prime members aren't totally left out through because they can purchase one title for the low price of $1.99. Typically, Amazon tosses in an additional bonus title for free, like a short story.
For the Amazon First Reads program in the month of December, Amazon has eight Kindle titles available to choose from. Bitter Passage by Colin Mills is perfect for any historical fiction fan, taking us along on a survival adventure through the Northwest Passage. Or for those who prefer thrillers, The Drowning Game by Barbara Nickless dives into the world of mega money on superyachts and the dangers that can lurk deep within.
After you choose from one of the eight First Reads titles, Amazon is treating all of us to additional free title through Dec. 31. The extra free options include 15 titles that range from a Christmas-themed short story to science fiction to a story of espionage.
Since we're not well into cozy season, it's a great time to take advantage of these free Kindle titles from the Amazon First Reads program. Not only does this month offer Prime members a free title, Amazon is tossing in another great read, too, for the low price of totally free.
Watch Nicola Coughlan and Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who Christmas special trailer
Babes, can you handle this collision of supreme talent? Nicola Coughlan, who won our hearts on Derry Girls and Bridgerton, is joining Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa for the latest Doctor Who Christmas Special, titled "Joy to the World."
Written and executive produced by former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat, this holiday special stars Coughlan as the title character, a single woman named Joy, whose quiet Christmas break in London is interrupted by a "top secret mission" with a certain wildly charismatic Time Lord (Gatwa).
SEE ALSO: 'Doctor Who' Christmas specials ranked, and where to watch themWhat else is in store? Well, double Doctors, self-reflecting drama, and....dinosaurs! Joy to the world indeed.
How to watch: Doctor Who "Joy to the World" will premiere on Disney+ Dec. 25 9:10 a.m. PST / 12:10 p.m. EST.