Technology

This $29 Adapter More Than Doubled My Laptop's Network Speed

How-To Geek - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 14:00

Is your laptop stuck in the Stone Age with standard gigabit Ethernet? Or maybe no Ethernet at all? I had that exact problem, and found the solution for just $29 with a simple 2.5G Ethernet adapter. The kicker is that you have to buy the right one.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Last chance: Grab these Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals while you still can

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 13:24
Best October Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals: Best video game deal 'Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut' (Nintendo Switch 2) $37 (save $12.99) Get Deal Best console deal Geek Squad Certified Refurbished Switch OLED Model w/ Neon Red & Neon Blue Joy-Con $269.99 (save $80) Get Deal Best accessory deal tomtoc Slim Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch 2 $27.14 (save $9.85) Get Deal

We've entered the second and final day of Prime Big Deal Days, which means the clock is ticking on your chance to grab a Nintendo Switch bargain. If you're a Switch owner, you know that Nintendo is famously stingy with discounts on its consoles and first-party games, which makes a big sales event like Prime Day one of the few times a year to save.

SEE ALSO: These 11 Prime Day gaming deals are the best and available now

We're seeing solid deals across the board, from must-play titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to must-have accessories like controllers and carrying cases. Whether you're looking to finally grab that game you've had your eye on or stock up on gifts before the holidays, now's a great time to take a look.

We've rounded up the best Nintendo Switch deals you can still get before Prime Day ends tonight. We'll be updating this list throughout the day as things sell out.

Be the first to know about the best October Prime Day deals. Follow Mashable's Prime Big Deal Days live blog and keep checking back for the latest discounts, stock alerts, and deal drops.

Best October Prime Day Nintendo Switch video game deal Opens in a new window Credit: SEGA 'Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut' (Nintendo Switch 2) $37 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $12.99 Get Deal Why we like it

If you’ve been waiting for the right excuse to dive into Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut on the Nintendo Switch 2, this price cut is exactly that. Marked down to $37 from $49.99, it’s the cheapest we’ve seen it so far, making it one of the best-value third-party titles currently on the system. (It’s also a surprisingly sharp price drop, considering this new Switch 2 version of Yakuza 0 only launched in early June.)

As a prequel to the long-running series, Yakuza 0 plunges you into the seedy underworld of late-’80s Japan, switching between the perspectives of Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima in a crime drama that’s as stylish as it is brutal. Already a fantastically fun game to begin with, the Director’s Cut layers in new cutscenes and expanded story details, offering fresh insight into its central characters, while combat gives you three unique fighting styles to swap between on the fly. There’s even a new online mode, "Red Light Raid," which lets you join forces with friends to take on wave-based enemy encounters. 

The only real caveat is that the physical version uses Nintendo’s Game-Key Card system, meaning you’ll be downloading rather than slotting in a full cartridge. Still, at this discount, it's totally worth the hassle.

More Nintendo Switch deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazons Echo Spot is back to its lowest-ever price during October Prime Day

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 13:14

SAVE OVER $30: As of Oct. 8, the Echo Spot is on sale at Amazon for $44.99, a return to its lowest-ever price. This is $35 (44%) off its list price of $79.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal

Day two of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale event has started out strong. For those who have been looking to score some sweet deals on Amazon's own devices, there's been some excellent offers popping up, including on Echo devices. The Echo Spot, in particular, has dropped back to its lowest-ever price of $44.99.

This is a 44% discount from its retail price of $79.99, which makes for $35 in savings. Every color of the Echo Spot is marked down to this price as well, so you can choose between the glacier white, black, or ocean blue models to find the option that feels like the best fit for your home.

SEE ALSO: 200+ October Prime Day deals: Save on Apple, Samsung, Sony and Lego

Not only is the Echo Spot a sweet little speaker to have around, but it's a smart alarm clock that comes with Alexa. Alongside being able to see the time, of course, it also allows you to check the weather, see song titles if you're playing music, or even check reminders. With Alexa's help you can even control compatible smart home devices through it.

Today's the last day of the Prime Big Deal Days sale event, so now is as good a time as any to jump on this Echo Spot deal while it's still back at its lowest-ever price.

Alongside this Echo Spot deal, there's plenty more great discounts to explore during the October Prime Day sale. Have a look at our live blog to see updates on the best deals that have caught our eye.

Categories: IT General, Technology

55 deals from Best Buys Techtober Sale that match or beat Amazons Prime Day prices

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 13:01

Amazon can never run a sale all by itself. As the retail giant hosts its annual Prime Big Deal Days event from Oct. 7 to 8, Best Buy is having a competing "Techtober Sale" that's live through Oct. 12.

A Best Buy representative tells me via email that the weeklong event includes "some of the hottest deals this fall on tech like laptops, TVs, headphones, video games, electric bikes and more." New markdowns get added to the sale every day, and all featured deals are available online, in the Best Buy mobile app, and in stores.

Best Buy's best anti-Prime Day deals at a glance: Best Apple deal Apple AirTag $19.99 (save $9.01) Get Deal Best Windows laptop deal Asus Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $579.99 (save $420) Get Deal Best TV deal TCL 75-inch QM5K 4K QD-Mini LED TV $599.99 (save $600) Get Deal Best streaming device deal Roku Streaming Stick 4K $29.99 (save $20) Get Deal Best vacuum deal iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max + AutoWash Dock $599.99 (save $800) Get Deal

Amazon has been hosting a two-day fall savings event for members of its Prime program every year since 2022 — and every year since 2022, Best Buy has held its own concurrent sale. (Previously, it came in the form of a 48-Hour Flash Sale.) Best Buy also times a savings event to run alongside Amazon's big flagship Prime Day sale in July, so this sort of counter-programming is par for the course.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day 2025: Live updates on the top deals

Best Buy isn't the only retailer giving Amazon a run for its money this month. Walmart is having a "Walmart Deals" event from Oct. 7 to 12, and Target is hosting one of its Circle Week sales from Oct. 5 to 11. Notably, Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days is the only event that locks its deals behind a paid membership.

I've spent several hours combing through the Techtober Sale to find the deals worth buying from Best Buy instead of Amazon this week. So far, I've identified over five dozen products that are either price-matched or cheaper at Best Buy, or only available on sale there. That's either because Amazon doesn't carry the item (see: my beloved Asus Zenbook A14, now just $580) or because it sold out on Amazon (see: the iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max + AutoWash Dock, now just $600).

I've listed my Techtober Sale findings below, and I'm planning on refreshing them as new deals pop up throughout the week; check back soon. As of Oct. 8, Amazon is now undercutting its rival on most AirPods, Apple Watches, Microsoft Surface devices (save for a keyboard bundle), and a couple of Hisense and Samsung TVs. However, Best Buy has lowered the prices of a couple iPads to match their Prime Day deals, and I still like its selection of Windows laptop deals better overall.

Best Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag $19.99 at Best Buy
$29 Save $9.01 Get Deal Why I like it

Apple's coin-shaped Bluetooth tracker seamlessly connects with iOS devices and lasts up to a year on a single charge. Amazon put individual AirTags on sale for the record-low price of $19.99 mid-Monday morning, before Prime Big Deal Days began, but only because Best Buy offered that deal first at the onset of its Techtober Sale. (Trendsetter!) I'll also note that a four-pack of AirTags is marked down to $64.99 at both retailers, making them $16.25 apiece if you'd rather buy some in bulk.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple AirTag.

Apple Watch dealsiPad dealsMacBook dealsBest Windows laptop deal

Note: Paid My Best Buy members (Plus and Total) get a $50 bonus reward when they spend at least $499 on select Windows laptops.

Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $579.99 at Best Buy
$999.99 Save $420 Get Deal Why I like it

The ultrathin and feathery light Asus Zenbook A14 is my favorite ultraportable. It's the fastest sub-$1,000 Windows laptop I've tried, and its svelte 2.4-pound frame (0.3 pounds lighter than a 13-inch M4 MacBook Air!) houses a good mix of ports and a vibrant OLED display. Plus, it lasts almost 22 hours per charge. Best Buy's massive Techtober discount turns it into a great option for budget buyers: The Zabriskie beige base model with a Snapdragon X Plus chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage is only $579.99, or 42% off. It's never been cheaper.

More Windows laptop deals2-in-1 laptop dealsGaming laptop dealsChromebook dealsBest TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 75-inch QM5K 4K QD-Mini LED TV $599.99 at Best Buy
$1,199.99 Save $600 Get Deal Why I like it

At 50% off, Best Buy's discount on this oversized mini-LED TV with a variable 144Hz refresh rate is the kind of deal I wouldn't expect to see until Black Friday really gets underway. Mini-LED TVs are great if you care about stark contrast but don’t have an OLED-level budget. The variety of dimming zones you get from a mini-LED TV make it better at showing deep blacks and sharp, dark details than your average QLED display. This particular TCL model comes with built-in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and it's not sold on Amazon (though a newer model is $749.99 there, down from $999.99).

43-inch TV deals50- to 58-inch TV deals65-inch TV dealsDeals on 75-inch TVs and biggerStreaming device dealsBest vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max + AutoWash Dock $599.99 at Best Buy
$1,399.99 Save $800 Get Deal Why I like it

The Roomba Combo 10 Max is the fanciest mopping robovac in iRobot's lineup, and the one my colleague Leah Stodart recommends for pet owners. Its small obstacle avoidance technology works like a charm, it recleans stubborn stains, and it can wash and dry its own mopping pad. It's expensive at full price, which is why Stodart says to "absolutely wait until it goes on sale for $999." Thanks to Best Buy, it's far cheaper right now — only $599.99 (usually $1,399.99), or a whopping 57% off.

More robot vacuum dealsStick vacuum deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

You can save $170 on the Sonos Arc Ultra — one of the very best soundbars right now — for Prime Day

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 12:56

SAVE $170: As of Oct. 8, the Sonos Arc Ultra is on sale for $929 at Amazon. That's a 15% savings for this premium soundbar.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar $929 at Amazon
$1,099 Save $170 Get Deal

When you're putting together a topnotch home cinema, literally nothing comes cheap. Not the smart TV, the 4K Blu-ray player, nor the soundbar. That's why days like today — the final day of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, aka October Prime Day — are days to relish and take advantage of, with mega discounts on top end tech and smart devices.

And if you are looking for a deal on hone cinema gear, in this case a soundbar, there's a sweet sound deal on arguably one of the best soundbars ever, the Sonos Arc Ultra.

As of Oct. 8, the Sonos Arc Ultra is on sale at Amazon for $929, a mark down of 15% from the usual list price of $1,099. This is the last day of the two-day sale event, which has run from Oct.7-8, so don't miss it. You can read our full review of the Sonos Arc Ultra for more details of what it can do.

Sure, it's not cheap even when discounted but when you're buying at this premium level, a discount of $170 is actually pretty significant and much welcome when you factor in the overall cost of a home cinema set-up.

And this soundbar is built specifically for that home cinema experience, with support for Dolby Atmos surround sound, Sound Motion technology that promises to fill every inch of the room, a dialogue enhancement feature, and bassy performance even without an addition subwoofer.

Indeed, you'll be impressed at the level of immersion — and sheer volume — that this soundbar can deliver. It also works as a smart speaker, connecting with other Sonos speakers and offering voice assistant.

Today is the final day of the Prime Big Deal Days, so this price is only available for a limited time. Pick up the Sonos Arc Ultra now for just $929, a saving of $170. 

Be the first to know about the best October Prime Day deals. Follow Mashable's Prime Big Deal Days live blog and keep checking back for the latest discounts, stock alerts, and deal drops.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Dont sleep on this Dyson fan and heater deal — save 40% on the last day of Prime Day

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 12:56

SAVE 40%: It's October Prime Day 2 and the deals just keep rolling in! As of Oct. 8, you can get the Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus (AM09) for $299.99, down from $499.99. That's a 40% discount and $200 savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus (AM09) $299.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $200 Get Deal

It's the final day of Prime Big Deal Days, so this is your last call for the truly great deals. Dyson discounts are few and far between, but this 40% markdown on the Hot+Cool Jet Focus (AM09) heater and fan deal is one of the best I've seen yet.

Right now, you can get the Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus (AM09) heater and fan for just $299.99, down from $499.99. Not only is this a $200 price cut, but it's the lowest price we've seen on this particular model in years. Its lowest tracked price on record is $239.99, as of 2016.

SEE ALSO: There are solid Dyson deals live during October Prime Day, but not all are at Amazon

The best thing about this gadget is that it's useful year-round. In the winter, its ceramic plates heat up fast to warm your room, and in the summer, the Air Multiplier technology creates a powerful, uninterrupted stream of cool air. This way, you don't have to swap out your space heaters for ACs and vice versa. It also has a sleep timer that can be set for up to nine hours and oscillates up to a 70-degree angle. Plus, the remote is magnetized and sticks right to the top of the machine, which is a genius touch that means you'll (probably) never lose it.

But before you buy, a very important heads-up: This model functions as a fan and a heater, but it's not an air purifier. (Dyson's naming can be confusing.) If you're looking for a machine that also filters allergens and dust out of the air, the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 (HP10) is your best bet. It's currently on sale for $399.99, down from $579.99. That's just 99 cents more than its all-time low of $399, which we last saw around Black Friday 2024.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 (HP10) $399.99 at Amazon
$579.99 Save $180 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Walmart has major deals up to 75% off today — yes, the same time as Prime Day

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 12:49
Best Walmart deals Best tech deal Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G55C Curved Gaming Monitor $179 (Save $70) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Keurig K-Mini Plus $48 (Save $61) Get Deal Best home deal Shark Detect Clean & Auto Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum System $94 (Save $285) Get Deal

When a new Prime Day sale gets announced, it's just a matter of time until other retailers get in on the savings. Walmart has officially kicked off a week of savings, conveniently running at the same time as Prime Big Deal Days, aka Amazon's October Prime Day, that runs Oct. 7 and 8.

Walmart doesn't have a flashy mouthful of a title to the sale like Prime Big Deal Days, and in all honesty, their sale is not nearly as expansive as Amazon. That being said, there are some real gems. Plus, unlike Prime Big Deal Days or Target's Circle Week, which require you to be a member of the brand's insider program to shop the deals, you don't need to be a Walmart+ member to shop.

Now that the sale has officially kicked off, we're digging in to find the best deals Walmart is running during its anti-Prime Day sale. Here's what we found.

Best tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G55C Curved Gaming Monitor $179 at Walmart
$249 Save $70 Get Deal Why we like it

The first wave of Walmart deals are slim pickings, but we found a gem with this Samsung gaming monitor. The curved gaming monitor spans 27 inches and with a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response, it provides ultra smooth displays. It features AMD FreeSync technology, to prevent image tearing and HDR10 supports a luminous background.

The Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G55C curved gaming monitor is down to $179 at Walmart, saving $70 off its $249 price tag. That saves you 28%, not to mention, it's about $20 cheaper than a similar model listed on Amazon.

More tech dealsBest kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Keurig Keurig K-Mini Plus $48 at Walmart
$109 Save $61 Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon sets the bar on low prices, so we don't expect other retailers to necessarily beat theirs. However, we are pleased when Walmart matches Amazon's deals. Right now, the Keurig K-Mini Plus, a small but reliable coffee maker, is down to $48 at Walmart. That matches Amazon's price, which is the lowest price on this machine. That saves you $61 off of its usual $109 MSRP.

More kitchen dealsBest home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Detect Clean & Auto Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum System $94 at Walmart
$379 Save $285 Get Deal Why we like it

Who said robot vacuums were the only ones with auto-emptying capabilities? The Shark Detect cordless vacuum, automatically empties the vacuum once it's docked, allowing it to charge and be ready for its next clean. Plus, right now it's received an insane discount of 75%. Grab this Shark cordless vacuum for just $94, saving $285 off its normal $379.

More home dealsWhen is Walmart's anti-Prime Day sale?

Walmart's anti-Prime Day sale kicked off on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 12 AM ET. It will run for a full week, wrapping up on Oct. 12. That's much longer than Prime Big Deal Days which will run for just 48 hours on Oct. 7 and 8.

Walmart's sale actually started a bit earlier for Walmart+ members, who could start shopping the sale Oct. 6 at 7 PM ET.

Do you need to be a Walmart+ member to shop?

This time, you don't need to be a Walmart+ member to shop the seller's deals. The deals will be available to all shoppers on Oct. 7, however, members do get a head start. Walmart+ members can start shopping Walmart's deals on Oct. 6.

This sale is different from Walmart+ Week, which is a members only event and rather than focusing on product deals, it's centered on special services.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Daily Show reacts to Trump awkwardly dodging a question about Ghislaine Maxwell

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 12:40

Despite desperately wanting to distance himself from Jeffrey Epstein, the president doesn't seem to want to help himself when he's asked questions relating to the sex offender and his accomplices.

During a recent press event in the White House to discuss his approval of a road in Alaska, the president was asked about whether or not he'd consider pardoning convicted sex trafficker and Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell — to which he first said "who are we talking about?" before adding "I haven't heard the name in so long."

"I haven't heard the name in so long?" says an exasperated Daily Show host Josh Johnson in the clip above. "She's not asking you about the Baha Men. You're over here being like, 'Who, who, who, who?'"

Next, Johnson plays a clip of Trump responding to the pardoning question with "I'm gonna have to take a look at it."

"Hey man," says Johnson. "Maybe when you hear the words 'child sex trafficking', the next thing you say shouldn't be 'I'm gonna look at it.' Alright?"

Categories: IT General, Technology

Finally, an iPad Keyboard That Feels Like Typing on Apple's Magic Keyboard

How-To Geek - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 12:00

Satechi’s OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand has great keys for typing, but its strength of being unconnected to a tablet might also be its weakness. Anyone looking for a part-time keyboard is in for a treat. But if you want a long-term commitment, you should look at a dedicated keyboard case.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Prime Big Deal Days day two earbuds deals are here: Get Sony ANC earbuds for $78

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 11:56
Best earbuds deals ahead of October Prime Day Best Amazon deal Amazon Echo Buds with ANC $34.99 (save $85) Get Deal Best AriPods deal Apple AirPods 4 $89 (save $40) Get Deal Best Beats deal Beats Flex $39.95 (save $30) Get Deal Best Anker Soundcore deal Soundcore by Anker P20i $18.99 (save $21) Get Deal Best TREBLAB deal TREBLAB X3 Pro $47.97 (save $12) Get Deal Best Bose deal Bose QuietComfort with ANC $129 (save $50) Get Deal Best Sony Deal Sony WF-C710N Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds $78 (save $49.01) Get Deal

We're on day two of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days (aka October Prime Day) is here, and the earbud deals are holding strong. Great offers on both noise-canceling and open-earbud options are hanging around in the last 24 hours of the sale.

Amazon still has its noise-cancelling Echo Buds marked down an impressive 71%. The Apple AirPods 4 are also holding strong at a record low of $89. (The last time we saw them at this price was July's Prime Day event.)

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day 2025: Live updates on the top deals

You'll find these deals, plus more of the best we've seen so far, below. We'll be updating this list throughout the October Prime Day sales event.

Best October Prime Day noise-cancelling earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Buds with ANC $34.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $85 Get Deal Why we like it

A 71% discount is a biggie, and a deal this steep can only mean one thing: Prime Day. But even without the massive markdown, these are a great pair of earbuds. They're IPX4 sweat-resistant, have Alexa built-in, and offer up to 15 hours of battery life. The noise cancellation is top-notch thanks to the sealed in-ear design, and the seamless device switching is ideal for jumping between work calls on your laptop and music on your phone.

More October Prime Day earbuds deals

Be the first to know about the best October Prime Day deals. Follow Mashable's Prime Big Deal Days live blog and keep checking back for the latest discounts, stock alerts, and deal drops.

Looking for more October Prime Day audio deals? Check out our guide to the top Prime Big Deal Days headphones deals.
Categories: IT General, Technology

Jimmy Kimmel presents his own damning research into Trump and Epstein

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 11:41

There may be a lot of things going on in the US, but the subject of the president's friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is one that refuses to go away.

Attorney General Pam Bondi recently faced more questions about the Epstein files, and the president himself refused to rule out pardoning convicted child sex trafficker and Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.

After playing footage of the president denying that he wrote the now infamous birthday book letter to Epstein, arguing that "it's not the way I speak," Jimmy Kimmel decided to present some research of his own.

"It's an interesting statement," Kimmel says in the clip above. "'It's not the way I speak, and anybody that's covered me for a long time knows that's not my language.' Now, we've been covering Donald Trump for what feels like a very, very long time. And in the interest of fairness, we decided to do a bit of research to see maybe he's right. Does he use the words and phrases that are used in that letter? That's not for me to say, it's for you to decide for yourselves."

Cue a grim montage of footage showing Trump using pretty much all the same phrases that appear in the infamous birthday book.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The affordable Tesla is here. But is it a good deal?

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 11:33

After a long, long wait, the "affordable" Tesla is here.

Unsurprisingly, it's not a new model; instead, Tesla launched cheaper, stripped down variants of the Model Y and Model 3.

The new variants are dubbed "Standard" and are similar in what they offer — a $5,000 price reduction for the Model Y, a $5,500 reduction for the Model 3, and a number of features missing.

The lineup for both cars now consists of three basic variants: Standard, Premium (which was previously called Long Range), and Performance. The Premium and Performance trims are the same as before, both in terms of features and pricing. So what do you get (or, better said, what do you lose) when opting for the Standard trim?

Are these truly the cheapest Teslas?

First, let's talk about the prices.

The new trims come right after the Trump administration killed the federal tax credit for electric cars, which reduced the price of most EVs by up to $7,500. This isn't Tesla's fault – though there's something to be said about CEO Elon Musk's relentless support for Trump ahead of the election and in the early days of the administration. But there's no getting around the fact that, for most buyers in the U.S., even these "affordable" Teslas are more expensive than before.

If we pretended that the tax credit didn't matter, a $5,000 and $5,500 price reduction could be alright if you didn't lose a lot in terms of features. Sadly, this is also not the case.

The long, harrowing list of missing features

The list of differences for the Standard and Premium trims is painfully long and thorough. Some of the key features, such as range and acceleration, are greatly impacted. Focusing on the Model Y, and comparing with the next cheapest model, the Premium Rear-Wheel Drive, you get:

  • lower range (321 vs 357 miles)

  • slower acceleration (6.8 vs 5.4 seconds from 0-60mph)

  • slower charging (up to 160 miles in 15 minutes of Supercharging vs up to 182 miles in 15 minutes of Supercharging)

  • 7 speakers and no subwoofer vs. 15 speakers and 1 subwooer

  • no FM/AM radio

  • 18-inch Aperture Wheels vs. 19-inch Crossflow wheels

  • no second-row touchscreen

  • no panoramic glass roof

  • no LED lightbar

  • less advanced shock absorbers

  • no autosteer

  • manual folding side-view mirrors

  • manually adjusted steering wheel

  • no extended storage in the center console

  • no ambient lighting

  • no adaptive high beams

  • no first-row ventilated seats

  • no second-row heated seats

  • textile and vegan leather combo for the seats vs. vegan leather only

  • no HEPA filter

We skipped a few minor details; for the full list use the "Compare Models" feature on Tesla's website. But the list above will probably make any buyer reconsider going for the cheapest option. Yes, stuff like glass roof and the second-row touchscreen are desirable but perhaps not essential. But you also get a significantly smaller battery, slower acceleration, and a bumpier ride. It's hard to justify such a long list of missing features with a price that's just $5k away from the next model.

At least the Standard Model 3 looks almost the same as the Premium trim. Credit: Tesla

For the Model 3, the list of differences between Standard and Premium is very similar, and also includes less range and slower acceleration. In fact, the difference in range is even bigger, given that the Standard trim offers an EPA estimated 321 miles of range, while the Premium Rear-Wheel Drive has 363 miles. The price reduction is slightly more generous at $5,500, and the starting price of $36,990 will probably compel some buyers to look into this trim, especially if they don't need lots of range. It's still not a great deal; you simply lose too much by going Standard over Premium.

SEE ALSO: The cheapest Cybertruck model has disappeared from Tesla's website

I don't think these new entries into Tesla's lineup will be revolutionary in any way, but at least the burning question of what the affordable Teslas will be like is finally answered. Tesla has a history of introducing affordable models before phasing them out, and I wouldn't be too surprised if this happened to these new trims, too. We'll keep an eye on a potential international launch of these new models; perhaps the pricing will be different globally.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save $400 on the Philips 3200 automatic espresso machine on Prime Day — its lowest ever price

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 11:15

SAVE $400: As of Oct. 8, the Philips 3200 automatic espresso machine is on sale for $399.99 at Amazon. That's a 50% savings and the lowest-ever price for this appliance.

Opens in a new window Credit: Philips Philips 3200 automatic espresso machine $399.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $400 Get Deal

For coffee lovers, a morning without coffee is absolutely unimaginable. It’s not about just having a taste for the black stuff — it’s a state of mind, a whole lifestyle choice. In other words: A coffee machine is one of life's essentials. Like running water or electricity — not quite coffee on tap, but certainly coffee at the push of a button for sure. 

The kicker, of course, is that the good coffee machines don’t come cheap. Thankfully though, we’re in the thick of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, aka October Prime Day. The knockdown sale event has been running Oct. 7-8 and kicks off the holiday shopping season. And if you’re a coffee lover looking for a deal, there’s a major discount on the Philips 3200 Series fully automatic espresso machine. 

As of Oct. 8 16, the Philips 3200 Series fully automatic espresso machine is on sale at Amazon for $399.99, marked down from the regular list price of $799.99. That's an impressive 50% discount — a savings of $400 — and its lowest ever price.

You don’t need to be a barista to use it, though pro coffee makers will appreciate the performance of this machine and the quality of drinks it produces.  

It can make five types of coffee with its intelligent brewing system — latte, Americano, espresso, cappuccino, or latte macchiato — and offers customizable features. You can adjust temperature, strength, volume, and the size of the coffee grinds.  

It comes with a ceramic grinder built in, plus an integrated LatteGo milk frother, which uses high-speed frothing to give you perfectly formed micro foam. 

Today is the final day of the Prime Big Deal Days, so this all-time low price won’t be available for long. Grab the Philips 3200 Series fully automatic espresso machine now for just $399.99, an incredible saving of $400. 

Be the first to know about the best October Prime Day deals. Follow Mashable's Prime Big Deal Days live blog and keep checking back for the latest discounts, stock alerts, and deal drops.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation are at their lowest-ever price in Primes Big Deal Days

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 11:10

SAVE $85: As of Oct. 8, the Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation are on sale for $34.99 at Amazon. That's a 71% savings on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation $34.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $85 Get Deal

It's day two of Prime Day, and the discounts are showing no signs of slowing down just yet. From brand new lows on MacBooks to TV deals you just can't ignore, it's been an unbelievable event of savings. And one deal we can't help but spotlight is the Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation. This deal is so good, it's our best noise-cancellation earbuds deal.

Why is it our top pick, you ask? Well, how does 71% off sound? Yep, as of Oct. 8, these impressive earbuds are reduced by $85, taking the price down to $34.99. This is the lowest price they've been all year, even surpassing the July Prime Day.

For under $35, you really can't go wrong, but even without the low price, these are a great option. Sound quality is second to none, with the in-ear seal and ANC helping to reduce background noise, while audio personalization lets you adjust the sound to suit your hearing preferences. They also have a feature called multipoint pairing, which lets you stay connected to two devices at once and switch between them easily.

And while they may be small and lightweight, they're also IPX4 sweat-resistant, so they're a perfect companion for workouts or runs. And, as expected from an Amazon product, they have Alexa built in, so you can listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks hands-free, as well as make calls, set reminders, and more.

For battery life, expect five hours per charge, with 15 hours total using the case, and a 15-minute charge adds around two more hours of playback.

Get this Prime Day earbud deal from the Amazon website now.

Be the first to know about the best October Prime Day deals. Follow Mashable's Prime Big Deal Days live blog and keep checking back for the latest discounts, stock alerts, and deal drops.

Categories: IT General, Technology

A spacecraft snagged its first photo of an interstellar comet. See it now.

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 11:00

As a visitor from another solar system made its closest approach to Mars on Friday, two spacecraft in orbit around the Red Planet turned to look. 

The European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and Mars Express took photos of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passed within 19 million miles in space. That might seem extremely far, but astronomers say it's a closeup on the cosmic scale. 

Only one of them got lucky during the photo session.

What makes 3I/ATLAS special is that it didn't come from the vast population of comets that circle the sun. It's a true outsider, born around another star in the Milky Way and later flung out of its home system, maybe by a giant planet or star. After wandering for hundreds of millions of years, this icy traveler has finally entered our part of the galaxy. 

And it won't be sticking around for long. When NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System telescope discovered the comet on July 1, the object was traveling 137,000 mph. Since then, astronomers have known it's moving far too fast to get captured by the sun's gravity, meaning it's just passing through.

"This was a very challenging observation," said Nick Thomas, who leads the ExoMars camera team, in a statement. "The comet is around 10,000 to 100,000 times fainter than our usual target."

SEE ALSO: NASA astronaut class appears to be first without Black recruits in 40 years The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter took a photo of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it flew by Mars on Oct. 3, 2025. Credit: ESA / TGO / CaSSIS

Both European orbiters aimed their cameras at the comet, but only one succeeded. That's because their instruments were built to take pictures of Mars' bright surface at relatively close range, not to capture faint faraway specks. 

While the ExoMars orbiter captured the tiny white splotch zipping by, Mars Express' shorter exposure times posed more challenges in getting the shot. Researchers haven't given up, though, and are working to extract the faint signal from those images. 

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ExoMars' pictures reveal the comet's bright center surrounded by a glowing cloud of gas and dust called a coma. The orbiter couldn't make out the comet's nucleus. The tail also wasn't visible, though scientists suspect it may brighten as 3I/ATLAS nears the sun and becomes more active. 

Comets are frozen mixtures of rock, ice, and dust that come alive when sunlight heats them, releasing glowing gas and debris that form their trademark tails. The native ones are believed to be leftover ingredients from the solar system's formation 4.6 billion years ago. Astronomers have catalogued more than 4,000 so far, though countless others likely skulk far beyond Neptune, either in the Kuiper Belt or the Oort Cloud, a vast shell of icy remnants about 50 times farther from the sun.

Earlier observations revealed that 3I/ATLAS contains dust much like that found in local comets, hinting that the basic recipe for making planets may be similar around other stars.

ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer spacecraft — aka Juice — will try to see the comet in November. Credit: ESA infographic

This is only the third confirmed interstellar comet. The first, the elongated and exotic 'Oumuamua, zipped through the solar system in 2017. Two years later came 2I/Borisov, which looked and behaved more like a regular comet.

Recent research suggests 3I/ATLAS may have been born in an older region of the galaxy populated by much older stars. If so, the comet itself could be more than 7 billion years old — almost twice the age of this solar system.

Despite its breakneck speed, 3I/ATLAS poses no danger to Earth. The closest it will come is about 170 million miles away — and on the other side of the sun. 

Then, after the comet emerges from the glare next month, ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer spacecraft — aka Juice — will try to see the comet as well. Researchers are hopeful that it will deliver detailed images and data since the comet will be at its most active, glowing with a bright halo and enormous tail.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your parenting strategy is better than YouTube — a lifetime of Pok Pok is just $48

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 11:00

TL;DR: Smart parents know screen time doesn’t have to mean overstimulation or guilt. Pok Pok offers Montessori-inspired, offline educational play for just $47.99 (MSRP $250) for lifetime access.

We are parenting in very tricky times. You don’t just hand over a screen and hope for the best. You think about what your child is engaging with — and how it shapes their development.

That’s why Pok Pok is the kind of app parents in the know choose.

For a one-time payment of $47.99 (MSRP $250) through Nov. 2 with code PLAY, you can give your child access to Pok Pok’s Montessori-inspired digital playroom.

It’s ad-free, calming, beautifully designed, and built to support kids’ cognitive, social, and emotional development — all while giving you peace of mind.

Pok Pok isn’t a “keep them quiet” app. It’s a thoughtfully crafted digital toy box designed by parents and early childhood experts for kids aged 2–8. It turns screens into a place of exploration, not distraction.

  • Montessori-inspired: Hands-on, self-paced, curiosity-driven play that sparks creativity.

  • Grows with your child: Open-ended toys offer new layers of discovery as kids get older.

  • Calm and beautiful: Hand-drawn art and gentle soundscapes create a stress-free environment.

  • Offline and ad-free: No pop-ups, no upsells, no sneaky tactics.

  • Culturally inclusive: A diverse world that reflects real families.

  • Regular updates: New toys and seasonal content keep it fresh.

This isn’t passive entertainment — it’s meaningful engagement.

Kids naturally explore, create, and problem-solve without needing levels, menus, or instructions. And when it’s time to stop? No tantrums. Seriously.

Get lifetime access to Pok Pok while it’s on sale for just $47.99 (MSRP $250) with code PLAY through Nov. 2.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

ChatGPT can now recommend and buy products. So, what happens to product reviewers?

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 11:00

OpenAI recently launched Instant Checkout in ChatGPT, giving the AI chatbot the ability to both recommend and purchase products for users.

In the world Sam Altman and OpenAI imagine, ChatGPT acts as your personal shopper, travel planner, secretary, life coach, and tutor. And Instant Checkout brings us one step closer to that vision. But whether you realize it or not, those shopping recommendations are being cribbed straight from shopping journalists, product reviewers, and vloggers. Take away those human voices, and ChatGPT will be left with nothing but its hallucinations.

In the world of agentic AI and large-language models, human voices are becoming more important, not less. Yet those human voice are in danger of being drowned out entirely.

As one of those human voices (I'm a long-time journalist and product reviewer), I obviously stand to lose if people turn to ChatGPT over traditional media. But I don't think ChatGPT users realize just how much the chatbot depends on journalists, authors, and human creators of all kinds.

Instant Checkout is a coup for OpenAI

The Instant Checkout feature is a smart move by OpenAI. The inability of agentic AI tools to actually add items to your cart and purchase them has been a major limitation. Rumor has it, Amazon isn't thrilled about the prospect of rival AI bots replacing actual human shoppers. It would certainly threaten Amazon's lucrative advertising business, as brands pay billions each year to appear at the top of Amazon search results. Take away the human visitors, and you take away those ad dollars.

Yet by working directly with Shopify merchants for Instant Checkout, OpenAI has done an end-run around Amazon and other retailers. It's quite the coup for the company, and soon ChatGPT will be able to make purchases from 1 million merchants, without users ever leaving ChatGPT.

Since ChatGPT can't test a pair of headphones, set up a robot vacuum, or compare the taste of two espresso machines, how does it decide which product to recommend?

The same way ChatGPT knows anything — by scraping vast amounts of data from the internet.

The process is invisible to the end user, but LLMs like ChatGPT are trained on countless product reviews, YouTube video transcripts, and human-written content — including content from Mashable. To win the AI arms race, AI companies are ingesting all the content they can find, and they're doing this precisely because human-created content is so valuable.

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)

This copyrighted content is taken without permission or payment. In any other context, we call that stealing. And you don't steal something unless it has value.

AI companies are chipping away at the foundation of the internet economy

There's a catch-22 built into the AI industry. Chatbots like Gemini and ChatGPT are taking away the clicks, views, revenue, and advertising that publishers, journalists, YouTube creators, and other experts depend on. By laying claim to the sum of human knowledge and scraping the internet in the process, the AI industry is chipping away at the very foundation of the internet economy. If ChatGPT and Google can steal and summarize every single article published on sites like Mashable, then users never need to leave ChatGPT and visit our site. Already, many indie publishers and blogs are dying as the web changes. The Columbia Journalism Review calls it the Traffic Apocalypse.

But here's the catch: If the AI industry removes the incentive for real humans and journalists to publish new content online, then eventually the chatbots will run out of content for training. You may enjoy turning to ChatGPT for product recommendations or recipes, but those recommendations only have value if ChatGPT can keep absorbing the latest recipe blogs, cookbooks, and YouTube cooking videos.

So, how will AI chatbots provide answers in a post-human information economy? We have some idea.

Elon Musk has made it very clear that he believes X and Grok users can replace traditional journalism altogether. He's working on a Grokpedia right now. Instead of getting news from human journalists, with all their imperfections, Grok will simply scrape X to see what's happening in the world.

Meanwhile, Google is investing heavily in a partnership with Reddit. Reddit's visibility in Google Search has increased dramatically, and clearly, Google thinks Reddit will be a valuable source of training data for Gemini and AI Overviews.

Let's be clear: A world in which X and Reddit users are the primary source of information is a world on a direct collision course with the Idiocracy timeline — and I say that as a user of both platforms.

The irreplaceable power of human connection

No matter what the techno-utopians in Silicon Valley might think, there's still no replacement for actual human experience.

Already, we're seeing the limits of chatbots when they can't simply scrape the answer from human sources. During the Charlie Kirk shooting, AI chatbots struggled to provide answers to the most basic questions — like, "Is Charlie Kirk alive?" — and it's easy to see why. The event was so new that LLMs couldn't accurately predict the answers to users' questions.

We'll see the same problem when a new product launches. After the iPhone 17 Pro launch, reviewers and customers quickly discovered that the new aluminum body of the phone was extremely prone to scratching — exactly the kind of first-hand experience you need when making a purchasing decision.

Vivek Shah, the CEO of Mashable publisher Ziff Davis, recently tackled this topic in an appearance on the Channel media podcast. He summarized how many journalists feel about the AI era, when every word you write can (and almost certainly will be) taken by a chatbot.

"I think in the end, as humans, we read, we listen, we watch, at least in the context of content and media," Shah said. "And I still think we prefer words and sounds and videos from humans. Do I think that the robots will eat into some of that? I do. I think the real question is when do we crave a human voice?"

Shah added, "But I think that if the robot distillation takes away voice and tone and narrative and sources and all the things that I think make human-created content great, I think you’re going to want to go and dig in deeper."

And what about topics that demand in-depth investigation? AI chatbots can't interview sources. They can't contact experts. They can't call bullshit. They can only scrape, predict, and summarize, with a healthy side serving of ego stroking. That's a valuable skillset, no doubt, but it's also a very limited one.

The goal of most apps is simple — to keep your attention on the app for as long as possible (hence, the ego stroking).

And ChatGPT is very good at holding your attention. But as AI chatbots take on a larger role in society, don't forget to step outside the ecosystem.

It's worth remembering that ChatGPT depends on journalists and reviewers to answer your questions — and sites like Mashable depend on you.

This article reflects the opinion of the writer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Mac + classic Microsoft Office = lifetime productivity for $40

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 11:00

TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office 2019 Home & Business for Mac for the one-time payment of $39.97 (MSRP $229) through Oct. 19.

In reality, not everyone needs the newest AI bells and whistles to write a report, crunch some numbers, or put together a clean, killer presentation. If all you really want is a reliable, full-featured version of Microsoft Office that won’t keep charging you monthly, this deal is your guy.

You can get Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for just $39.97 (MSRP $229) through Oct. 19. It’s a one-time purchase that gives you lifetime access to the essential suite of Microsoft apps.

This version of Office has been optimized for modern Macs, with Retina display support, full-screen view, scroll bounce, and a refreshed interface. It includes everything most people actually use daily:

  • Word 2019 – the classic word processor for everything from essays to business reports

  • Excel 2019 – spreadsheets, charts, pivot tables, and all the core formulas you know and love

  • PowerPoint 2019 – create clean, professional presentations

  • Outlook 2019 – reliable email and calendar tools for staying organized

  • OneNote 2019 – your digital notebook for work or personal projects

  • Teams Classic 2019 – collaborate easily when you need to

This license connects to your Microsoft Account (not your device), and you’ll get instant delivery and download once you purchase.

Pick up this MS Office 2019 for Mac lifetime license while it’s just $39.97 (MSRP $229) through Oct. 19.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac $39.97
$229 Save $189.03 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Leave a digital legacy your family can access when needed with this $50 tool

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 11:00

TL;DR: Secure your online life with a digital vault thanks to this lifetime subscription to the My-Legacy Bronze Plan, now just $49.99 (reg. $350).

Our lives are almost fully digital now. But what happens to all of your accounts if something were to happen to you? If you want to make sure your most important data will be taken care of and passed on to your loved ones, My-Legacy can help.

This AI-powered service makes it easy to safeguard your digital footprint, and a lifetime subscription to the bronze plan can currently be yours for just $49.99 (reg. $350).

Make sure your most important digital information is safe after you’re gone

Don’t leave your loved ones to desperately guess all your passwords in a difficult moment. My-Legacy lets you secure all of your important online information in a digital vault, making access to accounts, assets, documents, passwords, and more much easier for your family.

This lifetime subscription to the My-Legacy Bronze Plan gives you 50 assets and 5GB of secure storage. You’ll have an Emergency Binder, which you can think of as a digital bank locker, that your family can access when needed — but it will be kept locked until a minimum quorum agrees to open it.

Aside from storing your important assets like files and online accounts, you’ll also be able to create your own Time Capsule. This allows you to preserve your personal stories, wisdom, and final wishes for your loved ones to cherish when you’re gone.

You can also create legal documents with My-Legacy. Leave your will, medical power of attorney, guardianship, and social media will in the vault, so you can make sure everything is done as you would wish.

Join over 50,000 users resting easy with a lifetime subscription to the My-Legacy Bronze Plan, on sale now for $49.99 (reg. $350).

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Opens in a new window Credit: My-legacy.ai My-Legacy Bronze Plan: Lifetime Subscription $49.99
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Categories: IT General, Technology

Jay Kelly review: George Clooney charms in showbiz comedy about how stars arent just like us

Mashable - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 11:00

George Clooney delivers one of the best comedic performances of his career in Jay Kelly. As a long-time devotee of his Coen Bros' comedy O Brother, Where Art Thou?, I don't say that lightly. However, Noah Baumbach has created a role that feels tailored to Clooney's particular brand of star power. And Clooney struts, takes pratfalls, and soars with grace, goofiness, and pathos.

Clooney has built a career on his ability to pivot from swaggering dreamboat (Out of Sight, Ocean's Eleven through Thirteen) to rugged action star (From Dusk Till Dawn, The Peacemaker, Three Kings) to arrogant buffoon (O Brother, Burn After Reading, Hail, Caesar!). In Jay Kelly, he does all three. But more than that, he does all three to interrogate what it means to be a movie star. When you're a public figure known for playing larger-than-life action heroes, what's reality to you? Who are you to your family and friends when your career is dependent on presentation, and you're more focused on that than parenting or loyalty? 

Directed and co-written by Baumbach, who previously channeled his own life into the explosive divorce drama Marriage Story, Jay Kelly is more cutting than its bouncy name and beguiling leading man might suggest. With a supporting cast that includes Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson, Riley Keough, and Jay Kelly co-writer Emily Mortimer, this showbiz comedy brilliantly displays the highs and lows of working in movies, without losing sight of exactly how high those highs are. 

Far from a woe-is-me movie, Jay Kelly is a shrewdly winsome affair that shows many of the ways stars aren't just like us — and several crucial ways they are. 

Jay Kelly is all about that work-life balance, puppy. 

For decades, Jay Kelly (Clooney) has been a star, collecting fans, building his filmography, growing his entourage, and even having a couple of daughters and ex-wives along the way. You might think that with all the success and wealth he's attained, he'd welcome some time away from the sets and shooting schedules. But what would he do with that? 

Let alone, Jay must face that he's estranged from his eldest, Jessica (Keough), while his college-bound youngest, Daisy (Grace Edwards), is eager to bounce from his house to be on her own. He has no wife. His friends — including his manager, Ron (Sandler), and his publicist, Liz (Dern) — are all on his payroll. So when a run-in with an old friend (Crudup) sends him into an identity crisis, Jay joyously bullies his whole entourage into an impromptu trip across Europe, starting in Paris and ending up in an Italian film festival, where he'll get a lifetime achievement honor. 

Along the way, he'll encounter awestruck fans, ride in transit that has no first class, and be forced to look back on his life, whether he likes it or not. 

George Clooney is absolutely excellent as Jay Kelly. 

The film begins onset, with Jay playing out a death scene that naturally involves a mournful monologue, a fatal gunshot wound, and an adorable dog actor. Immediately, Mortimer and Baumbach gives us a taste of Jay's talent, onscreen and off. As soon as the camera cuts, he's quick to glad-hand and cheer individual members of the crew by name, and they all light up as he looks at them. He's that kind of star. 

Back home; however, he's a doofy dad to Daisy, who eye rolls as he whines he's lonely. "You're never alone," she chides as his security guard hands him a fresh, icy beverage. 

Even in accepting the glass, Clooney has a keen sense of comedic timing. He's long been brilliant at playing the dope. Here, he plays a man who's never been deep, but who has been able to fake it onscreen. So, when he's actually having this crisis of self-reflection, he throws himself into action — including being involved in a chaotic and comedic chase scene. However, nothing in this movie will unfold like the movies. Jay's sweeping gestures, carried off with Clooney's booming charisma, fall flat to those closest to him because they are all show, no substance. And in this, he's forced to face how he pursued his work — which is very image-oriented — over his family and friends, failing to foster deep bonds. And he's not alone in this. 

Adam Sandler and Laura Dern are shockingly well-matched in Jay Kelly. 

Having to wrangle Jay like he's a child (or a swarm of cats), Ron and Liz take on near-parental roles as they prep everything to guide and protect him. Where Ron's the gentle father, always cajoling and calling Jay by the loving nickname "puppy," Liz is the tough-love mom, forced to be frank because someone has got to be when the tabloids are circling. Far from archetypes, however, these characters exhibit complexity in scenes beyond their interactions with Jay. 

As the trip through Europe goes increasingly off the rails, Jay's entourage sheds one member after another as they make choices that aren't him — a bigger client, a sick dog, a child back home, and so on. There's a sense of a party coming to a close, and a question about who will be the last one standing.

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Dern vibrates with frustration at every bump in the road, while Sandler is her foil, ever jovial, maybe even delusionally optimistic. They're a comedic duo who bounce off each other with an ardent emotional understanding. For all Academy Award winner Dern's drama chops, Emmy nominee Sandler's able to keep pace in a role that could get him some Best Supporting nominations. Imagine Uncut Gems with the intensity turned down and the facade of jolly calm cranked way up. Ron is a man desperate to make everything OK, even to the point where he himself is deeply not. And in that, Baumbach grows comedy and agony. Dern is the cherry on top, giving a cool sense of regret that lingers even after her character has gone. 

Jay Kelly is a showbiz comedy with heart.

Incredibly, Jay Kelly becomes an odd love letter to the industry, one that recognizes its warts and still declares devotion. Through this story, Baumbach explores how everyone involved, from movie stars to make-up artists and security guards, struggles to draw the line between their professional and personal lives. Sure, you love your family, but what if you love your job and the people who are a part of it? The line gets blurrier and blurrier. And what kind of life does that build? 

The answer Jay Kelly gives is unexpected and heartwarming rather than pat and sentimental. Clooney, Sandler, and Baumbach come to a conclusion that is both deeply Hollywood and yet sincere. In the end, Jay Kelly is a clever crowd-pleaser, guaranteed to amuse and make you think. 

Jay Kelly was reviewed out of the New York Film Festival. The movie opens in select theaters on Nov. 14, then comes to Netflix on Dec. 5. 

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