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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
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Updated: 3 hours 18 min ago

Hurdle hints and answers for October 11

Fri, 10/11/2024 - 09:43

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Things often get this before they get better.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 11 Hurdle Word 1 answer

WORSE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Joining together.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 11 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

UNION

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Quite a smell.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 11 Hurdle Word 3 answer

MUSKY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Opposite of outer.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 11 Hurdle Word 4 answer

INNER

Final Hurdle hint

Could describe wind.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

GUSTY

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 11, 2024

Fri, 10/11/2024 - 09:39

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

October Prime Day: Here's the latest news on the deals

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, October 11, 2024:

AcrossFlower awarded on "The Bachelorette"

  • The answer is Rose.

Insurgent takeovers

  • The answer is Coups.

Admit (to)

  • The answer is Ownup.

Condemn publicly

  • The answer is Decry.

The paradise referred to in "Paradise Lost"

  • The answer is Eden.

Prime Day deals you can shop right now DownTook to the oars

  • The answer is Rowed.

"An ___ of prevention is worth a pound of cure" (proverb)

  • The answer is Ounce.

Reject, as a lover

  • The answer is Spurn.

Get a glimpse of

  • The answer is Espy.

Something of concern to a building developer … or software developer

  • The answer is Code.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Beats Solo 4 headphones are at their lowest-ever price after Amazon Prime Day

Fri, 10/11/2024 - 09:30

SAVE OVER $90: As of Oct. 11, Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 50% on list price.

Beats Solo 4 $99.99 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $99.96 Get Deal

The discounts aren't over at Amazon, even if Prime Day might be officially finished. There are still plenty of deals to be had, including this new low price on Beats Solo 4.

As of Oct. 11, you can grab these headphones for just $99.99, saving almost $100 on list price. This deal is available across all colorways at Amazon, including Black/Gold, Cloud Pink, Matte Black, and State Blue. This is also the lowest these headphones have ever been priced at Amazon. However, this price is only available when purchasing without AppleCare+. You can add this on for a price of $118.99 (down from $228.95).

The Beats Solo 4 were only released earlier in the year, so to see such a big discount already is truly a win. This latest model in the Solo range boasts a battery life of up to 50 hours, a super-quick 10 minute charge time, and personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking. As with all Beats devices, the sound quality is stellar for all types of listening.

This is a limited time deal at Amazon, so act fast if you want to make the most of this deal.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for October 11

Fri, 10/11/2024 - 09:24

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 11 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 11 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Let's experiment

These words help make science happen.

October Prime Day: Here's the latest news on the deals

Prime Day deals you can shop right now Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words for lab equipment.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is ChemistryLab.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 11

  • Beaker

  • Goggles

  • Flask

  • ChemistryLab

  • Pipette

  • Thermometer

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 10 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 10

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Tesla’s surprise announcements: Robovan and Optimus

Fri, 10/11/2024 - 08:30

Tesla just unveiled its long-awaited Robotaxi aka Cybercab, an automated electric car that CEO Elon Musk claims can drive itself without human intervention. If it works, you may end up having fewer awkward conversations with cab drivers about presidential elections. However, this wasn't the only tech Musk revealed during Tesla's We, Robot event.

SEE ALSO: How to watch Tesla's big Robotaxi unveiling

Taking place at Warner Bros. Discovery in Burbank, California, Tesla's Cybercab reveal had initially been scheduled for August, but was pushed back to October at the end of July. Speaking on an earnings call at the time, Musk stated that the delay was so that Tesla could "improve the Robotaxi, as well as add in a couple other things for the product unveil."

Said "other things" have turned out to be the latest look at Tesla's humanoid robot Optimus, as well as the surprise unveiling of an automated van called the Robovan (pronounced by Musk as "Robo-ven" for reasons unknown).

Musk reveals the Robovan, Tesla's autonomous van Credit: Tesla

While the Cybercab was the expected star of Thursday night's event, the unexpected reveal of the box-like Robovan received its fair share of attention as well. Allegedly capable of carrying up to 20 people or transporting goods, Musk claimed that the apparently fully autonomous vehicle had the potential to reduce travel costs to five or ten cents per mile.

"What happens if you need a vehicle that is bigger than a Model Y?" said Musk, introducing the Robovan as it rounded a corner to let several passengers emerge from its sliding door. "We're going to make this, and it's gonna look like that."

"That" is a bulky white vehicle with practically no clearance between it and the road, and no windscreen either. Instead, strip windows run across the edges of the Robovan's roof down to its nose and rear, following its left and right edges, with two more placed on the sides. 

Comparing the design philosophy behind the Robovan to that of the Cybertruck, Musk stated that Tesla aims to "change the look of the roads, and that "the future should look like the future." The Cybertruck's design was widely derided when it was first revealed in 2019, and common opinion hasn't changed. 

Credit: Mashable screenshot: Tesla

Fortunately, the Robovan at least doesn't look like an extremely low-poly rendering of Halo's Warthog, which is for the best if Tesla hopes that anyone but diehard Musk stans will want to ride in it.

"The Robovan is what's gonna solve for high density," said Musk.

Screens inside the Robovan where the windscreens would typically be located appear to show the vehicle's surroundings, as rows of white chairs face each other rather than in the direction the van is travelling. While the lack of steering wheel or controls is no doubt a deliberate exclusion, the Robovan also doesn't appear to have any seat belts. Hopefully this is simply because the vehicle is still under development. 

Tesla provides an update on the Optimus robot Credit: Mashable screenshot: Tesla

Tesla's vehicles weren't the only products shown off at this event. Musk ended his presentation by showing off Tesla's humanoid Optimus robots, having a procession of them shuffle in. The billionaire stated that Optimus has "progressed dramatically year after year" since Tesla first revealed the concept in 2021, when it was infamously illustrated by a person wearing a robot suit. 

"It'll be [able to] do anything you want," said Musk, sharing his dreams for Optimus' capabilities. "It can be a teacher, babysit your kids, it can walk your dog, mow your lawn, get the groceries. Just be your friend, serve drinks. Whatever you can think of, it will do."

Such functionality is likely still a while away, judging by the tentative approach Optimus appeared to take when merely walking. Though at least that gives you plenty of time to save up if you do want an Optimus of your own.

Upping his 2022 Optimus pricing estimate of "probably less than $20,000," Musk predicted that these robots will set you back $20-30,000. However, this prediction came with the caveat that such pricing would only eventually be reached in the long term, once the Optimus is produced "at scale." As such, we can infer that Optimus' launch price is likely to be notably higher.

Considering this predicted pricing, Musk's assertion that a personal Optimus robot could be "something that anyone could own" seems fairly far off. Though Musk declared that Optimus would cost "less than a car," it's still a pretty penny to shell out. Car prices skyrocketed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, with the average price of a new car in the U.S. now at over $48,000.

Credit: Mashable screenshot: Tesla

"I think this will be the biggest product ever of any kind," said Musk. "I predict actually, provided we address the risks of digital superintelligence, [an] 80 percent probability of good, a good outcome."

Musk didn't say much about that other 20 percent, apparently preferring to picture an alternate, utopian take on I, Robot without the robot murder.

"The costs of products and services will decline dramatically, and basically anyone will be able to have any products and services they want. It will be an age of abundance, the likes of which almost no one has envisioned," said Musk, sounding an awful lot like a presidential candidate he's been hanging out with lately.

Musk ended the We, Robot presentation by directing the audience to observe a group of Optimus robots doing the robot in a gazebo, and declaring that more would be serving drinks at the bar. It wasn't clear whether the Optimus bartenders would deal with the issue of checking IDs, or if such tasks would still fall to their human minders hovering to the side.

Tesla recalls encourage caution regarding autonomous cars

While Musk's claims of fully autonomous cars and vans may sound exciting, it's prudent to approach such technology with caution and scepticism before entrusting it with your well-being. Tesla doesn't have the best track record when it comes to vehicular safety, to put it mildly. 

The infamous Cybertruck has been the subject of multiple massive recalls, with problems ranging from accelerator pedals getting stuck while pressed down, to windshield wipers malfunctioning, to the rear view camera going blank while drivers are backing up. Then there's the issues that haven't sparked recalls, such the Cybertruck's finger-crushing tendencies. This dangerous problem is facilitated both by the design of the Cybertruck's doors as well as an obstacle detection system which appears to work sporadically at best.

Other vehicles in Tesla's lineup haven't fared much better. In August, Tesla issued a recall for over 9,100 Model X cars due to an issue where a cosmetic applique could detach and increase the risk of a crash. The company had previously issued a recall of the same model for the same issue in 2020. In July, around 1.8 million Tesla cars were recalled due to an issue with detecting unlatched hoods, leaving potential for them to pop open and obstruct a driver's view, and in January nearly 200,000 Teslas were recalled over a rear view camera problem.

Last year, there was a December recall for auto steering issues, May recall for faulty seat belt warnings, July recall for faulty seat belts, and a February recall because Tesla's Full Self-Driving software enabled cars to "exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash."

During the We, Robot event, Musk announced that several dozen Model Ys and Cybercabs were circling the set without drivers or passengers as he spoke, with attendees invited to ride in them afterward.

"There's no steering wheel or pedals, so I hope this goes well," the billionaire said. "We'll find out."

Categories: IT General, Technology

Tesla's 'Cybercab' robotaxi is here, and yet still so far away

Fri, 10/11/2024 - 08:21

Tesla's robotaxi is finally a real thing, and it's called Cybercab.

Unveiled by CEO Elon Musk at Tesla's big "We, Robot" event at Warner Bros studios, the Cybercab is a futuristic-looking, fully autonomous electric vehicle that can ferry passengers around completely on its own.

At the start of the event, the Cybercab (or Robotaxi — the name isn't entirely clear right now as both names were used throughout the event) actually took Musk through a short series of mock-up streets and onto the stage (with 20 other Cybercabs autonomously roaming around those same streets).

The Cybercab, as shown, isn't meant to be driven. It doesn't have a steering wheel, or pedals. It's got two butterfly wing doors, letting the passengers in — and only the passengers, as the car does not need a driver.

No charging port! Credit: Tesla

According to Musk, "you could fall asleep, and wake up at your destination."

Inside, there's a large display similar to those in today's Tesla cars, and the whole idea is for the car to be like a nice little lounge in which you chill while the car does its thing.

The Cybercab also doesn't have a charging plug; it will use wireless induction charging instead. Battery capacity, charging speed and other details weren't mentioned during Tesla's presentation.

As for the problems the Cybercab is meant to solve, Musk says traffic as it is today is slow, unsustainable, too expensive, and not safe enough. If most or all those cars on the streets were autonomous, "driving" would allegedly be ten times safer, cars would be cheaper, and they could actually make money for their owners while they sleep, by ferrying other passengers around, (robo)taxi-style.

The price for all this goodness if you were to buy one? About $30,000, said Musk.

We sort of knew most of this, as Musk has been talking about this as one of Tesla's primary goals (a fleet of robotaxis) for years. And given Tesla's (sometimes painfully slow) progress on its Full Self-Driving package, we know Tesla is trying hard to solve the autonomous driving problem. So the big question here is: When can we expect to see Cybercabs on the streets?

The answer is quite murky. According to Musk, Tesla plans to start fully autonomous, unsupervised FSD in Texas and California in 2025, with the Model 3 and the Model Y. Cybercab production should start in 2026, Musk said, but then immediately added that he tends to be "a little optimistic with time frames" and changed that timeframe to "before 2027." And all of this unsupervised, autonomous driving business needs to be approved by regulators before it can happen, both in the U.S. and abroad.

SEE ALSO: Tesla's cheapest car is no longer available

If you read the fine print, that means not much has changed for Tesla: The company still plans to launch autonomous driving on existing cars first via its FSD package. The problem is that Musk has been talking about this for nearly a decade, and while FSD is in parts impressive, it's not yet ready to be unleashed into the world as a fully autonomous, unsupervised driving package. It all boils down to whether Tesla can make this happen, how long will it take, and when regulators will put their stamp of approval on the whole idea.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wendy's Krabby Patty: Does it look like the cartoon burger in 'SpongeBob SquarePants'?

Fri, 10/11/2024 - 05:52

Ahoy, mateys! The Wendy's Krabby Patty, the real-world version of Bikini Bottom's most popular burger, is now available in restaurants nationwide as of Tuesday, Oct. 8.

The cartoon-turned-IRL burger consists of ground beef, American cheese, crisp lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and a "super special secret sauce" served on a toasted bun — and the internet has thoughts, particularly SpongeBob SquarePants superfans.

Keep in mind that, according to a press release from Wendy's, the Krabby Patty Kollab Burger (as it's officially called) is "inspired" by the swashbuckling, under-the-sea animation. In other words, it's not meant to be an exact replica, but it still has Krusty Krab devotees in a tizzy.

SEE ALSO: SpongeBob SquarePants heads to Texas in 'Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie' trailer Wendy's Krabby Patty: Does it look like the cartoon version?

When promo images of the Krabby Patty first hit the internet, some were disappointed that it didn't match the cartoon variant.

Tweet may have been deleted An X user hates to "be that guy," but pointed out the inaccurate order of the ingredients. Credit: @MrDylanKrug on X

"What's different about this burger? Looks like a regular Wendy's cheeseburger," a Reddit user with the moniker @Blue_Wave_2020 said.

"Doesn't even have a sesame seed bun," another Reddit user said.

Several commenters in the official SpongeBob subreddit voiced dissatisfaction that it's not plant-based. Not necessarily because they're vegans, but according to SpongeBob SquarePants producer Vincent Waller, "there is absolutely no meat in the Krabby Patty; there is no animal product in there."

Others pointed out that, true to Wendy’s style, the meat inside the IRL Krabby Patty has a squarish shape. The Krabby Patty in Bikini Bottom, on the other hand, is round. "A square patty!?" said ConclusionDouble3962, who claims that they purchased the Krabby Patty Kollab Burger. "It was basically just an overhyped Dave's Single."

(For the uninitiated, a Dave's Single is a classic burger from Wendy's named after Dave Thomas, the chain's founder.)

Dave's Single at a Wendy's in Georgia, USA Credit: Deutschlandreform / Shutterstock.com

The following TikTokker, jes_foodie, made similar claims, pointing out the lack of SpongeBob SquarePants themes.

According to a SpongeBob SquarePants fandom page, aside from the missing plant-based round patty and sesame seed buns, the IRL Krabby Patty has all the other ingredients found inside the cartoon burger.

Wendy's Krabby Patty has decent reviews

Perusing through X (formerly Twitter), many people who looked past the fact that it’s not an exact recreation of the Bikini Bottom burger seemed to enjoy it.

Credit: @Caylaisawesome on X

"I'd get it again and that frosty was on another level," @Caylaisawesome said. This X user is referring to the Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty that comes with the total Krabby Patty Kollab Meal. It has fries, too.

"Was good," @MORSxGAMING said.

Credit: @MORSxGAMING on X

However, you can't please everyone. One X user wondered why the meal lacked a toy and a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed wrapper.

Credit: @KidKinsey on X

Another agreed with the aforementioned Redditor and TikTokker; it's "just a rebranded Dave's Single with special sauce," adding that it's "not bad, just not as spectacular."

Credit: @JoshGamnChannel on X

As for the "super special secret sauce" that accompanies the Wendy's Krabby Patty, several reviewers, including reporters from El Paso Times and Delaware Online, say that it simply tastes like Thousand Island dressing.

The Wendy's Krabby Patty Kollab Burger, in partnership with Nickelodeon and Paramount, celebrates SpongeBob SquarePants' 25th anniversary. By the way, the burger won't be around for long — it's a limited-edition meal.

If you had a chance to try the new Krabby Patty, let us know what you think in the comments.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Let's go: Get Microsoft Office + Windows 11 Pro for £41

Fri, 10/11/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office 2021 and Windows 11 Pro together for £40.56 (reg. £335.37) through 27 October.

Summer’s over, and that means it’s time to get serious about those grades. Whether you’re hitting the books or looking to help your student, check out this ultimate back-to-school bundle. For a limited time, you can get both Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro. It's the perfect combo to tackle assignments and fight procrastination.

Separately, this office suite and OS cost hundreds of pounds, but they’re on sale for £40.56 for a couple more weeks. This is your best chance to upgrade your Windows computer.

Microsoft Office 2021 apps

Every student needs reliable productivity apps for those dreaded assignments and presentations. Lean on tools like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint for homework, OneNote for note-taking, and Outlook and Teams to stay connected to peers and teachers. 

Microsoft Office for Windows also comes with Access and Publisher. You might use Excel and Publisher for math and data science courses and Publisher if you’re designing materials for clubs or art classes.

Most importantly, this is a lifetime device license. Once MS Office 2021 for Windows is installed on your computer, the license never expires.

Windows 11 Pro + Copilot AI

Upgrading your OS isn’t just for the new user design; you’ll also get the new AI assistant, Copilot. Microsoft calls it “the ultimate AI study buddy.”

Copilot uses a custom version of ChatGPT, so it’s like getting the chatbot's premium version without having to pay for it. You could use it to:

  • Have it explain complex class concepts in simpler terms

  • Make custom flashcards

  • Create practice questions

  • Simulate conversations in a new language you’re learning

You’ll also enjoy how Windows 11 Pro boosts your PC’s load times, gives you new productivity tools, and adds new security features like BitLocker device encryption. It’s like an internal makeover for your computer.

Take advantage of this Microsoft app bundle with Office 2021 and Windows 11 Pro at £40.56 (reg. £335.37) through 27 October at 11:59 p.m. PT. No coupon code is needed for this discount.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle £40.56
£335.37 Save £294.81 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

'A Nice Indian Boy' review: East-meets-West with a twist in an instant rom-com classic

Fri, 10/11/2024 - 02:30

An incisive expression of family and culture that neither apologizes nor over-explains itself, Roshan Sethi's A Nice Indian Boy is a riotous, moving queer romantic comedy with a wildly unique premise. While it resembles many modern third-culture stories — specifically, tales of disconnect between first-generation South Asians in the West and their immigrant parents — it widens its scope in surprising ways that reflect and refract both personal and cinematic identity.

SEE ALSO: New York Film Festival preview: 10 movies you ought to know about

Taking inspiration from a romantic Bollywood classic, the film follows a gay Indian American doctor whose parents are nominally accepting, but who want him to find "a nice Indian boy." Long story short: He does! The immediate wrinkle, however, is that this nice Indian boy is none other than Jonathan Groff — yes, Hamilton's original King George — playing a white man raised by Indian parents. 

On one hand, A Nice Indian Boy is the tale of a typical Indian American family, with typical Indian American problems — a generational disconnect, gendered double standards, and a culture of awkward silence around sexuality — but on the other hand, its evolution into grand romantic saga is anything but typical. It's also a story of cross-cultural adoption that dovetails into not only a hilariously awkward meet-the-parents comedy, but also a film about freeing oneself from emotional and generational baggage, in a way that yields tears of joy and laughter.

What is A Nice Indian Boy about?

Dr. Naveen Gavaskar (Deadpool's Karan Soni) is the kind of realistic queer protagonist seldom seen in Hollywood: an introverted gay man who'd rather be at home than at the club — or in the case of the movie's opening scene, at his sister's colorful wedding reception. As the guests dance to thumping tunes, and the camera tilts and spins to capture them, Naveen sits still, fending off over-enthusiastic family members whose words of marital encouragement sound more like a dire warning: "You're next!"

What Naveen's nosy aunties and uncles don't know, and what his parents begrudgingly accept, is that his wedding won't quite look like a Hindi movie, since he happens to be into guys.

Six years go by — notably, the amount of time between Sethi coming out and the film's premiere — and Naveen's life away from his parents is somewhat content, even though it involves lonely nights of leaving exes and crushes some uncomfortably awkward voice messages. He has absolutely no game, despite the efforts of his outgoing gay colleague Paul (Peter S. Kim) to bring him out of his shell. But the gods eventually smile on him when he comes across an attractive white photographer, Jay Kurundkar (Groff), at his local mandir (or temple) while praying to a statue of Ganesh, the elephant-headed Hindu god of wisdom and good luck.

Two things immediately stand out about Jay: his tranquil charm, and his authentic pronunciation of "Ganesh" — with an extended "e" as in "lace," rather than the protracted "e" of words like "less," to which most Westerners default. Naveen is immediately flustered by Jay's confident stares, but agrees to accompany him on a date to his favorite movie, which, to the good doctor's surprise, turns out to be Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (or DDLJ), the iconic 1995 Bollywood romance about two star-crossed Indian Londoners, whose musical centerpiece features superstar Shah Rukh Khan serenading actress Kajol in a field of yellow mustard flowers.

SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'The Romantics': A nostalgic and impassioned tribute to Hindi cinema

But instead of being bowled over by this gesture, Naveen finds himself unable to fully embrace the film or Jay's off-key crooning of its famous track, "Tujhe Dekha To" (yes, Groff sings it himself, with barely a syllable out of place). Sincerity and vulnerability remain obstacles to Naveen, even after he and Jay start dating. This proves mildly problematic when meeting each other's friends, but it's downright disastrous when the question of Jay meeting Naveen's parents arises, given how little he's told them about his white, freelance photographer boyfriend who vapes and waxes poetic about Hindi cinema.

The results are as side-splitting as they are disheartening, because the one lesson A Nice Indian Boy takes from DDLJ is that Indian romantic films are family dramas too. However, what initially seems hopeless ends up an exciting challenge, because Jay has also internalized this lesson. And, like Shah Rukh Khan's brash Raj Malhotra, he'll stop at nothing to win over the parents of the person he loves.

A Nice Indian Boy is also a family drama.

The film, written by Eric Randall, is based on the play by Madhuri Shekar, and it has the structure of a five-act play, with each section broken up by significant time jumps. This ends up serving a dual purpose. On one hand, this shifts the typical feel-good rom-com climax to the middle of the story, away from its usual place in most three-act Hollywood screenplays, where it serves as a resolution. In the process, A Nice Indian Boy allows for the realities of long-term romance and wedding planning to creep in through the corners of the frame, beyond the broad declarations of love.

On the other hand, it also allows each member of Naveen's family to have their own dedicated section of the movie, during which they become a primary character. Like Naveen, his sister Arundhathi (Sunita Mani) harbors a grudge against their parents for the choices she did and didn't have while growing up, including in matters of love, and she sees their increased leeway with Naveen as a matter of grave injustice. Meanwhile, their outspoken mother Megha (Zarna Garg) tries to smooth things over with both children, but since she's just as hot-headed as her daughter, it's easier said than done. In terms of temperament, Naveen takes after his father Archit (Harish Patel), though his silent acceptance of Naveen's sexuality — while avoiding eye contact at all cost — hurts more than outright disapproval. Like his son, Archit has a problem with expressing himself honestly.

However, Megha and Archit's genuine attempts to bridge the gap between themselves and Naveen also leads to some uproarious overcompensation, between the topics they bring up in Jay's presence without any filter whatsoever, to their sincere attempts to educate themselves by binging raunchy reality shows on OutTV and bringing them up in conversation. It's incredibly funny and incredibly sweet, but none of these superficial gestures — no matter how well-meaning — are a substitute for the real emotional work the Gavaskar family needs.

The film doesn't let Naveen off the hook either, whether it comes to his avoidance of intimacy or the walls he keeps up between him and his family members. Those walls only start to come down after some rigorous and difficult dramatic moments, which Sethi directs with incredible command.

A Nice Indian Boy is brilliantly directed.  

The film's premise resembles a number of third-culture films and shows featuring South Asians in the West, like The Big Sick, Ms. Marvel, and Blinded by the Light. These stories of artistically driven first-gen kids and their immigrant parents who "just don't understand" have settled into a rote rhythm in recent years. A fellow SXSW selection, the lukewarm The Queen of My Dreams, is a key example: a similarly Bollywood-inspired tale of a queer Pakistani Canadian who nominally reconciles with her conservative mother. It's rarely a good sign when you can map out the beats of a story based on its cultural premise, but A Nice Indian Boy finds numerous visual and thematic ways to buck that trend.

SEE ALSO: Bollywood's dad, Anupam Kher, on the unique warmth of 'The Big Sick'

It stands out, first and foremost, through its bustling visual energy, which not only captures the chaos and excitement constantly unfolding around Naveen — at weddings, family meetings, or parties hosted by Jay's outgoing friends — but also serves to magnify his glum stillness as the camera pushes in and pulls out prominently during both comedy beats and charged emotional moments. The film's comedy and drama stem from the same place: the tension of expectations, whether it involves Naveen wrestling with his prescribed role as an Indian man in the West; the implications of his queerness, according to his parents; or how Jay will fit into the Gavaskars' family dynamic.

What Jay yearns for, as a perpetual outsider who found love in an Indian household once before, is just as vital to the movie as Naveen's search for emotional authenticity. And when the film begins drawing more overtly from Bollywood iconography, it weaves together its grandiose romance from both their perspectives. To Jay, Hindi cinema is the ultimate expression of love and acceptance. To Naveen, it's a cheesy façade. The truth, it turns out, may lie somewhere in between, with Sethi presenting the story's key turning points as stylistic handshakes between formal grandeur and naturalistic, self-aware comedy, without compromising either character’s point of view. The movie's sweeping declarations are as bold and unapologetic as they are goofy and silly, so they end up running the emotional gamut.

Rarely has a rom-com been this simultaneously hysterical and touching, though despite its boisterous tone, its biggest strength may very well be its silent moments. The father-son pairing of Naveen and Archit tend to find solace in silence, and that isn't likely to change anytime soon. So, in order to draw them out of their comfort zones, A Nice Indian Boy becomes a film about gestures both big and small. Its most heartrending moments arrive in the form of these two men — separated by generational disconnect, but bound by common cultural expectations — adapting to other people's modes of expression in the small ways they're able to. Over the course of the film, they learn to speak other people's love languages, leading to rousing, overwhelming moments (some of them in delightful musical form). 

SEE ALSO: The 11 best Hindi movies streaming on Amazon Prime

In a just world, A Nice Indian Boy would find instant distribution and be hailed alongside Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding as a realistic family portrait whose jagged edges aren't just riveting, but revelatory. It's as sweet and funny as they come, and the kind of crowd-pleaser destined to leave your heart feeling full.

A Nice Indian Boy is currently seeking distribution.

UPDATE: Sep. 25, 2024, 5:01 p.m. EDT A Nice Indian Boy was reviewed out of its World Premiere at SXSW 2024 on March 23, 2024. This post has been updated to note its East Coast Premiere at NewFest, where it was the opening night film.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Here's how Zerxus Ilerez ended up in 'The Legend of Vox Machina' Season 3

Fri, 10/11/2024 - 00:00

Season 3, episode 4 of The Legend of Vox Machina is a major Critical Role crossover event. Not only does the show continue adapting Critical Role's first live-streamed campaign, it also incorporates a key character from Exandria Unlimited: Calamity, a four-part mini-campaign set centuries before The Legend of Vox Machina and run by Brennan Lee Mulligan.

SEE ALSO: 'The Legend of Vox Machina' Season 3 review: Critical Role's series keeps raising the bar

The character in question is the paladin Zerxus Ilerez (voiced by Luis Carazo, who also played Zerxus in Calamity). He is the current owner of the Plate of the Dawnmartyr, one of the Vestiges of Divergence that Vox Machina need in order to defeat the dragon Thordak (voiced by the late Lance Reddick). Their quest brings them to Zerxus' home in the Hells of Despath, where he and cleric Pike Trickfoot (voiced by Ashley Johnson) play a high-stakes card game for the Plate. The sequence tweaks elements from the original campaign, which saw bard Scanlan (voiced by Sam Riegel) gamble for the Plate with a fire giant in the Elemental Plane of Fire.

"From a story perspective, we had an opportunity to combine two story beats from our campaign," Travis Willingham, who voices Grog Strongjaw, told Mashable. (Willingham is also an executive producer on The Legend of Vox Machina and CEO of Critical Role.) The series could take Vox Machina's stint in the Fire Plane, which doesn't have the biggest story hook by this point in the show's timeline, and merge it with the idea that Ank'Harel ruler J'mon Sa Ord (voiced by Mara Junot) would have hidden the Plate in the Hells to keep it as far from Thordak as possible.

"And right after we had finished EXU: Calamity, with Zerxus' fate being sent to the Hells, it just popped up that maybe 800 years later, he's still down there, and that would be a nice thing to weave into the story," Willingham continued. "Particularly some of the lore that was revealed in EXU: Calamity, and how the Calamity kicked off, and why that might be important to larger antagonists in the story that we might try to utilize in a larger way if we get future seasons."

SEE ALSO: The cast of Critical Role choose their ultimate 'The Legend of Vox Machina' squads

Zerxus' appearance is no brief Easter egg. Instead, he plays a meaty role in the episode, with the show paralleling his complicated relationship to his deity — in Calamity, that's Asmodeus, Lord of the Nine Hells, although he goes unnamed here — with Pike's own doubts in her faith in the Everlight. In their encounter, he also gives Vox Machina a quick rundown of the events of Calamity, accompanied by a stained glass-style animated interlude reminiscent of the campaign's introduction sequence. Appearing in the interlude are Zerxus' companions, the other player characters from Calamity.

"I think there's a hidden desire on our part to incorporate everyone from Calamity at some point," Willingham said. And with more animated Critical Role projects in development with Amazon Studios, including a Mighty Nein series coming next year, a full Calamity adaptation of some kind may not be too far-fetched.

"It's ripe for a movie, a mini-series, something — we're just trying to figure out the best delivery method for it and how it would fit into everything," Willingham said.

There's a hidden desire on our part to incorporate everyone from "Calamity" at some point. - Travis Willingham

For now, though, it looks like we haven't seen the last of Zerxus Ilerez in The Legend of Vox Machina. When Pike and her companions escape with the Plate of the Dawnmartyr, he utters a very foreboding statement: "We are his blood. The time for his ascension draws near."

The words echo those spoken by Delilah Briarwood (voiced by Grey Griffin) and other cultists of the Whispered One — also known as Vecna in the original campaign — all the way back in Season 1. Could this mean that The Legend of Vox Machina is positioning Zerxus as the Whispered One's champion? And if so, would that mean the series is mashing the Whispered One and Asmodeus together? Or did Zerxus choose to serve another deity in the hopes of trying to redeem him, as he hoped to do for Asmodeus in Calamity?

"A Redemption Paladin is still gonna redemption," Marisha Ray, voice of Keyleth, told Mashable. (Ray is also an executive producer on the show, as well as Creative Director of Critical Role.) "I think it's very fitting, because there are several entities in the world of Exandria that could fit that ticket of maybe being redeemed."

"We're hoping we will see some conspiracy theories [about that line]," added Willingham.

On top of prompting fan theories, Zerxus' addition to The Legend of Vox Machina is further proof of why the show is one of the most fascinating works of adaptation on TV today. Zerxus didn't exist as a character when Critical Role's first campaign came out — audiences didn't even get to meet him until months after Season 1 of The Legend of Vox Machina premiered. Yet as Critical Role continues to grow through its various campaigns, it's creating more source material for its animated adaptations to draw from in real time.

"One of my favorite things about working on the animated show is that after the Vox Machina campaign ended, we continued to expand and enrich the world and create history. We created future stories, but we also expanded what the past was," Liam O'Brien, voice of Vax'ildan and executive producer, told Mashable.

"That's really the best thing about adaptations. You can go through and sprinkle in some of the good stuff that wasn't there before," added Ray.

She continued: "I think we're really lucky in the sense that we're developing Mighty Nein in real time with The Legend of Vox Machina, as well as still continuing to shoot Campaign 3 and other ancillary stuff. So we have this 5,000-foot view of everything — except for all the stuff that is to be determined at the end of Campaign 3 — but we can take the Jenga blocks of the story and move them around to fit nicely."

So as The Legend of Vox Machina continues its run, be on the lookout for more substantial links to Critical Role's other campaigns. Zerxus may be the first Calamity crossover, but from the sounds of it, he probably won't be the last.

The Legend of Vox Machina Season 3 premieres Oct. 3 on Prime Video, with three new episodes every Thursday.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best soundbar deals are still live after Prime Day — save on the Sonos Ray, Vizio V-Series, and more

Thu, 10/10/2024 - 22:13

UPDATE: Oct. 10, 2024, 5:15 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with the latest soundbar deals still live after October Prime Day.

Last chance: Best Prime Day soundbar deals still live: Best soundbar deal Sonos Ray compact soundbar $169 at Amazon (save $110) Get Deal Best Sony soundbar deal Sony S100F 2.0ch Soundbar $98 at Amazon (Save $31.99) Get Deal Best high-end soundbar deal Sonos Arc $719 at Amazon (save $180) Get Deal Best budget soundbar deal VIZIO 2.0 Home Theater Sound Bar $69.99 at Amazon (save $10) Get Deal

With football season in full swing, the WNBA playoffs heating up, and the cozy vibes of fall settling in, we're all spending more time at home enjoying the TV. If your picture is perfect, but your sound system isn't quite up to par, now's the perfect time to upgrade with a soundbar.

Amazon's October Prime Day event may be over, but the deals certainly aren't. In fact, there are plenty of soundbars from top brands like Sonos, Sony, and Vizio still hanging around at their Prime Day prices. That includes two of our favorite soundbars, the Sonos Ray and Sonos Beam Gen 2.

So before they're gone for good, here are the best Prime Day soundbar deals still live at Amazon.

Best soundbar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Ray compact soundbar $169.00 at Amazon
$279.00 Save $110.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read our full review of the Sonos Ray.

Low-profile and budget-friendly, the Sonos Ray delivers where it counts: "true, quality sound," as Mashable reviewer Han Schneider put it. While it doesn't have a bunch of extra features (like Bluetooth connectivity or smart home compatibility), its affordable price tag more than makes up for it. We named it our favorite starter soundbar for those reasons. Usually $279, it's on sale post-Prime Day for only $169. That's nearly 40% in savings.

More Prime Day soundbar deals still livePROMOTED Jabra Elite 10 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.00 Shop Now JBL Tune Flex $49.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $50.00 Shop Now Jabra Elite 8 Active $146.00 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $53.99 Shop Now

Products available for purchase here through affiliate links are selected by our merchandising team. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission or other compensation.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Deals under $25 still live after Prime Day: AirTags, speakers, more

Thu, 10/10/2024 - 22:10

UPDATE: Oct. 10, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with our favorite deals under $25 still live the day after Prime Day.

October Prime Day deals under $25 Best earbuds deal Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds $19.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal Best smart home deal Kasa Smart Plug Four-Pack $19.99 at Amazon with on-page coupon (save $10) Get Deal Best photography deal Samsung Pro Plus microSD Card (128GB) $19.99 at Amazon (save $6) Get Deal Best tracker deal Tile Mate $17.99 at Amazon (save $7) Get Deal Best entertainment deal Roku Express $17.99 at Amazon (Save $12) Get Deal

Life feels pretty expensive these days, but your post-Prime Day haul doesn't have to be. If you're sticking to a budget this fall or holiday gifting season, here are some hidden gems still under $25 the day after the event.

Best earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds $19.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The ultra-affordable Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds are on sale at Amazon for just $19.99, which means they're half-off the usual price of $39.99. At this price, you can use them as stocking stuffers or grab a few pairs for your family to always have on hand in case someone's earbuds go missing.The P20i earbuds use 10mm drivers, focusing on bass while also offering about 30 hours of playtime on a single charge. They're also water-resistant, so no worries if you're out in the rain or in the muggy summer heat.

The compact and lightweight design of the Soundcore earbuds paired with the attached lanyard means these earbuds are also great for travel, taking to school, or bringing along to the office.

Best smart home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kasa Kasa Smart Plug Four-Pack $19.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you want to eventually have a hands-free home, you're going to want to stock up on some smart plugs. This four-pack from Kasa is on sale for $19.99 after Prime Day with an on-page coupon, and they're super simple to set up. Add voice controls to whatever device you connect to one of the smart plugs and bask in the fact that you don't have to move to turn the lights on anymore.

SEE ALSO: Echo vs. Echo Dot: Which Amazon device should you buy? Best photography deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Pro Plus microSD Card (128GB) $19.99 at Amazon
$25.99 Save $6.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Realizing you've run out of memory on your GoPro camera and you don't have a backup storage option is a truly tragic experience. Make sure that never happens to you by having an extra microSD card at the ready. This Samsung Pro Plus card is on sale for $19.99 following Prime Big Deal Days, saving you $6.

Best tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Tile Tile Mate $17.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $7.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Always losing your small personal items like your keys and wallet? Give yourself a little extra insurance by picking up a Tile tracker after October Prime Day. You can attach it to whatever article you lose most often and track it in real time whenever it gets misplaced. They're only $17.99 right now, which is $7 off the usual price.

More October Prime Day deals under $25
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Amazon Prime Day deals still live: Roomba, Apple, Dyson, and other top brands

Thu, 10/10/2024 - 22:08

UPDATE: Oct. 10, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with current deals now that Prime Big Deal Days ended. We've also added in the deals our readers loved the most.

The best Prime Big Deal Days deals still live at a glance: Most popular deal with Mashable readers Apple AirPods Pro 2 $189.99 at Amazon (Save $59.01) Get Deal Best Apple Deal Apple MacBook Pro, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749 at Amazon (save $250) Get Deal Best Amazon deal Amazon Music Unlimited (3-Month Subscription) $0 at Amazon (save $32.97) Get Deal Best (non-MacBook) laptop deal Asus Zenbook Duo (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,264.99 at Amazon (save $235) Get Deal Best headphones deal Beats Fit Pro $149.99 at Amazon (save $49.96) Get Deal Best TV deal Amazon 50-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV $279.99 at Amazon (save $170) Get Deal Best gaming deal Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini $94.99 at Amazon (save $105) Get Deal Best drone deal Holy Stone HS175D $169.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Ecovacs Deebot T30S with handheld vacuum All-in-One Station $949.99 at Amazon (save $250) Get Deal Best fitness tracker deal Garmin Venu 3S $395 at Amazon (save $54.99) Get Deal

Prime Big Deal Days has come to an end. Live through Wednesday, Oct. 9, Amazon's members-only "October Prime Day" sale presented shoppers with an opportunity to get an extra-early start on their holiday shopping before the chaos of Black Friday. October Prime Day acts as a sort of unofficial start to Black Friday season, so we'll likely see Black Friday-esque deals creeping up soon.

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

The retail giant was offering "millions of deals" over the course of the 48-hour sale, according to a press release, with new doorbusters arriving "as often as every five minutes" during certain portions of the sale — some totally worth it, some not. The Mashable Shopping team has almost 10 years of experience covering Prime events and knows how to comb through the noise, and kept track of the very best October Prime Day deals throughout the event.

Now that Prime Big Deal Days is over, the challenge is finding the best deals still live. Fortunately, savvy shoppers can still secure a saving.

Note: Any deals with a strikeout were either sold out or expired at the time of writing.

Most popular deal with Mashable readers Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $189.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $59.01 Get Deal Why people like it

Out of everything available during Prime Big Deal Days, the item our readers purchased the most was the Apple AirPods Pro 2. And we get it, we love AirPods too. The Pros offer excellent noise cancellation and easy connectivity with iOS devices. In the thick of the event, the AirPods Pro 2 dropped to their lowest price ever. While they've ticked back up to $189.99, this is still $10 less than the usual price that hovers around $199. If you're kicking yourself for missing their low price, now is the time to buy.

Other deals popular with Mashable readersBest Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749.00 at Amazon
$999.00 Save $250.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M2).

"The 13-inch MacBook Air from mid-2022 is a Mashable Choice Award winner that combines "[rock]-solid battery life" with "a keyboard that’s to die for, and enough horsepower to handle everyday tasks with ease," wrote tech and games reporter Alex Perry. It's our current favorite 'budget' MacBook, and it's now cheaper than ever before.

You can snag the base configuration with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $749, or $250 off its $999 MSRP. If it sells out on Amazon, check Best Buy: It was matching the deal at the time of writing." — Haley Henschel, Senior Shopping Reporter

AirPods

AirTags and accessories

Apple Watches

iPads

MacBooks

Best Amazon deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Music Unlimited (3-Month Subscription) at Amazon
Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon Music Unlimited provides unrestricted access to millions of songs and thousands of playlists, all without any adverts. Users can stream and download their favorite tracks with unlimited skips and explore a vast selection of podcasts. And Amazon Music Unlimited now offers an exceptional audio experience thanks to HD and spatial audio options.

That's a lot of benefits to get for absolutely nothing, but this deal really doesn't come with a catch.

More Amazon device deals

Almost all Amazon devices have returned to their original list pricing, but here's a glance at what was on sale during Prime Big Deal Days.

Echo smart speakers

Echo smart displays

Kindles

Fire tablets

Eero WiFi devices

Amazon service deals

Best laptop deal

For deals on MacBooks, scroll back up to the "Apple deals" section. For deals on gaming laptops, scroll down to the "Gaming deals" section.

Best Windows laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus Zenbook Duo (Intel Core Ultra 7 155U, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,264.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $235.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Asus Zenbook Duo (2024).

"A Mashable Choice Award winner, this unique laptop is 'a dual-display beauty that can support all of your app-juggling needs,' wrote Mashable Tech Editor Kim Gedeon. She gave it an excellent 4.8/5 rating, commending its stunning twin OLED screens, 'decent battery life,' and solid overall value. (It has a built-in kickstand, and it ships with a free detachable keyboard and stylus.)

The base configuration with an M2-rivaling Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU is now on sale for $1,264.99, which is a $10 drop from its Prime Day price and a new record low." — Haley Henschel, Senior Shopping Reporter

More laptop deals

Windows laptops

Chromebooks

Best headphones deal

For deals on AirPods, scroll back up to the "Apple deals" section.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Fit Pro $199.95 at Amazon
Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Beats Fit Pro.

It's hard to find the Beats Fit Pro under $160 on sale, which is why we were thrilled to see them get a nearly $50 markdown over Prime Day. Being a Beats product, they work just as well with Apple devices as a pair of AirPods would, and come with the same six-hour battery life as the more expensive AirPods Pro (the Pro case does hold 30 hours of charge where the Beats case holds 24 hours, though). They also have pretty impressive active noise cancellation for their price. Plus, the wing tip is comfortable and actually keeps these earbuds in while you move, which is why these are our overall favorite earbuds for workouts. — Bethany Allard, Lead Shopping Reporter

More headphones deals

Headphones

Earbuds

Best Bluetooth speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL PartyBox On-The-Go Speaker $299.95 at Amazon
$349.95 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"Maybe your Bluetooth speaker kicked the dust this summer after one too many pool parties. If you find yourself in the market for a new one, Prime Day is an especially great time to hit add to cart.

If you need a speaker for a party, the JBL PartyBox is just that. Despite its large size, the shoulder strap makes it easy to carry. Plus, six hours of battery life keeps it running all night long. Built-in lights and a microphone really keep things turning up all night long.

This Prime Day, you can find the JBL PartyBox down to $299.95, saving $50 for 14% off." — Samantha Mangino, Shopping Reporter

More Bluetooth speaker dealsSoundbar dealsBest TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 50-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV $279.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $220.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"Who says you need to spend a grand to get a nice (and decently sized) 4K TV? With the 35% discount that Amazon slapped on the 55-inch version of its most affordable Fire TV, Prime members could actually get one for two different rooms for way less than $1,000.

As Amazon's most basic in-house Fire TV, the 4-Series would be best suited for people who aren't super picky about saturation or brightness levels as long as it's a step up from their old LED TV — and this definitely will be. With the intuitive Fire TV platform built-in, the 4-Series can access all of your favorite streaming apps, which you can arrange in whatever layout makes sense to you." — Leah Stodart, Senior Shopping Reporter

More TV deals

50- to 55-inch TVs

65-inch TVs

75-inch TVs and up

Best streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Is the Amazon Fire Stick 4K the best streamer we've ever tested? No, Roku takes the cake there. However, it still works perfectly fine, and not to mention, it's hard to turn away from its delightful $30 price tag on Prime Day. Having tested the Amazon Fire Stick TV, set-up is easy, as simple as plugging it into an HDMI port in the back of your TV.

While the home screen is a little clunky and slow, full of ads and promotions for Prime Video content, it is a dream for those who primarily stream on the site. The Amazon Fire Stick 4K is down to $24.99, saving you $25 and 50% off.

More streaming dealsBest gaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini $94.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $105.00 Get Deal

"The Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini is a high-end gaming keyboard that's going for under $100 on Prime Big Deal Days (usually $199.99). The low-profile keyboard features wireless support, a lengthy battery life, and some of the best RGB customization in the business. If you're serious about PC gaming but don't have a lot of desk space, this gaming keyboard is the way to go, and it's an absolute steal at the moment." — Dylan Haas, Lead Shopping Reporter

More gaming deals

Gaming consoles

Gaming laptops

Gaming headsets

Gaming keyboards and keypads

Gaming mice

Gaming monitors

Best board game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Catan 'Catan' $32.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $27.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"Catan is a classic strategy game that’s perfect for families and game nights. And, at almost 50% off — down to just $32.99 — it's a steal. (You can get the five-to-six-player extension for $27.21). In this game, you’ll need to collect resources, settle the land, and trade with other players to build the biggest settlements. If you like any of the digital empire-building games, Catan is a great tabletop version that requires tight strategy, some luck, and a good dose of diplomacy to win." — Tabitha Britt, Mashable Shopping Contributor

More board game deals Best drone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Holy Stone Holy Stone HS175D $169.99 at Amazon
$269.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"If you’re really into drones, the name Holy Stone should be on your radar. This brand is known for making high-end drones that are feature-packed and, at times, super affordable.

The HS175D RC Quadcopter is currently $169.999 at Amazon, which is [$100 off its true MSRP on the Holy Stone website. (Amazon's list price is deflated.)] It’s a solid mid-range drone option that shoots 4K videos, has a 46-minute flight time, and a special flight mode where you can direct its movement — whether you want it to follow you or fly along a specific path." — Tabitha Britt, Mashable Shopping Contributor

More drone deals Best robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ecovacs Ecovacs Deebot T30S with handheld vacuum All-in-One Station $949.99 at Amazon
$1,199.99 Save $250.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"Ecovacs wasn't lying when it came up with the term 'all-in-one cleaning hub' here, considering that this robot vacuum not only empties itself and washes and dries its own mopping pads, but also has another sweet feature tacked onto the dock: a handheld cordless vacuum. If your main hesitation with robot vacuums was that they can't scale a staircase, sweep under couch cushions, or detail corners up to your standards, this is the one robot vacuum purchase that can — now for well under $1,000." — Leah Stodart, Senior Shopping Reporter

More robot vacuum deals

Robot vacuums that don't mop

Robot vacuums that do mop

More vacuum dealsMore home dealsBest Dyson vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V8 Plus $407.99 at Amazon
$469.99 Save $62.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"The Dyson V8 Plus cordless vacuum (silver/nickel) is lightweight and powerful and can handle most daily cleaning tasks. It has a detachable wand for cleaning stairs, upholstery, and hard-to-reach areas, and it converts to a handheld vac for quick cleanups. It comes with four accessories, including a hair screw tool for pet hair.

With a runtime of up to 40 minutes on a single charge, this little vac is ideal for small apartments and quick cleanups.

You can get it at Amazon for just $299.99 in a Big Prime Deal (originally $469.99). It’s out of stock at Dyson." — Tabitha Britt, Mashable Shopping Contributor

More Dyson vacuum deals More Dyson deals Best fitness tracker deal

For deals on Apple Watches, scroll back up to the "Apple deals" section.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Venu 3S $395.00 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $54.99 Get Deal Why we like it

"Ideal for smaller wrists, the Garmin Venu 3S is about .2 inches smaller in diameter and .3 oz lighter than the standard Venu 3. It still offers the same advanced features, like a built-in speaker and microphone to take calls, the ability to store music, and an abundance of health and fitness tools and insights. The only real difference besides the size is that the 3S has a slightly shorter battery life (about 10 days in smartwatch mode versus the 3's 14 days), but it still blows the Apple Watch battery out of the water. It's usually $449.99, but you can save $55 during the October Prime event and get it for only $395. That's a new all-time low." — Christina Buff, Mashable Shopping Contributor

More fitness tracker deals

Garmin deals

Google Pixel and Fitbit deals

Samsung Galaxy Watch deals

Smart ring deals

Best kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville Barista Touch $799.95 at Amazon
$999.95 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we picked this

A great espresso machine can make a world of difference when it comes to actually enjoying your morning. Breville is known for their pricier machines, which makes this deal on the Barista Touch a nice Prime Day surprise — and it's at its lowest price ever at Amazon. With a single touch, brew up your coffee house order right on your own countertop. Choose between Americano, flat white, cappuccino, latte, and more with this super convenient machine that includes a built-in conical burr grinder.

More kitchen deals

Air fryers

Blenders

Coffee makers

Espresso machines

Multicookers

Stand mixers

Miscellaneous kitchen deals

Best beauty deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer $329.99 at Amazon
$429.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Mashable's Bethany Allard has spent a lot of time with the Dyson Supersonic, assessing its performance and value. While Allard commends the hair dryer for its lightweight design, quick drying, and user-friendliness, its downfall comes with its $429.99 price tag.

During Prime Big Deal Days, the Dyson Supersonic was listed for $329.99, $100 off the usual price. Included with the hair dryer are several magnetic attachments including a diffuser, styling concentrator, flyaway attachment, gentle air attachment, and a wide tooth comb attachment. Unfortunately, this deal is no longer available at Amazon or alternative retailers, but Walmart has refurbished models for $239.99.

More beauty deals

Skincare

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Best book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Avery 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear $9.33 at Amazon
$27.00 Save $17.67 Get Deal Why we like it

"Even if self-help isn't your usual genre, James Clear’s Atomic Habits deserves a spot on your bookshelf. This is one of the best nonfiction titles to come out within the past few years, and it's currently 65% off in hardcover [thanks to a coupon on its product page].

This book is all about teaching yourself to build good habits, break bad ones, and generally become more focused, productive, and successful in your daily life. And at just $9.33 for the hardcover, it’s a steal." — Tabitha Britt, Mashable Shopping Contributor

More book deals Kindle book dealsBest home security deal Opens in a new window Credit: TP-Link TP-Link Tapo MagCam $59.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"If you only need a single security camera, the TP-Link Tapo MagCam is a reliable choice. While we haven't had the chance to test it out, our friends at PCMag (owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) have done the honor and awarded it a 4.5 outstanding rating. 'It's an excellent value for a battery-powered camera that offers color night vision, built-in spotlights, local and cloud storage options, free intelligent alerts, voice control, and many other features,' the review states, all of which earned the camera an Editors' Choice award. The TP-Link Tapo MagCam security camera usually sells for $119.99, but during Prime Big Deal Days, the camera is down to an all-time low of $59.99, according to Amazon price history. Just be sure to select the on-page coupon before adding it to your cart." — Christina Buff, Mashable Shopping Contributor

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Best printer deal Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP Envy 6055e $79.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The HP Envy 6055e wireless color inkjet printer can print quickly, going through five pages a minute in color, and eight and a half pages in black and white. It also comes with three months’ worth of ink through HP+. You just have to activate your subscription to get it — it's pretty easy to do through the app. This compact printer is ideal for at-home printing or dorm room use.

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Best Samsung Galaxy deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy A35 (Unlocked, 128GB) $313.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $86.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"Samsung's Galaxy A35 is a 'strong buy for the price,' as our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) said in their review. The budget-friendly Galaxy phone was released as a more affordable alternative to the Galaxy S24. As a budget phone, it doesn't offer the same speed and performance as the S24, but it also doesn't cost over $1,000. It packs a gorgeous 6.6-inch display, Samsung's Exynos 1380 processor, a 50 MP wide-angle camera with optical image stabilization, and a long-lasting 5,000mAh battery that supports fast charging. It's not the most impressive phone on the market, but on sale for [under $300], it's a pretty hard deal to beat." — Christina Buff, Mashable Shopping Contributor

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Best keyboard deals Opens in a new window Credit: Royal Kludge Royal Kludge S98 mechanical keyboard $89.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"For under $90, you're getting a hot-swappable keyboard with a 96% layout, a knob, a small display, and a Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and USB-C connection. In other words, this Royal Kludge keyboard is a great affordable mechanical keyboard, whether you're into gaming or just want something cute for your desk. There are also four different keycap colorways available, but the coupon amount may vary depending on which you choose." — Bethany Allard, Lead Shopping Reporter

More keyboard dealsBest deals under $50

Note: This section may have repeat deals from the above list.

Our pick: Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Hybrid Headphones (black) $49.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"Noise-cancelling headphones can easily cost a couple hundred bucks, even on sale. When I tested noise-cancelling headphones to determine which were the best for travel, I found that the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones already offered a pretty good value, even at their full price of $59.99 (and frequently discounted price of $49.99).

At nearly $40 flat, these are a steal. I was able to wear them comfortably for long periods of time, and get plenty of battery life off a single charge. Their ANC can hiss a little, but it also does a pretty good job of blocking out atmospheric sounds, and for $40, you really can't complain." — Bethany Allard, Lead Shopping Reporter

More deals under $50Best deals under $25

Note: This section may have repeat deals from the above list.

Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti YETI Rambler (18 oz) $24.00 at Amazon
$30.00 Save $6.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"Have you ever heard the crash of a YETI Rambler as it connects with concrete as you drive down the street, blissfully unaware you left it on top of your car? I assure you, it's very loud. So loud, in fact, I expected my water bottle to be too damaged to use — I know a HydroFlask wouldn't have survived that fall. But when I circled back to collect my YETI from the middle of the road, the bottle had one small scratch, and one small dent, and two years later, is still perfectly usable. What I'm saying is, if you want a water bottle that's built to last, a YETI Rambler is a pretty good bet." — Bethany Allard, Lead Shopping Reporter

More of the best deals under $25Best deals under $10 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Basics Amazon Basics Smart A19 LED Light Bulb $6.39 at Amazon
$12.99 Save $6.60 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking to start building out a smart home, a cheap smart bulb is a good way to test out the waters. Though you can use it with Amazon Echo devices and other smart home hubs and speakers, you don't need to have one to use this sub-$7 bulb. Just use the Alexa app on your phone, and you can use voice control to turn your lights on and off, change the color of your lighting, and more.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

October Prime Day is over but no one told these wireless earbud deals

Thu, 10/10/2024 - 21:57

UPDATE: Oct. 10, 2024, 4:55 p.m. EDT This post has been updated with the remaining earbud deals following the end of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event.

Best post-Prime Day wireless earbud deals Best wireless earbuds deal Beats Fit Pro $149.99 at Amazon (Save $49.96) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Pro 2 $189.99 at Amazon (Save $59.01) Get Deal Best budget wireless earbuds deal Soundcore by Anker P20i wireless earbuds $19.99 at Amazon (Save $20) Get Deal

Prime Big Deal Days has come and gone, but some earbud deals are still lingering.

Whether you want some dirt cheap buds or premium noise-cancellers, we found a ton of Prime Day-worthy deals, from the AirPods Pro 2 to budget-friendly Anker Soundcore earbuds.

SEE ALSO: A ton of self-emptying robot vacuums are still at record-low prices post-October Prime Day

Below, you'll find all the best Prime Day earbuds deals that are still live as of Oct. 10. And if you're still shopping, make sure to check out the rest of our favorite deals that are still live.

Best wireless earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Fit Pro Earbuds $149.99 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $49.96 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Beats Fit Pro.

It's hard to find the Beats Fit Pro under $160 on sale, which is why we were thrilled to see them get a nearly $50 markdown over Prime Day. Being a Beats product, they work just as well with Apple devices as a pair of AirPods would, and they come with the same six-hour per charge battery life as the more expensive AirPods Pro. (The Pro case does hold 30 hours of charge whereas the Beats case only holds 24 hours.) They also have impressive active noise cancellation for the price. Plus, the wing tip is comfortable and actually keeps these earbuds in while you move, which is why they're our overall favorite earbuds for workouts.

PROMOTED Jabra Elite 10 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.00 Shop Now JBL Tune Flex $49.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $50.00 Shop Now Jabra Elite 8 Active $146.00 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $53.99 Shop Now

Products available for purchase here through affiliate links are selected by our merchandising team. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission or other compensation.

Best AirPod deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $189.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $59.01 Get Deal Why we like it

For iOS users, AirPods are the ultimate wireless earbuds. Just cracking open the lid of the AirPods connects them to your iPhone. While the newest flagship pair dropped all the way down to $168.99 during Prime Day, you can still pick them up for the perfectly respectable sale price of $189.99. With sweat and water resistance, they make a fantastic pair of earbuds for working out. When I tested them in my bustling city neighborhood, I was in near disbelief at how they shut out the world around me. If you need peace and quiet, you can't beat the Apple AirPod Pros, especially when they're on sale.

Best budget wireless earbud deal Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore by Anker Soundcore by Anker P20i Wireless Earbuds $19.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're shopping Prime Big Deal Days and are focused on budget finds, let us point you toward the Soundcore by Anker P20i wireless earbuds. For under $20 on sale, these earbuds check most of our boxes including 10 hours of battery life, a charging case, and customizable audio. While they don't include active noise cancellation, they'll still deliver pleasing audio quality, even if they don't block out the world around you.

Normally $39.99, the Soundcore by Anker P20i earbuds are down to $19.99 for 50% off and $20 in savings.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

All the good Chromebook deals post-Prime Day are at Best Buy

Thu, 10/10/2024 - 21:57

UPDATE: Oct. 10, 2024, 4:15 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with any Chromebook deals lingering at Amazon post-Prime Big Deal Days and Best Buy post-Flash Sale.

Amazon's everyday selection of Chromebook doorbusters leaves much to be desired for most of the year. And after a small spike in deals on a few decent low-end options from Acer, Asus, and Lenovo for Prime Big Deal Days on Oct. 8 and 9, we're back to extremely slim pickings. Don't be fooled by the models that are still on sale but sold by unfamiliar third-party merchants — we recommend skipping those.

SEE ALSO: We've been covering Prime sales for almost 10 years. Here are the best October Prime Day deals we've found.

However, Best Buy is picking up some of the Chromebook deals slack (as usual). Though its 48-Hour Flash Sale has also officially concluded, there are still a few higher-end Chromebook deals sticking around, including Chromebook Plus options. We're tracking it all below.

Note: All deals marked with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Our pick Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Chromebook 516 Plus GE (Intel Core i5-120U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $549.00 at Best Buy
$649.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's guide to the best gaming laptops.

The 16-inch Chromebook Plus 516 GE (short for "gaming edition") is a newer version of one of Google's cloud gaming laptops. It's equipped with a vivid 120Hz display, a cool RGB keyboard, 256GB of storage, and a zippier Intel Core 5 processor than the previous version had. (FWIW, we even found the non-Plus model with the older processor to be quite the solid daily driver, so you know you're in good hands.)

More Chromebook deals at Best BuyMore Chromebook deals at Amazon
Categories: IT General, Technology

Most good Bluetooth speaker deals are still around the day after Prime Day

Thu, 10/10/2024 - 21:55
Best October Prime Day Bluetooth speaker deals still live Best Bluetooth speaker deal Sony SRS-XE300 X-Series Speaker $97.67 at Amazon (save $102.32) Get Deal Best JBL speaker deal JBL Flip 6 $79.95 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best budget Bluetooth speaker Oontz Angle 3 Speaker $21.99 at Amazon (save $18) Get Deal

Though Amazon typically begins to rapid-fire drop Prime Day deals several days before the event actually hits, Bluetooth speaker deals trickled in like molasses.

The day after Prime Big Deal Days, however, is proving to be a different story. As of Oct. 10, we're seeing several awesome deals from JBL and Sony still around — including one or two with further price drops. Here are the ones you can still shop in the aftermath of October Prime Day.

Best Bluetooth speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony SRS-XE300 X-Series Bluetooth Speaker $97.67 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $102.32 Get Deal Why we like it

Did your Bluetooth speaker kick the dust this summer after one too many pool parties? You can still be the vibe curator at your upcoming fall festivities with Sony's SRS-XE300, which you can grab for less than $100 with the 51% discount it's chilling at. This waterproof model is killer for outdoor events, all-day parties, vacations, and more, distributing sound widely with Sony's Line Shape Diffuser feature and playing for up to 24 hours on one charge.

More Bluetooth speaker dealsPROMOTED Jabra Elite 10 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.00 Shop Now JBL Tune Flex $49.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $50.00 Shop Now Jabra Elite 8 Active $146.00 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $53.99 Shop Now

Products available for purchase here through affiliate links are selected by our merchandising team. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission or other compensation.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds hit new low price after Prime Day

Thu, 10/10/2024 - 21:51

Save $50: The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are discounted at Amazon, even after Prime Day wrapped up. They're priced at $249, a new all-time low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Ultra Open Earbuds $249.00 at Amazon
$299.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal

If you're in the market for really good earbuds, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds — on sale at an all-time-low price at Amazon — might be your next purchase. The earbuds are on sale for $249, a 17% drop from the typical list price of $299.

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds promise to deliver high-quality sound while keeping your ears open, as the name implies. That could be the perfect thing for runners, bikers, or folks who otherwise might not want to shut-out the world via noise cancelling.

Mashable's review of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds gave them a really good 4.4 out of 5 rating.

Wrote RJ Anderson for Mashable:

"When Bose announced these headphones, they described them as the solution to the “one bud phenomenon” — aka needing to pull out one of your earbuds to interact with the world — and I was surprised to find that they lived up to the hype. Not only are the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds cool and functional, but the sound quality is great, the fit is incredible, and the comfort level is off the charts."

So if you ever wanted to cut down on taking out a single earbud, this might be just the deal you need.

More Prime Day earbud deals still available
Categories: IT General, Technology

Prime Day is over but you can still find deals on noise-cancelling headphones: Save on Apple, Beats, Sony

Thu, 10/10/2024 - 21:51

UPDATE: Oct. 10, 2024, 4:40 p.m. EDT This post has been updated with noise-cancelling headphone and earbud deals still live following October Prime Day.

Last-chance deals on noise-cancelling headphones Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Apple AirPods Max $394.99 at Amazon (Save $154.01) Get Deal Best noise-cancelling earbuds deal Beats Studio Buds + $119.99 at Amazon (Save $49.96) Get Deal

Prime Big Deal Days may be over, but that doesn't mean the deals are. Noise-cancelling headphones often get some of the biggest markdowns of the event, and this year was no exception.

Some big-ticket deals, like the markdowns we saw on Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony XM5 headphones, are no longer live, but you can still save on popular picks from Apple, Beats, Sony, and more.

Between Prime Day and Black Friday, fall is the ideal time to upgrade your headphones. Maybe yours took a hit during your summer travels. Or perhaps you're on campus and realizing you need a pair to deal with a noisy roommate. Either way, we've got you covered on the best noise-cancelling earbuds and headphones to shop on sale.

Best noise-cancelling headphones deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max $394.99 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $154.01 Get Deal Why we like it

AirPods Max are stylish headphones with easy connectivity to boot. Just like the rest of the AirPods collection, the AirPods Max connect effortlessly to iOS devices, plus you don't need an auxiliary app to control them, plus they have excellent audio quality.

However, a big hang-up we have with the AirPods Max is their price tag —at $549, you can find headphones with the same quality (and much better batteries) for far cheaper. However, when the AirPods Max are on sale, we're all in. Following Prime Big Deal Days, you can still get the original AirPods Max for $394.99, saving an impressive $154.01 for 28% off. This is just $12.29 short of their lowest price ever, according to their Amazon price history. And if you're interested in the new AirPods Max with USB-C, they're on sale, too.

More noise-cancelling headphones dealsBest noise-cancelling earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds + $119.99 at Amazon
$169.95 Save $49.96 Get Deal Why we like it

The Beats Studio Buds + are some of our favorite mid-range noise-cancelling earbuds, but at $119.99, their lowest price ever, they're inching ever-closer to being a budget pick. Since they're made by Apple, they pair just as quickly with iOS devices as a pair of AirPods, but if you're an Android user, they're also compatible with Google Fast Pair. Their sound is well-rounded and not too bass-heavy — overall they're an excellent pair of headphones at full price, and even better at $120.

More earbud dealsPROMOTED JBL Tune Flex $49.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $50.00 Shop Now Jabra Elite 8 Active $146.00 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $53.99 Shop Now Jabra Elite 10 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.00 Shop Now

Products available for purchase here through affiliate links are selected by our merchandising team. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission or other compensation.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung Galaxy Prime Day deals are still live: Save $250 on cult-favorite Z Flip 6 AI phones

Thu, 10/10/2024 - 21:44

UPDATE: Oct. 10, 2024, 4:00 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with the Samsung Galaxy deals still live following the October Prime Day event.

The best October Prime Day Samsung Galaxy deals still live: BEST GALAXY BOOK DEAL Samsung 16-inch Galaxy Book4 Pro (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,274.99 at Amazon (save $475) Get Deal BEST GALAXY PHONE DEAL Galaxy Z Flip 6 (Unlocked, 256GB) $851.77 at Amazon (save $248.22) Get Deal BEST GALAXY TAB DEAL Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (64GB, WiFi) $149 at Amazon (save $70.99) Get Deal BEST GALAXY WATCH DEAL Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (Bluetooth, 40mm) $169.99 at Amazon (save $130) Get Deal

The second Prime Day event of the year, dubbed Prime Big Deal Days, just concluded. It officially ran from Oct. 8 to 9, but in typical Amazon fashion, there were tons of early deals to shop ahead of the event and now plenty of deals to shop after — especially on Samsung Galaxy products.

It's no surprise, really, as Samsung is one of the brands that usually offers major discounts during big shopping events. July's Prime Day even aligned with Galaxy Unpacked, which made the perfect recipe for heavily discounted Samsung products. This time around, we saw lots of deals on older (and even some newer) Galaxy Watch models, plus heavy discounts on Galaxy Tab and Galaxy phone models — and that includes the brand's new AI smartphones. We were really hoping for a good deal on the Galaxy Ring (which we love), but only saw one very slight discount on one random size (if you wear a size 9 and like the color black, you can still save $29). Bummer. There's always Black Friday.

The Prime Big Deal Days event may have ended, but the deals are far from over. We're still keeping track of the best Samsung Galaxy Prime Day deals still live below. Snag them while you can.

Note: Deals with a strikeout were either sold out or expired at the time of writing.

Best Galaxy Book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 16-inch Galaxy Book4 Pro (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,274.99 at Amazon
$1,749.99 Save $475.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Released early this year, the Samsung 16-inch Galaxy Book4 Pro packs all the bells and whistles (an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU with Intel Arc Graphics, a 3K AMOLED touchscreen, AKG Quad speakers, a new Knox security chip). The 16-inch base model has 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a 21-hour battery life and typically retails for $1,749.99. During Prime Big Deal Days, however, the price dropped to just $1,274.99, and that deal is still live for now. That's 27% in savings.

Best Galaxy phone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 (Unlocked, 256GB) $851.77 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $248.22 Get Deal Why we like it

Samsung's pastel-colored Z Flip 6 is making flip phones cool again. It's also a much more reasonable size than the huge Samsung Z Fold 6. Part of the new generation of AI-powered Samsung phones, this trendy device has become a cult hit for its cute aesthetics alone. However, it's so much more than a pretty face. The FlexWindow on the front lets you check messages and notifications without opening the phone, and it has a ton of nifty AI and photography features. It can even act as a handheld translator device, making it ideal for social creators who love to travel. This phone isn't even on sale at Samsung, so head to Amazon while it's on sale for almost $250 off the regular price.

More Galaxy phone dealsBest Galaxy Tab deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (64GB, WiFi) $149.00 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $70.99 Get Deal Why we like it

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ may not be as fancy as the brand's S9 lineup, but not everyone is looking for a tablet that practically doubles as a computer. If you just want something reliable that can handle the basics without breaking the bank, check out the A9+. Our friends at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) called it the "best low-cost Android tablet you can buy," noting that it "succeeds at everything a low-cost tablet should."

It sports an 11-inch screen, quad speakers powered by Dolby Atmos, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor, and expandable storage up to 1TB. The base model is already pretty affordable at its full price of $219.99. But post-Prime Day, you can grab it for only $149. That's 32% in savings and its lowest price ever.

More Galaxy Tab dealsBest Galaxy Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 $169.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $130.00 (Bluetooth, 40mm) Get Deal Why we like it

Since it's no longer the latest and greatest smartwatch in the Samsung Galaxy lineup (that would be the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra), we've been seeing some pretty sweet deals on the Galaxy Watch 6. Post-October Prime Day, you can pick up the 40mm version with Bluetooth for only $169.99, which is 43% in savings and just $8 more than its all-time low (which it hit during the official event).

The sixth installment of the Galaxy Watch was named the "king of the Android smartwatch mountain" by Mashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry when it launched last year. It features improved sleep and fitness features over its predecessor, including a nuanced breakdown of sleep habits, sleep coaching, personalized heart rate zones, and irregular heart rate notifications. It also lasts longer on a single charge and has a 20 percent larger display than previous models.

More Galaxy Watch deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

These outdoor deals are still going strong post-Prime Day: Solo Stove, Coleman, Igloo, and more

Thu, 10/10/2024 - 20:47

UPDATE: Oct. 10, 2024, 3:40 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with deals on outdoor gear that are still live after Prime Big Deal Days.

Best Prime Day outdoor deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL DEAL Solo Stove Bonfire Essential Bundle 2.0 (silver) $284.47 at Amazon (save $140.52) Get Deal BEST CAMPING DEAL Coleman OneSource Rechargeable Built-In Pump Camp Shower Sprayer $133.99 at Amazon (save $31) Get Deal BEST COOLER DEAL Igloo Marine Ultra Cooler (90-quart) $100.79 at Amazon (save $25.15) Get Deal

LIVE BLOG: The latest news on October Prime Day 2024

While many of us associate summer with camping season, heading outdoors during the beautiful autumn months can be an equal joy. If your outdoor gear could use some upgrades, we're still seeing some sweet offers at Amazon, despite Prime Big Deal Days technically being over.

Some of the standout October Prime Day outdoor deals from brands like Coleman, Igloo, Jackery, and Solo Stove are still going strong. So, if you missed out on the official event, be sure to add them to your cart while you still can.

Here are some of our favorite outdoor deals still live post-Prime Day at Amazon.

Note: All newly added deals are marked with a ✨. Deals with a strikeout were either sold out or expired at the time of writing.

Best outdoor deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Solo Stove Solo Stove Bonfire Essential Bundle 2.0 (silver) $284.47 at Amazon
$424.99 Save $140.52 Get Deal Why we like it

Is it even camping if there isn't a campfire? Post-Amazon Prime Day, you can still snag the Solo Stove Bonfire Essential Bundle 2.0 on sale for just $284.47, a 33% discount off the bundle's list price of $424.99 (that's the retail price at the Solo Stove online store). You'll want to grab the silver/stainless steel model to get this sale price.

Solo Stove focuses on providing a smokeless fire experience, and the Bonfire 2.0 is ideal for four to six people to enjoy. The bundle also comes with a carrying case, stand, lid, heat deflector, and shield. The portable fire pit weighs about 22 pounds, so you'll be able to enjoy it at home this fall or while out on a weekend camping trip.

Best camping deal Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Our pick: Coleman OneSource Rechargeable Built-In Pump Camp Shower Sprayer $133.99 at Amazon
$164.99 Save $31.00 Get Deal Why we like it

No matter how hard you try, camping inevitably leads to getting dirty. The dog ran into the biggest mud puddle around, the kids tracked sand from the beach into the tent, or you just ended up on a super hot hike. For whatever reason, having a quick way to rinse off can make a huge difference in camping comfort. The versatile Coleman OneSource Rechargeable Built-In Pump Camp Shower Sprayer might be your new camping BFF, serving as both a rinse-off solution and a portable charger.

The collapsible three-gallon basin attaches to a six-foot hose with a nozzle so you can clean up when things get too dirty. The rechargeable battery system can charge your phone or other devices when you're not using the sprayer, which makes the system a useful camping companion.

Best cooler deal Opens in a new window Credit: Igloo Our pick: Igloo Marine Ultra Cooler (90-quart)✨ $100.79 at Amazon
$125.94 Save $25.15 Get Deal Why we like it

Keep all your adventure snacks and drinks chilled with the 90-quart Igloo Marine Ultra Cooler. Amazon has it discounted to just $100.79 post-Prime Day. That's 20% in savings and the lowest it's been since the last Prime Day event. Whether you're trekking through the sand at the beach, pulling up to a tailgate, or going on a weekend fishing trip, the oversized all-terrain wheels and comfort swing-up handle make it easy to tote this beast of a cooler with you. Plus, its fully insulated body and lid will keep ice for up to five days.

If you can't fathom spending the $400 plus on a Yeti Tundra Haul, this is a much more affordable alternative.

Last call: More Prime Day outdoor deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

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