Mashable
25+ book deals to shop during Prime Big Deal Days from Ali Hazelwood, Abby Jimenez, and more
While I love a beach read, nothing beats being inside on a chilly evening, all cozied up with a good book. If you've made your way through your summer TBR, it's time to build your fall stack. Prime Big Deal Days is underway with hundreds of book deals — hurry before the sale ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on Oct. 7.
The sale on books spans physical copies and e-books, too. And speaking of e-books, if you're interested in Amazon's e-readers, Kindles are on sale too. And don't forget to pick up a Kindle Click, a crucial device for your coziest season of reading yet.
Ready to shop? These are the best book deals from Prime Big Deal Days. Make sure to check out Target's buy two, get one free sale as well.
Best book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Circe by Madeline Miller $2.99 at Amazon$33 Save $30.01 Get Deal
If The Odyssey revived your love of mythology, then you need to check out Madeline Miller's Greek reimaginings. Her novel The Song of Achilles is a BookTok hit, and her retelling, Circe, is now just $2.99 on Kindle during Prime Big Deal Days. This epic tale reimagines the life of Circe as she comes into her own power as some of the most famous figures in Greek mythology cross her island.
It's a page-turner, perfect for cozy reading season. Looking for something else? We've rounded up dozens of great book deals to shop, whether you love a physical copy or want to stuff your Kindle.
Physical booksBroken Country by Clare Leslie Hall — $10.83 $28.99 (save $18.16)
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch — $11.65 $20 (save $8.35)
The Divorce by Freida McFadden — $9.29 $18.99 (save $9.70)
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah — $9.03 $19 (save $9.97)
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah — $7.64 $20 (save $12.46)
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore — $10.88 $30 (save $19.22)
Isola by Allegra Goodman — $9.01 $19.00 (save $9.99)
Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser — $14.25 $29 (save $14.75)
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali — $10.53 $18.99 (save $8.47)
The Love Hypothesis: Collector's Edition by Ali Hazelwood — $12.81 $35 (save $22.19)
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood — $7.21 $17 (save $9.79)
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell — $7.94 $18.99 (save $11.05)
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad — $13.71 $28 (save $14.29)
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller — $7.84 $18 (save $10.16)
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due — $9.44 $19.99 (save $10.55)
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid — $6.85 $17 (save $10.15)
The Wager by David Grann — $8.73 $21 (save $12.27)
The Will of the Many: Deluxe Edition by James Islington — $12.49 $35 (save $22.51)
Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics by Ina Garten — $11.78 $40 (save $28.12)
Dessert Person by Claire Saffitz — $13.73 $37.50 (save $23.77)
Martha: The Cookbook by Martha Stewart — $14.59 $40 (save $25.41)
Something from Nothing by Alison Roman — $17.14 $37.99 (save $20.85)
Soups, Salads, Sandwiches by Matty Matheson — $12.40 $35 (save $22.60)
The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook by Meredith Hayden — $12.81 $35 (save $22.19)
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman — $3.99 $13.99 (save $10)
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby — $2.99 $11.99 (save $9)
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott — $1.99 $12.99 (save $11)
Brimstone by Callie Hart — $3.99 $11.99 (save $8)
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black — $2.99 $11.99 (save $9)
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman — $0.99 $4.99 (save $4)
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix — $1.99 $12.99 (save $11)
The Invitation by Lucy Foley — $2.99 $11.99 (save $9)
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree — $2.99 $11.99 (save $9)
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison — $1.99 $10.99 (save $9)
The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez — $3.99 $14.99 (save $11)
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy — $2.99 $11.99 (save $9)
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid — $3.99 $12.99 (save $9.99)
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby — $2.99 $11.99 (save $9)
Reasons to Be Loved by You by Hannah Brown — $3.99 $14.99 (save $11)
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams — $2.99 $9.99 (save $7)
Time is running out for Prime members to shop Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale. Sign up for a Prime 30-day free trial if you want to save some cash, and follow Mashable’s guide to the best October Prime Day deals and live blog for the latest updates.
Wellness influencers have plenty of advice — and plenty to sell you
Getting healthier apparently requires a lot of purchases. At least, that’s the impression your social media feed can leave. There’s always another supplement to take or coaching program to join, and a discount code to make it all a little more tempting.
New research from Pew Research Center shows how often wellness content comes with a promotion. Researchers analyzed more than half a million Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube posts from over 6,000 health and wellness influencers. Some 38 percent contained a sponsorship or another appeal to use a product, service, or subscription. Among posts directly discussing health and wellness, the share was nearly half.
You might follow a creator for their personality, recipes, or workout advice. But when those posts lead to product recommendations, you’re also a potential customer. At least according to the report, released Oct. 7, which examined posts published between February and April 2026. It found that 92 percent of the influencers included promotions at least occasionally, and around a third of them include ads in a majority of their posts.
Pew’s definition of a promotion includes disclosed sponsorships, product and service recommendations, and free resources such as workout guides. Creators promoting their own offerings can also qualify.
Credit: Screenshot: Pew Research CenterPromotions also appeared in 66 percent of posts about nonprescription medications and supplements, 56 percent about appearance, 56 percent about men’s health, and 52 percent each about nutrition and longevity. They were more frequent in posts from self-described dietitians and nutritionists; complementary, alternative, and integrative health professionals; authors; business owners; and coaches. Athletes and activists included them less frequently.
The commercial side is easy to spot, from a viewer's point of view. Kayla Itsines (15 mil on Instagram) offers workout programs through the subscription-based Sweat app, while Joe Wicks (2.9 mil on YouTube) sells Body Coach app subscriptions featuring workouts and meal plans. Mari Llewellyn co-founded Bloom Nutrition, which sells "Greens & Superfoods" powders, and physician/podcast host Mark Hyman's online store sells supplements and offerings such as his "10-Day Detox" program.
What’s actually in the wellness feed?Just over half of the posts discussed healthy living, compared with about a third discussing medical issues. Fitness appeared in 25 percent, healthy habits in 20 percent, nutrition in 19 percent, and appearance in 14 percent. And if it feels like everyone is talking about protein; 42 percent of nutrition posts mentioned it directly. Thirty percent of posts didn’t discuss wellness at all, instead covering personal life or other subjects.
The report also complicates the idea that wellness influencers are simply nonexperts dispensing medical advice. Self-described healthcare professionals discussed medical conditions and treatments requiring professional involvement most frequently. Those topics appeared much less often in posts from creators who didn’t claim a medical background.
As I previously reported, "credential catfishing" involves fabricating the education, career, or status that signals authority online. Back in September, Mashable covered the story of influencer Angel Victoria Murdock who spent nearly two years documenting her supposed experience in Duke University’s Physician Assistant Program. Followers saw scrubs, medical notes, apparent Duke Health identification, and "get ready with me" videos for supposed rotations. She even posed in graduation attire outside Duke Chapel. But, spoiler alert: She had never attended the program. Murdock also promoted fashion and beauty products and participated in TikTok Shop’s affiliate program.
SEE ALSO: Welcome to the age of 'credential catfishing'Even genuine experience has limits, as certified medical exercise specialist and personal trainer Courtney Babilya told the Associated Press in May. "We have to be careful with people who have an experience in one thing and suddenly become a 'coach' on that," she cautioned.
You don’t even have to follow a wellness creator to encounter their recommendations. Earlier Pew research found that 40 percent of U.S. adults get health and wellness information from influencers or podcasts. Among those consumers, 67 percent mostly encountered it rather than searching for it.
Some viewers are tired of the pitches. In a recent Reddit thread titled "Too many ads," one user wrote: "oh my god i love tiktok but im starting to get irritated that every video is either a regular ad, an undisclosed ad, a partnership, or a brand deal."
A promotion doesn’t automatically make advice bad SEE ALSO: How influencers and politicians built an unregulated supplement empireCreators have bills to pay, too, and brand partnerships can help them keep making the content people follow them for. Plenty of viewers find that content useful: Pew’s earlier research found that 54 percent of people who get health and wellness information from influencers or podcasts said it helped them better understand how to be healthy.
But as viewers, it helps to be discerning about the advice we take. Disclosures are one thing to check: Look for a "Paid partnership" label, a clear #ad or #sponsored in the caption, or a disclosure within the video itself. You shouldn’t have to dig through someone’s profile or a pile of hashtags to find it. The Federal Trade Commission says influencers should clearly disclose brand relationships, including payments and free products, "even if you think your evaluations are unbiased."
Platforms have their own requirements, too. Instagram requires a paid partnership label for branded content involving an exchange of value. TikTok requires its disclosure setting for promotional content, labeling posts "Paid partnership" or "Promotional content." And YouTube requires creators to flag commercial relationships, which adds a disclosure at the beginning of the video.
Those requirements don’t guarantee that every promotion is labeled. And even a clearly disclosed partnership doesn’t tell you whether the health advice is sound. Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do for yourself — and your wallet — is let a discount code expire.
Home Depot just dropped deals on its iconic Halloween giants, including the big skeleton
The Home Depot 12-foot skeleton has become an icon of lawns all across America since its debut in 2020, but it's far from the only oversized Halloween decoration in the home improvement store's lineup.
In fact, as of Oct. 7, plenty of giant monsters of various ilk are on sale at the store (perhaps in the spirit of October Prime Day). Though the 12-foot "Skelly" won't be on sale, you can pick up a six-foot app-controlled Skelly, several Nightmare Before Christmas characters, spooky trolls, dead brides, plague doctors, a nine-foot tree named Dry Rot Dennis — all of your basic Halloween essentials. (Some of these creatures are brand new to the 2026 lineup).
Below, we've rounded up the 15 best deals on Home Depot's Halloween giants, on sale just in time for you to spruce up your Halloween decoration game.
Best Home Depot Halloween decoration deal Opens in a new window Credit: Home Accents Holiday Home Accents Holiday 6.5-Foot Grave & Bones Animated LED App Controlled Ultra Skelly with LCD LifeEyes $179 at Home Depot$279 Save $100 Get Deal
It may not be the tallest skeleton from Home Depot or the tallest monster on this list, but boy, does this six-and-a-half-footer still bring the heat. For starters, it features the same LCD LifeEyes that stand out in the dark of night, and give you 18 options for color customization, including "blue human," "brown human," flames, and hearts. The motion sensor skeleton also comes with five preset sounds, or the option to record up to 30 personalized recordings (with 30-second limits). Plus, the head, arm, mouth, and torso move — and can be controlled remotely via the app, in addition to customizable LED controls and colors. Best of all? Usually, it's only $20 cheaper than its 12-foot sibling, but with this deal, it's $120 less than the larger skeleton.
Opens in a new window Credit: Haunted Hill Farm Haunted Hill Farm 6-Foot Animated LED Hanging Clown Halloween Animatronic $39.99 at Home Depot$49.99 Save $10 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Home Accents Holiday Home Accents Holiday 8-Foot Wicked Woods Giant-Sized Animated LED Tumble the Troll $159 at Best Buy
$249 Save $90 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Home Accents Holiday Home Accents Holiday 6-Foot Grave & Bones Animated LED John the Last Call Mixologist $179 at Home Depot
Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Disney Disney 4.5-Foot LED Zero $79.98 at Home Depot
$129 Save $49.02 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Disney Disney 6.5-Foot Deluxe Life-Size Animated Jack Skellington $169 at Home Depot
$259 Save $90 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Disney Disney 6-Foot Deluxe Life-Size Animated Sally $169 at Home Depot
$259 Save $90 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Home Accents Holiday Home Accents Holiday 8-Foot Wicked Woods Giant-Sized Animated LED Perilous Plant Monster $199 at Home Depot
$299 Save $100 Get Deal Opens in a new window Universal 7-Foot Animated LED Frankenstein's Monster $210 at Home Depot
$279 Save $69 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Haunted Hill Farm Haunted Hill Farm 5-Foot Touch-Activated Animatronic Hanging Spinning Bride $55.99 at Home Depot
$69.96 Save $13.97 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Home Accents Holiday Home Accents Holiday 7-Foot Wicked Woods Animated LED App Controlled Lethal Lily $199 at Home Depot
$299 Save $100 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Home Accents Holiday Home Accents Holiday 6.5-Foot Grave & Bones Animated LED Raven $129 at Home Depot
$199 Save $70 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Home Accents Holiday Home Accents Holiday 9-Foot Wicked Woods Giant-Sized Color Changing LED Horrifying Hickory $179 at Home Depot
$279 Save $100 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Home Accents Holiday Home Accents Holiday 7-Foot Grave & Bones Animated LED Plague Doctor $129 at Home Depot
$199 Save $70 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Home Accents Holiday Home Accents Holiday 9-Foot Wicked Woods Giant-Sized LED Dry Rot Dennis $199 at Home Depot
$299 Save $100 Get Deal
Miss browser games? Google wants you to build your own with AI
Google wants the next hit browser game to start with a prompt. The company launched Playground on Oct. 7, an experimental platform for creating, playing, and sharing custom games.
"Playground lowers the barriers to creation, so bringing game ideas to life can now be as easy as describing it through a few prompts — no coding experience required," Google software engineer Maryam Karimzadehgan wrote in the announcement.
Creators can start from scratch, remix starter prompts, or use guided support to shape an idea, then test and revise it through a conversational interface. "Want to tweak the physics, rewrite the rules, customize the characters, or overhaul the environment? Just ask," Karimzadehgan adds. "You stay in complete control of the creative direction from rough concept to final product."
Credit: Screenshot: Google PlaygroundUsers can choose genres such as trivia or racing, select 2D or 3D graphics, and upload visuals for the AI to transform into game assets. An upcoming Unity Spark integration promises "robust, professional-level mechanics, high-fidelity 3D capabilities, and the flexibility of the Unity runtime."
Games work in browsers on phones and laptops. Creators can keep projects private, share links, or publish to the Explore gallery, which highlights games based on ratings and play activity. Select genres support leaderboards and multiplayer, while Play Games profiles let users follow creators. Google says published games always undergo safety screenings.
Playground is initially available to U.S. adults, with creation access rolling out based on Google AI subscriptions. Browsing and playing are free; creation uses weekly tokens, with higher limits for Google One AI subscribers.
Credit: Screenshot: Google PlaygroundGoogle joins competitors, including Roblox, which announced its prompt-based Build tool in July, and Rosebud AI, which offers conversational game creation. You can also build games through general-purpose AI assistants. ChatGPT’s Sites tools can also create and host browser games, while Claude’s Artifacts lets users generate, revise, and share playable prototypes through conversation.
Google calls Playground an "early experiment," but the browser-game format may feel familiar to anyone who spent afternoons playing games on the family computer. This time, you can build the game you wish you'd found.
Top 25 noise-cancelling headphone deals for October Prime Day: Time is running out to grab AirPods, Bose, Sony, and more
Just like that, Prime Big Deal Days is in its final hours. The 48-hour event kicked off Oct. 6 and wraps up at midnight Oct. 7, so you've still got some time to shop all the best deals. Don't worry; we've made it easy for you by combing through pages and pages of listings to find the deals that are actually worth grabbing. To be frank, the headphones deals are some of the best of the sale.
If noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds, in particular, are on your wishlist, many of Mashable's favorites are on sale. That includes the excellent Sony XM6 headphones and earbuds, the Technics EAH-AZ100 (our favorite premium earbuds), the AirPods Max 2 and Pro 3, and the Bose QuietComfort lineup. There are also pretty wild discounts on the lesser-known JBL Tune Buds and EarFun Air Pro 4.
Below, find the 25+ best Prime Day deals on noise-cancelling headphones, with savings from all of the best audio brands.
Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort headphones (2nd gen) $319 at Amazon$359 Save $40 Get Deal Why we like it
Bose's latest mid-range launch, the second-generation QuietComfort headphones, brings the best parts of the QuietComfort Ultra headphones for less money. They offer comparable comfort and noise cancellation (with the latter being manually adjustable), and are the first non-Ultra headphones to feature immersive audio. The ear cushions are replaceable for future proofing, and the sound quality is warm and well-rounded. Plus, they fold up small and have unique colorways, making them great for taking on the go and adding to your outfits.
Pro tip: If you're looking to save even more money, the past-gen Bose QuietComfort headphones (which we also love) are on sale for Prime members for just $169.
Read Mashable's full review of the second-generation Bose QuietComfort headphones.
More noise-cancelling headphones dealsSoundcore Q20i — $37.97 $69.99 (save $32.02)
JLab JBuds Lux — $39.80 $99.99 (save $60.19)
Sony WH-CH720N — $88 $179.99 (save $91.99)
Soundcore Space 2 — $99.99 $129.99 (save $30)
Sony WH-CH730N ANC headphones — $124.99 $179.99 (save $55)
Sony ULT WEAR headphones — $129.95 $249.99 (save $120.04)
Soundcore Space One Pro — $129.99 $199.99 (save $70)
Nothing Headphone (a) — $129 $199 (save $70)
Bose QuietComfort headphones — $169 $359 (save $190)
Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $199.95 $299.99 (save $100.04)
Sony WH-1000XM6 — $378 $459.99 (save $81.99)
Apple AirPods Max 2 — $429 $549 (save $120)
Sony 1000X The Collexion — $598 $649.99 (save $51.99)
$79.99 Save $29.49 Get Deal Why we like it
While we're big fans of the Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100s, which are $65 off for Prime Big Deal Days, you might not want to spend over $200 on a pair of earbuds. If you're looking for a more affordable pick, our top recommendation is the EarFun Air Pro 4. They're our favorite pair of budget earbuds at full price, but their current discount drops them to just $50. They punch above their weight class, offering hours of listening time, excellent manually adjustable ANC, solid sound quality, great multipoint pairing, and a companion app with plenty of options for customizing your listening experience. The touch controls are kind of iffy, but that's one of the only areas where these earbuds show their price point.
More noise-cancelling earbuds dealsSoundcore P30i — $23.68 $49.99 (save $26.31)
JBL Tune Buds — $32.95 $99.95 (save $67)
JBL Tune Flex — $37.95 $99.95 (save $62)
Soundcore Space A40 — $47.99 $79.99 (save $32)
EarFun Air Pro 4+ — $71.23 $99.99 (save $28.76)
Beats Studio Buds + — $89.95 $169.95 (save $80)
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE — $94.99 $149.99 (save $55)
Bose QuietComfort — $129 $179 (save $50)
Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $179 $249 (save $70)
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 — $170.05 $229 (save $58.95)
Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds — $234.99 $299.99 (save $65)
Sony WF-1000XM6 — $258 $329.99 (save $71.99)
Wondering what to buy on Prime Day? Shop our top 10 deals before the sale ends tonight.
Amazon's October Prime Day event is underway with tons of deals begging for your attention. It's tough sorting through what's actually worth your hard-earned cash, so we've taken it upon ourselves to do that part for you.
Mashable's shopping team has been hunting deals in the weeks leading up to Prime Big Deal Days and now that it's officially here, we gathered our top 10 deals of the sale. If you're itching to knock out some early holiday shopping or simply have a "treat yourself" kind of week, but aren't sure what to buy, here are our picks for the best Prime Day deals so far.
And if something catches your eye, don't wait to shop. Prime Big Deal Days wraps up on Oct. 7 (that's tonight!), and Amazon won't keep these deals around for long.
The newest Apple Watch Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) $349.99 at Amazon$399 Save $49.01 Get Deal Why we like it
Apple's latest flagship smartwatch is just a few weeks old, but it just got its first notable discount for Prime Day. What's new about the Series 12? More regular heart rate variability (HRV) readings, quicker charging, a faster processor, and a new Daily Readiness score. Unfortunately, the battery life is still the same at around 24 hours.
A limited-edition Yeti cooler Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler $243.75 at Amazon$325 Save $81.25 Get Deal Why we like it
Spotting a Yeti cooler on sale is like finding a four-leaf clover: rare, but possible if you look hard enough. This gorgeous limited-edition ultramarine violet Tundra 45 hard cooler can squeeze in 26 cans with a 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio, can keep ice frozen for days, and is 25% off for Prime members. It's a bit hefty to tote around, but that heft is what makes it virtually indestructible.
The 30th Celebration ETB for close to market price Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $159.99 at AmazonGet Deal Why we like it
This box comes with the same collection of packs and bonuses as before: nine titular booster packs, a full-art foil Nidorina promo, 16 foil Basic Energy trading cards, 65 sleeves, dice, a coin, dividers, a player’s guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.
However, keep in mind that the $159.99 is for invitation requests only. At only just over $11 above market price, this will sell fast.
A speedy new MacBook Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099 at Amazon$1,299 Save $200 Get Deal Why we like it
The M5 MacBook Air is Mashable's favorite MacBook for most people, thanks to its absurdly powerful M5 chip, sleek design, portability, and unrivaled performance for the price. Our laptop expert Haley Henschel calls it "the sweet spot in Apple's lineup." This $200 discount basically negates the price hike from earlier this year.
Noise-cancelling headphones that are actually comfortable Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Noise-Cancelling Headphones (1st Gen) $169 at Amazon$359.99 Save $190.99 Get Deal Why we like it
Whether you have a long trip approaching or just need something to quiet the noise of your commute, Bose's QuietComfort headphones deliver all-day comfort and excellent noise cancellation. Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Sam Mangino said these are her all-time favorite headphones, even after testing a ton of other options.
A portable SSD that's virtually indestructible Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk SanDisk Extreme 1TB Portable SSD $209.99 at Amazon$299.99 Save $90 Get Deal Why we like it
Despite the global memory crisis causing steep increases to SSDs, this SanDisk Extreme 1BT Portable SSD is the cheapest it's ever been at $90 off. It's built to withstand practically anything, from spills to drops, and is ridiculously speedy compared to previous generations. Plus, it packs an entire terabyte of storage space.
A mid-range OLED TV for a budget-friendly price Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-Inch S90H OLED 4K TV $1,497.99 at Amazon$2,699.99 Save $1,202.00 Get Deal Why we like it
If an OLED TV has been on your wishlist, now's a great time to make the leap. The S90H is Samsung's mid-range OLED model from 2026, which is just a step down from our favorite OLED of the year. It packs superior contrast, a brightness increase from last year's model, an upgraded anti-reflection display, support for 4K at 165Hz, and gaming perks like NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. It's also down to its best price ever.
The latest AirPods Pro Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179 at Amazon$249 Save $70 Get Deal Why we like it
Time to replace your AirPods? You might as well grab the Pro 3's while they're just $10 away from their best-ever price. They're no longer the latest AirPods, but they are the latest Pro model, featuring a bunch of excellent features — Live Translation, heart rate sensing, adaptive noise cancellation, and three-dimensional spatial audio. They can even act as hearing aids.
A basic Kindle for just over $100 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle (2024) $103.99 at Amazon$149.99 Save $46.00 Get Deal Why we like it
Amazon raised the prices of its Kindle models over the summer, then dropped a whole batch of new ones. None of the new editions are on sale for October Prime Day, but the basic Kindle from 2024 (the exact model I own) is on sale for just over $100. That knocks it back down below its price pre-increase. While it may not be the newest Kindle on the market, it remains the best e-reader on a budget.
A rare deal from Dyson Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic Nural $349.99 at Amazon$449.99 Save $100 Get Deal Why we like it
The Supersonic Nural is designed to adjust its airflow and temperature as you dry your hair, using built-in Nural sensors to adapt the device throughout your styling. One of its standout features is Scalp Protect mode, which monitors temperature and automatically reduces heat as the dryer approaches your scalp, keeping the drying temperature at a more comfortable 130°F. Any deal from Dyson is worth considering, but this $100 price cut is seriously tempting.
Time is running out for Prime members to shop Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale. Sign up for a Prime 30-day free trial if you want to save some cash, and follow Mashable’s guide to the best October Prime Day deals and live blog for the latest updates.
I found 15 October Prime Day earbuds deals to shop before the sale ends: Bose, Apple, Beats, and more
It's leaf-peeping season, and that means it's time for another massive sale event at Amazon. October Prime Big Deal Days runs Oct. 6 and 7, and today is your last day to shop the deals. Amazon is bursting with offers, especially on earbuds.
Many of us depend on earbuds like we depend on water. On the checklist before walking out the front door, we need our wallet, phone, keys, and of course, earbuds. They're with us from a morning walk with the dog to bedtime YouTube viewing. If your current pair is not up to these tasks, October Prime Day deals are coming to the rescue.
SEE ALSO: 12 expert-sourced deals on headphones and earbuds ahead of October Prime Day: Shop Beats, AirPods, and SonyFrom incredibly comfortable Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd gen) to the Soundcore Sleep A30 Special, we're seeing plenty of great deals on earbuds, and I've rounded up the best options below. Keep an eye on Mashable's Prime Day coverage as we near the end of the sale.
Best Apple earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $79 at Walmart$129.99 Save $50.99 Get Deal Why we like it
At the affordable price of $79, the Apple AirPods 4 are on sale at Walmart. Redesigned for comfort, the AirPods 4 come with a massive 30-hour battery life with the included charging case. And good news on that front: Apple made the case smaller and compatible with USB-C charging.
Keep in mind that the base model of the Apple AirPods 4 does not come with active noise cancellation. If that's a priority, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 with ANC are on sale for $179.
SEE ALSO: The 5 headphones deals we want to see on sale during October Prime Day Best Bose earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Earbuds $129 at Amazon$179 Save $50 Get Deal Why we like it
If you're looking for the most comfortable earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort earbuds are a top pick. Mashable's analysis of the best Bose headphones and earbuds notes that these Bose buds are the best budget earbuds. "They’re focused on a great fit, as they come with multiple ear tips and multiple bands you can change out on the earbuds for a better fit on the crest of your ear," wrote Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard.
Best open earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shokz Shokz OpenDots One $139.95 at Amazon$199.95 Save $60 Get Deal Why we like it
If you'll be wearing earbuds while running or working out at the gym, open earbuds might be the best option. The design focuses on solid sound quality while also keeping you aware of your surroundings. The Shokz OpenDots One are among Mashable's favorite open earbuds, and they're on sale for under $140 for Prime Day. Need more convincing? They're also Mashable's top choice for running earbuds.
The sale price of $139.95 is the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.
Best sleep earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Special $159.99 at Amazon$229.99 Save $70 get a free Anker Soundcore Eye Mask Get Deal Why we like it
If you struggle to sleep on account of environmental noise, sleep earbuds might be a great solution. Instead of using earbuds that hurt when sleeping on your side, sleep earbuds are specially designed for comfort, no matter which sleeping position you prefer. Mashable's favorite sleep earbuds are the Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Specials, and they're on sale for $159.99 for October Prime Day. That's a new record-low price.
In Mashable's review of the Sleep A30 Specials, Allard wrote, "Soundcore's quick upgrade to the recently released Sleep A30 earbuds is a welcome one, delivering a longer battery life and lower price point, making a great pair of sleep earbuds even better."
If you're searching for solutions to get better sleep, consider these sleep earbuds while they're on sale for the best price.
More earbuds dealsEarbudsSoundcore P30i — $23.68 $49.99 (save $26.31)
Nothing Ear (a) Earbuds — $55 $79 (save $24)
Beats Studio Buds+ — $89.95 $169.96 (save $80)
JBL Tour Pro 2 — $99.95 $249.95 (save $150)
Bose QuietComfort — $129 $179 (save $50)
Beats Powerbeats Fit — $159.95 $199.99 (save $40.04)
Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $179 $249 (save $70)
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 — $170.05 $229 (save $58.95)
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro — $199.49 $249.99 (save $50.50)
Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 — $234.99 $299.99 (save $65)
Sony WF-1000XM6 Earbuds — $258 $329.99 (save $71.99)
Baseus Inspire XC1 — $94.04 $129.99 (save $35.95)
Soundcore AeroClip — $94.99 $169.99 (save $75)
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds — $199 $299 (save $100)
Soundcore Sleep A20 — $99.99 $179.99 (save $80)
Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 — $237 $279 (save $42)
What Mashable readers are buying on October Prime Day: Top 10 most popular products
Mashable's shopping team loves to help our readers stretch their dollars further. During October Prime Day (and every other day, for that matter), we're relentlessly scanning product listings, tracking prices, and curating the best deals for y'all so you can get more bang for your buck. We'll shout about our favorite tech deals, which Apple products are at all-time lows, and what deals we think are actually worth it. But when it comes down to it, one of the best ways to decide what to add to your cart is to see what other people already added to theirs.
Below, we're breaking down the top 10 deals Mashable readers purchased during Prime Big Deal Days this year. If you're still looking to do some shopping, the official October Prime Day event wraps up at the end of the day on Oct. 7. Although, you may still be able to snag a few lingering discounts in the days following.
Here are the most popular items Mashable readers are adding to their carts:
Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration swag Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon Pokemon TCG: 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box (invite only) $159 at AmazonGet Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Booster Bundle $93.50 at Amazon
Get Deal
The Pokémon 30th Celebration expansion has been fluctuating in price since it came out, but you can request to buy it at $159.99 (just $11 above market price) for October Prime Day. And Mashable readers have been submitting invite requests left and right. It comes with nine titular booster packs, a full-art foil Nidorina promo, 16 foil Basic Energy trading cards, 65 sleeves, dice, a coin, dividers, a player’s guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. The Booster Bundle is also a hot ticket item for Prime Day, which includes six booster packs from Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time pre-orders Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo Switch 2) $59.88 at Amazon$69.99 Save $10.11 Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Digital Code) $59.99 at Amazon
Pre-order Here
While preordering the physical edition of Nintendo's upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Switch 2 typically costs $69.99, Amazon has it on sale for $59.88 for Prime Big Deal Days. Many Mashable readers have already secured the game for less, so don't miss your shot ahead of its Nov. 5 launch.
A pastel pink Owala FreeSip Opens in a new window Credit: Owala Owala FreeSip Twist (24-ounce) $19.97 at Amazon$29.99 Save $10.02 Get Deal
The Owala FreeSip is the water bottle of the moment and the 24-ounce Twist, which easily slips into backpack side pockets and cup holders, is on sale for under $20 for Prime Big Deal Days. This baby pink (referred to as angel food cake) has particularly called to Mashable readers, but several other color options are discounted as well.
A swanky 3D printer Opens in a new window Credit: Bambu Lab Bambu Lab P1S Combo $499 at Amazon$549 Save $50 Get Deal
We love a good splurge, and the popularity of this swanky 3D Printer from Bambu Labs shows our readers do also. As Mashable contributor Soumya Kumar puts it, "The Bambu Lab P1S earns our top spot because it nails the trifecta: speed, output quality, and pure convenience." It's approachable for newbies, but powerful enough for seasoned vets.
The latest AirPods Pro Opens in a new window Credit: Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179 at Amazon$249 Save $70 Get Deal
There's no denying the AirPods Pro 3 are great earbuds, but we like them significantly more when they're on sale. While we regularly see the price tag drop to $199, it's rarer to see them at $179, making this a smart purchase.
The 11-inch classic iPad Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, 128GB, WiFi) $399 at Amazon$449 Save $50 Get Deal
Over 20 Apple gadgets are at record-low prices this October Prime Day, but none of those gadgets are iPads. Still, there are plenty of iPad deals worth grabbing and readers are flocking to the classic iPad. It's on sale for just $399, making it the most affordable iPad option by a long shot.
Sony's flagship noise-cancelling headphones Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones $378 at Amazon$459.99 Save $81.99 Get Deal
The latest flagship headphones from Sony come with a steep price tag, so any chance to get them at a discount is worth taking. For what it's worth, Mashable's tech editor says they mostly justify their full cost, thanks to elite noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, a travel-friendly design, and close to the best sound he's ever heard.
This cutie mini power bank Opens in a new window Credit: UGREEN UGREEN Nexode Pro mini power bank $36.07 at Amazon$54.99 Save $18.92 Get Deal
We all suffer from low-battery anxiety, so it's no shock here that readers are scooping up this mini power bank. Plus, it's pretty cute and small enough to fit in your palm.
A hefty Yeti cooler in violet Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Tundra 45 hard cooler $243.75 at Amazon$325 Save $81.25 Get Deal
Yeti deals are rare, so this 25% discount on the classic Tundra 45 hard cooler is certainly worth adding to your cart. And if you're a big Yeti fan like me, several other deals on drinkware, camping gear, and more are worth a second look.
Kindle e-readers and accessories Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle (2024) $103.99 at Amazon$149.99 Save $46.00 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Click $34.99 at Amazon
Pre-order Here
Literacy crisis be damned. Mashable readers are buying Kindles (particularly the last-gen basic Kindle, the last-gen Kindle Paperwhite, and the brand new Kindle Paperwhite) in droves. Plus, we're seeing folks securing their pre-orders for the new Kindle Click, aka the page-turner of our dreams.
More popular deals Mashable readers boughtAmazon Smart Plug — $12.98 $24.99 (save $12.01)
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $49.99 (save $32)
Apple AirTag (2nd gen) — $24 $29 (save $5)
Anker Nano Smart Display charger — $25.99 $39.99 (save $15)
SanDisk Extreme 1TB portable SSD — $209.99 $299.99 (save $90)
Anker Solix C1000 power station — $469.99 $599.99 (save $130)
Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,299.99 (save $200)
Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD 3000 Robot Lawn Mower — $2,109 $2,608 (save $499)
iPhone vs. Android on privacy-invasive bloatware: Which lets users remove pre-installed apps?
Apple has long been criticized for the iPhone's "walled garden," the closed ecosystem that the company has built with iOS that gives Apple tight control over which apps and services can run on its smartphone. Android devices have long been viewed as the more "open" option, giving users more control over what's on their smartphone.
But, when it comes to bloatware, that may not be the case. In fact, a recent study from cybersecurity company Surfshark found that iPhone users can remove more pre-installed apps from their devices than users of phones from some of the top Android smartphone makers like Samsung and Google.
According to the study, the iPhone comes with up to 50 pre-installed apps. Users in the EU can remove 48 of these apps or 96 percent of them. (The Phone app and the Settings app are the only two pre-installed apps that cannot be deleted in the EU.) In the U.S., iPhone users are able to delete 44 of these apps or 88 percent of them.
Samsung devices, on the other hand, come with a whopping 88 pre-installed apps and only 50 of them or 57 percent were marked safe to remove. For Google's Android devices, the database listed 71 pre-installed apps, but only 38 percent of them or 27 apps were marked as safe to remove.
The report states that the average smartphone user has between 60 and 90 apps installed on their device. However, they use roughly 10 of these apps on a daily basis and around 30 of them each month. That leaves many apps unused and taking up space.
But, even worse than that, these apps may not just sit there. They can operate in the background, collecting personal data, making bloatware a privacy risk too.
Apple apps collected on average 8 data types per pre-installed app, which includes location data, behavioral data, and other sensitive information. Apple Music and the Apple Store app collected the most user data types, according to Surfshark, listing 17 and 18 data types, respectively, out of 35 different data types.
The pre-installed apps analyzed on Google devices collected an average of 13 data types per app. Google Gemini and the Google app list the most data types, with each disclosing 29 of 38 different data types, which is more than double the average of the other apps.
The average pre-installed app analyzed on a Samsung device also collected 13 data types. However, the Samsung dataset includes Facebook and Instagram, which are the worst offending apps in the report. These apps disclosed a whopping 37 out of 38 data types.
"Data collection practices by popular applications, particularly social media platforms and chatbots, raise privacy concerns," said Surfshark's Chief Security Officer Tomas Stamulis in a statement. "While certain data points are necessary for basic operational functionality, entities may harvest information for targeted advertising or may even share it with undisclosed third parties. Even never-used applications can gather personal data and link to your device."
"Relying entirely on pre-installed applications can affect your privacy, as apps don't always protect user data as you might expect," Stamulis continued. "Shifting to third-party alternatives that are privacy-focused can help minimize data collection, limit overall exposure, and reduce unwanted targeted ads. It can also mitigate the risks associated with potential data breaches as your personal data is not stored in a single database."
The best October Prime Day gaming deals: We found PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox deals worth grabbing now
Amazon’s October Prime Day is here, and the gaming deals are getting better with each day. We’re seeing decent price cuts on PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox games, as well as cheaper consoles, gaming monitors, headsets, mice, keyboards, and other setup upgrades for the sale, which is set to end at close of business today, October 7.
Our top picks include a sub-$200 renewed Nintendo Switch, the best deal on Starfield on PS5, and sizeable savings on gaming gear from HyperX, Samsung, Razer, and more.
SEE ALSO: October Prime Day 2026 live: Updates on the latest deals on AirPods, Kindles, and Yeti coolersThese are the best gaming deals live right now.
Best video game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Starfield (Standard Edition PS5) $40.33 at Amazon$49.99 Save $9.66 discount with on-page coupon Get Deal Why we like it
Starfield only made the jump to PS5 in April, and the Standard Edition is already at a sizable discount. The game is currently listed at $47.31 (usually $49.99), but an on-page coupon drops it to $40.33 at checkout — for a saving of $9.66 in total. This is the full base game rather than a trimmed-down edition, giving you Bethesda’s huge sci-fi RPG with deep character customization, ship building, and over 1,000 planets to explore.
More Prime Day video game dealsPS5
Final Fantasy VII Remake — $19.99 $39.99 (save $20)
Sonic Superstars — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10)
Red Dead Redemption — $24.99 $29.99 (save $5)
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25)
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Amazon Exclusive Edition — $19.99 $69.99 (save $50)
The Last of Us Part II Remastered — $37.49 $49.99 (save $12.50)
The Last of Us Part 1 — $37.99 $69.99 (save $32)
MLB The Show 26 — $43.20 $69.99 (save $26.79)
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 — $44.75 $69.99 (save $25.24)
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo eShop gift card — $8.98 $10 (save $1.02)
South Park: Snow Day! — $22.93 $29.99 (save $7.06)
Assassin’s Creed: The Rebel Collection — $23.98 $39.99 (save $16.01)
Sonic Origins Plus — $19.93 $39.99 (save $20.06)
Sonic Frontiers — $22.49 $39.99 (save $17.50)
Batman: Arkham Trilogy — $26.99 $29.83 (save $2.84)
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition — $32.85 $59.99 (save $27.14)
Super Mario RPG — $34.87 $59.99 (save $25.12)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time — $59.88 $69.99 (save $10.11)
Xbox
Sonic Superstars — $22.76 $59.99 (save $37.23)
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 — $16.49 $49.99 (save $33.50)
Sonic X Shadow Generations — $24 $49.99 (save $25.99)
Borderlands 4 — $24.49 $49.99 (save $25.50)
Metaphor: ReFantazio Launch Edition — $31 $69.99 (save $38.99)
DOOM: The Dark Ages — $31.49 $69.99 (save $38.50)
$339 Save $135.10 Get Deal Why we like it
The standard Nintendo Switch is still hovering above $300, but Amazon Renewed is once again offering a much cheaper way into the platform. The Neon Blue and Red Joy-Con model is down to $199 in refurbished "Excellent" condition, saving $140 on its $339 list price.
You’ll need to be fine with some light cosmetic wear, but you’re still getting the full 6.2-inch Switch experience with detachable Joy-Con and handheld, tabletop, and docked TV play for plenty of both first-party Nintendo and third-party multiplatform games.
Best gaming monitor deal Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 (G50F) Series QHD Gaming Monitor $219 at Amazon$349.99 Save $130.99 Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it
Finding a 32-inch 1440p panel from a top-tier brand for around $200 is nothing to scoff at. You're getting a 180Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, plus G-Sync and FreeSync support to keep fast-paced action smooth and free of screen tearing. It also comes with a height-adjustable ergonomic stand right out of the box, so you can pivot, tilt, and swivel to your setup's needs — a practical feature most budget displays cut to trim costs.
More gaming monitor dealsmsi Pro (MP243) 24-inch 1080p FHD Gaming/Office Monitor — $74.99 $109.99 (save $35)
Sansui 24-inch curved 160Hz gaming monitor — $92.99 $119.99 (save $27)
Samsung 27-inch Odyssey (G50F) QHD Gaming Monitor — $169.99 $279.99 (save $110)
Alienware 24.5-inch (AW2525HM) Full HD Gaming Monitor — $189.99 $249.99 (save $60)
Samsung 32-inch Odyssey (G55C) 1,000R Curved Gaming Monitor — $189.99 $329.99 (save $140)
LG 27-inch UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor (27GS93QE-B) — $499.99 $899.99 (save $400)
$179.99 Save $66.00 Get Deal Why we like it
The HyperX Cloud III S is a wireless upgrade at $129.99, down $50 from its $179.99 list price — that's its lowest-ever price on Amazon (confirmed by price tracker camelcamelcamel). In exchange, you’re getting up to 120 hours of battery life over 2.4GHz, or as much as 200 hours through Bluetooth, alongside 53mm angled drivers and HyperX’s memory foam cushioning. It also works on PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Mac, and mobile devices, with both USB-A and USB-C connectors included for easier switching between platforms.
More gaming headset dealsLogitech G335 Wired Gaming Headset — $39.99 $69.99 (save $30)
Razer BlackShark V2 X Gaming Headset (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch) — $33.98 $59.99 (save $26.01)
HyperX Cloud III Wired Gaming Headset (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) — $69.99 $99.99 (save $30)
Logitech G Pro X — $117.30 $179.99 (save $62.69)
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 Gaming Headset — $151.99 $199.99 (save $48)
Logitech G Astro A50 Multi-Platform Wireless Gaming Headset — $249.99 $299.99 (save $50)
SteelSeries Artics Nova Pro Omni — $344.99 $399.99 (save $55)
$129.99 Save $48.92 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer Basilisk V3 $34.98 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $35.01 Get Deal Why we like it
Getting a top-tier wired mouse at half off makes the Razer Basilisk V3 an easy pick. It has 11 programmable buttons, a smart scroll wheel that toggles between tactile clicks and free-spin scrolling, and a thumb rest shaped for long gaming sessions.
If you're upgrading your keyboard too, the Razer BlackWidow V4 X has real tactile mechanical switches instead of those squishy membrane keys. It includes six dedicated macro keys, custom RGB lighting for each key, and a physical volume roller right above the number pad, so you don't have to tab out of your game to tweak audio.
More keyboard and mouse dealsSteelSeries Apex 3 RGB Gaming Keyboard — $43.99 $54.99 (save $8)
Razer BlackWidow V4 X Mechanical Gaming Keyboard — $80.74 $129.99 (save $49.25)
Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)
Razer Basilisk V3 Customizable RGB Wired Ergonomic Gaming Mouse — $34.98 $69.99 (save $35.01)
ASUS ROG Spatha X Wireless Gaming Mouse — $107.34 $169.99 (save $62.65)
Prime members only have 48 hours to shop Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale. Sign up for a Prime 30-day free trial if you want to save some cash, and follow Mashable’s guide to the best October Prime Day deals and live blog for the latest updates.
Californias new AI law: Ban on bots used to fire employees
Employers in the Golden State can't offload the hard parts of running a business to AI, according to a new state law.
Signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom last week, SB 947 sets restrictions on the use of the novel technology in disciplinary decision making, including firing employees. SB 947 may sound like an obvious regulatory move as industries continue to worry about AI's impact on employment, but the "No Robo Bosses Act" marks the first law of its kind in the nation.
SEE ALSO: Report: OpenAI should pause ChatGPT for Teens over safetyOther states, including California, have enacted bans on AI-enabled discrimination and laws that restrict the authority of automated systems in hiring and benefits decisions. The federal government has clarified that existing employee discrimination law also covers the use of AI systems. Still, AI remains an elusive element in modern workplace management.
What does the new law do?Under SB 947, California employers can't exclusively rely on Automated-Decision Systems (“ADS”), including AI, to determine a worker's continued employment or disciplinary status. The bill also limits the use of AI as a "principal tool" in such decision-making.
Any use of AI must be disclosed to the affected employee, including details on personal data given to the model to determine company action.
If an AI tool is a "primary" element of a termination decision, the law mandates that an employer provide a human reviewer who can go over the decision with an employee. The reviewer must provide additional corroborating information, such as evaluations, disciplinary records, and witness testimony.
Newsom vetoed a previous version of the bill in 2025, citing concerns that its notification terms were too broad. The initial text of the bill included mandatory advance notice, which was later struck, alongside language that would have included gig workers. Gig workers are excluded from the new law.
How will the new law affect employers?All employers in California, no matter their size, are subject to the law.
Employers cannot continue using ADS in ways that may violate state employment law or an employee's protected status, or move forward with an ADS decision that can't be corroborated by a human.
An ADS is defined by the state as "any computational process derived from machine learning, statistical modeling, data analytics, or artificial intelligence that issues simplified output, including a score, classification, or recommendation, that is used to assist or replace human discretionary decision-making and materially impacts natural persons."
If the California Labor Commissioner’s Office finds that a company has violated the law or retaliated against an employee exercising their rights under the law, the employer could face civil penalties.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2027.
iOS 27.2 and macOS 27.2 public betas arrive. What they include.
The iOS 27.2 update is coming soon, and Apple just dropped a new beta for it. As a bonus, there's a beta for the macOS equivalent, too.
The second public betas for iOS 27.2 and macOS 27.2 dropped this week, giving the general populace a chance to test out new features before they arrive for real. As a reminder, if you want to try out the betas yourself, just register for free on the Apple beta website and then install the beta on your iPhone or Mac the same way you would install any other software update.
Without further ado, here's what you can expect from each beta.
SEE ALSO: Apple reportedly teaming with LG for smart home devices, including a doorbell iOS 27.2 public beta 2: What's newThe main attraction for iOS 27.2 is the revamped Health app, which Apple has been teasing for months. It's now divided into three main tabs: Insights, Longevity, and Browse. Insights is a one-stop shop for all your most pertinent recent health metrics, Longevity tracks all of that stuff over longer periods of time, and Browse presumably is how you find anything else you need to find within the Health app.
Other bits and bobs in iOS 27.2 include individual profiles in the Apple TV app, new theme options for CarPlay, and visual tweaks to Clock and Music. Overall, it's not a huge update.
macOS 27.2 public beta 2: What's newIf you think iOS 27.2 sounds modest, it's practically explosive compared to macOS 27.2.
Basically, the main thing to look forward to right now is the addition of five new languages for Siri AI. Those would be Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, and French. I don't want to downplay the importance of adding five extremely widely spoken global languages to the new Siri experience, of course. It's just not headliner material.
As always, make sure you create device backups before installing beta software. Better safe than sorry.
The best Walmart Fall Deals to shop: TVs, headphones, devices, and toys at steep discounts
Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days runs Oct. 6-7, which means every other major retailer is currently scrambling to steal your attention with competing sales. (Honestly, in this economy, I definitely don't blame them.)
Walmart is taking on the retail giant with its own "Fall Deals" event that officially kicked off at 12 a.m. ET on Oct. 5 and runs through Oct. 11. The best part about Walmart's event is that you don't have to be a paid member to shop, though Walmart+ members are eligible for perks like same day delivery on select items. With the main event officially started, we're seeing 50% off home goods, 40% off tech, and 30% off toys.
SEE ALSO: Target Circle Deal Days also runs Oct. 6-7Now that Amazon's sale has also kicked off, we're starting to see more competitive deals from Walmart, which tracks with their approach to sales from years past. As such, all the deals on this list are at least as good, if not better, than deals you'll find at Amazon or other retailers.
A word of caution: If you see a deal that's too good to be true while you're perusing the site, it most likely is. We've found tons of sketchy, third-party sellers selling items with inflated list prices. (Anything you buy should have a little note that reads "Sold and shipped by Walmart.com.") That said, all of the deals in this roundup are legit — it's literally our job to find them for you.
Best Walmart TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 77-inch C5 Series OLED evo AI 4K Smart TV $1,797 at Walmart$3,699.99 Save $1,902.99 Get Deal Why we like it
On the product page, this LG TV deal looks decent. However, Walmart didn't list the correct list price for this TV, which is actually $3,699.99. Immediately, this deal becomes much more impressive but get this — it gets even better. The next closest price you can find it for at the time of writing is $2,199.99 at Best Buy. Meanwhile, it's sold out at Amazon and LG's website. And it's the number one best selling OLED TV at Amazon, and a top-rated TV at Best Buy. In other words, this is a really good deal.
More TV dealsTCL 55-inch QM6K Series QD-Mini LED 4K TV (55QM6K) — $467.96 $649.99 (save $182.03)
onn. 65-inch 4K (65S4V4) — $258 $278 (save $20)
Vizio 65-inch Class Quantum 4K QLED HDR Smart TV — $328 $498 (save $170)
Samsung 65-inch Class M70HB Series Mini LED 4K — $428 $478 (save $50)
Hisense 75-inch S7 Canvas Series QLED TV — $1,398 $2,499.99 (save $1,101.99)
TCL 85-inch QM7L Series QLED Smart TV — $1,498 $1,698 (save $200)
$249 Save $70 Get Deal Why we like it
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds in the biz, especially if you're an Apple user. They have class-leading ANC, great battery life at eight hours per charge, clear and detailed sound out of the box, and unique additional features like live translation and a built-in heart rate monitor. At $179, they're just $10 away from their lowest price ever.
Looking for more headphones deals? Check out our Prime Day headphones deals guide.
More headphones and earbuds dealsJBL Tune 520BT — $34.95 $59.95 (save $25)
Apple AirPods 4 — $79 $129 (save $50)
JBL Endurance Peak 4 — $89.95 $129.95 (save $40)
Beats Studio Pro — $119 $299.99 (save $180.99)
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation — $119.97 $179 (save $59.03)
Bose QuietComfort earbuds — $129 $179 (save $50)
Nothing Headphone (a) — $129 $199 (save $70)
Shokz OpenDots 2 — $159.95 $199.95 (save $40)
Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $179 $249 (save $70)
Shokz OpenFit Pro — $199.45 $249.95 (save $50.50)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 — $369 $449 (save $80)
$59 Save $24.13 Get Deal Why we like it
Anything Mario Bros-related is definitely worth snagging while it's on sale. If you're looking for something else to play on your Switch (and you haven't experienced the Mushroom Kingdom, Walmart has the Super Mario RPG game on sale for $34.87.
More video game dealsStray (Switch) — $28.49 $39 (save $10.51)
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream — $44.999 $54.45 (save $9.46)
Luigi's Mansion 3 (Switch) — $49 $59.99 (save $10.99)
007 First Light — $62.10 $69 (save $6.90)
$169.99 Save $33 Get Deal Why we like it
The Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds (76419) is a big-ticket holiday gift. It's currently on sale for $136.99, down from $169.99. It's possible this will get cheaper the closer we get to the actual sale, but a $33 isn't too shabby.
More Lego dealsLego Botanicals Daisies — $9.89 $14.99 (save $5.10)
Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box — $21.42 $34.99 (save $13.57)
Lego Speed Champions Time Machine from Back to the Future — $22.42 $27.99 (save $5.57)
Lego Minecraft The Creeper — $31.99 $39.99 (save $8)
$179 Save $61 Get Deal Why we like it
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum (NV380) is ideal for pet owners or parents who need an easy-to-maneuver vacuum for quick cleanups. And, right now, you can get it for $118, down from $179. That's a $61 savings, but stock is low, so this discount may not last until Oct. 5.
More vacuum dealsMOVA P10 Ultra Robot Vacuum — $224 $398 (save $100)
Dyson V8 Cyclone cordless — $299.99 $449.99 (save $150)
Dyson V10 Konical cordless — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)
Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones cordless — $479.99 $599.99 (save $120)
Bose SoundLink Flex II Bluetooth speaker — $99 $159 (save $60)
Ninja Foodi DualZone Air Fryer (8-quart) — $109 $149 (save $30)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ — $219 $249.99 (save $30.99)
The best last-chance October Prime Day laptop deals: Save up to $750 on MacBooks, Surface Laptops
I've had a weird year as Mashable's resident laptop reporter. In recent months, many of the models I've covered and tested have gotten anywhere from $100 to $950 more expensive due to the ongoing memory crisis, making it harder to pinpoint truly great values on the market. That's why I was particularly antsy for Prime Big Deal Days, Amazon's 48-hour "October Prime Day" sale: It's getting the ball rolling on holiday tech deals that negate a lot of those price hikes.
On the second day of the sale, Amazon is still offering some particularly sweet deals on MacBooks and Microsoft Surface Laptops. The M5 MacBook Air got a long-awaited $200 discount that brings it back down to $1,099 for the first time since June. Meanwhile, a variant of the 2024 Surface Laptop 7th Edition is a whopping 36% off. (Both are Mashable Choice Award winners — we've tested them and love 'em.)
SEE ALSO: The 37 best Prime Day tech deals: We found deals under $25, but also $1,200 savings on OLED TVsBe sure to shop around a bit before adding anything to your cart. There are also great laptop deals to be had at Best Buy and Walmart, which are both running their own sitewide sales this week. For its part, Best Buy has some of my favorite MacBook Neo and Air alternatives on sale for up to 30% off.
Read on for my definitive guide to the best October Prime Day laptop deals available right now. Keep in mind that Prime Big Deal Days ends at midnight PT tonight (Oct. 7), so any Amazon-exclusive offers will likely be gone by tomorrow.
Best budget laptop deal (under $1,000) Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Dell XPS 13 (Intel Core 5 320, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $599.99 at Best Buy$799.99 Save $200 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Dell XPS 13 (Intel Core 5 320, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $799.99 at Best Buy
$999.99 Save $200 Get Deal
Dell's new XPS 13 is a premium-built budget laptop that one-ups Apple's MacBook Neo with a much lighter design, a sharper, smoother touchscreen display, and a backlit keyboard. It also has a much better battery life than the Neo, lasting roughly 19 hours in our video rundown test. The Neo died just before the 15-hour mark.
Best Buy has two 512GB configurations of the XPS 13 on sale for $200 off during its Techtober savings event (starting from just $599.99), a discount that more than erases their price increases from last month. For comparison's sake, a comparable MacBook Neo with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is stuck at its regular sale price of $789.99 on Amazon — a meager $9 off.
More budget laptop Prime Day deals (under $1,000)HP OmniBook 3 16 (Snapdragon X, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $599.99 $1,149.99 (save $550)
HP OmniBook X Flip 14 (AMD Ryzen AI 5 430, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $699.99 $1,299.99 (save $600)
Lenovo Yoga 7a 2-in-1 16 (AMD Ryzen AI 7 445, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $849.99 $1,549.99 (save $700)
Dell 14S (Intel Core Ultra 7 355, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $899.99 $1,599.99 (save $700)
Dell 16S (Intel Core Ultra 7 355, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $899.99 $1,599.99 (save $700)
$1,299 Save $200 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,299 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $200 Get Deal
No guide to the best Prime Day laptop deals would be complete without the latest MacBook discounts. The M5 MacBook Air is a fabulous all-rounder with incredibly fast performance, a premium haptic touchpad, and a vibrant display. We like the 15-inch model best for most macOS users because it has nicer speakers, a better GPU, and a roomier display, but the 13-inch size is better if you prioritize portability. I recommend it for college students in particular.
The M5 MacBook Air is $200 off at Amazon and Best Buy right now, a discount that brings it back to its pre-price hike rates. (Apple's entire MacBook lineup got price increases in June due to increased component costs.) Choose from either size and any color or configuration starting from just $1,099.
Read Mashable's full review of the Apple MacBook Air (M5).
More MacBook Air Prime Day dealsApple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,399 $1,599 (save $200)
Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,599 $1,799 (save $200)
Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,599 $1,799 (save 200)
Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,799 $1,999 (save $200)
Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,839 $1,999 (save $160)
Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Pro with 18-core CPU/20-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $2,699 $3,199 (save $500)
Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $3,499 $4,099 (save $600)
$2,099.99 Save $750.99 Get Deal
Surface Laptops have also been afflicted with price hikes this year, but Amazon is trying its hardest to mitigate them. The best Microsoft Surface Laptop Prime Day deal I've spotted features a 2024 model with a 13.8-inch display and a Snapdragon X Elite chip, which is now a whopping 36% off — its lowest price since May. This one has a 23-hour battery life, a 120Hz touchscreen, a haptic touchpad, and a sleek, minimalist look. Our former tech editor said it "oozes sophistication and polished refinement." By the way: If you want a newer Surface Laptop 8th Edition with the same amount of RAM and storage, you'll pay $250 more.
Read Mashable's full review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition.
More Surface Laptop Prime Day dealsMicrosoft Surface Laptop 8, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X2 Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,599.99 (save $500)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,279.99 $1,699.99 (save $420)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 15-inch (Snapdragon X2 Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,377.91 $1,699.99 (save $321.09)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 15-inch (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,499.99 $1,799.99 (save $300)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,599.99 $1,999.99 (save $400)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 15-inch (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,749.99 $2,199.99 (save $450)
$1,999.99 Save $600 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,799.99 at Best Buy
$2,249.99 Save $450.00 Get Deal
The redesigned OmniBook Ultra 14 is one of the best and prettiest Windows laptops I've tried this year. (It's another great MacBook alternative, I might add.) It has a glorious 2.8K 120Hz OLED display, a haptic touchpad, a very quiet keyboard, and a thin, elegant design featuring an anti-smudge finish and metallic accents around the edges of its chassis. Best Buy has several configurations of on sale for the lowest prices I've seen all year, with savings of up to 30%.
More Windows laptop Prime Day dealsAcer Swift 16 AI (Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,549.99 (save $450)
Samsung Galaxy Book6 Pro (Intel Core Ultra 7 356H, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,199.99 $1,799.99 (sae $600)
Asus Zenbook S14 (Intel Core Ultra 9 386H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,499.99 $1,799.99 (save $400)
Asus Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,599.99 $1,799.99 (save $200)
HP OmniBook X Flip 16 (Intel Core Ultra 9 386H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,649.99 $2,249.99 (save $600)
Lenovo Yoga Pro 7i Aura Edition (Intel Core Ultra 7 356H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,899.99 $2,699.99 (save $800)
Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra (Intel Core Ultra 7 356H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,669.99 $3,799.99 (save $1,130)
$1,649.99 Save $248 Get Deal
Now cheaper than ever, this 16-inch Acer gaming laptop nets you mid-tier RTX 5070 graphics at an RTX 5060 price point. (Note that it's sold out on Acer's website.) It has a good amount of storage, a four-zone RGB keyboard, and a crisp 2.5K display with a premium 180Hz refresh rate that'll make fast-paced shooters look buttery smooth. I found a slightly less expensive RTX 5070 MSI gaming laptop on sale at Walmart, but it has a 144Hz display with a much lousier 1080p resolution.
More gaming laptop Prime Day dealsAlienware Aurora 16 (Intel Core 7 240H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,099 $1,899.99 (save $800.99)
Acer Nitro V 16 (Intel Core 7 240H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,149.99 $1,629.99 (save $480)
MSI Cyborg 17 (Intel Core 7 240H, Nvidia Geforce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,189 $1,399.99 (save $210.99)
Lenovo LOQ (AMD Ryzen 7 250, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,399.99 $1,649.99 (save $250)
HP Omen 16 (AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,829.99 $2,599.99 (save $770)
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,899.99 $2,649.99 (save $750)
Alienware 16X Aurora (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,949.99 $2,899.99 (save $950)
HP Omen Transcend 14 (Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,039.99 $2,999.99 (save $960)
Acer Predator Neo 16 (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,224.99 $2,774.99 (save $550)
MSI Crosshair A16 HX (AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,294 $2,699 (save $405)
HP Omen Max 16 (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,774.99 $3,899.99 (save $1,125)
Asus ROG Strix G16 (Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $3,249.99 $3,899.99 (save $650)
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, 23GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $3,899.99 $4,399.99 (save $500)
The Mashable team and I have tested dozens of laptops this year, and my job involves constantly monitoring their prices for any notable changes.
My top October Prime Day deals on laptops include Amazon's lowest prices on select models in at least three months, according to historical data on the price-tracking site camelcamelcamel. The deals I've highlighted elsewhere feature models that are sitting at their lowest prices of the year so far, to the best of my knowledge.
I've cross-checked all of my picks across various retailers to make sure they're the best deals anywhere. In one case, this alerted me to a deal that's even better than advertised. Walmart says its $1,100 Alienware Aurora 16 with an Intel Core Ultra 7 240H processor, RTX 5050 graphics, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage is $150 off, but it's really $801 off: Dell usually sells the same configuration for $1,900.
I've also come across one instance where Amazon managed to beat Best Buy's price on a 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop by a cool $120.
Yeti deals are rare, but we found a bunch for October Prime day: Up to 40% off drinkware, coolers, and more
One of my biggest flexes is that I own several Yeti products: a Roadie cooler, and a Rambler bottle, can cooler, and mugs. While most of these were gifts, I rave about them any chance I get. But convincing people to actually splurge on Yeti products is tough. While the quality and IT factor are undeniable, the prices are just a bit too steep for most folks. That's where major shopping events like Prime Day come in.
One of the only times we see Yeti coolers, drinkware, and other products go on sale is during Amazon Prime Day events and lucky for you, we're still smack dab in the middle of one. Prime Big Deal Days, aka October Prime Day is still live through the end of the day on Oct. 7, giving you plenty of time to nab the Yeti products you want for less.
Below, we've gathered all the best Yeti deals we could find for October Prime Day.
Best cooler deal Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler $243.75 at Amazon$325 Save $81.25 Get Deal Why we like it
The Tundra hard cooler is Yeti's OG baby. It's legendary for its toughness and ice retention and comes in various sizes. One of the best deals we've seen for October Prime Day is the Tundra 45 for 25% off. It can fit 54 cans or 37 pounds of ice, or about 26 cans with a 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio, and keep everything cold for days. It's pretty heavy, even when it's empty, but its heftiness is what makes it virtually indestructible. Plus, it comes in a gorgeous ultramarine violet shade.
More Yeti cooler dealsYeti Daytrip Snackbox (3L) — $49.40 $65 (save $15.60)
Yeti Daytrip Tote (14L) — $110.20 $145 (save $34.80)
Yeti Roadie 24 2.0 — $190 $250 (save $60)
Yeti Hopper Flip 12 — $190 $250 (save $60)
Yeti Hopper Flip 18 — $225 $300 (save $75)
Yeti Hopper M Series Backpack Cooler — $243.75 $325 (save $81.25)
Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler — $323 $425 (save $102)
$45 Save $18 Get Deal Why we like it
Yeti drinkware deals are popping off for October Prime Day, but this 42-ounce Rambler Straw Mug is the best of the bunch at 40% off. Only select colors are on sale, including this vibrant firefly yellow. Like every Yeti cup, it's double-wall vacuum insulated to keep your drinks hot or cold. It's made with kitchen-grade stainless steel, so it's extremely durable and can go safely in the dishwasher. Plus, it fits in a car cupholder.
More Yeti cup and mug dealsYeti Rambler Travel Bottle (8-ounce) — $18.75 $25 (save $6.25)
Yeti Yonder Helimix Shaker Bottle — $19 $25 (save $6)
Yeti Rambler Tumbler (10-ounce) — $19 $25 (save $6)
Yeti Rambler Stackable Tumbler (16-ounce) — $19.97 $28 (save $8.03)
Yeti Rambler Travel Bottle (12-ounce) — $21 $28 (save $7)
Yeti Rambler Stackable Cups, 2-pack (4-ounce) — $22.80 $30 (save $7.20)
Yeti Rambler Wine Tumbler (10-ounce) — $22.80 $30 (save $7.20)
Yeti Rambler Travel Bottle (16-ounce) — $24 $32 (save $8)
Yeti Rambler Straw Mug 2.0 (35-ounce) — $27.93 $42 (save $14.07)
Yeti Rambler Bottle (26-ounce) — $30 $40 (save $10)
Yeti Silo Half Gallon Water Jug — $45.60 $60 (save $14.40)
Yeti Rambler Food Jar (8-ounce) — $26.25 $35 (save $8.75)
Yeti Flask and Funnel (7-ounce) — $41.25 $55 (save $13.75)
Yeti Rambler Wine Chiller — $56.25 $75 (save $18.75)
Yeti Rambler Pitcher (64-ounce) — $76 $100 (save $24)
Yeti Lowlands Blanket — $152 $200 (save $48)
Yeti Ranchero Backpack — $220 $275 (save $55)
Time is running out for Prime members to shop Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale. Sign up for a Prime 30-day free trial if you want to save some cash, and follow Mashable’s guide to the best October Prime Day deals and live blog for the latest updates.
OpenAI shakes up mathematics again, debuting dozens of new math solutions
OpenAI won't let mathematicians rest.
On Oct. 6, the company released a slew of new mathematical results in the form of a massive GitHub repository — an info dump that will take hundreds of human hours to sift through. The company's internal frontier model provided solutions to more than 300 problems, but the company also implied they expect experts to take issue with them, debuting new processes for paper revisions and citations.
"For future releases, we are committed to further improving the quality of the papers via the citations, mathematical exposition, and presentation of the results for better understanding," wrote OpenAI.
SEE ALSO: Report: OpenAI should pause ChatGPT for Teens over safetyLast month, the developer made an industry-rattling declaration that 10,000 AI agents had worked together to solve the Navier–Stokes existence and smoothness problem, a narrower portion of the unsolved Navier-Stokes equation that's part of the Millennium Prize Problems set. The robot mathematicians' "breakthrough" could have nabbed OpenAI a $1 million prize, but the company declined.
And possibly for good reason, academics later called out the company for solving a subset of the problem, not the whole thing, using a mathematical loophole — an approach that some labeled "unnatural."
OpenAI's pursuit of mathematical greatness isn't so easily deterred.
Following OpenAI's announcement, the Advisory Group on Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence at the Institute for Advanced Study said it did not endorse AI developers using proprietary models to test solutions without the scientific community's involvement. The developer announced a new advisory group to provide recommendations on future releases. But it appears OpenAI used the same unreleased model to solve the latest trove of equations.
Unlike its previous theoretical entries, however, OpenAI alleges the latest problems were solved with just a single prompt fed to a single AI agent, the developer told Scientific American. The claim is already being questioned by experts, who are still awaiting access to the reportedly mathematically advanced model.
The best live Prime Day outdoor deals: Anker power stations, Yeti coolers, and LifeStraws are among our top picks
If you're like me and prefer to go camping in cooler fall temps instead of the sweltering heat of summer, you're probably in need of fresh outdoor gear. Now's the time to stock up, thanks to October Prime Day, which kicked off Oct. 6 and continues until the end of Oct. 7.
Since camping is generally a summer activity, you'll find even better out-of-season price drops. And we've already rummaged through the sale to dig out the very best camping deals, whether you're searching for upgrades or replacements to your current gear.
These deals will get you outside to enjoy fall colors and cooler temps. Be sure to keep an eye on all of Mashable's October Prime Day coverage as the sale comes to an end.
Best portable power station deal Anker Solix C1000 $469.99 at Amazon$599.99 Save $130 Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it
I've tested dozens of portable power stations while camping over the last few years, and the original Anker Solix C1000 remains a top-tier choice. Now that it's on sale for under $450, it's a great time to make the move to camping with power. Keep phones charged, pack the air fryer, or take your laptop workstation into the great outdoors.
The Anker Solix C1000 packs in 1,056Wh of battery capacity and a peak output of 2,400W. Anker included a massive six AC ports, dual USB-A ports, and dual USB-C ports. I also love the onboard lightbar, and it recharges back to 100 percent in under an hour.
More portable power station dealsJackery Explorer 300 — $239 $289 (save $50)
Bluetti Elite 30 V2 — $218.98 $449 (save $230.02)
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 — $469 $559 (save $90)
Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 — $469.99 $599 (save $129.01)
EcoFlow Delta 3 — $534 $699 (save $165)
$325 Save $81.25 Get Deal Why we like it
Finding a Yeti cooler on sale is a rarity, so we had to shout out this 25% off deal for Prime members. The eye-catching ultramarine violet Tundra 45 hard cooler is a beast that can keep ice for days, fit 26 cans with a 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio, and last a lifetime. It's virtually indestructible, thanks to its rotomolded construction, NeverFail hinge system, and FatWall design. It's definitely not light; it weighs 23 pounds when it's empty. But that heftiness is what makes it so sturdy.
More cooler dealsColeman Marine Cooler (100 quart) — $99.99 $134.99 (save $35)
Igloo Trailmate (50-quart) — $99.99 $119.99 (save $20)
Igloo Maxcold Glide (110 quart) — $132.98 $179.99 (save $47.01)
Coleman Snap 'N Go Collapsible Cooler (45 quart) — $164.99 $219.99 (save $55)
Yeti Hopper Flip 18 — $225 $300 (save $75)
Yeti Hopper M Series Backpack Cooler — $243.75 $325 (save $81.25)
Ninja FrostVault (Spanish moss, 65 quart) — $279.99 $349.99 (save $70)
Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler — $323 $425 (save $102)
$99.99 Save $45.85 Get Deal Why we like it
On Mashable's ranking of the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 earns the top spot as the model that's ready for both outdoor adventures and the shower. Contributor Alex Bracetti's review says, "The rugged mesh exterior prevents moisture and other hazards from damaging both the inside and outside of the speaker. A 14-hour charge is enough for a month of daily shower use."
More outdoor speaker dealsJBL Go 4 — $34.95 $49.95 (save $15)
Anker Soundcore Boom 3i — $94.99 $129.99 (save $35)
Bose SoundLink Micro — $99.99 $129 (save $29.01)
JBL Charge 6 — $149.95 $199.99 (save $50.04)
Bose SoundLink Max — $279 $399 (save $120)
$749.99 Save $150 Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it
Read our full review of the Anker Nebula Capsule 3.
I pack light — as in, my one carry-on backpack comes in at under 20 pounds. Committing to an extra two pounds of tech was actually a big deal for me, but bringing the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector to Japan earned it a permanent place in my travel bag. It projects a 120-inch 1080p display, automatically calibrates its own perfect focus (seriously, it's undeniably gratifying to watch), and doubles as a Bluetooth speaker with "damn fine" sound quality.
Best camping deal Coleman 4-Person Instant Cabin $149.99 at Amazon$218.49 Save $68.50 Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it
Every great camping trip comes with a home base. The Coleman Instant Cabin is a one-minute setup tent that's also easy to store. For October Prime Day, the four-person tent is on sale for $149.99. To make things even easier at the campsite, the Coleman tent has pre-attached poles that only need to be extended. Plus, the included rainfly is integrated into the design, making assembly simple.
More camping dealsBand-Aid Brand Travel Ready Portable First Aid Kit — $9.47 $14.69 (save $5.22)
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter — $12.98 $17.95 (save $4.97)
Coleman Sundome 4-Person Camping Tent — $81.68 $117.99 (save $36.13)
Coleman Triton 2-Burner Propane Stove — $89.99 $129.99 (save $40)
Kelty Trash Pak — $90.93 $129.95 (save $39.02)
Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight One Pot Cook Set — $99.95 $114.95 (save $15)
Jackery SolarSaga 40W Air — $99 $129 (save $30)
Renogy 100W Portable Solar Panel — $109.99 $124.99 (save $15)
Blackstone 22-inch Tabletop Griddle with Hood — $175.99 $219.99 (save $44)
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT Ultralight Camping Pad — $199.95 $239.95 (save $40)
Big Agnes Copper Spur HighVolume Ultralight Tent (2 person) — $467.96 $599.95 (save $131.99)
Prime members only have 48 hours to shop Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale. Sign up for a Prime 30-day free trial if you want to save some cash, and follow Mashable’s guide to the best October Prime Day deals and live blog for the latest updates.
The 10+ best espresso machine deals on October Prime Day: Save on Ninja, Breville, and DeLonghi
Coffee machines and October Prime Day. They go together like, well, coffee and cream. Because we all love a good machine, but we can't all afford 'em. Not at full price, anyway.
The barista-like beauties are a great investment. They'll save you plenty of money on Starbucks stop-offs in the long run because they simply make great coffee. But the upfront cost of a machine can be seriously steep. That's why coffee machines are up there with TVs and Apple devices as the most-wanted items when sale events such as Amazon's Prime Day roll around.
Well, October Prime Day is now live and into its final 24 hours of discounts. The sale officially shuts up shop at the close of business Oct. 7, so there's still a chance to grab a discount if you've been holding on for the right machine at the right price.
We've found some of the best deals on coffee machines — specifically espresso machines — from top kitchen brands.
Best Ninja coffee machine deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series $499.99 at Amazon$599.99 Save $100 Get Deal Why we like it
Ninja is the on-trend brand in kitchen appliances and the go-to name for air fryers. Well, it turns out their espresso machines are just as fancy and feature-packed, and the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series is a top pick for this October Prime Day. It's actually a 3-in-1 machine that makes espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew. It has a built-in conical grinder (with 25 grind settings) plus a dual froth system to turn milk into perfectly smooth microfoam.
This is particularly good for first-time coffee machine owners, thanks to smart Barista Assist Technology that guides you through the process. But best of all? The Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series has dropped back down to its lowest ever price of $499.99.
Best Breville coffee machine deal Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville Barista Express $499.95$689.99 Save $190.04 Get Deal Why we like it
The Breville Barista Express is arguably a step up in terms of espresso expertise, but it's still designed to make barista-quality coffee (hey, the clue's in the name) with relative ease at home. It makes espresso, cappuccino, and latte, and comes equipped with a grinder and milk frothing wand for handcrafting your foam. It also allows you to closely control the water pressure, temperature, and grind size, maximizing the flavor of every single cup. Currently priced at $499.95 for Prime Day, the Barista Express will save you just over $190.
Best De'Longhi coffee machine deal Opens in a new window Credit: De'Longhi De'Longhi Magnifica Duo $799.95$999.95 Save $200 Get Deal Why we like it
The De'Longhi Magnifica Duo is an automatic that offers you a selection of 20 different drinks, including espresso, drip coffee, iced lattes, and cold brew. It takes all the effort out of coffee-making — you get great tasting coffee at the push of a button. Just drop your beans into the built-in grinder and select your drink. It has an integrated milk frother, which makes it super easy to whip creamy and textured foam. The real bonus is that it's now at a new record-low price for October Prime Day, with savings of $200. Grab it for $799.95.
More coffee machine dealsBLACK+DECKER One Touch Coffee Grinder — $19.82 $25.99 (save $6.17)
Mr. Coffee 4-Shot Steam Espresso Cappuccino and Latte Maker — $54.99 $64.99 (save $10)
Keurig K-Express — $59.83 $109.99 (save $50.16)
Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker — $75 $99.99 (save $24.99)
Lavazza Blue Classy Mini Single Serve Espresso Coffee Machine — $75.99 $113.67 (save $37.68)
Lavazza Tabli Espresso Machine — $89.99 $129.99 (save $40)
Ninja Single Serve Coffee Maker — $99.95 $129.99 (save $30.04)
De'Longhi Stilosa Compact Manual Espresso Machine — $99.95 $149.95 (save $50)
Keurig K-Elite — $99.99 $209.99 (save $110)
Keurig K-Supreme Gen 2 — $99.99 $169.99 (save $70)
Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee & Espresso Maker by De'Longhi — $123 $189 (save $66)
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine — $399.95 $499.95 (save $100)
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo — $499.95 $699.95 (save $200)
De'Longhi Magnifica Evo — $599.95 $899.95 (save $300)
De'Longhi Rivelia Automatic Espresso Machine — $999.95 $1,299.95 (save $300)
Microsoft Surface Laptops are massively discounted for October Prime Day: Where to save up to $750
Shopping for a new Windows laptop? Microsoft Surface Laptop Prime Day deals are quite excellent today.
Thank goodness for that. Most PC brands have jacked up their prices this year amid the ongoing memory crisis, and Microsoft is no exception. This spring, it raised the prices of last year's flagship Surface Laptop 7th Edition by up to $500, and the new Surface Laptop 8th Edition it announced in June retained those markups (give or take $50 to $100, depending on the model).
SEE ALSO: October Prime Day is live, but not for long: See the 101 best deals, with 53% discounts on TVs, headphones, and moreDuring Prime Big Deal Days, the "October Prime Day" sale that Amazon is running through midnight PT tonight, select Surface Laptops are on sale for as much as $750 off — not just on Amazon, but at competing retailers, too. Shoppers can save up to 36% on over a dozen configurations of the super-sleek Windows PC right now, with prices starting as low as $1,100. I should also mention that the Prime Day MacBook deals we're seeing pale in comparison; Apple's laptops are only up to 15% off today.
I've rounded up the top Microsoft Surface Laptop Prime Day deals below. Note: There are no live deals on the new compact Surface Laptop 13-inch (2nd Edition) that Microsoft launched in September, but I'll update this story if that changes.
The very best Microsoft Surface Laptop Prime Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,349 at Amazon$2,099.99 Save $750.99 Get Deal
For the most savings on a Microsoft PC, opt for this black 16GB/1TB variant of 2024's 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 7th Edition. Former Mashable tech editor Kimberly Gedeon gave it a near-perfect 4.8/5 rating for its premium all-aluminum design, 23-hour battery life, and peppy performance. (Like this on-sale model, her review unit ran on the last-gen Snapdragon X Elite chip.) It "oozes sophistication and polished refinement," she wrote in her review, calling out its "mint" build quality. It has a haptic touchpad like the MacBook Air, but a smoother display with added touch functionality.
According to the Amazon price-tracking site camelcamelcamel, $1,349 is its lowest price since mid-May. It originally cost $1,599.99 prior to its spring price hike, which is what you'll currently pay for a 2026 Surface Laptop 8th Edition with the same specs.
Deals on the newest Microsoft Surface LaptopThe 2026 Microsoft Surface Laptop 8th Edition has a sharper display and runs on faster Snapdragon X2 chips. The 13.8-inch size comes in platinum, black, dune, and a new "jade" green color, while the 15-inch version is just available in platinum and black. They offer up to 20 hours of battery life.
The 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 8th Edition stuns in jade. Credit: Microsoft 13.8-inch modelMicrosoft Surface Laptop 8, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X2 Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,599.99 (save $500)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,279.99 $1,699.99 (save $420)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,599.99 $1,999.99 (save $400)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X2 Plus, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,799.99 $2,249.99 (save $450)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,099.99 $2,649.99 (save $550)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 64GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,749.99 $3,499.99 (save $750)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 15-inch (Snapdragon X2 Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,377.91 $1,699.99 (save $321.09)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 15-inch (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,499.99 $1,799.99 (save $300)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 15-inch (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,749.99 $2,199.99 (save $450)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 15-inch (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,949.99 $2,249.99 (save $300)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 15-inch (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,449.99 $2,849.99 (save $400)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 8, 15-inch (Snapdragon X2 Elite, 64GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $3,149.99 $2,649.99 (save $500)
Take 42% off DeWalt tools before October Prime Day is over: Shop cordless drills, drivers, and toolkits
Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days is officially live, kicking off 48 hours of sitewide price cuts. While the October event usually gets hyped for smart speakers and TV discounts, some of the best stealth savings are landing squarely in the tool aisle.
If your current home tool setup consists of a bent butter knife and a mystery hammer you inherited three apartments ago, now is the time to fix that — especially because Oct. 7 is the last day of Amazon's sale. Solid power tools aren't just for full-time pros — they're what turns correcting a wobbly cabinet into a quick 10-minute fix.
SEE ALSO: October Prime Day 2026 live updates: Amazon is still dropping 50% discountsWe waded through Amazon's massive wall of discounts to pull out standout DeWalt deals that give you maximum reliability, battery cross-compatibility, and real value without buying filler tools you'll never touch.
Best under $20 DeWalt tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: DeWalt DeWalt 40-Piece FlexTorq Screwdriver Bit Set $18 at Amazon$21.57 Save $3.57 Get Deal Why we like it
Stripped screw heads and snapped tips turn simple fixes into disasters. This 40-piece DeWalt set solves that. The precision-machined tips grip fasteners tightly to prevent slippage, while the impact-rated core flexes under heavy loads so bits don't shatter at high torque.
You get an essential lineup of Phillips, square, Torx, and flathead drivers, plus nutsetters and a magnetic lock sleeve that holds long screws in place for easy one-handed driving. It all packs into a clear-lid hard case with quick-release bit bars, so you can grab the exact bit you need without wrestling with tight plastic slots.
Best DIY car maintenance deal Opens in a new window Credit: DeWalt DeWalt 108-Piece Mechanics Tools & Socket Set $65.99 at Amazon$79.97 Save $13.98 Get Deal Why we like it
This 108-piece DeWalt set is tailored for DIY vehicle work. It comes loaded with both SAE and Metric 6-point sockets — giving you exact-fit coverage for foreign and domestic cars, lawnmowers, and trailers — plus deep sockets specifically built for reaching recessed bolts and exposed wheel studs.
The sockets feature off-corner loading tech that grips the flat sides of a bolt rather than the corners, delivering max turning power without stripping rusted or stubborn hardware. Both the 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch drive ratchets feature 72-tooth gears and low-profile heads, giving you a tight 5-degree arc swing to turn bolts in cramped engine bays where you barely have room to move your wrist.
SEE ALSO: 25+ home improvement deals to shop on October Prime Day: I'm tracking deals on power tools, yard care, and more Best DeWalt power tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: DeWalt DeWalt Impact Driver and Hammer Drill PowerPack Combo Kit $138.99 at Amazon$239 Save $100.01 Get Deal Why we like it
A basic drill handles lightweight tasks, but driving long lag bolts or driving fasteners into dense lumber requires the raw power of an impact driver. The DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill & Impact Driver Combo gives you both without the extra bulk. Both tools are short and lightweight, making it easy to reach into tight cabinet corners, floor joist spaces, or overhead frames without exhausting your wrists.
The drill’s half-inch ratcheting chuck locks bits down tight so they don't slip, while the impact driver lets you swap driver bits one-handed. Integrated LED work lights keep dark workspaces lit, and two 20V MAX battery packs let you keep one on the charger while powering through your project.
More DeWalt tool dealsDeWalt 20V MAX XR 1/2 in. Drill Driver Kit with 5Ah Powerstack Battery — $199 $249 (save $50)
DeWalt 20V MAX Drill Driver and Oscillating Multi-Tool Combo Kit — $249 $299 (save $50)
DeWalt 20V MAX 5-Tool Power Tools Combo Kit — $449 $549 (save $100)
DeWalt 20V MAX 7-Tool Combo Kit — $649 $749 (save $100)


