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Don't spend hours scrolling through Amazon, because I already found the best Prime Day tech deals for you. As Mashable's tech editor, my inbox is full of brands trying to get me to cover their newest gadgets, AI models, and futuristic wearables. I get to test the latest flagship headphones, OLED gaming monitors, and foldable phones for Mashable readers. And I gotta say — I love my job.

For Prime Big Deal Days, aka October Prime Day 2025, Amazon (as well as Best Buy, Walmart, and other retailers and brands) have discounted some of my favorite gadgets of the year. I'm also spotting early Prime Day deals on boring but essential products like memory cards, wireless chargers, and USB-C cables. So, I've gathered all of the top discounts into one place for Mashable readers. Remember: Prime Big Deal Days takes place this year on Oct. 7 and 8, so you only have two days to save.

Whether you've been waiting to invest in a new laptop or 65-inch TV, or just need to replace some tech that's past its expiration date, the next 48 hours are going to be a prime time to shop. So, without any further preamble, let's get into my favorite Prime Day tech deals from brands like Apple, Samsung, DJI, Dyson, Shark, and Bose. I will also be providing live updates in our October Prime Day live blog.

Apple AirPods starting at $89

There's just something about the phrase "$89 AirPods" that sounds right, doesn't it? In the tariffs era, the fact that you can buy new AirPods for $89.99 feels like a small miracle. While all eyes will be on the new AirPods Pro 3, if you don't need ANC — or have a tendency to lose your earbuds — this purchase is a no-brainer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 wireless earbuds $89.99 at Amazon
$129 Save $39.01 Get Deal Amazon Kindle Kids

Amazon usually saves the top Kindle deals for Prime Day itself, but this early deal on the kids' e-reader is too good to pass up. Mashable has tested all the latest Kindles, and we don't expect this e-reader to get any cheaper when Prime Day officially kicks off on Tuesday. It's the kind of screen time you can feel good about.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Kids $94.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal Amazon Echo Show 8

Amazon just previewed its new generation of more advanced (and more expensive) Echo Show devices, so take advantage of this sale on the smart displays. Amazon is likely clearing the way for its new devices, but this model gives you all the necessary functionality and cross-device support you really need.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Show 8 smart display $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Shark vacuums

I have a small army of robot vacuums in my apartment at any given time, and since I live in New York City, space is at a premium. That means I have high standards for my robovacs, and Shark's underrated vacuums have always impressed me. If you're a pet owner, the Shark Pet cordless stick vacuum is not only one of the best early Prime Day tech deals this year, but also comes personally recommended by Mashable reporters.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum $149 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $150.99 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum $229.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $320 Best-seller Get Deal JBL party speakers

I've been testing party speakers for Mashable for years, and JBL consistently outperforms so-called premium brands. The JBL Flip 6 is actually my most-recommended speaker, and we've also tested and loved the brand's new boombox-style Party Box. Both are on sale for Prime Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker $99.95 at Amazon
$129.95 Save $30.00 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL PartyBox Club 120 party speaker $349.95 at Amazon
$449.95 Save $100 Get Deal DJI Smartphone Gimbal

I've tested a few smartphone gimbals, and DJI makes the best one by far. It's deceptively simple to use and provides pro-level stabilization and face tracking. If you're a creator (or aspiring creator), then this gimbal is a must-have IMO. I'm keeping a close eye on the top Prime Day deals on DJI products, so keep checking back for more savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Gimbal Stabilizer $126 at Amazon
$149 Save $23 Get Deal Apple AirTag (4-Pack)

The lowest price we've ever seen on AirTags dropped today — and not at Amazon. No, for this deal, head to Best Buy. These popular trackers use Apple's massive Find My network to help you track down lost items, and they've never been more affordable.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (4-Pack) $64.99 at Best Buy
$99 Save $34.01 Get Deal Affordable smart TVs under $300

Prime Day is one of the best times to buy a new TV, and Prime Big Deal Days is already delivering major doorbuster deals on budget TVs. You can find 50-, 55-, and 65-inch flatscreens for under $300 this year, including smart models from Roku, Hisense, and Fire TV.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Smart TV 50-Inch Select Series 4K HDR TV (2025) $257.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $42 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 55-inch E6 Cinema Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $259.99 at Amazon
$429.99 Save $170 Shop Now Less-affordable (but much more awesome) QLED TVs

My favorite TV brand for the past few years has been Samsung, which makes impressive QLED, OLED, and art TVs. And I wouldn't even consider buying one unless it was Prime Day or Black Friday. This premium QLED smart TV is on sale for $350 off its retail price for a limited time. Equipped with Samsung's latest AI processor, this 2025 model TV offers incredible value at this price point.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch Class Neo QLED QN70F 4K Smart TV (2025) $847.99 at Amazon
$1,097.99 Save $250 Get Deal Samsung monitors

Whether you need a compact second monitor for your home office or a premium gaming monitor, Samsung always offers fantastic monitor deals during big sales. For home offices, I'd recommend the bevel-less 22-inch business monitor, which is a steal at its current price. And for gamers, the Odyssey line of monitors offers stunning visuals and cutting-edge display specs.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 22-inch (S40GD) Borderless Business Monitor $99.42 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.57 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G7 $471.50 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $328.49 Get Deal Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300

I love Jackery's products. The brand's popular portable power stations are a staple at campgrounds and music festivals, but they can also give you a much-needed power-up during blackouts. While this is the older version of the Jackery Explorer series, I've never seen it priced this low before.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station $169 at Amazon
$259 Save $90 Get Deal A hip foldable flip phone

Earlier this year, I said 2025 was the year the foldable phone became a smart option for everyday users, not just early adopters. Personally, I prefer the convenient size and form factor of the smaller flip-style foldables.

As much as I love the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 released over the summer, I actually think people have been sleeping on the Motorola Razr Ultra. If you want flagship-quality in a flip phone, this stylish smartphone has a lot to offer. It has an insane battery life and is packed with AI features, if that's your thing. Plus, it comes with 512GB of memory, compared to the Z Flip 7's starting memory of 128GB. For a limited time, save $300 on this unlocked smartphone.

Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Motorola Razr Ultra, 512GB, Unlocked $999.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $300 Get Deal Top deals to watch: Beats and Bose headphones

Amazon promised big savings on both Beats and Bose headphones this year. In particular, you can expect up to 40% off select Bose earbuds and headphones. So, as we wait for Prime Day to start, I'm keeping a close watch on my favorite wireless headphones from these brands.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones $359 at Amazon
Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones $129.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $70 Get Deal

Taylor Swift's new album, The Life of a Showgirl, has a massive problem — a staggering lack of self-awareness.

Of course, that critique of Swift isn't novel. For years, Swift's critics have argued that she sees herself as a perpetual victim — of manipulative lovers, traitorous friends, cutthroat enemies, and unscrupulous music executives. They've also observed that Swift appears to sometimes cruelly and publicly punish those who betray or slight her, particularly through her songwriting.

This portrayal could be convincing at times. After all, some of Swift's biggest hits, like "Bad Blood," "Mean," and "Karma," are about score settling. Yet Swift also managed to balance her lust for vengeance with honest vulnerability or genuine growth in songs like "Anti-Hero" and "The Manuscript." 

SEE ALSO: Did Taylor Swift use AI art? 'Life of a Showgirl' orange door videos seem AI-generated

Not this time around. Showgirl features one song ("Eldest Daughter") that earnestly rejects toxic internet culture, but also two other tracks ("Actually Romantic" and "CANCELLED!”) that channel the worst parts of that culture, including mocking, humiliation, and a hot take that utterly misreads the gravity of the political moment.

The songs offer Swift's critics fresh evidence that their assessment of the billionaire pop star is accurate, at least sometimes. Sadly for Swift, who seems genuinely kind when she's not beholden to grievance, the stark contrast between these songs demonstrates that she can easily become the very internet troll she decries. 

How did we get here, Taylor? 

There's an endearing scene in Swift's new album release film, The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, wherein she explains the premise of the piano ballad "Eldest Daughter." The song, she says, is about how the internet is a space that rewards cheap shots and callousness, a state of mind that can warp our lives and relationships. 

She writes: "Everybody's so punk on the internet / Everyone's unbothered 'til they're not / Every joke's just trolling and memes / Sad as it seems, apathy is hot / Everybody's cutthroat in the comments / Every single hot take is cold as ice" 

Swift wants to make a promise, presumably to her fiancé, Travis Kelce, that she'll never treat him so carelessly. Cue the mostly tender chorus: "But I'm not a bad bitch / And this isn't savage / But I'm never gonna let you down / I'm never gonna leave you out / So many traitors / Smooth operators / But I'm never gonna break that vow / I'm nеver gonna leave you now, now, now" 

Swift may regret the awful, racially coded word choice of "bad bitch" and "savage," but the song's sincerity against the backdrop of cultural viciousness she describes in "Eldest Daughter" is welcome. 

Still, Swift's commitment is clearly just to Kelce, because "Actually Romantic" couldn't be an uglier song if it tried. It's designed to shame and mortify its target, reportedly the Grammy-winning singer and producer Charli XCX. Her sin? Apparently, writing a song, rumored to be about Swift, about a girl who "taps my insecurities." 

The track "Sympathy is a Knife" appears on Charli XCX's smash 2024 album Brat, which curiously also includes a song entitled "Everything is Romantic." 

Charli XCX doesn't dedicate "Sympathy is a Knife" to ruthless insults, even if she dislikes the girl in question, and roots for her breakup (ostensibly referring to the demise of Swift's relationship with the 1975's frontman Matty Healy). Instead, she's grappling with a "spiral" of emotions unleashed by being near this person. 

Charli XCX sings, alarmingly, about graphically killing herself, adding: "Volatilе at war with my dialogue / I'd say that there was a God if thеy could stop this / Wild voice tearin' me apart / I'm so apprehensive now" 

As a journalist who's written about the intersection of suicide and digital culture for more than a decade, I can think of few things more quintessentially representative of the toxic internet than someone telling another person who feels suicidal or worthless that they, in fact, are insignificant. 

"Actually Romantic" may not explicitly reference Charli XCX's despair, but it proceeds to methodically humiliate its subject: 

"Hadn't thought of you in a long time / But you keep sending me funny valentines / And I know you think it comes off vicious / But it's precious, adorable / Like a toy chihuahua barking at me from a tiny purse / That's how much it hurts / How many times has your boyfriend said / 'Why are we always talking 'bout her?'"

Swift said in an interview with Amazon Music that the song is about realizing someone is engaging in a one-sided adversarial relationship with you and that the negative attention can be a form of flattery. But in the song, she suggests a sexual motive too ("feels like you're flirting with me"), and declares: "No man has ever loved me like you do." 

Perhaps unintentionally, Swift revives a homophobic trope sometimes popular amongst middle and high school students that if one girl doesn't like another, it's because her aversion is a disguised crush.  

But even if "Actually Romantic" isn't about Charli XCX, Swift spends two-and-a-half minutes dispensing spiteful cheap shots — a more lyrical version of the kind you'd find between two people at war with each other online. 

One explanation for Swift's behavior might be the first line of "Actually Romantic," in which she reveals that the song's subject privately called her "Boring Barbie." The other half of the riddle is buried in "Eldest Daughter" when Swift sings: "I have been afflicted by a terminal uniqueness / I've been dying just from trying to seem cool" 

If you've spent your personal and professional life aspiring for both popular and critical acceptance, the insult "Boring Barbie" could feel maximally painful. It may not be in Swift's nature to walk away from the makings of a feud, but what if she had? Or what if, instead of trying to belittle, she wrote a song in the vein of "Eldest Daughter," exercising empathy or compassion toward someone who's clearly suffering? "Eldest Daughter" might have you believe that's the kind of world Swift wants to live in. 

The weaponization of CANCEL! culture

Unfortunately, Showgirl offers competing visions of this world. 

In the song, "CANCELLED!" Swift tries to turn a hot take about being at the center of scandal, real or not, into an anthem for people who experience public wrath. 

Social media has guessed who Swift may have in mind for this track. Maybe it's the actress Blake Lively, who's currently embroiled in a lawsuit over sexual harassment against the actor and director Justin Baldoni. Perhaps it's for Brittany Mahomes, wife of Kelce's NFL Chiefs teammate Patrick Mahomes, because she took considerable criticism for publicly supporting President Donald Trump in 2022. 

Regardless, "CANCELLED!" looks at the controversial concept of cancel culture and seems to buy into the narrative that any effort to hold a public figure accountable for their words and actions is tantamount to shunning them from society. “CANCELLED!" can’t be bothered by the reality that maybe some people are called out or questioned for good reason. Instead, the song treats cancellation like a badge of honor, and a path to personal empowerment and dark fellowship.

Swift sings: "Now they've broken you like they've broken me / But a shattered glass is a lot more sharp / And now you know exactly who your friends are (You know who we are) / We're the ones with matching scars" 

Swift said she views this song as a story about navigating terrible periods of undeserved scrutiny and coming out stronger, but her take on so-called cancellation could not be hotter. It misreads a grave moment in political and pop culture, as the Trump administration routinely threatens and tries to silence speech it hates. 

If fans are waiting for Swift to recognize how the weaponization of cancel culture has played into this dynamic, and then align herself with fundamental human and democratic rights, as she's pointedly done in the past, it seems they'll be waiting for a long time. 

Swift is right that the internet is often lousy. But on Showgirl, Swift's rejection of that culture seems useful only when it serves her interests and vendettas.

This article reflects the opinion of the writer.

GET FREE SHIPPING AND 20% OFF: On Oct. 7 and 8, Bookshop.org is offering free shipping on all orders during its Anti-Prime Day sale. Plus, the sale is running concurrently with Banned Book Week, so you can score 20% off banned titles.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bookshop.org Free shipping on all Bookshop.org orders Plus, score 20% off during Banned Book week. Get Deal

Not a fan of Prime Day? Listen, we get it. Amazon is the antithesis of shopping small and local, so it's understandable if you're totally disinterested in the retailer's biannual Prime Day events. The upside to Prime Day, regardless of whether or not you want to shop on Amazon, is that it has launched a barrage of anti-Prime Day sales. Often, these are from fellow retail giants, but smaller competitors join in on the action, too. Bookshop.org is running an anti-Prime Day sale on Oct. 7 and 8, allowing you to support local bookstores while still saving.

On Oct. 7, the same day that Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days kicks off, Bookshop.org is offering free shipping on all orders — no code needed. The timing of this deal is fortuitous, as it coincides with Banned Book Week. To fight censorship, Bookshop.org is marking banned books down by 20%. To get the deal, just use code 'BBW25' at checkout. The sale will run from Oct. 7 at 12 a.m. ET and run until Oct. 9 at 3 a.m. ET.

Amazon has a reputation for stealing the thunder from independent and local bookstores. This past April, Amazon launched a book sale that coincided with Independent Bookstore Day. Bookshop.org's sale is a direct response to Prime Day, encouraging shoppers to support their local bookstore. Each purchase on Bookstore.org directly supports a local bookstore of your choosing, while still allowing the convenience of online shopping.

So if you want to redirect your Prime Day money to benefit a local store, Bookshop.org lets you do just that.

Amazon now has two Prime Day shopping events per year. The official Prime Day 2025 event took place from July 8-11, and there were thousands of outstanding deals to be had. The fall sequel — officially titled Prime Big Deal Days but unofficially dubbed October Prime Day — is going down Oct. 7 and 8. While it is happening under another name, the actual event is largely the same as its predecessor, and you’ll be able to find deals on virtually everything Amazon sells.

So, in anticipation of the event (which is already well underway with early deals), our shopping reporters scoured the internet for questions people often ask about Prime Day, and tracked down the answers. Whether you’re shopping for early Christmas gifts or finally buying that teal bath set your wife has been wanting, you’ll surely find something you want to purchase.

So, without further ado, let’s answer some burning Prime Day questions. 

What is Prime Day?

Prime Day is the name of Amazon's annual shopping event, which usually takes place in July. Amazon has been hosting the event since 2015, and it's become one of the biggest shopping holidays of the year. Prime Day 2025 was extended to a four-day affair, and retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy now host competing sales — such is the power of Amazon.

What is Amazon Prime Big Deals Day?

Amazon Prime Big Deals Day is a new fall shopping event specifically for Amazon Prime subscribers, promising huge discounts on tons of items across most categories on Amazon. Prime Big Deal Days started in 2022, and it's become an annual sale.

Is Prime Big Deals Day the same as Amazon Prime Day?

Technically no, but practically, yes. Amazon Prime Day is a summer sales event that takes place in July. Amazon has been doing this event since 2015. Back then, the event lasted a scant 24 hours, intending to cash in on FOMO. It has since expanded to a few days with deals happening before and after the event. 

Prime Big Deals Day is mostly the same thing. It’s a multi-day sales event, except this one is taking place in October instead of July. Shoppers will be able to find deals on tons of stuff strewn about the site from electronics to home goods and decor. The only difference between these two events is when they take place.

When is Amazon Prime Day and Amazon Prime Big Deals Day?

Amazon Prime Day happened from July 8-11, 2025. Amazon Prime Big Deals Day takes place on Oct. 7 and 8, 2025. 

Those are the dates of the official sales, but that’s not the only days where there will be discounts to shop. Many products will go on sale earlier and end those sales later than the dates listed.

So, it’s worth looking around before and after the official event dates as well, just in case. 

What will be on sale for Amazon Prime Big Deals Day?

All sorts of stuff. We won’t know the full extent of the sales until the actual event occurs, but if it’s anything like prior Amazon shopping events, you’ll be able to find products on sale in virtually every product category imaginable. Amazon has an early list of some of the products that’ll be on sale for the event, but we expect the list to grow rather substantially once the event starts. 

• 50% off select Amazon devices

• 40% off select kitchen appliances

• 65% off bestselling print books

• Up to 45% off Bose headphones, earbuds, and speakers

• Up to 40% off select apparel and footwear, including 50% off Zappos listings and 35% off select denim brands

• Up to 50% off vacuums from Shark and eufy

• Up to 50% off select Samsonite luggage

One thing we know for sure is that Amazon will have its own products heavily discounted for the event, including Amazon Echo devices, Amazon Fire tablets, the retail giant’s excellent Kindle devices, and more. If you’ve been hankering for a new Kindle or Echo device, they will definitely be on sale, and they’ll likely be the best deals of the year for Amazon Prime members. 

Do you have to be an Amazon Prime member to view sales?

No, the deals will be listed regardless of whether or not you’re a Prime member. You just won’t be able to shop all of them unless you have a Prime subscription. As the name suggests, you have to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sales. There will likely be many things on sale that you can purchase without a Prime membership, but if it’s a sale specific to the event, you won’t be able to take advantage of it without an Amazon Prime subscription of some sort. 

Is Prime Big Deal Days worth it?

We say yes, with some caveats. It's a common myth that Amazon doesn't actually offer bigger discounts during Prime Day, because popular products like AirPods, MacBooks, and Sony headphones are almost always on sale. However, even many so-called "always on" deals get even better during Prime Day. That said, Amazon and other retailers often inflate the savings to appear bigger than they really are.

A valuable resource for shoppers is CamelCamelCamel, an app that shows you the price history of Amazon products. Before pulling the trigger, check with CamelCamelCamel to make sure that you’re actually getting a good deal. If CamelCamelCamel shows that the item is that same price all the time, then it’s not really on sale, it just has a “sale” tag posted on it, and you’re probably not getting a good deal. 

Is my country eligible for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days?

According to Amazon, Prime Big Deal Days will be available in 19 countries. They include:

• Australia

• Belgium

• Brazil

• Canada

• Colombia

• France

• Germany

• Ireland

• Italy

• Japan

• Mexico

• Netherlands

• Poland

• Singapore

• Spain

• Sweden

• Türkiye (Turkey)

• United States

• United Kingdom

Are there discounts for Amazon Prime right now?

In terms of promotions for the subscription itself, there aren’t any Amazon Prime deals happening right now. You’ll have to pay the full price of $14.99 per month or $139 per year. However, Amazon does have Prime Access, a version of Amazon Prime that includes all of the perks for 50 percent off. This version of Amazon Prime is restricted to folks with EBT or other government assistance. Amazon doesn’t specifically list what the qualifications are, but you can click this link to fill out a form with the proper documentation to see if you qualify. 

In addition, Amazon offers no-cost 30-day trials (and 6-month trials if you're between the ages of 18 and 24). If you're not a Prime member, that means you can sign up for free. So long as you cancel in time, there's no cost for the membership.

• Sign up for Amazon Prime — 30-day trial, $14.99 per month

• Sign up for Prime for Young Adults — 6-month trial, $7.49 per month

What is the purpose of Amazon Prime Day?’

Historically, Amazon Prime Day was started in 2015 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Amazon and the 10th anniversary of Amazon Prime. There doesn’t seem to be a reason why the Prime Big Deal Days even exists in October, but it’s probably to preempt Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November. 

Otherwise, it depends on who you ask. If you ask Amazon, the company will tell you it’s a giant sales event meant to help save money for its Prime members. If you ask a cynic on Reddit, they may tell you that it’s a marketing ploy to get people to sign up for Amazon Prime membership, boosting numbers before the end of the year so its earnings reports look better. There’s even a conspiracy theory that these shopping events exist to move aging stock to make room for upcoming products.

None of these answers are necessarily wrong, they’re just difficult to quantify. Lots of retailers offer discounts on older products to clear space for new releases. However, the sales do actually save people money as Amazon says, so it’s one of those scenarios where everyone appears to be right to some degree. 

Can I return items purchased on Prime Day?

Yes. Buying an item on Prime Day or Prime Big Deals Day is no different than buying it any other time and the return policy is the same either way. Prime members can still benefit from free returns.

How do I contact Amazon customer service with a problem?

Like most big tech companies, Amazon will try to push you to its online self-service portal when you have a customer service problem. Amazon also recently introduced Rufus, it's automated AI assistant. If you want to get in touch with a real-live person, it can take some work.

To contact Amazon customer service, Prime members can try the following methods:

• Email cs-reply@amazon.com 

• Call Amazon at 1-888-280-4331

• Visit the Customer Service help page

• Contact Amazon Customer Service via social media via @amazonhelp on X, @amazon on Instagram, and www.facebook.com/Amazon

• Talk to Amazon's new AI assistant Rufus

I love physical media, you love physical media. Physical media is awesome, and generally just better than digital streaming or downloads, if a little bit less convenient.

Fans worldwide are expressing disappointment after Taylor Swift allegedly used AI-generated videos to help promote her new album, The Life of a Showgirl.

To be clear, it has neither been confirmed that the videos in question are AI — though it certainly seems that way — nor is it clear that Swift was directly involved in the creation of the videos. The allegedly AI-generated videos surfaced via 12 "orange doors" with QR codes placed in major global cities. Those QR codes led to videos related to Showgirl. It's the classic Easter egg tactic Swift has made famous.

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But once those videos made their way online, people began to notice they seemed to be made with AI. Here's a good breakdown on TikTok about parts of videos that appear to be AI.

SEE ALSO: Did Taylor Swift swipe a lyric from a TikTok creator?

Folks online, including seemingly some Swifties, were disappointed that Swift would use AI in a promotional campaign for Showgirl. Why would an impossibly wealthy artist choose to use AI-generated works rather than pay artists for the actual work that AI poorly replicates?

Swift also famously fought to own her back catalog of music, and using AI — a technology that scrapes other folks' work to create its own content — would seem to run counter to that ethos.

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It's also worth noting that Swift has worked against AI-generated content when it directly affects her. She spoke out in support of Kamala Harris after then-presidential candidate Donald Trump used AI-generated art to suggest Swifties supported him in 2024. Swifties also mobilized to protect Swift after AI-generated deepfakes of the singer surfaced online.

Perhaps the videos rely on (poorly done) visual effects created by humans. But if the videos are actually AI, there are certainly a lot of disappointed people online.

When I set up my Pixel 10 for the first time, I was pretty happy with how smooth the process was. But then I hit something that didn’t feel right. My lock screen was only showing one notification in full, while the rest were shrunk down into a row of tiny app icons. This new compact style is part of Android 16 QPR1, which the Pixel 10 ships with by default, and it’s designed to keep things tidy.

The era of Logitech’s popular smart home control solution, the POP button system, is abruptly coming to an end. Logitech has announced the complete discontinuation of the service, in some emails to customers, stating that it is effective October 15, 2025.

The inability to understand the language used in a video shouldn't stop you from watching it. That's why Microsoft is testing a new AI audio translation feature in Edge that allows you to translate audio into your preferred language. However, as much as I want to love it, the feature isn't perfect and has a long way to go.

OpenAI launched Sora, its AI video app for iOS users, last week, and it quickly shot to the top position on the Apple App Store charts — despite the fact that the app is invite-only.

Powered by the Sora 2 video model, the Sora app lets users create and share AI videos in a TikTok-like feed. If you've gained access to Sora, you've probably noticed a common thread on the platform: There's a lot of copyrighted content being used for these AI-generated videos. Mashable's tech editor said over the weekend that the Sora app feed was dominated by popular characters from SpongeBob Squarepants, Rick & Morty, and various Nintendo franchises. CNBC also reported on one popular Sora video featuring OpenAI CEO Sam Altman standing alongside Pokémon characters.

"I hope Nintendo doesn't sue us," the AI-generated Altman says in the video.

If you assumed OpenAI cleared the use of intellectual property like Pokémon with copyright holders like The Pokémon Company or Nintendo, you'd be wrong.

An OpenAI representative told Mashable that the company is taking an opt-out approach when it comes to copyright, pointing to the company's Copyright Dispute form. This means intellectual property is fair game unless the copyright holder contacts OpenAI and opts-out from the platform. In fact, an OpenAI spokesperson told Mashable that copyright holders cannot request a blanket opt-out for their IPs. Instead, copyright holders must request specific characters be blocked or flag specific videos.

OpenAI appears to realize that it needs to work more with copyright holders, however. Over the weekend, users began sharing screenshots of "Content Violation" warnings. In the freewheeling days after the app's launch, users could make videos featuring all sorts of copyrighted material, but that seems to be changing fast.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: Sora 2 app: 7 weird AI videos people have already made with the new OpenAI tool

Interestingly, the Wall Street Journal reported that before Sora's launch, OpenAI reached out to talent agencies and film studios to notify them about Sora and that their copyrighted works could appear in the app.

In an Oct. 3 post on his personal blog, OpenAI CEO Altman told users to "expect a very high rate of change," and admitted that OpenAI would need to monetize Sora to cope with user demand.

"We are hearing from a lot of rightsholders who are very excited for this new kind of 'interactive fan fiction' and think this new kind of engagement will accrue a lot of value to them, but want the ability to specify how their characters can be used (including not at all)," Altman wrote.

In addition, in a post on X published on Sunday, OpenAI's Head of Sora Bill Peebles said that the company is going to put restrictions on the app's cameos feature. The cameos feature in Sora allows users to upload real video of themselves in order to enable Sora users to generate AI content with their likeness and image.

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According to Peebles, Sora users will be able to choose exactly how their likeness is used. Peebles used the example of users putting restrictions such as "don't put me in videos that involve political commentary" or "don't let me say this word."

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

You've probably come across the Arch Linux memes, but are they doing it a disservice? Arch Linux is an excellent distribution, and I have five reasons why you should look past those labels and see for yourself.

The Lexar ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD, which was first announced in July, is officially available to buy now. Lexar is clearly targeting Apple users with the ability to magnetically stick the SSD right to the back of any iPhone that supports MagSafe accessories.

In a segment dominated by familiar names, one hybrid SUV has quietly pulled ahead with efficiency that even the most popular models can’t match. Its blend of fuel savings, smooth performance, and everyday practicality makes it a standout choice for families and commuters alike.

OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman want ChatGPT to evolve beyond a conversational tool into a full-fledged digital assistant — one that can use other apps for you. The company announced a new initiative to create a "new generation of apps in ChatGPT," allowing users to connect and interact directly with third-party services inside the chatbot.

The new feature was unveiled during OpenAI’s Dev Day, during which the company showcased several live demos highlighting how this could work in practice. In one example, ChatGPT connected to Spotify to generate a playlist based on the user’s favorite songs, created and saved automatically within the Spotify app.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft launches Copilot Mode in Edge for agentic AI browsing. How to try it.

Another demo showed an OpenAI engineer tagging Canva in the chat to design a poster for a dog-walking business. After specifying that it should look whimsical and bright with a sans-serif font, ChatGPT returned multiple poster options generated through Canva. The system prompts users for permission the first time an app is connected, but once approved, it can use that app freely in future chats.

OpenAI also demonstrated educational and real estate integrations, like creating a machine learning lesson plan via Coursera and finding homes for sale in Pittsburgh through Zillow.

Starting today, ChatGPT users can connect to apps including Spotify, Canva, Booking.com, Expedia, Coursera, Zillow, and Figma. Altman added that more integrations, such as DoorDash and Uber, are coming later this year. Additionally, developers will soon be able to submit their own apps for review and publication within ChatGPT. OpenAI also plans to launch a dedicated app directory, giving users an easier way to discover and install integrations. As for monetization, Altman says the company will share more details in the near future.

This push marks a key step in OpenAI’s broader vision of agentic AI, especially after the company recently introduced Instant Checkout, a feature that lets users make purchases directly in chat.

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

SAVE $60: As of Oct. 6, you can pick up a Kindle Paperwhite at Woot for only $99.99. That's 38% off the usual list price and beats its best price ever on Amazon by $30. There's just one catch: they may have blemishes.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16GB) $99.99 at Woot
$159.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal

With Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event kicking off tomorrow, Oct. 7, we're expecting some of the best prices of the season on Kindle devices. But I'm fairly confident none of those deals will beat this Paperwhite deal at Amazon's daily deals site Woot (though I'm happy to be wrong).

As of Oct. 6, you can pick up a new Kindle Paperwhite (2024) at Woot for only $99.99. That's 38% or $60 off the usual list price of $159.99. The Paperwhite has only ever dropped as low as $129.99 at Amazon, so this is by far the best price we've seen on our favorite Kindle device. That's also cheaper than the most basic Kindle. But, of course, there's a slight catch.

While these Kindle Paperwhite devices are brand new, Woot writes that they "may have a slight blemish on the screen." If a tiny aesthetic imperfection is no big deal for you, then you're good to go. The device is still backed by a 90-day warranty at Woot, should any issue arise. Plus, you can always send it back if the blemish is too much of an eyesore.

As I mentioned above, the Kindle Paperwhite is our top pick for a Kindle (though I personally own the basic Kindle and also highly recommend it!). Mashable's e-reader expert Sam Mangino writes that it's "as good as an e-reader can get with its responsive interface, quick-turning pages, and lightweight design." It's also waterproof (unlike the basic Kindle), comes with adjustable screen warmth and brightness, and can last up to 12 weeks per charge.

The TL-WR3002X AX3000 travel router is one of the fastest and most powerful models TP-Link currently offers, and it’s an easy device to recommend. If your living space is small, this, frankly, could even be the only router you need.

The GIMP team has officially released the third micro-release for its stable branch, GIMP 3.0.6. While the team is hard at work on the much-anticipated GIMP 3.2, this new stable release was "really needed" because of how many bug fixes have accumulated.

October Prime Day is coming up quickly, but Apple AirPods deals are taking their time to trickle in.

The two-day sale, officially dubbed Prime Big Deal Days, doesn't start until Oct. 7, but we started to see early deals pop up a week in advance. There are a fair number of deals on Apple products, including AirPods — but the price cuts have been a little slower than expected.

SEE ALSO: What is Prime Big Deal Days? Everything you need to know and what deals to expect.

A day before the big sale, we're finally seeing a few significant discounts — particularly on the AirPods 4. While they haven't reached their record-low price, they're within a dollar of it. The AirPods Max have also finally dropped in price to $429.99. That's the biggest discount we've seen since Prime Day proper in July. Fingers crossed the price drops even further once the shopping event officially kicks off.

The AirPods Pro 2 are still $199 following the release of the AirPods Pro 3 — though they did very briefly fall to $169.99 for less than 24 hours. It's a little disappointing, considering the Pro 2 buds are down to $199 often enough that we consider it their standard market price. If you can, we recommend waiting until their price drops further. Historically, shopping events like Prime Day have brought the earbuds down to record-low prices.

The AirPods Pro 3, on the other hand, aren't on sale yet — though we have already seen a minor price dip following their recent release.

Below, find all the Apple AirPods deals available ahead of October Prime Day 2025.

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $89.99 at Amazon
$129 Save $39.01 Get Deal Why we like it

A great value for the price, the AirPods 4 feature personalized spatial audio; voice isolation; Siri interactions; improved bass, mids, and highs; a comfortable and snug fit; and a more compact charging case that's easier to find. They come in two options: with or without active noise cancellation. Either option you choose, Mashable's reviewer noted that, "They sound like honey." Not to mention, they actually stay put in your ears when sprinting on a treadmill, which is no easy feat. Both options last up to five hours per charge (30 with the charging case), making them excellent daily drivers. If noise cancellation doesn't matter to you, the entry-level AirPods 4 are the best option for your wallet at just $89.99 ahead of October Prime Day. That's 99 cents shy of their best price on record. If you upgrade to the pair with ANC, it'll cost you an extra $50.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC.

More Apple AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation — $139.99 $179 (save $39.01)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) — $429.99 $549 (save $119.01)

Amazon can never run a sale all by itself. As the retail giant gears up for its annual Prime Big Deal Days event on Oct. 7 and 8, Best Buy has kicked off a competing "Techtober Sale" that's live through Oct. 12.

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

Best Buy's best anti-Prime Day deals at a glance: Best Apple deal Apple AirTag $19.99 (save $9.01) Get Deal Best Windows laptop deal Asus Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $579.99 (save $420) Get Deal Best TV deal TCL 75-inch QM5K 4K QD-Mini LED TV $599.99 (save $600) Get Deal Best streaming device deal Google TV Streamer 4K $84.99 (save $15) Get Deal Best vacuum deal iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max + AutoWash Dock $599.99 (save $800) Get Deal

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

SEE ALSO: Amazon's October Prime Day is coming on October 7 — here are 30+ early deals to shop now

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

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

I've listed my Techtober Sale findings below, and I'm planning on refreshing them as new deals pop up throughout the week; check back soon.

Apple dealsAirPods

• Apple AirPods 4 — $89.99 $129 (save $39.01)

• Apple AirPods 4 with ANC — $139.99 $129 (save $39.01)

• Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) — $429.99 $549 (save $119.01)

Apple Watches

• Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) — $329 $399 (save $70)

• Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS + cellular, 46mm) — $479 $529 (save $50)

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + cellular, 49mm) — $649 $799 (save $150)

iPads

• Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) — $299 $349 (save $50)

• Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) — $399 $499 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) — $449 $599 (save $150)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) — $649 $799 (save $150)

• Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)

MacBooks

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4 chip, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $799 $999 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4 chip, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $999 $1,199 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,399 $1,599 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,249 $2,499 (save $250)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Max, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $3,099 $3,499 (save $400)

Apple accessories

• Apple AirTag — $19.99 $29 (save $9.01)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $64.99 $99 (save $34.01)

Windows laptop deals

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

• Asus Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $579.99 $999.99 (save $420)

• HP OmniBook 5 16 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)

• Microsoft Surface Laptop, 13-inch (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB UFS) — $849.99 $999.99 (save $150)

• HP OmniBook X 17 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $879.99 $1,349.99 (save $470)

• Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, 16-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $899.99 $1,449.99 (save $550)

• Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $949.99 $1,199.99 (save $250)

• Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,799.99 $2,399.99 (save $600)

2-in-1 laptops

• HP OmniBook 5 Flip 14 (Intel Core 7 150U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $549.99 $799.99 (save $250)

• Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 16 (AMD Ryzen AI 5 340, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $599.99 $999.99 (save $400)

• Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 14 (AMD Ryzen AI 5 340, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $649.99 $1,049.99 (save $400)

• Dell Plus 2-in-1 14 (AMD Ryzen AI 7 350, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250)

• Microsoft Surface Pro 11, 13-inch (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) + Keyboard Bundle — $999.99 $1,349.99 (save $350)

• HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,599.99 (save $500)

• Microsoft Surface Pro 11, 13-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,149.99 $1,499.99 (save $350)

Gaming laptops

• Lenovo LOQ (AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 12GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $549.99 $879.99 (save $330)

• HP Victus 15 (Intel Core i7-13620H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,049.99 $1,369.99 (save $320)

• Asus TUF Gaming A16 (AMD Ryzen 9 270, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,349.99 $1,699.99 (save $350)

• Alienware 16X Aurora (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 32GB RAM, 1TB SDD) — $1,399.99 $1,799.99 (save $400)

TV deals43-inch TVs

• Hisense 43-inch QD6 QLED 4K Fire TV — $149.99 $299.99 (save $150)

• Samsung 43-inch Q7F QLED 4K TV — $349.99 $399.99 (save $50)

50- to 58-inch TVs

• Toshiba 50-inch C350 LED 4K Fire TV — $189 $349.99 (save $160.99)

• TCL 55-inch F35 4K LED Fire TV — $199.99 $329.99 (save $130)

• TCL 58-inch S5 4K LED Fire TV — $229.99 $379.99 (save $150)

• Hisense 50-inch QD6 QLED 4K Fire TV — $239.99 $329.99 (save $90)

• Hisense 55-inch QD6 QLED 4K Fire TV — $259.99 $379.99 (save $120)

• Samsung 55-inch Q7F QLED 4K TV — $399.99 $529.99 (save $130)

65-inch TVs

• TCL 65-inch F35 4K LED Fire TV — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100)

• LG 65-inch 70A QNED AI 4K TV — $449.99 $579.99 (save $130)

75-inch TVs and bigger

• Toshiba 75-inch C350 LED 4K Fire TV — $399 $729.99 (save $330.99)

• TCL 75-inch QM5K 4K QD-Mini LED TV — $599.99 $1,199.99 (save $600)

• LG 75-inch 70A QNED AI 4K TV — $649.99 $899.99 (save $250)

• Samsung 75-inch Q7F QLED 4K TV — $699.99 $999.99 (save $300)

• LG 77-inch B5 OLED AI 4K TV — $1,599.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,400)

Streaming device deals

• Roku Streaming Stick — $17.99 $29.99 (save $12)

• Roku Streaming Stick 4K — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Google TV Streamer 4K — $84.99 $99.99 (save $15)

Vacuum dealsRobot vacuums

• iRobot Roomba 105 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock — $279.99 $449.99 (save $170)

• Shark Matrix RV2320S — $299.99 $499.99 (save $200)

• iRobot Roomba 105 Combo + AutoEmpty Dock — $299.99 $469.99 (save $170)

• iRobot Roomba Max 705 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock — $599.99 $899.99 (save $300)

• iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo + AutoWash Dock — $599.99 $999.99 (save $400)

• iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max + AutoWash Dock — $599.99 $1,399.99 (save $800)

• Roborock Saros Z70 — $1,399.99 $2,599.99 (save $1,200)

Stick vacuums

• Dyson V11 Plus — $529.99 $629.99 (save $100)

You can snag the Corsair Void V2 Wireless Gaming Headset for a surprisingly low price of just $90 on Amazon right now. This is a massive 31% discount off its regular $130 price tag, which is incredible when you think about the 70 hours of battery life this headset offers.