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The early Prime Day outdoor deals are pretty impressive

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 16:18
The best early Prime Day outdoor deals at a glance: BEST COOLER DEAL Ninja FB131WH FrostVault $149.94 (save $50.05) Get Deal BEST HYDRATION DEAL Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState (40-ounce) $24.99 (save $20.01) Get Deal BEST POWER STATION DEAL Jackery Explorer 300 $169 (save $90) Get Deal BEST PORTABLE SPEAKER DEAL Sony ULT Field 5 $198 (save $131.99) Get Deal BEST ACTION CAMERA DEAL GoPro HERO13 $329 (save $100.99 + $24.01 Amazon credit) Get Deal

The next Amazon Prime Day is around the corner, officially running from July 8 through 11, which means deals are already emerging left and right. And since it serves as an informal celebration of summer, it's no surprise that tons of outdoor deals are leading the way.

While we're expecting even more great deals on top brands like Solo Stove, Ooni, GCI, and Owala to pop up once Prime Day officially starts, lots of great brands are already dropping prices — including Yeti, Coleman, Stanley, and Jackery. If you don't feel like waiting for the official event kickoff, you can start your discount shopping now.

We're tracking all of the best Prime Day outdoor deals below. If you don't see what you're looking for just yet, stay tuned. We'll be updating this list throughout Prime Day with any new deals that drop. Be sure to follow along with Mashable's coverage of every category in our Prime Day hub.

Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best outdoor deal at Amazon ahead of Prime Day Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 300 $169 at Amazon
$259 Save $90 Get Deal Why we like it

Power up your campsite, tailgate, or beach day with the portable Jackery Explorer 300. It's down to its best price ever at just $169 — a savings of 35% — so no need to wait around for Prime Day to officially start. Weighing in at just seven pounds, it's a great companion for outdoor adventures. It packs six output ports (two AC outlets, one PD 60W USB-C port, one fast charge 3.0 port, one USB-A port, and one DC car port), so you can juice up six devices at once while the power station charges itself. Plus, it's compatible with the Jackery SolarSaga 100 solar panel, so you can stay connected even when you go off the grid.

Best cooler dealsBest drinkware dealsBest power station dealsBest outdoor cooking dealsBest portable speaker dealsMore outdoor deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best early Prime Day fitness tracker deals in 2025 — shop Apple, Garmin, Fitbit, and more

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 16:15
The best Prime Day fitness tracker deals Best Apple Deal Apple Watch Series 10 $299 (save $100) Get Deal Best Garmin Deal Garmin vívoactive 5 195 (save $104.99) Get Deal Best Samsung Deal Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra $479 (save $170.99) Get Deal

The summer is a fantastic time to get outside and be active, and if you're planning on getting serious about fitness this season, you might want to add a good fitness tracker to your repertoire to keep yourself in sync with your goals.

Thankfully, Amazon Prime Day is fast approaching (running from July 8-11), which means plenty of fitness tracker deals are on the horizon. In fact, many of those deals are already here, and we've rounded up the best in case you don't want to wait for the actual sale.

SEE ALSO: Oura Ring 4 review: It's got this edge over Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Ring

Find our top picks below, and be sure to stay tuned to this page, as we'll be updating it as more discounts roll in.

Best early Prime Day fitness tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple Watch Series 10.

Ready to take the plunge and get a new Apple Watch? This is your best bet ahead of Prime Day. The Apple Watch Series 10 is well worth investing in, especially at a 25% discount. At $100 off, this is a better deal than average, especially considering it's Mashable's top pick for a smartwatch fitness tracker.

We like the Series 10 thanks to its suite of health tracking capabilities, including a heart rate monitor, sleep tracker, menstrual cycle tracker, and pedometer (the blood oxygen sensor is the main feature that's missing). It also has an ultra bright and lightweight display.

More early Prime Day fitness tracker deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Early Prime Day Apple MacBook deals are here but theres only 1 you need to know

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 15:50

Amazon Prime Day is set for July 8 to 11, and as Mashable's resident laptop expert, I'm tasked with hunting down the best Apple MacBook deals. My job is going to be really easy this year: Amazon has been busy discounting the M4 series pretty much since launch.

That said, I'm currently recommending that most shoppers wait to buy a MacBook until Prime Day officially starts — with one notable exception. Yes, every single Air and Pro model is on sale on Amazon right now, but they're not quite at record-low prices yet. Put another way: I know we can do even better.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2025: Dates, deals, and the competition

The one exception here is the base configuration of the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air, which is marked down to just $849 as of early July. That's a really great price that I feel comfortable endorsing, even though this model has technically been cheaper once before. (The Starlight colorway briefly fell to $829 on June 20.) With incredible performance, open-lid support for two displays, and an upgraded 12MP webcam, the M4 MacBook Air is realistically a steal even at its standard MSRP of $999. Amazon's decision to slash that by an extra $150 mere months after its release is kind of mind-boggling to me.

I also want to mention that Amazon only carries the M4 series nowadays. (You might encounter listings for older models, but they come from third-party sellers you should avoid.) If you want a good deal on an M2- or M3-era MacBook, check Best Buy, which is having a "Black Friday in July" sale now through July 13. I'll also be monitoring its prices closely during that event in case it one-ups Amazon's M4 Prime Day offers.

The best early Prime Day MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $849 at Amazon
$999 Save $150 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the M4 Apple MacBook Air.

Mashable's Stan Schroeder called the latest MacBook Air "the best-buy Apple laptop, period," praising its quiet oomph, upgraded camera, "great" battery life, and extremely reasonable starting price (which, again, Amazon has reduced by 15%). In his view, its only flaws are a "low number of ports and the fact that the display's refresh rate only goes to 60Hz." The base model sports 16GB of memory and 256GB of SSD storage.

At the time of writing, every colorway is discounted to $849. If you know this is the laptop you want and are worried about missing out, go ahead and add this to your cart.

More MacBook Air dealsMacBook Pro deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget Prime Day: The Apple M4 Mac Mini is under $500 right now

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 15:41

TL;DR: The Apple 2024 Mac Mini (M4 chip, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is on sale for $499.99 in Prime Day 2025. Apply the $45.93 off coupon to secure this low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple 2024 Mac Mini (M4 chip, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $499.99 at Amazon
$599 Save $99.01 Get Deal

Amazon has cut the price of the 2024 Mac Mini for Prime Day. As of July 7, the Apple 2024 Mac Mini (M4 chip, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is on sale for $499.99 for Prime Day. Simply clip on the on-page coupon to save.

Something to note is that when this product has gone on sale in recent times, it has not stuck around for long. So if you're interested in upgrading, we recommend acting fast to secure this low price. Consider yourself warned.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirTags just dipped in price ahead of Prime Day — get a 4-pack for under $70

The Apple 2024 Mac Mini is full of power and boasts an extraordinarily small footprint. The inclusion of a new 2024 M4 chip means that this Mac Mini can leverage a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. With blitz-worthy processing speeds and the graphics capabilities needed to play games or 3D model, this desktop computer offers impressive power. The M4 chip is fortified with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. What more do you need?

Get the Apple 2024 Mac Mini for under $500 during Prime Day.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple AirPods Pro 2 are down to under $170 before Prime Day

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 13:45

SAVE 32%: As of July 7, you can get the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169 at Amazon. That's a 32% discount on list price.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) $159.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $89.01 Get Deal

Amazon is rolling out its Prime Day deals early this year, and some of the discounts are seriously impressive. With the main event just two days away, we're seeing killer deals across every category, and Apple devices (discounted MacBooks, AirTags, iPads, and more) are getting some of the best price cuts.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day vs. Black Friday: When are the deals better?

As of July 7, you can get the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169, down from $249. That's a 32% discount and a $80 savings. It's not the absolute lowest price we've ever seen (they hit $153.99 during Black Friday), but it's still a solid deal.

The AirPods Pro 2 feature impressive sound control, with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), a Transparency Mode, and an Adaptive Audio setting that automatically blends the two. The physical design is just as thoughtful: you get four sizes of silicone tips for a secure fit, and you can now swipe the stems to adjust the volume. They're also built for everyday use, with an IP54 rating against sweat and rain, and a battery that provides up to 30 hours of total listening time.

SEE ALSO: The new AirPods Pro look old but sound fresh

They also have a powerful, built-in Hearing Aid feature. It’s a clinical-grade function for users with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss that works by having you take a hearing test on your iPhone to create a custom sound profile. This also enables Media Assist, a feature that uses your profile to automatically make music, videos, and phone calls sound sharper and easier to understand.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

This huge LG C4 OLED TV is down to its lowest-ever price ahead of Prime Day

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 13:25

SAVE $800: As of July 7, the 65-inch LG C4 OLED TV is on sale for $1,196.99 at Amazon — a record-low price. That's 10% off of the list price of $1,326.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 65-inch C4 OLED 4K TV $1,196.99 at Amazon
$1,326.99 Save $130 Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is almost here — one of those sale events that demands you check out all the best TV deals. There's never a bad time to upgrade and smart TV technology moves so fast. That's why we're highlighting this particular deal on the 65-inch LG C4 OLED TV. Even into its second year on the market, this still ranks as one of the very best OLED TVs in existence, thanks to LG's OLED tech and stacks of features. LG are just so good at this level.

The 65-inch LG C4 OLED TV is currently on offer at £1,196.99, which is a 10% discount off the regular list price of $1,326.99. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, that's the lowest-ever price on this TV. We know you'll find bigger TV discounts as part of Prime Day, but you won't find many better TVs — especially if you want a huge eye-popping model.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (June 13, 2025)

Even though it's technically not LG's flagship OLED anymore, the C4 is still among the best of the best. Its self-lit pixels simultaneously achieve vivid 100% color volume with deep, pure blacks and excellent contrast that can withstand brightly-lit rooms. It's great for gamers too, with the refresh rate of 144Hz and a range of gaming spec — such as NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, and VRR — plus Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and a Filmmaker mode for an immersive home cinema experience. It also has an AI-powered processor that refines and upscales the picture while you watch. Overall, it's a seriously powerful TV with immense visuals.

Don't miss your chance to pick up the 65-inch LG C4 OLED TV at $1,196.99.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

Theres serious power in this early Prime Day deal — get the AMD Ryzen 9 processor for its record-low price

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 12:58

SAVE OVER $100: As of July 7, the AMD Ryzen 9 desktop processor is on sale for $434 at Amazon. That's 33% off its list price of $649.

Opens in a new window Credit: AMD AMD Ryzen 9 9950X 16-Core Desktop Processor $434 at Amazon
$649 Save $215 Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is almost upon us, and the deals are already coming thick and fast. One of the great things about Prime Day is that it's a chance to stock up on all those big tech items that are ordinarily too expensive. That's why we've selected the AMD Ryzen 9 desktop processor as one of the best available discounts right now.

The AMD Ryzen 9 is currently on sale for $434 at Amazon. That's a massive 33% discount from the usual list price of $649. That makes this the lowest-ever price according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, so don't miss your chance to upgrade your PC gaming setup for less.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Day

If you're a PC gamer, it can be hard to know where to start with upgrading the hardware. There's just so much choice and so many specifications to know about.

This Ryzen 9 desktop processor is a competitive piece of kit, boasting 16 cores and 32 processing threads, helping maintain speeds of 100-plus frames per second. You'll also get 5.7 GHz of Max Boost support, unlocked overclocking, 80MB of cache, and DDR5-5600 support. It's ordinarily pretty pricey but that's a mark of quality with PC gaming hardware.

Don't miss a discount of $215 off the AMD Ryzen 9 desktop processor at Amazon.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are at their lowest-ever price before Prime Day — save $50 right now

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 12:32

SAVE $50: As of July 7, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are on sale for $199.95 at Amazon. That's a 20% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.04 Get Deal

Prime Day gets underway on July 8, and for the first time ever, we're being treated to a four-day event. The event hasn't gone live yet, but deals are already flowing in on TVs, Kindles, tablets, and much more. And if you're hunting down deals on earbuds, why not check out this great offer on the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2?

As of July 7, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are $50 off at Amazon, now priced at $199.95. That's their lowest-ever price according to camelcamelcamel.

SEE ALSO: Beats Solo 4 headphones are back to their lowest-ever price ahead of Prime Day

These Beats are perfectly designed for workouts of all kinds of intensity. The secure fit ear hook is perfect for running, Pilates, strength sessions, and more. They've even had 1,500 hours of athlete testing to make sure they're fully up to scratch.

Ever heard of earbuds with heart rate monitoring? Well, now you have. The Powerbeats Pro 2 feature real-time heart rate monitoring, using sensors that pulse over 100 times per second to track your heart rate during workouts. How cool is that?

They also benefit from Active Noise Cancelling to block out distractions, but there’s also a Transparency mode when you need to stay aware of your surroundings (runners, this one's for you). And they give you up to 45 hours of battery life with the charging case, and the charging case is now 33% smaller than the previous version and supports wireless Qi charging.

Get this impressive deal now before stock runs low.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

Did the best Prime Day deal on AirPods just drop? Get Apple AirPods Max for their lowest-ever price.

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 12:27

SAVE OVER $90: As of July 7, the Apple AirPods Max headphones are on sale for $449.99 at Amazon. That's 18% off their list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max $449.98 at Amazon
$549 Save $99.02 Get Deal

We've had to be really patient when it comes to Prime Day deals on AirPods. Deals have been slim, but we've finally got something to shout about. The AirPods Max (USB-C) headphones have dropped to their lowest-ever price ahead of Prime Day.

The AirPods Max (USB-C) headphones are on sale for $449.99 at Amazon. This is 18% off their list price of $549, saving you over $90. That's what Prime Day is all about — record-low prices on the most popular products.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirTags just dipped in price ahead of Prime Day — get a 4-pack for under $70

These headphones offer great sound quality with impressive features like Personalized Spatial Audio and Active Noise Cancellation. For those moments when you want to be more aware of your surroundings, they also feature a Transparency mode that lets you hear the world around you without interrupting your song or podcast.

We had a lot of praise for the AirPods Max in our review: "When it comes down to it, the AirPods Max check off almost all the boxes for what makes an excellent pair of headphones: great sound quality, ideal battery life, easy controls, and a stylish design."

Don't miss out on the AirPods Max (USB-C) headphones at their record-low price ahead of Prime Day.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 7, 2025

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 12:15

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 7 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: A betrayer

  • Green: An effect

  • Blue: NBA actions

  • Purple: Not bottom

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Informant

  • Green: Big impression

  • Blue: Basketball moves

  • Purple: Top ___

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #757 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Informant: CANARY, LEAK, RAT, SOURCE

  • Big impression: FOOTPRINT, IMPACT, MARK, SPLASH

  • Basketball moves: BLOCK, DRIBBLE, PASS, SHOOT

  • Top ___: BANANA, DOG, HAR, SECRET

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 7

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 7, 2025

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 12:13

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for July 7 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 7, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A peg.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter T appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

STILT.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 7

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for July 7

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 12:13

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 7 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 7 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh

The words are summer-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are associated with children's camps.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Summer Camp.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for July 7

  • Canteen

  • Lodge

  • Bunk

  • Fieldhouse

  • Summer Camp

  • Lake

  • Flagpole

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Lego Classic Brick Box is now at a record-low price ahead of Prime Day

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 12:10

RECORD-LOW PRICE: As of July 7, the LEGO Classic Creative Brick Box is just $15.29 (originally $34.99) — that's 56% off ahead of Prime Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO Lego Classic Creative Brick Box (10696) $15.29 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $19.70 Get Deal

With Prime Day just 24 hours away, Amazon is building excitement with pre-sale bargains. Here's a deal that has really caught our eye — not least for the 484 colorful plastic bricks that will suit budding builders and nostalgic, fun-loving grown-ups alike (seriously, adult Lego fandom is totally a thing now).

As of July 7, the Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box (10696) is on sale for an incredible $15.29, a record-setting lowest-ever price according to price tracking tool camelcamelcamel. That’s a massive 56% off the regular $34.99 price tag. So, if you feel like buying even more, you can grab two of these sets for less than the list price of one. And trust us: You can never have too much Lego.

SEE ALSO: These Prime Day deals landed early — save on Apple, Ninja, and Samsung gadgets

The box includes 484 pieces in 35 colours, including windows, wheels, eyes, and more — everything you need for any combination of crazy creations. It also comes with a green baseplate while the brick-shaped box is essential for storing the Lego. And it can be combined with literally any other Lego set — the fun just keeps building.

Don't miss out on this saving of $19.70 on the Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box (10696) at Amazon.

To stay on top of all things Prime Day, check out our complete guide to Amazon Prime Day 2025 — including key dates, what’s new this year, and the top early deals.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

The Velvet Sundown changes Spotify bio, gives AI update

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 12:07

Remember The Velvet Sundown, that new Spotify group that people accused of being AI-generated? Welp, it turns out it's AI-generated. Or at least partly.

Over the weekend, the band – which currently has over a million monthly listeners on Spotify – updated its "About" page to address its use of artificial intelligence.

SEE ALSO: Spotify’s AI DJ now takes requests

Here's the update, in full:

“The Velvet Sundown is a synthetic music project guided by human creative direction, and composed, voiced, and visualized with the support of artificial intelligence.

This isn’t a trick — it’s a mirror. An ongoing artistic provocation designed to challenge the boundaries of authorship, identity, and the future of music itself in the age of AI.

All characters, stories, music, voices and lyrics are original creations generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools employed as creative instruments. Any resemblance to actual places, events or persons — living or deceased — is purely coincidental and unintentional.

Not quite human. Not quite machine. The Velvet Sundown lives somewhere in between.”

So there we go — it turns out pumping out two albums in the same year was a bit suspicious after all.

Mashable has reached out to Spotify for comment and we will updated this story if we hear back.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung’s 4TB 990 EVO Plus SSD drops to record-low price ahead of Prime Day

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 12:00

SAVE $93: As of July 7, Samsung’s 990 EVO Plus 4TB SSD is down to $234.99 at Amazon — its lowest price yet and a steal for Prime members.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD 4TB $234.99 at Amazon
$327.99 Save $93 Get Deal

If your gaming PC is starting to feel a little sluggish and unable to hold enough games, Amazon has the upgrade your machine has been begging for — and it's at its lowest price yet ahead of Prime Day.

As of July 7, the 4TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD is available for just $234.99 — that’s 28% off its usual $327.99. This deal is exclusive to Amazon Prime members and marks the lowest price we’ve seen on this powerhouse drive. Both the 1TB SSD and 2TB SSD models are on sale, for $79.99 and $139.99 respectively, but grabbing this bargain on the 4TB version will grant you the best value for money.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Day

Samsung’s 990 EVO Plus doesn’t look like your average SSD. Designed with a PCIe Gen 4x4 interface (and Gen 5x2 compatibility), it offers read/write speeds up to a jaw-dropping 7,250/6,300MB/s. This means that massive files — aka, games and large video files — can transfer in seconds, and apps launch before you can blink. Whether you're rendering video, running simulations, or just loading up Baldur’s Gate 3 a little faster, this drive delivers as a must for gamers and content creators alike.

With a generous 4TB of storage, you’ll have plenty of room for all your creative projects, games, or mission-critical documents. The updated Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 tech ensures that even large transfers stay fast and smooth — no slowdown in sight.

Because of the ever-growing file sizes of games, a large SSD like this is more important than ever. With 4TB, you could pack in multiple huge games like Destiny 2, Metaphor: ReFantazio, The Last of Us Part 1 & 2, Indiana Jones And The Great Circle, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and still have plenty more space to download extra titles — like those available on Xbox Game Pass for PC.

This SSDs' thermals make sure performance isn’t compromised either. The nickel-coated controller keeps things cool and efficient while using less power than older models. It's optimised to perform on the latest systems without turning your PC into a space heater. And with Samsung’s Magician Software, managing your SSD seems almost too easy. From firmware updates to encryption and performance monitoring, your drive should be running like new.

If you're building a rig, upgrading your laptop, or just want your PC to keep up with you, this is the moment to dive in. And for those after a shiny new monitor too, Samsung’s 34-inch ViewFinity monitor is down to its lowest-ever price ahead of Prime Day.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

Beats Solo 4 headphones are back to their lowest-ever price ahead of Prime Day

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 11:55

SAVE $100: As of July 7, Beats Solo 4 headphones are on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a saving of 50% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $99.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $100.00 Get Deal

Prime Day madness is arriving early, and we've already found an incredible deal on Beats Solo 4. How does 50% off sound? Yes, you read right. These stellar headphones are half off, now just $99.95 as of July 7.

Choose from black/gold, cloud pink, matte black, and slate blue colors, all at this new low price. Oh, and did we mention that this is their lowest-ever price.

SEE ALSO: The best noise-cancelling headphones we recommend picking up on Prime Day

So why choose the Solo 4? Top features include a battery life of up to 50 hours and a super-quick 10-minute charge time. They also have a new, personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking. This is a really great feature that creates a 3D surround sound and a more immersive listening experience by adjusting the sound based on your head movements. So music, movies, and calls feel more lifelike and high quality.

And as you would expect from Beats, the sound quality is second to none for all types of listening. Enjoy a punchy bass and balanced sound, whether you’re listening to music, podcasts, or watching TikTok. They also benefit from dual compatibility, including one-touch pairing for both iOS and Android devices.

Head to Amazon to grab this early Prime Day deal now.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple AirTags just dipped in price ahead of Prime Day — get a 4-pack for under $70

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 11:44

SAVE 24%: As of July 7, you can get a four-pack of Apple AirTags for just $67.99, down from $99. That's a 31% discount and a saving of over $30 on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Appl Apple AirTag (4-Pack) $67.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $31.01 Get Deal

If there's ever a time to pick up discounted Apple devices, it's Prime Day. And even though the sale event hasn't officially started, we're finding pre-sale bargains on all of Apple's most popular items.

We really like the deal on the 11-inch Apple iPad and 13-inch MacBook Air, but if you want something smaller and more practical, you can now get a four-pack of Apple AirTags for just $67.99. That's a 31% discount and a saving of over $30 on list price. That works out at less than $17 per AirTag.

SEE ALSO: The best Apple deals live ahead of Prime Day: Apple Watches, MacBooks, and iPads at record-low prices

If you're the sort of person who regularly misplaces life's little essentials (hey, aren't we all?), an AirTag is essential. These little devices can be attached to keys, wallets, backpacks, luggage, and even a pet’s collar. They’re also reliably resilient, with a IP67 rating for water and dust resistant.

If — or when — you lose the item you’ve tagged, simply use Apple’s Find My app to see its location on a map. It can even play a little sound, so you can hear it if it's nearby. If you still can’t find your lost item, you can put the AirTag into Lost Mode. You'll then get a notification when it’s detected in the Find My network.

Don't miss out on $31.01 off Apple AirTags at Amazon.

The best early Prime Day deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

Our TV expert approves this early Prime Day deal — the Hisense QD6 QLED TV has hit a new record-low price

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 11:39

SAVE OVER $100: As of July 7, the 55-inch Hisense QD6 QLED 4K TV is on sale for $239.99 at Amazon. That's 37% off its list price of $379.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 55-Inch Class QD6 Series QLED 4K UHD TV $239.99 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $140 Get Deal

It's very nearly Amazon Prime Day and the online retailer is already offering excellent discounts in the build-up to the big sale event. Among those discounts are some eye-popping TV deals. Indeed, if you're keen to upgrade your smart TV, check out this deal on the 55-inch Hisense QD6 QLED 4K TV. Mashable's TV expert picked this deal out as a standout option ahead of Prime Day.

The 55-inch Hisense QD6 QLED 4K TV is currently on sale for $239.99 at Amazon. That's a fantastic discount of 37% from its list price of $379.99. It's actually this TV's lowest-ever price according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, so don't miss your chance to play it smart with a smart TV bargain.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Day

A superb all-rounder — whether you want home cinema action, gaming performance, or access to all the top streaming apps — this 55-inch Hisense QD6 QLED 4K TV provides excellent picture quality thanks to QLED Color and 4K resolution. It's vivid, crisp, and colorful. That combines with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos sound, making for a totally immersive experience.

If you're a gamer, this Hisense TV also has a Game Mode Plus with Variable Refresh Rate and Auto Low Latency Mode, so the gameplay is nothing less than butter smooth. All the streaming apps are available through its Fire TV operating system.

Don't miss out on $140 off the 55-inch Hisense QD6 QLED 4K TV at Amazon.

Check out our breakdown of everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2025 to help you plan ahead.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

Score this 65-inch Roku smart TV for its lowest-ever price ahead of Prime Day

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 11:29

SAVE $101: As of July 7, Amazon Prime members can snag the 65-inch Roku Select Series 4K Smart TV for $348 — down from $449.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roku 65-inch Roku 4K Smart TV $348 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal

This latest TV deal provides a great screen upgrade that doesn’t blow your entire Prime Day budget. Amazon has quietly dropped the 65-inch Roku Smart TV (from the Select Series) to just $348 — a solid 23% off its usual $449.99 price. At its lowest-ever price, this is one of the best big-screen bargains we’ve seen so far.

Despite the wallet-friendly price tag, this Roku smart TV still delivers where it counts. The 4K HDR10 display offers up sharp detail and rich colours, whether you’re deep into the latest summer thrillers like Jurassic World Rebirth or 28 Years Later when they get home releases, or streaming old-school classics. Roku’s Smart Picture technology automatically adjusts your settings for the best possible viewing experience, so you don’t have to lift a finger.

SEE ALSO: These Prime Day deals landed early — save on Apple, Ninja, and Samsung gadgets

With built-in Roku TV, you also get access to over 500 free channels, including live local news, sports, hit movies, and Roku Originals — all organised on a customisable, intuitive home screen. Plus, automatic software updates keep your apps and features fresh.

What’s more, the TV’s sleek, frameless design gives it a modern look that fits in just about any room, and the enhanced voice remote lets you search, launch apps, or even find your lost remote with ease. It supports voice control via Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant, and Apple AirPlay makes it simple to stream from iPhones or iPads.

On the off-chance you're sneaking in a late-night binge, you can also switch on Bluetooth Headphone Mode and keep the peace without missing a single word.

If you’ve been holding out for a premium 65-inch screen at a sub-premium price, this Roku Select Series is worth locking in before Prime Day officially kicks off. For those after a smaller screen, the 32-inch Amazon Fire 2-Series TV is also on sale at $109.99. And if you’ve got the cash for an even bigger 4K display, the Hisense’s 85-inch QD7 Series Mini-LED QLED Smart Fire TV is discounted for a limited time.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

Yes, the Oura Ring is the best smart ring, but its not your only option

Mashable - Mon, 07/07/2025 - 11:15

Gone are the days of clip-on pedometers. Now, it's all about tech wearables that maximize your physical potential with round-the-clock vitals monitoring — but I'm not talking about an Apple Watch or Fitbit. The next evolution of fitness trackers is here, and it's the smart ring.

Smart rings monitor your health in a tiny, inconspicuous package. At first glance, they look like any other piece of jewelry, a simple gold or silver ring. But with tiny sensors, these rings track biometrics through your finger. Yes, they'll track your step count and calories burned, but more advanced technology allows them to track sleep and stress levels, all detected through heart rate and variability.

If you're looking to upgrade your fitness tracker and want to make the leap to a smart ring, we've vetted the most popular models on the market through weeks of testing to find the best smart ring.

And don't forget — with Prime Day running from July 8 to 11, it's potentially a good time to save on a smart ring. While we haven't spotted any of the smart rings from our list on sale ahead of the event, that doesn't mean deals aren't coming. We've started hunting for fitness tracker deals ahead of Prime Day and have been pleasantly surprised by how sweet the savings are. But fingers crossed, that our favorite smart rings will drop in price when Prime Day officially starts.

Why should you buy a smart ring? So you think you want a smart ring? Here's what you need to know about the latest tech wearable. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Smart rings are not just another fitness tracker. Yes, they do track your activity, steps, and calories burned. However, they're really meant to offer a more holistic view of your health so you can gain deeper insights into your sleep habits, cardiovascular health, and more.

You're a good candidate for a smart ring if you hate the look of a smartwatch or fitness tracker with LED screens, which are categorically not cool. Smart rings are posed as a discreet option, looking like a regular piece of jewelry. However, to be frank, they don't blend in that well. In my weeks of testing, while wearing the rings during hangouts, someone would inevitably ask me, "What's that?"

Since a smart ring doesn't have a screen, you have to pull out your phone and open an app whenever you want to track activity. That's certainly not the end of the world, but if you convert from a smartwatch, you'll miss the convenience of tapping your wrist. That being said, I actually find a smart ring most useful when paired with a smartwatch. I ran all my testing while simultaneously wearing an Apple Watch, and I appreciated the smart rings that were compatible with my watch so I could receive push notifications.

What's the best smart ring?

The smart ring market is ever-growing, with new models debuting each year. Samsung just launched a smart ring in 2024, and while Apple doesn't have a smart ring on the market yet, we're sure it will be here in a matter of time. But smart rings are synonymous with the Oura Ring, a leader in the field. After spending weeks with the device, testing its hype, and comparing it to other devices, we can confidently say it is the best ring.

It offers the most expansive biometric tracking, monitoring your health around the clock. It focuses on daily and long-term health goals more holistically than other rings.

However, the Oura Ring has downsides, like a monthly subscription fee. If you're not down for a monthly fee, we tested some other viable smart ring options.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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