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The Nintendo Switch 2 has had a pretty bangin' first 14 months or so by new-console standards, but one common refrain I hear is that it's lacking a big, meaty exclusive RPG. Well, I think we have one now.

To be specific, I've gotten to play a medically and legally inadvisable amount of Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave ahead of its Sept. 17 release date. I'm only permitted to talk about the early portions of the new turn-based strategy RPG from longtime series developer Intelligent Systems, but based on those opening hours alone, it's clear that Fortune's Weave is exactly the game people are asking for when they demand something they can sink their teeth into for dozens (yes, plural) of hours.

Frankly, though, I think my personal interests are more important than those of random strangers who yell about video games on the internet. From where I stand, Fortune's Weave is the true successor to 2019's fantastic Fire Emblem: Three Houses. There were things to like about 2023's Fire Emblem Engage, but it felt like such a hollow storytelling experience in comparison to both Three Houses and what I've played so far of Fortune's Weave.

SEE ALSO: 'Splatoon Raiders' is a spiffy single-player makeover for Nintendo's coolest series There are four protagonists, but let's be real. Leda is the coolest. Hell yes, dude. Credit: Nintendo

A recent Nintendo Direct livestream dedicated solely to Fortune's Weave revealed that there's a little more to it than meets the eye narratively, but for the sake of this preview, this is a game about four very different people from diverse backgrounds competing in a big combat tournament. The winner of the tournament gets to have one wish granted by the Divine Sovereign, a head of state who also seems to be a literal god.

The tournament takes place in a huge arena in the resplendent city of Dagsion, capital of the enormous Dagdan Empire. It doesn't take long for Fortune's Weave's fantasy setting to stand out, thanks to a melting pot of real-world inspirations, including Persia, Rome, and Spain. One thing that helps a lot in that regard is that Fortune's Weave extensive cast of characters, including some of its protagonists, features significantly more people of color than most anime-style fantasy RPGs that I've played in recent years. There's just a litany of incredibly cool-looking people in this game.

Anyway, let's talk about the heroes of the story. Cai is a 15-year-old boy from a village near Dagsion who is fighting to get his father out of prison. Dietrich is a mildly off-putting creep with a very cool sword and a thirst for increasingly powerful opponents in combat. Theodora is the queen of Saramis, a semi-autonomous kingdom that is nonetheless subservient to, and seemingly philosophically at odds with, the Dagdan Empire.

I'm a big fan of Buccar, one of Leda's homies. Credit: Nintendo

All of them are cool and compelling protagonists, but the fourth and final one, Leda, stole my heart first. She's a musician and dancer on a bloody quest for revenge after her hometown was sacked and her father was killed. Leda travels around Dagda killing everyone on a special list, and she then uses the blood of her victims to cross their own name off the list. She also plays a magical vihuela that seems set to be a big part of her story arc.

In case it wasn't clear from the previous paragraph, Leda is so damn cool, man. Just from the early chapters of her story, you can tell she's struggling to reconcile her normal human warmth and kindness with the cold, laser-focused revenge she seeks every second of every day. Those around her care for her, but are also concerned that this path she's walking will only lead to ruin, a notion of which she is not convinced.

Also, very crucially: You can now save and suspend one character's campaign to jump into another's at any time, if you wish. Three Houses also had multiple story branches, but playing through them all was much more annoying than it is here. I love this feature a lot.

Half the fun of Fortune's Weave is outside the tactics battles You can eat meals with people to become friendly enough to recruit them. Credit: Nintendo

I am not traditionally a big Fire Emblem guy because I am not traditionally a big turn-based tactics guy. Three Houses hooked me because there were hours and hours of gameplay outside the tactical sequences, which provided important breaks in the action while also making each sequence feel cathartic and important when it did occur.

Engage, meanwhile, had a completely hollow and uninteresting hub world you could run around in between battles, but there wasn't much reason to do so. It also had absolutely nothing going on in the story and basically every character's motivation was that they wanted to hang out with the super cool special dragon protagonist guy. The battles were good, but I bounced off of it because there was truly just nothing else there for me.

I've already established that Fortune's Weave has plenty to chew on in the story, with characters who have solid reasons to compete in the tournament. What really makes at least the early portions of the game sing, though, is what you do outside of battles. The city of Dagsion operates as a fully three-dimensional hub world full of shops, side quests, optional recruitable characters, and various other ways to fill up meters to make battles go more smoothly. It's also a fairly lovely place to vibe in for a little while, which is nice.

NPCs will give you quests with valuable rewards. Credit: Nintendo

The real meat, however, is in a world map that allows each hero to traverse the continent of Dagda, board-game-style. Between every major story milestone, you're given a certain number of turns with which to travel around and upgrade your army as you see fit. Moving a few spaces on the world map takes one turn, so being careful and budgeting your time are important parts of the Fortune's Weave experience.

I like this, personally. At least in the early chapters, you're given an ample number of turns to get ready for the next story battle, so the time limit is less about stressing the player out and more about making sure they're always moving towards the next goal. Each protagonist also has special actions only they can perform on the map; Leda can perform music at taverns for special rewards, Cai can farm and capture animals to ride on in battle, and so on. It makes each campaign, at least from what I've played, feel different.

And the turn-based tactics battles are there, too, and are still pretty fun, even if you're not normally into that sort of thing. Modern Fire Emblem is great about giving you exactly as much information as you need before making a decision, and Fortune's Weave is no different. I really dig the pace of battles here, too. I'll get into this in more detail in my full review to come, but rest assured, that part of the game is still good.

Needless to say, at this point, Fortune's Weave makes a very good first impression. I won't judge anyone who picks another character, but please understand that all the cool kids are picking Leda.

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on Sept. 17.

Building a smart home can be an expensive process. You need something that can control your smart home as well as all the devices that you want to control. You don't always need to buy new smart home devices; you may already have some useful Home Assistant accessories gathering dust in your junk drawer.

AI fatigue is a real thing. Companies continue to shoehorn unnecessary and unwanted AI features into everything they can, to the point where just seeing the letters "AI" can be enough to put you off. Using the free Assistant plugin for KOReader to add AI to a jailbroken Kindle seems like a terrible idea, but it turns out that it can be incredibly useful.

The state of SSD pricing as I write this isn't great. In fact, you might describe it as an apocalyptic trash fire, but I'll let you be the judge on whether that's hyperbole or not. Yet, the need for storage isn't going anywhere, and with massive media files and ballooning video game installs, you're going to need more storage eventually.

Widgets have been a core part of the Android experience for nearly two decades, but I must admit I’ve never fully taken advantage of them. At most, I usually have a couple of widgets on my home screen, but that’s it. I decided to finally and truly use Android widgets to their full potential.

TL;DR: Apple has extended its Back To School sale through Sept. 24, nearly a month longer than originally planned. Students, parents, and educators who buy eligible MacBooks or iPads get a free Apple gift card worth $100 to $150, on top of standard education pricing.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Back to School Gift Card Offer Get up to a $150 Apple Gift Card with an eligible MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPad Pro, or iPad Air — on top of education pricing, through Sept.24. Shop Now

Apple just gave students (and their parents footing the bill) a little more breathing room. The company's 2026 Back To School sale, which offers a free gift card with select MacBooks and iPad purchases, was set to wrap up in late August but has now been extended through Sept. 24 in the U.S. — no coupon code required, just a qualifying purchase before the deadline.

The gift card amount depends on which device you buy:

• MacBook Pro — $150 gift card

• MacBook Air — $100 gift card

• iPad Pro — $100 gift card

• iPad Air — $100 gift card

The gift card isn't cash in hand — it's credit you can put toward future Apple purchases, whether that's AirPods, a case, an App Store subscription, or even iCloud+ storage.

A few popular products are left out of this one, so don't expect the gift card if you're buying a MacBook Neo, iPad mini, the entry-level iPad, any desktop Mac, or an iPhone.

This deal isn't open to everyone — you'll need to verify you're a Qualified Purchaser through Unidays before checkout. That includes:

• College and university students (current or newly accepted)

• College faculty and staff

• Parents buying on behalf of an eligible college student

• K-12 employees, including homeschool teachers

SEE ALSO: A major Apple Watch redesign may be coming

You can shop the deal online through Apple's Education Store or in person at Apple Store locations. The offer stacks on top of Apple's standard education pricing, so you're saving twice.

Bottom line: With more time on the clock, there's little reason to wait — shop Apple's Back To School sale now.

TL;DR: Chipotle IQ returns Aug. 18-20, giving Chipotle Rewards members the chance to win BOGO entrée codes, free Cilantro Lime Sauce, free Queso Blanco, and Rewards points by testing their Chipotle knowledge. New this year: a Silver Ticket Sweepstakes offering 53 players free burritos for a year, plus a limited-edition physical trivia card game.

Chipotle is bringing back Chipotle IQ, its trivia game that lets Chipotle Rewards members test their knowledge of the brand for a shot at free food.

From Aug. 18-20, players can win BOGO entrée codes, free Cilantro Lime Sauce, free Queso Blanco, and Rewards points — with more than $1 million in prizes up for grabs across the three days.

How it works

Hop on Chipotle IQ and sign in with the email tied to your Rewards account. Each hour between 6 a.m. and 5:59 p.m. PT, the game runs a round of five multiple-choice and true-or-false questions about Chipotle's ingredients, cooking methods, and community engagement.

The first 8,000 players each hour to get a perfect score win a food reward — there are 5,000 BOGO offers, 1,500 free sauce offers, and 1,500 free queso offers up for grabs hourly. Score 4 out of 5, and you'll still walk away with 25 Rewards points, and even a perfect score without a food prize nets you 50 bonus points. You can only play once per day, so pace yourself.

SEE ALSO: The best free food deals this week: Save on McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Krispy Kreme, and more What's new

The big new addition this year is the Silver Ticket Sweepstakes. Players who nail a perfect score might get randomly picked to receive a Silver Ticket, which unlocks a bonus question. Answer it right, and you win free burritos for an entire year — only 53 people can qualify for the free burritos. There's also a new Daily Streaks feature that rewards fans with bonus points and exclusive badges for playing multiple days in a row.

Consider Chipotle IQ your most delicious pop quiz of the summer.

We're always looking for new and inventive ways to hit you with big savings on popular items. We cover hundreds of deals every month. You can find these deals on site, on socials, and on our newsletter. We've also launched a Mashable Deals text group. The daily deals that we send to this group are researched and assessed by the team with the same level of care that we dedicate to the rest of our shopping content.

You can find a live hub for those deals right here.

Google revealed its new lineup of Pixel 11 Phones, Pixel Buds Pro, the Pixel Watch 5 and the new Pixel Tag at its Made by Google event, hosted by Trevor Noah. Check out all the highlights and product reveals in less than 12 minutes. 

SAVE $10: As of Aug. 13, a couple of 32oz Owala Star Wars FreeSip stainless steel water bottles (Darth Vader and Grogu designs) are on sale for $29.99 at Amazon. That's a $10 discount off their full price of $39.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Owala Owala Star Wars FreeSip $29.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $10.00   Get Deal

Summer heat isn't done just yet, so it's worth making sure you have a water bottle on hand. If you're looking for something new that can also show off your love of Star Wars, Amazon has an excellent deal to check out.

As of Aug. 13, a couple of 32oz Owala Star Wars FreeSip stainless steel water bottles — the Darth Vader and Grogu designs — are on sale for $29.99 for a limited time. That's a $10 discount off their list price of $39.99, and it also marks their lowest-ever price. If you've had your eye on one of them, now is a great time to add to your cart. Why not get both?

SEE ALSO: Krispy Kreme is dropping a Pokémon doughnut collection — how to catch Pikachu, Jigglypuff, and more

It features double-wall insulation that can keep a drink cold for up to 24 hours. With its FreeSip spout, you also have the choice of either sipping your drink upright through the built-in straw or just drinking from the spout opening. Plus, its push-to-open lid helps keep the spout clean.

Mashable's Samantha Mangino is a big fan of this water bottle, writing in her hands-on review that "The Owala FreeSip lives up to its promise of both a sippable and chuggable water bottle. The best part to me is that, unlike other bottles with a straw that I've used, the FreeSip has a cover for the spout. That way, when you're out and about in the world, it's safe from germs and bacteria."

This deal is well worth jumping on while it's still live. Don't miss out on $10 off these 32oz Owala Star Wars FreeSip stainless steel water bottles at Amazon.

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Gemini is making new friends.

Google announced tons of new hardware during yesterday's Made by Google event, but that doesn't mean the company's AI didn't get a slew of important updates of its own.

Among them was the announcement that Gemini will soon be able to connect with a number of third-party apps. The list is quite long and includes productivity, health, lifestyle, entertainment, and home apps. Here's the list in full:

• Granola

• Otter.ai

• Wix

• Fever

• GetYourGuide

• Localize

• OpenTable (UK)

• Ticketmaster

• iHeartRadio

• Pandora

• Angi

• Thumbtack

• Zocdoc

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT will let you book a table mid-chat

In practice, you should be able to book a dinner reservation, a concert later that same day, and get a related Pandora playlist, all without leaving a convo with Gemini. Pretty sweet.

Google says that the ability for Gemini to connect with these will be rolled out "over the next weeks."

In related news, Google also said that Gemini has more than 1 billion monthly active users. That means it grew faster than any other product in the company's history, including search.

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Featured Video For You Girlbossification of AI

After literally decades, I'm frankly sick of reading (and writing!) about the "year of the Linux desktop" where the world's most popular server and embedded OS finally makes a dent in the desktop OS market.

SAVE $350: As of Aug. 13, preorders of the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold include a free $350 gift card. This offer is live until Aug. 27.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google/Amazon Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold + $250 Gift Card   Get Deal

The Made By Google event saw a whole range of new tech announced, including new Pixel phones, smartwatches, and even the long-awaited Pixel Tag. But if it's the phones you've been keeping an eye on, you'll be pleased to know that Amazon has launched a preorder deal on the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold that gives you a free $350 gift card.

Simply order the new Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold between Aug. 12-27 and you'll get a $350 Amazon gift card. If you return the Pixel 11 Pro Fold without the gift card, you’ll be charged the value of the gift card. And you're not stuck with a certain provider with this deal; the phone is unlocked, so you can choose your carrier and data plan.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

The phone will be officially released and shipped on Aug. 20.

This new Pixel phone is seriously impressive. It's been designed to be ultra-durable, with its scratch-resistant glass and a new hinge that’s three times stronger than previous models. It has an 8-inch screen and can even be used in tabletop mode for hands-free streaming. Built-in Gemini features make tasks easier, and the Pixel HiLight provides subtle glowing alerts when the phone is face down.

This preorder deal is available at Amazon right now.

Creating content on Twitch? Unless you've changed your settings, it's being used to train AI.

Twitch creators recently spotted a "Training for Generative AI" setting in account security that's toggled on by default. "Allow your channel content to train generative AI content models at Amazon," the description reads. Needless to say, people weren't happy.

SEE ALSO: Twitch's CEO says passive scrolling can't beat the community of live streaming

Digging in to Amazon-owned Twitch's FAQs reveals a bit more information on what, exactly, this means.

"Generative AI content models are AI tools that can help create or synthesize content outputs like text or images when given instructions or prompts because they are also trained on content," reads the FAQ. "When you allow training, that means that your content may be used for future Gen AI model improvements. An example of what happens when you allow your content to be used for training a GenAI content model is that your audio might help refine models that create speech to text, which would help improve captions at Twitch but would also help improve captions across Amazon."

Addressing the backlash during a livestream on Wednesday, Twitch's chief product officer Mike Minton gave a slightly revealing answer to the question of why the option was switched on by defaul.

“Well, there’s an honest answer,” Minton said, per Kotaku. “And I think most of you probably can appreciate this: If it was opt-in, nobody would opt-in. Um, that’s honestly the answer. So it’s going to be on by default.”

Mashable has reached out to Twitch for comment.

How to opt out of training AI on Twitch

The option to opt out of having your Twitch content used by Amazon to train generative AI is somewhat buried in the Settings.

Click on your profile picture, then head to Settings, and then Security and Privacy. Here, you can find the Training for Generative AI toggle and switch it off.

Twitch FAQs note that toggling off won't affect AI-supported features on your channel, such as captions and safety tools.

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Why do you need a VPN?

Even the best VPNs can't make you 100 percent anonymous on the web. Cookies and other trackers can still follow you around, and your ISP can see that you're using a VPN. But a good VPN will secure your traffic and hide your true IP address so that prying eyes on the outside can't see which sites you're visiting, what you're downloading, or your general location. The most trustworthy VPN providers operate transparently and abide by independently verified no-logs policies to prove that they don't collect or store any user data in the process.

For casual users, VPN services are useful tools for staying safe on public WiFi networks. For journalists, activists, and those in critical situations where digital privacy is paramount, the best VPN can be a legitimate lifesaver.

SEE ALSO: Google issues security alert about malicious VPNs stealing user data

Beyond these scenarios, the top VPN services also have a popular secondary use case as location-spoofing tools. By connecting to a VPN server across a border or ocean, you can bypass geo-restrictions on content that isn't available in your own country or region. This is pertinent intel for folks in France, the UK, and 23 U.S. states where sites with explicit content are restricted by age verification laws.

The best VPN for 2026? Proton VPN.

I believe Proton VPN is the top VPN for most people. It's the most privacy-forward VPN I've tried, with open-source apps, a no-logs policy that's held up in court, and a history of supporting digital freedom efforts. It's also a stellar value: Paid Proton VPN users get full access to its huge fleet of reliable servers and useful features like multi-hop and split tunneling, with up to 10 simultaneous VPN connections per account. Their subscriptions also include bonus security tools like a password manager, encrypted cloud storage, and ad, tracker, and malware blockers.

The free version of Proton VPN is extremely limited in comparison, but it's the only free VPN I've encountered with unlimited data and zero ads. For all these reasons, Proton VPN is the first (and only) VPN to win a Mashable Choice Award.

SEE ALSO: There are only 2 free VPNs I actually recommend. Ignore all the rest.

FYI: Prices for most VPN providers' long-term plans change frequently. The rates listed here were accurate at the time of publication.

What's new

I didn't love ExpressVPN the first time I tried it in 2023. But after re-testing and re-evaluating it in early 2026, I've decided to make it a new top pick. The company has expanded its server network, redone its desktop apps, added a new ShuffleIP feature that makes users harder to track, and fleshed out some new subscription tiers with more non-VPN privacy tools. It's a much better value than before.

Best phone plans for seniors: Best overall phone plan for seniors T-Mobile Experience More 2.0 $70/line/month with AutoPay (save $5/line per month) Get Deal Best phone and internet combo for seniors AT&T 55+ $99/month Get Deal Best budget phone plan for seniors T-Mobile Essentials Choice 55 2.0 $45/month with AutoPay (save $5/line per month) Get Deal Best no-contract plan for seniors Boost Mobile Senior Savings $10/month for new customera (save $15/month) Get Deal Best low-cost unlimited plan for seniors Mint Mobile 55+ Unlimited Plan $15/month (save $15/month) Get Deal

Phone bills shouldn't get more confusing as you get older — but most carriers make it feel that way.

Some carriers offer real, age-restricted pricing built specifically for people aged 55 and up, complete with perks like built-in scam-call protection. T-Mobile, AT&T, and a handful of carriers all run age-restricted phone plans that undercut their standard pricing — sometimes by a lot.

Here's what's actually worth switching to:

Best overall phone plan for seniors Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile T-Mobile Experience More 2.0 Unlimited data, 4K streaming, and Scam Shield Premium — starting at $70/month for one line with AutoPay. Get Deal Why we like it

With the T-Mobile Experience More 2.0, you're paying $70 per month for one line, $100 for two with AutoPay — but you get unlimited data instead of a 50GB cap, and streaming maxes out at 4K instead of getting stuck at 480p.

So if you watch lots of videos on your phone or use it without thinking about data limits, this plan takes that worry off the table. It's T-Mobile's way of giving seniors more of the "normal" plan experience without the full price tag.

Best phone and internet combo for seniors Opens in a new window Credit: AT&T AT&T 55+ Two unlimited lines plus home internet for $99/month, with ActiveArmor scam protection built in. Get Deal Why we like it

AT&T's 55+ plan earns its spot by doing something none of the other plans on this list do: bundling two unlimited wireless lines with home internet for a flat $99 per month. If you're already paying for both separately, that's easy savings in one bill. It also comes with AT&T ActiveArmor built in to screen out spam and scam calls, and Fiber customers get automatic internet backup, so a home outage doesn't cut you off from the outside world.

It's a great fit for anyone ready to simplify their bills and consolidate services under one carrier. The one extra step is that signup happens over the phone rather than online, since AT&T verifies age and applies the discount directly — a quick call, and you're set.

Best no-contract plan for seniors Opens in a new window Credit: Boost Mobile Boost Mobile Senior Savings Unlimited talk, text, and data for $25/month — locked in for life, no contract required. Get Deal Why we like it

Boost's pitch is refreshingly simple: $25 a month, unlimited talk, text, and data, and that price is locked in for good — no surprise hikes, no fine print about rates jumping after a year. New customers even get a head start at $10/month for the first three months before it settles into the standard rate.

With 30GB of high-speed data included before speeds slow down, it's plenty for most day-to-day use without needing to think too hard about it. It's also flexible — no contract means you can leave anytime, and you're free to add family members of any age to the account. Simple, affordable, and built to stay that way.

Your 3D printer’s hotend is responsible for melting filament so that it can be extruded and formed into new shapes. This printer component can be damaged if you don’t take enough care, putting your printer out of action and costing you money in new parts or repairs.

SAVE $452: As of Aug. 13, the Hisense 65-inch E7 Cinema Series is on sale for $547.97 at Amazon. That's a 45% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch E7 Cinema Series $547.97 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $452.02   Get Deal

A cinema-style setup doesn’t have to mean leaving the house. Especially not when the Hisense 65-inch E7 Cinema Series is on sale for its best-ever price. As of Aug. 13, this impressive TV has dropped by over $400, bringing the price down from $999.99 to only $547.97.

With this TV, you get 4K Ultra HD resolution, with AI 4K upscaling. The upscaling feature helps to make older content look closer to 4K quality, giving you a better viewing experience.

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It also has a feature called Filmmaker Mode. This is designed to keep films looking as the creators intended, ensuring that key settings such as the original aspect ratio, color, and frame rate remain unchanged. The TV also uses AI Picture processing to adjust brightness, contrast, and color. Another clever feature is the AI light sensor. We all know how annoying TV glare can be, but with this tool, the TV automatically adjusts its brightness based on the lighting conditions in your room.

And it's not just a good TV for movie lovers. Gamers and sports fans get a native 144Hz refresh rate, Game Mode, and AI Smooth Motion with MEMC technology, which helps reduce blur during fast-moving action.

Get this TV deal at Amazon while it's at this new low price.

SAVE $452: As of Aug. 13, the Hisense 65-inch E7 Cinema Series is on sale for $547.97 at Amazon. That's a 45% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch E7 Cinema Series $547.97 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $452.02   Get Deal

A cinema-style setup doesn’t have to mean leaving the house. Especially not when the Hisense 65-inch E7 Cinema Series is on sale for its best-ever price. As of Aug. 13, this impressive TV has dropped by over $400, bringing the price down from $999.99 to only $547.97.

With this TV, you get 4K Ultra HD resolution, with AI 4K upscaling. The upscaling feature helps to make older content look closer to 4K quality, giving you a better viewing experience.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

It also has a feature called Filmmaker Mode. This is designed to keep films looking as the creators intended, ensuring that key settings such as the original aspect ratio, color, and frame rate remain unchanged. The TV also uses AI Picture processing to adjust brightness, contrast, and color. Another clever feature is the AI light sensor. We all know how annoying TV glare can be, but with this tool, the TV automatically adjusts its brightness based on the lighting conditions in your room.

And it's not just a good TV for movie lovers. Gamers and sports fans get a native 144Hz refresh rate, Game Mode, and AI Smooth Motion with MEMC technology, which helps reduce blur during fast-moving action.

Get this TV deal at Amazon while it's at this new low price.

SAVE $30: As of Aug. 13, the Google Pixel Buds 2a wireless earbuds are $99 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount and their lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Buds 2a $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30   Get Deal

The Google Pixel Buds 2a just dropped to $99 at Amazon, down from $129 — their best-ever price. That 23% discount puts Google's noise-canceling earbuds well within budget territory, without you having to wait for the next big sale to grab a pair.

Adam Doud tested the Pixel Buds 2a and came away with mixed but mostly positive feelings, giving them a 3.9 out of 5. He was impressed by the size, noting they're small enough to sleep in comfortably, and called the ANC "surprisingly good considering the price point." Sound quality is solid out of the box, with a five-band EQ for anyone who wants to fine-tune it further.

Google's Tensor A1 chip handles the noise cancellation here, working with what they call Silent Seal 1.5 to block out background noise — so it's designed to seal well enough that outside sound just doesn't get through as much. You can also turn on Transparency mode to hear what's around you without pulling the buds out.

Comfort-wise, they've got a twist-to-adjust stabilizer, so you can tighten the fit for workouts or loosen it for something easy in your ears. And for calls, Clear Calling filters out wind and background chatter so you're not shouting over noise on the other end.

Small, crisp, and $30 cheaper — grab the Google Pixel Buds 2a at Amazon.