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Samsung invited Mashable to check out its new Galaxy S24 line, including the base model, the S24+, and the S24 Ultra, but one particular phone caught my eye.
Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet" instantly played in my head when I spotted the golden-esque Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in all of its auriferous glory. Wow!
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableWhen a Samsung rep asked me what I thought of the phones, I pointed to the striking device and said, "I love that one — the gold one."
She corrected me and said, "Ah, that's our Titanium Yellow."
My 'golden hour' with 'Titanium Yellow'I spent less than an hour with the Titanium Yellow Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra model, but I can't get it off my mind. I've been spending a couple of months using the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and until I held the Galaxy S24 Ultra, I didn't realize how unergonomic it is.
I can't say it's uncomfortable, but it's not pleasant either. The other phones in the S24 lineup, including the S24 and S24+, have a similar flat-edge, boxy design I don't particularly love.
Samsung Galaxy S24+ Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHowever, when my right hand wrapped around that glorious "Titanium Yellow" S24 Ultra, it was as if my palm said, "This is it — this is the one."
It looks so damn good — and feels good, too — so much so that it will likely be my next daily driver, replacing my Galaxy S22 Ultra.
In addition to Titanium Yellow, there are Titanium Black, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Gray colorways you can snatch up, too.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableA obvious indication that, like the iPhone 15 Pro models, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra variants contain titanium, too.
No striking differencesAside from the attractive new colorways (I wasn't a fan of the S23 Ultra's hues), I didn't notice anything conspicuously different about the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableIt has the same quadruple-camera layout that gives off a bizarre arachnid aesthetic, as well as that highly praised hole-punch display that delivers spacious screen real estate.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableOn the bottom of the phone, you'll find the beloved S Pen that you can click out of place to jot down notes. Exclusive to the Ultra models, it still glides across the screen responsively — and has the same design and feel.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableIf Samsung made any major tweaks to the hardware, I didn't catch any during my short time with the Ultra.
Galaxy AIHowever, with Samsung diving head-first into artificial intelligence (AI), the most significant upgrades throughout the S24 lineup will have something to do with AI and machine-learning.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S24 to come with a new Google AI feature, and it's a cool oneI haven't gotten a chance to experiment with these features during this hands-on event, but Galaxy AI will play a huge role in the camera experience as well as your phone calls (e.g., AI Live Translate Call).
Final thoughtsA Samsung rep also showed off the company's new phone cases.
Three new cases for Samsung Galaxy S24 line Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe cases have an interesting mechanism that you can slide down, allowing you to place your hand through a loop. It relieves you of having to grasp your phone all day, I guess.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashablePersonally, the Titanium Yellow Galaxy S24 Ultra looks so good, it'd be a shame to put a case over it. Let's hope the new titanium material inside the S24 Ultra models make them sturdier and stronger, too.
We're pitting the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra against the iPhone 15 Pro Max. After the Galaxy S24 line got unveiled at Unpacked, the S24 Ultra is now the iPhone 15 Pro Max's greatest competitor, particularly with its deluge of new AI-packed features.
How does the newly announced Galaxy S24 Ultra compare to the iPhone 15 Pro Max? Based on the specs we have so far, here's what we know.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: PriceThe Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra starts at $1,300 and comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a cheaper starting price of $1,199 and also offers 256GB of storage, but there's less RAM at 8GB.
Galaxy S24 Ultra (starting price): $1,300
iPhone 15 Pro Max (starting price): $1,199
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra arguably has the better design. Both have a rectangular chassis, but the edges are different. The 6.8-inch Galaxy S24 Ultra has rounded edges that nestle into my hands like a baby bird nuzzling my palm.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max, on the other hand, has boxier edges than the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Its angular edges feel unwieldy and somewhat awkward — definitely not as ergonomic as the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
However, in terms of aesthetics, the iPhone 15 Pro Max looks cleaner and more organized. For example, the triple-lens rear camera setup is organized inside a clear, squircle casing. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, without a casing, settles nicely on any surface, but its rear five-sensor array makes it look anachrid-esque.
Both phones have elements of titanium in their materials, as evidenced by the tell-tale names of their colorways.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra colors Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe iPhone 15 Pro Max comes in four colors: Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium.
Similarly, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes in Titanium Black, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, and Titanium Gray.
Galaxy S24 Ultra weight and height: 8.22 ounces, 0.34 inches
iPhone 15 Pro Max weight and height: 7.80 ounces, 0.33 inches
Apple shrunk that pesky notch into the "Dynamic Island" when it debuted the iPhone 14 line. Although it's less obtrusive, it's still in the way. The Dynamic Island is still present on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but I've learned to love it as an "iDevice signature" of sorts.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableStill, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra only featuring a hole-punch design for its selfie camera, there's a lot more screen real estate to play with. It boasts a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, a QHD+ resolution, and a 6.8-inch display with a refresh rate that can climb up to 120Hz, depending whether your activity demands it.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 2796 x 1290-pixel resolution panel. It, too, can climb up to a 120Hz refresh rate.
Galaxy S24 Ultra display: 6.8 inches, 3120 x 1400 pixels
iPhone 15 Pro Max display: 6.7 inches, 2796 x 1290 pixels
Both the flagship Galaxy S series and the iPhone are known for delivering seamless, slick performance, allowing users to navigate the UI with ease. (Sure, the iPhone 15 Pro Max suffered some issues with overheating, but this got resolved with software updates.)
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHowever, the A-series chipsets Apple places inside iPhones are beastly, outperforming every smartphone on the market (according to Geekbench tests I've taken for the past three generations).
It's worth noting, though, that the A17 Pro inside the iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers far more power than a smartphone needs. So even if the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 inside the Galaxy S24 Ultra fails to outpace the A17 Pro, it's not a big deal because it should still have sufficient processing power to handle all of your tasks — and then some.
Galaxy S24 Ultra chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
iPhone 15 Pro Max chipset: A17 Pro
I'll have to take both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max cameras for a spin to know which shooters are better.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableOn paper, however, the Galaxy S24 Ultra appears to have an edge with a 200MP wide camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and two telephoto cameras: 50MP (up to 5x optical zoom) and 10MP (up to 3x optical zoom).
Interestingly, the S24 Ultra's 50MP telephoto is an upgrade from its predecessor's 10MP telephoto. (For context, the S23 Ultra had two 10MP telephoto sensors). However, the optical zoom has dropped from 10x to 5x. Based on these specs, the S24 Ultra's resolution for close-up shots should improve, however, the range in which the hardware handles zoomed-in photos (before the software kicks in) has been narrowed.
I'm curious to see whether this baffling change improves the telephoto experience (e.g., taking portraits).
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableEven with the optical zoom reduction, the Galaxy S24 Ultra remains competitive with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which has a 12MP telephoto and 5X optical zoom. It also has a 48MP wide camera and a 12MP ultrawide shooter.
Both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max have a 12MP selfie camera.
Galaxy S24 Ultra cameras: 200MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto (5x optical zoom), 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom), 12MP selfie
iPhone 15 Pro Max cameras: 48MP, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (5x optical zoom), 12MP selfie
Hallelujah, you no longer have to carry separate charging cables while traveling. Thanks to the introduction of USB-C on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can bring one USB-C cable with you for all of your USB-C devices.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a max charging speed of about 27W, give or take, so a 30W charger like this one may be your best bet for the zippiest power-ups. (It should deliver 50% in 30 minutes, according to UltimateiDeviceVids.) The Galaxy S24 Ultra, on the other hand, has a faster charging rate — 65% in 30 minutes with a 45W charger, according to Samsung.
Wireless Powershare Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableWith the iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can charge other USB-C devices with a cable, allowing them to draw power from your phone. The Galaxy S24 Ultra can do the same, but it has one extra feature.
Like its predecessors, the Galaxy S24 can charge devices wirelessly on its back chassis. It's called Wireless PowerShare, something the iPhone 15 Pro Max can't do.
Galaxy S24 Ultra battery capacity: 5,000 mAh
iPhone 15 Pro Max battery capacity: 4,441 mAh
The S pen is where the Galaxy S24 Ultra shines. As the owner of a Galaxy S22 Ultra, I use the S Pen religiously. I pull it out to jot down notes while on the job — or when the club is too loud and I need to scribble my drink order for the bartender.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max, of course, doesn't have a stylus, but it has a new journal app, courtesy of iOS 17, that inspires you to write about your day based on your photos, videos, places you've traveled, and more. (Click here to read all the cool perks iOS 17 has to offer, including NameDrop.)
The iPhone 15 Pro Max also comes with useful features such as Emergency SOS via satellite, which lets you make calls even when you lack reception. It's also worth noting that the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a customizable Action Button. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a side button you can customize, too, but thanks to the Shortcuts app, I find the iPhone 15 Pro Max to be far more programmable.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra, on the other hand, is billed as an AI phone that has a host of machine-learning features that rival the Google Pixel 8 Pro.
Final thoughtsIf you don't care for a stylus and you dig all the features iOS 17 has to offer (e.g., FaceTime and iMessage may be difficult to pass up), dive head first into the Apple ecosystem. However, if an AI-focused phone with a sleek, comfortable grip makes your heart sing, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the phone for you.
SAVE $300: The Motorola razr+ unlocked smartphone is just $699.99 at Amazon, marked down from its regular price of $999.99. That's a 30% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Motorola razr+ (unlocked, 256GB, magenta) $699.99 at Amazon (save $300) Get DealIt's probably been a while since you last owned a flip phone. If you're up for embracing a nostalgic design while also getting modern tech, you'll be interested in today's smartphone deal at Amazon.
As of Jan. 17, an unlocked Motorola razr+ is just $699.99 at Amazon, down from its regular price of $999.99. That's a savings of $300 or a 30% discount. This price puts it back at the lowest price we've seen at Amazon.
SEE ALSO: Today's best deals on unlocked Google Pixel phones, including an all-time low price on the Google Pixel 8The foldable Motorola razr+ is an update to the classic flip design with modern touches. For starters, the phone's dual screens allow you to access a 3.6-inch external display without flipping the phone open — check updates, get the latest weather report, or get a meeting reminder with a quick glance. Once opened, you'll be looking at a 6.9-inch pOLED screen.
Mashable's sister site PC Mag (owned by Mashable publisher Ziff Davis) reviewed the Motorola razr+ with an excellent rating, noting its great display quality and overall design. We have this design to thank for Motorola's Flex View which allows users to stand the phone up on its own at multiple angles for better functionality. Stream your favorite shows with Flex View or video chat with a friend hands-free, without needing to set up a makeshift phone holder.
If you're in the market for an unlocked smartphone and like the idea of two screens, the Motorola razr+ is now $300 off at Amazon.
Suncoast's protagonist Doris (Nico Parker from The Last of Us) just wants to be a normal teenager, but as we quickly learn in the film's trailer, Doris's life isn't like most other teens.
In this semi-autobiographical debut from writer/director Laura Chinn, Doris's brother Max (Cree Kawa) is dying, and she and her mother (Laura Linney) make the difficult decision to place him in a specialized facility — the titular Suncoast. While her mom is trying to spend as much time with Max as she can, Doris is feeling more than a little overlooked. She's also struggling to fit in at her high school; having access to a home that's usually empty of adult supervision seems like a good start for her party-hungry classmates. Meanwhile, Doris is also becoming friends with a local activist protesting a landmark medical case, played by the inimitable Woody Harrelson. Tears will be shed, hearts will be warmed, spin the bottle will be played.
Suncoast will premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival before hitting Hulu on Feb. 9.
SAVE 15%: As of Jan. 17, save up to 15% on Levoit humidifiers at Amazon, from large models to dual humidifier-diffusers.
Overview Best humidifier deal overall Levoit Smart Humidifier (6L) $67.89 at Amazon (save $12.10) Get Deal Best medium-sized humidifier Levoit Humidifier (4L) $44.99 at Amazon (save $5) Get Deal Best small humidifier Levoit Humidifier (3L) $38.99 at Amazon (save $5) Get DealWhether you live in a cold climate or struggle with dry indoor air, staying comfortable during the winter months can be a challenge. It's either too hot, too cold, or too dry to get a good night's sleep or just lounge on the couch without feeling irritated. If this sounds familiar, a humidifier could make a difference. By adding moisture to the air, humidifiers help alleviate dry skin and nasal congestion and even reduce snoring.
SEE ALSO: The best humidifiers for a healthier homeLevoit humidifiers are known for their high-quality performance and user-friendly features. And right now, you can get various models for 15% off at Amazon.
Best humidifier deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Levoit Our pick: Levoit Smart Humidifier (6L) $67.89 at Amazon (save $12.10) Get Deal Why we like itThe Levoit Smart Humidifier (6L) is our top pick for its impressive 6L capacity and smart features. This humidifier features an Auto Mode that adjusts the mist level based on the room's humidity, ensuring a comfortable environment throughout the day and night.
It has a 60-hour runtime, Plant Mode, and Sleep Mode, making it ideal for long, uninterrupted use. Plus, it has a remote control and a built-in aroma diffuser, so you can pretend you're at a spa without leaving the comfort of your home (or paying spa prices).
With its large capacity, 505-foot coverage, and fast humidification (up to four times faster than other humidifiers), the Levoit Smart Humidifier is perfect for larger rooms or open spaces.
Best medium-sized humidifier deal Opens in a new window Credit: Levoit Our pick: Levoit Humidifier (4L) $44.99 at Amazon (save $5) Get Deal Why we like itIf you don't need a humidifier with such a large capacity (or you prefer something a little easier on the eyes), the Levoit Humidifier (4L) is a pretty good option. It has a 4L water tank, which is still sufficient for medium-sized rooms, and can run up to 40 hours on a single fill. It also features a diffuser, three mist levels, and a sleep mode for quiet operation.
Thanks to its 360-degree rotating nozzle, you can direct the mist wherever you need it most. And, with its built-in handle and lightweight design, it's easy to move from room to room.
Best small humidifier deal Opens in a new window Credit: Levoit Our pick: Levoit Humidifier (3L) $38.99 at Amazon (save $5) Get Deal Why we like itNeed something even more compact? The Levoit Humidifier (3L) is perfect for smaller spaces or personal use. It has a 3L water tank, a 25-hour runtime, and a compact design that won't take up much space. You can put it on a nightstand or desk without it being too obtrusive.
It's also a diffuser, so you can pop 10 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oil in and enjoy a soothing aroma while the humidifier works its magic.
SAVE $301: The Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum with self-emptying base is just $298 at Amazon, marked down from its regular price of $599. That's a 50% discount and matches the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum (60-day capacity) $298 at Amazon (save $301) Get DealThere's no need to keep vacuuming on your to-do list in 2024. Robot vacuums used to be helpless little machines, falling down the stairs, getting stuck under the couch, and running over the dog's water dish, but times have changed. Robot vacuums now come with smart features like precise mapping, and thanks to today's deal, you won't even have to empty the vacuum for up to 60 days.
The Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum with self-emptying base is just $298 at Amazon as of Jan. 17, down from its regular price of $599. That's a savings of $301, or a 50% discount. Select the 60-day capacity model to grab this deal.
You have plenty of options when it comes to robot vacuums these days, but some of the most convenient models come with self-emptying bases. The Shark AI Ultra's self-emptying base can collect up to 60 days' worth of debris before you'll need to empty it out. The base also serves as the vacuum's charging station. The Shark AI Ultra also uses the brand's Matrix Clean technology which takes multiple passes over areas the robot detects need extra attention.
SEE ALSO: The best robot vacuums unveiled at CES 2024 go where Roombas still haven'tYou can control the Shark AI Ultra with voice commands or through the free SharkClean app. Instead of crashing into the furniture or getting stuck, it uses Shark's Precision Home Mapping technology which detects and then avoids objects as needed.
Robot vacuums with self-empty bases can be expensive home additions, but thanks to today's deal, the Shark AI Ultra can be your personal floor cleaner for $298 instead of the normal price of $599. Not only will you be saving money, you'll also be banking extra free time now that the vacuuming is sorted.
Someone at Google is cultured. Because the tech giant dropped a secret, hilarious banner when you search for The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.
If you search for the show, its acronym (RHOSLC), or other keywords (like Heather Gay), then a scrolling banner — a news ticker, really — pops up at the top of the page, reading, "RECEIPTS 👏 PROOF 👏 TIMELINE 👏 SCREENSHOTS 👏." This is, of course, a reference to Gay's iconic monologue during the massive reveal in the season finale of the show.
SEE ALSO: The 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' finale delivered the most meta twist in reality TV historyHere's what it looks like on a desktop and, yes, it works on mobile, too.
RECEIPTS 👏 PROOF 👏 TIMELINE 👏 SCREENSHOTS 👏 Credit: Screenshot: GoogleMy wife — shoutout to my wife — noticed the banner from Google on Tuesday evening, ahead of the second episode of the RHOSLC reunion. It was noticed by a Redditor on Tuesday as well, so that might've been when it first appeared. I've reached out to Google for comment and further details and did not immediately hear back — though, I'll update if that changes.
Now why would Google do this? I mean, it is a little silly to see a massive company joke about a reality TV show. But this was truly an iconic moment of television. The finale of RHOSLC revealed — out of nowhere — that a new housewife on the show, Monica Garcia, was at least partially behind a gossip account devoted to stirring up dirt on the other housewives of Salt Lake City. I wrote at the time that it was "the most meta twist in reality TV history."
SEE ALSO: In 2023, everyone tuned into Bravo's dramaAnd because it was reality TV and part of the most bonkers Housewives franchise, the reveal was wonderfully overly dramatic. The women, led by Gay, who did the uncovering, confronted Garcia on a windswept beach in Bermuda. During that confrontation Gay delivered the receipts, proof, timeline, and screenshots while yelling about...receipts, proof, timeline, and screenshots. It was an instant hit. The phrase took off so much that a congressman used it — while in session — to go after Donald Trump.
Tweet may have been deletedSo it seems that Google got in on the fun as well. Check it out while you can, though. The third and final part of the reunion airs next week.
SAVE AND FILE LIKE A PRO: With up to 38% off on tax software at Amazon, you can file like a pro and save money at the same time.
Our top picks: Best refund bonus deal H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe + State 2023 $24.99 at Amazon (save $25) Get Deal Best for freelancers TurboTax Home & Business 2023 Tax Software $75.99 at Amazon (save $44) Get Deal Best for investors TurboTax Premier 2023 Tax Software, Federal & State Tax Return $64.99 at Amazon (save $40) Get DealNow that the holidays are over, it's time to start thinking about tax season.
According to the IRS website, 2024's tax season begins on Jan. 29 and extends until the filing deadline of April 15. If you live in Maine or Michigan, you may have an extended filing deadline of April 17.
To avoid any last-minute rushes or penalties, you might want to get a jump start on preparing your taxes. One way to do this is by taking advantage of Amazon's deals on tax software.
Here are our top picks for tax software deals:
Best refund bonus deal Opens in a new window Credit: H&R Block Our pick: H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe + State 2023 $24.99 at Amazon (save $25) Get Deal Why we like itH&R Block is partnering with Amazon to offer you more money back this tax season. The H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe + State 2023 includes a special Amazon-exclusive offer of an extra 2% refund bonus when you choose to receive your refund in the form of an Amazon gift card. If you shop online a lot, this could be a great way to maximize your refund and get some extra spending money at Amazon.
Best for freelancers Opens in a new window Credit: TurboTax Our pick: TurboTax Home & Business 2023 Tax Software $75.99 at Amazon (save $44) Get Deal Why we like itTurboTax Home & Business 2023 Tax Software is ideal for self-employed people who need a little help managing their taxes. (It's designed to help you find deductions.) It includes five federal e-files and one state via download. Plus, you can get free US-based support for any tax-related questions or concerns.
Best for investors Opens in a new window Credit: TurboTax Our pick: TurboTax Premier 2023 Tax Software, Federal & State Tax Return $64.99 at Amazon (save $40) Get Deal Why we like itIf you sold stock, bonds, or other investments in 2023, or if you own a rental property, you may need a more robust tax software. TurboTax Premier 2023 Tax Software, Federal & State Tax Return is ideal for investors. It offers step-by-step guidance for reporting investment income, expenses, and rental property income.
SAVE $236: The latest Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS + cellular) is just $462.83 at Amazon, marked down from the regular price of $699. That's a 34% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS + cellular) $462.83 at Amazon (save $236.17) Get DealIf you've been waiting to invest in a new Apple Watch until the hubbub surrounding the Apple Watch Series 9's blood oxygen functionality has died down, you might want to go ahead and grab yours now while you can get it at a great price. The watches are no longer being banned from sale since Apple has decided to simply remove the functionality from new versions, so that means you can go ahead and get the watch you've had your eye on without worrying about scarcity. In fact, there's a great deal going on right now at Amazon that you won't want to pass up.
As of Jan. 17, the Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS + cellular) is just $462.83 at Amazon, which is $236.17 off its normal price of $699. That's a 34% discount. This price only applies to the Silver Stainless Steel Case with Storm Blue Sport Band option, however. If you don't happen to like that combination, you can just get a case for the watch face and swap out a band you do like.
SEE ALSO: Shop the best smartwatch and wellness tracker deals, including some from CES 2024The Series 9 just debuted in September, so it's the latest and greatest non-Ultra Apple Watch on the market. It has some of the most recent additions to watchOS, including the new Double Tap function. It lets you double tap your index finger to your thumb to answer calls, control your music, reply to messages, and more.
The watch's incremental upgrades for the year are worth looking at, too. Not only does the watch now shine twice as brightly as the previous model but it's faster, too, which means you get more power in a smaller overall package. It brings all the normal health-tracking features as well, and these models will retain the blood oxygen monitoring functionality, if that's what you're looking to get from a new Apple Watch.
This is a great price to grab your new watch at if you want to be able to use it anywhere thanks to its GPS + cellular configuration. But grab it fast, because it won't stay in stock long at this price.
SAVE $250: The Shark HC502 3-in-1 Clean Sense Air Purifier Max (HC502, 1000 square feet, white) is just $199.99 at Amazon, down from its normal price of $449.99. That's a 56% discount on a home gadget that purifies, heats, and cools.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark HC502 3-in-1 Clean Sense Air Purifier Max (1000 square feet, white) $199.99 at Amazon (save $250) Get DealIf you have pets or deal with allergies you know how impossible it can feel to keep indoor air clean. Sometimes no amount of dusting or vacuuming seems to do the trick. If you've been searching for a HEPA air purifier to help keep allergens to a minimum, today's deal at Amazon will have you breathing a sigh of relief.
As of Jan. 17, the Shark HC502 3-in-1 Clean Sense Air Purifier Max is just $199.99, down from its regular price of $449.99, at Amazon. That's a discount of 56% or a savings of $250. Grab the white colorway with 1,000 square-foot coverage to score this sale price.
The Shark air purifier is a do-it-all machine that can clean the air in one of three settings — purified air, purified heat, or purified fan. These settings make it a year-round air purifier, serving as a heater during cold months and a fan during warm months.
SEE ALSO: Our favorite tech gifts: Stocking stuffers, kitchen gadgets, and gaming galoreThe Shark air purifier uses a HEPA filter to capture 99.98% of particles like dust, pet dander, smoke, and allergens. The display screen shows Shark's Clean Sense IQ tracker that monitors and indicates the current air quality, automatically adjusting the fan speed and settings to maintain ideal air quality.
The 3-in-1 has safety features that prevent the air filter from overheating or tipping over. A detachable remote nests into the top of the unit so you have easier control over the fan speed and temperature. If you're a light sleeper and prefer a dark room, the purifier can dim for less disruption at night.
If clean indoor air is a priority in your home, the Shark 3-in-1 Clean Sense Air Purifier Max is a do-it-all machine that usually costs over $400, but thanks to today's deal it can be yours for $199.99. You'll be happy with your purchase when those spring trees start blooming.
Are you more of a "yearning and melodramatic" Tuesday morning person or a "dance energy" Tuesday morning person? Whichever it is, Spotify knows and has an ever-evolving playlist for you.
Today (Sept. 12), the streaming platform launched "daylist," yet another way for it to recommend music to its listeners. Unlike Niche Mixes and AI DJ, daylist is a singular playlist that updates and changes throughout the day to accommodate your listening habits. Because the music you listen to during the morning commute rush might not be the same music you want to listen to when it's time for a mid-afternoon walk or an evening wind-down.
SEE ALSO: 13 best websites to analyze your Spotify dataAccording to Spotify, "daylist updates frequently, bringing together the niche music and microgenres you typically stream at certain times of the day and week. You'll get new tracks at every update, plus a new title that sets the mood of your daylist," a spokesperson told Mashable.
To listen to daylist, search "daylist" on Spotify and find out what that specific day and time reveals about your listening habits. For example, Spotify informed me that my music on Monday afternoons leans "cinematic" and "wistful" and populated my daylist with boygenius and their solo music. Its title was "yearning wistful Monday afternoon." Of the 50 songs it recommended, I knew 33 and there was only one by an artist I'd never listened to before.
This new ephemeral feature suggests that Spotify is still looking for new ways to monopolize your time spent on the platform. They're hoping this one will keep you coming back for more.
SEE ALSO: Spotify's 'Playlist in a Bottle' is back. Here's how to get it.Most movies fit neatly into a genre box, while some gleefully fly in the face categorisation. Jennifer Lopez' This Is Me...Now: A Love Story is definitely one of the latter.
Tying in with the singer and actor's ninth album This Is Me...Now, the Dave Meyers-directed movie appears to be part musical, part comedy, and part drama — a film in which Lopez plays a version of herself, going through multiple weddings and marriage counselling sessions with a few epic sci-fi/fantasy scenarios thrown in for good measure.
Fat Joe, Trevor Noah, Kim Petras, Post Malone, Keke Palmer, Sofia Vergara, Jenifer Lewis, Jay Shetty, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Sadhguru, Tony Bellissimo, Derek Hough, Trevor Jackson, Paul Raci, Bella Gagliano, Brandon Delsid, Ashley Versher, Malcolm Kelner, Alix Angelis, Danielle Larracuente, Matthew Law, and Ben Affleck all star. Yep, quite the line-up.
How to watch: This Is Me...Now: A Love Story is streaming on Prime Video from Feb. 16.
Apple has once again invited a slew of journalists to try out its spatial computer (or virtual reality headset, if you prefer), the Vision Pro.
From what we've read, the demos weren't all that different from the ones Apple carried out last year. About 20 minutes in length, they consisted of a short setup for fit and eye tracking, and then a little bit of video (including spatial video), some spatial and panoramic photo, an overview of the Disney+ app's beta version, a meditation experience, a virtual reality setting with dinosaurs in it, and a brief time with the Vision Pro's virtual keyboard.
So what's it like?The verdict on the actual virtual reality experience is unanimously positive. Engadget's Cherlynn Low wrote that of all of VR, AR, and MR headsets she'd tried, "the Apple Vision Pro is far and away the best, and easily the most thought-out." The Verge's Victoria Song called the experience a "whirlwind."
"I spent a half-hour like a kid gawping at an alien planet — even though I’d never left the couch," she wrote.
Tweet may have been deletedAnd The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern praised "how easy and natural it is to navigate with just hand movements. It's freeing to have no controllers and getting around the interface is just second nature."
Heavy and not all that comfyMost of the reviewers in this latest round of demos had spent some time with the Vision Pro before. It's no wonder, then, that they had more time to focus on details such as comfort of the Vision Pro's straps and overall comfiness of the headset after a session.
The impressions here aren't nearly as positive, though. Stern said she "really felt the weight of the face computer on my face" while wearing the Solo Knit Band, though she did note that the Dual Loop Band is "not as elegant looking but definitely more comfortable."
SEE ALSO: Apple's Vision Pro demos will reportedly last 25 minutesSong mentioned that "like any other VR headset, you feel it sitting on your head and wrecking your hairdo once you slip it on." And Low said that, while the strap she used was "wide, ridged and soft," fifteen minutes into the experience she "started to feel weighed down by the device."
"Five more minutes later, I was in pain," she wrote.
Tweet may have been deletedPerhaps the most damning is video producer Marques Brownlee's verdict. Brownlee tweeted that the first time he tried it on, the Vision Pro felt "a little heavy"; the second time, he noted that "this thing is really heavy," and the third time, the heaviness of the device was basically all he could think about.
Still fun, and still interestingOverall, most people's ultimate verdict after this final round of testing was positive. Engadget's Dana Wollman said that it is "fun to use," and Song said she "kept replaying the demo over" in her head.
One thing appears unanimous among the folks who tried on the Vision Pro: No one is really sure that it's a must-purchase.
"I’m just still trying to see where it fits in the real world," wrote Song.
Newsletter platform Substack now has a "report" button its app, allowing readers to flag posts and publications directly.
The feature has been available on the web version of the platform for the past four months, enabling users to report profiles and "Notes", Substack's fairly new replication of Twitter/X posts. The latest update on the app was spotted by Chris Messina, and first reported by The Verge.
Credit: Screenshot / Apple Store.Substack is in the midst of controversy, as a flurry of users have left the platform amid accusations of content moderation issues. The platform came under fire for reportedly allowing white supremacist, alt-right, and "explicitly Nazi newsletters" to build a home on its site, according to a November 2023 investigation from The Atlantic. In response, hundreds of Substack publishers wrote an open letter to the company's leadership.
SEE ALSO: The ongoing content moderation issues behind Substack's meltdownIn the letter, the writers asked of Substack's team: "Why do you choose to promote and allow the monetization of sites that traffic in white nationalism?"
The "Substackers Against Nazis" campaign cited Mashable's reporting on a previous exodus of Substack writers, again pointing to the prevalence of bigotry — namely transphobia — on the platform. The letter questioned Substack's "hands-off approach to content moderation", writing, "But there’s a difference between a hands-off approach and putting your thumb on the scale. We know you moderate some content, including spam sites and newsletters written by sex workers."
"Your unwillingness to play by your own rules on this issue has already led to the announced departures of several prominent Substackers," the letter continued, "including Rusty Foster and Helena Fitzgerald. They follow previous exoduses of writers, including Substack Pro recipient Grace Lavery and Jude Ellison S. Doyle, who left with similar concerns."
In 2022, Mashable reported on the significant amount of COVID misinformation flourishing on Substack, to which the platform responded, "While we remove content that is illegal, calls for violence, doxxes someone, and other things you can see in our content guidelines, it’s not against the rules to be disagreeable or wrong. This means erring on the side of free press and free expression, even for those we don’t endorse or agree with."
It appears Substack may be continuing to double down on its policies, despite this new addition of report features and an ongoing discussion between the company's leadership team and Substack users.
Following the concerns of Nazi content on Substack in 2023, the site's co-founder Hamish McKenzie wrote a response on Dec. 21, stating, "I just want to make it clear that we don’t like Nazis either—we wish no-one held those views. But some people do hold those and other extreme views. Given that, we don't think that censorship (including through demonetizing publications) makes the problem go away—in fact, it makes it worse."
The Beekeeper director David Ayer and actor Josh Hutcherson talk to Mashable about who Jason Statham's titular character is and why he's needed within the film's universe.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for January 17 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for January 17Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024:
AcrossDirector Guillermo del ___The answer is spa.
The answer is apin.
The answer is spine.
The answer is ping.
The answer is Ares.
The answer is tapir.
The answer is opine.
The answer is rings.
The answer is one.
The answer is spa.
We're not sure exactly how it came about, but it's now an Emmys tradition for celebrities to shoot tequila with Jimmy Kimmel's co-host Guillermo backstage after the awards.
This year he was joined by the likes of The Bear cast, Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson, and Supporting Actress in a Drama winner Jennifer Coolidge, among others.
The highlight? A very silly conversation with John Oliver, that culminates in Guillermo telling him to, as they say in England, "f*ck off".
Doja Cat's ongoing Scarlet tour is coming to life — virtually.
The singer's sold-out Detroit show from Dec. 2023 is premiering in Meta Horizon Worlds’ Music Valley, with the help of the Meta Quest 3 VR headset. The show, entitled Doja Cat: The Scarlet Tour in VR, was filmed on-location at the Little Caesars Arena and will make its digital debut on Jan. 20 at 5 p.m. PT.
Doja Cat's set was custom-made for VR, directed and produced by the Diamond Bros (who also produced Meta's VR Blackpink concert) in partnership with Meta. The immersive VR show aims to capture the depth of Doja Cat's on-stage performance, which was full of supplementary, mind-bending visuals, from a giant spider to a spinning stage. Fans who own a Quest VR headset will be able to watch the show for free. The artist performed some of her biggest hits, including "Woman", "Paint the Town Red" and "Agora Hills".
Viewers can RSVP for the show on Meta's website. Replays will take place for another couple of weeks following the first show.
Has your Google Search experience changed for the worse? You may not be alone.
This revelation comes from a new study by German researchers from Leipzig University, Bauhaus-University Weimar, and the Center for Scalable Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. The researchers posed the question "Is Google Getting Worse?", examining 7,392 product review queries on Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo for a year.
SEE ALSO: Google Search's AI image generator lets you dream up products — and shop the real versionsIn response to these product-related searches, the researchers discovered that "a torrent of low-quality content, especially for product search, keeps drowning any kind of useful information in search results." A significant amount of results found in response to such queries were "outright SEO product review spam."
The research showed that spam sites are hyper prevalent, showing up at the top of Google's rankings in what is "a constant battle" between the sites and search engine. In other words, they write, "search engines seem to lose the cat-and-mouse game that is SEO spam."
"SEO is a constant battle and we see repeated patterns of review spam entering and leaving the results as search engines and SEO engineers take turns adjusting their parameters," reads the report. Despite Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo taking down spam, the researchers stated this only results in "a temporary positive effect."
However, the report did show that Google results did improve "to some extent" between the start of the researchers' experiment and the end. Still, they found "an overall downwards trend in text quality in all three search engines." With the presence of AI-generated spam, this is only likely to get worse, the research warns.
"We conclude that dynamic adversarial spam in the form of low-quality, mass-produced commercial content deserves more attention," wrote the researchers.
As reported by 404Media, Google being flooded by spam is being noticed by other researchers. Search Engine Land, for example, declared that Google was overcome "by a massive spam attack" in December 2023 – one that lasted for days.
I’ve spent the last decade of my life hopelessly devoted to Apple products. From my first iPhone to (finally) splurging on my first Macbook, I’ve always been committed — aside from my week-long attempt at switching to a Blackberry — and happy with my decision to purchase Apple products…until I tried the new Samsung Galaxy Buds FE.
Here’s the thing. I know this is going to sound wild. It’s going to sound like I’m exaggerating somehow, like I’m trying to get clicks on this article, but I need you to understand that I’ve been obsessed with Apple for as long as I can remember. My trusty iPhone 11 Pro? Love it. Well-worn iPad? Obsessed. The AirPods Pro I’ve owned for exactly four years? Fantastic. You can even read some of my past reviews to see that I don’t pull my punches, and I’ve given some incredibly popular products a resounding “meh” review.
But these tiny little earbuds from Samsung have put a chink in my Apple-plated armor, so I’ll ask you to suspend your disbelief for a few more paragraphs while I tell you why.
SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about the Samsung Unpacked event First Impressions of the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE I was impressed unboxing these earbuds. Credit: RJ Andersen / MashableBefore I opened the box, I was prepared to be underwhelmed by the Galaxy Buds FE. I’ve always preferred the look and feel of AirPods, so there was a definite bias against the wingtip design of the Buds FE that — in all honestly — I still hold to this day. Something about them looks a little silly, at least in my ultra-small ears, so I wasn’t prepared to love (let alone like) these earbuds straight away.
And then I did. The packaging was fantastic, simple, and streamlined, and the glossy white charging case is a bit smaller, lighter, and shinier than my AirPods Pro case. With three different ear tips, the Buds FE are also easily customizable to get that perfect fit — and include a second size of wingtip — so it only took me a few tries to find what works for me.
The sound quality of the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE is unrealOnce I connected the Buds FE to my iPhone, I experienced a full jaw-drop moment, which is surprisingly rare for someone who loves reviewing products. It’s uncommon for something to truly blow me away, but the Buds FE truly did. Over the next few minutes, I found myself frantically switching between my AirPods Pro, JBL Vibe Beam, and the Buds FE so I could marvel over the difference in sound quality — and even did several rounds of telling my partner, “Hold on, hold on, now listen to the same song on these.”
Not only is the sound quality of the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE robust, crisp, and surprisingly bass-heavy, these tiny earbuds almost rivaled the sound quality of my beloved Bose QuietComfort 45s — something no earbud has ever done before. From podcasts to EDM, hip-hop, Top 40, and classical, the sound quality blew my AirPods Pro out of the water, so much so that I haven’t reached for my AirPods at all since that first day.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE converted me from a die-hard AirPods user. Credit: RJ Andersen / MashableThe active noise cancellation (ANC) was also pretty good and comparable to my Airpods Pro, which was a nice bonus. It was also super easy to switch between ANC and ambient mode with a single long press of the touchpad, so I was able to toggle between listening to music and having a conversation without any extra hassle.
Now, I will say that the one area where the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE don’t perform quite as well as the Apple AirPods Pro is the microphone quality. Everything sounded a bit fuzzy and far away, which was kind of a bummer, but it wasn’t bad enough to make phone calls super difficult.
SEE ALSO: The best headphones for 2024 (and why they've made our list) The initial pairing was easy, but swapping between devices was annoyingStraight out of the box, I was able to pair the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE to my iPhone within seconds. I just opened the charging case to put the buds into pairing mode, navigated to my Bluetooth settings on my iPhone, and selected the Galaxy Buds FE. Unfortunately, while the initial pairing was surprisingly effortless, I did have some struggles from that point on.
Because the Buds FE are a Samsung product, I wasn’t able to use Samsung’s companion app on my iPhone to customize my Buds FE experience — which was understandable — so the AutoSwitch functionality didn’t work with my Apple devices at all. If I wanted to switch between my iPhone and Macbook, for example, I’d have to turn off Bluetooth or forget the Buds FE on my iPhone, put them into pairing mode, and connect them with my Macbook in a separate step.
Even switching between my Samsung M7 Smart Monitor and my Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ gave me the same issue, which was pretty disappointing. I was expecting difficulty with my Apple products, but struggling with my Samsung ones was a surprise. That being said, I am pretty new to Samsung products, so I’m willing to admit that it could’ve been user error.
I did consider using the Galaxy Wearable App on my Samsung Tab, but after learning it required permission to access pretty much everything on my device (including my calendar, calls, contacts, and even my files), I decided to ditch it. Apparently, the app does make some things easier — like switching between devices, accessing an equalizer, and changing the touchpad actions — but using the Buds FE without the app was a pretty solid experience.
Are the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE worth the price?At $99, the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are absolutely worth purchasing — unless you’re an Apple user who relies on easy switching between devices or you’re someone who wants a better microphone.
The sound quality is unreal for a sub-$100 earbud (especially considering they’re frequently on sale for $79), and the overall product quality is top-notch. The Buds FE are also available in two different color options, solid black or solid white, which is a nice perk. Compared to my Apple AirPods Pro, which retail at $249, switching to the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE feels like a no-brainer.
Aside from the microphone quality and the ease of switching between devices, the Buds FE either match — or surpass — my original AirPods Pro in every single way. The sound quality is noticeably better, but features and specs like active noise cancellation and battery life are on par. In fact, the battery life is slightly better than my original AirPods Pro, which advertised five hours of playtime, with the Buds FE offering six hours of playtime with ANC or 8.5 with it off — as well as an additional 21 to 30 hours of playtime from the charging case depending on whether or not you’re using noise cancellation.
Honestly, Samsung has delivered an excellent product with the Galaxy Buds FE, so much so that this lifelong Apple user is starting to have serious doubts about whether only owning Apple products — and paying their high price tags — is actually worth it anymore.
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