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Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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 July 1's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
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.
Tweet may have been deletedEach 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.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers 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.
Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Love in the air
Green: Digital footprints
Blue: Once around
Purple: Words before a certain thing that rings
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: ROMANTIC RAPPORT
Green: THINGS STORED BY A WEB BROWSER
Blue: SINGLE ROTATION
Purple: WORDS BEFORE "BELL"
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 Connections #388 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayROMANTIC RAPPORT - ATTRACTION, CHEMISTRY, FIREWORKS, SPARKS
THINGS STORED BY A WEB BROWSER - CACHE, COOKIE, DATA, HISTORY
SINGLE ROTATION - CYCLE, LAP, REVOLUTION, TURN
WORDS BEFORE "BELL" - BAR, DINNER, LIBERTY, TINKER
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.
Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.
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 June 29's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
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.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
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 used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.
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.
Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:First time.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no double letters in today's Wordle answer.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.
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 Wordle #1111 is...
DEBUT.
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.
Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
Another big change that no one asked for is coming to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
X is planning to redesign how content shows up in users' feeds by removing interaction and engagement buttons from posts. This means that the repost (aka retweet), like, and reply buttons would no longer appear on each individual post on a users' X timeline.
Tweet may have been deletedAlong with the removal of the buttons, repost, like, and reply counts will also be removed from each individual post.
Instead of tapping on a button, X wants users to swipe left or right on a post in order to like or reply. X for iOS users can also force touch a post in order to open a menu with more options.
The only viewable metric on the post in the timeline will be view count, which has been moved to the upper right hand corner of the post.
Tweet may have been deletedThe upcoming X post design change was first discovered by researcher Aaron Perris of MacRumors. X owner Elon Musk has since confirmed it's coming.
The reaction from most users so far has been negative.
"It’s awesome," Musk said in a reply to a user who criticized the change in the reply to a video showcasing the redesign. "Just swipe left to like and right to reply."
Tweet may have been deleted Musk has long wanted to remove repost, like buttonsSince acquiring the company in October 2022, Musk has made quite a few sweeping changes to the platform then-known as Twitter. The most obvious change being the name of the service. Musk dropped "Twitter" for "X" last summer.
SEE ALSO: Fake Elon Musk livestreams promoting crypto scams keep popping up on YouTubeThe most recent big change to the platform occurred just last month when Musk made most "likes" on the platform private. Previously, users could click the "like count" and see a list of users who liked a post. Now, only the user who published the post could see which users liked it. Third-parties can no longer see who liked what.
Now, with Musk confirming the removal of repost and like buttons from posts, he will institute another change he's long wanted to make.
"Next, we'll remove all the action buttons with their superfluous interaction counts from the main timeline," Musk posted in a subscriber-only post on X in October of last year. "Just view count will show, unless you tap into a post."
It's worth noting that during that same month, Musk also had X developers remove headlines from article links shared within posts because he didn't like how it looked aesthetically. That change was also roundly critiqued by X users.
Less than two months later, X ended up bringing headlines back to posts which included links to articles, albeit with a slightly different design.
Could we see the same thing happen with repost and like buttons if removing them turns out to be disastrous? Seems like it.
In the replies to one of his biggest supporters on X who argued for giving the change a chance, Musk affirmed that they'd change it back if it didn't work out.
Tweet may have been deleted"If it sucks that bad, they will change it back," the X user said.
"Yeah," replied Musk.
Those who might want to get out from under Google's ecosystem got some good news from Proton on Wednesday.
Specifically, the privacy-focused software company's Proton Drive suite of products got a new one in the form of a shared text editor called Proton Docs. Proton Drive's text editor looks very similar to Google Docs, in that multiple people can edit a document together in real-time with robust editing tools. But, per Proton, this editor has end-to-end encryption on everything, including cursor movements.
SEE ALSO: Apple will reportedly announce a partnership with Google at iPhone 16 eventProton claims this is the first "major document editor" with E2E encryption turned on by default. The announcement blog post also has bolded text to warn that data you store in something like Google Drive "may even be used to train AI in the future." While Google doesn't currently use your Docs to train its AI models (per The Verge), Proton seems to be positioning itself as a company that will never do that, as opposed to one that might someday.
Regardless, Proton Docs is free as long as you make a Proton Drive account.
Amazon Prime Day is over a week away, but the deals have already started rolling in. If you're a reader looking to finally make the jump to e-readers, or you already have a Kindle in need of an upgrade, we've got good news for you: Some Prime Day Kindle deals are already live ahead of the official day. A lot of deals are yet to come as we inch closer to Prime Day, but if you're in a hurry to get a Kindle right away, you can still save some cash with the active deals right now. Apple's iPads are also discounted right now, and so are some other tablets if you want a device for more than reading.
SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Prime Day 2024As much as we love the feel of physical books, a Kindle just makes more sense nowadays, especially if you like to read on the go, read between books before you finish them, or have a back-up book on deck. If you're going through books too quickly, an e-reader that can store hundreds of books, while being easy on your eyes and not needing to be plugged in all the time might be the ideal option for you.
There hasn't been a new Kindle model since the 2022 entry-level Amazon Kindle refresh, so we'd love to expect greater discounts than ever before. However, we saw the lowest price ever on the Kindle Paperwhite last Prime Day, and then smaller discounts for Amazon's October Prime Day and Black Friday. So, we're not expecting record-low prices this summer — at least not on the Kindle Paperwhite. While the discounts on all of the Kindle models haven't been unveiled just yet, here are the best Prime Day Kindle deals you can get right this moment.
Best overall Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle $329.00Prime Day will bring more Kindle deals, but this Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle is the biggest discount you can get on a Kindle right now. The bundle includes the Kindle Scribe (2022 release), which otherwise starts at $339.99, for the 16GB configuration with a Basic Pen. This deal, instead, has the 64GB model with a Premium Pen, the Brush Print Leather Folio Cover with Magnetic Attach, and a power adapter bundled together for $329. It's a no-brainer if you've been considering the Scribe, but note that the expected shipping timelines says two to four months, so this may take some time to arrive, unlike this Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle.
Best Kindle deal with bundled charger Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle $237.97This Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition bundle comes with the Kindle device, a fabric cover, and a wireless charging dock. Usually a $258 value, this bundle is currently $20 off. It's not the biggest discount, but the wireless dock will add a layer of conveniece to your Kindle experience, which means you're better off spending some cash to get this bundle instead of the standalone device. If you're looking for a Kindle for your kids, however, you can get $20 off on the Kindle Paperwhite Kids when you buy two.
Best Kindle deal for kids Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids $319.98 at AmazonThis Kindle Paperwhite Kids is an excellent Kindle for kids, but if you've got two kids you want to gift a Kindle to, you can save $20 with this deal right now. The best part is that this Kindle doesn't get access to apps, videos, or games, making for a distraction-free reading device for your kids. You also get a cover.
As Apple prepares to launch its suite of AI features (i.e., Apple Intelligence), the iPhone maker has been meeting with a number of companies in the AI space.
One company Apple might ink a deal with is Google, one of its biggest competitors in the mobile space.
According to a new report from Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman, Apple will announce the addition of Google Gemini on iPhones at its annual event in September.
SEE ALSO: Apple reportedly paid OpenAI zero dollars for its ChatGPT partnership Apple chooses Google over Meta for AI?This year's fall Apple event will see not only the introduction of the new iPhone 16, but also the launch of Apple Intelligence built into the new iOS 18. Apple already announced a partnership with OpenAI at its annual WWDC event in June.
Genmoji, one of the Apple Intelligence features, was announced at WWDC 2024. Credit: AppleHowever, Apple is reportedly looking to provide users with a choice of multiple AI models in addition to Apple Intelligence. (Alternative models will be used if Apple Intelligence isn't the right fit for a particular AI task.)
Along with OpenAI, Apple has reportedly held talks with other leaders in the AI space such as Google, Anthropic, and Meta. Gurman reported back in March that Apple and Google had met to discuss integrating Google's Gemini AI model into Apple's upcoming AI features. It seems those talks went well as Gurman expects Apple to announce the Gemini integration in September.
However, according to Gurman, the dialogue between Apple and Meta regarding its Llama AI model didn't go as swimmingly. Apple reportedly has reservations about partnering with Facebook and Instagram's parent company. Gurman says that Meta reached out to Apple in order to spur conversation about Llama integrations in iOS, but Apple wasn't interested in a formal meeting with the company to discuss any further.
Apple has long criticized Meta's privacy practices and those concerns seem to have played a role in Apple passing on Meta's AI offerings. In addition, Gurman says Apple just doesn't view Meta's AI models as being as good as what OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic has to offer.
Apple's entrance into the AI space has been quite late compared to its competitors. However, Apple's dominance in the mobile space has worked in its favor. Gurman reported last month that Apple and OpenAI did not exchange any money as part of its AI partnership. Instead OpenAI will service Apple customers in exchange for mass distribution on Apple's devices. In addition, Apple Fellow Phil Schiller was given an observer spot on OpenAI's board.
It remains to be seen what Apple and Google's AI partnership will look like, but we won't have to wait too long to find out. Apple's traditional September event for iPhone is just a few months away.
The mysteries keep piling up on The Acolyte.
Between twin shenanigans, secret Sith Lords, and what really happened on Brendok, we've already got a lot on our plates. But as of episode 6, "Teach/Corrupt," a new question enters the fray: Who was Qimir/the Stranger's (Manny Jacinto) Jedi Master?
SEE ALSO: 'The Acolyte' review: Just what Star Wars needsAs the Stranger tells Osha (Amandla Stenberg) in their first (and frankly, very sexy) confrontation following the bloodbath on Khofar, he used to be a Jedi. But according to him, the Order threw him away — just like they did with Osha. Among those who tossed him aside was his old Jedi Master, who left some nasty scars on his back.
And just who could that Master be? There's only one answer: Vernestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson).
When discussing the Stranger's scars, Osha says they look like the Stranger was stabbed in the back. But really, they look more like he was whipped. Guess who we see wielding a lightsaber whip in the very next scene? None other than Vernestra.
Tweet may have been deletedIt's only for a split second, when she dispatches an umbramoth on Khofar. Yet it's enough to draw a connection between Vernestra's weapon and the Stranger's scars. Both story elements being introduced in the same episode simply can't be a coincidence.
The Acolyte has been fairly obvious in all its big reveals up until this point, and that's by design. As creator Leslye Headland told Entertainment Weekly about the Stranger reveal: "I think a good twist is not about hiding everything from the audience and then throwing it on them like, 'Hey, this is what you didn't see! We hid it so well that you didn't see this!' I think a good twist is telegraphing what's going to happen, and then once it does, executing it without an ounce of pity or sentimentality."
In the case of Vernestra being the Stranger's old Master, the lightsaber whip and unique scars are solid cases of telegraphing. However, they're far from the only ones. She's been highly secretive about how she and Sol (Lee Jung-jae) are handling the new Sith threat. Not only is she overseeing the operation herself, she's also seemingly not told anyone else about sending Sol to Khofar, let alone why she did it. Plus, Henderson is playing Vernestra's worry as if she already knows more about the situation than she's letting on.
Like the emotional baggage Sol is still carrying about Brendok, Vernestra is carrying something of her own. And you can bet that when we learn more about their pasts, we'll see the true limits of the Jedi Order.
The Acolyte is now streaming on Disney+, with a new episode every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.
Google hasn't officially shown anyone the Pixel 9 yet, but two leaks in one week have given us the most exciting news we could possibly get about it: that it will be available in pink.
Per Neowin, a Reel video uploaded to Facebook by a channel called "Reparation mobile 23" appears to show a pink Google Pixel 9 model with the screen turned on.
Pink Google Pixel 9: Everything we know so farThe video gives us a glimpse of the Home Settings menu and the opening animation for the Gmail app.
But combined with a previous video from this week showcasing the pink Pixel 9 without a screen turned on, it sure feels like the pink model is going to be a real thing.
SEE ALSO: Google's greenhouse gas emissions have jumped, and AI is a big causeAnother factor pointing to authenticity is that these two videos are from entirely different sources, but show the same device. In both videos, the pink Pixel 9 has rounded edges, a glossy back, and the same horizontal camera bar that looks distinct from previous Pixel phones.
Google will presumably show off the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro at a "Made By Google" event on Aug. 13.
UP TO $250 OFF: As of July 3, you can get a 10.9-inch M1 Apple iPad Air (256GB, WiFi) for $499.99 at Best Buy, which is $250 off its normal price of $749.99. The 64GB model is on sale for $200 off as well.
Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy 10.9-inch M1 Apple iPad Air (256GB, WiFi) $499.99 at Best BuyAmazon's Prime Day sale is coming up fast, but you don't have to wait until it's live to scoop up savings on the big-ticket items you've been waiting to buy. Plenty of retailers are holding their own sales right now to celebrate the 4th of July, with everything on sale from outdoor gear to laptops to mattresses. Case in point: Best Buy's 4th of July sale is offering significant price cuts on iPads that you won't want to miss out on.
As of July 3, you can get the 10.9-inch M1 Apple iPad Air (256GB, WiFi) for $499.99. That's $250 off its regular price of $749.99. You could also opt for the 64GB version, which is $200 off, making it $399.99. It normally sells for $599.99.
SEE ALSO: Prime members can grab the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet for under $55This iPad is the lightest of them all, with a 10.9-inch liquid retina display, an M1 chip, and 256GB of storage. It comes equipped with a 12MP wide angle camera, a 12MP ultra-wide front camera, and support for the Apple Pencil, in case you're itching to jot down some notes or doodle on the go. Its battery lasts all day even with heavy use, and it also supports the Magic Keyboard in case you need to transform your iPad into a mobile workstation to get some stuff done on the go.
If you're in the market for a new tablet, an iPad is always a good choice – especially when you can save some significant cash on it. Don't skip out on this sale while it's still live.
SAVE 58%: Amazon Prime members can get the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (64GB) for just $54.99, marked down from the normal price of $129.99. That's a savings of $75 and the lowest price we've ever seen.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (64GB) $54.99 at AmazonPrime Day is still a couple of weeks away, but Amazon is already aiming to impress — and we're not complaining. If you've been trudging along with a tired tablet, it's likely time for an upgrade. And thanks to Amazon's early Prime Day offerings, a new tablet can arrive at your doorstep for a whole lot less.
As of July 3, the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (64GB) is on sale for Prime members for just $54.99, on sale from the normal price of $129.99. That's a savings of $75 or a 58% discount. The Prime-exclusive sale price is the lowest we've ever seen offered on the Fire HD 8 tablet.
SEE ALSO: Save up to 50% on camping gear, Kindles, robot vacuums, and more during the Amazon 4th of July saleWe're already seeing some great tablet deals ahead of Prime Day 2024, and if you're in the market for a budget-friendly option, the Amazon Fire HD 8 is a great bet. Sure, it's not the best tablet on the market, but at a sale price of under $55, it's a solid device at a rock-bottom price. The sale price makes this a great tablet for a recent high-school grad or as a learning device for kids on summer break.
The tablet has an 8-inch screen, which means it'll be a serious upgrade from watching shows on your phone, but it'll remain travel-friendly and easily slip into your backpack or tote bag. Amazon mentions the tablet can get up to 13 hours of battery life, so you should be good to go for the day or stay powered for that international flight.
With 64GB of storage space, you'll be able to download plenty of your favorite Netflix or Hulu shows. If that's not quite enough space to accommodate your favorite apps, podcasts, and audiobooks, the tablet can accept a 1TB expansion via the microSD slot.
When it comes to multitasking on the Amazon Fire HD 8, the split-screen is up for the task, so you can continue watching a show while browsing the web.
Keep in mind this deal is exclusive for Amazon Prime members. Membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 annually, so you'll want to be signed up and logged in to snag the sale price. Prime members will also have access to sweet invite-only deals for big-ticket items on Prime Day.
Score the Amazon Fire HD 8 for the incredibly low sale price of $54.99 as an early Prime Day treat. Or grab a few and surprise your family members who have been complaining of a slow tablet. At the lowest price we've ever seen, it might even be wise to snag a couple to stash away as holiday gifts come December.
SAVE UP TO $300: Score discounts on iPads, laptops, TVs, and other must-have tech during Best Buy's 4th of July sale.
Our top picks: Best iPad deal 10.9-inch M1 Apple iPad Air (64GB, WiFi) $399.99 at Best Buy (save $200) Get Deal Best laptop deal 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,699 at Best Buy (save $300) Get Deal Best TV deal Insignia 50-inch Class F30 Series 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $189.99 at Best Buy (save $110) Get DealBest Buy is a top destination for all things tech. It’s one of the best places to get gaming consoles, laptops, iPads, and so much more (including the fancy coffee pot I bought my mom this past Christmas).
While Best Buy does a pretty good job of keeping its prices semi-affordable throughout the year, the retailer pulls out all the stops for its major holiday sales, including the 4th of July.
SEE ALSO: The best 4th of July deals are already happening — here's what you need to knowThis year, Best Buy’s 4th of July sale features deals on everything from major appliances (up to $960 off select refrigerators) to small kitchen gadgets to high-end electronics. And, if you’re a My Best Buy member, you’ll save even more. But you’d better hurry: This sale ends Sunday (which means you still have time to hit the beach or have a backyard BBQ and shop in between).
Here are some of the best deals you can find during Best Buy’s 4th of July sale:
Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: 10.9-inch M1 Apple iPad Air (64GB, WiFi) $399.99 at Best BuyIf you’ve had your eye on an iPad but couldn’t justify the cost, now’s the time to pull out your wallet. As of July 3, you can get a 64GB iPad Air (5th gen) for just $399.99 — that’s $200 off the listing price, and the best deal we’ve seen on this model since May 14. If you need more storage space, the 256GB model is on sale for $499.99 ($250 off the listing price).
This iPad features a 10.9-inch liquid retina display, an M1 chip, and an all-day battery life. It’s ideal for browsing the web during your pre-bedtime routine, catching up on the latest shows, or even getting some work done on the go.
More tablet deals:Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (64GB, WiFi) — $179.99 $219.99 (save $40)
Apple iPad (9th gen) (64GB, WiFi) — $249.99 $329.99 (save $80)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (128GB, WiFi) — $229.99 $269.99 (save $40)
Apple iPad Pro (4th gen) (M2, 128GB, WiFi) — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra (128GB, WiFi) — $649.99 $1,099.99 (save $450)
iPads are great for browsing the web, playing mindless games like Candy Crush, and watching Netflix. But if you need to get some real work done, you'll want a laptop — and during Best Buy's 4th of July sale, you can snag a 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $1,699, down from $1,999. So, $300 off the original price.
This MacBook Pro is a powerhouse with an M3 Pro chip, up to 18 hours of battery life, and up to 36GB of unified memory. It has a 14.2-inch liquid retina XDR display and a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, and it can sync with your other Apple devices.
More laptop deals:Lenovo Ideapad 1i (Intel Core i3-1215U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $329.99 $499.99 (save $170)
Samsung Galaxy Book4 (Intel Core 7, 16GB, 512GB) — $649.99 $999.99 (save $250)
Apple MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $849.99 $899.99 (save $150)
HP Envy 2-in-1 Wide Ultra XGA Touchscreen Laptop (Core Ultra 7, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $999.99 $1,34999.99 (save $350)
Right now, you can get the Insignia 50-inch Class F30 Series 4K UHD Smart Fire TV for just $189.99, down from $299.99. That’s $110 off the listing price and a damn good deal if you ask us.
This TV has a 2160p resolution, Alexa voice control, and thousands of movies and episodes available through Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Netflix. It also supports Apple AirPlay, so you can mirror content from your iPhone or iPad.
More TV deals:43-inch Sony Class X77L LED 4K UHD Smart Google TV — $349.99 $419.99 (save $70)
65-inch LG Class C3 Series OLED evo 4K UHD Smart webOS TV — $1,449.99 $1,699.99 (save $250)
85-inch Samsung Class QN9OC Neo QLED 4K UHD Smart Tizen TV — $2,199.99 $2,599.99 (save $400)
Even though Amazon Prime Day kicks off in just a few short weeks, there's no reason not to start saving on your most-wanted products ahead of time, right? The retail giant's big event is always a perfect time to pick up a new laptop, especially if you're looking for a Macbook (or any other Apple devices, for that matter). But let's not forget about a fan-favorite budget laptop: the Chromebook.
SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day is just around the corner — here's how to find the best dealsA good amount of Chromebooks are already heavily discounted ahead of Prime Day's official start, including models from Acer, Asus, and beyond. We expect to see even more deals as the event gets closer, but if you're impatient like us, we've gathered a nice little list of marked-down Chromebooks that you can start shopping right away. Check out our favorite deals so far.
Best early Prime Day Chromebook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Our pick: Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM,128GB SSD) $329.00 at AmazonThe new Chromebook Plus line of laptops combines performance, power, and convenience at the same low price that the popular budget computers are known for. This model from Acer comes equipped with great internal specs at this price point, and will work well for anyone who desires a no-frills device that'll tackle their web-browsing and document-editing tasks with ease. You'll also get some nice extras with your purchase, including a year of Google One AI Premium and 2TB of Google One cloud storage. 11 hours of battery and cloud gaming support make this deal even sweeter.
More early Prime Day Chromebook dealsHP
HP Chromebook 14 (Intel Celeron N4020, 4GB RAM, 32GB eMMC) — $196.36 $309.99 (save $113.63)
HP Chromebook Plus 14 (Intel Core i3-N305, Intel UHD Graphics, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) — $419.99 $509.99 (save $90)
Asus
Asus Chromebook CX1 (Intel Celeron N4020, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $179.99 $269.99 (save $90)
Asus Chromebook C423 (Intel Celeron N3350, 4GB RAM, 32GB eMMC) — $276.85 $299.99 (save $23.14)
Asus Chromebook Flip C434 (Intel Core M3-8100Y, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $465.80 $504.99 (save $39.19)
Asus Chromebook Flip CM5 (AMD Ryzen 3 3250C, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $485.77 $529.99 (save $44.22)
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (Intel Core i3-1215U, 8GB RAM, 256GB UFS) — $554.99 $595.65 (save $40.66)
Acer
Acer Chromebook Spin 11 (Intel Celeron N3350, 4GB RAM, 32GB eMMC) — $292.08 $329.99 (save $37.91)
Acer Chromebook 315 (Intel Celeron N4500, Intel UHD Graphics, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $342.51 $359.99 (save $17.48)
Acer Chromebook 315 (Intel Celeron N5100, 4GB RAM, 32GB Flash Memory) — $370.99 $399.99 (save $29)
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (Intel Evo Intel Core i5-1235U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $700.65 $749.99 (save $49.34)
Acer Chromebook Vero 514 (Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1235U, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $731.11 $849.99 (save $118.88)
Lenovo
Lenovo 500e Chromebook Gen 3 (Intel Celeron N5100, 4GB RAM, 32GB Flash Memory) — $328.73 $364 (save $35.27)
Home Depot is helping us celebrate the 4th of July by offering some excellent deals on some of the best items for the summer. Here's a snapshot of some of the best deals to shop today:
Home Depot's 4th of July sale highlights Best grill deal Traeger Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill $499 at Home Depot (save $200) Get Deal Best pizza oven deal Cuisinart 3-In-1 Propane Tank Griddle and Grill Outdoor Pizza Oven $169 at Home Depot (save $26) Get Deal Best air conditioner deal Honeywell 9,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner $349.99 at Home Depot (save $175.75) Get Deal Best patio set deal Hampton Bay Geneva 6-Piece Outdoor Patio Sectional Sofa $499 at Home Depot (save $760.10) Get DealAs we count down the final work hours before the 4th of July holiday, it's time to finalize your celebration plans. If your backyard lacks some gadgets that would make your summer even better, Home Depot's 4th of July sale has come to the rescue. With discounts on items like power tools, lawn care accessories, grills, and patio sets, the Home Depot is a one-stop solution for brining your home up to par for the best summer hangouts yet.
SEE ALSO: REI's 4th of July Sale is here: Save up to 40% off all clearance gearWe've gathered some of our favorite deals at the Home Depot 4th of July sale if you're doing some last-minute shopping ahead of the holiday.
Best grill deal Opens in a new window Credit: Traeger Our pick: Traeger Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill $499.00 at Home DepotOnce you've experienced the magic of a pellet grill, it's hard to accept anything else. As part of Home Depot's 4th of July sale, you can snag the Traeger Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill for just $499, marked down from the normal price of $699. This model offers backyard grill masters 646 square inches of cooking space for all of your summer cookout projects like smoking salmon, grilling ribs, or even baking a pie. Traeger grills use all-natural hardwood pellets to give your dishes that woodfire taste. The included meat probe makes it easy to decide when the meat is done, and the Traeger's wheels with locking casters means it'll be easy to roll the grill back into the garage when the summer storm arrives.
More grill dealsNexgrill 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill — $199 $249 (save $50)
Traeger Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill — $389 $499 (save $110)
Weber Spirit E-215 2-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill — $449 $499 (save $50)
Traeger Ironwood XL Wi-Fi Pellet Grill and Smoker — $1,799.95 $1,999.95 (save $200)
If it hasn't already happened, at some point this summer, turning on the oven in your kitchen to make dinner will feel like adding fuel to the already-too-hot fire. As temperatures creep up, turn to cooking dinner outside thanks to the Cuisinart 3-In-1 Propane Tank Griddle and Grill Outdoor Pizza Oven. With the versatile Cuisinart, you can cook pizzas, grill burgers, or put some veggies on the griddle. With temps reaching a maximum of 700 degrees Fahrenheit, expect to get that perfectly crisp pizza crust. Cuisinart also designed the pizza oven to be portable, so you'll be able to pack it along to a friend's barbecue or on your next glamping trip.
More pizza oven dealsMaster Cook Wood Pellet Pizza Oven — $119.99 $139.73 (save $19.74)
Nexgrill Ora 12 Propane Gas Cast Aluminum Outdoor Pizza Oven — $149 $249 (save $100)
Halo Versa 16 Dual-Burner Propane Outdoor Pizza Oven — $424.99 $499 (save $75)
Looking for some respite from the summer heat? Home Depot has you covered. The Honeywell 9,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner is designed to chill rooms of up to 700 square feet. Set the temperature and fan speed and get ready to cool off at home with no need to escape to the local library or movie theater. The included remote control makes choosing your ideal temperature easy and come cooler months, you can use the air conditioner in a traditional fan mode. Plus, if you happen to live in a humid environment, the unit can also dehumidify.
More air conditioner dealsFrigidaire 5,500 BTU Portable Air Conditioner — $299 $323.79 (save $24.79)
Honeywell 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner — $299.99 $394.99 (save $95)
Whirlpool 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner — $299.99 $505.31 (save $205.32)
With room to seat the whole family, the Hampton Bay Geneva 6-Piece Outdoor Patio Sectional Sofa could be your ticket to a great summer spent relaxing in the yard. As part of the Home Depot 4th of July sale, the set is just $499, marked down from the usual price of $1,259.10. That's a 60% discount and a savings of $760.10. Coming in a range of colorway options, the set includes the sectional soft, ottoman, and cushions. The rust-resistant frame is designed for durability, and the set's cushions are made with CushionGuard acrylic fabric that resists fading and stains while also repelling water.
More patio dealsPure Garden 9-foot Aluminum Outdoor Market Patio Umbrella — $41 $52.99 (save $11.99)
Hampton Bay Cambridge Brown Wicker Patio Coffee Table — $100 $209 (save $109)
Hampton Bay Haymont 3-Piece Steel Wicker Outdoor Bistro Set — $199 $718.80 (save $519.80)
Nuu Garden Brown 5-Piece Metal Patio Outdoor Bar Set— $385 $548.99 (save $163.99)
The deals are steadily rolling in at Amazon, even though we're still a couple of weeks out from Prime Day. We have 4th of July sales to thank for that, not to mention the fact that Amazon loves to drop deals early and make Prime Day a month-long savings extravaganza. We're not mad about it. As of July 3, we're seeing record-low prices on Fire tablets, price-drops on Dyson gadgets, and more. If you're in a deal shopping mood, there's no need to wait.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. Be sure to check back at our deals from July 1 and July 2 — many of those are still live. Then come back tomorrow for all-new picks.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airstrait $399.00 at AmazonReleased in spring of 2023, Dyson's Airstrait swaps out the typical hot plates of a hair straightener for high-pressure airflow. This is supposed to help it avoid extreme heat damage. Plus, it combines the drying process with the straightening process, so you can style your hair straight out of the shower. Amazon has the Nickel/Copper finish version on sale today for $399 (reg. $499). That's 20% in savings. While we saw it drop $20 further in February, we still consider this a great deal.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (40mm, Bluetooth) $196.68 at AmazonNamed the "king of the Android smartwatch mountain" by Mashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 gives the Pixel Watch a run for its money. The sixth installment launched last summer with a suite of new sleep and fitness features, including a nuanced breakdown of sleep habits, sleep coaching, personalized heart rate zones, and irregular heart rate notifications. It also lasts longer on a single charge and has a 20 percent larger display than previous models. As of July 3, it's down to just $196.68 at Amazon, which is 34% in savings and a new record-low for the 40mm version with Bluetooth.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (32GB) $74.99 at AmazonAmazon quietly dropped a new Fire HD 10 tablet in October 2023, and it's seen quite a few discounts since. But none of those discounts have reached the level of today's deal: as of July 3, you can snag the 32GB version for only $74.99. That's 46% in savings and its lowest price on record by about $5. While it's not a perfect device, our reviewer was pleasantly surprised by the tablet's design, long battery life, and vivid display. If you want a budget tablet strictly for streaming, playing games, and browsing on the go, the Amazon Fire HD 10 will suit you and your wallet.
Opens in a new window Credit: SodaStream SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker $69.99 at AmazonThe SodaStream Terra sparkling water maker bundle is the perfect starter kit for anyone seeking a soda alternative. It comes with a CO2 can, a SodaStream carbonation bottle, and a Bubly Drops bottle to get you started. The learning curve is low, so you can start creating fresh sparkling drinks at the push of a button after setup. If none of the store-bought seltzers are doing it for you, it may be time to pivot into making your own. The bundle is regularly $99.99, but you can grab it on sale for just $69.99 at Amazon as of July 3. That's just $10 away from its all-time low.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
Prime Day isn't for another couple of weeks, but you don't have to wait until July 16 to score a good deal on headphones or speakers.
Though the deals that are live now aren't officially tied to the sale, they give folks who aren't Prime members or who don't like dealing with the chaos of Prime Day to save some cash. So far, we've seen markdowns on headphones from Sony, Apple, and Bose, as well as on Bluetooth speakers from JBL and Ultimate Ears.
SEE ALSO: Walmart vs. Amazon: Which retail giant has the best deals?We'll be keeping this post updated with this best deals at Amazon in the lead up to Prime Day, so check back if you don't see anything catching your eye quite yet.
Best noise-canceling headphones deals Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Wear headphones $178.00 at AmazonCheck out our full review on the Sony ULT Wear headphones.
Though not a huge discount on its face, the Sony ULT Wear headphones offer a very competitive price point when they're not on sale, making this $22 markdown even more enticing. In her review of the headphones, Mashable Deputy Shopping and Reviews Editor Miller Kern compared these headphones against Sony's $399 WH-1000XM5 headphone and found that "the ULT Wear’s sound was fuller and felt more like surround sound." You'll also get plenty of bass coming through on these headphones, along with active noise cancellation.
More noise-canceling headphones dealsAnker Soundcore Q20i headphones — $39.99 $69.99 (save $30)
JLab JBuds Lux headphones — $64.99 $79.99 (save $15 with on-page coupon)
Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones — $278 $348 (save $50)
Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones — $348 $399 (save $51)
Check out our full review of the AirPods Max.
In all honesty, the AirPods deals at the time of writing aren't too thrilling, but this AirPods Max one is the best of the bunch. We generally consider these AirPods to be way too expensive at full price, but markdowns like this one make them (somewhat) more of a reasonable buy. You'll get easy pairing with any Apple device, great sound and ANC, and if you like the look of them, the style bonus. However, they don't have a wired connection, nor can you turn them off, so their battery life suffers.
More AirPods dealsApple AirPods (2nd generation) — $89 $129 (save $40)
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are down to their lowest price ever, according to the price tracker camelcamelcamel. Though these earbuds were released in 2022, they remain an Editor's Choice award winner at our sister site PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) thanks to their "astoundingly effective noise cancellation" and sound signature that's great for "anyone who likes rich bass and bright highs." At $179, these earbuds are much more affordable than newer premium models while offering you a similar product, minus extras like turning the ANC off or wireless charging for the case.
More wireless earbuds dealsAnker Soundcore P20i earbuds — $19.99 $24.99 (save $5)
JLab Go Air Sport — $19.88 $29.99 (save $10.11 with on-page coupon)
Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds — $50.15 $79 (save $28.85 with on-page coupon)
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II — $179 $279 (save $100)
Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds — $278 $299.99 (save $21.99)
The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 is a great value speaker when it's at full price, making it an absolute steal at $63.99. The price cut comes as Ultimate Ears has just released their next gen of the speaker (we're currently testing it to see if it belongs on the list of our favorites), but it doesn't seem there's a stark difference between the two speakers. If you need a speaker that's compact, rugged, and don't care too much about having customizable EQ or a companion app, the Wonderboom 3 will check your boxes.
More Bluetooth speaker dealsJBL Clip 4 — $49.95 $79.95 (save $30)
Sony ULT FIELD 1 — $98 $129.99 (save $31.99)
Marshall Emberton II — $119.99 $169.99 (save $50)
JBL Charge 5 — $139.95 $179.95 (save $40)
JBL Xtreme 3 — $229.95 $379.95 (save $150)
SAVE $100.99: As of July 3, get the Dyson Airstrait Straightener for $399 at Amazon. That's a discount of 20% off its normal price of $499.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dyson Airstrait Straightener $399.00 at AmazonDyson's newest hair tool is the Airstrait Straightener, which lets you style your hair wet or dry without heat damage. It's another luxe option in line with the company's Supersonic hair dryer, and as such you can expect to pay a premium for it. Luckily, it's gone on sale a few time since its debut, and you can get it right now for a great price if you've been thinking about giving it a try.
As of July 3, get the Dyson Airstrait for just $399 at Amazon. That's $100.99 off its normal price of $499.99 and a discount of 20%. This straightener doesn't go on sale often, so this is a great time to buy.
SEE ALSO: The best 4th of July deals are already happening — here's what you need to knowThis hair straightener launched in spring 2023, and it's been discounted a few times since. It uses high pressure airflow instead of hot plates, which helps your hair avoid damage from high temperatures, according to Dyson. It also dries your hair as it straightens, so that saves you a step. If you're the type of person who needs to save time when styling, or you just want to give your hair a bit of a break from high temperatures and heat damage, the Airstrait might be what you're looking for.
This deal is live ahead of Amazon Prime Day, so it's possible it could dip lower when the sale event hits, but if you're interested, now is probably the best time to go ahead and pick yours up.
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