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SAVE UP TO 30%: Southwest is celebrating Prime Day by offering up to 30% off base fares on select flights on July 17 with code PRIME.
Opens in a new window Credit: Southwest Get up to 30% off base fares at Southwest Airlines Use promo code PRIME during flight search Get DealVacation can be the highlight of the year for many of us. Heck, it can often be the highlight of the decade. But apparently not all of the best things in life are free, because a great vacation can cost some serious money. If you're hoping to take a trip during the remainder of 2024, Southwest is here to save your bank account.
On July 17 only, take up to 30% off base fares on select Southwest Airlines flights for Prime Day by entering the promo code PRIME when searching for flights. But you'll want to hurry to book because this deal expires tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT. Travel dates for the Southwest Prime Day deal vary by destination, so you might want to read the fine print before heading in to make a booking. All sale flights take off between Aug. 6 and Dec. 18 of this year.
SEE ALSO: The best Prime Day travel deals include 30% off Southwest flights, luggage, headphones, and moreTraveling with Southwest comes with some major perks. Instead of massive fees for checked baggage, Southwest offers two bags for free, so you won't have to stress about packing everything you need into one tiny carry-on. The airline also doesn't charge a cancellation fee, as long as you do so at least 10 minutes before your scheduled departure.
The Southwest route map is extensive, covering many airports within the continental U.S. as well as Hawaii and international destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Costa Rica.
Celebrate Prime Day with Southwest and book that next vacation before this 30% off deal expires tonight. After you're booked, check out other Prime Day travel deals that extend to noise-cancelling headphones and Bluetooth trackers, so you can keep an eye on the location of your luggage. Happy travels!
Before coming to Mashable, I covered all things home. I spent hours building furniture, comparing rug density, and analyzing the merits of different fans. While I may have left the expansive world of home products for tech, I remain passionate about the best products out there.
In my experience, home products can get overhyped easily. Things like the Bissell Little Green machine (worth it) or a gamer chair with a footrest (not worth it) go viral on TikTok and convince you that they're the next best thing. However, that overload of buzzy products is how you end up with a lot of stuff you don't need. Reporters like myself spend a lot of time thoroughly vetting, testing, and living with products so you buy things that are actually worth it.
I look forward to Prime Day because the products I stand by finally go on sale. I love passing along the best products on sale to my friends and family, so I'll give you the deets, too.
SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Prime Day 2024, according to our team of professional deal hunters Opens in a new window Credit: Vornado Vornado 660 air circulator fan $84.99 at AmazonWhen I moved into my last apartment, it was the thick of summer, and I was prepared to buy a new AC to keep my bedroom cool. Imagine my horror when I discovered vertically sliding windows that made it completely impossible to install either a portable or window AC. That summer was saved by the Vornado 660 air circulator fan.
It doesn't look like much with its relatively small build that can supposedly move air up to 100 feet, but let me tell you, it is a powerhouse. While it isn't a complete replacement for an AC unit, it does keep you exceptionally cool. The Vornado fan creates a cool breeze with air-circulating technology that keeps any room fresh and not filled with stale summer air. I'm always checking the price of the Vornado 660, and was pleasantly surprised to see it finally drop during Prime Day to $84.99. While those $15 savings may be minimal, it's the best price we've seen since last year.
Opens in a new window Credit: Revival Rugs Revival Rugs $284.04 at AmazonWashable rugs may seem gimmicky — do you really need to be able to wash your rug? However, as someone who is both an allergy sufferer and the owner of a very messy cat, I've become a washable rug convert. Being able to toss one in the wash and have it come out spotless is truly divine. But the brand that totally converted me into a washable rug devotee is Revival Rugs.
Revival Rugs makes luxe washable models. I've tested other brands and while they come in lots of fun patterns, they're often flimsy and leave me missing the cozy plush feel of a regular rug. You get the best of both worlds with Revival Rugs, which makes really gorgeous and stylish rugs that have the heft and feel of a non-washable rug. My favorite is the Shell rug, which is delightfully soft underfoot, while still being attractive. It will feel stiff and like you shouldn't be able to put it in the washing machine and dryer but trust me — you can. Revival Rugs' designs come out of the wash clean and softer than ever. Explore their collection and get up to 37% off Revival Rugs' rugs during Prime Day.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bissell Bissell Little Green Machine 1400B $81.67 at AmazonWhile my home may be filled with washable rugs, there's still plenty of other upholstery that can't be tossed in the wash as easily. Luckily, I have the Little Green Machine 1400B in my back pocket for everything else.
The dual tanks let you spray a water/cleaning solution from one and the vacuum brush sucks up all the dirty water and dispenses it in the other. This has been a lifesaver when it comes to pet stains (again, messy cat) or for cleaning off secondhand furniture (we're Facebook Marketplace hounds in this household.) You will be both totally satisfied and horrified by the amount of gunk this upholstery cleaner will tackle. It's down to $81.67 during Prime Day for 34% savings — the lowest price this year.
Opens in a new window Credit: Blueair Blueair 5440i air purifier $219.00 at AmazonTwo years ago during Prime Day 2022, I picked up the Blueair 5440i and have never looked back. Having suffered from allergies to dust, pets, and pollen my whole life, even the home isn't a safe space for me, but the Blueair 5440i keeps me breathing easy. When seasonal allergies are at its peak, my home is an allergy-free oasis thanks to this air purifier.
The large size has been perfect for apartment living. Since I'm in a small space, smoke and smells from cooking get everywhere, but the Blueair reliably kicks on to clear the air. It's a true set-it-and-forget-it kind of device as it senses the air quality and adjusts the setting as needed. During Prime Day, it's down to its lowest price ever of $219.99 for $100 off and 31% savings.
Opens in a new window Credit: A Fishwife Starter 7-pack $57.60 at AmazonYes, this is a slight departure from the traditional home items on this list but stick with me. I spend a lot of time at home, both working my 9-to-5 and regularly hosting friends over for dinner and movie nights. My home's pantry is almost always stocked with Fishwife tinned fish because 1) it's delicious and 2) it's versatile and convenient.
I'll be the first to admit it, what initially hooked me was the cute packaging. But I've stayed loyal to the brand for years now because the products are all genuinely delicious. It's a home essential for me because it makes lunches a breeze, always on hand to make a toast or rice bowl extra special. Plus, if I'm having guests over last minute, I just open up a few tins and arrange them on a gorgeous cutting board and have an instantly impressive snack spread.
I'm particularly hyped for the Fishwife sale during Prime Day, which gives you 20% off the starter pack that includes their limited edition anchovies and Fly by Jing smoked salmon collab. Normally priced at $72, it's down to $57.60, for $14.40.
Here's a controller to make you blush.
To celebrate the upcoming release of Marvel Studios' Deadpool & Wolverine, Xbox and Deadpool have unveiled the cheekiest Xbox controller ever.
Dubbed the "Cheeky Controller," this new gadget features a design inspired by Deadpool’s famously well-rounded posterior. The Merc with a Mouth's signature red and black color scheme is all over it, and it's apparently crafted to feel "firm (yet surprisingly comfortable)."
SEE ALSO: Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman get NSFW in new 'Deadpool and Wolverine' teaserStarting July 17, fans worldwide who are 18 or older can enter a sweepstake to win this unique piece of gaming history by following Xbox on X (formerly Twitter) and reposting their sweepstakes post. Besides the cheeky controller, winners can also snag other Deadpool-themed Xbox goodies, including a custom Xbox Series X complete with foam katanas named Bea and Arthur.
Additionally, the first 1,000 buyers of the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 – Core from the Microsoft Store will receive an exclusive Cable Guys Deadpool Controller Holder by EXG Pro. Sadly, these holders are only available in North America and Canada, so international fans will have to look on with envy.
For more information, Xbox will broadcast live from the Deadpool & Wolverine red carpet premiere on July 22 on Twitch. Or, if literal ass controllers aren't your thing, the Deadpool & Wolverine movie will premiere on July 26.
EA's highly anticipated game College Football '25 has seemingly caused issues with the servers before it has even officially been released.
Lots of folks seemingly opted to pay extra to get early access to the game, scheduled for wide release on Friday. Social media has been flooded with complaints from people saying they're getting an error message when trying to connect to College Football '25's servers.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedIt's hard to overstate the anticipation surrounding this game. Long considered the best sports gaming franchise, it disappeared for a decade due to NCAA compensation rules. College Football '25 represented a dream delayed for a decade.
SEE ALSO: Why 'College Football '25' means so much to its long-suffering fansA screenshot captured the night of its early release on Monday suggested more than 600,000 people were playing online hours after it dropped. That kind of demand could be the reason EA has struggled to keep it servers up, even if the classic way of playing a college football video game is totally offline. Some users have suggested disconnecting your console from the internet to access the offline Dynasty Mode in the game.
Tweet may have been deletedFor gamers' reference, EA has a tool to check the server status of its games. And, yes, it does indicate that College Football '25 was experiencing issues. Hopefully the problem gets resolved soon.
Prime Day is typically flooded with tech and home deals — and this year is no different — but that's not all you can grab during the savings event. For the first time, Amazon has added a dedicated Prime Day travel deals page, which includes discounts on Southwest flights, rental cars through Avis and Turo, and more. Plus, of course, there's plenty of deals on travel gear to accompany you on your next trip.
We've rounded up the best travel deals on Prime Day two below and we'll update it as the sale progresses.
Note: All newly added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.
Best Prime Day travel gear deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Our pick: Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Headphones 🔥 $199.00 at AmazonBlocking out other people's children, arguments, snoring, and all the other annoying stuff that happens on airplanes is essential for a smooth flight. That's why you need some noise-cancelling headphones. For a pair that actually quiets the world, you'd usually have to spend a couple hundred bucks, but the Bose QuietComfort headphones are on sale for an all-time low $199 for Prime Day. We're big fans of Bose's QuietComfort lineup for the stellar noise cancellation, impressive sound quality, and exceptionally long battery life of 24 hours on a full charge.
More Prime Day travel gear dealsAnker 523 power bank — $16.99 $25.99 (save $9) 🔥
Tile Mate Bluetooth tracker — $17.99 $24.99 (save $7)
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10) 🔥
Tile Slim Bluetooth tracker — $22.79 $34.99 (save $12)
Belkin BoostCharge hybrid wall charger — $44.99 $59.99 (save $15) 🔥
Vera Bradley large travel duffle bag — $78 $120 (save $42) 🔥
Samsonite Stryde 2 hardside carry-on— $154.22 $259.99 (save $105.77) 🔥
Samsonite Omni 2 hardside expandable luggage (3-piece set) — $247.80 $619.99 (save $372.19)
If you have a trip booked between August 6 and Dec. 18, you can use the promo code PRIME to slash your base fares on Southwest flights by up to 30%. The fine print is that you have to book your flight by the end of Prime Day, so you only have until 12:01 a.m. PT on July 18, and that only select flights are discounted. Still, if you're flexible, you can definitely score a much cheaper flight than usual. I did a little poking around and found a significant amount of $70 flights from Nashville, for what it's worth.
More Prime Day travel dealsGET $50 OFF PLUS A $50 GIFT CARD: As of July 17, you can get $50 off the Xbox Series X plus a $50 gift card.
Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Our pick: Xbox Series X 1TB Console $449.99 at Best BuyIt’s Prime Day 2, and the internet is swirling with discounts across multiple retailers, all vying for our attention and begging us to spend, spend, spend.
Best Buy is even getting in on the competitive action by offering a console deal we haven’t seen before. For a limited time, you can score a $50 discount on the Xbox Series X, the latest and more premium console in Microsoft’s lineup, plus a free $50 gift card to use on anything else in the store.
SEE ALSO: 250+ Prime Day deals our shopping experts have deemed worth it: Save on Apple, Echo devices, TVs, headphones, and moreSure, this isn’t the best deal we’ve seen on the Xbox Series X ever (it was $350 last December), but it’s the best console deal we’ve seen this year. Also, Xbox hasn’t gotten much love since the PS5 launched, so it’s nice to see Microsoft's flagship console getting some love.
If you consider the $50 gift card a rebate, you’re really only paying $399.99 for the actual console. This is a pretty good deal when you factor in the supply chain issues and chip shortages that have plagued both Sony and Microsoft over the past couple of years.
And, yes, Amazon does have the Xbox Series X console for the same $449.99 price tag, but they aren't throwing in a free $50 gift card. You can, however, get a free $50 Xbox gift card if you purchase the bundle for $499.99, so Best Buy essentially wins on this one.
UPDATE: Jul. 15, 2024, 10:25 a.m. EDT Best Buy's Black Friday in July has officially kicked off. We've updated this list with most up-to-date deals from the retailer's sale.
In the same way that Black Friday has become more of a season than a singular day, at this point, the entire month of July could aptly be called Prime Day season. Besides the shopping behemoth that started it all, it's become tradition for other huge retailers like Best Buy to host a major sale event of their own — which coincidentally falls on or near Prime Day, of course.
Hot on the heels of Best Buy's 4th of July sale, the retailer is hosting Black Friday in July sale from July 15 through 17. (Did anyone put money on that?) That not only sucks up some attention from actual Prime Day on July 16 and 17, but also offers one extra day for shopping — though a huge chunk of Prime Day deals are already live on July 15.
SEE ALSO: Just in time for Prime Day, Target's Circle Week is back July 7 through 13Now that Best Buy's sale has officially begun, we're sorting through the retailer's Prime Day-esque deals. Plus, based on past Best Buy sales, we can pretty confidently predict the categories where the tech retailer will outshine Amazon.
Where Best Buy beats AmazonAmazon's discounts cover a wider variety of product categories, but Best Buy has a history of beating Amazon's deals in several major tech categories. Best Buy tends to have a more reliable slew of TVs and laptops on sale, especially compared to Amazon's smaller variety of laptop brands and iffy third-party sellers. Meanwhile, Amazon typically wins when it comes to the home and kitchen category, including robot vacuum deals.
Best Buy doesn't gatekeep its deals quite like Amazon does, generally leaving most discounts available to the public and reserving a handful of exclusive discounts on premium brands like Samsung or Dyson for paid My Best Buy members. Amazon does, however, surprise some shoppers with access to invite-only deals, which features some pretty jaw-dropping price cuts on items like headphones or Fire TVs that you definitely won't find anywhere else.
SEE ALSO: Walmart vs. Amazon: Which retail giant has the best deals?Best Buy also hosts regular "Best Buy Drops," a feature found only on the retailer's mobile app. Drops give mobile shoppers exclusive access to discounts on high-profile products in categories like gaming, cheap TVs, fan-favorite pop culture merch, high-profile hair tools, kitchen gadgets, and more. As long as you have the Best Buy mobile app, you can preview what's coming so that you're ready to click "add to cart" when the deal goes live.
Check out our favorite Best Buy deals below and our running list of the best Prime Day deals in every category. We'll be looking closely for Best Buy deals that match or beat Amazon pricing.
Best Buy's July 15 bonus rewardRight as the sale begins, Best Buy is offering a special cash back offer for 24 hours. When you spend $500 on select computing, home theater, and appliances, you'll receive a $25 bonus reward. To enjoy the savings you must have a My Best Buy account — including the free option.
Best TV deal at Best Buy Opens in a new window Credit: Toshiba Toshiba 75-inch C350 4K Fire TV $449.99 at Best BuyIf you're eyeing a Fire TV this Prime Day season, don't automatically opt for the Omni on name recognition alone. While Amazon's own in-house Fire TVs are on sale, you definitely won't be seeing one of those 75-inch bad boys go on sale for less than $500. However, Toshiba's well-reviewed C35 Fire TV is a different story. Sure, the C350 is admittedly a basic 4K TV, but it's definitely decent enough for casual watching or light gaming, especially if you care more about getting the biggest screen for your buck over specs.
More TVs on sale at Best BuyInsignia 50-inch F30 4K Fire TV — $209.99 $299.99 (save $90)
TCL 55-inch Q5 QLED 4K TV — $229.99 $449.99 (save $220)
Toshiba 43-Inch V35 LED Fire TV — $139.99 $189.99 (save $50)
LG 55-inch 85 Series QNED 4K TV — $599.99 $1,099.99 (save $500)
Pioneer 65-inch 4K TV — $329.99 $499.99 (save $170)
Sony 65-inch Bravia 8 OLED 4K TV — $2,299.99 $2,799.99 (save $500)
Insignia 70-inch F30 4K Fire TV — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)
Samsung 77-inch S90D OLED 4K TV — $2,999.99 $3,699.99 (save $700)
The iPad Air from 2022 was the first Air to wield the snappy M1 chip that powers several MacBooks and iPad Pros. With it, the 5th generation Air performs about 60 percent faster than the older Airs, making undertakings like 4K video editing, 3D designing, or graphics-heavy gaming a breeze on the most portable iPad. The 5th gen Air also sees upgrades like an Ultra Wide 12MP front camera and faster wireless connectivity.
More Apple deals at Best BuyApple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS) — $329 $429 (save $100)
Apple iPad, 9th generation, 10.2-inch (A13 Bionic chip, 64GB, WiFi) — $249.99 $329.99 (save $80)
Apple iPad mini, 8.3-inch (A15 Bionic chip, 64GB, WiFi) — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)
Apple iPad Air, 10.9-inch (M1, 256GB, WiFi) — $499.99 $749.99 (save $250)
Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M2, 128GB, WiFi + Cellular) — $699 $999 (save $300)
Apple iPad Pro, 12.9-inch (M2, 256GB, WiFi) — $899 $1,199 (save $300)
Apple MacBook Air, 13.6-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $799 $999 (save $200)
Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M3, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,699 $1,999 (save $300)
Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M3, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,999 $2,499 (save $500)
For $150 less than the 14-inch MacBook Pro, you can bump up to a 16-inch display with OLED backlighting by snagging the Asus Vivobook Pro during Best Buy's 4th of July sale. That beast of a display comes with a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card and runs a 120Hz refresh rate, making it one of your best bets for securing a high-powered work laptop that's just as upstanding for gaming.
More laptops on sale at Best BuyHP Envy 2-in-1, 14-inch (AMD Ryzen 5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $529.99 $879.99 (save $350)
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)
Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 Touch Laptop, 16-inch (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $849.99 $1,149.99 (save $300)
Acer Nitro V ANV15-51-789J, 15.6-inch (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $849.99 $1,099.99 (save $250)
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2, 14.4-inch (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,999.99 $2,399.99 (save $400)
Despite every pair of AirPods dropping to record-low pricing the week before Prime Day, your itch for a pair of budget ANC earbuds may still not be scratched by the price tags that still exceed $100. You can find a solid alternative in the JBL Tune Buds True — at $69.99, they're just $20 away from the lowest they've ever dropped, which was only seen during the 2023 Black Friday season. The Tune Buds True can last for up to 32 hours on a single charge, unassumingly booming bass, and honestly, look a lot like the AirPods Pro.
More headphones on sale at Best BuySamsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro wireless earbuds — $119.99 $229.99 (save $110)
Sony ULT Wear wireless headphones — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)
Beats Studio Pro — $299.99 $349.99 (save $50)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless headphones — $349 $429 (save $80)
Apple AirPods Max — $449.99 $549.99 (save $100)
As one of the newer models in Dyson's "Detect" line of cordless stick vacuums, the V15 has powerful suction. Crucially, it also has the laser attachment, which lets you go full search-and-destroy mode on dust hidden around your home. This vacuum also comes with 10 different cleaning attachments and a two-year warranty. This vacuum is on sale for a similar price at Amazon ahead of Prime Day, but only from third-party sellers.
More Dyson deals at Best BuyDyson Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifier — $329.99 $429.99 (save $100)
Dyson Ball Allergy Plus Upright Vacuum — $379.99 $599.99 (save $220)
Dyson Airstrait Straightener — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)
Dyson V11 Plus Cordless Vacuum — $449.99 $569.99 (save $120)
It's Prime Day 2, and the deals are still going strong. We've seen discounts on everything from TVs and laptops to mesh router systems. Speaking of mesh routers, today’s your last chance to snag these Prime Day deals before prices jump back up.
SEE ALSO: 250+ Prime Day deals our shopping experts have deemed worth it: Save on Apple, Echo devices, TVs, headphones, and moreWe’re seeing discounts of $100+ off some of our top picks, including the eero Pro 6 and TP-Link Deco AXE5400. With deals like these, there’s no better time to upgrade your WiFi setup. Here’s an overview of the best Prime Day mesh router deals that are still available.
Best deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: eero Our pick: Amazon eero 6+ mesh Wi-Fi router $199.99 at AmazonThe Amazon eero 6+ mesh WiFi router system covers 4,500 square feet with fast WiFi speeds up to a gigabit. It’s one of the most affordable systems on the market, and at $100 off, it's an absolute steal. With three units included, you can get whole-home coverage and connect to more than 75 devices.
Best bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: eero Our pick: Amazon eero Pro 6E mesh Wi-Fi router $139.99 at AmazonThe Amazon eero Pro 6E mesh WiFi router and Amazon Echo Dot bundle is ideal for students or anyone who wants to expand their smart home. With this deal, you’ll get an eero Pro 6E mesh WiFi router and one Echo Dot. Separately, these products would cost every bit of $300. But with this bundle, you can grab both for just $159.99, a $139.99 savings.
More Prime Day deals on mesh routers and WiFi network systemsAmazon eero 6 dual-band mesh WiFi 6 extender — $69.99 $79.99 (save $10)
TP-Link Deco Mesh AC1900 WiFi System (3-pack) — $99.99 $129.99 (save $30)
TP-Link Deco AX3000 WiFi 6 mesh system (3-pack) — $159.99 $279.99 (save $120)
Google Nest WiFi Pro mesh router (3-pack) — $284.99 $399.99 (save $115)
First things first: You are an amazing mom. You are an incredible dad. And you are doing a great job.
The early days of becoming a parent are hard — like, really hard. When my daughter was first born, it was a months-long haze where I was merely just surviving. I had no idea what I was doing and she had such a hard time sleeping.
I have a very vivid memory of being up with her in the middle of the night (every night) and scrolling through Amazon, shopping for the latest thing I needed that would most definitely change my life as a parent and get her to magically sleep through the night.
Then when the boxes arrived at my door over the next few days, it was as if they'd been ordered in a fever dream — I could hardly remember even buying anything in the first place.
The truth is that there is no such magical product that will make parenting easy, but through trial and error, I did find a collection of gear that made things easier. When my son was born last year, I knew which items were worth doubling down on, and even discovered a few new things to add to my parenting arsenal.
As Mashable's former Shopping Editor, I have spent the better part of the last nine years studying deals and guiding our Prime Day coverage across the site. This year, I'm jumping back in to help assist with coverage and have put together this list of the best Prime Day deals for parents, based on years of expertise.
Best for late-night diaper changes: Touch light Opens in a new window Credit: MediAcous / Amazon Dimmable touch-control night light $19.19 at AmazonThese rechargeable lights have quickly become the workhorse of our family.
When the babies were brand-new, I used these dimmable, touch-control lights to illuminate middle-of-the-night diaper changes and feeding sessions. Then as the kids have gotten into the toddler years, these sweet little lights (which toggle between white and multi-color outputs) have become a mainstay for couch cushion forts, as travel night lights, and are a must-have for nighttime car rides.
We recently lost power during a storm, and I grabbed these lights instead of candles to illuminate our staircase. It's also the thing I most often gift to friends as they have new babies of their own.
Best for finding your lost keys: Tile Trackers Opens in a new window Credit: Tile Tile Trackers (set of 3) $47.99 at AmazonAfter packing up the entire car on our way out the door for one of our first vacations as a family of four, my husband and I realized we couldn't find the car keys.
Anyone with kids knows that departure timing is an art: Both kids were packed into their car seats, we had coordinated the drive to align with their shared nap time, and we had our podcast all queued up so we could spend the drive decompressing. Except when we couldn't find the keys, we were stuck. We actually had to delay our trip, they were that lost.
In the end, it turned out that the keys were in the diaper bag, which we located hours later. This incident prompted us to immediately invest in Tile trackers, which we attached to just about everything we owned and which are paired with our smartphones so we can find commonly lost items in a pinch. (Highly recommend putting the Tile Sticker one on your TV remote, as both kids like to squirrel it away in the most unexpected of places.)
Best deal for getting things done: BabyBjorn Carrier Opens in a new window Credit: BabyBjorn BabyBjorn Carrier $77.99My daughter has a hard time sleeping, so for the first year of her life, she took almost every single nap in a carrier. And because I work from home, this meant that she was often strapped to me as I worked, taking calls and editing stories with her for hours at a time. Hey, you do what you have to do.
During particularly tough nights when she just wouldn't settle, I would strap her into this BabyBjorn carrier (which works for newborns all the way up to approximately 12 months) and walk circles around my house, listening to podcasts or watching reality TV. (Shoutout to the entire RuPaul's Drag Race universe of shows, which kept me company through my second post-partum experience.)
As she got bigger, my husband would use this same carrier facing out to keep our daughter contained and entertained while doing laundry and other things around the house. I truly don't know how anyone can parent without a baby carrier, and that is the honest truth. This one from BabyBjorn, which we have used for both kids, is on sale during Prime Day for $22 off.
Best for taking kids everywhere: Osprey Poco Plus Opens in a new window Credit: Osprey Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier $240.00 at AmazonAfter the kids outgrew the baby carrier, my husband and I graduated them to this backpack-style carrier from Osprey. We have used this to hike with the kids and during family vacations walking around new cities, plus I've used it to get things done around the house, have schlepped both kids (at one time or another) while working in the garden, and have even popped them in it while I made dinner. (It's especially good for that post-5 p.m. time when they just want to be close to you, but you have so many things to get done.)
During one particularly epic mom moment when I was home alone with both kids, I wore one of them in this backpack while carrying the other in my arms to fall asleep for a nap. Am I bragging? Yes. It was badass.
A spacious pocket underneath can stow an impressive amount of gear, plus a removable shade that they can't rip off keeps the sun off their delicate skin. The best part is that it folds down almost completely flat so you can easily pack it in the car or store it away when not in use. Snag it for $80 off during Prime Day.
Best for nipple care: Medela hydrogel pads Opens in a new window Credit: Medela Medela hydrogel pads $7.99 at AmazonIf breastfeeding is a part of your parenting journey, then it might be helpful to know that there is an adjustment period when your body adapts to this new situation. After going through it with my daughter, I didn't give it much thought the second time around with my son. I figured that my body had already adapted and it would be super easy the next time.
Dear reader, I was wrong. The second time was just as painful, and I frantically stocked up on these soothing gel pads to alleviate the pain. Take it from me: the pain is temporary and you will get through it, but you definitely need these. During Prime Day, you can knock off a few bucks from each package, so stocking up is wise.
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... a drone you got on sale at a deep discount. We're keeping track of the best Amazon Prime Day drone deals right here.
The best Prime Day drone deals at a glance: Best overall deal DJI Mini 4K $239 at Amazon (save $60 with Prime) Get Deal Best budget pick Holy Stone HS440 $69.98 at Amazon (save $60.01 with on-page coupon and Prime) Get DealAfter Black Friday, Amazon Prime Day is one of the best times of year to buy a drone. We spend hundreds of collective hours poring through the massive sitewide sale every time it rolls around, and we always stumble upon a handful of worthwhile discounts on copters at a range of price points. (The event's timing smack-dab in the middle of summer is also pretty convenient — get out there and take full advantage of the nice weather once your new copter arrives.)
SEE ALSO: 250+ Prime Day deals our shopping experts have deemed worth it: Save on Apple, Echo devices, TVs, headphones, and moreWith Prime Day 2024 now live through the end of Wednesday, July 17, we're keeping a running list of the best Prime Day drone deals below. Note that we've included models from the popular brand DJI, which is no longer on the U.S. government's chopping block, per a PetaPixel report.
FYI: Deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price. If you notice a discrepancy between any Amazon MSRP and a price we've listed, it's because we found a different MSRP on the manufacturer's website and corrected the deal accordingly.
Best Prime Day drone deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 4K 🔥 $239.00 at Amazon with PrimeThe DJI Mini 4K is a pint-sized 4K foldable camera drone that has a 31-minimum maximum flight time and an HD video transmission of just over six miles. It also comes with its own remote controller. It's a good option for a beginner, and Prime Day has ushered in a new record-low price for it. Amazon is also selling a DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo bundle that includes two spare batteries, a shoulder bag, and a two-way charging hub; it's also marked down to a record-low price right now.
If you're not a Prime member (and you've already used Amazon's free trial), head to Best Buy: The electronics store is selling the DJI Mini 4K and its Fly More Combo bundle for just 99 cents more than Amazon during its concurrent Black Friday in July sale.
More Prime Day drone dealsHoly Stone HS440 — $69.98 $129.99 (save $60.01 with on-page coupon and Prime) 🔥
Holy Stone HS175D — $144.49 $269.99 (save $125.50 with Prime)
Holy Stone HS360S — $169.99 $299.99 (save $130 with Prime)
DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo — $359 $449 (save $90 with Prime) 🔥
DJI Mini 3 (DJI RC-N1) — $349 $419 (save $70)
Holy Stone HS900 — $419.99 $599.99 (save $180 with Prime) 🔥
DJI Mini 3 (DJI RC) — $429.99 $549 (save $119.01 with on-page coupon)
DJI Air 3 (DJI RC-N2) — $879 $1,099 (save $220) 🔥
Autel Robotics EVO Lite+ Premium Bundle — $1,119.20 $1,399 (save $279.80) 🔥
The sheer number of deals on Prime Day is overwhelming. We've gathered over 150 deals across Amazon, many of which are on products at their lowest price ever. The sales are spread across all categories, including home security and video doorbells.
If you're looking to equip your home with some extra eyes and ears, now is the time. During Prime Day, you can find major deals up to 63% off for hundreds of dollars in savings. But not all security systems are created equal.
SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Prime Day 2024, according to our team of professional deal huntersIn this roundup of deals you won't find products from Ring or Wyze. Ring has a long history of exploiting user data, so much so that the FTC announced customers can now receive a settlement. Plus Wyze has faced numerous security breaches that have effected 13,00 customers. Both of these companies have products on sale this Prime Day, but we do not recommend purchasing.
Instead look to these deals on home security.
Best security deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Outdoor 4 (4th generation) five camera system $159.99 at AmazonThe Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras give you extra peace of mind when you're away from home. With two-way audio, HD viewing, and enhanced motion detection, these cameras alert you to expected movements around your home. During Prime Day, look to this unbeatable deal on Blink's five camera system. Typically $399.99, you'll find 63% savings knocking the price all the way down to $159.99. This is the bundles lowest price ever, serving up $240 off.
More security camera and video doorbell dealsBlink Mini — $29.98 $49.99 (save $20.01)
Blink video doorbell — $29.99 $59.99 (save $30)
Blink Outdoor 4 and Blink Mini 2 — $49.99 $139.98 (save $89.99)
Eufy SoloCam S220 solar security camera — $69.99 $129.99 (save $60)
Blink video doorbell and outdoor security cameras — $119.99 $319.98 (save $199.99)
Eufy SoloCam S340 solar security camera — $139.99 $199.99 (save $60)
Google Nest Cam — $249.99 $329.99 (save $80)
It’s Prime Day 2, and the deals are still rolling in (until 11:59 p.m. PT or 2:59 a.m. ET tomorrow morning). From laptops to TVs, Amazon’s mega-sales event has enough deals to turn any mediocre home entertainment setup into a next-level audio experience that’ll make the neighbors green with envy.
SEE ALSO: 250+ Prime Day deals our shopping experts have deemed worth it: Save on Apple, Echo devices, TVs, headphones, and moreOne category that stood out this year is Amazon’s wide selection of discounted soundbars, with some of the most popular models hitting all-time low prices. So, if you’re looking for a soundbar, now’s probably the best time to buy one.
Here are our top picks for the best Prime Day soundbar deals:
Best Sony deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Our pick: Sony S100F soundbar $98.00 at AmazonThe Sony S100F soundbar is a budget-friendly option that’s easy to set up and delivers impressive sound for its size. It's a 2.0-channel soundbar with a compact design that fits neatly under most TVs. With a built-in tweeter, Bass Reflex speaker, and Bluetooth connectivity to stream your faves from your smartphone, the S100F packs an affordable punch at just $98.
This soundbar also includes a 90-day free trial of Amazon Music Unlimited to get you started. (Renewal subscription fees apply after the trial ends.)
Best Bose deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Our pick: Bose TV Speaker $179.00 at AmazonThe Bose TV Speaker is pretty basic as far as soundbars go, but it gets the job done. (More than 11K reviews on Amazon can’t be wrong.) Two angled full-range drivers and an enhanced dialogue feature make it a great option for anyone who’s unimpressed by their TV's built-in speakers.
It also features Bluetooth connectivity and HDMI, optical, and AUX inputs, so you can connect up to three devices. At Just $179, which is the lowest price we’ve seen on this soundbar to date, it’s a solid option from a trusted brand.
Best JBL deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL Our pick: JBL Bar 500 $399.95 at AmazonThis soundbar roundup wouldn’t be complete without at least one JBL recommendation. The JBL Bar 500 is a 5.1-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos MultiBeam surround sound, built-in WiFi with AirPlay, Chromecast, and voice control capabilities, and a 10-inch wireless subwoofer for deep, booming bass.
Usually, this feature-packed setup would set you back a couple hundred (or more), but you can snag it right now for $399.95 — $200 off the original price and a mere $20 above its all-time low.
More Prime Day soundbar dealsAmazon Fire TV Soundbar — $99.99 $199.99 (save $100)
VIZIO 5.1.2 Elevate soundbar with Dolby Atmos — $474.98 $799.99 (save $325.01)
Sony HT-A3000 soundbar with Dolby Atmos — $498 $699.99 (save $201.99)
Bose Smart Ultra soundbar with Dolby Atmos — $749 $899 (save $150)
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 soundbar with Dolby Atmos — $1,098 $1,399.99 (save $301.99)
Amazon Prime Day is big. It's humongous. It's preposterously huge. You get the picture: There's a bajillion deals out there, and even if you follow our very, very in-depth coverage (check our live blog here, and our super-duper mega-list of deals here), you may end up feeling lost as there's just too many deals to cover.
While you're sitting there and pondering whether you really need that bonsai tree trimmer, let me offer a different approach: Here are five deals that are really worth it.
Wait, why would you listen to me? Good question. Well, I kinda look at tech each day, every day. I buy tons of gadgets, and companies often send me even more gadgets to look at. And yeah, I'm aware that everyone has different needs and wants when it comes to electronic devices, gizmos, and gadgets of all kinds. But sometimes, just sometimes, there just happens to be a moment in which you find a really good thingamajig at a really good price and go to yourself: Damn, this is probably worth buying.
So when the Shopping team at Mashable asked me to dig into their giant bag of deals and pick the best five, that's what I was looking for.
Without further ado, here's what I found.
Apple AirPods Max Apple AirPods Max Credit: AppleLook, I don't even need the AirPods Max. I've got at least five pairs of headphones at home, and probably another pair or two that I've lost. And honestly, I don't like the look of that Smart Case the AirPods Max comes with. It looks weird. What's up with that, Apple?
However, the AirPods Max are stupidly comfy, they sound amazing, look good, and play nice with Apple gadgetry, which is a big deal as not all of my other wireless headphones are as easy to connect with (or switch between) my Apple devices.
This year, you can get the AirPods Max for $394.99, a full 28% off the regular, $550 price. I don't remember seeing them this cheap, ever. Even better, they're available at this price in all of the five different colors they come in: Green, Pink, Silver, Sky Blue, and Space Gray.
Most of all, I think this is a good deal because the AirPods Max are something that I wouldn't normally buy. The AirPods Pro deal ($168.99 right now, down from $249) is nice, but I already have a pair and honestly, if I lost them, I'd buy a new pair no matter what. But purchasing the AirPods Max, at a big discount, is something that would raise my dopamine to levels unseen since...my last impulse online purchase. That means in years. Yes, years. OK, months. Weeks? Please don't judge me.
Apple AirPods Max $394.99 at AmazonWhen people ask me which Kindle they should get, I say: Just get the Kindle Paperwhite. And I do mean it: As an e-book reader, it's a no-nonsense buy with all the features you need and Amazon's massive library behind it.
This year, however, the deals on Kindles are...not great (the Paperwhite is $15 off, and can be had for $134.99). Except for one: the Kindle Scribe.
The Kindle Scribe, if you're not familiar with it, is the Kindle that lets you take notes with a digital pen (included), and convert handwritten notes to text. Does everyone need one? Absolutely not. But if you're eager to try it out to see if it fits, this is the moment, as Amazon has reduced its price from $339.99 down to $234.99, a 31% discount.
For your money, you get the device itself, in all its 10.2-inch glory (the display is a 300 ppi Paperwhite), with 16GB of storage, and a Basic Pen. More than enough to start you on your reading/note-taking journey.
Amazon Kindle Scribe $234.99 at AmazonYou know what they say about TVs: They're never too big. No, seriously. Never. Even if it doesn't fit on your living room wall. Get a bigger living room wall. But I digress. Say you want to go big this year, and finally get that 75-inch TV to wow your friends and neighbors, and possibly annoy your significant other who wants your living room wall to be something else than just a giant TV.
The one to get this Prime Day is Samsung's 75-inch QN85C QLED monster. It's a clean $1,000 off, and costs $1,497.99 right now. That's manageable territory at under 20 bucks per inch.
I'll admit this much: I have not tried this particular TV out for myself. But it's got good reviews, and the "QN85C" marking places it roughly in the middle of Samsung's QLED TV range, and the N in particular means it's a NEO QLED, which has a brighter, more vibrant image than regular QLEDs. Are there better TVs out there? Yeah, but it'll be hard to find one at this price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 75-inch QN85C QLED 4K TV $1,497.99Aside from phones, people most often ask me which portable speaker to buy. There's something about the portable speaker that makes it the perfect gadget to own even if you're not into gadgets. Going camping? Grab a speaker. Travelling basically anywhere? You might need a speaker. Pool party? Waterproof speaker.
A long time ago I bought an Ultimate Ears Megaboom, and it was perfect. It's waterproof, sounds great wherever you put it, and the battery lasts long enough for any party.
Then I sold it and got a different portable speaker. Then another one, and another one. And you know what? I still wish I had that old Megaboom. These other speakers may sound better in certain scenarios, or perhaps they look flashier, or have more features. But the Megaboom is just perfectly sized and so darn simple to use, that it remains my recommended portable speaker to this day.
You can get the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 for $129.99 (a $70 discount) during Prime Day. Alternatively, get the Boom 3 — it's not as loud, but it's easier to lug around while still sounding pretty great. It can be had for $100.99 this Prime Day (a $49 discount).
Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker (Night Black, Large) $199.99 at AmazonWhat can I say, I'm a sucker for Apple gear. But this is an entirely different type of purchase than the aforementioned AirPods Max. Just like the AirPods Max, the Apple Watch SE (40mm) can be had at an all-time-low price of $169.99 this Prime Day (that's down from $249).
But this is not something you buy to satisfy your urge for owning shiny objects. This is a "is this for me?" type of purchase. Sitting at the bottom of Apple's Watch lineup, the SE is the entry-level smartwatch, an ideal buy for someone who's not really sure they need one, and also someone who doesn't want to spend a ton of money on it.
Frankly, the regular asking price is (in typical Apple fashion) just slightly over what I feel most people would give for a device like that. Now that it's discounted all the way down $169.99, though, perhaps it's time to go for it.
For the price, you get a surprisingly capable smartwatch with a fitness and sleep tracker, a heart rate monitor, voice control, and a few Apple specials like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS. You won't be able to get it in all colors at this price, and it seems to be selling out fast, so don't @ us if it's no longer available by the time you get to it.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE ¤169.99 at AmazonBig shopping events like Prime Day and Black Friday make big promises, offering products at their lowest prices ever. It's easy to be jaded, especially when these sales happen so often, but usually there are some true deals, with products at their lowest price. But are retailer-based sales like Prime Day better than widespread sales like Black Friday? Sometimes!
SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Prime Day 2024, from a team of professional deal huntersWe've sorted through a lot (and we mean a lot) of products, checking their prices to see which have dropped the lowest and which are....meh. Luckily, we've spotted five deals that have dropped to their lowest price since Black Friday that are actually worth shopping.
Best headphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort headphones $229.00 at AmazonBose makes some of the best headphones we've tested — the QuietComfort Ultra headphones are the most comfortable over-the-ear option and the earbuds provide exceptional sound quality. The base QuietComfort headphones give all exceptional performance we've come to expect in Bose, and this Prime Day, they're down to $229 saving you $120. Around Black Friday, we last saw them drop to $249, so you're getting an extra $20 in savings this go around.
More Prime Day deals that beat Black Friday pricesBose SoundLink Flex speaker — $99 $149 (save $50)
HP Envy Inspire 7958e all-in-one color printer — $99.99 $189.99 (save $90)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 smartwatch — $159.99 $299.99 (save $140)
SodaStream Art sparkling water bundle — $104.99 $199.99 (save $95)
Instagram will now let you pummel your followers with multiple songs in a Reel.
In a post on Wednesday, the social media company announced a feature that lets you add up to 20 tracks in one Reel. Instagram also added the ability to make text, stickers, and clips align with your audio when you're editing a Reel, a feature long available on competitor TikTok.
SEE ALSO: Is posting a photo dump on Instagram cringe now?Notably, when you add multiple tracks to a Reel, Instagram will generate "your own unique audio mix that will be attributed to you.” Instagram adds that “your fans can save and reuse your audio mixes."
View this post on InstagramIt's one of a number of changes you may have seen on Instagram of late, including AI labels, a new 'prompts' feature and 'reveal' sticker, chatbot versions of creators, and deeply unpopular unskippable ads. The feature could also be another way to satiate and support creators; Instagram pissed off creators last year when it shut down its Reels Play Bonus, but this year the platform has announced several initiatives to get back in creator good books.
The macOS Sequoia public beta has finally arrived, offering a new-and-improved productivity experience on MacBook. When I announced my official departure from the Windows world, I proclaimed that I didn't regret the switch to Mac. However, there is one thing I miss the most from PCs: Snap Layouts.
Now, macOS Sequoia has its own version of Snap Layouts, so users no longer need to rely on third-party apps like Magnet to do the job. Here are the top five utilities we've spotted on macOS Sequoia public beta that may make you fall in love with your Mac all over again. (And possibly make convince some PC users to make the switch.)
SEE ALSO: I switched to MacBook, but here are 5 things I miss about Windows macOS Sequoia public beta: 5 top features you need to tryBefore I dive into the best new features of Mac's next big update, you'll need to install the macOS public beta. But don't say we didn't warn you — this is a beta, so you'll want to make sure that your Mac device is backed up.
Now that we've got that out of the way, let's narrow down macOS Sequoia's vast feature set into a top five list.
1. Windows TilingWindows Tiling lets you "snap" windows into place. For example, you can affix Mashable on the left side of the screen while placing Spotify on the right side, allowing you to scroll through our site while jamming to the latest music jams.
Windows Tiling with Spotify and Mashable Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableYou can use Windows Tiling by hovering your mouse over the green dot on the top-left of the window. (Make sure the window is not in full-screen mode.) Next, you can snap the window to the left, right, top, or bottom. You can do the same with other windows for a seamless multitasking experience.
2. Voice-activated commandsIn the Accessibility menu, there's a new option called Vocal Shortcuts. What does it do? It allows you to teach your Mac a custom phrase that prompts it to perform a specified action.
You can turn it on by navigating to System Settings (via Apple logo) > Accessibility > Vocal Shortcuts. Next, click on "Set Up" before clicking on "Continue."
Choose an action from the list (e.g., Zoom), type in the command phrase you'd like to vocalize (e.g., "Zoom in, please"), and hit "Continue." You'll then be asked to say the phrase three times. Hit "Continue."
3. Math Notes with 'Calculator'When Apple first introduced Math Notes at WWDC 2024, it was on the iPad. The Cupertino-based tech giant showed off how one can use the Apple Pencil to scribble a math problem, and almost instantly, the Calculator app generates an answer for you once you write an equal sign.
However, this cool feature isn't just for iPad. Open up the Calculator app, tap on the Calculator icon, and hit "Math Notes."
Start typing in your equation, and once you use the equal sign, the answer will appear in golden yellow.
4. Highlight your notesApple also made some tweaks to the notes app. If you're someone who loves to take notes with the native Notes app, you may be thrilled to hear that there are more ways to customize your notes and make them pop.
You can highlight your text in hot pink Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableFor example, you can now add a pop of color to your text by highlighting them. You can do this by selecting the text, hitting the "Aa" icon, and clicking on the purple dot. You can also choose between Pink, Orange, Mint, and Blue.
5. Voice Memo can transcribe your wordsSometimes, you may not feel like typing notes. You just want to speak out into the world and have someone transcribe your words into text. Well, Voice Memo can double as your own personal transcriptionist on macOS Sequoia.
macOS Sequoia can transform your speech into text Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableFire up Voice Memos via Launchpad and hit the red record button. When you're done, hit the talk bubble icon on the top-right corner, and you'll get a transcription of your speech.
After teasing an AI-powered tool to help pick profile photos last year, Tinder formally announced "Photo Selector" today. The feature uses artificial intelligence to assist with choosing profile photos from what you have on your device.
Here's how Photo Selector works: Take a selfie for facial recognition (if you're verified on Tinder, you're already familiar with this), allow Tinder access to your camera roll, and Photo Selector will curate images for you to review. You then decide which ones you want to add to your Tinder profile.
SEE ALSO: Is sexting right away on a dating app a red flag?A majority of singles, 52 percent, said it's hard to select a profile image, while 68 percent said an AI feature for this task would be helpful, according to a recent Opinium survey Tinder commissioned of 7,000 18-25 year old singles who are on dating apps. The same survey reported that young adult singles spend an average of 33 minutes selecting the right profile picture — so Photo Selector would, in theory, cut that down.
Dating apps have jumped at the opportunity to add AI to its features even before the launch of ChatGPT. Tinder has features "Does This Bother You?" and "Are You Sure?", both of which use AI to sniff out potentially offensive messages. Tinder launched these in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
This year, Tinder competitor Bumble launched an AI-powered tool to weed out scam profiles. Bumble recently announced a different approach to using AI about profile photos: users can now report suspected AI-generated photos and videos.
First look at Tinder's Photo Selector AI tool. Credit: TinderCEO of Tinder Faye Iosotaluno commented in the Photo Selector press release that the app aims to develop AI to assist users in making decisions, "not to make them for you."
"Our commitment to our users is clear and equally applies to our view of AI: at Tinder, we develop innovative technologies to create a safer space for people to make authentic connections," Iosotaluno concluded.
Mashable predicted that daters will move away from apps in the latter half of 2024, so we'll see how the addition of AI features plays into that. Photo Selector will be available in the U.S. this month, and other countries later this summer.
The Acolyte finale gave viewers everything they could have possibly wanted: lightsaber action, sisterly reconciliation, Jedi cover-ups, more of Bazil the tracker — and a hint at one of the most influential Star Wars Sith Lords yet to appear on screen.
The reveal comes as Osha (Amandla Stenberg) and the Stranger (Manny Jacinto) depart the Stranger's remote island hideaway in search of Mae (Stenberg) and Sol (Lee Jung-jae). As their ship takes off, a skeletal hand emerges from the shadows of an island cave, followed by a cloaked figure with glowing eyes. Based on vibes alone, there's no doubt that this is a Sith Lord. But which one could it be?
SEE ALSO: 'The Acolyte' sticks the landing with a banger of a finale — and I need more, statThe likely answer is that this is Darth Plagueis, the Sith Lord who will one day train Darth Sidious (otherwise known as Emperor Palpatine). Palpatine mentions him to Anakin Sywalker in Revenge of the Sith, hitting him with that classic conversation-starter: "Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?"
While there's a lot of juicy Darth Plagueis lore The Acolyte could dive into in a potential (but desperately needed) Season 2 — like his relationship with Palpatine and his supposed ability to create life and reverse death — I really only have one burning Plagueis question I'd like The Acolyte to answer. Just what the heck has he been doing on the Stranger's island?
What is Darth Plagueis up to on the Stranger's island? Manny Jacinto in "The Acolyte." Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.Seriously, does the Stranger even know Darth Plagueis is shacking up in his home? Is the island some kind of Sith timeshare? Do they have a roommate agreement drawn up? "You, Darth Plagueis, promise to hide yourself away while I, the Stranger formerly known as Qimir, attempt to recruit prospective acolytes to the Dark Side. In return, I'll make you soup."
Or maybe Darth Plagueis simply comes with the island, a feature like the cortosis mines, those adorable duck-like skura, and the hot springs that are perfect for Dark Side seduction. Really, that's all you need in a home.
You may wonder, "Why do you care so much about Darth Plagueis' island whereabouts?" To which I say, did you see episode 6? The Stranger and Osha spend the entire episode in a charged dance. He's skinny dipping in front of her, she's holding a lightsaber to his throat while he gently cups her wrist — it's enemies-to-lovers excellence, and the horniest Star Wars has been in a good long while. And you're telling me Plagueis might have had a front seat to all this?
So in much the same way that The Acolyte's third and seventh episodes revisited the catastrophe on Brendok from different perspectives, Rashomon-style, my fever dream wish for The Acolyte is that we get Plagueis's perspective on "Teach/Corrupt." That story could go so many ways — most of them ridiculous.
Think about it: If Plagueis and the Stranger knew each other, maybe he was a supportive wingman. Imagine him hyping the Stranger up before Osha woke on the island, or giving him the cue on when to time his walk to the hot springs just right. Or maybe (and most likely) Plagueis was just a fly on the wall, watching the sparks fly between Osha and the Stranger. Was he into it, like the many Oshamir shippers out there? Or was he holding his spooky head in his spooky hands, baffled by the Stranger's methods? (They get results, though!)
As excited as I am to watch Osha train with the Stranger in Season 2 (please, please, please), I'm concerned on their behalf. Do they know some guy's just creeping on them? Would they be able to fend him off if he revealed himself and proved hostile? The Sith Lord call is coming from inside the island, guys! Be safe out there!
All episodes of The Acolyte Season 1 are now streaming on Disney+.
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