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Prime Day Chromebook deals are already going strong — check out our top picks

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 11:56

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 deals

A 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 Amazon
$379.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The 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 deals

HP

Asus

Acer

Lenovo

The Home Depot 4th of July sale is packed with up to 60% off grills, patio furniture, air conditioners, and more

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 11:49

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 Deal

As 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 gear

We'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 Depot
$699.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Once 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 dealsBest pizza oven deal Opens in a new window Credit: Cuisinart Our pick: Cuisinart 3-In-1 Propane Tank Griddle and Grill Outdoor Pizza Oven $169.00 at Home Depot
$195.00 Save $26.00 Get Deal Why we like it

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 dealsBest air conditioner deal Opens in a new window Credit: Honeywell Our pick: Honeywell 9,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner $349.99 at Home Depot
$525.74 Save $175.75 Get Deal Why we like it

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 dealsBest patio set deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hampton Bay Our pick: Hampton Bay Geneva 6-Piece Outdoor Patio Sectional Sofa $499.00 at Home Depot
$1,259.10 Save $760.10 Get Deal Why we like it

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 deals

Amazon deal of the day: Dyson's Airstrait just got a $100 price drop

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 11:30
Amazon deals of the day at a glance: OUR TOP PICK Dyson Airstrait $399 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal BEST TABLET DEAL Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (32GB) $74.99 at Amazon (save $65 with Prime) Get Deal BEST SMARTWATCH DEAL Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (40mm, Bluetooth) $196.68 at Amazon (save $103.31) Get Deal BEST KITCHEN DEAL SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker Bundle $69.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal

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 Amazon
$499.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

Released 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 Amazon
$299.99 Save $103.31 Get Deal

Named 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 Amazon
$139.99 Save $65.00 with Prime Get Deal

Amazon 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 Amazon
$99.99 Save $30.00 with CO2, DWS Bottle, and Bubly Drops Get Deal

The 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.

'MaXXXine' cast and creator reveal which character they want to see get the next origin story

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 11:20
Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth Debicki, Giancarlo Esposito, Moses Sumney and Ti West discuss the characters they want to see get the next origin story in the series.

Prime Day 2024: 5 must-shop product categories

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 11:18
Amazon Prime Day is right around the corner! Literally thousands of products will go on sale during Amazon's two-day shopping event, but not all of those sales will be good deals.

Some of our favorite headphones and speakers are already on sale ahead of Prime Day

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 11:00
Best headphone and speaker deals ahead of Prime Day Best noise-canceling headphones deal Sony ULT Wear headphones $178 at Amazon (Save $21.99) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Max $449.99 at Amazon (Save $100.01) Get Deal Best wireless earbuds deal Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II $179 at Amazon (Save $100) Get Deal Best Bluetooth speaker deal Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 $63.99 at Amazon (Save $36) Get Deal

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 Amazon
$199.99 Save $21.99 Get Deal Why we like this

Check 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 dealsBest AirPods deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max $449.99 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $99.01 Shop Now Why we like this

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 dealsBest wireless earbuds deals Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II $179.00 at Amazon
$279.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like this

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 dealsBest Bluetooth speakers deals Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 $63.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $36.00 Shop Now Why we like this

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 deals

Take $100 off the Dyson Airstrait and get damage-free hair straightening

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 10:44

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 Amazon
$499.99 Save $100.99 Shop Now

Dyson'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 know

This 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.

Who is SYNDI8, HYBE's new AI-generated pop group?

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 09:27

HYBE has launched a new AI-powered artist, SYNDI8, throwing yet another spanner in the debate around AI-generated music and copyright. And this time, it's a girl group.

The K-pop mega label behind the likes of BTS, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, NewJeans, SEVENTEEN, and more unveiled SYNDI8 (pronounced "Syndi-eight") in late June, following weeks of teasers on social media. The group is made up of four members named Canary, Nest, Goyo, and Raven, who hail from the fictional realm of Nansy Land and deploy "voice magic" using "unique magic tools."

Tweet may have been deleted

For SYNDI8, HYBE teamed up once more with AI voice tech company Supertone, which was acquired by HYBE for ₩45 billion (approximately $32 billion) in 2022. HYBE launched its first AI-powered artist MIDNATT last year with Supertone, a virtual alter ego of Korean singer Lee Hyun using his vocals, and featuring specially developed multilingual pronunciation correction technology.

Who is SYNDI8, really?

SYNDI8, Forbes reports, uses AI voice synthesis to create artificial speech that mimics human voices. Supertone's signature AI speech synthesis technology, the NANSY (neural analysis and synthesis) model, "has the special ability to divide and re-assemble voice components", Supertone president Kyogu Lee told Music Business Worldwide.

Member-wise, there's a whole backstory to SYNDI8's origin published on the band's website, detailing the four SYNDI8 members Canary, Nest, Goyo, and Raven.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

According to the group's website, "Nest is the daughter of a scientist from the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) tribe. Canary is the daughter of a chieftain from the Canary (Serinus canaria) tribe. Raven is a hunter from the Common Raven (Corvus corax) tribe. However, Goyo is the only human in Nansy Land."

SYNDI8's debut release, MVP, launched June 27, features three singles "My Fantasy," "ATOTA," and "True Color."

An accompanying YouTube clip titled "Magic Voice Prism: The Journey Begins", credits Kayle of Supertone as executive producer alongside Han and Deja as A&R and voice director, and Chaiyeon Cho and Haeon as tech director. At present, it has 53K views, which is relatively modest by K-pop standards.

But the group's beginning has already been beset with backlash.

Yes, there's already controversy around SYNDI8

Since SYNDI8's release, allegations of plagiarism have emerged around the group's illustrations. Fans have also called out HYBE for the similarity between SYNDI8’s name and that of SEVENTEEN’s Xu MingHao, who’s known as The8.

Virtual groups aren't anything new in K-pop, with artists like K/DA and aespa defining the push into the metaverse and other virtual worlds. K/DA's League of Legends-based members are all voiced by real singers — (G)I-DLE's Miyeon and Soyeon, Madison Beer, and Jaira Burns. And AI-generated group Eternity uses face-swapping tech and AI-generated voices.

But it remains to be seen how audiences respond to HYBE's latest experiment with AI-generated music. HYBE chairman Bang Si-Hyuk told Billboard in 2023, "'I have long doubted that the entities that create and produce music will remain human." And it's not just K-pop; YouTube is reportedly talking to major U.S. labels for AI music deals.

Musicians in the U.S. have been vocal about the threats AI poses to human creativity and compensation, with 200 artists, including Billie Eilish, Stevie Wonder, Nicki Minaj, and more, signing an open letter in April denouncing AI in music. The letter specifically called out companies that were "employing AI to sabotage creativity and undermine artists, songwriters, musicians and rightsholders."

Is Samsung Galaxy S25+ dead? Maybe not.

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 09:21

With Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event around the corner (on July 10, to be exact), we're expecting to see a bunch of phones unveiled, including the new Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, and the Galaxy S25 series of devices.

Typically, we'd expect to see the Samsung Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra launch at the event, but a recent rumor from Android Headlines said there would be no "plus" model this year. The report cited filings in an IMEI database that don't mention the S25+ variant, only the S25 and S25 Ultra.

That would be a pretty big departure from the norm, given that it's been Samsung's practice to launch three variants of its Galaxy S flagship device for years (the division between the "regular" S, the S Plus, and the S Ultra started in 2020, with the launch of Samsung Galaxy S20).

The report may have been premature, though. According to SamMobile, which cites "multiple sources," the Galaxy S25+ is still very much in development.

With no other details in either report, it's tough to figure out who to trust, though we're leaning towards Samsung staying the course it set years ago; in any case, we'll know for sure in a week when Samsung makes it official.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 leak in new pictures

Notably, little has leaked about the Galaxy S25 series of devices this year, though we did hear they're getting pricier compared to last year's models, due to the addition of the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip. On the other side, leaker Evan Blass recently shared images of both the upcoming Z Fold 6 and the Z Flip 6, so we can be fairly certain that those phones are, indeed, coming.

How to Clean Up Your Phone’s Photo Library to Free Up Space

NYT Technology - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 09:00
Deleting duplicates, bad shots and other unwanted files makes it easier to find the good pictures — and gives you room to take more.

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 3

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 06:14

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 3 SEE ALSO: 'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for July 3

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, July 3, 2024:

AcrossDefrosts

  • The answer is thaws.

Event with barrel racing and bull riding

  • The answer is rodeo.

"Gosh darn it!"

  • The answer is aw man (no space).

Rocker who plays himself, as a murder suspect, on Only Murders in the Building

  • The answer is Sting.

Have the ___ for (be attracted to)

  • The answer is hots.

DownTotally awful, in slang

  • The answer is trash.

Words on many self-help books

  • The answer is how to (no space).

Confess

  • The answer is admit.

Gradually introduces to solid food

  • The answer is weans.

Best Original ___ (Oscars category)

  • The answer is song.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Your Apple Watch is filthy. Here's how to clean it.

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 06:00

Getting a new Apple Watch is fun, but learning how to clean your Apple Watch is not — unless you're getting easy-to-follow tips from Mashable.

We're going to tell you how to clean your Apple Watch properly, so you don't have to think about getting a new smartwatch just yet.

SEE ALSO: 7 best Apple Watch apps to download now
How to clean Apple Watch screen

Besides wanting to earn style points for a sleek and stylish timepiece, cleaning your watch and band regularly and thoroughly to get rid of build up of dirt, bacteria and grime is just good hygiene.

Credit: Mashable

To keep the display squeaky clean and "like new," you’ll need a nonabrasive lint-free cloth (so your screen isn’t scratched or damaged). And remember: never soak your watch or dry them with heat. 

  1. Turn off your Apple Watch and remove it from the charger.

  2. Remove your band, especially if it’s leather.

  3. Dampen (not soak) your cloth with water. Do not use soap.

  4. Gently wipe down the screen with the aforementioned cloth.

  5. Dry your watch with a dry cloth.

How to clean Apple Watch band

There are different kinds of Apple watch bands, which means they all have slightly different instructions for cleaning. 

Credit: Mashable

Before you do anything else, remove your band from your watch. 

Leather bands and Hermès knit bands:

  1. Wipe with a cloth.

  2. If needed, lightly dampen the cloth with water. Don’t use soap and don't soak the band.

  3. Let it air dry completely before wearing it and keep it away from heat, high temperatures and direct sunlight.

Solo Loop, Braided Solo Loop, Sport Band, Sport Loop, Ocean Band, Alpine Loop, and Trail Loop, Hermès Rubber bands:

  1. Wipe with a cloth.

  2. If needed, lightly dampen the cloth with water. You can also use a mild hypoallergenic hand soap.

  3. Dry the band with a cloth.

Woven (Apple brand and Hermès), Magnetic link and Buckle bands:

  1. Create a cleaning solution: 1 tsp or 5 mL of liquid laundry detergent and 1 cup or 250 mL of water.

  2. Dip your cloth into the solution and gently rub the cloth on your band for one minute.

  3. Clean with a separate damp cloth.

  4. Dry the band with a cloth and make sure to remove excess moisture.

  5. Make sure you let your band dry for one day before using it again.

Don’t forget to check if your band is water resistant (woven bands and leather bands aren’t). If your band type is not listed, just stick to cleaning with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth, dampen if necessary — and dry with another, lint-free cloth (or follow the cleaning instructions that came with the band).

It's recommended that you wash your Apple Watch band as often as you do laundry: about once every one to two weeks.

Apple Watch $300.00 at eBay
Shop Now

Meta changes AI labels on Instagram and Facebook after backlash

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 05:23

Meta has already changed how AI-generated content is labelled on its platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

In a statement released on July 1, the tech giant said it relied on "industry standard indicators" to make an informed decision on how to approach AI content. Previously, the label read "Made with AI", but will now say "AI Info", a broader title to encompass how AI is used to create photographs and videos posted on Meta apps.

SEE ALSO: Reports that Apple and Meta in talks for an AI partnership disputed

The change comes after backlash from creatives and photographers, and general user confusion, about what "Made with AI" actually means on Meta platforms.

"Like others across the industry, we’ve found that our labels based on these indicators weren’t always aligned with people’s expectations and didn’t always provide enough context," reads the updated blog post.

The new label will indicate content made and/or modified with the use of AI.

2 macOS Sequoia features that you won’t get if you have an Intel MacBook

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 05:00

There's a new version of macOS coming, but your laptop might not get every new feature.

When macOS Sequoia launches later this year, it will introduce a variety of new features, including iPhone screen mirroring to MacBooks. Importantly, according to MacRumors, it will be compatible with any MacBook that currently supports macOS Sonoma, meaning an upgrade may not be necessary. Or will it?

Cutting to the chase, there are a couple of features you'll miss out on if you don't have a MacBook powered by Apple silicon. That means your MacBook needs to have at least an M1 chip inside of it, if not a newer one. So what exactly does macOS Sequoia bring to the table? Let's dive in.

SEE ALSO: iPhone X and first-gen HomePod are now 'vintage' Apple products macOS Sonoma features that won't come to Intel MacBooks

The two macOS Sonoma features you won't get on Intel MacBooks are, unsurprisingly, related to artificial Apple Intelligence.

1. Live audio transcriptions in Notes

The new macOS is getting the ability to record notes within the Apple Notes app and have AI automatically transcribe what is said in them. Well, it's getting that ability if you have an M1 MacBook or better, anyway.

Per MacRumors, this is one of the features you won't get with an Intel MacBook. Live audio transcription can be very useful, so Intel folks will be missing out.

2. Apple Intelligence

Intel MacBook users will be missing out on Apple Intelligence. Apple's AI initiative, which includes partnerships with ChatGPT and possibly Google Gemini, will only work on Apple silicon. (This is due to Intel chips not having a neural engine.) That means people with slightly older iPhones and iPads are out of the picture, too. It's not great, but hey, that's technology.

U.S. government plane snaps intense footage inside mighty Hurricane Beryl

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 05:00

A U.S. reconnaissance plane swooped through Hurricane Beryl — the earliest-recorded Category 5 storm to ever form in the Atlantic Ocean basin.

The powerful hurricane capitalized upon anomalously warm sea surface temperatures and favorable atmospheric conditions to intensify into a powerful cyclone, with winds reaching some 165 mph. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sent a hardy four-engine turboprop aircraft through the tempest in a mission to gather valuable storm observations. Meteorologists then feed this data into complex computer simulations to forecast the storm's future track and intensity.

On July 2, the agency posted images the mission captured as it flew through the hurricane's eye. In the views below, you're looking at a grandiose "stadium effect," showing Beryl's towering stack of clouds.

SEE ALSO: If a scary asteroid will actually strike Earth, here's how you'll know

"OVER THE CARIBBEAN - Inside the eye of Category 5 Hurricane #Beryl!" NOAA's Aircraft Operations Center wrote on the website X, formerly Twitter. "NOAA WP-3D Orion #NOAA43 'Miss Piggy' continues operations into Hurricane #Beryl to collect data for hurricane forecasting and research."

A NOAA hurricane hunter craft flies through the eye of Hurricane Beryl on July 2, 2024. Credit: NOAA The "stadium effect," as seen by hurricane hunters in the eye of Hurricane Beryl. Credit: NOAA Tweet may have been deleted

Although the eye of a hurricane is relatively calm, the storm's strongest winds are located in those cloudy walls, called the eyewall. Strong rotating winds create these iconic, if not unsettling, hurricane eyes.

Though a number of factors influence the formation of strong hurricanes (a lack of opposing winds that can break apart storms, moist air, etc.), a vital influence is warm sea surface temperatures of over 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). Warm oceans act as jet fuel for hurricanes, storm scientists explain. That's because warmer oceans fuel tropical storms as more water naturally evaporates into the air, giving storms energy and moisture to intensify.

Tweet may have been deleted

In the coming years and decades, increasingly warmer oceans may play a role in boosting the odds of rapidly intensifying hurricanes, which pose a great risk to people in hurricane country. Beryl, for example, intensified from a tropical depression (winds of 38 mph or less) to a major hurricane (111 mph or above) in under 48 hours. That's fast.

The extremely absorbent oceans soak up over 90 percent of the heat that humans, due to fossil fuel burning, trap on Earth. And there's no sign of ocean warmth slowing down. Today, Atlantic hurricanes are already twice as likely to develop from a milder storm into a major hurricane.

Beryl, now churning through the Caribbean, is expected to remain a powerful hurricane this week and will bring "Life-Threatening Winds and Storm Surge to Jamaica on Wednesday," the National Hurricane Center said.

Snag a new laptop for less with the best 4th of July laptop deals

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 05:00

The 4th of July is just days away, and that means the best 4th of July deals are up for grabs. Check out our picks for some of the best laptop deals you can find ahead of the holiday:

Overview Best Laptop Deal Lenovo IdeaPad (AMD Ryzen 7 5700U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $479.99 at Best Buy (Save $320) Get Deal Best Chromebook Deal HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c (128GB SSD) $509.99 at HP (Save $280) Get Deal Best Gaming Laptop Deal Acer Nitro V 15 (Intel Core i7-13620H, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $849.99 at Amazon (Save $150) Get Deal

Laptops can be huge purchases. That's why it's a good idea to shop for them around sales holidays when you can potentially save some serious cash. The 4th of July is just a couple of days away, but there is already a wide selection of laptops on sale to choose from at a variety of retailers.

Whether you want a daily driver, a gaming laptop to play some of the year's hottest releases, or a Chromebook to handle the kids' homework, there's something out there for you. You just don't need to pay full price when there are sales events everywhere right now – including the upcoming Amazon Prime Day, where you can also expect to see price cuts across just about every category.

We've rounded up several of our favorite deals that you can pick up right now ahead of the holiday. Be sure and grab yours quickly, because they won't last long.

Best laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Lenovo IdeaPad (AMD Ryzen 7 5700U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $479.99 at Best Buy
$799.99 Save $320.00 Get Deal Why we like it

This affordable IdeaPad is a great overall pick for anyone in the market for a new laptop. It boasts a large 15-inch touch display, powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and 16GB of RAM with a 512GB SSD. It weighs just 3.53 pounds, and at just 0.7 inches thick, it's a great pick to take along with you or leave at home as your desktop replacement. Plus, it comes with a webcam as well so you can take all your work calls and hang out with friends and family straight from your computer. And if you need physical media, it even has an SD card reader built-in, a rarity these days.

Best Chromebook deal Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c (128GB SSD) $509.99 at HP
$789.99 Save $280.00 Get Deal Why we like it

This 14-inch Chromebook comes packed with useful AI features that can help you figure out what to write next, edit photos, and create your own wallpapers. Most importantly, it's perfectly portable and lightweight so it makes for a good on-the-go computer or daily driver for work or play. It has an excellent keyboard, a variety of accessible ports, and plenty of RAM to handle just about anything you throw at it. For a Chromebook under $600, it's an excellent option — and maybe something to give any of the students for their homework needs.

Best gaming laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Acer Nitro V 15 (Intel Core i7-13620H, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $999.99 at Amazon
Get Deal Why we like it

This budget gaming laptop took home our Mashable Choice Award thanks to its low price and range of fantastic features. Not only does it boast a powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU and an Intel Core i7 H-series processor, but it's able to run just about every one of the latest titles available now, plus it's capable of handling the other games coming down the pipeline. It's an attractive computer at that, with 16GB of RAM to back up the power it's got under the hood. If you've had your eye on a gaming laptop for some time, you really can't go wrong with this one for the price.

More laptop deals:

Save $10 off the Steam key to the wildly popular World War Z video game

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Pay only $19 for the Steam key to World War Z and slay zombies on your PC.

Remember the days when zombies were almost everywhere in pop culture? Nearly every company had its own version of the undead. But truth be told, only a few managed to leave a lasting bite, and one of those was World War Z.

If you're still not over Brad Pitt's zombie-slaying spree, you can step into his shoes with the World War Z video game. Even better, the Steam key for PC gaming is on sale for $19 (reg. $29.99). Inspired by the blockbuster Paramount Pictures film, it promises fast-paced gameplay that should keep you on edge and, probably, yelling at your screen.

This co-op third-person shooter allows up to four players, taking you on a global zombie-killing tour from New York to Moscow, Japan, and Jerusalem. Your main goal? Outlive the dead (obviously) by battling swarms of zombies. But these aren't your typical brain-dead walkers; the in-game zombie hordes are designed to move like real crowds and get progressively harder to defeat as you advance through the game.

While you can always tough it out and play solo, where's the fun in that? The game allows for teaming up with friends in PvPvZ modes. You can choose your class, level up to different classes with distinct perks and play styles, and unlock weapon upgrades to tackle even tougher challenges.

Now's your chance to take on the zombie apocalypse, Pitt-style. Normally retailing for $29.99, you can score the Steam key to World War Z on sale for just $19 — no coupon necessary.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Aspyr World War Z: Steam Key for PC Gaming $19.00 at The Mashable Shop
$29.99 Save $10.99 Get Deal

Easily edit and convert PDFs for life for just $25

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Effortlessly convert your documents with a lifetime license to PDF Converter Pro, on sale for only $24.97 (reg. $99) through July 21. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker PDF Converter Pro: Lifetime License $24.97 at The Mashable Shop
$99.99 Save $75.02 Get Deal

When you need a high-quality PDF, this all-in-one converter and creator software makes it easy to convert PDF documents into several formats or processes. PDF Converter Pro's software preserves original layouts, texts, images, and hyperlinks without compromising the document's clarity.

Effortlessly convert your documents with a lifetime license to PDF Converter Pro, on sale for only $24.97 (reg. $99) through July 21.

Converter Pro gives you the ability to convert to and from PDF to several document formats, including MS Word, JPG, Excel, and more. The built-in OCR technology lets you extract text from image-based PDF documents with the original format and graph when converting scanned PDFs. 

Other features include merging multiple PDFs into one document, splitting, and compressing. Easily extract JPGs and PNGs from PDFs in a single click. Whether you’re an at-home or professional user, there comes a time when we all need a document signed, converted, or edited, and this PDF document conversion tool makes it simple. 

With PDF Converter Pro, you’ll never have to worry about the security of your documents. Lock or unlock your PDFs with password protection encryption and rest easy knowing your data is secure. 

Upon purchase, you’ll get a lifetime license to PDF Converter Pro for desktop access on up to devices. Be sure your system requirements are updated to Windows 8/10/11 or macOS X 10.8 or later. 

Get a lifetime license to PDF Converter Pro for just $24.97 (reg. $99) through July 21. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Host unlimited websites for life for 74% off

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Enjoy a lifetime subscription to HostVerge and get your websites up and running conveniently for only $178.99 (reg. $699) for a limited time. 

Opens in a new window Credit: HostVerge HostVerge: Lifetime Subscription (Tier 4) $178.99 at The Mashable Shop
$699.00 Save $520.01 Get Deal

Having a website is a crucial part of running a business. Even if your business has a physical location or shop, it's your digital storefront that informs potential customers about you before they even walk inside. So if you're trying to get your new venture off the ground or bring your old one into 2024, it's probably time to make a website. And HostVerge is there to make hosting plans for that website much more convenient. 

HostVerge offers top-tier hosting services, ideal for e-commerce businesses, entrepreneurs, and agencies alike, in one convenient spot. And right now you can secure a Tier 4 subscription to host an unlimited number of websites for life for just $178.99 for a limited time. 

There are numerous perks to using HostVerge, like unlimited SSD storage and bandwidth for your website, a free Content Delivery Network that helps your site load faster, and SSL certificates that help your future websites load quickly and stay secure. And one-click installation means your sites will be live in no time, as it works with popular platforms like WordPress, Joomla, OpenCart, and more. 

This Tier 4 lifetime subscription includes unlimited websites, so you can create them both now and in the future for a one-time low price. There's also unlimited storage offered, so you can utilize as many files, databases, and media as you want in your site. 24/7 customer service and WordPress support is all included as well, so if you need any help it's just a few clicks away. 

Host online for life with this lifetime subscription to HostVerge, now $178.99 (reg. $699) right here for a limited time. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

GPT-4, Gemini Pro, MistralAI, and more join forces with this lifetime AI tool

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: 1minAI puts AI models from OpenAI, Meta, Google, and more at your disposal to generate text, images, or edit audio, and you can get it for life for $39.99. 

ChatGPT was a huge deal when it dropped, but it's not the only big AI model on the playground anymore. GPT-4 is pretty fancy, but it's not always the best option for every type of content you want to create. The only problem is if you want more options, that often means more subscriptions. At least, it would if you didn't have the option to get multiple AI models for life in one place by getting 1minAI. This lifetime subscription gives you access to GPT-4, Mistral AI, and a lot more for just $39.99. 

What does 1minAI do?

One AI hub where you can access models for generating text, images, and editing audio seems a little too good to be true, so here's the catch. There's a finite amount you can generate every month, but you get 450,000 free credits per month, and unused credits roll over. If you're using 1min for work, that means your vacation time isn't wasting credits you've already paid for. 

The list of AI models included with 1min is seriously impressive. Check it out: 

  • GPT-4o, GPT-4 Turbo, GPT-4, GPT-3.5 (OpenAI)

  • Claude 3 Opus, Claude 3 Sonnet, Claude 3 Haiku, Claude 2.1, Claude Instant 1.2 (Anthropic)

  • Gemini Pro 1.5, Gemini Pro 1.0 (GoogleAI)

  • Llama 3, Llama 2 (MetaAI)

  • MistralAI

  • Command (Cohere)

The AI writing tools are super versatile. Working on an SEO project? Save time doing keyword research. Can't remember what passive voice is? One can be helped by an AI grammar tool. There's even a paraphraser for research and a ton of social tools for writing Facebook, LinkedIn, and X content. 

Not all of these AI models are for generating text. You can generate images, turn text to speech or speech to text, enhance videos, or even use AI to look over a PDF file. Now, instead of skimming a whole long document, you can just ask AI to answer your questions for you. 

Your AI team

You don't have to subscribe to every big AI tool. 

Just get a lifetime subscription to 1minAI for $39.99. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1minAI: Lifetime Subscription $39.99 at The Mashable Shop
$234.00 Save $194.01 Get Deal

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