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If you've scrolled on TikTok in the past week you've likely heard the refrain "And when I'm back in Chicago" over, and over, and over again.
The snippet comes from the platform's latest runaway hit, Djo's 2022 song "End of Beginning." It's soundtracked a whopping 2.2 million videos and counting on the app — a truly spectacular jump from last month's 18,000.
SEE ALSO: Why the internet stans IrelandWith users addicted to nostalgia, its unsurprising that the cinematic, dream-pop song took off on TikTok. It lends itself to yearn-posting for a city you've since moved away from, fan edits of The Bear, and it has the added bonus that it's written by someone the platform already loves, Joe Keery — the actor who plays fan-favorite Steve Harrington on Stranger Things.
But there's one thing about the virality of "End of Beginning" that's different, making it virtually inescapable on the platform.
At the end of January, Universal Music Group (UMG) pulled its catalog from TikTok after negotiations dissolved between the music giant and the social media platform. UMG cited "appropriate compensation for our artists and songwriters, protecting human artists from the harmful effects of AI, and online safety for TikTok’s users" in an open letter as three key issues TikTok failed to address. In February UMG removed all songs controlled by Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), which includes any song that a UMG signed-artist wrote or co-wrote. TikTok estimated that UMG owned 20 to 30 percent of the popular music on the platform.
The ubiquity of "End of Beginning" is the first death knell for post-UMG TikTok. It's a moving song, but its omnipresence is a sign of the lack of music on the app. In the past, there could have been a dozen songs going viral on TikTok in any given week, and now our FYPs are either repetitive or music-less. It's long been an engagement hack to use a trending song for an unrelated video, and with only "End of Beginning" and a couple others that don't compete with its stats ("Austin" by DASHA has been used in 353,000 videos, Madison Beer's "Make You Mine" sits at 236,000 videos, even Beyoncé's "TEXAS HOLD 'EM" is only at 644,000) what used to be a hub for music discovery now sounds stale and monotonous.
Frustrated users took to making videos about the oversaturation of several songs on their FYPs. One TikTok about "End of Beginning" reads, "Realize that bro's song was good until people started over using it" — and it has garnered 3.8 million views and nearly 400,000 likes. Another user, @itstweedle.dee, posted a video, pleading, "TikTok please don't make me block these songs." She went on to say, "I'm talking like every single video...back to back to back. I cannot breathe. My ears cannot breathe." The video received 2 million views and 200,000 likes.
On X / Twitter, a user posted the lyric "When I'm back in Chicago" with a video of someone being shot to convey how sick of hearing the song they are. The post scored 18,000 likes.
Tweet may have been deletedWithout UMG's catalog, the platform must adapt or users may turn elsewhere.
SAVE $21.99: The Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds are just $278 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $299.99. That's a 7% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds $278.00 at AmazonWireless earbuds have made massive advancements in the last decade and Sony's been a leader in sound quality. If you're looking for top-of-the-line earbuds that come with some unique features, today's sale at Amazon is just one click away.
As of March 20, the Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds are just $278 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $299.99. That's a discount of $21.99 and a price that beats the sale price currently offered at Sony.
Bluetooth noise-cancelling earbuds can be incredible if you're commuting to the office or trying to get work done in a busy cafe. The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds use an AI-based noise reduction algorithm and a bone conduction sensor to help block out unwanted background sounds.
The design is intended to be lightweight and comfortable, which comes in handy since you can get up to 8 hours of battery life from the Sony buds, and up to 24 hours with the included charging case. If you need a quick recharge, using the case for just three minutes will get you another hour of listening time.
SEE ALSO: The 8 best earbuds on Amazon start at just $9The Sony WF-1000XM5 also come with the unique feature of the ability to pair with two Bluetooth devices at the same time. This means you could be listening to music while paired to your phone, but switch to your computer for an important work meeting. They also use Sony's Speak-to-Chat technology which automatically pauses the music when you start talking.
If you're hoping to upgrade your wireless earbuds as we head into the second quarter, today's sale price at Amazon offers the Sony WF-1000XM5 for just $278. Considering their battery life and special features, it could be well worth the upgrade.
Want to protect your anonymity? Don't use Glassdoor.
The site, which has been popular for years because it gives people an anonymous way to talk a whole bunch of mess about their employers, has allegedly been attaching users' real names to their anonymous profiles, per Ars Technica. This is evidently due to Glassdoor's acquisition of the networking app Fishbowl. If you have a Glassdoor account, that means you also now have a Fishbowl account, and the latter requires a real name while the former does not.
SEE ALSO: Google and Fitbit are building an AI personal trainerIt should be noted that this information is not presented publicly on a user's Glassdoor profile, but is instead stored in the back-end. By default, employers shouldn't be able to find that information. Crucially, this all happened without Glassdoor users' consent.
This is obviously tricky and uncomfortable for a number of reasons. Glassdoor is a valuable resource for honest criticism of bad workplace practices at companies, big and small. If a software update introduced an unforeseen glitch, or bad-faith actors committed a data breach, real names could surface and become tied to specific users in some way.
Maybe find somewhere else to talk about your old jobs.
SAVE $30: Normally $329.99, the Acer Aspire 3 (AMD Ryzen 3 7320U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) is on sale for just $299.99 during the Amazon Big Spring Sale.
Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Aspire 3 $299.99 at AmazonAmazon has a big-name laptop on sale for just under $300 during its inaugural Big Spring Sale — and it's not a dinky little Chromebook.
As of March 20, a variant of last year's Acer Aspire 3 is marked down to $299.99, or $30 off its suggested retail price of $329.99. (Meanwhile, it's still full price on the Acer website.) That's not a super dramatic discount or a match of its all-time low on Amazon — it hit $249.99 there back in December — but it's still a compelling and satisfying price for a competent low-budget laptop.
SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here: Shop Apple devices, robot vacuums, unlocked phones, moreFor context, this particular configuration packs an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor from late 2022, 8GB of memory, and 128GB of SSD storage. While those specs aren't much to write home about, they're much better than the hardware we usually encounter at the sub-$300 price point: 4GB of RAM and slower eMMC storage are much more common. (Those eight gigs of RAM are especially noteworthy.) When you factor in its 15.6-inch 1080p display, you've got a solid pick for basic multitasking and YouTube-watching.
Amazon's Spring Sale 2024 is scheduled to run through March 25, but we're not sure how long this deal will be live. It might be worth holding out a few days to see if it returns to its record low. Otherwise, $299.99 is still a bargain.
The wait for Apple's new iPad Pro has been torturous. The slow drip of rumors about the OLED iPad Pro has covered everything from designs to production schedules to price. However, new rumors from a leaker in China suggest that the new iPad Pro may come matte display for the first time.
SEE ALSO: iPad Air, iPad Pro: The rumored release date window for the ‘biggest revamp ever’As reported on by MacRumors, known Weibo leaker Instant Digital has reported that the new iPad Pro will feature an optional matte display alongside the traditional glossy finish. Matte screen protectors have gained popularity among iPad users, suggesting Apple may be responding to consumer preferences by offering a built-in matte option.
As one Reddit user said a year ago, "Just put on a matte screen protector and it’s a game changer."
The leaks suggest that the matte display might also include blue-light blocking technology. However, it's unclear if this display will utilize "nano-texture glass," similar to Apple's Pro Display XDR and Studio Display. As Mac Rumors explains, nano-texture glass is used for reducing glare and preserving image quality through an etched surface; it has some very complex cleaning requirements so it's usually only used for desktop displays.
The introduction of optional matte displays for the iPad Pro may extend to future iPad Air releases, but that remains unclear according to the leak. It may also mean further justification for the insane price increase that's already rumored; the new price may be around $1,500.
GET 21% OFF: Snag a Shark AV1010AE IQ self-emptying robot vacuum for just $299.99 during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. That's $80 off the original listing price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Our pick: Shark AV1010AE IQ Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base $299.99 at AmazonAmazon's Big Spring Sale is finally live, and hundreds of deals are available. From tablets to fitness gear to TVs, there's a little something for everyone looking to upgrade their tech and home appliances. If you're in the market for a new vacuum or want to get a head start on your spring cleaning, there are plenty of deals on vacuums, including robot and upright models.
One deal that stands out is the Shark AV1010AE IQ Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base, on sale for $299.99, or $80 off its list price of $379.99.
SEE ALSO: Spring cleaning just got easier with a ton of robot vacuums on sale at Amazon's Big Spring SaleThis self-emptying robot vacuum's advanced features and powerful suction make it a great addition to any household. (Even if you have an upright vacuum already, a robot vacuum can be a convenient and time-saving option for keeping your floors clean.) It includes a self-emptying base that can hold up to 45 days' worth of dirt and debris, meaning you won't have to worry about emptying the dustbin for over a month. It also has built-in mapping and smart sensor technology that helps it navigate and clean your home without getting stuck or missing any spots (or avoiding the room the cat is in).
With the Shark app, you can schedule cleanings and control the robot vacuum from your smartphone, no matter how far away you are. Or, if you prefer voice control, the Shark robot vacuum is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
SAVE $70: As of March 20, get a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 for just $79.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 47%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 $79.99Need a new pair of earbuds, but don't want to go the Apple route? Maybe you've tried a variety of wireless options and none of them did the trick. May we suggest a pair of Samsung's Galaxy Buds 2? These affordable earbuds are a great alternative to Apple AirPods that sound fantastic – and thanks to the Amazon Big Spring Sale, you can get them for a steep discount.
As of March 20, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 are on sale for $79.99. That's $70 off their normal price of $149.99 and a discount of 47%. It's also $20 less than the previous time we highlighted the earbuds on sale, so you're getting an even better deal this time around.
SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here: Shop Apple devices, robot vacuums, unlocked phones, moreMashable reviewer Alex Perry tested the 2021 buds and reported they "put AirPods to shame." Perry praised them as being "super comfortable" and concluded that they do much of what Apple and other Samsung earbud options can do for "substantially less," including great active noise cancellation, crisp sound quality, and useful touch commands.
All of this for less than $100 during the Big Spring Sale makes a lot of sense if you need a new pair of earbuds. Don't wait too long, though — this deal may not last given how steep the discount is.
UP TO 25% OFF: Score up to 25% off instant cameras during Amazon's Big Spring Sale.
Our top picks: Best deal overall KODAK Mini Shot 2 Retro 4PASS 2-in-1 Instant Digital Camera and 68 photo sheets bundle $116.99 at Amazon (save $43 ) Get Deal Best runner-up deal KODAK Mini Shot 3 Retro 4PASS 2-in-1 Instant Digital Camera and 68 photo sheets bundle $129.97 at Amazon (save $50.02) Get Deal Best budget deal KODAK Printomatic Instant Camera gift bundle $99.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get DealSmartphones are cool, but your memories aren't exactly safe if they're tucked away in a digital folder. One wrong move (e.g., losing your phone, spammy email attack, etc.) and all those priceless moments could be lost forever. That's why it's important to have a backup plan, and what better way to capture and preserve your memories than with an instant camera?
SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is brimming with phone accessory dealsThese little gadgets are super cute (they've got a vintage vibe), easy to use, and instantly produce physical prints, so you can hang them on your wall or stick them in a photo album.
With up to 25% off instant cameras during Amazon's Big Spring Sale, now's a great time to grab one and capture those special moments you want to cherish forever.
Here are our favorite deals from the Amazon sale:
Best deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Kodak Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro 4PASS 2-in-1 Instant Digital Camera and 68 photo sheets bundle $116.99 at AmazonThe Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro 4PASS 2-in-1 Instant Digital Camera and 68 photo sheets bundle is the best instant camera deal you can find during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. (If you want the sheets included, this is a great bundle to snag.)
This digital camera has a built-in printer, so you can print photos on the spot without needing a separate printer. You can also print photos from your smartphone via Bluetooth connectivity.
Choose from bordered or borderless prints and enjoy vibrant, high-quality images with its 4PASS printing technology. The prints are also fingerprint proof, waterproof, and said to last up to 100 years.
Best runner-up deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kodak Kodak Mini Shot 3 Retro 4PASS 2-in-1 Instant Digital Camera and 68 photo sheets bundle $129.97 at AmazonFor a few more bucks, you can snag the Kodak Mini Shot 3 Retro 4PASS 2-in-1 Instant Digital Camera and 68 photo sheets bundle. With this camera, you can print 3 x 3 inch photos great for scrapbooking, framing, or sharing with friends.
This camera features the 4PASS technology for high-quality prints that are smudge-proof, water-resistant, and durable. It also has Bluetooth connectivity, so you can print photos from your smartphone. Plus, with the Kodak app, you can add fun filters, frames, and stickers to your photos before printing them for a personalized touch.
Best budget deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kodak Kodak Printomatic Instant Camera gift bundle $99.99 at AmazonIf you're on a budget, this Kodak Printomatic Instant Camera gift bundle is a pretty good deal. For $99.99, you'll get the camera, 20 sheets of sticky photo paper, a camera case, seven sticker sets, a pack of markers, and a photo album.
The camera features a 5MP sensor, a wide-angle f/2 lens, and an automatic flash. You can continue shooting while the camera prints your last photo; the prints are smudge-proof and water-resistant.
It also comes in a variety of bright colors, including blue, neon green, and pink.
SAVE $150: The Garmin Venu 2 (GPS) is just $249.99, down from the normal price of $399.99. That's a 38% discount and a return to its lowest price ever.
Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Venu 2 (GPS, slate bezel with black case and silicone band) $249.99 at AmazonGarmin makes some of the best fitness trackers in the industry, and many come with better battery life than competitors. If you're tired of charging your smartwatch every night (and missing out on sleep tracking) this Garmin deal at Amazon could be a great fit for you.
As of March 20, the Garmin Venu 2 (GPS) is just $249.99 at Amazon, down from the regular price of $399.99. That's a 38% discount or savings of $150. This sale price marks a return to the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.
SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is full of fitness tracker deals — here are the best onesDoes your smartwatch constantly tell you the battery is low? if you're not thrilled about a fitness tracker going dead while you're in the middle of a workout, the Garmin Venu 2 focuses on offering all the features you've come to rely on while also having a longer battery life. In GPS mode, the watch gets about 19 hours of battery life, but when in smartwatch mode, you can get up to 11 days of battery life. That means you'd only need to charge once each week. The watch display uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for durability and a bright AMOLED so you'll have an easier time when looking at the watch in summer's sunlight.
If you're a music lover, the Garmin Venu 2 comes with some great features. You can download up to 650 songs to the watch including playlists from your favorite apps like Spotify or Amazon Music. When it comes to working out, follow along with preloaded workouts that range from cardio to yoga to strength training. Not only can you track these workouts, but Garmin gives users a fitness snapshot by including metrics like overall Body Battery and a sleep score each night.
If your current fitness tracker is feeling tired, the Garmin Venu 2 could be ideal. Thanks to Amazon's Big Spring Sale, the watch could be your new favorite accessory for just $249.99.
GPT-5, OpenAI's highly-anticipated model that would power ChatGPT, is reportedly only a few months away.
According to Business Insider, OpenAI is expected to release the new large language model (LLM) this summer. What's more, some enterprise customers who have access to the GPT-5 demo say it's way better than GPT-4. "It's really good, like materially better," according to a CEO who spoke with the publication. The new model reportedly still needs to be red-teamed, which means being adversarially tested for ethical and safety concerns. Successful red-teaming will ultimately determine when GPT-5 is released.
SEE ALSO: Robots can learn like humans thanks to OpenAI spinoffOpenAI's ChatGPT has been largely responsible for kicking off the generative AI frenzy that has Big Tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Apple developing consumer-facing tools. Google's Gemini is a competitor that powers its own freestanding chatbot as well as work-related tools for other products like Gmail and Google Docs. Microsoft, a major OpenAI investor, uses GPT-4 for Copilot, its generative AI service that acts as a virtual assistant for Microsoft 365 apps and various Windows 11 features. As of this week, Google is reportedly in talks with Apple over potentially adding Gemini to the iPhone, in addition to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices which already have Gemini features.
Expectations are high for the upcoming GPT-5 model. In a recent podcast interview with Lex Fridman, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman fanned the hype flames by saying, "I think [GPT-4] kind of sucks," before adding "I expect that the delta between 5 and 4 will be the same as between 4 and 3," referring to the vast improvement of GPT-4 from GPT-3. "I think it is our job to live a few years in the future and remember that the tools we have now are going to kind of suck looking backwards at them and that’s how we make sure the future is better," Altman continued.
Altman didn't say when GPT-5 would be released, or whether it would even be called "GPT-5", but confirmed, "we will release an amazing new model this year." Altman was vague about what makes it so amazing, but said the technical side is particularly important to defining what the final product will look like.
Amidst OpenAI's myriad achievements, like a video generator called Sora, controversies have swiftly followed. OpenAI has not definitively shared any information about how Sora was trained, which has creatives questioning whether their data was used without credit or compensation. OpenAI is also facing multiple lawsuits related to copyright infringement from news outlets — with one coming from The New York Times, and another coming from The Intercept, Raw Story, and AlterNet. Elon Musk, an early investor in OpenAI also recently filed a lawsuit against the company for its convoluted non-profit, yet kind of for-profit status.
UPDATE: Mar. 20, 2024, 11:45 a.m. EDT This story has been updated with new robot vacuum, tablet, Fire TV, and Motorola phone deals from day one of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, live now through March 25.
Best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals at a glance: Best Apple deal Apple AirPods Pro (USB-C) $189 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal Best laptop deal Samsung Galaxy Book3 $619.99 at Amazon (save $380) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal iRobot Roomba j7 $299.99 at Amazon (save $300) Get Deal Best headphones/earbuds deal Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation (2nd Gen) $54.99 at Amazon (save $65) Get Deal Best TV deal TCL 75-inch Q6 QLED TV $599.99 at Amazon (save $300) Get Deal Best unlocked phone deal Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (256GB) $1,149.99 at Amazon (save $150) Get Deal Best phone accessory deal Anker MagGo $82.49 at Amazon (save $27.50) Get Deal Best Fire device deal Amazon Fire Max 11 (128GB) $199.99 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal Best fitness tracker deal Garmin Forerunner 255 $249.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal Best outdoor security camera deal Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera $77.99 at Amazon (save $51.99) Get DealSpring temperatures are melting prices at Amazon. The retail giant is hosting a new seasonal savings event this week called the "Big Spring Sale" (very apt), and it's not just another iteration of its flagship Prime Day sale.
Live now through Monday, March 25 at amazon.com/bigspringsale, the Big Spring Sale is a first-of-its-kind event featuring deals that revolve around "seasonally relevant items" and "warm-weather essentials," according to a post on Amazon's blog. That includes sports and outdoor equipment, cleaning and organizing products, and select electronics, from Apple devices to Fire tablets.
In a deviation from Prime Day, Amazon's biggest savings event of the year, the Big Spring Sale isn't entirely restricted to members of its paid Prime subscription service. However, the company's announcement notes that members "will receive access to exciting, exclusive deals" as part of it. If you haven't signed up for Prime yet, you can jumpstart a 14-day trial for free.
Keep reading for the Mashable Shopping team's running list of hand-picked highlights from the Big Spring Sale, and check back often: New doorbusters are being added every day.
Best Amazon Spring Sale Apple deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro (USB-C) $189.00 at AmazonRead Mashable's full review of the Apple AirPods Pro USB-C.
"The USB-C AirPods Pro came onto the scene last year, offering a much-needed upgrade with its charging port, while keeping the features we loved on the Lightning Pros. With these earbuds, you get maximum portability, great functionality with Apple devices, and some of the best ANC you can find on a pair of earbuds. At $189, these buds have returned to their lowest price ever, making now a great time to buy." — Bethany Allard, Lead Shopping Reporter
More Apple dealsApple accessories
Apple AirTag — $24 $29 (save $5)
Apple Pencil 2 — $79 $129 (save $50)
Apple AirTags (4-pack) — $82.99 $99 (save $16.99)
Apple Watches
Apple Watch SE, 2nd Gen (44mm, GPS) — $219 $279 (save $60)
Apple Watch SE, 2nd Gen (44mm, GPS + cellular) — $269 $329 (save $60)
Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS) — $329 $399 (save $70)
Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS) — $379 $429 (save $50)
Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS + cellular) — $429 $499 (save $70)
Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS + cellular) — $429 $529 (save $100)
iPads
Apple iPad, 10.2-inch (WiFi, 64GB) — $249 $329 (save $80)
Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (WiFi, 64GB) — $349 $449 (save $100)
Apple iPad Air, 10.9-inch (WiFi, 64GB) — $449.99 $599 (save $149.01)
Apple iPad mini (WiFi, 64GB) — $399.99 $499 (save $99.01)
Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (WiFi + cellular, 64GB) — $499 $599 (save $100)
Apple iPad Air, 10.9-inch (WiFi + cellular, 64GB) — $599.99 $749 (save $149.01)
Apple iPad mini (WiFi + cellular, 256GB) — $629 $799 (save $170)
Macbooks
Apple MacBook Air, 13.6-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,049.99 $1,099 (save $49.01)
Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,234 $1,299 (save $65)
Apple MacBook Pro, 14.2-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,399.99 $1,599 (save $199.01 with on-page coupon)
Apple MacBook Pro, 14.2-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,599.99 $1,799 (save $199.01 with on-page coupon)
Macs
Apple Mac mini (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $699 $799 (save $100)
FYI: Scroll back up to the Apple deals section if you're looking for discounts on MacBooks.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Book3 $619.99 at Amazon"Samsung just released its new Galaxy Book4 series laptops in the U.S., so it makes total sense for Amazon to drop last year's Galaxy Book3 down to this new record-low price. This specific configuration of the sleek entry-level laptop includes a 13th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, a healthy 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. Note that it comes installed with Windows 11 Pro (which includes BitLocker encryption), not the standard Windows 11 Home version." — Haley Henschel, Senior Shopping Reporter
More laptop dealsTraditional laptops
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro, 14-inch (Intel Core i5-1340P, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $969.99 $1,449.99 (save $480)
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro, 16-inch (Intel Core i5-1340P, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $969.99 $1,549.99 (save $580)
2-in-1 laptops
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Gaming laptops
ASUS TUF Gaming F15 (Intel Core i5-12500H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $799.99 $899.99 (save $100)
ASUS ROG Strix G15 (AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 16GB DDR5, 512GB SSD) — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)
ASUS ROG Strix G17 (AMD Ryzen 7 6800H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $999.99 $1,199.99 (save $200)
ASUS TUF Gaming A17 (AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,299.99 (save $200)
ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (AMD Ryzen 7 7940HS, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,399.99 $1,699.99 (save $300)
ASUS ROG Strix G16 (Intel Core i9-13980HX, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,799.99 $1,999.99 (save $200)
"We're always going to sound the alarm when a 50% discount is spotted on a Roomba. Even without mopping or self-emptying capabilities, the Roomba j7 is still one of the most solid Roombas — and robot vacuums in general — that you could bring home, and that's all due to small obstacle avoidance. On top of room-to-room smart mapping, any j series Roomba steers clear of things like phone chargers, pet waste, and socks. This capability, which we first experienced when testing the Combo j7+, is an absolute game-changer if your previous gripe with robot vacuums was that you had to clean up the room before sending them out to clean." — Leah Stodart, Senior Shopping Reporter
More robot vacuum dealsiRobot Roomba 692 — $169.99 $269 (save $99.01)
eufy L60 — $199.99 $279.99 (save $80)
iRobot Roomba Combo i5 robot vacuum and mop — $259.79 $349.99 (save $90.20)
Eufy G30 Hybrid robot vacuum and mop with self-emptying — $269.99 $429.99 (save $160 with Prime)
Roborock Q5 Pro robot vacuum and mop — $279.99 $429.99 (save $150 with Prime)
Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop — $299.99 $449.99 (save $150)
Shark IQ AV1010AE with self-emptying — $299.99 $379.99 (save $80)
Eufy L60 with self-emptying — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100 with Prime)
Shark AI AV2501 with self-emptying — $349.99 $649.99 (save $300)
Roborock Q5+ — $379.99 $699.99 (save $320)
Ecovacs Deebot N10 Plus robot vacuum and mop with self-emptying — $349.99 $649.99 (save $300)
Eufy X8 Pro with self-emptying— $399.99 $649.99 (save $250)
Roborock Q7 Max+ robot vacuum and mop with self-emptying — $419.99 $869.99 (save $450 with on-page coupon)
Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 with self-emptying — $429.99 $699.99 (save $270)
Eufy X9 Pro robot vacuum and mop with self-emptying — $599.99 $899.99 (save $300)
Ecovacs Deebot T10 Omni robot vacuum and mop with self-emptying — $629.99 $1,199.99 (save $570)
Roborock S8+ robot vacuum and mop with self-emptying — $699.99 $999.99 (save $300)
Roborock Q Revo robot vacuum and mop with self-emptying — $699.99 $899.99 (save $200 with on-page coupon)
Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni robot vacuum and mop with self-emptying — $799.99 $1,549.99 (save $750)
Dreame L20 Ultra robot vacuum and mop with self-emptying — $899.99 $1,499.99 (save $600 with on-page coupon)
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra robot vacuum and mop with self-emptying — $999.99 $1,599.99 (save $600)
Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni robot vacuum and mop with self-emptying — $1,099.99 $1,499.99 (save $400)
Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum and mop with self-emptying — $1,199.99 $1,399.99 (save $200 with on-page coupon)
FYI: Scroll back up to the Apple deals section if you're looking for discounts on AirPods.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation (2nd Gen) $54.99 at AmazonRead Mashable's full review of the Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation (2nd Gen).
"We're not going to lie, it can be a little tricky to find more-than-decent ANC on a pair of budget earbuds. At their full price of $119.99, the Echo Buds already offer a fairly enticing price point for that criteria, but at $54.99, that's nearly unbeatable. Mashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry wrote in his Echo Buds review, 'Considering how much cheaper these are than other big-name ANC-enabled earbuds, it's pretty incredible that the ANC works as well as it does.' You shouldn't expect Bose-standard noise cancellation, the touch panels can be a little too sensitive, and the battery life is just okay, but these are fair trade-offs for the money you're saving." — Bethany Allard, Lead Shopping Reporter
More speaker, headphone, and earbud dealsHeadphones
Anker Soundcore Q30 — $55.99 $79.99 (save $24)
Anker Soundcore Space One — $79 $99 (save $20)
Anker Soundcore Space Q45 — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)
Sony WH-CH720N — $128 $149.99 (save $21.99)
Beats Studio Pro — $199.95 $349.99 (save $150.04)
Sony WH-1000XM4 — $248 $348 (save $100)
Sony WH-1000XM5 — $328 $398 (save $70)
Earbuds
Amazon Echo Buds (2023) — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)
Anker Soundcore Space A40 — $49 $99.99 (save $50.99)
JBL Tune 230NC — $59.95 $99.95 (save $40)
Jabra Elite 4 — $59.99 $99.99 (save $40)
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4NC — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)
Jabra Elite 5 — $89.99 $149.99 (save $60)
Beats Studio Buds — $99.95 $149.95 (save $50)
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)
Beats Studio Buds + — $129.95 $169.95 (save $40)
Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro — $129.99 $169.99 (save $40)
Google Pixel Buds Pro — $139 $199.99 (save $60.99)
Sony LinkBuds S — $148 $199.99 (save $51.99)
Jabra Elite 8 Active — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)
Jabra Elite 10 — $196.54 $249.99 (save $53.45)
Speakers
Sony SRS-XE200 — $98 $129.99 (save $31.99)
"If price has been the only factor deterring you from upgrading to an XL screen, check out this 75-inch QLED TV from TCL that has dropped to a new record-low price of $599.99 (according to Amazon price tracker camelcamelcamel). The Q6 is one of TCL's cheapest models to utilize quantum dots: an extra layer of nanoparticles between the screen and direct backlighting. This creates the brightness necessary for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ compatibility to be worthwhile — brightness that a regular LED TV just can't compete with. TCL has also loaded the Q6 series with Motion Rate 240 motion smoothing technology and three HDMI ports, making it a super solid budget gaming TV." — Leah Stodart, Senior Shopping Reporter
More TV deals43 to 50 inches
Roku 43-inch 4K TV — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)
Toshiba 43-inch C350 4K Fire TV — $219.99 $279.99 (save $60)
Insignia 50-inch F30 4K Fire TV — $209.99 $299.99 (save $90)
Amazon 50-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $299.99 $479.99 (save $180 with Prime)
55 to 58 inches
Roku 55-inch 4K TV — $298 $349.99 (save $51.99)
Amazon 55-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $399.99 $549.99 (save $150)
Samsung 55-inch QN85C QLED TV — $997.99 $1,497.99 (save $500)
LG 55-inch C3 OLED TV — $1,296.99 $1,1799.99 (save $700)
Hisense 58-inch U6HF QLED Fire TV — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)
65 to 70 inches
Hisense 65-inch R6 4K TV — $399.99 $799.99 (save $400)
TCL 65-inch Q6 QLED TV — $498 $699.99 (save $201.99)
75 to 86 inches
Toshiba 75-inch C350 4K Fire TV — $519.99 $649.99 (save $130)
Hisense 75-inch U6HF QLED Fire TV — $799.99 $1,149.99 (save $350)
LG 75-inch 80 Series QNED TV — $1,096.99 $1,496.99 (save $400)
Samsung 85-inch Q70C QLED TV — $1,597.99 $2,797.99 (save $1,200)
Samsung 85-inch QN90C QLED TV — $2,397.99 $4,797.99 (save $2,400)
Read Mashable's full review of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
"A close rival to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Samsung's new Galaxy S24 Ultra is a premium 6.8-inch smartphone with a durable titanium design, a rear telephoto lens with impressive zoom capabilities, and a smattering of neat AI features. It also comes with a built-in S Pen stylus that doubles as a remote, according to Mashable tech editor Kim Gedeon. This is the 256GB base model's first discount since it launched in January 2024." — Haley Henschel, Senior Shopping Reporter
More unlocked phone dealsSamsung Galaxy
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G (128GB) — $264.99 $299.99 (save $35)
Samsung Galaxy S24 (128GB) — $749.99 $799.99 (save $50)
Samsung Galaxy S24+ (128GB) — $849.99 $999.99 (save $150)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 (256GB) — $849.99 $999.99 (save $150)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 (256GB) — $1,499.99 $1,799.99 (save $300)
Google Pixel
Google Pixel 7a (128GB) — $374 $499 (save $125)
Google Pixel 8 (128GB) — $499 $699 (save $200)
Google Pixel 8 Pro (128GB) — $749 $999 (save $150)
Google Pixel Fold (256GB) — $1,299 $1,799 (save $500)
Motorola
Morotola moto g play (32GB) — $99.99 $169.99 (save $70)
Motorola moto g stylus (64GB) — $129.99 $199.99 (save $70)
Motorola moto g 5G (128GB) — $169.99 $249.99 (save $80)
Motorola moto g power 5G (256GB) — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)
Motorola moto g stylus 5G (256GB) — $249.99 $399.99 (save $150)
Motorola edge (256GB) — $349.99 $599.99 (save $150)
Motorola razr (128GB) — $499.99 $699.99 (save $200)
Motorola razr+ (256GB) — $699.99 $999.99 (save $300)
"Just released in February of this year, the Anker MagGo foldable 3-in-1 charging station just got its first big discount for the Big Spring Sale. It regularly retails for $109.99, but you can grab it for just $82.49 and save 25%. As the name suggests, it can wirelessly charge three gadgets at once — an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and AirPods (or other Qi-enabled devices) — and fast (15W). The vertical design is compact and convenient for a desk or bedside table. Plus, it weighs under 7 ounces and folds up smaller than Apple's Magic Mouse, making it ideal for travel." — Christina Buff, Contributor
More phone accessory dealsWall chargers and charging stations
Apple 20W USB-C power adapter — $14.99 $19 (save $4.01)
Anker 6-foot USB-C charger cable (5-pack) — $22.99 $35 (save $12.01)
Anker Nano 3 47W 2-port USB-C charger — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)
Anker PowerWave magnetic 2-in-1 charging stand — $31.99 $39.99 (save $8)
Anker Prime 67W 3-port USB-C power adapter — $49.99 $65.99 (save $16)
Anker Prime 100W 3-port USB-C power adapter — $63.74 $86.99 (save $23.25)
Anker MagGo 8-in-1 charging station — $69.99 $99.99 (save $30)
Apple MagSafe Duo — $94 $129 (save $35)
Portable chargers
Anker Nano portable charger for iPhone — $18.99 $29.99 (save $11)
Anker 334 MagGo 10,000mAh portable charger — $31.49 $39.99 (save $8.50)
Anker 621 MagGo 5,000mAh portable charger — $31.99 $39.99 (save $8)
Anker Power Bank 20,000mAh battery pack — $33.74 $44.99 (save $11.25)
Anker 622 MagGo 5,000mAh portable charger — $39.98 $69.99 (save $30.01)
Anker MagGo power bank — $47.99 $69.99 (save $22)
Anker 737 power bank — $79.99 $129.99 (save $50)
Anker Prime power bank — $124.99 $179.99 (save $55)
Phone cases
Samsung Galaxy S23 Silicone Phone Case — $9.99 $29.99 (save $20)
Spigen Ultra Hybrid Case (Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra) — $16.14 $34.99 (save $18.85 with on-page coupon)
OtterBox Commuter Series Case (iPhone 11) — $18.82 $39.95 (save $21.13)
Spigen Tough Armor Case (Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra) — $18.99 $44.99 (save $26 with on-page coupon)
OtterBox Commuter Series Case (iPhone 13 and iPhone 14) — $19.97 $39.95 (save $19.98)
OtterBox Commuter Series Case (iPhone 13) — $21.21 $39.95 (save $18.74)
OtterBox Commuter Series (iPhone 14 Pro Max) — $21.24 $39.95 (save $18.71)
OtterBox Defender Series (iPhone SE, iPhone 8, and iPhone 7) — $21.36 $49.95 (save $28.59)
Apple iPhone 15 FineWoven Case with MagSafe — $22.29 $59 (save $36.71)
OtterBox Commuter Series Case (iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Pro Max) — $22.82 $39.95 (save $17.13)
OtterBox Defender Series Case (iPhone 11) — $24.98 $59.95 (save $34.97)
OtterBox Defender Series Case (iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro) — $27.64 $59.95 (save $32.31)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 Silicone Phone Case with Ring — $27.99 $39.99 (save $12)
OtterBox Commuter Series Case (iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 15 Plus) — $29.97 $39.95 (save $9.98)
OtterBox Defender Series Case (iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max) — $31.13 $59.95 (save $28.82)
OtterBox Commuter Series Case (iPhone 15 Pro) — $31.97 $39.95 (save $7.98)
OtterBox Commuter Series Case (Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra) — $33.16 $39.95 (save $6.79)
OtterBox Commuter Series Case (iPhone 15 Pro Max) — $33.19 $39.95 (save $6.76)
Apple iPhone FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe — $34.66 $59 (save $24.34 with on-page coupon)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Phone Case with S Pen — $40 $79.99 (save $39.99)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Eco Leather Phone Case — $40.05 $79.99 (save $39.94 with on-page coupon)
OtterBox Defender Series Case (Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra) — $53.91 $64.95 (save $11.04)
Read Mashable's full review of the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet.
"The Fire Max 11 tablet is Amazon's most feature-complete tablet to date, and you can currently snag the 128GB model for $200 (or $80 off) — its lowest price yet. It's packed with a speedy and powerful octa-core processor that's perfect for productivity and entertainment, can handle up to 14 hours of use on a single charge, and has a beautiful 11-inch screen to tie it all together. You can even get a bundle that comes with a keyboard cover and stylus at a discount (almost $120 off)." — Dylan Haas, Lead Shopping Reporter
More Fire device dealsAmazon Fire tablets
Amazon Fire HD 8 (32GB) — $64.99 $99.99 (save $35)
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (32GB) — $74.99 $119.99 (save $45)
Amazon Fire HD 10 (32GB) — $94.99 $139.99 (save $45)
Amazon Fire Max 11 (64GB) — $179.99 $229.99 (save $50)
Amazon Fire Kids tablets
Amazon Fire 7 Kids (16GB) — $69.99 $109.99 (save $40)
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (32GB) — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro (32GB) — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids (32GB) — $149.99 $189.99 (save $40)
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro (32GB) — $149.99 $189.99 (save $40)
Refurbished Amazon Fire tablets
Certified Refurbished Amazon Fire HD 8 (32GB) — $54.99 $84.99 (save $30)
Certified Refurbished Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (32GB) — $84.99 $159.99 (save $75)
Amazon Fire TV devices
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10)
Amazon Fire TV Stick — $24.99 $39.99 (save $15)
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)
FYI: Scroll back up to the Apple deals and Fire TV device deals sections if you're looking for discounts on iPads and Fire tablets, respectively.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE (128GB) $349.99 at Amazon"If you prefer going against the grain and not buying an iPad, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a solid alternative, and it's on sale for $100 off the usual price during the Amazon sale. It's one of the most water- and dust-resistant tablets on the market, can last up to 18 hours on a single charge, and comes with an S Pen." — Dylan Haas, Lead Shopping Reporter
More tablet dealsLenovo Tab M9 (32GB) — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (128GB) — $129.99 $229.99 (save $100)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (64GB) — $169.99 $219.99 (save $50)
Lenovo Tab P11 (128GB) — $199.99 $234.82 (save $34.83)
Google Pixel Tablet (128GB) — $399 $499 (save $100)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ (128GB) — $499 $599.99 (save $100.99)
"The Garmin Forerunner 255 is on the higher-budget end of fitness trackers, but at $100 off during Amazon's Big Spring Sale, we think it's worth considering. The durable fitness watch features a slim design, but can still withstand excessive sweat and accidental drops. Using the device's easy-to-use five-button layout, you'll be able to check on things like your heart rate, sleep quality, recovery score, and more. It even has a 14-day battery life, so you won't have to constantly slow yourself down as you work towards your fitness goals." — Dylan Haas, Lead Shopping Reporter
More fitness tracker dealsGarmin Forerunner 55 — $169.99 $199.99 (save $30)
Amazfit GTS 4 — $179.99 $199.99 (save $20)
Fitbit Sense 2 — $249.95 $299.95 (save $50)
"With 700 lumens of motion-triggered illumination, the new Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight camera lets you see what's happening outside of your home in crisp HD no matter the time of day. Thanks to two-way audio, you can speak to people and pets using the Blink app on your smartphone, and get a heads up if that noise you heard outside was a squirrel rustling in the bushes or an actual intruder. With the Blink subscription plan (sold separately), the enhanced motion detection goes even further with person detection. At 40% off ahead of the Big Spring Sale, you can grab this easy-to-setup security camera for an all-time low of $77.99." — Christina Buff, Contributor
More outdoor security camera dealsTP-Link Tapo 2K QHD Security Camera — $34.99 $39.99 (save $5)
eufy Security Outdoor Cam E210 — $44.99 $79.99 (save $35)
eufy Security SoloCam C210 — $49.98 $79.99 (save $30.01)
Blink Outdoor 4 (4th Gen) add-on camera — $58.49 $89.99 (save $31.50)
Blink Outdoor 4 (4th Gen) — $64.99 $99.99 (save $35)
TP-Link ColorPro Wi-Fi Outdoor Camera — $78.89 $99.99 (save $21.10)
TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam — $79.99 $119.99 (save $40 with on-page coupon)
eufy Security eufyCam E330 — $89.99 $129.99 (save $40 with on-page coupon)
eufy Security eufyCam 2C 2-camera kit — $129.99 $239.99 (save $110)
Google Nest Cam (2nd Gen) — $139.98 $179.99 (save $40.01)
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera — $139.99 $199.99 (save $60)
Blink Outdoor 4 (4th Gen) 3-camera system — $149.99 $259.99 (save $110)
eufy Security SoloCam S340 — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)
eufy Security Floodlight Camera E340 — $169.99 $219.99 (save $50)
Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera 3-pack — $199.99 $349.99 (save $150)
Google Nest Cam with Floodlight — $219.98 $279.99 (save $60.01)
The Big Spring Sale is open to Prime members and non-members alike, but a handful of deals are exclusive to the former. If you haven't subscribed to Prime within the past 12 months, you can sign up for a free 14-day trial at amazon.com/prime. After that trial ends, you'll be bumped to a paid membership plan for $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Prime Free 14-day trial, then $14.99/month or $139/yearSAVE $150: As of March 20, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is $1,269.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 11%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra $1,269.99Ready to upgrade your smartphone, but not sure which model you'd like to go with? The iPhone 15 is a great option, but if you're more of an Android fan, you might consider one of the deals out of Amazon's Big Spring Sale instead.
As of March 20, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is on sale for just $1,269.99 during the Amazon Spring Sale 2024. That's a $150 discount and 11% off its normal price of $1,419.99. This price applies to the Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Yellow color options.
SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here: Shop Apple devices, robot vacuums, unlocked phones, moreThis phone boasts a 6.8-inch display with a 3088 x 1440 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor with 12GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, a 50MP zoom camera, and a 5,000mAh battery. It also comes with Samsung's S Pen stylus for easy note-taking, doodling, and navigation on the phone.
Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon took the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for a test drive after its January debut and came away pleased with its overall performance, praising its "durable, shock-resistant design" along with "decent battery life" and "amazing zoom capabilities." However, Gedeon called the much-hyped Galaxy AI features "hit or miss."
Given that the phone only just came out in January, this is a discount you might want to snap up quickly. You'll have to decide whether its array of features is worth it for you – but if they are, these are solid savings.
UPDATE: Mar. 20, 2024, 11:00 a.m. EDT This article has been updated with the latest tablet deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale.
Best Amazon spring sale 2024 tablet deals: Best Samsung tablet deal Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE (128GB) $349.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal Best iPad deal Apple iPad 10th Gen (256GB) $499 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal Best Fire Tablet deal Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet (128GB) $199.99 at Amazon (save $80) Get DealAmazon's Big Spring Sale is finally upon us, and so far, the deals are pretty darn good. From 4K TVs, to laptops, to headphones, and plenty more, we're confident that there are multiple must-snag offers out there.
And if you're on the hunt for a new tablet a bunch of devices are discounted across a variety of brands, including Apple, Samsung, and more during the Big Spring Sale. To assist you in your shopping spree, we've pulled together a list of the best tablet deals we could find during the Amazon event, and you can check them out below. Keep coming back as the sale continues, though, because there may be more new deals to scoop up.
SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is full of fitness tracker deals — here are the best ones Best Samsung tablet deals Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE (128GB) $349.99 at AmazonIf you prefer going against the grain and not buying an iPad, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a solid alternative, and it's on sale for $100 off the usual price during the Amazon sale. It's one of the most water- and dust-resistant tablets on the market, can last up to 18 hours on a single charge, and comes with an S Pen.
More Samsung tablet dealsSamsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (64GB) — $169.99 $219.99 (save $50)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (128GB) — $219.99 $269.99 (save $50)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE (256GB) — $419.99 $519.99 (save $100)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ (256GB) — $599 $699.99 (save $100.99)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ (128GB) — $499 $599.99 (save $100.99)
If you're already in the Apple ecosystem and want to add an iPad to your repertoire, the 10th generation version is $100 off during the Big Spring Sale. It comes packed with the powerful A14 Bionic chip, a Liquid Retina display, and is available in a variety of beautiful pastel colors. If you really want to deck out your tablet, pick up an Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard case to transform your iPad into a 2-in-1 laptop.
More iPad dealsApple iPad 9th Gen (64GB) — $249 $329 (save $80)
Apple iPad 10th Gen (64GB) — $349 $449 (save $100)
Apple iPad 9th Gen (256GB) — $379 $479 (save $100)
Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen (64GB) — $399.99 $499 (save $99.01)
Apple iPad Air 5th Gen (64GB) — $449 $599 (save $150)
Apple iPad Air 5th Gen (256GB) — $599.99 $749 (save $149.01)
Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen (256GB) — $617 $649 (save $32)
Check out our full review of the Fire Max 11 tablet.
The Fire Max 11 tablet is Amazon's most feature-complete tablet to date, and you can currently snag the 128GB model for $200 (or $80 off) — its lowest price yet. It's packed with a speedy and powerful octa-core processor that's perfect for productivity and entertainment, can handle up to 14 hours of use on a single charge, and has a beautiful 11-inch screen to tie it all together. You can even get a bundle that comes with a keyboard cover and stylus at a discount (almost $90 off) ahead of the sale.
More Fire Tablet dealsFire Tablets
Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (32GB) — $64.99 $99.99 (save $35)
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus tablet (32GB) — $74.99 $119.99 (save $45)
Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (64GB) — $94.99 $129.99 (save $35)
Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (32GB) — $94.99 $139.99 (save $45)
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus tablet (64GB) — $104.99 $149.99 (save $45)
Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (64GB) — $104.99 $179.99 (save $75)
Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet (64GB) — $184.99 $244.99 (save $60)
Kids Fire Tablets
Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet (16GB) — $69.99 $109.99 (save $40)
Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet (32GB) — $89.99 $129.99 (save $40)
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro tablet (32GB) — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet (32GB) — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet (64GB) — $129.99 $179.99 (save $50)
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids tablet (32GB) — $149.99 $189.99 (save $40)
Lenovo Tab M9 (32GB) — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (128GB) — $129.99 $229.99 (save $100)
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (64GB) — $149.99 $209.99 (save $60)
Lenovo Tab P11 (128GB) — $199.99 $234.82 (save $34.83)
Google Pixel Tablet (128GB) — $399 $499.99 (save $100)
Google Pixel Tablet (256GB) — $449 $599 (save $150)
Life requires us to remember a lot of things. If you struggle to remember where you left your wallet and keys, parked the car, or locked up your bicycle, Amazon's Big Spring Sale has you covered. Here are some of the best deals on Tile Bluetooth trackers to shop today.
Best Tile Bluetooth tracker deals at Amazon Best introductory deal Tile Starter Pack (one Tile Mate and one Tile Slim) $43.99 (save $11) Get Deal Best deal for tracking pets Tile Sticker (2-pack) $43.99 (save $11) Get Deal Best bundle deal Tile Pro (4-pack) $79.99 (save $20) Get DealAs the weather warms and spring cleaning tasks get checked off, vibes of a fresh start are in the air. If you hope to add better organization to your life this season, investing in Bluetooth trackers can be a game changer. Imagine always knowing where your belongings are, including checked luggage or, more importantly, a pet. Get 20% off select Tile Bluetooth trackers during the Amazon Spring Sale 2024. Here are our top picks to shop today for keeping better tabs on important items.
Best introductory deal Opens in a new window Credit: Tile Our pick: Tile Starter Pack (one Mate and one Slim) $43.99 at AmazonIf you're new to the world of Bluetooth trackers, the Tile Starter Pack is a great introduction. This pack comes with one Tile Mate and one Tile Slim. The Mate is designed to conveniently attach to your key ring while the Mate is similar in size to a credit card to easily slip into your wallet or purse. Both are water-resistant so there's no stress if you drop your keys in your mug of coffee, and both are compatible with iOS for Apple users and Android devices.
Best deal for tracking pets Opens in a new window Credit: Tile Our pick: Tile Sticker (2-pack) $43.99 at AmazonTile's smallest tracker, the Sticker, is meant to attach to small stuff like remotes, bikes, or your cat's collar thanks to its adhesive backing. Expect to get about three years of battery life out of the Tile Sticker, which is also water-resistant.
Today's deal offers a two-pack of Tile Sticker Bluetooth trackers for $43.99, down from the normal price of $54.99 for a savings of $11. But the value of never searching for the remote control or knowing which neighbor your cat is visiting is worth much more.
Best bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Tile Our pick: Tile Pro (4-pack) $79.99 at AmazonHave an upcoming family vacation where you'll be checking luggage? You'll want to keep tabs on those bags with the Tile Pro (4-pack). Thanks to today's deal the 4-pack is just $79.99, marked down from the normal price of $99.99 which will save you $20. Unlike some Tile Bluetooth trackers, the Tile Pro comes with a replaceable battery so you'll be able to use it for years to come. The Pro also has the widest range of all Tile Bluetooth trackers, with tracking possible for items that are up to 400 feet away. If you're not within 400 feet of your items, connect to the Tile network to locate your lost items.
More Bluetooth tracker deals at AmazonSamsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 — $20.99 $29.99 (save $9)
Apple AirTag — $24 $29 (save $5)
Apple AirTag (4-pack) — $82.99 $99 (save $16.01)
UP TO 51% OFF: Score up to 51% off Peloton bikes, Guides, and more during Amazon's Big Spring Sale.
Our top picks: Best Peloton deal overall Original Peloton Bike $1,250 at Amazon (save $195) Get Deal Best runner-up Peloton deal Peloton Guide $95 at Amazon (save $100 ) Get Deal Best free weight deal Peloton Dumbbells $103.50 at Amazon (save $11.50) Get DealIf you've been dreaming of owning a Peloton but couldn't stomach the price, Amazon's Big Spring Sale is your chance to save on Peloton bikes, Guides, and more.
SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale features a bunch of random deals on laptops — including the new M3 MacBook AirsWhether you're a beginner looking to kickstart your fitness journey or an experienced cyclist wanting to take your training to the next level, this sale offers customers up to 51% off.
Here are our favorite deals from the Peloton section of the Amazon Spring Sale 2024:
Best Peloton deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Peloton Original Peloton Bike $1,250.00 at AmazonThe Original Peloton Bike is 13% off during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. This means you can get it for $1,250, or $57.24 a month with a financing plan. The OG Peloton Bike features an adjustable seat, handlebar, and screen — it can be customized to fit just about anyone who wants to ride.
There's a knob for manual control, a two-channel rear-facing stereo speaker system with 16 watts of power, a 10-point multitouch touchscreen, a USB micro port, a headphone jack, and Bluetooth capabilities. With the front-facing camera and built-in microphone, you can participate in live classes and connect with your instructors and fellow riders.
The only downside is that this Peloton Bike doesn't come with an All-Access Membership, which gives you access to the full library of live and on-demand classes. But you can easily purchase the membership separately ($24/month) on the Peloton website.
Best runner-up Peloton deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peloton Peloton Guide $95.00 at AmazonIf cycling isn't your thing and you'd rather stick to strength training, you can score a Peloton Guide for just $95, or $17.54 per month with a financing plan.
The Peloton Guide is an AI-powered personal trainer that uses camera technology and machine learning to create customized workout plans and provide real-time feedback. But it doesn't come with a Guide Membership ($24/month), which you'll need to purchase separately to access the full range of features and workouts.
The Peloton Guide tracks your reps, allows you to set goals, and helps you stay on track with your fitness journey. What's even cooler is its self-mode, where you can see yourself on screen alongside the instructors to check your form and make adjustments as needed.
Best free weight deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peloton Peloton dumbbells $103.50 at AmazonPeloton isn't just a high-tech cycling brand; the company also sells free weights. The Peloton dumbbells are ergonomically designed for comfort and stability during strength training sessions. They come in 5- to 30-pound sets and cost $45 to $190.
More Peloton deals:Peloton Bike Mat — $63.75 $75 (save $11.25)
Peloton Cycling Shoes — $106.25 $125 (save $18.75)
Peloton Bike+ — $2,100 $2,495 (save $395)
SAVE $90: The NordicTrack T Series treadmill is on sale for $509 during Amazon's Big Spring Sale, saving you 15%.
Opens in a new window Credit: NordicTrack NordicTrack T Series treadmill $509.00Amazon's Big Spring Sale is a celebration of the best things about this refreshing season. The weather is improving, the birds are singing, and we might be a little more willing to spend some cash at Amazon on some shiny new things — especially if it makes it easier for us to stay in shape through all those spring showers.
You can pick up the NordicTrack T Series treadmill for $509 during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. This deal saves you $90, or 15%, and represents this item's lowest-ever price at Amazon.
SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here: Shop Apple devices, robot vacuums, unlocked phones, moreThe NordicTrack T Series treadmill offers innovative design elements and expert engineering, with the potential to add NordicTrack Interactive personal coaching (if you're pushing for a personal best). It includes quickspeed controls for inclines up to 10% (so you can train for those hills at home) and 10 miles per hour (to get your sprints in), a built-in tablet or smartphone holder so you can watch your shows or follow along with your favorite workout instructor, and can accommodate runners up to 300 pounds. This treadmill also comes with a lifetime frame and motor coverage, so you can rest assured that it'll go the distance.
This is an impressive bit of kit that might persuade you to stay indoors and run even when the weather is stunning outside. Save $90 on the NordicTrack T Series treadmill in Amazon's Big Spring Sale.
With the rise of AI and ChatGPT, nothing seems too unthinkable and futuristic in the world of tech anymore. Moreover, products that once seemed advanced (read: the Amazon Echo when it was first released in 2015) don't seem to be all that advanced anymore. This means companies have to constantly innovate to continue attracting buyers, which is what Amazon did in 2022 when it released its 5th Generation Echo Dot. Since then, the corporate giant has unveiled even newer products (in the Echo Show and Echo Pop families).
This is great and all, but when the time comes to actually invest in a new Echo device for your home — thus upgrading it to "smart home" status — it can be hard to decide which one to get. Do you want to be able to video call your family with Echo Show 10's sleek swivel screen? Maximize affordability with the Echo Pop? Or upgrade your kids' rooms with an Echo device just for kids?
With this technology boom though, it can be hard to transition your home from “basic” to “smart-home” status. Establishing a tech-friendly home isn’t always easy, but there is hope. Smart speakers like Amazon's Echo family of products are a great starting point because they're affordable, require minimal effort to operate, and help you easily complete small tasks around the house. They take voice-recognition technology to the next level by playing music, finding binge-watch-worthy flicks, reading news, and adjusting room settings. They’ll do the work for you, so you can relax and take care of stuff that actually matters sans interruptions.
SEE ALSO: These are the best Echo devices to gain hands-free control of your smart home, and moreA common dilemma many specifically face is "to Echo or to Echo Dot?" Among its robust lineup of smart speakers, the Echo (Fourth Generation) and Echo Dot (Fifth Generation) are eerily similar, despite the former being almost twice as big as the latter. Also, given that the latest Dot was released in 2022 and the 4th Gen Echo came out two years before that, there are obvious technical upgrades in the Dot that don't exist in its bulkier predecessor. At least on paper.
Bad at making uninformed choices? Same here. To help you out, here’s everything you need to know if you’re deciding between the Echo and the Echo Dot.
Good things come in colorful packages. Credit: Stacia Datskovska / Mashable The basicsAmazon Echo (4th Gen) Amazon Echo (4th Gen) $64.99 at AmazonThe Echo weighs 34.2 ounces and its dimensions are 5.7 x 5.7 x 5.2 inches. On its round exterior, you'll find an action button, volume buttons, a mic-off button, a light-up ring, a power port, and a 3.5-millimeter audio output. With three distinct color options currently available at Amazon, this under-$100 device is sure to fit your home decor seamlessly.
Setting up the Echo is also seamless and you can use it within minutes. Indeed, the only things inside the package are the device itself, a power adapter, and two guides. The setup guide is highly visual, which is always a perk. To begin, you have to download the Alexa app and sign in. No, you don't need to have a Prime account to use an Amazon smart device (though its range of possibilities surely increases for those of us who are Prime members). Plug in the included power adapter into the Echo and then plug the Echo into a wall outlet. The light ring on the Echo will turn blue when it’s on and then orange when Alexa greets you. Next, connect the Echo to your home WiFi network. The Alexa app will then walk you through the rest of the setup process, including customizing your "wake word," mastering the pronunciation of your name, allowing access to phone contacts, and more.
Once all that is ready, you're good to go. Give your newest smart home companion a warm welcome: After all, it will be your go-to from now on for blasting music, waking you up in the morning, providing news and weather reports, calling loved ones, and so much more.
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) $34.99 at AmazonSmart speakers can go beyond the basics, and the Echo Dot takes smart living to a new level. Though this device is two years newer than the aforementioned Echo (4th Gen), it's actually $50 cheaper if you don't get it with an LED clock display. Use that info as you will.
The Echo Dot weighs 10.7 ounces (much lighter than the Echo, clearly) and its dimensions are 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches. This baby can thus easily fit on countertops, shelves, or nightstands. Similar to the Echo, it boasts an action button, a microphone-off button, volume controls, a light ring, and a power port. It pretty much comes with the same color options as the bigger Echo, except for its deep sea blue shade being slightly darker than the Echo's twilight blue shade. Potayto, potahto.
Setup is also a breeze with the Echo Dot. First, plug it into a wall outlet and open the Alexa app to start setup. (You’ll need to download the Alexa app on your smartphone beforehand.) Once you open the app, select “devices” and then select the “+” icon. Follow the on-screen instructions from that point on and personalize the device to your liking.
What you get when you order an Amazon Echo Dot. Credit: Stacia Datskovska / Mashable Smarter, easier living featuresEchoThe Amazon Echo can function as your personal butler and best friend. Since it's a smart speaker that connects to the Alexa Voice Service, you can use it to do everything from playing the latest hits to purchasing some kitchen staples to killing your boredom with a round of Jeopardy! Advanced sound technology helps the Echo immediately respond to you and recognize your voice. In fact, during the setup process on the Alexa app, Echo learns your voice's cadences and pitch by making you repeat some sample prompts. Impressive.
You can tell Alexa exactly what to put on your grocery list and manage the items on your Alexa app. Credit: Screenshot: AmazonPrompt response: Beamforming technology, noise-cancelation, and seven microphones will enable the Echo to hear you from your nearby location. Just speak the “wake word” and say commands like “Alexa, find an Amazon Music playlist,” or “Alexa, call Dad” for immediate assistance. Something to note: Your speaker does not by any means have to be called Alexa. Other fun options include Echo, Ziggy, or Santa. Referring to your device as that last option unlocks a whole new Ho-Ho-Ho personality for it. Another thing to note: Amazon is getting better about accessibility, in the form of Adaptive Listening. This feature, when enabled, essentially gives you more time to finish speaking — Alexa's way of accommodating speech patterns like stuttering.
Beats master: Of course the Echo can play music, but it’s more than a basic speaker. It comes with Dolby premium sound that fills a whole room — with deep bass and clear high notes alike. If you have two Echo devices in one room, you can actually tell one of them to "play music everywhere," which will amplify sound to even higher levels and make for an actual at-home clubbing experience. Word of caution, however — Alexa didn't cooperate with me, strangely, when I tried to test out this feature. For those of us who are highly picky about music streaming services, Amazon lets you set default options which you can change at any time. Do you want Alexa to pick music from Apple Music but podcasts from Spotify? No problem, there's an option for that.
Hands-free communication: If you need to message or call loved ones, the Echo has your back. You can use Alexa to communicate with people via phone or text on the Echo, so you don’t have to grab your smartphone. Plus, Alexa can also make household announcements across Amazon Echo devices at home, so your family will know if dinner is ready or guests are arriving. Use the Drop-In feature to connect to other Amazon Echo devices or the Announcement feature to record cute messages in your own voice (accompanied by a range of sound effect offerings, including dinner bell, kiss, trumpet, as well as, a bit alarmingly, toilet flush and fart).
Control smart devices: If you have other smart devices that work with Alexa, you can easily control them with Echo's Zigbee smart home hub. Just ask Alexa to dim the lights, adjust the room temperature, or turn on a compatible smart-plug-connected appliance. The best thing about this? You don’t have to press any buttons, and you can even engineer routines for yourself ahead of time to set these processes in motion at a certain time in your home.
The Echo can double as a night light Credit: Stacia Datskovska / Mashable Echo DotMaking the smart living/smart home switch isn’t always budget-friendly, but the Echo Dot is affordable and provides great voice control features. These features, however, aren't all that different from what you get with the Echo. The only true upgrades are new motion sensors that let you touch-control the device, the 1.73-inch front-firing speaker (versus a woofer and tweeters), and "Eero mesh network support so the Echo Dot can serve as a node for your Eero network if you use one," according to our sister site, PCMag. Use the Dot to receive reminders, save cookie recipes to your app for future reference, bask your room in a night light glow, communicate with friends and family, soothe yourself with some white noise, and beyond.
Listening companion: We’ve all tried the conventional speaker setup, which typically involves too many outlets and wires. Echo Dot offers the opposite experience for all your listening needs. You can use your voice to play music through streaming services, including Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify. Plus, you can hear Audible and other media forms with the Echo Dot. Ask Alexa to find the perfect playlist or podcast, and you’ll have something to listen to when you cook in the kitchen, lounge on the couch, or work out in your living room. Another extra-cool feature? The Dot will start playing deep sleep music when it detects sounds of snoring, if you enable it to do so.
Task help: There are times we wish that we had a personal assistant for little things, including making lists and scheduling calendars. The Echo Dot can help make your everyday routine (and entertainment) more seamless with voice control. Try saying: "Alexa, set a timer for five minutes," "Alexa, play the Reuters news briefing," "Alexa, open my daily horoscope," or "Alexa, find my phone." The possibilities are endless. Be sure to reference the "more" tab on the Alexa app to browse through all of the Echo Dot's offerings.
Use the Dot to send messages to houseguests, remind you of tasks, and more! Credit: Screenshot: AmazonConverse with and check in on loved ones: Like the Echo, the Echo Dot allows you to send messages, make phone calls, and use other Echo devices as intercoms. Enjoy hands-free communication with loved ones and make announcements via Drop-In to keep everyone in touch at home. If you have elderly parents at home, you can also take advantage of Alexa Together — Amazon's remote caregiving offering that does cost extra but allows you to connect compatible fall detection devices to the Echo Dot, see snapshots of your loved ones' daily interactions with Alexa, get 24/7 access to trained agents who can call 911 in case of an emergency, create gentle reminders such as "take your pills," and more.
Monitor your smart home environment: The Echo Dot also offers the option to monitor smart devices at home. If you have light bulbs, thermostats, or streaming media players that are compatible with Alexa, you can control their activity with the Echo Dot. Just speak to Alexa in your room of choice, and you can easily monitor lighting, temperature, and more with verbal commands. Also, if you enable sound detection routines, you can program a particular sound (dog barking, oven dinging, door opening) to trigger a certain Alexa Routine. This feature has an accessibility bonus since it can be used as a way to provide visual cues to those with hearing challenges. For instance, "if Alexa detects running water for a period of time... she can trigger the living room smart lights to flash on and off, serving as a visual reminder to shut off the faucet," as reported in USA Today.
Don't let the Dot's size fool you — it's mighty smart. Credit: Stacia Datskovska / Mashable Price and competitionEchoAt $99.99, the Echo is moderately priced, but it comes with benefits that go beyond other smart speakers. With its high-tech sound features, including Dolby audio, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite beats at the right volume. When you’re entertaining guests, you can engage the multi-room music feature to turn your pad into a dance floor (adjusting bass settings accordingly). In addition to playing music, the Echo allows you to control smart devices and communicate with loved ones via voice control. It also comes with a skills range so extensive that it might take you months to try them all out.
The Echo comes with a one-year limited warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. If you would like additional protection, you can buy an extended warranty separately at Amazon.
In terms of competition, the $99.99 Apple HomePod mini can be considered a pretty close match (at least price-wise). It's teeny compared to the Echo, though, and a larger/more advanced Apple smart speaker — the HomePod — will cost you $299 (see our full review of the Apple Homepod). While this competitor might be a better choice for Apple fans, due to its easy iOS compatibility, Siri isn't as smart or loyal of an assistant as Alexa in our opinion.
Echo DotFor those on a technology budget, the 5th Gen Echo Dot delivers all the smart speaker benefits at a fraction of the price. At $49.99, it’s more affordable than other Amazon Echo devices (despite being the newest Dot) and still has desirable features like advanced voice recognition, smart device control, and assistance with small tasks via Alexa. For $59.99, you can get the Echo Dot with an LED display, which allows you to display the current time in style. That's pretty much the only added benefit the extra $10 will give you.
Unlike the Echo, the Echo Dot only comes with a 90-day limited warranty. It’s applicable to defects in materials and workmanship and you can contact Amazon’s Customer Service for assistance. This warranty, too, can be extended to a one-year, two-year, or even three-year plan for an additional fee.
If we're talking about what's available on the smart speaker market that can compare to the Dot, the Google-Assistant-powered Nest Mini (2nd Generation) immediately comes to mind, as it also costs $49.99. The Nest Mini is cute as a button (and weighs almost as much). It's compatible with streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, and iHeart Radio, as well as Youtube, has smart home pairing with Arlo, Nest, Ring, and other appliances, and it allows you to voice-purchase essentials from storefronts that aren't limited to Amazon. Still, with the Dot's new-and-improved front-firing speaker, there's no question that it wins the contest when it comes to quality audio. Also, with its upgraded temperature and movement sensors, the Dot seems to be leading the smart home game. I mean, what other speaker will listen for the sound of broken glass and immediately alert you to a potential robbery happening when you're MIA from home?
Clearly, the Echo is way bigger than the Echo Dot (reflected in their price difference). Credit: Stacia Datskovska / Mashable Privacy concernsWith all Amazon Echo devices comes concern about privacy. In the past, according to what reporter Jack Morse wrote for Mashable a few years back, "Alexa has been known to record people and rooms even when there's no wake word spoken intentionally — or spoken at all." The fact that it can be listening in on your most private conversations — or else sneakily gather info like a credit card number you say when purchasing something over the phone — is legitimately scary.
Amazon has realized that tons of people have been turning away from their Echo product line because of this very risk. That's why now, on the Alexa app, you can review your daily voice history and delete anything you don't vibe with, manage the access to data certain skills have, and more. On the exterior of both the 4th Gen Echo and 5th Gen Echo Dot, you can also find a mic-off button that will prevent any audio input from reaching Alexa. For more information about how Amazon handles user privacy, check out its Q&A on the matter.
So, to Echo or to Echo Dot?If you want a large smart speaker that delivers high-quality sound, allows you to engage in hands-free control, and use your voice to communicate with loved ones, the $99.99 4th Gen Echo is a good call. Another perk of this device is that it’s customizable: You can choose a decorative shell to compliment your home decor vibe. Plus, it works with other Amazon Echo devices for the ultimate sound setup whenever you need it.
If you don’t want to fork over a lot of cash for a smart speaker, the Echo Dot is a great pick — especially considering it's newer than the 4th Gen Echo. At only $49.99, it’s a steal compared to other Amazon-connected devices and offers the same smart speaker benefits... and then some.
SAVE $20: In Amazon's Big Spring Sale, you can save up to 40% on Fire TV Sticks.
Best Amazon Spring Sale Fire TV Stick deals Best for the basics Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite $19.99 at Amazon (Save $10) Get Deal Best for most people Amazon Fire TV Stick $24.99 at Amazon (Save $15) Get Deal Best for 4K Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $29.99 at Amazon (Save $20) Get DealEveryone wants to have more options when it comes to home entertainment, but not everyone possesses the technology to access literally thousands of extra movies and shows without so much as breaking a sweat.
That's a terrible shame, because all of that extra content really could be in the palm of your hand with an Amazon Fire TV Stick. These handy little devices can help you to stream more than 1.5 million movies and TV episodes, and watch favorites from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Max, and more. And you can even quickly find, launch, and control content with just your voice, because who wants to actually get up and move?
SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here: Shop Apple devices, robot vacuums, unlocked phones, moreAmazon's Big Spring Sale has delivered deals on Fire TV Sticks, saving you up to 40% on list price. For a limited time, you can secure your own Fire TV Stick at these discounted rates:
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10)
Amazon Fire TV Stick — $24.99 $39.99 (save $15)
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)
So what are you waiting for? This sale might be a celebration of spring, but there's nothing wrong with investing in your home entertainment. Spring will come and go, but you can always rely on your couch.
Dating apps can sometimes be a drag. Swiping till your thumbs hurt and racking your brain for witticisms about your matches' ski holiday, before the conversation inevitably fizzles out and you're left with a wasteland of matches unless some bizarre alchemy takes place, is hardly the romantic dream many of us have fantasised about and it can leave you feeling hopeless.
Enter the dating app coach. Singles of all ages are turning to coaches who specifically tailor their services to dating apps. These services range from simple advice around how to upgrade your dating app profile, to full-blown app management, in which an expert will set up your profile and reply to messages for you, as well as providing support – often both administrative and emotional.
Relationship experts are nothing new, with plenty of people historically turning to professionals in the field, from marriage counsellors to matchmakers, to improve their romantic relationships. Half of U.S. adults under the age of 30 have used a dating app, according to a 2023 study conducted by Pew Research Centre and one in five partnered adults within the same age range met their current partner on a dating app, so it makes sense that people are seeking specific professional help.
SEE ALSO: What is cockfishing? Why some men lie about their size on dating apps.Erika Ettin has been a dating coach for 13 years and she offers a variety of services to a wide range of clients. "One of the services I offer is doing people's online dating for them, as crazy as that sounds," Ettin says, explaining that this involves swiping yes and no on their behalf and starting conversations with their matches. Ettin's services involve a complete overhaul of her clients' dating profiles, getting their photos professionally taken, rewriting their bio and, if they opt in for this, managing their dating apps for three to six months.
"One of the services I offer is doing people's online dating for them, as crazy as that sounds."Of course, it's not just the administrative side of dating apps that makes them difficult to use – they can be emotionally taxing too. 91 percent of people who use the dating app Hinge say they’ve been ghosted, according to a survey carried out by Hinge. These experiences can be very isolating and demoralising. 35-year-old Olivia, who is based in New York, decided to get in touch with Ettin after a recent short-term-relationship that she described as friends-with-benefits ended. "I was just feeling kind of defeated," she says. "It was nice to hear from somebody who was an expert that I wasn't doing anything wrong — there wasn't anything wrong with me."
Olivia opted in for just a few of Ettin's services, rather than handing over complete control of her dating apps. As well as helping edit her profile initially, this includes once-a-month meetings on Zoom where Olivia* shares her screen so Ettin can see exactly how Olivia is using her dating apps, and looking through her messages. On top of this, Olivia is also able to message Ettin for advice as and when she wants it. "A lot of people want to talk about how to handle the emotional stress that comes with [things like] ghosting," Ettin says, explaining that it varies from client to client when it comes to what her coaching looks like, adding: "I'm very clear with people that I'm not a therapist but it does often feel that way."
SEE ALSO: The dating app glossary: The A to Z of terms you need to knowOne of the benefits of dating coaches is that they're able to provide unbiased advice, something a lot of people lack, particularly when loved ones might have their own opinions that don't always align with what you want. "My mom and my sister are both married and they just want me to be happy, so I could go on a date with someone who was just awful and they'd tell me I'm being too critical and that I should give him another chance," Olivia says, explaining that the advice Ettin provides her with is totally different and focussed on exactly what she wants and what's best for her.
Lily Womble is the founder of a feminist dating programme called The Brazen Breakthrough, designed to help people navigate digital dating in a healthy way. "The dating landscape is full of patriarchal advice that tells women to shrink what they want and be less picky, or be more feminine," Womble tells Mashable. Womble's programme not only helps people revamp their dating profiles and navigate messaging matches, but it also puts them through courses that cover topics like 'caring for your dating nervous system' and 'claiming preferences on a deeper level'. "The skills that I teach are both the mindset and the tactical strategy to qualify the right people quickly," Womble says. She adds that, for women especially, dating apps provide "access to bad behaviour at rates we've never had before," which is another reason people are looking for support.
SEE ALSO: It's easy to catfish strangers on dating appsNot all dating app coaching is quite so grounded, however, particularly a lot of the advice dating app coaches on the internet hand out. One TikTok user who describes himself as a dating coach for 'the modern man' recently shared a video claiming that "every man should be controversial". "If you're not controversial at all that means you have no opinion and no backbone, neither of which is attractive to women," he says, also mentioning well-known misogynistic figures like Donald Trump and Andrew Tate. Most dating coaches don't have specific qualifications — Womble and Ettin were both previously professional matchmakers — so for people seeking out their services, it's important that you find someone whose beliefs align with your own. This also means that dating app coaches, especially those sharing advice online, might be potentially dangerous for impressionable people who are new to dating apps and dealing with insecurity or self-doubt.
58-year-old James* is another one of Ettin's clients. He began looking for help with dating apps after getting divorced in his early 50s and finding himself baffled by how much the dating landscape had changed since he met his ex-wife at school. According to Ettin, many of her clients have been through a similar experience, or are completely new to dating apps, which makes sense as the dating app Bumble reported that 39 percent of people on Bumble have ended a marriage or serious relationship in the last two years and 36 percent are using dating apps for the first time. James had his dating apps managed by Ettin completely, so she would swipe through his account and make the initial contact with matches. This was partly due to the administrative load of dating apps, but James says that he also benefited from working with a female dating coach: "She gives great advice and she would check my biases and ask me, 'why don't you want to go out with this person?'" he says. James says that Ettin would also advise him against moving forwards with certain people, particularly if she sensed he might not be committed or treating them fairly. "It was really good for me to have someone of the opposite sex to speak to," James says.
"My wife constantly teases me about it. She says: 'I can't believe you delegated this to an agent!'"James eventually met the woman who is now his wife through Ettin's services, which raises the question: how do you tell a partner or potential partner that you're using a dating coach and is it even ethical to have your messages written by a professional? "My wife constantly teases me about it," James says, explaining that it was actually Ettin who made the first contact with her. "She says: 'I can't believe you delegated this to an agent!'" he adds, jokingly. For some, it might feel deceitful to find out that your communication with the person you're dating is being intercepted by a professional dating coach, whereas others might see it as a positive sign that you're willing to take your dating life seriously. And not only take it seriously, but invest in it too, as dating app coaches tend to cost thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars.
Ultimately, dating apps are still in their very early days of existence and there's no guidebook on how to use them effectively or ethically (ideally, both). And despite the fact that apps are designed to make it easier to find what you're looking for romantically and sexually, Womble believes that "dating apps have made it more existentially exhausting to find love", providing us with so many options that actually hinder our decision-making abilities because of increased stress. Sounds familiar, right? After all, there's only so many "you up?" messages, cancelled dates and swiping left one can go through until professional help starts to appeal. And though coaches are not magicians who can conjure up your perfect partner out of thin air, if you find the right one, they might be able to make dating an enjoyable experience again. Womble says that she cannot guarantee her clients that they'll immediately find a partner if they invest in her coaching but she says that they often take away so much more from the experience: "My promise is that you will create a confident and joyful dating life that makes the right relationship inevitable."
*a pseudonym has been used for privacy
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