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UPDATE: Jun. 26, 2024, 11:35 a.m. EDT We've updated this story with the latest information about Amazon's invite-only deals for Prime Day 2024.
Last year, Amazon made the mega-sale that is Prime Day even bigger when they introduced their invite-only deals program, which allowed select shoppers a chance to grab extra-exclusive door busters.
They brought them back for their fall Prime sale event, and as of June 25, have confirmed that Prime Day 2024 will be featuring more invite-only deals.
So what do you need to know ahead of Amazon's sale on July 16 and 17? Below, you'll find all the essential info you need to shop invite-only deals.
What are invite-only Prime Day deals?Pre-dating invite-only deals, Amazon Prime Day has typically included a handful of extra hot-ticket deals that appear unexpectedly and sell out quickly. Buying them, or at least trying to, could be a chaotic and frustrating experience.
The idea behind invite-only deals is that you don't have to be glued to your computer screen during the sale in order to catch these deep discounts while they're live. Instead, Prime members can request an invite to claim these deals. There's still no guarantee you'll get to actually add them to your cart, but it formalizes the process and takes the usual Prime Day buying frenzy down a notch.
What invite-only deals will be available during Prime Day 2024?So far, Amazon hasn't dropped the specific deals that'll be on sale, but they have teased in a press release that invite-only deals for 2024 will include "up to 40% off Sony Wireless Headphones and up to 30% off Peloton products" as well as "40% off Invite-only deals for a Speedo Champion Signature Swim bundle, up to 60% off Invite-only deal for a Citizen Chronograph Watch and 58% off Invite-only deals on Foreo LUNA mini 3 set."
For July's Prime Day sale in 2023, Amazon offered 10 invite-only deals, including a $100 4K Omni TV, saving the lucky few who were chosen 75% on the TV. Fall's Prime Big Deal Days sale brought back slightly less impressive offerings, with six total deals, including a Sony soundbar and Jabra earbuds. For both Prime sales, Amazon ended up adding deals at the last minute — for fall's sale, that ended up including 60% off a 50-inch Omni TV and 60% off a 50-inch Hisense Fire TV.
When do invite-only deals become available?By June 23 of last year, Amazon released their initial slate of invite-only deals. Though that may make it appear that we're behind schedule, Amazon also announced the official dates of Prime Day 2023 by June 20, so if they keep up with about the same timeline this year, we may start to see invite-only deals become available within the next few days.
SEE ALSO: Walmart's new Prime Day-rivaling sale is already much better than Walmart+ WeekWe'll be keeping an eye out and updating this post as soon as they go live. Once they are, you can start immediately requesting invites.
Who can access invite-only Prime Day deals?We know pretty much nothing about Amazon's invite-only deal selection process, but we do know that you can only request access if you're a member of its Prime subscription service (paid or trial). Signing up for a membership is easy, and can give you access to more Prime-exclusive deals throughout the duration of the sale.
How to shop invite-only Prime Day dealsShoppers can request invitations to these deals via featured items' product pages in the lead-up to the sale. To request any deals, here's what to do:
Navigate to any invite-only item, then hit "Request invite."
Amazon will automatically put in your request via the email associated with your account. If you're selected to shop the deal, you'll receive an email or mobile notification (if you have the Amazon app) with a unique link to shop the sale on July 16 or July 17. If you're not selected, you'll also be notified.
That's it — it's literally a two-step process.
Shoppers are eligible to put in one request per item, but you're not limited on how many invite-only deals you can shop. For instance, if there are six available items, you can put in up to six requests. Once you put in a request, you'll be able to see an "invite requested" notice on the product page.
When to shop invite-only deals for Prime Day 2024As soon as the deals become available, you can start requesting invites to shop. Again, you'll want to keep your eye on your email in the days leading up to the sale, where you'll be notified for which item and when you can shop the sale.
We'll be updating this post with invite-only deals once they go live.
EARLY PRIME DAY BOOK DEALS: Don't miss Amazon's Prime Day book deals! As of June 26, save on hundreds of bestselling titles, from #BookTok favorites to Amazon's Best Books of the Year So Far.
Our top picks: Best Amazon Books Editors' Pick book deal The Husbands (Kindle Edition) by Holly Gramazio $5.99 at Amazon (save $9) Get Deal Best #BookTok book deal The Black Witch (Paperback Edition) by Laurie Forest $10.99 at Amazon (save $6) Get Deal Best book-to-screen deal Bridgerton Boxed Set 1-4 (Paperback Edition) by Julia Quinn $43.95 at Amazon (save $32.05) Get DealAmazon Prime Day isn’t here just yet, but the retailer is kicking off its annual sales event with book deals even the most loyal brick-and-mortar bibliophiles won’t want to miss. (Amazon did start as a bookstore, so it’s no surprise the company’s starting its biggest sale of the year with a lineup of discounted reads.)
SEE ALSO: The Amazon Book Sale is packed with great deals on Kindles and books for all readersAs of June 26, you can snag bestsellers, trendy #BookTok books (you know, to see what all the hype is about), and select books from Amazon’s Best Books of the Year So Far list at up to 80% off. Bonus deal: Through July 17, Prime Members can also get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free (renews at $11.99 per month afterward or until canceled).
Here are the best Amazon book deals to shop before Prime Day officially kicks off on July 16-17:
Best Amazon Books Editors' Pick book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Doubleday Our pick: "The Husbands" (Kindle Edition) $5.99 at AmazonScore up to 85% off Kindle books, including Holly Gramazio’s The Husbands, which was named one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year So Far. (It’s also one of my previous Book of the Month picks.)
The Husbands is what the Washington Post calls “a bottomless champagne flute of a novel (without the hangover),” and once you hear the premise, you'll understand why.
The story follows a woman who meets a mysterious man in her home after a night out. According to her phone, photos, and the wedding band on his finger, he's not actually a stranger. However, once she gets to know this man, he suddenly disappears into the attic, only to be replaced by a brand-new husband. As the main character comes to realize what's happening, she cycles through hundreds of husbands throughout the story.
Snag this title for $5.99 (Kindle Edition) or $17.89 for the hardcover.
More Amazon Books Editors' Pick book deals:Martyr! (Kindle Edition) by Kaveh Akbar — $5.99 $14.99 (save $9)
A Fate Inked in Blood (Kindle Edition) by Danielle L. Jensen — $5.99 $13.99 (save $8)
The Reappearance of Rachel Price (Kindle Edition) by Holly Jackson — $4.99 $10.99 (save $6)
Starting July 3, you can save up to 50% on #BookTok favorites like Laurie Forest’s The Black Witch. But if you’re a Prime member, you can get it on Kindle Unlimited right now for free. (If you’re not a Prime member, you can get the Kindle Edition for $8.99.) Or, if you prefer paperback, you can get it for just $10.99 (35% off).
The Black Witch is for Harry Potter fans and the like. This novel tells the story of a young girl named Elloren Gardner who’s expected to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and become the next Black Witch — except she’s powerless in the magical sense.
More #BookTok book deals:That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon (Kindle Edition) by Kimberly Lemming — $4.99 $18.99 (save $14)
Convenience Store Woman (Kindle Edition) by Sayaka Murata — $8.48 $16 (save $7.52)
The Lost Apothecary (Paperback Edition) by Sarah Penner — $10.94 $18.99 (save $8.05)
Book Lovers (Paperback Edition) by Emily Henry — $12 $17 (save $5)
On July 8, you can get up to 50% off Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series and Prequels Collection (Kindle Edition only). But if you just can’t wait, the Bridgerton Boxed Set 1-4 (Paperback Edition) for just $43.95 — that’s 42% off the list price.
These historical romance novels became the Netflix series du jour, Bridgerton, starring Regé-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor.
More book-to-screen book deals:Fire & Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones (Paperback Edition) by George R. R. Martin — $16.99 $22 (save $5.01)
The Idea of You (Kindle Edition) by Robinne Lee — $11.99 $17.99 (save $6)
Chronicles of Narnia Box Set (Paperback Edition) by C.S. Lewis — $28.70 $63.93 (save $35.23)
GET A $10 AMAZON GIFT CARD: Amazon Prime members who are also members of Grubhub+ are eligible for a free $10 Amazon gift card with a $25+ order at Grubhub with code GRUBPRIME.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Free $10 Amazon gift card with $25+ Grubhub order. Use code GRUBPRIME Get DealIt's summer, which means the schedule is packed. Between work, keeping kids entertained, and soaking up every moment of warmth to make up for the frosty winter, dinner plans can fly out the window. If you're an Amazon Prime member who's taken advantage of your free access to Grubhub+, there's a special deal in store for you today.
Now through July 15, Amazon Prime members can get a free $10 Amazon gift card with a $25+ order at Grubhub with code GRUBPRIME. To cash in on the deal, Prime members will also need to take advantage of their free subscription to Grubhub+ through Amazon.
SEE ALSO: Grubhub+ is officially a full-time Amazon Prime perk — celebrate with $5 off $25Grubhub makes dinner easy. Instead of stopping by the grocery store and then turning on your oven when it's already too hot inside, find your favorite restaurant and order dinner in. Or, if your route home takes you by your favorite restaurant, order through Grubhub for takeout. After your order of $25 or more with the discount code, Amazon will email the $10 gift card to the associated Grubhub email address in July.
To meet the eligibility requirements for the deal, you'll need to be an Amazon Prime member, which comes with tons of perks like exclusive deals that we expect to see roll in as we approach the mega Prime Day sale on July 16 and 17 this year. A Prime membership costs $14.99 per month, or save some cash and opt for the $139 annual membership. After that, you'll need to take advantage of a Prime membership benefit: free access to Grubhub+. This gets you unlimited orders with free delivery and access to exclusive offers.
We certainly didn't need more reasons as to why an Amazon Prime membership is a smart investment, but Amazon went ahead and gave us another. With your free access to Grubhub+, a qualifying order of $25 or more will send a free $10 Amazon gift card your way. Amazon is basically giving us free money for simply eating dinner, which sure seems like a great deal to us. Bon appétit!
If you don't feel like waiting until Prime Day to do some deal shopping, there's a ton of great deals available weeks ahead of the shopping event. As of June 26, Amazon has lowered the prices of many of its own devices, plus plenty of other gadgets. We've rounded up a few deals that particularly caught our eye and that we deem worthy of your hard-earned cash.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. Be sure to check out our top picks from June 24 and June 25 as well — many of those are still live and worth adding to your cart.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro $69.99 at AmazonBuilt especially for destructive little hands, the Fire HD 8 Kids Pro is one of the best kid-specific tablets on the market. It makes a great choice for a first tablet for elementary schoolers (designed for ages 6 to 12), thanks to its durable case, curated Amazon Kids+ catalog of apps and games, and detailed parental controls that leave room for growth as your child gets older. The battery life is surprisingly long, too — up to 12 hours. It's regularly $149.99, but as of June 26, it's on sale for only $69.99 if you're a Prime member. That's 53% off and a new record-low for the kid-friendly device.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Detect Pro self-emptying robot vacuum $399.99 at AmazonUpon testing the Shark Detect Pro, our resident robot vacuum expert determined it to be the best Shark for carpet. It navigates with NeverStuck technology, which allows it to seamlessly maneuver between floor types and large obstacles. Translation: it's less likely to get stuck than other Sharks. Plus, it offers Matrix cleaning, so it can conquer dirty spots by taking multiple passes from multiple angles. It's usually $549.99, but you can save $150 on this self-emptying robot vacuum and pick it up at Amazon for $399.99. That's 27% in savings and on par with its lowest price on record.
Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Coleman 4-in-1 Portable Propane Camping Stove $69.99 at AmazonA great companion for camping trips, tailgates, and more, the Coleman 4-in-1 portable propane camping stove packs removable legs and cooktop inserts that slip into the inverted wok for easy storage. There are 100 square inches of cooking space, which is large enough to cook for up to four people, and up to 7,000 total BTUs of power. There are also three different cooktop options to swap out depending on what you're craving. Just remember to grab a 16.4-ounce propane cylinder to get it going. Usually $124.99, Amazon has it on sale for a record-low $69.99 as of June 26.
Opens in a new window Credit: Echo Echo Frames (3rd gen) $169.99 at AmazonWhy would anyone need glasses that play music, stream podcasts, and take calls hands-free, you ask? Why not? They're equipped with Alexa, so you can use them to control compatible smart home devices and ask the important questions. Plus, you won't have to worry about taking out your phone or popping earbuds in and out to take calls or listen to tunes. They last for up to 14 hours and come in five unique styles, depending on the lens type. We've highlighted the classic black polarized sunglasses, but they also come in blue light-filtering lenses and prescription-ready frames. Usually $329.99, you can grab a pair for just $169.99 as of June 26 — that's the lowest price ever by a landslide.
Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Video Doorbell + 2 Outdoor 4 smart security cameras (4th gen) with Sync Module 2 $94.99 at AmazonOne of our top overall picks for a security camera, the Blink Outdoor 4 can help you keep tabs on your home without spending an arm and a leg. This bundle deal includes two of these cameras, plus the Blink Video Doorbell and Sync Module 2, which conveniently lets you control all of your Blink devices from the Blink Home Monitor app. The cameras and doorbell pair seamlessly together to help you outfit your home with an extra set of eyes. You can create customizable motion zones, answer your door from anywhere, and see and speak via two-way audio from the app. Whether you're working, traveling, or trying to get a good night's sleep, this combo can help give you some peace of mind. Valued at $239.98, the bundle will only cost you $94.99 at Amazon as of June 26. That's the lowest price to date.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
SAVE $100: As of June 26, get Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II for just $179 at Amazon. That's 36% off the list price of $279.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II $179.00 at AmazonNeed to pause and take some time out for yourself? Noise-canceling headphones can give you that moment of peace you're seeking in a busy, bustling world. Or maybe you just want a more immersive way to enjoy your favorite music. Whatever the case may be, a great pair of earbuds might be just what you're looking for.
As of June 26, you can get the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II for $179 at Amazon. That's $100 off their normal price of $279, and a discount of 36%. It's also their lowest price ever, so if you've been waiting for a good time to buy, this is it.
SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: The Sennheiser Momentum 4 earbuds just hit a record-low priceThese earbuds are all about adapting to the level of noise cancellation you're comfortable with. They boast excellent sound quality when you're listening to your favorite songs, but they really shine when you're ready to block out the world. They'll keep out frustrating noises that you don't want to hear, but also come with options to let important sounds (like railroad crossing signs or approaching cars) come through so you know what's going on around you.
You've also got plenty of ways to customize the buds to your liking, as they come with multiple ear tips for you to decide what works best. In addition, you can change things up to what best suits you with the accompanying app. So if you're ready to try out a new pair of noise-canceling earbuds that are all about what you're looking for out of your audio equipment, don't miss out on this pre-Prime Day deal.
SAVE $35.97: Amazon Prime members can sign up for a free 3-month subscription to Kindle Unlimited, which typically costs $11.99 per month. That's a total savings of $35.97.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Free 3-month membership to Kindle Unlimited Prime member-exclusive deal Get DealWe're now almost halfway through 2024, and if your New Year's resolution was to dive into reading, but you haven't quite fulfilled that commitment, there's still time. We still have 26 full weeks left in the year, which means today is a great time to start turning pages. If your preferred reading method is e-books or audiobooks, there's a great deal in store for you today for the total price of F-R-E-E.
Through July 17, Amazon Prime members can sign up for a free 3-month subscription to Kindle Unlimited. The service typically costs $11.99 per month, which means you'll be saving a total of $35.97 over the three-month time frame. Just remember to cancel your subscription before the three months are up to avoid being charged.
SEE ALSO: Prime Day Echo deals: Amazon's smart home devices are falling to record-low pricesKindle Unlimited is an e-book reader's delight. It gives you unrestricted access to over 4 million digital books, from classics to bestsellers. If you're in the mood for something longer, check out the selection of popular book series, which is just as good as finding a new show to binge. Plus, you'll no longer have to wait weeks for the book to become available from the library.
If you'd rather listen to books instead of read on a device, Kindle Unlimited also has you covered. The catalog includes thousands of audiobooks to choose from, which have the power to turn any road trip from a slog to a joy. Kindle Unlimited also includes magazine subscriptions, with titles like People Magazine, Travel + Leisure, and Runner's World.
To grab this deal, you'll need to be an Amazon Prime member, which costs $14.99 per month or $139 annually. If you're on the fence about joining, consider Amazon's upcoming Prime Day sale, which will also come packed with exclusive deals for members only. Plus, you'll get access to Amazon's two-day shipping. And if you don't already have an e-reader, check out our favorite Kindle review.
If your reading goals aren't getting met and you're ready to change that this summer, sign up for free access to Kindle Unlimited for three months. Then you'll have some great motivation to turn some pages.
With MaXXXine, the latest in their X trilogy, Ti West and Mia Goth are charting a curious course as horror's most fascinating new duo.
It was little more than two years ago that the writer/director and actress/producer unleashed the ultra-violent slasher X upon a giddy SXSW audience prior to a successful theatrical release. Then, just four months later, they unveiled the prequel Pearl, which not only unfurled the tormented origin story of the first film's villain, but also offered a tone so wildly different that it left critics and audiences dizzy with deranged delight. Where X was dripping with lurid sex, vicious shame, and a mean sense of humor plumbed from Tobe Hooper's seminal 1974 slasher, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Pearl was a campy ode to winsome Technicolor children's movies like The Wizard of Oz and Mary Poppins, but with a dark undercurrent that reflected the devilish potential behind its titular antiheroine's wide-eyed ambition.
The two films formed a festered fairy tale, where the princess of one becomes the wicked queen of the other. So what does all this mean for MaXXXine, the sequel that follows X's sole survivor to 1985 Los Angeles? Like its predecessors, it's rooted in a tale of sex and murder. But this time West's influences lean into the film-noir classics set in L.A., like Roman Polanski's iconic 1974 hit, Chinatown. The result is a film that starts off familiar but strong, tapping into the seedy pleasures of peep shows and surreal realities of studio backlots. But something gets lost as West and Goth hurtle toward a climax that feels undeserving of the movie that leads up to it.
What's MaXXXine about? Credit: A24Set six years after X, MaXXXine l finds its titular sex worker, Maxine Minx, a successful porn star hoping to make the leap to legit moviemaking in Hollywood. Convinced the sequel to a popular, gory horror movie called The Puritan is her ticket to the big time, she throws her all into the audition. But getting the part won't be nearly as difficult as surviving the leather-gloved stalker who's been picking off her friends one by one.
SEE ALSO: Ti West owed us Pearl dancing for farm animalsA Final Girl in full, Maxine is not one to be easily scared. Not by the sneering ego of her director (Elizabeth Debicki), the intimidation tactics of a pair of LAPD detectives (Michelle Monaghan and Bobby Cannavale), or a Southern-twanged private eye (Kevin Bacon), whose white suit, wide-brimmed hat, and busted nose make for the movie's most explicit Chinatown reference. But when these murder investigations threaten her fledgling career, Maxine is determined to face off against the mystery killer, with a dark glare and her mantra: "I will not accept a life I do not deserve."
Mia Goth is once again great under West's direction. Credit: A24The baby-voiced British actress has worked with an array of acclaimed filmmakers, including Lars Von Trier (Nymphomaniac), Gore Verbinski (A Cure for Wellness), and Luca Guadignino (Suspiria). Yet it might well be West who has best showcased the doll-faced actress, giving her much more to play than the tragic while beautiful gamine.
With X, she pulled double duty, portraying the uninhibited and ambitious Maxine as well as the desperately horny (to the point of homicidal rage) Pearl. With Pearl, she threw herself into a parody of an ingenue tale, giving a performance as jarring and enchanting as it was hysterically vulnerable. With MaXXXine, she locks away the insecurities of Pearl, leaning into Maxine's borderline dangerous delusions of grandeur. Witnessing Maxine swaggering onto a studio lot and trash-talking her competition without breaking stride, her unchecked confidence gives a thrill. But as the film lurches into its final act, Maxine threatens to become more clichéd than compelling.
MaXXXine is at its best when it's a showbiz satire. Credit: A24West and Goth are wickedly clever in how they depict Hollywood here. On one front, the film-within-the-film The Puritan II looks destined to be gory, goofy trash. Yet its director — with a lofty English accent — speaks of it like it will rival The Godfather. In the audition for the role of a possessed 1950s housewife, it's not enough for Maxine to cry on cue. She's also expected to bare her breasts, and she does so matter-of-factly, as if being asked to hand over her headshot.
Such shrugging absurdity comes to a head in a chase sequence through the actual Universal Studios back lot. Here, Bacon's dick chases Goth's starlet from the Old West sets, through a false Manhattan, and up to the stairs of the Bates Motel. It's a knowingly silly sequence that draws attention to the facades of Hollywood and fame, while also showing how mastering the landscape of such agreed-upon lies can help one survive — and even thrive — in Hollywood. It's a point that West drives home with the film's finale. But getting there is a bloody battle.
MaXXXine loses the courage of its convictions with a frustratingly unsatisfying climax. Credit: A24For much of MaXXXine, I was on the edge of my seat, a big goofy grin on my face. West and Goth were chiseling out a film-noir story of a femme fatale who, having survived one attempt on her life, is determined to let no one get the better of her now that she's closer to her dream than ever before. There's a horrid determination in Maxine, who will not be slowed down by the bodies stacking up on the morgue, her grief, or the slaughterhouse secrets she ran from in Texas. To her, Los Angeles is a place of heat and promise. West paints his setting accordingly, framing Maxine as a goddess, tall and untouchable among the squalid backdrops and the blaring evening news reports of the (real) serial killer known as the Night Stalker.
While outwardly, Maxine can be stoic in the face of death and condemnation, the movie quivers with the energy of an animal running for its very life. Neon lights, leather pants, spurts of blood, and snorts of cocaine piece together an atmosphere so thick you can practically smell the sweat and hairspray. And Goth's supporting cast — which also boasts enthralling turns from Giancarlo Esposito, Moses Sumney, and Halsey — fleshes out this world with attitude, moxie, sneers, and screams.
But when it comes time to pull back the curtain and reveal the real villain, screenwriter West makes the least interesting — indeed downright predictable — choice. A big, splashy sequence in the Hollywood Hills has action, graphic violence, and plenty of dramatic pronouncements. But after all the possibilities set up in its noir plot, the clunky conclusion feels out of place with the intoxicating satire that led to it. Instead of following the noir-inspiration points to a justly cold and harrowing end (think Sunset Boulevard), MaXXXine seems to abruptly remember its slasher sequel and thus piles on fresh lore, tiresome monologuing, and the requisite higher body count expected as a franchise expands.
It's a shame. Vibrant in sleaze, satire, and shocking violence, MaXXXine was on the brink of being the best West and Goth have made yet. But a bungled ending leaves a sour taste.
TL;DR: Pay only $114.99 for the SHOKZ bone conduction open-ear Bluetooth headset, no coupon needed.
Anyone who's endured earbuds or headphones for hours on end in the summer knows it can be uncomfortable. Sweaty ears and slimy gear? Hard pass. Thankfully, there’s a way to dodge the discomfort: bone-conduction headphones. For a limited time, the SHOKZ AfterShokz OpenComm Headset is up for grabs for $114.99.
Whether you're hamming it out in the gym, training for a half-marathon, or just taking client calls while walking around the block, this headset allows for all-day comfort for the wearer, no matter the weather, thanks to its open-ear design. It sends sound vibrations along your cheekbones straight to your ears, so you stay aware of your surroundings. And yes, that means you’ll still hear cars honking and high heels clacking, even while you’re deep into your favorite podcast.
This headset also features a built-in adjustable DSP noise-cancelling boom mic, which is just a fancy way of saying it cuts out background noise and enhances selective listening. No more worrying about your colleagues hearing your laundry on WFH days. With Qualcomm 3024 chips, it supports complex sounds and precise tuning. There's also a multifunction button that lets you play, pause, activate voice assistants, answer calls, and more with just a couple of taps.
Built to last, this headset sports a full titanium frame and has passed 10,000 bend and shake tests, ensuring it stays in shape no matter how intense your movements. Its IP5 water-resistance rating means it can handle accidental splashes, too. With 16 hours of talk time, you can stay connected all day long. And if you're in a hurry, a quick 5-minute charge will extend its life.
Normally $159, the SHOKZ AfterShokz OpenComm bone-conduction Bluetooth headset is on sale for just $114.99 for a limited time.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: SHOKZ SHOKZ AfterShokz OpenComm - Bone Conduction Open-Ear Stereo Bluetooth Headset $114.99 at The Mashable ShopTL;DR: Fly high this summer with the Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle PRO 4K and Blade K drone bundle, on sale for $159.97 through June 26.
Did you miss out on booking that European summer getaway like half of your Instagram feed? No worries! You can still take to the skies, but in a much cooler way. How about investing in a drone or even better, two drones?
This deal lets you take home two state-of-the-art 4K smart drones for the price of one. June 26 is your last chance to cop this bundle for just $159.97 — nearly 50% off its original retail price of $299.
Both of these drones boast 4K cameras. The Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle Pro packs a 4K electric adjustable camera that supports vertical and horizontal shooting, while the Blade K drone has a 4K front camera and bottom camera, capable of taking cinematic, crisp visuals no matter the angle. Even if you're not a professional photographer or videographer, you can expect to capture breathtaking shots.
Worried about crashing? Both drones are equipped with optical flow technology and advanced 4-way anti-collision systems, meaning they can detect obstacles in their path, ensuring a smooth and safe ride every time. They're also both beginner-friendly, have a one-key return function, and have four channels, allowing them to pull off all sorts of aerial stunts, including ascending, flying forward, backward, left, right, and even rolling 360 degrees. Plus, with the two of them having 1800 mAh battery built-in, they can deliver about 10 to 12 minutes of flying time on a single charge.
Dodge the FOMO and grab this drone bundle before it flies away for good.
Through June 26, you can grab the Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle Pro 4K with Blade K drone bundle on sale for only $159.97, no coupon necessary.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Onetify Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle PRO 4K with Blade K Drone Bundle $159.97 at The Mashable ShopTL;DR: Pay only $44.97 for a 1-year subscription to Microsoft 365 through June 26.
The Microsoft 365 Suite is a power pack of staples that help you get through both the workday and your hobbies and home life.
The thing about these apps, however, is access to them isn't cheap, normally only available through your work-issued computer. But you can now install them on your personal devices without breaking the bank. This is your last chance to snag a 1-year subscription to Microsoft 365 for just $44.97. Hurry, this deal ends at 11:59 p.m. PT tonight.
With this subscription, you can access Microsoft 365 apps on up to five devices at a time, including iOS, Android, PC, and Mac. Whether you're working online or offline, you'll have Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, MS Editor, Clipchamp, OneNote, Teams, and more at your fingertips. Plus, there's a generous 1TB of cloud storage for all your files, photos, videos, emails, and other documents.
Collaborate with colleagues using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, or unleash your inner Spielberg with Clipchamp for video editing. Need to create greeting cards or marketing materials? Publisher has got you covered. You can also join group calls with up to 300 people for up to 30 hours on Teams.
And for the cherry on top, Microsoft Defender is included to keep online threats at bay with identity theft monitoring and advanced protection for your favorite devices. Plus, you'll always have access to the latest features and updates as soon as they're released. If you ever hit a snag, technical support is just a chat or phone call away.
Grab this last chance to score a discounted 1-year Microsoft 365 subscription on sale for $44.97 until June 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: RetailKing Microsoft 365: 1-Year Subscription $44.97 at The Mashable ShopRemember when Google brought continuous scrolling to Search on desktop, back in December 2022? Well, now the company has reversed that decision, and ditched continuous scrolling in favor of pagination.
The news comes via Search Engine Land, who spoke to a Google spokesperson, reporting that continuous scrolling in search results will be gone starting June 25. The same thing will happen to mobile search results in the "coming months."
We can still see continuous scrolling on Google Search both on desktop and mobile at the time of writing, and we're guessing it just takes some time for changes to go live for everyone.
SEE ALSO: Google is working on generative AI soundtracks and dialogue for videosAccording to Google, the change is about being able to serve results faster on more searches, instead of automatically loading results that haven't been requested. The company also said that continuous scrolling didn't lead to "significantly higher" user satisfaction with Google Search.
We'd add that Google Search results becoming noticeably worse (which Google disputes) likely also had something to do with user satisfaction, but don't mind us.
The pagination will apparently look just like it did before, with an elongated "Gooooooooogle" logo with pages from 1 to 10 listed below.
It's worth noting that the change might be bad news for some, as the pages which are on the second, third, and subsequent pages might get less clicks. For most users, faster loading of search results is an obvious benefit, though it would be nice if said search results had less ads and spam in them, too.
Many a celebrity have entered the fashion and beauty space with brands of their own, but there's nothing quite like this one: musician M.I.A has just launched a clothing company that claims to block 5G waves from entering your body.
And it includes a $100 "tin foil hat".
The brand, Ohmni, describes itself as "armour of the modern knight in the age of modern technological warfare", and "your last frontier at preserving your privacy, autonomy, and rights over your body and your data." Ohmni's lengthy introduction also outlines dangers of modern technology, citing the likes of indiscriminate tracking surveillance, mind data mining, social media overload, AI, and augmented reality.
"This is not your artist foray into fashion," the page reads. "This is a necessity."
SEE ALSO: Smart garments: Your next jacket might come with a futuristic tagAvailable products on the website "designed to be protective, preventative, and precious" include a bucket hat described as a "tin foil hat" ($100), a "data protection" bag ($200), and a reversible "armour" T-shirt ($200), all lined with what M.I.A.'s company calls an "Original Silver Street Shield." Each is made with "pure Copper Nickel shielding fabric" which supposedly "offers exceptional electrical conductivity, deflecting electromagnetic waves such as Wi-Fi & 5G with up to 99.999% shielding effectiveness."
Tweet may have been deletedOther examples? Ohmni's "potency boxer shorts" ($50) made from fabric containing 80 percent pure silver in order to "protect you and your future generations." Or the brand's poncho ($200) claiming to provide "full coverage of brain, gut, lungs, heart, and womb."
"Any reliance on the information provided on this website is at your own risk." - Ohmni T&CsWhether or not Ohmni's products are anywhere near scientifically sound is another thing. If you check the the company's T&Cs, there's a medical disclaimer reading, "While our products are designed to potentially mitigate exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF), it is important to note that they are not medical devices and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment."
The company also stipulates that any information on Ohmni's website, including product descriptions, is "not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Any reliance on the information provided on this website is at your own risk." Notably, the company also says it "shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising from the use of our products."
So, essentially, rely on M.I.A.'s "tin foil hat" at your own peril.
"If the conspiracy theorists are wrong, good for you, you own some beautiful clothes made with pure silver and precious metals," reads the Ohmni website. "But, if they are right, you just might have saved the future of humanity."
Featured Video For YouM.I.A. herself has modeled for the brand, which is splashed all over her personal Instagram account. The artist introduced the brand while on Alex Jones' conspiracy-theory channel Infowars, a controversial show has just been forced to shut down in order to to pay off the $1.5 billion in defamation damages Jones owes to the families of Sandy Hook Massacre victims. M.I.A. previously attracted backlash after appearing on Jones' show in 2022, where she compared Jones' false claims about the Sandy Hook school shooting to "every celebrity pushing vaccines" — a comment she has since clarified.
The singer's criticisms of 5G — which seem to have prompted Ohmni's creation — date back to at least 2019. M.I.A. has posted several viral posts on X (formerly Twitter) about the dangers of 5G, including one in which she wrote: "In 10 years all of us will mutate Into radioactive cyborgs." In another post, from 2020, when conspiracy theories that linked 5G to the coronavirus were spreading fast on social media, she posited, "I don't think 5G gives you COVID19. I think it can confuse or slow the body down in healing process as body is learning to cope with new signals wavelength s frequency etc @ same time as Cov."
While there are health concerns over 5G, not all conclusions have been agreed upon by experts or confirmed as yet. Some theories, like the notion that 5G could cause COVID-19 and other health issues have been debunked, with the World Health Organization stating, "To date, and after much research performed, no adverse health effect has been causally linked with exposure to wireless technologies."
In November 2023, a month after Hamas launched an attack on Israel and war was subsequently unleashed on the people of Palestine, the state of Israel took to Instagram with a widely-shared post. The first picture displays Israeli soldier Yoav Atzmoni posing in front of a tank, holding a rainbow-bordered Israel flag; the second shows the soldier standing amongst the ruins of war, holding a different rainbow flag emblazoned with the handwritten words "in the name of love."
"The first ever pride flag raised in Gaza 🏳️🌈," the post was captioned.
These words, and their sentiment, were condemned online for blatant "pinkwashing": a propaganda strategy that "cynically exploits LGBTQIA+ rights to project a progressive image while concealing Israel's occupation and apartheid policies oppressing Palestinians", according to Palestinian-led movement Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS).
This Pride Month, the subject of pinkwashing is being further centered for a reason. Amid the war on Gaza and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, pinkwashing has been spotlighted as a harmful tactic weaponized against LGBTQ Palestinians — and something for allies to recognize and resist.
SEE ALSO: AI-generated 'All Eyes on Rafah' online movement provokes debate The history of pinkwashing and PalestineIn this context, pinkwashing was arguably brought to widespread attention in 2011, when writer and activist Sarah Schulman wrote of its significance in a New York Times editorial that criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's framing of the Middle East as "a region where women are stoned, gays are hanged, Christians are persecuted." Schulman condemned the Israeli government's ongoing campaign that purports Israel as a haven for the queer community, while also "ignor[ing] the existence of Palestinian gay-rights organizations" and queer Palestinians.
Israel, which has played host to several Pride events, has been dubbed on a tourism site for the country as a "welcoming hub that starkly contrasts some of the more religious and restrictive areas in Israel and the surrounding region". Same-sex marriage cannot be legally performed in Israel, but civil unions and marriages performed outside the state are recognized. In Gaza, homosexuality has been outlawed since 1936, and conversations concerning the rights of Palestinian queer community and the need to create lasting social change have staunchly grown over decades.
Efforts to resist pinkwashing seemed to take flight in the 2000s, for several reasons including the launch of Israel's lengthy PR campaign "Brand Israel", which some one scholar described as a way to "portray Israel as a safe-haven for gays and lesbians and Palestine as a regressive, violent and homophobic place." Several op-eds, books, and academic papers have detailed the dangers of this narrative; campaigns to resist have launched over the years, including a prominent call to boycott European song contest Eurovision in 2019, which was based in Tel-Aviv.
"In its essence, pinkwashing is a hidden form of violence against queer Palestinians." - Elias JahshanElias Jahshan, journalist, writer, and editor of This Arab Is Queer, describes pinkwashing as "reductive and racist."
"What it does is erase Palestinians stories and agency," Jahshan tells Mashable in an interview. "In its essence, pinkwashing is a hidden form of violence against queer Palestinians. It employs orientalist tropes to show Palestinians as uncivilised, backwards, and homophobic, and it also portrays us as victims of a patriarchal culture. It's dangerous."
Pro-Palestine advocates and organizations have long denounced pinkwashing not only for its underlying, PR-laden rhetoric, but its ability to distract and deflect from atrocities — including the ongoing war. For example, No Pride in Genocide, a coalition of activists, urges action against pinkwashing for its use "by a state or organization to deflect from or legitimize their violence imposed on other countries or communities." Groups like alQaws, BDS, and Jewish Voice for Peace have advocated for resisting the rhetoric that Palestinian and Arab societies are oppressive and archaic when it comes to LGBTQ rights in comparison to Western societies.
In the wake of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack and the escalation of the war on Gaza, pinkwashing has once again been steadily employed by Israel and its supporters as means of justification. Jahsan points to the aforementioned post showing Israeli soldier Atzmoni "holding the rainbow flag amongst the rubble" as a prime example of pinkwashing: "It was really awful. Since when was having a rainbow flag the litmus test for the queer community to be validated?" There are other prominent examples. One social media post by comedian Daniel-Ryan Spaulding went viral for comparing queer solidarity with Palestine to "chickens for KFC"; an Israeli comedy skit show called Eretz Nehederet posted a YouTube video satirizing pro-Palestine activists at Columbia University, waving rainbow-colored flags and supporting "LGBTQH" (in which the "H" stands for Hamas).
Resistance and recognitionThis June, social media users, activists, and groups have amplified the subject of pinkwashing as the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 37,000.
On Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), several posts have raised the issue. Amongst these is Slow Factory, a digital nonprofit organization, which detailed examples of pinkwashing amid Pride Month and condemned the weaponization of this tactic. "We refuse this blatant exploitation of identity politics," one caption reads.
Most of these posts push for advocacy and awareness, challenging the purported notion of liberating queer Palestinians and marginalized people with war. As Sarah O’Neal wrote in The Nation, "People are being decapitated in Gaza, not for being queer but for being Palestinian." Many posts on X have denoted the same: that the narrative of pinkwashing should hold no legitimacy, and certainly none during war.
This digital movement, which Jahshan says is "ramping up this year", particularly on Instagram, is both educational and activating. People and organizations posting have asked to recognize the existence of queer love in Palestine, shared resources for resisting propaganda, and raised awareness of Pride events and rallies for a cause.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted"This amount of solidarity this year is very heartening," he says. "Queer Palestinians and allies are spreading the word on pinkwashing and how harmful it is, and how it erases us. People forget that queer Palestinians exist. There is a queer Palestinian community in Gaza – there always has been. They live their lives their own way."
Your political beliefs may have more consequence on your love life than you think, as research is increasingly proving.
New research from dating app Tinder and British charity My Life My Say found that a third of UK singles (aged 18-25) think it's important for the person they're dating to be registered to vote. The study also found 21 percent of singles have ended a relationship or would do so if their significant other was not "politically engaged".
The study also found that 60 percent of young singles strongly feel that their partners should respect their personal views. When it comes to women, 65 percent agreed to this statement.
SEE ALSO: Men found a surprising new way to lie on dating appsThese statistics confirm a rise in politics entering the bedroom. Studies conducted in the last few years have shown that political beliefs, polarization, and even political apathy — or the refusal to participate in politics — mean a lot to young daters. In 2023, Bumble's dating predictions for the following year included the importance of political values: one in four people on Bumble believe that their partner should be engaged in political or social causes. Bumble additionally found that 33 percent of women said it's a turn off if someone they're dating isn't aware of current issues.
There's also a widening gap between the political views of young men and women. Research from Tinder, conducted in 2021, found that 71 percent of Gen-Z daters say dating someone with opposing political views is a dealbreaker. Separately, a recent Gallup poll found that only 25 percent of U.S. men between the ages of 18 and 29 identify as political liberal; meanwhile, 40 percent of women within that age range do. Another survey from 2023, conducted by Change Research, echoed this sentiment with its overarching findings: young women and transgender and nonbinary people lean much further left than men. This set of research took into consideration modern political issues in the U.S., including Donald Trump's presidency and the overturning of Roe v Wade.
While the issue of politics and dating is certainly more nuanced than numbers, the figures at hand do represent both an ideological divide and a growing conversation to be had.
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