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Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review: The most comfortable foldable yet

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 13:00

I may never have the combination of deep pockets and genuine interest that'll motivate me to purchase a foldable phone. But if I ever do, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold would most likely be at the top of my list.

Google’s debut foldable, last year’s Pixel Fold, was a respectable enough effort, but its hefty form factor kept it from greatness, especially compared to the competition (i.e., the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5).

This year, however, Google may have taken the top spot with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, a renamed successor to the Pixel Fold with better displays both inside and out, plus a killer redesign that makes it the most comfortable foldable I’ve used yet.

Sure, I’m not a huge fan of Google’s recent AI push, but if you ignore that stuff, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold might be the winner of the whole Pixel 9 family. Just as long as you can swing $1,799 — and don’t mind missing out on a few premium Pixel 9 Pro features.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold price and specs From behind. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Just like the Pixel Fold, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts at $1,799. Here’s what that gets you:

8-inch interior display
6.3-inch external screen
Tensor G4 processor
16GB RAM
256GB storage

The only other option when you buy a Pixel 9 Pro Fold is 512GB storage, which balloons the price up to $1,919. It’s a little puzzling that there’s no 1TB option, considering the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers that. One key trend you’ll notice with Pixel 9 Pro Fold is that it’s the most expensive phone with “Pixel 9” in the name, but it’s missing a couple of key premium bonuses that you’d get with a Pixel 9 Pro.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold design Look at how thin that thing is. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

While the other three Pixel 9 phones all feel iterative in terms of hardware redesigns (sporting new flat edges and a different camera visor on the back, but changing little else), the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a pretty substantial change from its predecessor. Here are the exact dimensions:

Folded: 6.1-inch height x 3-inch width x 0.4-inch depth
Unfolded: 6.1-inch height x 5.9-inch width x 0.2-inch depth
9.1 oz weight

When folded, the new foldable is both taller and more narrow than the old one. Aside from that, Google has made it remarkably light and thin. The weight is the most noticeable difference; Google shaved nearly an entire ounce off of this phone from year to year, going from 9.98 oz to 9.1 oz.

Even when folded, it's thin and light. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

With a shocking 0.2-inches of depth when unfolded (and only 0.4-inches when folded), combined with the new lighter weight, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is easily the most comfortable foldable I’ve ever held. It feels fantastic to use in either configuration, notably moreso than the Pixel Fold did. Last year’s model was just a little too wide and heavy for use as a regular phone when folded, but Google totally fixed that this year.

I found myself using the Pixel 9 Pro Fold in its folded configuration most of the time, barely even noticing I was holding a foldable.

One ding against the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's design is the choice of colors. You just get Obsidian and Porcelain, or black and white, in other words. Boring!

Pixel 9 Pro Fold displays This outside screen is great, too. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Like any foldable in this form factor, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has two displays. Here are the exact specs for each:

6.3-inch internal display with 20:9 aspect ratio, 1080 x 2424 resolution, adaptive refresh rate between 60 and 120Hz
8-inch external display with 2076 x 2152 resolution, adaptive refresh rate between 1 and 120Hz

Both of these displays top out at 2,700 nits of peak brightness, which is the same as the Pixel 9 and is remarkably nice for when you’re outside in direct sunlight. I really don’t have a bad word to say about either screen here. The internal Pixel 9 Pro Fold screen is absolutely massive, moving up from 7.6-inches to 8-inches, making it ideal for reading or watching things. Everything looks crisp, smooth, and colorful. It’s just fantastic.

The same goes for the external display. Honestly. I preferred reading articles on that to reading them on my regular iPhone. Google bumped the external display up from 5.8-inches to 6.3-inches, making it identical in screen size to the Pixel 9. This adds to the notion that you feel like you’re using a regular flagship smartphone when the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is folded, rather than using a weird bulky thing that’s a little uncomfortable whether folded or unfolded, as was the case with the original Pixel Fold.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold foldable features Made you look! Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable

One of the better aspects of the Pixel Fold was its suite of useful and intuitive foldable UI features. Google didn’t reinvent nor even really change the wheel here, as far as I can tell.

When unfolded, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold still lets you swipe up from the bottom of the screen to pull up a customizable taskbar full of your most commonly used apps. You can tap an app to open it normal-style, or drag two apps up from the taskbar to have more than one open at once. The display is certainly large enough for multitasking, just as the Pixel Fold’s was. Essentially, what worked well a year ago still holds up today.

The only really unique new addition worth mentioning is “Made You Look,” a frankly adorable feature that is one of the most useful applications of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s outer display in photography yet. The idea is that you unfold the phone, activate the rear camera, and pick from one of a few cute little animations to play on the outer screen. The subject of your photo (ideally, a small child) will look at the animation, at which point it will do something fun and make the kid smile while looking directly at the camera.

I have to be honest: I don’t have any kids, so testing this in the real-world is challenging. But I got hands-on with it at a Google event and it works as advertised on adults, so I imagine it might work on children, too.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold AI features Pixel Screenshots (seen here on a regular Pixel 9 phone) is the best use of AI on these devices. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable

Unfortunately, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold suffers from the same AI nonsense as every other Pixel 9 phone. I wrote about this at length in my Pixel 9 review, so I don’t want to repeat myself too much. I’ll keep this brief:

Google keeps leaning on generative AI features, largely having to do with photography, that I feel take the zest out of life. Having the ability to take a photo of a road and turn it into a river is cool, but it’s not as cool as just taking a photo of a river. The same goes for using the new “Add Me” feature to create group photos that never happened; a fake will never count as much as the real thing. Rinse and repeat for things like using AI to write text messages or emails for you.

The Pixel 9 family uses AI to do all of these things and more. Aside from a new Pixel Screenshots app that is a legitimately useful searchable database of all the screenshots you’ve ever snapped, these are all just party tricks with very little real-world use.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold performance

Performance-wise, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is right in line with the other Pixel 9 phones, in that daily usage feels fine, but the metrics don’t paint a super pretty picture.

Compared to the other Pixel 9 phones, the Fold is looking great. Its 4,706 Geekbench multi-core score is the highest of the bunch, as one would expect and hope from the most expensive phone in Google’s lineup this year. The only problem is that 2023’s Samsung Galaxy S23, which isn’t even the newest Samsung flagship, has a higher score at 4,977.

I don’t really know what to make of this, especially considering the Pixel 9 Pro Fold feels great to use on a practical basis. I never noticed any slowdowns; apps loaded quickly. And the phone never got hot on me, which was a problem with the Pixel Fold. I trust my gut on this; I can confidently say the Pixel 9 Pro Fold performs just fine, but the numbers aren’t particularly kind to it.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold battery

On the surface, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's battery life doesn't look as good as its Pixel 9 brethren, but that's not actually the case.

That’s according to our testing, anyway, which involved looping a TikTok video on the internal display at 50 percent brightness until the battery died. This took 16 hours and six minutes, which is a couple hours short of where the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL landed using the same testing. My only hypothesis here is that the bigger internal display uses more battery life.

Considering that this is a device with two displays and thus a lot more screen real estate to render at all times, I'd say 16 hours is actually really good.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold cameras

Another weird blip for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the camera array. Specs-wise, it's basically the same as last year:

48MP main lens
10.5MP ultra-wide lens
10.8MP telephoto lens
10MP selfie cameras both folded and unfolded

I think it's strange that the less expensive Pixel 9 Pro has, at least in terms of megapixel counts, a better camera array. That phone has a 50MP wide lens with 48MP ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. It's also capable of 30x zoom, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is only capable of 20x zoom. Both phones have access to all of the same camera algorithms and AI features, at least.

Even if the specs aren't remarkable for the price, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold does produce some good shots. Having 20x zoom is better than having no zoom.

Left: No zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable Right: 20x zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

The ultra-wide lens is real nice, too.

Brooklyn at sunset is great. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

After sunset, Night Sight is still able to produce quality low-light shots, though I didn't notice any particular improvements over last year.

Night Sight had to do a lot of work here. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Night Sight works with Portrait Mode, too.

Portrait Mode with Night Sight. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable Is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold worth it?

I’m not a foldable guy at heart — and I likely never will be. But if that changes, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold is at the top of the podium — for now.

That’s almost entirely because of how comfortable it is to hold. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is so light and thin that you almost forget it’s a foldable. Combine that with bigger and better displays inside and out, and you get a device that looks and feels incredible to use.

Sure, I don’t love Google’s suite of AI features, but they’re easier to ignore on a phone that has a gigantic inner display that you can use for watching movies and reading books. I wish its storage and camera features were at least on par with the Pixel 9 Pro, but those couple of complaints aside, Google made a heck of a jump from year one to year two of its foldable experiment.

Don't sleep on all the Best Buy Labor Day deals still live now

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 12:33

These are the best deals still live during the Best Buy Labor Day Sale as of September 3:

Best Buy Labor Day Sale Deals Still Live Now Best Tech Deal Apple MacBook Air, 14-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 at Best Buy (Save $200) Get Deal Best Headphones Deal Sonos Ace $399 at Best Buy (Save $50) Get Deal Best Appliance Deal Samsung Bespoke 29 Cu. Ft. 4-Door Flex French Door Refrigerator $2,049.99 at Best Buy (Save $2,050) Get Deal

Labor Day may have come and gone, but that doesn't mean all the deals have dried up, too. Eagle-eyed shoppers can still take advantage of plenty of sales that are still live right now. Case in point: some of the discounts that were part of the Best Buy Labor Day Sale are still available now, so you can rack up the deals while supplies last.

Though these deals were originally scheduled to disappear on Monday, September 2, it looks like many of them have been extended. We've sifted through all the discounts that are still available now, and there are still tons of different goods on sale. Essentially, if you see something, snag it while you can. There's no telling when things will disappear from virtual shelves or those prices will jump back up.

Below, find some of our favorite last-minute picks from the Best Buy Labor Day Sale that are still live. Add to your cart, no promo code required, and stack up the savings.

Best tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Our pick: Apple MacBook Air, 14-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799.00 at Best Buy
$999.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you've been looking to pick up a MacBook without breaking the bank, this is an excellent price for an affordable model that's still more than capable of running the latest version of MacOS. It's light, ultra-thin, and portable. It comes with a 14-inch Liquid Retina display as well as 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD and a 1080p HD webcam, which makes it great for taking classes or keeping up with friends and family on the go. This reduced price takes this laptop into a more affordable category alongside some of its competitors as well, so if you're a student, or just prefer Macs, it's worth taking the plunge.

More tech deals:

2021 Apple iPad (A13 Bionic chip, 64GB SSD, WiFi) — $199.99 $329.99 (save $130)
Sony 2024 77-inch Class Bravia 8 OLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV — $2,899.99 $3,899.99 (save $1,000)
Samsung 55-inch Class S90D OLED TV — $1,399.99 $1,899.99 (save $900)
Samsung 65-inch Class DU7200 Series Crystal 4K TV — $469.99 $529.99 (save $60)
LG Gram Laptop — $1,199.99 $2,099.99 (save $900)
HP Envy 2-in-1 14-inch Laptop — $649.99 $1,049.99 (save $400)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE — $349.99 $449.99 (save $100)

Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Our pick: Sonos Ace $399.00 at Best Buy
$449.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Sonos Ace cans are a great option for heavy hitting headphones at a discounted price. Mashable Deputy Editor Miller Kern reviewed the headphones and proclaimed them worth buying for "true audiophiles" and those with a Sonos ecosystem at home. They're lightweight at just 11 ounces, offer up to 30 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation turned on, and can connect via Bluetooth or USB-C, complete with fast charging that grants three hours of playback with three minutes on the charger.

More headphone deals:

Apple AirPods Max — $529.99 $549.99 (save $20)
Sony WH1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones — $249.99 $349.99 (save $100)
AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) — $189.99 $249.99 (save $60)

Best appliance deal Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Our pick: Samsung 4-Door Flex French Door Refrigerator $2,049.99 at Best Buy
$4,099.99 Save $2,050.00 Get Deal Why we like it

It's time to upgrade to a smart fridge. This Samsung model is all about keeping things convenient. It's a roomy appliance with a special Beverage Zone that can keep your drinks and desserts cooled to your choice, with customizable door panels, an auto-open door, automatic ice maker, and a UV deodorizing filter to keep things clean and sanitary. It can integrate with your Samsung SmartThings ecosystem and can assist you with lowering your monthly energy bill. There's even an automatic light that goes on as you get closer so you can get a quick view of what you have in the fridge.

More appliance deals:

LG Side-by-Side Refrigerator — $1,299.99 $1721.99 (save $422)
GE 4.5 Cubic Foot High-Efficiency Top Load Washer — $559.99 $799.99 (save $240)
Samsung 31 cubic foot 3-Door French Door Smart Refrigerator — $1,699.99 $2,339.99 (save $640)
LG - 24-inch Front Control Built-In Stainless Steel Tub Dishwasher — $599.99 $899.99 (save $300)

Almost every good Labor Day 2024 sale is still live

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 11:52

Check out the best Labor Day sales that are still going as of September 3:

A quick look at the best Labor Day deals still live Best tech deal Samsung Save up to 30% sitewide Get Deal Best home deal Dyson Save up to $200 on select vacuum cleaners and air purifiers Get Deal Best pet deal Petlibro Save up to 39% on automatic pet feeders, fountains, and more Get Deal Best outdoor deal Solo Stove Save up to $150 on fire pits and bundles Get Deal Best self-care deal Solawave Save 35% sitewide Get Deal

Labor Day may or may not have real meaning to you past a disheartening sign that summer's ending. But this new calendar page has a consolation prize built in: extended Labor Day sales.

It's more common than not for Labor Day sales to run for at least a day or two after the Monday that is officially Labor Day, with many spanning that entire first week of September. In fact, almost every single one of the best Labor Day deals we picked out last week are still live, and we're keeping tabs on them below (complete with end dates, if we have them).

Labor Day tech sales Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Save up to 30% sitewide Get Deal Why we like it

Samsung's Labor Day sale is still live across several categories, dropping deals on devices that could appeal to a variety of shoppers. Those in the market for a new TV ahead of football season can save up to $1,300 on a new Neo QLED or The Frame TV, while those who need a shot of motivation after the summer lull at work can save up to $600 on a new curved monitor or up to $1,375 a new GalaxyBook4 Ultra all together. Large appliances and Galaxy Buds are also on sale.

More tech deals

Amazon — save up to 40% on Kindles, Echo devices, Apple products, and more
HP — save up to 75% on select laptops, desktops, printers, monitors, and PC accessories
Jabra — save up to 25% on the Elite 8 Active and Elite 10 earbuds
Lenovo — save up to 68% on select laptops, desktops, monitors, tablets, and PC accessories
Roku — save up to $15 on streaming sticks

Labor Day home, kitchen, and mattress sales Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Our pick: Dyson Save up to $200 on select vacuum cleaners and air purifiers Get Deal Why we like it

Dyson's prices are often steeper (and more intimidating) than competitors, so we'll hype any opportunity for someone to become a Dyson person at a more digestible cost than usual. Through Sept. 7, you can save a notable chunk of money — up to $200 — off of Dyson cordless vacuums and air purifying fans, including our beloved Mashable V12 Detect Slim (the cheapest Dyson vacuum with a laser) for $449.99.

More home and kitchen deals

Mattresses and bedding

Amerisleep — save $500 on any mattress
Avocado — save up to $1,540 on organic mattresses and up to 50% off on bedding
Bear — save 35% sitewide and get two free pillows, sheets, and a mattress protector with every mattress purchase
Birch — save 25% sitewide and get two free pillows with every mattress purchase using code LDW25
Brooklinen — save 25% sitewide
Brooklyn Bedding – save 30% sitewide through Sept. 4
Casper — save up to 35% on all mattresses and sleep accessories
DreamCloud — save 50% on select mattresses
Ettitude — save 30% sitewide
Helix — save 25% sitewide and get a free bedding bundle (worth $330+) with the purchase of a Luxe or Elite mattress using code LDW25 through Sept. 5
Layla — save up to $200 on select mattresses and get two free Layla pillows through Sept. 9
Leesa — save 30% on select mattresses and get a free sleep bundle (worth $299) with every mattress purchase through Sept. 10 at 8 a.m. ET
Nectar — save up to 40% on mattresses through Sept. 4
PlushBeds — save 25% on all bedding and up to $500 on mattresses through Sept. 5
Purple — save up to $700 on select mattresses, up to $300 on bases, and up to 20% on pillows and bedding through Sept. 10
Saatva — save up to $600 on mattresses through Sept 5
Sealy — save up to $300 on the Posturepedic Plus collection and get a free $200 Visa gift card
Serta — save up to $900 on select mattresses and adjustable base sets
Tuft & Needle — save up to $700 on select mattresses and 20% on select bedding

Home and kitchen

Best Buy — save up to 50% on select major appliances and receive a free gift card worth up to $500 with qualifying items
Crate and Barrel — save up to 60% on sofas and other best-selling furniture, rugs, decor, dining tables and dinnerware, and more
CB2 — save up to 50% on best-selling furniture, lighting, decor, outdoor items, and more through Sept. 4
Dyson — save up to $220 on select Dyson technology through Sept. 7
Eufy — save up to 38% on the Eufy X8 Pro and L60 robot vacuums
Hai — save 35% on the Hai Smart Showerhead
Home Depot — save up to 50% in categories like Halloween decorations, lawn care, power tools, and more
Hydro Flask — save 25% on select drinkware, coolers, bundles, and accessories through Sept. 3
iRobot — save up to $300 on the Roomba j9+, i5+, and more
Meater — save $50 on the MEATER Block
Ninja — save up to 25% on the Ninja Creami, Woodfire, Foodi air fryers, and other select kitchen appliances
Roborock — save up to 50% on the Roborock Qrevo, Q7, Q5, and S8+ robot vacuums
Ruggable — save 25% sitewide using code LD24 through Sept. 4
Shark — save up to 35% on select vacuums and air purifiers
Stanley — save 25% on select drinkware using code GOODBYESUMMER25
Stasher — save up to 30% on select reusable silicone food bags
SimpliSafe — save 50% on any new system with Fast Protecting Monitoring and get a free outdoor camera through Sept. 3
Traeger — save up to $300 on select grills
Wayfair — save up to 50% on bedroom furniture and kitchen and dining furniture, up to 60% on living room seating, up to 70% on area rugs, up to 50% on lighting and faucets, up to 50% on mattresses, and more

Labor Day pet sales Opens in a new window Credit: Petlibro Our pick: PETLIBRO Save up to 39% on automatic pet feeders, fountains, and more Get Deal Why we like it

Automatic feeders are game-changing additions to any household with pets, and several well-reviewed models from PETLIBRO are still on sale at Amazon. Through Sept. 10, pet parents can choose from multiple dry pet feeders for cats and dogs under $60, including models with WiFi, built-in cameras, and more.

More pet deals

Fable — save 20% sitewide with code AUTUMN20
Litter-Robot — save $75 on the Litter-Robot 4 Kickstart Bundle
WilderDog — save up to 40% on waterproof leashes and collars, bandanas, utility packs, and more
Wisdom Panel — save up to 20% on DNA test kits for cats and dogs

Labor Day outdoor sales Opens in a new window Credit: Solo Stove Our pick: Solo Stove Save up to $150 on select fire pits and bundles Get Deal Why we like it

Outdoorsy people who live for chilly nights are about to be in their prime, and they know the ideal evening wouldn't be complete without a toasty bonfire. Several of Solo Stove's crowd favorite fire pit bundles are already on sale, and you can save a little extra on top of that with the extended Labor Day sale. Use code LABORDAY to get $25 off purchases of $250 or more, $75 off purchases of $450 or more, or $150 off purchases of $850 or more.

More outdoor deals

Backcountry — save up to 50% on outdoor apparel and hiking shoes, camping tents, and more
Oru Kayak — save 20% sitewide through Sept. 8
Renoun — save $200 on all ski preorders

Labor Day self-care sales Opens in a new window Credit: Solawave Our pick: Solawave Save 35% on select skincare tools using code LABORDAY35 Get Deal Why we like it

If you still haven't gotten your hands on a Solawave, the brand's 35% off Labor Day sale knocks the once-viral wand and serum kit down to $122.85; it's a cheaper, more compact investment than going full face mask. As a refresher, red light therapy is the bread and butter of skincare TikTok for its ability to stimulate collagen, penetrate dark spots, reduce inflammation, and more. Mashable contributor RJ Andersen saw legit results after one use. The Wrinkle Retreat mask, 3-Minute Pimple Spot Treatment device, and skincare are also participating in the sale.

More self-care deals

Drybar — save up to 30% sitewide
Lovehoney — save up to 70% on select items
Peloton — save up to $500 on Peloton treadmills through Sept. 9
Quip — save 20% sitewide
Shark — save up to $40 on the FlexStyle, SpeedStyle, and SmoothStyle hair tools
Therabody — save up to $400 on select massage guns and accessories through Sept. 7
Thinx — save up to 25% on leakproof and period underwear through Sept. 3

Amazon's extended Labor Day Sale means you can still save on tablets, Kindles, and Echo devices

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 11:38

Missed out on shopping deals over the long weekend? Fret not, because Amazon has plenty of Labor Day sales that are still live. Here are some of our favorites.

Amazon Labor Day deals that are still live Best headphone deal Apple AirPods Max $399 at Amazon (save $150) Get Deal Best tech deal Amazon Kindle (16GB) $84.99 at Amazon (save $15) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 $89.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal

Aside from shopping during Amazon Prime Day, browsing deals at the mega retailer during holidays like Labor Day, President's Day, and Memorial Day can be a smart choice if you like to save some money. However, the long weekends also mean you might be away, taking a much-deserved break from real life. If that's the case, you might not be scrolling through Amazon's sale pages until the weekend is over. If that's you, we have some exciting news. As of Sept. 3, we're still seeing tons of great Labor Day deals at Amazon.

From robot vacuums to top-of-the-line headphones, you're in luck today if you feel like scoring a great deal on a serious tech upgrade. Here are just a few of our favorite Amazon Labor Day deals that are still live.

Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple AirPods Max $399.00 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $150.00 Get Deal Why we like it

For some folks, wearing earbuds for eight hours a day isn't ideal. If you prefer the comfort of over-the-ear headphones, check out this deal on the Apple AirPods Max.

If you're an iOS fan, you're surely familiar with the AirPods line, but the Max are the only model with an over-the-ear design. Priced at $549, other brands can seem to offer a better value. However, Amazon's lingering Labor Day sale price of $399 puts the AirPods Max in a great position. Plus, this sale price comes mighty close to the lowest we've ever seen — just $5 more. If you've been on the fence about investing in the AirPods Max, this sale price might help with your decision.

And now that pumpkin spice is on everyone's minds, we have to bring up the fact that holiday shopping is just around the corner. Paired with today's great price, means you might want to consider who's on your holiday shopping list this year, and if anyone is deserving of a pair of AirPods Max.

More headphones deals that are still live

Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds — $19.99 $39.99 (save $20)
JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless Earbuds — $29.95 $49.95 (save $20)
JBL Tune Flex True Wireless Earbuds — $49.95 $99.95 (save $50)
Sonos Ace Headphones — $399 $449 (save $150)

Best tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Kindle (16GB) $84.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal Why we like it

As cooler temps arrive, thoughts of cozy weekends spent on the couch with a good book come to mind. If your bookshelves are at maximum capacity, ebooks might be the way forward. As part of Amazon's Labor Day sale, you can score the Amazon Kindle (16GB) for just $84.99, on sale from the usual price of $99.99. That means you'll be saving 15% on a lightweight Kindle.

Back in July, we were bummed to find pretty dismal sales on Kindle devices during Prime Day, so this Labor Day deal is a nice surprise. The Kindle offers 16GB of storage space, so you'll be able to download your favorite titles and enjoy them while reading at the park, on the way to work, or on your next long-weekend vacation.

More Kindle deals that are still live

Kindle Kids (16GB) — $94.99 $119.99 (save $25)
Kindle Paperwhite Kids (16GB) — $134.99 $169.99 (save $35)
Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle (16GB) — $198.97 $224.97 (save $26)
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle (32GB) — $226.97 $264.97 (save $38)

Best kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Our pick: Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 $119.99 at Amazon
Get Deal Why we like it

Sure, the microwave was a pretty revolutionary kitchen appliance, but have you tried out an air fryer? These countertop appliances are something magnificent. If you're still non-committal, the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 priced at just $89.99 is truly something to consider. For starters, you're getting a 25% discount off the standard price of $119.99. Beyond that, you'll be getting four (incredibly useful) functions — air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate.

Within the 5-quart air fryer, you can whip a crispy batch of sweet potato fries from scratch, reheat last night's pizza, make homemade apple chips, or even bake a loaf of bread. Ninja says the capacity can handle four pounds of fries or five pounds of chicken wings. Those happen to fit perfectly into the snack menu for the upcoming football season.

More Amazon Labor Day deals that are still live

Amazon Echo Pop — $22.99 $39.99 (save $17)
Hydroflask Wide Mouth water bottle (Trillium, 24 ounces) — $29.89 $39.95 (save $10.06)
Roku Streaming Stick 4K — $34 $49.99 (save $15.99)
Amazon Echo Spot Alarm Clock — $54.99 $79.99 (save $25)
Amazon Echo Show 8 — $104.99 $149.99 (save $45)
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra robot vacuum — $899.99 $1,599.99 (save $700)

Amazon deal of the day: The M2 MacBook Air is back down to a record-low $799

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 11:36

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Sept. 3: OUR TOP PICK Apple MacBook Air (M2 chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal BEST EARBUDS DEAL Apple AirPods (3rd generation) $139.99 at Amazon (save $29.01) Get Deal BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Sony WH-CH520 wireless headphones $39.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal BEST POWER BANK DEAL Anker Nano Power Bank (30W, built-in USB-C cable) $31.99 at Amazon (save $8) Get Deal

Labor Day has come and gone, but the deals are still here. In typical Amazon fashion, there are plenty of awesome deals still sticking around on Sept. 3, including some epic price drops on our favorite brands like Apple and Sony.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these light your fire, be sure to check back throughout the week. We'll be making new selections each day.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air (M2 chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799.00 at Amazon
$999.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal

Sure, there are newer MacBook models around, but the 2022 M2 MacBook Air is still a beast and a solid choice for most users — especially those on a budget. Mashable's Alex Perry gave this laptop a 4.6/5 rating in his review, where he called it "an ideal job companion with excellent performance and one of the best keyboards around." And it's an especially great buy today, as the base model (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is back down to its record-low price of $799 — that's 20% in savings and matches its Prime Day price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods (3rd gen) $139.99 at Amazon
$169.00 Save $29.01 Get Deal

The third-generation Apple AirPods offer plenty of upgrades from the previous iteration, including longer battery life, better sound quality, a sleeker design, and personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. We really wish they offered noise cancellation, but we're more willing to forgive the design flaw when they're on sale at this price. As of Sept. 3, you can slash 17% off and grab a pair for $139.99 instead of the usual $169. That's just $20 away from their record-low from Prime Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-CH520 wireless headphones $39.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

While they're not Sony's fanciest headphones, the budget-friendly Sony WH-CH520s are still a solid pick. They offer up to 50 hours of battery life, a three-minute fast charge, customizable sound quality and profiles on the app, and a lightweight, cozy fit. Just pick a preset to match the genre you're listening to, or completely create your own. Regularly $59.99, you can grab the WH-CH520 headphones on sale for only $39.99 as of Sept. 3. That's 33% in savings and just a few bucks shy of their lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nano Power Bank (30W, built-in USB-C cable) $31.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $8.00 Get Deal

Sick of watching your phone battery dip into the red with nothing you can do about it? It's time to grab a portable charger like the Anker Nano Power Bank, which can take an iPhone 15 from zero to 50 percent battery life within 30 minutes. It packs 30W fast charging in both directions, as well as a convenient built-in USB-C cable to juice up your devices. There's also USB-C and USB-A charging ports to attach your own cable for non-USB-C devices. As of Sept. 3, you can pick up this power bank for only $31.99 as a Lightning deal. That's 20% in savings for a limited time.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

Netflix's 'The Perfect Couple' trailer looks like 'Knives Out' meets 'The White Lotus'

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 10:54

Netflix has dropped its trailer for "The Perfect Couple," a new crime miniseries with Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, Dakota Fanning, and Meghann Fahy.

Texas resident used Apple AirTags to track her recycling. It ended up in the middle of nowhere.

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 10:50

Dropping one of Apple's GPS AirTags into the trash may seem like a major error, but it could be key to unlocking the false, climate-forward promises of city leaders and corporations.

Earlier this year, Brandy Deason, a Texas resident and climate justice coordinator for Air Alliance Houston, began dropping the small devices into every bag of recycling she dropped off for the city of Houston's new "all plastic accepted" program. The AirTags pinged at a nearby storage facility, nowhere close to where they were expected to be, and certainly were not superheated, chemically treated, or mechanically chopped up, as the program claimed.

A further co-investigation by CBS and Inside Climate News uncovered hundreds of thousands of pounds of yet-to-be recycled plastic waste upon visiting the waste-handling business, known as Wright Waste Management. The piles of garbage weren't just being abandoned, however, the tons of recycling are waiting for a promised overhaul of the city's recycling program, backed by ExxonMobile.

Houston unveiled the Houston Recycling Collaboration in 2022, in response to low recycling rates of single use and hard-to-recycle plastics, offering a "revolutionary" new way of repurposing the materials. Exxon and other Big Oil players have proposed such "advanced" or "chemical" recycling as a solution to accumulating plastic runoff, with the potential to turn plastic into fuel.

Local environmental activists were immediately wary of the universal promises made by such a recycling effort, and the potential environmental harm caused by what is essentially mass incineration of plastic material. Local environmental watchdog groups have been tracking plastics through the system ever since. City storage locations and plastic sorting plants are reportedly falling behind, failing safety inspections, or fully nonoperational, CBS reported. Wright Waste Management denied CBS's request for comment.

Despite privacy and safety concerns — and their potential appeal to police forces — users have embraced Apple's accessible live tracking tech, and this certainly isn't the first instance of AirTags being used for environmental investigations.

In 2023, several organizations and news outlets — including Reuters, ABC, and CBS local affiliates — used AirTags to fact check the recycling claims of city programs and major industry players, including petrochemical giant Dow Inc. Inside Climate News first published an exposé on Wright Waste Management and Houston's recycling failures in 2023, noting the use of electronic tracking devices by local group The Last Beach Cleanup.

Netflix Geeked Week 2024 trailer teases 'Arcane,' 'Squid Game,' and a ton more

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 10:00

Netflix's trailer for Geeked Week 2024 celebrates sci-fi and fantasy shows such as "Squid Game," "Arcane", and "Stranger Things".

Huawei wants to steal Apple's thunder with a tri-folding phone

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 09:43

Huawei, once a global smartphone powerhouse but now mostly reduced to the Asian market following a U.S. import ban, is trying something bold this year. The company is launching new phones, with the launch event scheduled mere hours after Apple's iPhone 16 event.

More precisely, Apple's event is scheduled for 10 a.m. PT, September 9, while Huawei's event starts at 2:30 p.m. China Standard Time on September 10, which translates to 11:30 p.m. PT on September 9. While that may be a little late for smartphone enthusiasts on the U.S. west coast, it's still notable that Huawei's event is taking place on the same day as Apple's "It's Glowtime" event.

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It's not just any phone that Huawei is launching, either. The company will unveil a tri-folding smartphone, something we've seen in concepts but never widely available, especially from a major smartphone maker such as Huawei. Details about the device are unknown, though analyst Ross Young says it will have a 10-inch display before folding, and that it will use the "most expensive smartphone panel" yet. Huawei's Executive Director teased the device on Weibo, saying it will be an "epoch-making product."

While Huawei's teaser image for the event obviously focuses on the tri-folding phone, there are reports that Huawei will also announce an electric car, as well as new smartwatches.

SEE ALSO: Xiaomi's SU7 electric car is stunning IRL

Should Huawei really launch an EV, it would be following in Xiaomi's footsteps. Known primarily as a smartphone maker, Xiaomi launched a snazzy-looking, super-fast electric car early this year.

Rumors about an Apple foldable device have been surfacing (and resurfacing) for years, but nothing really materialized in the form of an actual product you can buy. Last we've heard, Apple is working on an iPad/MacBook hybrid, but we won't see it on the market before 2027.

Ace your back-to-college setup with these 6 picks

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 09:41

College is the time to start figuring out your future self — but it can be a huge money suck in the now. In addition to tuition, which is no joke these days, you’ll need books, tech gear, and dorm essentials to settle in and take your academic life by the reins.

All the more reason to hit up Walmart for sweet deals on everything you need to level up your college sitch. Whether you’re a first-time freshman or moving back into the dorm, you know all too well that this smart gear will help you nail it on a student budget.

A pink laptop that’s too cool for school Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP Stream 14-inch Laptop with Intel Processor $179.00 at Walmart
$229.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal

A fast laptop is a BTC essential, and this lightweight yet capable 14-inch model checks all the boxes and is a steal at this price. The powerful Intel processor and UHD graphics deliver speed whether you’re taking class notes, researching, or streaming in your (rare) downtime. With 11 hours of battery life, you can dart from your dorm to class to the library without juicing up, a nice perk.

Go ahead, take that 8 a.m. class Opens in a new window Credit: Keurig Keurig K-Express Essentials Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker $49.00 at Walmart
$59.00 Save $10.00 Get Deal

Caffeine is another college must, and a machine that cranks it out should be on every student’s list. This space-saver is an ace pick because it’s only 6.5 inches wide and makes a fresh-brewed cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa at the touch of a button. Just pop in your favorite K-Cup pod, and you're done. The 36-ounce water reservoir lets you brew back-to-back cups for those all-nighters.

A mini-fridge that packs it all in Opens in a new window Credit: Arctic King Arctic King 3.2 Cu Ft Mini-Fridge with Freezer $125.00 at Walmart
$198.00 Save $73.00 Get Deal

If energy drinks get you through the day, keep them frosty with this slick and organized mini-fridge. The stainless finish gives your dorm room an instant bump, and its demure size still offers plenty of interior space to keep all your bevs and snacks chilled. There’s even a crisper drawer and a separate freezer for ice cream and frozen pizza.

'Shroom up your dorm Opens in a new window Credit: Cresswell Lighting 8-Inch Glass Mushroom Lamp $19.98 at Walmart
$29.98 Save $10.00 Get Deal

Dorms are notorious for their unflattering lighting, but this amber-colored mushroom-shaped light will grace your space with a soft, ambient glow. Use it as a low-light desk lamp when you’re cramming while your roommate sleeps, or pair it with a WiFi plug that enables you to tell it to turn itself off when your head hits the pillow.

Feather your most stylish nest Opens in a new window Credit: Mainstays Mainstays Retro Floral 5-Piece Reversible Bed in a Bag Comforter Set $26.96 at Walmart
$29.96 Save $3.00 Get Deal

Give your room a homey touch with this super affordable bed-in-a-bag set. You get a comforter, matching sheet set, pillowcase, and sham, and you can pick from tons of patterns and colors to dial in your own dorm vibe. The brushed microfiber feels like a dream, and the machine-washable comforter is reversible, in case you spill on it. Mainstays offers multiple designs, some more gender-neutral than others, so take your pick.

Your go-to campus kicks Opens in a new window Credit: Crocs Crocs Unisex Baya Slide Sandals $24.95 at Walmart
$34.99 Save $10.04 Get Deal

A cushy new pair of Crocs is a college must, and these sliders will get you around campus in top laid-back style. The signature nubs give your feet a mini-massage, the Croslite material feels like a marshmallow, and you can customize your pair with up to 12 Jibbitz charms in the shape of rainbows, paw prints, or strawberries. Add socks and walk on.

Apple Clean Up vs. Google Magic Eraser vs. Samsung Galaxy AI: Which one erases objects better?

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 08:59

Apple’s Clean Up feature, currently available via the iOS 18.1 developer beta, is an Apple Intelligence tool that can remove unwanted objects from photos.

Keep in mind that the operative words here are "developer beta." Clean Up is still in its testing phase — and you really shouldn't download any iOS beta version without backing up your iPhone first. It's a rough-around-the-edges copy that gives some users early access to iOS 18 features before they officially drop later this year.

With that in mind, I wanted to test Apple's new Clean Up utility and pit it against other tools, including Google Magic Eraser and Samsung Galaxy AI. For this face-off, I'll be using the iPhone 15 Pro Max (Clean Up), Google Pixel 9 Pro XL (Magic Eraser), and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (Galaxy AI).

SEE ALSO: iOS 18.1 adds new Apple Intelligence ‘Clean Up’ tool: 3 things it can do for your photos Apple Clean Up vs. Magic Eraser vs. Galaxy AI: Test photos

I decided to choose the following three photos for the test. Each one has a specific level of difficulty: easy, medium, and hard.

Easy

This first one, shot in Grenada, features a couple walking along the beach who, sorry to them (I'm sure they're nice people), needs to get removed from the picture.

A beach in grenada Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

This should be easy for AI-powered object removal tools because there's a consistent background pattern and minimal overlap and shadows. Plus, it's got great lighting.

Medium

The red car in this photo is getting the boot.

A red car in a parking lot Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Unfortunately for our AI tools, they've got a nasty little shadow to deal with.

Hard

And finally, the owl in this photo, shot in the Vanderbilt Museum in Long Island, will be targeted for removal.

Room in the Vanderbilt Museum Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The owl is inside the glass enclosure obstructs a significant part of the image, which means the AI will have to work hard to fill in the void.

Apple's Clean Up

Starting with the couple walking along the coast, I fired up the Clean Up tool on the iPhone 15 Pro Max in the Photos app.

To my surprise, Clean Up auto-selected the couple and highlighted them. In other words, I didn't even have to "tell" the tool which part of the image I wanted removed.

Clean Up tool with Apple Intelligence Credit: Kimberly G

I tapped on the highlighted couple — and it removed the woman. The second tap removed the man. And then, poof! They were gone.