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Your smartphone is likely being tracked by a tool called Locate X. Law enforcement and other U.S. state agencies use it. And they don't need a warrant to track you either.

This may or may not exactly be news to you. Locate X, created by a data surveillance company called Babel Street, previously received coverage in 2020. At the time, numerous reports uncovered a Secret Service document concerning the agency's contract with the company for usage of the tool.

SEE ALSO: Meta suspends celebrity plane tracking accounts like ElonJet

However, 404 Media has a new look at the tool which includes a trial run of the program in action – and it's concerning to say the least.

The tool that can track your abortion clinic visit

In the trial, according to 404 Media, Locate X was able to focus on an individual cell phone which is displayed as a red dot in the tool. 

The tool tracked the cell phone from an apparent residence in Alabama to a Lowe's store, then along the highway to a church, and then eventually to an abortion clinic in Florida. The red dot stayed at the abortion clinic for two hours before heading back to the apparent residence. The tool tracked the phone to the clinic just one single time.

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, Alabama has outright banned abortion in most cases. Republican-run states that have outlawed abortion, including Alabama, have sought out further criminalization for those seeking abortions out-of-state in places like Florida where it's heavily restricted but still legal up to a certain point.

The cell phone tracking history provided above was all obtained without a warrant. It's worth noting that the tool alone cannot identify a user connected to the phone, but law enforcement could certainly use additional tools at agencies' disposals to identify a user.

In addition, the usage of Locate X for 404 Media's piece wasn't provided by law enforcement or a state agency. The trial was accessed directly through Babel Street by data removal company Atlas Privacy. The company, which is currently suing data brokers that enable tools like Locate X, was able to obtain a trial by simply saying it was a private investigation agency. No restrictions were placed on the trial.

As 404 Media points out, companies like Apple and Google have placed extra emphasis in recent years on securing users' location data on iPhones and Android devices. However, third-party apps, advertisers, and data brokers still collect varying degrees of information from users which make tools like Locate X possible.

As Krebs on Security reports, last week, Atlas Privacy filed a lawsuit against Babel Street, alleging that it is breaking a New Jersey law allowing law enforcement, government officials, and their families to be completely removed from data brokers' records.

If you're currently concerned about your cell phone being used to track your location via tools like Locate X, for now you can deny mobile apps' requests to track.

With 12 full days left until the 2024 U.S. presidential election, there are still concerns about if Meta can properly moderate political content on its platforms.

Two months ago, a Facebook user put the faces of presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on top of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels' characters in the Dumb and Dumber movie poster. The poster features Carrey and Daniels' characters grabbing each other's nipples — you know the one. The user then captioned it with the emojis "🤷‍♂️🖕🖕."

SEE ALSO: X hiring content moderators for a new 'Trust and Safety' center in Austin

Meta removed the post because it went against the platform's Bullying and Harassment Community Standard, specifically because that standard doesn't allow "derogatory sexualized photoshop or drawings." The user appealed Meta's decision, which moved the decision up to Meta's Oversight Board. After that, Meta "determined its removal was incorrect, restoring the post to Facebook."

Meta's oversight board is a group with more than 20 members, including academics, policymakers, and journalists, and this group makes content moderation decisions on Facebook and Instagram. The board wrote that Meta's handling of this post gives them "serious concerns" about Meta's ability to moderate political content on its platforms.

"This post is nothing more than a commonplace satirical image of prominent politicians and is instantly recognizable as such," the board wrote. It continued:

In the context of elections, the Board has previously recommended that Meta should develop a framework for evaluating its election integrity efforts in order to provide the company with relevant data to improve its content moderation system as a whole and decide how to best employ its resources in electoral contexts.

It then referred to a previous case surrounding a general in Brazil who, amid that country's 2022 elections, called on activists to "hit the streets" — a remark tied to protesters storming Brazil's National Congress and Supreme Court. The board at the time made the opposite determination: that Meta failed by not removing the general's remarks in time to avoid adding to a volatile situation. The board, apparently, wants to see progress on the creation of a system of rules that would cover that past false negative, as well as this false positive.

Its statement continued:

Meta has reported progress on implementing this recommendation. Nonetheless, the company’s failure to recognize the nature of this post and treat it accordingly raises serious concerns about the systems and resources Meta has in place to effectively make content determinations in such electoral contexts.

The board wrote that it sees an "overenforcement of Meta’s Bullying and Harassment policy with respect to satire and political speech in the form of a non-sexualized derogatory depiction of political figures." It says this overenforcement could "lead to the excessive removal of political speech and undermine the ability to criticize government officials and political candidates, including in a sarcastic manner."

Peacock's new comedy, about a woman whose previous sexual partners are mysteriously dying, premieres Dec. 19.

Tom Hardy is a one-man comedy duo who deserves better than Venom: The Last Dance. The English actor has played a variety of tough guys, from gangsters (Legend) and supervillains (The Dark Knight Rises) to the ultimate road warrior (Mad Max: Fury Road). But he might be at his very best as the oft-frustrated journalist Eddie Brock and his alien symbiote Venom, who is basically intrusive thoughts in the form of a goo demon. And for three movies (more if you count post-cred cameos), Hardy has been fighting valiantly for the love story that is Eddie and Venom's.

From Venom to its sequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Sony embraced what jaw-dropped audiences warmed to in the first film, which was chiefly the undeniable chemistry between Hardy and... himself. Sure, one was bolstered by explosively slick and sick CGI to make the alien come alive. But Hardy, grumbling excitedly as an alien ready to rage (in both the vengeance and party senses), was unabashedly entertaining. Now, in the third entry, Venom: The Last Dance, Hardy's anti-heroes are in an all-out war — not just against a canonical bigger bad but against the franchise requirements that weigh this sequel down. 

It's clear Sony still can't decide what to do with their Spider-verse, and more specifically its flashiest non-Spidey star. (Sorry, not sorry, Madame Web and Morbius!) 

Venom: The Last Dance has way too many plotlines.  Tom Hardy stars as Eddie Brock/Venom in Columbia Pictures' "Venom: The Last Dance." Credit: Sony Pictures

Following the events of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Eddie/Venom (Hardy) are on the run as they are wanted in the death of Detective Patrick Mulligan (Stephen Graham). After grabbing drinks at a bar in Mexico (yes, calling back to the post-credit scene with Ted Lasso's Cristo Fernández), the dastardly duo decides to road trip to New York City, where Eddie plans to blackmail a judge to clear his name. It's a perfect plan, obviously, and a great setup for on-the-road hijinks. Excellent! However, then the MCU effect kicks in. 

While Eddie/Venom are making their way out of Mexico, a new cranky villain lurks in a dark otherworld, surrounded by giant insect monsters with many, many teeth. This is Knull (played by Let There Be Carnage director Andy Serkis), a scary ancient evil thing who wants a never-before-mentioned MacGuffin that Eddie/Venom happen to have. So while they're on the run from the cops, the pair must duck the stalking monster and the US military forces out to imprison them at Area 51.

As if all that weren't enough plot, Venom: The Last Dance also works in a tragic backstory for a traumatized scientist, Dr. Teddy Payne (Ted Lasso's Juno Temple), and a daffy family of van-living hippies who really want a close encounter with an alien. (Good news for them!) All of this combined makes for a rollercoaster of a movie, with heady highs of bonkers Looney-Tunes-like action and comic book spectacle, and frustrating lows made up of cumbersome exposition scenes.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, and Clark Backo in Columbia Pictures' "Venom: The Last Dance." Credit: Laura Radford / Sony Pictures

The screenplay by writer/director Kelly Marcel, who wrote Venom: Let There Be Carnage, has enthrallingly funny moments. But it ties itself into knots setting up Knull and Payne, who will clearly have bigger roles to play as the franchise barrels on. (Last dance, my foot!) Marcel sacrifices the zany exuberance and propulsive spontaneity of Hardy's performance by frequently abandoning him for gratuitous exposition dumps. All of Knull's scenes look the same, playing like a dimly lit teaser for a video game. The gray-haired villain is bound to a throne, grumbling threats with his head hung, over and over with no build in tension or information. And if you can't piece together what he's up to from his muttering, don't worry because Venom will explain it, as will another symbiote and several other human characters. As if "creepy alien aims for world-shattering conquest" is a new concept in superhero movies. 

When Venom: The Last Dance embraces Tom Hardy's vision, it is glorious.  Credit: Lacey Terrell / Sony Pictures

While the Venom of the comics and the video games can be a gnarly horror, Hardy's spin on the character is far more charismatic. As we saw in the rave sequence of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, the lobster tank in Venom, and various scenes in Last Dance, this Venom is like a pesky little brother, fueled by chocolate, blood lust, and roaring impulses. Venom: The Last Dance is at its very best in these moments of chaotic inner conflict. 

SEE ALSO: Surprise! Venom is the superhero who defines this pandemic moment

For instance, a drunken Eddie can barely stand, but Venom wants one more drink. So not only does he roar "TEQUILA!" with the enthusiasm of a frat boy on his 21st birthday, but his shiny black tentacles explode from Eddie's back to give his own spin on Tom Cruise's Cocktail agility. It's a mess, and it's uproariously hilarious. Other sequences that relish this playful mayhem involve a stolen horse, stowing away on an airplane from the outside, and a joyful dance number with Venom's beloved Mrs. Chen (the divine Peggy Lu) to the music of ABBA. (Of course, Venom is an ABBA fan.) 

It's not just that Venom gets to be the chaos demon we love to live through vicariously. It's that Hardy playing Eddie is his perfectly matched straight man. Whether facing the indignity of losing a shoe, getting peed on by a drunk stranger, or making things awkward while warning off a could-be foe, Hardy grimaces, grins, and huffs with supreme comedic timing. As Eddie and Venom, Hardy is both Abbott and Costello, Lemmon and Matthau, Martin and Lewis. And as outrageous as everything around him is, he's even able to ground more heartfelt moments of bonding because it's impossible not to root for them, the oddest couple. 

Venom: The Last Dance delivers plenty of action, graphic and goofy.  Who says Venom can't fly? Credit: Sony Pictures

Though rated PG-13, this Venom movie is pretty wildly violent. It starts off strong, giving Venom the chance to chow down on the heads of bad guys. Later, several humans will be put into the organic extraterrestrial version of a woodchipper, resulting in mists of blood. And as other symbiotes and alien beasties come out to play, all bets are off as the violence gets more comic, full of explosions, slithering limbs, and variously colored viscera. 

Fans of Venom's lore will likely thrill over a climax that has all kinds of symbiote variants joining the fray. (Think Deadpool and Wolverine's climax with much more slime and less swearing.) And yet the most thrilling action moments are during a chase scene that's far less about violence than it is Venom leaping from one river-living critter to another to escape the clutches of the military. Venom as a fish! Venom as a frog! Venom making Eddie — ever so briefly — into a merman! These seem like Marcel pitches that could have been killed off by studio notes, and yet here they are — madly entertaining, absolutely ridiculous, and all the more miraculous because of it. 

In the end, this makes for a movie that, like its predecessors, is a mess. Where Eddie and Venom have largely come to terms with being two very different personalities sharing the same vessel, Venom: The Last Dance feels at war with itself. On one hand, it is a silly road trip comedy enhanced by the shapeshifting silliness of its eponymous alien goofball. On the other hand, it's a straight-faced sci-fi drama about alien invasion. The former is kinetic, surprising, and uniquely thrilling as it collides genre expectations with a no-fucks-given energy. The latter — despite noble efforts from Temple, Chiwetel Ejiofor as a military leader, and Clark Backo as a spirited symbiote ally — is a slog, dragged down by cumbersome drama, stern speeches, and an aching lack of Venom. 

Venom: The Last Dance is therefore one-half of a wonderful movie. Still, it's worth sticking through the rest for a totally gonzo finale that's somehow equally absurd and moving. 

Venom: The Last Dance opens exclusively in theaters Oct. 25.

One voter’s mistake has been transformed into a voter fraud conspiracy theory, catapulted into the national spotlight by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene.

An open letter signed by 13,500 creatives, including Radiohead's Thom Yorke, actress Julianne Moore, and Nobel Prize-winning novelist Kazuo Ishiguro, denounced the use of their work to train AI.

SEE ALSO: 'AI poses enormous threats': Billie Eilish, J Balvin and more sign open letter denouncing AI in music.

"The unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted," reads the brief letter. AI systems like OpenAI's ChatGPT train on preexisting text, images, video, and other creative materials.

Released Tuesday, the 29-word letter garnered signatures from a wide-vary of actors, musicians, authors, and organizations. Signatories include actor Kevin Bacon, comedian Kate McKinnon, author Ann Patchett, ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus, as well as composers. The CEO of Hachette Book Group and the head of Songwriters of North America also signed on.

The letter comes after the Artist Rights Alliance (ARA), a non-profit advocacy organization, released a music industry-specific open letter back in April. "For many working musicians, artists and songwriters who are just trying to make ends meet, this would be catastrophic," the letter said. "We must protect against the predatory use of AI to steal professional artists' voices and likenesses, violate creators' rights, and destroy the music ecosystem." It received signatures from over 200 artists including Billie Eilish, J Balvin, Imagine Dragons, Stevie Wonder, Nicki Minaj, Pearl Jam, Katy Perry, The Jonas Brothers, Jon Bon Jovi, Julia Michaels, Ryan Tedder, and the estates of Bob Marley and Frank Sinatra.

SEE ALSO: What is an AI art museum? The world will soon find out.

Owners of work used to train AI have launches a series of copyright actions against AI scraping. Earlier this month Penguin Random House became the first of the big five publishers to change its copyright wording to target AI. The Recording Industry Association of America, which represents Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group, sued AI music start up Suno for training on copyrighted music, but Suno argued its protected by fair use. In 2023, The New York Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement.

Say goodbye to the guilt generated by those plastic air pillows stuffed into your Amazon purchase — the company announced earlier this month it's ceasing use of the eco-unfriendly packaging material.

"As of October 2024, we’ve removed all plastic air pillows from our delivery packaging used at our global fulfillment centers," Amazon wrote on its blog. "As part of this transition, we were able to quickly expand our use of paper filler made from 100% recycled content across North America to replace plastic air pillows, our biggest reduction in plastic packaging in North America to date."

Amazon has been announcing more sustainable steps in recent years, a necessity as its logistics business becomes a shipping behemoth. According to Capital One Shopping, 27.3% of all packages shipped in the U.S. went through Amazon Logistics last year, while the companies U.S. package volume increased 15.7% from 2022 to 2023. The company also has a huge global business, mailing out products throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America.

The removal of the plastic air pillows — which are possible, but often difficult, to recycle and contain a film often deadly to marine life — coincides with Amazon's slow transition away from plastic packaging. "In 2023, we decreased our average plastic packaging weight per shipment by 9% across Amazon’s global operations network, building on a 17% reduction in 2022," the company states. "Altogether, we’ve avoided 80,500 metric tons of single-use plastic packaging since 2020."

Still, the company's strides in plastic reduction have occurred mostly via overseas packaging changes. A recent report in The Guardian states Amazon's plastic packaging in the U.S. actually increased nearly 10% from 2021 to 2022. Back in December, two-thirds of Amazon's North America shipments included plastic delivery packaging. The company states an aim to reduce that by a third by December 2024.

SEE ALSO: How to recycle Amazon packaging (yes, all of it)

As part of its pivot from plastic, Amazon is encouraging some consumers to opt out of packaging altogether, via its Ships in Product Packaging initiative. Products approved for zero packaging have been certified by Amazon and the specific products' retailers as safe to travel without mailers; this excludes products deemed intimate, collectible, possibly dangerous to handle, and of high-value. Surprisingly, some fragile items have been determined by Amazon as possible to ship sans packaging.

If a product still requires packaging material, Amazon is utilizing paper more often. The company retrofitted 120 plastic bag-making machines so that they now encase packages in made-to-fit paper bags. Much of Amazon's paper packaging, from cardboard boxes to paper padded envelope mailers, is recyclable — get more info here.

Next time you shop on Amazon, it might look quite different. The tech giant is testing a redesigned app that'll have a completely different look, and it began rolling out to some customers this week.

Perhaps the most noticeable change is what Amazon has called its new "window display." In the updated homepage, upon opening the app, users are greeted with large panels that swipe horizontally. Picture an Instagram carousel of sorts. Those panels are all personalized recommendations for the user. As you might expect, some of those recommendations basically amount to advertisements.

Here's a preview of what the window display will look like.

Credit: Amazon

Wrote Amazon in a blog post:

"The "Window Display" feature at the top of the homepage greets customers with personalized recommendations whether they are picking up where they left off on a previous shopping trip or looking for something new, including deals, new Prime Video and Amazon Music releases, and seasonal finds based on their shopping behaviors. For example, customers who love sports may see the latest pair of running shoes from their favorite brand, deals on fitness trackers, or a reminder for next week’s Thursday Night Football game. As customers scroll, the page is organized into groupings of related products with inspiration by topic, interest, or previous searches that may still be of interest to them."

The window display isn't the only change coming to the Amazon app. It's adding a "buy again" hub that "consolidates frequently purchased items into one location," the company wrote in its blog. So that means you shouldn't have to dig through your old orders to find the exact kind of treat your dog likes and you order every month (speaking from experience).

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime members can now save 10 cents a gallon at select gas stations

You might not yet see the changes to your Amazon homepage. My app remained unchanged at the time of this writing. Amazon said it was "testing these new experiences with select customers and look forward to sharing with more U.S. customers in the coming months."

GET UP TO 31% OFF: As of Oct. 23, take up to 31% off Ninja products at Amazon. Save on popular items like the Ninja Creami and the Ninja Blast.

Our top picks: Best ice cream-maker deal Ninja Creami $199.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal Best portable blender deal Ninja Blast (2-Pack) $84.99 at Amazon (save $28) Get Deal Best air fryer deal Ninja Air Fryer (AF101) $89.99 at Amazon (save $40 ) Get Deal

If you’re on TikTok (or a die-hard Ninja fan), you’ve probably seen the Ninja Crispi air fryer pop up on your feed. This little appliance is super popular for its convenient cook-and-store system: it includes six glass containers to cook in and then store in the fridge with airtight lids. It’s an all-in-one meal-prepping machine — and everybody who’s anybody seems to have one.

While the Ninja Crispi isn't on sale yet (don't worry, we’re keeping an eye on it), there are plenty of other Ninja gadgets and appliances you can snag ahead of the holidays, including the Ninja Creami ice cream-maker, which is also TikTok-popular.

SEE ALSO: TikTok is in love with the Ninja Creami, but am I?

Here are our top picks for the best Ninja deals available now:

Best ice cream-maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Creami $199.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Remember when the Ninja Creami was the appliance du jour? Well, now it’s on sale for 13% off. This compact ice cream-maker is available at Amazon for just $199.99, a $30 discount.

With the Ninja Creami you can make ice cream out of basically anything (frozen fruit, yogurt, etc.) and it churns it up into a creamy, soft-serve-like texture. It has seven one-touch programs, including ice cream, sorbet, gelato, smoothie bowl, and more. This way, you can have ice cream on your own terms, without all the fillers and extras of store-bought options.

Best portable blender deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Blast $84.99 at Amazon
$112.99 Save $28.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Most blenders are bulky and a pain to clean. If you’re looking for a more compact, user-friendly option, right now you can get two Ninja Blasts on sale for just $84.99.

These cordless blenders hold 18 ounces and are perfect for taking on the go to blend up smoothies, protein shakes — you name it. They’re also cup-holder-friendly, BPA-free, and have a leakproof lid and a sip spout, so you can blend and sip right from the container.

With two, you’ll be able to use one while the other one is charging. Or, you can get a single Ninja Blast for $59.99 if you don't need two.

Best air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Air Fryer (AF101) $89.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Would this really be a Ninja roundup if I didn’t mention an air fryer? Right now, you can get the Ninja Air Fryer (AF101) for $89.99 at Amazon. That’s a 31% discount, or $40 off the list price.

At four quarts, this air fryer is ideal for making apps or side dishes. According to the manufacturer, the basket (which is dishwasher-safe) can hold up to two pounds of French fries. Air fry, dehydrate, roast, and reheat with the touch of a button.

You’ll also get a 20-recipe booklet with your purchase.

SAVE $99.01: As of Oct. 23, get the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + Cellular) for $699. That's a 12% discount and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + Cellular) $699.00 at Amazon
$799.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

The holidays are right around the corner. If you're looking for a great smartwatch to gift someone, or you just want to snag one for yourself, you can't go wrong with an Apple Watch. Want to go big? The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best of the best when it comes to Apple's lineup, but it's also the most expensive. That means it's all the sweeter when you can snatch one at a great discount, like the one at Amazon right now that cuts it down to the lowest price we've seen.

As of Oct. 23, you can get the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mmm, GPS + cellular) for $699.99 at Amazon. That's $99.01 off its normal price of $799 and a 12% discount. It also happens to be the lowest price we've seen yet for this configuration. This particular model comes in the Rugged Titanium case with a Blue Ocean band, so if you aren't partial to those, that's easily fixed with a case and a new watch band.

SEE ALSO: The best smartwatch for every wrist

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is rife with plenty of features that make it well worth the price. It offers both GPS and cellular support, which means you can use it while out and about without being tethered to your phone. That includes calling, texting, and app usage. Of course, it also has an array of fitness-focused trackers, including heart rate, sleep, and other sensors, though the blood oxygen sensor is no longer included. On top of all that, it's an incredibly rugged piece of gear that's perfect for both casual users and fitness junkies alike.

If you're ready to upgrade to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, it's a great time and price to do so while it's still up for grabs.

SAVE UP TO 35%: Soundcore headphones, earbuds, and portable speakers are on sale this week, taking up to 35% off the list price.

Best Soundcore deals at Amazon Best deal overall Soundcore by Anker Life A1 Earbuds $32.49 at Amazon (save $17.50) Get Deal Best workout headphones deal Soundcore Sport X10 Workout Headphones $55.99 at Amazon (save $24) Get Deal Best portable speaker deal Soundcore Glow Mini Portable Speaker $31.99 at Amazon (save $8) Get Deal

Our headphones/earbuds have become almost as important as our smartphones. Forget one at home and the day feels all wrong. If you're one to forget or misplace headphones, it might be a good idea to own more than one pair. Keep a pair in your work bag, one on your home desk, and another beside your bed.

Portable speakers serve a similar purpose. Take a small speaker along with you while getting together with neighbors in the backyard or pack one along on a weekend away.

If you're one to never be without tunes, a podcast, or an audiobook, listen in on these super affordable deals on Soundcore audio this week at Amazon.

Best deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore by Anker Life A1 Earbuds $32.49 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $17.50 Get Deal Why we like it

With 40 hours of playtime, the Soundcore by Anker Life A1 earbuds are an affordable choice, made even more affordable thanks to the sale price of $32.49 at Amazon. That means you'll save 35% on the list price of $49.99.

The Life A1 earbuds use 8mm drivers for deep base and crisp vocals. The battery gives 40 hours of listening time, while the included case gives you an extra 30 hours. The waterproof earbuds recharge with the included Anker UBS-C cable or on a wireless charging pad.

Best workout headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Sport X10 Workout Headphones $55.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $24.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're heading out on a run, taking up weight training, or going on long hikes, the Soundcore Sport X10 Workout headphones are a great companion. Ear hooks with 210-degree rotation means you can better customize the fit, getting the most comfortable position possible.

You'll get 32 hours of listening time with a single charge, and an additional 8 hours with the included case. Plus, they're waterproof, so they can make it though any workout or unexpected rain squall.

Best portable speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Glow Mini Portable Speaker $31.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $8.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're heading out of town for the upcoming holidays, packing along a portable speaker is always wise. The Soundcore Glow Mini Portable Speaker is a fun way to add music to your Airbnb stay. You'll get 12 hours of battery life with the speaker, and you can synch the light show to your tunes, choosing from presets or customized lighting options.

Since the Soundcore Glow Mini is waterproof and dustproof, it can get an invite to this fall's camping trips. Its compact size and built-in carrying strap make it extra portable.

The final three episodes of "The Legend of Vox Machina" Season premiere Oct. 24 on Prime Video. Watch an exclusive clip.

GET UP TO $43 OFF: As of Oct. 23, you can get up to 43% off select Govee products, including the brand's showstopping outdoor light display.

Our top picks: Best permanent outdoor light deal Govee RGBIC Permanent Outdoor Lights $219.99 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal Best ground light deal Govee RBGICW Outdoor Ground Lights $39.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal Best indoor light deal Govee RGB LED Strip Lights $45 at Amazon with on-screen coupon (save $14.99) Get Deal

The holiday season is officially here, and if you’re looking to impress your neighbors with a little razzle-dazzle on the home front, we’ve found the most affordable (and effortless) way to do it — Govee products.

As of Oct. 23, you can get up to 43% off Govee products at Amazon, including the brand’s popular LED strip lights, outdoor lights, and more. If you haven’t heard of Govee, I can guarantee you’ve seen their products in action. Any house that’s decked out in bright, colorful lights is likely using Govee tech, and now's the time to get in on the fun and make Danny DeVito proud. (If you’ve never seen Deck the Halls, add it to your holiday watch list ASAP.)

SEE ALSO: When do Black Friday sales start? Be on the lookout for early holiday deals.

Here are the best Govee deals you can score ahead of the holiday season:

Best permanent outdoor light deal Opens in a new window Credit: Govee Govee RGBIC Permanent Outdoor Lights $219.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

OK, “permanent” may sound intense, but hear me out. Once you put these lights up, you’ll never have to take them down or put them up again. Govee’s RGBIC Permanent Outdoor Lights are designed to withstand the weather and have more than 75 scene modes to choose from via the Govee Home App. (They also work with Alexa and Google Assistant.) Set timers, switch out the colors, and say goodbye to that hassle of hanging lights every year. (Think of the storage space you'll save.) You can even sync them to music.

These lights are available in 50-, 100-, or 150-foot options, so you can choose the size that best suits your outdoor setup.

Best ground light deal Opens in a new window Credit: Govee Govee RBGICW Outdoor Ground Lights $39.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you want something more subtle, the Govee RBGICW Outdoor Ground Lights are on sale for just $39.99 for 36 feet. These little lights feature 43 scene modes and are ideal for lining walkways, driveways, or garden paths. Like the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights, these are weatherproof and year-round ready.

They’re also app-controllable and work with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Best indoor light deal Opens in a new window Credit: Govee Govee RGB LED Strip Lights $45.00 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $14.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Govee is also known for its indoor light strips. Right now, you can get the Govee RGB LED Strip Lights for $45 with an on-screen coupon. This pack includes two rolls of 32.8-foot lights, or 600 LEDs. It's a great pick for under-cabinet lighting, behind TVs, or highlighting other areas in your home.

You can control these lights via the Govee Home App, or with voice commands through Alexa or Google Assistant.

Suchir Balaji helped gather and organize the enormous amounts of internet data used to train the startup’s ChatGPT chatbot.

You never know what's going to happen out on the road. Protect yourself with a dash cam on sale at Amazon now:

Best dash cam deals Best Dash Cam Deal Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam $281.44 at Amazon (Save $118.55) Get Deal Best Mid-Range Dash Cam Deal Garmin Dash Cam $198.99 at Amazon (Save $61) Get Deal Best Budget Dash Cam Deal Miofive 4K Dash Cam $139.99 at Amazon (Save $58) Get Deal

Every time you get into your car, you're taking your life (and others') into your hands. With that in mind, why wouldn't you want to make sure you had a record of everything that goes down when you're behind the wheel? You can do that with a dash cam, which records every second of time spent in your car.

Not only do dash cams record all the details of your trip, but they can also capture important parts of crashes or moments you might never have expected. They can keep you from being liable during accidents, capture vandals or thieves breaking into your vehicle, or even provide proof of other incidents that you may never have captured otherwise. For instance, as you may have seen in this viral video, it could even keep you from falling victim to insurance fraud by way of a staged accident.

It's always a good idea to stay vigilant when driving, but recording the whole experience just might save your wallet (and a lot of headache) someday. With that in mind, we've rounded up some of the best dash cam picks you can snag on sale right now. Find our selections below.

Best dash cam deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam $281.44 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $118.55 Get Deal Why we like it

If you want a great dash cam that's proficient in just about every area, you can't go wrong with this Nextbase pick. It offers 4K footage with crisp quality, even when the weather turns bad, as well as excellent low-light video and slow-motion effects that can help you capture details you may have otherwise missed. It features a 3-inch touchscreen with simple navigation, a polarizing filter, and digital image stabilization — all this ensures that if it's ever time to hand over your footage, you're giving the insurance companies or authorities the best image you can get. Plus, if you're in a crash or other emergency, this cam can capture your location and send it on for you.

Best mid-range dash cam deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Garmin Dash Cam $198.99 at Amazon
$259.99 Save $61.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Garmin is a name that's easy to trust when it comes to GPS tracking as well as reliable wearables. This voice-controlled dash cam is a great pick for keeping track of what happens on the road, too. It offers 1440p HD video with an extra-wide 180-degree lens for maximum capture. It automatically records and saves videos for you with your GPS location, date and time as well. You can even access and view the camera when you're away from your parked car by way of a power source and WiFi connection, so you can keep an eye on your ride any time. Its Parking Guard feature also monitors what's going on around your car and will send you alerts if something does occur. Plus, your saved videos will automatically upload to your Garmin "Vault" when you're connected to WiFi.

Best budget dash cam deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Miofive 4K Dash Cam $139.99 at Amazon
$197.99 Save $58.00 Get Deal Why we like it

This affordable dash cam nets you 4K video at a great low price, as well as GPS functionality. That's not even counting its detailed video footage and surprising lack of grain in low light. You can transfer your recordings fast via WiFi with this model as well. Though it may be locked at 30fps for recordings, it does offer quite a bit for a significantly less amount of money than some of its competitors. And if you just want a reliable dash cam without having to fork over a few hundred bucks, this Miofive model is a competent model that can save your bacon in any road incident.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Oct. 23: OUR TOP PICK Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm, Bluetooth) $239.72 at Amazon (save $60.27) Get Deal BEST BEAUTY TECH DEAL Shark HT212 SmoothStyle with storage bag $89.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal BEST STREAMING DEVICE DEAL Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $29.99 at Amazon (save $30 with on-page coupon) Get Deal BEST LAPTOP DEAL Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $899 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal

If you're looking to partake in some early holiday deals shopping, you've come to the right place. We're always on the hunt for the best deals and today is no different. At Amazon, we've found some solid discounts — even record-low prices — on products from top brands like Shark, Samsung, and Apple. There's no need to wait until Black Friday to save.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Oct. 23. If none of these spark your interest, take a look back at our picks from Oct. 21 and Oct. 22. Many of those are still available to add to your cart, including a pair of Sony headphones for under $40 and 27% off a smart thermostat bundle from ecobee.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm, Bluetooth) $239.72 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $60.27 Get Deal

The latest addition to Samsung's Galaxy Watch lineup (alongside the Watch Ultra), the Galaxy Watch 7 dropped just a few months ago and has already seen several price drops. As of Oct. 23, however, it's down to the lowest price to date — just $239.72 instead of $299.99 — at Amazon. That's 20% in savings on the 40mm, Bluetooth edition. The seventh generation smartwatch didn't change too much from the sixth aesthetically, but on the inside it sports several new features. Some of those include a sleep apnea sensor, a new Race feature, an enhanced BioActive sensor, better GPS, and a new Galaxy AI Health system.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark HT212 SmoothStyle with storage bag $89.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

The Shark SmoothStyle basically looks and acts like a fancy version of the Revlon One-Step, meaning it's a round hot air brush at its core with some extra features. While the One-Step will fry your hair without regret, the SmoothStyle promises to take your strands from wet to dried and styled without damage. When you start with wet hair, there are three preset air temperatures to choose from to dry it. Once it's dry, you'll switch over to the one preset heated smoothing comb setting. The SmoothStyle paired with a storage bag is usually $119.99, but you can get both for just $89.99 as of Oct. 23. That's a savings of 25% and is just $10 shy of its record low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $29.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $30.00 with on-page coupon Get Deal

The most advanced streaming stick in the Fire TV lineup, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the first to feature Fire TV Ambient Experience. This feature allows you to turn your TV into art with over 2,000 pieces of museum-quality work. It also supports WiFi 6E, Dolby Vision (plus HDR, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG), and Dolby Atmos audio. Plus, it has the most storage of any other Fire Stick at 16GB. Usually $59.99, you can use the on-page coupon to knock the price down to just $29.99 as of Oct. 23. That's 50% off and a new all-time low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $899.00 at Amazon
$1,099.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal

While it's not the lowest price it's ever been, the 13-inch M3 MacBook Air is currently down to just $899 at Amazon — a savings of $200. That's just $50 more than the M2 base model, but you get 15% more power, WiFi 6E, and support for up to two 5K, 60Hz external displays. We haven't had a chance to review this particular model, but we did spend time with its larger sibling and were highly impressed. Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon writes that it "continues to blur the line of the Air and Pro models, providing ample 'oomph' for creatives, professionals, and students who need robust performance that can handle their multifaceted workflows." If you're in the market for a new laptop, the base model M3 Air is a steal at less than $900.

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

Best Buy unveiled its elaborate Black Friday plans Monday, becoming the first — and so far only — major retailer to do so.

Just like last year, Best Buy will stretch its holiday deals well beyond the 24-hour bounds of actual Black Friday, peppering them across multiple savings events and formats. Its official Black Friday sale will begin more than a week ahead of time, raising the question of whether competitors like Amazon, Walmart, and Target will follow suit.

When does Best Buy's Black Friday sale start?

Black Friday 2024 falls unusually late this year (on Nov. 29), giving retailers extra time to build hype for their holiday programming — and shoppers extra time to hatch a game plan.

For its part, Best Buy will roll out new doorbusters on select tech online, on its app, and in stores every Friday from Nov. 8 to Dec. 20. (Paid members of its My Best Buy program get early access to these offers every Thursday prior.) Nov. 8 is also when it will drop a batch of early Black Friday deals. Think of those as an appetizer.

SEE ALSO: When do Black Friday sales start? Be on the lookout for early holiday deals.

The main course is Best Buy's official Black Friday Sale, which begins on Thursday, Nov. 21 — a full eight days early. (Last year, its sale started a week ahead of time.) If you miss out on any of those initial discounts, fret not: "Doorbusters that dropped earlier in the month will return, along with new doorbusters on Friday, Nov. 22 and Black Friday," per a company press release. Best Buy will also price-match purchased items that later go on sale for less under its Holiday Price Match Guarantee.

Credit: Screenshot: Best Buy

Best Buy's 2024 Black Friday sale will run through Saturday, Nov. 30, and its Cyber Monday sale will kick off the following Sunday (Dec. 1).

Side dishes will come in the form of Best Buy Drops, which are limited-time deals and restocks that are only available through Best Buy's mobile app. The retailer will launch them throughout the holiday season; each Drop goes live at 11 a.m. ET on its scheduled day. Upcoming Drops feature the GoPro HERO10 Black, a 98-inch TCL QLED TV, and the Shark AI Self-Empty XL.

Most items purchased at Best Buy from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 14, 2025 thanks to its Extended Holiday Return and Exchange Policy.

What are Best Buy's Black Friday hours?

After being closed on Thanksgiving, Best Buy stores will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time on Black Friday.

Camping out probably isn't necessary, for what it's worth. "While there are usually a small handful of Black Friday Deals that are only available for shoppers in a physical Best Buy store, most deals during Black Friday 2024 can be found both online and in store," according to an FAQ page on the Best Buy website.

The retailer's extended store hours go into effect starting Nov. 3. Check your local store's listing for the latest info.

Netflix has dropped its trailer for "Hot Frosty", a festive rom-com about a woman magically bringing a handsome snowman to life.

SAVE UP TO 70%: Wayfair's Black Friday Preview sale takes up to 70% off home furnishings, mattresses, kitchen appliances, and more.

Our top picks: Best mattress deal Sealy Cool 12-inch Medium Memory Foam Mattress (queen) $429.99 at Wayfair (save $769.01) Get Deal Best holiday cooking deal Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven with Lid (7-quart, Provencal Blue) $110 at Wayfair (save $140) Get Deal Best small kitchen appliance deal Ninja Creami Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker $229.99 at Wayfair (save $20) Get Deal

We're still in spooky season and arranging skeletons in the yard, but that means we're just weeks away from Black Friday. Arguably the largest sale of the year, retailers are already gearing up and Wayfair is on the ball this year. The Black Friday Preview sale has dropped prices on home furnishings, mattresses, kitchen appliances, and holiday decor by up to 70% at Wayfair.

The sale is the perfect time to start your holiday shopping early and before the chaos of full-blown shopping season sets in. Plus, getting some gifts now means you won't need to worry about shipping delays. Here are some of our top picks that are already on sale at Wayfair.

Best mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sealy Sealy Cool 12-inch Medium Memory Foam Mattress (queen) $429.99 at Wayfair
$1,199.00 Save $769.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Sure, we might be heading into winter months, but some people sleep hot all year long. If that sounds familiar, investing in a cooling mattress can make all the difference. At Wayfair's Black Friday Preview sale, the Sealy Cool 12-inch Medium Memory Foam Mattress (queen) is down to just $429.99, a massive 64% discount off the usual price of $1,199.

The medium-soft mattress uses a layer of SealyCool gel-infused memory foam with the brand's CopperChill technology. Together, the two foams aim to help with sleeping at a comfortable temperature. The mattress measures 12 inches in height, and it'll arrive neatly compressed in a box so you can unpackage it in your bedroom instead of having to PIVOT! to get it up the stairs.

Best holiday cooking deal Opens in a new window Credit: Cuisinart Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven with Lid (7-quart, Provencal Blue) $110.00 at Wayfair
$250.00 Save $140.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you plan on doing any holiday cooking, the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven with Lid is perfect for creating your favorite dishes. The 7-quart size in Provencal Blue is 56% off during the early Black Friday sale at Wayfair, which means you'll pay just $110 instead of the $250 list price.

The enamel cast iron Dutch oven can move from the stove top to the oven, searing and braising when you want it to, or baking casseroles in the oven. It's compatible with induction cooktops and when it's time to clean, pop the Dutch oven in the dishwasher. Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Best small kitchen appliance deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Creami Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker $229.99 at Wayfair
$249.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Black Friday might not be the most obvious time to buy an ice cream-maker, but consider the holiday flavor options: peppermint bark, gingerbread, eggnog, apple pie, frozen hot chocolate, and sugar cookie dough. You can create any (or all) of those flavors at home with the Ninja Creami Delux Ice Cream and Frozen Treat Maker. On sale during Wayfair's early Black Friday event, the small kitchen appliance is on sale for $229.99, down from the usual price of $249.99.

This model features 11 modes including ice cream, sorbet, gelato, frozen yogurt, slushie, milkshake, and more. You'll be able to whip up some great holiday treats this year to serve on their own or alongside homemade pies.

SAVE 10 CENTS A GALLON: As of Oct. 23, Amazon Prime members can save 10 cents a gallon at select gas stations when they link their Amazon account to Earnify.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Save 10 cents a gallon at select gas stations with Amazon Prime Get Deal

If you’re a daily driver, then you’re probably well aware of the ever-fluctuating price of gasoline. It’s ridiculous that a gallon of gas costs more than a grande Starbucks beverage these days, but that's the reality we live in. (Of course, this depends on where you live, but the point still stands.) If you’ve been feeling the pinch at the pump, there's some good news for Amazon Prime members.

As of Oct. 23, Prime members can save 10 cents off every gallon of gas at participating Amoco, AM/PM, and BP gas stations.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Sony's WH-CH520 headphones are on sale for less than $40

To get the discount, you’ll need to be an Amazon Prime member and have an Earnify account. (Earnify is free to join and easy to sign up.) To activate the offer, go to amazon.com/fuelsavings to connect your account. According to the fine print, you won’t get the discount without using the activation landing page.

Once you’re all set up, use the app’s store locator to find the nearest participating gas station. At the pump, you can enter your phone number or payment method tied to your Earnify account, or use the app to select your pump and pay.

Amazon isn't the only retailer offering a fuel discount to its members, though. Back in 2020, Walmart+ introduced its own fuel savings program, where members could save up to 5 cents a gallon at 2,000+ Walmart, Murphy USA, and Murphy Express fuel stations. In 2022, Walmart bumped the fuel discount for its Walmart+ members from 5 cents to 10 cents per gallon.

Other fuel discount programs include the Speedway Speedy Rewards, 7REWARDS, Circle K Inner Circle Rewards, ExxonMobil Rewards+, and Shell Fuel Rewards. So, if you’re trying to save a little money at the pump, signing up for at least one of these loyalty programs is probably a good idea.