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The End Of the Financial Year (EOFY) is almost upon us. For many, it conjures images of sorting through receipts, fumbling through tax terminology, and the sweet relief of a tax return. But while you’re busy wrangling your finances, have you considered another crucial aspect of your fiscal year? Your digital well-being.

Just as you meticulously track your expenses and investments, now is the perfect time to also take stock of your online security. Whether you've got a family at home or you're running a small business, our devices are the gateways of communication, commerce, and connection. And as so, it needs robust protection. This EOFY presents a perfect time to conduct a thorough assessment of your digital security.

So read up on our tips, and have a think about whether or not you’re currently doing your digital due diligence!

Essential digital security for families

Modern households with multiple connected devices are big potential targets for cyber threats. Diverse online activities such as social media, education, gaming,entertainment, and financial transactions necessitate a comprehensive approach to digital safety.

• Secure Your Devices: Each connected device in your home network can be a gateway for cyberattacks. Ensure all devices, including laptops, tablets, smartphones, and gaming consoles, have updated operating systems and security software installed. Regularly review the security settings on each device.

• Parental Controls: The internet offers numerous benefits for children but also exposes them to risks. Utilise parental control features available on your operating systems, routers, or third-party software to filter inappropriate content, manage screen time, and monitor online activity. Most importantly, educate kids about safe online practices.

• Backup Important Data: Irreplaceable digital assets like family photos and important documents should be backed up regularly to a separate, secure location. Consider using a combination of local external drives and cloud-based backup services to protect against data loss from hardware failure or cyberattacks.

Essential digital security for small businesses

A secure digital environment is crucial for business continuity and the protection of sensitive data for small businesses. You need to get ahead of things, proactive security measures are vital.

• Strong Authentication: Protect access to your business systems and data by using strong, unique passwords for all accounts. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible, adding an extra layer of security beyond just a password.

• Secure Your Network Infrastructure: Ensure your business Wi-Fi network is secured with a strong password and the latest encryption protocols (e.g., WPA3). Consider segmenting your network to isolate sensitive data and limit the impact of a potential breach. Regularly update your router's firmware.

• Educate Employees on Cybersecurity: Human error is a significant factor in many security incidents. Conduct regular training for employees on topics such as identifying phishing emails, creating strong passwords, handling sensitive data, and recognising social engineering attempts.

• Develop an Incident Response Plan: Prepare for the possibility of a security incident by creating a plan outlining the steps to take in case of a breach. This plan should include procedures for identifying, containing, eradicating, and recovering from an attack.

General tips for digital due diligence this EOFY

Regardless of whether you are a family or a small business, consider these general tips as part of your EOFY digital check-up:

• Review Software and App Permissions: Take some time to review the permissions granted to the software and apps installed on your devices. Revoke access that seems unnecessary or suspicious.

• Update Everything: Ensure all operating systems, software applications, and firmware on your devices are up to date. Updates often include critical security patches that address known vulnerabilities.

• Be Vigilant Against Phishing: Exercise caution when opening emails, clicking on links, or downloading attachments from unknown or suspicious sources. Phishing attacks are a common method used by cybercriminals to steal sensitive information.

• Consider a Security Solution: Evaluate the benefits of a comprehensive internet security solution that provides features such as antivirus protection, firewall, anti-phishing, and potentially a VPN for enhanced privacy. For most everyday uses, can recommend Bitdefender Total Security.

Our pick: Bitdefender

Bitdefender offers a range of security products tailored to different budgets and needs:

• Bitdefender Total Security: A comprehensive solution providing cross-platform protection for multiple devices. Includes limited VPN traffic (200 MB/day/device) for basic privacy enhancement.

• Bitdefender Premium Security: Builds upon Total Security with the inclusion of unlimited VPN traffic and Scamio Copilot, an integrated tool designed to identify and mitigate scam attempts.

• Bitdefender Ultimate Security: The most comprehensive offering, encompassing all features of Premium Security, along with Digital Identity Protection, Dark Web Monitoring, and Real-Time Breach Notifications for proactive management of personal information security.

Digital safety is a year-round job

So, as you're finishing up your tax stuff this EOFY, don't forget to do your digital due diligence. Make sure your family and your business are protected by a reliable security solution, and take advantage of both EOFY deals, and timing around your refund. Bitdefender offers the comprehensive protection you need to navigate the online world with confidence. It's an investment that certainly pays off in peace of mind and keeping your important digital stuff safe. Put it on your EOFY to-do list this year, and your future self will thank you for it.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for June 4 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Heard in music

• Green: To encourage

• Blue: Seen upon entering a home

• Purple: Created by a famous artist

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Parts of a song

• Green: Support audibly

• Blue: Things in an entryway

• Purple: Imagery in Magritte paintings

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #724 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Parts of a song: BRIDGE, CHORUS, HOOK, REFRAIN

• Support audibly: CHEER, CLAP, ROOT, WHISTLE

• Things in an entryway: BENCH, COAT RACK, CONSOLE, RUNNER

• Imagery in Magritte paintings: APPLE, BOWLER, CLOUD, PIPE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 3

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Monster quest

The words are creature-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are infamous beasts.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is veritcal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Cryptids

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for June 4

• Mothman

• Jackalope

• Yeti

• Cryptids

• Kraken

• Bigfoot

• Crawler

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for June 4 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for June 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To stop.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

CEASE.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 4

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A 12-inch measuring stick.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

RULER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To tie up.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CHAIN

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Funny.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

ANTIC

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A style of underwear.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for June 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

THONG

Final Hurdle hint

A student.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

PUPIL

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The back-and-forth over a potential Trump cryptocurrency wallet on Tuesday exposed rifts among the family’s web of digital currency ventures.

Hulu dropped a trailer for Call Her Alex, a docuseries centered on Alex Cooper, the wildly popular host of the podcast Call Her Daddy.

And the Daddy Gang — as her fans are known — is likely to love this two-part docuseries. The trailer features behind-the-scenes moments with Cooper, intimate childhood footage, and interviews with family. There's even a moment with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, whose company initially helped Call Her Daddy become a major brand.

The trailer seems to set up a hagiographic doc celebrating Cooper's impressive rise to global stardom, with only a passing reference to her highly publicized and controversial split with former co-host Sofia Franklyn. It'll be interesting to see what, if anything, we learn about Call Her Daddy's history.

All episodes of Call Her Alex will be released on June 10 on Hulu.

The ripple effects of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs are starting to appear on the shelves of big box stores like Target and Walmart.

On Reddit's r/Walmart subreddit, posters who say they're employees of Walmart have begun reporting significant price hikes.

In fact, the subreddit has become a running thread of examples, from grocery staples to toys and outdoor gear. One post points to an 8-ounce jar of cocoa powder, which spiked from $3.44 to $6.18, a nearly 80 percent increase. As spotted by Business Insider, a Jurassic World T-Rex toy recently jumped from $39.95 to $55 — a 38 percent hike — while a fishing reel that once sold for $57.37 is now listed at $83.26. The same products have seen similar price increases at Target as well, also according to Business Insider.

Reddit

While anecdotal, these Reddit posts suggest that the tariff price hikes Walmart warned about may have arrived.

At an earnings call in May, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon warned customers that the company might not be able to avoid price hikes much longer. As The Street reported, McMillon acknowledged that the company couldn't "absorb all the pressure given the reality of narrow retail margins." Also in May, Walmart CFO John David Rainey warned consumers that Trump’s tariff policy could impact prices "within the coming weeks," which means these increases are right on time.

"We’re wired for everyday low prices, but the magnitude of these increases is more than any retailer can absorb," Rainey told CNBC. "It’s more than any supplier can absorb."

Trump didn’t take kindly to these statements. On Truth Social, he fired back, saying Walmart should simply "eat the tariffs."

It's still unclear how long the Trump administration's new tariffs will last. A federal trade court ruled last Thursday that Trump lacked the constitutional authority to implement his expansive tariff regime. That decision is currently on hold pending appeal, meaning the tariffs remain in place for now.

According to a 2023 Reuters report, 60 percent of Walmart’s goods were sourced from China between Jan. and April of that year. Since then, the company has begun shifting parts of its supply chain to India in an effort to diversify.

In less than two weeks, Google Wallet users in the U.S. will no longer be able to directly link their PayPal account. So, if you're currently using PayPal for contactless payments on your Android device, you'll need to find an alternative solution.

In an update to the Google Wallet support page first spotted by Android Authority, Google's digital wallet service is losing support for PayPal integration. Starting June 13, "linked PayPal accounts will be automatically deleted and no longer supported," the page read. Google had already started phasing this integration out by blocking new users from linking their PayPal accounts as of April 13.

SEE ALSO: Kids can now use Google Wallet for purchases

Google Wallet will still have the option of making purchases through a PayPal debit card. However, they can no longer directly link their PayPal account itself. "At this time, customers looking to use PayPal as a payment method in their Google and Samsung Wallets will need to add their PayPal Debit Mastercard," said a PayPal spokesperson. PayPal announced this update last July, but Google is putting these changes into effect now.

In February, executives introduced a new strategy to transform PayPal from "a payments company to a commerce platform," or what they're calling "PayPal 2.0," according to PYMNTS. This includes expanding its reach beyond online transactions and more ways for merchants to connect with customers. That could include some type of competitor to Google and Apple Wallet, which would let PayPal customers make contactless mobile payments directly through PayPal.

Recently, PayPal announced an update to Android and iOS apps in Germany to enable contactless payments, an early example of this new direction.

Many of us wouldn't know how to live on our own if it wasn't for our father figures — this goes for uncles, stepdads, or anyone else who has stepped up to take on that role, too. And though they probably insist that you don't have to get them anything, Father's Day is an extra special time to show your appreciation for your dad. From practical gadgets that make his life easier to sentimental keepsakes that tug on the heartstrings of even the most “tough guy” dads, you’re bound to find the best Father’s Day gift for your dad below.

The tech executive criticized the president’s legislation in a series of posts on Tuesday, signaling a widening rift with Republicans.

The Karate Kid: Legends cast (Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, and Ben Wang) draft their ultimate karate tournament teams of characters from the entire Karate Kid and Cobra Kai legacy. Each squad consists of one sensei and three competitors. Which Karate Kid legend will be first off the board? Which cast member will pick Mr. Miyagi?

The squad that wins depends on you. Let us know in the comments which squad you think is "the best around."

Karate Kid: Legends is now in theaters.

SAVE UP TO 85%: Audible's sitewide sale is live now through June 9. Every single title in the Audible library is on sale for up to 85% off, making it a great time to stack your TBR list for less.

Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible Sitewide Sale Save up to 85% on all titles Shop Now

I've read 22 books so far this year, thanks in part to Audible. My love for the Amazon-owned app and audiobooks in general is well documented by now, but it bears repeating. Audiobooks are the best for screen-free entertainment. It's like reading with your ears; listening to a book triggers the same parts of your brain and feeds your imagination the same way as traditional reading. The difference is it gives you the freedom to multitask as you absorb the stories.

If you're looking to dabble in audiobooks, Audible is one of the best apps for it. And through June 9, you can stack up your TBR list for less during Audible's sitewide sale. Every title in the Audible library is on sale for up to 85% off, including new releases, bestsellers, Pride Month listens, Goodreads favorites, and more. The only catch is that you must be an active Premium Plus member to access the sitewide sale and shop the deals. If you're not a member, you can sign up for just 99 cents for your first month ($14.95 per month thereafter).

You'll find plenty of titles from popular authors listed for crazy low prices during the sale, but here's a quick glimpse to give you a taste:

• Go as a River by Shelley Read — $2.74 $21.05 (save $18.31)

• You Killed Me First by John Marrs — $3.91 $30.09 (save $26.18)

• Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell — $3.31 $25.46 (save $22.15)

• Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter — $7.49 $19.74 (save $12.25)

• Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry — $8.91 $20.25 (save $11.34)

• My Friends by Fredrik Backman — $9.90 $22.49 (save $12.59)

• The Tenant by Frieda McFadden — $12.01 $27.29 (save $15.28)

The sale is live through June 9 at 2:59 a.m. ET on Audible.com and the Audible app for members. Start building your summer reading list on a budget while you can.

The best tech deals to shop this week

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $899.99 (List Price $1599.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• DualSense Edge Wireless Controller — $169.00 (List Price $199.99)

TL;DR: Create anything, even NSFW art, with a lifetime subscription to Imagiyo for only A$62.

Opens in a new window Credit: Imagiyo Imagiyo AI Image Generator: Lifetime Subscription (Standard Plan) AU$62
AU$767 Save AU$705 Get Deal

Digital creativity has never been more accessible, yet many of us remember the days when crafting a single image meant wrestling with layers and plugins for hours on end. Now there’s a way to generate stunning visuals in seconds, simply by typing a description of what you have in mind.

Get an Imagiyo AI Image Generator lifetime subscription for just A$62 (reg. A$767) through 20 July.

Imagiyo uses Stable Diffusion AI alongside FLUX AI to turn text prompts into high-quality images ready for commercial use, and there aren’t many limits to what you can create. Here’s what that means.

What art can you make with Imagiyo

What do you want to make first? It only takes a brief description to put Imagiyo’s advanced algorithms to work, and unlike other image generators, Imagiyo actually lets you really follow your creativity. Craft stunning landscapes, visualize characters from books, or go for something a little more daring. Imagiyo supports NSFW content creation. Just set your prompts to private and let your mind run wild.

Imagiyo’s commercial-use license means you can take some of the images you generate and incorporate them into client projects, social media campaigns, or personal portfolios without fear of copyright issues.

Each month, you receive 500 image-generation credits and can submit up to two prompts at once. Unused credits roll over, so you never lose access to your creative potential. Best of all, Imagiyo delivers your purchased engine updates and feature improvements automatically, ensuring you always work with the latest AI models.

You have until 20 July 20 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get an Imagiyo AI Image Generator lifetime subscription for A$62 (reg. A$767).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Video game developer CD Projekt Red stopped by the State of Unreal 2025 event to show off new footage from The Witcher 4, the upcoming release in its popular series. The cinematic trailer shown to attendees features a group of traveling merchants ambushed in the dark by a Manticore, a familiar winged beast to longtime fans. We then see our new protagonist and Witcher, Ciri, stepping in to take it down.

SEE ALSO: The 5 Nintendo Switch 2 launch titles I can't wait to play (besides 'Mario Kart World')

That’s where the trailer ends. But for those curious about how CD Projekt is leveraging Unreal Engine 5, there's a tech demo that was shown off immediately after, which you can also watch online.

It’s not a full gameplay reveal, and there’s no release date yet. Still, the studio says the goal is to hit 60 fps with ray tracing enabled on the base PlayStation 5. An ambitious promise, especially after the disastrous Cyberpunk 2077 launch.

SAVE $25: As of June 3, get two $50 Uber eGift cards for $75 at Costco. That's a 25% discount. This deal is only available to Costco members.

Opens in a new window Credit: Costco Two $50 Uber eGift Cards $75 at Costco
$100 Save $25 Get Deal

Whether you use Uber to get from point A to point B or you like to grab some takeout here and there, it can get expensive if you're using it regularly. If you want to save 25% on your upcoming Uber purchases (or save a bit on a gift to someone else), Costco has your back with a gift card deal right now.

As of June 3, get two $50 Uber eGift Cards for $75 at Costco. That's $25 off and a 25% discount. This deal is only available to Costco members. You can only buy two sets of $50 gift cards per membership every 14 days. Once you buy your gift cards, they'll be emailed to you, then you can redeem them through the Uber app, where they will be treated as funds added to your Wallet.

SEE ALSO: Save $300 on the zippy Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra at Amazon

These gift cards are just as good as cash, and you can use them to get and send rides to others, buy and gift food, or anything else you normally do with Uber — just with some cash off from your initial purchase. This is a good opportunity to use (or gift) the service without having to pay full price.

Several Unitree G1 robots remotely operated by human beings punched, kicked, and kneed one another in a fight to the top in what is being billed as "the world's first combat competition exclusively featuring humanoid robots.

SAVE $212.05: The 15-inch MacBook Air M4 (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is on sale at Amazon for $986.95, down from the standard price of $1,199. That's an 18% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple MacBook Air M4 (15-inch, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $986.95 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $212.05 Get Deal

Trudging through tasks with an old laptop is not a nice experience. They tend to slow down, get glitchy, and refuse to operate when not plugged into the wall. If you've been dealing with an old(er) MacBook on account of shuddering at a price of a new laptop, Amazon has your back today.

As of June 3, the 15-inch MacBook Air M4 (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is on sale for $986.95, marked down from the normal price of $1,199. That means you'll be getting an 18% discount and saving $212.05. And as a bonus, you'll be scoring the laptop for the lowest price we've ever spotted at Amazon.

Dropping over $1,000 on a new laptop can feel a bit upsetting which is why today's deal is a sigh of relief. Equipped with the new M4 chip, the 15-inch MacBook Air also comes with Apple's upgrade to 16GB RAM.

SEE ALSO: The 11-inch Apple iPad (A16 chip) is back to its best-ever price at Amazon

Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder's hands-on testing mentioned the MacBook Air M4 is an overall upgrade in tons of areas. "It's powerful, silent, and comes with a couple of much-needed upgrades. It's also cheaper than before, making it the best-buy Apple laptop, period," wrote Schroeder.

In Mashable's ranking of the best MacBooks, the MacBook Air M4 earns the top spot. One of the only downsides Mashable noted was the refresh rate which is capped at 60Hz. But overall, it's a still a great machine that comes in at an even more affordable price with today's deal.

If you've been dreaming of the day you can snag a new MacBook, today is a great day. While the 15-inch MacBook Air M4 is under $1,000 at Amazon, upgrade to the latest model that comes with plenty of improvements. While we continue to see prices rise, now's your chance to snag a great deal.

The best laptop and tablet deals to shop this week

• Amazon Fire Max 11 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (2023 Model) — $174.99 (List Price $229.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Android Tablet — $269.99

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip — $812.13 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (2025, M4) — $986.95 (List Price $1199.00)

• Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Windows 11 Copilot+ PC, 13.8-inch — $1,156.26 (List Price $1599.99)

• Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 chip — $1,446.77 (List Price $1599.00)

SAVE $200: As of June 3, the Bose Smart Ultra soundbar is on sale for $699, from its original price of $899. That's a 22% discount and matches the lowest-ever price for the black colorway at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar $699 at Amazon
$899 Save $200 Get Deal

We love the wallet-friendly Bose Smart Soundbar, but the Smart Ultra Soundbar takes things up a notch or two. And a 22% price drop makes it a more approachable purchase.

You can grab the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar at Amazon in black for just $699, down from $899. That's $200 off. While the white colorway has been cheaper once before, this is the lowest-ever price on record for the black option.

SEE ALSO: I've tried every model of Bose headphones and my favorite pair is now $100 off

While we haven't had a chance to test the Smart Ultra Soundbar, our sister site PCMag (also owned by publisher Ziff Davis) spent some time with it and called it "a powerful one-piece soundbar that delivers big sound with plenty of spatial audio detail, and ample audio streaming features." It earned their coveted Editors' Choice award and a glowing 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Its minimal aesthetic can slip into any home theater setup seamlessly without taking up much real estate. But don't mistake its simple looks for a simple soundbar. This thing is packed with features like AdaptiQ, which allows the soundbar to measure your room's acoustics and adjust the balance for optimal sound and spatial imaging based on where you sit. Amazon Alexa is built-in for your convenience, along with Apple AirPlay and Google Cast. And when you open the Bose Music app, you can connect the soundbar to your WiFi network, toggle on features like AI Dialogue Mode, group the soundbar with other Bose speakers, or directly pair it with other Bose accessories. While there's no EQ modes, the app does offer individual controls for bass, treble, center channel, and height channel.

It's a bit steep at full price, but with a $200 discount, it's certainly a worthy option for a one-piece home theater solution.

The best headphones and speaker deals to shop this week

• Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds — $19.98 (List Price $39.99)

• Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones — $38.00 (List Price $59.99)

• JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $129.95)

• Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker — $149.00

• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $228.00 (List Price $348.00)

• JBL Bar 300 5.0ch Compact Soundbar — $249.95 (List Price $399.95)

SWITCH INTERNET, GET A FREE SWITCH: Through June 4, new Verizon home internet customers will get a free Nintendo Switch after the first 65 days of their plan. That's a value of $299.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Verizon Free Nintendo Switch from Verizon When you switch to Verizon Home Internet Learn More

It's officially Nintendo Switch 2 release week, and we're continually being reminded of the chaos this little console is stirring up. As presale stock dwindles, so do your options: If you definitely want to upgrade from your old Switch, you may be brawling in person at your local Target or Best Buy.

If you never owned a Switch at all, maybe settling for a first gen Switch doesn't sound that bad — especially if it were, say, completely free? Verizon has brought back its free Nintendo Switch promo through June 4. It requires switching to Verizon Home Internet and maintaining your plan for at least 65 days. Plans start at $35 per month.

SEE ALSO: I tried the Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat feature, and so far I'm impressed

So this is essentially a total savings of $299.99, though it sounds like even more of a steal compared to the Switch 2's $449.99 price tag — and that's before any games are added to the bill. Unless you'd be buying the Switch 2 specifically to play Mario Kart World on day one (and you'd be valid for that), it might be worthwhile to snag the free Switch to at least hold you over until more Switch 2 games come out.

The main differences between the Switch and Switch 2 include a larger, more high-res screen on the Switch 2, plus HDR and 120Hz support. Obviously, the Switch 2 can handle a shit ton of new games that won't be available on the original Switch. You can also use a Joy-Con as a mouse. The first Switch has lasted people for nearly a decade, so if the Switch 2 possesses similar longevity, splurging on this steep new console now isn't a horrible investment. But until more games are released, it may not be at its best value just yet.