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Bose released its new smart soundbar, fittingly called the Bose Smart Soundbar, in September 2024, and it's quickly become a popular pick in the mid-range. And if you want the best soundbar under $500, this is a strong contender for the title.
It's not a luxury soundbar like the Sonos Arc Ultra or a Hi-Fi speaker like the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max, nor is it a barebones budget option. It's strong enough to provide a noticeable audio improvement, and at a good price for the feature set.
After testing out the Bose Smart Soundbar, I'm ready to render a verdict. Spoiler alert: It's worth the money, but if you can pick it up for the sale price of $399, it's really worth the money.
Unboxing the Bose Smart Soundbar. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Bose Smart Soundbar review: How does it sound?This is the single-most important factor in soundbar reviews, for obvious reasons. And I can tell you that this soundbar does indeed sound fantastic. Overall, it provides deep, balanced sound that's well suited to TV shows, movies, and music.
For TV shows, I was able to turn off closed captions for all but the most accent-heavy shows. When I activated the AI Dialogue Assist feature, the effect was even more dramatic, but even without it, the dialogue sounds much clearer. The same goes for action-heavy movies where dialogue often gets drowned out by explosion sounds and car crashes.
However, dialogue isn't the only area where audio noticeably improved. When I watched a Formula 1 race with the soundbar for the first time, I heard a big difference in the sound of the engines, pit crew, and crowd noise. The improvement definitely made the race more enjoyable.
Testing the soundbar while watching "Dune." Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Use the voice, Paul! Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / MashableThe soundbar contains five transducers and a central tweeter to project sound all around you. Two upwards-facing transducers even bounce sound off the ceiling for a truly immersive effect. When Dolby Atmos sound is available, the sound quality really sings. I watched movies like Dune and Mad Max: Fury Road to appreciate this effect to the fullest.
Music also sounds incredible on this speaker. On really layered tracks (like Michael Jackson's "Beat It" or Radiohead's "The National Anthem"), the vocals are sometimes a little buried, but this isn't a problem on more vocal-heavy songs (like Lewis Capaldi's "Someone You Loved" or Adele's "Hello," both of which sounded incredible). The bass was especially clear with music — and without totally blowing out the bass like so many speakers do.
This soundbar excels in every category save one — the vibesI've generally had good experiences with Bose products. Sometimes, very good experiences. But I do sometimes wonder if they need some help in the branding department. The new Bose smart soundbar doesn't have the most creative name. In case you've already forgotten, this soundbar is called — wait for it — the Bose Smart Soundbar.
Like a 15-inch HP laptop that's simply called "HP Laptop 15," it leaves something to be desired. And while Sonos was using the cool, gravelly voice of Giancarlo Esposito as their brand voice, Bose uses a generic female robot voice that's cold and occasionally grating.
An angled power cord and HDMI eARC cable are inserted at an angle behind the soundbar. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / MashableThe soundbar's design is also pretty plain. Now, to be fair, soundbars aren't meant to stand out, and they don't present many opportunities for creative design. But this soundbar is pretty much just a black rectangle. As well-designed as it is functionally, it's pretty bland-looking.
Does any of this matter? A lot of people probably prefer this no-bullshit, focus-on-the-sound approach. After all, who cares what a soundbar looks like, doesn't it matter more what it sounds like? The latter is more important, absolutely. But as someone who does care about the vibes and aesthetics of my products — especially when they're asking for pride of place at the center of my living room — I'd like a little more. This product would have received a higher score save for its poor showing in the "Wow Factor" category.
From a practical standpoint, this speaker does have a smart design. You insert the HDMI and power plugs at an angle, saving you an inch or two of space on your entertainment console. The bar itself is 2.2 inches x 4.1 inches x 27 inches, letting it easily fit below your TV.
You only need two of these cables to start using your new soundbar. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable You insert cables at an angle, which saves space. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Bose Smart Soundbar connectivity: The good and the badThe good news? It was incredibly easy to set up this soundbar. Truly, it was up and running in minutes. I had to re-shuffle some of the inputs on my TV, but even this didn't take long. Even for folks who aren't particularly tech-savvy, I think the setup will be really simple. Simply plug the HDMI cable into your TV's eARC input and follow the instructions.
I did experience some connectivity problems. First, because I didn't have additional surround sound speakers or a sub-woofer, I tried to connect the soundbar to my Bose Soundlink Max portable speaker. The connection was really easy, and I was able to group them together instantly. Unfortunately, the Soundlink Max wireless speaker played on a slight delay, rendering it useless.
Setting up the soundbar is incredibly easy. Credit: Screenshot: Bose Using the Bose app. Credit: Screenshot: BoseWhen I wanted to play music from my phone, I found that I had to pair and re-pair the soundbar with my iPhone 15 Pro repeatedly. I don't know why this type of Bluetooth connectivity is such a pain point with Bose. My review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds noted a similar problem with multi-point pairing (which has since been fixed). In terms of time wasted, it's less than 30 seconds to repair, but it's annoying, especially in a $500 product.
I should also note that I was able to connect my Amazon Music account to the Bose app, but not Spotify. This could be a problem on Spotify's end, so I haven't docked any points for this. I was still able to stream music with a simple Bluetooth connection.
SEE ALSO: Amazon Music Unlimited vs. Spotify Premium: A comparison Is the Bose Smart Soundbar worth it?On balance, I think it is. The connectivity issues never stopped me from actually using the soundbar for the desired purpose, and the improvement over my regular TV speakers was immediately clear. With added perks like Dialogue Assist and Dolby Atmos, it provides a powerful upgrade for your audio setup.
Again, if you want a true Hi-Fi experience with all the possible bells and whistles, you'll need to pay $1,000 or more. And if you buy a budget soundbar for $300 or less, you might as well just stick with your regular TV speakers, as there won't be much of a difference.
For most users, I think this soundbar hits the sweet spot in terms of features, sound, and value for the dollar. If it was priced at $399 instead of $499 (and it's often on sale for $399), it would have received a higher score from me. You can buy this soundbar from retailers like Amazon or directly from Bose.
Bose Smart Soundbar $399.00 at AmazonTL;DR: Live stream Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens on Sling TV or FuboTV.
NFL Week 16 continues this weekend with a matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers are atop the AFC North division at 10-4, while the Ravens are second in the AFC North division at 9-5 — placing them right below the Pittsburgh Steelers. With these two teams being so close, the win could go to either team on Saturday.
The Steelers lost their last game on Sunday, Dec. 15 to the Philadelphia Eagles at 13-27, while the Ravens beat the New York Giants 35-14 that same day. If the Ravens win, they will be tied with the Steelers for the top spot in the AFC North division.
When is Steelers vs. Ravens?Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens takes place at 4:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. The two teams will face off at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. The announcers for the game have not been confirmed.
Best streaming services for Steelers vs. RavensPittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens will be aired locally in Maryland. It may be available in some other markets, but NFL games are subject to local blackouts.
If you do not have a cable package in those markets, you have options. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Rams vs. 49ers on local networks.
Sling TV offers its Orange & Blue package of 48 channels at $55 per month that would serve your needs for locally available NFL games. Sign up to enjoy a first-month discounted rate of $27.50.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Again, Steelers vs. Ravens is subject to local blackouts. It is available nationally on Prime Video.
How to watch Steelers vs. Ravens from anywhere in the worldIf you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of the NFL from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Steelers vs. Ravens from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming service
Watch Steelers vs. Ravens from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get DealTL;DR: Live stream Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs on YouTube TV, Peacock TV, or Sling TV.
NFL Week 16 includes a battle between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are atop the AFC West division with just one loss the entire season, putting them at a record of 13-1. The Texans are also atop their division, the AFC South, with a record of 9-5. Both teams seem to have a good chance of winning this Saturday.
The Chiefs won 21-7 against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Dec. 15. That same day, the Texans beat the Miami Dolphins with a final score of 12-20. This game may have you on the edge of your seat, so grab your popcorn.
When is Texans vs. Chiefs?Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs takes place at 1 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. The two teams will face off at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
The game will air on NBC and Peacock, where Mike Tirico is expected to do the play-by-play. Cris Collinsworth will join him in the booth, and Melissa Stark will be the sideline reporter.
How to stream Texans vs. ChiefsWe've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Texans vs. Chiefs:
Most live sport: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealHouston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs is available to live stream via YouTube TV or the NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV (not to mention other NFL fixtures).
YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and the NFL Network.
The NFL Sunday Ticket is an add-on for $209 per year, or four non-cancellable payments of $52.99. Sunday Ticket provides access to all NFL games, including out-of-market games and split-screen viewing.
No ads: Peacock TV Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock TV Get DealThere are two tiers to NBC’s Peacock streaming service. The Premium plan is $7.99 per month, and the Premium Plus at $13.99 per month.
The advantage of the Premium Plus plan is no ads, but that doesn’t apply to live sporting events. Also, the Premium Plus plan provides 24/7 access to your local NBC channel. Peacock also offers a full year for the price of 10 months if the full year is paid upfront. Those rates are $79.99 for the Premium plan and $139.99 for the Premium Plus plan.
College students can get Peacock’s premium plan for $1.99 per month. Students can get more information at PeacockTV.com/students.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling TV Sports Plan Get DealSling TV offers its Orange & Blue package of 48 channels at $55 per month that would serve your needs for locally available NFL games. Sign up to enjoy a first-month discounted rate of $27.50.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of the NFL from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Texans vs. Chiefs from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming service
Watch Texans vs. Chiefs from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get DealTL;DR: Live stream Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid in La Liga for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Select La Liga fixtures are available to live stream without spending anything. And that includes some of the biggest games on the schedule, like Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are fighting it out at the top of the table, so this game really is massive. We're expecting a fiery battle from the first whistle.
If you want to watch Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid in La Liga from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid?Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid in La Liga kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Dec. 21. This fixture takes place at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium.
How to watch Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid for freeBarcelona vs. Atletico Madrid is available to live stream for free on ITVX in the UK.
If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock ITVX. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to stream La Liga fixtures for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Sign in to ITVX
Watch Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of La Liga without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for ITVX?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid in La Liga for free with ExpressVPN.
Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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.
Tweet may have been deletedEach 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.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers 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 December 21 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Circular shapes or formations
Green: Used for cooking or baking
Blue: Styles or types of beds
Purple: Associated with Oscar
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Loop
Green: Cooking Vessels
Blue: Kinds of Beds
Purple: Things Called "Oscar"
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 #559 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayLoop: BAND, CIRCLE, HOOP, RING
Cooking Vessels: CASSEROLE, CROCK, PAN, POT
Kinds of Beds: BUNK, CANOPY, MURPHY, SLEIGH
Things Called "Oscar": BALONEY, GROUCH, O, STATUETTE
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 December 21Are 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.
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 December 21 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 December 21 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Sharp and sleek, it slices through things with ease.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no reoccurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.
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...
BLADE.
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 December 21Reporting 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'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 MashableBy 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 preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 21 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 21 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Keeping the faithThese words are for practicing religion.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedWords are places you'd visit to practice your faith.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is SacredSpaces.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for December 21Temple
Tabernacle
Mosque
Abbey
Monastery
SacredSpaces
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.
Willem Dafoe and filmmaker Robert Eggers talk at-length about where they pulled their inspirations from for Nosferatu. And Eggers describes how he intentionally updated the iconic character for this film.
Nosferatu opens in theaters Dec. 25.
OpenAI just announced o3 and o3 mini, its next-gen reasoning models.
In the livestream, SVP of Research Mark Chen showed o3's performance on certain benchmarks, compared to o1, like competition math (96.7 percent) and PhD-level science (87.7 percent). OpenAI and the ARC Prize competition also shared how o3 scored 76 percent on the ARC-AGI benchmark, which includes novel unpublished datasets. The ARC-AGI benchmark is designed to test ability to learn new and distinct skills on the fly with every new task.
Tweet may have been deletedThe announcement caps the 12 Days of OpenAI marathon, which debuted something new everyday. Over the past 12 business days, OpenAI has launched its AI video generator Sora, vision with Advanced Voice Mode, in addition to a slew of products and features designed to make ChatGPT more seamless to use in work and daily life.
SEE ALSO: OpenAI now lets you call ChatGPT on your phoneThe o3 mini model is designed to be a cost-efficient model that balances performance. It has three different effort levels and cap adapt its amount of reasoning time based on the difficulty of the problem. "An incredible cost-to-performance gain," said CEO Sam Altman.
So, o3 and o3 mini have achieved amazing intelligence breakthroughs according to OpenAI. But they're not ready to be released to the public yet. But OpenAI is granting early access to o3 and o3 mini for safety testing starting today. Applications to join the model testing program are accepted on a rolling basis and close on Jan. 10.
We couldn't think of a better way to spend the holiday season than curled up by the fire with a good book. Well, ebook, that is. You could go with a classic hardcover, but then you wouldn't be able to take advantage of double Kindle Rewards points on your purchase, would you?
That's right, for one day only (although they've done this already recently), Amazon is offering double Kindle Rewards points when you pick up any Kindle books. Rather than the usual three, you'll now get six points for every dollar spent on Kindle books and one point for print books. For every 300 points you accrue, you'll get $3 towards your next Kindle book purchase. Prime and non-Prime Amazon customers are eligible to participate in Kindle Rewards, so you've really got nothing to lose.
SEE ALSO: I’ve tried every Kindle and the Paperwhite is the only one you needSo, get yourself signed up before the offer ends at 2:59 am ET on Dec. 21. And while you're at it, check out some of our favorite Kindle book deals this week to get you started on earning your Kindle Rewards points.
Best Kindle book deals this week:A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney — $1.99 $18 (save $16.01)
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton — $2.99 $19 (save $16.01)
The Boys by Katie Hafner — $1.99 $18 (save $16.01)
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson — $1.99 $17.99 (save $16)
Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver — $2.99 $19.99 (save $17)
Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey — $1.99 $15.99 (save $14)
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig — $2.99 $18 (save $15.01)
In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware — $2.99 $17.99 (save $15)
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson — $2.99 $17 (save $14.01)
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman — $2.99 $18 (save $16.01)
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood — $1.99 $17 (save $15.01)
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia — $2.99 $17 (save $14.01)
Only When It's Us by Chloe Liese — $1.99 $17 (save $15.01)
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (The Kane Chronicles book one) — $1.99 $15.99 (save $14)
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas —$2.99 $15.20 (save $12.21)
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel — $2.99 $17 (save $14.01)
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert — $1.99 $18 (save $16.01)
Splinters by Leslie Jamison — $3.99 $29 (save $25.01)
The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan (The Kane Chronicles book two) — $1.99 $15.99 (save $14)
West with Giraffes by Lydia Rutledge — $2.99 $4.99 (save $2.50)
World Travel by Anthony Bourdain — $1.99 $22 (save $20.01)
SAVE $800: As of Dec. 20, you can get an LG 77-inch Class C3 Series OLED TV (2023) for $1,499.99 at Best Buy. That's $800 off the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 77-inch Class C3 Series OLED TV (2023) $1,499.99 at Best BuyI don’t really know anyone who needs a 77-inch TV, but if you want one, you can get a pretty good deal on one at Best Buy right now.
As of Dec. 20, you can get the LG 77-inch Class C3 Series OLED evo 4K UHD Smart webOS TV (2023) for $1,499.99, down from $2,299.99. That’s a hefty $800 discount and an almost irresistible price for a premium OLED TV of this size. It also comes with three months of Apple TV+ and 30 days of FurboTV.
SEE ALSO: The best time to buy a TV: A guide to the times of year that you'll find the best TV dealsThis model has an α9 AI Processor Gen6, made exclusively for LG OLED. It also has a Brightness Booster, so you can watch anything from the big game to your favorite movies in vibrant colors (even in the brightest rooms). Plus, with the webOS 23, LG ThinQ AI, and Magic Remote, you can find whatever you want in seconds.
With hundreds of LG channels and Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support, this TV is great for the living room or home theater. It also has NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, and VRR for a smooth, stutter-free gaming experience.
SAVE $120: As of Dec. 20, get the DJI Action 2 for $159 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $279. That's a discount of 43%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Action 2 Camera $159.00 at AmazonThinking about getting out into the world and doing some fun things in the new year? Maybe your resolution is to get up off the couch and try some new sports or physical activities. If you want to document all that while you're getting into it, you need a great action camera. And there's one on sale right now thanks to Amazon that can be your constant companion. Not only is it affordable, but it's also more than capable of capturing all those action-packed moments.
As of Dec. 20, you can get the DJI Action 2 Camera for just $159, down from its usual price of $279. That's $120 off and a discount of 43%.
This camera has a special magnetic design that lets you add accessories by snapping them on and off. It's small and compact as well, and you can add a magnetic lanyard or headband to wear it on your head or around your neck to capture everything that's going on around you.
It records in 4K at 120fps and has an ultra-wide FOV to make sure it doesn't miss a detail either, with an AI editor that can automatically compile your best moments while adding music and transitions. It's also waterproof and dustproof, so you can take it into water up to 10 meters to make sure you get all your best moments even when you're splashing around.
If you're ready to add a capable action camera to your arsenal or just want to start getting out there more and sharing it with the world, this is a deal you should hop on quickly, lest it go away just as fast.
Dec. 20th, save up to 60% on last minute toy deals like the Discovery Marble Run at Macy's One Day Sale.
The best toy deals at Macy's One Day Sale The best toy deal for builders Discovery #MINDBLOWN Glow Roll Marble Run Light-Up Construction Set $19.99 (Save $60) Get Deal The best toy deal for plush lovers Geoffrey's Toy Box 22" LED Light-Up Plush Bear $19.99 ($40) Get Deal The best gift for siblings Sharper Image Two Player Laser Tag Set $27.99 ($42) Get DealSometimes we drag our heels on that final push before the holidays. If you need one final gift to complete the list (or 10), the Macy's One Day Sale is right on time. Shop now to find great toys for up to 75% off that will still arrive before Christmas.
Whether it's a robotic RC T-Rex you can control with with a remote, a two-player laser tag set, or a customizable marble run, Macy's has plenty of exciting toys that are showing surprisingly generous discounts.
The best toy deal for builders Opens in a new window Credit: Discovery Discovery #MINDBLOWN Glow Roll Marble Run Light-Up Construction Set $19.99 at Macy'sKids love to build. The Discovery Marble Run is an endlessly customizable roller coaster for their marble collection. Set it up to launch marbles into the air, shoot them through chutes, and jump them from one part of the set to the next. At 75% off, this marble building set is only $19.99. Don't miss out.
SEE ALSO: There's still time to score last-minute gifts at Amazon — here are our top picks The best toy deal for plush lovers Opens in a new window Credit: Geoffrey's Toy Box Geoffrey's Toy Box 22" LED Light-Up Plush Bear $19.99 at Macy'sUmm... this bear is big. It's also anything but ferocious, with an interstellar, cosmic fur pattern in pink, yellow, and blue that lights up. The Geoffrey's Toy Box Light-Up Plus Bear is 22 inches tall — prime hugging dimensions for a kid. On sale for just $19.99, it's currently 67% off and arrives before Christmas.
The best gift for siblings Opens in a new window Credit: Sharper Image Sharper Image Two Player Laser Tag Set $27.99 at Macy'sWhen you want to encourage group play, an interactive game set is a great gift. The Sharper Image Two Player Laser Tag Set equips kids with the gear they need for home-brewed laser tag games. The set is complete with two laser blasters and two chest targets that light up and keep score.
Other Macy's One Day Sale toy deals we loveDiscovery Kids RC T Rex Dinosaur Electronic Toy Action Figure — $27.99 $69.99 (save $42)
Sharper Image 2.4GHz RC Glow Up Stunt Drone with LED Lights — $31.99 $79.99 (save $48)
Discovery #MINDBLOWN Crystal Aquarium Tank DIY Underwater Garden — $15.99 $39.99 (save $24)
Discovery #MINDBLOWN 2 in 1 Planetarium Space Projector — $23.99 $59.99 (save $36)
SAVE $140: The Dec. 20 Best Buy Drop of the day is the 13-inch M2 iPad Air (WiFi, 128GB). Usually $799, the newest Air is on sale for $659 (compared to $699 on Black Friday) as long as you go through the Best Buy mobile app.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple 13-inch iPad Air (M2, WiFi, 128GB) $659.00 at Best BuyThe Best Buy Drop for Dec. 20 proves what the big deal about Best Buy Drops is. When else would you casually see an Apple product beat its own Black Friday price less than a month after Black Friday?
As long as inventory's still there when you see this on Dec. 20, you can snag the 13-inch iPad Air with M2 chip (WiFi, 128GB) for $659 through the Best Buy app. You'll be saving an extra $40 over anyone who bought this iPad on sale during Black Friday and Cyber Week, when it was only $100 off at $699. (That sale price lingered at Best Buy through Dec. 20, when the Drop shaved an extra $40 off.)
SEE ALSO: Apple iPad Air 2024 (13-inch) review: More space for the 'I use it as a laptop' folksThe 2024 iPad Air is much more of an iPad Pro competitor than it was years ago. In fact, unless you're a hardcore designer who needs the ultimate efficiency and graphics, it's hard to think of someone who wouldn't find the Air to be the best fit for them. With Apple's M2 chip fueling every move, the Air makes a better laptop replacement than nearly any other tablet — in Mashable's testing, it dished out the same processing power as a MacBook Air with the same chip. The 13-inch version also simply feels like more of a legit laptop screen than the 11-inch version.
Despite pumping out more juice than previous Airs, the 2024 model can still squeeze out 13 hours of battery life on one charge. It's not the 16 hours clocked by the M4 iPad Pro, but when the difference in price is several hundred dollars, you may not care.
SAVE $29.01: As of Dec. 20, you can get a four-pack of AirTags for just $69.99 at Best Buy and Amazon. That's a savings of $29.01.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (4-Pack) $69.99 at Best BuyAppleAir tags are super handy, especially if you’re a frequent flyer or forget where you've left your keys, wallet, or other valuables. These tiny gadgets attach to whatever you need to keep tabs on, and the Find My app on your iPhone can locate them within seconds.
SEE ALSO: 50 last-minute gifts that will actually arrive on timeRight now, you can get a four-pack for just $69.99 at Best Buy and Amazon. That’s a savings of $29.01 and a great reason to stock up.
Apple AirTags are compatible with most iPhone models and iPads. Once you’ve paired them with a device, you can use the Find My app to track their location — it’ll even play a little tune to help you find the tag. The replaceable battery lasts about one year, and they’re IP67 dust and water-resistant. And, if you’re worried about privacy, Apple says the location data and history aren’t stored on the AirTag itself.
Sabrina Carpenter had a lot to celebrate in 2024.
SEE ALSO: Sabrina Carpenter's 'Espresso' is the internet's Song of the SummerHer hit single "Espresso" was Spotify's most-streamed song of the year, and she picked up six nominations for the 2025 Grammys thanks to her album Short n' Sweet.
To cap off her breakout year, the "Please Please Please" and "Taste" singer dropped by NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series to perform a number of songs from Short n' Sweet. Jam along above.
Google is tracking your online behavior in the name of advertising, reintroducing a data collection process that ingests all of your online signals (from IP address to complex browser information) and pinpoints unique users or devices, also known as "digital fingerprinting."
The company's updated platform program policies include relaxed restrictions on advertisers and personalized ad targeting across a range of devices, an outcome of a larger "advertising ecosystem shift" and the advancement of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) like on-device processing and trusted execution environments, in the words of the company.
A departure from its longstanding pledge to user choice and privacy, Google argues these technologies offer enough protection for users while also creating “new ways for brands to manage and activate their data safely and securely." The new feature will be available to advertisers beginning Feb. 16, 2025.
SEE ALSO: Supposed expert reviews of Google Gemini outputs are coming from non-experts"With new innovations like PETs to mitigate risks, we see an opportunity to set a high privacy bar on the use of data like IP. We can do this by applying privacy-preserving protections that help businesses reach their customers across these new platforms without the need to re-identify them," writes Google. "And because we’re looking to encourage responsible data use as the new standard across the web, we’ll also partner with the broader ads industry and help make PETs more accessible."
In July, Google announced it was backtracking on a decision to kill third-party cookies, instead putting the role of privacy watchdog in the hands of users by adding personalized privacy options to a new product known as the Privacy Sandbox.
Contrary to other data collection tools like cookies, digital fingerprinting is difficult to spot, and thus even harder for even privacy-conscious users to erase or block. On Dec. 19, the UK's Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) — a data protection and privacy regulator — labeled Google "irresponsible" for the policy change, saying the shift to fingerprinting is an unfair means of tracking users, reducing choice and control over their personal information. The watchdog also warned that the move could encourage riskier advertiser behavior.
"Google itself has previously said that fingerprinting does not meet users’ expectations for privacy, as users cannot easily consent to it as they would cookies. This in turn means they cannot control how their information is collected. To quote Google’s own position on fingerprinting from 2019: 'We think this subverts user choice and is wrong,'" wrote ICO executive director of regulatory risk Stephen Almond.
The ICO warned that it will intervene if Google cannot demonstrate existing legal requirements for such tech, including options to secure freely-given consent, ensure fair processing, and uphold the right to erasure: "Businesses should not consider fingerprinting a simple solution to the loss of third-party cookies and other cross-site tracking signals."
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