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With October Prime Day up and running, shop these deals on noise-cancelling headphones

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 05:19

We gathered the best deals on noise-cancelling headphones you can order right now.

Best noise-cancelling headphone deals Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Apple AirPods Mox $429 at Amazon (Save $120) Get Deal Best noise-cancelling earbuds deal Amazon Echo Buds $44.99 at Amazon (Save $95) Get Deal

Even if Amazon won't give us a break on their sales events, at least we can get a little peace with a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. On October 8 and 9, Amazon is running its now annual October shopping event, Prime Big Deal Days. While we have just a week until the official start, the deals are already trickling in. For early and savvy shoppers, there are deals to be had.

Currently, we've clocked early sales on noise-cancelling headphones. Fall is the ideal time to upgrade your headphones. Maybe over the summer yours took a hit during all the travels. Or you're on campus and realizing you need a pair to deal with a noisy roommate. Either way, we've got you covered on the best noise-cancelling headphones to shop now.

Best noise-cancelling headphones deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple AirPods Max $429.00 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $120.00 Get Deal Why we like it

AirPods Max are stylish headphones with easy connectivity to boot. Just like the rest of the AirPods collection, the AirPods Max connect to iOS devices just by turning them on, plus you don't need an auxiliary app to control them, plus they have excellent audio quality and good battery life.

However, a big hang-up we have with the AirPods Max is their price tag —at $549, you can find headphones with the same quality for far cheaper. However, when the AirPods Max are on sale, we're all in. Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, you can get the AirPods Max for $429, saving $120 for 22% off. This is just $50 short of their lowest price ever.

More noise-cancelling headphones dealsBest noise-cancelling earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Echo Buds $44.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $95.00 Get Deal Why we like it

While Apple, Sony, and Bose tend to get most of the hype around earbuds, there are plenty of other brands that sneak in there and surprise us. Amazon happens to be one of them with their 2021 Amazon Echo Buds. They provide excellent noise cancellation and are compatible with any system.

Normally $139.99, they're already a steal for a pair of earbuds with active noise cancellation. But ahead of Prime Day, they're down to $44.99, saving you $95 for 68% off.

More earbud dealsPROMOTED Jabra Elite 10 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.00 Shop Now JBL Tune Flex $49.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $50.00 Shop Now Jabra Elite 8 Active $146.00 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $53.99 Shop Now

Products available for purchase here through affiliate links are selected by our merchandising team. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission or other compensation.

October Prime Day is here and the deals are rolling in on headphones and speakers

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 05:17
Best headphone and speaker deals Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Apple AirPods Max $399 at Amazon (Save $150) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Amazon Echo Buds $44.99 at Amazon (Save $95) Get Deal Best Bluetooth speaker deal Marshall Emberton II Speaker $99 at Amazon (Save $60) Get Deal

Prime Big Deal Days is just one day away. On October 8 and 9, the retailer will unleash a barrage of deals on just about everything you can imagine. While Amazon usually showcases its own products and services during the Prime Day event, plenty of other brands join in on the fun too.

Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, we're tracking deals on headphones and speakers. Historically, we've seen some of our favorite headphones drop to their lowest prices during Prime Day, and we're already seeing early signs of that — AirPods Max are back down to $399.

Right now you can find savings on Apple, Soundcore by Anker, and Sony, however, we're still waiting on bigger price drops to come on Bose headphones. If you can't wait to start shopping, here are the Prime Big Deal Day deals on headphones and speakers.

Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Apple AirPods Max $394.99 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $154.01 Get Deal Why we like it

AirPods Max are stylish headphones with easy connectivity to boot. Just like the rest of the AirPods collection, the AirPods Max connect to iOS devices just by turning them on, plus you don't need an auxiliary app to control them, plus they have excellent audio quality and good battery life.

A big hang-up we have with the AirPods Max is their price tag — at $549, you can find headphones with the same quality for far cheaper. However, when the AirPods Max are on sale, we're all in. Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, you can get the AirPods Max for $399, saving $150 for 27% off. This is less than $20 from its lowest price ever.

More headphone dealsBest earbuds deals Amazon Echo Buds $44.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $95.00 Get Deal Why we like it

While Apple, Sony, and Bose tend to get most of the hype around earbuds, there are plenty of other brands that sneak in there and surprise us. Amazon happens to be one of them with their 2021 Amazon Echo Buds. They provide excellent noise cancellation and are compatible with any system.

Normally $139.99, they're already a steal for a pair of earbuds with active noise cancellation. But ahead of Prime Day, they're down to $44.99, saving you $95 for 68% off.

More earbud dealsBest Bluetooth speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Marshall Emberton II Speaker $99.99 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Maybe your Bluetooth speaker kicked the dust this summer after one too many pool parties. If you find yourself in the market for a new one, Prime Day is an especially great time to hit add to cart.

The Marshall Emberton II speaker is perfect to bring along to any banger. It has a vintage look with the stylish gold script logo and textured front, but that doesn't distract from its functionality. With an IP67 rating, it's water and dust-resistant so you can even take it outside. Plus its 30 hours of battery life is insane.

Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, you can get the Marshall Emberton II speaker on sale for $99.99, saving $70 for 41% off.

More Bluetooth speaker dealsPROMOTED Jabra Elite 10 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.00 Shop Now JBL Tune Flex $49.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $50.00 Shop Now Jabra Elite 8 Active $146.00 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $53.99 Shop Now

Products available for purchase here through affiliate links are selected by our merchandising team. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission or other compensation.

The best October Prime Day TV deals are on Fire TVs, of course

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 05:15

Prime Day is one of the biggest shopping events on the internet and, fortunately for us, it happens twice a year.

October Prime Day in particular is not only a great time to buy a TV on sale, but happens to fall during prime TV watching season. Whether you're a football person, a scary movie person, or a cozy fall show rewatch person, this is your chance to upgrade TVs without waiting until Black Friday.

SEE ALSO: How to score an Echo Pop and smart color bulb for just $18 this Prime Day A quick look at the best October Prime Day TV deals Best 55-inch TV deal Amazon 55-inch 4 Series 4K Fire TV $339.99 at Amazon (save $180) Get Deal Best 65-inch TV deal Hisense 65-inch U6HF ULED 4K TV $449.99 at Amazon (save $300) Get Deal Best 75-inch TV deal Hisense 75-inch U8 Mini LED ULED TV $999.99 at Amazon (save $500) Get Deal

Though Prime Big Deal Days (October Prime Day's official title) doesn't officially start until tomorrow, Oct. 8, Amazon’s got some pretty good deals live already. We've pulled the best ones and organized them by size, and will be refreshing this list daily throughout the sale and the days after — deals tend to stick around for a second after a Prime event ends.

Before you take the plunge on an Amazon TV deal, though, it would be smart to check out Best Buy's Flash Sale that happens to fall on the same two days as Prime Day. Best Buy tends to have a wider selection of TV deals than Amazon, particularly on the more premium end from Samsung, LG, and Sony.

Best TV deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 55-inch 4 Series 4K Fire TV $339.99 at Amazon
$519.99 Save $180.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Who says you need to spend a grand to get a nice (and decently-sized) 4K TV? With the early 35% discount that Amazon slapped on the 55-inch version of its most affordable Fire TV, Prime members could actually get one for two different rooms for way less than $1,000.

As Amazon's most basic in-house Fire TV, the 4-Series would be best suited for people who aren't super picky about saturation or brightness levels as long as it's a step up from their old LED TV — and this definitely will be. With the intuitive Fire TV platform built in, the 4-Series can access all of your favorite streaming apps, which you can arrange in whatever layout makes sense to you.

More Prime Day TV deals

43-inch TVs

50- to 55-inch TVs

65-inch TVs

75-inch TVs and up

Jimmy Kimmel gleefully responds to yet another angry Trump post about him

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 05:10
Jimmy Kimmel has responded to yet another angry Trump post about his Oscars joke.

Secure a big October Prime Day saving on the Apple AirPods Max

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 05:09

SAVE OVER $150: As of Oct. 8, the Apple AirPods Max (with lightning port) are on sale for $394.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 21% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max $394.99 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $154.01 Get Deal

It’s October Prime Day once again. And that can mean only one thing: Mega deals on some of the best, most sought after tech items. Items such as the Apple AirPods Max, which are among the slickest, most stylish, best sounding headphones available. It doesn’t matter if you’re an Apple user or not. They’re quite simply magnificent.

If you want to upgrade your headphones — or if you’ve been waiting for the price of the Apple AirPods Max to come down — now’s the right moment. The Apple AirPods Max have bumped down in price as part of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days. They’re currently available for $394.99. That’s a saving of 28% — more than $150 off the list price.

SEE ALSO: 8 best noise-cancelling headphones to buy on Prime Day

We’ve already trawled Amazon and can confirm this is among our favorite deals. Especially when you consider the features packed into the Apple AirPods Max. Powered by Apple’s M1 chip, they boast upgraded audio quality along with active noise cancelling and transparency mode — which lets in certain sounds — plus, a personalized spatial audio feature that adapts to the shape of your ear. This version of the AirPod Max have a lightning port. There's a USB-C version too. They're more expensive but also discounted for October Prime Day.

If you want some of the best headphones around — and at one of the best prices we’ve seen today — don’t miss the Apple AirPods Max offer this Prime Big Deal Days.

Snag this unmissable October Prime Day deal on Apple AirPods Pro 2

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 05:04

SAVE OVER $80: As of Oct. 8, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are on sale for $168.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 32% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max $168.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $80.01 Get Deal

Apple users will already know just how brilliantly the AirPods sync with Apple devices. That’s part of the beauty of signing up to the Apple ecosystem — the fluidity you get between each of their smart devices. For anyone who uses other branded tech or Android, the AirPods are still a strong recommend — among the best earbuds around.

If you’re looking to upgrade to the Apple AirPods Pro 2, now’s the time. They’re included in Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days — knocked down to $168.99 for a total saving of 32% on the list price. The sale takes place over Oct. 8 and 9, with even more top-branded tech at brilliant bargain prices.

SEE ALSO: 8 best noise-cancelling headphones to buy on Prime Day

Powered by the H2 chip, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are absolutely packed with features, including active noise cancellation, a transparency mode, personalised spatial audio, and upgraded sound and call quality. Just tap or swipe the stems to control them.

For anyone looking to upgrade both their tech and their sound, it’s hard to beat the Apple AirPods Pro 2 — particularly at this generously low price.

Amazon Fire tablets are already up to 56% off on October Prime Day

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 05:00

A tablet is the perfect middle ground between a smartphone and a laptop. If your current tablet is slowing down, doesn't keep a charge, or lacks in display quality, today is a great day to look into a new Amazon Fire tablet. Here are some early Prime Big Deal Days deals that'll take up to 56% off the list price.

Fire tablet deals to shop today Best overall deal Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (64GB) $84.99 at Amazon (save $95) Get Deal Best budget-friendly Fire tablet Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (2024, 32GB) $54.99 at Amazon (save $45) Get Deal Best kids Fire tablet deal Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet $109.99 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal

The second iteration of Prime Day is fast approaching. Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days kicks off on Oct. 8 and 9 this year, and we expect to see some great discounts. If you've become a fan of shopping for the holidays well before Black Friday, Prime Big Deal Days is likely to be one of your best opportunities to shop sale prices.

Like most Prime Day events, Amazon isn't making us wait around to score great discounts, and we're already seeing sale prices on items like Amazon devices, Apple products, and robot vacuums.

The best deals, though, are on Amazon Fire tablets. Discounts are up to 56% off for major savings. Not to mention, Amazon just launched a new tablet: an upgraded Amazon Fire HD 8 with more RAM and battery life. And it debuted at a sweet 45% discount.

But there are plenty of other deals to shop on Amazon's tablets. Here are some of the best:

Best Fire tablet deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (64GB) $84.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $95.00 Get Deal Why we like it

With a 10.1-inch screen and 64GB of storage space, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is ready for all your streaming shows or typing out that work email from bed. The octa-core processor and 3GB RAM means you'll be able to multitask with the Fire HD 10. Amazon mentions the tablet gets about 13 hours of battery life, so it could also be a great choice for taking on your next trip.

Thanks to the early Prime Big Deal Days sale price, the Fire HD 10 tablet with 64GB of storage is just $84.99 at Amazon, a 53% discount on the usual price of $179.99. The 32GB size is on sale for $74.99, so you'll be scoring twice as much storage capacity for just $10 more.

Best budget-friendly Fire tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (2024, 32GB) $54.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $45.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon has started the funny habit of launching brand-new products right before Prime Day. We can't complain when these products debut at a discount.

Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days comes the latest Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet. The budget pick of Amazon's Fire tablets, the new Fire HD 8 comes with 50% more RAM than the last model. It's lightweight and comes with an outstanding 13-hour battery life.

Plus, it's joining the crowd of products with generative AI features, including a writing assist and reading summaries — two features that were also just announced for a series of new Chromebooks.

The Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (2024, 32GB) is an impressive 45% off already, selling for just $54.99 instead of its listed price of $99.99. That means for under $60, you're getting an 8-inch tablet with 3GB RAM. If the 32GB storage ends up being too small for your downloaded shows, the tablet can accept a 1TB microSD card.

Through Amazon's app store, you'll be able to download streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Max, Disney+, and more. If you don't already own a Kindle, this size can also be great for reading e-books.

Best kids Fire tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet $109.99 at Amazon
$189.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet doesn't mess around when it comes to features and functions. For starters, it offers ad-free content, parental controls, and 13 hours of battery life. The 10.1-inch display means kids can play games, read books, or watch movies on the HD screen.

Amazon also added some peace of mind to this kids' tablet by including a durable case to help with protection from inevitable falls and a two-year warranty. If the tablet happens to break within those two years, Amazon will replace it for free.

If you'll be heading to the grandparents' for Thanksgiving, now is a great time to snag a kid-friendly tablet at a great sale price. Plus, it doesn't hurt that it's now $80 off. Now down to $109.99, you don't want to miss these 42% savings.

More Amazon Fire tablets on sale

Never lose track of your wallet again with a 3-pack of smart tracking cards on sale for under $90

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: For $89.99, this 3-pack of KeySmart SmartCards helps you track your essentials with Apple’s "Find My" app and wirelessly charge your devices on the go.

Opens in a new window Credit: KeySmart KeySmart SmartCard (3-Pack) $89.99
$119.97 Save $29.98 Works with Apple Find My Get Deal

Tired of losing your wallet? Get smart with an easy-to-use card tracker and charging combo.

Get a 3-pack of KeySmart SmartCards on sale for just $89.99 (reg. $119.97) to help you track your essentials with Apple’s "Find My" app and wirelessly charge your devices on the go.

How the SmartCard works:

  • Works with Apple’s "Find My" app for instant tracking of your wallet or other essentials

  • Built-in wireless charging to keep your devices powered without messy cables

  • Slim, card-sized design that fits easily in your wallet, bag, or pockets

  • Comes in a 3-pack, so you can track and charge multiple items at once

  • Ideal for anyone who’s always on the go and wants to keep things safe and powered

  • Long-lasting rechargeable battery gives you up to two months of use on a single charge

Get the KeySmart SmartCard 3-Pack on sale for $89.99 (reg. $119) and stop worrying about lost items and dead batteries — it’s a game-changer for everyday life.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Astronomers just found a galaxy way too advanced for its time

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 05:00

Imagine archaeologists excavating an old cave where they believed they'd see primitive ape-like ancestors and instead found a fossil almost indistinguishable from a modern human.  

That might be what astronomers felt when they discovered an evolved galaxy similar to the Milky Way, but lighting up space when the universe was merely 700 million years old. Given that most scientists believe the universe is 13.8 billion today, that period could still be considered the universe's toddler era, shortly after the Big Bang.

Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, or ALMA, an observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert, researchers discovered a galaxy that appears to be as orderly as contemporary galaxies. The team named the cosmic wunderkind REBELS-25 and believe it to be the most distant rotating disk galaxy found so far. The findings were published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society on Monday.

"According to our understanding of galaxy formation, we expect most early galaxies to be small and messy looking," said Jacqueline Hodge, a co-author of the paper at Leiden University in the Netherlands, in a statement.

The discovery is not only a record-breaker but another piece of mounting evidence, thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope, that suggests cosmologists need to revise their previous notions about galaxy evolution. Up until recently, theorists have believed a galaxy as elegant as the Milky Way — having a rotating disk and spiral arms, for example — would require billions of years of evolution. 

SEE ALSO: Scientists haven't found a rocky exoplanet with air. But now they have a plan. Astronomers found a rotating disk galaxy, dubbed REBELS-25, only 700 million years after the Big Bang. Credit: ALMA / ESO / NAOJ / NRAO / L. Rowland et al./ ESO / J. Dunlop

Just how similar REBELS-25, short for ALMA's Reionization Era Bright Emission Line Survey program, is to our home galaxy may become clearer soon. The study found hints of other mature traits, such as a central elongated bar and spiral arms. The research team intends to conduct subsequent studies on the ancient galaxy to confirm those features. 

Such structures, if proven, would make REBELS-25 the most distant barred spiral galaxy known. That would beat the record holder, Ceers-2112, discovered just last year with NASA's Webb telescope. The detection placed Ceers-2112 at 2 billion years after the Big Bang. 

Astronomers previously thought it took many billions of years for galaxies to become stable enough to develop so-called "bars," ribbons of stars and gas that cut across the core of a galaxy. Bars form in spiral galaxies when the orbits of stars near the galaxy's nucleus become erratic and stretched out. As the stars' orbits get larger, they start to fall in line, so to speak. 

Bars grow as their gravity collects more nearby stars. Eventually, a large percentage of the stars within the galaxy's heart get caught up in the bar. When astronomers detect a star bar, they usually interpret it to mean the galaxy has reached a settled phase.

It was not that long ago that NASA proclaimed barred spiral galaxies were "latecomers" to the universe, based on the Cosmic Evolution Survey. The study, led by Kartik Sheth of the Spitzer Science Center at Caltech in Pasadena, looked at more than 2,000 spiral galaxies from a Hubble Space Telescope census.

That sample found far fewer Milky Way-like galaxies 7 billion years ago, when the universe was about half its current age. Only 20 percent of the spiral galaxies in the distant past possessed bars, compared to nearly 70 percent of their more-modern cohort, according to the prior research. Those observations led astronomers to conclude that even massive galaxies closer to the dawn of time would have been more clumpy, with ill-defined structures. 

A spiral galaxy usually has a rotating disk with spiral ‘arms’ that extend from a dense center. Credit: ESA / Hubble & NASA / ESO / J. Lee / PHANGS-HST Team

Hubble had limitations, though, observing only as far back as about 8 or 9 billion years ago. With the enhanced sensitivity of the Webb telescope, detecting light that has stretched into the infrared by the universe's expansion, researchers have since seen bar development even longer ago. 

A team, led by Durham University in the United Kingdom, used Webb data to study bar formation in galaxies as they would have looked 8 to 11.5 billion years ago. Of 368 disk galaxies sampled, those scientists saw two times more with bars than Hubble, according to their paper published in April. 

Lucie Rowland, lead author of the REBELS-25 paper, said this ancient galaxy, which doesn't fit the profile of an early galaxy, is living up to its name.  

"Seeing a galaxy with such similarities to our own Milky Way, that is strongly rotation-dominated, challenges our understanding of how quickly galaxies in the early Universe evolve into the orderly galaxies of today's cosmos," she said.

I could not stop laughing at 'Joker: Folie à Deux's 'Kath and Kim' moment

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 05:00

The funniest scene in the terrible film that is Joker: Folie à Deux isn't meant to be a joke. But for Australians and fans of Aussie TV, one of the movie's big musical numbers will get you right in your carbuncles for its noice, different, and unusual association with one of the best-ever TV theme songs: Kath and Kim.

The scene from Todd Phillips' Joker sequel, which feels like it's meant to be an unsettling declaration of homicidal nonchalance and outsider self-love (or something), sees Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck performing Anthony Newley's "The Joker" at his murder trial. "There's always a joker in the pack," he sings, swanning around the courtroom in full Joker get-up. "There's always a lonely clown." Though it's supposed to be a grand moment of the Joker loving himself sick, I could not stop cackling thinking of Gina Riley and Jane Turner's legendary comedy show, Kath and Kim, which opens with Riley (who plays Kim) crushing a version of the song.

Let's be clear, I did not love this movie — it's the bain-marie of moi existence. But I loved this unintentionally hilarious moment.

SEE ALSO: 'Joker: Folie à Deux' review: A middle finger to fans of Lady Gaga, the DC movies, and musicals

The song "The Joker," which comes from the 1964 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint, has been sung by many over the years, most notably by the legendary Shirley Bassey on her 1968 album This Is My Life. Lady Gaga has covered it herself on Harlequin, her recently released companion album for Joker: Folie à Deux. It's a separate version of the song Joaquin Phoenix sings in the film — and it already had Australian media outlets drawing the Kath and Kim connection.

Tweet may have been deleted

Despite the many iterations of "The Joker," Australians and TV fans may feel it in their waters as the version by Riley. The frost-lit credits of the beloved 2002 show about the foxy ladies/hornbags of Fountain Lakes see beloved characters Kath, Kim, Kel, Sharon, Brett, Epponnee-Rae, and Cujo moving in and out of frame while Riley powers through those notes. The whole thing is a visual ode to the opening sequence of iconic soap The Young and the Restless — the reference came up most recently thanks to a The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power teaser, which inevitably prompted fan edits. 

Tweet may have been deleted

Probably the musical moment that makes the most actual narrative sense in a film stacked with Great American Songbook standards like "Get Happy" (sure!), the scene deserves its own fan edit with Riley's version. Watching Phoenix's tortured serial killer Arthur Fleck singing the Kath and Kim theme song, I half expected Gaga's Harley to jump up from her seat, shouting one of Kim's iconic lines from the show about her husband, Brett: "I know he’s a dud root but he’s MY dud root!" (that scene, erase it from my memory). We're three laborious acts in, struggling to remember why we dragged ourselves to see this "punishment" of a movie, and the Joker just drops his throwr on the carch and expects us not to burst into a chorus of "look at moi"s?

Sadly, it's also the only moment I enjoyed watching Joker: Folie à Deux. The rest is best washed down with a large glass of Cardonnay and a plate of little baby cheeses, because it ain't gettin' any better.

Joker: Folie à Deux is now showing in cinemas.

Tired of low storage warnings? Get 2TB of cloud storage for life at just $89

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: FileJump’s 2TB cloud storage lifetime subscription lets users store files securely and access them anywhere, anytime for $89 (reg. $467).

Looking for an alternative to popular yet overpriced cloud storage services? We know the feeling, as those low storage warnings get old, and fast.

This October at the Mashable Shop, you can get a lifetime pass to the FileJump 2TB Cloud Storage Plan — and save $378 in the process.

What makes FileJump a great long-term storage solution?

FileJump offers 2TB of cloud storage with lifetime access, meaning no more monthly fees or worrying about running out of space. Plus, its secure encryption and easy access across devices make it perfect for safeguarding important files over time.

How secure is FileJump for storing personal files?

FileJump uses end-to-end encryption to keep all customer data secure, ensuring it remains private and only accessible to the user.

Why choose FileJump over free cloud storage services?

Unlike free services that offer limited storage and often require upgrades, FileJump provides lifetime access with plenty of space. With no monthly fees or limits to worry about, it’s a reliable, long-term solution for storing and managing large files, making it ideal for both personal and professional use.

Can FileJump cloud storage be accessed from multiple devices?

Yes, FileJump is compatible with a wide range of devices, including iOS and Android smartphones, Windows PCs, Mac computers, and tablets, allowing you to access and manage your files seamlessly across all your gadgets.

For a limited time, take advantage of this lifetime deal on a 2TB FileJump Cloud Storage subscription for $89.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: FileJump FileJump 2TB Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription $89.00 at the Mashable Shop
$467.00 Save $378.00 Get Deal

Can't swing a fancy Dyson vacuum? This cordless stick vacuum is only $119.99.

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Grab the Farberware Cordless Pro Stick Vacuum for $119.99 (reg. $149.99) and enjoy powerful cleaning without paying Dyson prices.

Let’s face it: You probably don’t need a Dyson to handle the messes in your apartment. For most of us, a vacuum that’s both powerful and affordable gets the job done. Enter the Farberware Cordless Pro Stick Vacuum, a handy tool designed to make cleaning floors and other surfaces less of a chore — and it won’t break the bank at $119.99.

Equipped with a lighted motor brush, this vacuum digs deep into carpets and shows you what’s hiding with its LED light, making it easier to see and remove dirt. If you need to clean more delicate surfaces, the dust brush is great for upholstery, and the flat nozzle gets into those tricky corners. Plus, with an adjustable telescopic wand, reaching high and low spots is no sweat.

You’ve also got two brush speeds for different surfaces, so you can clean both rugs and hard floors with ease. With its swivel head design, you can easily maneuver around furniture, too. A large-capacity dustbin and washable filter mean less maintenance, and the digital LED screen helps you keep track of battery life, giving you up to 26 minutes of runtime — plenty for a quick sweep of your apartment.

Why spend Dyson prices when this cordless stick vacuum has all the essentials? 

The Farberware Cordless Pro Stick Vacuum is powerful, versatile, and priced right at $119.99 for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Farberware Farberware Cordless Pro Stick Vacuum Cleaner $119.99 at the Mashable Shop
$149.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

Apple tech without the Apple price — this MacBook Air is a steal at 69% off

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Grab this refurbished 2018 MacBook Air for $369.99 (reg. $1,199) and enjoy a lightweight, high-performing laptop without breaking the bank.

For countless college students and professionals, the Apple MacBook Air is the laptop of choice. It's powerful, user-friendly, and highly portable, but it's not cheap. This ultrabook costs anywhere from $900 to $1,200 new — out of reach for many people.

While supplies last, you can get a Grade A refurbished MacBook Air for only $369.99 at the Mashable Shop. And if you need more storage space, you can upgrade to a version with up to 512GB. You can even choose the color you like best.

This refurbished MacBook Air boasts attractive features such as:

  • 13.3-inch Retina display gives you sharp, vivid visuals whether you're streaming or working

  • Powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Core i5 processor with 8GB of RAM for smooth multitasking and everyday tasks

  • Comes with 128GB SSD storage, giving you faster load times and plenty of space for files, apps, and more

  • Weighs just 2.75 pounds, making it ultra-portable for work, travel, or school

  • Features Touch ID for easy, secure logins — no more typing in passwords

  • Grade-A refurbished (minimal to no scuffing) and wallet-friendly — perfect for anyone wanting Apple quality at a lower price

For a limited time, save 69% on a refurbished 2018 Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch on sale for $369.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch, Refurbished (2018, Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $369.99 at the Mashable Shop
$1,199.00 Save $829.01 Get Deal

'The Apprentice' review: Donald Trump biopic's secret weapon is Roy Cohn

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 05:00

The first thing you notice about Sebastian Stan’s performance as Donald Trump in The Apprentice is the voice — or rather, the lack thereof. By now, years of listening to speeches and sound bites (not to mention multiple SNL impressions) have accustomed us to Trump’s exaggerated intonations and speech patterns. So when Stan’s Trump first speaks, meekly and with few traces of the voice we’ve come to know so well (minus the slightest hint of a “‘uge” or “peoPLE” here or there), it’s a shock to the system.

SEE ALSO: 42 movies you'll want to see this fall

For director Ali Abbasi's biopic, that’s the point. Trump didn't just become the bloviating, corrupt egomaniac we're all far too aware of overnight. No, someone molded him to that point, and according to the film, that someone was notorious lawyer Roy Cohn (Succession's Jeremy Strong). Cohn and Trump's mentor-apprentice relationship kickstarts The Apprentice's propulsive, if not always effective, dissection of the making of Donald Trump.

What's The Apprentice about? Maria Bakalova and Sebastian Stan in "The Apprentice." Credit: Pief Weyman

The Apprentice frames Cohn and Trump's first meeting as that of an ingenue making a deal with the devil. As Trump sits awkward and alone in an elite New York City club, Cohn locks eyes with him from across the room. Strong's unbreaking gaze and some foreboding synths courtesy of composer Martin Dirkov drive home the fact that this man is the baddest of bad news. But after one conversation about how Trump and his father (Martin Donovan) can beat a federal lawsuit concerning racial discrimination against tenants, Trump takes Cohn on as his lawyer. In turn, Cohn takes Trump on as his protégé.

SEE ALSO: 'Hard Truths' review: Mike Leigh explores deep-seated anguish through darkly funny realism

Cohn teaches Trump his three major rules for winning at all costs. One: "Attack, attack, attack." Two: "Admit nothing, deny everything." Three: "No matter what happens, you claim victory, and never admit defeat." If you pay even an ounce of attention to American politics, it's not hard to read any of these tactics onto Trump's presidency and re-election campaign. But in The Apprentice, we get to see Trump try these strategies out for the very first time, using them in his efforts to build a real estate empire and even court his first wife Ivana (Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm).

Sebastian Stan makes a solid Donald Trump, but Jeremy Strong's Roy Cohn is the standout. Jeremy Strong and Roy Cohn in "The Apprentice." Credit: Pief Weyman

As Trump embraces Cohn’s teachings and grows into a ruthless businessman, Stan’s performance changes too. He takes on many of the mannerisms we associate with Trump today, from his exaggerated hand movements to the rambling quality of his speech — the latter also comes courtesy of screenwriter and journalist Gabriel Sherman.

But even while Stan becomes “Trumpier,” his performance never veers into caricature. As horrifying as many of the things Trump does in this movie are — including an upsetting scene of marital rape — it’s clear The Apprentice doesn’t wish to ridicule outright. Instead, it lays out its version of events and the man who caused them and lets their absurdity and evil speak for themselves.

SEE ALSO: Watch Sebastian Stan become Donald Trump in 'The Apprentice' trailer

Central to this absurdity and evil is Cohn, played with scene-stealing intensity by Strong. Each focused stare demands your fullest attention, to the point that you feel like you're under a microscope alongside Trump or the other men Cohn sizes up. But Strong's Cohn isn't just all extreme evil, all the time. He finds some humor in his performance, often accentuating Cohn's tirades with a turkey-like neck bob that may just be the most mesmerizing thing in the film.

Since Strong's Cohn is such a magnetic presence, it makes sense that The Apprentice's best scenes are the ones Cohn and Trump share. Here, Abbasi's vision is clearest, showing us the genesis of a monster and the man who created him. It feels almost like a '70s-tinged Frankenstein story, with a graphic late scene of Trump undergoing liposuction and surgical treatment for his bald spot furthering the connection.

What can The Apprentice say about Donald Trump that hasn't already been said? Maria Bakalova and Sebastian Stan in "The Apprentice." Credit: Pief Weyman

Unfortunately, once The Apprentice jumps from the '70s to the '80s — a change accompanied by a visual shift from warm, grainy film to the cooler wobble of VHS — Cohn and Trump's scenes dwindle. By this point, Trump is rampaging through the real estate world, on a quest to go higher and higher. Meanwhile, out of sight, Cohn is dealing with his AIDS diagnosis. His absence throughout this portion of the film speaks louder than a hundred long-winded Trump speeches. Not only are we missing out on The Apprentice's best performance, we're also missing the twisted friendship that makes it tick.

Without Cohn around as much, The Apprentice throws us into a stretch that might as well be summarized as "Trump's greatest hits from the '80s." This includes several moments that gesture at Trump's future in politics, including Trump taking in Ronald Reagan's campaign slogan, "Let's Make America Great Again." (Earlier footage of Richard Nixon saying "I'm not a crook" also points to Trump's own criminal activity.) Yet these nods to the future fall flat, playing like dull historical Easter eggs instead of knowing comedic beats.

The latter sections of The Apprentice also hit us over the head as much as possible with things we already know about Trump: his lies, his affairs, his willingness to shove others under the bus so he comes out on top. These elements are all deeply ingrained in the current political moment, and you would hope that in an election year, a Donald Trump biopic might have more to add beyond rehashing his worst qualities. (Although that may be a useful reminder for some voters.)

The Apprentice almost transcends its rehashing of history thanks to Cohn and Trump's dynamic, which brings to the screen a genuinely fascinating relationship that may not currently be the most general knowledge. Sure, Trump is a showy figure, but it's his relationship with Cohn that makes for The Apprentice's dark, oozing heart.

The Apprentice was reviewed out of Fantastic Fest. It hits theaters Oct. 11.

Shudder's best horror comedies to scare you AND make you laugh

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 05:00

Horror and comedy are sometimes thought of as being at opposing ends of the genre spectrum — but it doesn't have to be that way.

Alongside its original movies and truly scary movies, horror streaming platform Shudder has a nice little section reserved for horror comedy. Think parodies, tongue-in-cheek gore fests, and the type of films that can make you laugh even while they're grossing you out or putting your nerves on edge.

SEE ALSO: The scariest horror movies on Shudder to keep you up at night

I've combed through the archives to track down the best horror comedies on Shudder, from Josh Ruben's highly entertaining Scare Me to Lee Min-Jae's very silly Zombie for Sale...

Zombie For Sale Credit: Christine Rampage / AMC Networks

What's it about?

A family finds a way to profit from a zombie.

Why should you watch it?

What if zombie bites weren’t all bad? More specifically, what if a nip from the undead would give the impotent new life below the belt? That’s the preposterous premise that kicks off this gleefully bonkers South Korean comedy. The Park family is scraping by running a battered gas station when their fortunes are turned by a zombie (Jung Ga-ram) with a rejuvenating bite. That’s just the first act of director Lee Min-jae’s playful horror-comedy. Family hijinks, ghoulish action, gross-out gags, and absurdly earnest romance also pop up, making for a movie that is chaotically charming and pleasantly unpredictable.* — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: Zombie for Sale is now streaming on Shudder.

Nina Forever

What's it about?

A grief-stricken man starts up a relationship with his colleague, only to be haunted by his dead ex-girlfriend whenever they have sex.

Why should you watch it?

Yearning for a dark comedy that’s bloody fun? You’ll fall hard for Nina Forever. Co-writers/co-directors Ben Blaine and Chris Blaine have dreamed up a truly deranged tale of love and letting go, and it all begins with a macabre crush. Grocery clerk Holly (Abigail Hardingham) hopes she can help mournful motorcyclist Rob (Cian Barry) forget his last girlfriend, who died in a grisly accident. But every time these new lovers crawl into bed, Nina (Fiona O'Shaughnessy) intrudes. Or more specifically, her broken and bloody corpse crashes the party with snarky one-liners and withering eye-rolls. Full of gore, sex, and jaw-droppingly outrageous gags, this horror-comedy earns its hard-R, yet delivers a surprisingly tender tale.* — K.P.

How to watch: Nina Forever is now streaming on Shudder.

Deadstream Credit: Shudder

What's it about?

A "cancelled" YouTube prankster livestreams a tour of a haunted house in an attempt to redeem himself.

Why should you watch it?

"Full of sick thrills and dark humor, it feels like a real find," wrote Mashable's Kristy Puchko in her review. "It doesn't need a big budget, an established horror franchise, or big names to stand out. Briskly paced, wildly fun, and surprisingly smart, Deadstream is a bloody terrific good time. So, keep an eye out for it."

How to watch: Deadstream is streaming now on Shudder.

Scare Me

What's it about?

Two writers take turns telling each other scary stories after the cabins they're staying in lose power.

Why should you watch it?

Scare Me is a great example of a very simple premise being executed perfectly. Josh Ruben's tale of an amateur writer growing increasingly jealous of his professional author cabin neighbor is brilliantly written and directed, splicing witty exchanges with cleverly conjured campfire vignettes that take on a life of their own when they're performed. And this one really is all about the performances — as well as writing and directing, Ruben also stars in Scare Me alongside The Boys' Aya Cash and Saturday Night Live's Chris Redd, and the focus on storytelling means the trio have to break out their full range of (very impressive) acting talents.

There's laughter, there's tension, and although the actual scares are few, there's a creeping sense of unease that twists into something more in the film's final act.

How to watch: Scare Me is streaming now on Shudder.

One Cut of the Dead

What's it about?

A film crew attempts to shoot a low budget zombie movie in an abandoned factory.

Why should you watch it?

I can safely say that I've never seen a film quite like One Cut of the Dead. Shin'ichirô Ueda's (recently remade) comedy horror (which is far more heavy on the comedy than the horror) is essentially a movie within a movie within a movie — a Russian doll-style story about a crew making a shoestring zombie flick.

We spend the first half of the run time watching the zombie film itself, but things really get interesting in the movie's second half, when we zoom out (and back in time) to watch the director and the production crew putting the whole thing together.

If that explanation has left you feeling slightly confused, it might be for the best — One Cut of the Dead is the sort of film that's hard to explain in words, but is probably more entertaining the less you know going in.

How to watch: One Cut of the Dead is streaming now on Shudder.

Boar

What's it about?

A small town in Australia is stalked by a man-eating boar.

Why should you watch it?

Boar may not appear in the comedy category on Shudder, but let's be honest here — any film that features a hippo-sized monster pig going up against a former WWE wrestler has to be a little bit tongue-in-cheek.

Fortunately, Chris Sun's Boar is exactly that: a light-hearted popcorn-muncher that mixes some entertainingly crude dialogue with some truly ridiculous fight sequences.

The perfect film to watch with a group of friends and a few beers.

How to watch: Boar is streaming now on Shudder.

Slaxx Credit: Bertrand Calmeau/Shudder

What's it about?

A killer pair of jeans. Yep, jeans that can kill people.

Why should you watch it?

Have a passion for fashion and slashers? This midnight movie about killer jeans will be a perfect fit. Director Elza Kephart bleeds political commentary into this outlandish premise by weaving a subtext about the human cost of fast fashion. Wide-eyed ingenue Romane Denis stars as the naive new employee of a hip clothing corporation’s flagship store. Locked in overnight to prep for the hotly anticipated debut of “super shaper” denim, she and her co-workers must fight for their lives once they learn some clothes can kill. Studded with gory slaughter, goofy characters, and cutting one-liners, this stylish movie is riotous fun.* — K.P.

How to watch: Slaxx is now streaming on Shudder.

SEE ALSO: The best movies on Shudder that you can't stream anywhere else Scare Package

What's it about?

A video store owner takes on a new member of staff, who quickly gets an education in the fine art of horror movies.

Why should you watch it?

Scare Package is essentially seven miniature horror films for the price of one, an entertaining anthology from seven different directors that parodies every horror movie stereotype you can possibly imagine. Ridiculous gory deaths? Cheesy one-liners? The serial killer who won't stay dead? Each trope gets its own moment to shine in this delightful mish-mash, which is as much Cabin in the Woods-style satire as it is a love letter to the genre.

How to watch: Scare Package is streaming now on Shudder.

Glorious Credit: Shudder

What's it about?

After separating from his partner, a troubled man stops at a rest stop and strikes up a conversation with an unseen figure in a bathroom stall who claims to be a god.

Why should you watch it?

You might think a movie set almost entirely in a rest stop bathroom would be a hard sell, but the combination of a well-written script, Rebekah McKendry's creative direction and some top acting from Ryan Kwanten, J.K. Simmons, and André Lamar helps keep the pace of this one going. Extra points for the creativeness of the idea and the weird genre mish-mash, which combines silly humour, tension and Lovecraftian horror.

How to watch: Glorious is streaming now on Shudder.

*This blurb appeared on a previous Mashable list.

UPDATE: Oct. 8, 2024, 9:52 a.m. UTC This list was first published on Sept. 7. 2023. It has since been updated to reflect current streaming options.

Do you like scary movies? Peruse our editor-chosen list of 100 of the best horror films and use the filters to narrow down your picks for which to watch tonight.

October Prime Day Kindle deals aren't too impressive yet, but that could change

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 04:58
Best October Prime Day Kindle Deals Best Kindle Deal Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle with Basic Pen (16 GB) $379.97 at Amazon (Save $60) Get Deal Best Kindle Paperwhite Deal Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle (32 GB) $202.97 at Amazon (Save $55) Get Deal Best Budget Kindle Deal Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle (16 GB) $137.97 at Amazon (Save $70) Get Deal

It's officially cozy season. If you're thinking about settling down on the couch or cuddling up in bed with a good book, now's the time to do it. And what better way to do so than with a new Kindle? If you've had your eye on one, this is one of the best times to go ahead and lock one in, because when the weather gets cooler, snuggling with a loved one or a pet and a great read just hits different.

Thanks to Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, you can save on some of the best Kindle bundles at Amazon right now. While individual Kindle deals are scarce at the moment, and more likely to appear in the next couple of days, there are still some great options to be had here if you're looking to get a head start on the sale.

Below, find some of our favorite Kindle deals to be had ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. And don't forget to snag your free Amazon First Reads books this month, which includes two in October just for being a Prime member.

Best Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle with Basic Pen (16 GB) $379.97 at Amazon
$437.97 Save $58.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Kindle Scribe is a great multifunctional tablet that lets you enjoy your favorite books and magazines with the potential to be used as a digital notebook. This bundle nets you a Kindle Scribe (16 GB) with a Basic Pen, leather folio cover, and power adapter. The Basic Pen lacks the eraser and built-in "Shortcut" button, but it connects magnetically to the Scribe. In addition to all your normal Kindle options, the Scribe lets you take notes while reading or use it as a dedicated tablet with smooth writing and a responsive screen. You can save big with this bundle that nets you everything you need to get started with your new device.

Best Kindle Paperwhite deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle (32 GB) $202.97 at Amazon
$257.97 Save $55.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is the best version of the Kindle Paperwhite, with wireless charging and an auto-adjusting front light. You can get it as a part of this bundle with 32 GB of storage and an adjustable warm light that you can change to your liking. The bundle offers a fabric cover as well as a wireless charging dock, so you're prepared to jump in and attack your fall reading list right away. That's plenty of space for most of the books you want to add and a great option for just about every reader at this bundle price.

Best budget Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle (16 GB) $137.97 at Amazon
$204.97 Save $67.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you don't need any additional bells and whistles, the Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle is a good budget option when it comes to e-readers. This bundle comes with a 16 GB Kindle Paperwhite, a fabric cover, and a power adapter. It doesn't have auto-adjusting lighting or wireless charging, but it's the Kindle Paperwhite you know and love, with a few extras tossed in for good measure.

More Kindle deals

Amazon has one pretty good deal on a 2-in-1 laptop on October Prime Day

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 04:56

Combining the oomph of a PC with the creative functionality of a tablet, 2-in-1 laptops make solid buys for shoppers who prioritize versatility and value.

In the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days, Amazon's "October Prime Day" sale on Oct. 8 and 9, the retail giant isn't offering a ton of great deals on 2-in-1 machines — but that's no surprise. During such sitewide sales, Amazon usually saves its best laptop deals for the exact windows of the event, forcing eager shoppers to be patient.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon's October Prime Day sale: Start time, the competition, and more

That said, there's one noteworthy 2-in-1 laptop deal up for grabs there outside of the official Prime Big Deal Days programming (i.e., its not featured on its event page), and it's a $105 discount on the Mashable Choice Award-winning Asus Zenbook Duo, our favorite dual-screener.

According to the price-tracking site camelcamelcamel.com, this isn't some new deal Amazon just whipped out; the Zenbook Duo has been sitting at the same price since late September. Knowing that, we think there's a good chance it could get even cheaper once Prime Big Deal Days formally starts. Up to you if you want to wait to find out, but it may help to know that this is its current all-time low.

The Mashable Shopping team will be closely monitoring Prime Big Deal Days deals, and we'll update this story if we find any other, better doorbusters on 2-in-1s. In the meantime, you can learn more about the Zenbook Duo below.

Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus Zenbook Duo (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,394.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $105.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Asus Zenbook Duo (2024).

After reviewing the Zenbook Duo, tech editor Kim Gedeon declared that "[single]-screen laptops are now cancelled." She gave it a near-perfect 4.8/5 rating for its slick, made-for-multitasking design, gorgeous displays, solid battery life, and extremely reasonable price point. Note that it includes a built-in kickstand, a stylus, and a detachable keyboard — no need to purchase accessories separately.

The base configuration (our testing unit) comes with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, Intel Arc graphics, 16GB of memory, 1TB of storage, and dual 1920 x 1200 displays — and at $1,394.99, or $105 off its $1,499.99 MSRP, this is its best price on Amazon since launch. For comparison's sake, it's currently selling for $1,410.99 at Best Buy and full price on the Asus website.

For about $109 more, you can upgrade to a model with an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H CPU, 32GB of RAM, and 2880 x 1800 displays.

Amazon has dropped a new Fire HD 8 tablet — and it's already 45% off for October Prime Day

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 04:54

UPDATE: Oct. 8, 2024, 5:00 a.m. EDT This story has been updated with current pricing and availability.

The best October Prime Day tablet deals at a glance: Best Amazon Fire tablet deal Amazon Fire HD 8 (32GB) $54.99 at Amazon (save $45) Get Deal Best Apple iPad deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) $1,196 at Amazon (save $103) Get Deal

Amazon has released another wave of official offers for Prime Big Deal Days, its members-only "October Prime Day" sale (set for Oct. 8 and 9) — and among its selection of tablet deals is a heavily discounted new Fire HD 8.

Quietly announced in an Oct. 2 post on the About Amazon blog, the refreshed 8-inch tablet features more RAM and a better camera than the previous model from 2022. Amazon has also equipped it with several new generative AI features, which "all compatible Fire tablets" will start supporting later this month. It starts at $99.99 with 32GB of storage, a $30 drop from its predecessors' sticker price, but it's on sale for just $54.99 through the end of Prime Big Deal Days.

The new Fire HD 8 is one of nine Fire tablets that are currently sitting at all-time lows in the lead-up to the 48-hour savings event. That includes four of Amazon's flagship tablets and five models that are specially designed for kids. (These come with age-appropriate content, parental controls, a protective case, a two-year worry-free guarantee, and at least six months' worth of Amazon Kids+.)

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon's October Prime Day sale: Official dates, the competition, and more

Elsewhere, we've also spotted record lows on two Apple iPads, including the new 13-inch, M4-powered iPad Pro. These deals aren't technically included in Amazon's formal pre-Prime Big Deal Days programming, but the size of their discounts makes them worth mentioning.

Amazon's live discounts across the Samsung Galaxy Tab line-up are far less exciting — none of them were close to their previous record lows at the time of writing — and there were zero Google Pixel tablets on sale there when we last checked. As such, we don't recommend buying any of those models at present, but we'll still be keeping a close eye on them: They'll probably get much cheaper once Prime Big Deal Days begins next week.

Below, we've gone into more detail on the early October Prime Day tablet deals that are actually worth it. Note: Deals marked with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Best Amazon Fire tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 (32GB) 🔥 $54.99
$99.99 Save $45.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The new Fire HD 8 has the same display, processor, 13-hour battery life, and storage options as the older model, but Amazon's added a gig of extra RAM for "enhanced performance while streaming, gaming, browsing, or downloading photos and videos." (Don't expect it to be super powerful, but more memory never anyone.) Its rear camera has also gotten a bump from 2MP to 5MP, which should translate to slightly better shots. On the software side, its newly added generative AI features include Writing Assist, Webpage Summaries, and a Wallpaper Creator.

No need to upgrade if you already own the previous model, but those in need of a new portable, affordable tablet should consider short-listing this guy. The 32GB base model is on sale for $54.99 through Oct. 9 (the second half of Prime Big Deal Days), which works out to a 45% savings.

More Fire tablets on saleBest Apple iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) 🔥 $1,196.00 at Amazon
$1,299.00 Save $103.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the 13-inch Apple iPad Pro (M4).

The latest iPad Pro is a beefy tablet for creative professionals that's powered by the lightning-fast M4 chip, which Apple hasn't used in any MacBooks yet (though that's rumored to be changing later this fall). Mashable tech editor Kim Gedeon gave it a 4.5/5 rating, which nabbed it a Mashable Choice Award, praising its "power efficiency, striking [tandem OLED] display, and breakneck performance." Note that it lasted more than six hours longer than its rated battery life in our testing.

At $1,198, or $101 off, this is the 256GB base configuration's lowest price on Amazon since launch.

More Apple iPads on saleSamsung Galaxy Tabs on sale

Upgrade your desk setup with one of these keyboard deals live on October Prime Day

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 04:50
Best keyboard deals on October Prime Day Best standard keyboard deal Apple Magic Keyboard with numeric keyboard $106.47 at Amazon (Save $22.53) Get Deal Best mechanical keyboard deal Royal Kludge S98 mechanical keyboard $89.99 at Amazon (Save $10) Get Deal

Whether you're deep in the rabbit hole that is having a keyboard building hobby or you're simply looking to update your home office setup, Prime Big Deal Days is shaping up to be a great time to pick up a new keyboard on sale.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day is just one day away — here are all the best deals to shop so far

Though Amazon's sale doesn't officially start until Oct. 8, plenty of keyboards are already marked down from brands like SteelSeries, Epomaker, and more.

What makes a good keyboard can have a lot to do with personal preferences. We've included 15 different keyboard deals on our list below so you can find what you're looking for, whether you want something you can plug and play, or a hot-swappable keyboard you can customize as much as you'd like.

Best standard keyboard deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Magic Keyboard with numeric keyboard $106.47 at Amazon
$129.00 Save $22.53 Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple Magic Keyboard is pricey, but for folks who enjoy a quiet, low-profile typing experience, it could very well be worth it. Windows users are probably going to want to pass on this keyboard, but Apple fans will appreciate the easy connectivity to their MacBook or iPad, as well as the 100% layout. Note that this is an older version of the Magic Keyboard without a Touch ID sensor.

Best mechanical keyboard deal Opens in a new window Credit: Royal Kludge Royal Kludge S98 mechanical keyboard $89.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it

For under $90, you're getting a hot-swappable keyboard with a 96% layout, a knob, a small display, and a Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and USB-C connection. In other words, this Royal Kludge keyboard is a great affordable mechanical keyboard, whether you're into gaming or just want something cute for your desk. There are also four different keycap colorways available, but the coupon amount may vary depending on which you choose.

More keyboard deals

The best Chromebook deals available on October Prime Day aren't on Amazon

Mashable - Tue, 10/08/2024 - 04:48

Let's get this out of the way first: Amazon isn't offering any good Chromebook deals in the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days, its "October Prime Day" sale (set for Oct. 8 and 9). Not a single one.

In fact, the retail giant's laptop deals are currently scant across the board. A few configurations of the M3-powered Apple MacBook Pro have dipped to their previous all-time lows there. But aside from that, the one Windows model that Amazon previously featured in a "limited-time deal" ahead of the event has since returned to its full sticker price. It's slim pickings.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon's October Prime Day sale: Start time, the competition, and more

With that in mind, anyone hunting for a good deal on a Chromebook has two options at present. One, of course, is to simply wait for Prime Big Deal Days to start; Amazon could be reserving some doorbusters for the kickoff. For less patient shoppers, the other option is defecting to another retailer like Best Buy, or to OEMs like Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo, where Chromebook deals are more plentiful at the time of writing.

Keep in mind that these alternatives might also roll out better deals when Prime Big Deal Days goes live, in order to compete with it. (For its part, Best Buy has a 48-Hour Flash Sale planned for Oct. 8 and 9.) But if time is of the essence, keep reading: We're keeping a running list of the best early October Prime Day Chromebook deals across the web, none of which you'll see on Amazon right now.

Best Chromebook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (Intel Core Ultra 5 115U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $599.00 at Best Buy
$699.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

A spring 2024 release, this 14-inch hybrid packs above-average specs for a Chromebook, including an Intel Core Ultra 5 115U processor, a 1440p webcam, and 256GB of SSD storage. (Those far exceed Google's basic requirements for the "Plus" certification.) It also has a sleek aluminum chassis — no cheapo plastic here, folks. Later this month, it'll get new AI features like Help Me Read, a summarizing tool, and Live Translate.

It's usually priced at $699, but Best Buy has it on sale for $599 — a 14% savings.

More Chromebooks on sale

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