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Elon Musk has brought about a lot of change to the platform formerly known as Twitter. Most notably, he dropped the Twitter name for "X." He completely stripped verification of all of its meaning. And Musk's new content policies at X basically mean nearly anything goes on the platform.

Just this past week, there was another change made to X that seemingly went by under the radar.

X has dropped the "water pistol" emoji, which was depicted as a colorful and harmless looking child's toy — and replaced it with an emoji depicting an actual gun.

Trading in the water pistol emoji for a gun emoji on X

The announcement was originally made on X by @yacineMTB, an employee of the company,

"update announcement on x dot com (the website), the gun emoji was returned back into its rightful form: an m1911," reads the X employees post alongside a "Pepe the frog" meme and a side-by-side comparison of the water pistol emoji and the gun emoji.

Tweet may have been deleted

The Verge noticed the change on Tuesday and pointed out how then-Twitter first introduced the water pistol emoji in 2018. The gun image was the original depiction for the emoji as decided by the Unicode Consortium, the group that basically controls the introduction of new emojis. 

In 2016, Apple decided to swap the gun emoji for the friendlier imagery of the water pistol emoji. Companies like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Twitter followed soon after. So many tech companies made the change to a water pistol that the Unicode Consortium ended up officially updating the gun emoji as the water pistol emoji.

On July 18, X employee @yacineMTB announced that they had made the change back to the gun emoji on the X website.

Tweet may have been deleted

"Fixed on web, soon to be fixed in rendering on mobile!" Elon Musk said in a reply to the emoji announcement.

It appears that X is the only platform making this change for now. Other popular online platforms continue to show the toy water gun emoji.

As spotted by IGN (Note: Mashable and IGN share the same parent company, Ziff Davis), some in the Fortnite community have taken to social media to declare war against the newly added playable Tesla Cybertruck vehicle.

Anyone who is caught driving a Cybertruck will, according to these posts, be teamed up against relentlessly, even by people who should theoretically be fighting each other.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk sets new date for Tesla's Robotaxi reveal Tweet may have been deleted Why is the Tesla Cybertruck so unpopular?

Since Fortnite sometimes sells vehicles for real money in the in-game store, this development means the Cybertruck could be gaming's first pay-to-lose cosmetic item. While it's too early to fully understand the impact of the Cybertruck promotion, which just started this week, Fortnite players should be aware that it's happening.

Tesla's new EV, which is arguably one of the most unique trucks of our time, has taken on meme status in a way motor vehicles typically do not. Social media is filled with posts of people ridiculing the ones they see in real life — and it's not just because of the way it looks. Tesla has come under fire for poor build quality in general, but the Cybertruck in particular has faced multiple recalls in the short time it's been available.

We'll see if Epic Games is forced to recall the virtual Cybertruck, too.

SAVE $200: Prime members can snag the 55-inch Amazon Fire TV Omni Series 4K TV on sale for $349.99 (normally $549.99) as of July 24. That's a 36% savings and $20 better than its Prime Day price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 55-inch Fire TV Omni Series 4K TV $349.99 at Amazon with Prime
$549.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal

Prime Day 2024 is long over at this point, but all of Amazon's Fire TVs are still sitting at their member-exclusive sale prices... except for one. It's now even cheaper.

As of July 24, the 55-inch Amazon Fire TV Omni Series 4K TV is listed for $349.99, or $200 off its typical sticker price of $549.99 (a 36% savings). It dropped to $299.99 last Black Friday, so this isn't technically its best deal ever, but it's the lowest price we've seen it reach since then — beating this month's Prime Day price by a cool $20. It also comes with a free six-month trial of MGM+, which is worth just over $40 on its own.

SEE ALSO: The best time to buy a TV: A guide to the times of year that you'll find the best TV deals

That said, be mindful of some important fine print before you hit "Add to Cart." For starters, the deal is still locked behind a Prime paywall. (This has an easy workaround: If you're not yet a Prime member, just sign up for its free 30-day trial.) You may also see a $14.99 "Inside Entryway delivery" fee attached to the TV, depending on where you live; it applied to two Chicago addresses I tried, but not a New York City one.

If this fee pops up for you, consider holding out for an even deeper discount to offset it. It will probably return to its previous all-time low on Black Friday 2024.

Credit: Screenshots via Amazon

If you're in need of a new TV sooner rather than later, know that Amazon's Fire TV Omni Series comes recommended from Leah Stodart, a senior shopping reporter at Mashable (and our resident TV deals expert).

"Those looking for a budget 4K TV, but not necessarily the most basic 4K TV, can find a nice balance with Amazon's Omni series TVs," Stodart told me. "These get a little brighter than cheaper Insignia or Toshiba LED Fire TV models and are the smoothest way to experience the crowd-favorite Fire TV platform." They also come with a built-in Alexa assistant, which gets you hands-free voice control, and they support two-way video calls if you attach a compatible webcam.

If you want to add Dolby Vision support, you'll have to upgrade from the 55-inch model to the 65- or 75-inch model. At the time of writing, both of them were marked down to $559.99 and $699.99 with Prime (or 26% and 33% off), respectively.

SAVE $19: As of June 24, the new Apple Pencil Pro is still going for its Prime Day pricing, which is $109.99. That's a 15% discount from the list price of $129.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil Pro $109.99 at Amazon
$129.00 Save $19.01 Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day has been over for a while now, but a few deals from the sale are still lingering on. One notable deal is the Apple Pencil Pro, which is still going at the lower price it went on sale for during Prime Day.

As of July 24, you can still get the Apple Pencil Pro at $109.99. That's a discount of $19 (or 15%) on the list price of $129. It's also the lowest price we've seen on this Pencil since its launch.

SEE ALSO: Score up to $600 off select iPad Pro models during Best Buy's Summer Sale

The new Apple Pencil Pro is the latest pencil from Apple, and it works only with Apple's latest iPads — the M4 iPad Pro and the M2 iPad Air — both launched at the "Let Loose" livestream Apple held earlier this year. However, that exclusivity is balanced by the new features, which we explored in our Apple Pencil Pro hands-on review.

The notable features include the squeeze gesture, which can summon menus like a right-click would on a Mac, or a long-press would on an iPad. The barrel roll feature uses a twisting motion for more seamless designing, drawing, and editing, while the hover feature lets you preview your action before you commit to it. The new features also come with improved haptics, which means the Apple Pencil Pro will give you better feedback as you use it.

So, if you have one of these latest supported iPads, you might want to grab this Apple Pencil Pro deal before it disappears.

We’re celebrating International Self-Care Day on the final day of Self-Care Month. The World Health Organization defines self-care as "individuals, families and communities’ promoting and maintaining their own health." Self-care looks different for everyone, but we’ve rounded up a handful of deals that’ll help you take care of your physical and mental health that are also within your budget.

Best self-care deals today Best self-care tech deal TheraGun mini $149 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best self-care sleep deal SERTA Zen Rest weighted throw blanket (10 pounds, grey) $30.16 at Amazon (save $17.83) Get Deal Best self-care hydration deal Hydro Flask travel tumbler (32-ounce, Lupine) $23.93 at Amazon (save $11.02) Get Deal Best self-care hygiene deal Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 5000 $64.96 at Amazon (save $35) Get Deal

While today might officially be Self-Care Day, taking great care of yourself is important to focus on every day. If you’re in need of something to help you take care of your muscles, dental hygiene, sleep habits, and more, below are some of our top choices that also happen to be on sale today.

Best self-care tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: TheraBody Our pick: Theragun mini $149.00 at Amazon
$199.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Sore muscles can happen from almost anything. Regardless of whether you ran a marathon last weekend or lifted a grocery bag that was a bit too heavy, soothe sore muscles with the Theragun mini handheld massage gun.

The Theragun mini is a portable handheld massage gun that can remedy sore muscles wherever your adventures take you. Select between three speeds and the three attachments to get the best muscle relief possible. Plus, you’ll be getting about 120 minutes of battery life per charge, so you won’t need to recharge often.

Best sleep deal Opens in a new window Credit: Serta Our pick: Serta Zen Rest weighted throw blanket (10 pounds, grey) $30.16 at Amazon
$47.99 Save $17.83 Get Deal Why we like it

A weighted blanket can be one of the best self-care items out there and thanks to today's deal at Amazon, the Serta Zen Rest is 37% off. The sale blanket weighs 10 pounds and comes in a soothing grey color. Not only is it designed to be breathable, the material resist wrinkles, so it'll also look fresh. To help with even weight distribution, the blanket is quilted with a five-inch box stitch.

Best hydration deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hydro Flask Our pick: Hydro Flask travel tumbler (32-ounce, Lupine) $23.93 at Amazon
$34.95 Save $11.02 Get Deal Why we like it

One of the easiest self-care routines is to stay hydrated. While it sounds effortless, actually remembering to suck down water throughout the day can be a challenge. But thanks to the Hydro Flask travel tumbler, the task might be a bit easier. The 32-ounce capacity stainless steel water bottle in the Lupine colorway is on sale for just $23.93 today at Amazon. The insulation will ensure your beverage stays cool while the flexible straw can make it easier to sip anytime, even when you're typing away on a keyboard or making dinner. The leak-resistant lid is also ideal.

Best dental hygiene deal Opens in a new window Credit: Philips Our pick: Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 5000 $64.96 at Amazon
$99.96 Save $35.00 Get Deal Why we like it

There's nothing worse than when the dentist asks how often you floss. Make yourself proud on your next visit by gleefully saying you floss every day. It might feel like cheating (in a good way), but the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 5000 is here to do the dirty work of cleaning your gums for you. Choose between two flossing modes and 10 intensities. Plus, its quiet operation means you won't wake anyone who's already gone to bed.

More self-care deals to shop today:

• Tea Forte Lotus Relaxing Tea Box Sampler Set — $20.39 $35 (save $14.61)

• LectroFan EVO Sleep Sound Machine — $48.70 $59.95 (save $11.25)

• Blissy Silk Pillowcase — $53.89 $89.95 (save $36.06 with on-page coupon)

• Bissell Air180 Air Purifier — $104.99 $179.99 (save $75)

• Therabody SmartGoggles — $159 $199 (save $40)

SAVE $500: As of July 24, get the Samsung Odyssey G9 monitor for $799.99 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Odyssey G9 $799.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $500.00 Get Deal

When it comes to TVs and monitors, going big is always a good idea if you have the room. Just like a mammoth TV can make your favorite sports and movies come alive, a large monitor can transform the way you work and play. Samsung has you covered with a massive monitor that's on sale for its lowest price ever today.

As of July 24, the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G9 monitor is just $799.99 at Amazon. That's $500 off its normal price of $1,299.99 and a discount of 38%. That's the lowest price we've seen this monitor available for yet.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Get the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the 'best Android phone,' for its lowest price ever

This immersive monitor is a huge addition to any desk, with 49 inches of power and a fantastic, crisp screen: a 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, 5120 x 1440 resolution, and eye-popping QLED-based colors. It tops out at 1,000 nits of brightness in addition to all that, with both G-Sync and FreeSync 2 support. It's going to take up the entirety of your workspace, but your games, shows, and movies are going to look phenomenal.

While the price is usually a bit prohibitive, this is the lowest we've seen the display go for. So you can bring it home and use it as a huge monitor or even a makeshift TV if the price is right for you. It comes with a laundry list of features, has dazzling curvature to keep you in the game or whatever it is you're doing, and a picture that'll have your tongue wagging.

Don't sleep on this deal if you're looking to finally do that long-awaited monitor upgrade.

Samsung held a big Galaxy Unpacked event earlier this month to unveil its latest foldable devices (among other things), but apparently there are more to come.

Recent leaks and rumors have pointed to the existence of a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Slim, per Android Police. The latest, courtesy of user Ice Universe on Weibo, suggests that the slimmed down Z Fold 6 could launch as early as October. The only trouble here is that, according to Android Police, a deleted post from the same leaker said the device would be limited to the South Korean market.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Unpacked 2024 in Less Than 15 Minutes

As for the specific differences between the recently launched Z Fold 6 and the rumored Slim model, the aforementioned deleted post apparently said its outer display would have a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, which would be a little less condensed than the 22:9 outer display on the regular Z Fold 6. It may also have a bigger display as well as, obviously, a slimmed down physical profile.

It might be a while before we hear about the Z Fold 6 Slim, though. Enough time to save up money for import fees, at least.

Amazon deals of the day at a glance: OUR TOP PICK Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (256GB, Unlocked) $965 at Amazon (save $334.99) Get Deal BEST APPLE DEAL Apple Pencil Pro $109.99 at Amazon (save $19.01) Get Deal BEST TV DEAL Amazon 55-inch Omni Fire TV $349.99 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal BEST HOME DEAL Google Nest Doorbell $109.99 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal BEST SMARTWATCH DEAL Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic (43mm, Bluetooth) $278.56 at Amazon (save $121.43) Get Deal

Prime Day who? A week after the final day of Amazon's shopping extravaganza, the mega retailer still is offering record-low pricing on plenty of tech. We've rounded up the best deals we could find at Amazon July 24 from top brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. Be sure to check out our selections from July 22 and July 23 as well — some of those deals are still live.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (256GB, unlocked) $965.00 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $334.99 Get Deal

Released earlier this year, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra "takes the throne as the best Android phone," according to Mashable Tech Editor Kim Gedeon. It's a close rival to the iPhone 15 Pro Max and packs a rear telephoto lens with insane zoom capabilities, a bunch of nifty AI features, and a durable titanium design. Plus, of course, it comes with the awesome S Pen stylus that doubles as a remote. Regularly $1,299.99, you can snag an unlocked, 256GB version for only $965 as of July 24. That not only beats its Prime Day deal, but is also its lowest price on record.

Read Mashable's full review of the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil Pro $109.99 at Amazon
$129.00 Save $19.01 Get Deal

While Samsung's S Pen comes packaged with its Galaxy tablets, Apple's stylus is a separate purchase. Its latest release, the Apple Pencil Pro, upgrades the simple stylus to new heights. It includes vibration effects that match actions performed on iPad, several new interactive features (squeeze, double-tap, and barrel roll), pressure sensitivity, FindMy support, and the ability to create customized interactions and shortcuts. It can definitely unlock even more abilities of your iPad, but there is a downside: it's only compatible with the new M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro models. Regularly $129, it's still sitting at its Prime Day price of $109.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 55-inch Omni Fire TV $349.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal

While we featured the 75-inch version yesterday, it's worth highlighting that Amazon's 55-inch Omni Fire TV is also on sale for $20 cheaper than it was on Prime Day. It's also just $20 more than the entry-level 4-Series in the same size. If you're seeking a home theater experience, that extra $20 is definitely worth it. It features a slimmer bezel, hands-free Alexa that works even when the TV's turned off, and six months of MGM+ for free. The 55-inch Omni Fire TV regularly goes for $549.99, but it's yours for only $349.99 as of July 24.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Nest Doorbell (battery) $109.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

Keep an eye on who (or what) is at your front door with the Google Nest Doorbell. Its built-in intelligence can notify you if a person, package, animal, or vehicle is approaching and send alerts directly to your phone. Check in from anywhere 24/7 with the Google Home app and see what you missed with three hours of free event video history. As of July 24, you can grab the battery-operated version for only $109.99 — that's 39% in savings and its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic (43mm, Bluetooth) $278.56 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $121.43 Get Deal

Launched last summer, Samsung's Galaxy Watch 6 offers a whole suite of new features, including a nuanced breakdown of sleep habits, sleep coaching, personalized heart rate zones, and irregular heart rate notifications. Plus, it features a 20 percent larger display than previous models. The Classic model has "the same improved display and middling battery life of its more affordable sibling, but in a deluxe design that brings back the beloved rotating bezel," as our friends at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) noted in their review. Currently at $278.56, the 43mm, Bluetooth version is cheaper than it was on Prime Day.

Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.

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

GET 50% OFF: As of July 24, get up to 50% off video games during Best Buy's Great Summer Sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Get up to 50% off video games During Best Buy's Great Summer Sale Shop Now

If you’re looking for something to do this Sunday (you know, instead of obsessing over Sunday scaries), Best Buy’s got you covered.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best video games of 2024 (so far)

Best Buy's Great Summer Sale has discounts of up to 50% off a wide selection of video games across platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and others. From popular titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Dragon’s Dogma 2 to lesser-known indie bangers, there's something for every gamer in this sale.

Here are some of the best deals you can find during Best Buy’s Great Summer Sale: 

• Crisis Core-Final Fantasy VII-Reunion (Standard Edition, PlayStation 5) — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10) 

• Just Dance 2024 Edition (Code in Box, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, Nintendo Switch Lite) — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10) 

• Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (Standard Edition, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model) — $19.99 $39.99 (save $20) 

• Red Dead Redemption 2 (Standard Edition, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5) — $19.99 $59.99 (save $40) 

• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Standard Edition (Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, Nintendo Switch Lite) — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25) 

• Final Fantasy XVI Standard Edition (PlayStation 5) — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20) 

• Star Ocean The Second Story R (Nintendo Switch) — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20) 

• Octopath Traveler II (Nintendo Switch) — $29.99 $39.99 (save $10) 

A dream vacation becomes a nightmare in this trailer for the remake of "Speak No Evil," with James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, and Scoot McNairy. Trailer.

Yellowstone is an active volcano — it's not Disneyland with bison. 

It's a park teeming with over 500 spewing geysers, in addition to many boiling hot springs. On July 23, one of Yellowstone's thousands of thermal features, near a hot spring called Sapphire Pool, exploded. Visitors fled as a plume of mud and rock shot into the air, covering a boardwalk in debris. Understandably, the park has temporarily closed this area.

But crucially, this doesn't mean the greater Yellowstone volcano is threatening to erupt. This was just a normal, though dramatic, event in place where molten rock (magma) brews close beneath the ground.

SEE ALSO: What will happen when the next supervolcano erupts, according to NASA

"The volcano remains at normal background levels of activity," an unperturbed U.S. United States Geological Survey posted online after the event. "Monitoring data show no changes in the Yellowstone region as a result of today’s hydrothermal explosion."

Tweet may have been deleted What's a hydrothermal explosion?

This event, called a hydrothermal explosion, occurs when underground water suddenly flashes to steam. The rapid pressure increase stokes an explosion.

"They are relatively common in Yellowstone," the USGS explained, noting these events happen every few years. "An explosion similar to that of today also occurred in Biscuit Basin on May 17, 2009."

Hydrothermal explosions are not rare events at Yellowstone National Park, which sits atop an active volcano. Credit: USGS Does the Yellowstone explosion mean the volcano might erupt?

Thankfully, no.

"Today’s explosion does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity," the park explained. There have been no hints of a future eruption, such an unusual earthquake activity. (The park experiences hundreds to thousands of quakes each year.)

Yellowstone's last volcanic eruption happened some 70,000 years ago, and the events weren't giant eruptions, on the scale that would deposit ash over a huge swath of the U.S. "Of the past 50 or so eruptions, almost all were simple lava flows," the USGS explained. "If they occurred tomorrow or next year, they would have minimal direct effect outside Yellowstone National Park."

Tweet may have been deleted

Yellowstone, however, is capable of cataclysmic super-eruptions, the last of which occurred 631,000 years ago (three such events have happened over the last 2 million years). Such a "worst-case scenario" event empties the volcano of magma, causing a violent collapse of the ground and forming a huge depression. A super-eruption would be devastating locally, but wouldn't drive global extinctions (like a colossal asteroid impact). 

Fortunately, before such an extremely rare eruption, we'd have at least many decades, if not centuries, of advanced notice. It won't be a sunny-day summer surprise.

CrowdStrike has released further details Wednesday on the software issue that caused mass outages while taking down 8.5 million Windows machines. 

The company posted a post incident review (PIR) on its website detailing the problem and outlined steps on how it can improve moving forward. You can read through the entire PIR, but it's not particularly intended for casual readers — it's primarily for the technical folks.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft outage updates: Crowdstrike issue still wreaking havoc despite fix So what happened, exactly?

The TL;DR is that CrowdStrike sent out Rapid Response Content — an update designed to respond to the changing threat landscape — but there was a bug in its Content Validator. Despite this, the update, which contained the problematic content data, rolled out to customers. The issue “resulted in an out-of-bounds memory read” which, in turn, led to Windows crashing (i.e., showing the dreaded Blue Screen of Death).

Because so many companies used CrowdStrike, the miniscule error ended up being a massive issue. It was a small 40KB file that caused the problem, the Verge noted. That little mistake had the airline, healthcare, and banking industries out of commission. 

How does the PIR detail plans to prevent such issues in the future? It will increase testing for Rapid Response Content, add new checks for the Content Validator, and change the way it rolls out Rapid Response Content.

SAVE $200: Normally $799.99, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 (Intel Core i5-1235U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is on sale for $599.99 at Best Buy and Amazon as of July 24. That's its lowest price to date.

Quick links: Best Buy Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 (Intel Core i5-1235U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $599.99 at Best Buy (save $200) Get Deal Amazon Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 (Intel Core i5-1235U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $599.99 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal

Featuring a sleek, sturdy build and a stellar keyboard, last year's Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 makes a great laptop for on-the-go students with low-key workloads. Our biggest gripe with it is that it costs too much compared to similarly specced laptops — but thanks to a big new price drop, that concern is currently null and void.

As of July 24, the base configuration of the Surface Laptop Go 3 is on sale for just $599.99 at Best Buy. That's a $200 savings (or 25% off) and its lowest price since the ultraportable launched in Oct. 2023. Amazon was matching that price at the time of writing, but only in two of its four colorways (Ice Blue and Sandstone, not Platinum or Sage) — and both were on backorder at the time of writing.

Meanwhile, the Microsoft Store itself had the Surface Laptop Go 3 listed for $649.99 (or just $150 off) when we last checked.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 review: 23 hours of battery life? MacBooks are in trouble

The Surface Laptop Go 3 measures in at a compact 12.4 inches and weighs just 2.49 pounds (or 0.3 pounds less than the latest 13-inch Apple MacBook Air), sporting a touchscreen display with an elegant aluminum lid. When she reviewed it last fall, Mashable Tech Editor Kim Gedeon raved about overall build quality: "For a notebook that starts at $800, the Surface Laptop Go 3 feels like a $1,200 laptop," she wrote, adding that its keyboard is "one of the best I’ve ever used."

This particular model comes with an entry-level 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage. Power users won't be impressed by its 12th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, which is now two generations removed (and the main reason why we think it's worth waiting to buy on sale). Still, it's totally workable for everyday productivity. "I can see this being the daily driver of young students or Gen Z users seeking a laptop that can handle casual usage with style and sophistication," Gedeon said.

UP TO $600 OFF: As of July 24, get up to $600 off select iPad Pro models at Best Buy. Shop The Great Summer Sale now.

Our top picks: Best iPad deal overall 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro (6th gen, M2, WiFi, 256GB) $899 at Best Buy (save $300) Get Deal Best runner-up iPad deal 11-inch Apple iPad Pro (4th gen, M2, WiFi, 512GB) $799 at Best Buy (save $300) Get Deal Best budget iPad deal 10.2-inch Apple iPad (9th gen, WiFi, 64GB) $249.99 at Best Buy (save $80) Get Deal

Prime Day may be over, but the deals aren't! Best Buy's Great Summer Sale is here, offering the discounts you missed on everything from TVs to tech.

As of July 24, you can snag an iPad Pro for up to $600 off — a total steal for Apple's flagship tablet. The savings apply to a variety of iPad Pro models — including the 11-inch iPad Pro (4th gen) and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (6th gen) — so you can find a tablet that checks all the boxes, whether you need something for on-the-go productivity, creative projects, or entertainment.

Here’s a breakdown of the best iPad Pro deals you can find during Best Buy's summer sale:

Best iPad deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro (M2, WiFi, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $899.00 at Best Buy
$1,199.00 Save $300.00 6th gen Get Deal Why we like it

While the 2024 iPad Pro is one of the most advanced tablets we’ve ever seen, the 2022 iPad Pro is a pretty good alternative for people who need a powerful tablet but aren’t trying to use it as a laptop replacement.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro (6th gen) is currently on sale for $899 at Best Buy. That’s $300 off the listing price and $100 less than the all-new 2024 model. You can also save an additional $425 if you trade in a similar device (you can see your trade-in value right on the product page).

This iPad has an M2 chip, 8GB RAM, and 256GB of storage, which is more than enough for most users. But if you need more, you can also upgrade to higher storage options on sale.

Read our full review of the 2022 iPad Pro.

Best runner-up iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: 11-inch Apple iPad Pro (M2, WiFi, 8GN RAM, 512GB SSD) $799.00 at Best Buy
$1,099.00 Save $300.00 4th gen Get Deal Why we like it

The 11-inch iPad Pro (4th gen) is still a good option if you don't need a huge screen. Like the 6th gen, it has an M2 chip and 8GB of RAM. This model also has a larger 512GB storage capacity, which is a plus for storing lots of files, photos, and 4K videos.

At $799 and an additional $300 off with trade-in, this 11-inch iPad Pro still offers plenty of power at a great price. You’ll also get three free months of Apple TV+, four months of Apple Arcade, and three months of Apple Music to sweeten the deal.

Best budget iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple 10.2-inch iPad (WiFi, 64GB) $249.99 at Best Buy
$329.99 Save $80.00 9th gen Get Deal Why we like it

If you’re in desperate need of an iPad and don’t want to pay more than a couple hundred bucks, the Apple iPad, 10.2-inch (9th gen), is still our top pick for the best tablet for most people. It’s not a pro and doesn’t have a ton of space, but it’s affordable and should cover most basic tablet needs, especially at $249.99, with an extra $160 off for trade-in.

More iPad Pro deals

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (4th gen, M2, WiFi + Cellular, 128GB) — $699 $999 (save $300)

• Apple iPad Pro, 12.9-inch (6th gen, M2, WiFi + Cellular, 2TB) — $1,799 $2,399 (save $600)

• Apple iPad Pro, 12.9-inch (6th gen, M2, WiFi + Cellular, 256GB) — $999 $1,399 (save $400)

Think 'The Office' but for sports.

SAVE $334.99: As of July 24, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is $965 at Amazon. That's a discount of 26% and its lowest price yet.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra $965.00 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $334.99 Get Deal

Ready to upgrade your smartphone? It's about time you put your old one out of its misery. It's served you well with its cracked screen, grimy glass, and scratches, but now's the time to move on. Especially when you can get a fantastic Android device for its lowest price yet.

As of July 24, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is on sale at Amazon for just $965. That's a discount of $334.99 and 26% off its normal price of $1,299.99. This price applies to the Titanium Violet colorway. Plus, this is its lowest price yet.

SEE ALSO: Samsung's new smartphones are now up for preorder — here's how to get a Galaxy Z Fold6 or Z Flip6

This is the best of the best when it comes to the Samsung Galaxy S24 line. With a massive 6.8-inch display, 3088 x 1440 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, it's great for checking out your favorite streaming content on the go, playing games or just getting some work done. Behind the scenes is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 12GB of RAM, 512 GB of storage and a 50 MP zoom camera.

Its all-day 5,000mAh battery means it'll be there when you need it, and it even comes with the Samsung S Pen stylus for taking notes, sketching, or even to use it as a mobile camera shutter for great selfies and photos. There's a lot to love about this phone for Android users, and it's enticing enough to sway iPhone devotees as well.

The most impressive thing here is the price, however, so even if you're on the fence, it's a good idea to go ahead and lock in yours. This is one of the best devices Samsung has on offer right now.

SAVE $70: As of July 24, get the Google Nest Doorbell for just $109.99. That's a 39% discount on its usual price of $179.99, and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Nest Doorbell $109.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

Unexpected visitors at your doorstep can make for anxiety, but it's even scarier walking over to the door to actually see who's there. That's where a video doorbell can come in handy, and there's a great deal on one at Amazon today.

As of July 24, you can get the wireless, battery-powered Google Nest Doorbell for the lowest price we've seen at Amazon. It's $109.99, which is $70 off its normal price of $179.99, and a discount of 39%.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: A new record-low price on Samsung's Galaxy Tab S6 Lite has surfaced

This reliable video doorbell needs no special wiring or drilling to install. You can use it with any door, and you can have easy surveillance set up in just minutes. Once you've settled on a place for your doorbell, you can customize it with its companion app, then sit back and screen visitors without ever having to pause your favorite TV show. You get 24/7 live video access to the view right outside your door. If you happen to miss an event, the doorbell offers up to three hours for you to scrub back through for free. You can get more playback time with a Nest Aware subscription, but it isn't required.

In addition to watching for visitors and deliveries, you can talk and listen to anyone who darkens your door through the doorbell live should you need to communicate. That makes it a great option if you're away from home as well. You can even record messages that will play for certain visitors at predetermined times, which can definitely come in handy.

Keep a watchful eye on what goes on right outside your door for less with this deal.

SAVE $100: The Shark Air Purifier Max is on sale at Best Buy for just $179.99, down from the typical price of $279.99. That's a 36% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Air Purifer Max $179.99 at Best Buy
$279.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

As we head later into summer and the weather turns even dryer, many of us will start keeping an eye on air quality. Now that summer wildfires are an annual part of life, some people find it useful to use indoor air filtration to ensure everyone inside is breathing in clean air. If you're looking to add an air purifier to your home, today's deal at Best Buy is pretty great.

As of July 23, the Shark Air Purifier Max is on sale for just $179.99, down from the list price of $279.99. That's a 36% discount or a savings of $100. This deal is only available through the end of the day, July 24.

Working in spaces up to 12,000 square feet, the Shark Air Purifier Max uses HEPA filtration to rid of the air of dust, dander, and other allergens. In testing, the purifier captured 99.98% of large, small, and micro-sized particles.

SEE ALSO: Here's why a smart lock should be the first smart home device you own

The tower design of the Shark Air Purifier Max measures a bit under two feet tall, making it a fairly compact air purifier given its range of 12,000 square feet. The model comes with four fan speeds, or you can set it to automatic, which will adjust the fan speed based on air quality.

The air purifier also uses Shark's Clean Sense IQ function, which displays the air quality on the front LED screen, so you'll always have a real-time reading of your indoor status. You can also adjust the brightness of the LED screen, which can be especially useful if you're using it in a bedroom at night.

If you're worried about indoor air quality during wildfire season, grab the Shark Air Purifier Max for just $179.99. But act fast: this deal at Best Buy is only valid until 11:59 p.m. PT tonight. You'll breathe easy knowing your indoor air quality is safe.

James Mangold of "Logan" acclaim helms this promising biopic. Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, Dan Fogler, Norbert Leo Butz, and Scoot McNairy co-star.

In April 2024, I visited sunny Barcelona for the first time and was swept away by Antoni Gaudí's surrealist architecture. I'm certain that for a brief moment, sunbathing under the stained glass of the Sagrada Familia, I forgot how to breathe. Later that evening, as I swiped through my iPhone gallery, hearting the photos that were Instagram Story-worthy, something adjacent to shame took over.

As I pored over the pictures from that day, I recalled a friend’s caption on a photo of Gaudi's iconic basilica. Posted as a vacation throwback in the lockdown of 2020, the text read: "I'll never go to mainstream monuments if you let me travel again." Years later, I couldn't be seen this excited about a "mainstream monument" that attracts 5 million visitors a year. So let's discard that post. I loved the nougat shops that lined the exterior of the cathedral but those are such obvious tourist traps so let's unheart that as well. 

After 40 minutes of cool-girl scrutiny and cropping, I picked photos of a vintage concept store, a sandwich shop recommended by a friend, and a cactus garden overlooking the beach that few tourists know about. Satisfied, I posted the dump with nonchalant captions and random emojis, desperate for the "where is this", "where are you?!!" replies to flood in. Someone even asked for my itinerary. 

SEE ALSO: Give yourself some summer travel insurance with these Tile trackers on sale

Success: I had passed the test for being a non-mainstream tourist. While this status made me feel like a cultural baddie, what did it mean for my relationship to authenticity? In a quest to be perceived (and validated) as the kind of traveller who seeks out "authentic" neighbourhood gems, rather than the touristy hotspots, I lost sight of the real ‘me’ and began performing something inauthentic online. Instead of embodying my truthful lived experience, every story, emoji and caption undergoes a mental checklist of, "do the internet cool girls still use this slang?" or "does this video look nonchalant and aspirational without seeming try-hard?" 

"Success: I had passed the test for being a non-mainstream tourist."

My people-pleasing self is so hot and bothered by what others think of me that I can’t seem to differentiate between my feelings and what’s socially accepted. Often this process of elimination can eat away at the fulfilling, possibly mainstream bits of travel, and leave behind an aesthetic — albeit hollow — carcass. Sure, the post might look aesthetically pleasing, but it doesn’t feel great to stray so far from the truth of the experience. 

How did this overwhelming need to hyper-curate our holidays become the norm? For starters, Gen Z are taking more trips than any generation before them. Per a 2023 survey,  52 percent of Gen Z adults are frequent travellers, on par already with millennials, taking at least three vacations in a year. Based on Hopper's 2024 travel report, 63 percent of Gen Z in the U.S. indulged in travel in the last 12 months. In comparison, only 48 percent of boomers and 54 percent of Gen X went on vacations. In the midst of global recession when dreams of owning homes and financial stability remain shaky, young people are investing their money in quick trips and experiences. Additionally, the growth of hostel culture and side gig economy have made it easy for people to work remotely and travel on smaller budgets. 

As a generation that grew up online, Gen-Z has watched friends and influencers travel the world and take us along on TikTok- and Instagram- friendly hotel tours or things-to-do videos. Even before creator-led recommendations took over, we relied on aspirational travel media – think of the countless Lonely Planet lists charting offbeat travel destinations or TimeOut's knack for finding obscure haunts before anybody else. Such overexposure to content meant that no matter how well travelled you may be, it’s likely that someone on your socials has already been there, done that. This creates an added pressure to distinguish our vacations with unique experiences. (In fact, this quest for hidden gems advocated by social media has gotten so overwhelming over the years that internet-famous places have started banning photos, videos and influencers. Water guns in Barcelona anyone?)

"Now people are more impressed by content in surprising places that they knew nothing about." 

"While a subset of young travellers are seeking more remote, off-grid locations they continue to be drawn to the world's most famous cities and sights. The two behaviours co-exist," Jenny Southan, founder of travel trend forecasting agency Globetrender, tells Mashable. "But sightseeing has become a little less cool as everyone can stand in front of the Eiffel Tower, we have become immune to those perfect sunset shots in familiar places. Now people are more impressed by content in surprising places that they knew nothing about." 

Simply visiting a new country doesn't provide automatic social media clout, your vacation also has to cut through the noise. "People’s definition of social status is no longer immediately tied to wealth but more sophisticated tokens such as hyper-local knowledge. Individuals aspire to climb the social ladder by showcasing their culturedness and expertise with symbols," shares Zoia Tarasova, analyst and PhD at trend and insights agency Canvas8. "Cultural capital has become synonymous with less conspicuous experiences like having a glass of vermouth in a hipster bar in Rome that only locals know about. As a result, people want to discover more hidden gems that elevate their social status in front of their followers as opposed to posting about the Colosseum or the Vatican." 

Discovery is leading the charge when it comes to our choice of holiday destinations. Expedia’s 2024 Travel Report also indicates an upward trend in Gen Z exploring "dupe cities" or "hidden gem destinations" instead of conventional summer getaways – think skipping Santorini for Paros or Lisbon for Palermo. Ashley McGough, product category manager at Intrepid Travel has also witnessed this switch to off-the-beaten-path experiences. "With this change in mind, we reviewed all our trips in the 18-35 age range last year to ensure they were offering authentic activities at the best value. In Peru, we worked closely with a local community to develop a new section of the Quarry Trail which travellers hike as an alternative to the popular Inca Trail. They have the chance to meet locals and see original Inca tombs that have been seen by few tourists," she says, adding that Gen Z love posting about locals whom they can befriend and hear real life stories from. (Even when said locals have no interest in becoming content fodder...)

For instance, Stacy Matthews, a London-based video editor, still travels to big cities, but she exclusively seeks out Airbnb hosts who live in the same place for a share-house experience. This often leads to having home cooked dinners in an attempt to get an authentic taste of the culture or getting recommendations that only locals may have. The 24-year-old recently visited Berlin for the first time and was taken in by the history of the Berlin Wall. "I spent hours at the memorial and did a walking tour through the main sites, it made me really emotional," she says. "But I only posted stories from two experiences: the Falling in Love, Swarovski musical at Friedrichstadt Palast theatre and a really cool listening party that my host took me to. It was for Charli XCX's new album Brat, that's not something everyone can experience when they go to Berlin, you know what I mean?" It is Brat Summer, after all. 

On my last evening in Lisbon, I too, avoided the highly recommended (but touristy) TimeOut Market and decided to have dinner at Palacio do Grilo, an exclusive restaurant where the staff double as abstract theatre performers. At the time, I hated the interactive art between courses, I felt uncomfortable by the darkness and eerie sounds, and paid far too much for sad looking food. But in my post-holiday dump, the restaurant and its gimmicks got a shoutout. Of course, lots of people asked about it, as weird as it was in reality, online in a 16:9 box, the space was a conversation starter. 

SEE ALSO: Instagram users can add disappearing Notes to Reels and posts now

Living in a society has always included a certain level of performance of the self even offline; think about the ratty home clothes you’d never wear when guests are over or the guilty pleasure tv shows you wouldn’t talk to friends about. But as we exist increasingly online, it’s getting hard to know where this performance ends and the real person begins. "Perception is emerging as a big theme in therapy for young people. Now that we frame our experiences through the lens of external presentation, it’s much harder to figure out what we actually want as opposed to how we’d like to appear," explains existential therapist Eloise Skinner. "This puts us at risk of potentially fragmenting our identities. We lose sight of what we actually feel and instead start to view ourselves from an outside perspective, formulating choices that align with that voice."

I feel gravely called out. In a relentless quest to gain aura points through seemingly authentic travel, perhaps we're forgetting how to identify what we actually enjoy. After weeks of lying to the online world about what I loved on my holidays, my memories seemed to be eclipsed by cool girl syndrome as well. Gen Z is so afraid of being seen as 'cringe' that we'd rather workshop how we feel about our experience than come across as cheugy. In fact, this obsession with gaining cultural capital through travel adds so much pressure to share a perfectly curated (but still casual, woke-up-like-this) dump that it holds the potential to undo any relaxation and calm that the vacation brought in the first place. Cheesy as it may be, I should have posted those panoramic videos of Sagrada Familia. Who cares if it’s widely visited, it still took my breath away.