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The best Prime Day AirTag deal isn't from Amazon — it's here

Mashable - Wed, 07/17/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 16, 2024, 10:55 a.m. EDT This article has been updated with the latest Apple AirTag deals during Amazon Prime Day 2024.

Best AirTag deals Best AirTag 1-pack deal Apple AirTag $23.99 at Amazon (Save $5.01) Get Deal Best AirTag 4-pack deal Apple AirTag, 4-pack $74.99 at Best Buy (Save $24.01) Get Deal

Apple AirTags have benefitted from quite the flattering news cycle recently. And while you might not be looking to crack a case of theft, AirTags still help you find your belongings. Attach them to your keys, wallet, or anything else you might frequently misplace, and you can see their location on the Find My app.

During Prime Day 2024, which runs July 16 and 17, we're keeping our eyes peeled for the best tech deals, and that includes AirTags. Amazon is selling singular AirTags at a 17% discount now that the event is underway, but the best deal comes from a different retailer. Get a jumpstart on AirTag deals now.

Best AirTag 1-pack deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Best AirTag 1-pack deal $23.99 at Amazon
$29.00 Save $5.01 Get Deal Why we like it

AirTags sell as singles or in packs of four. Not sure if you're ready to commit to a pack? Dip your toes in with a singular AirTag, currently marked down at Amazon. Normally priced at $29, they're on sale for $23.99, saving you $5.01. This is the lowest recorded price for AirTags on Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day 2024 Apple Watch deals: A ton of watches hit record-low prices overnight Best AirTag 4-pack deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag, 4-pack $74.99 at Best Buy
$99.00 Save $24.01 Get Deal Why we like it

The most affordable way to shop AirTags is to purchase them in a pack of four, which has an MSRP of $99, making each one $24.75 — cheaper than when you purchase them individually. However, right now you can find them for $74.99 at Best Buy. They're back to the lowest historical price we've seen them at, so you can definitely be confident that you're getting a great deal here.

All AirPods have dropped to their lowest price ever for Prime Day

Mashable - Wed, 07/17/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 16, 2024, 8:15 a.m. EDT Now that Prime Day has started, we've updated this post with the latest pricing on AirPods.

Best Prime Day AirPods deals Best AirPods (2nd generation) deal Apple AirPods (2nd generation) $69 at Amazon (Save $60) Get Deal Best AirPods (3rd generation) deal Apple AirPods (3rd generation) $119.99 at Amazon (Save $50) Get Deal Best AirPods Pro deal Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) $168.99 at Amazon (Save $80.01) Get Deal Best AirPods Max deal Apple AirPods Max $394.99 at Amazon (Save $154.01) Get Deal

Shopping is a year round activity (for us at least), but summer is an especially good time to be a deal hunter. With Prime Day 2024 live on July 16 and 17, 4th of July sales, and Target Circle Week all in the ether, it's no sleep, all deals. The biggest brands are on sale, including Apple and their ultra-popular AirPods.

And these deals have taken us on a rollercoaster, going from lukewarm to piping hot and back down again. On July 9, we saw every model of AirPods fall to its lowest price ever. Unfortunately, the deals didn't last long, a testament to the fact that if you see a good sale, act fast. However, now that Prime Day has officially started, we're seeing the entire AirPods family at their lowest prices ever.

Here are the best Prime Day AirPods deals, all in one convenient place. We'll be refreshing the list now that the sale has officially begun, so keep checking back for the latest and greatest deals.

Note: All newly added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price. Amazon's exclusive invite-only deals are marked with a 📨.

Best AirPods (2nd generation) deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods (2nd generation) $69.00 at Amazon
$129.00 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) are our best budget earbuds for a reason. They're affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use. Compatible with any Bluetooth device, you can be listening to music in seconds without having to install a new app. Apple users just need to snap open the case and the AirPods will connect. Typically priced at $129, these AirPods are currently $69, their lowest price ever.

Best AirPods (3rd generation) deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods (3rd generation) $119.99 at Amazon
$169.00 Save $49.01 Get Deal Why we like it

If you want a bit of an upgrade on AirPods, go for the 3rd generation. The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) have the same ease of use as prior models, but with added benefits. These come with personalized spatial audio, 30 hours of battery life, and are sweat and water resistant. Now that they're down to $119.99, they may just be the best mid-range headphones in the world. For Apple users priced out of the AirPods Pro, they're a must-have at this price.

Best AirPods Pro deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) $168.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $80.01 Get Deal Why we like it

AirPods Pro are a lovely step up from the base AirPods. They have all the same perks, easy connectivity and quick charging, but with better sound quality for audiophiles. The Apple AirPods Pro provide active noise cancellation and personalized spatial audio, so you get sound that's just right for you. Now, you can find the AirPods Pro for $168.99, a record 32% Prime Day discount.

Best AirPods Max deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max $394.95 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $154.05 Get Deal Why we like it

AirPods Max, Apple's answer to over-the-ear headphones, may not be our top pick for sound quality, but they're certainly the most stylish. Coming in green, blue, pink, silver, and space gray, they look great while also providing active noise cancellation. Similar to AirPods Pro, the AirPods Max give specialized settings with spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. AirPods Max are at the very attractive price of $394.95, even better than the $399 price tag we saw last week.

Prime Day 2024 Apple Watch deals: A ton of watches are sitting at record-low prices

Mashable - Wed, 07/17/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 16, 2024, 12:15 a.m. EDT This article has been updated with the latest Apple Watch deals that are live during Amazon Prime Day 2024.

Is your wrist cold? Let's warm it up with the best Prime Day Apple Watch deals. Check out our favorite picks below:

Best Prime Day Apple Watch deals Best Apple Watch SE deal Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, GPS, 40mm) $169.99 at Amazon (Save $79.01) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Series 9 deal Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 45mm) $309.99 at Amazon (Save $119.01) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Ultra deal Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular 49mm) $699.99 (Save $99.01) Get Deal

Prime Day 2024 is finally here, and it's running from July 16 to 17. As soon as the official sale went live, we saw price drops on virtually every single Apple smartwatch, and now we're counting down the best Prime Day Apple Watch deals.

Both the SE and Series 9 watches are marked down with savings between 28% to 32% depending on the size, model, and color you choose. While these wearables were included in Amazon's early deals, the prices have gotten even better for the main shopping event. With this deal, you can start tracking your workouts and health metrics for under $200. And since it's summer, you have to be ready to jump in a body of water at any given moment. Luckily, these Apple Watches aren't just on sale — they're waterproof.

Editor's Note: Products marked with a 🔥 are at their lowest-ever price. For more savings, you can also check out our guide of the best Prime Day deals on Apple products.

Best Apple Watch SE deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE (2nd gen, GPS, 40mm) 🔥 $169.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $79.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Already a budget-friendly option, the Apple Watch SE is down to $169.99 for Prime Day. That's better than the previous lowest-ever price, which we saw during Black Friday 2023. While it's Apple's most affordable wearable, it still has the advanced tech you want in a smartwatch. The bright retina display tracks your heart rate and watches for irregular rhythm. You can track your workouts — even in the water — as it's water-resistant up to 50m. Right now, you'll save $80 for 32% savings.

More Apple Watch SE dealsBest Apple Watch Series 9 deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 45mm) $309.99 at Amazon
$429.00 Save $119.01 Get Deal Why we like it

For the latest technology, look to the Apple Watch Series 9. It's loaded with bigger displays, offering either a 41 or 45 mm display over the SE's 40 and 44mm options. It has an always-on retina display, so you don't have to wake it up every time you need to check the time. The health metric offerings are even more extensive on the Series 9 with the ECG app and temperature sensing. Like the SE, it's water-resistant, so you can jump in the water care free. It's now down to its lowest price ever of $309.99, saving you $119.01 for 28% off.

More deals on the Apple Watch Series 9Best Prime Day Deal on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular 49mm) 🔥 $699.99 at Amazon
$799.00 Save $99.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Apple's most advanced smartwatch may just be the best fitness tracker in the world. Yes, it's double the cost of the Series 9, but if you want the best possible fitness insights, health tracking, battery life, and display, you'll need to go for the Ultra 2. With a customizable action button, precision GPS tracking, and an Always-On Retina display that lasts 36 to 72 hours, it puts other wearables to shame. For athletes and adventurers, the rugged titanium case is so strong you can even wear it while scuba diving.

Best Prime Day Apple deals: Tons of iPads are still on sale — including the latest models

Mashable - Wed, 07/17/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 16, 2024, 6:40 a.m. EDT This post has been updated with the latest pricing and availability on Apple products ahead of Prime Day.

We rounded up the best Prime Day Apple deals from iPads to MacBooks to AirPods. Check them out below:

Early Prime Day Apple deals to watch: Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 at Amazon (Save $200) Get Deal Best iPad deal Apple iPad Air, 10.9-inch (M1, WiFi, 64GB) $399 at Walmart (Save $200) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS) 🔥 $309.99 at Amazon (Save $119.01) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Max 🔥 $394.99 at Amazon (Save $154.01) Get Deal

Prime Day starts today, July 16, and runs through the 17, but plenty of Apple deals, some of the best we've ever seen, went live days before the big event.

One big reason is that Walmart kicked off its Walmart Deals sale last week, bringing down the prices on the M1 MacBook and AirPods. With Prime Day now here, these could be the best prices on Apple products, but we're still watching and waiting.

SEE ALSO: A Best Buy sale during Prime Day? Almost definitely.

Here are the best Apple deals we could find at Amazon the day before the annual shopping event. We'll be refreshing the list now that the sale has officially begun, so keep checking back for the latest and greatest deals.

Note: All newly added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

iMac and MacBook deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)🔥 $799.00 at Amazon
$999.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the M2 MacBook Air.

The M2 MacBook Air officially hit its lowest price ever, marking a new lowest entry point for anyone who wants an M2 laptop. Though it's a couple of years old, this laptop would still make a great companion for anyone who needs a solid work-from-home machine, complete with its fantastic keyboard, processing power, great display, and portability that makes it easy to take along just about anywhere.

More iMac and MacBook deals

MacBook Air

MacBook Pro

Mac

SEE ALSO: Shop deals on iPads during Prime Day 2024 iPad deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 10.9-inch (M1, WiFi, 64GB)🔥 $399.00 at Walmart
$599.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the M1 iPad Air.

Is this tablet a couple of years old? Yes. Is that why it's getting this $200 markdown? Probably! We first saw the iPad Air drop to this price at Best Buy a couple of weeks ago, and though it's shot back up at the retailer, the Walmart Deals sale has brought it back down. An M1-powered tablet is hardly past its prime, still offering plenty of power for gaming and note-taking. While we do wish this iPad offered a little more storage space, at this sale price you're paying just under $70 more than you would for a discounted A14 Bionic chip-powered iPad with the same amount of storage.

More iPad deals

iPad (10th gen)

iPad Air

iPad mini

iPad Pro

SEE ALSO: We tried every Amazon Kindle to find the best for every bibliophile — just in time for Prime Day Apple Watch deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS) 🔥 $309.99 at Amazon
$429.00 Save $119.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple Watch Series 9.

What better way to enjoy the exceptional display brightness of the Series 9 than with the largest display you can possibly get? Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder appreciated that this watch introduced Double Tap but wrote in his review that the 2000 nit max brightness and minimum of one nit make this watch incredibly functional to use in the middle of a sunny day, or in the darkness of your room in the early morning. Apple Watches haven't introduced a ton of exciting upgrades over the years, but we do like that with this sale price, you can grab the 45mm Series 9 for about $70 cheaper than you would the 41mm Series 9 at full price.

More Apple Watch deals

Series 9

SE

Ultra

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy deals are plentiful going into Prime Day AirPods and Apple accessories deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max 🔥 $394.99 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $154.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Max.

AirPods Max, Apple's answer to over-the-ear headphones, may not be our top pick for sound quality, but they're certainly the most stylish. Coming in green, blue, pink, silver, and space gray, they look great while also providing active noise cancellation. Similar to AirPods Pro, the AirPods Max give specialized settings with spatial audio and Dolby Atmos.

AirPods Max are currently $449.99, certainly not as impressive as the $398 price tag we saw earlier in July, but we're still happy to see them under $500. Buy them now for 18% savings of $99.01.

More deals on AirPods and Apple accessories

Need a new phone? These are the best unlocked phone deals during Prime Day 2024.

Mashable - Wed, 07/17/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 16, 2024, 6:00 a.m. EDT This article has been updated with the latest deals on unlocked phones during the first day of Prime Day 2024.

We rounded up the best unlocked phone deals during Prime Day. Check out our favorite picks:

The best early Prime Day unlocked phone deals at a glance: BEST MOTOROLA DEAL Motorola razr+ (256GB) $599.99 at Amazon (save $400) Get Deal BEST SAMSUNG GALAXY DEAL Samsung Galaxy S24+ (512GB) $819.99 at Amazon (save $300) Get Deal BEST GOOGLE PIXEL DEAL Google Pixel 8a $449 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal

If you're due for a phone upgrade, Amazon Prime Day could be the perfect opportunity to scoop one up for a steep discount. Snagging an unlocked phone at Amazon eliminates the annoyance of coordinating a trade-in or new data plan at a specific carrier. Plus, you can usually find better deals.

Prime Day has officially kicked off today, July 16, but in true Amazon fashion, deals started popping up days ahead of time — particularly on Motorola and Samsung Galaxy phones. Apple iPhone deals have been no-shows so far, while a single (but stellar) Google Pixel deal is on our radar. We'll be keeping our eyes peeled throughout the sale though.

Here are the best unlocked phone deals we could find at Amazon the day before the annual shopping event. We'll be refreshing the list now that the sale has officially begun, so keep checking back for the latest and greatest deals.

Note: All newly added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

The best unlocked phone deal ahead of Prime Day Opens in a new window Credit: Google Our pick: Google Pixel 8a (128GB) 🔥 $449.00 at Amazon
$499.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Just released two months ago, the Google Pixel 8a is "a compelling option for anyone who’s overdue for an affordable Android upgrade" — especially when you see its price tag. Mashable's Alex Perry called it "the best deal in Android-land" at full price, and just 24 hours before Prime Day, it's even better with a $50 discount. Besides the $100 gift card preorder deal, this is the first discount we've seen on this budget-friendly phone. It's basically a lite version of the Pixel 8, sharing the same Tensor G3 chip, over 24-hour battery life, Magic Editor and Magic Take camera tools, storage options, 8GB RAM, and up to 120Hz refresh rate. Where it differs is its size (it's just 0.1 inches taller and wider with a slightly smaller display), audio (no spatial audio, one less microphone), and camera.

More unlocked phone deals

250+ Prime Day deals our shopping experts have deemed worth it: Save on Apple, Echo devices, TVs, headphones, and more

Mashable - Wed, 07/17/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 16, 2024, 9:20 p.m. EDT This post has been refreshed with new board game deals, along with updated pricing (including emojis denoting new record lows), and availability during the opening day of Prime Day.

Check out our giant list of the best Prime Day deals:

The best Prime Day deals at a glance: Best Apple deal Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen, GPS + Cellular, 44mm) $249.99 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal Best Echo deal Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon (save $35 with Prime) Get Deal Best TV deal Amazon 50-inch Omni 4K Fire TV $319 at Amazon (save $160) Get Deal Best tablet deal Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (32GB) $74.99 at Amazon (save $65) Get Deal Best unlocked phone deal Motorola razr+ (256GB) $599.99 at Amazon (save $400) Get Deal Best headphone/speaker deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra $229 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal Best fitness tracker deal Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (Bluetooth, 40mm) $159.99 at Amazon (save $140) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Eufy X10 Pro Omni $599.99 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Coleman Skylodge 12-Person Camping Tent $194.99 at Amazon (save $195) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Ninja Foodi 7-in-1 XL Pro Indoor Grill and Griddle with Air Fry (IG651) $179.99 at Amazon (save $190) Get Deal

Deal hunters, gather round: Amazon Prime Day is back for its tenth year. And with the big event finally here, thousands of Prime Day deals are officially live.

Though the flagship summer sale officially started in the wee hours of July 16, Amazon's been releasing early Prime Day deals ever since it announced the event's dates in late June. (Much like Black Friday, Prime Day is less of a one-off and more like an ongoing season.)

We're providing live updates on the top Prime Day 2024 deals right here, so be sure to bookmark or check this page regularly. Trust us, it's a lot easier than scrolling through hundreds of thousands of discounts. That's what you have us for, right?

When is Amazon Prime Day?

Prime Day 2024 officially runs from Tuesday, July 16 through Wednesday, July 17. The shopping event typically happens in mid-July, so this year is right on par with years past. Prime Day ends at midnight PT on July 17, so plan your shopping accordingly.

What kind of deals can you find this year?

Anyone who's shopped a Prime Day sale before already knows the drill: It will be two days of site-wide doorbusters, with Amazon's own devices and services getting the steepest price drops. You can save up to 71% on Amazon Echo devices, and many of Amazon's Fire TVs have never been more affordable.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day 2024: Everything Prime members need to know

In a repeat from Prime Day 2023, Amazon also revived its invite-only deals program, giving select shoppers a chance to grab extra-exclusive doorbusters that are likely to sell out. Prime members can visit these products' listings to request an invitation; if chosen, you'll receive an email with a unique link to buy the item during the sale. (Amazon doesn't specify how it picks these lucky shoppers; all we know is that they're exclusive to Prime members.) Check out Mashable's invite-only deals guide if you want to participate.

The best Prime Day deals to shop in 2024

Now that we've covered the basics, let's get to the deals. We'll be adding more deals to this page over the next 48 hours, and we'll update prices and availability as the top products go in and out of stock.

Read on for our ongoing list of the best Prime Day deals, and head over to our sister site, PCMag, for additional Prime Day coverage. Note: All newly added deals are marked with a , while deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price. Amazon's exclusive invite-only deals are marked with a 📨.

The best Prime Day Apple deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen, GPS + Cellular, 44mm) 🔥 $249.99 at Amazon
$329.00 Save $79.01 Get Deal Why we like it

In the days and weeks leading up to Prime Day, Amazon rolled out the best Apple discounts we've seen all year. For Prime Day proper, we're seeing even more record-low prices on AirPods, MacBooks, and Apple Watches. If you have any Apple tech on your shopping wish list, this is the time to buy.

Case in point: The budget version of Apple's famous smartwatch has never been more affordable. The GPS + Cellular version of the Apple Watch SE is priced at just $249.99. Even though it's not as advanced as the Series 9, it's still one of the most sophisticated wearables and fitness trackers in the world, with improved workout metrics, sleep tracking, and fall and crash detection. Best of all, it's never been priced this low.

More Apple deals

MacBooks

Mac

iPads

Apple Watches

AirPods

Apple accessories

The best Prime Day Echo and Kindle deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Echo Spot 🔥 $44.99 at Amazon with Prime
$79.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"The all-new Echo Spot is a smart alarm clock with a built-in speaker and a customizable digital face, which shows colorful animations in response to different prompts and questions. (It looks a lot like an upgraded Echo Pop.) You can control it with Alexa voice commands or by tapping its display.

Available in black, glacier white, and ocean blue, the Spot is now on sale for just $44.99 (normally $79.99) for Prime members through July 17 'in celebration of Prime Day,' per an Amazon blog post — a 44% savings. You've also got the option of bundling it with a Sengled smart bulb worth $19.99 for just under $2 more." — Haley Henschel, Senior Shopping Reporter

More Echo deals

Echo smart speakers

Echo Show smart displays

Echo Buds

Echo Frames

Other Echo devices

Kindle dealsThe Top Prime Day TV deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon 50-inch Omni 4K Fire TV $319.99 at Amazon
$479.99 Save $160.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon hasn't been making TVs for as long as some other manufacturers, but in a few short years, it's proven it can make some of the best budget and mid-range TVs in the world. The 4K Omni Series is firmly in the mid-range, but for Prime Day, it got a price drop that puts it in budget pricing territory. With Amazon's Fire TV OS, it's smarter than most similarly priced TVs, with excellent Alexa integration and voice control. For gaming, this TV comes with three HDMI ports (including an HDMI eARC).

More TVs on sale at Amazon

4K LED TVs

4K QLED TVs

The best Prime Day tablet deals

For discounts on iPads, scroll back up to the "Prime Day Apple deals" section.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (32GB) 🔥 $74.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $65.00 Get Deal Why we like it

A $74.99 tablet is hard to square with all the talk of inflation. But we're not going to argue with this deal. For Prime Day 2024, many of Amazon's tablets are down to their lowest-ever prices. The Fire HD 10 has a 10.1-inch full HD display and 13 hours of battery life, perfect for binge-watching a new TV series on the couch. This tablet was just released in 2023, and Amazon promises it offers 25 percent faster performance compared to the previous generation of Fire tablets.

More tablet deals

Amazon Fire tablets

Android tablets

Prime Day unlocked phone deals Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Our pick: Motorola razr+ (256GB) 🔥 $599.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $400.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"On sale for an all-time low $649.99 (normally $999.99), last year's Motorola razr+ is a budget-friendly alternative to other foldable flip phones like the Google Pixel Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5. Our friends at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) reviewed the razr+ with an 'Excellent' rating, crediting its larger 3.6-inch outer screen and striking 6.9-inch internal display. While it comes in several different colors, only the black and blue variants are down to a record-low at Amazon." — Christina Buff, Mashable Contributor

More unlocked phone deals

Google Pixel

Motorola

Samsung

Prime Day headphone and speaker deals

For discounts on AirPods and Echo devices, scroll to the "Prime Day Apple deals" and "Prime Day Echo deals" sections, respectively.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Our pick: Bose QuietComfort Ultra 🔥 $229.00 at Amazon
$299.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like them

Check out our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds.

"We're big fans of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds. Mashable's Timothy Beck Werth said, "In terms of audio quality, noise cancellation, and battery life, I'm more impressed the longer I use these earbuds." At a regular price of $299 though, they don't come cheap, but there's no better time to buy than during Prime Day. They're down to $229, their lowest price ever, giving you $70 off for 23% savings." — Bethany Allard, Shopping Reporter

More headphone and speaker deals

Headphones

Earbuds

Best Bluetooth speaker deals Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose SoundLink Flex ✨🔥 $99.00
$149.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"The small-but-mighty SoundLink Flex from Bose just dropped to a record-low $99 at Amazon in its limited edition chilled lilac colorway. That's 34% in savings and — unsurprisingly — 99 cents less than we saw it at during Target Circle Week. Amazon loves to outshine the competition. The SoundLink Flex's got a rugged texture and is completely waterproof, so it's designed to go wherever you go. It can automatically detect whatever position it's in to give you the most immersive listening experience and it'll last you about half a day on a single charge. Grab it in purple, green, stone blue, or white smoke." — Christina Buff, Mashable contributor

Amazon smart speaker

  • Echo Pop$17.99 $39.99 (save $22)

  • Echo Dot$24.99 $49.99 (save $25)

  • Echo Spot$44.99 $79.99 (save $35) 🔥

  • Echo$54.99 $99.99 (save $45)

Bose

Sony

Soundcore

JBL

Ultimate Ears

Sonos

More Bluetooth speaker deals

Prime Day fitness tracker deals

For discounts on Apple Watches, scroll back up to the "Prime Day Apple deals" section.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (Bluetooth, 40mm) $159.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $140.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"Launched last summer, Samsung's Galaxy Watch 6 was dubbed the 'king of the Android smartwatch mountain' by Mashable tech reporter Alex Perry. The sixth iteration saw a suite of added sleep and fitness features, including a nuanced breakdown of sleep habits, sleep coaching, personalized heart rate zones, and irregular heart rate notifications. Plus, it lasts longer on a single charge and features a 20 percent larger display than previous models." — Christina Buff, Mashable Contributor

Like all of the best Prime Day deals, this price drop easily beats this product's lowest-ever price. Now that Prime Day has started, the 40mm version with Bluetooth dropped to a record-low $159.99. With sleep and heart rate tracking in addition to tons of fitness insights, this wearable is a handy alternative to the Apple Watch.

More smartwatch and fitness tracker deals

Pet GPS and fitness trackers

The best Prime Day robot vacuum deals Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Our pick: Eufy X10 Pro Omni 🔥✨ $599.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The very best Roomba might be at its best sale price yet, but it's still not the best robot vacuum deal during Prime Day. Rather, you can actually stack more automated cleaning features for a few hundred dollars less by snagging the Eufy X10 Pro. This CES 2024 release has only been on sale a few times since it came out in January, its 25% one being the most severe yet.

Both have pretty powerful suction, recognize objects like phone chargers, empty themselves, and mop with force. But after mopping, only the Eufy X10 Pro will self-wash and dry its own mopping pads, prepping it to scrub the next floor with clean pads. Having tested both in her own apartment, senior shopping reporter Leah Stodart says that not having to deal with soggy mopping pads made her subconsciously reach to open the Eufy app over the iRobot one for pretty much every task.

More robot vacuum deals

Robot vacuums

Robot vacuum and mop combos

The best Prime Day outdoor deals Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Our pick: Coleman Skylodge 12-Person Camping Tent 🔥 $194.99 at Amazon
$389.99 Save $195.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"If your camping trips often involve a big group, or you just like extra space to stow your gear, this is the tent for you. Take 50% off this tent that will sleep up to 12 people, has floor-to-ceiling windows for better views and ventilation, and includes a convertible screen room if you want to divide off an area. This roomy tent is 14 x 10 feet, 6.6 feet high in the center, and can fit four queen-size airbeds. Plus, it's built to withstand the weather. Spread out and stake your claim on your next camping trip." — Jillian Anthony, Mashable Contributor

More outdoor deals

Tents

Cooler, grills, water bottles and cooking supplies

Miscellaneous outdoor deals

The top Prime Day kitchen deals Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Our pick: Ninja Foodi 7-in-1 XL Pro Indoor Grill and Griddle with Air Fry (IG651) 🔥 $179.99 at Amazon
$369.99 Save $190.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The juiciest discount we're seeing on any Ninja cooker so far this Prime Day season is a 51% price slash on the Ninja Foodi Smart XL indoor grill and air fryer combo. This 7-in-1 flat top griddle can take your dinner from frozen to BBQ-ed (complete with grill marks) in 25 minutes, searing at temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit — use the included meat thermometer to check your work. The lid, which can grill open or closed, can also air fry and dehydrate. — Leah Stodart, senior shopping editor

More kitchen deals

Air fryers

Drink makers

Coffee makers

Blenders

Instant Pots and other pressure cookers

Cookware, storage, and other kitchen accessories

Prime Day home deals Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Clean Sense Air Purifier ✨🔥 $119.99 at Amazon
$239.99 Save $120.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Let the 50% discount on a Shark air purifier be the reminder you need that allergies don't have to be an inevitable inconvenience for your entire life, actually. The Shark Clean Sense uses a HEPA filter to capture a variety of airborne problem causes, from indoor allergens like pet dander and dust to outdoor contaminants like VOCs and wildfire smoke. It can take care of spaces up to 500 square feet.

More home deals

Miscellaneous home upgrades

Hobbies

Home security

Mattresses, pillows, and bedding

Pet tech

Household essentials

Board games

Everything you need to know about Prime Day 2024, from a team of professional deal hunters

Mashable - Wed, 07/17/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 16, 2024, 9:20 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with new board game deals during day one of Prime Day 2024.

Amazon Prime Day is turning 10 this year, and the members-only sale is already panning out to be a huge draw for sticker shock-weary shoppers on the hunt for summer deals. (Granted, not every deal is worth it.)

Here's what you need to know about Prime Day 2024.

What is Prime Day?

Prime Day is an annual sitewide sale open to paid and trial members of Amazon's Prime subscription service. First held in 2015 in honor of Amazon's 20th anniversary (with mixed success), it was originally plugged as a "one-day-only event filled with more deals than Black Friday." In the years since, it's morphed into a 48-hour affair that's preceded by weeks of preview offers. Prime Day is a misnomer at this point.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day 2024 is here: See 150+ deals worth shopping

For the past two years, Amazon has hosted another major two-day sale for Prime members in October, teeing up its Black Friday festivities. (The 2022 version was called "Prime Early Access Sale," and it was renamed to "Prime Big Deal Days" in 2023.) However, the summer iteration of Prime Day has remained Amazon's flagship sale.

When is Prime Day 2024?

Prime Day is now live from Tuesday, July 16 through Wednesday, July 17 in 2024. This lines up with Amazon's historical preference for early-week slots in mid-July. (For reference, Prime Day 2022 was live from Tuesday, July 12, through Wednesday, July 13, and Prime Day 2023 ran from Tuesday, June 11, through Wednesday, July 12.)

What are the best Prime Day deals?

In doling out many of its steepest price drops ahead of Prime Day, Amazon is keeping things in the family. A slew of Echo devices from Amazon's in-house brand of smart home gadgets are sitting at all-time low prices for Team Prime, including the all-new Echo Spot (44% off), the Echo Show 8 (43% off), the Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation (71% off), and the Echo Frames (37% off, plus a free Echo Pop). Prime members can also snag five free months of Amazon Music Unlimited, three free months of Audible Premium Plus, and three free months of Kindle Unlimited if they haven't subscribed before. Meanwhile, Prime Video rentals and purchases are up to 50% off.

The best early Prime Day deals at a glance: Best laptop deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3) $849 at Amazon (save $250 with on-page coupon) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation (2nd Gen) $34.99 at Amazon (save $85) Get Deal Best smart speaker deal Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon (save $35) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm) $279 at Amazon (save $120) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Eufy X90 Pro $449.99 at Amazon (save $450) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Chefman TurboFry Touch Air Fryer $69.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best unlocked phone deal Motorola razr+ (256GB) $599.99 at Amazon (save $400) Get Deal Best home deal Shark Clean Sense Air Purifier $119.99 at Amazon (save $120) Get Deal

Outside of the Amazon ecosystem, we're seeing some new all-time lows on big-ticket tech, including Apple devices. The 41mm Apple Watch Series 9 is marked down to $279 (30% off), the second-gen AirPods are now only $69 (47% off), the AirPods Max have dipped to $394.99 (28% off), and the 13-inch M3 MacBook Air is sitting at $849 (23% off). The latter is easily Amazon's best Prime Day laptop deal.

Amazon is also granting access to a selection of invite-only deals during Prime Day. (Their exact timing is between Andy Jassy and God.) If you're interested in a cheap pair of Sony headphones, a $150 SodaStream bundle, a $103 Foreo Luna mini 3 bundle, or an original Peloton Bike for just over a grand, hustle and request an invitation ahead of time — they were still up for grabs at the time of writing.

The Mashable shopping team is keeping a close watch on the sale, so if you don't want to comb through every listing yourself, bookmark our guide to the very best Prime Day deals.

More great Prime Day deals

Note: All newly added deals are marked with a , while deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Laptops

Robot vacuums

Earbuds

Smart speakers

Smartwatches

Tablets

Unlocked phones

Kitchen

Home

Household essentials

Board games

Can you shop on Prime Day without being a Prime member?

You have to be a Prime member in order to shop Amazon's Prime Day deals. But if you don't want to commit to a monthly or annual paid subscription, you can still participate by scheduling a free 30-day trial of Prime around the sale. Just remember to cancel it as soon as Prime Day is over to avoid getting charged.

Who's competing with Prime Day?

Other retailers traditionally hold competing sales during Prime Day, but this year, only Best Buy is going head-to-head with Amazon.

The electronics store's Black Friday in July sale runs from Monday, July 15 to Wednesday, July 17 (or a full 24 hours longer than Prime Day). It's not a subscribers-only affair, but paid (Plus and Total) members of the My Best Buy program get exclusive access to certain offers and receive a $50 bonus reward when they spend $500 or more during the event.

Target and Walmart both ran their (unofficial) Prime Day counter-programming last week. However, it's still worth cross-checking Amazon's sale prices with their listings, just in case they randomly decide to match or one-up their prices.

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 17

Mashable - Wed, 07/17/2024 - 02:16

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 17 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 17

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, July 17, 2024:

AcrossPetty coat?
  • The answer is fur.

Do penance
  • The answer is atone.

Gave in under pressure
  • The answer is caved.

Song played during the opening credits
  • The answer is theme.

___ Swanson, Nick Offerman's role on "Parks and Recreation"
  • The answer is Ron.

Down"As a matter of ___ …"
  • The answer is fact.

Home of Brigham Young University
  • The answer is Utah.

Apt name for a dog who loves to run free
  • The answer is Rover.

Pixar's title clownfish
  • The answer is Nemo.

Biblical garden
  • The answer is Eden.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Get lifetime cloud storage with Koofr, now only £100

Mashable - Wed, 07/17/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Through July 21, you can get a lifetime subscription to Koofr cloud storage with 1TB of space for just £100.19 (reg. £621.32) with coupon code KOOFR40. That's 84% in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage (1TB): Lifetime Subscription £100.19 at the Mashable Shop
£621.32 Save £521.13 Get Deal

Leave “storage almost full” reminders behind and save yourself unnecessary frustration by storing your important files, photos, and data in the cloud. In today’s world, nearly everything runs on a subscription-based model, but now you can leave monthly fees and auto-renew charges in the past, too. With Koofr, you only have to pay once and you’re set with 1TB of cloud storage space for life. Until the end of the day on July 21, you can score 1TB of Koofr cloud storage for only £100.19 with coupon code KOOFR40.

If you deal with large files or like to film at concerts, then you don’t have to worry about being selective with storage anymore. A terabyte of storage can store approximately 250,000 12MP photos, 500 hours of HD videos, or 6.5 million document pages like PDFs. With this plan, you won’t see any warning signs anytime soon.

Koof allows you to view all of your files within a central hub. It also integrates seamlessly with external cloud accounts like Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon, and OneDrive, so you can access files across multiple platforms. Your files are also accessible through your smartphone, personal computer, or via WebDav, so you can access your files anytime, anywhere at your convenience.

If your files are all over the place, Koofr has a built-in duplicate finder tool that helps you find and remove duplicate files within your account. It also features advanced file management features like the ability to rename options and link appearance customisation. Enjoy privacy as you transfer or add new data into the cloud.

Keep your physical life and digital life organised this year and grab a lifetime subscription to a Koofr cloud storage plan (1TB) for only £100.19 (reg. £621.32) with code KOOFR40 until July 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 17

Mashable - Tue, 07/16/2024 - 22:00

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for July 17's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Not just a little, but almost completely.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter Q.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle...

QUITE.

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

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

Prime Day deals you can shop right now

I'm a professional robot vacuum reviewer, and this is the best Prime Day robot vacuum deal

Mashable - Tue, 07/16/2024 - 21:10

As one of Mashable's senior shopping reporters (but more importantly, the resident robot vacuum expert), I'll be the first one to tell you that there are way too many robot vacuums on sale for Prime Day.

A ton of the models on sale this year have been under my roof at some point. I have at least three in my apartment at any given time, relying on them for my every day cleaning, comparing them to others I've used, and writing about the experience. My knowledge also extends to price points — I could probably rattle off the MSRP and record-low sale price for any given 2023 or 2024 model from sheer memory. I love being normal.

SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum

So naturally, I was subconsciously scanning the long list of Prime Day options for the one or two deals that could be crowned the absolute best bang for your buck — the deals I'd tell a friend or family member about if they asked which robot vacuum they should get. Spoiler alert: It's not a Roomba.

If you're also in the market for a robot vacuum this Prime Day and are experiencing decision fatigue, I got you.

My favorite Prime Day robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy X10 Pro Omni $599.99
$799.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why I like it

The very best Roomba might be at its best sale price yet, but it's still not the best robot vacuum deal during Prime Day. There are simply other robot vacuums that can do more for less money — namely the Eufy X10 Pro Omni, which is sitting beside me as I type this.

Of the robot vacuums announced at CES 2024 in January, I was most excited to try the Eufy X10 Pro Omni. Not because it does anything particularly unique on its own, but because it took a stab at self-washing and self-drying mopping pads at a price point much lower than any other CES release that offers this feature

SEE ALSO: Top 6 robot vacuum and mop combos to look for on Prime Day

Back to the Roomba Combo j9+ comparison: Both have pretty powerful suction, recognize objects like phone chargers, empty themselves, and mop with force. But after mopping, only the Eufy X10 Pro will self-wash and dry its own mopping pads, prepping it to scrub the next floor with a clean slate. Having tested both in my apartment, not having to deal with soggy mopping pads made me subconsciously reach to open the Eufy app over the iRobot one for pretty much every task.

In terms of actual cleaning, the X10 Pro Omni is just about as meticulous as you could ask for. 8,000 Pa suction power isn't far from the most powerful suction power on the market, and is especially powerful for a robot vacuum under $1,000. I also appreciated Eufy's decision to arm the X10 Pro Omni with dual spinning mopping pads rather than a single stationary cloth. I trust that active scrubbing more, and can visibly see the performance on dusty cat paw prints by the litter box, shoe prints by the door, and dried mystery splatters by the kitchen counter.

A cheaper honorable mention

If you're laughing manically at the thought of spending more than $500 on a robot vacuum, I also have a stellar budget pick for you.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 $399.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $300.00 Get Deal

The Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 is the most advanced of Shark's latest line and it impressed me way more than I thought it would. It gets where it needs to go via accurate smart mapping and did a solid enough job of vacuuming and mopping that I wasn't constantly grabbing my Dyson for touchups. This thoroughness can mostly be attributed to Shark's Matrix mode: a cleaning mode that triggers the vacuum to go over a desired spot (with heightened scrubbing or suction power) multiple times from different angles, upping the likelihood of picking up hair or debris that couldn't quite be grabbed on the first pass.

While this model does self-empty, it's no full-fledged self-cleaning station, so you do have to rinse the mopping pads and let them dry before clicking them on for another mopping run. However, this Shark pick still gets credit for nailing the holy trinity that is smart mapping, self-emptying, and mopping on a budget — less than $400 on Prime Day.

Get your game on with the best Prime Day 2024 board game deals

Mashable - Tue, 07/16/2024 - 20:40

The first day of Amazon Prime Day 2024 has brought with it several goodies: tons of sales, daring discounts, and superior sales. While that includes savings on big-ticket items like tech, it also spans smaller items like home goods and – surprise! – board games.

If you're looking for a good way to gather the whole family or wrangle your friend group, consider a board game or two. One great option is Catan, a bestseller that's going to end up selling more now that it's been discounted. Pick up a copy for your own, but don't forget to check out what else is in store.

Below, find some of our favorite picks for Prime Day board game deals.

Best Prime Day board game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Catan Base Pack $37.49 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $22.50 Get Deal Why we like it

Catan is a massively popular strategy game that you won't want to skip out on now that it's discounted so heavily. Previously known as Settlers of Catan, this board game finds you gathering resources like lumber, wool, and grain to help expand settlements. Collect points for each city and other achievement along the way and claim victory for all your successes. It's a challenging yet satisfying adventure that's a blockbuster for a reason. Don't miss out on adding the base pack to your board game collection.

More Prime Day board game deals under $50:

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 17

Mashable - Tue, 07/16/2024 - 20:00

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

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for July 17's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

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

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Types of businesses

  • Green: Get in the way

  • Blue: A bunching of animals

  • Purple: Maybe heads of state?

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

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

  • Yellow: Buildings Around Town

  • Green: Hinder

  • Blue: Animal Group Names

  • Purple: Starts of U.S Presidents

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #402 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Buildings Around Town: BANK, LAUNDROMAT, POST OFFICE, SUPERMARKET

  • Hinder: CHECK, CURB, HAMPER, INHIBIT

  • Animal Group Names: PACK, PRIDE, SCHOOL, SWARM

  • Starts of U.S Presidents: BIDE, CART, NIX, WASHING

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

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

Prime Day deals you can shop right now

Score some serious savings with the best Prime Day deals under $50

Mashable - Tue, 07/16/2024 - 19:51

Want to shop Prime Day deals, but don't want to spend an arm and a leg? Check out some of our favorite Prime Day deals under $50 you can shop right now.

Best Amazon Prime Day Deals Under $50 Best Prime Day Deal Under $50 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $34.99 at Amazon (Save $25) Get Deal Best Earbuds Deal Under $50 Amazon Echo Buds with Wireless Charging Case $44.99 at Amazon (Save $95) Get Deal Best Prime Day Video Game Deal Under $50 'Super Mario RPG' $39.99 at Amazon (Save $20) Get Deal

Prime Day 2024 is in full force, and that means round-the-clock deals are flying by across just about every category of item. While that includes TVs and smartphones and other big-ticket items, it also counts when it comes to smaller, more affordable goodies, too. You don't have to be rolling in the dough to snag some great Prime Day deals.

Right now, you can score some excellent deals under $50 that you'll be glad you pounced on. From great earbuds to reliable streaming sticks and much more, you can add these deals to your cart and check out now to scoop up the savings. Below, find some of our favorite discounts.

Best Prime Day Deal Under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $34.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $25.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the latest and greatest addition to Amazon's roster of streaming options. It's quicker than the previous model and supports Wi-Fi 6E. Plus, with double the storage, it's capable of additional feats, like displaying artwork that can essentially turn your TV into a Samsung Frame display and provide you with plenty of apps to use, since streaming content is spread all over the place these days. Saving 42% off this streaming stick is a great deal, especially if you enjoy a lot of shows and movies online.

Best Earbuds Deal Under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Buds with Wireless Charging Case $44.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $95.00 Get Deal Why we like it

You'll rarely find a better deal on noise cancelling earbuds outside of the realm of Apple AirPods than the Amazon Echo Buds with Wireless Charging Case for less than $50. They deliver crisp, dynamic audio, and audio personalization so you can better adjust your music (and podcasts if you choose) to fit your listening profile. They're IPX4 sweat-resistant, can switch between multiple devices at the same time, and last up to 15 hours per charge with the charging case. Getting them for this price is an absolute steal.

Best Prime Day Deal Under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Super Mario RPG' $39.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Nintendo Switch exclusive "Super Mario RPG" is a whimsical remake of the classic SNES title. It follows Mario and the gang while they track down the Smithy Gang, who's wreaking havoc on the Mushroom Kingdom. Form a party, fight in turn-based isometric battles, and save Princess Peach (and Star Road) with modernized graphics and mechanics to bring this '90s classic back to the forefront of gamers' minds – and to new players who had no idea Mario was more than a platforming darling.

More Prime Day deals under $50:

Save $50 on Apple AirPods (third-gen) on Prime Day

Mashable - Tue, 07/16/2024 - 19:50

SAVE $50: This apple isn't rotten right to its core. Apple AirPods (third-gen) are on-sale for a record-low price on Amazon for Prime Day. Usually costing as much as $169.99, today you can get them for $119.99. That's a nearly 30 percent discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon AirPods (third-gen) $119.99 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

AirPods (third-gen) have a battery life of six hours, are comfortable, and have great sound quality for headphones that don't come with noise-cancelling capabilities. They also feature Apple's Personalized Spatial Audio which aims to surround you in sound for an immersive experience. The AirPods (third-gen) also limit background noise when you're on call. Not to mention their sleek design.

Your purchase comes with a Lightning Charging Case with up to 30 hours of battery life.

While Mashable found that the Beats Fit Pro outperform the AirPods (third-gen) in features, battery life, comfort, and sound quality, we know that there are AirPods loyalists out there. If you've been waiting to take the leap from wired headphones to AirPods, now just might be your time.

The best Prime Day deals on cameras and smartphone printers

Mashable - Tue, 07/16/2024 - 19:33

Perhaps photo dumps aren't scratching the same in-the-moment itch that they once were, or maybe your phone's storage is begging you to let it breathe.

Whatever the case, if you're in the market for a camera this Prime Day, you have a few good deals to choose from. We're not seeing the selection of instant cameras on sale that we're used to seeing on Black Friday. (They do make great gifts, so the holiday timing makes sense.) But we've pulled the ones that are worth looking at, including instant cameras, action cameras, regular mirrorless cameras, and some portable instant printers that can link up to your phone — that's basically a camera.

SEE ALSO: Gift card promos are our favorite underrated Prime Day deals

Be sure to check back through the end of Prime Day on July 17, as it's very possible that Fujifilm, Canon, and Polaroid will drop new camera deals. Other Prime Day categories have way more deals that you can shop right now, and we're keeping track of those, too.

Note: All newly-added deals are marked with a ✨, while anything marked with a 🔥 has dropped to an all-time low price.

Best Prime Day camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kodak Kodak Mini Shot 2 ERA (60 sheets bundle) $127.99 at Amazon
$189.99 Save $62.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The simultaneous nostalgia and modernity of having an instant camera in 2024 is just plain fun. The best one to grab during Prime Day is this bundle from Kodak, which comes with 60 extra printing sheets. This version of the Kodak Mini Shot sports a Y2K-esque film camera look and use tools like auto-focus and face detection to capture your moment in high quality. The photo will pop out in just a few seconds.

The Kodak Mini Shot 2 also doubles as a portable printer that can sync up to your phone and print physical versions of memories in your camera roll.

Other cameras on sale for Prime Day

Instant cameras

Portable printers

Action cameras

Mirrorless cameras

Everyone's favorite board game, Catan, is on sale for Prime Day

Mashable - Tue, 07/16/2024 - 18:52

SAVE $22.50: As of July 16 (AKA day one of Prime Day), the popular board game, Catan, is on sale for $37.49, down from the retail price of $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Catan Base Pack $37.49 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $22.50 Get Deal

If you've been waiting to purchase your very own Catan set, now is your chance. Formerly known as Settlers of Catan, the blockbuster board game is on sale for an impressively low price for Prime Day as part of a limited-time lightning deal.

The game challenges players to collect resources — brick, lumber, grain, wool, and ore —to expand their settlements and cities. Along the way players collect victory points for each settlement, city, and other accomplishments like having the longest road. Whoever reaches 10 victory points first wins the game.

The base pack comes with all the Resource Cards, Development Cards, and Settlements you need to get started to play with three to four players. If you're playing with a bigger group or become a fanatic, you can always purchase expansion packs.

Prime Day features record-low prices for Ultimate Ears speakers

Mashable - Tue, 07/16/2024 - 18:22
Ultimate Ears Prime Day deals: Our top pick Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 56.99 at Amazon (Save $43) Get Deal Best new release deal Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 79.99 at Amazon (Save $20) Get Deal Upgrade pick Ultimate Ears Epicboom $269.99 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal

Do you hear that? It's the sound of a sale on some of our favorite Ultimate Ears speakers for Amazon Prime Day.

The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3, Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4, and the new Ultimate Ears Epicboom are all at record-low prices.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 $56.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $43.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Named one of Mashable's 6 best Bluetooth speakers on sale for Prime Day, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 is a powerful, durable, and portable speaker. It boasts a battery life of 14 hours, excellent sound for its size, and is available in a bunch of fun colors. Today you can purchase it for the absurdly low price of $56.99. It previously cost $99.99.

Best new-release deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $79.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The newer model, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4, which Mashable has yet to review and test is also on sale for $20 off at $79.99. It features 14 hours of battery life, and waterproof 360-degree sound in a tiny package.

Upgrade pick Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Epicboom $269.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Ultimate Ears Epicboom is also on sale. In Mashable's review, SaVanna Shoemaker praised its durability, power, and how hard it is to destroy. Our main criticism of the product was its steep price, but you're in luck as it's a full $80 off for $269.99.

Save $41 on the newly launched Amazon Xbox Fire TV Stick 4K Max with Wireless Controller bundle

Mashable - Tue, 07/16/2024 - 17:40

SAVE $40.99: As of July 16, the Amazon Xbox Fire TV Stick 4K Max with Wireless Controller bundle is on sale for $78.99 at Amazon. That's a 34% discount off its retail price of $119.98.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Xbox Fire TV Stick 4K Max with Wireless Controller bundle $78.99 at Amazon
$119.98 Save $40.99 Get Deal

Gaming has changed a lot in recent years. In the early days, you couldn't get by without some serious hardware, like a gaming PC or a console, versus now you can game on nearly any device with a screen, provided you're connected to the internet. Xbox recently announced that it's launching with the Amazon Fire TV stick. The Amazon Xbox Fire TV Stick 4K Max with Wireless Controller bundle that that collaboration birthed is now on sale.

As of now, you can get the Amazon Xbox Fire TV Stick 4K Max with Wireless Controller bundle for $78.99 at Amazon. That's 34% (or $40.99) off the list pricing of $119.98. Since it's a new bundle, we don't have old deal pricing to compare it to. The bundle includes an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, a Robot White Xbox Core Wireless Controller, and a one-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for new members.

If you consider the current pricing of these products, the controller is going for $44, while the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is available for $35, which pretty much puts the price on bar with the bundle. You get a month of Game Pass Ultimate for free, which otherwise costs $15, which should sweeten the deal.

SEE ALSO: The best Prime Day gaming deals, from consoles to accessories and beyond

You can use this bundle to immediately get started with streaming the many games in the Game Pass catalogue right on your TV, without the need to buy a dedicated gaming console. Note however, that this is game streaming and not native gaming, which means it's susceptible to the usual bunch of internet problems, causing visual artifacts, buffering, and input lag.

Apple and Salesforce AI training datasets co-opt MrBeast, Marques Brownlee videos

Mashable - Tue, 07/16/2024 - 17:22

A new investigation claims that tech companies used subtitles from more than 48,000 YouTube channels — including from top creators like MrBeast and Marques Brownlee and higher learning institutions like MIT and Harvard — to train their AI models, even though YouTube prohibits the harvesting of platform content without permission.

The investigation, conducted by Proof News and published in conjunction with Wired, found that companies like Anthropic, Nvidia, Apple, and Salesforce used a dataset of 173,536 YouTube videos including those from Khan Academy, MIT, Harvard, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, the BBC and late night shows like The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT now saves chat history even if you've opted out of sharing training data

Marques Brownlee posted an Instagram Reel noting that, in his opinion, "the real story is Apple and a whole bunch of other tech companies are training their AI models using data that they buy from third party data scraping companies some of which get their data in slightly illegal ways... Apple can technically say they're not at fault for this."

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Wired says that representatives for the non-profit AI research lab that scraped and disseminated the YouTube dataset, EleutherAI, did not respond to the publication's requests for comment. The dataset is part of a compilation the nonprofit calls The Pile, which also includes material from the European Parliament, English Wikipedia, and emails from the employees of the Enron Corporation released during the federal investigation into the company in the early 2000s.

Wired reports that most of the collections that make up The Pile are accessible to "anyone on the internet with enough space and computing power to access them." These include Apple, Nvidia, Salesforce, Bloomberg and Databricks, all of which have publicly acknowledged their use of The Pile to train AI models.

Jennifer Martinez, a spokesperson for AI startup Anthropic, said in a statement that while the company had used The Pile to train its generative AI assistant, "YouTube’s terms cover direct use of its platform, which is distinct from use of the Pile dataset. On the point about potential violations of YouTube’s terms of service, we’d have to refer you to the Pile authors."

In his Instagram Reel, Brownlee added, "The double whammy is that I actually pay for more accurate manual transcriptions on every video that we put out... so that means the stolen transcriptions specifically are paid content that's being stolen more than once."

His concerns echo those of creators across the world who are concerned that their work will be consumed or exploited by AI without compensation or permission. Many are currently suing tech companies for unapproved use of their work.

Wired reports that The Pile is still available on file-sharing services but has been removed from its official download site. Proof News has created a tool to search for creators in the YouTube AI training dataset.

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