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The iOS 18 public beta is finally here, giving beta testers a chance to try out new iPhone features poised to officially release later this year. The new tweaks that Apple added to the next big update appear to be countless — but we've condensed the list to the top five most useful features.

From Tap to Cash to RCS messaging, allow us to walk you through how to use the best features of the latest iOS 18 public beta. But first, you'll need to install it. (We have a guide on how to install the iOS 18 public beta here.) Keep in mind that the iOS 18 public beta is still quite unpolished and raw, so make sure you have an iPhone backup handy before installing it.

iOS 18 public beta: Top 5 most useful features

Now that you've got iOS 18 public beta on your iPhone (and you hopefully have a backup because it's a risky install), let's dive into the top five most useful features.

1. QR Code for Wi-Fi password sharing

If you often have loved ones over, and you can never seem to remember the Wi-Fi password, you can generate a QR code for easy sharing. You can print it, too, so trusted users can always have access to it.

To get this feature, go to Passwords and tap on Wi-Fi. Next, tap on the credentials you'd like to share and tap on Show Network QR Code.

2. RCS messaging

Perhaps after some pressure from big-tech companies like Google and Samsung, Apple is finally offering RCS messaging support to iPhone users. In other words, the feature gap between Android and iPhone messaging will be significantly narrowed. High-resolution media sharing should go more smoothly, and typing indicators and read receipts should be a thing, too.

You can enable RCS Messaging by going to Settings > Apps > Messages before tapping the toggle next to RCS Messaging. (If you don't see this option, your carrier may not support it.)

Now, texting an Android user won't feel as different as it usually does, but you'll still see the green bubbles.

3. Tap to Cash

You can easily send money from one iPhone to another with the new Tap to Cash feature.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Go to Apple Wallet and tap on the "Cash" card. Hit the Send or Request button. Finally, type in the name of the recipient.

4. Satellite text messaging

Satellite connectivity is no longer for reserved for emergencies. You can now send messages to friends and loved ones without a Wi-Fi and cellular connection. You can do this by swiping down on your iPhone to reveal the Control Center. Next, tap on Satellite before hitting Try Demo.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Next, tap on Messages followed by Satellite Connection Demo. You'll then be prompted to temporarily turn off cellular. Next, you'll have to stand in a location with a clear view of the sky and wait for satellite connectivity. (I had to wait three minutes.)

5. Voice Memo transcription

Did you know that, with iOS 18, all your recordings can get transcribed? All you need to do is navigate to the Voice Memo app, record a message, and tap on the triple-dot icon on the top-right corner of your recording.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Tap on View Transcript to see iOS 18's speech-to-text capabilities in action.

Hoping to see Apple Intelligence on this list? Unfortunately, Apple Intelligence features aren't available in the latest beta. In fact, many Apple Intelligence features may not appear until 2025.

The social media and rocket companies are headquartered in California, which the billionaire criticized for its recent transgender legislation.

Prime Day isn’t just good for saving on electronics. You can also save on groceries, but you have to be a Prime member to reap these benefits. 

Eligible Amazon Prime members can get $40 off Amazon Fresh orders of $100 or more (pre-tax) on delivery and pick-up orders with the code PRIMEFRESH40 during Prime Day. Note that this deal is only available until July 17 at 11:59 PT, so snag it while you can.

Opens in a new window Credit: unknown Amazon Fresh save $40 on orders of $100+ with code PRIMEFRESH40 Don’t Have Amazon Prime?

If you're not a current Prime member, you can sign up for a free trial for Amazon Prime. If you’re a student, you’re eligible for a six-month free trial, if you’re not a student then you can unlock the one-month free trial offer to take advantage of Prime Day deals.

SEE ALSO: The best Amazon Prime Day deals for 2024 – live now What is Amazon Fresh?

Amazon Fresh is the grocery subsection of the mega-retailer. While AmazonFresh does have some physical locations in some cities, you may only be able to use this code through delivery depending on where you live, if an AmazonFresh store isn’t near you.

Note that this discount only applies to the Amazon Fresh grocery service and not the Whole Foods Market service that's also owned by Amazon.

If you simply can't find that old photo you swear used to be on your iPhone, Apple may have a fix for that when iOS 18 officially drops later this year.

According to MacRumors, the next big software update for iPhones will have a new feature in the Photos app that will let you recover lost or damaged photos and videos that may not properly appear in your other albums like they should. You can find these photos by opening the Photos app, going to Albums, and scrolling down until you see Utilities.

SEE ALSO: iPhone 16 Pro may finally get a pink-ish color with new 'rose' color rumor

Of course, that feature won't work for anyone who is not currently using the iOS 18 public beta, so don't bother trying if you're working with iOS 17 or older. You'll also need to actually have some damaged photos or videos lying around on your device, otherwise the options to recover (or destroy) them won't show up at all.

These kinds of images or videos can be lost or damaged for many reasons. As MacRumors pointed out, some third-party apps don't save things to the photo library properly — or databases get corrupted. In these instances, if iOS 18 can intelligently identify photos with problems (and give users a way to restore or destroy them), it could arguably be one of the most impactful features for the Photos app in quite some time.

We'll find out together later this year when iOS 18 drops.

With the rise of AI and ChatGPT, nothing seems too unthinkable and futuristic in the world of tech anymore. Moreover, products that once seemed advanced (read: the Amazon Echo when it was first released in 2015) don't seem to be all that advanced anymore. This means companies have to constantly innovate to continue attracting buyers, which is what Amazon did in 2022 when it released its 5th Generation Echo Dot. Since then, the corporate giant has unveiled even newer products (in the Echo Show and Echo Pop families).

This is great and all, but when the time comes to actually invest in a new Echo device for your home — thus upgrading it to "smart home" status — it can be hard to decide which one to get. Do you want to be able to video call your family with Echo Show 10's sleek swivel screen? Maximize affordability with the Echo Pop? Or upgrade your kids' rooms with an Echo device just for kids?

SEE ALSO: 245+ Prime Day deals our shopping experts think are worth it: Save on Apple, Echo devices, TVs, headphones, and more

With this technology boom though, it can be hard to transition your home from “basic” to “smart-home” status. Establishing a tech-friendly home isn’t always easy, but there is hope. Smart speakers like Amazon's Echo family of products are a great starting point because they're affordable, require minimal effort to operate, and help you easily complete small tasks around the house. They take voice-recognition technology to the next level by playing music, finding binge-watch-worthy flicks, reading news, and adjusting room settings. They’ll do the work for you, so you can relax and take care of stuff that actually matters sans interruptions.

A common dilemma many specifically face is "to Echo or to Echo Dot?" Among its robust lineup of smart speakers, the Echo (Fourth Generation) and Echo Dot (Fifth Generation) are eerily similar, despite the former being almost twice as big as the latter. Given that the latest Dot was released in 2022 and the 4th Gen Echo came out two years before that, there are obvious technical upgrades in the Dot that don't exist in its bulkier predecessor. At least on paper.

The Echo (Fourth Generation) and Echo Dot (Fifth Generation) fall in the middle of the whole Echo line-up. The Echo Show, is at the top of the range, with it's motion-tracking screen, while the Echo Pop is even smaller and more budget-friendly than the Dot.

Bad at making uninformed choices? Same here. To help you out, here’s everything you need to know if you’re deciding between the Echo and the Echo Dot.

Good things come in colorful packages. Credit: Stacia Datskovska / Mashable Difference between Echo and Echo DotAmazon Echo smart speaker review (4th Gen) Amazon Echo (4th Gen) $54.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $45.00 Shop Now

The Echo weighs 34.2 ounces and its dimensions are 5.7 x 5.7 x 5.2 inches. On its round exterior, you'll find an action button, volume buttons, a mic-off button, a light-up ring, a power port, and a 3.5-millimeter audio output. With three distinct color options currently available at Amazon, this under-$100 device is sure to fit your home decor seamlessly.

Setting up the Echo is also seamless and you can use it within minutes. Indeed, the only things inside the package are the device itself, a power adapter, and two guides. The setup guide is highly visual, which is always a perk. To begin, you have to download the Alexa app and sign in. No, you don't need to have a Prime account to use an Amazon smart device (though its range of possibilities surely increases for those of us who are Prime members). Plug in the included power adapter into the Echo and then plug the Echo into a wall outlet. The light ring on the Echo will turn blue when it’s on and then orange when Alexa greets you. Next, connect the Echo to your home WiFi network. The Alexa app will then walk you through the rest of the setup process, including customizing your "wake word," mastering the pronunciation of your name, allowing access to phone contacts, and more.

SEE ALSO: These are the best Echo devices to gain hands-free control of your smart home, and more

Once all that is ready, you're good to go. Give your newest smart home companion a warm welcome: After all, it will be your go-to from now on for blasting music, waking you up in the morning, providing news and weather reports, calling loved ones, and so much more.

Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker review (5th Gen) Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00 Shop Now

The Echo Dot takes smart living to a new level. Though this device is two years newer than the aforementioned Echo (4th Gen), it's actually $50 cheaper if you don't get it with an LED clock display. Use that info as you will.

The Echo Dot weighs 10.7 ounces (much lighter than the Echo, clearly) and its dimensions are 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches. This baby can thus easily fit on countertops, shelves, or nightstands. Similar to the Echo, it boasts an action button, a microphone-off button, volume controls, a light ring, and a power port. It pretty much comes with the same color options as the bigger Echo, except for its deep sea blue shade being slightly darker than the Echo's twilight blue shade. Potayto, potahto.

Setup is also a breeze with the Echo Dot. First, plug it into a wall outlet and open the Alexa app to start setup. (You’ll need to download the Alexa app on your smartphone beforehand.) Once you open the app, select “devices” and then select the “+” icon. Follow the on-screen instructions from that point on and personalize the device to your liking.

What you get when you order an Amazon Echo Dot. Credit: Stacia Datskovska / Mashable Smarter, easier living featuresEcho

The Amazon Echo functions as your personal butler and best friend. Since it's a smart speaker that connects to the Alexa Voice Service, you use it to do everything from playing the latest hits to purchasing some kitchen staples to killing your boredom with a round of Jeopardy! Advanced sound technology helps the Echo immediately respond to you and recognize your voice. In fact, during the setup process on the Alexa app, Echo learns your voice's cadences and pitch by making you repeat some sample prompts. Impressive.

You can tell Alexa exactly what to put on your grocery list and manage the items on your Alexa app. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Prompt response: Beamforming technology, noise-cancelation, and seven microphones will enable the Echo to hear you from your nearby location. Just speak the wake word and say commands like “Alexa, find an Amazon Music playlist,” or “Alexa, call Dad” for immediate assistance. Something to note: Your speaker does not by any means have to be called Alexa. Other fun options include Echo, Ziggy, or Santa. Referring to your device as that last option unlocks a whole new Ho-Ho-Ho personality for it. Another thing to note: Amazon is getting better about accessibility, in the form of Adaptive Listening. This feature, when enabled, essentially gives you more time to finish speaking — Alexa's way of accommodating speech patterns like stuttering.

Beats master: Of course the Echo can play music, but it’s more than a basic speaker. It comes with Dolby premium sound that fills a whole room — with deep bass and clear high notes alike. If you have two Echo devices in one room, you can actually tell one of them to "play music everywhere," which will amplify sound to even higher levels and make for an actual at-home clubbing experience. Word of caution, however — Alexa didn't cooperate with me, strangely, when I tried to test out this feature. For those of us who are highly picky about music streaming services, Amazon lets you set default options which you can change at any time. Do you want Alexa to pick music from Apple Music but podcasts from Spotify? No problem, there's an option for that.

Hands-free communication: If you need to message or call loved ones, the Echo has your back. You can use Alexa to communicate with people via phone or text on the Echo, without grabbing your smartphone. Plus, Alexa can also make household announcements across Amazon Echo devices at home, so your family knows if dinner is ready or guests are arriving. Use the Drop-In feature to connect to other Amazon Echo devices or the Announcement feature to record cute messages in your own voice (accompanied by a range of sound effect offerings, including dinner bell, kiss, trumpet, as well as, a bit alarmingly, toilet flush and fart).

Control smart devices: If you have other smart devices that work with Alexa, you can easily control them with Echo's Zigbee smart home hub. Just ask Alexa to dim the lights, adjust the room temperature, or turn on a compatible smart-plug-connected appliance. The best thing about this? You don’t have to press any buttons, and you can even engineer routines for yourself ahead of time to set these processes in motion at a certain time in your home.

The Echo can double as a night light Credit: Stacia Datskovska / Mashable Echo Dot

Making the smart living switch isn’t always budget-friendly, but the Echo Dot is affordable and provides great voice control features. These features aren't all that different from what you get with the Echo. The only true upgrades are new motion sensors that let you touch-control the device, the 1.73-inch front-firing speaker (versus a woofer and tweeters), and "Eero mesh network support so the Echo Dot can serve as a node for your Eero network if you use one," according to our sister site, PCMag. Use the Dot to receive reminders, save cookie recipes to your app for future reference, bask your room in a night light glow, communicate with friends and family, soothe yourself with some white noise, and beyond.

Listening companion: We’ve all tried the conventional speaker setup, which typically involves too many outlets and wires. Echo Dot offers the opposite experience for all your listening needs. You can use your voice to play music through streaming services, including Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify. Plus, Audible and other media forms are available on the Echo Dot. Ask Alexa to find the perfect playlist or podcast, and you’ll have something to listen to when you cook in the kitchen, lounge on the couch, or work out in your living room. Another extra-cool feature? The Dot will start playing deep sleep music when it detects sounds of snoring — if you enable it to do so.

Task help: There are times we wish that we had a personal assistant for little things, including making lists and scheduling calendars. The Echo Dot helps make your everyday routine (and entertainment) more seamless with voice control. Try saying: "Alexa, set a timer for five minutes," "Alexa, play the Reuters news briefing," "Alexa, open my daily horoscope," or "Alexa, find my phone." The possibilities are endless. Be sure to reference the "more" tab on the Alexa app to browse through all of the Echo Dot's offerings.

Use the Dot to send messages to houseguests, remind you of tasks, and more! Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Converse with and check in on loved ones: Like the Echo, the Echo Dot allows you to send messages, make phone calls, and use other Echo devices as intercoms. Enjoy hands-free communication with loved ones and make announcements via Drop-In to keep everyone in touch at home. If you have elderly parents at home, you can also take advantage of Alexa Together — Amazon's remote caregiving offering that does cost extra but allows you to connect compatible fall detection devices to the Echo Dot, see snapshots of your loved ones' daily interactions with Alexa, get 24/7 access to trained agents who can call 911 in case of an emergency, create gentle reminders such as "take your pills," and more.

Monitor your smart home environment: The Echo Dot also offers the option to monitor smart devices at home. If you have light bulbs, thermostats, or streaming media players that are compatible with Alexa, you can control their activity with the Echo Dot. Just speak to Alexa in your room of choice, and you can easily monitor lighting, temperature, and more with verbal commands. Also, if you enable sound detection routines, you can program a particular sound (dog barking, oven dinging, door opening) to trigger a certain Alexa Routine. This feature has an accessibility bonus since it can be used as a way to provide visual cues to those with hearing challenges. For instance, "if Alexa detects running water for a period of time... she can trigger the living room smart lights to flash on and off, serving as a visual reminder to shut off the faucet," as reported in USA Today.

Don't let the Dot's size fool you — it's mighty smart. Credit: Stacia Datskovska / Mashable Price and competitionEcho

At $99.99, the Echo is moderately priced, but it comes with benefits that go beyond other smart speakers. With its high-tech sound features, including Dolby audio, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite beats at the right volume. When you’re entertaining guests, you can engage the multi-room music feature to turn your pad into a dance floor (adjusting bass settings accordingly). In addition to playing music, the Echo allows you to control smart devices and communicate with loved ones via voice control. It also comes with a skills range so extensive that it might take you months to try them all out.

The Echo comes with a one-year limited warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. If you would like additional protection, you can buy an extended warranty separately at Amazon.

In terms of competition, the $99.99 Apple HomePod mini can be considered a pretty close match (at least price-wise). It's teeny compared to the Echo, though, and a larger/more advanced Apple smart speaker — the HomePod — will cost you $299 (see our full review of the Apple Homepod). While this competitor might be a better choice for Apple fans, due to its easy iOS compatibility, Siri isn't as smart or loyal of an assistant as Alexa in our opinion.

Echo Dot

For those on a technology budget, the 5th Gen Echo Dot delivers all the smart speaker benefits at a fraction of the price. At $49.99, it’s more affordable than other Amazon Echo devices (despite being the newest Dot) and still has desirable features like advanced voice recognition, smart device control, and assistance with small tasks via Alexa. For $59.99, you can get the Echo Dot with an LED display, which allows you to display the current time in style. That's pretty much the only added benefit the extra $10 will give you.

Unlike the Echo, the Echo Dot only comes with a 90-day limited warranty. It’s applicable to defects in materials and workmanship and you can contact Amazon’s Customer Service for assistance. This warranty, too, can be extended to a one-year, two-year, or even three-year plan for an additional fee.

If we're talking about what's available on the smart speaker market that can compare to the Dot, the Google-Assistant-powered Nest Mini (2nd Generation) immediately comes to mind, as it also costs $49.99. The Nest Mini is cute as a button (and weighs almost as much). It's compatible with streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, and iHeart Radio, as well as Youtube, has smart home pairing with Arlo, Nest, Ring, and other appliances, and it allows you to voice-purchase essentials from storefronts that aren't limited to Amazon. Still, with the Dot's new-and-improved front-firing speaker, there's no question that it wins the contest when it comes to quality audio. Also, with its upgraded temperature and movement sensors, the Dot seems to be leading the smart home game. I mean, what other speaker will listen for the sound of broken glass and immediately alert you to a potential robbery happening when you're MIA fr

Clearly, the Echo is way bigger than the Echo Dot (reflected in their price difference). Credit: Stacia Datskovska / Mashable Privacy concerns

With all Amazon Echo devices comes concern about privacy. In the past, according to what reporter Jack Morse wrote for Mashable a few years back, "Alexa has been known to record people and rooms even when there's no wake word spoken intentionally — or spoken at all." The fact that it can be listening in on your most private conversations — or else sneakily gather info like a credit card number you say when purchasing something over the phone — is legitimately scary.

Amazon has realized that tons of people have been turning away from their Echo product line because of this very risk. That's why now, on the Alexa app, you can review your daily voice history and delete anything you don't vibe with, manage the access to data certain skills have, and more. On the exterior of both the 4th Gen Echo and 5th Gen Echo Dot, you can also find a mic-off button that will prevent any audio input from reaching Alexa. For more information about how Amazon handles user privacy, check out its Q&A on the matter.

So, to Echo or to Echo Dot?

If you want a large smart speaker that delivers high-quality sound, allows you to engage in hands-free control, and use your voice to communicate with loved ones, the $99.99 4th Gen Echo is a good call. Another perk of this device is that it’s customizable: You can choose a decorative shell to compliment your home decor vibe. Plus, it works with other Amazon Echo devices for the ultimate sound setup whenever you need it.

If you don’t want to fork over a lot of cash for a smart speaker, the Echo Dot is a great pick — especially considering it's newer than the 4th Gen Echo. At only $49.99, it’s a steal compared to other Amazon-connected devices and offers the same smart speaker benefits... and then some.

SAVE UP TO $20: During Prime Day, Prime members can either get direct savings or receive a promotional credit when they shop gift cards at Amazon.

Sure, the main draw of Prime Day is the savings you can get on big-ticket items like headphones or robot vacuums, but one of the most underrated Prime Day deals is Amazon's selection of gift cards. You're already planning on ordering from Doordash or seeing a movie at Regal; might as well save some money now for future purchases.

Gift card deals at Amazon work one of two ways: There's a direct savings promotion on the gift card, or you buy the gift card at full price and receive an Amazon promotional credit after you purchase. Just apply the deal code at checkout and make sure you're meeting the spend requirements — some promos require you to buy gift cards of a certain amount to qualify for the deal.

There is a limit of one gift card per brand per customer for these deals. Once you purchase, you should receive your promo credit in one to three days and it will automatically apply to future eligible purchases.

Food and restaurant gift card deals

• Chipotle — receive $10 in promotional credit on $50+ with on-page coupon

• Doordash — receive $20 in promotional credit on $100+ with code DASH

• Instacart — save $15 on $100+ with code INSTACART

• Let's Eat (The Cheesecake Factory, Chili's, Cracker Barrell, Red Lobster, Panera Bread) — receive $10 in promotional credit on $50+ with on-page coupon

Shopping gift card deals

• Adidas — save $10 on $50+ with on-page coupon

• Bath & Body Works — save $10 on $50+ with code BATHPD

• Best Buy — save $10 on $100+ with code BESTBUY

• H&M — save $10 on $50+ with code HMUSPD

Entertainment gift card deals

• Google Play — receive $10 in promotional credit on $100+ with code GOOGLEPD

• Razer Gold — receive $20 in promotional credit on $100+ with code RAZER

• Regal Cinemas — save $10 on $50+ with code REGAL

• Vudu — save $10 on $50+ with code VUDUPD

Travel gift card deals

• Lyft — save $20 on $100+ with code LYFTPD

• Uber — receive $10 in promotional credit on $100+

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Shop all gift card deals at Amazon Get Deal

SAVE $102: The Sony WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones are one of our top picks for the best headphones. This Prime Day deal brings them down to $298 at Amazon, from the list price of $399.99. That's 25% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 $298.00
$399.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal

While wired headphones can still be elite, wireless headphones have gotten really good in recent years. Sony has made some excellent ones, and its latest flagship pair of noise-cancelling headphones is an easy recommendation. The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have made it onto a few of our headphone recommendation lists, and they're on sale today at their lowest-ever price.

As of July 16 you can snag the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones for just $298 at Amazon. That's $102 off the hefty list price of $399.99, making for a 25% discount. This price tag makes these headphones much easier to recommend, and a great value for your money. This is the lowest price we've seen these headphones at, beating the previous all-time low price of $299.99 by a whole two bucks. You can get this price for all three colorways: Silver, Black, and Midnight Blue.

SEE ALSO: Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones review: New design and improved sound quality

Miller Kern, Mashable's deputy editor of shopping and reviews, enjoyed these headphones as she notes in her review: "I was truly impressed by the sound quality and noise cancellation in the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones." She gave them an exceptional 4.7/5 rating. Mashable's East Coast Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon also tested the Sony WH-1000XM5 in a head-to-head battle against the Apple AirPods Max, to see which ones have the better noise cancellation. The Sony WH-1000XM5 won that race, and currently hold the title of the "best sound-first headphones" on our best headphones rundown.

SAVE $400: The Robotrock S8 Max Ultra robot vacuum and mop with self-emptying base is on sale during Amazon Prime Day for $1,199.99, down from the usual price of $1,599.99. That's a 25% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock S8 Max Ultra robot vacuum and mop with self-emptying base $1,199.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $400.00 Prime exclusive deal Get Deal

When it comes to house (or apartment) keeping, two things are certain — the laundry hamper will never be empty and the floors could always use a sweep. If you dread the chore of cleaning the floors or stepping on cookie crumbs in the kitchen, Amazon Prime Day has something special in store today.

As of July 16, the Robotrock S8 Max Ultra robot vacuum and mop with self-emptying base is on sale for $1,199.99 for Amazon Prime members, marked down from the standard price of $1,599.99. That's a savings of $400 or a 25% discount.

It's no longer Jetson-era technology — you really can have a robot vacuum that does it all for you. The Roborock S8 Max Ultra can vacuum, mop, and dry your floors. And thanks to its self-emptying base, you won't have to constantly empty debris or refill it with water.

The Roborock S8 Max Ultra adds in some technology that makes it an ideal floor-cleaning machine, like a FlexiArm side brush that can tackle cleaning corners and obstacle avoidance so your slippers won't get pushed into the other room. With 8000Pa suction, the robot vacuum and mop combo is designed to clean both hard floors and carpets. You can also set it on a deep-cleaning cycle which vacuums in a zig-zag pattern instead of taking a single pass.

When it comes to mopping, the Roborock S8 Max Ultra can heat water to up to 140 degrees F to wipe away kitchen floor spills or messes under the dining room table. It also uses warm air to dry the freshly-mopped floors, so you won't have to come home to wet floors. Through the companion app, you'll be able to control the robot's schedule or select custom settings.

Keep in mind you'll need to be signed up and logged in as an Amazon Prime member to score this discounted price. If you're not already a Prime member, you can sign up for a monthly membership for $14.99 or an annual plan for $139. Not only will this give you access to tons of Prime-exclusive deals during Prime Day, but you'll also be eligible for any future invite-only Prime deals.

If you've been eyeing a robot vacuum that can also mop and comes with a self-emptying base, the sale price on the Roborock S8 Max Ultra puts it in line as a solid contender. Both your schedule and your clean floors will appreciate the upgraded.

The tech community, led by Sam Altman of OpenAI, has funded programs that give people unconditional cash. Some say it’s time to scale up.

Are you going to Paris this summer to watch the Olympics? No? How about back home to the midwest to visit family, or to the nearest body of water to relax? A town away to visit your best friend?

Wherever you're traveling this summer, Uber may have just made financial planning for your trip just a bit easier. Now, you can search average fares and wait times in more than 10,000 cities.

SEE ALSO: 'Uber Tasks' is like Uber Eats, but you get completed chores instead — 7 jobs the app can do Uber's new feature should make trip planning easier

"Riders will now be able to see insights into the average wait time and cost of a ride from all local airports and within a given city," Uber said in a press release. "Plus, you’ll have the option to reserve rides for upcoming trips. Just tap 'where to?' and select 'search in a different city' to get started."

Uber also introduced other features that might pique the interest of those lucky enough to be in Paris this summer. Flying Blue gives users points with Air France-KLM Group if they use Uber in France and the Netherlands; Uber Bubbles, a champagne tour bookable through the Uber app, has more open reservations; and Uber Cruise allows people to book a private cruise on the river Seine.

"With Summer in full swing, and a record number of Americans taking to the skies for their long awaited vacations, these updates are meant to help customers more easily plan for – and save on – their summer travels to Paris and beyond," the company said in a press release.

The new feature will start rolling out on July 16.

Your iPhone has the ability to play "white noise" audio with built-in sounds that can be accessed via the Accessibility settings. You can choose between sounds like Ocean, Rain, and Stream. (Rain is my personal favorite.)

However, with iOS 18 (which you can now test via the iOS 18 public beta), Apple added two new sounds to the library.

SEE ALSO: iOS 18: 4 'Apple Intelligence' features you won't see until 2025 iOS 18 adds new built-in 'white noise' audio

While testing the iOS 18 public beta, you'll find two new white-noise sounds: "Night" and "Fire."

"Night" features chirping crickets with the subtle rustle of leaves. "Fire" appears to mimic the harmonious crackle of a fireplace.

These sounds are not specifically designed to be for sleep, but we have previously recommended the feature to help iPhone users catch some Zs.

You can access the new sounds by navigating to Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Background Sounds. Next, ensure that "Background Sounds" is toggled on before tapping "Sound," which will lead you to the list of available sounds, including Balanced Noise, Bright Noise, Dark Noise, Ocean, Rain, and Stream.

If you plan on downloading the iOS 18 public beta, keep in mind that it's still rough-around-the-edges and not ready for primetime. Consider backing up your iPhone first or running it on a test device.

The next big iPhone update, iOS 18, is expected to launch alongside Apple's next-generation smartphone, likely the iPhone 16.

We're well into Amazon Prime Day, and we've spotted 150+ deals that are worth shopping. From robot vacuums to Apple products, the summer sale is loaded with epic price drops.

But if your summer goal is to stick to a strict(er) budget, you might be feeling some FOMO. Chin up — plenty of great Prime Day deals are under $25 and some are even free if you're already a Prime member.

Best deals under $25 during Amazon's Prime Day sale Best tech deal under $25 Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 Bluetooth tracker $19.99 at Amazon (save $10) Get Deal Best kitchen deal under $25 Brita Metro Water Filter Pitcher (6-cup) $15.99 at Amazon (save $9.80) Get Deal Best smart home deal under $25 Amazon Echo Dot $24.99 at Amazon (Prime members save $25) Get Deal Best outdoor deal under $25 Coleman Classic 1-Burner Backpacking Stove $19.46 at Amazon (save $10.53) Get Deal

No one's arguing that simply being alive costs more than it used to just a few years ago. If you're cutting back on spending, there are still some great deals during Amazon's biggest sale of the year that don't cost a fortune. You can fill your cart with these great deals that cost under $25 and are bound to make the rest of 2024 better and more enjoyable.

Below are some of the best budget-friendly Prime Day deals to shop today.

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

Best tech deal under $25 Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 Bluetooth tracker $19.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Traveling sometime before we ring in 2025? You'll want to keep tabs on any checked luggage with a Bluetooth tracking device, and the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 tracker is on sale for just $19.99 as part of Amazon's Prime Day savings. While you can stash any-sized Bluetooth tracker in a suitcase, the Samsung also comes with a convenient ring design, so you can attach it to your keys, the strap of your backpack, or your bicycle. Expect to get about 500 days of battery life with the Samsung GalaxySmart2 tracker.

More tech deals under $25:

• Amazon Echo Buds — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25) ✨🔥

• Amazon Echo Auto (2nd Gen) — $24.99 $54.99 (save $30 with Prime) ✨🔥

Best kitchen deal under $25 Opens in a new window Credit: Brita Our pick: Brita Metro Water Filter $15.99 at Amazon
$25.79 Save $9.80 Get Deal Why we like it

Now that summer's unrelenting heat is here, you might be focusing on hydration, and, thanks to Prime Day, drinking chilled and filtered water costs under $25. The Brita Metro Water Filter Pitcher is on sale for just $15.99 with a six cup-capacity and a standard filter. You can choose a white colorway or add some color to your kitchen with the turquoise or red options. Replacing the need to buy bottled water, the Brita pitcher reduces the taste and odor of chlorine while reducing copper, mercury, and cadmium. With the standard filter, you'll get about 40 gallons of use, so you'll only need to replace the filter about once every two months.

More kitchen deals under $25:

• Nordic Ware Natural Jelly Roll Pan — $14.24 $35 (save $6.50)✨

• KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitt Set — $15.10 $34.99 (save $19.89)✨🔥

• Rubbermaid 16-Piece BPA-Free Plastic Food Storage Set — $19.99 $26.99 (save $7)✨

Best smart home deal under $25 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00 Prime member exclusive sale Get Deal Why we like it

If you're working on updating your collection of smart home tech, the Amazon Echo Dot will fit in perfectly. The smart speaker is on sale for just $24.99 for Prime members, and it's packed with useful features. Use the Echo Dot as your alarm clock, your weather tracker, podcast player, or your kitchen accompaniment while washing dishes thanks to its connection to music apps like Spotify or Amazon Music.

More smart home deals under $25:

• Amazon Echo Glow — $16.99 $29.99 (save $13) ✨🔥

• GE CYNC A19 Smart LED Bulb — $15.99 $23.99 (save $8)✨

• Amazon Echo Pop — $17.99 $39.99 (save $22) ✨🔥

• Amazon Echo Pop with Sengled Smart Color Bulb — $19.98 $59.98 (save $40)✨

Best outdoor deal under $25 Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Our pick: Coleman Classic 1-Burner Backpacking Stove $19.46 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $10.53 Get Deal Why we like it

Heading into the great outdoors is the best way to celebrate summer for some people. Unfortunately, the gear necessary to survive outside can get spendy. Thanks to Prime Day, you can snag the Coleman Classic 1-Burner Backpacking Stove for just $19.46. Dishing out a maximum of 10,000 watts of power, your camp-side dinner will be ready in no time, boiling a liter of water in just 3.25 minutes. Weighing just 6.7 ounces, it won't add much heft to your hiking backpack or your camping set-up.

More outdoor deals under $25:

• LifeStraw Personal Water Filter — $9.99 $19.95 (save $9.96)✨

• Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repellent — $21.07 $26.50 (save $5.43)✨

• Brightech Ambience Pro Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights (27 ft) — $24.68 $47.99 (save $23.31) ✨

SAVE $100: Nintendo's Switch Lite console is down to one of the lowest prices we've seen it at, with Walmart selling it for $159. Not only is that a $40 discount, but this bundle comes with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, one of the Switch's most popular games.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo/Walmart Nintendo Switch Lite (Timmy & Tommy’s Aloha Edition) 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Bundle $159.00 at Walmart
$199.99 Save $40.99 Includes a digital download of 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons.' Get Deal

Prime Day may be primarily an Amazon event, but that doesn't mean other retailers can't join in on the action. One of the best gaming deals of the day comes from Walmart, for example, which is selling the Nintendo Switch Lite with Animal Crossing: New Horizons for just $159. Compare that to the roughly $260 it would have cost to get a Switch Lite with Animal Crossing back when the game first came out — and you've got yourself a tantalizing gaming deal.

There are, of course, tons of great Switch games (including many that are currently on the way), so getting a cheap Switch Lite, even with the rumored Switch 2 on the way, could be a steal. Even if you choose not to buy any other Switch games for a while, though, Animal Crossing should keep you occupied with its unique real-time calendar features and omnipresent sense of stress-free whimsy. In our review, Kellen Beck called it a "little beacon of hope."

"Playing it makes me feel like I'm taking the video game version of a breath of fresh air, or going on a little vacation away from everything that feels like it could make me collapse into a pile of jittering slime," Beck said.

Fans of pink colored smartphones, rejoice.

According to multiple Apple analysts and leakers, a rose iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max is coming in September when Apple's new smartphone line launches.

This would mark the first time that a Pro model iPhone was offered in pink since the iPhone 6 line was launched with a "rose gold" color in 2015.

SEE ALSO: iPhone 16: Every single thing we know so far A 'rose' iPhone Pro on the way?

The latest source of news comes from an Apple leaker from the China-based social media platform Weibo. The supply chain leaker, known as OvO Baby Sauce OvO, says that the new color option for the iPhone 16 Pro is called "rose." The leaker also emphasized that it's not the same as the previous "rose gold" option.

This same leaker also previously claimed that the Blue Titanium-colored iPhone Pro models will likely be dropped from the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup to make room for the rose model.

According to MacRumors, this latest leak backs up a previous report from well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who said that both the iPhone 16 Pro and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max would be available in "black, white or silver, gray or 'Natural Titanium,' and rose."

With Apple launching a newly designed titanium device with the iPhone 15 Pro last year, the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro will be the first titanium "rose" colored iPhone.

Currently, consumers who want a pink-colored iPhone must settle for the base model iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus, which offer a light-pink finish.

Now, it seems that Apple fans who want the most premium model iPhone with all the pro features and a pink chassis will finally get their wish. 

SAVE UP TO $70: Get $70 off on the Fitbit Sense 2 and $40 off on the Fitbit Versa 4 during Prime Day. That's a discount of 28% and 20%, respectively.

Quick links Best all-around fitness tracker Fitbit Sense 2 $179.95 (Save $70 at Amazon) Get Deal Best budget fitness tracker Fitbit Versa 4 $159.95 (Save $40 at Amazon) Get Deal

Amazon's Prime Day is here, and that means a slew of deals on all kinds of electronics, from unlocked phones to laptops. If you've been looking to get a fitness tracker to help you reach your movement goals or replace an aging model, a Fitbit might be the right choice for you. And right now, there are significant discounts on two popular Fitbit models at Amazon: The Fitbit Sense 2 and Fitbit Versa 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Sense 2 $179.95 at Amazon
$249.95 Save $70.00 Get Deal

The Fitbit Sense 2 usually retails for $249.95, but it's currently down to $179.95 at Amazon as a part of Prime Day deals. That's a 28% discount. It's not the lowest price we've seen on this smartwatch, but it's the lowest price we've seen on this Fitbit in weeks, and a good price to pick it up at if you've been waiting to jump on one.

It's a feature-loaded fitness smartwatch capable of tracking your steps and calories, as well as monitoring your heart rate, sleep activity, and stress levels. The Sense 2 also has built-in GPS and a workout intensity map, letting you visualize your exercise progress.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Versa 4 $159.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $40.00 Get Deal

The Fitbit Versa 4 is listed at $199.95, but Amazon's Prime Day deal brought it down to $159.95, which is a 20% discount. It's just $10 above the lowest price tag we've seen on this smartwatch, making it a solid deal.

The Fitbit Versa 4 is the newest offering from Fitbit. Our colleagues at PC Mag (owned by Mashable's parent company, Ziff Davis) tested this watch and called it an "excellent fitness-focused smartwatch" that has design improvements over the last generation. If you've been mulling over whether to get a Fitbit or an Apple Watch, this might be worthy of consideration.

SAVE $180: As of July 16, get the Beats Studio Pro noise-cancelling headphones for $169.99, down from $349.99. That's a 51% discount, and a return to their lowest price ever.

Beats Studio Pro $169.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $180.00 Get Deal

It's officially Prime Day, and there are all kinds of treats for your ears on sale, including wireless earbuds, headphones and speakers, and noise-cancelling headphones. But we're particularly excited about one of our favorite pairs of over-ear, noise-cancelling headphones being on sale for over half off.

As of July 16, get the Beats Studio Pro noise-cancelling headphones for $169.99, $180 down from $349.99. That's a 51% discount, and a return to their lowest price ever that we haven't seen since November 2023. In other words, now is the time to buy.

SEE ALSO: The best headphones and speaker deals during Prime Day

I personally shopped and tried out several pairs of over-ear headphones a few months ago before deciding on the Beats Studio Pro, and I've been very happy with my purchase. (I liked these over both the Bose QuietComfort headphones and the Bose 700 headphones, for what it's worth.)

The Beats Studio Pro are comfortable for longtime wear and offer quality noise cancellation, so I don't hear people around me at the coffee shop or the music coming from the ceiling at the gym. Their biggest plus for me is the fact that people can still hear me well during phone calls, even when I'm outside or in noisy environments (which I often am) — this was a surprisingly tough quality to find. Plus, their one-button control center on the left ear is actually easier to remember and use than some other headphones I've tried. Their 40-hour battery life doesn't hurt, either.

Grab the Beats Studio Pro at their lowest price on record while you can.

SAVE $300: The Apple Studio Display is sharply discounted for Amazon's Prime Day, priced at $1,299.99. That's a 19% discount and an all-time low price for the high-end monitor.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Studio Display $1,299.99 at Amazon
$1,599.00 Save $299.01 Get Deal

If you've been eyeing up Apple's premium Studio Display monitor, Amazon's Prime Day deal might just be your best opportunity. It's on sale for $1,299.99, about a 19% decrease from $1,599. That's an all-time-low price.

Granted, because this is Apple we're talking about, that's still a pretty hefty price tag for a monitor. The Apple Studio Display features a 27-inch 5K Retina screen with 600 nits of brightness and support for 1 billion colors.

The Apple Studio Display performs well but is mostly geared toward Apple loyalists due to its pricing, according to a review from PCMag, which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis. With the price now discounted for Prime Day, perhaps it's worth revisiting a purchase for those in the market for a premium monitor.

A hacker group called "NullBulge" claims to have stolen over 1TB of data from Disney's internal Slack channels. As first reported by The Wall Street Journal, the hackers allegedly leaked messages and files from nearly 10,000 channels, including info on proprietary code, unreleased media projects, and more sensitive data.

SEE ALSO: Disney hacked, apparently by angry Club Penguin fans

According to the WSJ, NullBulge is a hacktivist group protesting against AI-generated art. The group claims to have accessed Disney files with the help of an employee. The massive trove of files was first spotted in BreachForums on Thursday before swiftly being taken down — however, the leak still exists on mirror sites across the internet.

At the time of writing, it is unclear what exactly is in the leak's contents. According to the WSJ, who viewed some of the files, some of the leaks pertained to internal conversations about software development and website maintenance. Additionally, the WSJ saw discussions of potential hires along with unrelated topics, like images of employee dogs. The data goes as far back as 2019.

In a statement to several outlets, a spokesperson for the media conglomerate said that the company was "investigating the matter."

On top of the information taken from Disney's Slack channels, it seems that the hacker group also doxxed a Disney employee who allegedly cooperated with them and enabled the leak — including personal identifying details, medical records, and even employee access passwords. This was apparently in retaliation for cutting off communication with the group.

SEE ALSO: Viral YouTube video lambasts Disney's Star Wars hotel via a 4-hour opus

While this is not the first time Disney has been hacked this year, over 1TB of data is still a lot. However, the good news for Disney is that this hack doesn't seem to be on the level of the 2014 Sony Pictures hack which shut the company down for days, caused a movie to be pulled from theaters, and resulted in co-CEO Amy Pascal stepping down.

With all the money Disney has invested in Marvel, Hulu, and ESPN, it may merit a sigh of relief that the hack is, at the time of writing, basically just mundane coding discussions and pictures of cute dogs.

TikTok has doubled down on ticketing directly on the platform with a partnership with Eventbrite.

Now creators can link an Eventbrite event in their videos and users can purchase tickets to the event without ever leaving TikTok. The link will appear above a video's caption.

SEE ALSO: Internet Princess Rayne Fisher-Quann left TikTok in search of something beyond the algorithm

The integration of Eventbrite into the social media platform stands to benefit creators, like stand up comics, who make their income through live shows. It streamlines the process of event promotion removing the "link in bio" middle man.

"We're giving creators a simple way to jump into trending conversations and bring online communities together in real life through events they’re passionate about," Ted Dworkin, chief product officer at Eventbrite, said in a press release. "With this partnership, millions of people can now easily discover and attend the best events in their cities, right from where the conversation is happening – on TikTok."

TikTok first entered the ticketing space through a partnership with Ticketmaster that first launched in the U.S. in 2022. In Dec. 2023 it rolled out to more markets including the UK, Ireland, Australia, Germany, France, Canada, and Mexico.

The partnership furthers TikTok's use as a search engine as users will be able to search for videos about Eventbrite events. But it ultimately serves to keep users on TikTok for as long as possible. The social media platform only allows very few things to be directly linked in a video including Ticketmaster tickets, TikTok Shop products, Buzzfeed Quizzes, Rotten Tomatoes, and Whisk. It still neglects to allow for articles to be linked, which could an opportunity for spreading rampant misinformation.

SAVE $15: Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite is on sale for Prime Day for $134.99, a 10% drop-off from the full price of $149.99. That $15 drop pales in comparison to last year's Prime Day sale, which saw the same device go for $55 off.

Kindle Paperwhite $134.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal

Prime Day is fully upon us, so naturally, that means Kindles will be discounted to some extent. That's definitely true of the 2021 Kindle Paperwhite, though again, it's not a massive price cut. Still, there's value here; the Paperwhite offers a bigger and brighter display than the default Kindle, as well as four additional weeks of battery life on a full charge. Not hours or days, weeks.

As far as e-readers go, it's one of the best and most popular for a reason. The Kindle Paperwhitehosts 16GB of onboard storage, but there are other Kindles you can buy with more storage if you need it.

But if all you want to do is read books with one of the best Kindle displays Amazon makes, the Kindle Paperwhite might be the way to go.