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Microsoft has a new AI toy — and no, you can't use it.
Researchers at the company revealed in a research paper (spotted by Live Science) that they've built an AI voice synthesizer that can create believable, realistic human voices straight from text prompts.
Called VALL-E 2, the research paper claims it's the first time "human parity" has been achieved in a text-to-speech system.
SEE ALSO: The best Windows laptops of 2024: Put these models on your Prime Day shopping listOf course, there's no way for any of us to know that for sure because regular people can't use it. Microsoft's blog post is very clear about this.
"This page is for research demonstration purposes only," Microsoft's website said. "Currently, we have no plans to incorporate VALL-E 2 into a product or expand access to the public."
Unfortunately, there aren't audio samples available, so you'll have to trust the researchers on this. However, the blog post does offer numerous charts and technical terms to explore. If it's as good as they say, though, maybe it's for the best that we can't hear it.
If you too have spent countless hours watching people make delicious concoctions in their Ninja Creami, there's good news. Aptly announced on July 11, 2024, AKA 7/11, AKA Free Slurpee Day, Ninja debuted the Slushi, a frozen drink machine that turns liquid to slush — no ice required.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Slushi frozen drink maker $269.99 at NinjaNinja already has the kitchen device of the moment with the Creami, an easy-to-use countertop ice cream maker. The Ninja Creami hashtag has over 34.5K posts on TikTok, and while browsing your FYP, it's impossible to avoid videos of people stirring Fairlife chocolate milk and pudding mix together, for an at-home soft serve experience.
In the heat of summer, the Creami is certainly appealing, more so when it's on sale, like it is right now. But Ninja is stirring up more frozen delights with the debut of the Slushi.
The Slushi is a frozen drink maker that looks professional, something you'd see at a restaurant or bar, but it's meant for your home. With Ninja's RapidChill technology, the Slushi spins liquid while simultaneously chilling it, to create slush.
The chilling is thanks to a "Whisperchill" compressor, which claims to quietly maintain a drink's texture and temperature for up to 12 hours. One of the main complaints of the Creami is just how loud it is, so a quiet appliance is certainly enticing. That being said, since we haven't tested the Slushi, we can't confirm just how quiet it actually is.
The Ninja Slushi makes everything from your morning coffee frappé to your evening frozen cocktail. Credit: NinjaSo why would one want to buy another kitchen device when you could make daiquiris and pina coladas in your blender? The perk of the Slushi is that it creates frozen drinks without the need for ice, unlike your blender. That means your cocktails and milkshakes won't get watered down.
The Slushi comes with 5 presets: Slush, spiked slush, frappé, milkshake, and frozen juice. It holds about 64 ounces of liquid and to dispense your mixture, use the self-serve handle and no-mess spout. Clean up promises to be easy too, as the parts are all dishwasher safe.
At $269.99, the Ninja Slushi price isn't bad, especially in comparison to previous frozen drink makers we've tested, like the Margaritaville frozen drink maker, which costs over $500.
While we can't attest to just how effective the Slushi is at making frozen drinks, it shows promise. And based on how popular the Ninja Creami is, we expect the Slushi to be TikTok's new favorite device.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Slushi frozen drink maker $269.99 at NinjaThe finale of the intriguing and controversial Star Wars series The Acolyte is almost upon us. Showrunner Leslye Headland is eager for a second season, but also admits she hasn't got the green light for one yet. So, what can we expect from the show's somewhat tied-up ending?
Despite being set in the High Republic era, a century before the Star Wars movies, The Acolyte makes many references to the Skywalker saga those movies cover. For example, the penultimate episode reveals that twin heroines Mae and Osha (Amandla Stenberg) were born (or rather, created) on a planet that constitutes a "vergence" in the Force — a term we last heard in The Phantom Menace, applied to Anakin Skywalker.
SEE ALSO: 'The Acolyte's twin reveal threw me for a loop — and I'm hungry for moreBut there's one Star Wars movie that The Acolyte references far more than any other: The Last Jedi. And Headland has dropped enough breadcrumbs about the finale in multiple interviews to suggest the story is heading in a very Last Jedi direction. Or rather, it will take some of the promises inherent in that movie and turn them up to 11.
Let's break down why, and what exactly that means.
All the Last Jedi references in The AcolyteThe prequel movies showed us how the Jedi were duped and destroyed by Sith Lord Darth Sidious, aka Emperor Palpatine. But The Last Jedi was the first movie in the Star Wars saga to state that this was due to the very nature of the old Jedi Order itself.
"If you strip away their myth and look at their deeds," Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) explained to Rey (Daisy Ridley), "the legacy of the Jedi is failure, hypocrisy, hubris."
Those hubristic deeds are on full display in early episodes of The Acolyte. Here, at the height of being the "guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic" (to quote Obi-Wan Kenobi in A New Hope), we see a group of Jedi enter a coven of witches on the planet Brendok.
Brandishing their limited view of the Force like religious colonizers, the Jedi insist on testing Mae and Osha for entry into the Jedi order, and a horrific tragedy results.
SEE ALSO: Vernestra has to be Qimir's old Jedi Master in 'The Acolyte,' right?At least, that's what it looks like from the witches' point of view. In The Acolyte episode 7, we see a more sympathetic version of the same tragic tale through the eyes of the Jedi. This Rashomon-like shift in perspective was first seen in the Star Wars universe in The Last Jedi. A fateful moment between Luke and Kylo Ren, aka Ben Solo (Adam Driver), is seen from both sides.
No, that's not the planet Ahch-To. Credit: Disney+The Last Jedi Easter eggs came thick and fast in The Acolyte episode 6. The mysterious Sith-like figure, known as Qimir or more simply The Stranger (Manny Jacinto), took Osha to an "unknown planet" that looked a lot like Ahch-To, an off-the-grid planet where Rey finds Luke. We saw similar cliffs, caves, and even what looked like baby versions of the Last Jedi's giant sea cow-like Thala-siren creatures.
However, Headland has confirmed that this isn't the same place. "Cortosis [the lightsaber-deflecting metal worn by The Stranger] is mined on this planet," the showrunner told Collider, which isn't the case on Ahch-To. The creatures are based on mole rats rather than sea cows. And this planet is entirely uncharted, as opposed to Ahch-To, where Luke had retired and simply hidden a chunk of a galactic map from his rebel friends.
However, Headland also confirmed that the visual similarity between the planets was intentional. Same goes for the costumes worn by Osha and The Stranger, both of whom dress like Rey and Kylo Ren. The Stranger strips for a swim, creating tension similar to when Rey saw Kylo Ren topless in a Force vision.
SEE ALSO: I love Reylo fanfiction — and so does publishingThat vision was possible because Rey and Kylo Ren were revealed to be a Force dyad — an unbreakable pairing of two individuals across time and space. The word dyad hasn't been explicitly used in The Acolyte, but The Stranger did mention "the power of two."
Headland has hinted that this doesn't refer to the Sith concept of master and apprentice so much as a Force dyad between Osha and Mae. Their "power of two" would one day unleash "the power of many," according to the witches. That sounds more like a dyad than an apprentice always scheming to overthrow their master, as in the case of the Sith.
The girls are "patient zero for this sort of power," the showrunner told Nerdist. "They must stay together" in order for the power to work, which is why the Jedi splitting them up sowed the seeds of calamity.
Where will The Acolyte go next? Credit: Disney+The Last Jedi gave us a clear example of what it's like to be seduced by the Dark Side of the Force — literally seduced, thanks to Rey and Kylo's mutual attraction. (The other Dark Side seductions seen in the movies, those of Anakin and Luke Skywalker, lacked this sexual element.)
Ultimately, Rey resisted. But what would have happened if she hadn't? That's what The Acolyte may be about to show us, foreshadowed by Osha wearing The Stranger's cortosis helmet at the very end of episode 6. After all, if she resists becoming his acolyte, there wouldn't be a whole lot for a show with that name to explore in a second season.
As for the question on the mind of every Acolyte-watching Star Wars fan — who is the Sith-like Stranger, anyway? —The Last Jedi may provide clues to the two most likely answers.
SEE ALSO: 'The Acolyte' takes a parsec-leap forward for queer representationIt's unlikely that The Stranger is going to be immediately connected to Darth Plagueis, who was later killed by his apprentice Darth Sidious, although the showrunner wants you to know she knows about your Plagueis theories. "If I continue to tell this story, I know how I would like that [connection to Plagueis] to play out," Headland told Nerdist. "It's pretty complicated and messy."
As for the equally widespread fan theory that The Stranger is connected to the Knights of Ren, the order that admitted and named Kylo Ren, the one seen all too briefly in Last Jedi? "It's a really good theory," Headland said, an unusually reticent answer for her. "What an interesting theory."
What if The Stranger is nobody special? Credit: Disney+But there's one last possibility. In The Last Jedi, Rey was revealed to be the child of junk traders. Many fans warmed to the idea that she was "Rey Nobody," suggesting that Force powers can arise in anyone, anywhere in the galaxy far, far away. When its sequel, The Rise of Skywalker, changed this by making Rey the granddaughter of Palpatine, those fans were furious.
The idea of a reveal where the mystery character isn't anyone you're expecting — isn't anyone important at all — has only become more resonant in pop culture since then. Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has said that a similar reveal in his season finale "Empire of Death" was inspired by The Last Jedi.
The Stranger turning out to be just plain old Qimir, a wannabe Sith Lord we've never heard about — especially if he meets his end in the finale — would certainly explain why the Jedi were so complacent about the return of the Sith in The Phantom Menace. And it would clear the way to explore where Osha goes next with her Dark Side flirtation in a potential season 2.
We'll find out soon enough. But if Headland's "complicated and messy" multi-season arc is any guide... Well then, to quote Luke in The Last Jedi, this is not going to go the way you think.
How to watch: The Acolyte is now streaming on Disney+, with the finale episode premiering Tuesday July 16 at 9 p.m. ET.
Apple is sending out another round of spyware warnings to targeted users in 98 countries this week.
On Wednesday, numerous iPhone users reported receiving these messages and posted their experiences along with screenshots.
Tweet may have been deleted"Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID," reads Apple's notification, addressed to targets from a threats-notification@apple.com contact. "This attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do. Although it’s never possible to achieve absolute certainty when detecting such attacks, Apple has high confidence in this warning — please take it seriously."
Apple's latest spyware notificationIn its notification, Apple says it's been sending these types of warnings to affected users since 2021.
SEE ALSO: The White House is cracking down on brokers selling your data to China and RussiaHowever, it seems these notifications first started using the "mercenary spyware attacks" language more recently. Apple described the spyware attacks in April as such, but TechCrunch reports that previous language from Apple described the attacks as "state-sponsored." That language no longer appears in Apple's warnings.
Apple says in the notification that the iPhone users receiving the warning are likely being targeted due to who they are or what they do. In viewing social media posts from users sharing the notification, it seems a significant number of these users work as journalists or in news media in some capacity.
The spyware warning from Apple doesn't provide any specific details regarding the threat. This is usually the case with Apple's warnings, which are meant to warn users so that they take proactive measures to protect their accounts and devices before they are actually compromised.
Shortly after the last Apple notification in April, cybersecurity researchers reported that Apple's warning was related to a surveillance spyware toolset known as LightSpy.
Mashable will monitor this story as more information about this latest attack becomes available.
TikTok view bait has gotten a boost from AI over the last year, including content spreading political falsehoods ahead of the election, according to new data from misinformation watchdog NewsGuard.
In a new report detailing the use of AI tools among TikTok's bad actors, the organization discovered at least 41 TikTok accounts posting false, AI-enhanced content in both English and French. Between March 2023 and June 2024, the accounts posted 9,784 videos totaling over 380 million views, coming out to an average of one to four AI-narrated videos each day. Many of the videos used identical scripts, hinting at a coordinated effort. Several of the accounts also qualified for monetization on their videos, under TikTok’s Creator Fund.
Much of the content included essay or fun-fact style videos sharing false narratives about U.S. and European politics and the Russia-Ukraine war, NewsGuard explained, such as the incorrect claim that NATO had deployed combat troops in Ukraine and that the U.S. was behind the March Crocus City Hall terrorist attack in Moscow.
SEE ALSO: FTC bans 'ask me anything' app for teen useThe research was conducted in partnership with AI detection tool TrueMedia.org.
Last year, NewsGuard documented the rise of a small network of TikTok accounts using AI-facilitated text-to-speech tools to spread celebrity conspiracy theories. The short form videos used AI to instantly generate narration and additional voices across a mass of videos sharing false information. In total, the accounts garnered 336 million views and 14.5 million likes in a span of three months.
The latest report shows a substantial increase in similarly AI-boosted content on the app, this time with political motivations. The trend hints at an increasingly incentivized and growing AI content farm on the app — defined by the organization as "entities that generate large volumes of low-quality content, typically to attract views and ad revenue."
The spread of AI-facilitated misinformation and disinformation hasn't gone unnoticed by TikTok, with the platform pledging to more effectively label and even watermark content using generative AI. But political misinformation, backed by the efficiency of AI features, has continued to proliferate.
Meanwhile, on July 9, the Justice Department announced it had identified and taken down an AI-powered Russian bot farm running at least 1,000 pro-Kremlin accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and backed by Russia's KGB successor. A few months prior, OpenAI announced it had terminated accounts of confirmed foreign state actors attempting to use its AI technology to support potential cyber attacks.
The U.S. itself has harnessed AI technology and bot farms to spread its own counter narratives and even outright disinformation campaigns, including a 2020 initiative to curb foreign influence by spreading misinformation about COVID-19.
As the election nears (and voter turnout and candidate trust comes under question) watchdogs and advocates continue to monitor both targeted disinformation and AI-boosted misinformation spread on social media platforms.
Anger Foot will have you kicking and screaming as you make your way through its grimy levels and colorful enemies. And it’ll always be through pure rage, whether you’re on an unstoppable rampage or dying suddenly to a stray bullet.
The game is a speedrunner and first-person shooter, with plenty of gameplay variety through its many weapons, shoes, and objectives. However, Anger Foot is held back by its poor technical performance on PC, as well as some control issues.
Anger Foot plotOne night, you’re just chilling at your girl’s place getting ready to watch a movie. All of a sudden, someone breaks into your apartment and steals your best pair of sneakers.
Credit: Free LivesThe four of your sneakers are divided amongst Shit City’s gangs: Violence, Pollution, Business, and Debauchery. It’s up to you to kick your way through four districts in order to reclaim your sneaker collection.
It’s obvious that the story in Anger Foot isn’t deep, but that’s not the game’s core focus. It’s the perfect and simple setup that gets straight to the point in order to focus on its main strength: gameplay.
Anger Foot charactersThe characters in Anger Foot are rather one dimensional, but just like the story, the characters aren’t really the biggest focus here.
Credit: Free LivesEnemies are just there to kick down, but the bosses are uniquely designed and have personality. For example, the first boss is a helicopter and it’s insanely funny to see your character just constantly kicking it down.
Anger Foot mechanicsAnger Foot is a first-person shooter, but with the extra hook of using your left foot to kick down enemies. It’s incredibly chaotic and fun, and it feels like I’m playing as John Wick, trying to avoid getting shot while shooting myself and kicking enemies everywhere.
Credit: Free LivesEvery level in Anger Foot has two optional objectives, such as completing the level in a certain amount of time or completing the level without killing anyone. They’re worth doing as fulfilling them earns you stars that unlock Sneakers. Each Sneaker has a special ability that can drastically change how you play, and help you gain an advantage in certain situations. It’s a smart form of progression that doesn’t rely on grinding.
For example, my favorite is the Holy Shoe, which is designed after Christ’s sandals. With them, I get a second chance at life after dying one time. This particular one really helped me complete levels I otherwise had trouble finishing.
Not only are there a huge number of Sneakers to equip, but the guns come in a good variety as well. There’s your standard pistol, as well as machine guns and even a toilet plunger grappling hook. This item made me feel like I was playing Doom Eternal or Halo: Infinite sometimes, as it would pull enemies towards me and I could kick them back. While you can only pick up guns from dead enemies, the mix and matching between your weapon and Sneaker is incredibly fun as that constantly switches up the gameplay.
Credit: Free LivesThe enemy variety is great, too. For example, Anger Foot has its standard henchmen with pistols, but there are stronger ones that have shotguns, as well as alligators with pipes that will charge at you. The sewers even have tentacles that emerge from the wastewater holding weapons and poisonous snakes. You have to figure out how to deal with a bunch of different enemies on the fly, which makes the game so exhilarating to play through.
However, there are some levels, especially in the first area with the Violence Gang, that have huge skyscrapers. Here, you sometimes have to jump from building to building. The jumping physics don't feel quite right — and there were plenty of times where I misjudged my distance and fell to my death.
Anger Foot graphicsAnger Foot has a great cartoon-ish art style that fits its juvenile premise. Each of the game’s areas and level design reflect different themes effectively, such as the Pollution Gang’s home turf of a sewer, and the Business Gang’s home turf being an interconnected subway system.
Credit: Free LivesThe colorful anthropomorphic enemies are made up of different animal species and dress in streetwear clothing, which adds to the grimy setting. Trash is littered everywhere with largely comical flies surrounding them, and you can even kick down stall doors to see enemies using the toilet and a censor covering them. Shit City feels disgustingly charming, even if I personally wouldn’t want to live there myself.
Anger Foot soundtrack and audioAnger Foot has a lot of funk and hip-hop tracks that add to the energy and excitement as you kick your way through the levels.
Credit: Free LivesIt’s a game that doesn’t really need a complex soundtrack, but the sound effects also heighten the experience. Guns sound snappy, explosions sound intense, and your foot sounds forceful. All of those sound effects help you get immersed in the game.
Anger Foot challenge and difficultyAnger Foot can be surprisingly difficult since you’re very frail. It only takes a few stray bullets to kill you and then you have to restart the level. You have to be aware of your surroundings. Sometimes, rooms have explosive barrels, and if you accidentally shoot them, you could be caught in the blast and die.
It may take a few tries to complete a level, but Anger Foot feels fair. But if you want to make the game easier, there are a bevy of accessibility features. Auto aim is available, and Never Die mode, you can guess, makes it so you never die and live out your power fantasy.
Anger Foot performanceThe performance in Anger Foot is its biggest pitfall. If there’s too much going on, the game’s framerate tanks. There have been situations where I accidentally blew up a barrel, causing a chain reaction that blows up other barrels. In a game where one single bullet from an enemy can mean the difference between life and death, a dip in performance feels discouraging.
Credit: Free LivesAdditionally, there are some surprisingly long load times between selecting a level and loading it up. The wait between booting up the game on my PC and Steam to get to the main menu is annoying too. In many instances, I thought the game froze, but it’s just that the loading times are unacceptably long.
Is Anger Foot worth getting?Anger Foot has a lot of replayability, as you can go back to previous levels to see if you can complete the optional objectives and earn more stars, thus unlocking more Sneakers. And the game is quite cheap at $25, making it feel like it’s worth both your time and money.
If you like speedrunners or gameplay loops that require learning the layout of levels to overcome them, such as Neon White, Ghostrunner, and Celeste, then Anger Foot is definitely one to give a try. It’s got great gameplay and enemy variety, but the overall performance needs improvement.
Leave it to a five-minute scroll on social media to remind you that you're actually really hungry right now. That video probably also supplied the recipe — now you just need the right kitchen goodies (and ingredients, of course) to make it.
Prime Day is a great time to find that missing kitchen item on sale, whether it's a countertop air fryer oven, a fancy espresso machine, or just some reusable silicone storage bags to stop wasting so many disposable Ziplocs.
SEE ALSO: Robot vacuum deals at Amazon are booming pre-Prime DayWhile Prime Day 2024 doesn't officially kick off until July 16, Amazon already has noteworthy discounts on a ton of kitchen items across multiple categories from brands like Ninja, Margaritaville, and KitchenAid. Many are new record-low prices that we've never seen before, and we're keeping track in our list below — all newly-added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals marked with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.
Note that while these technically aren't marked as Prime Day deals, several have already moved into Prime-exclusive territory, though you'll need to be a member to take full advantage next week, anyway.
Best air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Chefman Our pick: Chefman 6-quart Dual Basket Air Fryer Oven 🔥 $69.99 at AmazonThe 42% price slash on this Chefman air fryer looks even better when you pit this fryer directly against competition like the same-size Instant Vortex. The Chefman model splits its 6-quart capacity into dual baskets that can cook two independent foods simultaneously at different temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, complete with clear windows to keep an eye on golden brownness. The 6-quart Vortex has just a single basket with no window, maxes out at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and actually costs $10 more, even on sale.
More air fryers on saleDash Tasti-Crisp 2.6-quart Air Fryer — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15) 🔥
Paris Hilton 6-quart Air Fryer — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)
Instant Vortex 6-quart Air Fryer — $79.95 $119.99 (save $40.04)
Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 XL Pro Countertop Convection Oven (DT201) — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)
Of the Margaritaville machines on sale, the discount on the cordless Maui model is the best. The portable blender, now at its lowest price ever at Amazon, whips up shaved ice rather than the traditional crushed ice, making on-the-go beverages easier to sip with a straw. The 18-ounce capacity can run 20 drink cycles before needing to be charged, so you're set for your last-minute weekend trip to the beach.
More drink makers on saleNinja Thirsti Soda and Sparkling Water Maker — $149.95 $179.95 (save $30) 🔥
bev by Black + Decker Cocktail Maker — $199 $299 (save $100)
Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker — $201.99 $299.99 (save $98)
Margaritaville Key West Frozen Concoction Maker — $289.99 $399.99 (save $110)
One of the more premium espresso machines out there right now, the De'Longhi Magnifico Start — which would usually be a $1,000 investment — is seeing a near 50% discount, pushing it to the most affordable it's ever been at Amazon by a long shot. This chic, fully automatic espresso machine features an updated touch interface with buttons for latte macchiato, cappuccino, espresso, coffee, and hot water, plus 13 bean grinding settings. A milk frother is also included.
More coffee maker dealsKeurig K-Mini — $59.99 $99.99 (save $40)
Ninja Programmable XL Coffee Maker Pro — $69.99 $99.99 (save $30)
Cuisinart Single Serve Coffee Maker and Grinder — $99.99 $149.95 (save $49.96)
KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine — $229.95 $349.99 (save $49.96) 🔥
Gevi Professional Barista Drip Coffee Maker — $479.99 $799.99 (save $320 with code 3GUEIPT4)
It's not hard to ween yourself off disposable plastic sandwich bags when you have a Stasher bag in reach, and several sizes, shapes, and colors are on sale ahead of Prime Day. These reusable silicone bags are oven-, sous vide-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe, and also make really cute on-the-go containers for snacks. Plus, Stasher says one bag replaces 260 single-use plastic bags per year.
More kitchen accessories on saleKitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitt Set — $15.10 $34.99 (save $19.89) 🔥
Chef iQ Sense Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer — $124.99 $179.99 (save $54 with on-page coupon) 🔥
Cookware deals
Carote 11-piece Nonstick Cookware set — $69.99 $119.99 (save $50) 🔥
Ninja Foodi NeverStick 4-quart Possible Pan — $79.99 $129.99 (save $50) 🔥
GreenPan Valencia Pro 3-piece Cookware set — $99.99 $129.99 (save $30)
Ninja Foodi NeverStick 8-piece Cookware set — $199.99 $269.99 (save $70) 🔥
iRobot Roomba Combo i3+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop — $329.99 (List Price $599.99)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet — $178.99 (List Price $219.99)
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)
Eero 6 Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System (Router + 2 Extenders) — $149.99 (List Price $199.99)
Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00)
SAVE $144.99: Get a back-to-school bundle with the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet, a Herschel Classic backpack, and the Amazon Echo Buds for just $189.99, marked down from the usual bundle price of $334.98. That's a 43% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 Bundle with tablet (64GB), Herschel Classic backpack, and Echo Buds $189.99 at AmazonReady or not, the school year is about to start again. If you're starting a list of items to grab before it's time to hit the books again, Amazon has a special bundle today that's perfect for "one-click" shopping.
As of July 11, the Amazon Fire Max 11 Bundle with 64 GB tablet, Herschel Classic backpack, and Echo Buds is on sale for $189.99, down from the usual bundle price of $334.98. That's a 43% discount or a savings of $144.99.
Instead of buying all items separately, make life easier with the bundle with the centerpiece being the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet, which has an impressive 11-inch screen. Mashable's review of the tablet mention's it's an almost worthy iPad competitor, but if budget is a consideration, the affordable price of the Amazon Fire Max 11 is much more attractive. With the bundle, you'll get a 64GB version of the Fire Max 11 for plenty of space to download shows and movies for when your school work is complete. The octa-core processor paired with WiFi 6 means you'll be working at lightening-speed, never waiting on loading when multi-tasking.
If you're heading off to college (or the parent of a college freshman) the tablet's 8 MP camera means you'll be able to keep in touch over video calls with clarity.
Also included in the bundle are the Amazon Echo Buds. Getting up to 20 hours of battery life, the earbuds have 12mm drivers for clear and crisp sound quality. They're lightweight and sweat-proof, adding to the earbuds' durability. You'll have customization options when it comes to tap controls, so you can decide how to pause music, take calls, and mute your mic. Plus, they come with Alexa's help, allowing you to make phone calls, check your calendar, find out the latest weather report, or tune into your audiobook on Audible.
Mashable's review of the Amazon Echo Buds mentions excellent sound quality. "They were noticeably better than other earbuds I’ve tried, including my JBL Tune earbuds. In a few familiar songs I listened to, I was able to notice some sounds that I’d never heard before," writes Mashable contributor SaVanna Shoemaker in the review.
You'll need somewhere to store the tablet and earbuds while at school, which is where the Herschel Classic backpack comes in handy. Sporting a classic navy colorway, the backpack is made with durable fabric from 100% recycled plastic water bottles. The floating sleeve in the backpack can hold a tablet or laptop that measures up to 14 inches, meaning it'll easily keep the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet safely tucked away.
As the countdown to school starting again dwindles, snag the Amazon Fire Max 11 Bundle and check off several to-do tasks at once. Thanks to today's sale price, you'll be getting a 43% discount to show off how smart you really are.
Prime Day deals you can shop right nowiRobot Roomba Combo i3+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop — $329.99 (List Price $599.99)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet — $178.99 (List Price $219.99)
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)
Eero 6 Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System (Router + 2 Extenders) — $149.99 (List Price $199.99)
Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00)
Check out the latest Apple iPad deals this week and get a new tablet for less. We've curated our picks below:
Best Apple iPad deals Best iPad Air deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, 1TB, WiFi) $1,024 at Amazon (Save $75) Get Deal Best iPad deal Apple iPad, 10.2-inch (A13 Bionic, 64GB, WiFi) $249 at Amazon (Save $80) Get Deal Best iPad Pro deal Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, 256GB, WiFi) $928 at Amazon (Save $71) Get DealThinking about buying a new tablet? A new iPad is always a good idea. Not only are they perfectly portable thanks to their thin profiles and do-it-all range of features, but they're often on sale as well, discounted across a variety of retailers.
You can get some of the latest and greatest iPads on offer for excellent prices if you go looking for sales. Right now, that's especially true, given all the pre-Prime Day 2024 festivities happening. You can scout out some particularly great iPad deals right now at Amazon thanks to the early price drops that are already happening.
Whether you're looking to score a powerful new iPad Pro or the diminutive yet perfectly capable iPad Mini, there's a sale you'll want to sink your teeth into. Check out our picks below.
Best iPad Air deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, 1TB, WiFi) $1,024.00 at AmazonGet the latest iPad Air, complete with the powerful M2 chip, for less right now ahead of Prime Day 2024 proper. This is the same chip that's powered the MacBook Air, bringing the same power to the smaller, lightweight iPad Air that can be used as a miniature laptop when attached to a keyboard. It's down to the lowest price we've seen for this model, and it comes with an abundance of storage space with 1TB to play around with. If you don't want or need a whole laptop to cart around, this iPad Air is a fantastic alternative that can do just about everything its similarly-priced big brother can.
Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Apple iPad, 10.2-inch (A13 Bionic, 64GB, WiFi) $249.00 at AmazonIf you need a solid performer, the original iPad is still an excellent option — and it costs less than a traditional laptop. This 10.2-inch model comes with the A13 Bionic chip, as well as a 12MP front camera and 64GB of storage. This particular model is a smooth performer with lengthy battery life and a front-facing camera that's compatible with Center Stage during video calls. It's an all-rounder that can fit into any area of your life, and for less than $300, it's a deal you won't want to let get away.
Best iPad Pro deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, 256GB, WiFi) $934.00 at AmazonThis powerful iPad Pro is one of the latest and greatest Apple has to offer, with the newest M4 processor inside as well as 9 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores, so it can handle anything you throw at it and more, including gaming, productivity, streaming, and more. With a gorgeous 11-inch Tandem OLED display, it's all going to look absolutely beautiful as well. It's a great idea to snag it while it's discounted, even if just by a small amount.
More iPad deals:Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) — $1,114 $1,199 (save $85)
Apple iPad Mini, 8.3-inch (A15 Bionic, 64GB, WiFi) — $399.99 $499 (save $99.01)
Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (A14 Bionic, 64GB, WiFi) — $324 $499 (save $175)
Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, 128GB, WiFi) — $738 $799 (save $61)
Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2,1TB, WiFi) — $1,220.86 $1,299 at Amazon (save $78.14)
iRobot Roomba Combo i3+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop — $329.99 (List Price $599.99)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet — $178.99 (List Price $219.99)
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)
Eero 6 Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System (Router + 2 Extenders) — $149.99 (List Price $199.99)
Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00)
We're only five days out from Prime Day 2024, so it's no surprise that deals are popping off at Amazon. If you don't want to wait to shop, there are plenty of record-low deals available to add to your cart on July 11. And we've rounded up the best ones for you — from a brand-new Galaxy Z Flip 6 to a Coleman 2-in-1 camping stove.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. Be sure to check out the deals from July 9 and July 10 as well — most of those are still available.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe (16GB, Premium Pen) $259.99 at AmazonWhile it's certainly not perfect, Amazon's Kindle Scribe is the most versatile Kindle on the market. It bridges the gap between traditional and digital reading by including a stylus to mark up whatever you're reading. It's not the best for digital drawings, but for note-taking readers, it's the best option for an e-reader. The Scribe features a 10.2-inch digital display that's the brightest of all Kindles and comes with a Premium Pen that lets you scribble notes, doodle, make to-do lists, journal, and more. It's usually $369.99, but ahead of Prime Day, the 16GB version is on sale for only $259.99 — that's its lowest price to date.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung / Amazon Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (512GB) $1,899.00 at AmazonSamsung just dropped the Galaxy Z Fold 6 as part of its Unpacked 2024 event. It doesn't officially come out until July 24, but you can pre-order it at Amazon and get a free $300 gift card. Even better, the 512GB version is the same price as the 256GB version — $1,899.99. There aren't many hardware changes on the Z Fold 6, but the new generation foldable is packed with AI features like Note Assist, Interpreter, Portrait Studio, Live Translate, Composer, and more.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (128GB, WiFi) $646.51 at AmazonSpeaking of Samsung Galaxy, the S9 tablet, which dropped last August after its initial launch at the Unpacked 2023 event, just got its biggest discount to date at Amazon. As of July 11, you can pick up the 128GB, WiFi model for only $646.51 instead of $799.99. That's just shy of 20% in savings. The S9 features the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, a new Dynamic AMOLED 2X 11-inch display, and an IP68 water- and dust-proof rating (a first for the Galaxy Tab S).
Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Coleman Classic 2-in-1 Camping Grill/Stove $85.49 at AmazonFor all your grilling needs at the campsite, check out this deal on the Coleman Classic 2-in-1. It features both a grill plate and stove burner that can be used simultaneously, so you can whip up multiple things at once. The grill offers 130 square inches of cooking space, while the burner can hold pots and pans up to 10 inches. It can run for an hour with both burners on high, and it'll take about three minutes to boil water. Not too shabby when you're out in the wilderness. It's our favorite option for grilling, and it's on sale at Amazon for an all-time low $85.49. That's 43% in savings.
Opens in a new window Credit: NordicTrack NordicTrack T-Series 5 Treadmill $479.00 at AmazonIf you can't stand running in the 100-degree heat this summer, snag yourself a treadmill to sweat indoors. The NordicTrack T-Series 5 treadmill is on sale for just $479 at Amazon as of July 11. That matches its lowest price on record. It comes with a 30-day iFit trial membership and features a built-in Bluetooth speaker, auto-incline, 10 mph maximum speed, and a compact design.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
SAVE $200: As of July 11, the 13-inch MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is on sale for $799 at Amazon. That's 20% off, and a new all-time low price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799.00 at AmazonApple's MacBook Air is wildly popular, and for good reason. It's Mashable's pick for the best laptop for most people, and although the 15-inch version is the one we recommend, the 13-inch version is also an excellent choice. The M2 MacBook Air is a generation old now, but it's still plenty powerful, especially for those on a budget. Now, it's dropped to a new all-time low price at Amazon.
As of July 11, you can get the 13-inch MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) at Amazon at new low price of $799, down 20% from the list price of $999. Best Buy also has it for the same price. We've previously seen this MacBook drop down to $829, so this new $799 deal is a record-low price. This is an early Prime Day deal, available across all four colors: Starlight, Silver, Space Gray, and Midnight.
SEE ALSO: Prime Day laptop deals: Two gems aside, your shopping cart can stay empty for nowThe M2 MacBook Air is Apple's last-gen Air model since it launched the new M3 MacBook Air a few months ago. However, the M3 upgrade didn't bring much more than a new chip, making this deal on a powerful laptop that much sweeter. It comes with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina screen, and lives up to the Air name with a slim profile and a weight of just 2.7 pounds.
The M2 chip is Apple's improved second-generation chip, and it has quite a bit of performance boost over the older M1 chip, as well as most of the Intel chips you'll find in older MacBooks. The M2 MacBook Air also promises a battery life of 18 hours on a single charge.
If you're looking to get your first laptop, or upgrading from an older one, the M2 MacBook Air is a solid pick for those looking for a powerful, portable machine. The discounted pricing is a great value for your money, but MacBook deals don't often last long — snatch it while it's live.
Prime Day deals you can shop right nowiRobot Roomba Combo i3+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop — $329.99 (List Price $599.99)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet — $178.99 (List Price $219.99)
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)
Eero 6 Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System (Router + 2 Extenders) — $149.99 (List Price $199.99)
Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00)
With Amazon Prime Day mere days away, the deals are in full bloom. While the big day doesn't officially start until July 16 at 12 am PDT, deal hunters like us are on the move, seeking out the markdowns that are actually worth it (and what you can skip.) One of the pillars of Amazon's daily deals are "lightning deals," aka flash deals offering deep discounts. However, keen Amazon Prime members noticed that these deals are suddenly hard to find.
So where did all the lightning deals go? They're still around, but Amazon made them difficult to see.
Read everything you need to know about lightning deals and how to find them below.
What are lightning deals? Credit: Amazon / MashableAs you're getting ready for Prime Day on July 16 and 17, knowing the different types of deals helps you shop smarter.
Lightning deals are offers on products only available for a specific amount of time and in limited quantity. They're signified on product pages with a little bar that reads "X% claimed." The deals are available until all units have been claimed or the deal timer runs out — whichever comes first. Lightning deals are usually limited to one day, sometimes only lasting a few hours, and new deals rotate daily.
They're certainly tantalizing — since these deals don't hang around for long, they put the pressure on to buy ASAP. Lightning deals are also only available to Prime members and may not appear to non-members.
Did Amazon get rid of lighting deals?In the past, lightning deals were a centerpiece of the deals experience on Amazon. They used to be featured in their own category on the 'Today's Deals' tab, however, that showcase appears to have disappeared. Now all the lightning deals blend into the regular deals.
These changes appear to have occurred around April 2024, with Prime members taking to Reddit to discuss the issue. One poster noted that they called Amazon after lightning deals disappeared and were told that the company was updating the system to make it better for users. As of July 2024, lightning deals are active, but the category page has not been restored.
How to find lightning deals Credit: Amazon / MashableWith the lack of organization around lightning deals, they've lost some of their luster. However, they're still around and fairly easy to spot. All lightning deals can be found on the 'Today's Deals' page of Amazon, according to the customer service page. Since they're not in a separate section, you have to browse through all the product listings to spot a lightning deal.
All lightning deals will be marked with a bar that says "X% claimed" that sits right under the product listing. The higher the percentage claimed, the closer the deal is to ending. Occasionally, you'll also see a countdown clock on the listings, but usually it's just the percentage claimed bar.
When do lightning deals expire?Lightning deals don't last long, but how long do they usually last? There's no standard time frame. Typically, they last between a couple of hours and up to 24 hours, but because they're also available in limited quantity, the deals may go before time runs out.
Amazon doesn't tell you how many deals are available, only the percentage claimed, so the higher it gets, the closer it is to running out.
Lightning deals expire when either time runs out or when all the available products have been claimed — whichever comes first. If there's a lightning deal you really want, we recommend purchasing it right away, since these deals are guaranteed not to last.
Are lightning deals any good?We can't categorically say all lightning deals are good or bad. Like any deal on Amazon, it totally depends. Sometimes lightning deals are on products from sketchy third-party products with no name recognition — those you want to skip.
But other times, big brands will be featured with products up to 50% off, and those are the deals to catch. If you're unsure, tools like camelcamelcamel are a fantastic price-tracking resource to utilize. If you find a lightning deal, use the camelcamelcamel extension to check the product's price history to see just how good the lightning deal actually is.
Amazon Prime Day dealsiRobot Roomba Combo i3+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop — $329.99 (List Price $599.99)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet — $178.99 (List Price $219.99)
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)
Eero 6 Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System (Router + 2 Extenders) — $149.99 (List Price $199.99)
Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00)
FREE SLURPEE: Today, 7/11, is Slurpee Day 2024 and everyone is invited to get a free small Slurpee at 7-Eleven stores nationwide.
The summer heat arrived long ago, and we already celebrated the 4th of July, which means the best day of summer is finally here. Today is July 11, or rather 7/11 which means it's time to make the annual pilgrimage for one of summer's best refreshments.
For today only, head into any 7-Eleven to celebrate Slurpee Day 2024 with a free small Slurpee. And if you're a 7Rewards member (free to join!) you can score an additional free Slurpee to grab between July 12 and July 31.
Tweet may have been deletedIn case you've never been delighted by one of the best drinks ever, a Slurpee is a slushy-type drink that 7-Eleven introduced way back in 1966. Unique to free Slurpee Day 2024 is the limited-time-only flavor Mountain Dew Freedom Fusion.
But regardless of your favorite flavor, a Slurpee is synonymous with summer, and you don't even have to change out of your pool-side swim gear to grab a free one today.
If one small free Slurpee isn't gonna cut it for your summer, sign up for the free 7Rewards program with the smartphone app. Once you're a member, you'll get access to another free Slurpee once you grab today's free drink, and you can redeem that anytime between July 12 and 31.
This year's Free Slurpee Day extends to 7-Eleven locations, Speedway, and Stripes conventicle stores.
And for those who are loyal 7-Eleven fanatics, have you considered getting yourself to Japan to try out some fan favorites at that chain in the land of the rising sun? You might be hard-pressed to find a Slurpee machine there, but they do have smoothie machines from the future.
While you're at your local 7-Eleven grabbing a free Slurpee today, check out the range of $1 deals available to 7Rewards members.
You deserve a nice treat today and since it's 7/11, that treat is a free Slurpee at your local 7-Eleven. Happy national Slurpee Day 2024, folks!
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