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The company said in a memo sent to its employees on Tuesday that the layoffs would be based on performance ratings.

For nearly eight years, the Nintendo Switch has found a huge foothold in the gaming world, coming dangerously close to having sold 150 million lifetime units at the time of writing. But eight years is a long time for a video game console to be on the market. Naturally, there will be a new one, and we think we'll find out about it soon.

Very soon, actually. A recent flurry of "insider" leaks and genuine news reporting point to this week as when we will finally learn about the Nintendo Switch 2. After years of speculation, we may actually have some answers about the most talked-about thing in video games these days. Of course, it could also not happen, which would make me look very silly.

But let's assume this is the real thing. Here's what you need to know about the impending Switch 2 reveal, as well as some info about what to expect from the console itself.

SEE ALSO: Trying the Acer Nitro Blaze 11 at CES 2025: A Switch and a gaming laptop have a huge baby Nintendo Switch 2 reveal: When is it and what will we see?

Let's get the bad news out of the way first: We don't know when Nintendo will show us the Switch 2. In fact, we don't even know that it's actually called "Switch 2." That's just the assumption right now. However, we know it exists and we'll see it soon. Nintendo confirmed all the way back in May 2024 that the "successor to Nintendo Switch" will be announced before the end of the fiscal year.

You might be thinking: "It's already 2025! Where was the announcement?" One fun thing about corporations is that they make up their own silly little calendars, and Nintendo's fiscal calendar ends on March 31, 2025. That, dear readers, is the deadline by which we will see Nintendo Switch 2 in all of its glory.

That said, it almost certainly won't take that long for Nintendo to show us the Switch 2. Multiple sources, from credible outlets such as VGC and The Verge to a podcast with a good track record called Nate the Hate, are pointing to Thursday, Jan. 16 as the day when we will see the Switch 2. According to all of these reports, which came about independently and at least seem believable, Nintendo will do an initial hardware unveiling on Thursday that won't focus very much on games, so much as it will focus on letting you know the Switch 2 exists.

According to the same reports, there will be another event in February or March to showcase software. This is similar to how Nintendo handled the launch of the original Switch; it was announced with a quick trailer video in Oct. 2016, expanded upon with a bigger software-focused event in Jan. 2017, and on store shelves in March 2017.

Nintendo Switch 2: How is it different from the original Switch?

Without an official announcement, it's hard to say definitively what the Switch 2 actually is. However, there have been so many leaks and reports that we can piece together a decent picture from here.

First off, just about everyone expects the Switch 2 to be, well, a more powerful Nintendo Switch. That means it will still be a hybrid handheld/home console device with detachable Joy-Con controllers and an included dock for outputting to a television. All of that has been the expectation for a while, but in case there was any doubt, a third-party accessory company called Genki was parading around a mockup (theoretically based on measurements provided by Nintendo) of the device behind closed doors at CES earlier in January.

If that mockup is to be believed, the new unit will be larger than the original Switch, with a bigger display to match the new size. The Joy-Cons are said to attach magnetically this time around, rather than sliding on or off on a rail. Internal specs have supposedly leaked out from the shipping and manufacturing sectors, too. According to known leaker Centro Leaks, the new console will have 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The original Switch launched with just 4GB of RAM and a mere 32GB of internal storage, so those are pretty big leaps.

Nintendo Switch 2 games list: The rumors so far

As for games, that part is even more murky. The aforementioned news reports about the reveal date also included info about possible launch (or launch window) games. According to those sources, Mario Kart 9 is likely to be released at or close to the launch of Switch 2, alongside third-party contributions like Assassin's Creed: Mirage, Final Fantasy VII: Remake, and according to a different leak, Red Dead Redemption 2.

If that's a disappointing list to you, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, none of it is official. Second, even if all of those are real, they likely only represent a small portion of what will be available early in the Switch 2's life. Third, those are all really nice-looking games that definitely couldn't run on an original Switch, and Nintendo is probably out to prove that this thing can run modern AAA games to some extent. Remember, the first third-party game ever shown running on a Switch was Skyrim, which was six years old at the time.

At CES 2025, we saw the good and the weird, all the newest innovations that the tech industry has to offer in the upcoming year. While many of the devices showcased at CES, aren't actually things you can bring home, there is a hot collection of gadgets you can bring home now.

On the home theater front, we were impressed by the LG OLED G-Series of TVs that offer exceptionally bright and crisp displays. CES also brought forth all the innovations in the projector market. With new releases from Valerion, LG, and Samsung, these are the best projectors that debuted at CES 2025.

1. Valerion VisionMaster Max Projector The Valerion VisionMaster Max is built for home screening rooms. Credit: Valerion

Supporting up to 300-inches of screen space, the Valerion VisionMaster Max projector is a home theater in one device. It supports both IMAX enhanced and Dolby Vision for movie theater-like picture. It's supported by 3000 ISO lumens and dynamic tone mapping for precise picture.

While impressive, it also comes with a steep price tag of $3,999. It's available for preorder now at Valerion.

Opens in a new window Credit: Valerion Valerion VisionMaster Max at Valerion
Pre-Order Here 2. Formovie Theater Premium Ultra and Cinema Edge Now that it's on sale, the Formovie projectors are *slightly* more affordable. Credit: Formovie

Formovie debuted not one, but two new projectors in their line-up. First, comes the Formovie Theater Premium Ultra, which supports screens up to 150-inches. It has a built-in Google TV with Netflix for streaming, so you don't need another streaming device or laptop hooked up. In addition to Dolby Vision, it features sound by Bowers & Wilkins.

Plus, there's the Cinema Edge 4K laser projector, a slightly more affordable option compared to the Theater Premium Ultra. It delivers 4K Ultra HD resolution with Dolby Audio. It supports screen sizes from 80- to 150-inches Like the Theater Premium Ultra it also comes with the built-in Google TV equipped for streaming.

Both devices are available for purchase, and on sale. You can find the Formovie Theater Premium Ultra for $2,799, down $700 from it's $3,499 retail price. The Formovie Cinema Edge projector is on sale for $1,799, also down $700 from its $2,499 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Formovie Formovie Theater Premium Ultra projector $2,799.00 at Formovie
$3,499.00 Save $700.00 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Formovie Formovie Cinema Edge projector $1,799.00 at Formovie
$2,499.00 Save $700.00 Get Deal 3. LG PF600U 3-in-1 projector This all-in-one device from LG works as a projector, mood lamp, and Bluetooth speaker. Credit: LG

While it's not yet on the market, LG debuted its PF600U 3-in-1 projector. While it looks like any old floor lamp — a very chic modern one at that — it creates ambient mood lighting. Plus it features built-in stereo speakers to play music or whatever media you're projecting.

On the PF600U is the CineBeam S, a small 4K short throw projector. It delivers 4K UHD resolution with 500 lumens of brightness. It connects to both iOS and Android systems, and includes HDMI and USB-C inputs. No release date has been provided for LG's 3-in-1 projector.

4. Hisense L9Q TriChroma Laser TV Credit: Hisense

Hisense joined in on the projector fun during CES 2025 with their L9Q TriChroma Laser TV. Like the Valerion and Formovie projectors on this list, it includes a built-in Google TV, compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit systems.

With 5,000 lumens, it's one of the brightest laser displays to debut at this year's CES. It covers five different screen sizes, ranging from 100- to 150-inches and are compatible Hisense's Ambient Light Reflection screens. The projector also includes surround sound speakers that power-up Dolby Atmos sound.

No release date or price has yet been announced for the Hisense L9Q TriChroma Laser TV.

5. TCL Playcube This projector looks like it's on the move. Credit: TCL

The TCL Playcube offers a more dynamic projector, made to be used both indoors and out. The Magic Cube design provides a midcentury look, creating both a stylish yet functional device. It comes with a built-in battery so you can take it outside without worrying about an extension cord.

TCL has yet to release more details on the specs of the Playcube with more details on its release and price also to come.

TikTok, an app used by a third of U.S. adults, could be banned in a matter of days — despite legal battles, political maneuvers, and an incoming administration that seems particularly friendly.

The Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of a law that would ban TikTok for the 170 million people who use the app in the U.S. If the court upholds the law, as other courts have done, the ban will go into effect on Sunday, Jan. 19.

When will the TikTok ban go into effect?

The TikTok ban will go into effect on Jan. 19 unless the Supreme Court stops the ban.

Is there any way to stop the TikTok ban before the 19th?

TikTok has tried almost everything — taking it to court multiple times, encouraging lawmakers, fluttering their eyelashes at Donald Trump — but they've run out of ways to stop the TikTok ban before the 19th. The app is on its last attempt to convince the Supreme Court to stop the ban.

SEE ALSO: As the 2025 TikTok ban deadline looms, here's what we know

"President Trump exercises his authority to extend it by not — but he can't do that on Jan. 19. On Jan. 19, we still have President Biden, and on Jan. 19, as I understand it, we shut down," TikTok lawyer Noel Francisco told justices during oral arguments on Friday. "It is possible that come January 20th, 21st, 22nd, we might be in a different world. Again, that's one of the reasons why I think it makes perfect sense to issue a preliminary injunction here and buy everybody a little breathing space."

If TikTok is banned, can I keep it on my phone?

Yes, you can keep TikTok on your phone after the ban goes into effect, but you won't be able to update it. App stores like Apple and Google and internet hosting companies will be penalized by the government if they distribute or update the app.

What are creators doing?

TikTok creators are encouraging their followers and fans to follow them on other platforms. However, as Meta becomes increasingly hostile to protected groups, they aren't all asking their followers to join them on Instagram or Facebook. Instead, some creators are using the Chinese app RedNote, aka Xiaohongshu.

SEE ALSO: What is RedNote? The Chinese app, aka Xiaohongshu, TikTokkers are flocking to Is there any way to bring TikTok back after the 19th?

Yes, but those avenues are complicated and will take time.

Where does Trump stand on TikTok?

The president-elect has changed his opinion on TikTok and is currently supportive of the app. In 2024, he announced, "I'm gonna save TikTok" on the campaign trail.

The era of ChatGPT doing stuff for you has arrived.

On Tuesday, OpenAI announced "tasks," a ChatGPT feature that performs, well, tasks, for users. Tasks, rolling out as a beta feature for ChatGPT Plus, Teams, and Pro users over the next few days, enables users to ask ChatGPT "to do things for you at a future time" said the announcement. "From a weekly news briefing, daily weather updates, or even a reminder when concert tickets go on sale," think of tasks as scheduled ChatGPT prompt.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI's plan to make ChatGPT the 'everything app' has never been more clear

Tasks feels like a familiar combination of Google Alerts, your personal calendar, and ChatGPT's existing capabilities. But it's entirely new in the sense that this is OpenAI's first instance of agentic AI – something that can perform tasks on the user's behalf.

OpenAI teased that agentic AI would be a big part of its strategy this year. At its 2024 Dev Day, CEO Sam Altman said "2025 is when agents will work," and during a Reddit AMA, CPO Kevin Weil said ChatGPT messaging users first "is going to be a big theme in 2025." The concept of AI agents is a big leap from current capabilities that require step-by-step prompting and a significant step towards superintelligence or AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) which is human-level or beyond human-level intelligence.

The rollout of ChatGPT tasks for doing mundane jobs like checking the weather or sending reminders is deceptively low-key, since what it really signifies is the next phase of OpenAI's mission to achieve AGI. According to internal documents viewed by Bloomberg, OpenAI has five stages of artificial intelligence, with level three being "agents, systems that can take actions" and level five "organizations, AI that can do the work of an organization," or superintelligence. That said, reports of AI models hitting a developmental plateau suggests AGI might be farther off than what Altman and OpenAI would have us believe.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI reveals how it will transform into a for-profit company

To start using tasks, users can choose "4o with scheduled tasks" from the dropdown menu in ChatGPT. When you send ChatGPT a message in this mode, it will automatically create a task. You can manage tasks from your Profile's dropdown menu. ChatGPT can also suggest tasks, giving you the option to approve or reject them. Users will receive task messages in the form of push notifications on your browser or macOS system, if you're using a desktop version and on your phone if you're using the ChatGPT mobile app.

In addition to creating tasks for news briefs and weather reports, OpenAI says users can also set tasks for things like "Start my day with daily affirmations at 7 a.m.," or "My kids love knock-knock jokes. Send me one to tell them before bed every night at 6 p.m."

SEE ALSO: OpenAI now lets you call ChatGPT on your phone

Starting today and over the next few days, tasks in beta will roll out globally to Plus, Team, and Pro users on all platforms (web browser, desktop app for Macs, and mobile app) with the tasks manager available only on the web app to start.

SAVE UP TO $100: Best Buy has discounts on Sony noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds that'll take up to $100 off the usual price.

Sony deals at Best Buy Best overall Sony headphones deal Sony WH1000XM5 $299.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best Sony earbuds deal Sony WF-C700N $79.99 (save $40) Get Deal

Not a huge fan of hearing the sounds around you? Tune it out thanks to the incredible technology that comes along with a solid pair of noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds. These are pretty much essential if you'll be taking to the skies on a commercial flight or trying to get work done from home while the neighbor's dog barks all day.

Regardless of your reason, noise-cancelling headphones are incredible for tuning out the world around you and tuning into your own music, podcast, or audiobook. Since headphones and earbuds with noise-cancellation tend to cost more than models that don't use this tech, it's exciting to see today's deal at Best Buy on noise-cancelling options from Sony.

Here are two of our top picks if you're in the market for new noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds.

Best Sony headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH1000XM5 $299.99 at Best Buy
$399.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Earning the accolade of a Mashable Choice Award, Deputy Editor Miller Kern reviewed the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones and wrote, "Sony knocks it out of the park with its latest flagship headphones."

Kern's review mentions highlights of the headphones like great noise-cancellation, solid call quality, clear sound quality, and plastic-free packaging.

Sony designed this pair to be lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear, which you can legitimately do thanks to the 30-hour battery life. Plus, a three-minute charge gives you three extra hours of listening time.

This deal also comes with a carrying case. Kern's review mentions it's on the bulky side, but hey, it's included in the price.

Thanks to today's deal at Best Buy, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are just $299.99, down from the usual price of $399.99.

Best Sony earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WF-C700N $79.99 at Best Buy
$119.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you prefer earbuds over headphones, the Sony WF-C700N are right up your alley. Thanks to today's sale at Best Buy, the pair can be yours for only $79.99, instead of the usual price of $119.99. That means you'll be scoring a 33% discount. Plus, you get to choose between a Black or Sage colorway.

An ergonomic design is critical when it comes to earbuds. Since they nest inside the ears, Sony designed this pair with a shape that matches the ear and each pair comes with silicone rubber ear tips.

You'll get up to 15 hours of playtime with the Sony WF-C700N with the included charging case. And if you forget to charge them overnight, a quick 10-minute charge will get you an hour of playtime.

The Sony WF-C700N earbuds are also gym-worthy since they come with an IPX4 rating, meaning splashes and sweat won't cause any damage.

What's better than Robert De Niro (Killers of the Flower Moon) playing a gangster? How about Robert De Niro playing two gangsters?

SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know about

That's the case in The Alto Knights, which reunites De Niro with director Barry Levinson. The pair had previously collaborated on films like political satire Wag the Dog and Bernie Madoff biopic The Wizard of Lies.

Written by Goodfellas screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi, The Alto Knights sees De Niro take on the dual roles of real-life crime bosses Frank Costello and Vito Genovese. Once the closest of friends, a series of betrayals has torn the two apart. Genovese even attempts to assassinate Costello! Now, their battle for control of New York promises to reshape the Mafia forever. Watch the full trailer above to see more hints of gangster action, and to see De Niro square off with himself.

The Alto Knights hits theaters March 21.

SAVE $100: As of Jan. 14, get the Sony HT-A3000 Soundbar for $499.99 at Best Buy, down from its usual price of $599.99. That's a discount of 21%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Sony HT-A3000 Soundbar $499.99 at Best Buy
$599.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

If you're the type of person who loves kicking back at home and checking out a movie, you probably appreciate great sound, too. But if you're relying on your TV's speakers, it's probably high time you upgraded. An easy way to do that is to grab a soundbar —and you can grab a decent one that does a great job for $100 off today only at Best Buy.

As of Jan. 14, you can get the Sony HT-A3000 soundbar for just $499.99, down from its usual price of $599.99. That's a discount of $100 and 21% off. It's only available today for this price, however, so pounce if you want to claim yours.

SEE ALSO: TCL's Frame TV model is $1,000 off right now

This soundbar brings the bass with two subwoofers, as well as three front speakers and a center channel to give your living room more immersive sound. It's compatible with Dolby Atmos and also offers 360-degree spatial sound mapping that can automatically adjust to your room depending on the sound levels it detects. You can stream content to it or hook it up to your TV for great sound that you can control by way of Alexa or your Google Assistant as well.

If you're looking for an easy way to make your home entertainment sound richer and you don't want to go to the trouble of adding tons of speakers to the room, this is the way to do it. Just act quickly before it's no longer available at this price, because it's a limited Best Buy deal.

GET $350 OFF: Jan. 14th, get the Asus Zenbook OLED (Intel Core Ultra 5, 8GB RAM, 512GB) for $449.99 and save 43%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus Zenbook OLED (Intel Core Ultra 5, 8GB RAM, 512GB) $449.99 at Best Buy
$799.99 Save $350.00 Get Deal

If you're in need of a new laptop, don't disregard Asus. The Asus Zenbook OLED Intel Core Ultra 5 8GB RAM 512GB is a mid-market 14-inch laptop with some high-end features.

As of Jan. 14, get an Asus Zenbook OLED (Intel Core Ultra 5, 8GB RAM, 512GB) on sale for $449.99, down from the list price of $799.99. Get it now and save $350, or 43%

SEE ALSO: It's legacy, yes, but this 2018 Mac Mini deal is still stacked with value

With an Intel Core Ultra 5 and 8GB of RAM, this laptop should be more than capable of acing daily tasks like surfing the web, playing videos, and editing documents. Its 512GB SSD also has the room you need to hold onto troves of accumulated media.

The laptop's WUXGA OLED panel isn't only a touch screen, it also offers precise details with a solid dynamic range. With this screen, your favorite TV shows and movies will look excellent. While it doesn't have the rich 4K pixel density you'd expect from some of the best premium laptops, it offers better-than-HD details. At 14-inches, this resolution will barely look different from 4K to the untrained eye.

Take advantage of this Best Buy deal to get the Asus Zenbook OLED Intel Core Ultra 5 8GB RAM 512GB for 43% off — just $449.99.

Whether you're looking for a laptop for school, work, or entertainment, this Asus Zenbook is a good pick for a good price.

TikTok could be banned in the United States within the next week. TikTokkers, as you might expect, are responding with a bunch of jokes and some sentimental videos.

If you weren't aware, TikTok could be banned in the United States starting Sunday, barring an intervention from the Supreme Court or some other delay. It may not immediately disappear from phones in the short term, but it would likely be removed from app stores and stop receiving updates. In the long term, TikTok's future in the U.S. is quite unclear.

SEE ALSO: What is RedNote? The Chinese app, aka Xiaohongshu, TikTokkers are flocking to

The potential for TikTok to ultimately disappear has folks on the app reflecting. For instance, many people are making sentimental, yearbook-style posts that collect some of their favorite moments from the app.

Others are making jokes. Perhaps chief among them are posts about saying goodbye to one's "Chinese spy," since TikTok is being banned because lawmakers claim China could use the platform in nefarious ways against Americans.

Some people, including the guy who started the Pinegrove shuffle trend, have begun reposting some of their more popular TikToks. 

So, yes, TikTok could soon disappear. But at least for now, we still have the memories.

The spooky monster at the center of Blumhouse's upcoming horror movie The Woman in the Yard is exactly what it sounds like: a woman sitting in a yard, draped in an all-black get-up reminiscent of mourning clothes (or Dune's Bene Gesserit). While that may not sound super menacing, The Woman in the Yard's trailer proves otherwise.

SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know about

In the trailer, the woman in the yard terrorizes a mother (Danielle Deadwyler of Station Eleven and Till) and her children. She pops up unexpectedly and delivers a chilling message, telling them, "Today's the day." As if that weren't scary enough, her hands are bloody, suggesting bad things ahead.

The Woman in the Yard is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (Black Adam, Jungle Cruise) and produced by Jason Blum (M3GAN, Five Nights At Freddy's).

The Woman in the Yard hits theaters on March 28.

Samsung is about to announce a range of new phones next week, and you can get a discount on one if you register your interest now.

When Galaxy Unpacked airs on Wednesday, Jan. 22, Samsung is widely expected to announce the Galaxy S25 series of flagship smartphones. It's widely expected that there will be at least three models: Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra, just like last year. There will most likely also be other devices as well, but this is going to be a phone-centric event, in all likelihood.

SEE ALSO: Samsung confirms Unpacked date, where the Galaxy S25 awaits

That leads us to pre-orders. The official pre-order process isn't live yet, but it will likely go live during or right after the event on Wednesday. However, on Samsung's website, you can reserve a spot in line (so to speak) for some potential savings:

• $50 credit on Samsung's store

• Up to $1,250 in "additional savings"

• A chance to enter a sweepstakes for $5,000 in Samsung credit

There are a couple of things to note here. One is that you don't need to put a deposit of any kind down to get access to these perks. In other words, if you want a Galaxy S25, there's absolutely no reason not to register for these bonuses. Second, the "additional savings" will most likely come from trade-ins, and if that's the case, you will probably get less than $1,250 depending on which phone you are trading in. "Up to" is doing a lot of work in that bullet point.

Unfortunately, we don't officially know when pre-orders will go live or when the phone will be on store shelves. But, at the very least, you can put your name on a list to potentially get some money off of a Galaxy S25 when the time comes.

SAVE 50%: Get the TCL 65-inch Nxtframe QLED TV at Best Buy for $997.99 and save $1,002.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-inch Nxtframe QLED TV $997.99 at Best Buy
$1,999.99 Save $1,002.00 Get Deal

We love to see it: The Nxtframe Frame TV, TCL's answer to the enduring fervor around frame TVs, is fully loaded and on sale for a huge discount at Best Buy today.

As of Jan. 14, the TCL 65-inch Nxtframe QLED TV is on sale at Best Buy for $997.99, a whole $1,002 less than its list price of $1,999.99. That's 50% off.

SEE ALSO: Samsung dropped a Pro version of The Frame TV at CES — shop current Frame TVs on sale at Cyber Monday prices now

The TCL Nxtframe looks like a picture frame, with matting and a manufactured wood frame. Hung on a wall, this TV creates the feeling of a well-decorated room when not in use. Let its matte screen display your favorite artworks or travel photos, then sit down to enjoy incredible 4k QLED quality video when you're ready to watch.

This TV is very gaming-capable, too. With a 120Hz response time, you'll be able to trounce the competition in Fortnite while enjoying a frame rate that can outpace your console in RPG play.

Right now is a great time to upgrade to the TCL 65-inch Nxtframe QLED TV. Get it at Best Buy for $997.99 and save $1002.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Jan. 14: OUR TOP PICK Amazon Fire HD 8 $64.99 (save $35) Get Deal BEST PHONE DEAL Google Pixel 8a $399 (save $100) Get Deal BEST SPEAKER DEAL Amazon Echo $64.99 (save $35) Get Deal BEST EARBUDS DEAL Soundcore Space A40 $44.99 (save $35) Get Deal BEST SMARTWATCH DEAL Garmin Venu 3S $349.99 (save $100) Get Deal

While a random Tuesday in January doesn't seem like it would have many deals to offer, Amazon likes to prove us all wrong. We've been dealt a handful of epic deals on Jan. 14, including price drops on Amazon's own devices and a few standouts from Google, Garmin, and Anker Soundcore.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. None of these catching your eye? Check out our picks from yesterday, Jan. 13. Many of those are still live, including a $100 price drop on the iPad Mini 7.

Our top pick: Amazon Fire HD 8 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 $64.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal

Amazon quietly dropped a new Fire HD 8 tablet in October with a few big upgrades over the previous generation — 50 percent more RAM for a smoother performance (3GB vs. 2GB), an improved camera (5MP vs. 2MP), and new generative AI-powered features. Otherwise, it's still packs the same solid battery life, storage options, and display. It's already seen a few significant discounts and as of Jan. 14, is back down to just $64.99 — that's 35% in savings and just $10 away from its best price ever.

Google Pixel 8a Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 8a $399.00 at Amazon
$499.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

The Google Pixel 8a is aready a budget-friendly version of the Pixel 8, but with this $100 discount, it's even lighter on your wallet. The 8a shares many of the same specs as the 8, including the Tensor G3 chip, over 24-hour battery life, Magic Editor and Magic Take camera tools, 128 and 256GB storage options, 8GB RAM, and up to 120Hz refresh rate. Its main differences lie in its size (it's slightly taller and wide with a slightly smaller display), audio (no spatial audio, one less microphone), and camera. If those things aren't a big deal for you, Mashable's Alex Perry called it "the best deal in Android-land."

Check out our full review of the Google Pixel 8a.

Amazon Echo Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo $64.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal

Sleek and simple, the Amazon Echo is one of the best ways to introduce Alexa into your household. The fourth-generation smart speaker delivers premium Dolby sound whether you're jamming to your favorite tunes or just asking it about the weather. It also serves as a central hub where you can connect and control your other smart gadgets via voice commands. It's older than the similar Echo Dot speaker, but is larger and has better sound quality overall. As of Jan. 14, it's back on sale for $64.99, or 35% off. While that's not as good as its Black Friday price of $49.99, it definitely beats paying full price.

Soundcore Space A40 Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore Space A40 $44.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal

According to our sister site PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis), the Soundcore Space A40 earbuds deliver "quality active noise cancellation and balanced, detailed audio for a modest price." They specifically credited the secure fit, strong audio performance, and excellent battery life — which tops off at 50 hours — for the "excellent" rating and PCMag Editors' Choice award. Of course, the price is also a major selling point. As of Jan. 14, these buds are down to just $44.99 form $79.99. That's 44% in savings and the best price to date.

Garmin Venu 3S Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Venu 3S $349.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

The smaller version of the Garmin Venu 3, the Venu 3S features a 41mm case instead of 45mm and slightly shorter battery life. Otherwise, it's basically the same watch that ticks all the right boxes — smart features, health features, fitness features, and more. It has impressive health metrics and fitness tools, in-depth recovery advice, detailed sleep data, and a speaker and microphone for hands-free calls and virtual assistant access. Plus, like every Garmin watch, it has a battery that'll put the Apple Watch to shame. It's usually $449.99, but you can slash 22% off as of Jan. 14 and pick it up for only $349.99. That's its best price ever.

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

SAVE $15: A $100 Southwest digital gift card is on sale at Best Buy for just $85. That's a 15% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Southwest $100 Southwest digital gift card $85.00 at Best Buy
$100.00 Save $15.00 Get Deal

January is perhaps the best month to plan a vacation. The new year gives a fresh perspective on goals for the next few weeks, months, or even years. If you have travel plans on your mind for 2025 but haven't yet booked flights, check out this gift card deal at Best Buy.

As of Jan 14 at 11 a.m. ET, a $100 Southwest digital gift card is discounted to just $85 on the Best Buy app. That's a 15% discount that means you can save $15 on your next booking with Southwest.

Best Buy knows how to treat us right. A few times a week, the retailer launches Best Buy Drops. These exclusive deals are available via the Best Buy app and have limited quantities, sometimes selling out within an hour of going live. Which is to say, if you'd like to save some money on your next trip with Southwest, it's best to jump on this offer ASAP.

Since Best Buy Drops, including this Southwest digital gift card, are exclusive to the app, it's best to have it pre-installed. It's also a time-saver to already be logged into your free Best Buy account. This way, you'll be all set to "add to cart" come 11 a.m. ET. You can also opt in to get notifications on your phone once a deal goes live.

Snatching up free money with this Southwest gift card deal is a great way to start a trip off on the right foot. While traveling by plane comes with some stress (shoes on or off at TSA, luggage weight, red-eye flights, etc.), flying with Southwest comes with some nice perks.

For starters, the airline allows you to check two bags for free. You read that correctly — free checked bags. Southwest also doesn't charge a change or cancellation fee and all fares come with free same-day standby, so you can potentially take off earlier if your schedule allows.

Southwest has a massive flight network, covering the continental U.S., Hawaii, Belize, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean. That means you'll be set if you have travel plans in 2025 or you're due for a visit home.

If you have upcoming travel plans that work with Southwest's destinations, it's a no-brainer to grab a $100 Southwest gift card from Best Buy for just $85. You'll be saving $15 on your next vacation which is sure to come with priceless memories for a lifetime. But grab this deal quickly since Best Buy Drops tend to vanish with impressive speed.

UP TO 70% OFF: As of Jan. 14, get up to 70% off various Apple Watch bands in multiple hues and lengths at Woot.

Opens in a new window Credit: Woot Apple Watch Bands Up to 70% Off Assorted Styles Get Deal

If you wear your Apple Watch day in and day out, chances are it's become an integral part of your outfit. It's one of the first things you put on when you're starting your day. So why not make it look the part? Whether you're still rocking the band you got with your watch when you first bought it or you're just ready for a change, there are countless Apple Watch band styles to choose from that can help you accessorize and stylize. Thanks to a sale at Woot, you can opt for several discounted styles to save money while looking good.

As of Jan. 14, save up to 70% on a variety of Apple Watch bands at Woot. Choose from just about every color of the Solo Loop or Braided Solo Loop bands (including the Pride Edition) and snag yours for a great price, starting at $29.99 per watch band. Whether you're into neutrals or fun, bright colors, there's a little something to fit every taste.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Record low price alert on the latest Apple iPad Mini

Apple Watch bands are simple to change out. You can pop off each end of the band from the Apple Watch display unit and then slide a new one on. Since they come in two pieces, that means you can potentially have two different colors if you choose, so you can mix and match to better fit your personal style. This particular band style is soft and breathable on your wrist, so if you're not quite interested in sporting hot and heavy rubber all the time on your wrist, this is a great deal to take advantage of.

Netflix continues to expand on the world of The Witcher with the upcoming anime film The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep.

Directed by Kang Hei Chul and produced by The Witcher series showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, Sirens of the Deep sees Geralt of Rivia (voiced by Doug Cockle, Geralt's voice in The Witcher games) in the middle of a centuries-old conflict between humans and merpeople. A series of attacks on a seaside town threatens to escalate this conflict into an all-out war, so it's up to Geralt to get to the bottom of things before it's too late.

SEE ALSO: 'The Witcher' gave a first look at Liam Hemsworth's Geralt and people have thoughts

Thankfully, he won't be alone! His faithful bard Jaskier (voiced by Joey Batey, reprising his role from the show) is by his side, along with new ally Essi Daven (voiced by Christina Wren). Anya Chalotra also returns to voice sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg, but from the looks of the trailer, Yennefer and Geralt are not on good terms at the moment.

On top of introducing Geralt's team, the Sirens of the Deep trailer also teases several large-scale sea monster battles, along with the merpeople's gorgeous underwater kingdom. Let's get monster hunting, people!

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep premieres Feb. 11 on Netflix.

GET $170 OFF: The Mac Mini i7 32GB RAM 128GB PCIe SSD is available from Woot! for $329.99 for a savings of $170, or 34%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Mac Mini i7 32GB RAM 128GB PCIe SSD $329.99 at Woot!
$499.99 Save $170.00 Get Deal

The Mac Mini is a powerful creator's computer with a small footprint. Bring it on stage for latency-free live musical performances, connect it to a screen and use it as your main desktop, or build out an industrial process with it as the main hub. This larger version might be from 2018 but it still has power.

Currently the Mac Mini i7 32GB RAM 128GB PCIe SSD is available for a deal price of $329.99 at Woot! saving you $170, or 34%.

SEE ALSO: New Satechi hub fixes the most annoying thing about the Mac mini

This Mac Mini's 32GB of RAM is the star of the show. You won't find a laptop with that much computing memory for near this price. Its i7 3.2GHz 6-core 8th Gen processor is dated, but still powerful, especially when it's running with all of that RAM.

Four Thunderbolt-3 cables make sure you can transfer data in and out faster than an eye can blink (or a USB-C can churn data). Use these for screens, external hard drives, an eGPU, and more.

Right now, this Mac Mini i7 32GB RAM 128GB PCIe SSD deal is available from Woot! for only $329.99, saving you $170.

Whether you're planning to start a business that needs strong computing power, you're a DJ who wants to run Ableton Live flawlessly on stage, or you're simply looking for a good computer for less, this deal is not to be missed.

Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz are married spies on a mission in Netflix's upcoming espionage comedy Back in Action.

SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know about

The film, which marks Diaz's comeback to acting after 11 years, follows former CIA agents Matt (Foxx) and Emily (Diaz) as they are forced back into the spy game when their cover is blown. The news of their old lives comes as a major shock to their children (McKenna Roberts and Rylan Jackson), who view them as normal parents. After all, as they point out in the trailer, Matt and Emily are in a pickleball league and they make their own sourdough. How could they be spies?

Luckily, Matt and Emily spend the rest of the Back in Action trailer proving their talents in spycraft with car chases and fistfights. The trailer also teases Back in Action's considerably stacked supporting cast, including Glenn Close (Hillbilly Elegy), Kyle Chandler (Mayor of Kingstown), Andrew Scott (Ripley), and Jamie Demetriou (The Afterparty).

Back in Action premieres Jan. 17 on Netflix.

SAVE $800: Get the Apple MacBook Pro with M3 chip for $1,999 at B&H Photo, saving 29% off the list price of $2,799.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro (M3, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,999.00 at B&H Photo
$2,799.00 Save $800.00 Get Deal

In late 2024, Apple debuted the M4 chip in the MacBook Pro. Pros are elite models, with the highest Geekbench 6 score we've ever seen. However, it leaves behind the M3 models of MacBook Pros, which are still stellar. With the exorbitant prices of the M4 MacBooks, we're always hunting for a good deal, even on a previous generation.

Right now at B&H Photo, you can find the Apple MacBook Pro with the M3 chip for just $1,999. This model, which comes with 36GB RAM and 1TB SSD, usually retails for $2,700. Now you can find it for $800 off, or a savings of 29%.

SEE ALSO: The best AI laptops we saw at CES 2025

The Apple MacBook Pro with M3 chip launched in 2023 and delivered the fastest MacBook performance we'd seen — that is, until the M4 came out. It has an astounding battery life of 16 hours and 23 minutes, so you can leave your charger at home. These laptops are our top pick for creative jobs that require heavy lifting like graphic design or video editing.

This model, available at B&H Photo, will be able to handle all your creative projects as it comes stacked with all the memory and storage required. It's only on sale through Jan. 16, so this deal won't hang around for long.