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SAVE $300: As of Jan. 17, the Apple Mac mini desktop (M2 Pro, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is available at Best Buy for $899, down from $1,199. That's 25% off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Mac mini desktop (M2 Pro, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $899.00 at Best BuyIf your standard desktop isn’t cutting it, you might want to consider upgrading to an Apple Mac mini desktop. While these mighty machines typically come with a hefty price tag, Best Buy’s got a deal we couldn’t help but share.
As of Jan. 17, you can score an Apple Mac mini desktop (M2 Pro, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) that's normally $1,199 for $899 at Best Buy — that's a whopping $300 discount, or 25% off. And, if you’re a Total or Plus member, you can drop that price by another $100 to just $799.
Bonus: You’ll also get three months of Apple TV+, three months of Apple Fitness+, three months of iCloud+, three months of Apple Music, and four months of Apple Arcade for free with this purchase.
SEE ALSO: M4 Mac mini vs. M2 Mac mini: What are the differences?With an M2 Pro chip, 10-core CPU, and 16-core GPU, you’ll be able to edit photos and video, code, or do pretty much anything else you need to do in a flash — with enough power to spare. And, if you need an extra screen (or two), this Mac mini supports up to three displays and features four Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports, HDMI, Ethernet, and two USB-A ports.
If that’s not enough to sell you, just wait until you see how small and mighty this little machine is. Measuring just 7.76 inches square and 1.42 inches tall, it'll easily fit on any desk without taking up too much space.
SAVE $61.53: As of Jan. 17, get the Technics Premium Hi-Fi Bluetooth Earbuds for just $197.47 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $259. That's a discount of 24%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Technics Premium Hi-Fi Bluetooth Earbuds $197.47 at AmazonThere are tons of options on the market if you're looking to buy some new earbuds. You've got the coveted Apple line, excellent options from brands like Bose, and much more. But one of the brands we recently named our Mashable Choice pick, the Technics AZ100 Earbuds, are particularly excellent. While you can't go wrong with Sony and Bose according to reviewer Timothy Beck Werth, you might not want to pony up as much cash as those command. The next best thing? The previous-gen version of these earbuds, on sale right now.
As of Jan. 17, you can get the Technics Premium Hi-Fi Bluetooth Earbuds for $197.47 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $259. That's $61.53 of and a discount of 24%.
These buds offer much the same as their newer model, with great noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, and multipoint connections with support for up to three devices so you can swap between them as necessary. They offer crisp treble with some seriously booming bass as well, with up to 7 hour sof playback with noise cancellation on. Just toss them in their case to charge up again when you need a boost.
They're not just great for listening to music. They have three microphones so your voice comes through loud and clear, with Voice Focus AI features that isolate voices on both end for better clarity. The adaptive noise cancellation feature also helps to keep other noises from taking over your calls, too.
If you're lookig to scoop up some excellent earbuds, now's your chance – chances are you'll love these as much as we loved their follow-up model.
SAVE $100: As of Jan. 16, get AirPods Max (USB-C) for $449.99 at Best Buy, saving $100 off the original price of $549.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) $449.99 at Best BuyApple's AirPods Max are the ultimate over-ear headphones, and they just got even better — and cheaper.
Right now, Best Buy is offering the AirPods Max with USB-C for $449.99, down $100 from their regular price of $549.99. If you've been waiting for a price drop, this might be the time to snag them.
These aren't just headphones; they're Apple's high-fidelity audio powerhouse. The dynamic driver delivers pristine sound quality with deep bass, crisp highs, and everything in between. Thanks to Active Noise Cancellation, you can dive into your favorite playlist or catch up on a podcast with zero distractions. It's so effective that you might forget the outside world exists. And when you need to tune back in, the Transparency mode ensures you can hear what's happening around you without taking the headphones off.
SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift cardOne standout feature of the AirPods Max is their Spatial Audio capability. With dynamic head tracking and personalized sound tuning, these headphones make you feel like you're sitting in the middle of a recording studio or a movie theater. The sound isn't just great—it's immersive, enveloping, and pure Apple magic. With Dolby Atmos support, streaming your favorite shows or music becomes a next-level experience.
The AirPods Max have also been designed with comfort in mind. The knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions ensure a snug but cozy fit for hours of listening. Add to that the Digital Crown for precise control over playback and volume, and you've got a pair of headphones that feel as premium as they sound.
And here's the big news: Apple finally gave the AirPods Max a USB-C port. You can charge them with the same cable you use for your iPhone 15, iPad, or Mac. It's a small change but a massive convenience upgrade.
Whether you're an audiophile, a frequent traveler, or someone who values great sound and seamless connectivity, the AirPods Max are worth the hype — and at this price, they're worth every penny.
SAVE $200: As of Jan. 16, snag 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M2 chip, 16GB memory, 256GB SSD, midnight color) for $799 at Best Buy. That’s $200 off its regular price of $999.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M2 chip, 16GB memory, 256GB SSD, midnight color) $799.00 at Best BuyIf you've been looking for a gorgeous and powerful laptop, 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip is calling your name. Thanks to Best Buy's four-day sale, you can pick one up for $799 — knocking a hefty $200 off its usual $999 price tag.
The M2 chip is the show's star, delivering fast CPU and GPU performance, making multitasking a breeze. Edit videos and your spreadsheets or watch Netflix in stunning quality; this MacBook Air handles it without breaking a sweat. And with 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD, you'll have the speed you'll need to keep everything running smoothly.
SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift cardDesign-wise, it's Apple through and through: sleek, minimalist, and skinny at just 2.7 pounds. The midnight finish is an absolute stunner, but it's not just about colorways. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with 500 nits of brightness brings vibrant colors and crisp details, so your eyes will thank you during long work (or binge-watching) sessions.
Battery life? It's a beast. With up to 8 hours on a single charge, this laptop won't flake out on you mid-edit or binge. And since it's fanless, it won't sound like it's taking off when you're grafting — just silent, efficient performance all day.
Apple's attention to detail is everywhere: the 1080p FaceTime HD camera makes you look your best on calls, while the three-mic array and four-speaker system with Spatial Audio delivers clear sound. It has a MagSafe 3 port, two Thunderbolt ports, and a headphone jack, so users are covered in accessories, extra storage, and jacked headphones.
At $799, this MacBook Air packs insane value, especially for students, creatives, or anyone looking to upgrade their setup without diving into MacBook Pro territory. It's lightweight, powerful, and ready to roll for work, studying, or just streaming your favorite shows.
Deals like this don't last, so if the MacBook Air has been on your radar, this is your sign to grab it before Best Buy's four-day sale ends.
SAVE $70: As of Jan. 16, grab the Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (M4, 64GB SSD, WiFi) for $279 at Best Buy. Save $70 on this versatile tablet during their 4-day sale.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (M4, 64GB SSD, WiFi) $279.00 at Best BuyIf you’ve been holding out for the perfect time to grab an iPad, here it is.
Best Buy’s 4-day sale has the Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (M4, 64GB SSD, WiFi) marked down to $279, saving you $70 off its regular $349 price. This sleek, silver powerhouse is your new do-it-all device for streaming, sketching, or smashing through spreadsheets.
The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display is a standout. Everything from YouTube videos to your email inbox pops on the screen, and with True Tone tech, it adapts to your lighting so it always looks just right. Powered by the A14 Bionic chip, this iPad handles multitasking like a pro. Need to run multiple apps while FaceTiming your friend or finishing a group project? It’s all smooth sailing.
SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift cardThe cameras are impressive, too. The 12MP Ultra Wide front cam is made for Center Stage, which keeps you perfectly framed during video calls, even if you’re multitasking (or just pacing around). The rear 12MP Wide camera takes sharp photos and 4K video, in case you want to dabble in content creation or take ridiculously crisp cat pics.
WiFi 6 and USB-C makes charging and connecting accessories a breeze, not to mention buffer-free streaming. Pair it with the Magic Keyboard Folio or Apple Pencil; this iPad transforms into a productivity beast. Sketch, type, or jot down notes as you please — it’s as versatile as you need it to be.
Battery life won’t leave you hanging either, lasting all day on a single charge. Touch ID is still the gold standard for seamless unlocking and secure Apple Pay transactions. It’s practical and powerful, and $279 is a steal.
Deals on iPads don’t come around every day, and this one’s only good for Best Buy’s 4-day sale. If you’re in the market for a reliable tablet or looking to upgrade, snag this 10th-gen iPad while you can.
Tickets are now on sale for Captain America: Brave New World, and Marvel has dropped a new trailer to celebrate.
SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know aboutThis trailer — which mostly revisits moments from other teasers and first looks — reminds us of the threats Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) will face in the fourth installment of the Captain America franchise. These threats kick off after a meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) goes horribly south. Now, Sam finds himself at the center of a global conspiracy that only he can put a stop to.
The new trailer gives us further glimpses of Giancarlo Esposito's (Maxxxine) villain Sidewinder, as well as Joaquín Torres (Danny Ramirez, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) taking up the mantle of Falcon. He and Sam make quite a pair, zipping around the dead Celestial from Eternals in a bombastic action sequence that involves chopping plane wings off with their own wings. On top of that, the trailer concludes with another look at Ross' transformation into Red Hulk. Witness it for yourself above.
SAVE $250: As of Jan. 17, the Apple MacBook Air M3 15-inch is on sale at Amazon for $1,249. That's a 17% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air M3 15-inch $1,249.00 at AmazonIf you're looking for a new laptop, look no further than the 2024 MacBook Air M3. As the name suggests, it's built with Apple’s impressive M3 chip so it's a speedy and impressive laptop. It was even named one of Mashable's best laptops of the year in 2024.
And as of Jan. 17, this MacBook is reduced by $250 to $1,249 at Amazon. This price is for the 16GB RAM model with a 512GB SSD capacity without AppleCare+. You can choose from the colors midnight, silver, space gray, and starlight.
But why the M3 instead of the cheaper M2? Well, according to thorough Mashable testing, the M3 chip proved to be about 20 percent faster than the previous generation M2 chip. It also boasts an 18-hour battery life, great for working or studying away from home when you don't have access to a charging outlet.
This model has all the usual impressive stats that you'd expect from a MacBook Air, including a backlit keyboard, Touch ID, WiFi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster wireless connectivity. Not to mention, the 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display supports a whopping 1 billion colors.
Weighing just three pounds and measuring under 0.5 inches thin, this MacBook truly is amazing for slipping in your tote bag and working on the go.
Head to Amazon now to grab this limited deal.
SAVE $30: As of Jan.17, the Apple AirTag four-pack is on sale at Amazon for $69.99. This deal saves you 29% on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 4-pack Apple AirTag $69.99 at AmazonThe Apple AirTag is nothing short of a genius invention. A handy little tracking device that can be attached to almost anything: your keys, luggage, passport. Anything you misplace on the regular, attach an AirTag to it. Of course, an Apple product comes with a price, but with Amazon's Daily Deals, you can stock up now while they're reduced.
As of Jan. 17, this Apple AirTag four-pack is reduced to just $69.99, saving you $30.
Never used one before? The setup couldn't be easier, simply attach it to your item of choice and track it in the Find My app. It even has a small built-in speaker, so you can trigger a sound from the Find My app on your Apple device, making it easier to find the AirTag if it's nearby but out of sight, like under a cushion or in a bag.
Confused about the battery life? Well, according to Apple, all AirTags are designed to have a one-year battery life, with regular use. They use a standard CR2032 coin cell battery, which is user-replaceable. When the battery is running low, you’ll receive a notification on your iPhone, giving you plenty of time to replace it.
It even has an IP67 water resistance rating, meaning it can cope with a maximum depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes.
Head to Amazon to score this deal.
SAVE $170: As of Jan. 17, the Roborock Q5 Max+ is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. That's a 38% savings on its list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: roborock Roborock Q5 Max+ $279.00 at AmazonIf 2025 is the year you take the plunge from manual vacuuming to robotic, Mashable is here to help. Robot vacuums are our thing (just check out our top picks for 2025) and we're always on the hunt for new deals and discounts — like this latest Amazon deal on the Roborock Q5 Max+.
As of Jan. 17, this vacuum is reduced by 38% to just $279. And you're getting a whole lot for your money with this one.
As the name suggests, this model is equipped with a DuoRoller system, meaning it can pick up dirt, dust, and pet hair easily, whether it's on carpet or hard floors. It boasts a 5,500 Pa HyperForce suction power, meaning it's a solid dirt lifter.
But our favorite feature is how low-maintenance it is — not only does it self-empty, but the dustbin has a 2.5-liter storage, so you'll only need to empty it around every seven weeks. The voice controls are also a big plus. Whether you use Alexa, Google Home, or Siri, it'll work for them all.
For moving around your house it uses the PreciSense LiDAR. This means it cleverly maps out your rooms so it can move around without bumping into any obstacles.
This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don't waste any time.
SAVE $60: As of Jan. 17, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS+Cellular) is on sale at Best Buy for $739. This is $60 off its list price of $799.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS+Cellular) 49mm Titanium Case with Black Ocean Band - Black - (2024) $739.00 at Best BuyAn Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a great investment for those who love to adventure outdoors. Whether you enjoy running, swimming, or hiking, this rugged smartwatch is the perfect partner to keep you updated on your progress. It's even better when you can score one on sale, and thankfully, Best Buy's got an offer at the moment on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 that's worth checking out.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS+Cellular) is currently marked down to $739, $60 off its list price of $799. This deal is part of a four-day sale at the retailer that ends on Monday, so if you've been hoping to pick up an Ultra 2 now's a great time. It also comes with a couple of bonus offers: four months of Apple Fitness+ for free and up to three months of Apple Music for free.
SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift cardAlongside the usual health and safety features that come with an Apple smartwatch — such as a heart rate monitor and sleep tracker — the Apple Watch Ultra 2 boasts advanced features and metrics for athletic individuals so you can have the greatest insights into your workouts. In our comparison of the Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Ultra 2, writer Alex Perry says, "Ultra 2 is definitely made with outdoorsy adventuring types in mind. It's for people who might feasibly get lost in the woods or need to measure depth while diving in the ocean."
Its rugged design makes it a great fit for outdoorsy individuals too, boasting a 49mm corrosion-resistant titanium case. It also has a fantastic battery life that can last up to 36 hours with normal use and 72 hours in Low Power Mode.
Again, this deal only lasts until Monday so act fast to save on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 at Best Buy.
Looking for even more Apple deals? There are plenty worth checking out at the moment. You can also save on Apple AirPods Pro 2 right now and the 2022 MacBook Air with M2 chip is also on sale at Amazon.
SAVE $30: As of Jan. 17, the Apple Pencil Pro is discounted to $99 at Best Buy. This is $30 off its list price of $129.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil Pro - White $99.00 at Best BuyBest Buy's started off the year strong with some excellent deals so far. At the moment, the retailer is holding a four-day sale on a variety of items, including some Apple products. If you're an iPad owner who's been itching to get an Apple Pencil to pair with it, you can score a very nice deal there on the Apple Pencil Pro right now.
At the moment, the Apple Pencil Pro is marked down to $99. This is $30 off its list price of $129. You also get quite a few bonuses with your purchase, and what's better than that? Best Buy includes three months free of Apple TV+, three months of Apple Fitness+ for free, up to four months free of Apple Arcade, and up to three months of Apple Music for free.
SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift cardThe Apple Pencil Pro is a precise little tool that's perfect for those who love to take detailed notes or doodle away on their iPad. This version of the pencil offers more advanced features as well, including squeeze and barrel roll features. In our hands-on review of the Apple Pencil Pro, you can read more details about these new additions and what we thought of them.
As mentioned earlier, this deal only lasts until Monday as part of Best Buy's sale, so don't miss out on $30 off the Apple Pencil Pro.
There are quite a few more Apple deals worth exploring right now, too. Right now you can also save on Apple AirPods Pro 2 and the Apple Watch Series 9 has gotten a very nice discount at Walmart.
SAVE $80: As of Jan. 17, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are on sale at Best Buy for $349. This is $80 off their list price of $429.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose - QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-the-Ear Headphones - Lunar Blue $349.00 at Best BuyFor the next four days, Best Buy is throwing a little sale event on a wide variety of items. If you've been hoping to pick up some new headphones this year, they've got an excellent selection on sale. This includes the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, which we believe to be "the most comfortable pair of headphones you can buy right now," according to our review.
At the moment you can pick up the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones for $349. This is $80 off their list price of $429 and even comes with a bonus offer of YouTube Premium for free for three months. That's a very nice discount to take advantage of, and we think these headphones are worth every penny, too.
SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift cardAs mentioned previously, these headphones have a very comfortable fit. Our review says, "If you're wearing headphones from the beginning of your commute, all throughout the workday, and until the moment you get back home, these are a worthy investment for comfort, not to mention battery life." They also offer noise-cancelling features that give you the option to be completely tuned into what you're listening to or more aware of your surroundings.
This discount won't stick around for long, so act fast to save on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones at Best Buy.
If you want to see even more headphone and earbud deals, there are quite a few worth checking out at the moment. Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are currently discounted at Amazon and Sony's WH1000XM4 headphones are also discounted at Best Buy.
SAVE $50: As of Jan. 17, the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32GB) is on sale for $229.99 for Amazon Prime members. This is 18% off its list price of $279.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32 GB) $229.99 at AmazonRevealed last October, the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is a sleek new e-reader that lets you enjoy all of your favorite novels and comics in color. It's an exciting new addition to the Kindle lineup, and if you're an Amazon Prime member you can even score a nice little discount on it right now.
Amazon's Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32GB) is currently marked down to $229.99 for Prime members. This is 18% off its list price of $279.99, allowing you to pocket $50. If you've been hoping to upgrade your e-reader or want to start building a digital library, this Kindle is a great option to invest in.
SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift cardThe main highlight of this Kindle is its colorful display, which is an excellent upgrade from previous black and white Kindle models. Its screen is also glare-free with an auto-adjusting front light, so no matter the time of day you can settle into your favorite books or comics with ease. Another great feature is that you can highlight text in yellow, orange, blue, and pink, which is perfect for those who like a little organization. And with 32GB of storage, it's ready to take on your digital library.
If you're an Amazon Prime member, don't miss out on this excellent deal on Amazon's Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32GB).
If you're an avid reader or know someone else who is, there are a few more deals worth exploring at Amazon. A refurbished Kindle Scribe is also on sale at the moment, and if you prefer audiobooks, you can still take advantage of Audible's offer of three months free of its Premium Plus plan.
Following a series of blatantly false summaries of headlines and severe backlash from journalists and newsrooms, Apple has paused its AI-generated news summary push notifications...for now.
"With the latest beta software releases of iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3, Notification summaries for the News & Entertainment category will be temporarily unavailable," an Apple spokesperson told Mashable via email.
SEE ALSO: How to identify AI-generated text: 7 ways to tell if content was made by a botThe Apple Intelligence feature, which was introduced in 2024, really kicked off with the release of iOS 18.2, and launched in the UK on Dec. 11, was supposed to sum up news headlines in short push alerts. These are delivered to Apple devices compatible with iOS 18.1 and later including the latest iPhone 16 and 16 Plus.
In December, BBC News accused Apple's AI of sending a false push notification attributed to the news outlet reporting that Luigi Mangione, arrested for the murder of UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson, had died by suicide. It was not Apple's only false BBC News headline summary, nor was it the only publisher represented by inaccurate Apple AI-generated news outlines.
Apple reportedly didn't respond to the BBC's complaint until January, when, as the news outlet reported, the company "said it was working to clarify that summaries were AI-generated."
In January, the National Union of Journalists and journalism body Reporters Without Borders publicly urged Apple to remove the generative AI feature, the latter criticising "the inability of AI systems to systematically publish quality information, even when it is based on journalistic sources."
On Thursday, an Apple spokesperson told the BBC the company was "working on improvements and will make them available in a future software update."
As MacRumors points out, Apple has updated the Notification Summaries feature in the Settings app with a warning, reading that the feature "may contain errors". Also, Notification Summaries that fall outside the News and Entertainment category will still appear, but in italics for now.
If you were worried at all about the state of the movie industry, then fear not: Donald Trump has a plan to make Hollywood great again.
In the Jimmy Kimmel Live! clip above, the host shares the incoming president's recent Truth Social post announcing that Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone will serve as his "special envoys" to the industry. All three men have previously endorsed or supported Trump. Gibson has faced a litany of allegations over his career, including anti-semitism, homophobia, and domestic violence, while Stallone has been accused of sexual assault.
"Wow, Braveheart, Rambo and the Midnight Cowboy: He summoned the three horsemen of the Apocalypto to save us. In other words Trump saw The Expendables 3 on his plane last night and was like, 'Hmm, I need those guys to help,'" says an unimpressed Kimmel. "And who better to be Trump's eyes and ears than 86-year-old Jon Voight?"
In just a matter of days, the lights will switch off on the app that has almost dominated, and certainly defined, the United States in the last five years. TikTok — the second most downloaded app in the country in 2024, and with 170 million active American users — is going to shut down in the U.S. following a law passed last year that requires Bytedance, TikTok’s parent company, to either sell the app to a U.S. company or shut down operations.
Despite several attempts to stall this, hopes of saving TikTok for American users is fast diminishing — and as they clamour to bid their final farewells on our For You Pages (FYPs), something we should be asking ourselves is: will this affect those of us living outside the U.S.?
From a tech standpoint, non-U.S. residents are totally unharmed; no lights are turning off for us, and it will feel like business as normal. But it is likely not a technological interruption we should be worried about. You will be far more affected by the sudden disappearance of new content from American users and creators if they have played an important part in your TikTok experience. If you speak English, it is almost certain that they have done, and as a content creator myself, I see it as a mass extinction event of Anglophone creativity and information. But before I bring up my personal theories, I’ll tell you what other people I trust have said first.
I see it as a mass extinction event of Anglophone creativity and information.Chris Stokel-Walker, journalist and author of TikTok Boom: China's Dynamite App and the Superpower Race for Social Media, believes it is worrying for non-U.S. users because of the precedent it sets. "Not only do we lose 170 million people posting on the app," he said, "but it demonstrates that the U.S. remains deeply uncomfortable with anyone but a Silicon Valley tech company dominating the social media space."
It is true that the ban, running under the legislation titled "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," has run on the grounds that the app poses "a national-security threat of immense depth and scale," according to the U.S. Justice Department.
SEE ALSO: As TikTok faces a ban, creators brace for an uncertain futureWhen President Donald Trump first tried to ban it in 2020 with an executive order (that was blocked by a judge and dropped), the order had said "this data collection threatens to allow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans’ personal and proprietary information − potentially allowing China to track the locations of Federal employees and contractors, build dossiers of personal information for blackmail, and conduct corporate espionage.”
But these fears have never quite been backed up. "There hasn’t been any concrete evidence presented by the U.S. government that the app is a national security risk at the level they claim," Stokel-Walker said. Many believe it is far more likely that many in the U.S. simply hated the taste of another country’s app rivalling Silicon Valley. Meta and Google, who stand to benefit immensely from the app being banned because it will bring attention and ad money to its TikTok rivals Reels and Shorts, spent millions lobbying government specifically about this legislation.
So, it isn’t good for any of us who like a diversified social media ecosystem that is decentralised from America, and from the overreach of big tech manipulation under Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk; theoretically, this legislation could affect us any time a good app is developed in a country the U.S. decides is an adversary. But for a lot of us, the direct and immediate impact will be cultural.
V Spehar, the American journalist and content creator known as @underthedesknews, told Mashable that “the American-based TikTok provides a lot of new music, trending sounds, access to the American music library. You’ll have an end to American first-person reporting and news the way you were used to.”
The ban, which is believed to affect any Bytedance tool, would also ultimately see an end to the Bytedance-owned editing tool Capcut in the U.S., which has turned many video novices to internet stars with its simple interface. Spehar thinks that this means American users will struggle to pivot to other platforms. "Even someone with millions of followers is used to using that," they said. "The reason why this is so catastrophic is that if the Washington Post closes, you can just pick up the New York Times. Users are losing all the editing tools that they rely on. There’ll be a big blackout because a new tool is such a learning curve."
SEE ALSO: Biden reportedly won't enforce the TikTok ban. This doesn't mean much.From a content creator perspective, lots of us stand to lose a considerable amount of engagement. Depending on the kind of content I make, recent videos have had anything between a 5 percent and a 20 percent watch rate from the United States. Where will those views suddenly go now; will my content be seen by more viewers in other countries, or will its reach simply be cut, sorn off like a tree branch?
Steph Black, who is based in London and creates TikTok content about her work as an archeologist, wonders if the ban will generate more opportunities for non-U.S. content creators. "I do wonder if U.S. brands will completely do away with advertising on TikTok, or if they will be more interested in working with non-U.S. creators to sell on TikTok," she said. She can also remember how TikTok features would be rolled out first in the U.S. in the past before in Europe, such as the opportunity to get monetised. "I’d like to see more opportunities for non-U.S. creators."
But for creators with a big U.S. following — and brand partnerships — opportunities may dry up. Content creator Max Klymenko has a third of his audience on TikTok in the U.S. "The fact I won’t be able to reach them on TikTok means we have to find each other on other platforms," he said. "It’s easy to say you just go to other platforms — but modern social media doesn’t work like this. It’s feed-based. Whoever the creators you love are, they go on your feed, and they’re going to be the ones you watch."
"I think there is a narrative that it doesn’t matter for us, what’s the big deal, the world doesn’t revolve around the USA. I think it will matter a bunch."More widely, he believes that YouTube Shorts will benefit from an uptick in activity, as it did in India following the TikTok ban there. "I think there is a narrative that it doesn’t matter for us, what’s the big deal, the world doesn’t revolve around the USA. I think it will matter a bunch. The U.S. is the market with, historically, a lot of content creation innovation. Some of the top creators in the world are American. It’s a huge market and community to use."
"Me, I work with some American brands. I think there will be concerns around the ability of foreign creators to reach an American audience. It’s no secret they’re one of the highest paying with big consumer purchasing power. I think the impact on non-American creators and users is actually going to be pretty big. I think it will change the platform.”
Whether you are a user or a creator, it’s likely that a major part of your content experience on TikTok will change. For one thing, there won’t be another Renegade dance, girl dinner innovation, or Wes Anderson trend for a while; the vast majority of trends, neologisms, and content styles we consume and regenerate have all been gifted to us by American content creators. As the TikTok ban begins, the first thing we will lose isn’t so much content, but connection.
"I have seen more of the world through TikTok than Americans ever get to see," Spehar said wistfully. “And I’ve made relationships that I never would have been able to do through YouTube and Instagram algorithms. I’m going to miss a lot of those people. I pray we’ll be back.”
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, January 17, 2025:
AcrossOwner of a shop called The Bun Also Rises, most likelyThe answer is Baker.
The answer is Olive.
The answer is Towel.
The answer is China.
The answer is Hasty.
The answer is Botch.
The answer is Aloha.
The answer is Kiwis.
The answer is Event.
The answer is Relay.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
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