- Help
- Google+
Now that Amazon's Big Spring Sale has passed, there's not another major sale at the mega retailer until Prime Day, which typically falls in July. Fortunately, we're still keeping our eyes peeled for discounts in the months in between. There's always deals floating around at Amazon — you just have to poke around to find them.
We've done some digging for you — here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on April 7. If none of these are catching your eye, be sure to check back tomorrow as we select a whole new round of deals.
Our top pick: Sony WF-C700N noise-cancelling earbuds Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WF-C700N noise-cancelling earbuds $78 at AmazonYou don't have to spend a fortune to get a decent pair of noise-cancelling earbuds. Case in point: the Sony WF-C700N are back down to just $78 at Amazon (their lowest price on record) and offer all the essentials. Our sister site PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) tested them out and dubbed them a "low-cost entry in the company’s lineup that produce robust bass and work with a useful app that offers EQ." While the noise cancellation is effective, they note that it largely depends on how you position them in your ears. Regardless, for a fraction of the price of other noise-cancelling buds, it's hard to complain.
Amazon Fire 7 Kids Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire 7 Kids $59.99 at AmazonIf you want to get a tablet for your preschooler, we highly recommend the Amazon Fire 7 Kids. It's a durable first device with a rubbery case that can withstand drops and spills. Plus it's packed with parental controls. Parents can customize screen time limits, age filters, access access to specific apps, and schedules. It comes with six months of Amazon Kids+ for free, which unlocks access to over 20,000 kid-appropriate apps, and a two-year worry-free guarantee. While it doesn't have an HD screen like other Amazon tablets, we highly doubt your 4-year-old will care. It's back on sale for just $59.99 as of April 7. That's 40% in savings.
Google Nest Cam Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Nest Cam $129.98 at AmazonThanks to two-way audio, motion and sound detection, mobile and email alerts, and built-in intelligence that can decipher between a person, vehicle, or animal, the Google Nest Cam is one of our favorite security cameras on the market. The slick, waterproof build allows it to work inside or outside to catch 24/7 live HD video with 6x digital zoom. It'll basically work as your eyes and ears when you're away or asleep. It usually costs $179.99, but it's down to just $129.98 as of April 7. That's 28% in savings and its lowest price so far this year.
Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 $184.99 at AmazonAmazon's best iPad competitor, the Fire Max 11 tablet boasts a crisp 11-inch display (the largest Fire tablet you can get), 8MP cameras that support 1080p video, 14-hour battery life, an upgraded octa-core processor, and WiFi 6 compatibility. And as our reviewer points out, it's also "blazing fast, making it a good alternative to pricier tablets for streaming and games." It typically would run you $229.99, but as of April 7, it's back down to $184.99. That's 20% in savings.
Check out our full review of the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet.
Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set Opens in a new window Credit: Tonie Toniebox Starter Set with Playtime Puppy $69.99 at AmazonOne of the top toys of the holiday season last year is on sale for 30% off at Amazon. Grab the Toniebox Starter Set in any color variety for just $69.99 instead of $99.99 at of April 7. Designed for screen-free listening and play, the Toniebox inspires kids' imaginations with bedtime stories, music, and education. The Starter Set include a Playtime Puppy Tonie, which plays 52 minutes of popular traditional children's songs for playtime.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
The Last of Us Season 2 is just as moving as its predecessor, but it's also infinitely more frustrating.
Just like in Season 1, series co-creators Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) and Neil Druckmann (creator of The Last of Us game) have crafted a stirring post-apocalyptic tale about the relationship between survivors Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey), one that's just as likely to fill your heart as it is to stomp it into tiny pieces. But as the season seeks to widen the world of The Last of Us beyond its central pair and the settlement of Jackson, Wyoming, it often comes up short of the in-depth world-building that made Season 1 feel so lived-in and complete.
SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' Season 2 teaser is here to bring you to tears The Last of Us Season 2 is a haunting continuation of Joel and Ellie's story. Bella Ramsey in "The Last of Us." Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOThe Last of Us Season 2 picks up five years after the Season 1 finale, when Joel wiped out the Fireflies in Salt Lake City in order to save Ellie's life. Now, the two live in the thriving community of Jackson, alongside Joel's brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) and his wife Maria (Rutina Wesley). However, their relationship has frayed to the point that they're barely on speaking terms. Joel reckons with the loss by speaking with town therapist Gail (a wonderfully no-nonsense Catherine O'Hara), while Ellie throws herself into patrol duty with new friends Jesse (Young Mazino, Beef) and Dina (Isabela Merced, Alien: Romulus).
The season's early episodes spend a lot of time establishing the daily rhythms of Jackson, from city planning and council meetings to community dances and baseball games. The mundanity of the tasks allows us to sink into a post-apocalyptic world where stability is possible. That stability makes Joel and Ellie's silent treatment all the more heartbreaking, especially given all they went through to make it to Jackson in Season 1.
SEE ALSO: 5 burning 'The Last of Us' questions we have for Season 2If Season 1's motto was "endure and survive," then Season 2 is about what happens in the wake of these survival attempts. That means Joel continues to reckon with his murder of the Fireflies, and more importantly, his lie to Ellie about what happened in Salt Lake. The impact of that lie reverberates across the season, with The Last of Us carefully peeling back layer after layer of how it has warped Joel and Ellie's connection. Pascal and Ramsey are once again phenomenal together, each a portrait of emotional restraint just seconds from snapping. Pascal brims with guilt and melancholy, while Ramsey simmers with rage, and by the end of the first episode, you'll be aching for the two to talk it out and rekindle their found father-daughter relationship. (By the end of the season, forget aching — you'll just be broken.)
Joel isn't the only character reeling from his actions in the Season 1 finale. Firefly Abby (a magnificent Kaitlyn Dever) and her crew of fellow soldiers are the sole survivors of Joel's rampage, and they want revenge. Their quest for vengeance will rope the citizens of Jackson into a larger conflict, one that extends to a war-torn Seattle clawed to bits by the tyrannical Washington Liberation Front (WLF) and the religious extremist Seraphites.
The Last of Us Season 2 is stunning, but incomplete. Kaitlyn Dever in "The Last of Us." Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBOThe WLF (whose members are known as Wolves) and the Seraphites (whom the Wolves call "Scars") are major new power players in The Last of Us Season 2. Yet despite all the fanfare for their arrival, they feel disconnected from the season, even though Ellie spends much of it on their home turf in Seattle.
In theory, this makes sense. As a newcomer in this world, Ellie has no idea what conflict she's stumbled into, and she fittingly spends much of her time trying to avoid these rival factions. Yet The Last of Us often cuts to scenes of WLF leader Isaac Dixon (Jeffrey Wright) discussing attack plans, or Seraphites revering their prophet. These sequences do flesh out the world somewhat, but there's a perfunctory sense to them. The show primarily uses them to set up Ellie's next encounters, as opposed to immersing us fully in this new environment. (A torture sequence involving a monologue by Isaac about cookware is a season highlight, though.) Otherwise, we have very little knowledge of the nature of their conflict, or even a deeper idea of who these characters are. Like Ellie, all we do is observe instead of inhabit, with the Seattle episodes becoming a far cry from the beautifully wrought Jackson episodes.
The disjointed nature of many of these Seattle scenes comes as a result of not having a clear emotional anchor in the WLF or Seraphites. Without one — and with the season's unfortunate underuse of Dever, Mazino, and Luna — The Last of Us Season 2 feels incomplete.
That incompleteness is intentional, stemming directly from bold, effective storytelling choices in The Last of Us Part II. Yet those choices' transitions to TV are jarring, especially after early adaptation choices suggest a different direction. It's often unfair to base an opinion on what isn't onscreen in an adaptation — the game and the show are different beasts, after all — but throughout The Last of Us Season 2, certain omissions practically scream to be included. (The season's strange pacing also comes as a result of its length: Seven episodes simply isn't enough for one of TV's biggest shows to tell a satisfying, compelling story.)
Yes, so much of this season is spectacular, from Joel and Ellie's wrenching relationship to a snowy Clicker battle that calls to mind Game of Thrones' "Hardhome." But ultimately, it's just one half of a great story — is that enough?
The Last of Us Season 2 premieres April 13 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.
The stock market just plunged, thanks to a wave of new tariffs. Your boss just called into Zoom from a mansion-sized cabin upstate. Inequality is reaching heights previously unseen in times of peace. ChatGPT is replacing artists at work. A recession is always "looming." Entire civilizations are being leveled by war. We’re living in a time of chaos — and with chaos, apparently, comes an aesthetic to match.
This one’s been dubbed "boom boom," a shorthand for the aesthetics of Patrick Bateman: high-end, hyper-curated suits; a revolving door of expensive new restaurants praised not for their food but for their exclusivity; and an obsessive fetishization of wealth. Don’t worry: boom boom doesn’t come bundled with the murder, violence, and misogyny of Bret Easton Ellis's American Psycho.
"We live in an era defined by explosions: of inequality, of knowledge, of information, of wealth — and yes — of actual bombs. Boom boom is embraced by those who see opportunity in the chaos. For those who disagree, this will seem villainous and nihilistic — a dark mode shift, as Edmond Lau called it. But it’s important to remember, no one ever imagines that they’re the bad guy," trend forecaster Sean Monahan said in his Substack newsletter, 8Ball. His work at trend forecasting spans from 2013's normcore to the vibe shift of 2022.
Monahan describes the boom boom aesthetic — not to be mistaken for the nasal stick on Shark Tank — as a "fetishization of the past." If you have money, you want to look like it, and that's what the boom boom aesthetic offers. This aesthetic is the opposite of quiet luxury, shouting your seven-figure income from the top of a rooftop bar with a fur coat on.
Monahan told The Cut that the term was inspired by the Boom Boom Room, a golden-hued club at the Standard Hotel in the heart of New York City’s Meatpacking District that opened in 2009, and Windows on the World, a restaurant at the top of the North Tower of the World Trade Center that was a hotspot in the 1980s.
Monahan isn't the only cultural purveyor who has noticed our collective obsession with the '80s. The National Portrait Gallery in the UK currently has an exhibition that "brings together the work of over 80 photographers" featured on The Face magazine covers during its 1980s heyday.
"In the future, everyone will blame the '80s for all societal ills, in the same way that people have previously blamed the '60s," Peter York, an '80s style and cultural trend expert, told The Rake. "All the Big Bangs unleashed then — monetarism, deregulation, libertarianism — have been working their way through the culture ever since."
The Big Bang that York refers to has, seemingly, resulted in Monohan's boom boom aesthetic. We now have a president who once lived in a fully gilded apartment, launched a $5 million "gold card" U.S. Visa with his own face on it, swapped the deep red curtains in the Oval Office for golden ones, and — lest we forget — was name-dropped dozens of times in American Psycho, to the point that Patrick Bateman’s obsession with him becomes a source of tension with his girlfriend, Evelyn. Meanwhile, Bateman himself is being resurrected, with Luca Guadagnino set to direct a new American Psycho film.
The "boom" in boom boom refers to a "booming" economy — or at least the illusion of one. In that way, the trend seems to fold in on itself, becoming a kind of self-aware satire. One of the richest men in the world is the president’s right-hand man, and the Trump administration has imposed tariffs so aggressive that even penguins are somehow being economically affected. As The Cut recently put it, we’re in the 2020s now, an era where it’s “no longer gauche to be bougie and brash.” Writer Emilia Petrarca succinctly added, "Online retailer Ssense currently sells a $55 T-shirt that reads YOU’RE A SLAVE TO MONEY THEN YOU DIE. The purists here are the butt of the joke."
During men’s Fashion Week in Paris a few months ago, Saint Laurent featured men in Wolf of Wall Street–esque suit jackets on top with baggy leather pants or thigh-high boots on the bottom. Armani's January campaign featured the broad-shouldered, loose-fitting power suits of the ’80s and ’90s. Celebrities jumped on the trend, too. Ayo Edebiri's oversized gray Loewe suit at the Golden Globes; Chappell Roan wore an oversized grey suit to the Grammy Museum; both of Doechii's Thom Browne looks at the Grammys were reminiscent of 80s suits, and her pinstripe Thom Browne suit at Variety's Hitmakers Awards Ceremony was boom boom to a T.
SEE ALSO: Is 'castlecore' the aesthetic of our technofeudal future?Boom boom is everywhere. Like all aesthetics, it's political — but Monahan argues this one isn’t partisan. I’m not entirely convinced anything can be political without being at least a little partisan, but boom boom does seem to resonate across the political spectrum. It might be an evolution of the "old money" aesthetic teased in Succession, but to me, boom boom feels more sarcastic, more biting. It embraces power-dressing and corporate themes just as we drift further into work-from-home culture — a strange response to nostalgia for the office, or maybe a glamorized reaction to corporate precarity. It mirrors a kind of reactionary longing for rigid hierarchies and traditional power structures.
But it’s not just political commentary. Boom boom cosplays the one percent — it mocks them. And yet, the people selling us this aesthetic are the one percent. All love to Doechii, Chappell Roan, and Ayo Edebiri — they’re immensely talented, but also figures of significant cultural influence, likely with the financial stability to match. The head designers at Saint Laurent or Thom Browne hold their own kind of capital. And let’s not forget: The man with the golden apartment we mentioned earlier is literally the president.
It's difficult to tell if boom boom is actually ironic or if it just uses irony as a shield for indulgence, not unlike what happened with the commodification of punk.
So who actually benefits from an aesthetic that celebrates, whether playfully or not, the shameless pursuit of wealth above all else? And in a world where satire and reality blur beyond recognition, how do we distinguish boom boom's performative parody from the dangerous obsession of a real-life Patrick Bateman?
SAVE $30: As of April 7, you can get the Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set with Playtime Puppy for $69.99, down from $99.99, at Amazon. That's a 30% discount, or $30 off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Tonies Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set with Playtime Puppy $69.99 at AmazonIf you’re worried your little one is spending too much time glued to a screen, you might want to check out the Toniebox, a screen-free interactive speaker made for kids.
Right now, you can get a Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set with Playtime Puppy for $69.99, down from $99.99, at Amazon. That’s a 30% discount, or $30 off the list price.
SEE ALSO: The best fitness trackers for kids in 2025The Toniebox is a soft yet durable portable cube designed for little hands. It works with Tonies, which are hand-painted figurines that attach to the Toniebox and play stories, songs, and more. This starter set includes a pink Toniebox (it’s available in multiple colors), a charging station, and a Playtime Puppy with 52 minutes of popular children's songs. Examples include "The Wheels on the Bus," "If You're Happy and You Know It," and "The Muffin Man."
It’s super simple for kids to use: Place a Tonie on top, and the story or music starts playing. Pressing the ears adjusts the volume, and tapping the sides changes tracks. However, a parent will need to set it up first by downloading the myTonies app and connecting to WiFi.
Nintendo Switch 2, at least for now, will not incorporate one of the most-requested features users have wanted for years.
Nintendo of America's Nate Bihldorff confirmed as much in an interview with Nintendo Life. In an excerpt posted on Monday, Bihldorff said the new Joy-Cons have been "designed from the ground up" and "feel really good," but they don't use Hall Effect sensors, which are widely believed to be the best way to prevent the kind of analog stick drift that has plagued modern video game controllers. It's been a particular concern on the original Switch console, so much so that Nintendo has a webpage about it.
SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 preorders delayed in the U.S. due to tariffsIf you're not already aware, "Hall Effect" is a concept in electromagnetic science that has recently been incorporated into the design of some premium third-party video game controllers. However, the default gamepads that come with Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles don't use them at the moment. Given the existing pricing concerns around Switch 2, Nintendo may have opted out of using Hall Effect sensors for that reason, but that's just speculation on my part.
Having gotten my hands on the new Switch 2 controllers last week, I can at least confirm the new analog sticks feel very nice. However, that was an idealized demo situation, where it's impossible to tell if long-term drift issues will eventually come into play. At this point, it's probably reasonable to assume they will. To what extent remains to be seen, of course, but those looking to avoid stick drift entirely might need to explore third-party options for Switch 2.
GET $400 OFF: As of April 7th, the Asus TUF A16 FHD-AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS 16GB Radeon RX7700S 512GB Storage Gaming Laptop is on sale for $699.99 for a savings of $400, or 36% off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Asus / Bethesda Asus TUF A16 FHD-AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS 16GB Radeon RX7700S 512GB Storage Gaming Laptop $699.99 at Best BuySure, you might use your Boltgun like an MVP in Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, but what would happen if your laptop could outpace the competition just like your Rocket League boost shots do?
If you're looking for a new gaming laptop, it's a great time to spring for an Asus TUF. The Asus TUF A16 FHD-AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS 16GB Radeon RX7700S 512GB Storage Gaming Laptop is currently on sale for $400. Get it for $699.99 and save 36%.
SEE ALSO: Best Windows laptops for 2025: Our top pick lasts longer than the M4 MacBook ProsThis Asus TUF would be stacked with specs for the price even if it weren't on sale. At its core, it runs with a FHD-AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU that's backed up by 16GB of RAM. This is supplemented by a Radeon RX7700S to handle graphics processing.
Graphics and processing are the meat and potatoes of a gaming laptop, but a quick screen refresh time is the special sauce, and this laptop's screen refresh times are fast, at 165Hz.
While the TUF's 512GB hard drive isn't colossal, it's more than enough for most. Should you need more, two USB-C 3.2 jacks accept external SSDs. It also has two USB-A ports.
Right now, the Asus TUF A16 FHD-AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS 16GB Radeon RX7700S 512GB Storage Gaming Laptop is on sale for $699.99, saving you $400, or 36%.
Whether you're trying to hit the leaderboards in Fortnite or you're gearing up to enter Avowed, this Asus TUF laptop deal will provide you the power you need, for a very reasonable price.
SAVE $50.01: The Google Nest Cam is on sale at Amazon for $129.98, down from the standard price of $179.99. That's a 28% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Nest Cam $129.98 at AmazonWhen we were young, some of us said our chosen superpower would be to see through walls. While technology hasn't quite gotten us there yet, we do have some pretty great tech advances that help us keep an eye on places we're not currently located in. If you've been meaning to grab some extra security cameras for your home, there's a nice deal at Amazon today.
As of April 7, the Google Nest Cam is on sale for $129.98, marked down from the normal price of $179.99. That's a 28% discount that shaves $50.01 off the list price.
Now that we're into the spring break and summer vacation era of 2025, it's time to consider if home security is up to snuff. If you're in need of some extra eyes, the Google Nest Cam is a reliable option that's worthy of using indoors or outside.
It comes with plenty of features you want in a home security camera like a built-in microphone and speaker, so you'll be able to thank the delivery driver without needing to be home. But it also comes with super easy installation. Since this Google Nest Cam is battery-powered, you won't need to worry about hooking up wires or finding a place to plug it in. The weather resistant material means it's ready to get soaked during the summer storm. Plus, if the power and WiFi get knocked out, the Google Nest Cam can keep up to an hour of local backup storage.
SEE ALSO: Hurry to take 30% off Southwest Airlines booking into AugustYou'll need to access the camera's live feed through the Google Home app, which is free to download. Once in the app, you'll have access to three hours of event history your camera recorded. Google also uses its Intelligent Alerts technology with this model. It's designed to detect people, animals, motion, and vehicles while ignoring stuff like blowing leaves or heavy rain.
If you'll be away from home during upcoming holidays, ramp up your home's security thanks to today's deal on the Google Nest Cam. Since installation takes no time at all, you'll easily be able to keep a better eye on your home while you're away. The $50 discount is a bonus that means you can splurge a bit more on vacation.
SAVE UP TO $50: As of April 7, get Apple's latest iPad models at a discount. Shop the Apple iPad Air with M3 chip for $549, saving you $50 for 8% off. Or grab the Apple iPad 11th generation for just $329 for $20 off and 6% savings.
Best iPad deals Best iPad Air deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3 chip, 128GB, WiFi) $549 at Amazon (Save $50) Get Deal Best iPad deal iPad, 11th generation (A16 chip, 128GB, WiFi) $329 at Amazon (Save $20) Get DealiPads have had a huge year — the whole line-up has been overhauled. The iPad Air and iPad Pro got major processor upgrades, while the iPad Mini finally got the A17 chip. Meanwhile, the 11th generation of iPad finally hit the scene in March 2025. All of this to say, with so much new tech, we're on the hunt for deals. Usually that means sales on the previous generation of devices, but sometimes it means deals on new releases.
Right now you can find the two newest iPads at their lowest price ever. Released in March 2025, the iPad Air got a boost thanks to the M3 chip. With the computing power of a MacBook and the convenience of tablet portability, the new iPad Air is one of Apple's best models yet. The 11-inch retina screen, provides plenty of room for both entertainment and work. And the best part is that it's already on sale.
As of April 7, you can find the Apple iPad Air with M3 chip for $50 off. It's down to $549 from it's usual $599, saving 8%. While we've generally seen bigger iPad discounts, closer to 20 or 30% off, this iPad model is so new that this is the best price yet. In addition to the iPad Air deal, you can find the 11th generation iPad on sale too. Right now, it's down to $329, saving you $20 off its $349 price tag for 6% off.
The 11th generation iPad comes nearly three years after the previous generation. It finally got the A16 chip upgrade in March of 2025, for better, quicker browsing. It's Apple's most affordable tablet, so this discount provides even better savings.
Shop the iPad Air and 11th generation iPad at Amazon now to save on Apple's latest tablets.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3 chip, 128GB, WiFi) $549 at AmazonSAVE UP TO 30%: Book with Southwest Airlines and use code TAKE30 to save up to 30% when booking flights to select destinations with departures between April 22 and Aug. 27. Some blackout dates apply.
Opens in a new window Credit: Southwest Save up to 30% on Southwest Airlines booking use code TAKE30 Get DealWhile we haven't made it to Easter yet, it's already time to be thinking about summer vacation. Before the good flights and the best hotels get booked up, scheduling that August trip now is a great idea. If you have travel plans in the works, check out this Southwest sale.
Until 11:59 p.m. PT tonight, April 7, use code TAKE30 to save up to 30% on Southwest Airlines bookings. Travel dates included in this sale span April 22 through Aug. 27. Discounts and availability depend on routes, and aren't available for travel on Fridays or Saturdays.
Southwest has made waves in recent weeks, but booking today during this sale means you can ignore that news. Last month, Southwest dropped the news that it's eliminating the policy that all bookings come with two free checked bags. But the slightly good news is that this policy doesn't take hold until the end of May. That means booking today's sale will ensure you still get the two free checked bags.
SEE ALSO: Apple AirTags are now cheaper than their Amazon Big Spring Sale priceLike all airline sales, there's some fine print to pay attention to. This sale only applies to bookings that are at least 21 days away, meaning when you book today, you'll need to travel on April 28 or later. The discount also only applies to the base fare, not those fun fees, taxes, and airport charges.
Southwest Airlines has a massive route network that includes the continental U.S., Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and international destinations like Mexico, Belize, and Costa Rica. Play around with the interactive route map to check out where you could go when booking with Southwest.
Before the airline drops its beloved free checked bags policy, book flights on Southwest today with code TAKE30 to save up to 30% on your upcoming flights. An affordable summer vacation awaits.
GET $250 OFF: As of April 7th, the HP AMD Ryzen 5 8GB 512GB Storage Laptop is on sale for $329.99, saving you $250.
Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP AMD Ryzen 5 8GB 512GB Storage Laptop $329.99 at Best BuySwipes, touches, and zoom-pinches are all fair game on this HP touch-screen laptop. With Best Buy's recent price drop, it's also extremely affordable.
Currently, the HP AMD Ryzen 5 8GB 512GB Storage Laptop is on sale for $329.99, saving you $250.
SEE ALSO: The best gaming laptops of 2025 for PC gamersThis HP is a solid choice for those looking for a productivity laptop that will surf the web, help you through your school assignments, and play the most recent season of The White Lotus.
The laptop has 8GB of RAM, pretty decent for the price. When paired with the computer's AMD Ryzen 5 CPU it should have more than enough computational power to handle huge spreadsheets, render an image in Photoshop, and surf the web unfettered.
512 GB of storage means that you'll be able to host a whole library of content on this computer. You'll then be able to enjoy it on a 15.6-inch HD screen.
As of now, the HP AMD Ryzen 5 8GB 512GB Storage Laptop is available for $250 off. Get it for $329.99 and save 43%.
If you're looking for an affordable around-town laptop, with enough gumption to surf the web, this is an excellent pick.
YouTube's algorithm is incorrectly placing age restrictions on Balatro videos, apparently.
The issue was highlighted by a prominent YouTube channel, Balatro University, which has nearly 90,000 subscribers. Due to recent terms of service change enacted on March 19, YouTube now penalizes "depictions or promotions of online casino sites or apps" by age-restricting videos with those things in them. That makes a ton of sense, broadly speaking, but it's a little unreasonable for Balatro, which is essentially an arcade game that is vaguely tied to the rules and aesthetics of poker. There is no way to win or lose real money in Balatro.
SEE ALSO: Nintendo exec explains $80 price of 'Mario Kart World,' what it means for Switch 2 gamesIf you don't know, age restrictions are a bit of a nightmare for YouTube creators because it makes it a lot harder for videos to show up in users' algorithmic feeds. That's a big problem for anyone who makes money off of a YouTube channel, so ideally, this would never happen to content that doesn't deserve it, as it appears to have happened here. Balatro creator LocalThunk even weighed in on Bluesky, taking a jab at YouTube for restricting videos of his game while letting kids freely watch videos of loot boxes being opened in Counter-Strike.
If you haven't checked out Balatro, we named it one of the 10 best games of 2024. It's $15 and is available on any device that plays video games. Feel free to check it out, but don't blame us if it consumes your entire life for a while.
Get your first look at director Wes Anderson's upcoming film, The Phoenician Scheme.
The Academy Award winner behind Asteroid City and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar returns with a tale of international intrigue, family reunions, and nuns with knives. Benicio del Toro leads The Phoenician Scheme as Zsa-zsa Korda, one of the richest men in Europe (with a penchant for getting into plane crashes).
According to The Phoenician Scheme's first trailer, Zsa-zsa has nine sons and one daughter, a nun named Liesel (Mia Threapleton). In his first meeting with Liesl in six years, he informs her he's made her the sole heir to his estate, and that she may just come into all that money sooner rather than later.
"I have my reasons," Zsa-zsa tells a skeptical Liesl.
"Which are what?" she asks.
"My reasons? I'm not saying," Zsa-zsa counters. "I'm saying I'm not saying."
The trailer is full of such charmingly recursive dialogue, as well as other visual Anderson trademarks like painstaking symmetry, tracking shots, and intricately crafted sets. It also reveals Korda's master plan: Korda Land and Sea Phoenician Infrastructure Scheme, the most important project of Zsa-zsa's lifetime.
Zsa-zsa will face opposition from other industry heads, so he's bringing Liesl and their tutor Bjorn (Michael Cera) along on the journey to bring his plan to fruition. What follows promises to be a madcap tale of nightclub robberies, hand grenades, and Tom Hanks sinking three-point shots.
In addition to del Toro, Threapleton, and Cera, The Phoenician Scheme features a sprawling all-star cast, many of whom are returning Anderson players. They are: Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend, and Hope Davis.
The Phoenician Scheme hits theaters May 30.
Sometimes it's not the big twists or deaths that make a show great, but the quieter moments.
This was the case with The White Lotus Season 3 finale, which contains both a brutal full circle moment for Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) and a truly poignant speech about friendship.
The speech comes courtesy of Laurie (Carrie Coon), who opens up to her longtime friends Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan) and Kate (Leslie Bibb) over dinner on their final night.
SEE ALSO: 'The White Lotus' Season 3 gave us a huge clue to the Ratliff's fate back in episode 1 What does Laurie say about friendship in the Season 3 finale?After a tumultuous week of differences, fallings out and apologies, Laurie, Kate and Jaclyn share a final meal together on their last night at the hotel. Kate and Jaclyn, both in a good mood, talk about how fun and meaningful they've found their week together. When it gets to Laurie's turn, though, she makes a speech that's equal parts honest, raw, and, ultimately, a very poignant insight into the power and complexity of longterm friendships.
Here's what Laurie says, in full:
"It's funny because if I'm being honest, all week I've just been so sad. I just feel like my expectations were too high, or...I just feel like, as you get older you have to justify your life, you know. And your choices. And when I'm with you guys it's just like...so transparent what my choices were. And my mistakes. I have no belief system, and I...well I mean I've had a lot of them, but...I mean work was my religion for forever, but I definitely lost my belief there. And then, and then I tried love, but that was just a painful religion that made everything worse. And then even for me, just like being a mother, that didn't save me either. But I had this epiphany today: I don't need religion or God to give my life meaning. Because time gives it meaning. We, we started this life together. I mean we're going through it apart but we're still together, and I, I look at you guys, and it feels meaningful. And I can't explain it, but even when we're sitting around the pool talking about whatever inane shit, it feels very fucking deep. I'm glad you have a beautiful face. And I'm glad that you have a beautiful life. And I'm just happy to be at the table."
The final shots of the three friends are of them having fun together on their final night, and then of them bonding on the boat as they leave the island together.
At least we got one happy ending.
Spring may have only just sprung, but Black Friday is already happening at The Home Depot. The Home Depot Spring Black Friday Sale is live now through April 16 in-store and online, with a slew of savings on everything from power tools to outdoor furniture and more.
With 14 days of savings starting this early in the season, you've got plenty of goodies to sift through, as well as some seriously great discounts. There's no time like the present to start taking care of your home and yard, and if you can do so without spending an arm and a leg, you absolutely should.
If you're ready to grab everything you need for a great spring at home, keep scrolling. We've rounded up some of our favorite deals available during The Home Depot Spring Black Friday Sale so you don't have to.
Best power tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot Milwaukee M12 Cordless Hammer Drill/Impact Driver Combo Kit $229 at The Home DepotIf you're looking for a dependable drill and driver set that won’t clutter your tool kit, this kit is a great option. It comes with a hammer drill and impact driver, powered by a long-lasting 5.0Ah battery with a long charge cycle between charges. The tools' brushless motors serve up reliable, efficient performance for whatever job you need to tackle, and the compact size makes these tools a breeze to maneuver into tight and awkward spaces. It’s a sensible starter package if you need good, hardy tools but don't want to overdo it with too much bulk or weight.
More power tool dealsRyobi ONE+ 18V Compression Drive Cordless 3/8 in. Crown Stapler — $49.97 $79 (save $29.03)
Dewalt 20-Volt 30° Cordless Framing Nailer — $329 $379 (save $50)
This 4-piece wicker patio set from Costway has everything to sit outside and enjoy the warm weather (or the rain, if you prefer), so whether you feel like entertaining or just hanging out somewhere that isn't your couch, you've got a place to do it. It comes with two chairs, a loveseat, and a small coffee table. The blue cushions add a nice pop of color, and the rattan-style frame is good for when it starts to rain or snow, but you still insist on being outdoors. It might take a bit of time to put together, but for the money, it's a great deal.
More outdoor furniture dealsStyleWell Amberview 6-Piece Steel Square Outdoor Dining Set — $129 $30 (save $179)
Nuu Garden Brown 3-piece outdoor patio bar set — $129 $30 (save $179)
Planning on going out and doing some grilling this spring? This straightforward natural gas grill will get the job done. It’s got three burners and enough space to cook for a few people without feeling cramped. The side tables are handy for keeping items like meat and condiments ready, and the build is solid enough to last through a bunch of seasons. It’s designed for natural gas hookups, so it’s not the portable kind, but if you’ve got a line already, it’s a convenient setup that you can save on right now.
Best lawnmower deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Self-Propelled Lawnmower $349 at The Home DepotWith all the rain pouring down this spring, you know you're going to have to spend some time mowing the lawn. Prepare for that inevitability with this Ryobi lawnmower. With a built-in 6.0 Ah battery, it gives you 40 minutes of runtime, so you can tackle mowing up to a half-acre lawn. Its self-propelled system and rear-wheel also make it easy to push and maneuver, even across different types of yards and terrain. Its brushless motor also performs like a gas mower, with a 150cc engine, but less noise and emissions. It's a job you have to do, so might as well have equipment that makes it easier.
Best security camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot Blink Outdoor 4 Wireless Outdoor Security Camera (5-Pack) $199.99 at The Home DepotKeep an eye on everything going on outside your home with this set of Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras. This bundle nets you five cameras that you can post up and around your house and backyard. They're completely wireless and shoot 1080p footage, so you can use them indoors or outdoors and get the same kind of performance. Best of all, they last up to two years with a ridiculously long battery life, so once you put them up, you don't have to worry about going out and adjusting them again and again. Use the companion app to peek outside or inside and see what's going on whenever you need peace of mind.
SAVE $41.99: As of April 7, the Sony WF-C700N earbuds are on sale at Amazon for $78, 35% off their retail price of $119.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling in-Ear Bluetooth Earbud Headphones with Mic and IPX4 Water Resistance, White $78 at AmazonIf you're spending more time outside with the weather getting warmer and want some earbuds to keep you company with good music, audiobooks, and more, now's a great time to pick some up with various discounts available. Amazon has quite a few on sale that are worth checking out at the moment, including a very nice deal on the Sony WF-C700N earbuds.
Sony's WF-C700N earbuds have received a 35% discount at Amazon, dropping their price from $119.99 to $78. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this marks a return to their lowest-ever price so there's no better time to pick them up if they've been on your radar. It's worth keeping in mind that they're listed as a limited time deal right now as well, so you'll want to be quick about adding them to your digital shopping cart before the discount disappears.
SEE ALSO: The JBL Clip 5 is back down to its lowest price this yearFeaturing a comfortable design and up to 15 hours of battery life with the case, the Sony WF-C700N earbuds will keep you fully immersed in your favorite sounds for a long time. And speaking of immersion, these earbuds offer noise-canceling features that can block out any outside noise so you can enjoy what you're listening to without any interruptions. There's also an Ambient Sound mode that allows you to stay more connected to your surroundings while listening, too.
Don't miss out on the Sony WF-C700N earbuds back down to their lowest-ever price at Amazon.
If you're in the market for earbuds, there are quite a few more on sale right now that are worth checking out. Also at Amazon, you can score the Beats Fit Pro still at their Big Spring Sale price and the AirPods Pro 2 are still enjoying a $50 discount there right now.
As you may have heard, Nintendo showed off a bunch of Switch 2 stuff this week. As you may have also heard, not everyone is as hyped about it as you might expect because of pricing concerns.
For one, the console itself starts at $450...for now. On Friday morning, Nintendo announced that U.S. pre-orders for the console have been delayed indefinitely due to concerns over "tariffs and evolving market conditions." A price hike is not necessarily guaranteed, but it's certainly on the table. At the very least, though, $450 is not far off from what people expected from Switch 2's hardware. The more surprising problem is in game pricing, specifically with the flagship launch title, Mario Kart World, selling for a standalone price of $80.
We only just recently entered territory where some big-budget games retail for $70, and now Nintendo is trying to charge $80 for a non-deluxe edition of a game. I got to talk to Nintendo of America VP of Player & Product Experience Bill Trinen after the Switch 2 premiere, and, in a wide-ranging interview, he gave me some insight as to why Mario Kart costs as much as it does.
"Mario Kart is a tremendous, tremendous amount of content," Trinen said. "The way that world is so interconnected...I can literally drive across the continent. I'm sometimes racing through six different tracks on something like Knockout Tour, and racing in between them, and it's all seamless and interconnected."
SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 hands-on: First impressions of 'Mario Kart World' and 'Donkey Kong Bananza'Trinen also pointed out that there is a separate Nintendo Direct livestream for Mario Kart on April 17 at 9 a.m. ET that will shed more light on what is included in the game. Even if you accept the premise that there is $80 worth of content in the game (and there very well may be), it will still undoubtedly be a difficult pill to swallow for consumers who have been used to a $60 price point for Nintendo games for more than a decade. And while it's true that video game prices were often much higher than that in the 1990s, it also wasn't possible to dump 2,000 hours into Fortnite for free back then.
Another thing Trinen mentioned is that there is a $500 bundle of the Switch 2 console with Mario Kart World, which would amount to $30 in savings if the price holds. Perhaps the more significant concern is whether or not future first-party Nintendo Switch 2 games will cost $80. One piece of information I didn't have in front of me during the interview is that some of the upgraded "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" versions of older Switch games, such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, will also retail for $80 if you don't already own the Switch version. If you do, you must purchase a substantially cheaper "upgrade pack."
Having said that, the other flagship early Switch 2 title, Donkey Kong: Bananza, is a relatively more reasonable $70. According to Trinen, some titles being $80 is not necessarily a sign that many others will be, and Nintendo is taking it on a case-by-case basis. He also cited Tears of the Kingdom launching for $70, while subsequent Switch games stayed at $60.
"The approach that we take is we look at what the game is, what the content is, what the experience is, and then we say, 'What is the value of that?'" Trinen said. "On the flip side, we will see other games that might not be at the same price as Mario Kart."
Lastly, Trinen pointed out that some people might be more willing to fork over $80 once they get their hands on Mario Kart World, perhaps at one of the many public hands-on events Nintendo is holding globally in the coming months.
"The other thing is you have a lot of people that haven't been able to go hands-on with the games here today, so there's an initial reaction," Trinen said. "But what we're seeing is people who are...playing the games here today are coming away really impressed with the quality of the value offered there."
Again, we will see how true that is once these things are on store shelves — if that happens when it's supposed to happen on June 5, anyway.
There were a lot of dramatic endings in The White Lotus Season 3 finale, but one of the most impactful was also one of the most subtle.
Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), despite taking a bit risk in her negotiations with Greg (Jon Gries), finally manages to secure $5 million in exchange for her silence — and as soon as the money is in her account, she goes and has a difficult conversation with hotel worker Pornchai (Dom Hetrakul).
But what exactly does she say, and how does it link perfectly back to what happens between her and Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) in Season 1? Let's unpack.
SEE ALSO: 'The White Lotus' Season 3 gave us a huge clue to the Ratliff's fate back in episode 1 What happens between Belinda and Pornchai in the Season 3 finale?Earlier in Season 3, Belinda and Pornchai discuss the possibility of going into business together, and Belinda's sudden windfall makes that seem like it could be a possibility after all — until Belinda goes to see him to tell him she's getting out of town asap.
"Pornchai, I've really loved getting to know you," she says. "But, some things have changed for me and I'm going to be leaving Thailand tomorrow."
"Leaving tomorrow?" responds a crestfallen Pornchai. "What about starting a business? You, me."
"Maybe. But circumstances have changed for me, and I just can't commit to anything right now," Belinda says. "I'm so sorry."
Credit: Fabio Lovino/HBOBelinda wants to leave Thailand to get as far away from Greg as possible, but her interaction with Pornchai is also a full circle moment: It's almost the exact same exchange that she has with Tanya in Season 1, back when she's on the receiving end of someone abruptly changing their mind.
What does Tanya say to Belinda in Season 1?Back in Season 1, Tanya comes close to funding Belinda's business dreams until she meets and falls for Greg. Once that happens she goes to the spa to visit Belinda, and has an "it's not you it's me" conversation with her that feels very familiar.
"Anyway, about the business," says Tanya. "I really need to think about it. I mean, you're so talented and I so want to do this for you, but I'm realising I'm getting back into this pattern again, where I latch on to somebody and then I use my money to control them. And see, right now, the last thing I need in my life is another transactional relationship. You know, it's just...it's not healthy. For me."
The look on Belinda's face is horribly similar to the look on Pornchai's face after she breaks the news to him in the Season 3 finale. Although her character has different motivations to those of Tanya, it's a brutal full circle moment that says a lot about the power money holds over us and those around us.
SAVE $160: As of April 7, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ is on sale at Best Buy for $959.99 as part of its Deal of the Day, 14% off its list price of $1,119.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung - Galaxy Tab S10+ - 12.4" 512GB - Wi-Fi - with S-Pen - Platinum Silver $959.99 at Best BuyBest Buy's Deal of the Day program offers some great discounts every day on a variety of different items, and today is no different. Right now you can save over $100 on a 512GB Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ at the retailer, which has dropped its price below $1,000 for the day.
More specifically, the 512GB Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ has been marked down to $959.99, which is $160 off its list price of $1,119.99. Not only can you enjoy a nice discount on this tablet right now, but it also comes with one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for free, a six-month subscription to Norton 360 (for 3 devices) with LifeLock Identity Advisor, and YouTube Premium for free for three months if you're a new subscriber. Again, this deal only lasts through today so you'll want to act fast to take advantage of it if it's caught your eye.
SEE ALSO: Save $150 on the Amazon eero Pro 6E WiFi setup for a limited timeThe Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ boasts plenty of exciting features that make it worth every cent. Alongside 512GB of storage, it has a 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display that'll make images on your screen pop with clear, vibrant color.
It also comes with an S-Pen that's great for taking notes or drawing, if you're looking to have a tablet for more creative endeavors.
We consider this tablet to be the best pick for AI features in our roundup of the best tablets, saying, "It's not cheap but it has plenty of power, which comes courtesy of its MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ CPU. This gives you plenty of oomph for creative tasks and gaming, with superb graphics and fast performance overall."
There's only a limited amount of time left on this Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ deal at Best Buy, so pick it up at this discounted price while it's still available.
Best Buy has some more great deals that are worth checking out right now. Another one of our favorites at the moment that's worth a look is on the iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum, which is currently enjoying a $300 discount at the retailer.
SAVE $31.99: As of April 7, the Sony ULT Field 1 portable speaker is on sale at Amazon for $98, 25% off its list price of $129.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Field 1 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker $98 at AmazonIf you're planning some outdoor adventures this year, in particular now with the weather getting warmer, a portable speaker is a great item to have with you. It's a great way to listen to some of your favorite music, podcasts, and more while you're out and about, and it's even better when you can find a high-quality option on sale. At the moment, our favorite Bluetooth speaker for bass lovers, the Sony ULT Field 1, is on sale right now at Amazon.
The Sony ULT Field 1 has been discounted from its list price of $129.99 to $98. This is only $10 away from its lowest-ever price of $88, which is still a worthy deal to jump on while it's still available. Amazon also has it listed as a limited time deal, so it's worth keeping in mind that the deal may not stay at this price for very long. You'll want to act fast to secure it for $98.
SEE ALSO: My favorite AirPods are still discounted at Amazon even after the Big Spring SaleSony's ULT Field 1 portable speaker is worth the investment, too. It boasts a durable build that's waterproof, dustproof, rustproof, and shockproof, so it can handle a variety of journeys you take it on. It also offers up to 12 hours of battery life, which is good news considering the sound quality coming from this speaker will have you wanting to keep listening for hours.
As mentioned before, we consider this the best Bluetooth speaker for bass lovers in our roundup of the best Bluetooth speakers. In our hands-on review, Mashable's Miller Kern notes that, "Something I found really cool about this speaker is that you can see it vibrating with the bass even with the ULT setting off. And regardless of volume or bass setting, it never sounded blown out or fuzzy."
This limited time deal won't last for long, so be quick to pick up the Sony ULT Field 1 portable speaker for 25% off at Amazon.
Looking for more portable speaker deals? Right now you can also save on the JBL Boombox 3 at Amazon and the JBL Go 4 has been discounted there as well.
Best performing Radeon RX 9070 XT PC: As of April 7, this custom MainGear RUSH PC is available for $3,425. It’s equipped with an AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, Ryzen 9 9950X3D, 32GB of RAM, and a panoramic Mk. IV chassis that’s almost too clean to touch.
Opens in a new window Credit: MainGear MainGear RUSH Radeon RX 9070 XT $3,425 at MainGearI didn’t need a custom PC built around AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT. But I wanted it. And not just any build — I wanted a showpiece. Something that made me stop mid-game, look over, and think, “Damn, that’s mine.” So I built it with MainGear.
This RUSH configuration cost me $3,425, and I regret nothing. Built inside the RUSH Mk. IV case with a full panoramic glass wrap, it’s basically the architectural digest version of a gaming rig. You can see everything — no cables awkwardly draped, no zip-tie abominations. Just clean lines, diffused RGB lighting, and enough power to incinerate frame drops.
SEE ALSO: Apple announces WWDC 2025 datesAt the heart of it is the new AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, which I think might be the best high-end GPU for folks who want ridiculous visual fidelity without NVIDIA tax. Paired with the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 32GB of T-Force Delta RGB RAM, this setup is futureproof in a way that lets me sleep at night—well, after the RGB lights stop pulsing like a synthwave nightclub.
The SSD is a 4TB WD_Black SN850X, which means I don’t have to play the “which game do I uninstall this week” dance. Everything is fast. Everything is fluid. And yes, the whole thing is powered by a beefy 850W MSI PSU and kept chill with a MAINGEAR Epic 360 AiO cooler.
Price: $3,425
Retailer: MainGear
Case: RUSH Mk. IV (Full panoramic tempered glass)
Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Cooling: MAINGEAR Epic 360 RGB Liquid Cooler
Fans: Stock RGB fans
Motherboard: MSI Pro B850-P WiFi
Memory: 32GB T-Force Delta RGB
Storage: 4TB WD_Black SN850X NVMe SSD
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Power Supply: 850W MSI MAG A850GL
Power Cables: Stock cables
Warranty: Included 1-year warranty
Estimated Ship Time: 2–3 weeks
I didn’t pick every premium add-on either. No extra storage drives, no PCIe extras — but that’s kind of the point. This is my build. I wanted elegance, power, and quiet confidence, not RGB overload and power-supply flexing for no reason.
MainGear’s build quality is just on another level. No bloatware, tuned BIOS and a USB stick with helpful files in case I ever need to do a fresh install. I didn’t just get a box of parts — I got a system someone actually cared about while building. That’s worth more than a few bucks in my book.
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...
Boston's most important responders: Bostonians The people of Boston are to be congratulated for being...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
Digital Privacy: A Catch 22 Mobility, convenience, accessibility and real-...
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...