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If you're a last-minute holiday shopper (guilty), you'll be happy to know there are still tons of deals at Amazon just waiting around for you to add to your cart. Sure, they're not quite at Black Friday level, but they're still definitely worth grabbing. Brands like Kindle, Fitbit, HP, and Amazon Echo are still offering discounts up to 43% as of Dec. 17 — and we've rounded up the best ones.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these are your cup of tea, be sure to take a peek at our selections from Dec. 16 as well. Most of those deals are still live, including nearly half-price Beats Studio Buds.
Our top pick: Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus $199.99 at AmazonThe Amazon Fire TV Soundbar debuted last year as a budget-friendly way to upgrade your home theater experience. The Soundbar Plus, which just debuted last month, takes your setup to brand-new heights. Unlike the classic Fire TV Soundbar, the Soundbar Plus has a built-in subwoofer and offers Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS TruVolume support. In other words, its all-in-one design makes for truly immersive audio. It packs three full-range speakers, three tweeters, and two woofers to pump out sound in every direction. If you already have a Fire TV or a Fire TV Stick, it's a perfect companion. You can even use the same remote to control both. As of Dec. 17, it's on sale for the first time ever. Snag it for just $199.99 instead of $249.99 ahead of the holidays.
Amazon Echo Show 8 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Show 8 $84.99 at AmazonThe latest Echo Show 8, released last year, improves all of the things we already loved about its predecessor. It packs a centered 13MP front camera for clearer calls, spatial audio for more enjoyable listening, and a dynamic interface that adjust based on your distance to the device. And like the previous generation, it can still be used as a central hub for everything from controlling your security cameras and lights to making video calls and streaming your favorite shows. As of Dec. 17, you can scoop it up for just $84.99 instead of $149.99. That's 43% in savings and just $5 shy of its best-ever price from Black Friday.
Kindle Kids Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Kids $109.99 at AmazonJust like the classic Kindle, but built with young readers in mind, the Kindle Kids is the most budget-friendly option for your little ones. While it doesn't offer the waterproof build and adjustable warm light like the Paperwhite Kids, it's still a solid pick for an e-reader. It features a six-inch, glare-free display with 300 ppi for sharp resolution, adjustable front light, dark mode to prevent eye strain, and one year of unlimited access to Amazon Kids+. This subscription would normally run you $4.99 per month and includes thousands of ad-free books and a Vocabulary Builder, where kids can look up definitions and learn new words. It's usually $129.99, but you can snag the new Kindle Kids for only $109.99 as of Dec. 17.
HP Sprocket 3x4 instant photo printer Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP Sprocket 3x4 instant smartphone photo printer $110.49 at AmazonWhether you're looking for a unique gift idea or a creative way to capture holiday memories, the HP Sprocket is a fun option. With a few taps on your phone, it pumps out 3-by-4-inch sticky-back photos you can customize with stickers, borders, filters, and other effects. No need to buy ink; this tiny printer uses zero-ink (Zink) technology on tear-resistant, waterproof, and blot-proof paper. It works with both iOS and Android devices, is extremely light and portable, and lets you print from your device's gallery as well as your Instagram, Facebook, and Google accounts. Our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) gave it four stars, writing that "the Sprocket 3x4 will land in your portable-printer Goldilocks zone."
It's usually $149.99, but as of Dec. 17, you can snag it for only $110.49. That's 26% in savings.
Fitbit Charge 6 Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 6 $119.95 at AmazonOne of our readers' top purchases during Cyber Week, the Fitbit Charge 6 is back on sale in time for last-minute shoppers to snag. As far as fitness trackers go, it checks all the right boxes. It packs a seven-day battery life, 40+ exercise modes, heart rate, step, sleep, and stress tracking, making it a solid choice if you're looking to improve your health and habits. It also comes with six months of Fitbit Premium to help you really kickstart your fitness routine.
sAs of Dec. 17, it's just $119.95 instead of $159.95. That's 25% in savings. While that's not quite as cheap as it was on Black Friday, it certainly still beats paying full price.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
SAVE $120: The Dec. 17 Best Buy Drop of the day is the Litter-Robot 4 Self-Cleaning Litter Box Core Accessories Bundle. Usually $799, the Litter-Robot 4 is now on sale for $679 ($120 in savings) as long as you go through the Best Buy mobile app.
Opens in a new window Credit: Whisker Whisker Litter-Robot 4 Self-Cleaning Litter Box Core Accessories Bundle $679.00 at Best BuyCat parents share countless universal experiences, but hosting around the holidays spotlights one in particular: the dread that your cat will poop in its litter box in the room right next to where all the people are standing.
If you've been considering switching to an automatic litter box for this exact reason, Best Buy has a last-minute holiday deal that should be your sign to make the investment. The Best Buy Drop of the day for Dec. 17 is the Litter-Robot 4 Self-Cleaning Litter Box Core Accessories Bundle for $679 — a savings of $120 that beats the $100 discount that Whisker litter box bundles were seeing during Black Friday.
Wait, what's Best Buy Drops? The "Drops" tab at the top of the Best Buy mobile app is a running list of items that Best Buy is dropping that week, which are often big name products getting a rare discount that likely won't be found elsewhere. (Past Drops have included the Shark FlexStyle, Samsung's The Frame, or the PS5 Slim Edition — and the M2 iPad Air is the Drop coming up on Dec. 20.) Here, shoppers can preview which items are coming on which day so that they're ready to hit "add to cart" when each deal goes live at 11 a.m. ET on its respective day. Once one goes live, a status bar keeps track of how much inventory is left for that item. This could last anywhere from a few seconds to a few hours, depending on popularity.
SEE ALSO: https://mashable.com/review/litter-robot-4-reviewHaving to move so quickly during the Drops rush can make the purchase feel impulsive, especially when the splurge is more than a few hundred dollars. But if you have the budget, I'm here to tell you that you won't regret your self-scooping litter box purchase. While I personally haven't tried a Litter-Robot specifically, I do live in a two-cat, two-automatic litter box household, and those litter boxes being able to scoop themselves has saved me so much time and stress. That's stress over the smell, which is kept at bay for a week or two at a time, and stress over planning when I'm going to be away from home. Whether it's a quick day trip or several days away, not having to beg my roommates to manually scoop or force my cats to live in their own filth has been such a game changer. And no, my cats aren't afraid of the automatic litter boxes at all.
My most similar litter box to the Litter-Robot 4 is the $699.99 Leo's Loo Too, which features the same spin and sift set up that separates clumped litter pieces into a waste drawer in the bottom. Your cat may or may not like the fact that the Litter-Robot's opening is much wider than that of Leo's Loo Too (some cats find the bigger hole intimidating). On the subject of entering and exiting the box, the mini ramp shown in many Litter-Robot photos would be a reason to go the Litter-Robot route if your cat has any type of mobility issues. It is sold separately for $65 at Litter-Robot, Target, Amazon, and more, but you can technically use the money you just saved with this Drop. (If your cats don't like the big egg-shaped design at all, I recommend the PetSafe ScoopFree.)
On top of the litter box itself, the Core Accessories a fence and litter trap mat to prevent litter tracking, 25 waste drawer liners (that you'll need to switch every week or so, depending on the number of cats using it). six OdorTrap packs, cleaning wipes, and a one-year warranty.
A green sea turtle, named Charlotte by rescuers, was struck by a boat back in 2008, in an accident which left him with with partial paralysis and “bubble butt syndrome" — an ailment where air trapped in the back of turtles’ shells makes their rears buoyant, impacting their ability to swim.
Charlotte was rescued by Connecticut's Mystic Aquarium, who collaborated with 3D printing companies Adia and Formlabs to develop a harness to help the turtle swim again. The team 3D-scanned Charlotte’s body and created a weight system that can be adjusted as air bubbles shift, tilting the turtle at different angles. The harness was completed in late 2024, using SLS 3D printers, some of the most accessible in the U.S., so that other aquariums can adopt the technology and print harnesses for more sea turtles.
Adia and New Balance are issuing a call for volunteers with experience in 3D printing, computational design, and materials science to help with future harnesses.
Google could soon add a feature that makes it super easy to learn about a file.
Rumors and reports online suggest that the tech giant could be working on a feature that'll let you attach a file then search within it, in order to then analyze the document.
SEE ALSO: Google Search AI Overviews at 6 months: Is the feature getting better?As spotted by Android Authority, this new, rumored tool from Google would let a user upload a file in the search bar with the familiar paperclip icon, then parse through that document. Users would be prompted to "ask anything about the file" via the regular Google search bar.
In effect, you could take any local file and comb through it via Google search, receiving answers with the help of AI. Of course you'd have to trust Google to keep your documents private and that its AI tools would spit out accurate responses.
The tool was spotted and posted on X and by Khushal Bherwani, an SEO analyst who frequently posts about this sort of thing of the social media site.
Tweet may have been deletedTo be clear, at the moment this is just a rumor and reports online. I was not able to access the tool, so perhaps this is just a test feature Google may never release to the public at large. But it could prove interesting should it ever become available to everyone.
SAVE $25 WHEN YOU SPEND $200: Thousands of outdoor and fitness products are included in this Amazon deal that'll save you $25 when you spend $200 or more on eligible items.
Best outdoor and fitness deals at Amazon Best camping deal Coleman Pack-Away Portable Camp Kitchen $85.68 at Amazon (save $29.31) Get Deal Best walking pad deal Lifepro Walking Pad Treadmill $271.99 at Amazon (save $68) Get Deal Best fitness deal Sunny Health & Fitness Under Desk Pedal Exerciser $188.08 at Amazon (save $81.91) Get DealIt might be the middle of December, but it's never a bad time to dream about upcoming camping trips. It's also the perfect time to invest in some indoor fitness equipment. With that in mind, it seems that Amazon knows us too well because the mega retailer has included thousands of outdoor and fitness products in a deal that'll save you $25 when you spend $200 or more.
Browse the options of Coleman camping gear to prep for the summer of 2025, or snag a walking pad to keep those steps up while we muddle through the chill of winter. There are also plenty of excellent gift options, like a 32-ounce Hydro Flask Travel Tumbler that's 50% off.
To cash in on this deal, shop before Dec. 22 at 11:59 pm PT, but if you're shopping for holiday gifts, it's best to shop ASAP so they'll arrive before Dec. 25.
Here are some of our top outdoor and fitness product recommendations that qualify for the sale.
Best camping deal Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Coleman Pack-Away Portable Camp Kitchen $85.68 at AmazonThe Coleman Pack-Away Portable Camp Kitchen is one of the most useful pieces of equipment you can pack on a camping trip. Instead of struggling to find room on the picnic table or rearranging the campsite when it comes time to cook, have a dedicated and functional space with the Coleman Portable Camp Kitchen. Not only does it offer ample space for your camp stove or cooler, it includes a food prep area, utensil hooks, a mesh shelf for storage, and even a lantern holder.
The folding design that neatly fits into the included carrying case makes for a super convenient packing experience. Not only is it perfect for camping, it's great for tailgating and backyard parties.
More camping deals:Coleman Bottletop Propane Camping Stove — $29.79 $39.99 (save $10.20)
Coleman Multi-Purpose 190L LED Lantern — $31.99 $44.99 (save $13)
Therm-a-Rest Women's Trail Lite Sleeping Pad — $93.46 $114.95 (save $21.49)
Coleman Classic 3-Burner Propane Camping Stove — $199.99 $169.99 (save $50)
It's hard to keep the step count up while dealing with winter weather. Even if you don't mind the cold, it's often wet out, not to mention it's dark by the time work hours are over for the day. But the Lifepro Walking Pad Treadmill is a great way to keep fit while staying indoors during for the winter. Its compact design makes it ideal for using at home under your desk or in the living room.
The Lifepro walking pad's wheels make for easy transport between rooms in your home, and the included remote control makes starting, stopping, and adjusting the speed a breeze. Plus, the wooden colorway option give it a nicer visual appeal.
More walking pad and treadmill dealsUrevo Under Desk Treadmill — $119.99 $199.99 (save $80)
Acezoe 3-in-1 Portable Treadmill — $224.99 $259.99 (save $35)
Lifepro PawRunner Dog Treadmill — $339.99 $399.99 (save $60)
Cycling is one of those activities that's sadly just not that enjoyable in the cold rain. Instead, keep the cycling muscles in shape from the warmth and comfort of indoors thanks to the Sunny Health & Fitness Under Desk Pedal Exerciser. The super portable pedal exerciser means you can get some movement in while sitting at your desk or while catching up on movies over winter break.
The exerciser is also designed to be used for arm exercises, which makes this small but mighty machine a full-body workout.
More fitness dealsSunny Health & Fitness Row-N-Ride — $85.50 $129 (save $43.50)
Upreign Magnetic Rowing Machine — $167.99 $209.99 (save $42)
Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Fitness Trampoline — $199.99 $219.99 (save $20)
SAVE $39.96: As of Dec. 17, get a pair of Beats Studio Buds+ for $129.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 24%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Beats Studio Buds+ $129.99 at AmazonTrying to find a last-minute gift that's perfect for just about anyone on your holiday list? Why not get a pair of earbuds? Anyone can appreciate music, or if they're more into podcasts, they can enjoy their favorite on the go with a great pair of buds. They can also be used for taking calls or jumping on calls or meetings at work. And there's a great brand that's on offer right now thanks to Amazon.
As of December 17, get a pair of transparent Beats Studio Buds+ for just $129.99 at Amazon. That's $39.96 off their usual price of $169.96 and a discount of 24%.
These earbuds are a great alternative to Apple AirPods, given that Beats is part of the Apple ecosystem. And you can't deny how cool they look with their transparent design, a decision that obviously more tech companies should decide to undertake again like it's the 2000s.
But on the tech side, these earbuds sound fantastic, whether you use them listen to Charli XCX or you log in to a Zoom call with them. They offer active noise cancelling and transparency modes for a custom listening experience, so you can block out the world or let the things in that matter. You also get up to 36 hours of listening time per charge, which means you can go all day and night pumping out the jams or even talking on the phone.
For the price, you're getting a stellar pair of headphones. But given how close the holidays are, you'll probably want to pick them up now instead of later to lock this price in.
SAVE UP TO 89% ON KINDLE BOOKS: Shop deals on Kindle books up to 89% off. Get bestsellers like Project Hail Mary for just $2.99, saving 80%, or Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City for $1.99, saving 89%.
The best Kindle book deals Best fiction deal 'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir $2.99 at Amazon (Save $17.01) Get Deal Best non-fiction deal 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson $1.99 at Amazon (Save $16) Get Deal Best fantasy deal 'The Throne of Glass' by Sarah J. Maas $2.99 at Amazon (Save $12.21) Get Deal Best romance deal 'Hook, Line, and Sinker' by Tessa Bailey $1.99 at Amazon (Save $14) Get Deal Best Kindle deal Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $134.99 at Amazon (Save $25) Get DealAmazon stunned us all when they put their 2024 line-up of Kindles on sale during Black Friday. Luckily, leading up to the holidays, the deals have stopped. Not only can you still find the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite on sale for $134.99, but Kindle e-books are severely discounted.
Find fiction and non-fiction alive on sale for as low as $1.99. Bestsellers like Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary and Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City are up to 89% off. Shop Kindle e-books and stuff your Kindle's library.
Best book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir $2.99 at AmazonBestselling author of The Martian, Andy Weir, is sending you back to space with Project Hail Mary. In this story of survival, astronaut Ryland Grace wakes up to find both his crewmates dead as their ship hurtles through space. Now, he's the sole survivor on their mission to save earth and all of humanity.
This propulsive sci-fi novel is being adapted into a movie starring Ryan Gosling in 2026, so add a copy to your Kindle library now. It's on sale in the Kindle Store for $2.99, saving you $17.01 for 85% off.
More Kindle book dealsA Heart That Works by Rob Delaney — $1.99 $18 (save $16.01)
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton — $2.99 $19 (save $16.01)
The Boys by Katie Hafner — $1.99 $18 (save $16.01)
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson — $1.99 $17.99 (save $16)
Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver — $2.99 $19.99 (save $17)
Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey — $1.99 $15.99 (save $14)
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig — $2.99 $18 (save $15.01)
In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware — $2.99 $17.99 (save $15)
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson — $2.99 $17 (save $14.01)
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman — $2.99 $18 (save $16.01)
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood — $1.99 $17 (save $15.01)
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia — $2.99 $17 (save $14.01)
Only When It's Us by Chloe Liese — $1.99 $17 (save $15.01)
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (The Kane Chronicles book one) — $1.99 $15.99 (save $14)
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas —$2.99 $15.20 (save $12.21)
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel — $2.99 $17 (save $14.01)
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert — $1.99 $18 (save $16.01)
Splinters by Leslie Jamison — $3.99 $29 (save $25.01)
The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan (The Kane Chronicles book two) — $1.99 $15.99 (save $14)
West with Giraffes by Lydia Rutledge — $2.99 $4.99 (save $2.50)
World Travel by Anthony Bourdain — $1.99 $22 (save $20.01)
Master suspense-spinner Steven Soderbergh puts his spin on Mr. & Mrs. Smith in Black Bag, an espionage thriller about two married spies, who turn on one another.
SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know aboutWritten by David Koepp, who's previously collaborated with Soderbergh on the haunted house horror story Presence and the hi-tech thriller Kimi, Black Bag stars Cate Blanchett (Disclaimer) and Michael Fassbender (Kneecap) as intelligence agents Kathryn and George Woodhouse. For the most part, they manage to keep their work — which they know could very well put them at odds — separate from their marriage. But when Kathryn is suspected of betraying England, George will have to decide what comes first: his love or his country?
Black Bag also stars Marisa Abela (Industry), Regé-Jean Page (Bridgerton), Tom Burke (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga), Naomie Harris (Venom: Let There Be Carnage), and former Bond, James Bond: Pierce Brosnan.
The digital age was built on connection. We started by rekindling old connections, like how the now-defunct Friends Reunited blossomed as one of the first UK social media platforms, allowing users to connect with those they'd lost touch with.
But platforms like Friends Reunited aren't needed in 2024 because cutting ties and losing connection is harder than ever. (The site did shut down in 2016). Our Facebook accounts are littered with hundreds of past friends from various touchstones. Our Instagram profiles have become a digital diary, logging every "notable" moment. Our following and followers alike boast friends, colleagues, and people we had one chat with at a house party six years ago, now fated to see what we eat for lunch for the rest of eternity.
SEE ALSO: What are the rules for blocking someone after a breakup?If a romantic or platonic relationship broke down even thirty years ago, you wouldn't be tethered by "following" them, or their friends and family. You wouldn't be at risk of seeing their face pop up on your TikTok FYP or their professional achievements on LinkedIn. You'd be at risk of running into them in a bar you frequent, at stores you both liked. Life updates would come via gossip, or when bumping into them, as many '90s sitcoms would make you believe happened daily. (Think of Carrie Bradshaw escaping New York only to bump into Big and his new wife, Natasha, with no idea he was even on the continent.) Such experiences feel impossible now, relics of another lifetime.
Is it possible to cut all ties when you break up today? Relationship experts believe that we can control our levels of connection to a certain degree, but whether we should stay tethered is still up for debate.
Spotting your ex on a dating appA mental checklist can form when a relationship ends: unfollow (if breakup is unamicable), delete photos, decide custody of streaming services, and check that DoorDash is set to your address. When you're ready, sign up for dating apps, as many people rely on them now. A few swipes in and there they are: your ex, also playing the field. Seeing your ex on dating apps can be difficult, and there are many ways to deal with it and attempt to avoid it.
Some dating apps have built-in ways to avoid those you may not wish to see. Hinge has a Block Contacts feature, allowing users to block people by giving the app access to their contact list, or manually inputting a contact. "Traditional" blocking is also available, preventing the user from seeing or being seen by anyone they wish to avoid.
Tinder similarly has a Block Contacts feature, too. Whilst Bumble does not, you can contact the support team to block those who have not currently matched. Both apps also offer blocking for accounts viewed or matched with. "Incognito" modes, allowing swiping without being seen by others, also exist within Tinder and Bumble.
Dr Jess Carbino, a former sociologist for Tinder and Bumble, hosted many focus groups with app users, finding that for some individuals "seeing their ex on the apps was often very painful" and for others, "seeing an ex on an app would be a source of anger if they believed that their ex did not portray themselves in a manner they thought was consistent with their reality of their ex."
Relationship experts who work at dating apps have yet to reach a consensus on tackling this issue, with each situation requiring a tailored response.
"Often, the best thing one can do to move on is to cut off all ties (at least in the beginning), but just because you may still come across their photos or dating profiles, it doesn't mean you need to engage with it," Dr Betsy Chung, relationship expert at RAW dating app, says.
Though seeing your ex "might help some people ease into the idea of seeing their ex as just another person in their network," says Katie Dissanayake, co-founder and CEO of dating app After, she recognises that "it can reopen wounds and make moving on much harder."
According to Shan Boodram, Bumble's sex and relationships expert, a recent Bumble survey found that 49 percent of Gen Z and millennial respondents would not stay in contact with their ex after a breakup, and nearly 40 percent get rid of all love letters, gifts, clothes, and photos immediately to help them move on. This includes removing any digital footprints of an ex if they see fit, and blocking or muting if needed.
"The best choice is the one that aligns with your boundaries and emotional needs," Boodram believes.
People from our lives can pop up in unexpected manners, exes or otherwise, whether we fall into the aforementioned 49 percent or not.
Exes reaching out on social mediaMultiple daters Mashable spoke to noted their digital footprint is tied to their business and professional life, making it difficult to cut communication channels. One source discussed blocking their website from access in the country in which their ex resided, recognising that a VPN could still render that effort moot. The digital era has provided new platforms and methods for harassment, with extensive advice available online to help those dealing with cyber-stalking from exes and otherwise.
Vanessa, 41, based in Illinois, has had "exes and ex-friends reach out to me on my Facebook business page after blocking them on all my personal pages." But even one-time flings have reached out, too: "A guy I made out with once dropped into my Facebook DMs after 9 years of not talking to him asking to buy me a coffee so we could 'bury the hatchet.'"
Sebastian, 27, based in Mexico City, is experiencing monitoring from an ex via Instagram stories. "This ex always sees my Instagram stories, she doesn't follow me anymore and I don't follow her. Unfortunately, my 16-year-old dog passed away last October and I uploaded a post and a story, she casually 'answered it' like, 'Oh, I don't know why this appeared on my timeline but I'm so sorry for your loss.' Of course, I take kindly the words but it is weird cause I know for a fact she always sees my stories cause I see her profile on my views," he says.
SEE ALSO: Why social media algorithms hurt after a breakupA pet was also a way for an anonymous source's ex to keep contact. The woman, who chose to be anonymous for privacy reasons, managed an Instagram account for her ex-girlfriend's pet when in a relationship. Years later, however, the ex began to attempt reconnection via DMs to said account, creating a source of distress.
"Thankfully, since then she hasn't contacted me again, but I don't doubt she's watching me and will at some point attempt contact again, although hopefully she's finally realized that trail is cold," she says. "The sad part is I miss the pet, and wish we could be friends so I could see them, but I've accepted that for my own mental health, that will never happen."
The positive side of social media post-breakupIt's not all bad, as online communities can help process breakups. Reddit's r/BreakUps has over 360,000 members as of publication, and whilst momentum has slowed (as of writing, the "hot" post of the day only has around 300 upvotes), there is still a community of support guiding, advising, and discussing breakups with others and taking back control.
"Ultimately, while the permanence of a digital footprint complicates breakups, it also challenges us to approach endings with empathy and self-awareness. A breakup in the digital age is less about erasing a person from your life and more about redefining their presence in it," says Leah Levi, sex and dating expert at the dating app Flure.
We may be too early in the digital age to conclusively if we can ever cut all ties in breakups, but we do have a modicum of control over our navigation and attitude, with recognition of the tools available to us, digital or not. It's down to us to cut the ties we can, messy or not, but none of it will remain foolproof. With the dating scene constantly changing and growing, what comes next is anyone's guess.
Franklin Leonard needs all his senses to work optimally. As an esteemed film producer, a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, and the founder and CEO of the Black List—an annual publication highlighting Hollywood's most popular unproduced screenplays, of which hundreds have been made into theatrical films—Leonard is constantly reading, writing, watching films, and conducting and taking part in interviews. So, when an illness took away half the hearing in his left ear two years ago, his demanding life became even more difficult; Leonard struggled to hear conversations and understand movie dialogue.
"It has been frustrating, but more than that, it's been a reminder just how bad disability policy is in this country," Franklin wrote on X this month. "I considered getting hearing aids, but even the cheapest good ones cost thousands of dollars, and health insurance does not cover their cost, even when you have a documented need."
Tweet may have been deletedRecently, his parents gifted him with the new FDA-approved hearing aid-enabled AirPods, which Leonard called a "game-changer" on X. In the same message, Leonard bemoaned the AirPods' distinct lack of skin toned color product. We followed up with Leonard on how the AirPods have improved his work and life, and how Apple could make them even more useful.
Mashable: Tell us a little bit more about how the hearing-enabled AirPods came into your life and what changes they brought.Leonard: The short version is that I saw the ad: What I hear in my left ear is wildly similar to the POV audio in the ad, and I happened to mention them offhand to my mother, who had been asking me what I wanted for Christmas...My mother being my mother, that offhand mention led to them arriving at my house last Friday. I tried them on Friday night and was intrigued, but I was staying home with my wife so it wasn't a proper test drive. Then on Saturday I went to a few Christmas parties, and to my great surprise, I didn't struggle to keep up with conversation and very rarely had to ask anyone to repeat themselves in conversation.
SEE ALSO: 'A powerful new tool': A disabled advocate on Apple's FDA-approved hearing aids With technology becoming more useful for people with sensory disabilities, should tech companies focus more on designing products for those less confident about their challenges? Do we need AirPods that are less conspicuous and Meta smart glasses that look more like typical eyeglasses?According to the CDC, roughly 1 in 4 Americans reported having a disability. Designing products for folks who have them just strikes me as a good business decision...my call for flesh toned AirPods wasn't actually specifically to provide more options for people of color. It was to provide more options for people period. No one's skin is as white as an Apple AirPod, and I totally understand that that gleaming white design is part of their brand identity, and it's also pretty handy to make sure that they don't get lost quite as easily.
I just think that it might be more comfortable for people to wear them socially as their primary hearing assistance if it wasn't quite so obvious that they were sitting in your ear, which is the case as they're currently designed.
Personally, I'm going to rock them regardless. I don't think I have anything to be embarrassed about because I need a bit of help to hear more clearly, and I don't think that anyone with a disability should feel embarrassed about whatever assistance they need. So on some level I'm just trying to normalize the visible need for assistance, which was sort of the point of my post. But even that feels like a luxury, I have it so easy relatively speaking. Most have it far worse.
Many of us think of tech as a growing concern of modern life, like social media misinformation, screen addiction, AI gobbling up jobs, etc., but obviously there are advantages, like the AirPod hearing aids, that tech has brought. How do you square the good with the bad?The industrial revolution increased productivity but it also increased the exploitation of labor. Nuclear weapons brought nuclear power. Etc. Etc. Etc. Technological advancement has always been fraught, and we've always been at the mercy of those who control technology. Social media, AI, etc. aren't per se good or bad, but the people who wield and/or control it can do so in ways that are good or bad. I'm not broadly optimistic about their moral codes at the moment, but maybe they'll surprise me.
Bill Skarsgård may be starring in Nosferatu – arguably the least Christmassy of movies – this Dec. 25, but that doesn't mean he can't get in the festive spirit.
In the Late Show clip above the IT star brings Stephen Colbert some Swedish delicacies, raising a glass of Akvavit before introducing the host to a traditional Swedish Christmas song. Looks like a fun time.
SAVE $10: As of Dec. 17, the Apple AirPods 4 (without ANC) are on sale for $119 at Amazon. This is 8% off their list price of $129.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $119.00 at AmazonIf you're getting some last-minute holiday shopping done, Amazon's here to help. Not only does the company still have some sales live after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but they've even made note of when these items will hit your doorstep ahead of Christmas. If you've been hoping to pick up the Apple AirPods 4 as a gift this year, they've currently got a little discount and will even get to you early.
At the moment, the Apple AirPods 4 without Active Noise Cancelation are on sale for $119. This is a nice little $10 discount off their list price of $129, but more importantly, Amazon notes that they'll arrive six days before Christmas. That gives you plenty of time to get them all wrapped up.
SEE ALSO: The best laptop deals for December: Shop Apple, Asus, Microsoft, and moreThe AirPods 4 are worth investing in as well. While these models don't have noise cancelation, you're still getting excellent sound quality thanks to Apple's H2 chip. In our comparison of Apple AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 3, Mashable's Chance Townsend and Kimberly Gedeon said, "If you’re looking for the best value, the AirPods 4 offers more bang for your buck, particularly the ANC model. You get Siri Interactions, a more findable and compact charging case, and improved bass, mids, and highs."
You'll want to act fast to make sure these arrive in time for Christmas, though, so don't miss out on this Apple AirPods 4 deal at Amazon.
Amazon has even more items available for last-minute shoppers this holiday season. In our roundup of Amazon deals that'll arrive by tomorrow, you can see everything from speakers to home goods that you can still pick up and have in time for Christmas.
SAVE $25: As of Dec. 17, Amazon's new Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) is on sale for $134.99. That's 16% off its list price of $159.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16GB) $134.99 at AmazonWhile the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale events have passed, Amazon still has quite a few discounts up its sleeve as we head into the holidays. If you had a Kindle on your radar as a gift, the brand-new Kindle Paperwhite is still discounted after the seasonal sale events for a limited time.
This brand-new Kindle Paperwhite (16GB) — which was only just revealed in October — is currently available for $134.99 for a limited time. This is 16% off its list price of $159.99, and a deal well worth jumping on if you're an avid reader or know someone with a massive love for books. Amazon also notes it may arrive after Christmas, but this delivery window can sometimes shift around so it's worth it to keep checking the page for any changes.
SEE ALSO: Stock your Kindle library with this year's best books and get double the rewardsThis Kindle has 25% faster page turns alongside a higher contrast ratio so you can take in your favorite novels with ease. We even rank it as the best overall e-reader in 2024. In our review of the latest Kindle Paperwhite, Mashable's Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino said "The Kindle Paperwhite is not just the best Kindle but the best e-reader overall. It's compact and lightweight, just the right size for toting around. The screen strikes the balance of tech and paper, and the adjustable warmth makes reading in the evening better for your eyes."
As mentioned earlier, this is a limited-time deal at Amazon so act fast to scoop up this sleek Kindle Paperwhite while the sale is still live.
While Amazon says that, at the moment, the Kindle Paperwhite may arrive after Christmas, there are still a variety of other items available at the retailer that you can get as early as tomorrow. In our roundup of Amazon deals you can get tomorrow, you can see an excellent variety of discounts on everything from speakers to home goods.
The Daily Mini Crossword is one of the many popular daily word games available on Mashable. Powered by Arkadium, the mini crossword offers a speed round of puzzle fun with clues that are sure to challenge experienced crossword enthusiasts.
But there's no need to let the challenge get in the way of your enjoyment! If moments are turning to minutes after getting stuck on a clue, find the answers you need to progress right here.
And when you're done, check out the many other word games you can play on Mashable, including a full-size crossword.
Also, if you get stuck on any other daily word games, such as Wordle, Connections, or Strands — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for December 17 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Tuesday, December 17, 2024:
AcrossAmerican appetizerThe answer is Fry.
The answer is Agorae.
The answer is Marana.
The answer is Burger.
The answer is Egises.
The answer is Res.
The answer is Frags.
The answer is Ranee.
The answer is Years.
The answer is Amber.
The answer is Gauge.
The answer is Orris.
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.
About 20 years ago, scientists used the powerful Hubble telescope to look at the oldest-known exoplanet in space.
How this gas giant, about 2.5 times the mass of Jupiter, could have come to be less than 1 billion years after the Big Bang befuddled them. This world, about 5,600 light-years away in the summer constellation Scorpius, is more than twice the age of Earth. Its mere existence conflicts with the commonly accepted ideas about how the universe evolved.
But a new study using observations by the infrared-sensing James Webb Space Telescope, a collaboration of NASA and its European and Canadian counterparts, is revealing insights into how planet formation was possible long, long ago, even around the primitive stars of the early universe.
"Current models predict that with so few heavier elements, the disks (of planet-building material) around stars have a short lifetime, so short in fact that planets cannot grow big," said Elena Sabbi, one of the Webb researchers based at the National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab in Arizona, in a statement. "But Hubble did see those planets, so what if the models were not correct and disks could live longer?"
SEE ALSO: What most people think they know about the Big Bang is wrong Researchers used star cluster NGC 346 within the Small Magellanic Cloud as a surrogate for the early universe's environment to study planetary disks around stars. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / O. C. Jones / G. De Marchi / M. MeixnerThe Webb team set out to study early planetary disks by homing in on the Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy near the Milky Way. Planetary disks are the clouds of gas and dust surrounding young stars that can eventually coalesce to form baby worlds.
Within that galaxy is a hectic star-forming cluster, dubbed NGC 346. Because the cluster lacks a lot of heavier elements — it only has about 10 percent of the heavier elements that make up the sun — scientists used it as a stand-in for the early universe's conditions.
Researchers surveyed 10 stars in the cluster and discovered that, even at old ages, they still maintained substantial disks. Previous thinking was that these primitive stars would have lost their lightweight disks pretty quickly, after just two or three million years. The team's findings were published Monday in The Astrophysical Journal.
"We see that these stars are indeed surrounded by disks and are still in the process of gobbling material, even at the relatively old age of 20 or 30 million years," said Guido De Marchi, the study leader based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre in the Netherlands. "This also implies that planets have more time to form and grow around these stars."
The cores of stars are considered element factories: They make carbon, for instance, the same chemical on which humans and much of life on Earth are based. Then, through supernova explosions, they spread these heavier elements, like calcium found in bones and iron in blood, across interstellar space. This dispersal seeds new generations of stars and planets.
Given that most of the chemicals in the universe are thought to have come from exploded stars, scientists have rationalized that the firstborn must have been composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium, the primitive material that emerged from the Big Bang. Over time, as stars died and scattered heavier elements, subsequent generations of stars formed with more diverse ingredients.
The team studying early planetary disks suggests there could be different ways for planet-forming disks to remain intact in the early universe's environment. One explanation is that because the stars lack heavier elements in their disks, it takes longer for the stars to blow them away with radiation pressure. Another possibility is the disks might have started out much larger, requiring more time for stars to scatter them, even if the radiation pressure is working in the expected way.
In the latter scenario, the disks could take 10 times longer to disappear, Sabbi said.
"This has implications for how you form a planet, and the type of system architecture that you can have in these different environments," she said.
SAVE OVER $75: As of Dec. 17, the PS5 Fortnite Cobalt Star bundle is on sale for $424. This is $75.99 off its original price of $499.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: PlayStation PS5 'Fortnite Cobalt Star' Bundle $424.00 at AmazonCyber Monday may be behind us, but some of the best gaming deals from the sale event are still going strong at various retailers. PlayStation's Fortnite Cobalt Star bundle is among these deals, and you can even get it to your doorstep before Christmas if you're hoping to pick it up as a gift.
The PS5 Fortnite Cobalt Star bundle is currently on sale for $424. Its original price was $499.99, so this saves you $75.99 overall. Amazon also has a note above the 'Add to Cart' button saying it'll arrive seven days before Christmas, so you'll have plenty of time to get it all wrapped up. Considering what you get in the bundle, it's absolutely worth the price tag as well.
SEE ALSO: Looking for a solid gaming TV deal? The LG B4 55-inch OLED TV is $400 off.Alongside a sleek PS5 Slim disc edition console, which comes with a 1TB SSD and a DualSense controller, this bundle also comes with numerous bonuses for Fortnite fans. Here's the full list of items that come with this bundle:
Cobalt Snowfoot Outfit (with LEGO Style)
Sapphire Star Back Bling
Indigo Inverter Pickaxe
Weathered Snow Stripes Wrap
Cobalt Crash Drums
Krackle Boost (Gold Painted Style)
Discotheque Wheels (Gold Painted Style)
Stella Trail (Gold Painted Style)
1,000 V-Bucks
The PS5 (disc edition) Fortnite Cobalt Star bundle likely won't stick around for long, so grab it while you can at Amazon.
This isn't the only PlayStation deal still live right now, either. The standard PS5 Slim disc edition console is still on sale as is the PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of The Mountain bundle. And if you want to see some more gift ideas you can get quickly before the holidays, check out our roundup of Amazon deals that'll arrive by tomorrow.
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 Tuesday, December 17, 2024:
AcrossPig's placeThe answer is Sty.
The answer is Moral.
The answer is Odors.
The answer is Pound.
The answer is Its.
The answer is SoDoI.
The answer is Trout.
The answer is Yarns.
The answer is Mop.
The answer is LSD.
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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