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The tsunami warning that came screaming through my cell phone at 10:51 a.m. was blunt: "You are in danger."
The warning applied to 5.3 million people in California, according to the Associated Press, although not all received it — and many who did were shocked into disbelief.
A tsunami here? Impossible, I thought, at first. I live east of San Francisco, more than a mile inland from the Bay shoreline, about two hundred feet above sea level.
Then I thought: I need to get to my kids.
SEE ALSO: How to connect your iPhone to a satellite to send messagesI wasn't sure how a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hundreds of miles north of me could prompt a warning like the one I received from the National Weather Service.
But I also know enough about earthquake science and the west coast's seismic, volcanic "ring of fire," to understand that my state exists on the precipice of tectonic plates, both underground and deep in the sea. And that the tension in those plates can translate to unimaginable power.
One day, those underwater plates may cause a catastrophic rupture, one that leads to a deadly tsunami. Was this the day?
I needed to get more information about our risk, but doing so proved more difficult and confusing than I expected. I ultimately encountered an alarming map that indicated my family was indeed in a warning zone, but I had no guidance about what to do as a result.
Why so many people got the tsunami warningI didn't know it at the time, but that warning map was not quite correct for my location and "not the best warning decision tool," according to David Snider, the tsunami warning coordinator for the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.
In an interview, Snider also explained that the federal agency's tools for alerting the public to a tsunami are more imprecise than we might expect, thanks to the way that geographical boundaries are drawn.
If I'd been enjoying a day on the coast, I would've been grateful for the potentially lifesaving text message. But based on my location at the time, I probably shouldn't have gotten the blaring alert. Snider said this message is sent automatically via the Wireless Emergency Alert System following a tsunami warning.
Meanwhile, some people in the Bay Area didn't get that alert on their phones, but received news via text from their counties that it had been canceled. Others received nothing at all.
A "critical need in our next level of service is communicating to folks in exactly the right areas," Snider said, "and helping people know who don't need to move, that they don't need to move."
The map that nearly made me panic. Credit: U.S. Tsunami Warning CenterSnider added that the tsunami warning center website is undergoing major upgrades to improve the way that warning maps are visualized, which should clarify risk levels in the future.
But he also noted that those boundaries reflect the NWS' weather forecasting and alert zones, among other factors. Here's what that can mean: people who live near the shoreline or coastal waterways may be lumped into the same geographical area of people not far from the ocean but closer to elevated terrain, such as the Oakland and Berkeley Hills.
The result: a terrifying warning map where the entire San Francisco Bay Area is blanketed in red.
A crisis in believabilityAs a journalist with science reporting experience, I have a high tolerance for nuance and caution in moments of crisis. I understand that warnings are necessary to prevent death and disaster, even if the worst possible outcome never transpires.
But to be caught in limbo, with a serious warning and not much else, is to feel a unique kind of terror. It's the kind of fear, multiplied by thousands of individuals, that can generate widespread distrust of government experts and authorities. Over time, that mistrust can curdle into resentment.
For example, look at the replies to the National Weather Service's announcement on X that the tsunami warning had been canceled. One user accused the federal agency of lying to protect their "fat salaries / pensions / benefits." Another paged DOGE, the X account for Elon Musk's new government-slashing initiative otherwise known as the Department of Government Efficiency.
Tsunami warnings are rare, compared to other natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires. And as Snider pointed out, people in immediate potential danger on the coast appeared to have heeded the alarm, followed directions, and started evacuating. In that sense, the system worked.
But if there were ever a time for disaster and emergency authorities to be highly communicative with the public, this moment was it.
Was I at risk?Personally, I couldn't wait to confirm whether or not I was truly in danger. My family's emergency bag, which I'd needed to be ready if the tsunami waves arrived at San Francisco by 12:10 p.m., as they'd been forecast, was incomplete.
It was during that frantic hour of packing the emergency bag, while searching for information, that I came across the NWS' tsunami warning system map.
The San Francisco Bay Area was covered in ominous red, indicating that everything in its domain — including my own home and my children's school — was subject to the warning.
This was hard to square with the phone alert I received, which said I needed to move to high ground, or inland, immediately. But what if I was already there and still under threat?
Plus, here's where a little knowledge might be a dangerous thing. I'd seen a different government map of the local tsunami risk, made several years ago. That map identified coastal waterways as the only danger areas.
So which map was right?
The emergency alert received by the author. Credit: Rebecca Ruiz / MashableLater, Snider told me that the tsunami warning system map didn't show precise tsunami hazards at the community level, so it's not "the complete story which helps all end users have a total answer in that moment."
But at the time, my mind scrambled for answers.
I imagined that a major tsunami-level surge in the Bay, which covers 1,600 square miles, could send water and debris rushing inland. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed 230,000 people, led to flooding three miles inland in some places. Images from that tragedy are still seared into my memory.
Still, I couldn't find any trustworthy explanations for why this warning covered so much of the Bay Area, or what I should do next.
Should I simply drive east, away from the Bay and ocean? That would take me through the Berkeley and Oakland hills, very high ground, the kind you'd assume was safe — but the hills were also technically covered by the warning. The text alert didn't point recipients to a website or resource for real-time updates or instructions.
I heard from no government official after the warning was issued. Looking at California Gov. Gavin Newsom's X account later, I discovered that he didn't post about the tsunami warning until it was canceled.
My children's school district sent a message out nearly an hour after the initial warning. "We are being advised to keep everyone in place," it said.
Though the National Weather Service is my go-to source during natural- and weather-related events and disasters, the agency's tsunami alerts account on X had posted only the warning.
The NWS Bay Area X account posted a single update between when the warning was issued and when it was cancelled. "We are still waiting for magnitudes of water rise," it read. "We will update you as we learn more".
Tweet may have been deletedFriends reported trying to find the same information I had, but said that reliable websites timed out on them. Then, just before noon, the warning was canceled.
"Based on all available data... the tsunami threat from this earthquake has now passed," said the statement. It took about 15 minutes for county officials to text and email me that news.
What happens next time?I don't know the most effective way to warn millions of people about a possible tsunami. The most important thing is that the people living on the coast got the alert as quickly as possible. But I do worry that what happened could undermine trust in the warning system.
Snider said that future updates to Tsunami.gov could better reflect tsunami hazard areas, which are already well known and are currently available in map form at the state and local level.
He understands that the public wants and needs information specific to their location that's streamlined and easy to access. Snider indicated that some of this work was already underway, in addition to upgrades to the tsunami warning system website.
The response to the earthquake and potential tsunami will be evaluated, Snider promised, with a focus on how information reached the public.
The forecasting and warning services that the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration provides are vital, but some members of the public may just assume the worst about what happened. Maybe they'll think the government sometimes tries to scare us for its own nefarious reasons. Perhaps they'll think the hard-working scientists behind the models that warn of potential disaster don't know what they're doing, and they'll turn to cranks or grifters making false pronouncements for clicks on social media instead.
Neither of these outcomes is good for the eroding state of trust in officials. Nor is the possibility that people will wave off future tsunami warnings if they felt like this one was unnecessary. Just because the threat of a tsunami was over just as quickly as it began doesn't mean people won't remember how they were warned — for all the wrong reasons.
After weeks of waiting, Apple's iOS 18.2 update is almost here.
Expected to launch on Monday, Nov. 9, iOS 18.2 brings some hefty new features to the table. Of particular note are enhancements to Apple Intelligence, which has been in a sort of weird half-baked stage since the iPhone 16 launched earlier this year. The latest iOS update packs in some of the more anticipated Apple Intelligence features, such as the ability to create your own emoji.
SEE ALSO: OpenAI announces ChatGPT Pro with a $200 monthly price tag iOS 18.2 release notes: 4 features to get excited aboutPer 9to5Mac, these are the big features Apple included in its release patch notes for iOS 18.2.
GenmojiGenmoji allows users to create their own custom emoji with text prompts. The use cases here are fairly self-explanatory; sometimes you want to use an emoji that doesn't exist, so now, you can just create said emoji for yourself.
Image PlaygroundImage Playground is an all-encompassing app for generating new or altering existing images with AI. You can create images using text prompts, or import existing images from your Photos library to add things to them. These images can then be shared via Messages or other apps.
Visual IntelligenceVisual Intelligence is an iPhone 16-exclusive feature that allows users to long press the Camera Control button and take photos of objects to be analyzed by AI. Once the photo is taken, you can get more information about the object from ChatGPT, or have AI highlight any text in the image for you. Google Search is also included, in case you don't trust ChatGPT.
ChatGPT integration with SiriSpeaking of which, ChatGPT's previously announced integration with Siri is here with iOS 18.2. If you ask Siri something and it feels ChatGPT is more qualified to give an answer, you'll be prompted to optionally consult OpenAI's chat bot instead. This is done within Siri and does not require a ChatGPT account. Have fun!
Following the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday, the internet erupted with jokes, memes, and, later, thirst posts for the insurance magnate's shooter. The assassination was an event that could, for many, signal the start of a more critical look at corporations, how the people leading them treat the public, and how the public responds to those executives' choices.
Or it was just a perfect opportunity to laugh in the face of a bleak political and economic reality. The internet is as the internet does.
Tweet may have been deletedBut the online fete has stirred even more debate behind the scenes: In the age of re-contested free speech, where does content moderation (and platforms' anti-violence policies) fit into the class conversation?
SEE ALSO: Bluesky ramps up content moderation as millions join the platformNowhere has that been more documented than on Reddit. According to a 404Media report, the platform has removed dozens of posts about the CEO's death, tracked by a platform subbreddit known as r/undelete which grabs content that reaches the top 100 most popular on the site before being deleted. Many of the posts, the publication found, had thousands of upvotes and even more still exist on industry related subs like r/nursing and r/medicine. Subbredit moderators are struggling to curb the plethora of posts, which they say will inevitably be removed by Reddit for violating anti violence policies, if not first removed by moderators for violation of "no politics" and "no death" rules.
There isn't resounding agreement on whether posts like this should be removed, however. In posts and statements to 404Media, users and moderators alike have argued that discussion of the assassination do not violate Reddit's content policies given that it is a "newsworthy" event covered by reputable outlets.
Meanwhile, sites like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) have struggled to spot and remove online reactions, as well. An official Facebook post from UnitedHealthcare announcing Thompson's death was the subject of online fodder once users realized the healthcare giant's post of condolence was being "ratio'd" by laughing reactions. As of Dec. 5, the post had more than 31,000 "haha" responses, compared to just 1,900 "sad" reacts. United Healthcare later locked down its post, as well as similar ones on LinkedIn, from further commenting.
Reddit Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedSome have equated the resoundingly positive reaction online to the digital celebration of controversial Secretary of State Henry Kissinger's death in Nov. 2023 — a similarly meme-filled event that even got its own sexually-charged copypasta.
But while thousands interacted with and posted their United Healthcare memes, others online warned that they might want to cool their partying — or at least be prepared to deal with the possible repercussions. In a TikTok captioned "hot tips from a former lawyer" by account @fivefourpod, users amplified the right to remain silent: "If a person of government shows up at your door asking about a post on this app or another app... They're going to make it seem like you need to explain yourself. Shhhh. Do not talk to the government person."
The Tulane Green Wave (9-3) and the No. 24 Army Black Knights (10-1) will face off in the American Athletic Conference Championship this week at Michie Stadium in West Point, New York. The match will take place on Friday, Dec. 6, and is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.
Tulane was ranked at No. 17 last week, but dropped out of the rankings after a loss to conference rival, Memphis football (now ranked at No. 25). The Black Knights peaked at No. 19 in Week 12, when the team was still undefeated, but they were dropped out of the rankings after a Week 13 loss to Notre Dame.
SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Tulane vs. Army football kickoff time and networkThe Tulane vs. Army football game is scheduled for a 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT start on ABC on Friday, Dec. 6.
Dave Pasch is expected to do the play-by-play, while Dusty Dvoracek will join him in the booth as the analyst.
Best streaming services for Tulane vs. Army football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Tulane vs. Army football game on ABC.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
The No. 20 UNLV Rebels (10-1) and the No. 10 Boise State Broncos (11-0) will face off in the Mountain West Conference Championship this week at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The match will take place on Friday, Dec. 6, and is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.
These two teams faced off just six weeks ago, when the Broncos won 29-24 on the road.
Boise State is currently assuming one of the top four seeds in the College Football Playoffs. In the newly implemented 12-team playoff format, the highest ranked conference leader in the top four conferences will take the top four seeds and earn a first round bye. The fifth highest ranked conference leader will take the No. 12 seed, and the rest will be filled out according to the rankings.
SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable UNLV vs. Boise State football kickoff time and networkThe UNLV vs. Boise State football game is scheduled for a 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT start on FOX on Friday, Dec. 6.
Jason Benetti is expected to do the play-by-play, while Brock Huard will join him in the booth as the analyst.
The CFP committee will reveal the playoffs bracket on Sunday on ESPN. The show starts at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.
Best streaming services for UNLV vs. Boise State football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the UNLV vs. Boise football game on FOX.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
TAKE UP TO 55% OFF: The Best Buy 3-Day Sale has discounts on name brands like Apple, Samsung, LG, and more that take up to 55% off the regular price.
Best Buy's 3-Day Sale Highlights Best TV deal Insignia 55-inch Class F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $199.99 at Best Buy (save $150) Get Deal Best tech deal Amazon Echo Dot $22.99 at Best Buy (save $27) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Jabra Elite 10 earbuds $124.99 at Best Buy (save $125) Get DealDid you miss out on shopping Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales? If you took off to a cozy cabin or spent the week offline, maybe you feel like you missed out on getting the best deals on the holiday season. But we're here to offer you some relief. Sure, a few deals are gone but major retailers like Best Buy are still dropping massive discounts on some great tech that's incredibly giftable (to others or yourself).
The Best Buy 3-Day Sale has impressive discounts on TVs, laptops, wearable tech, home appliances, and even toys. Here are some top deals to shop this weekend at the Best Buy 3-Day Sale.
Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 55-inch Class F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $199.99 at Best BuyWinter holidays are almost here which means you're bound to have some extra time on your hands at home. Why not spend it catching up on the best shows of 2024 that everyone said were incredible but you didn't have time to enjoy yet? If that's on your schedule and you've been kicking it with an old TV, upgrade to the 55-inch Insignia Class F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV. During the Best Buy 3-Day Sale, this model is just $199.99, down from the list price of $349.99. That means you'll be saving 43% off the normal price.
At 55 inches, this model is great for your living room or going for a luxury size in the bedroom. While it doesn't have a super fancy OLED or QLED display, the sale price of under $200 is pretty awesome for the size. Plus, the model is a Fire TV so you won't need to plug in any streaming device.
More TV dealsInsignia 24-inch Class F20 Series LED HD Smart Fire TV — $49.99 $79.99 (save $30)
TCL 50-inch Class Q5-Series 4K UHD HDR PRO+ QLED Smart Fire TV — $199.99 $399.99 (save $200)
LG 65-inch Class UT70 Series LED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)
Samsung 75-inch Class DU6950 Series Crystal UHD 4K Smart Tizen TV — $499.99 $749.99 (save $250)
A smart speaker is one of the most enjoyable home gadgets. Turning on some tunes to clean, cook, or workout to can entirely change the experience. Or tune into a great podcast while wrapping holiday gifts. However you choose to use it, the Amazon Echo Dot smartspeaker is a reliable and super functional speaker that's currently on sale for a irresistible price. Best Buy's 3-Day Sale has the Amazon Echo Dot at just $22.99, which saves you $27 from the usual price of $49.99.
At that price, it makes a great gift for a neighbor, co-worker, or a stocking stuffer for the teen who's incredibly hard to buy presents for.
More tech dealsTP-Link Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Light Dimmer Switch (4-pack) — $39.99 $89.99 (save $50)
Amazon Echo Spot — $44.99 $79.99 (save $35)
Amazon Echo Show 5 — $44.99 $89.99 (save $45)
Apple AirTag (4-pack) — $79.99 $99 (save $19.01)
Starlink Mini Kit AC Dual Band Wi-Fi System — $449.99 $599.99 (save $150)
With a focus on comfort, the Jabra Elite 10 earbuds get an impressive 36 hours of battery life on a single charge. Jabra uses ComfortFit technology to give listeners the ability to use the earbuds all day thanks to unique oval EarGels that conform to your individual ear. The semi-open design is also meant to provide a more comfortable wearing experience.
When it comes to sound quality, the Jabra Elite 10 use 10mm speakers with active noise cancellation. They're also great for working out since they water and dust proof.
The Jabra Elite 10 typically cost $249.99 but Best Buy's weekend sale drops them to just $124.99 which works out to a 50% discount.
More wearable tech dealsJBL Tune Flex Earbuds — $49.99 $99.99 (save $50)
Soundcore by Anker Sleep A20 Noise Masking True Wireless Earbud — $119.99 $149.99 (save $30)
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Aluminum Smartwatch (40mm) — $149.99 $299.99 (save $150)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones — $299 $429 (save $130)
Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon — $349 $449 (save $100)
Good news for Google Pixel users — they're bringing back a beloved old feature.
The new update will have manual controls for the main screen in the 9.7 version of the Pixel Camera app, making it easier to control white balance, brightness, and shadows — just like it used to, according to Tom's Guide.
In the current version of Pixel 9 Pro, you can still control the white balance, brightness, and shadows, but you have to go into the camera's settings menu to do so. Now, you can pin those settings so you don't have to toggle them as much.
SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 9 review: Officially too much AIThe update is still rolling out, so you might not have access to it just yet. Despite that, fans seem primed for the new change. Nearly all of the comments on Google Pixel sub-reddit are some version of "Thank God, old manual control is so much easier to use than new one," and "Win after win, it's been a good Pixel year this one."
As Android Police points out, that's not the only photo-related new feature in the update, either. The cameras on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Pixel Fold will now have a Dual Screen Portrait Mode on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Pixel Fold.
GET UP TO $160 OFF: As of Dec. 6th, get the Apple iPhone 13 (128GB, unlocked) for $389.99 and save $160 to connect with a qualifying carrier plan. Or, get the iPhone for $489.99, for $60, and connect your phone to any existing carrier,
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 13 (128GB, unlocked) $389.99 at Best BuyThough the model might have been out of the news cycle for the last couple of years, the iPhone 13 is still a powerful smartphone. And you can get a great deal on a new phone right now at Best Buy's 3-Day Sale.
As of Dec. 6th, get the Apple iPhone 13 (128GB, unlocked) for $389.99, down from $549.99, and save $160 when you connect with a qualifying carrier plan. Or, get the iPhone for $489.99, for $60 off, and connect your phone to any existing carrier.
SEE ALSO: The latest Apple AirPods 4 are at their lowest-ever price on AmazonThe 2021 iPhone model sports a 12MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide camera on its rear, while its front side has a TrueDepth camera (also 12 MP) that includes night vision. A 6.1-inch screen gives you room for swiping or gaming, and its signature Apple retina XDR display it looks great too.
The iPhone 13 uses an A15 bionic chip, which is a few generations behind the new iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, but this chip is still fast.
As of Dec. 6 you can get the Apple iPhone 13 for up to $160 off at the Best Buy 3-Day sale. With a ceramic shield for durability and an ingress protection (IP) rating of 68, this device is so hardy that you might be using it until the iPhone 19 releases.
SAVE $25: As of Dec. 6, you can get the JBL Vibe Beam true wireless earbuds for just $24.95 at Amazon. That's a 50% discount and $25 off the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Vibe Beam true wireless earbuds $24.95 at AmazonIf you’re still looking for gifts or just want to treat yourself to a new pair of true wireless earbuds, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better deal than the JBL Vibe Beam earbuds, which are currently available on Amazon for $24.95.
For less than $25, you can’t really complain about the features and performance of these earbuds. While Mashable’s RJ Andersen did give these buds a four-out-of-five star rating in his full review, at this price, the sound quality makes sense, and the overall experience is actually quite impressive for what you're paying.
SEE ALSO: Are JBL's $50 Vibe Beam Earbuds too good to be true?These earbuds have a great battery life (up to eight hours of listening time without the case and 24 additional hours with), and the fast-charge feature will give you two extra hours of playtime with just a ten-minute charge. The controls are fairly standard and easy to pair and unpair with your other devices.
They’re also surprisingly comfortable: “I have fairly small ears, which makes finding comfortable headphones a challenge, and I was impressed that the Vibe Beam earbuds didn’t slip out of my ears while I was working out,” Andersen writes. “They also didn’t leave my ears aching when I finally stepped off the treadmill.”
While these earbuds aren’t the absolute best true wireless options out there, they’re still a solid choice for anyone who’s on a budget and doesn’t need a symphony orchestra-level soundstage.
SAVE $27: As of Dec. 6, you can snag an Echo Dot (5th gen) for just $22.99, down from $49.99, at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. That's 54% off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) $22.99 at AmazonEcho devices are pricey throughout the year, so if you’re looking to get one for a discounted price, now’s the time to go online and hit “add to cart.”
As of Dec. 6, you can snag an Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) for just $22.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. That’s 54% off the list price, or a savings of $27.
SEE ALSO: Echo Dot vs. Echo Pop: Which Amazon device should you buy for Black Friday 2024?The Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) is the newest version of Amazon’s most popular smart speaker. According to Amazon, it’s the company’s “best-sounding Echo yet," with updated speakers and speech recognition technology that can hear you from across the room, even when music is playing.
You can set alarms and reminders, control your other smart home device (I use mine to turn my Christmas tree on and off), or learn about the news, weather, and more.
With the holidays right around the corner, this Echo Dot deal could be the perfect gift for anyone on your list. Plus, at only $22.99, it’s a steal.
Skipped shopping on Cyber Weekend? No worries. There are plenty of deals hanging around at Amazon. Some are astonishingly even better than Black Friday. We've had our eyes peeled and rounded up a few of the best deals we think are worth adding to your cart on Friday, Dec. 6.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. Check out our picks from Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, as well. Many of those are still live, including a record-low price on the excellent Sony ULT Wear headphones and 30% off the Lego Icons Poinsettia building kit.
Our top pick: Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) $138.99 at AmazonDuring Cyber Week, we only saw the AirPods 4 drop to $164.99. Considering they were only released in September, the minimal discount was understandable. However, Apple just threw us for a loop with a bigger price drop on Dec. 6. The fourth-generation earbuds with noise cancellation are now down to $138.99 at Amazon, a savings of 22% and the best price we've seen yet. Wondering if they're worth the upgrade? Our reviewer Kim Gedeon said, "I love them so much, they have replaced my AirPods Pro as my new daily driver earbuds."
Check out our review of the AirPods 4.
Audible 3-month subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible 3-month subscription $0.99 per month for three months (save $41.88) Get DealThrough Dec. 31, you can score three months of Audible Premium Plus for only 99 cents per month. That's a massive savings of $41.88 or 90%, as it usually costs $14.95 monthly. The deal is available to anyone who is not an existing Audible member. A Premium Plus membership gives you discounted or even free audiobooks from the Audible Plus catalog, including Audible Originals and podcasts. You'll also get one free title from the Audible Premium selection, as well as exclusive members sales and discounts on other purchases.
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $79.99 at AmazonThe Wonderboom 4 from Ultimate Ears is a tiny powerhouse that comes out on top as our favorite sub-$100 Bluetooth speaker. It packs a well-rounded sound profile that is quite powerful for a speaker of its size and can last for up to 14 hours on a full charge. Not to mention, the rugged design can endure drops from up to five feet or be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. We wish it offered a companion app for more customization, but it's still overall a solid pick — especially while it's 20% off. At $79.99, the fourth-generation speaker is steadily sitting at its lowest price on record.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (64GB) $149.00 at AmazonTop of the line iPads are great, but not everyone needs a tablet that competes with their computer. If you want a tablet that's reliable and can handle basic everyday tasks proficiently and is budget-friendly, you can't go wrong with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+. It's nothing fancy, but it checks all the right boxes a low-cost tablet should. It features an 11-inch display, quad speakers powered by Dolby Atmos, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor, and expandable storage up to 1TB. Our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) called it the "best low-cost Android tablet you can buy" earlier this year. Usually the 64GB version with WiFi is $219.99, but as of Dec. 6, it's down to only $149. That's just one cent away from its all-time low.
Amazon Echo Pop Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Pop $17.99 at AmazonThe Echo Pop is the least expensive way to add Alexa to your home — especially when it's down to its best-ever price of $17.99. Basically an Echo Dot lite, the Pop is made "for people who like to keep music playing, and who also use Alexa as a home assistant." Plus, it adds a fun pop of color (get it?) to your home. While it's not particularly groundbreaking for the Echo lineup, as our reviewer noted, it is a budget-friendly speaker that sounds great in any room of your home.
Check out our full review of the Echo Pop.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
GET $150 OFF: As of Dec. 6th, get an Insignia 55-inch 4K Smart Fire TV for just $199.99, down from $349.99. That's a 43% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 55-inch 4K Smart TV $199.99 at Best BuyWant a big TV for a small price? Get some serious bang for your buck with this Insignia smart TV deal from Best Buy’s 3-Day Sale.
As of Dec. 6, get the Insignia 55-inch 4K Smart TV on sale for $199.99, down from $349.99, at Best Buy. That's $150 off, or a discount of 43%.
SEE ALSO: I write about TVs, and $130 off this Toshiba 43-inch 4K Smart Fire TV is a stealWhether you're looking for a new TV for your next rewatch of The Sopranos, or you're after a new screen to keep up with a super secret Xbox Series X holiday gift that's on the way, this screen has you covered.
With 4K UHD resolution, this TV is loaded with pixels and will look good with older content and new. Console gamers will appreciate its 60Hz response rate, which is quick enough to handle modern online gaming.
With Fire TV built in, this budget beast comes with services like Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and Sling TV loaded. However, what you watch is entirely up to you.
SAVE 10%: Dec. 6th, Etsy is offering gift cards of $50+ for 10% off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Etsy Etsy Gift Cards Get 10% off gift cards $50+ Get DealEtsy is the online marketplace for individual makers. Whether looking for a felt hat, a handmade knife, a perfect collection of colorful coasters, or custom artwork, Etsy is the e-commerce platform for you.
But what if you’re not quite sure what your giftee would like? That’s where a gift card comes into play. Right now you can get 10% off on Etsy gift cards of $50 or more.
SEE ALSO: The best gifts for teenage girls, according to teenage girlsOn Etsy, you’ll be able to find shops from all over the world, as well as domestic shops that are committed to fast and easy delivery. In some instances, Etsy will even guarantee certain orders from specific sellers — get it by a specific time or your money back.
However, if you’re looking for a great gift by the holidays and you really don’t want it to be late, go for an Etsy gift card. Gift cards can be mailed or sent via email or text. Digital gift cards can also be scheduled, so you can buy a card now and have it arrive right on Christmas morning.
As of Dec. 6th, buy an Etsy gift card for $50 or more and get 10% off.
With so many unique crafts, Etsy is the resource for novel gifts. You’ll find sellers who specialize in laser etched glasses or portraits of dogs, next to woodworkers, or custom shoe makers. When you’re looking for something unique, turn to Etsy.
$0.99 KINDLE DEALS: The Indie Author Winter Wonderland Event is finally here! Now, through December 9, you can get hundreds of indie books for 99 cents or less.
Opens in a new window Credit: Indivisible Indie Author Winter Wonderland Event Get hundreds of indie books for $0.99 or less Get DealIf the last Stuff Your Kindle Day left you wanting more, the Indie Author Winter Wonderland sales event is finally here — and the deals are just as good.
Indie Author Winter Wonderland is an author-led event where you can get hundreds of indie e-books for 99 cents or less. (We’re seeing some free books, too!)
SEE ALSO: Cyber Monday Kindle deals are live: Save 23% on our favorite new KindlesThrough Dec. 9, you can browse the participating author’s books and stock up on all sorts of new reads to keep you comfy and content through the winter months. It’s pretty much just like Stuff Your Kindle Day, but indie.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Indie Author Winter Wonderland sales event.
When is the Indie Author Winter Wonderland event?Led by Hayley Anderton, this year’s Indie Author Winter Wonderland event runs from Dec. 6 to Dec. 9, 2024. You can browse all the participating authors and books during this time and pick up some great deals on indie e-books.
Who can take part in the Indie Author Winter Wonderland event?The best thing about the Indie Author Winter Wonderland sales event is that anyone can participate, Kindle owner or not.
The event is open to all readers, and all you have to do is visit the Indievisible events page during the four days of the sale to browse the deals. You can search by genre or filter by tag to find books that interest you, and you'll be able to see which books are on sale for $0.99 or less.
If you don’t have a Kindle, you can download the Kindle app for your phone or tablet and read e-books from the event. You can also use Kindle for Web to read books right in your browser.
Which e-books are 99 cents?There are hundreds of e-books for 99 cents or less during the event. On the Indievisible events page, you'll find 99 cent deals on romances, thrillers, science fiction, and more.
Here are a few indie read deals to get you started:Accidentally In Love with My Best Friend's Brother by Abby Greyson
Mistletoe Misses by Alexandra Grace
The Blood Eagle by A.L. Hatcher
All the Dark Souls by A.M. Dunnewin
BOOK A $25 FLIGHT: Amazon and StudentUniverse are offering $25 flights for the holidays to young adults aged 18 to 24. Book between Dec. 9 and Dec. 13.
Opens in a new window Credit: StudentUniverse $25 flights for the holidays Prime young adult member exclusive (ages 18 - 24) Get DealWe're all in agreeance that life is expensive these days. Sure, lingering deals from Cyber Monday are still kicking around which helps with holiday gifting. But prices for traveling during the holiday season are soaring. Think $700 for a one-way flight from Seattle to Atlanta on Dec. 20 level of ridiculousness. But if you're between the ages of 18 and 24, Amazon has a special ticket for you this holiday season.
From Dec. 9 through Dec. 13, Amazon is partnering with StudentUniverse to offer $25 flights for the holidays to Prime young adult members who fall between the ages of 18 and 24. Beginning at 10 a.m. PT on Dec. 9, StudentUniverse will offer 1,000 domestic flight tickets for just $25 each per day, for a total of 5,000 booking opportunities over the five-day sale window. To snag this deal, you'll need to be within the eligible age range and an Amazon Prime member.
Phone your family because maybe you will actually make it home for the holidays this year. This epic deal for young adults gives the opportunity to fly domestically within the U.S. for just $25. But you'll need to be ready to pack your bags ASAP because the deal comes with a short travel period.
The sale will include outbound travel that falls between Dec. 9 and Dec. 25 and inbound travel dates from Dec. 9 to Jan. 14, 2025.
Of course, you'll need to be a current Prime member to be eligible for this deal, but Amazon has a nice price for young adults. For starters, those between 18 and 24 can sign up for a free 6-month trial period and after that, Prime will auto renew at just $7.49 per month. That's a 50% discount off the standard Prime membership.
If you hope to snag this deal, head to studentuniverse.com on Monday morning. Keep in mind that you don't need to be an active student to score a $25 ticket because anyone aged 18 to 24 is eligible, so long as you're a Prime member. And if you're not already a Prime member, it's wise to sign up this weekend since 10 a.m. on Monday morning might be a bit chaotic.
In a world where prices seem to off the rails, this deal on $25 flights for young adults is pretty amazing and one we definitely recommend jumping on it. Head home for the holidays or gather some friends to have a perfect getaway over winter break. Bon voyage!
Tired of Overwatch? Marvel has an alternative out that you can play for free right now.
Marvel Rivals officially launched this week, after months of trailers and occasional beta periods. The third-person hero shooter starring characters from the Marvel universe is flashy and approachable for new players, but the one question on every comic book fan's mind is: Who exactly can you play as in Marvel Rivals?
Good news! There are 33 playable characters at launch, with more to be added in the future. Let's go over them now.
SEE ALSO: The best video games of 2024 Every playable character in Marvel Rivals at launchHere are all 33 Marvel Rivals playable heroes at launch, listed in alphabetical order:
Adam Warlock
Black Panther
Black Widow
Captain America
Cloak & Dagger
Doctor Strange
Groot
Hawkeye
Hela
Hulk
Iron Fist
Iron Man
Jeff the Land Shark
Loki
Luna Snow
Magik
Magneto
Mantis
Moon Knight
Namor
Peni Parker
Psylocke
Punisher
Rocket Raccoon
Scarlet Witch
Spider-Man
Squirrel Girl
Star-Lord
Storm
Thor
Venom
Winter Soldier
Wolverine
As you can see, it's an eclectic list full of heavy-hitters who star in major motion pictures, as well as more obscure choices that are sure to please longtime Marvel fans. Maybe Jeff the Land Shark deserves a movie too! If the MCU goes on long enough, I'm sure we'll get there.
What's worse: Not being recognised by someone, or being recognised as the wrong person?
In the Jimmy Kimmel Live! clip above, Billy Eichner – Mufasa star and host of Billy on the Street – tells a story of being at the same Oscars afterparty as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. The latter came up to him at the bar, only to excitedly address him as "Jimmy on the Street" by mistake.
The solution that Eichner and Kimmel come up with? An episode of Billy on the Street with both Kimmel and Kelce. It needs to happen.
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