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A new lawsuit filed against delivery and tech giant Amazon accuses the company of intentionally slowing down Prime deliveries to select neighborhoods in Washington D.C.— areas that happen to be home to predominantly Black households.

Submitted by D.C. attorney general Brian Schwalb on Dec. 4, the lawsuit claims Amazon imposed a secret "delivery exclusion" to zip codes in southeast and northeast D.C. in mid-2022. The alleged policy, which saw Amazon removing its own vehicles from delivery routes in the region, effectively strips Prime-subscribed residents in those areas of the advertised one-day, two-day, or same-day shipment options, constituting a violation of consumer protection laws.

SEE ALSO: New consumer protection rules would block data brokers from selling Americans' sensitive info

Notably, these areas (specifically zip codes 20019 and 20020 in Ward 7 and Ward 8) are highly-populous and predominantly Black. The areas are "historically underserved," according to Schwalb. "While Amazon has every right to make operational changes, it cannot covertly decide that a dollar in one zip code is worth less than a dollar in another," wrote the attorney general. "Amazon is charging tens of thousands of hard-working Ward 7 and 8 residents for an expedited delivery service it promises but does not provide."

This is not the first accusation levied against Amazon for discriminatory delivery practices. A 2016 investigation by Bloomberg found that much of Amazon's free same-day delivery service area excluded predominantly Black ZIP codes. Amazon—initially blaming disparities in service on lack of proximity to warehouses—later announced it would expand same-day delivery to affected areas in Boston, New York City, and Chicago as a result of the findings.

An Amazon spokesperson told NBC that the lawsuit's claims of "discriminatory or deceptive" business practices are "categorically false." Instead, according to Amazon representative Kelly Nantel, the policy was enacted to "protect" its employees from area residents. "In the zip codes in question, there have been specific and targeted acts against drivers delivering Amazon packages," she said in a statement. "We made the deliberate choice to adjust our operations, including delivery routes and times, for the sole reason of protecting the safety of drivers."

It's undeniable that YouTube is where culture happens. It's how people get their news, consume hours of video podcasts, and dive into fandoms that shape the way we see the world. From the U.S. presidential election to the scandals and comebacks of music icons, the platform has been the ultimate stage for what’s captured our attention in 2024.

In its annual Global Culture & Trends Report, released on Tuesday (Dec. 3), YouTube broke down the trending topics and creators that defined the past year. And while there's a plethora of data to parse through, we're going to focus on its U.S. trends list.

YouTube's U.S. Trending Topics: An overview

In 2024, YouTube cemented its role as the go-to destination for both entertainment and information, particularly in a high-stakes election year that saw the U.S. presidential race dominate the platform’s trending topics. As the most-watched streaming service on televisions worldwide — surpassing giants like Netflix and Disney+ — YouTube has become more than a hub for creators; it’s a source for news. Americans are increasingly turning to online influencers for their news, with 21 percent of U.S. adults and an impressive 37 percent of those under 30 relying on social media personalities for updates, according a Pew study. Of those influencers, nearly half (44 percent) are active on YouTube, underscoring its dominance as a platform where information meets influence.

SEE ALSO: Are the 2024 presidential campaigns Too Online?

Pop culture also thrived on YouTube in 2024. From the hype surrounding the Deadpool & Wolverine movie and the viral "Bye Bye Bye" dance challenge that lit up Shorts, to Sabrina Carpenter’s infectious hit that had everyone singing, "That’s that me espresso," the platform amplified the year’s biggest cultural highlights. It also became a hub for video games like Dress to Impress and Helldivers 2, where gamers shared gameplay, tips, fan art, and IRL competitions.

YouTube served as a battleground for commentary on breaking news stories, including the ongoing Sean Combs scandal and the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar beef that divided the internet, with creators sparking discussions, reactions, and deep dives into the drama. Meanwhile, anime fans rallied around Jujutsu Kaisen, with Gege Akutami’s beloved manga wrapping up its final arc, sparking impassioned fan theories and reactions.

Indie animation takes the spotlight

In 2024, indie animation proved its power on YouTube, captivating viewers with its limitless creativity. Projects like The Amazing Digital Circus and Hazbin Hotel showcased the thriving world of independent creators pushing the boundaries of storytelling and visual artistry on the platform — without the backing of a major studio.

SEE ALSO: Youtube Music 2024 recap: How to get yours

The Amazing Digital Circus, with its surreal humor and eye-popping animation, quickly became a viral sensation in just three episodes, inspiring fan art, memes, and endless analysis videos. (Netflix is now licensing the episodes for air the same day they premiere on YouTube.) Vivienne Medrano's Hazbin Hotel, which transitioned from a viral pilot to a full-fledged series, continued to prove that YouTube can be a launchpad for unconventional and bold storytelling.

These successes highlight how YouTube has become a key space for indie animators to connect directly with audiences, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. Fans play a crucial role in the success of these projects, sharing episodes, creating content inspired by the shows, and building dedicated communities. Because of this fan fervor, there's been "a lot more interest from studios in indie animation," Medrano during a panel discussion on this year's YouTube trends at The Paley Museum in New York City on Dec. 3.

In an era increasingly defined by AI, indie animation cemented its place as one of YouTube’s most exciting and impactful trends.

Top creators of 2024

Surprise, surprise: At the forefront of this year's top creators is MrBeast, who cemented his reign as the king of YouTube and viral spectacle with an astounding 329 million subscribers. The Stokes Twins (100 million subscribers) kept audiences entertained with their high-energy pranks.

Sports fans turned to Cristiano Ronaldo's channel, UR · Cristiano (71 million subscribers), which mixes soccer highlights with behind-the-scenes content from one of the game’s biggest stars. Creators like Mark Rober (59.3 million subscribers) and Nick DiGiovanni (21.3 million subscribers) took education and creativity to new heights, respectively, with engineering experiments and culinary adventures that captivated tens of millions.

SEE ALSO: Why did 10,000 people show up to buy a MrBeast Burger?

However, what's notably absent from this list is a significant presence of women creators. Family channel The Trench Family (9.8 million subscribers) and influencer Camilla Araújo (7.9 million subscribers) are the only women represented on the list. (Notebaly, Araújo gained a following after appearing in MrBeast's controversial IRL Squid Game video.)

While women on YouTube have certainly made a huge impact in fields like beauty, gaming, lifestyle, and education, this list reflects a broader trend of men overwhelmingly dominating the platform's most subscribed ranks. This raises important questions about visibility and the support systems for women in the creator field, especially when platforms like YouTube are shaping not just entertainment but cultural conversations.

Oh you thought the holiday season would be a time of peace on Earth — or at least peace on the internet? OpenAI has other ideas.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI is definitely, maybe thinking about ads for ChatGPT

On Wednesday, the ChatGPT maker announced "12 Days of OpenAI." Starting on Thursday, Dec. 5, OpenAI will livestream a new product release everyday. For 12 days.

Tweet may have been deleted

According to The Verge, one of the announcements will be its highly-anticipated AI video generator Sora. That would be one of the most significant releases in a long time for OpenAI. But not everyday will be a Sora-level blowout. OpenAI spokesperson Leah Anise said, "not every day will be a big launch - the 12 days will include some stocking stuffers and some bigger gifts." Minor releases might include a holiday-themed voice for Advanced Voice Mode, according to a user who spotted a new voice and snowflake icon in the ChatGPT code.

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Ever since OpenAI announced Sora, which is currently in a closed research preview, the AI video generator has attracted controversy. Based on demos, the text-to-video model is capable of detailed photorealistic renderings, purportedly from simple text prompts. But as is the case with its other AI models, OpenAI hasn't shared any details about Sora's training data. That hasn't stopped creatives from speculating that it was trained on human-created work on YouTube and other parts of the web.

Recently, Sora testers added fuel to the proverbial fire by leaking its API access as a form of protest against "corporate AI overlords" who say they are "being lured into 'art washing' to tell the world that Sora is a useful tool for artists." If Sora really ships in the next 12 days, it will no doubt ignite the AI discourse once again, and just when all we at Mashable wanted to think about was chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

SAVE $90: The solar-powered Netvue Birdfy smart bird feeder is on sale at Amazon for $159.99, down from the list price at Netvue of $249.99. That's a 36% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Netvue Netvue Birdfy smart bird feeder $159.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $90.00 Solar-powered, yellow Get Deal

Bird watching is one of the most wholesome and enjoyable hobbies around. Not only does it give you a glimpse of the outdoors, it encourages you to get to know the local fauna. If you or anyone on your holiday shopping list enjoys watching birds come into the yard, check out this great deal at Amazon.

As of Dec. 4, the solar-powered Netvue Birdfy smart bird feeder is on sale for $159.99, down from the listed price at Netvue of $249.99. That's a 36% discount and a savings of $90. To get this sale price, opt for the yellow colorway.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Snag the Sony ULT Wear headphones while they're still at Cyber Monday pricing

The Birdfy smart bird feeder allows you to tune into the smartphone app to view and identify each bird that comes to visit. With 1080p resolution, you'll be able to see vivid details of feathered friends, including 1080p full-color night vision. The Birdfy app can send you automatic notifications when a bird arrives with 30 days of cloud storage. Plus, you can share the Birdfy's stream with up to 20 guests, so family members or neighbors can also enjoy seeing which birds come to visit.

The included solar panel means you'll be using renewable energy to power the smart bird feeder, and the weatherproof materials mean you won't have to worry about it during a winter storm or a summer heat warning.

Netvue included an extended perch on this model to give birds a more comfortable place to enjoy the feeder, which also gives you a better opportunity to check out the visitors.

The bird feeder can hold up to 50 ounces of bird seed and has an easy-to-use cover that flips open for refilling. To help deter squirrels, the Birdfy app also has a siren feature on the livestream page.

If you or anyone on your holiday shopping list has taken a liking to bird watching, the Netvue Birdfy smart bird feeder is a dream, giving you live access to each bird that comes to visit. Thanks to today's sale price at Amazon, you can grab the yellow solar-powered feeder for $159.99, which works out to an impressive $90 discount.

SAVE $40: As of Dec. 4, you can snag an HP DeskJet 4255e wireless all-in-one color inkjet printer, scanner, and copier for just $59.99 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP DeskJet 4255e wireless all-in-one color inkjet printer, scanner, and copier $59.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

Having a printer at home is an underrated luxury that almost no one talks about until it’s time to go to the DMV, file taxes, or print an important document. It’s like the home office flex equivalent of having an in-unit washer and dryer — a true testament to one's adulting skills. If you haven’t been able to get a printer of your own (and you’re tired of running to FedEx whenever you need one), Amazon’s got a steal of a deal right now on the HP DeskJet 4255e wireless all-in-one printer, scanner, and copier (588S6A).

As of Dec. 4, you can get this versatile HP wireless printer for just $59.99 at Amazon. That’s a 40% discount off the list price and a savings of $40. It’s also the lowest price we’ve seen on this particular model.

SEE ALSO: The best Cyber Monday deals still live in 2024

This printer is a triple threat: It can print, scan, and copy documents, photos, and more. Its print speed is 5.5 ppm per color page and 8.5 ppm per black-and-white page. It has a 60-sheet input tray, and with the HP App, you can print, scan, copy, and even fax documents directly from your smartphone.

If you decide to activate HP+ (HP's ink subscription service), you’ll get three months' worth of ink included. Once the three months are up, you can renew at $6.99 per month or cancel.

GET UP TO 50% OFF: As of Dec. 4, get a year-long subscription of MoviePass for 25% off, or a month membership for 50% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: MoviePass MoviePass Subscription Get a year-long subscription of MoviePass for 25% off, or a month membership for 50% off Get Deal

The weather's getting colder. If you don't want to brave the cold, you might instead consider some warmer activities, like going to see a movie. But that can be expensive – unless you invest in a membership to something like MoviePass, which lets you watch tons of movies each month for a membership fee. Good news: it's still available at its Black Friday price right now.

As of Dec. 4, you can get a yearlong subscription of MoviePass for 25% off or a month membership for 50% off. That means you can subscribe to an annual or monthly plan that nets you a certain denomination of credits that you can then use to watch a number of movies without having to pay the (sometimes outrageous) fees that come with them.

SEE ALSO: The best Netflix movies of 2024 now streaming

MoviePass credits work similarly to cash. Depending on where and when you see a movie, you'll need to put a certain number of credits toward doing so. You can expect to pay up to 20 credits for a weekend movie, while matinees can cost around 10 credits. The basic $10 month plan, for example, nets you 34 credits, so you can watch one weekend movie a month, or a few matinees. Or, if you watch a lot of movies, you can spend more each month for more credits to spend on multiple showtimes.

Credits do roll over, so you can save up and plan to go on a movie-watching spree if that sounds like something you'd be interested in doing. And no matter which plan you choose, you'll still be saving a significant amount of money, since even one ticket per showing can cost anywhere from $13 and up according to where you live. So if you're planning on catching some movies this year, this deal is worth snagging before it runs out.

SAVE $60: As of Dec. 4, you can snag a Fitbit Charge 6 for just $99.95, down from $159.95. That's 38% off the list price. Plus, more Fitbit deals.

Best Fitbit deals as of Dec. 4 Best deal overall Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 (save $60) Get Deal Best budget deal Fitbit Inspire 3 $69.95 (save $30) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Fitbit Versa 4 $119.95 (save $80) Get Deal

Cyber Monday may be over, but Amazon isn’t holding back on its deals. While many of the low prices from the annual shopping event have come and gone, we’ve found a few lingering discounts worth taking advantage of before they disappear for good.

SEE ALSO: The best Cyber Monday deals still live in 2024

You can now get a Fitbit for a fraction of the cost. (A gasp-worthy find, considering Amazon is super stingy about dropping the prices of Fitbit trackers, even on major shopping holidays — we didn’t see any good Fitbit deals during Prime Day.)

Here are the best Fitbit deals to shop this week:

Best Fitbit deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Fitbit Charge 6 was one of the most popular products among Mashable readers over Cyber Weekend, and it’s still available for $99.95 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. This is the lowest price we’ve seen for this model and a great deal for a fitness tracker that typically retails for $159.95.

The Fitbit Charge 6 has a seven-day battery life, 40 exercise modes, built-in GPS, and tons of other features to help you reach your fitness goals and track your progress. It’ll also give you a stress management score and nightly sleep score to help you better understand how your body responds to your daily routine.

Bonus: You’ll get six months of Fitbit Premium for free.

Best budget Fitbit Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Inspire 3 $69.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Fitbit Inspire 3 has reached its record-low price of $69.95 at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Kohl's. That’s 30% off the original price of $99.95.

It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the Charge 6, but for this price, it’s a steal. The Fitbit Inspire 3 tracks your steps, calories burned, heart rate, and sleep. (It also tracks menstrual health.) It has a 10-day battery life and 20 exercise modes.

You’ll also get six months of Fitbit Premium with this model.

Check out our full review of the Fitbit Inspire 3.

Best Fitbit smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Versa 4 $119.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Fitbit Versa 4 is down to $119.95 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. That’s 40% off the list price of $199.95.

The Fitbit Versa 4 has a built-in GPS, 40+ exercise modes, six days of battery life, and all the tools you need to stay on top of your health and fitness goals, including a stress management score, menstrual health tracking, and mindfulness content.

You can take calls and respond to texts on the go with this smartwatch, or ask Alexa for help.

It also comes with six months of Fitbit Premium.

OpenAI might bring ads to ChatGPT, emphasis on might.

Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar told the Financial Times on Monday that the AI company was considering an ad model, adding that it plans to be "thoughtful about when and where we implement them."

However, Friar backtracked a little in a follow-up statement to the outlet, saying "while we’re open to exploring other revenue streams in the future, we have no active plans to pursue advertising."

SEE ALSO: OpenAI's Sam Altman had an AMA on Reddit: 5 takeaways about ChatGPT and more

This is in line with what OpenAI told Mashable when it launched ChatGPT Search at the end of October. When asked whether the company planned on introducing ads to the AI-powered search engine, a spokesperson said, "we don’t have any plans for ads."

That said, OpenAI has been hiring lots of top monetization talent lately. Shivakumar Venkataraman, formerly on Google Search's advertising team, became an OpenAI VP in May, and Chief Product Officer Kevin Weil who led product teams at Instagram and X came on board in June. On Tuesday, OpenAI hired its first Chief Marketing Officer Kate Rouch, who oversaw Coinbase's Super Bowl ads.

OpenAI recently closed a massive funding round of $6 billion, giving the company a valuation of $150 billon. According to the New York Times, OpenAI's revenue projections underpinning the largest VC round of all time expect to bring in $11.6 billion in 2025. This is despite the fact that OpenAI currently operates at a loss of $2.3 billon. So somehow OpenAI has to essentially triple its revenue despite the huge cost of maintaining and developing AI models. That money has to come from somewhere, and upping its premium subscriptions might not be enough.

Of course bringing ads to ChatGPT risks enshittifying the product and alienating users. This could be costly in a highly competitive environment with Anthropic, Perplexity, and Google Gemini developing similar tools.

SAVE OVER 40%: Celebrate National Cookie Day by saving over 40% on baking deals at Amazon including the KitchenAid stand mixer and a great countertop oven from Ninja.

Best baking deals at Amazon Best overall baking deal KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer (5-quart) $329.95 at Amazon (save $120.04 + get a $16 Amazon credit) Get Deal Best countertop oven deal Ninja Double Stack XL Countertop Oven and Air Fryer $279.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal Best baking accessory KitchenAid Glass Surface Digital Kitchen Scale (black with silver) $15.99 at Amazon (save $11) Get Deal

Holiday sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday are slowly disappearing, leaving us kinda bummed while we wait for our packages to arrive. Thankfully, there's something worth celebrating today: National Cookie Day. If you'll be embarking on some holiday baking or simply love homemade cookies, Amazon has some great baking deals in store today. Here are some of our favorites to help everyone celebrate National Cookie Day.

Best overall baking deal Opens in a new window Credit: KitchenAid KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer (5-quart) $329.95 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $120.04 + get a $16 Amazon credit Get Deal Why we like it

A KitchenAid stand mixer has long been a quintessential part of every kitchen. It's perhaps the most important item that makes baking a breeze. If you've ever tried to whip up egg whites by hand or work a tough bread dough, you understand the struggle of baking without a stand mixer.

The ultra durable and reliable KitchenAid Artisan Series stand mixer is on sale at Amazon for $329.95, down from the normal price of $449.99. That means you'll save 27%. You'll also automatically get a $16 Amazon credit added to your account 30 days after the mixer ships.

The KitchenAid stand mixer has a 5-quart capacity, making it ideal for any batch of cookies, cupcakes, or bread dough. The stainless steel bowl is dishwasher safe, and you'll also get a coated dough hook, 6-wire whip, and a coasted flat beater attachment.

Best countertop oven deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Double Stack XL Countertop Oven and Air Fryer $279.99 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

For plenty of reasons, a countertop oven can be perfect for baking cookies. Not only can countertop ovens be much better for indoor air quality, they're perfect if you feel like baking just a dozen or so cookies and don't feel like heating up the entire range to do so. Countertop models can also be perfect if your apartment or small home doesn't come with a traditional oven.

The super versatile Ninja Double Stack XL Countertop Oven and Air Fryer is a do-it-all machine that's currently on sale at Amazon on National Cookie Day for $279.99, instead of the typical $379.99. For starters, it's an oven and an air fryer, so you'll be able to free up some precious counter space since it's a 2-in-1 model. But the Ninja is so much more than just an oven and an air fryer. The dual model gives you two cooking spaces, so you could bake a tray of chocolate chip cookies on the upper oven and roast a chicken on the lower. The flavors (and smells) stay separate while cooking.

Plus, the oven has a convection bake setting, which is ideal for perfectly browning and evenly baking cookies regardless of if they're baking at the front of the tray or the back. You can also use the easy one-touch pizza button for a quick weeknight meal or use the oven to dehydrate fruit for homemade snacks.

Best baking accessory deal Opens in a new window Credit: KitchenAid KitchenAid Glass Surface Digital Kitchen Scale (black with silver) $15.99 at Amazon
$26.99 Save $11.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Baking isn't quite as forgiving as cooking can be. Add in a bit too much flour or water and your cookies might turn out looking or even tasting wonky. Baking with the accuracy of a kitchen scale can be a super easy (and inexpensive) way to level up your baking skills. On National Cookie Day, Amazon has the KitchenAid Glass Surface Digital Kitchen Scale on sale for just $15.99 in the black and silver model. This deal means you'll be saving $11 off the typical price of $26.99.

The KitchenAid scale easily switches between fluid measurements of ounces and milliliters to dry measurements like grams. Using this precision on recipes that call for dry yeast or baking powder can be especially useful. It can also save you the hassle of searching for measurement conversions if you're using a recipe that measures in grams and milliliters.

More baking deals at Amazon

• Dessert Person by Claire Saffitz — $15.67 $35 (save $19.33)

• Nordic Ware 3 Piece Baker's Delight Set — $35.26 $39.99 (save $4.73)

• USA Pan Bakeware Cookie Sheet (set of 2) — $39.76 $46.99 (save $7.23)

• Calphalon 10-Piece Nonstick Bakeware Set — $67 $131.99 (save $64.99)

• KitchenAid Bread Bowl with Baking Lid — $99.95 $129.99 (save $30.04)

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Dec. 4: OUR TOP PICK Sony ULT Wear headphones $148 (save $51.99) Get Deal BEST TABLET DEAL Amazon Fire Max 11 $139.99 (save $90) Get Deal BEST FITNESS TRACKER DEAL Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 (save $60) Get Deal BEST TRAVEL DEAL Tile Pro Bluetooth tracker $27.99 (save $7) Get Deal BEST TV DEAL Amazon 55-inch 4-Series Fire TV $379.99 (save $80) Get Deal

It's hard to fathom, but another Cyber Week has come and gone. We saw some incredibly impressive deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday on tech, kitchen gadgets, outdoor gear, streaming services, and so much more. If you missed out on the biggest sale of the season, no need to fret. Fortunately, Amazon has plenty of lingering discounts you can still grab. We've rounded up a few of our favorites still live on Dec. 4.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these are your cup of tea, check back tomorrow for a whole new round of picks.

Our top pick: Sony ULT Wear headphones Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Wear headphones $148.00 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $51.99 Get Deal

"We try not to make sweeping claims in our reviews at Mashable, but these honestly might be my favorite pair of headphones I’ve tried — especially when you consider the price," writes Deputy Shopping and Reviews Editor Miller Kern. The Sony ULT Wear headphones offer multiple bass levels, punchy 360-degree sound, solid noise cancellation, customizable EQs, and intuitive on-ear controls, all for just under $200 on a regular day. Post-Cyber Monday, these babies are still sitting at $148 — a savings of 26% and the lowest price on record.

Check out our full review of the Sony ULT Wear headphones.

Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $139.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $90.00 Get Deal

Not only is the Fire Max 11 our favorite budget tablet, but it's also Amazon's best iPad competitor. At full price, it'll run you $229.99, but thanks to a Cyber Monday deal that's still sticking around, it's down to just $139.99. That's a savings of 39% and matches its all-time low. It features a crisp 11-inch display (the largest Fire tablet you can buy), 8MP cameras that support 1080p video, 14-hour battery life, an upgraded octa-core processor, and WiFi 6 compatibility. As Mashable's reviewer noted, it's also "blazing fast, making it a good alternative to pricier tablets for streaming and games."

Check out our full review of the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet.

Fitbit Charge 6 Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $60.00 Get Deal

The Fitbit Charge 6 was one of our readers' top purchases this Cyber Week, and we can see why. As far as fitness trackers go, it's one of the best — and it's still sitting at its best-ever price of $99.95 (that's 38% off). With a seven-day battery life, over 40 exercise modes, a heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, a built-in GPS, it'll give you solid insight into your health and habits. It also comes with six months of Fitbit Premium to help you really kickstart your fitness routine.

Tile Pro Bluetooth tracker Opens in a new window Credit: Tile by Life360 Tile Pro (2024) $27.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $7.00 Get Deal

If you have holiday travel plans, you may want to grab yourself a Bluetooth tracker before jetting off. The Tile Pro is one of our favorite options (the best AirTag alternative) and the newest iteration is on sale for just $27.99. That's 20% off its usual price. Paired with the Tile app on your phone, you can have constant intel on the whereabouts of your luggage. You can also attach it to your purse, wallet, keys, or practically anything else you want to keep tabs on. Just press a button on your phone and a loud remote chime will alert you to your lost items from hundreds of feet away.

Amazon 55-inch 4-Series Fire TV Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 55-inch 4-Series Fire TV $379.99 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal

Amazon just dropped a brand-new version of its most popular smart TV last month — the 4-Series. And in true Amazon fashion, it's already on sale for $80 off. The latest 4-Series now features an ultraslim bezel that fades into the background, making your content more immersive. Otherwise, it's largely the same TV Fire TV fans know and love. It supports vivid 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Plus, comes with the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced, and features four HDMI inputs to connect all your gaming and audio peripherals. The 55-inch model is priced at $459.99, but it's down to $379.99 post-Cyber Monday.

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

GenCast, from the company’s DeepMind division, outperformed the world’s best predictions of deadly storms as well as everyday weather.

Now that you've had time to digest your Spotify Wrapped 2024 results — maybe you even shared your top artists to your Instagram Story or posted your top songs on your FYP — it's time to start thinking ahead. With the arrival of Wrapped comes the inevitable question: When does Spotify Wrapped start tracking for 2025?

SEE ALSO: You can probably guess Spotify's most-streamed artist of 2024

Spotify’s year-end roundup has become a cultural phenomenon. It marks the unofficial end of the year and sparks debates over sound towns, audio auras, and music evolutions. But Wrapped isn’t just a snapshot of your listening habits; it’s also a motivator for the coming year. Knowing when the clock resets can help dedicated users curate their listening habits with the next Wrapped in mind.

When does Spotify Wrapped begin tracking?

Spotify has never confirmed its exact tracking period — sorry! — but it has given us a ballpark estimate.

Molly Holder, the senior director of product for personalization at Spotify, told Mashable at a Wrapped press presentation on Dec. 3, "We start at the beginning of January with all of your listening that begins right then at the beginning of the year, and it goes all the way through collecting data up until a few weeks before we launch the Wrapped product."

Therefore, the tracking period depends on the product's launch date. Spotify has also denied rumors that it stops tracking user data for Wrapped on Oct. 31. This means that the songs and artists you listen to in November are still considered for your annual Wrapped. But the artists and songs you listen to post-Wrapped and before January are free game, so please proceed to listen to your holiday playlists without shame.

"We aim to get as much of your year in listening covered as possible," Holder added. "This is how we can capture as much of your data to make the best personalized recommendations for you."

Looking ahead to Wrapped 2025

If you’re already planning for your next Wrapped, it’s never too early to start curating your playlists and exploring new genres. For those hoping to diversify their Wrapped data next year, Spotify’s Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and curated playlists offer a great way to break out of listening ruts. You can even try making your own playlist using AI...if you're really desperate for new music.

There's also a way to keep embarrassing music off your Wrapped. Say you're a parent who's streamed the Bluey theme song more times than you can count or a dancer learning choreography; Spotify has created a way to remove playlists from your "Taste Profile," which is how the platform defines the music you like and generates Wrapped. Songs and artists on playlists removed from your Taste Profile won't be in your top songs or artists on your Wrapped list, but they will contribute to your total listening time.

But it's important to note that if you listen to the songs outside the playlist, they will still be included in your Taste Profile and could appear in your Wrapped results.

SAVE $16: As of Dec. 4, get a 3-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for $33.99, down from $49.99, at Woot. That's a discount of 32%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Woot Credit: Woot Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-Month Subscription) $33.99 at Woot
$49.99 Save $16.00 Get Deal

If you snagged a new Xbox during Black Friday or Cyber Monday, or you're looking to give a loved one a console for the holidays, you're going to need some games to play. But that doesn't mean you should drop a ton of cash on Xbox games to get ahead. Instead, turn to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, one of your best bets when it comes to saving money and having the freedom to try out as many games as you like. You can snag a membership for a great price right now, thanks to Woot.

As of Dec. 4, get a digital code for a 3-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for just $33.99 at Woot. That's $16 off its normal price of $49.99 and a discount of 32%. Plus, these codes are stackable, so if you want to grab a few at a time and stay subscribed longer, that's doable here. And if you're a new Woot member, use code GAMEPASS to get an extra $5 off your code through Dec. 13.

SEE ALSO: I love budget gaming monitors, and this impressive Samsung 4K monitor is a steal at $130 off

An Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription unlocks hundreds of Xbox games so you can play anything on the service that you want for as long as you want, or as long as it remains available. That means you get access to new games on the day they release, like the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, without having to buy the game outright. You also get to play games from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, and more without having to commit to a $50 to $70 price tag. The Ultimate tier of Game Pass also grants access to EA Play, so you have those titles to choose from as well.

An Ultimate subscription also lets you try out Xbox Cloud Gaming as well as multiplayer in games that offer it. But even if you only use it to try out a bunch of different games, it's still worth the price. Be sure to grab a code (or two or three) if you're planning on joining the Xbox gang this year.

SAVE UP TO 33%: As of Dec. 4, you can get up to 33% off select Vitamix, Instant Pot, and Keurig appliances at Amazon.

Best kitchen deals as of Dec. 4 Best air fryer deal Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer $79.95 (save $40.04) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Keurig K-Café Barista Bar Single Serve Coffee Maker and Frother $99.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best blender deal Vitamix Explorian Blender (E310) $254.99 (save $124.96) Get Deal

We’ve been covering the ongoing Cyber Week sales, and the deals continue to pour in — it’s crazy how many great sales are still available, even a week after Black Friday (but we’re not complaining!).

SEE ALSO: The best Cyber Monday deals still live in 2024

As of Dec. 4, you can still find discounts on some of the most popular kitchen brands, including Vitamix, Instant Pot, Keurig, and more. We’re seeing price cuts on blenders, air fryers, coffee makers, and other small appliances that make great gifts or additions to your own kitchen.

Here are just a few of the top deals that are still live:

Best air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Instant Pot Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer $79.95 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $40.04 Get Deal Why we like it

The Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer is on sale for $79.95 at Amazon. That’s a 33% discount, or $40.04 off the list price. While it’s not as low as the price we saw for Cyber Monday (when it dropped to $67.99) it’s still a great price for an air fryer that can broil, roast, dehydrate, bake, reheat, and, of course, air fry.

Its EvenCrisp technology promises crispy, golden-brown results every time, and the six-quart capacity can easily handle a full meal or multiple side dishes. With fast pre-heating and multiple one-touch smart programs, this air fryer makes mealtime easier.

Best coffee maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Keurig Keurig K-Café Barista Bar Single Serve Coffee Maker and Frother $99.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal Why we like it

You can get a Keurig K-Café Barista Bar Single Serve Coffee Maker and Frother, which normally goes for $139.99, for $99.99 at Amazon. That’s a $40 price cut and the lowest price we’ve seen for this model.

The K-Café isn’t your typical Keurig coffee machine — this one features a two-ounce coffee shot function and includes a milk frother for whipping up hot or iced lattes, cappuccinos, and more. It can brew up to 12 ounces at a time and has a removable 42-ounce water reservoir for fewer refills.

Best blender deal Opens in a new window Credit: Viatmix Vitamix Explorian Blender (E310) $254.99 at Amazon
$379.95 Save $124.96 Get Deal Why we like it

Vitamix is one of the biggest names in the blender game, which, unfortunately, also means it’s one of the more expensive. But right now, you can buy a Vitamix Explorian Blender (E310) for $254.99, down from $379.95 at Amazon. That’s a 33% discount, or $124.96 off the list price.

The Explorian has 10 variable speeds and a powerful 1,400-watt motor that can blend everything from smoothies to soups to dips and spreads. The Pulse Feature gives you more control over texture (think chunky salsas, hearty soups, and more), and the 48-ounce container makes it ideal for blending for a crowd or meal prepping.

The internet loves Spotify Wrapped while simultaneously loving to poke fun at it. If you use Spotify, you're pretty much obligated to share your Wrapped on social media. Needless to say, Spotify Wrapped Day — which happens to be today, Wednesday, Dec. 4 — is a big day online.

There's lots to check out in 2024's version of Spotify Wrapped. Mashable's Crystal Bell has all the details, but in short, Spotify users got their "music evolution" for the year, details on their top listening streaks, and, most strangely, an AI-generated podcast that sums up their listening habits in audio format.

The internet had lots of jokes, memes, and reactions about it all.

Folks made jokes about, well, nothing really changing.

Tweet may have been deleted

same as ever for me except please please please wormed its way in cuz it rules

[image or embed]

— Tim Marcin (@timmarcin.bsky.social) December 4, 2024 at 9:07 AM Tweet may have been deleted

Lots of people weren't excited with how Wrapped went in 2024.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

There were also the random, weird jokes that the internet makes about, well, anything.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Spotify Wrapped just dropped. Mine is very “meat and potatoes”

[image or embed]

— ITYSL memes 💦🥩 (@ityslmemes.com) December 4, 2024 at 9:22 AM

It might not be the most exciting year for Wrapped but, as has become a yearly ritual, the internet was still chatting about it all Wednesday.

TikTok's had a fruitful, delicious, and undeniably challenging year, both on and offline.

When the social media platform wasn't bleeding lime green during brat summer, dropping CapCuts of Moo Deng's lettuce hat, looking for a man in finance, or shaping modern language while being very demure, very mindful, the company itself faced (and is facing) a potential U.S. ban in the new year — despite the White House joining the platform.

Books, Sephora tweens, the "Apple" dance, and whole cucumbers ruled TikTok, and we proudly told jerks to "scram!"

But what does TikTok itself see as its biggest trends of the year? The company announced its Year on TikTok 2024 on Wednesday, joining the plethora of Big Tech platforms dropping the data on what we all got up to over the last 12 months.

SEE ALSO: The best internet moments of 2024, from Moo Deng mania to 'brat' summer

TikTok's year in review is separated into several trend topics, which we've breezed through here. But you can check out the full breakdown on TikTok's hub. The summary, the company says, "is based on research comprising in-app and third-party insights focused on TikTok's social, economic, and cultural impact, conducted from January to November 2024."

Year on TikTok 2024: A brief rundown

In the "From moments to movements" section, TikTok highlights some of the biggest trends, from Jools Lebron's "very demure, very mindful" moment to Charli XCX's "brat summer" (including Kelley Heyer's "Apple" dance) and Megan Boni's "Man in Finance" meme.

Animal-wise, there's been a wave of adorable stars trending from Thailand's bratty pygmy hippo Moo Deng to Australia's big fluffy boi penguin Pesto.

SEE ALSO: From Moo Deng to Pesto the Penguin, here are the cutest animals taking over our feeds

For foodies, TikTok highlighted some of the top food-related trends, including Logan Moffitt's cucumber salad, the #sambasandalittleredbag trend started by @maisieisobel_'s, Fix Dessert Chocolatier's chocolate bar, @thespudbrothers' live videos, and Chippy Diva's review of @merchants_fishandchips. (Here are our personal favourite TikTok food trends of the year.)

BookTok-wise, the site saw over 1.2 million book-related posts created in the first 10 months of 2024, and a 300 percent increase in #Romantasy posts this year.

TikTok also called out the platform's educational creators, noting the expansion of its educational STEM feed to all users (not just teens) this year. From the U.S. and UK, TikTok's notable knowledge creators included Shelby Lattimore, Chemical Kim, Charlie Engelman, Big.Manny1, Deidre Kelly, Yorkshire Fossils, Doctor Ahmed Ezzat, and the Royal Armouries Museum, who let Gen Z write the script, and astronaut Kellie Gerardi.

Music on TikTok in 2024

But of course, TikTok's music charts have all the eyes on them. TikTok broke down the top artists and tracks on the platform this year. The top 10 songs on TikTok globally saw 8 billion streams on Spotify, with "Gata Only" by FloyyMenor and Cris Mj topping the list. The top song in the U.S. was Tommy Richman’s "MILLION DOLLAR BABY (VHS)" and in the UK it was Tinashe's "Nasty".

Credit: TikTok

As for the top artists globally, Mexico's Yeri Mua was number one, with her track "Linea del Perreo" going viral this year. In the U.S., Sabrina Carpenter topped the list, and in the UK, it was Central Cee.

Credit: TikTok

You can check out the whole list on TikTok's blog. And if you're looking for more end-of-year 2024 wrap-ups, Mashable's got you covered.

The District of Columbia’s attorney general said the company deliberately outsourced Prime member deliveries in certain ZIP codes.

Spotify users look forward to their Wrapped all year long. And for those who could hardly wait, don't fret: Spotify Wrapped 2024 is finally here. The long-awaited feature dropped today, Wednesday, Dec. 4.

What is Spotify Wrapped?

Started in 2016, Spotify Wrapped is exactly what it sounds like: your year in Spotify, neatly wrapped up in a colorful — and uniquely shareable — interactive experience.

Spotify combs through your data and tells you your top artists, songs, albums, and more. For instance, you might find out you were in the Top 1 percent of Selena Gomez listeners. Spotify also creates a playlist of your Top 100 songs of the year.

SEE ALSO: Spotify Wrapped 2024 arrives: 5 new features to check out Tweet may have been deleted When was Spotify Wrapped released in 2024?

Wrapped dropped Wednesday, Dec. 4. Spotify likes to keep the date under wraps while, of course, dropping hints to get everyone excited.

But things in 2024 ended up pretty much matching last year, exactly. In 2023, it came out the Wednesday after Thanksgiving...which is exactly when it came out in 2024.

Tweet may have been deleted How to view your Spotify Wrapped

It's pretty simple to look at your Wrapped. All you have to do is open the app on your phone and click on the correct "Wrapped" icon. Typically speaking, it'll be a little button across a hard-to-miss banner. You can also go to the Wrapped section of the Spotify website.

And, of course, once you do view your Wrapped there's only one thing to do: share it with the internet, as has become obligatory.

For the second year, Taylor Swift is the most-streamed artist on Spotify. The music streaming platform revealed its annual Wrapped campaign on Wednesday (Dec. 4), and with it came a Swiftstorm of data on 2024's most-streamed artists and songs.

SEE ALSO: Spotify Wrapped 2024 is here: How to get yours

She may be Billboard's No. 2 pop star of the 21st century, but with more than 26.6 billion streams globally, Swift is Spotify’s 2024 Global Top Artist. And that has to count for something.

Spotify Wrapped is in its Swiftie era

To celebrate Swift's dominance on the platform, Spotify is adding a gold Wrapped badge to Swift’s Spotify profile — the first-ever distinction of its kind. But that's not all: Swifties can enjoy the fun, too, with an on-platform Easter egg experience. When listening to Swift's music on Spotify, listeners will see custom mini-animations tailored to the eras of her discography, like a flurry of animated sparkles for Fearless (Taylor’s Version), seagulls for 1989 (Taylor's Version), and pink hearts for Lover.

And, of course, there are even Wrapped-branded friendship bracelets you can share exclusively on Snapchat via an AR lens.

Spotify's Most-Streamed Artists Globally:

Following Swift, The Weeknd was the second most-streamed global artist of the year; his song "One Of The Girls (with JENNIE, Lily Rose Depp)" from the ill-fated HBO series The Idol was a huge streaming hit with over 1.4 billion streams. Among the Top 5 are Bad Bunny, Drake, and Billie Eilish, whose 2024 release HIT ME HARD AND SOFT was the second most-streamed album globally — right behind...Taylor Swift.

1. Taylor Swift

2. The Weeknd

3. Bad Bunny

4. Drake

5. Billie Eilish

6. Travis Scott

7. Peso Pluma

8. Kanye West

9. Ariana Grande 

10. Feid

Spotify's Most-Streamed Songs Globally:

As for 2024's most-streamed songs globally, it should be no surprise that Sabrina Carpenter's summer smash "Espresso" scored the top spot. It's been streamed over 1.6 billion times on Spotify, and it had the entire internet singing, "That's that me espresso"

1. “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter

2. “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone

3. “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish

4. “Gata Only” by FloyyMenor, Cris Mj 

5. “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims 

6. “End of Beginning” by Djo

7. “Too Sweet” by Hozier

8. “One Of The Girls (with JENNIE, Lily-Rose Depp)” by The Weeknd 

9. “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift

10. “Die With A Smile” by Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga

Spotify's Most-Streamed Albums Globally:

Swift and Carpenter weren't the only women who dominated Spotify Wrapped this year. Looking at the list of most-streamed albums globally, 2024 was a standout year for women. In fact, the Top 8 albums of the year were all released by women.

1. THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY by Taylor Swift 

2. HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish 

3. Short n’ Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter 

4. MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO by KAROL G

5. eternal sunshine by Ariana Grande 

6. 1989 (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift

7. SOS by SZA

8. Lover by Taylor Swift 

9. Fireworks & Rollerblades by Benson Boone

10. Starboy by The Weeknd 

And if you're wondering where 2024's breakout pop star Chappell Roan is, she appears on both the most-streamed songs in the U.S. and most-streamed albums in the U.S. lists, which you can check out in full below.

Spotify's Most-Streamed Songs in the U.S.:

1. “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter

2. “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar

3. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey 

4. “I Had Some Help (Feat. Morgan Wallen)” by Post Malone 

5. “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” by Tommy Richman

6. “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan

7. “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone

8. “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish

9. “I Remember Everything (feat. Kacey Musgraves)” by Zach Bryan 

10. “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan

Spotify's Most-Streamed Albums in the U.S.:

1. THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY by Taylor Swift 

2. One Thing At A Time by Morgan Wallen

3. Short n’ Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter 

4. Stick Season by Noah Kahan

5. The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan 

6. HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish 

7. SOS by SZA

8. Dangerous: The Double Album by Morgan Wallen

9. Zach Bryan by Zach Bryan 

10. 1989 (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift

And that's a wrap on this year's Spotify Wrapped. Now for the important question: What do your top songs say about you?

After much anticipation, Spotify Wrapped dropped this morning, and there's a new feature for 2024: Your Wrapped AI Podcast, a three-minute-long (ish) podcast episode (powered by Google NotebookLM) in which two AI hosts walk you through your year in music. It starts with an oddly unsettling, "Hey there, music lovers," before delving into your top artist, music evolution, and more.

If you're having trouble finding your Wrapped AI Podcast, follow these easy steps.

Total Time

• 1 minute

What You Need

• A Spotify account

Step 1: Start at your Spotify home page and clicked "Wrapped," located at the top of the screen.

You'll see a row of buttons at the top of your screen. On the top left, you'll see your profile photo. To the right of that, you'll see "All," followed by "Wrapped." Click "Wrapped."

Credit: Spotify

Step 2: Click on "Your Wrapped AI Podcast."

This brings you to all of your 2024 Wrapped content, including your personalized playlists and the data Spotify has collected for you. Click on "Your Wrapped AI Podcast."

Credit: Spotify

Step 3: Tap on the "play" button to listen to your Wrapped AI Podcast.

The following screen should read: "Your Wrapped AI podcast is ready. For the first time ever, 2 AI hosts dive into your year in music. Built with Google's NotebookLM."

Credit: Spotify

Step 4: Optional: Tap the "share" button to send it to a friend.

The share button looks like a square or rectangular box with an arrow pointing upwards. Once you click on that, you can share your Wrapped AI Podcast with your friends.

Credit: Spotify

"With this personalized Audio Overview, fans can dive deeper into their year's top songs, artists, and genres, delivered using generative AI by two dynamic hosts," Spotify said in a press release. "This feature will be available in English for eligible Free and Premium users for a limited time across the U.S., the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, and Sweden."

So you better hurry up and listen to your Wrapped AI Podcast before it disappears.