Mashable

Get ready to grapple with one of the most pivotal eras in professional wrestling history, now finally getting the Netflix treatment in The Queen of Villains. The Japanese semi-biographical drama, which first hit screens in 2023, centers on none other than Dump Matsumoto — the baddest heel wrestler you’ve probably never heard of, but definitely should have. She was the ultimate foil to the beloved Crush Gals, the unstoppable idol-pop duo of Lioness Asuka and Chigusa Nagoya, who combined wholesome charm with serious in-ring talent and some pretty good J-Pop.

These three icons, along with Matsumoto’s gang of misfits known as The Atrocious Alliance, helped catapult All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling into the big leagues and revolutionized the sport for both men and women. So, before The Queen of Villains drops stateside, we’re giving you a crash course on the legends, the rivalries, and the epic matches that took these women to the top in Japan.

What are AJW and Joshi Proresu?

For some context, The Queen of Villains takes us back to the chaotic, high-stakes world of 1980s pro wrestling, focusing on Joshi Proresu — the Japanese term for women's wrestling that cuts through gender divides in a way you won’t find in WWE or All Elite Wrestling. Unlike its Western counterparts, Joshi wrestling didn’t treat women’s matches as an afterthought. Instead, it put them front and center, demanding the same level of fast-paced, hard-hitting, and emotionally charged storytelling that male-dominated promotions like New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Japan were known for. It’s a sports meets spectacle, with an intensity that rivaled anything the guys were doing.

Founded in 1968 by Takashi Matsunaga, All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling (AJW) was the place for joshi wrestling in Japan — and for a long time, the only one. This is the company that booked the legendary clashes between Matsumoto and the Crush Gals during the mid-80s, captivating the entire country. AJW first found success in the early '80s thanks to stars like Jaguar Yokota and Devil Masami, but it was the unprecedented mainstream fame of the Crush Gals — and their explosive rivalry with Matsumoto — that really took things to the next level, even topping TV ratings across Japan.

AJW dominated the Joshi scene until the 1990s when the forced retirement of the Crush Gals started a slow decline. A series of bad investments led to bankruptcy in 1997, and the company lost media deals until it eventually folded in 2005.

AJW was an absolute breeding ground for innovation, giving us some of the most iconic moves in wrestling, courtesy of its stars like Manami Toyota, Bull Nakano, and Kyoko Inoue. Ever heard of the Jackhammer? The Air Raid Crash? How about the Vertebreaker or Death Valley Driver? Yeah, those were all created by Joshi women, and they’ve become staples of the wrestling world. These trailblazers weren’t just redefining women's wrestling — they were reshaping wrestling as a whole, leaving a lasting imprint on the sport’s DNA that’s still felt in the ring today.

AJW matches can be hard to find whole on the internet but if you're curious about the company's body of work, you can find a match guide on Cagematch.

Who are the Crush Gals?

In the 1980s, The Crush Gals were the faces of pro wrestling in Japan, rivaling the similar cultural zeitgeist Hulk Hogan had in the US with Hulkamania. Formed in 1983, Lioness Asuka (Tomoko Kitamura) and Chigusa Nagoya captured the hearts of Japan with a mix of youthful charm, fierce in-ring skill, and a massive following of teenage fangirls — not to mention their successful run as pop idols. Together, they dominated the scene, winning AJW’s World Women’s Wrestling Association Tag Team Championship four times.

But it was their blood feud with Dump Matsumoto and her Atrocious Alliance that really solidified their legacy. In 1985, their rivalry pulled in a jaw-dropping 12.0 TV rating on Fuji TV, meaning that around 14 million people in Japan were glued to their screens every week. Just to put that into perspective, even during WWE and WCW’s Monday Night Wars in the ’90s, the best they could pull was 8.1 and 6.0 ratings, respectively. The Crush Gals were bigger than big — they were a phenomenon.

The Crush Gals’ rivalry with Dump Matsumoto hit its dramatic peak on August 28, 1985, with one of the most important matches in wrestling history — a brutal hair vs. hair showdown between Chigusa Nagoya and Matsumoto. It’s a must-watch for any serious wrestling fan. While the Gals finally triumphed over Matsumoto’s stable in the 1987 Tag League the Best tournament, by then, Nagoya and Asuka had made names for themselves as singles stars.

So, what does AJW do with a duo that’s launched their company into mainstream superstardom? Force them to retire at 26, of course. Yep, despite the Crush Gals’ insane popularity, AJW had a strict rule that women had to hang up their boots by that age. The rule was partly driven by societal expectations in ’80s Japan, where women were expected to settle down and embrace domestic life. Plus, considering the physically intense style of Joshi wrestling, early retirements might have been a smart call — AJW ran 250-300 shows a year and pro wrestling already has a troubling premature death rate.

Despite this, AJW never saw the same level of success after retiring the Crush Gals and yet the company still kept the policy in place.

After their forced retirements in 1989, both Nagoya and Asuka took a break from wrestling, but it didn’t last long. Nagoya made some brief returns in the ’90s with AJW and JWP Joshi Puroresu, eventually founding her own promotion, GAEA Japan, in 2000. Asuka returned to AJW in 1994, though not with the same star power she had in the ’80s. The two reunited in GAEA, reforming the Crush Gals for semi-regular matches until GAEA folded in 2005.

Nagoya would retire two more times, with her most recent send-off match happening in 2024 with West Coast Pro in San Francisco. As for Asuka, her career was sadly cut short in 2004 due to a neck injury, with her final match fittingly being one last tag team bout with Nagoya.

Crush Gals Recommendations:

• Crush Gals vs. Devil Masami & Jaguar Yokota (September 26, 1984)

• Crush Gals vs. Dump Matsumoto & Crane Yu (February 25, 1985)

• Lioness Asuka vs. Jaguar Yokota (August 22, 1985)

• Chigusa Nagayo vs. Dump Matsumoto (Hair vs. Hair) (August 28, 1985)

• Crush Gals vs. Dump Matsumoto & Bull Nakano (October 10, 1985)

• Chigusa Nagayo vs. Lioness Asuka (Feburary 26, 1987)

• Crush Gals vs. Jumping Bomb Angels (September 14, 1986)

Who is Dump Matsumoto? Dump Matsumoto in 2019 Credit: Etsuo Hara/Getty Images

Dump Matsumoto (real name Kaoru Matsumoto) was the living nightmare of 1980s pro wrestling and the ultimate heel. With her menacing face paint, wild hair, and a collection of weapons that would make even the most hardcore wrestler flinch, Matsumoto redefined what it meant to be a villain in the ring. We don't get The Road Warriors without Matsumoto.

Her brutal, no-holds-barred fighting style was a stark contrast to the pop-idol charm of the Crush Gals, cementing her as the quintessential "monster" heel of her time.

Leading the Gokuaku Domei, also known as the Atrocious Alliance, Matsumoto and her gang of misfits were perfectly positioned as the nemesis of the fan-favorite Crush Gals. They didn’t just play the part of villains — they were the villains, bringing extreme violence and chaos wherever they went. Matsumoto’s use of chains, kendo sticks, and sheer brutality pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in women’s wrestling at the time. Her matches weren’t just intense; they were groundbreaking, forever changing the landscape of the sport and redefining what joshi wrestling could be.

After the feud that cemented her as one of the most iconic villains in wrestling, Dump Matsumoto tried her hand at the global stage. In 1986, she popped up in the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE), pairing with Bull Nakano as “The Devils of Japan.” Their time in the U.S. may have been brief, but it showcased Matsumoto’s heel brilliance to a whole new audience.

She didn’t stay away from AJW for long, coming back for various matches and storylines in the late '80s. But by 1988, she officially retired—well, sort of. Like most wrestling icons, Matsumoto wasn’t done. She came back to the ring multiple times over the years, and as of now, she’s still keeping a foothold in the wrestling world.

Dump Matsumoto Recommendations:

• Dump Matsumoto & Bull Nakano vs. Jumping Bomb Angels (August 22, 1985)

• Dump Matsumoto vs. Chigusa Nagayo (Hair vs. Hair) (August 28, 1985)

• Dump Matsumoto vs. Yukari Omoroi (March 20, 1986)

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for September 19's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 19 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To gently apply force to something.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is one letter that appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

PRESS.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for September 18's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 19 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Something in a high degree

• Green: Types of parties

• Blue: Classic public television

• Purple: France

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Prefix Meaning "Very"

• Green: Kinds of Parties

• Blue: PBS Shows

• Purple: Places in France

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #466 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Prefix Meaning "Very": EXTRA, HYPER, OVER, SUPER

• Kinds of Parties: BIRTHDAY, COCKTAIL, DINNER, SURPRISE

• PBS Shows: FRONTLINE, MASTERPIECE, NATURE, NOVA

• Places in France: ANGERS, CHAMPAGNE, NICE, REUNION

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Agatha All Along feels like a witch's potion brewed specifically to make me giddy with joy. How could it not, when its ingredients include magical trials, rocking songs, and Patti LuPone herself?

The MCU's latest TV series serves as a follow-up to 2021's WandaVision, focusing on Wanda Maximoff's (Elizabeth Olsen) nosey neighbor turned witchy nemesis Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), and taking its name from her Emmy-winning introductory theme song.

Yet even though Agatha All Along finds itself in superhero sequel territory, the series and showrunner Jac Schaeffer (also the creator of WandaVision) forge their own path down the Witches' Road. Yes, you'll still find genre pastiche in the vein of its predecessor — although far less extreme — as well as witchy characters struggling to regain what's been taken from them. But Agatha All Along's focus on a coven of underdogs also invites new kooky characters into the MCU, whose chemistry with Agatha is the show's biggest superpower.

SEE ALSO: 40 shows we can't wait to see this fall What's Agatha All Along about? Kathryn Hahn in "Agatha All Along." Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel

Agatha All Along kicks off with a WandaVision-esque TV show spoof. This time, instead of Wanda taking the lead, it's Agatha. Sporting a scarf, a hardboiled detective attitude, and hints of a Delco accent, she's the spitting image of Kate Winslet in Mare of Easttown. (A fake credit sequence calls the show Agnes of Westview.)

However, Agatha's gritty murder mystery is nothing more than the distorted remains of Wanda's spell over Westview. In reality, she's completely powerless after her fight with Wanda — it takes a mysterious Teen (Heartstopper's Joe Locke) to break her out of her enchanted prison. (Yes, Agatha All Along purposefully obfuscates Locke's character's name, going so far as to cover his lips and silence him when he introduces himself. Trust that there's a witchy reason why.)

SEE ALSO: All Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, ranked worst to best

Teen — as Agatha calls him — wants Agatha's help to get to the Witches' Road. It's a legendary path riddled with deadly trials, and whoever reaches its end receives the thing they want the most. For Agatha, that would be the power Wanda sucked away during their battle. For Teen...well, just like with his name, Agatha All Along plays that reveal close to its chest. But in order for this unlikely duo to reach the Witches' Road, they'll need to assemble a coven.

Get ready to fall in love with Agatha All Along's coven Sasheer Zamata, Joe Locke, Kathryn Hahn, Patti LuPone, Debra Jo Rupp, and Ali Ahn in "Agatha All Along." Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel

It's no surprise that Hahn is delightful in her return as Agatha Harkness. She commands the screen with just a single twirl of her many cloaks, or a disgruntled groan at the compassion of those around her. But it's Hahn's chemistry with Agatha's new coven-mates that ends up being Agatha All Along's greatest strength and surprise.

First up on Agatha's recruitment list is Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone), a psychic with a bit of a diva streak. (And yes, Patti LuPone playing a witch is exactly as fun as it sounds.) Joining her is potions witch Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata), sporting a sarcastic streak that often rivals Agatha's own disdain. Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn) is the daughter of a mystical rock star who mysteriously vanished in her attempts to find the Witches' Road, leaving her with a hard protective shell and a skepticism of all things magic. And a surprise addition to the crew is none other than Agatha's Westview neighbor Sharon (Debra Jo Rupp). She's no witch (she's really more there to fill a coven quota), but her perpetual confusion makes for a welcome foil to the centuries-old witches' blasé approach to witchcraft.

SEE ALSO: Sasheer Zamata talks 'Agatha All Along' and 'The First Woman'

Teen is a great foil for the coven as well. His fanboying and bouncy enthusiasm over the Witches' Road break up the other witches' resentment for each other (but mostly Agatha). Frankly, he acts as a bit of an audience stand-in as well, because who wouldn't be excited to hang out with this coven and watch these actors play off one another?

Rounding out Agatha All Along's cast of witches is Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), a powerful witch whose first interaction with Agatha post-spell is holding a dagger to her throat. Clearly, there's some history there. Based on the crackling chemistry between Hahn and Plaza, my money's on former lovers. (With Agatha All Along being toted as "the gayest Marvel project yet," here's hoping I'm right.)

Rio and Agatha aren't the only witches with troubled pasts. Every member of the coven has experienced some kind of pain or setback. Why else would they be desperate enough to try their hand at the life-threatening Witches' Road? Watching these women open up about traumas — many hinted at in some genuinely spooky visions — proves a fairly moving (if sometimes heavy-handed) experience. These backstories add depth to the otherwise hilarious group interactions, chock-full of the kind of fast-talking and sniping that only occurs when you're in a room with larger-than-life personalities.

The Witches' Road is a highlight of Agatha All Along Patti LuPone, Sasheer Zamata, Kathryn Hahn, Debra Jo Rupp, and Ali Ahn in "Agatha All Along." Credit: Chuck Zlotnick/Marvel

The bonds of Agatha All Along's coven are forged in the fire of the Witches' Road, which feels like a twisted play on The Wizard of Oz's own yellow brick version. Among swaths of gnarled trees and stretches of mud that devour anyone who strays too far from the path lie tests that Agatha and her companions must conquer. Each test is not only a chance for the witches to prove their mettle, but also for Agatha All Along to have some more genre-bending fun with a trial-of-the-week format.

Take, for example, a dangerous pit stop in a beachside mansion that feels like something right out of Big Little Lies. Or a perilous visit to a '70s-era recording studio. These trials come complete with their own magical costume changes, paying tribute to WandaVision's episodic change-ups. They're also a total blast, especially the multiple moments when singing becomes a life-saving tool. Seriously, any moment that sees Hahn and LuPone leading a witchy girl group had me punching the air in excitement.

That excitement may start slow in Agatha All Along's earlier recruitment stages, but by the end of the first four episodes sent to critics for review, it was at a fever pitch. Here is a Marvel show that's unafraid to be campy, kooky, and weird, that ditches the "eight-hour movie" formatting of other MCU series and embraces the episodic power of TV that WandaVision harnessed so well. Add that to the dream team of Hahn and her coven, and you've got a show that's nothing short of magic.

The first two episodes of Agatha All Along are now streaming on DIsney+, with new episodes every Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET.

Sasheer Zamata plays a witch in Marvel's new 'Agatha All Along' so we played 'Slash or Pass: Witches Edition.'

At Made on YouTube on Wednesday, Sept. 18, in New York, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced various new AI tools for creators on the platform.

SEE ALSO: YouTube to add tools to detect AI-generated faces and voices

The AI tools aim to "support creators at every step of the journey" and range from AI-powered inspiration to AI video generators. Mohan emphasized AI's ability to further YouTube's mission of being "the best home for creators" and ensured creators that it will build on its "track record of responsibility." He added that 92 percent of creators already use AI tools. The new features will become available to creators in the coming months and by early 2025.

Johanna Voolich, YouTube's chief of product, told Mashable that the team prioritized the full creative lifecycle when building these products. Here's a breakdown of the tools that were announced.

Veo

Perhaps the biggest announcement of the event was Veo, six-second AI-generated video clips designed for YouTube Shorts, the platform's TikTok competitor. It runs on Google's DeepMind technology and uses text prompts to produce clips.

Following a demonstration from Joe Ano, the creator and fashion designer behind Ella Emhoff's Democratic National Convention dress, where he used Veo to generate dresses in motion, Sarah Ali, senior director of product, side-stepped potential criticisms of the feature by saying, "[Veo] only works because of Joe's creative vision." Other demonstrations included an AI-generated video of a dog and sheep becoming friends.

Veo Shorts will be watermarked with SynthID ensuring AI-generated content clearly is labeled. "Over time, how people think of this may change, but right now, we want to have that level of transparency so people can make their own judgments about what they're watching," said Voolich.

Veo's announcement comes on the heels of other platforms launching AI-generated video abilities like OpenAI's Sora.

Inspiration tab

YouTube wants to make the creative process easier and aims to do so with the Inspiration tab, an AI-generated hub that helps creators come up with video ideas, titles, thumbnails, and outlines. User comments will also be incorporated into the AI-idea inspiration. Users will not be able to opt out of their comments' inclusion. "The way YouTube works is based on contributions, the contributions from creators are their videos, but viewer's contributions are what they are watching and what they are commenting on. That's what makes the platform work," said Voolich.

Users are already involved in what Voolich calls the "invisible AI." "That's the AI we have been using forever at YouTube to build out our search and recommendation systems," she said. "That's what you see on your home feed and your up next. That's the user-focused AI."

Engaging with audiences

YouTube also announced the use of AI to help creators keep up with their audiences. The tool will highlight key commenters, show creators their "profile cards" and past comments, and provide AI-enhanced reply suggestions in the creator's voice.

It also announced another way to engage viewers, "Communities." Reminiscent of Substack's Chat, Communities allow creators to post directly to their audiences and viewers can post their own photos and text posts too.

Additionally, YouTube is launching "Hype," a way for viewers to support their favorite up-and-coming creators by suggesting that their videos be brought to a wider audience. The tool gamifies liking a creator and will only be available for videos posted in the last 7 days by a creator with 5,000 subscribers or less. Users will receive a limited number of Hypes a week, but the platform is exploring selling more hypes for a new revenue stream for creators.

Auto-Dubbing

Using AI, YouTube is transforming automatically-generated captions into dubbing in different languages. A feature called "expressive speech" aims to make the dubbing as close to the original speech as possible by mimicking tone, pitch, and external noise. It will expand to 100,000s of creators in coming months.

In non-AI news, YouTube is expanding its rewards for livestreaming by launching a model similar to TikTok and Twitch of "gifts" given by viewers to creators. It will also allow creators to sort their videos into Seasons and Episodes as more people watch YouTube on television screens and YouTubers strive to win Emmy Awards.

Apple made history this month when a feature in the company's forthcoming AirPods Pro 2 was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as the first over-the-counter (OTC), clinical-grade hearing aid software. The Hearing Aid Feature, as Apple refers to the software, amplifies sound for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment (it also features a user-friendly hearing test).

Stigma over hearing loss — and old-school hearing aids — persists, even though over 30 million Americans suffer from some level of hearing loss. Can the new AirPods convince more people to get their hearing tested, boost their aural faculties, and lead better lives? Attorney Haben Girma, the first deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School and the author of Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law, is optimistic about what the new AirPods — available this fall in many countries — can offer. Girma connected with Mashable about the AirPods' innovation and Big Tech's role in improving disabled lives.

SEE ALSO: I demoed the new AirPods Pro 2 hearing test — and here's how it went Mashable: As a disability advocate, are the hearing aid-assisted AirPods a game-changer?

Haben Girma: The AirPods Pro 2 is a powerful new tool for people with hearing disabilities! The diversity within this community includes a variety of different types of hearing and life experiences. Extensive accessibility features throughout the Apple ecosystem means more people with combined hearing and other disabilities (visual disabilities, learning disabilities, mobility disabilities, and more) will have the ability to personally adjust their own hearing aids.

Do you believe the Air Pods could help those with profound hearing loss, as opposed to only those experiencing age-related hearing loss?

The goal is to give people choices. The more communication tools available to us, the more likely it is that every single person will find their right fit. When I think of past visits to hearing aid clinics, the memories bring back the stress and frustration that many other deaf and hard of hearing people experienced. Apple has eliminated some of the emotional, administrative, and time-based barriers that cause people to delay exploring their hearing. The portability and friendliness of the iPhone and AirPods Pro 2 makes it easier for more people to learn about their hearing at a comfortable time and place, try on hearing aids, and then go to a hearing professional—if they choose. How exciting to have these choices at our fingertips!

Haben Girma has thoughts on the new Air Pods' hearing aid feature. Credit: Darius Bashar Could this help normalize the use of assistive tech among the general public?

Many people already use AirPods for hearing assistance, without realizing they are doing so. Many people assume disability tech must be ugly, but disability tech can be absolutely delightful! Disability tech is all around us, from the touchscreen to audiobooks. Disabled people spark innovation, and over time those developments travel into the mainstream. Future people will be surprised to learn listening devices didn’t always have hearing aid capabilities. Apple is leading the way in showing how disability innovations move tech forward for all of us.

Could there be a danger in removing the physician's role in providing these devices?

Medical professionals still have a role to play, and many people may find themselves booking that appointment after taking Apple’s hearing test.

SEE ALSO: I demoed the new AirPods Pro 2 hearing test — and here's how it went Anything else you would like to see from tech companies like Apple in regards to making disabled lives better?

Disabled people are innovators, developing powerful solutions. I’m hopeful Apple and other tech companies will increase hiring of disabled engineers, designers, AI researchers, and others.

Does the FDA approval make you feel more confident in the hearing aids' practicality?

I can’t predict whether these hearing aids will help my very rare type of deafness, but I am excited to try them out!

LinkedIn has been training generative AI with user data — a quiet change the public noticed on Wednesday.

Users of the professional social networking platform owned by Microsoft were the first to notice a new option pop up in their data privacy settings called "Data for Generative AI Improvement."

SEE ALSO: How to turn off Google AI Overviews

The setting options come with an explanation saying that this feature gives "LinkedIn and its affiliates" permission to "use your personal data and content you create on LinkedIn to train generative AI models that create content."

The setting is turned on by default.

In addition, as 404 Media discovered in its initial report, LinkedIn appears to have launched its AI training without updating its terms of service to inform users.

Don't want LinkedIn and other third-parties using your LinkedIn data to train their generative AI to create content using your posts? Here's how to turn it off.

How to turn off LinkedIn's AI training

1. Login to your LinkedIn account.

2. Click your profile image on the header menu and select Settings & Privacy in the dropdown menu.

   Credit: Mashable screenshot

3. Choose Data privacy on the left hand side menu.

   Credit: Mashable screenshot

4. Select the Data for Generative AI Improvement option at the very bottom of the How LinkedIn uses your data section.

   Credit: Mashable screenshot

5. Toggle the "Use my data for training content creation AI models" switch off.

   Credit: Mashable screenshot

Thanks to the EU's strong data privacy laws, LinkedIn is not using EU users' data for its AI training. 

"We are initially making this setting available to members whose profile location is outside of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland," reads a statement posted on the company's AI training FAQ page. "If you live in these regions, we and our affiliates will not use your personal data or content on LinkedIn to train or fine-tune generative AI models for content creation without further notice."

SAVE $40: As of Sept. 18, the Ninja Professional Plus Blender Duo with Auto-iQ is down to just $109.99 at Target. That's 27% in savings and cheaper than at competing retailers.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Professional Plus Blender DUO with Auto-iQ $109.99 at Target
$149.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

As we transition from frozen margarita season to soup season, you might want to check and see if your blender is up to par. If you could use an upgrade, the Ninja Professional Plus Blender Duo is on sale at Target just in the nick of time.

As of Sept. 18, you can grab the Ninja Professional Plus Blender Duo with Auto-iQ for just $109.99 at Target. That's $40 or 27% off the usual cost. That's also cheaper than you'll find it at competing retailers. In comparison, it's $129.99 at Amazon and the Ninja direct website, and $132.99 at Best Buy. Walmart has a similar deal for $109, but it comes with one less single-serve cup.

The Professional Plus Duo features a 1,400-watt motor, which puts it in the high-performance blender range. That means its powerful enough to handle heavy-duty tasks, like crushing ice, liquefying fruits and veggies, and blending fibrous greens. It's not the most powerful blender in Ninja's lineup, but it can hang with the big dogs. It also features three speeds, four manual programs, and two auto-iQ programs.

It's dubbed the "Duo" model because it works double duty. It can blend directly in the 72-ounce pitcher or into one of the two included single-serve cups. That way you can take your blended-up smoothies on the go in only one step.

Prepare yourself for the ultimate soup season without breaking the bank by snagging this deal at Target while it's still around.

Google is expanding efforts to properly label AI-generated content, updating its in-house "About This Image" tool with a global standard for detecting the origins of an AI-edited image.

The new label was formulated as part of Google's work with the global Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA). Members of the C2PA have committed to developing and adopting a standardized AI certification and detection process, enabled by a verification technology known as "Content Credentials." Not all C2PA members, which include Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI, have implemented the authentication standards, however.

Google is taking the first step among key players, integrating the C2PA's new 2.1 standard into products like Google Search and eventually Google Ads (the "About This Image" prompt is found by clicking on the three vertical dots located above a photo uncovered in a search). This standard includes an official "Trust List" of devices and technology that can help vet the origin of a photo or video through its metadata. "For example, if the data shows an image was taken by a specific camera model, the trust list helps validate that this piece of information is accurate," Laurie Richardson, Google vice president of trust and safety, told the Verge. "Our goal is to ramp this up over time and use C2PA signals to inform how we enforce key policies."

SEE ALSO: Sam Altman steps down as head of OpenAI's safety group

After joining the C2PA in May, TikTok became the first video platform to implement the C2PA's Content Credentials, including an automatic labeling system to read a video's metadata and flag as AI. With the launch of Content Credentials for Google platforms, YouTube is set to follow in its footsteps.

Google has been vocal about widespread AI labeling and regulation, especially in its efforts to curb the spread of misinformation. In 2023, Google launched SynthID, its own digital watermarking tool designed to help detect and track AI-generated content made using Google DeepMind's text-to-image generator, Imagen. It introduced (limited) AI labeling mandates for YouTube videos earlier this year, and has committed to addressing AI-generated deepfake content in Google Search.

The company joined the C2PA steering committee in February, a group that includes other major industry players and even news organizations, like the BBC.

SAVE $70: The Marshall Major IV headphones are on sale at Amazon for just $79.99, down from the list price of $149.99. That's a 47% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Marshall Major IV headphones $79.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

There's a particular heart-sinking feel when you take off for the day only to realize your headphones have exactly zero charge left. If you encounter this problem regularly, Amazon has a special deal in store for you today.

As of Sept. 18, the Marshall Major IV headphones are on sale at Amazon for just $79.99, down from the typical price of $149.99. That's a 47% discount, or a savings of $70. This sale price also beats the last major sale we saw on this model back in June.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best noise-cancelling headphones for flying in 2024

It's not a secret that sometimes marketing claims aren't entirely true. But in this case, Marshall is telling it like it is. The brand claims the Major IV headphones get 80+ hours of wireless battery life, so Mashable Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard put them to the test. In her review of the headphones, she explains she got a whopping 106 hours and 48 minutes of playtime before the Marshall Major IV headphones ran out of juice.

Allard was also impressed by the well-balanced sound profile that came from the Marshall headphones. However, it's worth noting these don't come with noise cancellation, which many of us have come to rely on for getting some serenity in our modern world. But if you don't care about ANC, the Marshall Major IV could be a hit.

If your headphones always seem to be dead even though you recall just charging them, the Marshall Major IV could fix that issue for good. Thanks to today's sale price at Amazon, you can grab the headphones for a huge 47% discount.

The best pet tech deals at Amazon as of Sept. 18:

Our top picks: Best automatic pet feeder deal Voluas Automatic Pet Feeder $38.39 at Amazon (save $9.60) Get Deal Best water dispenser deal RIZZARI Automatic Pet Waterer $17.99 at Amazon (save $8) Get Deal Best de-shedding tool deal Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Rake $9.49 at Amazon (save $0.50) Get Deal

I have two beagles, and they’re my world. I’m always looking for stuff they do and don’t need (it’s a shame we can’t claim our pets as dependents), so I’m pretty well-versed in pet tech.

This week, I found deals on automatic feeders, water fountains, and de-shedding tools that are actually worth adding to your cart. Save up to 50% off:

Best automatic feeder deal Opens in a new window Credit: Voluas Our pick: Voluas Automatic Pet Feeder $38.39 at Amazon
$47.99 Save $9.60 Get Deal Why we like it

If you’re gone for long hours during the day or have a fur baby with special dietary needs, an automatic feeder could make your job as a pet parent a little easier.

The Voluas Automatic Pet Feeder is an affordable auto feeder ($38.39 at Amazon) listed for cats and dogs. It features a 10-second voice recorder so you can call your pet to meal time, and has a built-in desiccant to keep kibble fresh.

While my beagles would probably try to tear this thing apart, it might be a good option for cats or smaller dogs like Jack Russells or Dachshunds. Or, you know, a dog that behaves.

More automatic feeder deals

• BEMOONY Automatic Pet Feeder — $20.48 $33.99 (save $13.51)

• PETLIBRO Automatic Pet Feeder — $49.99 $89.99 (save $40)

• Pawsync Automatic Pet Feeder — $50 $99.99 (save $49.99)

Best water dispenser deal Opens in a new window Credit: RIZZARI Our pick: RIZZARI Automatic Pet Waterer $17.99 at Amazon
$25.99 Save $8.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Okay, this isn’t a fancy water fountain (you can see deals on those below), but it is a functional gravity-fed water dispenser that’ll keep your pet hydrated throughout the day. I spend what seems like half the day refilling my dogs' water bowls, so an auto dispenser is a total time-saver.

The RIZZARI Automatic Pet Waterer comes in multiple sizes with or without a filter. At just $17.99 for the 3 liter version (with filter), it's an affordable and easy way to make sure your pets always have access to fresh water. It’s also heavy enough that they can't tip it over.

Note that you will need to replace the filter every so often. Because this thing has multiple nooks and crannies, you’ll also need to clean it thoroughly to prevent bacterial growth or algae buildup.

More water dispenser deals

• Veken Pet Fountain — $17.99 $26.99 (save $9)

• PetSafe Seaside Stainless Cat & Dog Fountain — $30.96 $36.45 (save $5.49)

• PETLIBRO App Monitoring Water Fountain — $62.99 $89.99 (save $27)

Best de-shedding tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: Maxpower Planet Our pick: Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Rake $9.49 at Amazon
$9.99 Save $0.50 Get Deal Why we like it

If you have a floof, your floor has probably seen better days. My girls are short-haired and still get hair everywhere — in the bed, on the couch, in my food (somehow??). With a pet grooming rake, like the Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Rake, you can cut down on cleanup time and reduce hairballs.

This dual-sided tool is designed to demat and de-shed dogs and cats with long coats. (It’s not for short-haired animals.) It has 17 teeth for de-shedding and nine teeth for de-matting.

More pet hair tool deals

• DakPets Deshedding Tool — $12.97 $16 (save $3.03)

• Chom Chom Roller Pet Hair Remover and Reusable Lint Roller — $24.99 $27.99 (save $3)

• oneisall Pet Grooming Vacuum Brush — $67.99 $79.99 (save $12)

If you're sending a "View Once" message, photo, or video through WhatsApp, don't be so sure that the receiver can't view it again.

Security researchers with crypto wallet ZenGo recently discovered a bug that allowed WhatsApp users to view "View Once" messages as many times as they liked.

SEE ALSO: Meta updates WhatsApp and Messenger third-party chats in Europe

In response, WhatsApp patched the issue. But, ZenGo researchers then discovered another exploit in WhatsApp's fix that once again allowed them to access these messages that had supposedly disappeared.

WhatsApp View Once exploit

WhatsApp launched its View Once feature in 2021. View Once allows users to send texts, photos, and videos that disappear after the recipient initially accesses them. 

Furthermore, to ensure the ephemeral nature of these messages, WhatsApp disables screenshots from being used in the app on View Once messages through iOS and Android. In addition, WhatsApp limits View Once messages to the mobile apps only.

However, in a post last week, ZenGo Security Research Manager Tal Be'ery detailed an exploit that allowed his team to access View Once messages over and over again.

Basically, as Be'ery explains, the View Once messages are only restricted from view in the mobile apps after being viewed. The media continues to exist on WhatsApp's servers. If a user can find the URL for the media file, they can access the message or media file that was supposed to have disappeared.

Be’ery went through the official channels with WhatsApp's parent company Meta and reported the exploit through their bug bounty program on August 26. It was too late though. Be'ery soon found that the bug was already in the wild, as a Chrome extension popped up allowing users to access their already-viewed View Once messages through WhatsApp's web app. ZenGo went public with the exploit and published their report last week on Sept. 9.

Meta's fix and exploit #2

It appears the issue has been taken seriously by Meta, at least after Be’ery went public with the exploit. Meta appears to have released a fix for the WhasApp View Once bug on Sept. 12.

According to a new report by Be'ery, Meta's patch "changes the way View Once media messages are saved to the application’s databases and redact some of the information that enables the media viewing."

The fix appears to have broken the previously mentioned "View Once Photos Bypass" Chrome extension as well.

Tweet may have been deleted

But, the fix is "still not enough," according to Be'ery and can be exploited with a workaround. In fact, as Be'ery discovered, the creator of the View Once bypass Chrome extension published an update saying that they've already discovered a new exploit in order to once again access View Once media.

Be'ery also published a video showing how View Once messages are still accessible.

Mashable reached out to Meta regarding the issue and will update this post when we hear back.

According to The Register, sources familiar with the issue claim that the fix was only meant to be a temporary one as Meta works to completely restructure how View Once messages are handled.

SAVE $35: As of Sep. 18, get the Google Pixel Buds A-Series for $64 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Pixel Buds A-Series $64.00 at Amazon
$99.00 Save $35.00 Get Deal

Apple may have just debuted its newest set of earbuds with the AirPods 4, but what if you don't use iOS devices or just want something a little more affordable? Good news: there are plenty of headphones and earbuds out there, and you can get a great pair for far less than you'd pay for new AirPods. And if you're interested primarily in seeing what the competition has going on, you'd be best served by getting in on a pair of earbuds from Google, which you can snap up right now for a great price.

As of September 18, you can get a pair of Google Pixel Buds A-Series for just $64. That's $35 off their normal price of $99, and a discount of 35%. The Dark Olive and Clearly White colorways are discounted, but Charcoal is a dollar more at $64.99. The Sea colorway is not currently included in the sale.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Save $30 on our favorite Roku streaming device

These mid-range earbuds are a bit older as far as Google tech goes. But if you like the kind of look Google imbues in its tablets and earbuds, there's plenty to love here. They'd also work well as a companion for your Pixel 8 or Pixel 8a. They come with three ear tip sizes to better fit your ear and boast up to five hours of listening time — that's 24 hours if you use the charging case.

These buds also include adaptive sound tech to adjust the volume based on your surroundings, as well as the option to find them if you misplace them. Plus, you can use the earbuds themselves to control your music, get directions, have notifications read to you, and more using Google Assistant.

If you don't want to pay over $70 for a pair of earbuds or just want to try something new, this is a nice discount. And it's always good to have a backup should your go-to pair go missing.

SAVE $50: The new black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + cellular) is on sale for paid members of the My Best Buy program starting at $749 (typically $799). Meanwhile, non-members can get it for $779.99 at Amazon. It's set for release on Sept. 20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + cellular) with black titanium case $749.00 at Best Buy
$799.00 Save $50.00 My Best Buy Plus/Total membership required Pre-Order Here

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 will stun in a slick new satin black colorway this Friday, and Best Buy is offering a sizable preorder discount for certain someones.

As of Sept. 18, paid members of the My Best Buy program (Plus and Total tiers) can knock $50 off the price of the upcoming black titanium Ultra 2. The premium wearable starts at $749 (normally $799) with a trail loop, an alpine loop, or an ocean band, and it's upgradable with a titanium Milanese loop for $100 more. All styles come with free trials of both Apple Fitness+ and Apple Music.

If you aren't a paid My Best Buy member and don't plan on becoming one, know that Amazon had the black titanium Ultra 2 listed for $779.99 at the time of writing — a $19.01 savings that isn't paywalled. Choose from a black trail loop or a dark green alpine loop.

Moreover, if you're not committed to that new black titanium case color, a natural titanium Ultra 2 with a black/blue trail loop was on sale at Amazon for the all-time low of $689 (or $110 off).

SEE ALSO: Best Buy's fall deals schedule includes major October Prime Day competition

Originally released last fall, the Ultra 2 is plugged as "the ultimate sports watch." It's powered by a speedy S9 chip that supports features like Double Tap gestures and on-device Siri. It comes with cellular connectivity, not just WiFi, and it can last up to 72 hours per charge on Low Power Mode. It also sports the brightest display you can get on an Apple Watch — a nice-to-have for outdoor use. (It's even more intense than the display on the Series 10, Apple's latest flagship wearable.)

With this week's release of watchOS 11, the Ultra 2 brings support for new health and fitness features like sleep apnea notifications, customizable Activity rings, and two new apps: Vitals and Tides. The former provides an overview of the user's overnight health metrics, while Tides is meant to keep surfers, swimmers, and divers abreast of changing tidal conditions.

For those interested in upgrading to a paid My Best Buy membership, the Plus tier's annual fee gets nullified by this Ultra 2 discount. (It unlocks free two-day shipping, extended return windows, and exclusive discounts for $49.99/year.) A My Best Buy Total plan is a bigger investment, tacking on 24/7 tech support, a repair discount, and free protection plans — including Apple Care+ — for $179.99/year.

A paid My Best Buy membership will pay off in an even bigger way in the coming weeks during Best Buy's fall savings events, which includes a Member Exclusive Sale for the Plus and Total crew in late September. It's a good time to sign up if you plan on purchasing more tech ahead of the holidays.

The iPhone 16 Plus is going to give you the best bang for your buck.

Don't get me wrong, though.

After testing all four iPhone 16 devices, it’s no surprise the iPhone 16 Pro Max stood out as the best of the entire lineup. After all, it lasted more than 25 hours on a single charge, according to our in-house battery life test. Its runtime, alone, makes it a top pick among the new iPhone 16 devices.

iPhone 16 Plus in "Pink" Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is almost as expensive as your monthly rent, setting you back at least $1,200.

So the question is, what's the next best phone in the iPhone 16 family? The iPhone 16 Plus.

SEE ALSO: iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Battery life so epic, you'll ghost your charger iPhone 16 Plus has the best bang for your buck

Unlike the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the iPhone 16 Plus didn't smash our battery life record — but it's still pretty power efficient. The iPhone 16 Plus' runtime revealed that it has the second-best battery life of the entire iPhone 16 lineup. Plus, it has the third-best battery life of any phone Mashable has ever tested.

Here are the current rankings:

1. iPhone 16 Pro Max - 25 hours and 17 minutes

2. Google Pixel 9 - 19 hours and 20 minutes

3. iPhone 16 Plus - 18 hours and 53 minutes

4. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL - 18 hours and 50 minutes

5. iPhone 16 Pro - 18 hours and 17 minutes

The iPhone 16 Plus has a starting price of $899. While the $799 entry-level iPhone 16 is the cheapest model you can get, you'll lose out on more than two hours of battery life. It lasts a little more than 16 hours on a charge. This isn't half bad, but its competitor, Pixel 9, lasts almost three hours longer.

Aside from battery life, let me give you four more reasons to consider the iPhone 16 Plus.

The iPhone 16 Plus also comes with the new Camera Control button, which is set to become the new Visual Intelligence key later this year. (Visual Intelligence will let you point at any object with your camera, and AI will kick in to give you information about the subject.) Plus, it has a tougher screen with a second-generation Ceramic Shield display. It has upgraded cameras, particularly improved zoom quality. Finally, the iPhone 16 supports Apple Intelligence, the company's new suite of AI.

To conclude, the iPhone 16 Pro Max would be the best buy, but the best value purchase is the iPhone 16 Plus. (Take it from me as someone who reviewed them all.)

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable iPhone 16 Plus $899.99 at Apple
Get Deal

SAVE $30: The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is on sale at Amazon for just $99.99, down from the list price of $129.99. That's a 23% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 $99.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

Driving and owning a car comes with a lot of responsibility, not to mention anxiety when you have to park your car somewhere you can't see it. But thanks to today's deal on a dash cam at Amazon, you can have peace of mind at a discounted price.

As of Sept. 18, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is on sale at Amazon for $99.99, marked down from the standard price of $129.99. That's a $30 savings or a 23% discount. It also matches the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Save $30 on our favorite Roku streaming device

Measuring in at a similar size to your car keys, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is a mountable dash camera that you can discretely place behind the rearview mirror.

Not only is the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 a less obvious dash cam compared to some models, the Garmin still comes with great features. It'll automatically record and save video of incidents near the car with a 140-degree lens in 1080p resolution. Recognizing English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Swedish, you can use voice control to start/stop recording, save video, or take still photos. Your saved videos automatically upload over a WiFi connection, so you can view and share them any time you'd like.

With power and a WiFi connection, you can access the camera remotely on your smartphone to get a live view of your parked car. The Parking Guard feature also sends you an alert if it detects anything that impacts your parked car.

If you often worry about your car while it's out of sight, or you've always wanted the ability to record an incident, today is a great time to grab the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2. You'll get a 23% discount and greater peace of mind.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Sept. 18: OUR TOP PICK Roku Ultra $69.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal BEST HOME SECURITY DEAL TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam $69.99 at Amazon (save $50 with on-page coupon) Get Deal BEST SMARTWATCH DEAL Garmin Instinct 2 Solar smartwatch $299.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal BEST EARBUDS DEAL Beats Studio Buds $99.99 at Amazon (save $49.96) Get Deal BEST ROBOT VACUUM iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO $299.99 at Amazon (save $250) Get Deal

We've still got a few weeks before Amazon's official October Prime Day, but that doesn't mean there aren't deals to shop. As of Sept. 18, we're seeing pretty impressive price drops on products from top brands like Roku, Beats, iRobot Roomba, Garmin, and TP-Link. And we've rounded up the best ones worth adding to your cart below.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these catch your eye, be sure to take a peek at our picks from Sept. 16 and Sept. 17. Many of those are still live — including a record-low price on the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE and four free months of Amazon Music Unlimited.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Ultra $69.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

The Roku Ultra, our favorite Roku streaming device, is the cheapest it's been all year (and just $3 away from its record-low price). The premium streaming device has a quad-core processor that offers smooth HD, 4K, and HDR streaming on a zippy interface. It's more powerful than the Roku Express 4K Plus and comes with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support, a microSD slot for storing and streaming external media, an Ethernet port, and the Roku Voice Remote Pro with customizable shortcut keys. It's regularly $100, but you can grab it for only $69.99 as of Sept. 18. That's 30% in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: TP-Link TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam $69.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $50.00 with on-page coupon Get Deal

Boost your home security without breaking the bank with the TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam. It offers 2K video and a year-long battery life for only $69.99 on sale. That's 42% in savings and matches its lowest price on record — just be sure to select the on-page coupon to get the full discount. We haven't had a chance to test out this security camera ourselves, but our sister site PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) did and awarded it an outstanding rating and coveted Editor's Choice award. "It's an excellent value for a battery-powered camera that offers color night vision, built-in spotlights, local and cloud storage options, free intelligent alerts, voice control, and many other features," the review states.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Instinct 2 Solar smartwatch $299.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

"The Instinct is ideal for serious navigators, ultra-athletes, and solo trekkers who spend a lot of time outside and in rugged conditions," Mashable's review states of the original Garmin Instinct smartwatch. The second generation of the already great watch is even more powerful. Not only does it offer detailed health monitoring and smart notifications like any good smartwatch, but it also packs a three-axis compass and barometric altimeter for highly intricate tracking and navigation, plenty of built-in sports apps, and an unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode (thanks to solar charging). As of Sept. 18, it's also back down to its record-low price of $299.99 at Amazon. That's $100 in savings and a pretty impressive deal on a smartwatch that's just as tough as you.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds $99.99 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $49.96 Get Deal

Want a solid pair of noise-cancelling earbuds that won't break the bank? The Beats Studio Buds are back on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's 34% off their usual cost in white, black, or red. Mashable tech reporter Alex Perry called them "Apple's new go-to entry-level earbuds" when they first came out in 2021, claiming they "put entry-level AirPods to shame." They're equipped with decent active noise cancellation, transparency mode, spatial audio, and a 24-hour battery life with the charging case. They're no longer the latest or greatest Beats buds, but they still hold up in 2024.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO $299.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $250.00 Get Deal

Don't have the budget to hire a professional cleaner? Start smaller by grabbing this Roomba i3+ EVO on sale for just $299.99. That's $250 cheaper than usual and on par with its lowest price to date. The i3+ EVO is our top pick for a budget Roomba (with a software upgrade), thanks to its self-emptying abilities, smart mapping, and more powerful suction power over the cheaper 600 series. You can basically set it and forget it for 60 days, as it will dump all the dirt it picks up into its base.

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

SAVE $10: As of September 18, save $10 when you spend $50 on eligible Starbucks coffee at Amazon for National Coffee Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon $10 off $50 of eligible Starbucks coffee Get Deal

There's a holiday for just about everything these days, and coffee is no exception. National Coffee Day, a celebration of all things java, is September 29, and Starbucks is getting in on the fun. But instead of requiring you to go in-store to take advantage of its deals, Starbucks is serving up a special promotion at Amazon that you can take advantage of ahead of the holiday itself.

As of September 18, when you buy $50 of eligible Starbucks coffee-at-home products at Amazon, you can get $10 back. That includes Starbucks K-Cup packs, Pike Place Medium Roast ground coffee, Starbucks VIA Instant Colombia coffee packets, Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew Concentrate, and several other flavors you can choose from the Starbucks Coffee At-Home Amazon page. The discount will be automatically applied at checkout as long as supplies last.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon's October Prime Day sale: Official dates, the competition, and more

There's a wide variety of Starbucks coffee to choose from that's eligible for the deal. Some of Starbucks' newest fall flavors — like Pumpkin Spice, Smoked Butterscotch, and Fall Blend K-Cups — are up for grabs, as are half-caff and iced coffee blends.

It looks like certain flavors are already going out of stock, however, so you may want to go ahead and grab the ones you're interested in sipping on this fall while you still can.

GET $100 OFF: As of Sept. 18, the Dyson Supersonic Origin hair dryer with two complimentary attachments is $299.99 on the Dyson website, $100 off the sticker price. That's 25% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic Origin hair dryer $299.99 at Dyson
$399.99 Save $100.00 Plus two complimentary attachments ($79.98 value) Get Deal

If you’ve been dying to own at least one Dyson hair care tool, now might be your chance to do it for under $300 (*gasp*).

As of Sept. 18, you can get the Dyson Supersonic Origin hair dryer (black/nickel) for $299.99 on Dyson’s website. That’s $100 off the sticker price, and it’s a pretty good deal, considering it comes with two complimentary attachments (the flyaway attachment and the gentle air attachment) worth $79.98.

SEE ALSO: Is the Dyson Supersonic still worth it?

This hair dryer is built to protect your hair from extreme heat damage while delivering a salon-worthy blowout. According to the site, you can increase smoothness by 75 percent with this thing compared to regular hair dryers. It also features three speed settings, four heat settings, and a cold air shot for locking in your 'do. This model is no longer available at Amazon or Best Buy, so your best bet is to snag it straight from Dyson before the sale ends.

If you’d rather have the Supersonic hair dryer in blue/blush (aka the pretty one), Dyson has a refurbished model for $229.99, so it's $120 off. It also comes with five attachments, including a diffuser and styling concentrator.