Mashable

When curious minds Google "LOLCow," a phrase making the rounds across TikTok, the first link to populate is to an outdated blog server, its mission preserved only in Google's archived page description: "Anonymously share juicy gossip and candid opinions about foolish and bizarre people, also known as lolcows. Freedom of speech friendly."

Urban Dictionary suggests several similar, but varying, definitions for a LOLCow. A person "who is easy/safe for the majority of people to mock. It's a cash cow but you instead milk 'lols' from it," describes one. Another: "A lolcow is a person you get extensive laughs from, who doesn't know they are being made fun of. They can often think they are admired for what they are doing, but secretly are being laughed at constantly." And, less to the point, "Someone who makes a fool of themselves on the internet over and over. Usually drug spurred." A final one for the sports fans: "A term that can be used to describe a perennial factory of sadness in sports…"

SEE ALSO: Why is the internet 'crashing out?'

The concept, while fresh in TikTok's vernacular, isn't particularly new, a vestige of early internet days where anonymous accounts gave users the gall to openly harass each other as part of the digital carnival. It's a term integral to the 4Chan lexicon, and many point to Christine Chandler, a former blogger now embattled by online trolls and accusations of both illegal and unethical behavior, as one of the internet's preeminent LOLCows.

What has evolved since the days of accepted online trolling is the general public's access to the LOLCow. New one-stop-shop platforms like TikTok offer creators intense spikes of virality (and money) nearly overnight, often stemming from the algorithm's crowning of a new app obsession.

No longer just fodder for a fleeting meme or an obsessive sub community, these individuals become the star of everyone's FYP. They're flown out to collaborate with big creators, pegged for brand deals, and given the tools to turn their online persona — which, in many cases, stems from the ability to be mocked — into a source of income. An environment rife for manipulation, TikTok obscures the modern LOLCow under the guise of love and fandom. Obsessive posters aren't always following just to be cruel, some believe, at least according to their comments, they are building community with the internet's underdogs.

'Milking' LOLCows: modern bullying or harmless fun?

In a 7-minute long video posted by user @PinkBinz on Aug. 31, TikTok's version of a "LOLCow" is described as the target of "middle school bully" behavior, in which a user is uplifted by disingenuous engagement from viewers. To be more precise, according to the creator, the LOLCow is thinly-veiled cruelty, if not outright ableism. "LOLCows are almost always picked out by the internet because they essentially have disabilities," she says, pointing to the rise of creator Shawty Bae, who has not identified as someone with a disability. "Ninety-nine percent of the time, if these people were never involved in the internet, their life would have been completely different. Most of the things that happen to them in their real life have happened thanks to the impact of people on the internet bullying them."

In a comment liked more than 13,000 times, one viewer added, "lolcows are right wing pipelines to try to make it look like disabled people are dangers to society. It’s diet eugenics." 

Another video, posted in 2023 by @GamerMagee, argues that more attention needs to be paid to the people who are baiting creators. "The level of depravity of the people who are f*cking with them is just mindboggling," he said. Commenters likened the rise of LOLCows to the popularity of TV shows on channels like TLC, parading "unusual" behaviors, appearances, or trauma for ratings. 

Not all watchers feel that way, however, arguing they find these creators relatable or that they only want to "check in" on them out of compassion. "If you are ever wondering why you are drawn to shawtybae, it’s because she doesn’t try to be anyone but herself. In a world that wants perfection, she doesn’t take herself too seriously and she’s incredibly humble despite her fame," wrote one user on a YouTube video featuring Shawty Bae.

"Authentic" is joined by other, less kind phrases used to describe the TikTok creators pegged as new era LOLCows: "easy targets," "gullible," "vulnerable," "memeable." Viewers on @PinkBinz' video chimed in with dozens of examples falling under these categories, each with fervent "fanbases," including viral pages of those like Tophia Chu, trans creator Elphaba Orion Doherty, Daniel Larson, and — one of the most controversial — @WorldOfTshirts. Joshua Block, the face of World of Tshirts, shot to popularity in the pandemic-spawned TikTok boom, known for his daily vlogs around New York City featuring spontaneous performances, verbal assails, and destructive drinking. His account, followed by 3.6 million people, boasts even more millions of views by onlookers who proclaim to obsessively watch his videos out of morbid fascination. 

Block and Chandler are examples of the bleak direction "LOL farming" can head, where incessant goading leads creators down increasingly harmful pathways and often abusive behavior, lobbed toward themselves or others. In some examples, LOLCows are outrightly doxxed or the victims of swatting. In others, they become engagement-getters for other creators, like the relationship between Block and creator Mr. Based NYC, using them to grow their own channels.

LOLing outside of TikTok

There exist more mainstream instances, too: The obsessive coverage of YouTube star Gabbie Hanna's erratic behavior and subsequent manic breakdown, documented in its completeness on her TikTok page. Or the mass consumption and meme-ing of Britney Spears' eccentric social media videos, especially those posted during her fight for independence from her conservatorship, that still continues today. 

Even more complicated: Some of the most popular LOLCows are, in the eyes of the internet (and often the law), "bad" people, the perpetrators of legitimate crimes, threats, or problematic behavior. Others branded with the title are right-wing, or even white supremacist, figureheads. Cancel culture thus collides with LOLCows in a flurry of retaliatory online behavior. 

Off TikTok, there are dedicated subreddits and Discord servers tasked with following the spirals of these creators, including Block, with posts oscillating between concern and mockery. This online voyeurism also includes a 15-year-old Wiki page dedicated to Chandler's movements and an entire host of "snark" pages offering forums for widespread LOLCow discussion. 

TikTok & LOLCows: Made for each other

To many, TikTok is more than a hub for viral humor and recommendations, it's a LOLCow factory farm. 

And where blogs of yore were more up front with their cruelty, the modern notion of a LOLCow is less on-the-nose in its detestation of difference. Instead, people say they engage out of the urge to offer advice or, more commonly, reality checks — take the incessant commentary spawning from the dating blog of lifestyle creator Molly Rutter as example. Others, for all intents and purposes, say they are genuine fans of the creator. Comments like "you know what, hell yeah" or "can't tell the chat I f*ck with this" convey the idea that these human beings are an embarrassing guilty pleasure. But what's even more concerning is how the modern social media landscape exacerbates these urges. Platforms harnessing endless scrolling, pushing e-commerce opportunities, and adding all-encompassing search integrations, keep people locked to their devices, a feedback loop between creator and user that promotes even more obsession.

Will internet culture grow out of LOLing at people?

In the age of online profitability — the possibilities of the creator economy not yet discovered in the early 2000s — this parasocial relationship can lead down unexpected paths. Some of the aforementioned personalities and other ridiculed creators have pivoted to adult content, linking Only Fans pages in their bios to capitalize off of their virality. In the case of ShawtyBae, explicit images taken from her Only Fans account were leaked online without consent, more fuel for the fire. Others lean into money-making ventures through brand deals, celebrity appearances, or product endorsements. Public ridicule becomes inextricably tied to their livelihood. 

At large, more and more people are reckoning with the ethical repercussions of posting on social media, from the generational trauma of family vlogging, to the platforming of people with disabilities by creators, with or without their consent. The revival of the phrase LOLCow in public consciousness, while a concerning continuation, suggests more people are becoming aware of social media's dark side.

Alongside growing self-awareness, and a renewed love of criticism, among users, some are repositioning the phrase as a behavioral check for their peers online: Are you really engaging with a creator out of sympathy, enjoyment, or care…  or are you milking them for "LOLs"?

Get ready to see just how much everyone was streaming brat and The Tortured Poets Department. That's right, Spotify Wrapped, the day when everyone shamelessly shares their music taste, is just around the corner.

If you're completely lost or desperately trying to secure your most-streamed artist for Wrapped, here's everything you need to know.

SEE ALSO: Take your Spotify playlists to the next level with custom playlist art What is Spotify Wrapped?

Spotify Wrapped is when the music giant packages your past year's listening habits into brightly colored, sharable infographics. It reveals your top songs, artists, and genres, as well as a couple of gimmicks that vary from year to year. Additionally, you get a playlist of your top 100 songs of the year.

When is Spotify Wrapped?

The exact date is a surprise, but it typically comes out the week after Thanksgiving.

When does Spotify Wrapped's tracking period end?

The company has kept tight-lipped about when the tracking period ends but insists that it's after Halloween — the internet's speculative end date of the tracking period.

At a press preview of Wrapped in 2022, Spotify's vice president of product development, Babar Zafar, further explained, "The Wrapped personalized experience covers streaming for 2022, so beginning in January and ending a few weeks prior to the launch on November 30. We aim to leave the cut-off date as late as possible to really create a truly personalized experience for the millions of listeners around the world."

SEE ALSO: 13 best websites to analyze your Spotify data Can you see your previous Spotify Wrapped?

You can no longer access the interactive playback of past years' Spotify Wrapped, but you can listen to the playlists from previous years. These playlists are compiled of your top 100 songs of each year.

How to remove music from your taste profile

Freaking out about how embarrassing your Spotify Wrapped will be? You're in luck...for next year. You can remove a playlist from your "Taste Profile" and how the company defines your taste. Once you remove a playlist, it will take 48 hours to be removed. If you exclude a playlist from your Taste Profile today, it won't be reflected in your Wrapped for this year.

To remove a playlist from your Taste Profile, open Spotify and navigate to the playlist you want to exclude. Then tap the three gray dots and select "exclude from your taste profile."

Elon Musk’s X has expanded its legal battle, now targeting Amazon-owned livestreaming platform Twitch as part of its lawsuit against former advertisers.

On Monday, Twitch was added to X's ongoing lawsuit against brand members of the now-defunct Global Alliance of Responsible Media (GARM), as first reported by Business Insider. X claims in its lawsuit that members of GARM illegally conspired to boycott the platform formerly known as Twitter in late 2022, shortly after Musk acquired the company. 

According to the lawsuit, X says that Twitch has not advertised on the platform in the U.S. since November 2022. As Business Insider reports, X cites a GARM document in its lawsuit that mentions an "executive endorsement" from Twitch regarding GARM's brand safety standards.

X originally filed the lawsuit back in August. Since then, the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) disbanded the coalition of advertisers known as GARM. In addition, X removed Unilever from the lawsuit after reaching an undisclosed agreement with the company.

Regardless of the closure of the GARM initiative, WFA says it intends to fight the allegations in court.

X is still hurting thanks to declining ad revenue

X's lawsuit against GARM came shortly after the coalition chose to bring X back into the fold. One month before filing the suit, X touted that GARM had reinstated X back into the initiative.

Making matters worse for X, the company still hasn't been able to fix its advertiser failings.

According to official X documents obtained by Bloomberg in June 2024, X's revenue fell by nearly 40 percent in the first half of 2023, a period of time entirely under Musk's leadership. This was before Musk infamously told advertisers to "go f*** yourself" in November 2023. Musk said this after a number of major brands like Disney and Apple stopped advertising in response to Musk's endorsement of an antisemitic conspiracy theory and a report revealing ads being displayed alongside Nazi content on the platform.

Some advertisers have recently returned to X, seeking to curry favor with Musk following Donald Trump's election win. However, the advertising spend from these brands fell significantly compared to previous levels. According to analytics firm Sensor Tower, the ad spend from X's top 100 advertisers was only one percent more than it was from this time last year, which was around the same time as the aforementioned advertiser boycott.

Furthermore, ad spend from X's top advertisers is still down a whopping 64 percent, according to Sensor Tower, when compared to this time in 2022. That would mean that X's ad revenue is doing worse now than it was in the same time period that X claims GARM conspired to boycott the company.

Things don't seem to me improving over X either. In September, multiple reports found that X was facing a declining daily active user base in some of its top markets like the U.S., UK, and EU. Following Musk's involvement in Trump's reelection, X has also been facing a mass user exodus. X competitors Bluesky and Threads have seen millions of new users as a result. 

Regardless how X's lawsuit against Twitch, Mars, CVS Health, and other former coalition members of GARM unfolds, Musk's company faces numerous ad revenue challenges in the months ahead.

It's no secret that Amazon is one of the go-to retailers for Black Friday savings. This year, the mega retailer's Black Friday shopping event kicks off on Nov. 21 and runs through Dec. 2 — and as in previous years, deals started pouring in on Apple products, smartwatches, TVs, and much more days (weeks, even) prior.

Avid shoppers keeping their eyes on exclusive Black Friday deals can enjoy a breezy shopping experience while they benefit from major deals this season, thanks to Amazon's flexible payment options. Customers are no longer limited to debit and credit cards, or Amazon gift cards. If you're an Apple loyalist, you can also use Apple Pay to make purchases on Amazon.

SEE ALSO: How to use a Visa gift card on Amazon

Apple Pay is compatible with most — but not all — vendors on Amazon, making it even easier to secure deals in just a few taps. You can use it in place of a traditional card payment whenever possible by following the steps below.

How to use Apple Pay on Amazon

Step 1: Set up Apple Pay on iPhone. If you haven't already, add your debit or credit card to your iPhone's digital wallet to set up Apple Pay on your mobile device.

Step 2: Open the Amazon app.

Step 3: Add items to your cart and go to checkout. If your vendor accepts Apple Pay, you'll see it under payment options (you can use the method only if you have linked a card to your iPhone's Wallet app); select Apple Pay.

Step 4: Confirm your address and payment details.

Step 5: Once Apple Pay's payment authenticator pops up on your screen, use your Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate the purchase.

Step 6: Confirm payment to finish the process.

How to use an Apple Card to make payments on Amazon

If you choose to make a purchase from a third-party vendor that doesn't accept Apple Pay, you can work around it by using your Apple Card instead. The process is fairly straightforward.

Step 1: Make sure you add your Apple Card to the Wallet app on your iPhone by clicking on the + symbol.

Step 2: Now, go to the Amazon app.

Step 3: You'll find four clickable options at the bottom of the home screen. Start the process by clicking on the Account icon which is right next to the homepage icon.

Step 4: A new app page will appear. Tap on Your Account to access account details.

Step 5: Scroll down on the page until you see the Payments section and click on Your Payments.

Step 6: Another page with all your linked cards and bank accounts will appear on the app. Go to the Wallet tab and press +Add.

Step 7: Click on Add a credit or debit card and input your Apple card details.

Step 8: Finally, click on Add and continue to finish the process. Now, you can use your Apple Card to make purchases on Amazon.

UPDATE: Nov. 19, 2024, 1:15 p.m. EST This post has been updated with information about Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2024.

Once two distinct deal shopping days, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have basically merged into one massive shopping extravaganza. The lines really began to blur when the world shut down in 2020 and brick-and-mortar stores hosted online sales in lieu of in-person Black Friday events. In 2024, those lines are practically nonexistent. We certainly can't see them.

While major retailers have been running holiday sales throughout all of November, savvy shoppers know that Black Friday, Cyber Monday, (and the few days surrounding them) still remain two of the absolute biggest shopping days of the year for their ability to reliably trigger record-low prices on big-ticket items (like TVs, Apple devices, robot vacuums, headphones, and video games). That includes discounts that beat Amazon's massively-hyped October Prime Day deals.

Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday — what's the difference?

Way back in the age of MySpace and AIM — aka 2005 — the National Retail Federation debuted the term "Cyber Monday" after realizing that the Monday after Thanksgiving saw a flood of online sales. This was likely due to shoppers using their faster internet connections at work on Monday morning to snag deals, or at least that's what they credited it to. That, of course, and the fact that online retailers wanted some of that holiday shopping bread, too. Thus, two distinct deal shopping days were born: Black Friday, for those who wanted to shop in stores the day after Thanksgiving, and Cyber Monday, for those who liked shopping from the comfort of their homes.

These days, there's little — if any — real difference between the two due to the alleged "death of retail." Everyone and everything is online, so why wouldn't Black Friday be? Based on our years of experience covering both, we can truly say neither is a "better" day to shop. It really comes down to what you're looking for and how much demand there is for it.

Are there better deals on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

If you see a solid deal, grab it, no matter which sale title it falls under. There's not a tremendous amount of distinction anymore in terms of discounts on particular products as there has been in previous years. However, there are still rules to follow in some product categories: TV deals tend to be more dramatic and widespread for Black Friday with a higher likelihood of selling out before the clock even turns to Cyber Monday, while waiting for Cyber Monday to double-check that there's not a new, better laptop deal is often wise.

But with the blurred lines of Cyber Week, many of these deals will cross over. As noted at BlackFriday.com, "Some TV deals will feature flashy discounts during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but they might not have the specs you're after." TL;DR: The deals will be great for both shopping days, but it all depends on what you're looking for. If you see the specs you like listed under a product sitting at a price that you like, grab it to be safe. Also, as a best practice, check camelcamelcamel.com for price history details from Amazon.

How long is Black Friday?

It's honestly silly at this point to even call it Black Friday. It's no longer just on Friday — it's a month-long affair. Walmart and Target started dropping official Black Friday deals in early November and will continue until the end of the Friday following Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, Amazon and Best Buy kick off their Black Friday sales on Nov. 21 and run through Black Friday proper, which falls unusually late this year on Nov. 29.

Once the clock strikes midnight at the close of Friday, it's officially Cyber Monday (yes, even though it's actually Saturday). We don't make the rules. The deals won't change too much, but the search terms and official site banners will.

When do Cyber Monday deals start?

Officially, Cyber Monday starts on Monday, Dec. 2 in 2024. Unofficially, it basically starts the second Black Friday ends, with retailers coining sales as "Cyber Monday" deals as early as Saturday, Nov. 30. So basically, semantics — and it's easier to just think of the Cyber Week language as interchangeable.

Wicked is easily one of the most anticipated films of 2024, as it's bringing to the big screen a three-time Tony Award–winning musical that defined a generation of theater kids, with a Hollywood-scale spectacle of song, dance, and star power. As the Wicked Witch's origin story told from a place of empathy, it's a movie meant to make us believe in magic again. But even with a cast that boasts two-time Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo, pop star Ariana Grande, Bridgerton dreamboat Jonathan Bailey, Academy Award–winner Michelle Yeoh, and the one and only Jeff Goldblum, can director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights) meet the high, high bar fans will have in mind for such a sweeping adaptation? Especially when he's only tackling half of it in Wicked: Part 1?

Despite enthusiasm from fans of the theatrical production, online criticism has plagued the film from the first images and footage that Universal Pictures released. Complaints were made that Chu's vision of Oz was washed out, with colors far duller than we've come to expect from past media inspired by L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, including 1939's Wizard of Oz, 1978's The Wiz, and the vibrant Broadway production based on Gregory Maguire's contrarian perspective, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Then, when the first teaser hit, offering a hint as to what kind of performance Erivo would give as the eponymous witch Elphaba, social media was rife with worries over how she hit one particular note. With the bold choice to split the musical into two films, Chu drew more eyebrows into a knit. So, how does all this pan out? Were the fans right to worry? Frankly, yes. 

While the performances in the film are sensational overall, Chu makes a series of downright confounding choices that undercut the rapturous flow of the Broadway production and even the perspective of the story he aims to exalt. 

Where does Wicked: Part 1 end?  Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in "Wicked." Credit: Universal Pictures

As the trailers suggest, this first Wicked movie ends with "Defying Gravity," a rousing anthem that plays as a dynamic climax to the first act of the theatrical production. This means much of Wicked: Part 1 takes place in Shiz University, where the future wicked witch Elphaba (Erivo) and good witch Glinda (Grande) first meet. However, the screenplay from Dana Fox and Wicked's book writer Winnie Holzman holds true to its stage source, kicking off the film with news that the Wicked Witch is dead. After the munchkins revel with a song of schadenfreude ("No One Mourns The Wicked"), Glinda reflects on the childhood of her friend, Elphaba, transporting the film to a flashback of a torrid one-night stand and the green child who was the much-bullied result of it. From there, their time at Shiz becomes the focus.

There's a kinetic energy in all this, reflecting Grande's boundless energy throughout the film. But here's where Chu's choices begin to get bizarre. While this is a story about Elphaba, it's told from the perspective of her deeply girly, proudly ridiculous, and very vibrant best friend. Glinda's view on the world is clear through her costumes, which are pronounced pink, ultra-femme, flouncy, and always on the boundary of too much. Yet Chu coats her pinks and Elphaba's greens in a yellowy-gray cast. Perhaps this is meant to telegraph how Glinda's perspective on Oz will become sullied over the course of this story, but it also makes the movie astonishingly dull in comparison to all of the other movies set in Oz. 

This grayness intrudes most intensely on the incredible sets built for Shiz. Designed like a cross between Hogwarts and BarbieLand, Shiz University should be a majestic, magical place, where possibilities feel boundless. And yet, despite its thoughtful and gorgeous set design, a pale palette and cinematography that feels almost claustrophobic turns it into a stifling location. This conflicts with the perspective of Glinda, who swans into the role of Queen Bee with ease, and even with Elphaba, who swiftly embraces this space as a path to finally finding her place ("The Wizard and I").

This grim overcast likewise saps verve from what would otherwise be astounding musical numbers, deadening the dazzle through its drudgery. In "Dancing Through Life," a dashing prince Fiyero (a pitch-perfect Bailey) sings of his devil-may-care philosophy in a library filled with parkouring students on human-sized hamster wheels of bookshelves. And that is undoubtedly fun, yet this visual pall scoffs at his pronouncements, undermining their whimsy even as we enjoy them. 

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are unevenly matched.  Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda in "Wicked." Credit: Universal Pictures

It's no easy task to step into the role of these two iconic characters, as each actress might be compared to every Elphaba and Glinda who've come before, reaching all the way back to The Wizard of Oz's Margaret "and your little dog too!" Hamilton and Billie Burke, not to mention Wicked's defining stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. Arguably, the bar is even higher for Grande, who is better known for her catchy pop songs than her acting chops or her Broadway stint in 13 at age 15. And yet, she is a fantastic force to be reckoned with in Wicked. 

As she teased during her Saturday Night Live gig last month, she is absolutely hilarious as the self-obsessed girly pop Glinda. There are echoes of Chenoweth's Glinda in Grande's broad comedic approach. But this pop star's Glinda is more poised, making the outrageous moments — like her splendidly silly hair toss — all the more comically sharp. Grande has embraced a portrayal of this mean girl/good witch that edges into drag queen theatricality, supported by her smizing sidekicks in snark, hysterically portrayed by Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James. Glinda's reads are delivered by Grande with a radiant smile that makes them all the more cutting. Her dancing is deranged while determined. Her "Popular" — one of the show's most beloved numbers — is charismatically chaotic and finally, finally as brightly realized as Wicked demands. 

Erivo, on the other hand, approaches Wicked as if it were a prestige drama. Traditionally, Wicked's Elphaba was written with a bit of teen-misfit snark, and masterfully so, as Holzman's prior claim to fame creating the exceptional teen drama series My So-Called Life. While the dialogue is often the same in this adaptation, Erivo pulls her punchlines. Where previous stage versions of Elphaba might have used a slightly self-righteous sense of wit as armor against her bullies, this Elphaba is much more nakedly vulnerable, speaking in a dejected near-whisper or a strained shout.

It's a daring choice, but one that throws off Glinda and Elphaba's dynamic. Like Daria and Quinn Morgendorffer or Wednesday Addams and Enid Sinclair, they are foils, gloom and sunshine, anti-social asides and "dumb blonde" bounciness — but this Elphaba has been defanged. A sullen expression of a slight frown and downcast eyes makes up much of Elphaba's non-singing screentime for Act 1, which might not have been a problem if Chu had included Act II in Wicked. But as it is, Erivo's Elphaba doesn't come fully alive until she and Glinda reach the Emerald City ("One Short Day"). This means pivotal moments like the scene in the Ozdust Ballroom, where Elphaba and Glinda finally bond, feel achingly inert and long. 

Wicked: Part 1 is wonky, but at times wonderful.  Bronwyn James and Bowen Yang as Glinda's friends in "Wicked." Credit: Universal Pictures

Chu's decision to turn Act 1 into a teen musical is marred by his dingy color palette, the crowded cinematography of Shiz (thankfully, things open up in the Emerald City), and directing his leading lady to play the titular witch as chiefly woeful. A show heralded for its high-energy song numbers, stage spectacle, and smirking sense of humor, Wicked is malformed by these choices. Yet, some sections are sure to have audiences cheering. 

Beyond Erivo's riveting performance of the final number and Grande giddily making a meal out of every moment on-screen, Bailey — who had Bridgerton fans swooning as Anthony in Season 2 — has a jolly time parodying a decadently flirtatious playboy in Part 1. His spotlight is "Dancing Through Life," but even his meaningful glances to his crush and flirty banter with any Shiz student who crosses his pansexual path are enchanting. As Madame Morrible, Yeoh is given little do but look majestic, but she does that with aplomb. Marissa Bode and Ethan Slater — as Elphaba's sister Nessarose and her boyfriend Boq — solidly match the screen presence of the famous names around them. Goldblum clearly relishes playing the wizard, and does so with a smarmy charm that's dizzyingly unnerving and alluring. James and Yang are superbly cast as Glinda's social-climbing toadies, who love gossip as much as they do improvising wild one-liners. They're so funny, you'll catch yourself scanning the crowd for them, hungry for more.

The musical numbers are hit-and-miss. "Popular" and "Defying Gravity" are rightful standouts for enthralling vocals and staging that embraces the cinematic form, employing cheeky close-ups, playful cutaways, or high-flying stunts as suits. But others feel oddly out of place, like "The Wizard and I" shot amid a CG setting that feels achingly empty and fake, undercutting the optimism of the song. Overall, Wicked is an overlong journey, dragged down by Chu's more confounding choices. Upon reflection, a movie that could have been defined by its sense of hope, following a powerful and accomplished woman of color as she defies a tyrannical con man, feels instead tainted by gray disillusionment, telegraphing the film's climactic reveals. So, it's hard to watch Wicked play out and not wish for something more dynamic that allows us a safe space to dream for something better.

Still, even the lowest lows can't make the film's highest highs less dazzling. Indulgent and unwieldy as it is, Wicked is a thrill, at times wildly funny, heart-soaring, and ultimately inspirational in spite of itself.

Wicked opens in theaters Nov. 22.

Taika Waititi joins the cast of 'Interior Chinatown' to bring to light what it's like to be a marginalized group, like Asian Americans, in America and in Hollywood.

ChatGPT is a pretty nifty AI and its creators, OpenAI, want you to squeeze every drop of potential out of it.

OpenAI's Head of Product Nicholas Turley spilled the beans on a recent episode of Hard Fork, outlining five productivity hacks to supercharge your ChatGPT experience.

SEE ALSO: That story about ChatGPT saving someone's life turned out to be a hoax 5 ChatGPT tips from an OpenAI expert

Here are five tips on how to best use ChatGPT from an actual OpenAI insider. These insights are designed to help you get the most out of the AI model, whether you’re using it for work, creativity, or problem solving.

1. Use Voice Mode

ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode lets you have fluid, conversational interactions. Whether you're brainstorming, troubleshooting, or just vibing with AI, voice mode is supposed to make the experience feel more natural and dynamic. However, it's only available to Plus and Team subscribers.

But please — don't use it for therapy.

2. Memory Mode

Starting fresh with ChatGPT can be a chore, but actually, you can ask ChatGPT to remember things.

"You don't have to wait for it to infer it about you," Turley said. "You can just tell it all the stuff that you want remembered."

Your preferences, project details, or even your go-to coffee order. It’s personalization on steroids, although if you're cautious about how your data is being used, it should be advised to avoid this feature.

3. Make a GPT

OpenAI now lets you "Make a GPT." It’s like building a custom AI sidekick for specific tasks — for use for tasks like tutoring, organizing your schedule, or even acting as a "quirky" dungeon master if that's your vibe.

Turley says it's "super easy" to set up and OpenAI provides tools to tweak its behavior, responses, and personality.

4. File Uploads

Despite this being a feature for over a year now, Turley says the file upload feature is one of ChatGPT's most underutilized perks. You can drop in documents, spreadsheets, and PDFs. You can even allow the AI crunch data or summarize content for you.

It's a powerful tool and "a lot of people don't know this exists," Turley says.

5. Images

Turley also touched on the surprising lack of "cross-pollination" between users who work with text and those who use images.

"I find that there's text people, and there's image people, and they almost don't overlap," Turley said. But combining the two, he argues, unlocks powerful creative opportunities. Whether you're making something practical, like birthday cards, or conceptualizing entirely new ideas, blending these modalities turns ChatGPT into a true multimedia collaborator.

Mason Thames, Gerard Butler, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz, Murray McArthur star in Dean DeBlois reboot.

Microsoft Teams users will soon be able to use cloned versions of their voices to speak and translate conversation in real time, as the company unveils its new, AI-powered Interpreter tool.

Announced at the annual Microsoft Ignite conference and reported by TechCrunch, the new feature allows users to create digital replicas of their voices that can then be used to translate their speech into various languages. "Imagine being able to sound just like you in a different language. Interpreter in Teams provides real-time speech-to-speech translation during meetings, and you can opt to have it simulate your speaking voice for a more personal and engaging experience," wrote Microsoft CMO Jared Spataro in a blog post shared with the publication.

SEE ALSO: Instagram will let users 'reset' their recommended content

The feature will only be available to Microsoft365 subscribers, and will launch initially for English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish.

Microsoft's Interpreter has the potential to make the business of remote work and digital socialization more accessible to a wider array of non-English speakers, though it's not yet as dynamic as a live, human translator. And beyond its express application, the tool raises even more questions about security and technological bias.

A recent study found that popular AI-powered transcription tool Whisper — also used in Microsoft's cloud computing programs — were rife for hallucinations, including inventing content or phrases when translating patient information in the medical field. This was especially true for patients with speech disorders like aphasia. The previously hyped Humane AI pin, advertised for its live translation abilities, turned out to be an inconsistent digital alternative to human translation. Addressing similar concerns for Teams' Interpreter, Microsoft told TechCrunch: "Interpreter is designed to replicate the speaker’s message as faithfully as possible without adding assumptions or extraneous information. Voice simulation can only be enabled when users provide consent via a notification during the meeting or by enabling ‘Voice simulation consent’ in settings."

The technology could have immense implications in the accessibility space, with notable figures like U.S. representative Jennifer Wexton amplifying the use of personalized high-tech voice cloning for people with atypical speech. But it has also prompted concerns about nonconsensual deepfake uses and the potential for the tech to be a tool in the arsenal of scammers. Powerful AI speech cloning tech — Microsoft's is reportedly impressively human-like — has evoked ethical concerns, with Microsoft's own CEO calling for stronger guardrails and AI governance in the face of increasing celebrity deepfakes.

Still, the buzz around voice cloning, bolstered by the AI craze, has only grown among the industry's innovators, adding to previous investments in AI speech-to-text translation. Last year, Apple announced its Personal Voice feature, a machine learning tool that creates a synthesized version of a user's voice that can be used in live text-to-speech situations, like FaceTime, and was advertised as an accessibility. Microsoft unveiled its own Personal Voice feature around the same time, powered by its Azure AI and available in 90 languages.

ChatGPT's highly-anticipated vision capabilities might be coming soon, according to some eagle-eyed sleuths.

Android Authority spotted some lines of code in the Advanced Voice Mode part of the latest ChatGPT v1.2024.317 beta build, which point to something called "Live camera." The code appears to be a warning to users to not use Live camera "for live navigation or decisions that may impact your health or safety."

Another line in the code seems to give instructions for vision capabilities saying, "Tap the camera icon to let ChatGPT view and chat about your surroundings."

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT updates for Windows and macOS: Everything you need to know ChatGPT’s evolving capabilities: Vision, voice, and beyond

ChatGPT's ability to visually process information was a major feature debuted at the OpenAI event last May, launching GPT-4o. Demos from the event showed how GPT-4o could use a mobile or desktop camera to identify subjects and remember details about the visuals. One particular demo featured GPT-4o identifying a dog playing with a tennis ball and remembering that it's name is "Bowser."

Since the OpenAI event and subsequent early access to a few lucky alpha testers, not much has been said about GPT-4o with vision. Meanwhile, OpenAI shipped Advanced Voice Mode to ChatGPT Plus and Team users in September.

If ChatGPT's vision mode is imminent as the code suggests, users will soon be able to test out of both components of the new GPT-4o features teased last spring.

Tweet may have been deleted

OpenAI has been busy lately, despite reports of diminishing returns with future models. Last month, it launched ChatGPT Search, which connects the AI model to the web, providing real-time information. It is also rumored to be working on some kind of agent that's capable of multi-step tasks on the user's behalf, like writing code and browsing the web, possibly slated for a January release.

There's hardly anything online these days that isn't heavily produced. We're constantly searching for an audience, performing for the camera, or, at the very least, wary of the internet's gaze. Regular folks with a couple dozen followers still stress over whether something is worthy of gracing their Instagram grid.

Not that long ago, however, the online world was far less polished. A candid video in 2024 typically involves someone asking their friend to take a "candid" shot. But in, say, 2011, random slice-of-life content was all over the internet. A new art project cleverly scraped YouTube for those moments — lost to time and lack of views — and turned them into a constant stream of nostalgia.

It's the kind of authenticity that's all too rare online these days.

SEE ALSO: The strange nostalgia of Google Street View

The project, created by Riley Walz, is called IMG_0001.

Wrote Walz on their site: "Between 2009 and 2012, iPhones had a built-in 'Send to YouTube' button in the Photos app. Many of these uploads kept their default IMG_XXXX filenames, creating a time capsule of raw, unedited moments from random lives."

Walz made a bot that crawled some 5 million of those videos and created a landing page where they'd play in random order. It's remarkably cool and weirdly nostalgic and worth checking out.

Tweet may have been deleted

I fired it up for about 15-20 minutes and was flooded with nostalgia. It doesn't hurt that, for me, most of these random vignettes come from an era when I was in high school and college — those are inherently nostalgic times. I saw a video of the East Coast's 2010 Snowmageddon, a guy telling his friend what he thought of Silver Linings Playbook, and people dancing to Skrillex's "Bangarang." There will, of course, be plenty of videos in languages you don't understand.

Also, fire this thing up, and you will certainly see some grainy concert footage, especially of the wildly loud Dubstep-heavy EDM of that era. But I also saw some tender moments, too. Dogs running in a field, weddings, kids' concert rehearsals. There was one where a guy slowly walked through his set-up to watch a soccer game in a video addressed to his friend. Another showed a car speeding down the highway — not very interesting — except I noticed it was my birthday, 12 years ago.

Credit: Screenshot: IMG_0001

The project from Walz is really neat and, by its nature, unpredictable. But he's hardly a stranger to these kinds of tech endeavors. Notably, he also created a tool called "Bop Spotter" that tracks the songs played in San Francisco's Mission District via a hidden phone constantly running Shazam.

In an interview with KQED, Walz said, "I'm just a normal guy who knows something about technology and likes seeing amusing things."

TL;DR: For a limited time, you can get a grade-A refurbished Lenovo 100e Chromebook for just $29.99 (reg. $328.99), plus free shipping.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Refurbished 2019 Lenovo 100e Chromebook (MediaTek MT8173C, 4GB RAM, 16GB eMMC) $49.99
$328.99 Save $279.00 11.6-inch, 2nd gen Get Deal

Are you in need of an affordable, reliable laptop that can handle whatever life throws at it? Even if you're not looking for one, this grade-A refurbished Lenovo 100e Chromebook (2019) is a compact powerhouse for just $49.99 (regularly $328) with free shipping. It can be useful as a backup computer or one for that budding techie on your list.

Designed with durability and portability in mind, this Chromebook is perfect for students, remote workers, or anyone on the go who needs a dependable, budget-friendly device. This Lenovo Chromebook is packed with features that make it ideal for a busy day. It’s tough, with rubber bumpers and a drop-resistant design that can handle falls (up to 29.5 inches), and it’s compact, weighing just 2.68 pounds.

The 11.6-inch HD display with antiglare technology reduces eye strain, while the MediaTek MT8173C quad-core processor powers smooth multitasking for schoolwork, video calls, or streaming your favorite shows.

Plus, with up to 10 hours of battery life, you can stay productive all day without constantly searching for an outlet. Built for both performance and portability, this Chromebook is ready to become a go-to device for work, school, or personal projects. And with Chrome OS, you’ll have seamless access to Google Play apps and the Chrome Web Store.

This grade-A refurbished Chromebook arrives in near-mint condition, offering incredible value for anyone needing a low-cost, reliable laptop. With a spill-resistant keyboard, multiple ports, and built-in data protection, the Lenovo 100e Chromebook is ready for whatever comes its way—whether it’s a child's sticky fingers, a conference, or just your next adventure.

Take advantage of the grade-A Refurbished Lenovo 100e Chromebook 2nd Gen for just $29.99 (regularly $328) with free shipping while you still can.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get the HyperGear Solar Wireless Charger for $37.99 (reg. $49) and stay powered up anywhere.

Opens in a new window Credit: HyperGear HyperGear Solar 10000mAh Qi Wireless Charger Power Bank $37.99
$49.99 Save $12.00 Get Deal

No plugs? No problem? Charge your devices with a HyperGear Solar Qi Power Bank, now on sale for only $37.99.

What to expect from your solar charger

• 10,000mAh battery capacity for multiple charges on smartphones and small devices

• Qi wireless charging capability, allowing for cable-free charging on compatible devices

  • Compatible with all Qi-enabled devices, including the latest iPhone and Samsung models

  • Works with USB devices like Apple and Android phones, tablets, digital cameras, wearables, and more

• Solar-powered panel to recharge the power bank using sunlight, perfect for outdoor adventures

• Dual USB ports for wired charging, letting you charge up to three devices at once

• Compact and rugged design with a built-in LED flashlight, ideal for camping and emergencies

• A budget-friendly gift for travelers, hikers, and anyone on the move

Keep your devices alive anywhere with the HyperGear Solar 10000mAh Qi Wireless Charger Power Bank, available now for just $37.99, down 24% from $49.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

If your iPhone notes have disappeared, Apple has a fix for you.

In response to a bug that started appearing in the last week, Apple issued an official support note on its website to address the sudden, unexplained loss of Notes app content for some users.

SEE ALSO: I asked a pro photographer for the best iPhone camera settings — my pics are now better than yours iPhone fix for missing notes

According to Apple, here's what you need to do in order to get your notes back:

1. Open the Settings app and tap the part that says your name

2. Tap iCloud

3. Tap Notes

4. Toggle "Sync this device" on if it isn't turned on

5. Check Notes

This step-by-step guide should restore your notes. Apple also listed a contingency in case it doesn't: Restart your device and try again. Eagle-eyed readers may notice that this is almost exactly the same as the unofficial fix that circulated online last week.

The good news is that, no matter what, your notes should be stored in the cloud, so you didn't actually lose them. Just keep trying, and eventually, they should come back. If not, contact Apple support.

TL;DR: Power your devices up with the Chair 15W Wireless Charger on sale for $29.99 (reg. $38). It's sleek, fast, fun, and cable-free.

Opens in a new window Credit: 3P Experts Novelty Chair 15W Wireless Charger $29.99
$38.99 Save $9.00 Get Deal

Your phone accessories don't all have to be boring.

Power your devices up with the Chair 15W Wireless Charger on sale for $29.99 (reg. $38). It makes a chic addition to your home as well as a fun and unique gift.

What you can expect from your Chair Charger

• Fun chair-shaped design lets your phone “sit” while it charges, adding a playful touch to any desk or nightstand

• 15W fast wireless charging for Qi-enabled devices — manufacturer claims it is compatible with all Qi-enabled devices

• A versatile charger for different phones and accessories

• Anti-slip surface keeps your phone securely in place while charging

• Compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry or fit into small spaces

• A quirky holiday gift for anyone who loves unique gadgets and functional decor

Keep your phone charged with personality. The Chair 15W Wireless Charger is on sale for $29.99 — perfect for adding a bit of fun to any space while keeping devices powered up.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $200: As of Nov. 19, the MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is on sale at Amazon for just $1,399, down from its usual price of $1,599. That's a 13% discount and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,399.00 at Amazon
$1,599.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal

When shopping for a new laptop, a MacBook is always a great option. They may be pricey, but there are often sales that can get you a decent price on multiple different configurations. A MacBook Pro is the cream of the crop, and the laptop you'll want to snatch up out of Apple's extensive line if you value speedy performance, a hardy exterior, and excellent graphics. And now, thanks to a pre-Black Friday deal from Amazon, you can get one at its lowest price yet.

As of Nov. 19, get the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for just $1,399 at Amazon. That's $200 off its regular price of $1,599 and a discount of 13%. That's the lowest price we've tracked on this configuration. This sale price currently only applies to the Space Black colorway.

The newest model of the MacBook Pro is a souped-up, powerful punch of a computer. It just debuted in early November, and it's already been discounted to a great price, beating out the value of opting for last year's M3 MacBook Pro at Amazon's $1,349. Though there aren't many upgrades from the old model, new MacBook owners will be thrilled at its speedy performance, multitasking capabilities, and lengthy, all-day battery life.

With a Liquid Retina XDR display that serves up up to 1600 nits of brightness, built-in Apple Intelligence capabilities, and the ability to use your MacBook with your iPhone synergistically, you'll love either continuing with the macOS ecosystem or joining it with this discounted MacBook. Whether you snag one for yourself or a lucky giftee this year, this is a great discount to buy it at.

SAVE $150.78: The Samsonite Evolve SE hardside luggage set in Caribbean Blue and Solar Rose is on sale at Amazon for just $158.22, down from the list price of $309. That's a 49% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsonite Samsonite Evolve SE Hardside luggage set (2-piece, Caribbean Blue or Solar Rose) $158.22 at Amazon
$309.00 Save $150.78 Get Deal

We're heading into some of the biggest travel days of the year. If you'll be among the millions of others who head to the airport, there's one rule to make everything so much easier: Travel with functional and durable luggage. If you could use a luggage upgrade before you take off, check out this deal at Amazon.

As of Nov. 19, a two-piece set of Samsonite Evolve SE hardside luggage is on sale at Amazon for only $158.22, down from the list price of $309. That's an impressive 49% discount and a savings of $150.78. To grab the sale price, select either the Caribbean Blue or Solar Rose colorways.

SEE ALSO: Shop the REI Winter Sale and save up to 30% off on thousands of hiking, biking, camping, and travel items

The airport can often be a stressful place to navigate, and it's no time to be dealing with a wonky suitcase wheel or a handle that refuses to collapse. Instead, enlist trustworthy Samsonite for your holiday travel luggage. The two-piece set includes one carry-on size roller and one large suitcase for your checked luggage.

The hardside design is made with polycarbonate and ABS shell materials, which are lightweight yet durable. If you'll be traveling with any fragile holiday gifts, hardside luggage offers reassurance that everything will arrive unharmed.

When it comes to organization, the Samsonite luggage uses dual-sided mesh dividers to help with keeping everything nicely packed up.

Make travel a bit easier this year by grabbing durable and reliable luggage with the Samsonite Evolve SE Hardside two-piece set. While you might be waiting for Black Friday sales to buy gifts, at 49% off the list price, this one is worth grabbing today.

Any time you shop for a new laptop, a lot of people are going to tell you the same thing: Get a MacBook.

We don't blame them. The best MacBooks are fantastic laptops, and while they don't afford you the freedom of customization that other brands offer, that's not something everyone will care about. Most of us just want a high-quality laptop that'll get us through work, school, and play with minimal fuss.

SEE ALSO: Amazon has one pretty good deal on a 2-in-1 laptop ahead of October Prime Day

Although MacBooks can get a bit pricey — with the latest M4 MacBook Pros reaching into truly frightening territory — they justify the price with Apple's signature design, user-friendly OS, and zippy M-series processors. Plus, you can often find MacBook Air and Pro models on sale (with the cheapest ones priced around $850 to $999).

After testing out Apple's entire lineup of laptops, we're here to help you narrow down the choices and take home the Apple machine of your dreams. So, let's start shopping.

Your first big decision: MacBook Pro vs. Air

With today's current lineup of MacBooks, you really only have two options: The MacBook Pro or the MacBook Air. So, which is right for you?

If you're a creative who regularly pushes your laptop to the limit with demanding video and photo editing applications, you'll want to aim for the Pro. The name of the game with the Pro line is processing power, and the latest iterations are the speediest and most performance-driven yet.

Testing the M1 MacBook Air after its 2020 release. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable Testing the super-powered M3 MacBook Pro. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

If convenience and portability are your top priorities, then the Air will be most suited to you. It's thin and light, and it even comes in a 13-inch option if you'll be lugging it around wherever you go. Plus, ever since the debut of Apple's M Series chips, the MacBook Air has become a pint-sized powerhouse. The most current model utilizes the M3 chip, so you won't be sacrificing all that much in terms of power.

Which generation MacBook is the best?

This will come down to what you're willing to give up in performance, and in some cases, quality. But, whatever you do deem worthy of sacrificing, you'll be paid back in savings. For example, the 2022 model M2 MacBook Air won't come with the latest chip, but you'll still be scoring an impressive laptop that frequently goes on sale for just $849.99. That's compared to the $1,249 price tag of the most recent Air, and the $1,599 asking price of the latest Pro.

A photo from Mashable's test of the M1 MacBook Air. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable Testing the M2 MacBook Air. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

So, if you've got a lighter budget, don't fret — you can still get a MacBook at an affordable price. Older MacBooks are still very much worthy of your consideration, and they won't cost you nearly as much.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day is coming. Here are the best early deals to shop now. What are the best MacBooks?

After testing out the latest Apple laptops, we think there are four MacBooks worth buying in 2024. Check out our top picks below, their pros and cons, and who we think would like each model best.

UPDATE: Nov. 19, 2024, 12:30 p.m. EST This story contains the best deals live at Amazon ahead of the official start of its Black Friday event on Nov. 21.

The best early Black Friday deals at Amazon at a glance: Best Kindle deal Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle $479.99 (save $60) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Roborock Qrevo S $799.99 (save $340 with Prime) Get Deal Best TV deal TCL 75-inch Q5 QLED 4K Fire TV $599.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1399 (save $200) Get Deal Best headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM5 $298 (save $101.99) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Ninja 12-in-1 Double Stack Countertop Oven and Air Fryer (DCT651) $299.99 (save $80) Get Deal

It seems that Amazon is playing the long game this Black Friday.

The monster retailer announced the official dates for its Black Friday sale weeks later than the other big stores, and the event itself doesn't start until Thursday, Nov. 21. And if you're at all familiarized with the way Black Friday works nowadays, you know that a Black Friday sale starting a week before Thanksgiving isn't all that early — considering Best Buy, Walmart, and Target have all already dropped their first rounds of Black Friday deals.

But by now, any seasoned Black Friday shopper probably also knows that the lack of official Black Friday nomenclature doesn't mean that early Black Friday deals don't exist. They're just technically not being called that yet.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day vs. Black Friday: When are the deals better?

In Amazon's case, several iconic Black Friday product categories are already quietly seeing several items on sale, including Kindles, robot vacuums, Apple products, and Fire TVs. Many are already matching the prices we saw during Amazon's last big event, October Prime Day, which just took place in October.

We're tracking the noteworthy early deals we find at Amazon in the days leading up to its official rope drop on Nov. 21 and actual Black Friday on Nov. 29, and will give a heads up if Amazon starts using that red "Black Friday deal" tag early. Note that the "noteworthy" prices below are extremely likely to drop even further as the event gets closer, with new record-low pricing all but guaranteed to be on the horizon.

As you assess your purchase options, definitely keep an eye on our coverage on the other big retailers to see how their early deals compare to Amazon's — the competition is providing some serious variety at this point in the game. Otherwise, feel free to drop the listing URL into Amazon price history tracker Camelcamelcamel to see if the current deal is a good one, or add the item to your wishlist to get notified as soon as it goes on sale.

Best Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle $479.97 at Amazon
$539.97 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"Among the new Kindles is a redesigned Scribe, which comes in classic black or a flashy metallic jade and won't be officially available until Dec. 4. The new Scribe's screen got a makeover with added white borders to give it a more notebook-like feel. If the new model is anything like the current one, I'm excited to see what it offers.

If you're an annotator, the Kindle Scribe is the e-reader for you. The matte screen feels like writing on paper, and includes a notebook section so you can take notes in addition to annotating your e-books. Personally, I like writing with the Kindle Scribe far more than I do with an iPad and Apple Pencil.

This deal gives you a little extra off ahead of the Scribe's December release. The Essentials Bundle comes with the device, premium pen, folio-style case, and power adapter — everything you need to get started. Normally $539.97, you can find the bundle for $479.97, saving you $60 for 11% off." — Samantha Mangino, Shopping Reporter

More Kindle deals

• Amazon Kindle Essentials Bundle — $146.97 $161.97 (save $15)

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle — $184.97 $204.97 (save $20)

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle — $237.97 $257.97 (save $20)

• Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Essentials Bundle — $349.97 $384.97 (save $35)

Best robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo S $459.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $340.00 save with Prime Get Deal Why we like it

"I think of the Roborock Qrevo S as the diet version of my favorite self-emptying robot vacuum right now, the Roborock Qrevo Master. And unless you're open to spending $1,000 or more on a robot vacuum, you can probably live without the Qrevo Master's fluff features like a livestream pet camera or extending side mop — especially when, at this price, you could buy a Qrevo S for two stories of your home for less tahn the price of one on-sale Qrevo Master.

Opting for the cheaper Qrevo is still a solid move: Compared to other 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop combos also on sale ahead of Black Friday, the Qrevo S is one of the rare options under $500 that washes and dries its mopping pads." — Leah Stodart, Senior Shopping Reporter

More robot vacuum deals at Amazon

• Eufy L50 — $151.98 $199.99 (save $48.01 with Prime)

• Eufy L60 — $179.99 $279.99 (save $100)

• Eufy L60 with self-empty station — $279.99 $398.99 (save $119 with Prime)

• Eufy X8 Pro with self-empty station — $349.99 $649.99 (save $300)

• iRobot Roomba j7+ with self-empty station — $359 $514.94 (save $115.94)

Robot vacuum and mop combos

• Roborock Q7 Max — $239.99 $599.99 (save $360 with Prime)

• Eufy Omni C20 self-empty and mop washing station — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200 with on-page coupon)

• Narwal Freo with self-empty and mop washing station — $549.99 $899.99 (save $350 with on-page coupon)

• Yeedi M12 Pro+ with self-empty and mop washing station — $599.99 $999 (save $399.01 with on-page coupon)

• Dreame L10s Pro Ultra with self-empty and mop washing station — $649.99 $999.99 (save $350 with on-page coupon)

• Shark RV2820YE PowerDetect 2-in-1 with self-empty and mop washing station — $549.99 $899.99 (save $350 with on-page coupon)

• Ecovacs Deebot T30S with self-empty and mop washing station — $689.99 $999.99 (save $310)

• Eufy X10 Pro Omni with self-empty and mop washing station — $699.99 $799.99 (save $100 with on-page coupon)

• Narwal Freo X Ultra with self-empty and mop washing station — $849.99 $1,399.99 (save $550 with on-page coupon)

Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL Our pick: TCL 75-inch Q5 QLED 4K Fire TV $599.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"Many people looking to finally replace their old, slow LED TV are looking for the happy medium between the cheapest possible TV and the fanciest possible TV. TCL's base tier QLEDs fall right in this sweet spot, and we're particularly drawn to the $599.99 price point on this huge 75-incher.

Though the 20% discount itself isn't as steep as the 30% or 40% off ones we're seeing in our list, it has to be noted that the TV is already ridiculously modestly priced to start with. The $599.99 price point looks even sweeter in context when put beside the 65-inch version of Amazon's in-house Omni QLED is also on sale for the same price — so you're getting 10 more diagonal inches of screen for the same amount of money.

Even as one of the more basic QLEDs on the market, you'll immediately notice the change in brightness and color of the Q65 over the regular LED you've been watching. The difference comes from a layer of quantum dots laid over the LED backlight, which provides an overall punchier picture that's much better for gaming or watching sports." — Leah Stodart, Senior Shopping Reporter

More TV deals at Amazon

43-inch TVs

• Insignia 43-inch F30 4K Fire TV — $169.99 $199.99 (save $30)

• Toshiba 43-inch C350 4K Fire TV — $199.99 $279.99 (save $80)

• Amazon 43-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $229.99 $369.99 (save $140)

50- to 55-inch TVs

• Amazon 50-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $329.99 $479.99 (save $150)

• Amazon 55-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $339.99 $519.99 (save $180)

• Amazon 55-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $369.99 $549.99 (save $180)

• Amazon 55-inch Fire TV Omni QLED 4K TV — $419.99 $599.99 (save $180)

• Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $897.97 $1,497.99 (save $600)

65-inch TVs

• Insignia 65-inch F30 4K Fire TV — $329.99 $449.99 (save $120)

• TCL 65-inch Q5 QLED 4K Fire TV — $449.99 $549.99 (save $100)

• Amazon 65-inch Fire TV Omni QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)

• TCL 65-inch QM7 QLED 4K TV — $699.99 $1,099.99 (save $400)

• Hisense 65-inch Canvas QLED 4K TV — $999.99 $1,299.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $1,297.97 $1,997.99 (save $700)

• Samsung 65-inch S90D OLED 4K TV — $1,597.97 $2,197.99 (save $600)

• LG 65-inch G3 OLED 4K TV — $1,996.99 $2,796.99 (save $800)

75-inch TVs and up

• Amazon 75-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $799.99 $1,049.99 (save $250)

• TCL 85-inch Q65 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,599.99 (save $700)

• TCL 75-inch QM7 QLED 4K TV — $998 $1,499.99 (save $501.99)

• Sony 85-inch X77L 4K TV — $998 $1,498 (save $500)

• Hisense 75-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $1,407.99 $1,999.99 (save $592)

• LG 77-inch B3 OLED 4K TV — $1,496.99 $2,296.99 (save $800)

• Hisense 85-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $1,697.99 $2,799.99 (save $1,102)

Best Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,399.00 at Amazon
$1,599.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Considering the M4 MacBook Pro hasn't even been on this plane of existence for a full month (it was announced at the Apple Event at the end of October), already getting a $200 discount on the base configuration model is pretty major. That's Black Friday season for you.

So, what's the difference between the M3 and M4 MacBooks, aside from the fact that the M4 powered one is the fastest MacBook that's ever existed? All of your creative projects and gaming will not only benefit from zippier performance of the chip, but will display more responsive motion and gush brighter colors through the M4 MacBook's new quantum dot Liquid Retina display.

More Apple deals at Amazon

MacBooks

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $949.99 $1,199 (save $149.01)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,099.00 $1,299 (save $199.01)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,299 $1,449 (save $150)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,099.00 $1,299 (save $199.01)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,199 $1,499 (save $300)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,299.99 $1,499 (save $199.01)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,399 $1,799 (save $400)

Macs

• Apple Mac mini (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $469 $599 (save $130)

• Apple Mac mini (M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $549 $599 (save $50)

iPads

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) — $499 $599 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) — $699 $799 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 512GB) — $799 $899 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, WiFi, 256GB) — $799 $899 (save $100)

Apple Watches

• Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS) — $379 $429 (save $50)

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) — $189 $249 (save $60)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS) — $219 $279 (save $60)

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS + cellular) — $239 $299 (save $60)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS + cellular) — $269 $329 (save $60)

• Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS) — $349 $399 (save $50)

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + cellular) — $699.99 $799 (save $99.01)

AirPods and speakers

• Beats Pill — $129.95 $149.95 (save $20)

• Apple AirPods 4 (with Active Noise Cancellation) — $168.99 $179 (save $10.01)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 — $189 $249 (save $60)

• Apple AirPods Max (Lightning) — $429 $549 (save $120)

AirTags

• Apple AirTag — $19.99 $29 (save $9.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-pack) — $72.99 $99 (save $26.01)

Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 $298.00 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Sony WH-1000XM5.

"If you want headphones that have great noise cancelling and incredible (adjustable) sound, then the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones won't let you down. Out of the noise-cancelling headphones we've tested, these are our top pick for audiophiles. It can be a little annoying that the ear cups don't fold in, but with 30 hours of battery life, you'll probably find yourself wearing them more often than not. Dropped down to $297, these headphones are at a dollar cheaper than their Prime Day price. Our guess is that this means they'll drop even lower on Black Friday, but if you want to pick up a pair early, this is a decent price." — Bethany Allard, Lead Shopping Reporter

More headphones deals at Amazon

Noise-canceling over-ear and on-ear headphones

• Skullcandy Hesh — $79.88 $134.99 (save $55.11)

• Sony WH-CH720N — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)

• Beats Solo 4 — $129.99 $199.95 (save $69.96)

• Sony ULT WEAR — $148 $199.99 (save $51.99)

• Sony WH-1000XM4 — $228 $348 (save $120)

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e — $279 $399 (save $120)

Noise-canceling earbuds

• Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds — $44.25 $79.99 (save $35.74 with on-page coupon)

• Beats Studio Buds — $99.99 $149.95 (save $49.96)

• Sennheiser ACCENTUM — $129.95 $199.95 (save $70)

• Beats Studio Buds + — $129.99 $169.95 (save $39.96)

• Jabra Elite 10 — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

• Jabra Elite 8 Active — $169.99 $229.99 (save $60)

• Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) — $189.99 $249 (save $59.01)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds — $229 $279.99 (save $50.00)

• Sony WF-1000XM5 — $248 $299.99 (save $51.99)

Best fitness tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 3 (41mm, WiFi) $279.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Just released in August, this is the first time the new Google Pixel Watch 3 has ever gone on sale for less than $300 — weeks before actual Black Friday, at that. Unfortunately, the larger 45mm screen is still at full price, but even this 41mm model has a 10% larger display than the same size Pixel Watch 2, thanks to smaller bezels. The Pixel Watch 3's display is also just brighter and zippier in general, without sacrificing that 24-hour battery life.

On that screen, you'll be able to swipe through a more detailed running dashboard than the previous generation, check your heart rate changes from sleep, to regular daytime chilling, to a legit cardio workout, make payments via Google Wallet, and more.

More fitness tracker and smartwatch deals at Amazon

• Amazfit Band 7 — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

• Amazfit Bip 5 (46mm) — $69.99 $89.99 (save $20)

• Amazfit Active (42mm) — $84.99 $109.99 (save $25)a

• Garmin Forerunner 55 (42mm) — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

• Apple Watch SE, 2nd Gen (40mm, GPS) — $189 $249 (save $60)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (44mm) — $189.79 $329.99 (save $140.20)

• Garmin Vivoactive 5 — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

• Oura Ring Gen 3 — $249 $299 (save $50)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS) — $339 $399 (save $60)

• Garmin Venu 3S (41mm) — $349.99 $449.99 (save $100)

• Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS) — $379 $429 (save $50)

Best kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja 12-in-1 Double Stack Countertop Oven and Air Fryer (DCT651) $299.99 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like it

One of the new and improved versions of Ninja's iconic air fryer ovens is quietly sitting at $299.99 — not only record-low pricing, but the first time this model has seen a discount at all. This countertop air frying oven, specifically model number DCT651, has an XL double stack design that can cook two separate food items on different settings or at different temperatures simultaneously. In total, there are 12 cooking presets, including bake, broil, toast, whole roast, and dehydrate.

More kitchen deals at Amazon

• Stasher silicone reusable storage bag (104 oz) — $26.99 $34.99 (save $8)

• Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer (10 quart) — $89.99 $149.99 (save $60)

• Instant Pot 9-in-1 Duo Plus (8 quart) — $99.99 $149.95 (save $49.96)

• Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Coffee and Espresso Maker — $125.97 $179.95 (save $53.98)

• Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill and Air Fryer (DG551) — $169.99 $279.99 (save $110)

• Airthereal Electric Kitchen Composter — $229.99 $349.99 (save $120 with Prime)

• De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Maker — $499 $749.95 (save $250.95)