Mashable

After a year and a half of Copilot, the generative AI tool is getting to a genuinely useful place. That literal and figurative place is in Microsoft Excel.

At the Microsoft 365 Copilot livestream on Monday, CEO Satya Nadella announced Copilot features for the OG spreadsheet program and other 365 apps like PowerPoint, a collaborative "canvas" called Copilot Pages, and customizable AI Agents.

While the livestream was mostly meant for Microsoft's enterprise customers and not for the casual viewer (it was hosted on LinkedIn, for Pete's sake), there were plenty of features and announcements for every Microsoft 365 user to appreciate.

We've rounded up the takeaways from the event that you need to know about.

SEE ALSO: Everything announced at Google I/O, including AI Agents, Ask Photos, and more New Copilot features in Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, Word, and OneDrive

As mentioned above, Copilot for Excel is a noteworthy addition to the suite of capabilities. Copilot can help Excel users format data, help with common formulas like XLOOKUP and SUMIF, and visualize data in charts and pivot tables. It can also work with text, not just numbers, so users can search for keywords and phrases and analyze data accordingly. Copilot in Excel is live today.

Microsoft also shared that Copilot in Excel understands Python, so users who aren't familiar with the programming language can use Python without having any prior coding knowledge.

Copilot in Excel now knows Python. Credit: Microsoft

In PowerPoint, Copilot can generate an outline of a presentation from a prompt by pulling in your data from 365 sources. Then it can slot information into individual slides and design a presentation — even pulling in brand pictures or DALL-E 3-based AI-generated images. Copilot's "Brand Narrative" feature in PowerPoint doesn't have a launch date, but it's coming soon, according to the announcement.

Copilot's Brand Narrative tool does the heavy lifting of making a PowerPoint. Credit: Microsoft

Copilot was already used for summarizing meeting transcripts in Teams, but now it can also incorporate conversations happening in the chat. This feature will be available this month.

For Outlook, Copilot can prioritize important emails in your inbox and give summaries of what each email entails, and generate recommended responses. Sounds familiar? Apple recently announced a similar feature for its Mail app that uses Apple Intelligence to prioritize and summarize your inbox. Prioritizing your inbox will be available for public preview at the end of 2024.

Coming soon, Copilot can prioritize your emails in Outlook. Credit: Microsoft

Word also leverages Copilot's summarization and data gathering capabilities. With the Copilot sidebar, users can pull in work data from the emails, other 365 apps, and the web to generate drafts within your document. This is also now generally available.

Last but not least, the whole thing that makes it all possible is OneDrive, the cloud storage platform that stores all your work data — it's also getting an AI-powered facelift. On OneDrive, Copilot will help you find and sort through relevant files, and summarize them, so you don't have to click around looking for the file you need. This is rolling out now to OneDrive now and will be broadly available later this month.

Copilot Pages for collaborating on Copilot responses

With Microsoft's new Copilot Pages tool, users can share Copilot responses with other team members, and collaborate on a project in a freestanding canvas within BizChat.

"You and your team can work collaboratively in a page with Copilot, seeing everyone’s work in real time and iterating with Copilot like a partner, adding more content from your data, files, and the web to your Page," the announcement said. It eliminates the need for independent research within Copilot by allowing other users to build upoon the initial Copilot response.

Copilot responsive become collaborative with a new Pages tool. Credit: Microsoft

Copilot Pages are available through BizChat starting today, and will roll out to the free Microsoft Copilot version in the coming weeks for users with a Microsoft Entra account.

Copilot Agents get general availability

Unveiled last May, Copilot agents act as customizable AI-powered assistants for automating certain tasks. Similar to a Google feature called AI Teammates that was showcased at Google I/O, users can share internal knowledge and databases with agents and train to run certain tasks in the background. This could be creating an agent to onboard a new employee, or an agent that serves as a field service technician for troubleshooting on-site problems with machinery.

A customized Copilot agent can troubleshoot on-site issues. Credit: Microsoft

As of today, agents are generally available. With this announcement, Microsoft has also launched an agent builder, a user-friendly tool which helps users easily build an agent without the need for prompt engineering know-how. Copilot agents will be available through BizChat and will roll out to customers in the coming weeks.

TL;DR: Get a 1-year Sam's Club membership with auto-renew for just $15 (reg. $50).

If you're tired of rising membership fees elsewhere, it's time to consider an affordable, all-in-one solution. For just $15 (regularly $50), you can become a Sam's Club member and unlock access to incredible savings, seasonal products, and an unmatched selection of quality items.

Whether you're shopping for groceries, home essentials, electronics, or holiday gifts, Sam’s Club is the place to be. And with auto-renew, you’ll never have to worry about losing access to the membership benefits you love.

Sam’s Club is more than just a place to shop—it’s a lifestyle upgrade. Imagine a membership that not only helps save you money but also works hard to simplify your life and enhance your day-to-day experiences.

With Sam’s Club, you get access to a wide range of exclusive member perks that go beyond the shopping aisles. From travel discounts to prescription savings and member-only events, this membership offers more than just a cart full of great deals.

Planning a vacation? Sam’s Club members enjoy exclusive discounts on hotels, car rentals, and even live events. These savings make it easier to plan your next getaway, leaving more money in your pocket for the things that matter.

Need to fill a prescription? Sam’s Club also offers prescription savings, making it an essential part of your healthcare routine. And don’t forget the member-only events, where you get access to special deals and promotions that make your shopping experience even more rewarding.

By cutting down the time and money you spend on shopping, you’ll have more freedom to focus on the things that really matter, like spending time with family, enjoying your hobbies, or exploring new experiences.

Skip the rising prices at other stores and get a 1-year Sam's Club membership with auto-renew for just $15 (reg. $50).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sam's Club $15 for a Sam's Club 1-Year Club Membership with Auto-Renew $15.00
$50.00 Save $35.00 Get Deal

James McAvoy is joined by Scoot McNairy and 'Speak No Evil' writer / director James Watkins in laying out how their remake is different from the original.

Save 45%: For Sept. 16 only, you can grab refurbished AirPods Max from Best Buy for just $299.99. Compared to the headphones' full price of $549 brand new, you'll save $249.01.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple AirPods Max $299.99 at Best Buy
$549.00 Save $249.01 Get Deal

Apple unveiled new AirPods Max at its "Glowtime" event last week, but if you don't care all that much about USB-C charging or the new colorways, you can actually get essentially the same headphones for much cheaper.

Enter: Best Buy's deal of the day, which marks down refurbished AirPods Max in all available colorways to just $299.99. Typically, the retailer will offer these headphones refurbished for about $400, while new Maxes go for $549 at full price, and $394.99 at the absolute lowest price we've ever seen them. In other words, this is a really solid deal, and likely one of cheapest prices you can grab the AirPods Max for, but you'll want to act quick — the sale ends when the day is up.

SEE ALSO: Apple iOS 18 release date today: When you can download it

If you're hesitant on buying this 2020 model when the new AirPods Max just came out, we have to reiterate that we weren't exaggerating at the top of the article. The only differences with the "new" AirPods is that they have a USB-C charging port, and five new color ways. Performance-wise, they are the exact same headphones, with the same battery life, active noise cancellation, chipset, and design.

Usually, we don't recommend these headphones because their cost-to-feature ratio isn't competitive with other noise-cancelling over-ear headphones on the market. We don't like that they come without an audio jack or a case, and that their battery life is middling for headphones that cost over half of a thousand dollars. However, at $300, these cons are much more stomachable, and the value much more present.

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

Plus, Best Buy states its Geek Squad certified refurbished products are repaired to a "like-new" state, and can still be returned within its standard 15-day window.

UP TO 25% OFF: As of Sept. 16, Target is offering 25% (or more) off select floor care items. Shop Bissel, Shark, and more.

Our top picks: Best Shark deal Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum (HV301) $129.99 at Target (save $70 ) Get Deal Best Bissell deal Bissell CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vacuum (1785) $199.99 at Target (save $30) Get Deal Best Bissell deal Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner Machine and Upright Shampooer (FH52000) $199.99 at Target (save $80) Get Deal

With Amazon’s Prime Day on the horizon, other retailers are dropping prices on popular items, like vacuums, small tech, and other gadgets — things that people usually flock to Amazon to buy during the bi-annual shopping event.

Right now, Target’s offering discounts on tons of cleaning and household essentials, including vacuums, mops, spot cleaners, and more. If you can’t wait for Prime Day or want to avoid the chaos, Target might be the place to shop.

Here are our top picks from the sale:

Best Shark deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Our pick: Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum (HV301) $129.99 at Target
$199.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum (HV301) is on sale for $129.99 at Target. That’s a 35% discount or $70 off the usual price.

This lightweight corded stick vacuum works on carpets and hard floors and can convert into a hand vacuum for above-floor cleaning. It comes with a crevice tool, upholstery tool, and dusting brush, and the swivel steering makes it easy to maneuver around furniture and into tight spaces.

More Shark deals

• Shark Professional Steam Pocket Mop (S3601) — $87.99 $109.99 (save $22)

• Shark Steam and Scrub All-in-One Scrubbing and Sanitizing Hard Floor Steam Mop (S7001TGT) — $159.99 $179.99 (save $20)

• Shark Navigator Lift-Away ADV Upright Vacuum (LA401) — $229.99 $299.99 (save $70)

• Shark Matrix Robot Vacuum (RV2310) — $249.99 $299.99 (save $50)

Best Bissell deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bissell Our pick: Bissell CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vacuum (1785) $199.99 at Target
$229.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Bissell CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vacuum (1785) is a wet and dry vacuum that vacuums and mops the floor at the same time. It’s safe on tile, hardwood, laminate, linoleum, rubber floor mats, pressed wood, area rugs, and more. Plus, the two-tank technology keeps the cleaning solution separate from the dirty water, so you’re not double-dipping.

It’s on sale for $199.99 at Target, a 13% discount or $30 off the original price.

More Bissell deals

• Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner — $99.99 $123.99 (save $24)

• Bissell CleanView Pet Slim Corded (3925) — $129.99 $149.99 (save $20)

• Bissell CrossWave Pet Pro Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vaccum (2306) — $219.99 $269.99 (save $50)

Best Hoover deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hoover Our pick: Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner Machine and Upright Shampooer (FH52000) $199.99 at Target
$279.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like it

We don’t talk about Hoover vacuums enough. This brand has been around for years, yet Dyson and Shark seem to get all the buzz.

The Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner Machine and Upright Shampooer (FH52000) is designed to give your carpets a deep clean without the hassle of using a heavy, bulky machine (or hiring a professional carpet cleaning service).

There’s no solution measuring or mixing required — the machine automatically dispenses the right amount of cleaning solution and then sucks up the dirty water as you push and pull the machine across the floor. If you have pets, kids, or just a lot of foot traffic in your home, this carpet cleaner is a worthy investment at the sale price of $199.99 (29% off the usual $279.99 price tag).

More Hoover deals

• Hoover CleanSlate Portable Carpet and Upholstery Spot Cleaner (FH14000) — $99.99 $139.99 (save $40)

• Hoover ONEPWR Emerge Cordless Stick Vacuum (BH53605V) — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

Big Tech's data hunger is even worse for the environment than its main players let on, according to a new investigation by the Guardian. The all-out push for AI (and the necessary processing energy it demands) is only exacerbating the demand.

SEE ALSO: How much is AI hurting the planet? Big tech won't tell us.

The new report analyzed real (or location-based) emissions from Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Apple's company-owned data centers, finding that their total reported emissions are likely more than 7 times (or 662 percent) higher than current reports. The disparity, according to the Guardian, can be attributed to what experts call "creative accounting" of emissions via renewable energy certificates (Recs). Purchased Recs allow companies to offset some of its electricity consumption to renewable energy-generated electricity (basically "cancelling out" its emissions). But these renewable energy sources are often not actually consumed by the company's perpetrating facilities or even those nearby.

Rather than a true estimate of emissions in a specific area, companies are using "market-based" emission figures skewed by Recs. Meta's 2022 location-based carbon dioxide emissions, for example, are 19,000 times higher than its official data center figures. The report also contends that it's "almost impossible" to assess if companies are including third-party emissions in estimates of data centers' environmental impact.

Amazon was notably left out of the 600 percent figure, but for good reason — the company is exponentially more of a polluter than any of the other companies, with Apple, the second-largest emitter, offloading less than half of Amazon's emissions. Amazon, aided by Meta, is also behind an industry push to keep Recs in the emissions accounting process. Google and Microsoft, on the other hand, have or are planning to phase out Recs from their reporting figures.

Globally, AI's environmental impact is still being negotiated, especially as AI outpaces typical cloud-based applications in energy consumption. Google recently revealed that its total greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 48 percent between 2019 and 2023, with the majority of the increase pegged to AI investments beginning in 2022. X CEO Elon Musk recently came under fire for the operation of his Tennessee-based xAI data center (powering the generative AI chatbot Grok), which has allegedly been more than dozen gas-powered turbines without environmental permits. Environmental groups denounced the company for violation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s smog standards.

Prior to the "AI boom," data centers made up around 1-1.5 percent of global electricity consumption, according to the International Energy Agency, but it is expected to double by 2026.

Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, deleted a post referencing assassinations of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris early Monday morning.

“And no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala 🤔,” Musk wrote. 

Credit: X / Mashable Screenshot

Musk's now-deleted X post quoted another X user who commented about what the FBI said "appeared to be an attempted assassination” on former President Donald Trump on Sunday. This would mark the second assassination attempt on Trump after a gunman opened fire at one of his rallies over the summer.

Musk was roundly criticized for his post. Some X users questioned why Musk still has security clearance, a privilege provided to him as CEO of SpaceX. 

In follow up posts, Musk initially defended his comment.

"No one has even tried to do so is the point I’m making and no one will," Musk said.

Musk eventually deleted the post. He now claims that the post was a "joke."

Tweet may have been deleted

"Well, one lesson I’ve learned is that just because I say something to a group and they laugh doesn’t mean it’s going to be all that hilarious as a post on 𝕏," Musk posted after deleting his assassination post. 

Tweet may have been deleted

"Turns out that jokes are WAY less funny if people don’t know the context and the delivery is plain text," he continued.

Over the years, Musk has increasingly become seeped into right-wing politics and far right conspiracy theories. He announced his open support for former President Donald Trump after the assassination attempt in July.

While Musk has deleted his own post, he has continued to spread conspiracy theories about the reported Trump assassination attempt. Early Monday morning, after taking his post down, Musk boosted another far right-wing account that questioned why other recent presidents had not experienced assassination attempts.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Sept. 16: OUR TOP PICK Garmin epix gen 2 smartwatch $499.99 at Amazon (save $400) Get Deal BEST ECHO DEAL Amazon Echo Hub $144.99 at Amazon (save $35) Get Deal BEST SPEAKER DEAL Sony SRS-XE200 Bluetooth speaker $68 at Amazon (save $61.99) Get Deal BEST TABLET DEAL Apple iPad, 9th generation (64GB, WiFi) $199 at Amazon (save $130) Get Deal BEST SMART DISPLAY DEAL Amazon Echo Show 8 $104.99 at Amazon (save $45) Get Deal

With October Prime Day on the horizon, Amazon has unleashed a few deals to get us excited. These aren't considered early Prime Day deals quite yet, but they are almost as good as what we'll likely see on the big day(s). Brands like Garmin, Apple, Sony, and Amazon itself are seeing big price drops on Monday, Sept. 16 and we've rounded up a few standouts for you to shop.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these catch your eye, be sure to check back throughout the week. We'll be selecting new deals each day.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin epix (gen 2) smartwatch $499.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $400.00 Get Deal

The Garmin epix (Gen 2) smartwatch is built for fitness fanatics. It goes beyond just tracking your heart rate and caloric burn; it tracks pulse oxygen levels, stress, body battery, respiration, recovery time, real-time stamina, running pace, heart rate variability, and much more. You can even follow along with animated workouts or take advantage of personalized Garmin training plans for your next race right from your wrist. And like any good smartwatch, you can also stay connected through smart notifications, download music, breeze through checkout lines with contactless payments (through participating providers), and get a snapshot of your day. Unlike the poor battery life of the Apple Watch, this thing will last up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and up to 42 hours in GPS mode. As of Sept. 16, it's down to $499.99 at Amazon — that's 44% in savings and a record-low price it's only hit once before.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Hub $144.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal

New to the Echo family, the Amazon Echo Hub is essentially the brain to your smart home. It's a full-featured control panel that offers instant access to all of your other smart devices — lights, cameras, switches, doorbells, thermostat, etc. Rather than keeping control locked inside someone's phone, anyone can play music, stream videos, ask Alexa questions, dim the lights, adjust the temperature, or see who's at the door in one central place. It's typically $179.99, but for the second time since its release, it's down to just $144.99 — that's 20% in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony SRS-XE200 Bluetooth speaker $68.00 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $61.99 Get Deal

While we haven't tested the Sony SRS-XE200 yet for ourselves, we're big fans of Sony's other speakers and headphones. This lightweight Bluetooth speaker includes two x-balanced speakers, a line shape diffuser, and dual passive radiators, meaning it packs quite the punch in a portable package. It will last you up to 16 hours on a single charge, can quick-charge to give you another 70 minutes of playtime in 10 minutes, and offers personalized sound control in the app. The gray option is on sale for just $68 as of Sept. 16 at Amazon — that's 48% in savings and its lowest price on record by 99 cents.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 9th gen (64GB, WiFi) $199.00 at Amazon
$329.00 Save $130.00 Get Deal

As a proud owner of the ninth generation Apple iPad, my biggest complaint is that I bought it while it was on sale for $224. It's now back down to its record-low price of $199 for anyone who wants to avoid feeling such regret. While it's not the newest iPad around (it debuted in 2021), it's still our favorite tablet for most people. It features the A13 Bionic chip, a 10.2-inch Retina display, and up to 10 hours of battery life that's more than enough to power through basic tasks. I'm regularly surprised by how solid the battery life is. And for less than $200, you really can't go wrong.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) $104.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $45.00 Get Deal

In the words of our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis), "The third-generation Amazon Echo Show 8 remains the best Alexa smart display for most homes thanks to software-based audio enhancements and other subtle upgrades." Released in 2023, the newest Echo Show 8 improves on its predecessor's features, adding a centered 13MP front camera for clearer calls, a dynamic interface that adjusts based on your distance to the device, and spatial audio for more enjoyable listening. Snag it for $104.99 and save 30% as of Sept. 16.

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

TikTok is set to begin its fight against a possible ban in the United States. The social media company will have a crucial day in court on Monday, Sept. 16.

A federal appeals court will hear arguments about the law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, that would essentially ban TikTok if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, doesn't sell the platform. TikTok will have about 15 minutes to make an oral argument, which "could well be the most significant of TikTok's U.S. existence," CNN noted.

That's because the whole process is on a pretty tight timeline. A decision in TikTok v. Garland is likely by December, though the potential for more appeals remains.

SEE ALSO: Here's how the TikTok ban will likely play out in the courts

The government's argument centers on the notion that U.S. citizens are put at risk because it is possible that the Chinese government could compel ByteDance to hand over their data. As The Verge reported in a detailed breakdown of the case, a good portion of the government's case centers on dozens of redacted classified materials—meaning only the government and the panel of judges have seen the apparent evidence. Much of the most seemingly compelling information in the case has been redacted from the public.

There's a bit of irony there, considering the entire case centers on freedom of speech. TikTok, meanwhile, has argued that it doesn't have precise info on users, and U.S. data is stored in the U.S.

The court case centers on whether a potential threat from a foreign nation negates some 170 million U.S. citizens' right to use a platform of expression.

ByteDance must sell by Jan. 19, so you can expect some movement on the case in the months to come.

GET $40 OFF: As of Sept 16, you can score a pair of Apple AirPods (3rd gen) for just $129.99. That's a $40 discount and only $10 away from the all-time lowest price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple AirPods (3rd gen) $129.99 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

I hate to admit it, but I’ve become dependent on my devices. My AirPods, MacBook, and iPhone are practically extensions of my body at this point.

Whether you’re chronically online (like me) or you need a new pair of earbuds without spending a fortune, the Apple AirPods (3rd gen) have dropped to their second-lowest price ever.

SEE ALSO: AirPods 4 review: I flew 3,319 miles on a plane with active noise cancellation, but was it good?

As of Sept. 16, you can get the Apple AirPods (3rd gen) wireless buds for just $129.99 at Amazon and Target. That’s $10 away from the lowest price they've ever hit, which happened during July’s Prime Day sale, according to CamelCamelCamel. (Best Buy has them at $139.99 — My Best Buy Plus members can get an additional $7 off, but that’s still not as good a deal.)

The third-generation AirPods are sweat- and water-resistant, with an IPX4 rating. They feature spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, so the soundstage moves with your head for a better experience when you’re on the move or working out. You can get up to six hours of listening time on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the Lightning Charging Case (included).

GET 30%+ OFF: As of Sept 16, you can score 30% (or more) off an Amazon Echo device. Shop Echo Show and Dot models for less.

Our top picks: Best Echo Show deal Echo Show 8 (3rd gen, 2023 release) $104.99 at Amazon (save $45 ) Get Deal Best Echo deal Echo (4th gen) with Sengled Smart Color Bulb $64.99 at Amazon (save $54.99 ) Get Deal Best Echo Dot deal Echo Dot (5th gen, 2022 release) Kids $39.99 at Amazon (save $20 ) Get Deal

Prime Day ~fall edition~ is just around the corner, and with it comes hundreds of deals on everything from home appliances to electronics.

While the annual sales event isn’t until October, Amazon’s already gifting us some sweet deals on Echo devices. (Whether or not these deals will be even better come Prime Day isn’t a question we can answer, but it might be a good idea to take advantage of them now, just in case.)

Here are some of the best Echo device deals you can snag right now:

Best Echo Show deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo Show 8 (3rd gen, 2023 release) $104.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $45.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Echo Show 10 is one of our favorite Echo devices, but it’s usually pretty pricey at $249.99. But you can get the Echo Show 8 (3rd gen, 2023 release) for just $104.99, down from $149.99.

The Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) has an eight-inch screen, so you can video chat with friends and family, watch videos, stream your favorite shows, and view your security cameras right on the display. It’s compatible with Zigbeen Matter and Thread smart home devices, so you can control your compatible lights, locks, and other gadgets without springing for an extra hub.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8 (2nd gen): Which one should you buy on Prime Day?

You can also set it to auto-rotate through your photos (like a live picture frame), see the weather and news, add things to your to-do list with a button, or just ask Alexa.

Best Echo deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo (4th gen) with Sengled Smart Color Bulb $64.99 at Amazon
$119.98 Save $54.99 Get Deal Why we like it

You can snag an Echo (4th gen) with Sengled Smart Color Bulb bundle for $64.99. That’s a great price for the Echo and around $48 less than buying the devices separately.

The Echo (4th gen) is an entry-level smart speaker that lasts for years (I’ve had mine forever). You can play music, listen to podcasts, set reminders, control smart home devices, and more. Plus, with this deal, you’ll also get a smart bulb that you can control with your voice or through the Alexa app.

Best Echo Dot deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo Dot (5th gen, 2022 release) Kids $39.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Echo Dot (5th gen, 2022 release) Kids is on sale for $39.99, down from $59.99. Yes, this device is specifically for children, but it's a great value and a super cute addition to any smart home setup.

The Echo Dot Kids has the same capabilities as the regular Echo Dot, but it’s clad in fun, kid-friendly designs and has parental controls to filter explicit content. You’ll also get one year of Amazon Kids+, which unlocks tons of age-appropriate content, games, and Alexa skills.

If you have kids in the house, this Echo Dot deal is a no-brainer.

Natasha Rothwell talks about her inspiration for creating the series 'How to Die Alone' and how she has always created spaces and characters where she feels represented.

"When will Apple tackle smell cancellation?" was all I could think of while testing the AirPods 4 on a flight from San Jose, Calif. to Atlanta. Unfortunately, I dealt with a flatulent neighbor who kept letting one rip.

Phew!

But while my nostrils were fighting for their life on a Boeing 737, my ears had a different experience: a blissful, quiet ride during an eight-hour trip from California to New York (with a malodorous connecting flight to Atlanta between the journey).

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

For the first time ever, the entry-level AirPods have active noise cancellation (ANC). Apple unveiled the new AirPods 4 on Sept. 9 at the "Glowtime" event where the Cupertino-based tech giant debuted the new line with two variants: one with ANC and one without ANC.

During my flight from San Jose to New York, with a (stinky) layover flight to Atlanta, I tested the new AirPods 4 with ANC. How did they fare with loud PA announcements, noisy chit-chat, and the biggest challenge of them all, plane engine noise? Let's find out.

AirPods 4 price and specs

As mentioned, you can choose between two AirPods 4 variants.

Holding the AirPods 4 with ANC Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

There's AirPods 4 without ANC, which costs $129.

And then you have AirPods 4 with ANC, which will set you back $179.

Both can do the following, thanks, in part, to the H2 chip:

• Personalized Spatial Audio (a personalized profile for the best customized listening experience)

• Siri interactions (nod your head "no," for example, to reject a phone call after Siri announcement)

• Voice Isolation (your voice sounds clearer on calls)

• Up to 5 hours of listening time (as claimed by Apple)

However, what sets the $179 AirPods 4 apart from the cheaper option is, of course, active noise cancellation.

They also feature Transparency Mode (lets you hear the environment around you), Conversation Awareness (detects when you're speaking and adjusts audio settings accordingly), and Adaptive Audio (auto adjusts between Transparency Mode and ANC depending on your environment).

The AirPods 4 with ANC can charge with an Apple Watch charger; plus, they have wireless Qi charging support. Finally, the ANC-capable AirPods 4's charging case has FindMy support as well as Precision Finding (which means your iPhone can direct you to your AirPods 4 by telling you how many feet you are from it.)

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable AirPods 4 with ANC $179.99 at Amazon
Get Deal

The AirPods 4 are available for pre-order now and will start shipping on Sept. 20.

AirPods 4 design

I have a pair of AirPods Pro, and while I adore how they sound, they love to fall out of my ears. Not everyone has this issue, though. Just some of us. And for those who fall into that category, Apple has given us some acknowledgement.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The new AirPods 4, whether you purchase one with ANC or without, are designed to fit most people. Apple boasted that it analyzed the ears of many users. There are, indeed, "common" ear shapes, as well as canals that are more atypical and out-of-the-ordinary. I definitely fall into the latter category, so I thought, "If there's anyone who can test the AirPods 4's new 'one-size-fits-most' design, it's me!"

As it turned out, the AirPods 4 fit really, really well. When I popped them into my ears, I didn't feel the need to lodge them in tightly so they don't take a tumble (like my AirPods Pro). Wearing them on two planes, they remained snug. I even ran on the treadmill with them for an hour — they never fell out.

However, after wearing the AirPods 4 for nearly eight hours straight on a plane, I sensed some faint aching. To be clear, they're not painful whatsoever — just a mild discomfort. Where exactly? I had to look this up, but it’s called the "Crus of Helix," which is where the top part of the earbuds rests against my ear.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Fortunately, that subtle sensitivity, which only occured in my left ear, disappeared in a few minutes.

Again, this is likely just a "me" thing — I have an abnormal ear shape.

Signature look

The AirPods 4 still have a signature design language with longer stems (compared to the AirPods Pro lineup). In contrast to my AirPods Pro, the AirPods 4's earbuds appear to be slightly taller and wider.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Msshable

The AirPods 4 also still sport that all-white trademark style, but I love a good dark blue or rich black body, so maybe one day — perhaps AirPods 5 — we'll see more color options for the popular earbuds.

Force sensor

The AirPods 4 also continue to feature the force sensor located on the stem. I used it to swap between ANC and Transparency Mode during my flights seamlessly.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

When I heard the faint sound of a PA system, I'd press on the sensor to turn on Transparency Mode. When I wanted total immersion, I'd press the stem again to turn on ANC. (You can also swap between modes on your iPhone via the Control Center.)

Plus, you can double-press the stem to play the next track — and triple-press the stem to play a previous track (among other controls).

AirPods 4 active noise cancellation

As mentioned at the outset, with the ANC-enabled AirPods 4, I flew from San Jose, Calif. to Atlanta before hopping on another NYC-bound flight.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I spent nearly eight hours with the AirPods 4 in my ears. As I hinted in my hands-on review, the AirPods 4 sounded like honey to my ears — and even more so when ANC was on. While I was at the airport, sounds of coo-ing babies, loud conversations, and rolling luggage were significantly reduced, allowing me to sink deeper into some of my favorite Apple Music playlists.

It was as if the AirPods 4 erased the cacophonous world around me, allowing me to sit in a quiet, empty void, with nothing but myself, my earbuds, and Sabrina Carpenter. "Me Espresso" already sounds darn good, but on the AirPods 4, it sounds immaculate.

Did I hear the airplane engine?

No headphones are going to completely get rid of engine noise. For example, when I compared the AirPods Max and Sony XM5s, two high-priced over-ear headphones, even they had some external noise leak through the devices. (But the AirPods Max did a better job at handling ANC.)

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, the AirPods 4 did, in fact, significantly reduce the drone of the airplane engine. I noticed the ANC eliminated the high-pitched whine of the plane, creating a much more pleasant listening experience. However, it didn't completely get rid of the lower, rumbling sounds of the engine — it was still faintly noticeable.

It reduced it, yes, but it didn't eliminate it completely, which is, again, par for the course for ANC. Overall, the AirPods 4 did a great job at dampening the sound of the plane as it ripped through the air at more than 500 miles per hour.

ANC is a rarity in open-ear designs

People may underestimate how unusual it is to get ANC support in an open-ear design like the AirPods 4. As I mentioned in my hands-on, unlike the AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods 4 do not feature silicon tips. As such, it doesn't have a tight seal stuffed in your ears to support ANC technology in blocking external sounds.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, Apple boasted that it was able to accomplish this engineering challenge by using upgraded microphones (the same ones found on the AirPods Pro 2), the H2 processor, and cutting-edge computational audio.

AirPods 4 sound quality

You know what's funny? I tested the AirPods 4 on both the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. On the former, songs like "Me Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter and "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" by Billie Eilish sounded great, but there's a clear absence of multi-dimensional audio.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

On the iPhone 15 Pro Max, these songs sounded phenomenal. It's likely due to the AirPods 4's incredible Personalized Spatial Audio feature, which also comes with dynamic head tracking. It gave the music expansive, enveloping vibes that felt as if the music was twirling all around me.

Listening to "Me Espresso," the deep bass was steady and comforting while the higher notes felt light — almost as if I was floating. This song, with ANC in the mix, felt like I was sinking into a plush bean-bag chair where the world disappeared around me and I could immerse myself into a colorful, well-balanced soundscape.

Eilish's voice sounded haunting and ethereal on the AirPods 4. The earbuds perfectly captured the slow, pulsing, heartbeat-like rhythm.

AirPods 4 battery life

Apple says that the AirPods 4 are rated for up to five hours of battery life on a single charge (four hours with ANC), but what was battery life like during my own experience?

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

To test it, on a Friday, I popped my AirPods 4 in at 1:30 p.m. when it was juiced up to 100%. I listened to music, with ANC on, throughout the whole experience, barely giving my AirPods 4 a break. At times, I spoke to my mom, dad, and fiancé. By around 6:42 p.m., it died.

That being said, Apple was nearly spot on with its four-to-five hour rating. The AirPods 4 lasted 5 hours and 12 minutes.

Of course, with the charging case, you'll be able to squeeze out more time. (Apple says up to 30 hours.)

AirPods 4 call quality

I called two people to test the AirPods 4's call quality.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

(After several people told me that I sound like I'm in a "hole" while using my Sony XM4's, I couldn't wait to test the AirPods 4 to see if it delivered a better experience.)

As it turned out, whether I spoke with my mom or partner, both reported that I sounded crisp and clear on the AirPods 4, thanks, in part, to the AirPods 4 Voice Isolation feature.

This perk is designed to enhance your voice and remove unwanted background voice — and it worked well as I walked through the busy streets of Manhattan.

AirPods 4 charging case

I am totally digging the AirPods 4 charging case. Apple condensed the size and made it significantly smaller and more compact. My AirPods Pro were already pretty portable, but the AirPods 4 takes up even less space, which is always welcome while traveling.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I would often stick the case inside the seatback pocket in front of me on the plane, but it's so tiny, it would often disappear into the abyss.

By the way, at one point, I did manage to misplace my AirPods. But luckily for me, I was able to use FindMy. The earbuds emitted some beeps, allowing me to find them with ease.

As mentioned, the AirPods 4's charging case supports Qi charging. You can use your Apple Watch's charging cable to charge it, too.

Keep in mind, though, that to pair your AirPods 4 with your device, you'll need to double tap the indicator light until it turns white. In other words, there's no more back button. There's a hidden functionality within the LED indicator that lets you initiate paring mode. To launch a reset, you'll need to double tap three times.

Plus, for what it's worth, the AirPods 4 charging case is now dust, sweat, and water resistant with an IP54 rating. So it can tolerate some splashes of water and dust, but you may want to keep it away from the pool and sand.

AirPods 4 Siri interactions

Available on iOS 18 for iPhone, as well as iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and watchOS 11 (if you're pairing the AirPods 4 with a supported iPad, MacBook, or Apple Watch, respectively), the new earbuds have a new perk called Siri Interactions.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

How does it work? Siri will ask you questions that will require your confirmation, and you can "reply" without even uttering a sound by shaking your head yes or no.

You can use Siri Interactions to accept and reject calls, and dismiss or answer messages/notifications.

Are AirPods 4 worth it?

Absolutely. I love them so much, they have replaced my AirPods Pro as my new daily driver earbuds. Again, fit was one of my concerns with my AirPods Pro, but now, I don't have that issue with the new one-size-fits-most design on the AirPods 4.

The active noise cancellation is elite, allowing me to immerse myself into the honeyed soundwaves that emanate from the AirPods 4. The AirPods 4 are, without a doubt, the best in-ear earbuds I've ever tested in a long while. They're definitely getting a place in our best headphones for noise cancellation list.

Apple has a handle on ANC, but if it can drop a lil' somethin' somethin' for smell cancellation, my traveling survival kit will be complete.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable AirPods 4 $179.99
Get Deal

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Horse noise.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 16 Hurdle Word 1 answer

NEIGH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Not to be confused for an alpaca.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 16 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

LLAMA

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Binding.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for September 16 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TYING

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Not a smile, not a sneer.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 16 Hurdle Word 4 answer

SMIRK

Final Hurdle hint

The USA has this many states.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

FIFTY

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

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