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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
Updated: 34 min 30 sec ago

Amazon deal of the day: Samsung's latest Galaxy Watch 7 has a new record-low price

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 11:33
Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Oct. 23: OUR TOP PICK Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm, Bluetooth) $239.72 at Amazon (save $60.27) Get Deal BEST BEAUTY TECH DEAL Shark HT212 SmoothStyle with storage bag $89.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal BEST STREAMING DEVICE DEAL Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $29.99 at Amazon (save $30 with on-page coupon) Get Deal BEST LAPTOP DEAL Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $899 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal

If you're looking to partake in some early holiday deals shopping, you've come to the right place. We're always on the hunt for the best deals and today is no different. At Amazon, we've found some solid discounts — even record-low prices — on products from top brands like Shark, Samsung, and Apple. There's no need to wait until Black Friday to save.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Oct. 23. If none of these spark your interest, take a look back at our picks from Oct. 21 and Oct. 22. Many of those are still available to add to your cart, including a pair of Sony headphones for under $40 and 27% off a smart thermostat bundle from ecobee.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm, Bluetooth) $239.72 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $60.27 Get Deal

The latest addition to Samsung's Galaxy Watch lineup (alongside the Watch Ultra), the Galaxy Watch 7 dropped just a few months ago and has already seen several price drops. As of Oct. 23, however, it's down to the lowest price to date — just $239.72 instead of $299.99 — at Amazon. That's 20% in savings on the 40mm, Bluetooth edition. The seventh generation smartwatch didn't change too much from the sixth aesthetically, but on the inside it sports several new features. Some of those include a sleep apnea sensor, a new Race feature, an enhanced BioActive sensor, better GPS, and a new Galaxy AI Health system.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark HT212 SmoothStyle with storage bag $89.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

The Shark SmoothStyle basically looks and acts like a fancy version of the Revlon One-Step, meaning it's a round hot air brush at its core with some extra features. While the One-Step will fry your hair without regret, the SmoothStyle promises to take your strands from wet to dried and styled without damage. When you start with wet hair, there are three preset air temperatures to choose from to dry it. Once it's dry, you'll switch over to the one preset heated smoothing comb setting. The SmoothStyle paired with a storage bag is usually $119.99, but you can get both for just $89.99 as of Oct. 23. That's a savings of 25% and is just $10 shy of its record low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $29.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $30.00 with on-page coupon Get Deal

The most advanced streaming stick in the Fire TV lineup, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the first to feature Fire TV Ambient Experience. This feature allows you to turn your TV into art with over 2,000 pieces of museum-quality work. It also supports WiFi 6E, Dolby Vision (plus HDR, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG), and Dolby Atmos audio. Plus, it has the most storage of any other Fire Stick at 16GB. Usually $59.99, you can use the on-page coupon to knock the price down to just $29.99 as of Oct. 23. That's 50% off and a new all-time low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $899.00 at Amazon
$1,099.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal

While it's not the lowest price it's ever been, the 13-inch M3 MacBook Air is currently down to just $899 at Amazon — a savings of $200. That's just $50 more than the M2 base model, but you get 15% more power, WiFi 6E, and support for up to two 5K, 60Hz external displays. We haven't had a chance to review this particular model, but we did spend time with its larger sibling and were highly impressed. Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon writes that it "continues to blur the line of the Air and Pro models, providing ample 'oomph' for creatives, professionals, and students who need robust performance that can handle their multifaceted workflows." If you're in the market for a new laptop, the base model M3 Air is a steal at less than $900.

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

Best Buy is treating most of November like Black Friday

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 11:10

Best Buy unveiled its elaborate Black Friday plans Monday, becoming the first — and so far only — major retailer to do so.

Just like last year, Best Buy will stretch its holiday deals well beyond the 24-hour bounds of actual Black Friday, peppering them across multiple savings events and formats. Its official Black Friday sale will begin more than a week ahead of time, raising the question of whether competitors like Amazon, Walmart, and Target will follow suit.

When does Best Buy's Black Friday sale start?

Black Friday 2024 falls unusually late this year (on Nov. 29), giving retailers extra time to build hype for their holiday programming — and shoppers extra time to hatch a game plan.

For its part, Best Buy will roll out new doorbusters on select tech online, on its app, and in stores every Friday from Nov. 8 to Dec. 20. (Paid members of its My Best Buy program get early access to these offers every Thursday prior.) Nov. 8 is also when it will drop a batch of early Black Friday deals. Think of those as an appetizer.

SEE ALSO: When do Black Friday sales start? Be on the lookout for early holiday deals.

The main course is Best Buy's official Black Friday Sale, which begins on Thursday, Nov. 21 — a full eight days early. (Last year, its sale started a week ahead of time.) If you miss out on any of those initial discounts, fret not: "Doorbusters that dropped earlier in the month will return, along with new doorbusters on Friday, Nov. 22 and Black Friday," per a company press release. Best Buy will also price-match purchased items that later go on sale for less under its Holiday Price Match Guarantee.

Credit: Screenshot: Best Buy

Best Buy's 2024 Black Friday sale will run through Saturday, Nov. 30, and its Cyber Monday sale will kick off the following Sunday (Dec. 1).

Side dishes will come in the form of Best Buy Drops, which are limited-time deals and restocks that are only available through Best Buy's mobile app. The retailer will launch them throughout the holiday season; each Drop goes live at 11 a.m. ET on its scheduled day. Upcoming Drops feature the GoPro HERO10 Black, a 98-inch TCL QLED TV, and the Shark AI Self-Empty XL.

Most items purchased at Best Buy from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 14, 2025 thanks to its Extended Holiday Return and Exchange Policy.

What are Best Buy's Black Friday hours?

After being closed on Thanksgiving, Best Buy stores will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time on Black Friday.

Camping out probably isn't necessary, for what it's worth. "While there are usually a small handful of Black Friday Deals that are only available for shoppers in a physical Best Buy store, most deals during Black Friday 2024 can be found both online and in store," according to an FAQ page on the Best Buy website.

The retailer's extended store hours go into effect starting Nov. 3. Check your local store's listing for the latest info.

Netflix's 'Hot Frosty' trailer sees a woman falling for a ripped snowman

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 10:50
Netflix has dropped its trailer for "Hot Frosty", a festive rom-com about a woman magically bringing a handsome snowman to life.

Grab a memory foam queen mattress for under $450 during Wayfair's Black Friday Preview sale

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 10:43

SAVE UP TO 70%: Wayfair's Black Friday Preview sale takes up to 70% off home furnishings, mattresses, kitchen appliances, and more.

Our top picks: Best mattress deal Sealy Cool 12-inch Medium Memory Foam Mattress (queen) $429.99 at Wayfair (save $769.01) Get Deal Best holiday cooking deal Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven with Lid (7-quart, Provencal Blue) $110 at Wayfair (save $140) Get Deal Best small kitchen appliance deal Ninja Creami Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker $229.99 at Wayfair (save $20) Get Deal

We're still in spooky season and arranging skeletons in the yard, but that means we're just weeks away from Black Friday. Arguably the largest sale of the year, retailers are already gearing up and Wayfair is on the ball this year. The Black Friday Preview sale has dropped prices on home furnishings, mattresses, kitchen appliances, and holiday decor by up to 70% at Wayfair.

The sale is the perfect time to start your holiday shopping early and before the chaos of full-blown shopping season sets in. Plus, getting some gifts now means you won't need to worry about shipping delays. Here are some of our top picks that are already on sale at Wayfair.

Best mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sealy Sealy Cool 12-inch Medium Memory Foam Mattress (queen) $429.99 at Wayfair
$1,199.00 Save $769.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Sure, we might be heading into winter months, but some people sleep hot all year long. If that sounds familiar, investing in a cooling mattress can make all the difference. At Wayfair's Black Friday Preview sale, the Sealy Cool 12-inch Medium Memory Foam Mattress (queen) is down to just $429.99, a massive 64% discount off the usual price of $1,199.

The medium-soft mattress uses a layer of SealyCool gel-infused memory foam with the brand's CopperChill technology. Together, the two foams aim to help with sleeping at a comfortable temperature. The mattress measures 12 inches in height, and it'll arrive neatly compressed in a box so you can unpackage it in your bedroom instead of having to PIVOT! to get it up the stairs.

Best holiday cooking deal Opens in a new window Credit: Cuisinart Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven with Lid (7-quart, Provencal Blue) $110.00 at Wayfair
$250.00 Save $140.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you plan on doing any holiday cooking, the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven with Lid is perfect for creating your favorite dishes. The 7-quart size in Provencal Blue is 56% off during the early Black Friday sale at Wayfair, which means you'll pay just $110 instead of the $250 list price.

The enamel cast iron Dutch oven can move from the stove top to the oven, searing and braising when you want it to, or baking casseroles in the oven. It's compatible with induction cooktops and when it's time to clean, pop the Dutch oven in the dishwasher. Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Best small kitchen appliance deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Creami Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker $229.99 at Wayfair
$249.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Black Friday might not be the most obvious time to buy an ice cream-maker, but consider the holiday flavor options: peppermint bark, gingerbread, eggnog, apple pie, frozen hot chocolate, and sugar cookie dough. You can create any (or all) of those flavors at home with the Ninja Creami Delux Ice Cream and Frozen Treat Maker. On sale during Wayfair's early Black Friday event, the small kitchen appliance is on sale for $229.99, down from the usual price of $249.99.

This model features 11 modes including ice cream, sorbet, gelato, frozen yogurt, slushie, milkshake, and more. You'll be able to whip up some great holiday treats this year to serve on their own or alongside homemade pies.

Amazon Prime members can now save 10 cents a gallon at select gas stations

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 10:25

SAVE 10 CENTS A GALLON: As of Oct. 23, Amazon Prime members can save 10 cents a gallon at select gas stations when they link their Amazon account to Earnify.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Save 10 cents a gallon at select gas stations with Amazon Prime Get Deal

If you’re a daily driver, then you’re probably well aware of the ever-fluctuating price of gasoline. It’s ridiculous that a gallon of gas costs more than a grande Starbucks beverage these days, but that's the reality we live in. (Of course, this depends on where you live, but the point still stands.) If you’ve been feeling the pinch at the pump, there's some good news for Amazon Prime members.

As of Oct. 23, Prime members can save 10 cents off every gallon of gas at participating Amoco, AM/PM, and BP gas stations.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Sony's WH-CH520 headphones are on sale for less than $40

To get the discount, you’ll need to be an Amazon Prime member and have an Earnify account. (Earnify is free to join and easy to sign up.) To activate the offer, go to amazon.com/fuelsavings to connect your account. According to the fine print, you won’t get the discount without using the activation landing page.

Once you’re all set up, use the app’s store locator to find the nearest participating gas station. At the pump, you can enter your phone number or payment method tied to your Earnify account, or use the app to select your pump and pay.

Amazon isn't the only retailer offering a fuel discount to its members, though. Back in 2020, Walmart+ introduced its own fuel savings program, where members could save up to 5 cents a gallon at 2,000+ Walmart, Murphy USA, and Murphy Express fuel stations. In 2022, Walmart bumped the fuel discount for its Walmart+ members from 5 cents to 10 cents per gallon.

Other fuel discount programs include the Speedway Speedy Rewards, 7REWARDS, Circle K Inner Circle Rewards, ExxonMobil Rewards+, and Shell Fuel Rewards. So, if you’re trying to save a little money at the pump, signing up for at least one of these loyalty programs is probably a good idea.

Tegan and Sara open up about being catfished and the dangers of internet culture in their documentary 'Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara'

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 09:44
Erin Lee Carr's latest documentary 'Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara' investigates the mystery of 'Fake Tegan', a hacker who has been terrorizing the legendary band for over 15 years.

Netflix's 'Territory' review: 'Yellowstone' meets 'Succession' in the Australian outback

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 09:06

Netflix's Territory provides an apt metaphor for itself during its first episode, as cold-eyed scavengers circle injured prey. Though their victim fights for survival, the opportunistic carnivores stand poised to finish it off and fill their bellies from its carcass.

Having seen two episodes of Netflix's new Australian series, it's too early to say whether Territory's Marianne Station will emerge unscathed from the power struggles and predators that threaten it. No matter how it ends, it could easily get just as bloody. Yet beyond the fighting and scheming, at its true core, Territory is the universal tale of a stressed out mum who has to do everything around this place.

What is Netflix's Territory about? You can’t be a king without others coveting your crown. Credit: Netflix

The quickest way to describe Territory is as Yellowstone crossed with Succession in the Australian outback. Directed by Wolf Creek's Greg McLean and filmed on location in the Northern Territory, the six-episode series focuses on the Lawson family, fifth-generation ranchers who own and run an enormous cattle station about the size of Belgium, the fictional Marianne Station. However, you can’t be a king without others coveting your crown. 

When the ranch's line of succession is unexpectedly thrown into question, the Lawsons begin jostling for position. Rival ranchers and wealthy mining magnates are also moving in on the ranch, sensing weakness and discord amongst the ruling family. Then there's the Traditional Owners of the land, Australia's Aboriginal people, who have a stake in the game as well. 

SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Territory' trailer is already being compared to 'Yellowstone'

Between the big ranching business, high stakes family drama, internal and external power struggles, and the issue of inheritance, comparisons with Paramount's Yellowstone and HBO's Succession are both inevitable and justified. However, Territory does appear closer to the former's Western melodrama than the latter's corporate absurdity. While there is an occasional spark of wry Australian humour courtesy of Emily Lawson's (Anna Torv) brother Hank (Dan Wyllie), the show largely plays it straight, focusing on drama and violence. This seems a shame, as these scant moments add a refreshing levity to the series that differentiates it from the glut of self-serious television. 

Instead, Territory works to distinguish itself by embracing its Australian nature, emphasising wide landscapes of red dirt, dangerous wildlife, and leaning heavily into the local culture and vernacular. This naturally means that there are elements in Territory which a non-Australian audience may not catch, such as certain nuances regarding language or Indigenous land rights. You'll probably want to switch on subtitles if you're at all concerned about deciphering Australian accents as well. Even so, such details don't bar understanding of the series' overarching story. There are enough context clues for non-Australian viewers, who could even learn some local slang while they're at it.

And regardless of language, everyone can recognise a toxic, dysfunctional family.

Who are the Lawson family in Netflix's Territory? Michael Dorman as Graham Lawson and Robert Taylor as Colin Lawson. Credit: Netflix

While Territory's Lawsons are technically a family, there's little familial love to go around. Patriarch Colin (Robert Taylor) rules and overrules Marianne Station and everyone on it, viewing his relatives as disappointing, scheming wretches who cannot be trusted with the family legacy. In Colin's eyes, the only other competent Lawson is his youngest son Daniel (Jake Ryan).

Colin's eldest son Graham (Michael Dorman) is an alcoholic, having turned to drink after the death of his first wife. The couple's son Marshall (Sam Corlett) is estranged from the family, preferring to spend his time in the company of less law-abiding folk. Graham's second wife Emily (Torv) comes from a family whose habit of stealing livestock is widely known. Finally, Graham and Emily's daughter Susie (Philippa Northeast) has dropped out of university and is a woman — a fact which prompts Colin to dismiss her as heir to Marianne Station despite her enthusiasm for running the ranch.

Though the younger generation are slightly more modern, the Lawsons in general are tough, rough people who aren't given to softer expressions of emotion. No tears are shed despite close personal loss marking Territory's first episode, as emotional repression and bullheaded pride lead the Lawsons to largely deal with their feelings via alcohol, fistfights, and stone-faced gruffness. Self-serving callousness is far more common here than consideration. In the type of place where people will start a bidding war at a funeral, the Aussie concept of mateship apparently remains a mere concept in Territory

With such scant affection between most of the Lawson family, some of whom are so severely flawed as to be unsympathetic, it feels inevitable and perhaps for the best that this Australian cattle dynasty falls apart.

The paradox of tradition in Territory Clarence Ryan as Nolan Brannock, Tyler Spencer as Dezi, Hamilton Morris as Uncle Bryce Credit: Netflix

Despite this, the Lawsons continue to fight for Marianne Station's survival, forced to follow a patriarch driven by pride, legacy, and tradition. Yet stubborn loyalty to tradition is also their largest obstacle to securing the ranch's future, with Colin unreasonably basing decisions on pride rather than viability. He may want to keep the Lawson men in positions of authority, but the women are undoubtedly the more competent members of the family.

Then there is the omnipresent, unspoken issue of the Lawson family’s claim to the land being based on European colonisation. Indigenous ownership is widely recognised in Australia, with an acknowledgement of country typically delivered when opening events. With tradition looming so large in Territory, it would be bizarre if the series didn't include the Traditional Owners of the land.

Aboriginal stockman Nolan Brannock (Clarence Ryan) is one of Territory's most reasonable characters, and is largely uninvolved with the Lawson's squabbling and posturing. Unfortunately, he is still subject to the family's dominance, which directly impacts his personal aspirations. Nolan straddles two worlds and struggles to find appreciation in either, navigating business deals while trying to act for his Indigenous community, and working to build his own operation rather than keep an inherited castle from collapsing. It's a notable contrast to the Lawsons, whose involvement in their local rancher's association is explicitly self-interested.

The Lawsons claim Marrianne Station's land as theirs because it was their father's, and his father's, and his father's. Yet if this is the metric by which we measure ownership, one could argue that Nolan and Indigenous elder Uncle Bryce (Hamilton Morris) have an even stronger claim.

Anna Torv plays the ranch mum to everyone in Territory Anna Torv as Emily Lawson and Philippa Northeast as Susie Lawson. Credit: Netflix

Though such issues enrich Territory's world, the series' focus is on the Lawsons, and primarily on Emily. Leading a strong Australian ensemble cast, Torv embodies a woman whose life has been a fight full of hard work, stress, and ethical compromises. While Colin holds ultimate authority at Marianne Station, it seems as though Emily is the only one actively working to keep it afloat (and keep the audience from actively cheering for the Lawson family's decline).

A perpetually tense, no-nonsense disciplinarian who favours practicality over sentimentality, it's easy to see Emily as the latest in a long line of women who must be smarter and sharper than the lacklustre men who heavily influence their lives. Emily is forced to act as the overburdened, underappreciated ranch mum in the absence of other reasonable adults, managing her milquetoast husband, navigating her hostile and misogynistic father-in-law, being a literal mother to Suzie and stepmother to Marshall, and taking a physical role in running the station.

Yet despite her competence, Emily's claim on Marianne Station is the weakest as the only family member who isn't a Lawson by blood. Her shrewd capability and acumen do make viewers want her to succeed. Even so, Territory makes clear that anyone who wants a happy ending will have to fight for it, perhaps even literally. Emily would probably be much happier if she gave up on the station, left her doleful husband, and absconded to somewhere less inhospitable in every sense. 

It isn't just Australia's animals that can kill you in Territory Kylah Day as Sharnie Kennedy and Sam Corlett as Marshall Lawson. Credit: Netflix

Australia is famous for having a plethora of dangers that can kill you, a reputation that Territory leans into from the outset. The show quickly makes clear that it isn't adverse to Game of Thrones-style nightmare-fuel endings in a confronting scene early on, though such brutality is infrequent and softened by Territory's refusal to relish in gore even where it would be appropriate. Still, it's a clear signpost that Territory's violence will extend far beyond verbal threats.

This promise is made all the clearer through the presence of guns. Seeing Territory's characters pull guns on each other feels natural to the Western genre, and many viewers likely won't bat an eye at such lawlessness, but it was jarring to me as an Australian. Gun violence isn't a concern in Australian cities due to the country's strict gun control policies. Even so, firearms are much more common among farmers protecting their livestock from predators, meaning Territory's characters certainly have access to such weapons, and can easily turn them on each other. 

Territory's early episodes largely stick to good old fashioned fistfights as per Australian custom. Even so, guns remain as a looming promise of inevitable violence. They're a reminder that the situation can always get worse — and it probably will.

Territory marks its own Hamilton Morris as Uncle Bryce and Robert Taylor as Colin Lawson. Credit: Netflix

Territory aspires to be the next global television sensation, making a mark not just within Australia but beyond. In this regard, its obvious similarities to popular U.S. shows are both a blessing and a curse. If you enjoyed Yellowstone or the family drama of Succession, you may be more likely to give Territory a try. Alternatively, you may be less likely to give it a try having already had Yellowstone at home. 

Contending with such titles, Territory puts in the effort to set itself apart by embracing its distinctly Australian characteristics, making it different enough to be intriguing while still familiar enough to be comfortable. This Australian flair keeps Territory engaging even through a few predictable or underbaked plot points, luring viewers with a fresher take on well-known tropes — one sprinkled with red dust, dropped Ls, and swarming with crocodiles.

Territory rides onto Netflix Oct. 24.

'Severance' Season 2 trailer teases the most stressful return to office ever

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 09:00
"Severance" Season 2 premieres January 17 on AppleTV+.

Netflix is about to launch a Wordle killer

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 08:56

Are you a fan of Wordle? We've got good news for you: Netflix is launching a similar game that you can play on your phone. Yes, that's another potentially huge timesink in your life. Yes, we're sorry.

The news comes via Netflix itself which revealed on its official blog that it teamed up with TED (yes, the non-profit TED organization) to create a game called TED Tumblewords.

Topics will revolve around heatlh and science. Credit: Netflix

The game, which is designed for players of all ages, will bring you three daily puzzles in which you'll move and rotate letters in a 3x3 grid to create words.

As you get better at the game, you'll climb Netflix's Daily Ladder, allowing you to boast your word-combining prowess to your friends. You'll also be able to play directly against friends in turn-based matches. And, since this is TED, the game will be heavy on topics related to science and health.

SEE ALSO: 20 best comedies streaming on Netflix right now

TED Tumblewords is launching on Nov. 19 on iOS and Android. It's ad-free with "no in-app purchases or extra fees," but only if you have a Netflix subscription. If you're impatient, you can pre-register to get the game as soon as possible.

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

New M4 MacBook Pros and iMacs are coming very soon, report claims

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 07:06

We told you that Apple is about to have a busy fall.

The company just launched a new iPad mini, fresh off its massive fall event which saw new iPhones, AirPods, and Apple Watch devices. But it doesn't stop here: According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple could launch new MacBook Pro devices with an M4 chip inside as soon as next week.

Tweet may have been deleted

According to Gurman, Apple's long awaited Apple Intelligence set of AI features is coming on Monday, followed by the launch of M4 Macs. Gurman also claims that Apple is hosting a closed doors event for the media and digital creators on Wednesday, indicating that the new Macs will launch by then.

As for what, exactly, we can expect to see next week, Gurman says we're getting a new MacBook Pro and iMac powered by Apple's M4 chip. The company's Mac mini should also get a redesign, and we could also see various new USB-C accessories. We wrote about the upcoming changes to the Mac mini, and the M4 MacBook Pro may have already escaped into the wild, indicating that the launch is, indeed, imminent.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPad mini 7 review: Beefed up and ready for AI

All of this will be followed by Apple's quarterly earnings report on Thursday, which should give us a first glimpse of how Apple's belated Apple Intelligence launch has affected sales.

This Love Is Blind technique lets you watch like a contestant

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 06:18

Love Is Blind is back on our screens and it's as dramatic as ever. The wedding episodes are imminent and we're totally hooked, bring on the reunion. So far only three couples have made it to the alter after dramatic early exits, quarrels, and love triangles.

But as we watch the couples connect, get to know each other, and fall in love, sight unseen, do you ever wonder how you'd fare without physical attraction? Well, if you want to experience the pods just like the stars of season 7, you might enjoy this watching technique that's kicking off online.

An array of fans are sharing their watching hack on Instagram and TikTok. It involves covering your TV with towels, sheets, or other means to hide the screen and therefore hide the appearances of the contestants. You keep your TV covered all through the pod dating phase while having the captions switched on, and when the engaged couple enjoys their grand, sliding door reveal, so do you.

SEE ALSO: When is the Love Is Blind reunion streaming? Everything we know about the finale

If you're not one of the lucky ones who have binged the series already, why not give it a try?

For the eager among us who finished the show as soon as it came out, it's not over yet, we still have the reunion to look forward to even if you'll have to wait a season to try this viewing hack.

View this post on Instagram When is the Love Is Blind reunion?

The Love Is Blind season 7 reunion airs on Netflix on Wednesday, October 30, a whole week after the wedding episodes air.

What time is the Love Is Blind reunion?

The Love Is Blind reunion episode will hit our Netflix accounts at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m PT.

When is the Love Is Blind reunion streaming? Everything we know about the finale

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 06:12

Explosive fights, abrupt exits, and sky-high emotions, this season of Love Is Blind could be one of our favorites of all time. Set in Washington, D.C., the latest season brings a whirlwind of love connections, breakups, and plenty of drama to keep us all hooked.

With the wedding episodes about to drop imminently, we'll soon be finding out the answer to the age-old question, is love blind?

And that's not the end, the reunion is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see where the couples stand now. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the Love Is Blind season 7 reunion.

View this post on Instagram When is the Love Is Blind reunion?

The Love Is Blind season 7 reunion airs on Netflix on Wednesday, October 30. Yep, we have to wait a whole week after the wedding episodes to find out where the couples are today.

What time is the Love Is Blind reunion?

While you'll have to wait a week, at least we know exactly when the reunion will drop. The Love Is Blind reunion episode lands at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m PT.

Will Brittany and Leo be at the Love Is Blind reunion?

The couple's early exit from the show had fans demanding more. Where are they now? Are they back together? Will they be at the reunion? According to a promo dropped by Netflix, both will be in attendance at the reunion.

Unsending messages is for cowards

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 06:05

We’re watching the slow, pitiful death of an art form right in front of us, and, of course, no one cares.

The art form in question? A classic "sorry, wrong person" text message. Gone are the days of "accidentally" messaging an ex to sneak back in their psyche. We've heard the final story of someone mistakenly sexting their parents when they meant to sext their lover. The world is empty of the drama produced by a shit-talk text accidentally sent to the person being shat on.

An unintended text faces no consequences anymore. You can unsend your messages on just about every platform now. Where is the serendipity in that? Where is the whimsy? Where is the joy???

The first time someone tried to unsend a message to me, it did not go as planned. My buddy, multitasking unsuccessfully, was texting me and his girlfriend at the same time. Naturally, he sent me a selfie of him with their cat. He panicked and unsent it, but it was too late — because I was on my phone already, and I’d already seen it before the unsend took root. And thank God, because the cat is cute (shoutout to Wizard) and the photo was funny.

But then, there it was: the ghost of the message, a little scar on my screen. "Michael unsent a message," it read, in place of the cat photo. My response hung there, dangling, now tragically divorced from the visual that had inspired it. The memory of the cat was still there, but only in the way that La Croix is kind of raspberry flavored.

SEE ALSO: Don't @ Me: I hate iPhone Tapbacks

In 2017, the secure messaging apps Telegram and WhatsApp were the first to commit this crime against spontaneity by allowing users to unsend messages. In 2022, Apple followed suit, allowing users a full two minutes of regret time to decide to erase a text. Eventually Instagram, never one to be left out, joined in on the fun, too.

At first, unsending messages was like any other technological advancement we were told we needed but didn't: It was unnoticeable. I rarely unsent messages, and people rarely unsent them to me. But lately, it's everywhere. We're living in an invisible unsending epidemic.

Of course, you can always think before you type and send, like you can think before you speak. But allowing people to take something back so quickly, either upon realizing the reaction wasn't what they wanted or that sending the message actually filled them with regret? It's lame. It's sad. And, worst of all, it's cowardly.

To be clear, I am not calling you a loser if you unsend texts. I understand that we are encouraged to use the tools available to us. If you're doing it for comedic effect — like people do by editing messages — I even respect it. But I do blame the system that has made this behavior acceptable.

The good ol' "whoops, meant to say this" or the "wrong person" are vanishing from our lives, and in their place? A cold, relentless demand for perfection. We’re losing something essential here: the tiny, beautiful acknowledgment that we are all, without exception, idiots sometimes.

It erases a necessary, if crushing, understanding of what it means to live with precarity; with consequences; with the tender, awkward dance of living in a world where you can’t always take things back.

SEE ALSO: Have writer's block? Delete your drafts.

The ability to unsend messages reflects this cultural craving for control. It gives off this unrealistic illusion that you really can revise your life. Just click unsend! Give yourself a second, third, fourth chance! But that contributes to this unholy pressure to curate our every word, our every typo, our every photo of us with our cat. And the worst part? This ability to erase mistakes is making us forget what it means to live with the constant, thrilling dread of messing up. In other words, it's helping us forget we're human.

And, of course, there's a darker side to this. After Telegram added the feature, one Reddit user wrote in a post that this is practically a gift-wrapped present for gaslighters. It makes sense: Gaslighting is a specific kind of manipulation that focuses on making victims question their own memory and, eventually, sanity. That text never said that; that text was never there.

"Frequently, it is used in relationships, for example when an individual is cheating on their partner, comes home late and makes their partner believe that they've always come home at this time. The new update makes manipulating chats (and, in addition, memories) extremely easy," the user wrote.

The user noted that adding the "message deleted" indicators do help, but just because a message was sent and deleted doesn't mean you can't still sow seeds of doubt about the messages actual intent.

I don’t have any grand conspiracies about unsent messages destroying civilization, but, my God, I hate it. Ultimately, where's the fun in writing your apology before the mess even gets out?

Watch Tom Holland and Jimmy Fallon play an intense movie guessing game

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 06:01
Tom Holland appeared on "The Tonight Show" and played a movie guessing game with Jimmy Fallon.

'Daily Show' mocks Elon Musk's weird $1 million election sweepstakes

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 05:54
"Daily Show" host Michael Kosta has mocked Elon Musk's $1 million election sweepstakes.

TikTok is loving the viral Kindle page turner. Get yours at its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 05:51

SAVE OVER $8: As of Oct. 23, the SK SYUKUYU Remote Control Page Turner is on sale at Amazon for $24.18. That's a saving of 27% on list price and the lowest its ever been priced at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: SK SYUKUYU SK SYUKUYU Remote Control Page Turner $24.18 at Amazon
$32.99 Save $8.81 Get Deal

As the darker months approach, we couldn't be happier to welcome in cozy season. It's the time for big pots of soup, Twilight rewatches, and curling up with a good book. And we really like to emphasize the "curling up" part. That's why we (and half of BookTok) are in love with this remote control page turner.

Picture this: you're reading your favorite Kindle or e-book, cozied up on the couch under a blanket, or lying in your comfortable bed, tucked up under your comforter. Perfectly relaxed and warm. If only you could solve the issue of your uncovered arms holding your device... well now you can! This page turner works with all Kindle devices (except Kindle 8th Gen 2016 and Kindle Touch 2011), iPhones, iPads, and Android tablets.

Simply attach the screen sense clip to your device, pick up your remote and you're good to go. You can tuck your arms under any blanket or comforter and still flick through the pages with your trusty remote. And there's no need to purchase batteries, just charge via USB and a single charge will last on standby for weeks.

Aside from improving your reading experience, this nifty device can also be used to take photos on your phone from a distance. No more running back to pose after setting a timer.

If you're not sold yet, as of Oct. 23 this device from SK SYUKUYU is on sale at its lowest-ever price at Amazon. Save over $8 and purchase for $21.18. And to level up your in-bed reading even more, why not add a floor stand?

Save $50 on this Braun IPL hair remover that you can use from home

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 05:46

SAVE $50: As of Oct. 23, the Braun IPL Hair Removal is on sale for $299.94 at Amazon. That's a saving of 14% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Braun Braun IPL Hair Removal $299.94 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $50.05 Get Deal

IPL is one of the best long-term solutions for hair removal that can be done at home. It stands for Intense Pulsed Light and is a hair removal process that uses light pulses to target hair follicles, so it reduces hair growth over time. It's not a laser, but works similarly by focusing on the pigment in hair. It's a relatively painless, long-term solution for hair removal.

Laser hair removal differs by using a concentrated single wavelength of light, making it more precise and powerful. IPL, on the other hand, uses a broad spectrum of light, covering a larger area but with less intensity. IPL is slightly less effective but is gentler on the skin and can be done from home.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best Dyson Airwrap dupes under $300: The Shark FlexStyle is no longer your only option

If you're thinking of investing in an IPL device, you'll find so many to choose from. But as of Oct. 23, the Braun IPL hair remover device is currently on sale at Amazon. Known for its hair removal devices, Braun is always a great choice, and this model is currently priced at $299.94 — around the same as one or two laser hair removal sessions.

The Braun device benefits from skin tone sensors, a handy tool that optimizes the power of every flash to your skin tone. It's also sensitive on the skin, with two sensitive modes for when you use the device in delicate areas such as your face or armpit. And for those awkward-to-reach places, there are different attachments to make sure you're getting the most out of the treatment.

Head to Amazon to make the most of this limited-time deal.

Save 40% on the Oral-B iO Deep Clean electric toothbrush at Amazon

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 05:41

SAVE $40: As of Oct. 23, the Oral-B iO Deep Clean electric toothbrush is on sale for $59.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 40% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Oral-B Oral-B iO Deep Clean $59.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

Every three to four months you should be changing your toothbrush. After this time they become less effective, they harbor bacteria (sorry, but it's true) and the bristles start to become damaged. But how many people actually follow this rule? If you're as guilty as us, you might want to check out Amazon's latest deal on a premium electric toothbrush.

As of Oct. 23, the Oral-B iO Deep Clean electric toothbrush is reduced by 40%, down to $59.99. It comes in Black or White and includes two different brush heads and a charger.

But what's so special about this brush? And if you love a manual model, why upgrade to electric? Well, according to stats from Oral-B, you'll remove 100% more plaque with this brush than a manual. The toothbrush also uses an iO pressure sensor to indicate if you're using the right amount of pressure to not only clean your teeth efficiently but to ensure you're not damaging your gums.

We really like the three different cleaning modes: Daily Clean, Sensitive, and Whitening, so you can customize your teeth brushing experience based on your needs. It also benefits from a Lithium-ion battery, perfect for using when traveling and on the go, without needing constant recharges.

This deal is available on Amazon for a limited time only, so be quick so you don't miss out.

Scientists propose a bold new reason for Betelgeuse's volatile behavior

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 05:30

A brilliant red star beaming through our night sky is Betelgeuse, an aging supergiant on the shoulder of the Orion constellation. 

For years astronomers have watched this star — pronounced "Beetlejuice" just like the Michael Keaton character — with some convinced it's on the brink of a supernova, a cataclysmic stellar death that leaves behind a black hole or neutron star.

The timing of the star's inevitable supernova is up for scientific debate, and NASA suggests it won't happen for some 100,000 years. But astronomers have now proposed another theory for its volatile nature, which explains why this wonder of the Milky Way dramatically brightens and dims. The researchers found clues that the brilliant star isn't actually alone in space. Perhaps, they suggest, it has an unseen companion, periodically clearing dust out of the giant star's way and revealing more starlight. 

"Nothing else (has) added up," said Jared Goldberg, an astrophysicist at the Flatiron Institute in New York, in a statement. "Basically, if there’s no Betelbuddy, then that means there’s something way weirder going on — something impossible to explain with current physics."

SEE ALSO: NASA captures star duo spraying plasma a quarter-trillion miles A team of astronomers predict a small star is clearing dust away from Betelgeuse, making it appear brighter on Earth. Credit: Lucy Reading-Ikkanda / Flatiron Institute / Simons Foundation illustration

Goldberg and his collaborators from the University of Wyoming and Konkoly Observatory in Hungary have presented their alternate explanation, describing computer simulations of a dust-plowing companion star, in a paper to be published in The Astrophysical Journal.

Betelgeuse is an old star over 500 light-years from Earth. As elderly stars are wont to do, it has puffed out. Scientists say it's so large — hundreds of millions of miles in diameter — that if you swapped it out for the sun, it would reach Jupiter. By comparison, the sun is about 865,000 miles across. What's more, Betelgeuse is about 100,000 times brighter than the sun.

Scientists have seen the star blast material into space. In 2019, Betelgeuse ejected an unprecedented amount of plasma, about 400 billion times more than the sun does routinely through solar flares, according to the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore. The residual dust cloud created a haze that temporarily blocked light from the star, studies showed, making it look dimmer from Earth. About a year later, the star seemed to return to its previous brightness

In 2019, Betelgeuse ejected an unprecedented amount of plasma, about 400 billion times more than the sun does routinely through solar flares. Credit: NASA / ESA / Elizabeth Wheatley (STScI) illustration

In this latest study, a predicted sun-like star, perhaps up to double the mass of the sun, clears the dust out of Betelgeuse's way, making it appear brighter. The team calls the hypothetical star Alpha Ori b, although Goldberg has given it the pet name "Betelbuddy" for fun. 

"Basically, if there’s no Betelbuddy, then that means there’s something way weirder going on — something impossible to explain with current physics."

Astronomers can guess when Betelgeuse will die based on its pulse. Because it's a variable star, its nature is to fluctuate in brightness. But the tricky thing about Betelgeuse is that it has two pulses — one that "beats" about every year and another seemingly following a six-year pattern. 

Betelgeuse, the 10th brightest star in the night sky, is located on the shoulder of the Orion constellation. Credit: Lucy Reading-Ikkanda / Flatiron Institute / Simons Foundation graphic

So the question is which one of these pulses is the star's fundamental heartbeat. If it's the shorter one, then the longer one is likely the result of something else external. 

The team considered other processes, such as sloshing in the star's interior and changes in its magnetic field. In the end, the scientists concluded the more protracted pulse was likely caused by another star. 

If Alpha Ori b exists, no one has seen it. The team is busy writing proposals to gain telescope time so they can look for a small star that could have been hiding in Betelgeuse's glare. An opportunity to investigate their inferred companion star is coming up in December, the scientists say. 

Some scientists believe Betelgeuse, bottom left, may have an unseen companion star, dubbed Alpha Ori b. Credit: Alan Dyer / VW PICS / Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Meredith Joyce, one of the co-authors, has a rather exotic idea about what Betelgeuse's partner could be: a neutron star, the core of a star that has already exploded in a supernova. But if that were the case, astronomers would have expected to find it in X-ray observations. No such evidence has shown up. 

"I think we should look again," she said in a statement. 

If Betelgeuse turns out to be one of a pair, this reporter humbly suggests yet another name for the mystery star: Otho

The new Apple Watch 10 is at its lowest-ever price at Amazon

Wed, 10/23/2024 - 05:12

SAVE $28: As of Oct. 23, the Apple Watch 10 is on sale for $371 at Amazon. That's a saving of 7% on list price, and the lowest its ever been on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch 10 (GPS, 42mm case) $371.00 at Amazon
$399.00 Save $28.00 Get Deal

Earlier this year, Apple announced the latest edition of the Apple Watch, the Series 10. It's a fantastic fitness wearable, with some notable upgrades on the previous model.

The watch has seen some small discounts in price since its release, but (as of Oct. 23) it currently has the lowest-ever discount we've seen at Amazon. Saving you 7%, the watch is down from $399 to $371. It's not a huge saving, but any discount this soon after its release is a win.

So why go for the Apple Watch 10 instead of the Series 9? Style-wise, the Series 10 is the thinnest Apple Watch so far but also has the biggest and most readable display. It also introduces Apple's first-ever wide-angle OLED display, meaning the watch remains clear and sharp when looking at it quickly or from different angles.

If you're looking for health and fitness metrics, they are many. Advanced health tracking includes ECG readings, heart rate notifications, and ovulation estimates. In the Vitals app, you'll find detailed overnight metrics such as heart and respiratory rates, and sleep tracking. It even includes alerts for possible sleep apnea. For fitness enthusiasts, the Workout app lets you track a whole load of activities, along with tools to monitor workout intensity and aquatic tracking with depth and water temperature sensors. And with 18 hours of normal use (and fast charging that gives you 80% in 30 minutes), the watch is perfect for all lengths of activity.

Safety is also a top priority, so you can enjoy features including Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS, along with a Check-In feature that automatically updates loved ones when you reach your destination.

Head over to Amazon to snag this great deal.

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