Mashable

SAVE $320: As of today, July 15, you can get the Roborock Q5 Pro+ robot vacuum and mop for just $379.99 at Amazon, down from $699.99, ahead of Prime Day. That's a 46% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Q5 Pro+ $379.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $320.00 Get Deal

We can always count on robot vacuums to be consistent stars of Prime Day. While Prime Day is officially held from July 16 to 17 this year, there are already hot deals on the best robot vacuums, including almost half-off a formidable robot vacuum and mop combo from Roborock.

As of July 15, the Roborock Q5 Pro+ robot vacuum and mop is on sale for just $379.99, down from $699.99. This saves early Prime Day shoppers $320, or 46%. This deal brings the self-emptying robot vacuum and mop down to the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuum deals at Amazon are booming pre-Prime Day

This deal helps you score a premium model for a more affordable price. Whether you have carpet, tile, wood, or marble floors, the Roborock Q5 Pro+ can give your space a deep and powerful clean while you go totally hands-free. With a generous 2.5-liter bag, the self-emptying robot vacuum can hold up to seven weeks' worth of debris, letting you focus on other chores — or leisure. The robot vacuum seamlessly transitions from vacuum to mop on its own, adjusting to the environment. We also love that you can use the app to map out your entire house to create the most efficient cleaning route for your Roborock.

Take advantage of this early Prime Day deal and score the Roborock Q5 Pro+ robot vacuum and mop for just $379.99 today at Amazon.

SAVE $600: Looking for an early Prime Day Roomba deal? Get the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ self-emptying robot vacuum and mop for just $799, down from $1,399. That's a 43% discount on one of our favorite robot vacuum and mop combos and this item's lowest price ever.

iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop $799.00 at Amazon
$1,399.00 Save $600.00 Get Deal

If you don't already have one, we're here to inform you that a robot vacuum can be a true game changer at home — and a combo robovac and mop can turn your chore game on its head. Quality, self-emptying units tend to be expensive, but one of our favorites is almost half-off ahead of Prime Day, which officially kicks off tomorrow.

As of July 15, you can get the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ self-emptying robot vacuum and mop for just $799, down from $1,399. That's a 43% discount and this item's lowest price ever.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuum deals at Amazon are booming pre-Prime Day

The j9+ is the most advanced Roomba you can get, and this price makes it $200 lower than we saw it on sale for last year. This model has a retractable mopping pad that lowers and lifts automatically, avoids small obstacles like cords and socks, and is self-emptying so you don't have to touch it for 60 days. It even looks chic — the dock and self-empty station can double as a side table.

Feel free to peruse the other best Early Prime Day Roomba deals, but this is the best of the bunch. Grab it while it's still live and know the magic of the robovac.

GET $200 OR MORE: As of July 15, Prime members have multiple ways to score over $200 in shopping credits and gift cards for Amazon Prime Day.

Prime Day starts tomorrow, July 16, and runs through Wednesday, July 17. As one of the biggest shopping events of the year, you’re likely looking for ways to maximize your savings (I know I have a list of items I'm planning to snag).

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Day 2024

Fortunately, there are tons of ways to earn shopping credits and gift cards during this 48-hour mega-sale to help you stretch your budget and get the stuff you really want or need — whether it’s a new robot vacuum, a high-powered laptop, or an early start on your holiday shopping list. From signing up for credit cards with generous welcome bonuses to taking advantage of Amazon's own Prime Day deals and promos, there are plenty of opportunities to earn hundreds of dollars in free money to spend.

Here are our favorite strategies to rack up over $200 in extra cash ahead of Prime Day 2024.

Get a $10 Amazon gift card with Grubhub Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Free $10 Amazon gift card when you place an order of $25 or more via Grubhub Get Deal

This is probably the easiest $10 you'll ever make. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, hop onto Grubhub (Prime members get Grubhub+ for free) and order at least $25 worth of food by 11:59 p.m. PT on July 15. Just be sure to use the code GRUBPRIME when checking out.

Note: Make sure your Amazon Prime account and Grubhub account are linked before placing your order.

Sign up for an Amazon Prime Visa credit card and get a $200 sign-up bonus Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Free $200 Amazon gift card when approved for an Amazon Prime Visa credit card Get Deal

This deal is a little more involved, but the payoff is worth it. If you sign up for an Amazon Prime Visa card and are approved, Amazon will instantly gift you $200 in Amazon gift card credit. (According to the website, you’ll receive an “instant decision” in 15 seconds.)

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day is just around the corner — here's how to find the best deals

You’ll also get 5% back on all Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and local transit, and 1% on all other purchases. And, as a Prime-exclusive deal, you’ll get 10% back on select products at Amazon.

To get the full benefits of the Prime Visa card and the $200 bonus offer, you'll need to be a Prime member and a new customer to the Amazon credit card. Apply before July 24 to qualify for the bonus.

Sign up for a Prime Store card and get an $80 Amazon gift card Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Free $80 Amazon gift card when approved for a Prime Store card Get Deal

Similar to the Prime Visa, signing up for Amazon's Prime Store Card will net you an $80 Amazon gift card reward. The Prime Store card will also give you 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods, plus 10% back on select Prime Day deals.

There’s no annual fee for this card, either, but you’ll need to apply before July 17 to qualify for the $80 bonus.

Turn your loose change into an Amazon gift card at select Coinstar kiosks Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon gift card when you dump your change at participating Coinstar kiosks Learn More

Did you know Coinstar kiosks allow you to convert your loose change directly into an Amazon gift card? All you have to do is follow the on-screen prompts and dump your coins into the machine — the service is free, and you'll get the full value of your spare change transferred onto a paper eGift Card. (There is a $5 minimum, though.)

This is a super easy way to turn forgotten coins into something you'll actually use on Prime Day.

Other bonus deals and perks for Prime members:

• Get three free months of Kindle Unlimited through July 17

• Get five free months of Amazon Music Unlimited through July 18

• Get three free months of Audible Premium Plus through July 31

• Get exclusive travel deals (e.g., 40% off select Carnival cruises and 30% off car rentals) via the Amazon Travel Deals page

Studying is one of the most important parts of student life, but it’s also one of the most difficult — especially if you don’t always have the discipline or desire to hit the books. That’s why it’s so necessary to do what you can to set yourself up for success whenever possible. When you make the effort to remove distractions and implement the right habits and tools, you’ll have a much better chance of hitting some solid study sessions.

How do I start studying smarter?

“Your body has a certain amount of energy and resources to allocate to biological processes, including brain power,” explains Dave Asprey, bestselling author of the book Smarter, Not Harder. “The first thing you can do is to remove friction and the things that are sucking your energy, like poor sleep, stress, or a diet full of toxins. This way you can free up energy for studying and being productive.”

From there, you’ll have the space to implement smart habits and practices that will make studying smarter easier —like tech and gear that’ll put you in the headspace to study. Studying is challenging enough as it is without all the obstacles modern students face when trying to get things done — but finding smart solutions and implementing habits and workflows that lessen the friction is well-worth putting in the effort for.

What do I need to study smarter?

“Whether it's a dorm with paper-thin walls offering no escape from noisy neighbors, or endless distractions pulling your attention away from the books at a coffee shop, carving out effective study time can feel like battling a losing war at times,” says Michael Robert, tech experts and cyber security specialist at CyberArk. You’ll want to think about the pain points you experience when studying — what holds you back from getting into the zone or really focusing and how can you mitigate the issue with a smart piece of tech?

Here are some of the best tech essentials to get your started on studying smarter this semester:

Moving into a dorm room is exciting — and a little intimidating. It marks the beginning of a new academic year and represents the opportunity for a fresh start. Keep in mind that fostering a comfortable dorm room isn’t as simple as pinning a few posters and rolling out fresh sheets. The rise of smart technology has made it easier than ever to ensure your study and sleeping space is as optimized as possible.

“Making your dorm room smarter does not need to be hard — you can begin with small, affordable changes and add to them over time,” says Markus Schaal, managing director and COO at PLITCH, a PC mod software company.

“I know all about trying new tech things since that is something I like doing and I have learned it is better to choose devices that work well together and help you out in simple ways without messing anything up. Your dorm is supposed to make each day easier, not harder. So focus on optimizations that flow naturally from one task to the next.”

Why should I invest in my dorm room?

Living in a small dorm room can be a big change. And while you might not expect to spend a ton of time in your new space, you’ll still want a comfy environment that’s inviting for sleeping and studying. “Having technology that makes everyday life easier is life-changing when you're juggling classes, clubs, and friends,” says Schaal.

What do I need to make my dorm room ‘smart’?

You don’t need to go overboard to achieve a smart and functional dorm room. You’ll want to think about the items that’ll save you the most time while optimizing your comfort and productivity. It’s also a good idea to consider products you’ll be able to use long after you move out of your dorm room rather than just looking for short-term solutions.

The following gear will help you get started on creating a ‘smart’ dorm room — one that’ll actually make studying, sleeping, and living in a small space simple and comfortable. Here are a few key items that you’ll be glad to have when you’re knee-deep in deadlines and assignments:

It is not uncommon for young adults to experience significant stress during college. So if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed just know that you’re not alone. Far from it.

Think about it like this: college students may be adjusting to new responsibilities, managing their classes, as well as navigating the newfound pressures of young adulthood. This 180-degree turn in terms of transitioning from childhood to adulthood is objectively stressful. Learning how to manage stress and unwind in college will benefit you well into your journey to adulthood.

Why is managing stress so important?

“While college is an exciting time, it is also a time where stress awareness and management is crucial,” explains Ernesto Lira de la Rosa, Psychologist and Hope for Depression Research Foundation Media Advisor. “College students are at heightened risk of developing anxiety and depression during this time and managing stress can be a good way to mitigate these mental health concerns.”

How do I manage stress in college?

There are a variety of ways to manage stress and it can be helpful to think about them across physical and emotional dimensions. “Physically, this includes taking care of your body through exercise and food and nutrition. Make sure you have enough water throughout the day and that you are keeping up with any medical concerns,” says Lira de la Rosa.

“Emotionally, you may want to consider having a good support network you can reach out to for support. This can include friends, family, or seeing a mental health provider. Additionally, it can also be good to start and maintain a meditation, yoga, or breathwork practice to alleviate stress.”

What gear could help me manage stress in college?

When you first get started with building stress management habits, it can be challenging to find what works for you—but according to Lira de la Rosa, consistency and patience are key.

For example, there are some good meditation apps and devices that help you practice and maintain a meditation routine. If you want to use physical activity to manage stress, you can check out fitness tracker apps or devices to help you get started. These apps and devices can help you with accountability and ensure you are maintaining a routine.

“Overall, you want to take inventory of what types of stress management techniques resonate with you,” says Lira de la Rosa. “Then, you can start by practicing these techniques and work towards building mastery.”

If you're just getting started, here are some of the best essentials that’ll ensure you’re managing stress in college the best way that you can:

Wondering how to install the iOS 18 public beta? We don't blame you. After all, you'll have the opportunity to try out the new features Apple revealed at WWDC 2024.

Be careful, though. This is beta software, so it could cause trouble in daily use or even loss of data. That said, we've been running the developer betas for weeks now without major issues, and the public beta should be slightly more polished than that.

For a preview of what's coming, check out Apple's detailed introduction. Key new features include massive customization improvements, allowing you to completely change the look of your app icons, an overhauled, far more powerful Control Center, an AI-infused, improved Photos app, and new, animated effects in Messages.

Want to try all of that out? Here's what you need to do.

Step 1: Back up your iPhone Back it up. Just in case. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Beta software is for testing purposes, and you should expect to run into issues. To mitigate more serious problems, such as potential loss of data, you should back your phone up before installing iOS 18 beta. To make sure your phone is updated, go to Settings and tap on your account name on top of the page. From there, navigate to iCloud > iCloud Backup.

Make sure "Back up this phone" is checked. Additionally, you can tap on "Back Up Now" to make sure you do a backup of all your data as of right now.

Step 2: Enroll in the Beta Software Program Once you've logged into Apple's beta software portal, this is what you'll see. Credit: Apple

If you haven't installed a beta update before, you'll need to sign up for Apple's beta program. Enroll your iPhone by going to https://beta.apple.com/ and signing in with your Apple ID. This involves accepting the terms and conditions of joining an Apple pre-release program. Once you've enrolled, you'll get a notification on your iPhone that the public beta is available. If you're already enrolled, skip on down to the next step.

Step 3: Open Software Update

All set? Good. Now, it's time to make sure you're installing the right version. Go to Settings > General before tapping on Software Update. Tap on Beta Updates and choose iOS 18 Public Beta. If you're enrolled with Apple as a developer, you'll probably also see an iOS 18 Developer Beta option in there, but it's the Public Beta you want in this case.

Step 4: Download and install the iOS 18 public beta Congrats, you're running iOS 18 beta. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Go back one step to Software Update. You'll be able to download and install the update. Don't do this unless your iPhone is at least 50% charged. Once the process is started, you'll see the familiar Apple logo and a progress bar. After an automatic reboot, your phone should be all set and running the iOS 18 public beta, which you can check by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

Step 5 (Optional): Provide feedback Tell Apple how you really feel. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Want to make the final iOS release better? You can provide feedback to Apple on the stuff you like, or don't like, about the new features. To do so, open the Feedback app (it's already installed on your iPhone), log in with your Apple ID credentials, and fire away (by tapping on the icon in the lower right corner). In the app, you can also check the release notes for Apple's latest software releases.

OpenAI whistleblowers are calling on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to open a probe into the AI giant.

In a letter from the whistleblowers obtained by the Washington Post, the whistleblowers allege that OpenAI broke federal laws by prohibiting them from speaking out about safety issues concerning the technology.

The letter shares even more about OpenAI's startling lack of transparency. The company has been scrutinized over the past year by critics, as well as former executives, who have called for greater government regulation over the company and the AI industry as a whole.

The OpenAI whistleblowers letter

Obtained by the Washington Post, the seven-page letter alleged that OpenAI threatened employees for taking part in legally protected whistleblower actions.

According to the letter, OpenAI forced employee agreements on its workers, requiring staff to inform the company if they wanted to speak to federal authorities as a whistleblower. In addition, if an OpenAI employee chose to go this route, the company required that they "waive their federal rights" to any whistleblower compensation entitled to them. 

Government agencies often reward whistleblowers with financial compensation. For example, the IRS and the SEC both offer a double digit percentage of whatever money is collected by the agencies as a result of the information provided by the whistleblower. OpenAI's employee agreement stipulated that employees could not collect such compensation.

While perhaps one can see OpenAI's concerns regarding the protection of its proprietary technology, the letter goes on to share that OpenAI's employee agreement didn't even provide exemptions regarding whistleblower disclosures to the SEC for securities violations.

The whistleblowers' letter comes just months after it was revealed that OpenAI threatened former employees with the potential loss of millions of dollars if they spoke out against the company. Previously, when an OpenAI employee was exiting the company, they were provided with nondisclosure and non-disparagement agreements. OpenAI stipulated that those employees would “lose all vested equity they earned during their time at the company" if they did not sign the documents.

While OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed these reports, he said that the company did not enforce it and would be removing these stipulations from the documentation. However, these latest revelations in the whistleblower letter shows that the exit paperwork issue was not a one-off for the AI company.

Save $139: You can score a 2-in-1 deal on an Echo bundle ahead of Amazon's Prime Day. Snag an Echo Pop and the third-generation Echo Frames for $169.99 at the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Frames (3rd Gen) + Echo Pop 🔥 $139.99 at Amazon
$309.98 Save $169.99 Get Deal

On their own, the Echo Pop and third-generation Echo Frames would cost $39.99 and $299.99 respectively, but with this rare bundle deal you get both for just over $300 and a total savings of $139.99.

The glasses come in five different styles and are equipped with access to Alexa. We particularly love these glasses for their ability to play music, podcasts, and phone calls without the need for a separate pair of headphones. When synced up with Alexa, the Echo Frames allow you to operate other smart devices as well and they have a battery life of up to 14 hours.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day Echo deals: Amazon's smart home devices are falling to record-low prices

While we typially recommend the Echo Dot over the Echo Pop (you get more features for only a little more money), the Echo Pop boasts a near identical sound quality and functions similar to other Echo devices that make this deal worth considering.

Google Gemini is a multimodal AI service that's built into Google products, like Gmail, Docs, and Sheets and works to do everything from summarize info to create pitch materials and generate images on the fly. 

Theoretically, you have to give Gemini and Google permission in order for it to read your Google Workspace content. According to Google's data privacy policy, "your Google Workspace content (emails, documents, etc.) will not be shared with other users without permission. This commitment covers all of our Google Workspace products for personal and business use, including Gmail, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Calendar, Meet, and Chat."

But last week, a user on X said Google Gemini summarized some of his private documents.

Tweet may have been deleted

"I just pulled up my tax return in @Google Docs--and unbidden, Gemini summarized it. So...Gemini is automatically ingesting even the private docs I open in Google Docs? WTF, guys. I didn't ask for this. Now I have to go find new settings I was never told about to turn this crap off."

The user, Kevin Bankster, said this could have just been a glitch for him. A Google spokesperson told Mashable over email that you have to proactively enable Gemini in Google Workspace and, once you do, Google has access to that information.

"Our generative AI features are designed to give users choice and keep them in control of their data," a spokesperson said. "Using Gemini in Google Workspace requires a user to proactively enable it, and when they do their content is used in a privacy-preserving manner to generate useful responses to their prompts, but is not otherwise stored without permission."

It's not entirely clear what's going on here. Tom's Hardware argues that there could be a couple of reasons behind the result — AI could be "hallucinating (lying)," Google's internal systems could be malfunctioning, or it could be a third, more elusive reason. 

"For Bankston, the issue seems localized to Google Drive, and only happens after pressing the Gemini button on at least one document. The matching document type (in this case, PDF) will subsequently automatically trigger Google Gemini for all future files of the same type opened within Google Drive. He additionally theorizes that it may have been caused by him enabling Google Workspace Labs back in 2023, which could be overriding the intended Gemini AI settings," Tom's Hardware suggests.

No matter what caused the slipup, it's not a great sign for AI in general, since there are already some privacy issues related to how data is collected, stored, and used by the generative systems.

A decade ago meme culture on the internet was hardly even a thing. There were memes, sure, but the collective internet didn't meme events as constantly and ruthlessly.

In 2013, when the last NCAA Football video game was released, Doge and Grumpy Cat were the hottest memes around. But now EA Sports' College Football '25 is set to be released this week and it's already inspiring tons of great, and modern, memes.

The game has been long awaited. EA stopped making it all those years ago due to legal issues surrounding NCAA rules, but, now that players can be paid for their likeness, the game is back. And, as Mashable covered in depth, it is a huge deal for a generation of gamers who loved the franchise.

SEE ALSO: Why 'College Football '25' means so much to its long-suffering fans

That sort of passion led to good jokes. One genre was thanking NCAA '14, the last iteration of the game, for its decade of service to college football gamers.

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

There were also jokes about the sheer excitement folks are feeling about having this game back in their lives. For a certain demographic, it's the biggest piece of media to drop in a long time.

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

The best sports video game franchise is back. And now we can make memes out of it. 2014 meets 2024.

Sneering skeptics who had zero faith in Apple’s gaming ambitions were likely taken aback after the Cupertino-based tech giant announced Game Mode on macOS Sonoma at WWDC 2023.

What, exactly, does Game Mode do? Let's say you're playing Resident Evil: Village on your 14-inch MacBook Pro. Without Game Mode, some background tasks may be consuming too much of your precious resources, including the CPU and GPU, which may affect the game's performance. With Game Mode, however, your game's access to the internals is prioritized. This should lead to smoother, more consistent frame rates.

Resident Evil 7 on a MacBook Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

It's also designed to reduce latency on AirPods, as well as Xbox and PlayStation controllers.

Apple took it one step further, announcing at WWDC 2024 that Game Mode is coming to iOS 18 (and iPadOS 18), too. Like macOS, iOS 18 Game Mode wags a finger at your background tasks for their excessive demand on the CPU and GPU — and does something about it.

Since the WWDC 2024 announcement, there are three little-known new enhancements coming to the next big OS updates that gamers may perceive as a green signal that Apple is ramping up support for gaming on its devices.

Game Mode tweak on macOS Sequoia

To clear up a common "Game Mode" misconception, it's not designed to give you a boost in frame rates per se. Instead, the frame rates should be more stable with Game Mode on. In other words, Game Mode aims to give gamers a steady experience, not necessarily a performance spike.

Not-yet-released macOS 'Palworld' port on a 13-inch MacBook Air Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Secondly, you can't turn on Game Mode manually. Instead, the utility automatically detects that a game is playing, and Game Mode kicks in to ensure that your background tasks aren't a resource glutton.

I played Zenless Zone Zero on an iPhone 15 Pro Max, with iOS 18 Game Mode turned on, of course. I also played the not-yet-released Palworld on a 13-inch MacBook Air.

With Game Mode on, while playing Zenless Zone Zero, the stunning visuals were more fluid on the iPhone 15 Pro Max (compared to my iPhone 14 Plus sans iOS 18). Plus, the controls feel smoother, too, while I whooped enemies' butt in colorful, visually addictive combat.

'Zenless Zone Zero' on iPhone Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Similarly, compared to Palworld sans Game Mode, Palworld on macOS Sequoia was a tinge more responsive with steadier visuals as I ran around the rugged terrain with my red-headed protagonist. By the way, Game Mode on macOS Sequoia got a slight update; it should now be more effective at minimizing background activity than the previous iteration.

New AirPods feature for gamers

Apple is bringing Apple AirPods' personalized spatial audio feature to games now. However, it will only be available on the AirPods Pro 2, and will offer 16-bit, 48kHz high-quality sound, specifically for the "voice chat" use case. As such, while you're streaming on Twitch, for example, or having a row with your gamer friends, audio should sound more crisp than ever.

AirPods Pro 2 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Gamers will also experience reduced audio latency with this feature (on top of the lower latency you already get with Game Mode). This update will make your games feel more immersive and true-to-life.

Reduced storage requirements via Mac App Store

The downside of being a gamer is that many of the games you download can take up so much of your storage, leaving you with dwindling space for your day-to-day workflow.

Now, when it comes to installing mega-sized games, the space requirement has been significantly reduced, so gamers will have the opportunity to save more storage space than usual.

Gamers can also choose to install their game on an alternate disk.

Future of gaming for Mac users

All of these aforementioned new gaming-focused tweaks are expected to roll out this fall with the official launch of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia (likely alongside the expected iPhone 16 series).

Apple is also working on expanding its gaming portfolio for players. Some upcoming macOS games include Palworld, Frostpunk 2, Prince of Persia: The Last Crown, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Sniper Elite 4, and RoboCop: Rogue City, and more.

Amazon Prime Day 2024 is practically here. If you don't want to miss out on the best deals of the season, there are a few things you might want to know. For starters, when does the official shopping event begin? With deals flooding your feed for weeks already, it's easy to get your wires crossed. We've got you covered with all the nitty-gritty details.

What time does Amazon Prime Day 2024 start?

While early birds have already started saving, Prime Day proper doesn't kick off until July 16 at 3:01 a.m. ET (12:01 a.m. PT). The deals run for 48 hours, with new deals dropping as often as every five minutes throughout the event. If you don't want to get up before the sun to snag deals, you'll have plenty of time to shop.

When does Amazon Prime Day 2024 end?

The 48-hour Prime Day shopping period officially closes at 3:01 a.m. ET (12:01 a.m. PT) on July 18, but some deals tend to linger for days (weeks, even!) after. If you're in the market for a hot ticket item, however, we recommend grabbing it during the official Prime Day event.

What are the best early Prime Day deals?

Prime Day is a great time to buy things like Apple products, robot vacuums, fitness trackers, TVs, headphones, and of course, Amazon's own devices. But that doesn't mean you should splurge on something you don't need. And it also doesn't mean every deal is worth it. Need help deciphering what deals are actually worth grabbing? Check out our guide on what to buy and what not to buy on Prime Day. Better yet, follow along with our live blog to know what's worth adding to your cart in real time.

Less than 24 hours ahead of the official Prime Day 2024 kickoff, there are plenty of early deals you can already shop.

The best early Prime Day 2024 deals at a glance: BEST LAPTOP DEAL Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $898.89 at Amazon (save $200.01) Get Deal BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Bose QuietComfort Ultra $349 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal BEST AMAZON DEVICE DEAL Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation $34.99 at Amazon (save $85 with Prime) Get Deal BEST SMART SPEAKER DEAL Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon (save $35 with Prime) Get Deal BEST ROBOT VACUUM DEAL iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ robot vacuum + mop $799 at Amazon (save $600) Get Deal BEST OUTDOOR DEAL Coleman Skylodge 12-person Camping Tent $194.99 at Amazon (save $195) Get Deal BEST TV DEAL LG 55-inch 85 Series QNED 4K TV $599.99 at Amazon (save $800) Get Deal BEST KITCHEN DEAL Chefman TurboFry Touch Air Fryer $69.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal

We'll be tracking all of the best deals throughout the 48-hour event and beyond, so be sure to check out all of Mashable's shopping guides for Amazon Prime Day. Want to shop like a pro? Here's an insider's look at how to find the best deals.

It's almost hard to recall Instant Pot's reign as the star of Prime Day kitchen deals when Ninja deals are going as hard as they are in 2024.

Regardless of the corner of your kitchen you're looking to spruce up — whether it's the empty countertop slab where an air frying indoor grill could go or the cabinet where dusty, rusty pots and pans are begging for replacement — Ninja is making sure it catches your eye when you drop it into the search bar on Prime Day.

SEE ALSO: TikTok's newest obsession is coming — meet the Ninja Slushi

Ninja has become such a force in the realm of kitchen gear, mainly due to its Foodi line. This goes far past the pressure cookers that are often pitted against the Instant Pot: There are Foodi air fryer ovens, Foodi blenders, Foodi grills, and even several Foodi nonstick cookware collections. Past that, Ninja is behind several other viral kitchen products like the Ninja Creami ice cream maker and the Thirsti, Ninja's version of a SodaStream. And they're all on sale the day before Prime Day, which officially kicks off on July 16.

We're keeping track of all the Ninja deals at Amazon during Prime Day week, as well as live deals in just about every other product category you could think of — so check back often through July 17. For now, all newly-added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals marked with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Foodi 7-in-1 XL Pro Indoor Grill and Griddle with Air Fry (IG651) 🔥 $199.99 at Amazon
$369.99 Save $170.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The juiciest discount we're seeing on any Ninja multicooker so far this Prime Day season is a 46% price slash on the Ninja Foodi Smart XL indoor grill and air fryer combo. This 7-in-1 flat top griddle can take your dinner from frozen to BBQ-ed (complete with grill marks) in 25 minutes, searing at temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit — use the included meat thermometer to check your work. The lid, which can grill open or closed, can also air fry and dehydrate.

More Ninja kitchen deals

Pressure cookers, air fryers, and other countertop cookers

• Ninja Foodi 2-in-1 Flip Toaster (ST101) — $79.95 $129.99 (save $49.05) 🔥

• Ninja Foodi 8-in-1 Possible Cooker Pro (MC1101) — $89.99 $119.99 (save $30) 🔥

• Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 Dual Zone Air Fryer (DZ071) — $115.99 $179.99 (save $64)

• Ninja Speedi 12-in-1 Rapid Cooker and Air Fryer (SF301) — $129.99 $199.99 (save $70)

• Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 XL Indoor Grill with Air Fry (DG551) — $159.95 $279.99 (save $120.04) 🔥

• Ninja Foodi 13-in-1 Dual Heat Countertop Convection Oven (SP351) — $179.99 $329.99 (save $150)

• Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 XL Pro Countertop Convection Oven (DT201) — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

Coffee makers, blenders, and more drink makers

• Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender — $44.99 $69.99 (save $25)

• Ninja Programmable XL Coffee Maker Pro — $69.99 $99.99 (save $30)

• Ninja Hot and Iced XL Coffee Maker — $111.99 $149.99 (save $38)

• Ninja Nutri Ninja Blender (BL642) — $129.99 $179 (save $49.01)

• Ninja Thirsti Soda and Sparkling Water Maker — $149.99 $239.99 (save $30) 🔥

• Ninja Foodi Blender and Food Processor — $149.95 $179.95 (save $90)

• Ninja Espresso and Coffee Barista System (CFN601) — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70)

• Ninja Creami Deluxe Ice Cream Maker — $199.99 $249.99 (save $39.49 with on-page coupon) 🔥

Cookware, cooking irons, and more

• Ninja Foodi NeverStick 4-quart Possible Pan — $79.99 $129.99 (save $50) 🔥

• Ninja Foodi NeverStick 8-piece Cookware Set — $199.99 $269.99 (save $70)

• Ninja Foodi NeverStick 12-piece Cookware Set — $26.99 $399.99 (save $130)

SAVE $101: Sony's ZV-1F vlogging camera can be yours for $398, a 20% discount from its usual price of $499, with this early Prime Day deal.

Sony ZV-1F $398.00 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal

Are you dreaming of making it big on YouTube or TikTok? If you or someone you know wants to give being a content creator a real shot, Sony's ZV-1F portable vlogging camera could be the way to go, thanks to this early Amazon Prime Day discount.

As of July 15, Sony's ZV-1F vlogging camera can be yours for just $398, a 20% discount from its usual price of $499. This early Prime Day deal saves you $101.

With a 20MP sensor and a 3-inch LCD display that you can use to line up your shots perfectly, the ZV-1F could be an ideal way to learn the basics of shooting and editing for online video. It shoots in up to 4K resolution with support for WiFi and Bluetooth and has a USB-C port.

SEE ALSO: Get the GoPro Hero11 bundle for $130 off this Prime Day

In his review for PCMag (our sister site owned by Mashable's parent company, Ziff Davis), Jim Fisher, the lead analyst for cameras, called the ZV-1F "a killer performer" for video, but noted that the autofocus effect can be a distraction. But with this sharp discount, the ZV-1F is a quality deal for the aspiring vlogger in your life.

A sex worker and a Russian oligarch's son fall in love in director Sean Baker's "Anora," starring Mikey Madison and Mark Eidelstein.

SAVE $130: As of July 15, you can get a GoPro Hero11 Black Bundle for $249.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 34%.

Opens in a new window Credit: GoPro GoPro Hero11 Black Bundle $249.99 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $130.00 Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is almost here, and that means we're about to see some serious discounts on high-ticket products. If you've been looking to get a new GoPro for your summer travels, we've got great news for you.

As of July 15, you can grab a GoPro Hero11 Black bundle for just $249.99 at Amazon. That's $130 off, or a discount of 34%. This bundle includes the Hero11 camera, but also throws in a lot of essential accessories that you don't have to purchase separately. You get a head strap, two rechargeable batteries, a curved adhesive mount, a mounting buckle with a thumb screw, a USB-C cable, a head strap, and a carrying case. Note that this deal is an Amazon Prime exclusive, so you'll need to sign up for Amazon Prime to be able to check out with this bundle with this discount.

SEE ALSO: Walmart vs. Amazon: Which retail giant has the best deals?

The GoPro Hero11 Black is capable of filming 5.3K resolution video, making it one of the most hi-res action cameras on the market, second to only the newer GoPro Hero12 Black. The Hero11 has a 27-megapixel sensor that captures high-quality videos at up to 60 frames per second. It can also pull 24.7-megapixel stills from any video you capture.

Additionally, the GoPro Hero11 can capture 2.7K240 video that you can play back in 8x slo-mo. If you're taking this little powerhouse adventuring, this is a nifty feature to capture every passing detail. This GoPro also boasts HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization that helps ensure your video will be smooth viewing no matter what wild activity you're up to.

Critics of Gen Z women in the workplace found a new target: a playful video posted by tbh skincare on Instagram and TikTok.

SEE ALSO: Internet Princess Rayne Fisher-Quann left TikTok in search of something beyond the algorithm

The video is a part of the "Boots and a slicked back bun" trend — started by @maisieisobel on June 29 — where a group of people film themselves in a circle chanting two qualities about themselves twice with simple corresponding dance moves. Several female employees at tbh skincare participated in the trend calling out, "Gen Z boss and a mini" followed by "itty bitty titties and a bob" and "5'3 and an attitude."

According to Know Your Meme, the video garnered around 2 million views on Instagram within the first two days after posting it. It now has nearly 5.5 million views on Instagram and over 3.5 million views on TikTok. While the video appears to have resonated with its target audience, once it escaped to the wider internet people began to poke fun.

The comments on TikTok included messages like, "they should make marketing degrees more expensive," "this is so millenial core," and "The HR department after laying off most the engineering team."

The video got reposted on X where sexism runs rampant. One user posted it with the caption, "Is this the longhouse," a reference to the concept of a woke, matriarchal society popularized in alt-right spaces.

People are quick to attack videos of young women having anything to do with the workplace. Last year, there was the harsh conversation around the Gen Z woman who complained about working a 9 to 5 and even before that was the project managers working from the pool.

GET A $10 GIFT CARD: On July 15, Prime members can get a free $10 Amazon gift card when they make a $25+ Grubhub order using the code GRUBPRIME before 11:59 PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon $10 Amazon gift card Free with $25+ Grubhub order using the code GRUBPRIME Get Deal

In May, Amazon announced that Prime members could get food delivered right to their door via Grubhub+ with $0 delivery on orders of $12+, lower service fees, and other perks.

Now, Grubhub and Amazon are offering a special early Prime Day deal to members who spend $25+ on Grubhub by midnight: a free $10 Amazon gift card. Just use the code GRUBPRIME at checkout.

That’s right, you can get $10 off your next Amazon purchase by indulging in a Grubhub order tonight. But you have to order by 11:59 p.m. PT on July 15 and spend at least $25 to get the free gift card.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime members can order Grubhub delivery right from the app. Here's how it works.

If you’re not already a Prime member, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial and take advantage of this offer while it lasts. Just be sure to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to pay the $14.99 per month fee.

SAVE $50: The Xbox Series X is on sale at Best Buy, priced at $449.99, down from its normal $499.99. That's a 10% discount during Best Buy's Black Friday in July sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Xbox Series X 1TB Console $449.99 at Best Buy
$499.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

You can grab the Xbox Series X from Best Buy for the relatively low price of $449.99. The Series X is the most premium offering from Microsoft's Xbox family, equipped with more storage and faster speeds.

This might not be the best deal you'll ever see on a Series X — the price dropped to $350 last Christmas — but 50 bucks off isn't bad. Retailers worldwide are ramping up deals this week in anticipation of Amazon's Prime Day on Tuesday. Best Buy kicked off its Black Friday in July event on July 15, the day before Prime Day's official launch.

There's a compelling reason you might want a new Xbox, especially this week. EA Sports' long-awaited College Football '25 is set to return this week after a decade-long hiatus. For folks who grew up on the franchise, but drifted away from gaming, they might need to upgrade their console since the game is available only on the Series X or Series S and the PS5.

Whatever the reason, now might be the time to grab a Series X.