Mashable

Day after day of nothing to do other than scroll — on Insta, on TikTok, on YouTube. This was the reality for the teens of Social Studies, the FX docuseries that chronicled their lives as they slowly returned to the normalcy shattered by COVID.

Esteemed photographer and documentarian Lauren Greenfield (THIN, The Queen of Versailles, Generation Wealth) followed a diverse group of L.A.-area kids as they tip-toed out of lockdown, exploring how each teen handled the overt sexuality and rampant materialism they're fed on social media. Some of the kids pose suggestively for likes and reposts, others engage in unhealthy digital relationships, still others succumb to peer pressure and comparison culture. All the while, cameras roll and executive producer Greenfield probes her world-weary subjects with difficult questions — and often receives shockingly candid answers.

To take part in the series, Greenfield required her cast to not only expose their lives, but also their phones. We see the teens scroll, text, and FaceTime while the audience — and, eventually, many of the subjects' parents — realize this generation is living through an adolescence like no other. Greenfield talked with Mashable about her remarkable series, describing her biggest takeaway from spending a year and a half with the teens of the 2020s.

Mashable: What was the impetus for Social Studies?

Lauren Greenfield: It grew out of my very first project, which was a book about teenagers in Los Angeles called Fast Forward: Growing Up in the Shadow of Hollywood. I was actually looking at how kids were influenced by media; at that time it was cable TV and MTV and music and movies. But it was really about how they were influenced by the values of Hollywood, which for me meant image, celebrity, and materialism, and I was seeing those values blow up for kids in the interim with social media.

This idea [centered on] when you ask kids what they want to be when they grow up and they say, "rich and famous," instead of [naming] an actual job. That combined with seeing my own kids — when I started this [they] were 14 and 20 — and feeling like they were from two different generations. The 20-year-old was a reader, went on a social media to talk to friends a little bit, study it a little bit, but it wasn’t a big part of his life. My younger one, there were constant battles over screen time, he got all his news from TikTok, and if we took it away as punishment, it would be like taking away an arm. With COVID, when he went [online] for hours at a time, I noticed he’d be irritable and depressed afterward. So I got curious about exploring this new media.

I wanted to do something a little bit different; my first project was as a photographer. This, I wanted to do as a film, actually my first series. I had done a social experiment called "Like a Girl," that was a more structured social experiment where I asked everybody the same question. I wanted to give this a social experiment structure to follow kids over 150 days [spread out over] about a year and a half. [We had] a diverse group of kids that we picked at the beginning of the project, and the deal was they had to share their phones to be part of the project. I thought that was really important even though my kids were like, "Why would anyone share their phones?" But I feel like [the subjects] really took it on coming out of COVID, seeing how they’re conflicted about their life online and that was how we went into it — not knowing what was going to happen but with a dream of following the vérité lives, but also seeing how that narrative interplayed with the narrative of their social media lives. 

A girl told me she pretends she’s looking at her phone going down the hallway so she doesn’t have to make eye contact with people. Were you surprised at how much, or how little, COVID affected how these kids viewed social media and their online lives?

I actually developed this idea before COVID, so I already felt like social media was becoming such a big force. But COVID just amplified everything; it brought a genie out of the bottle that didn’t go back in. It became this lifeline where it was the sole communication. After, it wasn’t the sole communication, but it was a major communication. Coupled with a huge uptick in social anxiety — some kids didn’t even want to go back to school, they really got used to this life online and this life of isolation to the point where one of the schools I was filming at didn’t have good wifi and a girl told me she still pretends she’s looking at her phone going down the hallway so she doesn’t have to make eye contact with people. So it was a confluence of things where everything became ever so much more so during COVID in a way that allowed me to do a better social experiment.

The kids were so brave for putting so much of their lives on camera: their fears, their insecurities, very intimate details. Were you surprised by their candor?

I was grateful for how forthright they were. That’s part of the selection process, part of our chemistry. I try to have that intimacy and that access. That’s our way into their hearts and souls and minds. When I did Queen of Versailles, I felt like David Siegel opened his heart and told me the truth even when he hadn’t told the whole truth to his wife. That’s the kind of superpower of documentary work sometimes. I think they were eager to tell their stories and be listened to. As a documentary filmmaker, you’re not parent, you’re not teacher, you’re not friend. You can kind of speak very freely in a way, and tell the truth. I think they were looking for that. They wanted to unburden themselves. Even now, a lot of parents are saying we had no idea what was going on. I think [the kids] want their parents to know and they want the world to know. I think they gave up their privacy with a sense of purpose. It’s also relieving.

I think the group discussions helped too, because they saw they weren’t alone, they saw other people were going through similar things. They were surprisingly candid in those. I kind of expect it in one-on-ones; part of what I do is create that connection and draw people out and look for people ready to make that connection and tell their story. But I was really surprised in the group discussions how non-presentational they were, how they really brought themselves. They didn’t come really made up or with curated clothes, like they might have even for school. We did it in a library so it felt a little Breakfast Club-y. And maybe not having phones made it feel like they could get outside of their regular lives and talk about them. 

Greenfield pulled out many truths from the teens of "Social Studies." Credit: Lauren Greenfield / Institute via FX Many school districts are banning phones in schools. Do you see that as a positive step?

I think the school [ban] is mostly about [ending] distraction, and I think that’s good, but there are a lot of other things that we have to address that happen outside of school. At the end of the series, the epiphany these kids come to was very gratifying but also very simple — it was, can’t we just talk like this in real life? And I think getting rid of phones in school will encourage more connection, but that’s just one piece of it.

Are you surprised that so few schools offer internet safety classes?

I’m really glad you bring that up. My little brother did the first book on media literacy in Massachusetts. I brought him in and we wrote an educational curriculum that I’m really proud of that the Annenberg Foundation has put on Learner.org, their Annenberg Learner. It’s a 250-page curriculum for teachers, really going through all of the themes in the series, from bullying to body image to canceling, the 360 degrees on social media but really designed for discussion, for talking. There are also resources and a parent guide to support discussion. I think the good news is young people really know a lot about this and want to engage with it. The bad news is that knowing about it intellectually doesn’t make you immune to it. That’s one of the surprising things we see in the series. These kids are so smart and so aware of everything that’s happening, yet they’re very vulnerable to all the harms too.

The apps are designed for maximum engagement and the maximum engagement is not in the best interest of the kid. Tell me about the parents’ role in the series. I imagine they had many concerns. 

I’m super grateful to the parents, as well, because it was really a big commitment. Not just the part about the phones, but also traipsing into their homes with cameras many times. And many of them agreed to be on camera themselves; that wasn’t something that was necessary. I didn’t even know I wanted that in the beginning. I kind of thought the parents, since they’re not really aware of social media, were going to be like Charlie Brown parents. But they ended up being a really important voice. Maybe they also mirrored my voice a little bit in that I felt like I was in the dark and learned a lot. You kind of see that a lot of them are very caring and loving, but still don’t know anything. You also see the danger that’s hiding in plain sight. Parents in our generation have been very focused on safety; much more than when I was a kid. I ran around like a beach rat, way more than I let my kids. So there’s this feeling; Jonathan Haidt talks about it in his book, The Anxious Generation, about keeping your kids inside to keep them safe. What we’re seeing unfold in real time is a kid like Jordan talking to people she doesn’t know online right under her mother’s nose. Or like Ellie lying about going out and just hopping an Uber to her boyfriend’s house. Even Sydney’s mom says, "I don’t even know if I want to know what’s in my daughter’s TikTok, it’s too scary." I’ve heard parents say they’re scared to see the show, and I want to say, don’t be. It really opens up a conversation that makes the parents and the kids closer. I think kids have been carrying this burden of other people not understanding what they’re going through, and it’s pretty overwhelming.

The communications and awareness is a really big part of it. [Social media] is the means of social activity, so it’s very hard for a kid to do it alone. On the show, you see Ivy goes off for a while; somebody else says, "I don’t feel safe on TikTok." There are people who decide to go off all or some of it and just come back on, because there’s this existential thing that Sophia brings up in episode 5 — will we exist if we’re not online?

Did you see parents or teachers model healthy social media behavior?

I don’t really believe in that paradigm of healthy screen behavior. Because I think it suggests that the burden is on the kid to regulate themselves, and I think it’s a little more like heroin or opiate addiction, and it wouldn’t be fair to regulate themselves on what’s a healthy amount of heroin or opiates. The apps are designed for maximum engagement and the maximum engagement is not in the best interest of the kid. So if you take someone who has a slight insecurity about how they look, the algorithm will take you by the hand and say, this is how you want to be thinner, this is what you could eat, are you interested in an eating disorder, let me show you how to do that. Basically exploit your most sensitive vulnerabilities to the point of creating major harm, not just physical harm, but we also see a family kind of break apart [in the series]. I believe in the value of technology and I think we can have healthy technology. And technology tools are essential for everybody and especially young people. But I think the current paradigm, it’s not up to the user. I think we need regulation, guardrails on the tech companies, both in the design of the algorithm but also being responsible for what they publish, like all other publishers. And I think we need to create more communication with parents.

And we’re trying to figure out all of this in real time.

Sydney called herself part of the guinea pig generation.

If there’s one thing viewers take away from Social Studies, what do you hope it is?

Listening to kids. At the end, the kids talk about finding their voice. Using your voice is the antidote for comparison culture. The other side of it is finding your voice and making connections with other people, which is what they come to at the end.

Social Studies is now streaming on FX.

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Looking for a family-friendly film with stunning visuals, an impressive voice cast, and a story that will tug at your heartstrings? The Wild Robot is all of that and more.

It boasts a versatile cast that truly brings the characters to life, including Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us), Catherine O'Hara (Schitt's Creek), Bill Nighy (Love Actually), Kit Connor (Heartstopper), Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Mark Hamill (Star Wars), Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows), and Ving Rhames (Mission: Impossible). It also celebrates DreamWorks' 30th anniversary and brings us the next great movie robot.

Though it just hit theaters in September, it's officially available to watch at home, where you can silently sob in peace. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch The Wild Robot.

What is The Wild Robot about?

The Wild Robot is based on the book of the same name by Peter Brown. It follows ROZZUM unit 7134 (voiced by Lupita Nyong'o), a robot stranded on a deserted island. Unable to live up to her programming demands completing tasks for humans, ROZZUM — aka "Roz" — must adapt to her new surroundings and look to the island's wild animals to fulfill her function. Some of those animals include a savvy fox called Fink (Pedro Pascal), a sassy opossum called Pinktail (Catherine O’Hara), and an adorable orphaned gosling (Kit Connor).

Just try not to tear up at the trailer alone. I dare you.

Is The Wild Robot worth watching?

If you cry easily, get the tissues ready. Mashable entertainment reporter Belen Edwards called The Wild Robot "a sweet (and yes, tear-jerking) tale of motherhood and connection, all backed up with some of DreamWorks' most stunning animation to date." She also mentioned that it's "a perfect capstone to celebrate DreamWorks' 30th anniversary."

If our own glowing review isn't enough to persuade you to watch, perhaps the near-perfect 98 percent critic and audience rating at Rotten Tomatoes will. That's practically unheard of. After exceeding projections for its debut weekend and taking the top spot at the box office, The Wild Robot is now the best-reviewed computer-animated film on Rotten Tomatoes released in the 2020s.

Read our full review of The Wild Robot.

How to watch The Wild Robot at home Credit: DreamWorks

Less than a month after its theatrical debut, The Wild Robot is already available to watch at home. Thanks to digital video-on-demand retailers like Prime Video and Apple TV+, you can rent or purchase the film online. If you'd rather stream The Wild Robot, keep scrolling for more information.

Here are some quick links to rent or purchase The Wild Robot starting Oct. 15:

• Prime Video — buy for $29.99, rent for $24.99

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Note: Keep in mind that with rentals, you'll only get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish once you start it.

Is The Wild Robot streaming?

Since the film only hit theaters in late September, there's no official streaming date yet for The Wild Robot. It'll likely be a couple of months until it makes its streaming debut, but in the meantime, you can either rent or purchase it on VOD retailers or prepare by signing up for Peacock. Since NBCUniversal owns DreamWorks Animation, The Wild Robot is expected to stream on Peacock eventually alongside other recent Universal and DreamWorks hits, like The Fall Guy, Kung Fu Panda 4, and Abigail.

Peacock recently raised its prices, with subscriptions now starting at $7.99 per month with ads or $13.99 per month without ads. But fortunately, we've found a few different ways you can save some money— check out the best Peacock deals below.

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"It's day one. This is your fourth quarter. Everything that happened prior to this? Throw that shit out the window. Three months. That's all it takes. And bro it's going to get cold out. Trust me. You gonna fold? Or are you gonna weather the storm? Lock in, cancel out the noise, and go dark. It's your time. It's always been your time."

This is the exact text from a very real TikTok video with 1.7 million views describing a trend: the winter arc. Winter arc is locking in for three full months. Winter arc is in the gym. Winter arc is alpha male and That Girl. Winter arc is wearing a hoodie. Winter arc is "going dark" and emerging a beautiful butterfly but in a really manly way. Winter arc means New Year's is October 1 now. I am so lost. Please help me.

The rules seem to differ by gender, goal, and vibe, but there is an overarching intention. You must lose fat, gain muscle, and "meet your goals," which always seem to be losing fat and gaining muscle. Here's are some of the actual winter arc rules I've seen from TikTok users:

• Shave your head

• Exercise

• Wear an oversized black hoodie and black jogger set

• Break up with your girl

• Wake up at 5:30 a.m.

• Journal twice a day

• Read four books

• Follow a diet

• Create your own daily list

• Get eight hours of sleep

• Walk 10,000 steps daily

• Post on social media twice a day or maybe delete your social media and never post?

• Lock! In!!

SEE ALSO: TikTok and Instagram 'diet' tips to avoid

I am sensing some issues with the winter arc. For instance, it's actually not winter at all, but very much autumn. The connection between these obsessive self-betterment trends that encourage people to reject community and the male loneliness epidemic seems worth noting. It's evident that this is a tool influencers use to promote their classes or personal training programs. It's basically a rebrand of 75 Hard, a (largely debunked) fitness and wellness trend with incredibly high demands.

Even more insidious yet, this is a prime example of how social media — and the economic system it's built upon — feeds off of your feelings of inferiority.

It's easy to want to follow something when it seems healthy, as some of the pieces of this trend are. Exercise is good for you, journaling and reading can help your mental health, and working towards your goals is not a bad way to spend time. These are effective forms of self-care. But we get into some dark territory when we force ourselves to reach for unattainable goals and replicate the performative aesthetics of creators who promote aspirational lifestyles that are not actually realistic or attainable for many of us.

Trends like this take our focus away from our community and instead places the attention inward, which might make you think this is about you. It is not about you.

Stephanie Alice Baker, a senior lecturer in sociology at the City University of London, told Mashable for a 2022 story about the productivity aesthetic that while these kinds of trends might seem like "individual pursuits," they actually rely on "the broader system in which they're operating," be that capitalism or the patriarchy. Two years later, her words still ring true.

"The technologies change, the technologies evolve, but there is still this underlying impulse towards self-improvement, and it is always self-improvement in relation to the system in which it operates as opposed to an isolated individual trying to be their best self," Baker said.

Society is always looking for ways to encourage people to perfect themselves — not for themselves, but for the system.

Also, it's not winter!!!

If you find yourself needing an expert witness in a courtroom case, make sure they're not using an AI chatbot for their supposed expertise.

Last week, a New York judge reprimanded an expert witness in a real estate dispute case for using Microsoft's AI chatbot Copilot. 

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Copilot can talk now: 3 new features that make it more like ChatGPT and Google Gemini

The expert witness, Charles Ranson, used Copilot in order to generate an assessment for damages that should be awarded to the plaintiff in the case. The case was first reported on by Ars Technica.

Copilot in court – a bad idea

The case at the center of this story involved a dispute over a $485,000 rental property in the Bahamas. The man who owned the real estate had passed away, and the property was included in a trust for the deceased man's son. The deceased man's sister was responsible for executing the trust. However, the sister was being accused of breaching her fiduciary duties by delaying the sale of the property while utilizing the property for her own personal use.

A major part in winning the case for the son was proving that he suffered damages due to his aunt's actions.

Ranson was brought on as an expert witness and tasked with assessing those damages.

While Ranson has a background in trust and estate litigation, according to judge Jonathan Schopf, he had "no relevant real estate expertise." So, Ranson turned to Microsoft's AI chatbot, Copilot.

Ranson apparently revealed his Copilot use in his testimony. When questioned about it, Ranson was unable to recall what prompts he used to assess the damages or what sources Copilot cited to arrive at its estimate. Ranson was also unable to explain how Copilot works.

The court then decided to use Copilot to see if it could arrive at the same estimate that Ranson provided. The court asked Copilot "Can you calculate the value of $250,000 invested in the Vanguard Balanced Index Fund from December 31, 2004 through January 31, 2021?"

Copilot provided a different answer in three different attempts, and each answer was different from Ranson's own Copilot-generated amount.

The court then asked Copilot if it was a reliable source of information, which Copilot replied by saying that its outputs should always be verified by experts.

According to the judge, Ranson was adamant that AI tools like Copilot were standard use in his industry, however he was unable to cite a single source showing this to be true.

Ranson's AI chatbot use wasn't his only mistake. However, the Copilot situation certainly hit the expert witness' credibility. The judge found that the evidence showed that the delay in the sale of the property not only didn't result in a loss, but additional profit for the son, and ruled there was no breach of fiduciary duty from the aunt.

Not the first time, and probably not the last time

Ranson's use of Copilot as some expert source of information is certainly not the first time AI chatbots have been used in the courtroom.

Readers may recall lawyer Steven Schwartz who last year relied on ChatGPT in legal filings for a case involving an airline customer being injured during a flight. Schwartz was reprimanded after submitting filings which cited completely nonexistent cases. Schwartz had used ChatGPT for his research, and the AI chatbot just made up previous cases, which Schwartz then included in his filings.

As a result, Schwartz and another lawyer at the firm he worked for were fined $5,000 by the court for "acting in bad faith."

The same scenario happened again with another lawyer, Jae Lee, who used ChatGPT in her filings earlier this year. Once again ChatGPT hallucinated cases that did not exist.

In the Bahamas real estate case, Judge Schopf made a point not to blame the AI chatbot but the user for citing it. However, AI chatbots continue to proliferate online and major tech companies like Google and Microsoft are ramping up promotion of this technology to users.

It’s no secret that skincare is trending right now, and a quick glance at social media proves it. Celebrities and influencers alike have hopped on the “skincare as self-care” train, and the resulting swarm of must-have products can be overwhelming to say the least. From the best Korean beauty products to the latest skincare gadgets, there’s a lot to choose from. However, while skincare has (thankfully) come a long way from scrubbing your skin off with microbeads, it hasn’t gotten any easier to decide if a product is nothing but hype or a true holy grail.

Enter Solawave’s advanced skincare wand with red light therapy. Touted as a science-backed, four-in-one skincare tool, this tiny wand is on a mission to be the next must-have in your medicine cabinet. (Since this review originally published, Solawave has released its new Radiant Renewal skincare wand, which is an upgraded version of the original wand.)

So how does it work? 

As a novice skincare enthusiast, I was definitely intrigued by the Solawave the first time I saw it on social media. It was cheaper than many of the skincare devices I’d seen in the past, and — with celebrities like Doja Cat, Vanessa Hudgens, and Reese Witherspoon reportedly loving the device — I immediately wanted to know more. The company’s website explains that the tiny device combines four different skincare technologies — red light therapy, microcurrents, facial massage, and therapeutic heat — to provide what the company describes as the “ultimate at-home spa facial.” 

SEE ALSO: The best beauty tech we've tested, from the Dyson Airwrap to SolaWave

I’d heard about all of these techniques in the past. Red light therapy, for example, is touted as a way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, scars, redness, acne, and more. And microcurrent facials? I’ve heard some people swear that zapping a low-level electrical current through your skin is better than botox. 

However, while none of these technologies are new — and the science behind them definitely shows promise — I also have a healthy dose of skepticism around whether or not a tiny pen-sized wand can deliver the same results as professional-grade equipment. 

I was skeptical that the skincare benefits Solawave promises could pack into such a tiny device. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable I put it to the test

Straight out of the box, I was surprised at how tiny the Solawave was in my hand. Just over the size of a pen with a convenient swivel head, the tiny device uses “smart-touch activation” meaning it turns on and off when the ceramic head comes into contact with your skin. After charging the device according to the instructions in the package, it was time to get to work. 

While the Solawave turns on immediately when it comes into contact with your skin, the company explains that it works best on hydrated skin. Rather than fuss around with finding the right product, I opted to stick with their recommended Renew Complex Activating Serum. With ingredients like blue tansy oil, hyaluronic acid, and Aloe vera, the serum is designed to help evenly distribute the microcurrent therapy across your skin, so I washed and dried my face, applied a thin layer of the serum, and got started.

How does it feel? 

I’m not going to lie, the first few seconds of swiping the Solawave wand across my skin felt odd. I was expecting a stronger sensation due to the microcurrent, but it felt like a gentle tingling sensation spreading out from the smooth ceramic head of the device. The device felt warm against my skin — it gradually increased in temperature the longer I used it — without being hot or uncomfortable.

I started using the wand at the base of my neck, following the instructions in the package to glide it upward and outward as I gradually moved along each side of my face. During my first session, I started small — Solawave recommends starting with a five-minute session, three to five times a week — and I found that I actually enjoyed the process.

It was super relaxing to use the device on my face and neck, and it almost felt like the device was making it easier for my skin to absorb the products I was using, so my skin felt way more hydrated than normal.

The Solawave wand works best when paired with a serum with conductive ingredients. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable But does it actually work? 

Immediately after using the red light therapy wand, I was surprised to find that I noticed a slight improvement in my skin. It wasn’t dramatic or anything — if I hadn’t taken a selfie earlier that evening, I probably wouldn’t have noticed — but there was a visible reduction in puffiness around my eyes, cheeks, and jawline.

Over the next two weeks, I diligently included the Solawave in my skincare routine. I used it both morning and evening, typically right after washing my face and applying a toning essence and the Renew Complex serum, around five or six days a week. Eventually, I started extending my Solawave sessions by a few minutes at a time — adding some focused attention to areas of my face that were holding tension, needed some extra de-puffing, or looked a little dehydrated — and I was surprised by how well it worked. 

By the end of my second week, my skin was definitely looking better: A few hormonal acne scars on my chin had faded, the redness in my cheeks went down, and I swore to my partner that a broken capillary on my cheek had completely disappeared. On days when my seasonal allergies had me waking up with puffy bags under my eyes, I was thrilled to discover that the Solawave was a great way to quickly knock them out. While I didn’t notice a huge difference in fine lines or wrinkles (at 32, I only have a few fine lines on my face that are noticeable when I’m dehydrated) I was still shocked by how well the device worked. 

I used the red light wand, which is designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles, blemishes, and dark spots. But Solawave also offers a three-minute spot treatment device, which uses red and blue light to target acne-causing bacteria, and used to offer a blue light wand (meant to fight against breakouts, boosts the effects of serum topicals, and improve your skin's radiance), which has tragically been discontinued.

The Solawave wand is one of my skincare staples 

After months of using the Solawave red light therapy wand, it's officially a staple in my weekly skincare routine. I don't always remember to use it daily — mostly because my work schedule got busy and my skincare routine took a hit — but I use it whenever I need to depuff, prep for an event, or simply need to unwind. I've also discovered that I love using it after applying a face mask — especially when my skin is feeling dry — so I can really pack in any leftover serum on my skin. Since I first started trying the Solawave wand, I've also convinced several friends (and three other Mashable editors and writers) to buy the wand. One friend told me that it helped heal the hyperpigmentation and bumpiness she had after a bad bout of hormonal acne, adding, "I use it after moisturizing almost every evening, and the difference is VERY noticeable." 

I've also tried a few other light therapy devices over the last few months, like the celeb-favorite DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro, and the Solawave is way more convenient and budget-friendly. It's definitely not as powerful as professional red light therapy treatments at your dermatologist's office — and you definitely need to remember to clean it regularly or risk an acne breakout (having learned that lesson the hard way) — but it's a great tool that has definitely changed my skin for the better.

Is it worth it? 

Honestly, I’ve got to say yes, the Solawave is worth it. I’ve seen several at-home skincare devices, including red light therapy masks and microcurrent facial devices, that cost anywhere from $200 to $500. Compared to these, the Solawave advanced skincare wand’s $149 price tag is a breeze. It’s still a little more expensive than the beauty devices you might see on the shelf at Target, but considering how well it worked, it’s definitely worth the splurge.

If you want to save a few bucks, you can also swap out Solawave’s Renew Complex serum with one of your own favorites. At $32 a bottle, it’s a little pricey compared to my favorite serums, and I didn’t notice much of a difference when I started experimenting with a few I already had on hand. Thankfully, the company’s website says it’s totally fine to swap in your own products — especially if they contain conductive ingredients to help make the most of the microcurrent technology — so you can try using it with products that you already know work well with your skin.

If you’re still on the fence? I’d recommend following Solawave on social media or checking out the website. The company frequently offers sales on its products, so you might be able to save a bit of money by snagging a discount code on the website. Plus, since the new Radiant Renewal wand came out, the original Solawave wand is discounted to $89.

Oura's got a new smart ring out. Let's talk about it.

The release of the Oura Ring 4 brings the next generation of Oura's popular wearable to the market. Many tech reviewers, such as Mashable's Kim Gedeon, got some time with it and came away with plenty of thoughts. With competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Ring on sale now, Oura has to work to keep up with more recognizable brands. Instead of wasting any more time, here's what reviewers are saying about the Oura Ring 4.

SEE ALSO: Oura Ring 4 review: It's got this edge over Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Ring Oura Ring 4: 3 things reviewers liked

The good news is that just about everyone agrees that the Oura Ring 4 is really good. Here's why:

Best-in-class health tracking

Oura has made its name with high-quality health tracking through a mobile app, and that is apparently no different here.

In fact, Oura redesigned the app, organizing all of its features into three distinct tabs that help streamline things, according to Victoria Song of The Verge. Beyond that, though, Song said the health tracking the watch does is impressively accurate considering the limitations of a tiny smart ring:

"All I can tell you is what I experienced in my own testing. The Oura Ring 4’s sleep and wake times align with my own manual testing logs. I still saw occasional gaps in nighttime heart rate, though it’s hard to say after only two weeks whether there were fewer or greater than before. My heart rate metrics, however, were all on par with my smartwatches — which is a good thing. Step counts and calorie estimates can be inflated compared to smartwatches, but that’s been true of every smart ring I’ve tested. What I can say for Oura, however, is its measurements are consistent and its margin of error is on the smaller side. After years of testing wearables, I trust the Oura Ring’s measurements for sleep and recovery tracking — in fact, I use it as a control for evaluating the sleep tracking features of other devices."

More comfortable fit

One of the more profound design changes with the Oura Ring 4 is also very simple: The inside of the ring no longer has bumps on it.

Those existed in previous models for health tracking purposes, but Oura found a way to slim the ring down and smooth out the inner surface, so the bumps don't dig into your skin anymore. Pretty much every review I read, including those from the Guardian and Wired, noted this change and pointed out that the ring is more comfortable to wear than before.

Improved battery life

It's not exactly surprising to hear that a new version of an older device has a better battery than previous models, but it's still welcome, nonetheless. Reports vary from one reviewer to the next, but generally speaking, everyone agrees that the battery in the Oura Ring 4 lasts longer than the one in the Oura Ring 3. Adrienne So of Wired had one particularly eye-catching testimonial:

"I get around three days of battery life with the Gen3. Right now, I am on the fourth day of wearing the Oura Ring 4 with, as I said, a pretty crazy amount of tracked physical activity through the weekend that included way too many hikes and a late-night outdoor music festival, and I still have what I would guess to be two to three more days of battery left. (I lead a pretty quiet life, but for some reason, whenever I test an Oura ring, I behave like an absolute maniac.)"

Oura Ring 4: 3 things reviewers didn't like

No device is perfect, and so neither is the Oura Ring 4. Here are a couple of complaints reviewers had about it:

Subscription needed

One major annoyance that could lead someone to go with a Samsung or Apple wearable is that the Oura Ring needs to be paired with a $6/mo or $70/yr subscription to unlock every feature. Every review I read mentioned this because, well, it's something that definitely needs to be mentioned. Whether or not that's too much for you will vary from person to person, but just know that there's a hidden cost to the Oura Ring 4.

Pricing problems

There's also an issue regarding the pricing of the Oura Ring 4. Put simply, you might have to pay more if you want a particular finish for your ring, even if the ring you're getting is functionally identical to cheaper ones with different finishes. Lisa Eadiciccio of CNET laid it all out:

"The Oura Ring 4 is available in six finishes: silver, black, brushed silver, stealth, gold and rose gold. But some finishes cost more than others. While silver and black are available at the $349 (£349, AU$569) starting price, brushed silver and stealth cost $399, and gold and rose gold are $499."

Considering the gold version looks amazing (at least according to Mashable's review, which is of course correct), that's probably going to be disappointing for some potential customers. An extra $150 for a different color is a lot to ask of people.

Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, and Elijah Wood star in "The Monkey," in theaters February 21.

Google is going nuclear — literally. The search engine giant is set to buy a fleet of mini nuclear reactors in a "world's first" corporate energy deal.

SEE ALSO: Apple study reveals major AI flaw in OpenAI, Google, and Meta LLMs SEE ALSO: How much is AI hurting the planet? Big tech won't tell us.

The deal, in partnership with California-based Kairos Power, Google aims to build six to seven of these compact reactors by 2035, with the first expected to go live as soon as 2030. The power demands of artificial intelligence are exploding, and Google says nuclear energy provides the "clean, round-the-clock power" it needs to keep its operations running on carbon-free energy 24/7.

According to some estimates, training cutting-edge AI models like ChatGPT or Google’s own Gemini consumes immense energy, potentially generating as much as 626,000 pounds of CO2 per model. That's equivalent to roughly "300 round-trip flights between New York and San Francisco, or five times the lifetime emissions of an average car."

Google isn’t the only tech giant making a play for nuclear energy in the AI era. Last month, Microsoft made headlines by announcing its own nuclear energy deal—a plan to revive the infamous Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania, the site of the worst nuclear meltdown in U.S. history. The facility has long been dormant and is now slated to be restored to meet Microsoft’s growing AI energy demands.

Even Amazon has a nuclear energy deal.

While locations and financial specifics for these deals are still under wraps, the deal has already been set in motion. The company has committed to buying 500 megawatts of nuclear power—enough to drive an electric car around 2 million miles. Kairos also plans to have a demonstration plant slated for construction in Tennessee, set to be operational by 2027.

SAVE $64.98: Over 200 artificial Christmas trees at Amazon from brands like National Tree Company and Puleo come with a free Echo Pop and Amazon Smart Plug, which is a total savings of $64.98.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Free Amazon Echo Pop and Amazon Smart Plug with purchase of eligible artificial Christmas tree Get Deal

The calendar still says October, but it's never too early to be thinking about the upcoming holidays. If you're ready for an upgraded artificial Christmas tree, Amazon is treating us to some freebies that work perfectly with the tree.

Until Dec. 16, select from the 200+ eligible artificial Christmas trees at Amazon and score a free Amazon Echo Pop and Amazon Smart Plug. Together, the two freebies total a savings of $64.98. To score this deal, add all three qualifying products to your cart. The discount appears during checkout.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Score the biggest discount to date on the Sony ULT Wear headphones

An artificial Christmas tree can be ideal if you're not interested in keeping a giant tree watered and happy in your home during dry winter months. It can also be better for those with allergies. If you've been getting by with an artificial tree that's seen better days, plenty of models are on sale at Amazon today. Not only will you save some money off the usual price, over 200 models come with a free Amazon Echo Pop and a free Amazon Smart Plug.

There are many artificial Christmas tree options eligible for the deal. You can snag the National Tree Company Pre-Lit Artificial Mini Christmas Tree on sale for just $68.99 and, at four feet tall, it could be perfect for a smaller home or apartment. Or go with a grand option like the nine-foot National Tree Company Dunhill Fir Artificial Tree, which is currently just $451.82, a 53% discount off the list price of $959.99.

The included free Amazon Echo Pop device is a compact smart speaker, offering great sound for smaller spaces like a bedroom or your office. You'll be able to stream your favorite artists on the Echo Pop or tune into the latest podcast episode. Plug it in near your new Christmas tree and set the mood with some holiday tunes.

The deal also comes with a free Amazon Smart Plug. Since the majority of artificial Christmas trees now come pre-lit with their own strands of lights, you'll want to plug them into a smart plug and turn the tree (or any compatible smart device) on and off with the Alexa app or through voice control.

Combining the joy of an artificial Christmas tree with holiday songs on the Amazon Echo Pop is the perfect pairing. Plus, the Amazon Smart Plug means you'll never have to worry if you left the tree lights on while you're gone for the day. Thanks to Amazon's holiday sale, over 200 artificial Christmas trees are eligible to score a free Echo Pop and Smart Plug. You'll be ready to deck the halls in 2024.

SAVE UP TO $220: As of Oct. 15, Dyson is offering several major discounts on refurbished versions of its biggest hair tools. Get a refurbished Airwrap Origin for $249.99, a refurbished Supersonic in the coveted Ceramic Pop colorway for $229.99, or a refurbished Airstrait for $219.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Renewed sale save up to $220 on the Airwrap, Ceramic Pop Supersonic, and Airstrait Shop Now

To be on beauty TikTok and self-care TikTok in fall 2024 is to be bombarded with "winter arc" how-to's. One way to glow up this winter mentioned countless times? Finally investing in your hair.

Reducing heat is a surefire way to do that. But past simply not styling your hair at all, Dyson's hair tools are some of the best for simultaneously minimizing heat damage while securing shine. Though they're typically on the pricier side, Dyson's Renewed section happens to be popping off in mid-October — refurbished versions of the Airwrap, Supersonic, and Airstrait are all even cheaper than usual with discounts between $100 and $220 on six models total.

Best refurbished Dyson hair tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Our pick: Dyson Airwrap Origin (refurbished) $249.99 at Dyson
$349.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

While we're all for Airwrap dupes around here, we also don't blame you if you just want an Airwrap, damnit. Not only going with the Origin model, but going with a renewed version of the Origin model is your cheapest route by far — at $249.99, you could buy two of these for less than the $599.99 cost of a brand new Airwrap. For reference, the Airwrap dropped to $499.99 this past October Prime Day, and it likely won't drop past that much for Black Friday.

The difference between the Airwrap Complete Long and the Airwrap Origin featured here is that the Origin pares back on attachments, specifically skipping the soft and firm smoothing brushes, as well as the 1.6-inch barrel. It still comes with the 1.2-inch long barrel for simultaneous curling and drying, the volumizing round brush, and impressively, Dryer+ Flyaway smoother. (If you do want all of the attachments, the renewed Complete Long is also on sale for $349.99.)

Mashable's shopping reporter on the beauty tech beat, Bethany Allard, can personally vouch for the Airwrap's smoothing capabilities, as well as the noticeable difference in heat damage between the Airwrap and a cheaper tool like the Revlon One-Step.

More refurbished Dyson hair tools on sale:

• Dyson Corrale cordless hair straightener in Copper/Nickel — $179.99 $399.99 (save $220)

• Dyson Supersonic hair dryer in Iron/Fuchsia — $219.99 $319.99 (save $100)

• Dyson Airstrait cordless hair straightener in Nickel/Copper — $219.99 $399.99 (save $180)

• Dyson Supersonic hair dryer in Ceramic Pop — $229.99 $349.99 (save $120)

• Dyson Airwrap Complete Long in Nickel/Copper — $349.99 $499.99 (save $150)

"Invincible" returns for its third season in early 2025, and this time there won't be a mid-season break.

SAVE $90: As of Oct. 15, get the DJI Osmo Action 3 camera and accessories at Amazon for just 199, down from its usual price of $289. That's a discount of 31%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Osmo Action 3 $199.00 at Amazon
$289.00 Save $90.00 Get Deal

The weather may be getting cooler, but that doesn't mean you won't be out and about making outdoor memories. If you're the type of person who lives for fall activities, you might want to grab an action camera to capture everything. Specifically, one that you can mount and wear to capture every adventure — and there's a great one on sale at Amazon now.

As of Oct. 15, the DJI Osmo Action 3 is on sale at Amazon for just $199, down from its normal price of $289. That's a discount of 31% and $90 off. You also get a chest and backpack strap mount, as well as two additional batteries for up to a 320-minute runtime.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Score the biggest discount to date on the Sony ULT Wear headphones

The DJI Osmo Action 3 has dual touchscreens with a hydrophobic coating and can go wherever you do. It can take 4K HDR footage of all your activities, whether you're skydiving or hitting the bike trail and pulling off some sick tricks. Your mount will keep your footage steady and level, so you never have to miss a moment of what you've got going on (and neither do your friends and family back home).

The camera has a 160-minute battery life made even longer with the included extra batteries, and it's super simple to mount or use in your hands to get a steady shot. If you like to swim or dive, you can even take it underwater. It's waterproof up to 16 meters without any need for additional attachments, so whether you go for a swim or do some serious scuba diving, you're covered.

Whether you want to head out and take some cool footage this year or you want to give it as a gift, this is a great price on a fall fun-ready camera.

OpenAI has lost a lot of top leadership lately, but they're gaining a big one: a top AI researcher from Microsoft.

In the wake of several high-profile exits, Microsoft's Sebastien Bubeck is joining the OpenAI team, according to a report from The Information. Bubeck told his staff on Monday that he's leaving for OpenAI. The new role at OpenAI is currently unknown, but the researcher is leaving Microsoft to "to further his work toward developing AGI," said a Microsoft spokesperson to the outlet.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI unveils major ChatGPT redesign with new ‘Canvas’ interface for writers and coders

Within the past year, OpenAI has seen an exodus of top leadership, including co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman (on extended leave) and most recently, CTO Mira Murati, over reported clashes with the direction CEO Sam Altman is taking the company. Reports have surfaced of prioritizing commercialization over responsible AI development as OpenAI grows further away from a research lab and more into a typical for-profit tech company.

Bubeck is a VP of Microsoft GenAI and led a machine learning team in the development of Microsoft's Phi models, which are low-cost, lightweight versions of OpenAI's GPT models that are now used for Bing Chat and various Office 365 AI features. What Bubeck will do at OpenAI is uncertain, but the development of smaller, cheaper AI models is a growing area of focus for all AI companies, since they can perform many of the same everyday tasks as the the larger foundation models for a fraction of the cost.

Recently, OpenAI has taken to launching mini versions of their models, like GPT-4o mini and o1 mini, a lightweight version of its advanced reasoning model. So perhaps we'll see more cost-effective models as OpenAI looks to turn a profit and recoup its funders $6.6 billion investment.

SAVE UP TO 55%: Find massive savings on nearly every pair of Beats headphones at Amazon. Take $100 off the Beats Studio Pros, which are down to $249.99 for 29% off.

Best Beats deals Best headphone deal Beats Studio Pro $249.99 at Amazon (Save $100) Get Deal Best earbud deal Beats Studio Buds $99.99 at Amazon (Save $49.96) Get Deal Best speaker deal Beats Pill $129.99 at Amazon (Save $19.96) Get Deal

We expect to see discounts across an entire brand's line-up around big sales like Prime Day or Black Friday. Last week brought Amazon's October sale event, and while it ended officially on Wednesday, October 9, we've been following the deals that are still live — or have popped up since.

Beats deals are as good as ever following Prime Day. Nearly every pair of headphones (and a speaker) are discounted. There are hundreds of dollars in savings to be had, and we've rounded up the best deals from the brand.

Best Beats deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro $249.99 at amazon
$349.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Before there were AirPods, there were Beats. While the former has taken off in popularity, we haven't forgotten Apple's OG line of headphones because they're still really great. Among Beats headphones, the Studio Pro headphones are our favorite. They sound fantastic, have 24 hours of battery life with ANC, and fold into a nice portable package. Not to mention, they're stylish too. Kim Kardashian recently collaborated with Beats for a line of chic neutral colors that feel just right for fall.

In comparison to AirPods Max's $549 price tag, the Beats Studio Pro are a bargain at their listed $349.99. However, they're on sale for $249.99, taking $100 off the price for 29% in savings.

More Beats deals

• Beats Flex — $49.99 $69.95 (save $19.96)

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

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

• Beats Pill — $129.99 $149.95 (save $19.96)

• Beats Studio3 — $159 $349.95 (save $190.95)

• Beats Powerbeats Pro — $159.99 $249.95 (save $89.96)

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Oct. 15: OUR TOP PICK Sony ULT Wear headphones $148 at Amazon (save $51.99) Get Deal BEST SUBSCRIPTION DEAL Audible Premium Plus 3-month membership $2.97 at Amazon (save $41.88) Get Deal BEST VACUUM DEAL Dyson V15 Detect Plus $599.99 at Amazon (save $150) Get Deal BEST KITCHEN DEAL Breville The Fresh & Furious Blender $149.95 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal BEST EARBUDS DEAL Apple AirPods 4 with ANC $168.99 at Amazon (save $10.01) Get Deal

Who needs Prime Day when you can score top brands like Dyson, Sony, and Apple at record-low prices on a random Tuesday? As of Oct. 15, we're seeing some great discounts at Amazon — some still lingering from Prime Big Deal Days and others just because. If you missed out on Prime Day 2 and you're looking to do some deal shopping, you've come to the right place.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Oct. 15. If none of these spark your interest, check back at our picks from yesterday, Oct. 14, as well.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Wear headphones $148.00 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $51.99 Get Deal

Check out our full review of the Sony ULT Wear noise-cancelling headphones.

We tested the Sony ULT Wear noise-cancelling headphones earlier this year, and they seriously impressed us. In fact, our Deputy Shopping and Reviews Editor Miller Kern wrote in her review, "We try not to make sweeping claims in our reviews at Mashable, but these honestly might be my favorite pair of headphones I’ve tried — especially when you consider the price." They offer multiple bass levels, solid noise cancellation, full 360-degree sound, customizable EQs, and intuitive on-ear controls for just under $200. As of Oct. 15, however, you can slash $51.99 off the regular price tag and get a pair (in white) for only $148. That's the lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible Premium Plus $2.97
$44.85 Save $41.88 3-month membership Get Deal

Through Dec. 31, Amazon is offering Audible Premium Plus memberships for just 99 cents per month for your first three months. That's a massive savings of $41.88. A Premium Plus membership gives you discounted or free prices on the Audible Plus catalog of audiobooks, including Audible Originals and podcasts. Plus, you'll get one free title from the Audible premium selection, as well as exclusive member sales and discounts on all additional purchases. If you're hoping to get through your TBR list by the holidays, this is a pretty cheap way to do so.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V15 Detect Plus $599.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal

Check out our full review of the Dyson V15 Detect.

While it's a few years old and no longer the only Dyson vacuum to sport a laser, the Dyson V15 Detect Plus is still one of the most powerful stick vacuums on the market. Its beastly motor unleashes 230 Air Watts of cyclonic suction while its green laser illuminates any specks of dust on your path. You'll see dirt and debris you didn't even realize was there, which is both disgusting and satisfying. It's usually $749.99, but as of Oct. 15, it's on sale for just $599.99. That's 20% in savings and you get five accessories to help with your cleaning experience.

Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville The Fresh & Furious Blender $149.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Breville's Fresh and Furious blender looks and feels like a fancy high-end appliance, but its price tag is surprisingly on the budget-friendly side. On sale for only $149.95 — that's $50 off its regular price — the blender is back down to its record-low at Amazon. It includes a 50-ounce jug, nine one-touch blending tasks, five speed settings, and an 1100W motor that can pulverize your ingredients into a silky smooth concoction. Plus, it just looks good atop your counter.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 with ANC $168.99 at Amazon
$179.00 Save $10.01 Get Deal

Check out our review of the AirPods 4.

Just released last month, we didn't expect a big price cut on the AirPods 4 with ANC during Prime Big Deal Days. But we'll still take any price drop Amazon's willing to offer. As of Oct. 15, one week after the big shopping event, the buds are still down to their Prime Day price of $168.99. That's nothing crazy (just $10.01 in savings), but not bad for a brand-new set of the very impressive fourth-generation AirPods. In case you're wondering if they're better than previous buds from Apple, our reviewer Kim Gedeon said, "I love them so much, they have replaced my AirPods Pro as my new daily driver earbuds."

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

SAVE $10: As of Oct. 15, get the 25W Apple MagSafe Charger at Amazon for just $29, down from its normal price of $39. That's a 26% discount and the same price we saw it for during Prime Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple 25W MagSafe Charger $29.00 at Amazon
$39.00 Save $10.00 Get Deal

Did you score a new Apple iPhone 16? If you plan on charging it wirelessly by way of MagSafe, you need a new, up-to-date charger. That means another expense even beyond your initial phone purchase, as your older MagSafe charger isn't going to be able to handle the new phone for wireless re-ups. Instead, you'll want Apple's new 25W MagSafe Charger, which you can grab at Amazon right now. Luckily, you won't have to spend full price on it, since it's gone down to its lowest price since Prime Day.

As of Oct. 15, you can get the 25W Apple MagSafe Charger for just $29 at Amazon. That's $10 off its normal price of $39 and a 26% discount. This matches the Prime Day prices we saw last week. This price is for the 1 meter cable. You can get the 2 meter cable for $39 instead if you need some additional length.

If you want to make sure your iPhone 16 reaches max battery capacity quickly while charging it wirelessly, this is your only option. The previous 15W model won't cut it, so you'll hae to do an upgrade if you plan on dropping your phone to charge and go. It has a braided cable and a USB-C slot with a circular puck, if you're unfamiliar with MagSafe charging pads, so all you have to do is put your phone down and walk away – it'll do the rest.

Of course, you can still charge your older MagSafe-compatible models with this puck as well. That applies to iPhone 8 and later, and it'll work with AirPods that have wireless charging cases as well. Be sure to snatch up a charger if you want to keep up with the times.

SAVE 50%: Amazon Prime members can get a refurbished Amazon Smart Thermostat for just $34.99, down from the normal refurbished price of $69.99. That's a savings of $35.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Refurbished Amazon Smart Thermostat $34.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $35.00 Prime member exclusive deal Get Deal

Frosty winter days will be here shortly. Now's a great time to find those wool socks and make sure you still have a decent pair of gloves. It's also time to start thinking about heating costs, and if you haven't yet upgraded to a smart thermostat, today's deal at Amazon is meant just for you.

As of Oct. 15, Prime members can buy a certified refurbished Amazon Smart Thermostat for just $34.99, down from the usual refurbished price of $69.99. That's a 50% discount for Prime members or a savings of $35. A new Amazon Smart Thermostat sells for $79.99, which means Prime members are scoring a $45 savings compared to buying a new device.

The Amazon Smart Thermostat aims to please when it comes to keeping you at a comfortable temperature. Made with Honeywell Home Thermostat technology, the device comes backed with Amazon's stamp of approval that the refurbished device looks and functions like new.

SEE ALSO: Move over Roomba! An Apple smart home robot is reportedly in the works

With the Alexa app, you can schedule specific temperatures for specific times. With the ability to control the thermometer remotely, you can also alter the schedule or temperature when you're not home. That means you'll never need to deal with a dreaded bill if you happen to leave for a long weekend and forget to turn the thermostat down.

If you have an Alexa-enabled device at home like an Echo, you can use voice control to alter the settings of the Smart Thermostat. Keep in mind you'll need to be an Amazon Prime member to snag this discounted price. If you're not already a member, check out the benefits, which include free two-day shipping and exclusive sale offers. Prime costs $14.99 per month, or you can opt to save a bit and get an annual membership for $139.

If you're in the market for a more intelligent way to control your home's heat this winter, a refurbished Amazon Smart Thermostat is on sale for just $34.99 for all Prime members. Compared to a new model, you'll save $45.

SAVE $51.99: Our favorite pair of headphones for pounding bass is down to $148 post-Prime Day. Score a pair of off-white Sony ULT headphones for $148 for 26% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT headphones $148.00 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $51.99 Get Deal

We're still coming down from Amazon's October sale, Prime Big Deal Days. Last week, the retailer dropped prices on headphones, laptops, and far more. If you missed out on the sale frenzy, no worries because the deals never stop rolling in. Or to be accurate, some prices just never came back up. The Sony ULT headphones just happened to be one of those products.

One of our favorite pairs of headphones, the Sony ULTs deliver pounding bass that creates a surround sound experience. It's all about bass with Sony ULTs, as these headphones, like the rest with a special ULT line-up, come with a button that punctuates the bass to even higher levels. If you like bass — you will like these headphones.

Some other things to like about these headphones includes insane battery life that tops 30 hours with ANC and 50 hours without. Plus, compared to Sony's other headphones, these are already affordable starting at $199.99.

Currently, the Sony ULT headphones in off-white are down to $148, saving you $51.99 for 26% off. This is the lowest price ever on these headphones, and considering only one color way is still on sale, we know this deal won't last long.

SAVE $10.01: As of October 15, get the noise-cancelling Apple AirPods 4 at their Prime Day price of $168.99, down from $179, a week after the sale. That's a discount of 6%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple AirPods 4 $168.99 at Amazon
$179.00 Save $10.01 Get Deal

There are tons of earbuds you could choose from if you're looking to buy a pair. But if you're an iOS fan, you probably gravitate more toward AirPods than any other brand. And if that's the case, you've more than likely already seen that there's a new pair of AirPods to be had: Apple AirPods 4, with or without ANC. They made their debut in late September, but they already saw a Prime Day price drop last week. If you happened to miss that discount, fear not – it's still alive and kicking.

As of Oct. 15, you can get a pair of noise-cancelling Apple AirPods 4 for just $168.99 at Amazon. That's $10.01 off their normal price of $179 and a discount of 6%. That's the same deal you could snag the AirPods for during Prime Day, so consider this your second chance at getting them for this price.

These new AirPods have been redesigned to be more comfortable and longer wear, with a shorter stem and quick-press on-board controls. Powered by an H2 chip, they blend active noise cancellation and a transparency mode to make listening more immersive than ever. They also work alongside Siri for hands-off multitasking, even the ability to share a song or show across multiple sets of AirPods so you can spend time with friends and family experiencing the same thing.

Mashable Tech Editor Kim Gedeon took the AirPods for a test run and came away appreciating their "excellent ANC" and "honeyed sound quality."

"The AirPods 4 are, without a doubt, the best in-ear earbuds I've tested in a long while," Gedeon shared in our official review. "They're definitely getting a place in our best headphones for noise cancellation list."

It's a great time to snag these earbuds while they're still up for grabs at their Prime Day price, so don't miss them a second time.

If you're someone who encourages people to follow you on Instagram often, the Meta-owned social media company's latest update might be a game changer.

SEE ALSO: 'Underconsumption core' is just another form of consumerism

As of today (Oct. 15), you no longer have to hover over someone and painstakingly watch them type in your Instagram handle. Now you can set up profile cards that make your profile discoverable by QR code, similar to Venmo. Profile cards are two-sided, one side with the scannable QR code and the other features your handle, profile picture, bio, and a song of your choice. You can also customize the background of the QR code.

A preview of what profile cards look like. Credit: Instagram

In a press release, Instagram described the feature as "your IG digital business card." While it will be helpful for creators and small businesses who rely on the platform to make money and connect with customers, it may further encourage all users to commodify their profiles — to think of a follow as a networking opportunity. It's part of the endless signaling from social media platforms to reframe personal profiles as professional profiles and to treat social media as another job.

Profile cards are just another reminder that the days of posting a heavily filtered photo of your BLT are long gone.